From News Is Out
News is Good: Lesbian history in Oregon, a Shea Couleé podcast and more
Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, where we feature positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are five things we’re excited about this week. Local lesbian history gets a spotlight in University of…
5 pro-LGBTQ+ legislative bills to pay attention to in 2023
While 2023 is gearing up to be as fraught or even more so than 2022 when it comes to anti-LGBTQ+…
6 up and coming LGBTQ+ politicians to watch in 2023
A record number of openly LGBTQ+ politicians won their elections in November 2022 and they’re taking office this January. One…
News is Good: An “L Word” wedding, LGBTQ+ progress in the Netherlands and more
Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, where we feature positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of…
Queer fans and the fight against “Cancel Your Gays”
Does this scenario sound familiar? You hear about a show with LGBTQ+ representation, binge-watch it and become a fan, only…
From News Is Out member publications
FDA to relax rules of blood donations for gay, bisexual men
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reportedly slated to lift restrictions on blood donations from sexually active gay and…
Women You Should Meet: Victoria F. Vega
Name: Victoria F. Vega City, State: Miami, FL Age: 22 Profession: Brand Marketing Professional, Educator, Activist & Artist Website: Instagram.com/victoriafvega…
Equality Illinois responds to violence, murder of Black and Brown trans people on the south side
Statement by Myles Brady Davis, Director of Communications at Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for LGBTQ+ people, regarding…
Pope Francis: Homosexuality is not a crime
Pope Francis on Tuesday said homosexuality is not a crime and laws that criminalize it are “unjust.” “Being homosexual isn’t…
Brittney Griner’s drama in a comic: basketball star’s life told visually
Brittney Griner’s inspirational life story has now been immortalized in a new comic book published by TidalWave Comics, “Female Force:…
Va. Senate committee approves marriage equality affirmation bill
A Virginia Senate committee has approved a bill that would affirm marriage equality in state law. The Senate Judiciary Committee…
Gallego announces run for Sinema’s Senate seat
Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona announced plans to run for the Senate in 2024, setting up a possible…
Des Plaines Theater cancels anti-LGBTQ hate group event after outcry from citizens
DuPage County-based Awake Illinois was set to hold an event called “Out of the Echo Chamber: Coalition for Kids” at…
LGBTQ+ votes are crucial on the local level
It seems like every election we say, “the stakes have never been higher” for the LGBTQ+ community and it is true every time. It’s exhausting and LGBTQ+ voters, especially in blue states, may not feel motivated to turn out in a midterm election while President Biden safely holds the White House and there is no…
Did “Bros” fail at the box office because it didn’t market to the LGTBQ+ community?
Believe it or not, you made it through another year. But wait, it’s not that time of year yet, right? There’s Halloween and Thanksgiving and, gee, something called the Midterm Elections to get through. If you don’t believe this columnist, turn on the Hallmark Channel. They’ve already started the holiday romantic comedy festival, and when…
The Victory Fund is changing the game for LGBTQ+ candidates
Founded in 1991, Victory Fund and its non-profit arm, Victory Institute, have spent the last 30 years working to level the political playing field by supporting LGBTQ+ candidates for races all up and down the ballot. Currently, Victory Fund is supporting over 400 candidates, including key senate, mayoral and gubernatorial candidates. Annise Parker, the former…
LGBTQ+ Changemakers: Alex Schmider
The LGBTQ+ Changemakers series features LGBTQ+ people all over the country who are making a difference through visibility and ingenuity. As director of transgender representation at GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), Alex Schmider is a force for good regarding trans stories on television and film. In addition to his pivotal work at GLAAD,…
News is Good: A Philly icon is honored, the Negroni sbagliato sensation and more
Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, where we feature positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are five things we’re excited about this week. State of Mexico legalizes same-sex marriage. With an overwhelming…
Asian Americans lead the fight against hate crimes in California
In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills that address the unprecedented number of bias incidents and hate crimes in the state. Initially aimed to confront the rise of such cases against Asian American and Pacific Islanders, the laws will also aid in defense of LGBTQs, who have experienced a similar increase.…
Combating misinformation and misconceptions about being intersex
“What does it mean to be intersex?” “What does intersex look like?” “How do intersex individuals fit into the larger LGBTQIA2S community?” These are some of the questions that the intersex advocacy organization interACT tackles on its website and outreach. Established in 2006, interACT uses “innovative legal and other strategies, to advocate for the human…
LGBTQ+ Changemakers: Rayceen Pendarvis
The LGBTQ+ Changemakers series features LGBTQ+ people all over the country who are making a difference through visibility and ingenuity. The High Priestess of Love, The Queen of the Shameless Plug, The Empress of Pride, The Goddess of DC, The iconic, the legendary, Rayceen Pendarvis is an unstoppable force for good. An event host, community advocate,…
Support for LGBTQ+ journalism starts locally
Standing up in my highchair, peering over my dad’s shoulder, I was interested in what had his attention: the newspaper. I wanted his attention, but I was patient and curious. I wasn’t old enough to read yet, but I looked at the pictures and graphic images and reached for the comics. Back in the 1960s…
Op-ed: Purple states like Pennsylvania are at a crossroads
This op-ed is the third part in a five-part series, by News is Out member publications, looking at Roe v. Wade and its impacts on the LGBTQ+ com
Texas is at the forefront in the move to ban abortion
This article is the second in a five-part series, by News is Out member publications, looking at Roe v. Wade and its impacts on the LGBQT+ community.
Here’s why abortion is an LGBTQ+ rights issue
This article is the first in a five-part series, by News is Out member publications, looking at Roe v. Wade and its impacts on the LGBTQ+ community.
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LGBTQ+ youth are on the frontlines of massive setbacks for equality
A joint report by member publications of News is Out: Bay Area Reporter, Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Q Voice News, Tagg Magazine, Washington Blade, and Windy City Times. The LGBTQ+ community is experiencing wide-reaching attacks from state governments, with most proposed and passed legislation focusing on LGBTQ+ youth. News is Out explores what’s happening,…
Spaces for queer women experience a renaissance in Portland, Oregon
Update: Doc Marie’s is now scheduled to open on July 1. Spaces for lesbians and queer women have been on a steep downward trend for decades. Since the late 1980s, 90% of the estimated 200 lesbian bars in the United States have shuttered. Those that remain have faced intense challenges due to Covid-19, forcing some…
The Pride Cup celebrates LGBTQ+ sports for all levels of athletes
This June, the inaugural Pride Cup welcomes LGBTQ+ and ally athletes of all skill levels to come “Play with Pride.” Held by the KindRED Pride Foundation, The Pride Cup invites queer and trans athletes to gather June 3-4 in Orlando, Florida, and challenge each other in summer sports including pickleball, beach volleyball, and women’s flag…