Retired Australian basketballer AJ Ogilvy has come out as gay, saying he kept his personal and professional life separate during his career.

The 37-year-old, who played for the Illawarra Hawks for seven seasons and was a three-time All-NBL First Team selection, opened up about his sexuality during an interview with the National Basketball League’s (NBL) only active out gay player, Isaac Humphries.

The interview between the two sportsmen took place ahead of the NBL’s Pride Round, which focuses on inclusion and celebrating diversity within basketball.

“I’ve been married for nearly 18 months now. I met my husband when I was playing in Sydney, so I was with him for all my time in Wollongong and part of the time in Sydney,” Ogilvy said.

“While I was in Sydney, I kept [my two lives] pretty separate, but I also wasn’t super discreet about it.

“Some of the guys probably knew, but nothing was ever explicitly said.”

Ogilvy went on to say that he “probably didn’t live my life as authentically as I probably could have during my time, especially in the NBL”, explaining he had two different social media accounts.

“For a long time, I believed that to be a basketballer, I had to present as straight and not show this side of my personality,” Ogilvy said.

“So I had two social media accounts, one I’d use for my basketball stuff and one I just had tight friends on, where I would be more open.

“Growing up, there weren’t positive portrayals of gay relationships in basketball or media as a whole. It was more that it was going to be a sad, lonely life.

“That definitely weighed on me pretty heavily.”

Adelaide 36ers player Humphries came out as gay in 2022, which Ogilvy described as a “huge moment”, not just for the NBL but “basketball across the world”.

“Hugely beneficial to have someone of your stature and attitude be able to step forward and proudly say, ‘This is who you are’,” he said.

In turn, Humphries said Ogilvy’s own decision to open up about his sexuality would have a positive impact on the NBL.

“We’ve got a player who plays every weekend, who is openly gay and an ex-player now, who’s openly gay and married, who’s prepared to talk about this life and these situations,” he said.

“That visibility and acceptance are really important, and it continues to move our great league forward.”

The NBL’s Pride Round, which is now in its fourth season, takes place between 21 January and 1 February, and will see clubs’ inclusion-focused activations aimed at reflecting their local communities and showcasing that everyone has a place in basketball.

Commenting on the event, Humphries said “visibility is so important” and “that’s how things start to move forward”.

“Pride Round, to be playing in this league, to be so welcomed and accepted is just fantastic,” he continued.

“In our community is this undeniable acceptance of everybody, and learning to stop the judgement, accept people for who they are. It’s what it’s about.”

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NBL CEO David Stevenson said in a statement on NBL Pride Round: “The NBL is an organisation committed to inclusion, acceptance and support of the LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone to feel welcome when they walk into our venues or engage with our game.

“Pride Round provides a visible moment in the season to recognise the diversity within our community, reinforce the importance of respect and inclusion across basketball, and continue meaningful education around what allyship looks like in action.

“This round is brought to life through the collective commitment of our clubs and players, whose leadership and support are critical in creating inclusive environments on and off the court. We also acknowledge the ongoing guidance of Pride in Sport in helping shape our approach, and we thank everyone across the NBL community who continues to play a role in making Pride Round meaningful across game days.”

Ben Cork, national program manager at Pride in Sport, described the NBL’s Pride Round as an “incredible opportunity for basketball in Australia to help unite communities, inspire individuals, and foster a sense of belonging”.

“LGBTQ inclusion in sport not only enriches the overall experience for everyone involved, but also strengthens our communities and the broader sense of togetherness and acceptance across the country. Holding the NBL Pride Round is a powerful message to Australia that everyone is welcome in sport, fans and athletes alike, no matter who they are.”

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Amnesty International has claimed that Donald Trump is pulling America under authoritarian rule. 

The human rights organisation warned that the US is “showing a recognisable pattern of authoritarian practices and erosion of human rights”. 

It comes after the release of its latest 46-page report, ”Ringing the Alarm Bells: Rising Authoritarian Practices and Erosion of Human Rights in the United States“, which highlighted 12 interconnected areas in which the Trump administration is attacking. 

Included in the listed “12 alarm bells” that are “cracking the pillars of a free society” is the administration’s targeting freedom of press and access to information, targeting freedom of expression and assembly, the scapegoating of populations and rolling back non-discrimination policies, and attacking refugee and migrant rights. 

The report claims that such authoritarian tactics are mutually reinforcing and lead, for example, to students being arrested for protesting and communities being terrorised by ICE agent, while press intimidation makes it harder to expose human rights violations and abuses.

‘Out of control anti-rights agenda’

Kerry Moscogiuri, interim chief executive of Amnesty International UK, called for “leaders across the globe” to speak out about the US government. 

“A year into Trump’s second term and it’s never been clearer: this is a pivotal point in world history, and Sir Keir Starmer must use every tool at his disposal to confront Donald Trump’s seemingly out of control anti-rights agenda.  

“The Trump administration’s systematic dismantling of international human rights norms – from threatening to take over Greenland to the US’s withdrawal from the Human Rights Council, the WHO, and the Paris Agreement – is a terrifying attack on international justice. Trump and his Government must be held to account.”

‘Human rights emergency’

Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, said: “We are all witness to a dangerous trajectory under President Trump that has already led to a human rights emergency. 

“By shredding norms and concentrating power, the administration is trying to make it impossible for anyone to hold them accountable. There is no doubt that these authoritarian practices by the Trump administration are eroding human rights and increasing the risk for journalists and people who speak out or dissent, including protestors, lawyers, students, and human rights defenders.”  

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Trump is pulling America under authoritarian rule, international human rights group claims appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Former Queer Eye star Bobby Berk has subtly responded to the drama engulfing the show’s current castmates with a cheeky Instagram post.

On Tuesday (20 January), tensions between the Queer Eye Fab Five – Jonthan Van Ness, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown, and Jeremiah Brent – appeared to come to a head, after Brown opted out of press interviews promoting the tenth and final season.

In statements read out live on air in front of the other four members, Brown’s assistant said that he was “worried about being bullied” if he appeared and had felt “mentally and emotionally abused for years” – though he did not state who by. Under advise from his therapist, Brown said he would not be appearing to promote the show in order to protect his mental health.

The no-show has blown the cover on a rift between the current Fab Five, with Brown having unfollowed Van Ness, France and Porowski on social media. According to reports, tensions bubbled over during filming of season 10, after Brown’s mother overheard Van Ness, France and Porowski talking poorly about Brown’s “lifestyle choices”.

Now, Bobby Berk, who served as Queer Eye’s resident interiors and design expert from seasons one through eight before unceremoniously departing from the show in 2023, has had his say – sort of.

Berk took to Instagram on Wednesday (21 January) to share a photo of himself hanging gleefully off a fence post, wearing a glorious, great grin on his face. If that wasn’t enough salt to rub into the gaping Queer Eye wound, he soundtracked the post with Chappell Roan’s 2023 song, “My Kink Is Karma”.

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Roan’s song, which is about taking joy from a former flame’s entire life going south, includes lyrics such as “It’s comical, bridges you burn / If karma’s real, hope it’s your turn,” and “People say I’m jealous, but my kink is watching you ruin your life, you losing your mind”.

“How’s everyone’s week going?!” Berk knowingly wrote in the post’s caption.

“Have you seen my new show Junk or Jackpot?! on @hgtv, @hbomax and @discoveryplus?”

Berk announced in 2023 that he would be exiting the feel-good life-improvement series, but his departure was far from amicable. The design expert stated that he had not signed on to appear on Queer Eye beyond season eight, as he believed the other four members would also not be doing so. However, the other four Fab Five members appeared to change their minds.

In early 2024, Berk referenced tensions between him and fellow Fab Five member Tan France, while a Rolling Stone investigation in March 2024 claimed that France had conspired to have Berk replaced by his friend, Jeremiah Brent.

France denied this claim, claiming in response that Berk had been “fired” from the show.

In the years since his Queer Eye departure, Berk has spoken out on several occasions about his rough time on the show. In late 2024, he accused Netflix of attempting to “erase” him from the show’s history, as the streaming giant revealed users could adopt Queer Eye themed avatars for their profiles, but did not include Berk as an option.

In June 2025, Berk claimed that he “lost money” starring on the first few seasons of the show, which began in 2018, as he was paid “basically nothing” and lost income through not running his design company while filming.

In July, he announced his new show Junk or Jackpot? the day after Queer Eye was confirmed to be ending for good. He denied this was an intentional move, instead hitting out at Netflix for failing to warn him that an announcement regarding the show’s end was coming.

“I have to say, I swear on my mother’s life, my show announcement date was set,” he told People. “No, this was planned. Show announcements don’t happen on a whim.”

Berk continued: “I mean, [Netflix] could have easily given me a heads-up on when that was going to be announced. I mean, I was on the show for [eight] seasons, but yeah, it’s fine.”

Fans of Berk have been lapping up his latest Instagram post, praising his “impeccable” timing.

“Bobby out here using the drama algorithm,” a second applauded.

“Aw, looking forward to watching. And what a LOVELY song choice,” a third added.

A fourth agreed: “This post is chef’s kiss!”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Bobby Berk responds to latest Queer Eye feud with impeccable Instagram post appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.