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 […]
Category: Community
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
New Dallas-based LGBTQ+ series “The Gayborhood” spotlights queer life in Oak Lawn
Dallas filmmaker Israel Luna, along with co-creator Joseph Herrera, have debuted a new LGBTQ+ web series, The Gayborhood, set in Dallas’ famed LGBTQ+ neighborhood, Oak Lawn. This indie comedy-drama follows a group of coworkers at a studio run by a drag queen and features a cast of local talent, including longtime Luna collaborator Richard Curtin. […]
Your queer foodie guide: LGBTQ+ chefs, books, tours and events to know
Looking to taste your way through queer culture? From guided food tours to groundbreaking cookbooks and can’t-miss culinary events, queer food spaces are thriving across the U.S. and beyond. Whether you’re craving bourbon and bites in Louisville, exploring food justice, or bookmarking your next favorite cookbook, there’s a world of queer food experiences waiting to […]
Gay men face alarming suicide rates amid declining mental health resources
Mental health has been in the spotlight for the last few years—and the need for resources is more dire than ever, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. Several studies have confirmed the toll that various factors have taken on the demographic. For example, when compared to heterosexual males and females, gay men are six times more likely and […]
The queer inbox: LGBTQ+ newsletters that keep you in the loop
Newsletters are having a moment. Fifty-eight percent of creators say it’s their top content format, and it’s easy to see why. Readers get exactly what they want, curated and delivered straight to their inbox. At News is Out, we’ve got our own newsletters, and so do all our partner publishers. (You can sign up for […]
Take the LGBTQ+ community survey and make your voice count
Understanding the needs and priorities of LGBTQ+ communities is at the heart of what we do at News is Out. That’s why we’ve launched the Our Voices, Our Stories: LGBTQ+ Community Survey 2025, a nationwide effort to better understand our community’s experiences, interests and concerns. Whether it’s your health and wellness, travel habits, media preferences, or financial […]
Pride without partners: 2025 celebrations hit by funding cuts
Pride season officially kicks off in a month–but this year’s celebrations are already looking very different from what we’ve grown accustomed to. At many Pride celebrations—including those in New York City, San Francisco, and St. Louis—corporate sponsors, once ubiquitous, have begun pulling their support. In response to conservative backlash against DEI efforts and rising hostility […]
How queer Baltimore tattoo artists are building strong community spaces
Fruit Camp, a tattoo and art studio in the Remington neighborhood of Baltimore, opened with a bang in February of 2020. “We had a big opening party. It was really fun. Everybody came,” says Geo Mccandlish, one of the co-founders. “It was the last rager I went to,” they said. The pandemic shut down their shop—alongside […]
Explore LGBTQ+ history, culture and nightlife in Portland, Oregon
To say that Portland supports the LGBTQ+ community may be an understatement. Oregon’s largest city, with a population of 630,000, goes out of its way to honor the community. Portland became the first major U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor, Sam Adams, in 2008, narrowly beating out Houston by a year for that […]
Trauma fuels vulnerability to disordered eating in the LGBTQ+ community
The queer community has proven its resilience repeatedly in the last several decades. But experts warn that continual exposure to trauma has made the community especially vulnerable to eating disorders and disordered eating. Research has consistently found that LGBTQ+ adults and adolescents experience eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors more frequently than their heterosexual and […]
National resources for trans and gender diverse communities
The Trump administration has launched a series of executive orders and other initiatives restricting the rights of the transgender community since taking power in January, targeting military service, affirming healthcare and participation in sports. Though many executive orders are being challenged in court, it’s an uncertain time for a community that feels threatened. Despite the uncertainty, […]
Building queer community through bicycles
Fairmount Bicycles, a queer-owned bike shop focused on social justice through their programs and partnerships, began when its owner, Shelly Walker, rode from her home in West Philadelphia to Kensington. Before she arrived at the warehouse where she and a friend sold bicycles, she took in the sights of dense, vibrant Fairmount and wondered where […]
Dr. Mimi Hoang on bisexual+ mental health, visibility and community support
57% of queer American adults identify as bisexual, the most common LGBTQ+ identity marker for Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z alike. With each subsequent generation, more individuals statistically identify as bisexual, with 15% of Gen Z reporting this identity. The particular challenges for this community are nuanced, and Dr. Mimi Hoang, known professionally as […]
Preserving history through The Dallas Way archives
What started more than 10 years ago as a simple suggestion has grown into one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ archives. Since 2011, The Dallas Way has led the effort to preserve the stories of Dallas’s LGBTQ community. The idea for the organization was sparked when a Dallas Voice reporter was interviewing community leaders Jack […]
