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 […]
Category: News
Posted inNews
What does Meta’s rollback on moderation and fact checking mean for the LGBTQ+ community?
LGBTQ+ leaders have criticized Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to end third-party fact checking and content moderation on Facebook and Instagram posts. In the video released on Tuesday, Zuckerberg said the platform would move to a community notes form of content moderation, similar to Elon Musk’s X, which Meta claims will be “less prone to […]
Posted inTop Stories
Finding LGBTQ+ joy in challenging times: 5 reasons to cheer
It’s important not to lose sight of LGBTQ+ joy, especially when times get tough. Here are five queer reasons to cheer. Rep. Sarah McBride sworn in: Congratulations to McBride, who is officially the first out transgender member of the U.S. House of Representatives. McBride, who was formerly the first out trans Delaware state senator, was […]
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 inHealth
Removing barriers preventing many queer women from healthcare access
Queer author and researcher Jaime Grant quite clearly remembers the day she got fired by her doctor. Following a 2012 hysterectomy, Grant, then living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, told her physician that she wished to discuss new hormone replacement treatments therapies with her male doctor. She added that she had learned about these therapies from practitioners […]
Posted inHealth
Experts: HIV stigma still a ‘persistent challenge’ despite signs of progress
When Cedric Sturdevant, of Mississippi, was diagnosed with HIV in 2005, he tried to ignore his status. Sturdevant said he was concerned about what people would think of him for having HIV and afraid to talk openly about his diagnosis, which led him to avoiding addressing the condition and the kinds of care it required. […]
Posted inTop Stories
Chicago queer artist Andy Bellomo highlights underrepresented queer experiences in her work
Andy Bellomo’s art practice sparked from a place often filled with controversy in the queer community—Christian church. Bellomo’s love of art blossomed while observing stained glass windows in churches she attended with a friend growing up in Boston. Now an educator and artist in Chicago, she focuses much of her creative work on queer people […]
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
Queer and trans podcasts you may not know about yet – but should put in your listening roster
According to Statista, 59% of people aged 12-34 and 55% of people aged 35-55 listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. In fact, there’s a good chance that as you’re reading this, you’re listening to a podcast in the background. While there are several popular LGBTQ+-focused podcasts out there, like Getting Curious with Jonathan Van […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Wicked’s “Defying Gravity” is a musical theatre anthem – and a battle cry for outsiders
As director Jon M Chu’s first instalment of the mega-musical adaptation Wicked arrives in cinemas, a new audience of fans is connecting with Stephen Schwartz’s memorable score. Featuring hits including “Popular” “The Wizard and I” and “For Good,” the musical is particularly loved for its celebration of female characters in song. Unlike many Broadway shows, […]
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 inNews
MacArthur-funded research project documents status of LGBTQ+ media in U.S.
News Is Out, a queer media collaborative, has received $250,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to launch a research project to document the status of LGBTQ+ media in the U.S. The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project is in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, City University of New York’s Craig Newmark Graduate School […]
Posted inNews
Lawmakers approve defense bill restricting gender-affirming care for military families
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the latest National Defense Authorization Act. The defense spending bill for 2025, which included a provision that would ban gender-affirming care for children of military service members, passed by a margin of 281 to 140, including support from 81 Democrats. Section 708 of […]
Posted inCommunity
Why some LGBTQ+ voices warn against 4B’s adoption in the U.S.
“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 […]
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 inArts and Entertainment
12 unmissable LGBTQ+ films and TV shows that defined 2024
Whittling down the best queer movies or shows of the year has become a near impossible task these days. There’s just so much incredible LGBTQ+ storytelling to admire and enjoy and even make your lifelong obsession. It’s a good problem to have, one that should never be taken for granted. But now imagine having to […]
Posted inNews
How the Supreme Court case on trans youth could affect health care for all Americans
A Supreme Court case that will decide whether Tennessee can continue to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth could imperil the ability of all Americans to make decisions about their health care, experts say. The outcome depends on how far the court is willing to stretch its ruling that overturned federal abortion rights. In United […]
Posted inNews
Rep. Nancy Mace uses slur to respond to trans protesters at Capitol Hill
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) used a slur on a video on X.com when describing protesters who were arrested Thursday after staging a sit-in on Capitol Hill. Today a group of protesters staged a sit-in on Capitol Hill to push back against the new rule that people must use bathrooms that correspond with their assigned gender […]