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 […]
Category: Top Stories
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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 […]
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Know the numbers: LGBTQ+ mental health helplines and how to support them
When you are struggling with mental health, knowing where to turn can be life-saving. For LGBTQ+ people, who face higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and isolation, affirming support matters. That support took a hit when the Biden-era LGBTQ+ specialized services within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline were discontinued under the Trump administration. […]
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“Only 20 cents of every $100”: LGBTQ+ funding falls, new report finds
Funders for LGBTQ Issues, a nonprofit network of more than 100 foundations, companies and funders, has released its latest report on the state of LGBTQ+ grantmaking by U.S. foundations. The 2023 Resource Tracking Report examines how foundations funded LGBTQ+ causes last year, highlighting trends, gaps and opportunities. Now in its 21st year, the report shows […]
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New Dallas-based LGBTQ+ series “The Gayborhood” spotlights queer life in Oak Lawn
Dallas filmmaker Israel Luna, along with co-creator Joseph Herrera, have debuted a new LGBTQ+ web series, The Gayborhood, set in Dallas’ famed LGBTQ+ neighborhood, Oak Lawn. This indie comedy-drama follows a group of coworkers at a studio run by a drag queen and features a cast of local talent, including longtime Luna collaborator Richard Curtin. […]
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Gay Men’s Health Crisis showed how everyday people stepped up when institutions failed during the height of the AIDS epidemic – providing a model for today
The story of the AIDS movement is one of regular people: students, bartenders, stay-at-home mothers, teachers, retired lawyers, immigrants, Catholic nuns, newly out gay men who had just arrived in New York, and many others. Some had lost friends or lovers. Some felt a moral calling. Some were just trying to balance their sexual karma. […]
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The OutLook: June 27, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that parents can opt their kids out of LGBTQ+-inclusive lessons if it conflicts with their religious beliefs, a move advocates say threatens inclusive education. The Trump-Vance administration is threatening to pull education funding from California over […]
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Your queer foodie guide: LGBTQ+ chefs, books, tours and events to know
Looking to taste your way through queer culture? From guided food tours to groundbreaking cookbooks and can’t-miss culinary events, queer food spaces are thriving across the U.S. and beyond. Whether you’re craving bourbon and bites in Louisville, exploring food justice, or bookmarking your next favorite cookbook, there’s a world of queer food experiences waiting to […]
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The price of protection: LGBTQ+ families and the cost of moving
Although discourse about LGBTQ+ families moving out of states with harsher anti-LGBTQ+ laws predates the Trump administration, recent events, such as the Supreme Court ruling on U.S. v. Skrmetti, have made these conversations more pressing. However, there is a significant economic demand of such moves that not only poses obstacles to families considering this option but […]
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The OutLook: June 20, 2025
The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. The Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors in a 6–3 ruling, allowing similar laws in other states to stand. Justice Sotomayor dissented, saying the court “abandons transgender children and their families to political whims.” California […]
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Gay men face alarming suicide rates amid declining mental health resources
Mental health has been in the spotlight for the last few years—and the need for resources is more dire than ever, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. Several studies have confirmed the toll that various factors have taken on the demographic. For example, when compared to heterosexual males and females, gay men are six times more likely and […]
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Expansion of marriage rights to same-sex couples also expanded access to the psychological benefits that come with tying the knot
Marriage and the ability to start a family are human rights. Ten years ago, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case extended the right to marry to same-sex couples. With 7.6% of Americans identifying as LGBTQ+, this decision continues to have an impact beyond legal benefits. Marriage […]
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Alice Austen photo collection reunited with LGBTQ+ landmark after 80 years
After decades in the care of Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island, more than 7,000 photographs by trailblazing lesbian photographer Alice Austen will return to the Alice Austen House on June 21. The handover will take place during a celebration for the new book Too Good to Get Married, which explores Austen’s life, work, and her […]
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Tennessee can enforce ban on gender-affirming care, Supreme Court rules
The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled today that Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors can remain in effect. In a 6-3 decision, the court upheld the law in U.S. v. Skrmetti, dealing a major blow to legal efforts challenging anti-trans legislation nationwide. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, stating the […]