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.
New LGBTQIA+ National Grant for LGBTQ+-owned small businesses. Founders First CDC and TurningPoint Executive Search have joined forces to establish the inaugural National Pride Grant. The grant fund will support U.S.-based LGBTQIA+ small business owners and is now open for pre-registration. For those considering pre-registering for the grant, “the company’s founder must identify as LGBTQIA+, have an active U.S.-based business, be the CEO, President, or owner, and employ between 2 and 50 employees.” 25 businesses will be selected.
Chrishell Stause and G Flip tie the knot. After a year of dating, “Selling Sunset” star Stause and musician G Flip shared on Instagram that they recently got married. When the couple initially met in 2021, they were both seeing other people. They reconnected the following year when they were both single again. Stause introduced G Flip to her “Selling Sunset” audience during the Season 5 reunion show. Congratulations to the couple!
SiriusXM new podcast “Sounds Gay” to exploring queer music culture. According to SiriusXM, the podcast hosted by Sarah Esocoff will explore many different experiences of LGBTQ+ musicians and creatives. “From a closeted Christian music star to a trans professional soprano, Esocoff dives into the stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music. It’s a narrative about the sounds that can define, unite and shape worlds.” “Sounds Gay” premieres May 24 on the Sirius app and Stitcher.
A queer Irish pub opens in Brooklyn, New York. Located in the East Williamsburg/Greenpoint neighborhood, Mary’s Pub opened this spring and welcomes all the LGBTQ+ community and their friends. Owned by Brendan Donohue, the pub has a laid-back and welcoming attitude, with intentionally affordable drinks, indoor and outdoor seating.