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 […]
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
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. […]
Posted inNews
The queer inbox: LGBTQ+ newsletters that keep you in the loop
Newsletters are having a moment. Fifty-eight percent of creators say it’s their top content format, and it’s easy to see why. Readers get exactly what they want, curated and delivered straight to their inbox. At News is Out, we’ve got our own newsletters, and so do all our partner publishers. (You can sign up for […]
Posted inNews
The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: June 6, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The White House says President Trump has “no plans” to recognize Pride Month in 2025, breaking from past Biden-era acknowledgments. Instead, the Trump Administration announced it will recognize June as Title IX Month, “commemorating women and celebrating their struggle for, and […]
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The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: May 23, 2025
The Outlook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The Republican-led House narrowly passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which now includes expanded restrictions on federal funding for gender-affirming care and rolls back insurance coverage requirements, potentially increasing out-of-pocket costs for transgender patients. Now the bill heads to the […]
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New report offers strategies to fund inclusive housing for LGBTQ+ seniors
A new report from the Milken Institute, in partnership with SAGE, outlines five financing models to address the growing need for affordable, LGBTQ+-affirming elder housing in the United States. According to the report, the number of LGBTQ+ adults aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 1.1 million today to over 7 million by […]
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The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: May 16, 2025
The Outlook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The federal government has removed gender identity questions from key crime surveys, cutting off vital data on violence against LGBTQ+ people. Ohio Republicans blocked LGBTQ+ advocates from testifying against anti-trans language in the state budget, silencing concerns over harmful provisions. Republicans’ […]
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Tariffs hit hard, but queer-owned brands push back with transparency and community
At the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in January, his administration quickly followed through on his promise to increase tariffs on U.S. trading partners. It began in February with a 10% tariff increase on all Chinese imports and a 25% increase on steel and aluminum products. Since then, tariffs have been escalating between […]
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GLAAD Report: Major social platforms fall short on LGBTQ+ safety in 2025
GLAAD has released its “2025 Social Media Safety Index” evaluating seven of the country’s largest social media platforms on how well they protect LGBTQ+ users. The platforms assessed—Facebook, Instagram, Threads (Meta), TikTok, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat—were scored based on their LGBTQ+ user safety, policy transparency, enforcement and protections against harassment and disinformation. No platform […]
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The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: May 9, 2025
The Outlook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Trump-Vance administration to move forward with its ban on transgender people serving in the military while ongoing legal challenges continue. At an April 30 school board meeting in Tabernacle, N.J., about 40 people […]