Content Warning: This article discusses topics related to mental health challenges, systemic inequities, and suicide rates among marginalized communities. If you find these topics distressing, please prioritize your well-being and seek support as needed. The mental health challenges of BIPOC and queer youth continue to grow, yet existing support systems often fail to meet their needs. […]
Category: News
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
5 things a trans scientist wants you to know about AI
Transgender people were no strangers to the heyday of the internet experimenting with AI text to image generation during primarily 2022 and 2023. Trans writers shared about the potential promise of the technology for producing affirming portraits. The same models, however, researchers found also produced stereotypes and over-sexualization of their depictions of transgender people. Since then, AI use has exploded—as have examples of […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
Queer social media experts weigh in on AI content moderation
Social media platforms commonly use artificial intelligence for content moderation, with the AI software itself relying on algorithms to screen content posted by social media users. Ultimately, the AI determines whether content adheres to or breaches platform guidelines. But issues can arise when a social media company loosens its restrictions on content, or if the […]
Posted inTop Stories
The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: March 28, 2025
The Outlook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order this week, halting the removal of transgender service members Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade and Master Sgt. Logan Ireland. Both are litigants in Ireland v. Hegseth and Talbott v. Trump, cases currently […]
Posted inTop Stories
News is Out expands: Welcoming 6 new affiliates to our groundbreaking LGBTQ+ media collaborative
News is Out, the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ media collaborative, is proud to welcome six new affiliate members. This expansion strengthens the collaborative’s mission to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and ensure equitable, community-centered journalism across the country. The six new affiliate members are: The Buckeye Flame (Ohio) Between the Lines/Pridesource (Michigan) Lookout (Arizona) OutSFL (Southern Florida) QNotesCarolinas (Carolinas) Watermark Out News (Central Florida) “The […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Doctor Jon Paul is here to help you love yourself in “Black. Fat. Femme.”
Jon Paul Higgins, Ed.D, is an educator, cultural critic, social justice leader—and now, an author. If you’ve spent any time on queer social media in the last few years, you’re likely already familiar with Higgins, also known as Doctor Jon Paul. But if not, the release of their debut book, Black. Fat. Femme: Revealing the Power […]
Posted inTop Stories
Queer Lit Matchmaker: What to read after your favorite LGBTQ+ novel
Love a good queer read and want more where that came from? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re still thinking about Evelyn Hugo or rooting for Nick and Charlie, here’s a lineup of books that bring similar feels—with fresh voices, big emotions, and LGBTQ+ stories that stick with you. If you loved “The Seven Husbands […]
Posted inTop Stories
The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: March 21, 2025
The Outlook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service members, calling it “soaked in animus.” One hundred seventy-five million dollars earmarked for the University of Pennsylvania is now being held back by the Trump administration. The university […]
Posted inNews
Hungary bans LGBTQ+ Pride, participants could be fined
This week, members of Hungary’s Parliament voted to ban any LGBTQ+ Pride events as part of its “child protection” legislation. Act LXXIX was initially passed in 2021 and received pushback from the European Union as well as the United States. In 2022, the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, referred Hungary to the Court of Justice over […]
Posted inTop Stories
Dr. Mimi Hoang on bisexual+ mental health, visibility and community support
57% of queer American adults identify as bisexual, the most common LGBTQ+ identity marker for Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z alike. With each subsequent generation, more individuals statistically identify as bisexual, with 15% of Gen Z reporting this identity. The particular challenges for this community are nuanced, and Dr. Mimi Hoang, known professionally as […]
Posted inHistory
What we can learn from the Lavender Scare of the 1950s
While most people are familiar with the “Red Scare” of the 1950s, the Lavender Scare was a lesser known but equally dangerous part of this period. During the Red Scare, federal workers were interrogated, fired, and some, including Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, were even executed with the justification that the government was rooting out communist spies. The full extent […]
Posted inTop Stories
The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: March 17, 2025
Welcome to our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. On Monday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would review the constitutionality of Chiles v. Salazar, a case challenging Colorado’s 2019 ban on conversion therapy for minors. During a House hearing, Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) repeatedly misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), sparking […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
How Thailand’s TV lesbian romances captured a global audience
While dramas about male same-sex romance (known as “boys’ love”, or BL) have been popular in Asia since 2010, “girls’ love” (GL) dramas are only now seeing a meteoric rise in popularity – and they are coming out of Thailand. On January 23 2025, Thailand became the first country in south-east Asia to legalise same-sex […]
Posted inNews
Generative AI in journalism: Preventing harm and enhancing news consumption
As AI seemingly seeps into every area of consumers’ lives, especially media, it’s now vital to find proper ways to engage with it. AI-generated media content can often further stereotypes or only push user-frequented content about marginalized communities. However, experts say a few tools can be used in order to benefit consumers and increase their news consumption. […]
Posted inCommunity
Preserving history through The Dallas Way archives
What started more than 10 years ago as a simple suggestion has grown into one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ archives. Since 2011, The Dallas Way has led the effort to preserve the stories of Dallas’s LGBTQ community. The idea for the organization was sparked when a Dallas Voice reporter was interviewing community leaders Jack […]
Posted inTop Stories
U.S. Supreme Court to review challenge to Colorado’s conversion therapy ban
On Monday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would consider the constitutionality of Chiles v. Salazar, which would challenge Colorado’s 2019 ban on conversion therapy for minors. Conversion therapy refers to practices or treatments aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Major medical and mental health organizations like the […]
Posted inTop Stories
The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: March 7, 2025
Welcome to our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. In his first speech to the joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump spoke about banning transgender women in sports and declared “our country will be woke no longer.” The Census Bureau has requested permission from the Office of Management and Budget […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Trailer drops for Hulu’s gay buddy comedy “Mid-Century Modern”
Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern, a new series about three gay middle-aged men who decide to live together in Palm Springs, finally has a trailer. Produced by Ryan Murphy and created by Will & Grace’s Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, the series stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham, and Linda Lavin. Lane, Bomer, and Graham play lifelong friends who, after the death of a dear […]
Posted inNews
Prioritizing LGBTQ+ mental health: Free virtual event on March 18
LGBTQ+ mental health challenges are at an all-time high. From rejection and trauma to political attacks and inadequate health care access, the community faces disproportionate struggles. In honor of LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week, News is Out is hosting a virtual event on March 18 at 3:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. ET to help you prioritize mental wellness. Tune […]
Posted inTop Stories
Beyond the highway: How LGBTQ+ truck drivers are paving the way for change
Before embarking on his weekly 2,000-mile trip as a truck driver, Derric Schmid sets up his smart TV and preps meals in bulk like ham and potatoes. To some, long hours on the road away from family and friends sounds grueling. But for Schmid, it’s his way of life. “I love the freedom,” Schmid said. […]