Our weekly column, News is Good, features 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.
Sen. Laphonza Butler sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris. This Tuesday, Butler officially took the oath to become the nation’s first Black lesbian senator, replacing the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Butler, who was previously president of EMILYs List, was nominated by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Butler was joined by her her wife Neneki Lee at the ceremony.
YA author Ryan La Sala’s new novel, “The Beholder” is now available. La Sala is a rising star in the young adult literary scene, with his novel “The Honeys” in development to become a feature film. Their latest novel, “The Beholder,” sets two boys on the hunt to solve an occult mystery that is killing New York’s art elite. The book, which only came out Oct. 3 is already on Barnes and Noble’s “Best Books of 2023” list.
Billy Porter and GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis to receive New York Stage and Film honor. New York Stage and Film is a nonprofit “dedicated to both emerging and established artists in the development and production of theater and film by creating community, supporting process, and uplifting original artistic voices.” Porter and Ellis will be honored for their groundbreaking work in the arts at the annual gala Nov. 5 in New York City.
Pride and Less Prejudice virtual auction in honor of Banned Books Week kicks off. The organization that sends free LGBTQ+ inclusive literature to pre-k through third grade teachers is kicking off its third annual auction Oct. 5-8. You can bid on auction items like a meet and greet with Rufus Wainwright, an original sketch by designer Christian Soriano and a signed copy of Hayley Kiyoko’s “Girls Like Girls.”
Drew Burnett Gregory named new senior editor of Autostraddle. Burnett Gregory, an accomplished film critic and writer will be taking over the reigns of senior editor at Autostraddle, “a news and entertainment site for LGBTQ+ women and other trans people.” Burnett Gregory has been a staff writer for the site since 2019 and replaces Heather Hogan who served in the role for nearly a decade.