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? […]
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.
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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More than half of LGBTQ+ adults have altered major life plans since 2024 election, says new report
Independent think tank Movement Advancement Project (MAP) has released a new report on the experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans since the 2024 election. According to the research, since November 2024, 57% of LGBTQ people, and 84% of transgender and nonbinary people, have made major life changes in response to anti-LGBTQ+ politics or laws. These include taking […]
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Save the date: News is Out to host “We Were Here” virtual event for LGBTQ+ History Month
Join us October 28 for We Were Here, a live virtual event celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month, presented by News is Out and hosted by Dana Piccoli. This special program brings together history makers and community leaders from across the country to reflect on the people, moments, and movements that shaped our shared story. Featured guests […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
GayBarchives keeps our history on the record — and our memories alive
For generations, LGBTQ+ bars have been more than nightlife: they’ve been sanctuaries. Over vodka sodas and jukebox tunes, they offered connection, safety, and visibility during times where simply existing as a queer or transgender person could be dangerous. Yet, like so much of queer history, the stories of these bars often fade when the lights […]
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Nashville artist Sydnee Conley steps into her own story with “Heather”
At 27, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sydnee Conley is stepping into the spotlight on her own terms. The queer artist, who uses she/her pronouns, has been writing for others in Music City for years. Now, she’s channeling her talent and perspective into her own music, starting with her newest single, “Heather.” The song’s promotion instantly caught attention […]
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24 modern queer and trans horror films you can watch this spooky season
Queer horror has given us bloodsuckers, ghosts, killers, and plenty of twists over the last 15 years. These films center LGBTQ+ characters in stories of survival, desire, and of course, fear. These films have also stepped away from negative tropes that once dominated horror films, highlighting queer “final girls” (of all genders) and not punishing […]
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Chris Colfer returns to the big screen in queer horror “The Restoration at Grayson Manor”
For fans of queer horror, The Restoration at Grayson Manor is a welcome spooky season release. Directed and co-written by Glenn McQuaid (V/H/S), The Restoration at Grayson Manor stars Chris Colfer, marking his first film role in nearly a decade. Colfer, who rose to fame as Kurt Hummel in Glee, stars as Boyd Grayson, a […]
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Report warns restrictive laws are putting LGBTQ+ youth health and safety at risk
An independent think tank, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), released a report on the state of LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. and the impact of policy on their lives. In partnership with Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), Advocates for Youth, Equality Federation, GLSEN, PFLAG National, and The Trevor Project, the report examines the rise of […]
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Undead Voice founder Nicole Gress is rewriting the rules of trans voice training
When Nicole Gress left traditional medical settings, she wasn’t walking away from her profession: she was walking toward a new model of care. A trained speech-language pathologist, Gress, who uses she/they pronouns, saw too many transgender people hit a wall with conventional voice therapy. That frustration, combined with inspiration from the DIY innovations happening in […]
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Global roundup: Countries that recently legalized same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage continues to expand around the world, with several countries passing laws or court rulings in the last two years. These changes reflect steady progress, particularly in Europe and, more recently, Asia. Here’s a look at the most recent nations to join the list, with dates when the laws took effect. Marriage equality newcomers […]
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Lesbian bars in the U.S. you may not know about – but should
Over the last few decades, the number of lesbian bars dropped significantly, from roughly 200 in the 1980s, to a low of 21 in 2021. Since then, we’ve seen a resurgence of lesbian and sapphic-focused spaces: according to The Lesbian Bar Project, we’re now up to 38. You may know the classics like Cubbyhole, Gossip […]
