As part of News is Out’s Election 2022 coverage, we are looking at races all over the country and sharing campaigns of key LGBTQ+ candidates. Name: Mike Simmons Office: Illinois state Senate Bio: Simmons—a former Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honoree—is the first openly gay member of the Illinois Senate and the third openly gay, […]
Category: News
Posted inTop Stories
Sydney WorldPride is planning a celebration like no other
WorldPride is heading Down Under in 2023. Sydney, Australia, has been named the official location for WorldPride next year, and the cosmopolitan city is planning to go all-out to welcome LGBTQ+ guests from all over the world. Consistently named one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the world, Sydney has 17 days of events and […]
Posted inTop Stories
LGBTQ+ votes are crucial on the local level
It seems like every election we say, “the stakes have never been higher” for the LGBTQ+ community and it is true every time. It’s exhausting and LGBTQ+ voters, especially in blue states, may not feel motivated to turn out in a midterm election while President Biden safely holds the White House and there is no […]
Posted inMusic and Podcasts
TikTok star Maddie Zahm on becoming a voice for queer fans
Singer/songwriter Maddie Zahm has become a viral sensation on platforms like TikTok and Instagram for her deeply personal music. Her songs delve into queerness, body image and growing up in a religious community. With a following of over a million, Zahm is laying bare her soul and connecting with fans worldwide. News is Out spoke […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
News is Good: Dancing for a cause, “First Kill” fans launch a campaign and more
Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, where we feature positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are five things we’re excited about this week. We Are Family Dance-A-Thon will be hosted by Eva […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Emily Randall for Washington State Senator (26th District)
As part of News is Out’s Election 2022 coverage, we are looking at races all over the country and sharing campaigns of key LGBTQ+ candidates. Name: State Senator Emily Randall Office: Washington State Senator 26th District, includes Port Orchard and a portion of Bremerton as well as Gig Harbor and northern Pierce County. Bio: Long […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Eric Sorensen for U.S. House Illinois (17th District)
As part of News is Out’s Election 2022 coverage, we are looking at races all over the country and sharing campaigns of key LGBTQ+ candidates. Name: Eric Sorensen Office: U.S. House Illinois District 17 Bio: Sorensen lives in Moline with his partner, Shawn, and two dogs. Sorensen, a longtime TV meteorologist endorsed by the LGBTQ Victory […]
Posted inElection 2022
Election 2022: La’Tasha Mayes is ready for Harrisburg
In January 2023, La’Tasha Mayes, who is running unopposed for Pennsylvania’s 24th state house district, will join only a handful of openly LGBTQ elected officials in Harrisburg. She’ll also become the first out lesbian to serve in the General Assembly. Mayes grew up in West Philadelphia and went to college in Pittsburgh, where she has […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Maggie Trevor for Cook County Board of Commissioners (9th District)
As part of News is Out’s Election 2022 coverage, we are looking at races all over the country and sharing campaigns of key LGBTQ+ candidates. Name: Maggie Trevor Office: Cook County Board of Commissioners (9th District) Bio: Trevor was born and raised in Rolling Meadows, where her parents were among the city’s original residents. In late 2014, […]
Posted inNews
The lessons of LGBTQ History Month
This article first appeared in Philadelphia Gay News and is republished with permission. Every year in October, we bring you stories from those who changed the trajectory of our community. From groups like Gay Liberation Front to people like Pauli Murray, it’s important to remember where we came from and to use the lessons of […]
Posted inNews
LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH Podcast sheds light on forgotten murders of gay men in Montreal
This article first appeared in Windy City Times and is republished with permission. When people ask about or Google the murders of gay men in Montreal in the ’90s, it all leads to the podcast “The Village: The Montreal Murders.” LGBTQ+-rights advocates encouraged me to listen to the podcast.
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Did “Bros” fail at the box office because it didn’t market to the LGTBQ+ community?
Believe it or not, you made it through another year. But wait, it’s not that time of year yet, right? There’s Halloween and Thanksgiving and, gee, something called the Midterm Elections to get through. If you don’t believe this columnist, turn on the Hallmark Channel. They’ve already started the holiday romantic comedy festival, and when […]
Posted inTop Stories
The Victory Fund is changing the game for LGBTQ+ candidates
Founded in 1991, Victory Fund and its non-profit arm, Victory Institute, have spent the last 30 years working to level the political playing field by supporting LGBTQ+ candidates for races all up and down the ballot. Currently, Victory Fund is supporting over 400 candidates, including key senate, mayoral and gubernatorial candidates. Annise Parker, the former […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
News is Good: Benefits for same-sex couples, Hayley Kiyoko pens a book and more
Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, where we feature positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are five things we’re excited about this week. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs changes policy for the […]
Posted inChangemakers
LGBTQ+ Changemakers: Alex Schmider
The LGBTQ+ Changemakers series features LGBTQ+ people all over the country who are making a difference through visibility and ingenuity. As director of transgender representation at GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), Alex Schmider is a force for good regarding trans stories on television and film. In addition to his pivotal work at GLAAD, […]
Posted inNews
LGBTQ+ History Month is a celebration of community
As I write, it’s National Coming Out Day. Since 1988, this day in October has been a day of solidarity for those who have come out. It is also a hopeful, supportive, gentle opportunity for anyone in flux, transition or considering coming out. We all have coming out stories. It is important to voice them. […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
News is Good: A Philly icon is honored, the Negroni sbagliato sensation and more
Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, where we feature positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are five things we’re excited about this week. State of Mexico legalizes same-sex marriage. With an overwhelming […]
Posted inNews
Asian Americans lead the fight against hate crimes in California
In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills that address the unprecedented number of bias incidents and hate crimes in the state. Initially aimed to confront the rise of such cases against Asian American and Pacific Islanders, the laws will also aid in defense of LGBTQs, who have experienced a similar increase. It’s an example of the importance of allies and cooperation among victimized communities to provide the means to combat harassing comments and violent behavior spurred by racial/sexual slurs, conspiracy theories, and political rhetoric.
Posted inFrom Windy City Times
Thousands take part in Chicago Marathon; non-binary participants noted
Thousands of individuals ran, walked, rode in wheelchairs and relied on other forms of movement as they took part in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon throughout the city on Oct. 9. And for the first
Posted inNews
Nat’l Coming Out Day presents unique challenges for communities of color
On the 34th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, LGBTQ people across the country honor the community and its fight for equality. But not everyone sees coming out as a celebration. “Coming out is not always the best option for persons of color who already — because of our pigment on top of our identity […]