New portraits coming soon…

Within days of his eagerly anticipated departure, every building that bears his name will be stripped of it.

Season 2 of HIV: the morning after drops at midnight tonight. @londondan.bsky.social chats with brilliant guests capturing the diversity of the experience of HIV in the UK and beyond: Lords, activists, CEOs, mothers, porn stars and more. I’m in Season 1.

New US Foreign Aid Policy prohibits funds going to organisations that provide abortion, trans healthcare or support DEI, including work that prioritises the needs of LGBTQ people. Which is f**ked up. 1/2 healthpolicy-watch.news/latest-us-re...

Thick arms work charms.

The electronic soundtracks to 80s gay porn movies are getting released.

My first rehearsal for Borders at the Arcola. Some nights are sold out already so book your tickets in advance if you’re coming - and why wouldn’t you want to be there? www.arcolatheatre.com/event/borders/

Ahem!

Every Olympics stories celebrate the record numbers of out LGBTQ+ participants. This reflects the growing ease of being out in all environments, including sport. But, in reality, it’s only lesbians, gays and bisexuals. Despite GC howls, trans people aren’t represented at this level (yet?).

I was lucky enough to know Derek Jarman a bit. I had lunch with him a couple of times and got to appear, briefly, in one of his movies, when the gay rights activist group, Outrage, played revolutionaries in his film of Edward II. He died of AIDS in 1994, aged 52. The world is poorer without him.

A Twitter profile link in your bio here? In 2026?

“The time is little that thou hast to stay, and therefore give me leave to look my fill.” Me and Dan Waterhouse as the King and his lover Piers in a scene from Marlowe’s Edward II at @queertheatreuk.bsky.social’s Outcast showcase. Directed by @andrewkeates.bsky.social. Photos by Boyan Georgiev.

They thought Brett Ratner couldn’t possibly make a worse film than Xmen: The Last Stand. They were wrong. #Melania

Pro-tip: Always check your background for unintended messages.

Effective HIV treatment means NO RISK of HIV transmission during sex. We call this Undetectable means Untransmittable or U=U. U=U challenges stigma, reducing barriers to testing and treatment and improving the lives of those of us who live with HIV. Say it loud, like this Taiwanese Hospital.

‘Barely legal’. Me at 21, when that was the gay age of consent in the UK. It was 16 for heterosexuals. It was not equalised until 2000.

I’m thrilled to be performing in Borders, which runs at the Arcola Theatre from 11-14 February. Check out our trailer (shares appreciated). Book your tickets here: www.arcolatheatre.com/event/borders/

3 #BAFTA nominations for the sub / dom rom-com Pillion, after it was entirely overlooked by the #Oscars*. *It had a qualifying run in the US, although it isn’t on general release until next month. www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...

There are now more members of Liz Truss’s cabinet in the Reform Party than there are in the Conservative shadow cabinet.

On this day in 1945, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated. Between 5,000-15,000 homosexual men were sent to concentration camps. About 60% of them died there. After the camps were liberated, many of these men were reimprisoned under buggery laws. #HolocaustRemembranceDay

A friend who was out as a gay man during Section 28 was telling me the advice he used to give to straight allies asking how they could help back then: stand in solidarity with us so that some of the shit they’re throwing at us sticks to you. If you’re clean, you’re not standing close enough.

Had a photo shoot this morning, that’s why I look so glamorous. #actorslife

Over half of the tickets for the limited run of Borders at the Arcola Theatre (11-14 February) have gone already. Advance booking strongly recommended. @arcolatheatre.bsky.social

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” 1984, George Orwell #AlexPretti

Do I look like J Jonah Jameson? Maybe. Coincidentally, I’m playing a Spider-man obsessed newspaper editor in Borders at the Arcola Theatre, 11-14 February. Do come if you can. www.arcolatheatre.com/event/borders/

Who’s this puppyish 36 year old?

Because the Titanic is famous for being the ship that turned around, hmmm?

When I wear ‘Protect the dolls’ on my vest - by ‘dolls’ I mean all trans women, whether their aesthetic is glam or not; it extends also to all trans men and all non-binary and gender-diverse people. By ‘protect’ I mean cherish, respect and fight for their rights as you would fight for your own. 💜🩵

Resharing this thread about Section 28, a cruel piece of homophobic legislation introduced in the UK in 1988. I hope it shows that even when the prospects are grim and hope is faltering, we can take comfort that those moments will pass. It’s likely the seeds of salvation have already been planted.

Meet the company for ‘Guess Who’s Computing to Dinner’, one of the 6 plays that makes up ‘Borders’, 11-14 February at the Arcola Theatre. Tickets are on sale now, do come if you can, or I’d be very grateful if you’d help me to spread the word: www.arcolatheatre.com/event/borders/

A bit of sun and my 5th 5km run (in <28 minutes) - not bad for January.

Share a bird photo you've taken.

HIV and STI self-testing postal services in England have mainly been adopted by groups with high testing rates - leading to widening health inequalities.

Strongly suspect those words will be “Your wish is my command.”

This is depressing. For decades the acceptance of gay people in the USA only increased - but it peaked in 2020 and has dropped dramatically since.

In honour of Dolly Parton’s birthday, here she is handing out safer sex advice in the 1980s. Watching her laugh somehow makes you feel everything is going to be ok. #DollyParton

I have done my Monday work out. Hope it’s ok if I have a little lie down.

Dear Cardinals, Considering your conclave decided not to award me the Papacy for my VERY TRUE faith, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of God…

Does taking integrase inhibitors as part of HIV treatment raise or reduce risk of heart attack? New US study contradicts previous research.

If only we were in some kind of Union with the rest of Europe, eh? #TrumpTariffs

Exercising my right to bare arms.

A French study with gay / bi men found gonorrhea less susceptible to some antibiotics among those taking doxyPEP (using the antibiotic doxycycline to prevent syphilis and chlamydia).

Fresh haircut - lock up your dads!

Me with my mother and my older sister on my first visit to the USA, when I was 10 years old. I’ve returned more than a dozen times since. I love the country and have many friends there. I won’t be back while the country remains on its current course. I wish my American friends well.

I’m thrilled to announce that I will be performing in Meteatra’s ‘Borders’, at the @arcolatheatre.bsky.social 11-14 February. Tickets on sale now. Do come if you can (or share if you can’t 🙏). www.arcolatheatre.com/event/borders/

MTV is officially ending all of its music channels. In honor of that, what's your favorite music video?

A squirrel came to say hello on Jody Dobrowski’s bench, Clapham Common. Jody was a barman who was brutally beaten to death in a homophobic attack, just over 20 years ago. Another light extinguished too early.

Happy humpday to all who celebrate.

Oh my god! Oh my goddess! It’s happening, it’s actually happening! #Sondheim #SundayInThePark #JonathanBailey #ArianaGrande

Repost your home river.