Jenn Freeman was “bouncing around the house” as a child, so they have their ADHD to thank for the start of their dance journey. “The thing that my mom didn’t tell me until two years ago was that I was actually diagnosed with ADHD or whatever,” they said. “The doctors prescribed me Ritalin, and instead […]
Category: Digital Equity Lab
Posted inNews
Sustainable, genderless and bold fashion: The vision behind Desoire
At only 17 years old, Neha Sikder founded Desoire, her own fashion line of genderless clothing to inspire femininity for everyone. Desoire strives to be a sustainable brand challenging a fashion industry that often promotes only the masculine side in unisex clothing. Sikder was only 13 years old when the idea for Desoire came to […]
Posted inTop Stories
From TransTape to risk maps, how trans people use technology
In 2021, trans folks on Twitter debated about the ethics and usefulness of a venture-funded app suite called Euphoria, meant to facilitate transitions. While the trans world moved on, one trans guy didn’t. Oliver Haimson was fascinated. In 2019, he opened a note on his phone titled “Trans Technology” and started a running list. It had four initial entries: […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
How social media age restrictions could impact LGBTQ+ youth
As states similar to Florida continue to propose social media age restrictions, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth face growing barriers to accessing crucial online spaces that support their identities, mental health, and social connections. Digital platforms offer these young people a safe haven where they can find supportive communities, explore their identities, and access resources that […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Lucid, with AI, aims to push the boundaries on streaming
Not many 28-year-olds can say they were a professional athlete, top of their class at an elite university, an investment bank analyst, and a global business development lead and now have their own company. But Indy Sanders, founder and CEO of the tech startup Lucid, can. “I don’t think there are any barriers within someone’s […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
The impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, and why it’s important
A 2023 LGBTQ+ youth report by the Human Rights Campaign found that 55.1% of surveyed LGBTQ+ youth screened positive for depression, and those that were transgender or gender-expansive were screened at 60%. Although 9 in 10 felt proud to be LGBTQ+, more than 4 in 10 of them felt critical of their respective identities. The […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
LGBTQ+ youth love TikTok. Does TikTok love them back?
When Jocelyn was stuck inside during most of 2020, they did what any high school senior would do: scrolled through TikTok. They found themself on the hashtag #tiktokmademegay a lot. (To protect privacy, the Blade is opting to only use Jocelyn’s first name). “At the time, I didn’t give it a lot of thought,” they say, […]
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 inDigital Equity Lab
LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion in the tech sector
The technology sphere is in a need for more representation and data regarding LGBTQ+ people, and there are steps being taken to address that. People who openly identify as LGBTQ+ are currently estimated to make up only 2-3% of the tech sector, a startling 2024 statistic from research done by Women Tech Network. As of […]
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
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 […]
Posted inTop Stories
Speak freely online: 8 cybersecurity tips for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC activists
As we approach the upcoming election, digital advocacy is more crucial than ever. For LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, who often face unique challenges in the political landscape, ensuring privacy and safety while advocating online is paramount. Due to the heightened risk of harassment and discrimination advocates face, cybersecurity is vital. Why is cybersecurity important? Robust […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Activist Riki Wilchins tackles New York Times’s controversial coverage of trans issues
The New York Times’ trans coverage has been the subject of strong controversy for the last few years, with the newspaper itself making headlines for how its stories platformed anti-trans groups instead of real trans individuals. Author and trans activist Riki Wilchins set out to chronicle that phenomenon. In Wilchins’s new book, Bad Ink: How The […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
How local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-ran media organizations are at risk, and what is being done to help
A 2023 report from Northwestern University found that local news deserts are occurring at an alarming rate. There are 204 counties in the United States without a local media outlet, and 228 U.S. counties are currently on a watch list for losing theirs out of 1,562 counties with only one local news source. This includes newspapers, […]
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 […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Trans artist Nonamey finds community, inspiration in Portland
San Francisco has the first-ever Transgender District, the Office of Trans Initiatives, a designated month to honor trans history, and the status as a sanctuary city for trans and gender-nonconforming people, but there’s another trans-embracing metropolis on the West Coast: Portland. It’s where multimedia artist Nonamey calls home. “It’s the city where I feel, in […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Lesbian software developer seeks to preserve lost LGBTQ+ history
Up until the early 2010s, if you searched “Babe Ruth” in the Baseball Hall of Fame, nothing would pop up. To find information on the greatest baseball player of all time, you would have to search “Ruth, George Herman.” That is the way online archival systems were set up and there was a clear problem […]
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 inNews
How technology influences and empowers BIPOC LGBTQ+ folks in media
Technology has dramatically reshaped the media landscape, particularly for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. As digital platforms evolve, they offer unprecedented opportunities for diverse voices to influence cultural narratives and representation. Here’s an exploration of how technology is revolutionizing media creation and consumption for these communities. Transformation in media creation and consumption Digital tools have democratized […]
