UK LGBTQ+ News Round Up 16 August 2026: Ofcom Investigation, Trans Policy Changes And Pride News

UK LGBTQ+ news has been shaped by broadcasting standards, workplace policy, public services and legal developments, alongside several significant community stories.

Ofcom has opened an investigation into GB News after more than 12,000 complaints, Civil Service LGBT+ groups are challenging changes to special leave for trans employees, and public bodies are continuing to work through the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission Code of Practice.

There have also been developments involving Scottish prison policy, Warwickshire libraries, Birmingham Pride, LGBT Youth Scotland, the Co operative Group, Queer Connected and Gaydio.

Ofcom investigates GB News after more than 12,000 complaints

Ofcom has opened an investigation into GB News following comments made by Caroline Farrow during Alex Armstrong Tonight. Farrow appeared to link Pride events with bestiality and paedophilia, prompting more than 12,000 complaints. Presenter Alex Armstrong challenged the remarks and later said the association between gay Pride and paedophilia was an old trope used to demonise gay people. GB News said Farrow’s comments were her own views and did not represent its editorial position.

Civil Service LGBT+ groups challenge trans leave changes

The Civil Service LGBT+ Network and a:gender are opposing the removal of a special leave provision for trans employees undergoing medical treatment and recovery connected with gender reassignment. Under the previous model policy, staff could receive up to 13 weeks of paid special leave in a rolling 12 month period without it being counted as ordinary sick leave. The groups have urged Whitehall to halt the replacement policy and said they could support formal complaints or legal action. The Cabinet Office says departments are reviewing their own human resources policies.

Public bodies respond to the new EHRC Code

The updated EHRC Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations became statutory on 5 August. On 9 August, Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig was questioned about whether she would implement the new guidance across services under her control. Craig said she was working through what the Code meant for those services and that many were already compliant. During the same exchange, she said Greater Manchester’s single sex spaces would be legally compliant, but did not commit to advising councils across the region to implement the Code in full.

A separate review of 52 councils and NHS trusts found that only Norfolk County Council had publicly introduced an interim policy in response. Exeter and Plymouth were the only councils in the sample to provide a specific timetable for reviewing their arrangements.

Warwickshire library figures challenge earlier complaints claim

Warwickshire County Council records have raised questions about claims surrounding LGBTQ+ books and Pride displays in county libraries. A freedom of information response obtained by Labour MP Rachel Taylor showed that no formal complaints about books being inappropriate for children had been recorded since at least March 2024. One separate complaint had been made about a Pride related display and was not upheld. Reform UK council leader George Finch later said residents had raised concerns with him directly rather than through the council’s formal complaints system.

Scottish prison guidance to be formally quashed

The Scottish Prison Service policy allowing some trans women to be considered for accommodation in the women’s prison estate had already been found unlawful by Lady Ross at the Court of Session. The judgment was issued in June, and the Scottish Prison Service withdrew the policy on 22 June. On 13 August, Lady Ross confirmed that the guidance would formally be reduced, the Scottish legal term for quashing it. For Women Scotland had sought a formal order after winning its judicial review.

Birmingham Pride confirms ticketed anniversary festival

Birmingham Pride has confirmed that its main Saturday and Sunday festival will remain ticketed for its 30th anniversary in 2027. The decision followed earlier comments from festival director Lawrence Barton about an ambition to make the anniversary event free. The city centre parade will remain free to watch, and organisers have added a free community event on Friday 28 May 2027. Loyalty prices include £29.51 for a single festival day and £50.79 for the weekend, with a Low Income Ticket Scheme offering eligible visitors 50 per cent off face value.

LGBT Youth Scotland regulator inquiry closes

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has completed its inquiries into LGBT Youth Scotland following questions about former board convener Timothy Westwood and claims concerning his professional background. Westwood resigned in April and the charity contacted OSCR. The regulator has now said it identified no regulatory matters requiring further action. The charity had previously said it would consider whether additional checks should form part of future board recruitment.

Co operative Group changes workplace toilet policy

The Co operative Group has revised wording in its internal policy covering toilets for trans and non binary employees. Previous wording told staff using gender specific toilets to choose the facilities in which they felt safest, but those sentences have now been removed. The revised policy says gendered toilets may be difficult or uncomfortable for trans, non binary and intersex colleagues and states that, wherever possible, gender neutral individual lockable units with inclusive signage will be provided. The company said the change followed legal advice and consultation with colleague networks.

The EHRC Code applies to services, public functions and associations rather than employment. The Co operative policy change is therefore a separate workplace development.

Scotland Human Rights Bill brings gender identity into debate

Proposals for Scotland’s Human Rights Bill include an Equality Duty requiring public bodies to consider additional grounds including sexual orientation and gender identity when considering how economic, social and cultural rights are delivered. Scottish Government material says those grounds are explicitly included and are not currently given separate statutory definitions. For Women Scotland has questioned how the proposal would interact with the Supreme Court judgment on the meaning of sex under the Equality Act. The Scottish Government says it accepts that judgment and that the proposed Human Rights Bill will not overturn it.

Queer Connected launches in the UK

Queer Connected, founded by Pippa Palmer, launched to waitlist members on 15 August with the aim of helping LGBTQ+ people find events, form local groups and make new friends. Palmer, who is non binary, has said the idea grew from their own experience of queer loneliness. The app includes UK wide listings for FLINTA events, local group creation and a friend matching service. Palmer became known through the BBC series I Kissed A Girl, but Queer Connected is a separate community project.

Gaydio marks 20 years of LGBTQ+ broadcasting

Gaydio marked 20 years since its first broadcast on 15 August. The station began as a temporary Manchester Pride broadcast in 2006 before developing into a permanent LGBTQ+ radio service. Gaydio now broadcasts on FM in Manchester and Brighton, on DAB across a number of UK cities, and online through its website and app. The anniversary marks two decades since the original Pride radio project began.

Several of the largest stories remain unresolved. Ofcom’s investigation is continuing, Civil Service policy remains under review, public bodies are still assessing the practical effect of the EHRC Code, and Scotland’s Human Rights Bill remains a proposal rather than enacted legislation. These developments are likely to remain part of the UK LGBTQ+ news agenda as regulators, public bodies and organisations decide what happens next.

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Sources: The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, PinkNews, DIVA, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Scottish Government, Court of Session, Birmingham Pride, LGBT Youth Scotland, Rachel Taylor MP and Gaydio. Primary material was checked where available.