π³οΈββ§οΈ Robert is a 31-year trans man from Iraq who has been living in Ukraine for 13 years.
π€ He left the eastern city of Kharkiv when the invasion began and travelled for three days by train through Slovakia and on to the Czech Republic.
π¨πΏ Robert now has a place to stay in Prague thanks to the work of Terry Rivers, founder of Queer Spaces Network.
π "I was so scared, I didnβt know what to do. But after a few hours, they let me in," he told us.
βοΈ Valeria Kolosova, a trans woman from Kyiv, is currently in the western city of Lviv.
π΄ She has a passport with a male gender marker and fears that Ukrainian authorities will force her to take up arms.
"I do not see my future in Lviv or in ruined Kyiv. I have little hope."
π The @WHO has now warned of an escalating health crisis in Ukraine as medical supplies, including HIV medicines, have become scarce or even unavailable.
π΅ "I don't know how much longer I can stay where I am now. I have nowhere to go," she said.
π³οΈβπ Many #LGBTQ+ people in Ukraine are terrified at the prospect of Russian occupation.
πΊ Some are fleeing the capital and crossing into neighbouring Poland, Hungary and Romania. twitter.com/i/events/14990β¦
πͺπΊ LGBTQ+ groups across Europe are coming together to help queer people leave, find shelter and apply for much-needed asylum.
π’ Terry Rivers said they helping refugees arriving at the Slovak border and that other LGBTQ+ groups are doing the same in Poland, Hungary and Romania.
πΊπΈ Around 1 in 200 Americans aged 65 and over are trans.
π³οΈββ§οΈ As the first generation of trans people reaches old age, healthcare systems are unprepared.
π For #TransAwarenessWeek, we spoke to trans people about growing old. π§΅
π΄ Social isolation
π΄ Housing discrimination
π΄ Lack of safe medical spaces
π΄ ...and much more.
π΅ The challenges trans elders face are often similar to those faced by trans people of all ages, but exacerbated as they get older, says Kylie Madhav, senior director at @sageusa.
π½οΈ Elizabeth Coffey was a star in the early films of cult film-maker John Waters.
π₯ While breaking ground for trans representation on screen, she faced rejection when seeking medical care.
π Later in life, hormone replacement therapy has caused issues, she told @Openly.
πΆ Let's take a look at some of this year's queer nominations. π§΅
π΅ @brandicarlile is one of the most nominated artists this year β coming in just behind @Beyonce and @kendricklamar, and being tied with @Adele on seven nominations.
πΏ For the second time, she might snap up the coveted 'Album of the Year'.
π @RandyRainbow has been nominated for his first-ever Grammy.
π§ The comedian and songwriter is up for the 'Best Comedy Album' award for 'A Little Brains, a Little Talent'.
ποΈ From the Iliad to the Odyssey, Lesbos has had a central part in Ancient Greek history.
βοΈ One of its most famous inhabitants was the 6th century B.C. poet Sappho, whose lyrical poems explored her love of women and their beauty β sometimes even venturing into the erotic.
βπΏ Black, British and queer β but often overlooked.
π¬π§ It's #BlackHistoryMonth in the UK and we're looking at those who shaped Black British queer history - and those still changing the world today.
π Here are some of the Black #LGBTQ+ pioneers you should know. π§΅
Ken "Snakehips" Johnson (1914-1941)
π· A jazz bandleader and dancer, Johnson was a leading figure in Black British music in the '30s and '40s.