“What do we do now?” That was the question LGBTQ+ folks, racial minorities, and immigrants across the United States asked their friends and family as the news rolled in that Donald Trump would be president again. Some people considered leaving the country, causing a 1,500% spike in Google Searches about emigration. Others wondered how to […]
Category: Community
Posted inTop Stories
Famm Connect is redefining networking for LGBTQ+ professionals
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 […]
Posted inCommunity
Nonbinary hairstylist gives clients the gender-affirming cuts they want
Every nonbinary and trans person’s gender-affirming care is specific to them. It might include certain personal identity changes, such as one’s pronouns, name, and gender markers on legal documents; weekly injections of testosterone or estrogen (i.e. hormone therapy); surgeries; and mental health support. Another way for a person to feel more comfortable with who they […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Silver Pride Project champions visibility and care for LGBTQ+ seniors in Dallas
It is estimated that there are more than 2 million LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. ages 50 and older, yet their presence in our community is often limited. They face significant challenges, including access to health care and increased isolation. Because of both their age and queer identity, they face extra stigma and discrimination. Portia […]
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
How U=U is transforming HIV stigma and empowering a global movement
In the 80s, HIV devastated the public, particularly the gay community, and a positive test often rendered a death sentence. Society treated HIV-positive people as outcasts, shunned by the stigma that came with the virus and fueled fears about casual contact. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has shifted. On the brink of 2025, HIV […]
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BIPOC LGBTQ+ folks are creating virtual support networks post election
In today’s digital world, technology is transforming how people connect and support each other. For LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, creating safe spaces online has become more crucial than ever. In the wake of the political uncertainty surrounding a second Trump presidency, these spaces offer a lifeline for those who feel targeted or threatened by policies […]
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Intersectionality in action: Creating safe spaces for queer people of color
From ancient Egypt to modern Oak Lawn, people of color have celebrated expansive gender identities and same-sex relationships. In the 16th century, the first documented enslaved transgender African woman, Victoria, refused to compromise her identities. And in 2024, Black trans Texas drag queens are doing the same. Life experiences for queer people of color vary […]
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How the LGBTQ+ community can use the lessons of ACT UP to fight what comes next
Since the election, I haven’t been sleeping much, and I know I’m not alone. When it became clear that Donald Trump—convicted felon, opponent of LGBTQ+ rights, and found liable of sexual abuse—had won the election, many queer people feared the worst. The Trevor Project reported a 700% increase in use of their crisis services by […]
Posted inTop Stories
Over 150 LGBTQ+ organizations release post-election shared solidarity statement
Following the results of the 2024 election, over 150 LGBTQ+ organizations released a shared statement about the future of LGBTQ+ rights and support. The organizations, including the National LGBTQ Task Force, PFLAG and GLAAD among dozens of regional organizations, state their commitment to continuing the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and freedom in the face of […]
Posted inCommunity
Panel of LGBTQ+ experts highlights concerns over Project 2025
This week, News is Out hosted a live virtual panel event, “Project 2025: The Impact on the LGBTQ+ community. The event was moderated by Dana Piccoli from News Is Out and Christopher Kane, senior politics reporter at Washington Blade, provided a comprehensive overview of Project 2025. They were joined by special guests Chasten Buttigieg, Rep. […]
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 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 inTop Stories
New report reveals 73% of LGBTQ+ centers face rising threats amid anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric
A new report by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) and CenterLink reveals that LGBTQ+ community centers across the U.S. are facing increasing threats and harassment, much of it driven by anti-LGBTQ+ political rhetoric. According to the 2024 LGBTQ Community Center Survey Report, 73% of the LGBTQ centers surveyed reported experiencing anti-LGBTQ threats or harassment in […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Queer tech firm CEO takes a nonlinear approach to autism diagnoses
When it comes to a wealth of experience, subject matter expertise, and an interest in solving a complex problem, entrepreneur Amanda “Mandy” Ralston fits the bill. Her work offers a unique solution with the potential to improve people’s lives. “I don’t take myself that seriously, but I do take my ideas very seriously, and most […]
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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 inCommunity
A brief history of National Coming Out Day
October 11 is National Coming Out Day, an LGBTQ+ holiday celebrated for the last 36 years. With renewed attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, events like National Coming Out Day are especially important. But what’s the history of this pivotal day in LGBTQ+ history? Keith Haring’s artwork used for NCOD. Photo: HRC Records […]
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 inCommunity
Breaking the silence: LGBTQ+ domestic violence too often overlooked
Myth: Domestic violence occurs only in straight relationships. Fact: Domestic violence occurs in LGBTQ+ relationships at a higher rate than the general population. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Williams Institute, about 44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexual women have experienced physical violence from an intimate partner. So have 26% […]
Posted inCommunity
Half of Black gay men will be diagnosed with HIV, despite highly effective preventive treatments − why?
At a pharmacy in Iowa, a 42-year-old Black gay man couldn’t find a medication he needed. The pharmacist, a white woman, told him they didn’t stock that medication. But while he waited to pay for his other purchases, he saw another customer place the medication he just asked for on the counter. “I felt really […]