When Scotland voted to add questions about sexuality and transgender status to its census, and clarified the definition of “sex,” it was so controversial it led to a court case. It got so heated that the director of Fair Play for Women, a gender-critical organization, argued: “Extreme gender ideology is deeply embedded within the Scottish Government, […]
Category: Digital Equity Lab
Posted inArts and Entertainment
CEO of LGBTQ+ dating app Bindr speaks on inclusive goals
PGN sat down with Mary Richardson, co-founder and CEO of Bindr, a dating app designed to prevent stigma and encourage community for the LGBTQ+ dating scene, primarily among bisexual users. With unique features such as a timeline for users to share their experiences with one another, this is not your typical dating or hookup app. […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Luke McEndarfer celebrates 20 years of expanding the National Children’s Chorus
North Texas conductor Luke McEndarfer just celebrated 20 years with the National Children’s Chorus and a lifetime of passion work. While he works with the students in the local Dallas chapter, he also serves as president and CEO of the organization. McEndarfer has had a connection to music for most of his life. “It has […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Six organizations supporting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC involvement in tech
In an era where technology drives innovation and opportunity, ensuring that marginalized communities have equitable access is crucial. Organizations dedicated to making tech more accessible to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ+ individuals are at the forefront of this transformative work, addressing systemic barriers and fostering inclusivity in the tech industry. Here’s a closer […]
Posted inCommunity
Trans entrepreneurs empower queer community through apparel
Length, width, fabric type, looseness or tightness — there are a number of reasons why a clothing item doesn’t work for a person. For trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals, ill-fitting clothes present another issue: causing, or exacerbating, gender dysphoria. With LGBTQ well-being in mind, two transgender entrepreneurs of apparel companies — Kylo Freeman, founder and […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Trans experiences with the internet range from ‘harrowing’ to ‘powerful’
Alex, 29, would not have met their friends without the internet. While living in a small city surrounded by farmland, finding community was not always easy. Alex tried out one of those apps for adults seeking to make friends. It turned out to be a remarkable success. “I’ve made my friend group as a direct result of […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
GLAAD’s inaugural gaming report shows improvement needed in LGBTQ+ representation
Earlier this year, GLAAD released their first ever Gaming Report, assessing LGBTQ+ inclusion in gaming. In addition to their yearly “Where We Are on TV” report, the organization has taken an in-depth look at LGBTQ+ representation in gaming for 2023. Their goal with this report is “to educate the game industry on the current state […]
Posted inCommunity
Philly’s Paynter’s Platters gives back to the LGBTQ+ community
Paynter’s Platters is a Black and LGBTQ+-owned catering company largely servicing the Philadelphia area, with New Jersey roots. For owner Ryen Paynter, it’s all about family, sharing how his early experiences with food and love for those who surrounded him while growing up motivated his cooking journey. He discusses new opportunities he is seeking with […]
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 inArts and Entertainment
TransTech Social is removing barriers to trans success
It is common knowledge that women earn 84% of the average worker. Less common knowledge? Trans women earn 60%of the average worker. Trans men and non-binary people come in at around 70%, while 16% of all trans people make less than $10,000 annually. E.C. Pizarro III was lucky, and he knew it. He had a BFA in graphic design and had […]
Posted inNews
Trans start-up founder seeking to improve lives of wheelchair users
Although Wave Therapeutics’ work combines many of Jessica Bussert’s interests, a chance encounter in adult life provided the spark she needed to start her business. From growing up with an interest in technology to moving into the business and healthcare spheres, Jessica has had a long road—often dealing with rampant transphobia since her transition in the […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Accessing safe online spaces for LGBTQ+ youth
The internet has become an essential part of our daily lives. Despite its drawbacks, it provides much-needed space to connect with community and resources. For LGBTQ+ youth, access to online spaces can be even more vital. Studies have found that queer youth are online more, averaging about 45 more minutes per day, than their non-LGBTQ+ […]
Posted inNews
Queer financial planner reaches out to LGBTQs
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people took to doing or learning something new to fill their shelter-in-place days, keep boredom at bay, and move forward, in some way, during an otherwise standstill time. Entrepreneur Kerrie Carden decided to take the bull by the horns and change things up a bit. “During the […]
Posted inCommunity
Kareem Mims speaks on services provided by Prevention Point Philadelphia
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal. Philadelphia Gay News sat down with Kareem Mims, who works as the Prevention Health Care Coordinator for Prevention Point Philadelphia. Mims, an openly gay man, talks about his […]
Posted inTop Stories
Mass. startup streamlining name changes for trans, nonbinary residents
A guy in America wants to buy a truck. They save money. They have built up good credit. They find a truck in their price range. They go to the dealership to buy it, but when the dealership puts the guy’s name through the system no credit shows up. The problem? That guy is trans […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
BIPOC entrepreneurs and creatives take center stage at South Florida Pride events
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal. In recent years, South Florida has seen a remarkable surge in Pride events, with celebrations becoming more vibrant and inclusive than ever before. What sets these events apart is the […]
Posted inCommunity
Fad2Fresh vintage shop provides space for LGBTQ+ community connections
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal. Fad2Fresh is more than a vintage store—it’s a community third space. Alex Jones (pictured) and Abigail Millner have been part of the vintage community for years. Photo courtesy of […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
How the mental health of queer BIPOC youth is impacted by connectivity outage
In an era where internet access is nearly ubiquitous, consider the abrupt disruption caused by a connectivity outage. Now amplify this experience for over 250,000 LGBTQ+ youth who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) and currently find themselves grappling with a mental health crisis due to this connectivity setback. Marginalized communities, especially […]
Posted inBusiness
National “PowerOn” program prioritizes LGBTQ+ digital equity
For LGBTQ+ people, access to the internet and devices such as smartphones and computers can have a significant impact on their lives. The devices enable them to connect with social and support groups, and find information about queer-friendly establishments, companies with anti-discrimination policies, and gender identity and affirming care. But for many in the LGBTQ+ […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
“It was a do or die situation;” Queer Chicagoan creates skincare line as part of mental health recovery
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal. This story contains discussion of mental health issues such as suicidal ideation and attempts. When speaking to Tyris Manney, there are a few noticeable attributes— his brilliant smile, […]