Cooler weather doesn’t have to mean staying home. In fact, fall and winter are the perfect times for a getaway. LGBTQ+ travelers can choose from destinations that pair beautiful settings, from sunny beaches to snowy mountains, with a strong sense of community. Whether you’re looking for a warm-weather break, a wine country weekend, or a […]
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 inNews
After 46 years, Portland’s Scandals gay bar to shutter Harvey Milk Street space
Portland, Oregon, is about to lose one of its most famous LGBTQ+ third spaces. The owners of Scandals, which has been open since 1978 in downtown Portland, took to social media on Sunday to announce that its iconic Harvey Milk Street location will close Sept. 21. The social post informed customers of the shuttering of […]
Posted inTop Stories
The OutLook: August 8, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community The Air Force has confirmed that transgender service members discharged under the new ban, who served between 15 and 18 years, are ineligible for retirement pay and related benefits. Advocacy groups say the policy could strip thousands of veterans of income […]
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Step back into the ’90s with Videoland, a queer love letter to the video store era
If you are up for some popcorn-scented queer ‘90s nostalgia, then you’ll want to check out the newly released Australian series, Videoland, now available to stream on YouTube. The six-part series follows 17-year-old Hayley (Emmanuelle Mattana), a video store employee in the late ‘90s, awkwardly navigating her sexual identity through the queer films she discovers […]
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Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival cancels 2026 edition, citing Trump DEI order
The Phoenix-based Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival announced on its website and social media pages that its 2026 festival has been canceled and Desperado is on an indefinite pause. The festival, held on the campus of Paradise Valley Community College, would have marked its 17th year. “We are writing with profound regret to inform you that […]
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Queering the gym: Inclusive fitness spaces for every body
Finding a gym where you feel seen, safe, and supported can be tough, especially if you’re queer or trans. Thankfully, more LGBTQ+ owned and affirming fitness spaces are stepping up to change that. These gyms aren’t just about lifting weights or hitting goals, they’re creating a culture of movement that welcomes every body. Here are […]
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The OutLook: July 18, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. Reps. Robert Garcia and Raja Krishnamoorthi are demanding answers from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the Trump administration’s cuts to HIV programs, warning of serious global and domestic health impacts. San Francisco’s new budget preserves most HIV/AIDS services despite […]
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What’s your queer comfort watch? Here’s what made our list
Sometimes you just want to curl up with something warm and familiar, and for many of us, that means a queer comfort watch. From beloved series to feel-good films, we asked our staff and readers to share their go-to favorites. Did yours make the list? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO5fvagocjA Wynonna Earp The former SyFy series Wynonna Earp was […]
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LGBTQ+ film festivals you’ll want to know about this summer and beyond
Summer and fall mark peak season for LGBTQ+ film festivals, and we’ve rounded up the ones you’ll want on your radar. From indie gems to major cultural staples, there’s something here for every queer cinephile. FilmOut San Diego (San Diego, CA) Now in its 25th year, FilmOut San Diego (also known as the San Diego […]
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The OutLook: July 11, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall National Monument page has removed the word “bisexual” from its National Park Service site. Earlier this year, the words “transgender” and “queer” were removed, as well as the Q and T in LGBTQ. Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons has […]
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Know the numbers: LGBTQ+ mental health helplines and how to support them
When you are struggling with mental health, knowing where to turn can be life-saving. For LGBTQ+ people, who face higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and isolation, affirming support matters. That support took a hit when the Biden-era LGBTQ+ specialized services within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline were discontinued under the Trump administration. […]
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“Only 20 cents of every $100”: LGBTQ+ funding falls, new report finds
Funders for LGBTQ Issues, a nonprofit network of more than 100 foundations, companies and funders, has released its latest report on the state of LGBTQ+ grantmaking by U.S. foundations. The 2023 Resource Tracking Report examines how foundations funded LGBTQ+ causes last year, highlighting trends, gaps and opportunities. Now in its 21st year, the report shows […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
New Dallas-based LGBTQ+ series “The Gayborhood” spotlights queer life in Oak Lawn
Dallas filmmaker Israel Luna, along with co-creator Joseph Herrera, have debuted a new LGBTQ+ web series, The Gayborhood, set in Dallas’ famed LGBTQ+ neighborhood, Oak Lawn. This indie comedy-drama follows a group of coworkers at a studio run by a drag queen and features a cast of local talent, including longtime Luna collaborator Richard Curtin. […]
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The OutLook: June 27, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that parents can opt their kids out of LGBTQ+-inclusive lessons if it conflicts with their religious beliefs, a move advocates say threatens inclusive education. The Trump-Vance administration is threatening to pull education funding from California over […]
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Your queer foodie guide: LGBTQ+ chefs, books, tours and events to know
Looking to taste your way through queer culture? From guided food tours to groundbreaking cookbooks and can’t-miss culinary events, queer food spaces are thriving across the U.S. and beyond. Whether you’re craving bourbon and bites in Louisville, exploring food justice, or bookmarking your next favorite cookbook, there’s a world of queer food experiences waiting to […]
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The OutLook: June 20, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors in a 6–3 ruling, allowing similar laws in other states to stand. Justice Sotomayor dissented, saying the court “abandons transgender children and their families to political whims.” California […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Alice Austen photo collection reunited with LGBTQ+ landmark after 80 years
After decades in the care of Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island, more than 7,000 photographs by trailblazing lesbian photographer Alice Austen will return to the Alice Austen House on June 21. The handover will take place during a celebration for the new book Too Good to Get Married, which explores Austen’s life, work, and her […]
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Tennessee can enforce ban on gender-affirming care, Supreme Court rules
The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled today that Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors can remain in effect. In a 6-3 decision, the court upheld the law in U.S. v. Skrmetti, dealing a major blow to legal efforts challenging anti-trans legislation nationwide. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, stating the […]
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The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: June 13, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. A federal judge has blocked three Trump-era executive orders that threatened to defund LGBTQ+ and HIV-focused nonprofits. The ruling halts attacks on DEI efforts and transgender rights while the case moves forward, protecting organizations that provide life-saving care nationwide. North Carolina […]
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GLAAD report sounds alarm on Hollywood LGBTQ+ representation backslide
GLAAD’s Studio Responsibility Index 2025 report was released today and the media watchdog is sounding the alarm after two consecutive years of decreases in inclusive films and a reduction in screen time for LGBTQ+ characters. This is the 13th year for the annual report which examines how LGBTQ+ characters are portrayed by major movie studios. […]