Famm Connect is turning the idea of professional networking on its head. Founded by queer married couple, Cat Perez (she/they) and Marianna Di Regolo (she/her) and designed specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, this innovative platform prioritizes safety, intentionality, and meaningful connections over mass adoption. With its referral-only model and thoughtful features, Famm Connect is creating […]
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
The Holiday Club: A heartfelt friends-to-lovers film perfect for the season
The latest film by writer, director, and actor Alexandra Swarens offers a slow-burn, “will they or won’t they,” friends-to-lovers romance with The Holiday Club. Starring Swarens and Mak Shealy, the film takes viewers to small-town Ohio, where two women bond over disastrous holidays. Bailey (Swarens) is a kind bakery owner whose girlfriend shows little interest […]
Posted inTop Stories
Speaker Mike Johnson bans trans people from using bathrooms matching their gender identity on Capitol Hill
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has officially banned elected transgender Congresswomen Sarah McBride and any trans staff from using a bathroom that doesn’t correspond with their assigned gender at birth. The ban comes just one day after the speaker told reporters, “I believe it’s a command we treat all persons with dignity and respect.” […]
Posted inNews
Rep. Nancy Mace introduces Capitol Hill bathroom bill days after first trans Congress member elected
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) proposed a resolution on Monday that would bar transgender people from using a bathroom that does not correspond with their gender assigned at birth. This would include Mace’s future colleague, the recently elected Sarah McBride of Delaware. McBride made history as the first openly transgender person to be elected to the […]
Posted inNews
How do Trump’s cabinet picks fare on LGBTQ+ issues?
In recent days, President-elect Donald Trump has been announcing his choices for U.S. Cabinet positions. Here’s a look at their track records on LGBTQ+ rights. Director Of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard Gabbard served as U.S. representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021 as a Democrat and was vice chair of the Democratic […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Chappell Roan, queer artists dominate Grammy nominations
The 2025 Grammy Award nominations have been announced, with queer artists front and center in categories like record of the year, album of the year, and song of the year. Chappell Roan, who recently performed a lesbian country song on “Saturday Night Live,” picked up six nominations: record of the year, album of the year, […]
Posted inNews
LGBTQ+ candidates win key elections across the country, from federal to local races
While the nation reckons with the results of the 2024 presidential election, there were some positive gains for the LGBTQ+ community in the Senate, Congressional, statehouse and local races. Here are a few key wins. In one of the biggest LGBTQ+ wins of the election, Sarah McBride won her race to represent Delaware in the […]
Posted inNews
LGBTQ+ voters share their voting experiences and candidates of choice
On this Election Day, we asked LGBTQ+ voters to share their experiences in voting, whether at the ballot box or through the mail, and why they chose the candidates who received their vote. We reached out to LGBTQ+ voters of all political affiliations. Robin C., 35, lives in a small town south of Oklahoma City […]
Posted inNews
VP Harris mentions Stonewall in her closing argument speech for President
Last night, a record-breaking 75,000 people gathered at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., to hear Vice President Kamala Harris’s closing remarks, with a week to go until Election Day. The Ellipse is the same spot where Donald Trump delivered his speech on Jan. 6, 2021. Harris, who spoke for nearly 30 minutes, once again shared […]
Posted inTop Stories
LGBTQ+ horror movies to watch this spooky season and beyond
While horror was never dead (or undead), it has certainly been making a comeback in recent years. Films like Longlegs, Terrifier, and The Substance have been cashing in at the box office. But what about queer horror? There are dozens of horror films where LGBTQ+ people aren’t just nameless victims to slashers or monsters. The […]
Posted inCommunity
HRC releases latest Congressional scorecards: Who scored the highest…and lowest?
This week, the Human Rights Campaign released its annual Congressional Scorecard. The scorecard is a tool used to assess the voting records of members of Congress on issues related to LGBTQ+ rights. It tracks how senators and representatives vote on key legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community, such as anti-discrimination protections and transgender rights. According to […]
Posted inTop Stories
News is Out to host virtual Project 2025 panel with special guests on 10/23
What is Project 2025 and how would it impact the LGBTQ+ community if it came to pass? Learn more about this controversial conservative playbook in a virtual discussion with News is Out and special guests Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (PA), Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Charlotte Clymer, Kevin Jennings (Lambda Legal), Janelle Perez (LPAC), Rep. Julie Johnson (TX) […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Nico Lang’s book, “American Teenager,” shines a thoughtful spotlight on the everyday lives of trans youth
Early on in Nico Lang’s debut book, “American Teenager,” readers meet Wyatt, a transgender teen living in South Dakota. A sensitive and kind ballet student, Wyatt and his family open their hearts and home to Lang. Wyatt, who was 15 at the time of Lang’s interview, shares that he had to grow up fast as […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
15 films and tv series about LGBTQ+ history and where to find them
While LGBTQ+ history is rich, it’s often not taught or widely known to a mainstream audience. Much of our history is hidden in the annals of archives or through oral tradition. How can we look to the future when we remain unclear about our past? This history month, we’re examining how our stories have been […]
Posted inNews
Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day is October 8
Celebrating 100 years of local media for and by the community. News is Out, a collaboration of six LGBTQ+ media representing more than 250 collective years of experience covering the community, is launching the first Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 during LGBTQ+ History Month. Tax-deductible donations are being accepted now through […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
GLAAD’s latest responsibility report gives failing or insufficient ratings to most film studios
GLAAD’s 2024 Studio Responsibility Index report was released this morning and shows that Hollywood film studios are still falling behind when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. GLAAD’s study analyzed 256 films distributed by U.S. studios in 2023, focusing on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters. Films with a runtime of 65 minutes or more, were reviewed […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Katherine Barrell and Dom Provost-Chalkley on “Wynonna Earp: Vengeance” and the enduring appeal of Wayhaught
Please note: the following interview contains spoilers for “Wynonna Earp: Vengeance.” Bookmark this page if you want to avoid spoilers until after you’ve watched the special. Wynonna is back and badder than ever. After the beloved show “Wynonna Earp” was canceled by Syfy in 2021, fans fought for over two years to keep the hope […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Taylor Swift surprises with a post-debate Harris-Walz endorsement
Last night, directly following the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, pop star Taylor Swift dropped an Instagram post that many in the Democratic party were hoping to get. Before viewers and pundits could even catch their breaths after an intense two-hour debate, Swift enthusiastically endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket. […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Scott Evans, Erin Reed and Lauren McGaughy to be honored by LGBTQ+ journalists association
The National Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, also known as NLGJA, honors the work of journalists and media professionals every year with awards in categories such as Excellence in Blogging, Excellence in Political Writing and more. Special yearly awards are also presented to journalists who go above and beyond in their careers and coverage. Scott Evans, an entertainment […]
Posted inTop Stories
18 LGBTQ+ candidates to watch this election season
This election season, hundreds of LGBTQ+ candidates are running for office across the country, from hyperlocal positions to statewide seats. The Victory Fund, “the leading national voice on issues pertaining to LGBTQ+ politics, candidates and elected officials,” has endorsed 325 LGBTQ+ candidates alone. Here are 18 standout candidates to watch this election season, all of […]