https://www.scmp.com/rss/324488/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Edmund Lee Edmund Lee 2.5/5 stars A bus blast on Valentine’s Day in 1998 that killed 16 and injured dozens in Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, provides the blueprint for We’re Nothing at All, a trenchant drama that marks a rare rekindling of Herman Yau Lai-to’s passion for socially conscious storytelling after the veteran Hong Kong filmmaker’s mostly bombastic action blockbusters over the past decade. Anchored by visceral performances from a pair of singer-actors, who play the misanthropic gay couple at the heart of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3348613/were-nothing-all-movie-review-herman-yaus-grim-social-critique-too-heavy-handed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3348613/were-nothing-all-movie-review-herman-yaus-grim-social-critique-too-heavy-handed?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Aaina Bhargava Aaina Bhargava In preparation for her first trip to Hong Kong, artist Nicole Eisenman has been watching a lot of 1990s Wong Kar-wai films. One in particular, Fallen Angels (1995), fully captivated the artist. “It’s the night time … the whole movie feels so dark,” says Eisenman of the neo-noir crime drama. “I know it sounds ridiculous, trying to learn about a city by watching a movie, but my idea of Hong Kong is very tied up with Wong Kar-wai right now. Everything seems to take place at night, and this darkness... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348600/how-wong-kar-wais-noir-films-inspire-nicole-eisenmans-hong-kong-view?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348600/how-wong-kar-wais-noir-films-inspire-nicole-eisenmans-hong-kong-view?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:15:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The US Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against a law banning “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ+ kids in Colorado, one of about two dozen states that ban the discredited practice. An 8-1 High Court majority sided with a Christian counsellor who argues the law banning talk therapy violates the First Amendment. The justices agreed that the law raises free speech concerns and sent it back to a lower court to decide if it meets a legal standard that few laws pass. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3348580/us-top-court-rules-against-state-ban-conversion-therapy-lgbtq-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3348580/us-top-court-rules-against-state-ban-conversion-therapy-lgbtq-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:14:39 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Seoul was swept up in a frenzy in the third week of March as BTS performed their comeback concert. But a smaller, yet also significant cultural moment was happening just a few streets away from the stage at Gwanghwamun Square. “Spectrosynthesis Seoul”, an exhibition of 74 artists and artist groups, opened on March 20 at Art Sonje Centre. Dedicated to exploring LGBTQ themes and celebrating queer artists, it is the first large-scale exhibition of its kind in South Korea. Patrick Sun, the Hong... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3348084/south-koreas-first-major-lgbtq-art-exhibition-lets-queer-artists-have-their-voices-heard?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3348084/south-koreas-first-major-lgbtq-art-exhibition-lets-queer-artists-have-their-voices-heard?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:06:18 +0000 Enid Tsui Enid Tsui Folklore and fantasy can tell us a lot about reality. A highlight of Hong Kong’s art week, Hart Haus is hosting two new exhibitions by queer female artists who use escapist themes to offer their grounded reflections on modern society. On the third floor exhibition space at 12P Smithfield Road in Kennedy Town, Florence Lee Yuk-ki’s exhibition “Double Blue: An Altered Fairy Tale of Hong Kong (I)” is divided into “sky” and “sea” chapters. It is not a traditional happily ever after but a loose... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3347133/sexual-fantasy-fan-fiction-fairy-tales-hong-kong-queer-artists-challenge-norms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3347133/sexual-fantasy-fan-fiction-fairy-tales-hong-kong-queer-artists-challenge-norms?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:15:09 +0000 Syaza Shukri Syaza Shukri Malaysia’s recent enforcements and cancellations linked to LGBTQ-related activities have ignited debate about whether the government is backsliding on reform. Rather than reading these moves purely as contradicting past administrations’ policies, these government actions may be better understood as an attempt to balance two political imperatives. For the political establishment, appearing conservative – and being conservative – remains central to political survival in a context where... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3347361/malaysias-lgbtq-crackdowns-arent-hypocrisy-theyre-politics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3347361/malaysias-lgbtq-crackdowns-arent-hypocrisy-theyre-politics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 03:30:15 +0000 Sam Evans Sam Evans Those who take a stroll along the tranquil streets near the post office in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, are likely to hear a curious mixture of sounds – the rhythmic taps of hammers and whirring of electric drills punctuated by the muted thump of electronic music tracks being seamlessly blended. The cacophony is coming from the new space of Moth Foundation, where something special is being built. “We were planning to take a six-month break and do some fundraising and then launch our new space... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347003/want-be-dj-hong-kongs-moth-foundation-music-school-and-lgbtq-safe-space-one?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347003/want-be-dj-hong-kongs-moth-foundation-music-school-and-lgbtq-safe-space-one?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:15:14 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Pedro Pascal knows a thing or two about stealing the spotlight. The Last of Us actor showed up at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15 wearing custom Chanel. He paired a white poplin shirt with black tuxedo pants and accessorised with a sleek cummerbund and a Chanel Boy Friend watch. The highlight of the ensemble was a white floral brooch – a creation of silk and feathers. “What I love about this look is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously,” he told the outlet, adding, “The tuxedo is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3347016/meet-rafael-olarra-pedro-pascals-rumoured-boyfriend-and-luke-evans-ex?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3347016/meet-rafael-olarra-pedro-pascals-rumoured-boyfriend-and-luke-evans-ex?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:39 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Draped in garlands, Bhumika Shrestha on Monday became Nepal’s first transgender woman lawmaker, marking a proud milestone for the marginalised community in the Himalayan nation. Nepal’s Election Commission confirmed the 37-year-old as a proportional representation MP from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which won a majority in parliament with 182 seats last week. “I am very excited but also feel the responsibility on my shoulders,” said Shrestha, an LGBTQ rights advocate. “Our... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3346797/nepals-lgbtq-community-celebrates-first-transgender-woman-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3346797/nepals-lgbtq-community-celebrates-first-transgender-woman-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:00:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa While the internet has been obsessed with Ryan Murphy’s Love Story, which dramatises John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette’s tumultuous relationship and deaths in a 1999 plane crash, the series has also put the spotlight on Calvin Klein – Bessette was once a publicist for the brand – and his marriage to Kelly Klein, his second wife. The Kleins were married for 20 years, but had already separated for a decade when they finalised their divorce in 2006. Kelly was a close friend of Bessette and a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3346483/meet-calvin-kleins-ex-wife-and-muse-kelly-who-was-carolyn-bessettes-close-friend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3346483/meet-calvin-kleins-ex-wife-and-muse-kelly-who-was-carolyn-bessettes-close-friend?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 10:00:14 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A star of the massively popular Canadian show Heated Rivalry has hit back against an avalanche of hateful online posts, with the hockey drama’s success stirring up a frenzy online. The show about the budding careers and secret relationship of two young male hockey stars – one Canadian, one Russian – over a series of years, has become a global phenomenon. But it has also inspired particularly intense fan engagement across social media, including homophobic and racist comments. Lead actor Hudson... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3346146/heated-rivalry-star-hudson-williams-condemns-racist-and-homophobic-fan-comments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3346146/heated-rivalry-star-hudson-williams-condemns-racist-and-homophobic-fan-comments?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:36:20 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The cinemas have been packed with fans of the Scream franchise ever since Scream 7 landed on the silver screen. The new instalment, starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Mckenna Grace, Matthew Lillard, Anna Camp and more, opened domestically to US$64.1 million and enjoyed a worldwide opening of US$97.2 million, per Deadline. The opening numbers have reportedly never been this high for a film in the famed franchise. In fact, it is said to be the most successful opening for a horror... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3346096/meet-anna-camp-scream-7-actress-who-just-came-out-bisexual?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3346096/meet-anna-camp-scream-7-actress-who-just-came-out-bisexual?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:14 +0000 Edmund Lee Edmund Lee 3/5 stars Macau filmmaker Tracy Choi Ian-sin revisits the tender, nostalgic tone of her directorial debut, Sisterhood (2016), for this semi-autobiographical lesbian drama. Girlfriends charts a young woman’s coming-of-age experience and ongoing quest to find her place in the world through three episodes from separate periods of her life, unfolding in reverse chronological order and under different names. It opens in 2024 Hong Kong, where the Macau-born director Lok (Fish Liew Chi-yu) has been... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3345395/girlfriends-movie-review-fish-liew-and-jennifer-yu-reunite-tender-lesbian-romance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3345395/girlfriends-movie-review-fish-liew-and-jennifer-yu-reunite-tender-lesbian-romance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:15:07 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk When Dujduan Ketsaro wed two men in a single ceremony in northeastern Thailand on Saturday, she was ready for the attention. “Marry one and the world won’t remember,” the 37-year-old former singer-songwriter quipped to a guest. “Marry two at once and they will.” The three-way wedding, reported by Thai newspaper Khaosod, brought together Dujduan and two Austrian partners: Roman, a retired police officer she had lived with for five years and Macky, a police officer and Roman’s best friend who had... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3345232/she-married-2-men-once-thailand-and-her-mother-fine-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3345232/she-married-2-men-once-thailand-and-her-mother-fine-it?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:45:08 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The second season of HBO Max’s beloved, Emmy-winning medical drama The Pitt is entering its second half, and the stakes are higher than ever. The emergency room staff at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Centre have been putting in the hours, but the death of a frequent flier, Louie Cloverfield (Ernest Harden Jr), and a looming threat of a cyberattack that’s forcing the hospital to suspend its IT system are making the already gruelling shift even more challenging. One character has had it... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344848/meet-amielynn-abellera-pitts-breakout-star-who-plays-muslim-nurse-perlah-alawi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344848/meet-amielynn-abellera-pitts-breakout-star-who-plays-muslim-nurse-perlah-alawi?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:00:15 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia is weighing new legal measures to curb LGBTQ dating platforms, widening concern among rights groups that the country is pushing deeper into morality-driven internet regulation, even as its control of global app stores remains limited. Authorities have already blocked access to the websites of Grindr and Blued – two internationally used dating apps popular among gay, bisexual and queer men – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said in a written parliamentary reply. But while their... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344737/malaysias-push-curb-lgbtq-dating-apps-grindr-tests-limits-internet-control?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344737/malaysias-push-curb-lgbtq-dating-apps-grindr-tests-limits-internet-control?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:51:32 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Malaysia has blocked access to LGBTQ networking and dating sites Grindr and Blued, with authorities reviewing legal measures to curb their apps in the Muslim-majority nation. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the country’s internet regulator, is “examining several legislative measures to curb these applications”, the communications ministry said in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday. The commission may also engage with Google and Apple, it said. Google and... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3344601/malaysia-blocks-grindr-blued-amid-rising-lgbtq-restrictions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3344601/malaysia-blocks-grindr-blued-amid-rising-lgbtq-restrictions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:26:23 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran A property dispute in the Philippines has led to what advocates call a “landmark” Supreme Court ruling and one of the country’s most significant advancements for LGBTQ rights in years – though legal experts said the true impact will depend on how far the decision can be applied beyond the facts of the case. In its judgment, the court ruled that cohabiting same-sex partners may claim co-ownership of property acquired during their relationship if they can prove actual financial contribution,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3344497/philippine-supreme-courts-landmark-ruling-adds-momentum-same-sex-marriage-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3344497/philippine-supreme-courts-landmark-ruling-adds-momentum-same-sex-marriage-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 01:30:15 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan A mermaid-themed sales gimmick has landed two drinks traders in hot water in Malaysia’s conservative east coast state of Kelantan, after religious authorities launched an investigation into a viral video that drew outrage during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The 25-second clip, which shows one of the traders prancing about in front of their drinks stall dressed in a rainbow-coloured mermaid costume complete with a bikini top, triggered a wave of online condemnation. Widely described as... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344341/bikini-clad-mermaid-sales-stunt-malaysia-triggers-religious-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344341/bikini-clad-mermaid-sales-stunt-malaysia-triggers-religious-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:14:56 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The Pitt is not for the faint of heart. The Emmy-winning series – starring Noah Wyle, who’s also an executive producer of the show – follows the ins and outs of the emergency room at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Centre, with 15 episodes covering a single gruelling 15-hour shift. The series is currently on its second season, which critics are already hailing as a success. It is the second most-watched TV show on HBO Max at the time of writing. In addition to veteran stars like Wyle, who plays... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344121/meet-supriya-ganesh-who-plays-dr-samira-mohan-pitt-hbo-maxs-emmy-winning-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344121/meet-supriya-ganesh-who-plays-dr-samira-mohan-pitt-hbo-maxs-emmy-winning-series?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby This is the latest instalment in a feature series reflecting on instances of East meets West in world cinema, including China-US co-productions. Sometimes seemingly modest films have the greatest making-of stories. So it is with the 2004 romcom Saving Face, the first American film about an Asian-American lesbian couple to get a cinema release. The story of New York surgeon Wilhelmina “Wil” Pang (Michelle Krusiec), her new love Vivian (Lynn Chen) and her pregnant – and, crucially, unmarried –... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3343990/why-alice-wus-saving-face-most-important-asian-american-lesbian-film-ever-made?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3343990/why-alice-wus-saving-face-most-important-asian-american-lesbian-film-ever-made?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa No one is doing it like Margot Robbie when it comes to method dressing; after all, the Australian actress’ press tour for her 2023 film, Barbie, remains a masterclass in celebrity styling. The 35-year-old star has continued to dress the part on red carpets to promote her latest film, Wuthering Heights, a film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s gothic romance novel, which hit screens this month. Robbie has paired up with her long-time stylist and the genius behind her Barbie run, Andrew Mukamal, to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3343487/who-margot-robbies-stylist-andrew-mukamal-whos-behind-her-wuthering-heights-looks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3343487/who-margot-robbies-stylist-andrew-mukamal-whos-behind-her-wuthering-heights-looks?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter Young Miko joined her long-time collaborator Bad Bunny on stage for his headlining performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. While not singing alongside the Grammy winner, Young Miko was spotted dancing in La Casita set alongside artists including Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Pedro Pascal and Karol G. Often referred to as the female Bad Bunny, the 28-year-old rapper has made a name for herself with hit songs such as “Likey Likey” and “Wassup”, and by... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3343177/meet-young-miko-rapper-spotted-bad-bunnys-set-super-bowl-halftime-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3343177/meet-young-miko-rapper-spotted-bad-bunnys-set-super-bowl-halftime-show?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:26:03 +0000 Reuters Reuters US President Donald Trump’s administration has removed a large rainbow ⁠Pride flag that flew over the ⁠Stonewall National Monument, which marks the birthplace of ⁠the modern gay rights movement in New York. The National Park Service, the federal agency overseeing US national monuments, said that it managed the flagpole at the monument and that the flag had been removed to ensure a “long-standing policy” was applied consistently across its sites. But some elected officials in ‌New York said the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343121/trump-admin-removes-rainbow-flag-stonewall-birthplace-us-gay-rights-movement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343121/trump-admin-removes-rainbow-flag-stonewall-birthplace-us-gay-rights-movement?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:39:40 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The United States won its first gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics when ski racer Breezy Johnson claimed the honour at the women’s downhill, though she later broke her medal while jumping for joy. “People are jealous of people with Olympic gold medals. They’re not necessarily jealous of the journey it took to get those medals,” the 30-year-old athlete said, per AP. “I don’t think my journey is something that many people are envious of, and it’s been a tough road, but sometimes you just have... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343062/meet-breezy-johnson-lgbtq-athlete-who-won-us-first-gold-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343062/meet-breezy-johnson-lgbtq-athlete-who-won-us-first-gold-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:00:30 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Figure skater Amber Glenn became the first woman to win three consecutive US championships in 21 years since Michelle Kwan won eight straight championships from 1998 to 2005. Glenn pulled off the rare feat at the 2026 Prevagen US Figure Skating Championships in St Louis, Missouri, in January, securing a spot on her first Olympic team at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. She helped the US win gold in the team event on Sunday. The 26-year-old is also the first openly queer woman in Olympics... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342905/meet-amber-glenn-first-lgbt-female-figure-skater-us-winter-olympics-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342905/meet-amber-glenn-first-lgbt-female-figure-skater-us-winter-olympics-team?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:44:41 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Back in 2014, high-profile female executives like Sheryl Sandberg were leaning in to rebrand feminism for a new generation, everybody wanted to be a #girlboss, and hustle culture was at its peak. Meanwhile, 16-year-old menstrual care activist Nadya Okamoto was just getting started. “I started a non-profit [and] there were a lot of exciting things happening – awards and a lot of praise,” Okamoto tells me on the phone from New York. In the decade since launching that organisation to combat period... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3341372/menstrual-care-activist-nadya-okamoto-founding-august-and-challenging-norms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3341372/menstrual-care-activist-nadya-okamoto-founding-august-and-challenging-norms?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Sarah Mullally was confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England. The worldwide Anglican Communion, which includes the Episcopal Church in the US, has no formal head, but the archbishop traditionally has been seen as its spiritual leader. Mullally, 63, a cancer nurse turned cleric, officially took up the responsibilities of her new job as judges presided over a legal ceremony confirming her appointment, which was announced almost four... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3341578/sarah-mullally-confirmed-archbishop-canterbury-first-woman-lead-church-england?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3341578/sarah-mullally-confirmed-archbishop-canterbury-first-woman-lead-church-england?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:42:28 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan A Malaysian minister has become the butt of jokes for claiming that work stress can turn people gay, as continued government intervention of what it describes as sexually deviant behaviour piles pressure on the country’s LGBTQ community. The enforcement spotlight fell on Malaysia’s sexual minorities two weeks ago after religious authorities and police acted on complaints from a sultan and Islamist politicians that a camping retreat was promoting the LGBTQ lifestyle. The community came under... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341504/malaysians-lampoon-minister-over-stress-gay-link-they-never-work-hard-parliament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341504/malaysians-lampoon-minister-over-stress-gay-link-they-never-work-hard-parliament?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 05:37:29 +0000 Natalie Wong,Jeffie Lam,Matthew Cheng Natalie Wong,Jeffie Lam,Matthew Cheng Erick Tsang Kwok-wai has resigned as Hong Kong’s constitutional and mainland affairs chief, saying that he has elevated prostate cancer markers in his blood and cannot cope with the heavy workload. State news agency Xinhua first reported the State Council’s decision to remove Tsang from his post on Tuesday morning, ending days of speculation over the 62-year-old’s departure from the cabinet. Meeting the press later with Tsang, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he had decided to recommend the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3341321/hong-kongs-constitutional-and-mainland-affairs-minister-erick-tsang-resigns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3341321/hong-kongs-constitutional-and-mainland-affairs-minister-erick-tsang-resigns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:24:52 +0000 Cliff Buddle Cliff Buddle The debate over the status of same-sex relationships in Hong Kong sometimes takes the form of pride versus prejudice, an emotional clash between members of the LGBTQ community and their opponents. The bigger picture is often overlooked. Matters came to a head last September when the city’s lawmakers voted down a government bill which would have provided a framework for the recognition of people in such relationships, subject to certain conditions. A scheme of this kind is required by a judgment... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3341124/time-remove-differences-how-hong-kong-treats-same-sex-relationships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3341124/time-remove-differences-how-hong-kong-treats-same-sex-relationships?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:57:04 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3341051/heated-rivalry-takes-world-storm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3341051/heated-rivalry-takes-world-storm?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Tell Me Lies co-stars Grace Van Patten and Jackson White are turning up the heat in a new Valentine’s Day campaign for Calvin Klein’s limited edition underwear and lounge capsule collection. But they’re not the only IRL couple on the set of the hit Hulu show. As it turns out, actors Spencer House and Sonia Mena, who play on-screen couple Wrigley and Pippa, are dating too. After much speculation over the last few weeks, People confirmed the co-stars’ relationship status, reporting that they have... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3340664/meet-sonia-mena-who-plays-pippa-tell-me-lies-and-dating-her-co-star-spencer-house?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3340664/meet-sonia-mena-who-plays-pippa-tell-me-lies-and-dating-her-co-star-spencer-house?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:03:08 +0000 Cherry Liu Cherry Liu Legendary couturier Valentino Garavani, founder of the Valentino fashion house, died yesterday in Rome. He was 93. Those closest to the designer included his long-time friend and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, also known as GG. Throughout the 1960s until the early 70s, the duo were in a romantic relationship, and while it didn’t last, they remained inseparable for decades. Here’s what to know about the gentleman who was always by Valentino’s side. He co-founded Valentino Born in Rome in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3340503/meet-giancarlo-giammetti-long-time-partner-valentino-garavani-who-died-aged-93?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3340503/meet-giancarlo-giammetti-long-time-partner-valentino-garavani-who-died-aged-93?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:33:25 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar New year, new celebrity couple. Spanish singer Rosalía, 33, has been cosying up to French model Loli Bahia, who’s 10 years her junior. From holidaying in Rio de Janeiro to looking loved up on the streets of Madrid and, most recently, going on a Parisian shopping spree, the jet-setting pair seem to be growing closer than ever. The “Berghain” singer, who received critical acclaim for her 2025 record Lux, is about to embark on a world tour for the album in March this year. Bahia reportedly... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3340095/meet-loli-bahia-model-whos-bffs-alex-consani-and-rumoured-be-dating-rosalia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3340095/meet-loli-bahia-model-whos-bffs-alex-consani-and-rumoured-be-dating-rosalia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The penultimate episode of the hit neo-Western series Landman aired last weekend on Paramount+, setting the show up for an exciting finale. Created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, the show, based on the famous Boomtown podcast, is currently one of the most popular TV titles on the platform – second only to South Park, according to streaming data collection website FlixPatrol. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Landman... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3339711/meet-bobbi-salvor-menuez-who-plays-ainsleys-roommate-landmans-first-non-binary-character?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3339711/meet-bobbi-salvor-menuez-who-plays-ainsleys-roommate-landmans-first-non-binary-character?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:13 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Perhaps best known for their role as Kiki, an upbeat blackjack dealer on HBO Max’s comedy-drama Hacks, actor Poppy Liu is now appearing on Netflix’s latest limited series, His & Hers, which has generated an online buzz among thriller fans. The show, which premiered on January 8, follows a couple investigating a murder in which they both believe the other is the prime suspect. Liu – who just turned 35 – takes on the role of Helen Wang, a headmistress at an all-girls’ school. Here’s everything to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3339576/meet-poppy-liu-who-plays-helen-netflixs-his-hers-and-was-also-kiki-hacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3339576/meet-poppy-liu-who-plays-helen-netflixs-his-hers-and-was-also-kiki-hacks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof A camping retreat marketed as “Glamping With Pride” has become Malaysia’s latest LGBTQ flashpoint after a poster for the event went viral, triggering outcry among Islamic authorities and a police investigation. The dispute escalated on Monday after the Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, ordered “firm action” against any activity linked to the retreat, according to a joint statement by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and the Selangor mufti. The statement said the Sultan had... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3339543/malaysian-lgbtq-retreat-faces-conservative-backlash-we-are-not-criminals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3339543/malaysian-lgbtq-retreat-faces-conservative-backlash-we-are-not-criminals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:41:40 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Season one of 2025’s most unexpected smash-hit TV series, Heated Rivalry, has come to an end, but fans are far from moving on. The queer romance drama, based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series, is about rival ice hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who navigate a secret years-long relationship. The original series from Canadian streaming service Crave has won hearts around the world and is already set for a second season. The show’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3338278/meet-actress-who-plays-ilyas-friend-svetlana-heated-rivalry-ksenia-daniela-kharlamova?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3338278/meet-actress-who-plays-ilyas-friend-svetlana-heated-rivalry-ksenia-daniela-kharlamova?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:09 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu In October, six artists were appointed to director positions at six of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious cultural institutions. This diverse group, aged 18 to 28, are nothing like the older, whiter and wealthier demographic that traditionally dominates the boards. Among the six artists – appointed from 400 candidates – were two of Asian heritage: 26-year-old Chinese-Australian street dancer Dylan Goh, who joined the board of the Sydney Opera House as a director, and 25-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3337830/6-young-artists-are-helping-reshape-australias-iconic-cultural-institutions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3337830/6-young-artists-are-helping-reshape-australias-iconic-cultural-institutions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Dec 2025 09:15:07 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Fashion’s ultimate fanboy and fly on the wall Hanan Besovic – better known by his Instagram handle, @ideservecouture – isn’t here for followers or fame. “I’m here to uplift and spread the gospel of fashion,” Besovic tells me on a recent stopover in Hong Kong. “Do I criticise fashion? Yes. Do I think that I’m a critic? No. Do I deserve to be a critic? I deserve to be me. I’m not striving for anything else.” The self-described “supporting” actor in fashion now stands as one of the industry’s most... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3337268/fashion-outsider-hanan-besovic-american-vogue-duran-lantinks-debut-jean-paul-gaultier-and-loving-bad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3337268/fashion-outsider-hanan-besovic-american-vogue-duran-lantinks-debut-jean-paul-gaultier-and-loving-bad?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:00:16 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof In Chow Kit, a crowded district of Kuala Lumpur forever caught between progress and prejudice, Amy* moves quietly through narrow alleys – a transgender outreach worker tending to lives the city prefers not to see. Her evenings begin with small rituals: a backpack filled with condoms, test kits and pamphlets; a quick text to let her friends know that she is safe. Then, when she steps out, much of her work happens in passing conversations – careful not to draw too much attention. “The girls know... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3337105/malaysias-lgbtq-community-lives-fear-raids-drive-them-underground?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3337105/malaysias-lgbtq-community-lives-fear-raids-drive-them-underground?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 04:00:08 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar HBO Max and Crave’s steamy ice hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, which has generated plenty of buzz since its premiere in November, is officially getting a second season. Based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series – particularly the 2019 novel of the same name – the show follows Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, as they navigate fiery competition on the ice – and a passionate but complex connection off it – over their eight-year journey... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3336894/meet-jacob-tierney-creator-viral-ice-hockey-romance-series-heated-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3336894/meet-jacob-tierney-creator-viral-ice-hockey-romance-series-heated-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:00:22 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa From head-turning red carpet moments to street style, 2025 delivered some unforgettable fashion statements. Here’s our round-up of the year’s most talked-about looks. Kicking off with the wedding of the year, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s lavish three-day extravaganza in Venice in June cost upwards of US$20 million, per Forbes. For her big day, the bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress. While attending the European premiere of Marvel’s Thunderbolts in London this April, actor Pedro... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3336848/2025s-most-viral-fashion-moments-jean-paul-gaultiers-naked-suit-brad-pitt-and-ines-de-ramons-couple?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3336848/2025s-most-viral-fashion-moments-jean-paul-gaultiers-naked-suit-brad-pitt-and-ines-de-ramons-couple?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:00:12 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Since its premiere on November 28, Canadian streamer Crave’s queer ice hockey romance series Heated Rivalry has taken over the internet. The series is adapted from Canadian author Rachel Reid’s six-book novel series named Game Changers, and written and directed by Jacob Tierney. Starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams as rival ice hockey stars, the steamy show follows the two players as they battle their obvious attraction towards one another. It has already been renewed for a second... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3336492/meet-author-books-behind-heated-rivalry-rachel-reid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3336492/meet-author-books-behind-heated-rivalry-rachel-reid?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:00:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Heated Rivalry, a new ice hockey romance series from Canadian streaming service Crave, has become a viral sensation since it premiered with two episodes on November 28. Adapted from author Rachel Reid’s novel series Game Changers, the show follows ice hockey stars Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) as they navigate a thrilling line between rivalry and attraction. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Heated Rivalry... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335603/who-plays-scott-hunter-heated-rivalry-meet-francois-arnaud?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335603/who-plays-scott-hunter-heated-rivalry-meet-francois-arnaud?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:00:42 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar It’s a great time to be a romance fan. The Crave original series, Heated Rivalry, starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as rival ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, is taking over the internet. In the show, which is based on Rachel Reid’s beloved Game Changers novel series, the two characters face off in play – but cannot help the magnetic attraction they feel for each other off the ice. But what about the lead actors’ personal lives? As the show’s popularity grows, fans... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335308/meet-connor-storrie-who-plays-ilya-rozanov-heated-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335308/meet-connor-storrie-who-plays-ilya-rozanov-heated-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 10:00:20 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar If your holiday season watch list has a very specific enemies-to-lovers-shaped hole, you’re in luck. Heated Rivalry is the internet’s latest obsession. The LGBTQ show, based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series, pits two rising ice hockey stars, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, against each other on the ice – while they navigate much more complicated feelings off it. “We’re trying to put something full of love out into the world,” the show’s creator Jacob Tierney said, per The Canadian... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335268/hooked-ice-hockey-drama-heated-rivalry-meet-hudson-williams-who-plays-shane-hollander?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3335268/hooked-ice-hockey-drama-heated-rivalry-meet-hudson-williams-who-plays-shane-hollander?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 10:00:16 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A gay man in northern China who married his boyfriend’s sister to secure relocation compensation died in a traffic accident, sparking a bitter dispute over his estate between his wife, his lover and his parents. Xu Tian, a 48-year-old Beijing native and senior executive at a state-owned company, had been in a 10-year relationship with his boyfriend, Xue Chong, a doctor two years his junior. Neighbours said the gay couple often posed as father and son in public. Both families knew about their... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3334358/china-wife-gay-husband-contests-estate-against-his-lover-and-parents-after-mans-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3334358/china-wife-gay-husband-contests-estate-against-his-lover-and-parents-after-mans-death?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Raids on men-only saunas and spas across Malaysia have raised fears of an intensifying crackdown on LGBTQ communities, in what activists view as a steadily illiberal turn under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government. While officials defend such operations as necessary to uphold Malaysian law and Islamic principles, rights advocates said the latest raids fit a pattern of punitive policing that is driving gay communities further underground and deterring them from seeking health services. On... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3334755/raids-men-only-spas-malaysia-raise-concerns-about-targeting-lgbtq-groups?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3334755/raids-men-only-spas-malaysia-raise-concerns-about-targeting-lgbtq-groups?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:14:28 +0000