'It needs to be safe' PinkNews claims prompt fears for LGBTQ+ reporting

As it nears its 20th anniversary next year, PinkNews should be celebrating a period that has seen remarkable progress for some but not all LGBTQ+ people in Britain.

- Sammy Gecsoyler

As it nears its 20th anniversary next year, PinkNews should be celebrating a period that has seen remarkable progress for some but not all LGBTQ+ people in Britain. Instead, the future of the world's largest LGBTQ+ website looks uncertain after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Benjamin Cohen and Anthony James, the couple who run the outlet.

The website, set up in 2005 when Cohen was Channel 4 News's technology correspondent, has at times wielded its influence for positive change in British LGBTQ+ life. It was part of a successful campaign to legalise same-sex marriage, and dogged reporting by the outlet pressured Stonewall into campaigning on transgender issues at a time when the rights group refused to do so.

Its reputation as an authoritative voice for the LGBTQ+ community has drawn high-profile supporters. Six former prime ministers, including Tony Blair, Theresa May and Boris Johnson, have written for the website. Richard Branson, David Cameron and Alex Salmond are among those who have been honoured at its annual awards.

Now, the mood has soured. Last week, Downing Street called the claims against Cohen and James "very concerning" and James was suspended from his role at the Bedfordshire hospitals NHS foundation trust.

The potential downfall of an influential title that bills itself as a safe space for LGBTQ+ journalists has caused dismay and prompted wider fears about the state of queer media in the UK.

The investigative journalist Finbarr Toesland said: "It's horrific to hear these allegations, especially for the journalists working there. There's not many LGBTQ+ publications in the UK, especially ones with this sort of financial backing and influence."