This story was originally reported by Ebony JJ Curry of The 19th. Meet Ebony and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. Jeynce Poindexter was 14 when home stopped feeling like home. Her mother could not accept that she was transgender, Poindexter said, and staying would have meant negotiating an identity she […]
Category: Top Stories
Posted inTop Stories
LGBTQ+ safety and privacy policies declined across major platforms, according to new GLAAD report
The GLAAD Social Media Safety Index & Platform Scorecard for 2026 was released this week and, according to the organization, found continued declines in policies related to LGBTQ+ safety, privacy and expression across major social media platforms. The report and scorecard evaluate and rank “platform policies regarding LGBTQ safety, privacy, and expression” and include TikTok, […]
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Four LGBTQ+ movies that should be in the National Film Registry but aren’t (yet)
Every year, the Library of Congress selects 25 films for preservation in the National Film Registry — movies deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” to American cinema. While the registry has made meaningful strides in recent years to include more diverse voices, LGBTQ+ stories remain underrepresented in its nearly 900-title collection. These four films changed […]
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LGBTQ+ youth mental health improved slightly in 2025 — but anti-LGBTQ+ policies are still taking a toll
Content warning: This article discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health challenges affecting LGBTQ+ youth. The Trevor Project, which describes itself as the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, just released its seventh annual National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. The Trevor Project surveyed more than […]
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Ash Perez leans into love, laughter and queer storytelling with “Speak Now”
If you’ve been missing the kind of rom-com that actually makes you laugh out loud in between moments of real tenderness, Ash Perez is making a case for its return. Best known for his BuzzFeed work and recent projects with The Try Guys, Perez is stepping into fiction with Speak Now, a queer rom-com about second chances, first […]
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New report finds gains and gaps for LGBTQ+ workers
A new national report paints a mixed picture for LGBTQ+ workers: more employees feel seen and supported on the job, but nearly half still report experiencing discrimination. The 2025 Shine the Light Report, sponsored by the nonprofit Be The Transformational Change Fund, surveyed 1,386 LGBTQ+ people across the United States. The study tracks workplace conditions, […]
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Beyond the obvious: 5 underrated LGBTQ+-friendly cities
When you think of LGBTQ+ friendly cities, there are the obvious answers that come to mind. Places like San Francisco, New York City, Portland, Philadelphia, Palm Springs and Chicago often top the list. But there are cities all around the country that are stepping up and out for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. These five cities […]
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Florida’s “Anti-Diversity” legislation, explained — And why it matters beyond Florida
If you don’t live in Florida, you might be tempted to scroll past this. Don’t. Florida has a habit of road-testing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation — and watching it spread. The state’s 2022 “Don’t Say Gay” law is the most famous example. At least a dozen states introduced similar laws, including Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and […]
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Queer perfumers behind Domestica turn everyday memories into scent
It’s happened to all of us: you’re out and about and suddenly you catch a whiff of something that brings a memory flooding back and the emotions connected to it. Not only does scent travel from our noses to the olfactory bulb in our forebrains that is directly connected to memory and emotion, but scent […]
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PFLAG brings the topic of LGBTQ+ book bans to SXSW EDU
This week, PFLAG hosted a panel at SXSW EDU examining the growing wave of book bans and the impact on LGBTQ+ stories in schools and libraries. The session, “Beyond Bans: Defending LGBTQ+ Stories & Literary Freedom,” took place March 11 and streamed live on SXSW EDU’s YouTube channel. The conversation focused on the increasing censorship of books, authors and […]
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‘I’m heartbroken’: Trans Kansans reckon with their driver’s licenses being invalidated
TOPEKA — Transgender rights activist Jaelynn Abegg was furious Thursday morning when she received a letter from the state informing her that her driver’s license had been invalidated because of a new state law. Abegg, a Wichita resident, said she would only get a new driver’s license if she needs one before fleeing the state, […]
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Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center brings LGBTQ+ history to life
As I stepped into the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, the first thing that greeted me was my reflection framed by the words “See History Be History.” It felt like both a welcome and an invitation. As part of the Wall of Solidarity—a lively exhibit celebrating love, community, and queer joy—the frame establishes the mood for what […]
Posted inOpinion
The Pride flag was removed from Stonewall. That matters.
The Pride flag has been an enduring symbol of the LGBTQ+ community since 1978, when the first design by Gilbert Baker debuted at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Over the decades, the flag’s design has evolved from the original nine colors to six to versions including brown and black stripes to honor the […]
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GLSEN changes its name to Glisten as the organization marks a new chapter
Founded in 1990, GLSEN, which stood for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, began as a network of educators responding to anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in schools. More than 30 years later, the organization says it represents 1.5 million youth, families, educators, and advocates, with work that extends beyond school buildings into broader community support. CEO […]
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The Map of Us podcast puts real voices behind the LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project
What happens when you take a national research project and hand the microphone to the people living it? “The Map of Us,” a new seven-episode podcast from News is Out, brings the findings of the LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project to life through candid conversations with the journalists and publishers doing the work. All episodes are […]
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Organizations respond to the arrest of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort
On Friday morning, federal authorities arrested independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort in connection with a protest that disrupted a January 7 service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, officials said. Lemon and Fort maintain they were there as journalists covering the event, but authorities say the arrests are tied to the protest. […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Philadelphia, Frida and The Hours among 25 films added to 2025 National Registry
LGBTQ+-inclusive films were among the 25 films added to the 2025 National Registry. The registry comes out of the United States National Film Preservation Board, started in 1988, to “ensure the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America’s film heritage.” Among this year’s inductees, are several films that feature prominent LGBTQ+ characters and storylines. […]
Posted inSports
Could Heated Rivalry bring a whole new fanbase to ice hockey – and can the sport embrace them?
Heated Rivalry has taken the world by a storm. The series tells the story of rivals-to-lovers hockey players Japanese-Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), and their yearslong relationship navigating falling in love while playing professional sport. Based on the “Game Changers” ice hockey romance novels by Rachel Reid, the series […]
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HRC warns LGBTQ progress faltering as Trump enters second year
This article originally appeared in the Washington Blade. As President Donald Trump begins the second year of his second term, LGBTQ advocacy organizations say they are shifting into a more aggressive posture — armed with new data that shows how quickly hard-won progress is eroding under the Trump-Vance administration. The Human Rights Campaign hosted its […]
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5 things queer people notice immediately in a “welcoming” space
Queer people read a space quickly. Before a word is spoken, certain signals tell us whether we belong or should stay guarded. Here are five things LGBTQ+ people notice when determining if a space is truly welcoming. 1. Pride messaging outside, not just inside Are there any Pride flags flying outside or in the window? […]