When you think of LGBTQ+ friendly cities, there are the obvious answers that come to mind. Places like San Francisco, New York City, Portland, Philadelphia, Palm Springs and Chicago often top the list. But there are cities all around the country that are stepping up and out for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. These five cities […]
Category: Community
Posted inTop Stories
Queer perfumers behind Domestica turn everyday memories into scent
It’s happened to all of us: you’re out and about and suddenly you catch a whiff of something that brings a memory flooding back and the emotions connected to it. Not only does scent travel from our noses to the olfactory bulb in our forebrains that is directly connected to memory and emotion, but scent […]
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PFLAG brings the topic of LGBTQ+ book bans to SXSW EDU
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 […]
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‘I’m heartbroken’: Trans Kansans reckon with their driver’s licenses being invalidated
TOPEKA — Transgender rights activist Jaelynn Abegg was furious Thursday morning when she received a letter from the state informing her that her driver’s license had been invalidated because of a new state law. Abegg, a Wichita resident, said she would only get a new driver’s license if she needs one before fleeing the state, […]
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 […]
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GLSEN changes its name to Glisten as the organization marks a new chapter
Founded in 1990, GLSEN, which stood for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, began as a network of educators responding to anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in schools. More than 30 years later, the organization says it represents 1.5 million youth, families, educators, and advocates, with work that extends beyond school buildings into broader community support. CEO […]
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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? […]
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MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving donates $45 million to The Trevor Project
National LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization The Trevor Project announced Monday that it was the recipient of a $45 million dollar grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It is the largest single gift in the organization’s history. “A $45 million investment in The Trevor Project reflects deep confidence in our mission, impact, operations, and long-term vision,” […]
Posted inCommunity
A big queer Texas wedding party celebrates LGBTQ+ marriage while it’s under threat
This article was published in partnership with The Barbed Wire. Courtesy of The 19th. At a bustling venue on Sunday, the speakers boomed with a remix of “Stayin’ Alive.” Heather Schenk and Ty Linhardt had traveled from Chickasha, Oklahoma, for the Big Queer Wedding Party in Austin, where ten couples came to get married and renew […]
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Save the date: News is Out to host “We Were Here” virtual event for LGBTQ+ History Month
Join us October 28 for We Were Here, a live virtual event celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month, presented by News is Out and hosted by Dana Piccoli. This special program brings together history makers and community leaders from across the country to reflect on the people, moments, and movements that shaped our shared story. Featured guests […]
Posted inCommunity
The need to preserve LGBTQ+ histories of rural America
Special to News is Out from Philadelphia Gay News “People think of big cities when they think about the LGBTQ community because it’s just more visible there,” said Barry Loveland, co-founder of the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project, explaining that it’s often easier to find and document the stories of queer urban pasts. “The more rural […]
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From silence to action: Day of Silence co-founder vows ‘We’re not going anywhere’
Special to News is Out from Philadelphia Gay News Maria Pulzetti said many folks will tell her that their first exposure to LGBTQ+ activism was in middle school or high school, through the national youth movement known as Day of Silence. However, these same folks do not realize a key detail about the annual event […]
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U.S. monuments that tell LGBTQ+ history
Public memory matters, and for LGBTQ+ communities, monuments have long lagged behind. But in recent decades, visible landmarks have begun to claim space in cities across the country. These sites do more than decorate: they insist our stories belong in public record and place. Below is a tour of notable LGBTQ+ monuments and memorials in […]
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Global roundup: Countries that recently legalized same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage continues to expand around the world, with several countries passing laws or court rulings in the last two years. These changes reflect steady progress, particularly in Europe and, more recently, Asia. Here’s a look at the most recent nations to join the list, with dates when the laws took effect. Marriage equality newcomers […]
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LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project finds increasing challenges for local outlets
Link to report and map online here September 8, 2025 — The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project today released a groundbreaking look at local LGBTQ+ media, with in-depth analysis of all aspects of their reach, size, impact and increasing need in a hostile and threatening political and cultural climate for LGBTQ+ people. The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping […]
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Lesbian bars in the U.S. you may not know about – but should
Over the last few decades, the number of lesbian bars dropped significantly, from roughly 200 in the 1980s, to a low of 21 in 2021. Since then, we’ve seen a resurgence of lesbian and sapphic-focused spaces: according to The Lesbian Bar Project, we’re now up to 38. You may know the classics like Cubbyhole, Gossip […]
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Orlando community restores Pulse rainbow crosswalk with chalk
In July 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy issued a “Safe Roads” memo to all 50 states. It directed the removal of non-standard markings, including rainbow designs, claiming roads must be free of political messages and distractions. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued a memo citing its authority under the FDOT Design Manual. It […]
Posted inHealth
GLP-1s can help address LGBTQ+ healthcare barriers: experts
Dana Piccoli tried everything to lose weight. She frequented the gym, went on and off diets and hired a personal trainer. When Piccoli decided to get on a GLP-1, it wasn’t a “short cut” to drop weight – it was a way for her to live her life comfortably. “When I told someone I was […]
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 […]
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Queering the gym: Inclusive fitness spaces for every body
Finding a gym where you feel seen, safe, and supported can be tough, especially if you’re queer or trans. Thankfully, more LGBTQ+ owned and affirming fitness spaces are stepping up to change that. These gyms aren’t just about lifting weights or hitting goals, they’re creating a culture of movement that welcomes every body. Here are […]