If you’ve been missing the kind of rom-com that actually makes you laugh out loud in between moments of real tenderness, Ash Perez is making a case for its return. Best known for his BuzzFeed work and recent projects with The Try Guys, Perez is stepping into fiction with Speak Now, a queer rom-com about second chances, first […]
Author Archives: Dana Piccoli
Dana Piccoli is an award winning writer, critic and the managing director of News is Out, a queer media collaborative.
Dana was named one of The Advocate Magazine’s 2019 Champions of Pride. She was also one of Curve Magazine’s 2017 Pridelist for her work in LGBTQ media. Dana is an inaugural recipient of the Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage.
Posted inTop Stories
Beyond the obvious: 5 underrated LGBTQ+-friendly cities
When you think of LGBTQ+ friendly cities, there are the obvious answers that come to mind. Places like San Francisco, New York City, Portland, Philadelphia, Palm Springs and Chicago often top the list. But there are cities all around the country that are stepping up and out for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. These five cities […]
Posted inNews
Florida’s “Anti-Diversity” legislation, explained — And why it matters beyond Florida
If you don’t live in Florida, you might be tempted to scroll past this. Don’t. Florida has a habit of road-testing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation — and watching it spread. The state’s 2022 “Don’t Say Gay” law is the most famous example. At least a dozen states introduced similar laws, including Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and […]
Posted inTop Stories
Queer perfumers behind Domestica turn everyday memories into scent
It’s happened to all of us: you’re out and about and suddenly you catch a whiff of something that brings a memory flooding back and the emotions connected to it. Not only does scent travel from our noses to the olfactory bulb in our forebrains that is directly connected to memory and emotion, but scent […]
Posted inTop Stories
PFLAG brings the topic of LGBTQ+ book bans to SXSW EDU
This week, PFLAG hosted a panel at SXSW EDU examining the growing wave of book bans and the impact on LGBTQ+ stories in schools and libraries. The session, “Beyond Bans: Defending LGBTQ+ Stories & Literary Freedom,” took place March 11 and streamed live on SXSW EDU’s YouTube channel. The conversation focused on the increasing censorship of books, authors and […]
Posted inOpinion
The Pride flag was removed from Stonewall. That matters.
The Pride flag has been an enduring symbol of the LGBTQ+ community since 1978, when the first design by Gilbert Baker debuted at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Over the decades, the flag’s design has evolved from the original nine colors to six to versions including brown and black stripes to honor the […]
Posted inTop Stories
GLSEN changes its name to Glisten as the organization marks a new chapter
Founded in 1990, GLSEN, which stood for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, began as a network of educators responding to anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in schools. More than 30 years later, the organization says it represents 1.5 million youth, families, educators, and advocates, with work that extends beyond school buildings into broader community support. CEO […]
Posted inTop Stories
The Map of Us podcast puts real voices behind the LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project
What happens when you take a national research project and hand the microphone to the people living it? “The Map of Us,” a new seven-episode podcast from News is Out, brings the findings of the LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project to life through candid conversations with the journalists and publishers doing the work. All episodes are […]
Posted inNews
Organizations respond to the arrest of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort
On Friday morning, federal authorities arrested independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort in connection with a protest that disrupted a January 7 service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, officials said. Lemon and Fort maintain they were there as journalists covering the event, but authorities say the arrests are tied to the protest. […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Philadelphia, Frida and The Hours among 25 films added to 2025 National Registry
LGBTQ+-inclusive films were among the 25 films added to the 2025 National Registry. The registry comes out of the United States National Film Preservation Board, started in 1988, to “ensure the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America’s film heritage.” Among this year’s inductees, are several films that feature prominent LGBTQ+ characters and storylines. […]
Posted inTop Stories
5 things queer people notice immediately in a “welcoming” space
Queer people read a space quickly. Before a word is spoken, certain signals tell us whether we belong or should stay guarded. Here are five things LGBTQ+ people notice when determining if a space is truly welcoming. 1. Pride messaging outside, not just inside Are there any Pride flags flying outside or in the window? […]
Posted inTop Stories
LGBTQ+ music documentaries worth your time
From disco floors to folk stages and marathon performances, queer artists have long used music to tell their own stories. These documentaries capture the sound, politics, and cultural impact behind the music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEOFQc8FVXo Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution This three-part documentary series produced by PBS delves into the rise and fall of the disco era […]
Posted inTop Stories
MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving donates $45 million to The Trevor Project
National LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization The Trevor Project announced Monday that it was the recipient of a $45 million dollar grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It is the largest single gift in the organization’s history. “A $45 million investment in The Trevor Project reflects deep confidence in our mission, impact, operations, and long-term vision,” […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Ali Liebert and Kat Barrell on the new Hallmark queer holiday film, “The Christmas Baby”
Stars Ali Liebert and Kat Barrell joined News is Out to talk about Hallmark Channel’s newest holiday film, The Christmas Baby. The pair discussed LGBTQ+ representation on screen, what it means to lead Hallmark’s first holiday movie centered on an established lesbian couple, and what they hope comes next, including the possibility of a Christmas Baby sequel. https://youtu.be/BIX5cFIz1sY […]
Posted inTop Stories
Choose U ambassadors share lived experiences with HIV, personal reflections, and insights
The Choose U World AIDS Day panel brought together three longtime advocates living with HIV to talk about care, stigma, and what living with HIV over the long-term means to them. The conversation featured Jahlove Serrano, Joyce Belton, and Andrew Nichols, who have each lived with HIV for more than 20 years. News is Out hosted the […]
Posted inTop Stories
Respecting pronouns linked to better mental health outcomes for TGNB youth, per Trevor Project report
The piece includes references to suicide. LGBTQ+ youth can reach The Trevor Project lifeline at 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678. You can also call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time. A new brief from The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth, examines the link […]
Posted inTop Stories
LGBTQ+ shows to catch up on over the holidays
With the holidays upon us, you may find yourself with a little extra time to enjoy the latest and greatest LGBTQ+ television shows. Here’s a handy guide to the lesbian leads and fiery gay romances you can check out this holiday season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpnizY19kEM Pluribus (Apple+) Bestselling romance author Carol (Rhea Seehorn) is the definition of […]
Posted inTop Stories
Thoughtful gifts from LGBTQ+ makers for everyone on your list
The holidays are coming fast, and it’s a great time to show some love to the LGBTQ owned businesses that keep our community vibrant all year. These makers pour real heart into what they do, often while juggling tight budgets and a tough market. (All gifts listed below are under $150, with most coming in […]
Posted inTop Stories
Love, loss and lesbian lit — Tello Films’ “The Christmas Writer” hits just in time for the holidays
Tello Films Network, the longest running LGBTQ+ streaming platform with the biggest library of sapphic holiday films available, has a new present for movie fans this season. Tello’s latest queer holiday romance, The Christmas Writer, is currently hitting theaters for a limited release and will be available on VOD starting November 18. The latest film […]
Posted inTop Stories
41% of LGBTQ+ TV characters not returning in 2026, according to GLAAD’s latest “Where We Are on TV” report
GLAAD released its latest annual Where We Are on TV report today, and while there was a 4% increase in LGBTQ+ characters in 2024-25, 201 characters, or 41% of all LGBTQ+ characters, won’t be returning in 2026 due to cancellations, show endings, characters leaving or dying, or the conclusion of a limited series. That leaves […]