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 Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Outliers and Outlaws—Stories from the Eugene Lesbian History Project opens Sat, Jan. 28 and runs through the remainder of 2023. The exhibit will chronicle the stories and contributions of lesbians and queer women in Eugene’s community, arts and politics from 1960s through the 1990s.
RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Shea Couleé launches new fashion-focused podcast. Couleé, alongside best friend and co-host Tiger Lily, will discuss fashion, pop culture, gossip and more on the Sony Music Entertainment podcast. The first episode of “It’s Giving Fashion” is available now wherever you listen to podcasts.
Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club elects its first Asian American man as president. Jeffrey Kwong has been elected as the newest leader of the progressive San Fransisco-based political group. Kwong has been a group member since 2015 and has served on the board since 2018. One of Kwong’s goals is to double the club’s membership during his tenure. Learn more about the group and how to join here.
Grubhub and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce join forces once again to help LGBTQ+-owned and ally restaurants. The $1.5 million grant established by Grubhub and NGLCC will allocate $10,000 to $25,000 to qualifying restaurants for assistance with Covid-19 recovery, marketing, staff training and much more. Applications for East Coast grant seekers are already open, with Central and Western region applications opening in February and March, respectively.
A new queer women’s bar is opening in Worcester, Massachusetts. Married couple Danielle and Julie Spring are opening Femme Bar, a lesbian and queer women’s bar, Feb. 9 in the former Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar location. In addition to providing a safe space for the community to gather, Femme Bar will host live entertainment and game nights.
Do you have good news you want to share with us? Email our team at newsisout@localmedia.org.