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.
Czech professional football player Jakub Jankto comes out on Instagram. Jankto, who plays for Sparta Prague, came out in a post this week. The 27 year old was met with support from fans and football clubs alike, including Atlético de Madrid and Portugal and AFC Ajax. Jankto is the first men’s professional on the international stage to come out as gay while actively playing.
Queer authors George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson secure new book deal. Bestselling YA authors, George M. Johnson (“All Boys Aren’t Blue”) and Leah Johnson (“You Should See Me In a Crown”), have signed a seven-figure deal with Macmillan imprint FSG Books for Young Readers to produce two new novels that center on queer, Black characters. The authors will kick the deal off with in 2025 with romantic comedy novel, “There’s Always Next Year.”
Queer horror series “Scare BNB” debuts Feb 28 on DIVABoxOffice.tv. Directed by Christin Baker (“Season of Love” “Christmas at the Ranch“), the series stars Mandahla Rose, Lily Richards, Sterling Victoria and Abisha Uhl as two couples who rent a remote cabin in the Tennessee woods and soon find their overly attentive hosts might just have nefarious plans.
Judge Gina Méndez Miró makes history. Confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Méndez Miró will serve as the first openly LGBTQ+ federal judge in the District of Puerto Rico. Méndez Miró is married to fellow judge, Puerto Rico Supreme Court Chief Justice Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, and previously served as a judge on the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals.
Grab your onesie for some Big Gay fun. New York LGBTQ+ community group, Big Gay Hudson Valley, is having a “Winter Onesie Sunday Funday!” event Sunday, Feb. 19. Guests are encouraged to wear onesies, Union Suits or winter wear and join the group at Bad Seed Cider Taproom for the cover-free event. BGHV and Bad Seed partnered in summer 2022 on a special edition PRIDE hard cider.
Do you have good news you want to share with us? Email our team at newsisout@localmedia.org.