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 a few things we’re excited about this week.
“The L Word” cast celebrates Lesbian Visibility Week in D.C. Finally, Bette Porter has made it to the White House. “The L Word” cast members Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig and creator Ilene Chaiken joined Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in the briefing room on Tuesday. Hailey, Chaiken, Moennig and Jean-Pierre all identify as lesbians, while Beals is a vocal ally. The women addressed issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community and delivered remarks about the importance of representation.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs bill banning conversion therapy and protecting gender-affirming care. On Thursday, Gov. Walz officially signed bill HF 16 banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth and vulnerable adults. He also signed bill HF 146, which protects those traveling to Minnesota for gender-affirming care from “out-of-state laws interfering in the use of gender-affirming health care.”
Prime Video releases teaser for “Red, White and Royal Blue.” The bestselling young adult gay romance by author Casey McQuiston will be coming to Prime Video Aug. 11. The streamer released its first teaser of the movie about a romance between the son of the President of the United States and the Prince of Wales.
Pro soccer player Alberto Lejárraga comes out in a Twitter post. Lejárraga, who plays for Marbella FC, shared his love for his partner in a post this week following his team’s win against Real Jaen. The post, originally in Spanish reads, “Thank you for always being by my side, during the good and the bad. This time it was our turn to live the beauty of this moment. THANK YOU.”
A new queer bar has opened in Brooklyn. The Bush in Bushwick opened this week. Owners Nikke Alleyne and Justine LaViolette refer to the bar as “a dyke bar for the queers,” and LaViolette told Eater NY, “Connecting the community, and bringing our friends together has been a passion of ours for so long.” Stop by The Bush for cocktails like the “Pillow Prince” and “The Island They” and of course, Brooklyn-made Dyke Beer.