In November, we wrote about Project 2025, a playbook written by the conservative policy think tank Heritage Foundation. If put into action, the playbook could have dire effects on countless Americans, particularly women and the LGBTQ+ community. That article has consistently been one of the most-read pieces on the News is Out site. We want […]
Category: News
Posted inCommunity
A parent by any other name: What kids call their LGBTQ parents
One of the most frequent questions I’ve heard from prospective LGBTQ+ parents is “What should our kids call us?” I therefore began the Mombian LGBTQ Parental Names Project in 2011 to collect examples of our parental names. Here are just a few of the names — and the stories behind them — that more than 400 people […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
NYC Pride gears up to celebrate a monumental month dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights, joy and unity
This year, the Heritage of Pride organization celebrates 40 years as custodians of the iconic New York City Pride March. Throughout the month, culminating in the June 30 parade and festival, the organization is poised to honor its legacy of advocating for equality and celebrating diversity with events designed to empower the queer community, particularly […]
Posted inTop Stories
Everywhere is Queer connects LGBTQ+ businesses and customers
You’re standing in the middle of downtown Madison, Wisconsin and wondering if there are any LGBTQ+-owned businesses to support. Maybe you’re planning a trip across the South and want to visit LGBTQ+-owned restaurants along your way. Or you’re in your town looking for an LGBTQ+ doctor or service person. Everywhere is Queer can help. The […]
Posted inNews
J.P. Morgan & StartOut Growth Lab empowers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs
J.P. Morgan and StartOut have announced the inclusion of nine new early-stage companies into the 2024 Growth Lab Accelerator program. An organization focused on LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, StartOut works to accelerate “the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed and […]
Posted inNews
No charges in Nex Benedict’s death, says Oklahoma DA
On Thursday, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler issued a statement announcing that no criminal charges would be filed in the death of Nex Benedict. Benedict, a trans nonbinary teen, died Feb. 8, the day after being involved in a fight with fellow Owasso High School students. On March 13, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office […]
Posted inBusiness
Piccoli promoted to Managing Director of News is Out as project continues to grow
Dana Piccoli has been promoted to Managing Director of News is Out, the queer media collaborative. Piccoli previously served as editor of News is Out, joining the collaborative in December 2021. Piccoli led the launch of newsisout.com in July 2022 and has also been a lead contributor to the site, writing articles on breaking LGBTQ+ […]
Posted inNews
Can Biden surpass Obama’s record for the most LGBTQ+ judges appointed to the federal bench?
President Joe Biden has officially tied former President Barack Obama’s record of appointing the most LGBTQ+ judges to federal courts. Biden appointed judges Melissa DuBose and Nicole Berner to the federal court this year. Both judges were confirmed by the U.S. Senate this March. DuBose made history with her appointment, making her the first Black […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Queer Liberation Library: A new chapter in literary LGBTQ+ access and representation
For queer literature lovers, there’s good news. The Queer Liberation Library is open and ready to share LGBTQ+-focused content nationwide. Started by librarian Kieran Hickey and a group of like-minded friends, including fellow librarian Amber Dierking, the QLL debuted in the fall of 2023 and has already captured media attention and a long list of […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
From near extinction to flourishing: The resurgence of lesbian bars explored in ‘Cruising’ podcast
Over the last few years, articles have been highlighting the loss of physical spaces for lesbians and queer women. With headlines like “Why Do Lesbian Bars Keep Disappearing” and “There Are Only 14 Lesbian Bars in the Country. Here’s Why,” it has become clear that the crumbling cultural bedrock of the lesbian bar universe is […]
Posted inNews
Oklahoma medical examiner has determined cause of death for Nex Benedict
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office has released the cause of death of Owasso teenager Nex Benedict, a little over a month after Nex’s death. The probably cause of death was suicide, according to the office. The examiner has determined that Nex died from diphenhydramine and fluoxetine toxicity. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, commonly sold as Benadryl. […]
Posted inNews
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law is dealt a serious blow after settlement agreement with LGBTQ+ advocates
This week, a settlement was reached between Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP, National Center for Lesbian Rights and various departments within the state of Florida, including the Florida State Board of Education and Florida Department of Education. The settlement of the suit, brought by parents, educators and nonprofits Equality Florida and Family Equality, will greatly […]
Posted inTop Stories
Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community center loses funding support from Senate bill at the last minute
The William Way Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the country’s leading LGBTQ+ centers. Established in 1976, the center has served the LGBTQ+ community of Philadelphia and beyond with events, peer counseling, recovery meetings, initiatives for LGBTQ+ elders and much more. On March 5, the WWC was targeted by Libs of TikTok, accusing the […]
Posted inTop Stories
8 LGBTQ+ archives and how you can experience them
Preserving LGBTQ+ history is vital and thankfully, there are collections around the country that capture both the monumental and everyday moments of our past. These archives offer a glimpse into our lives and lay out a path for the battles that lie ahead for our community. Dr. John P. De Cecco Archives and Special Collections […]
Posted inNews
Over 350 civil rights groups and public figures seek removal of Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters in open letter
A coalition of over 350 LGBTQ, civil rights groups, and prominent public figures has issued a call for action following the tragic death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old gender-nonconforming student from Owasso, Oklahoma. An open letter addressed to the Oklahoma State Legislature calls for removing State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters and investigating the […]
Posted inNews
Updates in Nex Benedict’s tragic death: Hospital footage, vigils and Owasso Police’s latest statements
It has now been two weeks since news of the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict gripped the nation. The high school student died Feb. 8, a day after they were assaulted by three female students in the bathroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. Last week, News is Out wrote about the incident and […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
“All of Us Strangers” “Anatomy of a Fall” lead the 2024 LGBTQ+ Dorian Awards
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics’ announced the winners of the 15th Dorian Film Awards. The Dorian Awards recognize excellence in film and are voted on by the 500 member strong organization of LGBTQ+ entertainment writers and professionals. Along with standard categories for film of the year and director, the Dorians recognize the best […]
Posted inNews
Seeking justice for Nex Benedict: The battle against misinformation and silence
Nonbinary teen Nex Benedict died Feb. 8, the day after being involved in a fight with three fellow high school students in Owasso, Oklahoma. That’s what we know to be true. The rest of Nex’s story has been a back-and-forth of misinformation, lack of transparency and confusion. Nex’s funeral was held on Feb. 15, and […]
Posted inScience
New report finds injectable PrEP could prevent 87% more new HIV cases than oral pills
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute recently released an update on a 2022 report highlighting the potential impact of long-acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on HIV prevention. According to the findings conducted by RTI International, an independent nonprofit research institute, incorporating long-acting injectable PrEP could lead to an 87% increase in the number of HIV cases averted compared […]
