Witch. We hear women called this all the time. Sometimes it’s meant as a substitute for the misogynist b word. But “witch” is not a benign slur to fling at women. The history of women being called witches is grim. Demonizing, torture and killing of women — particularly lesbians or women thought to be lesbians […]
Category: Politics
Posted inNews
LGBTQ+ candidates win key elections across the country, from federal to local races
While the nation reckons with the results of the 2024 presidential election, there were some positive gains for the LGBTQ+ community in the Senate, Congressional, statehouse and local races. Here are a few key wins. In one of the biggest LGBTQ+ wins of the election, Sarah McBride won her race to represent Delaware in the […]
Posted inCommentary
What’s next for the LGBTQ+ movement?
This article originally appeared in the Washington Blade. Trump’s win requires us to organize, focus on protecting trans community These are frightening times for those of us on the target list of Project 2025, the blueprint for Donald Trump’s second term that he secured in landslide fashion on Tuesday. Many of us are wondering how […]
Posted inNews
LGBTQ+ voters share their voting experiences and candidates of choice
On this Election Day, we asked LGBTQ+ voters to share their experiences in voting, whether at the ballot box or through the mail, and why they chose the candidates who received their vote. We reached out to LGBTQ+ voters of all political affiliations. Robin C., 35, lives in a small town south of Oklahoma City […]
Posted inNews
What to know (and bring) as you head to the polls
With the election days away, it’s essential to make sure your vote is counted. LGBTQ+ voters in swing states could even have a significant impact. Here’s a simple guide to help you confirm your registration, locate your polling place and know your rights as a voter. 1. Check your registration status before heading to the […]
Posted inNews
VP Harris mentions Stonewall in her closing argument speech for President
Last night, a record-breaking 75,000 people gathered at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., to hear Vice President Kamala Harris’s closing remarks, with a week to go until Election Day. The Ellipse is the same spot where Donald Trump delivered his speech on Jan. 6, 2021. Harris, who spoke for nearly 30 minutes, once again shared […]
Posted inTop Stories
LGBTQ+ voters in these four states could swing the 2024 presidential election
Polling data shows that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are running in a near-dead heat in four states – Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. And as a scholar of LGBTQ+ politics, I suspect that LGBTQ+ voters could play an outsize role in these states and the race. So, how might LGBTQ+ voters swing these […]
Posted inHistory
The Lavender Scare: The case against homosexuals
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. There is perhaps no more critical election in U.S. history than the one in which Americans vote Nov. 5. Vice President Kamala Harris has said repeatedly as she campaigns that former president Donald Trump poses a threat to democracy as well as to a myriad […]
Posted inCommunity
Panel of LGBTQ+ experts highlights concerns over Project 2025
This week, News is Out hosted a live virtual panel event, “Project 2025: The Impact on the LGBTQ+ community. The event was moderated by Dana Piccoli from News Is Out and Christopher Kane, senior politics reporter at Washington Blade, provided a comprehensive overview of Project 2025. They were joined by special guests Chasten Buttigieg, Rep. […]
Posted inCommunity
HRC releases latest Congressional scorecards: Who scored the highest…and lowest?
This week, the Human Rights Campaign released its annual Congressional Scorecard. The scorecard is a tool used to assess the voting records of members of Congress on issues related to LGBTQ+ rights. It tracks how senators and representatives vote on key legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community, such as anti-discrimination protections and transgender rights. According to […]
Posted inTop Stories
News is Out to host virtual Project 2025 panel with special guests on 10/23
What is Project 2025 and how would it impact the LGBTQ+ community if it came to pass? Learn more about this controversial conservative playbook in a virtual discussion with News is Out and special guests Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (PA), Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Charlotte Clymer, Kevin Jennings (Lambda Legal), Janelle Perez (LPAC), Rep. Julie Johnson (TX) […]
Posted inHistory
Biden’s acknowledgment of LGBTQ+ History Month ‘consequential’
President Joe Biden signed a letter acknowledging Equality Forum’s LGBTQ+ History Month launch event held on Sunday, writing that, “by celebrating stories of bravery, resilience and joy, your example inspires hope in all people seeking a life true to who they are.” Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum executive director, said Biden’s letter is “consequential.” He noted […]
Posted inNews
How could Project 2025 change education?
The proposals in the 2025 Presidential Transition Project — known as Project 2025 and designed for Donald Trump — would reshape the American education system, early education through college, from start to finish. The conservative Heritage Foundation is the primary force behind the sprawling blueprint, which is separate from the much less detailed Republican National […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Taylor Swift surprises with a post-debate Harris-Walz endorsement
Last night, directly following the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, pop star Taylor Swift dropped an Instagram post that many in the Democratic party were hoping to get. Before viewers and pundits could even catch their breaths after an intense two-hour debate, Swift enthusiastically endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket. […]
Posted inNews
Gay Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver running for president
Chase Oliver, the gay Libertarian from Georgia who is his party’s presidential nominee, got an unexpected boon August 23, when Democrat-turned-independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropped out of the race and endorsed Republican nominee former President Donald Trump. Oliver’s message to disappointed RFK Jr. supporters – who at the time he suspended his presidential bid […]
Posted inTop Stories
18 LGBTQ+ candidates to watch this election season
This election season, hundreds of LGBTQ+ candidates are running for office across the country, from hyperlocal positions to statewide seats. The Victory Fund, “the leading national voice on issues pertaining to LGBTQ+ politics, candidates and elected officials,” has endorsed 325 LGBTQ+ candidates alone. Here are 18 standout candidates to watch this election season, all of […]
Posted inNews
DNC Day 3: LGBTQ+ Caucus honors political pioneers, while Walz and Buttigieg address Democratic Party
This article originally appeared on Windy City Times. The Democratic National Convention’s (DNC) LGBTQ+ Caucus recognized several queer trailblazers, including trans activist Miss Major, on the third day of the convention, during which Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made his pitch to America as the party’s vice-presidential nominee. Walz headlined the DNC Aug. 21 at the […]
Posted inPolitics
DNC Day 2: LGBTQ+ politicians celebrated at Victory Fund reception before Obamas take convention stage
This article originally appeared on Windy City Times. Illinois took the spotlight on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which also saw an off-site celebration of LGBTQ+ elected officials at every level of government. Former President and Illinois politician Barack Obama headlined Aug. 20 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., singing […]
Posted inPolitics
Project 2025’s ‘War on Porn’ threatens sex workers, LGBTQ+ community
Civil liberties and LGBTQ+ rights advocates have expressed alarm that a proposal to criminalize pornography in a 920-page far-right blueprint for the first 180 days of a second Trump administration known as Project 2025 would have a far-reaching impact that threatens the rights of sex workers and the LGBTQ+ community, especially the transgender community. Project […]
Posted inNews
Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community
Few things have been as highly anticipated this year as Kamala Harris’ pick for her vice presidential running mate. This morning it was announced that Tim Walz, current governor of Minnesota, would join her on the ticket. Walz, a former U.S. Army non commissioned officer, high school teacher and football coach who entered politics in […]
