Public opinion pollster Gallup has just released its most recent data about LGBTQ+ Americans. Gallup’s latest poll shows the LGBTQ+ community is growing, now at 9.3%—up nearly two points from 2023. That number has doubled since 2020 and is six points higher than in 2012 when Gallup first began tracking this data. These results reflect the […]
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 inArts and Entertainment
Queer Las Vegas: Where to stay, play and slay
Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country (and the world). With an estimated 175 casinos and 156,000 hotel rooms, just waiting for tourists, Las Vegas fits a lot into relatively small space. As a queer traveler, I’m always looking for places that are welcoming and Las Vegas overwhelmingly fits […]
Posted inNews
Vigils planned to honor slain trans man, Sam Nordquist
A Minnesota transgender man is being remembered across the country with vigils, days after his body was found in Yates County, New York. Sam Nordquist, 24, of Red Wing, Minnesota, was found deceased a week after his family contacted police to issue a missing persons report. According to New York State Police (NYSP), Nordquist was “the victim of […]
Posted inPolitics
“Transgender” and “Queer” have been removed from Stonewall Monument page
This post has been updated as of Feb.14. As of Feb. 13, the word “transgender” has been removed from the Stonewall National Monument web page in Greenwich Village, New York. The site and monument, which are part of the National Park Service, also removed the “T” representing trans people, as well as the “Q” for […]
Posted inTop Stories
Queer women and GLP-1s: Navigating health, weight and stigma
It was a hundred little things. The way my knees nearly gave out as I climbed down the stairs in the morning. Not fitting in an airplane seatbelt. Falling behind my fellow journalists on a hike during a press trip. I have struggled with my weight for over 20 years, and now, in my mid-40s, […]
Posted inTop Stories
Malcolm Kenyatta elected as DNC Vice Chair
This weekend, Democratic National Committee (DNC) members elected Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta to serve as one of its three vice chairs. Kenyatta, a current member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives who recently ran for auditor general, is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party. In 2018, Kenyatta made history as the first openly-LGBTQ+ person […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Queer women win big at the 2025 Grammy Awards
Chappell. Doechii. Gaga. Miley – just a few of the queer women who claimed music’s biggest honors last night. The 2025 Grammy Awards was filled with impactful speeches, long-awaited recognition and more than a few surprises. But it was queer women who stole the show, with passionate acceptance speeches, both on stage and on the […]
Posted inCommunity
Feeling helpless? 10 actions you can take to support LGBTQ+ rights
These past two weeks have been particularly difficult, with numerous executive orders affecting diversity and the LGBTQ+ community. Three executive orders this week alone focused on the trans community. Between doomscrolling and 24/7 coverage, it’s easy to get caught up in a pervasive feeling of helplessness. But there are things you can do if you […]
Posted inNews
Trump moves to restrict transgender students’ rights in schools
President Donald Trump has issued his third executive order in one week aimed at restricting rights for the transgender community. Trump previously issued orders banning trans people from serving in the military and restricting gender-affirming care for those under 19. On Wednesday, Trump signed the “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” order, which would restrict […]
Posted inTop Stories
Trump moves to restrict trans youth health care, one day after military ban
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender and gender-nonconforming youth from receiving gender-affirming medical care. This order would also penalize any institution that receives federal research or education grants if they provide gender-affirming care to anyone under the age of 19. The order begins by stating that “medical professionals are maiming […]
Posted inTop Stories
Trump signs executive order effectively banning trans people from serving
On Monday night, President Donald Trump signed the “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” executive order, effectively banning transgender people from serving in the military. Trump has done this before during his first administration, an order which was reversed by the Biden administration. Now once again, the military’s estimated 15,000 trans troops are once again facing […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
The Task Force’s Creating Change conference brings community, collaboration and action to Las Vegas
The National LGBTQ Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference has kicked off in Las Vegas at the newly renovated Rio Hotel and Casino. The conference, which has been in existence in some form since 1988, brings over 3000 attendees together to build skills and organize for LGBTQ+ rights and issues. Task Force President Kierra Johnson […]
Posted inTop Stories
Queer creators grapple with TikTok ban and Meta policy changes
Update: As of Jan. 15, it has been reported that the Biden administration is looking into ways to keep TikTok from shutting down in the United States. TikTok is currently scheduled to be banned in the U.S. as of Sunday, Jan. 19. Also as of reporting, the Supreme Court has not intervened or overturned the […]
Posted inNews
H.R. 28: House votes to ban trans women and girls from athletics
On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 218-206 in favor of H.R.28 – Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025. The bill would ban transgender girls and women from participating in athletics at schools and institutions that receive federal funding, stating that “sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s […]
Posted inNews
What does Meta’s rollback on moderation and fact checking mean for the LGBTQ+ community?
LGBTQ+ leaders have criticized Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to end third-party fact checking and content moderation on Facebook and Instagram posts. In the video released on Tuesday, Zuckerberg said the platform would move to a community notes form of content moderation, similar to Elon Musk’s X, which Meta claims will be “less prone to […]
Posted inTop Stories
Finding LGBTQ+ joy in challenging times: 5 reasons to cheer
It’s important not to lose sight of LGBTQ+ joy, especially when times get tough. Here are five queer reasons to cheer. Rep. Sarah McBride sworn in: Congratulations to McBride, who is officially the first out transgender member of the U.S. House of Representatives. McBride, who was formerly the first out trans Delaware state senator, was […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Queer and trans podcasts you may not know about yet – but should put in your listening roster
According to Statista, 59% of people aged 12-34 and 55% of people aged 35-55 listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. In fact, there’s a good chance that as you’re reading this, you’re listening to a podcast in the background. While there are several popular LGBTQ+-focused podcasts out there, like Getting Curious with Jonathan Van […]
Posted inNews
Lawmakers approve defense bill restricting gender-affirming care for military families
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the latest National Defense Authorization Act. The defense spending bill for 2025, which included a provision that would ban gender-affirming care for children of military service members, passed by a margin of 281 to 140, including support from 81 Democrats. Section 708 of […]
Posted inSports
LPGA and USGA new gender policies would exclude a majority of trans women players
This Thursday, Dec. 5, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) released updated gender guidelines for player eligibility. According to the new rules, only transgender women who “have not experienced any part of male puberty either beyond Tanner Stage 2 or after age 12 (whichever comes first)” are eligible to compete. Additionally, they must meet standards […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
10 more LGBTQ+ holiday films and where to find them
Last year we put out a list of 15 LGBTQ+ films and where to find them, and it’s been one of our most popular posts ever. That’s why we’re bringing you 10 more holiday films featuring LGBTQ+ characters and storylines and where you can watch them right now. The Holiday Club Written, directed, and starring […]