You see it in text messages, bios, and Pride posts: 🌈 The rainbow emoji has become one of the most recognizable digital symbols of LGBTQ+ identity. What started as a simple weather icon has evolved into a global sign of Pride and community. The rainbow beginnings Emoji first appeared in Japan in the late 1990s […]
Category: News
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Lesbian bars in the U.S. you may not know about – but should
Over the last few decades, the number of lesbian bars dropped significantly, from roughly 200 in the 1980s, to a low of 21 in 2021. Since then, we’ve seen a resurgence of lesbian and sapphic-focused spaces: according to The Lesbian Bar Project, we’re now up to 38. You may know the classics like Cubbyhole, Gossip […]
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Orlando community restores Pulse rainbow crosswalk with chalk
In July 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy issued a “Safe Roads” memo to all 50 states. It directed the removal of non-standard markings, including rainbow designs, claiming roads must be free of political messages and distractions. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued a memo citing its authority under the FDOT Design Manual. It […]
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Local Media Association and Comcast launch Economic Opportunity Lab to spotlight local stories of mobility and change
Support expands for local journalism in five major cities through funding for 48 outlets, including four News is Out publishers and affiliates. PHILADELPHIA (August 20, 2025) – Today, the Local Media Association (LMA) and Comcast NBCUniversal announced the launch of the 2025–2026 Economic Opportunity Lab, a groundbreaking initiative supporting local journalism covering stories of economic mobility and opportunity in cities […]
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GLP-1s can help address LGBTQ+ healthcare barriers: experts
Dana Piccoli tried everything to lose weight. She frequented the gym, went on and off diets and hired a personal trainer. When Piccoli decided to get on a GLP-1, it wasn’t a “short cut” to drop weight – it was a way for her to live her life comfortably. “When I told someone I was […]
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The OutLook: August 15, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community Former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case that legalized same-sex marriage. Her legal team argues that the ruling conflicts with religious freedom, but most observers […]
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Queer-friendly destinations to visit this fall and winter
Cooler weather doesn’t have to mean staying home. In fact, fall and winter are the perfect times for a getaway. LGBTQ+ travelers can choose from destinations that pair beautiful settings, from sunny beaches to snowy mountains, with a strong sense of community. Whether you’re looking for a warm-weather break, a wine country weekend, or a […]
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After 46 years, Portland’s Scandals gay bar to shutter Harvey Milk Street space
Portland, Oregon, is about to lose one of its most famous LGBTQ+ third spaces. The owners of Scandals, which has been open since 1978 in downtown Portland, took to social media on Sunday to announce that its iconic Harvey Milk Street location will close Sept. 21. The social post informed customers of the shuttering of […]
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The OutLook: August 8, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community The Air Force has confirmed that transgender service members discharged under the new ban, who served between 15 and 18 years, are ineligible for retirement pay and related benefits. Advocacy groups say the policy could strip thousands of veterans of income […]
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Thousands of games have been censored from major platforms, with LGBTQIA+ creators caught in the crossfire
Online game marketplaces itch.io and Valve’s Steam have recently delisted or completely removed more than 20,000 titles from their storefronts, after not-for-profit group Collective Shout pressured payment processors to change their rules. Although Collective Shout claims the move was about censoring games that depict rape and incest content, a number of LGBTQIA+ creators have been […]
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Step back into the ’90s with Videoland, a queer love letter to the video store era
If you are up for some popcorn-scented queer ‘90s nostalgia, then you’ll want to check out the newly released Australian series, Videoland, now available to stream on YouTube. The six-part series follows 17-year-old Hayley (Emmanuelle Mattana), a video store employee in the late ‘90s, awkwardly navigating her sexual identity through the queer films she discovers […]
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Left behind in the race to zero: Why Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities aren’t seeing the same HIV gains
Jordan J. Edwards remembers the moment he was diagnosed with HIV at 22 years old. It was supposed to be a turning point where he’d receive clarity, care and next steps. But instead, it left him feeling shaken and alone. “The provider who told me the results actually pulled out a box of pens and […]
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The OutLook: July 25, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. Rep. Sarah McBride condemned the Trump‑Vance administration’s ban on transgender military service in her first House floor speech, calling it “appalling.” She warned the policy is already forcing trans service members out and urged Congress to act. California’s new crisis line […]
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Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival cancels 2026 edition, citing Trump DEI order
The Phoenix-based Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival announced on its website and social media pages that its 2026 festival has been canceled and Desperado is on an indefinite pause. The festival, held on the campus of Paradise Valley Community College, would have marked its 17th year. “We are writing with profound regret to inform you that […]
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Travel tips for LGBTQ+ people: Staying informed under new federal policies
Clear answers are hard to come by for LGBTQ+ travelers fearful about going through airports under the second Trump administration. There have been reports of trans people’s passports being changed and federal agents disqualifying people from entry to the United States due to anti-Trump memes. Perhaps the biggest threat facing trans and nonbinary people is […]
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Queering the gym: Inclusive fitness spaces for every body
Finding a gym where you feel seen, safe, and supported can be tough, especially if you’re queer or trans. Thankfully, more LGBTQ+ owned and affirming fitness spaces are stepping up to change that. These gyms aren’t just about lifting weights or hitting goals, they’re creating a culture of movement that welcomes every body. Here are […]
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The OutLook: July 18, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. Reps. Robert Garcia and Raja Krishnamoorthi are demanding answers from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the Trump administration’s cuts to HIV programs, warning of serious global and domestic health impacts. San Francisco’s new budget preserves most HIV/AIDS services despite […]
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What’s your queer comfort watch? Here’s what made our list
Sometimes you just want to curl up with something warm and familiar, and for many of us, that means a queer comfort watch. From beloved series to feel-good films, we asked our staff and readers to share their go-to favorites. Did yours make the list? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO5fvagocjA Wynonna Earp The former SyFy series Wynonna Earp was […]
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LGBTQ+ film festivals you’ll want to know about this summer and beyond
Summer and fall mark peak season for LGBTQ+ film festivals, and we’ve rounded up the ones you’ll want on your radar. From indie gems to major cultural staples, there’s something here for every queer cinephile. FilmOut San Diego (San Diego, CA) Now in its 25th year, FilmOut San Diego (also known as the San Diego […]
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The OutLook: July 11, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall National Monument page has removed the word “bisexual” from its National Park Service site. Earlier this year, the words “transgender” and “queer” were removed, as well as the Q and T in LGBTQ. Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons has […]
