Housing insecurity. Food insecurity. Substance use disorder. These are just a few challenges some in the LGBTQ+ community face that lead them down the path of using tobacco and e-cigarette products. To help, the country needs more research on what LGBTQ+-specific counseling and therapies work, Temple University pulmonary critical care doctor Jamie Garfield said. “If you’re going […]
Category: News
Posted inArts and Entertainment
The Task Force’s Creating Change conference brings community, collaboration and action to Las Vegas
The National LGBTQ Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference has kicked off in Las Vegas at the newly renovated Rio Hotel and Casino. The conference, which has been in existence in some form since 1988, brings over 3000 attendees together to build skills and organize for LGBTQ+ rights and issues. Task Force President Kierra Johnson […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
LGBTQ+ advocates warn Meta’s policy changes ‘putting us back in the dark ages’
LGBTQ+ advocates have expressed alarm in recent weeks, as Meta has taken steps to undermine protections for queer youth and apparently worked to appease the incoming conservative administration in Washington. Meta, the parent company of popular social media and messaging companies Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is owned by Mark Zuckerberg, who was once considered to be an ally of […]
Posted inTop Stories
Queer creators grapple with TikTok ban and Meta policy changes
Update: As of Jan. 15, it has been reported that the Biden administration is looking into ways to keep TikTok from shutting down in the United States. TikTok is currently scheduled to be banned in the U.S. as of Sunday, Jan. 19. Also as of reporting, the Supreme Court has not intervened or overturned the […]
Posted inNews
H.R. 28: House votes to ban trans women and girls from athletics
On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 218-206 in favor of H.R.28 – Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025. The bill would ban transgender girls and women from participating in athletics at schools and institutions that receive federal funding, stating that “sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s […]
Posted inCommunity
Trans and femme voices on misogyny in LGBTQ+ communities
Misogyny is defined as a “hatred of, aversion to or prejudice against women,” according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. Although this definition is used in relation to cisgender men and the feelings some have towards cisgender women, many forget it is common in the LGBTQ+ community, too: misogyny is a deeply ingrained societal issue that permeates even the […]
Posted inTop Stories
LGBTQ+ stories to watch: The most anticipated movies and TV shows of 2025
LGBTQ+ movie and TV fans used to have to scour the archives of the indie and festival scene to find queer-friendly stories. In 2025 we’ve finally made enough progress that gay-friendly cinema is one of the most relevant genres being made today. Some of Hollywood’s most famous stars are willing to attach their names to […]
Posted inNews
Amid fear, trans students and families plan for Trump’s second term
On the Saturday after the election, Cheryl Suydam headed to an impromptu meeting for parents of trans kids. The gathering was called by the local chapter of PFLAG, an advocacy group that supports LGBTQ+ people and their families, to discuss their feelings after American voters elected a president who ran on an openly anti-trans platform, […]
Posted inTop Stories
Why aren’t soap operas more gay?
Soaps are failing LGBTQ+ viewers. With four network soaps, all of which have been airing for decades, the dearth of representation of LGBTQ+ storylines is disappointing at best. Looking back at queer storylines over the years, soaps seem to be moving backward, not forward, from some groundbreaking characters and storylines that debuted decades ago to little […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Review: Pedro Almodóvar’s ‘The Last Dream’
“The Last Dream” by Pedro Almodóvar (translated by Frank Wynne) is a collection of 12 short stories, including eight works of fiction, that were written over a span of 55 years. Considered a “fragmentary autobiography” by the author, this book demonstrates the Academy Award-winning film director’s literary prowess and versatility. His writing, like his filmmaking, […]
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Sustainable, genderless and bold fashion: The vision behind Desoire
At only 17 years old, Neha Sikder founded Desoire, her own fashion line of genderless clothing to inspire femininity for everyone. Desoire strives to be a sustainable brand challenging a fashion industry that often promotes only the masculine side in unisex clothing. Sikder was only 13 years old when the idea for Desoire came to […]
Posted inNews
What does Meta’s rollback on moderation and fact checking mean for the LGBTQ+ community?
LGBTQ+ leaders have criticized Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to end third-party fact checking and content moderation on Facebook and Instagram posts. In the video released on Tuesday, Zuckerberg said the platform would move to a community notes form of content moderation, similar to Elon Musk’s X, which Meta claims will be “less prone to […]
Posted inTop Stories
Finding LGBTQ+ joy in challenging times: 5 reasons to cheer
It’s important not to lose sight of LGBTQ+ joy, especially when times get tough. Here are five queer reasons to cheer. Rep. Sarah McBride sworn in: Congratulations to McBride, who is officially the first out transgender member of the U.S. House of Representatives. McBride, who was formerly the first out trans Delaware state senator, was […]
Posted inTop Stories
From TransTape to risk maps, how trans people use technology
In 2021, trans folks on Twitter debated about the ethics and usefulness of a venture-funded app suite called Euphoria, meant to facilitate transitions. While the trans world moved on, one trans guy didn’t. Oliver Haimson was fascinated. In 2019, he opened a note on his phone titled “Trans Technology” and started a running list. It had four initial entries: […]
Posted inHealth
Removing barriers preventing many queer women from healthcare access
Queer author and researcher Jaime Grant quite clearly remembers the day she got fired by her doctor. Following a 2012 hysterectomy, Grant, then living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, told her physician that she wished to discuss new hormone replacement treatments therapies with her male doctor. She added that she had learned about these therapies from practitioners […]
Posted inHealth
Experts: HIV stigma still a ‘persistent challenge’ despite signs of progress
When Cedric Sturdevant, of Mississippi, was diagnosed with HIV in 2005, he tried to ignore his status. Sturdevant said he was concerned about what people would think of him for having HIV and afraid to talk openly about his diagnosis, which led him to avoiding addressing the condition and the kinds of care it required. […]
Posted inTop Stories
Chicago queer artist Andy Bellomo highlights underrepresented queer experiences in her work
Andy Bellomo’s art practice sparked from a place often filled with controversy in the queer community—Christian church. Bellomo’s love of art blossomed while observing stained glass windows in churches she attended with a friend growing up in Boston. Now an educator and artist in Chicago, she focuses much of her creative work on queer people […]
Posted inDigital Equity Lab
How social media age restrictions could impact LGBTQ+ youth
As states similar to Florida continue to propose social media age restrictions, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth face growing barriers to accessing crucial online spaces that support their identities, mental health, and social connections. Digital platforms offer these young people a safe haven where they can find supportive communities, explore their identities, and access resources that […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Queer and trans podcasts you may not know about yet – but should put in your listening roster
According to Statista, 59% of people aged 12-34 and 55% of people aged 35-55 listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. In fact, there’s a good chance that as you’re reading this, you’re listening to a podcast in the background. While there are several popular LGBTQ+-focused podcasts out there, like Getting Curious with Jonathan Van […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
Wicked’s “Defying Gravity” is a musical theatre anthem – and a battle cry for outsiders
As director Jon M Chu’s first instalment of the mega-musical adaptation Wicked arrives in cinemas, a new audience of fans is connecting with Stephen Schwartz’s memorable score. Featuring hits including “Popular” “The Wizard and I” and “For Good,” the musical is particularly loved for its celebration of female characters in song. Unlike many Broadway shows, […]
