This week, the American Library Association released its “2024 State of America’s Libraries” report. This year’s report heavily focuses on censorship, book bans and book challenges libraries across the country have been facing. In the report’s introduction, titled “These Are Not Ordinary Times,” ALA president Emily Drabinski shared the challenges facing U.S. libraries. “The unprecedented wave of organized censorship […]
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
Additional ways Project 2025’s plan could affect the LGBTQ+ community
In November, we wrote about Project 2025, a playbook written by the conservative policy think tank Heritage Foundation. If put into action, the playbook could have dire effects on countless Americans, particularly women and the LGBTQ+ community. That article has consistently been one of the most-read pieces on the News is Out site. We want […]
Posted inTop Stories
Everywhere is Queer connects LGBTQ+ businesses and customers
You’re standing in the middle of downtown Madison, Wisconsin and wondering if there are any LGBTQ+-owned businesses to support. Maybe you’re planning a trip across the South and want to visit LGBTQ+-owned restaurants along your way. Or you’re in your town looking for an LGBTQ+ doctor or service person. Everywhere is Queer can help. The […]
Posted inNews
J.P. Morgan & StartOut Growth Lab empowers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs
J.P. Morgan and StartOut have announced the inclusion of nine new early-stage companies into the 2024 Growth Lab Accelerator program. An organization focused on LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, StartOut works to accelerate “the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed and […]
Posted inNews
No charges in Nex Benedict’s death, says Oklahoma DA
On Thursday, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler issued a statement announcing that no criminal charges would be filed in the death of Nex Benedict. Benedict, a trans nonbinary teen, died Feb. 8, the day after being involved in a fight with fellow Owasso High School students. On March 13, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office […]
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Can Biden surpass Obama’s record for the most LGBTQ+ judges appointed to the federal bench?
President Joe Biden has officially tied former President Barack Obama’s record of appointing the most LGBTQ+ judges to federal courts. Biden appointed judges Melissa DuBose and Nicole Berner to the federal court this year. Both judges were confirmed by the U.S. Senate this March. DuBose made history with her appointment, making her the first Black […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Queer Liberation Library: A new chapter in literary LGBTQ+ access and representation
For queer literature lovers, there’s good news. The Queer Liberation Library is open and ready to share LGBTQ+-focused content nationwide. Started by librarian Kieran Hickey and a group of like-minded friends, including fellow librarian Amber Dierking, the QLL debuted in the fall of 2023 and has already captured media attention and a long list of […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
From near extinction to flourishing: The resurgence of lesbian bars explored in ‘Cruising’ podcast
Over the last few years, articles have been highlighting the loss of physical spaces for lesbians and queer women. With headlines like “Why Do Lesbian Bars Keep Disappearing” and “There Are Only 14 Lesbian Bars in the Country. Here’s Why,” it has become clear that the crumbling cultural bedrock of the lesbian bar universe is […]
Posted inNews
Oklahoma medical examiner has determined cause of death for Nex Benedict
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office has released the cause of death of Owasso teenager Nex Benedict, a little over a month after Nex’s death. The probably cause of death was suicide, according to the office. The examiner has determined that Nex died from diphenhydramine and fluoxetine toxicity. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, commonly sold as Benadryl. […]
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Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law is dealt a serious blow after settlement agreement with LGBTQ+ advocates
This week, a settlement was reached between Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP, National Center for Lesbian Rights and various departments within the state of Florida, including the Florida State Board of Education and Florida Department of Education. The settlement of the suit, brought by parents, educators and nonprofits Equality Florida and Family Equality, will greatly […]
Posted inTop Stories
Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community center loses funding support from Senate bill at the last minute
The William Way Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the country’s leading LGBTQ+ centers. Established in 1976, the center has served the LGBTQ+ community of Philadelphia and beyond with events, peer counseling, recovery meetings, initiatives for LGBTQ+ elders and much more. On March 5, the WWC was targeted by Libs of TikTok, accusing the […]
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8 LGBTQ+ archives and how you can experience them
Preserving LGBTQ+ history is vital and thankfully, there are collections around the country that capture both the monumental and everyday moments of our past. These archives offer a glimpse into our lives and lay out a path for the battles that lie ahead for our community. Dr. John P. De Cecco Archives and Special Collections […]
Posted inNews
Over 350 civil rights groups and public figures seek removal of Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters in open letter
A coalition of over 350 LGBTQ, civil rights groups, and prominent public figures has issued a call for action following the tragic death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old gender-nonconforming student from Owasso, Oklahoma. An open letter addressed to the Oklahoma State Legislature calls for removing State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters and investigating the […]
Posted inNews
Updates in Nex Benedict’s tragic death: Hospital footage, vigils and Owasso Police’s latest statements
It has now been two weeks since news of the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict gripped the nation. The high school student died Feb. 8, a day after they were assaulted by three female students in the bathroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. Last week, News is Out wrote about the incident and […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
“All of Us Strangers” “Anatomy of a Fall” lead the 2024 LGBTQ+ Dorian Awards
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics’ announced the winners of the 15th Dorian Film Awards. The Dorian Awards recognize excellence in film and are voted on by the 500 member strong organization of LGBTQ+ entertainment writers and professionals. Along with standard categories for film of the year and director, the Dorians recognize the best […]
Posted inNews
Seeking justice for Nex Benedict: The battle against misinformation and silence
Nonbinary teen Nex Benedict died Feb. 8, the day after being involved in a fight with three fellow high school students in Owasso, Oklahoma. That’s what we know to be true. The rest of Nex’s story has been a back-and-forth of misinformation, lack of transparency and confusion. Nex’s funeral was held on Feb. 15, and […]
Posted inScience
New report finds injectable PrEP could prevent 87% more new HIV cases than oral pills
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute recently released an update on a 2022 report highlighting the potential impact of long-acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on HIV prevention. According to the findings conducted by RTI International, an independent nonprofit research institute, incorporating long-acting injectable PrEP could lead to an 87% increase in the number of HIV cases averted compared […]
Posted inCommunity
Largest U.S. survey of transgender individuals shows overwhelmingly positive results from gender affirming care
While transgender rights have become a key social issue for many Republicans in the leadup to the 2024 election season, a new study debunks a talking point that transgender people often regret transitioning. Early insights from the 2022 US Trans Survey have just been released and the results show a more positive picture of transgender […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
LGBTQ+ gamers find voice and visibility in historic GLAAD gaming report
If you are an LGBTQ+ gamer, you are far from alone. According to GLAAD’s first-ever report on the state of LGBTQ+ gaming, one in five gamers identifies as LGBTQ+. GLAAD partnered with Nielsen Games to gather information from LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ gamers about representation, demographics, spending power and more. “We cannot move what we do […]
Posted inCommunity
Empowering LGBTQ+ students: $10,000 grants available for schools from It Gets Better initiative
It Gets Better Project has launched the third year of its “50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices.” initiative, offering grants of up to $10,000 each to middle and high schools across the United States. These grants aim to support “projects that uplift, empower and support the well-being of local LGBTQ+ students.” This effort is supported […]
