An Iranian missile destroyed Tel Aviv’s only gay bar, Claudia López launched her presidential campaign in Colombia, and Australia ended its plasma donation ban for LGBTQ people.
Iranian Missile Destroys Tel Aviv’s Only Gay Bar
An Iranian missile strike on June 16 destroyed Mash Central, Tel Aviv’s only gay-specific bar, just blocks from the U.S. Embassy on Allenby Street. The blast damaged surrounding buildings and deeply impacted the LGBTQ community.
“Iran’s missile strike yesterday destroyed Tel Aviv’s only dedicated gay bar,” one Instagram post read, alongside images of the shattered venue. “This place provided a safe space for minorities to express themselves — now it’s trashed.”
According to The Washington Blade, Mash Central, self-described as the city’s “last gay bar standing,” had been a cultural anchor in the city.
The attack followed Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iranian military sites. Tel Aviv’s Pride parade, set for that same day, was also cancelled.
Trailblazing LGBTQ Leader Launches Bid for Colombia’s Presidency
Claudia López, former Bogotá mayor and trailblazing LGBTQ leader, announced her candidacy for Colombia’s presidency on June 3.
“We begin today, and we will win in a year,” she posted on social media.
According to the Washington Blade, a former journalist and Green Alliance senator, López made history in 2019 as the first woman and lesbian elected mayor of Bogotá. If elected, she would be Colombia’s first female president.
López condemned the recent shooting of opposition Sen. Miguel Uribe and called for unity: “We need to listen to each other again … have a coffee with each other again.”
A breast cancer survivor and Columbia University PhD, López returns to the political spotlight with a legacy of resilience and inclusive leadership.
Australia Lifts LGBTQ Plasma Donation Ban
Photo via Unsplash.
Australia’s Red Cross Blood Service (Lifeblood) announced it will lift restrictions on sexually active LGBTQ people donating plasma starting July 14.
According to The Washington Blade, previously, gay and bisexual men and transgender women were barred from donating if they had been sexually active with men in the last three months. The new “plasma pathway” policy removes most sexual activity wait times, allowing more inclusive access to donation while ensuring safety standards remain intact.
“Lifeblood has been working to make blood and plasma donation more inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible,” said the organization in a press release.
“All donors will be asked the same questions about their sexual activity, regardless of their gender or sexuality,” it added, outlining that most people in stable relationships or without recent anal sex will now be eligible to donate whole blood.
“We’re excited to be able to welcome more people from across the community into our donor centers from next month,” said Chief Medical Officer Jo Pink.
“We thank the TGA and Lifeblood for removing a ban that stigmatized gay and bisexual men and trans women as a threat to public health,” said Rodney Croome from advocacy group Let Us Give.
