In this month: what happened in queer February

February 2026 has unfolded as a month of both celebration and political tension in LGBTQ+ communities worldwide, bringing courtroom wins, cultural milestones, protests over health care policy, and activism in the streets and legislatures.

One of the most significant legal developments came from the Philippines, where the Supreme Court ruled on February 5 that same-sex couples can have legal property rights when both partners contributed to acquiring shared assets, even in the absence of marriage rights. The court found that co-ownership protections under the country’s family code apply to same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples, marking a major step toward economic and relationship equity in a country that still does not legally recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions.

Mid-month also brought major protest action in the United States, where at least 25 activists were arrested on February 17 outside the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. Participants with groups like the Gender Liberation Movement and ACT UP were demonstrating against proposed federal rules that would bar Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP from covering gender-affirming care for minors and some young adults. Those detained alleged restrictions on legal counsel and contact with families during their 12-hour detention, highlighting the heightened tension around transgender health care in U.S. political debates this year.

This month’s queer news also includes cultural uplift and mainstream visibility. At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, American athletes Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe publicly announced their engagement, a moment celebrated across sports and LGBTQ+ media as a sign of growing queer visibility even within traditionally heteronormative athletic spaces.

At the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, the documentary Barbara Forever — an archival exploration of Barbara Hammer’s life and work — won the Teddy Award for Best Documentary, reinforcing the importance of queer cinema and historical memory in contemporary culture. The film’s premiere and success point to continuing interest in queer artistic legacies and representation on major international stages.

February has also been LGBTQ+ History Month in the United Kingdom and beyond, with universities, community groups, and cultural institutions marking the occasion through exhibitions, talks, and readings focused on both long-forgotten pioneers and contemporary contributions to science, innovation, and culture.

On the protest front in Europe, lawmakers in Victoria, Australia passed a motion to investigate the role of far-right “manosphere” influencers in inciting homophobic attacks against gay and bisexual men — a response to reports of attacks linked to fake dating app profiles and vigilante content circulating online. This parliamentary inquiry aims to understand the digital pathways that fuel hate crimes and how government and platforms might respond.

While some parts of the world grew more visible and affirming, others showed persistent resistance. In Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East, human-rights groups continue to highlight that homosexuality is still criminalised in dozens of countries, with serious penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment to the death penalty in some jurisdictions — a stark reminder of the uneven trajectory of queer rights globally.

Not all community celebrations were smooth this month. Long-running LGBTQ+ gatherings such as Gay Days in Orlando, Florida, announced they would pause their scheduled 2026 event due to organisational challenges, disappointing many who look to it as a major annual highlight for queer tourism and community celebration.

Still, grassroots events and creative expression continue to thrive. Queer poetry salons, online readings, and historical retrospectives flourished during mid-February, reflecting the ongoing role of arts and literature in sustaining community connection and resisting marginalisation.

Finally, the month’s calendar of events — from Pride and queer film festivals to smaller community gatherings — showcases the diversity of LGBTQ+ life in 2026: from vibrant celebration to strategic organising, from legal advocacy to cultural visibility.