This week, PFLAG hosted a panel at SXSW EDU examining the growing wave of book bans and the impact on LGBTQ+ stories in schools and libraries. The session, “Beyond Bans: Defending LGBTQ+ Stories & Literary Freedom,” took place March 11 and streamed live on SXSW EDU’s YouTube channel. The conversation focused on the increasing censorship of books, authors and […]
Category: Culture
Posted inOpinion
The Pride flag was removed from Stonewall. That matters.
The Pride flag has been an enduring symbol of the LGBTQ+ community since 1978, when the first design by Gilbert Baker debuted at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Over the decades, the flag’s design has evolved from the original nine colors to six to versions including brown and black stripes to honor the […]
Posted inTop Stories
5 things queer people notice immediately in a “welcoming” space
Queer people read a space quickly. Before a word is spoken, certain signals tell us whether we belong or should stay guarded. Here are five things LGBTQ+ people notice when determining if a space is truly welcoming. 1. Pride messaging outside, not just inside Are there any Pride flags flying outside or in the window? […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
GayBarchives keeps our history on the record — and our memories alive
For generations, LGBTQ+ bars have been more than nightlife: they’ve been sanctuaries. Over vodka sodas and jukebox tunes, they offered connection, safety, and visibility during times where simply existing as a queer or transgender person could be dangerous. Yet, like so much of queer history, the stories of these bars often fade when the lights […]
Posted inTop Stories
Undead Voice founder Nicole Gress is rewriting the rules of trans voice training
When Nicole Gress left traditional medical settings, she wasn’t walking away from her profession: she was walking toward a new model of care. A trained speech-language pathologist, Gress, who uses she/they pronouns, saw too many transgender people hit a wall with conventional voice therapy. That frustration, combined with inspiration from the DIY innovations happening in […]
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 inArts and Entertainment
Queer Chicana artist Jaqui Almaguer uses traditional styles to highlight immigrant experiences
For many children, an introduction to art comes from museums or kindergarten art classes. For Jaqui Almaguer, it was Little Village graffiti. Almaguer, a 42-year-old self-taught Chicago-based artist, had a lifetime of experiences before committing to an art career full-time. Now, she’s putting her Chicana heritage and spiritual beliefs into her vibrant traditionally inspired painted […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Eli Tea Bar continues to grow as a Chicago non-alcoholic queer haven
When people talk about non-alcoholic queer spaces in Chicago, one of the first places mentioned is often Eli Tea Bar. And although owner Eli Majid didn’t initially open the store with that vision in mind, he’s glad it’s grown into its community role. Eli Tea Bar opened nearly three years ago in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood […]
Posted inTop Stories
Celebrate the holidays by supporting queer-owned food brands
Looking to make your holiday shopping more meaningful and delicious this year? The Queer Food Foundation (QFF) has just come out with their 2024 Gift Guide, featuring over 90 queer-owned brands in the food and beverage world. This guide created by LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, offers everything from artisanal snacks and beverages to foodie experiences and cookbooks. […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Why LGBTQ+ spaces beyond bars matter: Connecting without the crowds
I’m lucky enough to live in a city with multiple gay bars. From the Pride Stairs of Woody’s to the drag shows of Missy B’s, Kansas City has a bar for every type of queer person out there. Or, so I’ve heard. The truth is, I’ve never been to any of them. Admitting this can be a little […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Ambitious arts initiative uncovers ‘treasures’ created by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Chicagoans
Chicago has no shortage of cultural events—with 77 neighborhood areas and an innumerable amount of cultural communities, there’s something for everyone. Financial assistance from Chicago Cultural Treasures, now in the final year of its four-year initiative, has focused on funding BIPOC groups—including LGBTQ+-centered organizations—so they can continue as part of the city’s cultural tapestry. El […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Connecting queer women and friends 35+ through social events and meaningful causes
At 47, Laura Young found it challenging to meet women her age, especially in the suburbs west of Chicago, where she lives. Taking matters into her own hands, she founded Sapphic Before Sunset—a social group focused on creating events for the 35+ queer community-last winter. With the slogan “mix, mingle & still get to bed […]
Posted inCulture
Best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in 2024
As of 2020, nearly 17% of U.S. college students identified as LGBTQ+ Housing, healthcare, student groups and campus safety are important to LGBTQ+ students View the BestColleges list of the top-ranked LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in the United States College diversity initiatives have expanded their definition to include LGBTQ+ students. This is due to changes and improvements […]
Posted inCulture
Queer Cannabis: A guide to LGBTQ+-owned dispensaries and brands nationwide
Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in 26 states and U.S. territories. Voters in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota will also have their chance to vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana this November. The legal cannabis industry is on track to generate around 40 billion dollars in revenue in 2024. There are LGBTQ+ cannabis brands […]
Posted inCulture
Far from making their last calls, LGBTQ+ bars evolve to imagine a new world
Greggor Mattson put about 10,000 miles on his car during his long, winding pilgrimage to 300 LGBTQ+ bars across 39 states. Mattson, the chair of sociology at Oberlin College and Conservatory, embarked on this journey to research why LGBTQ+ bars all over the U.S. were closing, but the story ended up being more complicated—and hopeful—than […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
LGBTQ+ social media platforms center on queer spaces, community connection
A gay man living in a rural area has recently come out of the closet and is looking for LGBTQ+ friends; a lesbian has moved to a new city where she hopes to find a local queer femme social group; a nonbinary person has started hormone replacement therapy and wants to share the changes they’re […]
Posted inCulture
The rise of sober LGBTQ+ spaces
Bars have long been a key part of LGBTQ+ culture. They provide us with safe havens where we can be ourselves, fall in love and meet friends that often become family. They give us a place to rally and organize, to grieve and celebrate. Patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a queer bar in New York […]
Posted inTravel
Traveling with Brand g: A unique and intimate LGBTQ+ vacation experience
“I feel like I’m in that scene from ‘Under the Tuscan Sun,’” my wife whispered to me as we boarded the Brand g Vacations bus in Bordeaux, France. She’s not wrong. It does hearken to the scene where Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) takes her best lesbian friend’s place on a queer European adventure. We are […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Queer community creates a respite for LGBTQ+ youth campers
If you’re looking for an affirming summer camp for your LGBTQ+ child between the ages of 12 and 17, look no further than Kindom Camp, which, under the direction of Pepa Paniagua and now Dr. John Leedy, has expanded to include four locations this summer: Texas, Illinois, Nevada and Indiana. Kindom was founded by local community […]
Posted inCulture
As Target pulls back on its Pride line, here are 5 places to get Pride merchandise instead
After the viral backlash last year against its Pride line, Target announced late last week that its Pride line would only be available in select stores and online. Also, only adult apparel will be available this year. Which stores will carry Target’s Pride line has not yet been announced. According to a media response received […]