Today, GT Group announced that Solomon Thomson has been appointed Managing Director of Gay Times, following his work leading the Partnerships division of the business. The move comes as the company continues to expand its cultural impact within the media and entertainment landscape, underscoring extended investment into the flagship brand and the community it serves. Thomson brings an ingrained understanding of the business to the role, with a proven track record of unifying its commercial output with its editorial voice, contributing to some of Gay Times’ most impactful commercial collaborations in recent years. 

Before joining the world’s most-followed LGBTQ+ media brand (1) in 2023, Thomson held a multifaceted commercial role at ITV, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster and streamer. His global-media experience and nuanced grasp of the brand landscape paired with his unique understanding of Gay Times succinctly positions him to lead this next exciting era.

At Gay Times, Thomson has already helped shape the brand’s next-generation strategy: working closely alongside CEO, Tag Warner, to guide the organisation through significant changes in 2024, sharpening its proposition, and driving significant growth across content and social metrics. He has broadened the commercial offering with a fresh take on partnership content, strengthening existing advertiser relationships and bringing a new cohort of brands into the GT Partnerships ecosystem. Through this approach, Gay Times has evidenced the strength of its audience, the quality of its journalism and its cultural authority to the brands with whom it collaborates. 

Alongside previous Editorial Director, Megan Wallace, Thomson reimagined what Partnerships content looks like for the business. His work in creating opportunities for digital growth has supported the editorial strategy, advancing the shift toward a subscription-focussed editorial model, which informed the evolution of the magazine’s aesthetic six months ago – a creative refresh that honours Gay Times’ heritage while signalling where it is heading.

Like many LGBTQIA+ media brands, the company faced a challenging 2024 as a significant number of advertisers pulled back or paused spending amid wider market volatility and a retreat from diverse audience initiatives that informed marketing strategies. Gay Times acted proactively, setting out major changes in 2024 – shifting its focus to a subscription-first editorial model, and inviting its readership to become stakeholders in the brand’s future. The campaign’s success brought over 300 individuals into the fold as co-owners – a milestone that underlines the depth of audience commitment. Alongside this, Thomson spearheaded the inception of GT Alliance, a new production model for brand campaigns that sees Gay Times partnering with LGBTQIA+ and diverse-owned production and creative agencies to create more opportunities for the brand’s wider community and collaborators.

Elsewhere within GT Group, Wax Talent has delivered significant, double-digit percentage month-on-month growth in 2025, validating a multi-brand ecosystem where talent, media and experiences reinforce one another. An editorial collaboration with Uncloseted Media has amplified US-focused investigations to larger audiences. And across a summer of partnerships, a Pride programme drew strong critical notice and community buzz, underscoring the brand’s ability to convene culture in-real-life with care and credibility.

Thomson’s approach through a highly transitional period for the LGBTQIA+ sector has been steady, audience-centred and product-minded. Under his stewardship, Gay Times expects gains in both reach and relevance across social platforms, alongside an editorial cadence that supports deeper reporting and sharper verticals.

Gay Times will continue to widen its partner ecosystem with brands that share its values; scale magazine.gaytimes.com as a modern home for long-form integrity-based journalism; and press forward with ambitious journalism and big cultural ideas in service to a global community. 

In his new role, Thomson will continue to lead GT Partnerships whilst overseeing all aspects of the business, from commercial strategy and creative output to brand growth. He will report to CEO, Tag Warner. Wax Talent will continue to report to GT Group CEO, Tag Warner, separately.

Speaking about his appointment, Solomon Thomson said: “I’m so proud to step into this role at such a pivotal time for Gay Times, a platform I’ve admired and followed for many years. What excites me most is the chance to work even more collaboratively with our incredible team – their passion, creativity, and resourcefulness drives everything we achieve together.”

“Looking ahead, my focus is on building our momentum: strengthening editorial and social, expanding our subscription platform, and of course growing partnerships & advertising with brands that share our values. Above all, I’m committed to ensuring Gay Times continues to uplift the voices of our community whilst telling our stories with joy and heart – but also with the authority they deserve.”

Tag Warner, CEO of GT Group, added: “Solomon has been central to our next-generation strategy since joining the company – he understands how to translate cultural relevance into sustainable growth, and he brings a steady, audience-first leadership style to the table. This appointment to Managing Director, Gay Times is about doubling down on our flagship brand: investing in our journalism, backing our subscription products, and deepening the partnerships that move the culture forward. With Thomson in this new role, he is writing the next chapter of its five-decade history with intent.

(1) Based on publicly available data across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

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Against an evolving backdrop, GT Partnerships delivered work focused on community experience while driving measurable impact for brands.

Today, Gay Times is celebrating a run of standout partnerships across the first half of 2025.

In a year that has highlighted the importance of queer spaces and stories, Gay Times’ collaborations prioritised safety, visibility and joy – whilst typically outperforming internal branded-content benchmarks with standout social engagement.

While some areas of the market have pulled back their advertising support for LGBTQIA+ titles, Gay Times campaigns continue to perform to a growing LGBTQIA+ community and demonstrate superior performance in numerous metrics. From large-scale cultural takeovers to evidence-led community initiatives, the work proved that when brands back outcomes that matter, audiences respond.

Across immersive moments, data-driven concepts and cross-platform storytelling, these campaigns moved beyond impressions to deliver measurable impact for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Highlights from the company, which is the most followed LGBTQIA+ media brand in the world on major social platforms such as Instagram, include:

Garnier Micellar Water: Pride Party and Outernet Takeover

Gay Times joined forces with Garnier Micellar Water for an immersive takeover of Outernet Tottenham Court Road throughout Pride Month and beyond. The campaign, titled Messages To Our Younger Selves, showcased heartfelt letters from LGBTQIA+ individuals to their younger selves, creating a powerful tapestry of resilience. Created to support Garnier Micellar Water’s partnership with Just Like Us, the exhibition was a direct response to the statistic that 91% of LGBTQIA+ school pupils encounter hostile language about their identity, serving as a beacon of hope and a reminder that brighter days lie ahead.

The collaboration continued as the brand sponsored the annual Gay Times Pride Party at The Broadwick in Soho. The event was a spectacular celebration, centered around the campaign theme of celebrating queer hope and resilience, and attended by a cohort of LGBTQIA+ trailblazers and tastemakers including Trixie Mattel, Dylan Mulvaney and Joe Locke. At a time when Pride feels more important than ever, the event was testament to the strength and unity of the community, complete with a live performance from Tayce and DJ sets from the likes of Bimini and Absolute.

The campaign sparked over double the average editorial engagement for Gay Times partnerships and creator content performed more than seven times better than expected, while community response praised Garnier for showing up authentically.

 

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Supporting LGBTQIA+ Spaces with Uber

This summer, Gay Times curated a comprehensive report on the concerning rate of the shuttering of LGBTQIA+ venues. To gain powerful insight to support the campaign, Gay Times gathered data via a survey on the lived experiences of hundreds within their audience, all LGBTQIA+ community members, regarding their perception of venue closures across the country. The data revealed that 85% believe queer venues reduce feelings of loneliness, yet 46.3% said there are fewer such venues in their area now than there were three years ago.

The report also highlighted that nearly half of respondents (49.3%) reported avoiding queer venues due to safety concerns while traveling. In response to this urgent reality, Gay Times worked with Uber to offer thousands of discounted rides to independent LGBTQIA+ venues across the UK, helping to ensure people can travel hassle-free to the venues that are so vital for connection and safety.

 

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Hinge: Exploring Love Beyond Labels

Gay Times sat down with two queer couples, Leo and Nkem, and Macy and Naissa, to explore the true meaning of loving beyond labels with dating app Hinge. The campaign amplified Hinge’s LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E Report, which reveals that 48% of queer daters feel frustrated by gender and sexuality categories, a phenomenon known as Label Fatigue.

The series of content explored freedom and growth in love through embracing change, with the couples sharing their stories of navigating identity fluidity. Like 37% of LGBTQIA+ daters, both couples have updated the sexuality labels they previously identified with, showing how prioritising connection and chemistry allows for personal growth and deeper intimacy.

 

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Arsenal Football Club: The Connective Power of Sport

For LGBTQIA+ History Month, Gay Times celebrated the power of sports as a means for connection in partnership with Arsenal Football Club. Four sapphic couples spoke to Gay Times about how they found their biggest loves in life: Arsenal Women and their partners.

The series across social and digital channels highlighted the inclusive space that AWFC has created, with one couple noting, “The community is thriving both at matches and online.” The club’s growing queer fanbase is undeniable, with many of the more than 60,000 fans attending their matches being from the community, demonstrating that queer love and expression are embraced and celebrated on and off the pitch.

The campaign proved to be one of Gay Times’ strongest performing partnerships to date and a firm community-favourite – outpacing similar content with over 15x the benchmarked engagement rate on social media.

 

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ViiV Healthcare: The New Reality of Living with HIV

With the support of ViiV Healthcare, Gay Times explored how the realities of living with HIV have changed, allowing many people to lead full and healthy lives. This vital conversation took the form of an empowering interview between Dr. Tristan Barber, a consultant physician specialising in HIV, and Tom Hayes-Isaacs, an activist living with HIV.

The discussion highlighted that today, treatment can be as simple as a single pill a day, and once on successful treatment, a person with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex. This project underscored the publication’s commitment to combating misinformation, whilst arming audiences with the tools to navigate healthy patient doctor conversations and educating them on the immense progress made in HIV medicine.

The campaign reached nearly three times the expected audience, far surpassing delivery goals.

 

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Channel 4: A Spoof Cover for The Inheritance

To celebrate the launch of series one of The Inheritance on Channel 4, Gay Times created its first-ever branded spoof cover with the British broadcaster.

The project featured Drag Race UK icons Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas who gave a hilarious and exaggerated interview about their “newfound wealth.” The playfully chaotic piece perfectly captures the show’s “campy and chaotic” essence and demonstrates the power of creativity and humor in branded content.

 

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This incredible summer of partnerships not only delivered impressive metrics but reinforced the publication’s commitment to producing content that is both authentic and impactful, serving the LGBTQIA+ community with integrity and celebration.

If you’d like to explore a collaboration with Gay Times, you can speak with the GT Partnerships team at partnerships@gaytimesgroup.com.

The post Partnerships that Perform: Advertisers succeed in Gay Times collaborations in 2025 appeared first on GAY TIMES.

GT Group’s talent management arm, wax Talent, has announced robust growth in the first half of 2025.

Launched in mid-2024 as a culture focused talent agency, wax has seen revenue climb by over 10% month-on-month in every 30 day period of 2025 so far. This represents a streak of continuous double-digit expansion.

This rapid rise underscores wax’s successful entry into the talent management industry and its emergence as a significant contributor within the GT Group ecosystem.

Company officials indicated that the momentum is projected to continue through the year, highlighting strong demand from brands for wax’s roster of talent and services.

The results also come shortly after the agency has been shortlisted for Best Talent Agency at ITV’s bCreator Awards – with the winner to be announced later in 2025.

Rapid Growth and First-Year Milestones

The consistent 10%+ monthly growth in 2025 is a remarkable achievement for a venture just over one year old. wax – billed as the UK’s first full-service commercial talent agency specializing in LGBTQIA+ talent – has capitalized on an underserved market niche.

“Never before has there been an established full-service LGBTQ+ talent agency in the UK, and now the results speak for themselves,” said Flora McCluskey, Talent Director at wax Talent. “We launched wax to champion diverse talent, and this first-half performance proves the strength of our model and the appetite for authentic talent development and representation.”

wax’s rapid ascent comes amid a broader boom in influencer and talent-led marketing; the global influencer marketing industry is expected to reach $32.5 billion by the end of 2025, up from $24 billion just a year earlier.

Industry analysts note that brands are shifting budgets toward creator partnerships at a record pace, with the market projected to grow 35% this year – far outpacing traditional advertising growth.

 

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Expanding Roster and High-Profile Signings

wax’s growth has been accompanied by an expansion of its talent roster with internationally recognised names. The agency’s initial lineup, unveiled in mid-2024, featured prominent LGBTQ+ figures across entertainment, fashion, and social media.

Recent signings in 2025 include professional footballer Josh Cavallo, a headline-making addition. Cavallo made history in 2021 as the world’s first openly gay male top-flight footballer, and his exclusive representation by wax signals the agency’s ability to attract high-caliber talent.

wax’s curated roster now spans athletes, actors, creators and advocates with a combined social media following exceeding 12 million, giving brand clients immediate access to engaged audiences.

According to the company, its wider casting network – which extends beyond the core roster through partnerships and off-roster talent – offers a combined reach of over 100 million people globally for advertising and campaigns. This extensive network reflects wax’s dual model of representing select talent and casting from a broader pool, enabled by Gay Times’ decades-built connections in diverse communities.

In addition to individual talent growth, wax has swiftly delivered on high-profile opportunities. It has leveraged the GT Group’s media and events platform to secure major brand partnerships.

For example, wax and Gay Times recently partnered with Netflix on a 360-degree campaign around the launch of Heartstopper season three – an initiative that saw wax curate VIP guest lists and talent for a star-studded screening event, while Gay Times served as media partner.

The agency also collaborated on an experiential marketing campaign with dating app Hinge, casting and managing LGBTQIA+ creators for a bespoke event and content series. These collaborations not only generate revenue but also raise wax’s profile in the industry, showcasing its capacity to deliver integrated talent-driven campaigns for global brands.

 

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Focus and Industry Outlook

Being part of GT Group further bolsters wax’s position. The GT Group’s media channels and 40-year legacy in diverse publishing offer built-in advantages to wax’s clients and talent.

This synergy has created a powerful feedback loop: as wax’s talent benefits from synergetic media coverage, their profiles grow, attracting more brand deals and in turn fueling wax’s revenue growth.

“We’re embedded in culture and backed by a rich history,” McCluskey explained at the agency’s launch. That foundation has translated into commercial results. In a short span since its May 2024 debut, wax has evolved from a startup venture into one of GT Group’s fastest-growing divisions.

McCluskey added: “wax Talent’s sustained growth over the past year is testament to our purpose-led approach in representing talent, and our strategic focus on emerging and underrepresented spaces within the industry.

“We’ve built an agency rooted in authenticity, inclusivity, and meaningful partnerships – and the reception from both talent and brands has been incredible. Being shortlisted for Best Talent Agency at ITV’s bCreator Awards is a powerful marker of what we’ve achieved in our first year and the real impact we’re making in industry.”

 

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Tag Warner, CEO of GT Group, said: “wax Talent’s performance this year demonstrates the power of our group business: combining world-class talent representation with the reach and cultural influence of our flagship brand.

“In just over a year, wax has become one of the fastest-growing parts of GT Group, proving that there is enormous demand from brands to work with authentic, values-driven talent. This success underlines our commitment to building a future-facing media and talent business that moves culture forward.”

wax Talent’s management indicates that the remainder of 2025 looks promising, with the double-digit monthly growth trend expected to continue. The agency is actively expanding its client services and exploring new markets to meet rising demand.

Visit here for more information on wax talent.

The post GT Group’s ‘wax Talent’ reports surging growth in first half of 2025 appeared first on GAY TIMES.

We sat down with two queer couples to discuss freedom and growing in love through embracing change.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HINGE
PHOTOGRAPHY LYDIA GARNETT

In 2025, discourse around labels is raising big questions about how we connect and what it means to love one another. While some hold labels dear, embracing the belonging and definition they provide, others are letting their connections be defined by attraction over identity. 

According to Hinge, 48% of queer daters feel frustrated by the constraints of gender and sexuality categories,  a phenomenon known as Label Fatigue. In response, GAY TIMES sat down with two queer couples to explore how loving beyond labels allows them to feel both held and free within their relationships.

Leo (he/him) and Nkem (he/him)

After falling into a relationship founded on mutual friends and shared interests, Leo and Nkem have been dating for three years. Their connection allowed Nkem to better understand his identity as a gay man.

“Leo is the first guy I’ve ever dated and before him, I couldn’t imagine having romantic feelings for a man,” shares Nkem. “Exploring my sexuality through our relationship has felt very easy and organic, like something just clicked in my head.”

Leo adds: “I’ve found that people I share chemistry with often resonate with the same labels I do but labels should never tie you down.”

Hinge’s Love Beyond Labels report reveals that LGBTQIA+ daters are increasingly adopting Label Fluidity – an attitude to dating which focuses on evolution and curiosity, prioritising connection and chemistry over labels.

Like 37% of LGBTQIA+ daters who have updated the sexuality labels they previously identified with, both Leo and Nkem have used different labels throughout their journeys and both faced judgement from others when expressing the shift in how they identify, an experience shared by 60% of LGBTQIA+ daters.

Being together and allowing chemistry to be the deciding factor in their connection, the pair have been able to better understand both themselves and one another.

“Together, we both have a deep respect for each other’s autonomy. I feel very lucky to be with someone who has a deep understanding of the labels I use for myself, seeing how much we have in common led us both to use the same labels and our shared experiences have helped me feel more secure in my identity,” Leo says.

“For any younger daters navigating dating and label fluidity, I would say don’t be too bogged down. If a label appeals to you, allow yourself to imagine a life where you could try it out.” Leo adds.

Macy (she/her) and Naissa (he/him)

Like Leo and Nkem, dating beyond their usual types allowed Macy and Naissa to feel free within their connections.

“Macy’s playful gender exploration throughout our relationship has reminded me to stay curious about my own identity and not be so afraid of change,” Naissa says. “Our relationship has affirmed my own gender identity and I have definitely experienced a shift in my sexuality by not limiting possible attractions and connections.”

While 50% of LGBTQIA+ daters report feeling pressured to perform gender in a particular way to attract a partner, together Macy and Naissa champion fluidity.

“I’ve gone from genderfluid to a trans femme to a trans woman to a trans dyke, all in the space of our three-year relationship, and never felt a lessening of our connection. I think openness is so attractive and has played a big part in the longevity of our relationship,” says Macy.

According to Hinge, 45% of LGBTQIA+ daters are curious about new kinds of connection and yet 55% of daters haven’t acted on these feelings. Naissa shares the positive impact he’s felt after placing less importance on labels.

“I’m at the point in my queerness and relationship where labels mean so much less than they once did. The priority is our connection and how we show up for each other,” he explains. “I think it’s so easy to make assumptions but I’d rather give the benefit of the doubt, and try to see someone for how they are with me.”

Both Macy and Naissa cherish the independence and connection they foster, sharing how their open and honest communication style has allowed them to grow together and flourish amidst their shifting identities.

“Our relationship has taught me to welcome uncertainty without the fear of losing something, and to find joy in stepping into the unknown,” Macy reflects. “I love being able to fall in love with someone again and again, through every version of who they become.”

Naissa agrees: “What’s life without newness and change?”

You can read Hinge’s LGBTQIA+ date report here.

The post Queer couples on what loving beyond labels means to them appeared first on GAY TIMES.

You know the score – queer spaces aren’t just bricks and mortar, they’re the lifeblood. They’re where we connect, create, and just be. In a world that still needs reminding, these independent, queer or community LGBTQ+ venues across the UK are doing the most.

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In an era where so much of queer connection unfolds online, physical spaces still carry a kind of weight that can’t be replicated. For the LGBTQIA+ community, they’ve never just been backdrops – they’ve always been vital.

As our latest report highlights, independent LGBTQIA+ venues are facing mounting challenges. From rising operational costs to safety concerns and funding inequity, these spaces – many of them community-led – now navigate a landscape that often renders them both crucial and vulnerable. Yet, amidst the closures and cautions, there remain a number of venues across the UK not only weathering the storm, but reimagining what queer space can be.

Each of the seven featured below were born from an understanding of what it means to build somewhere to belong.  

The Bookish Type, Leeds

A considered and quiet space nestled above a coffee shop in central Leeds, The Bookish Type was created with the belief that LGBTQIA+ people deserve to see their stories told and celebrated. The shop’s curation is both intentional and expansive, centring trans voices, Black queer authors, and independent publishers alongside contemporary fiction and political writing. For many, it offers the first moment of being truly reflected.

Use the code THEBOOKISHTYPEPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Kafe Kweer, Edinburgh

Kafe Kweer is a sober, queer-led venue that reclaims community space with an emphasis on care and accessibility. Events range from craft nights to activist meet-ups, and while the décor may be modest, the atmosphere is unmistakably intentional. There is something profound about a space that allows people to simply exist without performance or pressure.

Use the code KAFEKWEERPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue. 

Queer Britain, London

Queer Britain stands as the UK’s first national LGBTQIA+ museum—a milestone as overdue as it is necessary. Inside, the exhibitions speak not just to historical milestones but to the everyday textures of queer life: protest badges, handwritten letters, photographs and lived experience woven together with curatorial care. In its refusal to sanitise or simplify, Queer Britain creates a cultural offering that is both educational and deeply moving.

Use the code LONDONQUEERPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Revenge, Brighton

A long-standing cornerstone of Brighton’s queer nightlife, Revenge has spent decades serving not just as a dancefloor but as a community institution. While many clubs have faltered, become homogenised, or quietly disappeared, Revenge has remained rooted. Its longevity is not simply down to heritage, but to its continued relevance: adapting programming, investing in inclusivity and retaining a connection to the people who have always needed it most.

Use the code REVENGEBRIGHTONPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Queer Lit, Manchester

Manchester has always held a certain cultural weight in the UK’s queer history, and Queer Lit contributes to that legacy with a grounded sense of purpose. Located close to the city’s Gay Village, the shop offers more than shelves of literature; it is a meeting place, a resource hub and a platform for emerging writers. Alongside its bookselling function, the space regularly hosts community events and mental health initiatives.

Use the code QUEERLITPRIDE to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Camp, Margate

There is something quietly powerful about what Camp has created on the Kent coast. In a town increasingly marked by gentrification and seasonal flux, this queer-led venue has carved out permanence through community connection. The space serves as a bar, performance venue and community space, offering programming that feels simultaneously rooted in joy and steeped in political awareness. Camp doesn’t exist to mimic urban queer culture – it’s shaping a coastal community on its own terms.

Use the code CAMPMARGATEPRIDE to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

The Queer Emporium, Cardiff

What began as a temporary Pride pop-up has since become one of Cardiff’s most vital cultural fixtures. The Queer Emporium houses a constellation of LGBTQIA+ small businesses – from clothing and floristry to beauty and books – brought together under one roof with the aim of creating sustainable, visible and interdependent queer economies.

Use the code CARDIFFEMPORIUMPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Our call to support independent spaces

At a time when 82% of LGBTQIA+ people report feeling isolated due to a lack of access to affirming spaces, and nearly half avoid venues due to safety concerns, these places are lifelines.

To help remove one of the most significant barriers – getting there – we’ve worked with Uber to offer thousands of free rides to independent LGBTQIA+ venues across the UK. It’s a small but tangible step towards making these spaces more accessible, particularly for those who might otherwise be excluded due to distance, finances or safety fears. Access should never be a privilege; it should be a given.

The post Support Queer Spaces: 7 of the UK’s LGBTQ+ venues doing the most appeared first on GAY TIMES.

There are zero openly gay and bi men actively competing in America’s top pro sports leagues. What’s keeping the closet door shut?

WORDS BY BENJAMIN LAND AND SPENCER MACNAUGHTON

THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED ON UNCLOSETED MEDIA A NEW INVESTIGATIVE LGBTQIA+ FOCUSSED NEWS PUBLICATION.

When Jason Collins came out in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story, he broke down the long-sealed closet in men’s sports by becoming the first openly gay active player in any major league sport. President Barack Obama called him to offer his support, saying he “couldn’t be prouder,” and Oprah Winfrey called him “a pioneer.”

“By not having to hide who I am, just being able to live an authentic life, there’s something powerful about being the one to out yourself and step forward and speak your truth,” Collins told Uncloseted Media. “There’s no greater feeling.”

Many thought that Collins’ announcement would lead to a slew of men coming out in professional sports; commentators called it a “tipping point” and the moment “when things really changed.” But 12 years later, the silence is deafening. Today, there are zero active openly gay or bisexual players in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, PGA and ATP.

What makes these numbers particularly shocking is that more than 1 in 5 Gen Z adults in the United States identify as LGBTQ. “It is a legit claim that the last closet for men is sports, especially in the North American context,” says Charlene Weaving, a professor of gender studies at St. Francis Xavier University. “If you look at sport[s], it’s as if what’s happening in society is amplified. Sports is the worst place for sexism and homophobia. … There’s so much pressure to adhere to a heterosexual persona.”

So what’s keeping the closet door shut?

Coaching Can Help or Hurt

One key element in men’s sports that can help or hinder someone from coming out is the mentors who surround them.

“The coaches create the culture, right? What you say, what you allow [in] your locker room, that’s all on us,” says Anthony Nicodemo, a gay high school basketball coach in Westchester, New York.

He says he intentionally uses LGBTQ-inclusive language with his team to signal that there’s nothing wrong with being gay. “If we had a game on Saturday morning and it’s Friday night, I’d say, ‘Hey go home with your boyfriend or girlfriend tonight, stay in.’ My kids would laugh, of course, but then after I said it a couple times, they didn’t even blink,” he says. “If there was a gay kid on my team, that gay kid knows that he’s welcome.”

A 2016 study by the Journal of Sport and Health Science found that gay and bisexual male teen athletes feel particularly unwelcome when playing in formal sporting environments where there are coaches. The study also found that they were more likely to play on an informal team without a coach, which would lessen their chances of becoming a professional athlete.

“The hope is that you’re going to create inclusive environments that are ultimately going to allow those kids to get to the point in society where we feel comfortable with them coming out and eventually playing at the professional level,” says Nicodemo, who worked with Collins at the Pride Center’s LGBTQ inclusion basketball clinic in San Antonio this March.

Nicodemo says we need more role models like Brian Burke, the former president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. After Burke’s gay son passed away in a car accident in 2010, he made it his mission to explicitly advocate for gay men competing in pro hockey. “If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you are welcome with the Pittsburgh Penguins,” he said at a 2021 Pittsburgh Pride Revolution March. “You’re welcome to come to our games, you’re welcome to play for our team, you’re welcome to work on our staff. You are welcome.”

Research suggests all players want to participate in more inclusive environments. A 2021 study evaluated college coaches who identified as LGBTQ, as allies, or as anti-LGBTQ. In every context, students preferred coaches who embraced nondiscrimination, choosing the ally and the LGBTQ coach over the anti-LGBTQ coach.

Despite this, Nicodemo says he may be an anomaly when it comes to LGBTQ-inclusive coaches. In fact, a 2015 study concluded that the United States was the most homophobic country in the world when it comes to sports and 80% of the study’s participants reported witnessing or experiencing homophobia in U.S. sports.

Just this week, the Wake Forest men’s baseball coach Tom Walter issued an apology after cameras caught him using an apparent homophobic slur during an NCAA game.

“There’s a lot of homophobia in our society. There is a lot of homophobia still in sports, in particular, male sports,” says Collins. “We still have a lot of work to do as far as creating those environments that those athletes do feel comfortable to step forward [in] and share who they are. It’s about education and letting them know it’s okay to say, ‘I am gay,’ ‘I am bisexual.’ You know, you name it, but it’s okay. It’s okay to speak your truth.”

Are the Leagues Pulling Their Weight?

Beyond the coaches are the leagues. While some of them have taken steps to create inclusive environments, others have gone in a different direction by rolling back their LGBTQ-inclusive policies amid attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). In March, the MLB removed references to their “Diversity Pipeline Program,” which outlined their diversity-focused hiring initiatives, from their website.

This may have been in response to external pressure. In October 2023, the conservative public interest organization America First Legal, which was founded by Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, filed a formal complaint against the MLB, blasting the league’s diversity pipeline and related initiatives as blatant examples of racial and sexist discrimination against white men.

And in 2023, the NHL banned all LGBTQ symbols from uniforms after a handful of players refused to participate in Pride Nights.

While the ban was lifted after pushback from sponsors, players and fans, Nicodemo believes it sent the wrong message to young male players. “I believe wholeheartedly that Pride nights save lives. I think [about] a gay kid that is watching hockey at home and seeing the rainbow flag and how important that is,” he says. “Gay kids need to see people representing pride. When I was coaching before COVID, when we used to actually wear suits when we coached, I wore a rainbow lapel in every game just to show it was okay.”

Some men’s leagues have done more to promote inclusivity. NBA Cares, the social justice arm of the league’s charitable programming, has prioritized including gay youth and men in their initiatives. Nicodemo has worked with NBA Cares, and Collins has contributed as an ambassador.

“This is very important for coaches, for those people in leadership positions, to think about as far as, ‘How do I get the best possible version of my athlete?’ … One way you do that is by creating a team environment where everyone feels safe,” says Collins.

Homophobia and Misogyny in the Men’s Locker Room

Unlike men’s leagues, women’s leagues are more accepting of LGBTQ players. Billie Jean King, Brittney Griner and Abby Wambach are some of the many women who have thrived while competing as openly gay athletes.

“In the WNBA, [it’s] not an issue,” says Nicodemo, referencing that 29% of active WNBA players are openly lesbian.

Homophobia is more common among men. And in the locker room, it isn’t always easy to spot, as it often masks itself in homoeroticism.

“Two male athletes will kiss each other on the lips. And that’s considered to be love and appreciation that you scored that big goal. ‘I’m gonna kiss you and it’s not at all viewed to be perceived to be gay and the grabbing of the bums or the testicle area.’ This idea of showering together, slapping towels, that’s all considered to be like part of men’s sport,” says Weaving. “So it’s this idea where players can be as ‘gay’ as they want and in the context of the field or the locker room, they’re not perceived to be gay. But if they were to act that way outside of that sporting context, then they’re considered to be.”

Collins says this gender divide may be because of sexism and toxic masculinity. This kind of performative homoeroticism is only socially acceptable because it’s understood to be ironic—a joke that relies on not actually being gay. When the behavior slips beyond the bounds of “just joking,” it exposes an undercurrent of homophobia masked as camaraderie.

The Financial Cost of Coming Out: Something to Gain or Lose?

Beyond all these pressures lies a monetary component for athletes who are considering opening the closet door while still in uniform. Cyd Zeigler, the cofounder of Outsports, wrote in a 2024 article that he knows “for a fact that agents have told gay athletes to stay in the closet” and that his “best answer has pointed to the agents and managers whose livelihoods depend on athletes maximizing their earning potential in just a few years.”

Weaving agrees. “The general managers and the owners have more traditionally homophobic, sexist thinking. They believe [LGBTQ players] will harm viewership,” she says. “It’s still taboo where athletes fear repercussions, predominantly, around sponsorships.”

The fear of losing out on money may be misguided. The first day Jason Collins’ number 98 jersey became available on the NBA website, one year after he came out, it was the top seller of all active NBA players. Carl Nassib’s jersey became a top seller on the NFL’s official online marketplace when he came out in 2021. And Michael Sam, the first gay NFL player, had the second-highest selling jersey in his 2014 rookie class of more than 250 draftees.

The Trump Effect on the Last Closet

Perhaps the biggest factor keeping men in the closet is America’s current political climate, where the Trump administration and corporate America have abandoned DEI and so-called “woke” initiatives.

The Trump administration has also erased many references to LGBTQ people from government websites, and at least nine states have introduced measures to overturn marriage equality.

“The Trump administration asks districts to sign attestations to say that they’re not going to do DEI work in schools. That could be a pride flag hanging in the classroom,” says Nicodemo. “If you’re not creating an inclusive environment for these kids, then these kids are never going to feel comfortable coming out.”

What Can Be Done?

As all these factors create a challenging environment for men to feel safe coming out in sports.

Collins says what could move the needle the most is an increase in role models who will make young athletes feel like they’re competing in a safe environment. “It definitely got to very dark, lonely places because I felt like I was going through this alone,” he says. “When I was younger, I was constantly looking for those role models, of people who have sort of been down this path,” he says.

Weaving agrees and says that a lack of LGBTQ-inclusive coaches can be more than just a deterrent for student-athletes seeking to grow their career.

“For many children, it doesn’t only make things uncomfortable, it can push them out of sports altogether,” she says. “Coaches play a big role. Youth sport is the starting point. If you can create positive environments, inclusive cultures at that level, it continues and helps to shift the pro culture.”

Collins remains hopeful that there will be more visibility of gay men in professional sports but underscores the need for role models to step up.

“If you’re a coach or if you’re an athletic director or even a headmaster out of school, you have to seek out help. You have to bring other organizations who have expertise. And it can be as simple as a 30- to 60-minute conversation, but at least you’re laying the groundwork down for educating those players, educating those athletes,” says Collins, a two-time NBA championship finalist who married his partner last month.

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The post In 2025, why are men still afraid to come out in professional sports? appeared first on GAY TIMES.

LGBTQIA+ icons came together to celebrate Pride 2025 at The Broadwick Soho’s rooftop bar, in partnership with Garnier Micellar Water.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GARNIER MICELLAR WATER
CHARITY PARTNER JUST LIKE US
PRODUCTION WONDERFUL THINGS
PHOTOGRAPHY KAREN STANLEY

On Saturday 5th July, Gay Times held their annual Pride party in central London, situated behind a (very camp) pink door at The Broadwick.

A host of LGBTQIA+ celebs congregated at the rooftop bar, in the heart of Soho on the day of Pride in London, where an estimated 1.5 million people were out to celebrate the day.

A packed guestlist included Munroe Bergdorf, Andrew Scott and the cast of BBC’s What it Feels Like for a Girl and I Kissed a Boy, alongside the likes of Bel Priestley, Amy Spalding and Jason Kwan from the Garnier Micellar Water and GAY TIMES Pride Campaign.

Guests were invited to contribute to the Garnier Micellar Water experience in support of the LGBTQIA+ young person’s charity, Just Like Us, by penning letters to their younger selves on postcards designed by members of the community, which were then displayed in a wall of messages.

The event included a live performance from Drag Race UK star Tayce, alongside DJ sets from Bimini, Absolute, Liam Parsons and Mark-Ashley Dupé and a custom cocktail menu from Cîroc Vodka. Tattoo artist and Creator, Jamie Lo designed a trio of custom Pride 2025 flash for temporary tattoos applied with Garnier Micellar Water (of course!).

Trixie Mattel, Cheryl The Queen and Dylan Mulvaney were joined by Joe Locke, Amber Rose Gill, Jack Remmington, AJ Clementine, Norma Night and Rico Jacob Chase.

Other guests included Cat Burns, Layton Williams, Ashley Roberts, Tobias Cordes and Elliot Horne.

See below for a round-up of pictures from the day:

The post Inside the hottest Pride party: Gay Times & Garnier take over Soho appeared first on GAY TIMES.

In every town, city and corner of the UK, LGBTQIA+ venues have long served as more than mere places to gather.

Dancefloors, bookstores, galleries and more have been transformed into sanctuaries, battlegrounds, and living rooms for chosen families to commune – spaces where identity is affirmed, community strengthens.

Yet in 2025, the fight for their survival continues. Access remains unequal, safety cannot be taken for granted, and too many queer people still face barriers when trying to reach the spaces created to welcome them.

In response to this urgent reality, GAY TIMES has explored the state of queer venues across the UK through a nationwide campaign rooted in data, dialogue, and action.

By surveying over 240 LGBTQIA+ individuals, independent venue owners, and grassroots organisers, as well as conducting in-depth interviews with cultural leaders across nightlife, media and transport, the project set out to better understand what these spaces mean to our communities — and what’s at risk when they’re no longer there.

The result is a powerful snapshot of the essential role queer venues continue to play in LGBTQIA+ life, particularly for younger generations. The data revealed that 85% of respondents believe LGBTQIA+ spaces reduce feelings of loneliness, while 82% reported feeling isolated at times due to a lack of access. Nearly half attend queer venues monthly, indicating how these spaces are crucial hubs of emotional and social support alongside being important cultural hubs.

While these findings reaffirm the value of queer spaces, they also spotlight their increasingly precarious existence.. 46.3% of those surveyed said there are fewer LGBTQIA+ venues in their area now than there were three years ago.

One in three said closures would leave them “heartbroken,” “lost,” or “devastated.” Beyond the abstraction of statistics, these reports reveal the real impact of what it means when access to spaces of refuge and connection are lost.

Crucially, the barriers to belonging don’t end with venue closures. Even when queer spaces remain, respondents shared that getting to them safely remains a significant challenge.

Nearly half (49.3%) reported avoiding LGBTQIA+ venues due to safety concerns, with the average safety rating for travelling home on public transport at just 2.8 out of 5. Many described alternatives, such as attending non-queer clubs or using late-night specific transport routes, as “unsafe”, “intimidating” or “outright exclusionary”.

The problem has been compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, with 81.8% saying finances have impacted their ability to attend LGBTQIA+ spaces in some form, whether significantly (30%) or slightly (51.5%). As one respondent put it: “There’s a venue in my town now, but I still feel unsafe getting there.”

Queer venues remain the only places where many feel true cultural and emotional freedom and belonging. When asked why these spaces are necessary, respondents consistently spoke to the need for safety, visibility, and solidarity.

These venues offer something most others don’t: the radical permission to be fully seen without fear. As one participant poignantly described them “They’re not just spaces. They’re survival.”

This understanding is shared by those within the industries that shape our experience of nightlife, culture, and mobility. Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, stressed the importance of protecting independent community spaces:

“Independent community spaces are vital for creating environments where individuals can express themselves freely and authentically. These spaces offer a sense of belonging, particularly for marginalised groups, providing not only a safe haven but also a platform for cultural exchange and personal growth. In a world where larger, commercial venues often overlook the needs of diverse communities, independent venues play an essential role.”

Solomon Thomson, Senior Partnerships Director at GAY TIMES, echoed the need to preserve the cultural power of queer nightlife for the generations still coming up:

“LGBTQIA+ venues provide opportunities for our communities to come together, share their lived experiences and remember our histories. They’re not just about fun, they can be key catalysts for social change – we must not forget that the Stonewall uprising emanated from a queer bar in NYC. In the face of the rising cost of living and in the midst of a technological revolution where queer bodies are increasingly dematerialised, it’s vital that we don’t lose sight of the magic that can occur when we come together IRL. Not only that, but we need to save our physical spaces for the next generation.”

As part of this ongoing campaign, GAY TIMES has worked with Uber to offer thousands of free rides to independent LGBTQIA+ venues across the UK — a tangible commitment to increasing access, reducing barriers, and supporting the spaces that make queer life visible, vibrant and connected. The message is clear: queer venues matter. But until access is equal, there’s more work to be done.

This report is a ‘stake in the ground’ for Gay Times, and representative of the real threat so much more than the reduction in spaces for our community to connect. At a time when the LGBTQIA+ experience feels almost under the microscope, it’s of real importance that we protect spaces in which we can connect with others as there is real power in community.

If we can leave you with one key takeaway, it’s to find a way to travel safely to your local queer venues, as supporting them supports your community.

Let’s create a safer, more inclusive future for us all, one that extends far beyond Pride Month.

Read this to find out how you can support LGBTQIA+ venues, with discount rides available!

The post New GAY TIMES report reveals the challenges facing independent LGBTQIA+ venues appeared first on GAY TIMES.

To mark Pride 2025, GAY TIMES partners with Garnier Micellar Water to create an immersive exhibit asking ‘what message would you give your younger self?’.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GARNIER MICELLAR WATER

This Pride, GAY TIMES and Garnier Micellar Water exhibit Messages To Our Younger Selves at Outernet London. 

Showcasing heartfelt letters penned by LGBTQIA+ individuals to their younger selves, the exhibition creates a powerful tapestry that chronicles the transformative path toward self-acceptance and pride.

Made in partnership with Just Like Us and Outernet, the exhibition is a direct response to the statistic that 91% of LGBTQIA+ school pupils encounter hostile language about their identity. The intimate messages serve as beacons of resilience and a reminder that brighter days lie ahead.

The exhibition is soundtracked by the iconic queer artist Sarah Nimmo, featuring an instrumental version of her first solo single, ‘UNDERGROUND’, released May 2025.

Developed by a team of LGBTQIA+ creatives and advocates, Messages To Our Younger Selves draws authentically from real-world experiences to demonstrate how positive and meaningful words can reshape lives and build bridges across generations.

Featuring participants including actress Bel Preistley, drag queen Vanity Milan and make-up artist Way of Yaw, the segment invites viewers to reflect on their own youth and the messages they would want to hear.

Messages To Our Younger Selves will run alongside other LGBTQ+ exhibitions in the space, as part of Outernet London’s Pride Month programming.

The exhibition will continue to run at Outernet London in the Now Trending space throughout 2025.

To see when GAY TIMES and Garnier Micellar Water’s Messages To Our Younger Selves will be screened at Outernet London 1st – 12th July, visit their What’s On schedule here.

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In response to escalating global threats to LGBTQIA+ rights and a growing retreat from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, Gay Times – the 40 year old LGBTQ+ media brand – has announced vital changes to the future of the company.

Gay Times has undergone significant growth in recent years. In 2021, Gay Times Magazine achieved a per-issue circulation of 161,000. Just three years later, following a digital transformation, the brand reached a global audience of more than 70 million.

This transformation was in part powered by pioneering brand partnerships with progressive global brands. However, the landscape of advertising for LGBTQ+ aligned companies has rapidly changed in the last twelve months – with new research suggesting that over 40% of brands are ditching Pride in 2025.

In light of this, Gay Times’ leadership announced today a significant change in their strategy and outlook for 2025 and beyond – focussing on hard-hitting journalism and increasing investment into themes such justice, politics and healthcare – honing in on a subscription-first business strategy that champions their audience. 

This change in strategy also brings a change in ownership structure – with Gay Times CEO, Tag Warner, announcing a Community Investment initiative for the first time in the company’s history. This shift puts emphasis on audience-members themselves being the primary stakeholders in the future of the brand.

In a world trying to erase LGBTQIA+ stories, we keep writing them. Join our mission as shareholders in Gay Times and help us fight for your rights. Find out more at investors.gaytimes.com.

Tag Warner, CEO of Gay Times, commented:

“I truly believe we’re at a crossroads — not just as a company, but as a community. The rapid retreat from DEI commitments and the rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation globally isn’t just political noise; it’s a direct threat to our future. That’s why, at Gay Times, we’re not waiting for the tide to turn. We’re doubling down on independent journalism and building a way for queer people to own, shape, and sustain the media that represents them. In a moment when so many are pulling back, I’m proud that Gay Times is choosing to go all in.”

The decision comes at a pivotal time for LGBTQIA+ media. In the UK, trans rights are being challenged at the highest levels of government. In the US, hundreds of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills have been introduced across multiple states. Around the world, queer communities are facing rising censorship, surveillance, and systemic erasure.

At the same time, corporations and institutions that once championed LGBTQIA+ inclusion are scaling back their support – quietly shelving DEI policies, pulling funding, or avoiding visibility altogether.

In contrast, Gay Times today announced they are taking a public, proactive stance. Rather than retreat in the face of this cultural shift, the company is evolving into a subscription-first, community-owned platform rooted in accountability, independence, and long-term sustainability.

The company announced that the investment will support the launch of several new initiatives, including:

• Expanding its editorial operation to focus on investigative journalism; “holding power to account and uncovering the individuals, institutions, and ideologies driving anti-LGBTQIA+ narratives worldwide.”
• A shift to a tiered subscription model that “puts its audience at the centre” – offering access to “trusted journalism, newsletters, and longform storytelling.”
• New regional verticals, reflecting the diverse lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in every community.
• New live programming and editorial experiences to “bring audiences together in real life, giving them the chance to participate in pivotal conversations with global leaders”

Gay Times’ Community Investment initiative launched today with more information via investors.gaytimes.com

The post Gay Times is heading into its next era, here’s how you can help appeared first on GAY TIMES.