A far-right party in New Zealand that is hostile to trans rights preempted a government announcement on Wednesday that the country will indefinitely ban the use of puberty blockers by trans youth.The New Zealand First party, a minority member of Parliaments coalition government, made the announcement three hours ahead of the governments own health ministry, declaring a victory in its war on woke, Erin in the Morning reports. Related UKs largest doctors union condemns Cass Reviews attacks on gender-affirming care Today, sanity won another battle in the war on woke, the surprise announcement read. After years of dangerous ideological experimentation pushed by radical activists and rubber-stamped by weak politicians, the New Zealand Government has officially banned puberty blockers for children. This is what happens when you back a party that actually delivers.While other parties cant even define what a woman is, weve stood up for families, for truth, and for children. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The preemptive declaration was one more indication of the politicization of healthcare for trans youth in New Zealand and around the world, and a clue to the partys intimate involvement in crafting the governments policy. The change adds New Zealand to a growing list of countries and U.S. states banning gender-affirming care for trans youth.The governments own announcement described the decision as a precautionary approach to gender-affirming care for transgender youth.There is a lack of high-quality evidence that demonstrates the benefits or risks of puberty-blocking drugs for trans youth, Health Minister Simeon Brown said.113 patients in New Zealand were using puberty blockers in 2023, according to the health ministry. While the policy announcement didnt mention the widely criticized Cass Report, the controversial document claiming a lack of evidence supporting gender-affirming care for young people that was released in the UK last year, its the basis of the UKs own indefinite ban on puberty blockers, which New Zealand is following.Both countries say theyll wait for the results of a UK government-sponsored clinical trial on the efficacy of puberty blockers for trans youth before making a final determination on their use. The prohibition wont affect trans kids currently taking the drugs.By pinning the resumption of prescribing to a UK trial result expected in 2031, the Government has effectively sacrificed a generation of trans youth, said New Zealand civil rights organization Rights Aotearoa. They are demanding a level of evidence for trans healthcare that they do not demand for hundreds of other treatments routinely used in pediatrics. Both bans make an exception for children experiencing early-onset puberty and other conditions, raising equal protection questions.This will undoubtedly end up in court very quickly as the subject of a Judicial Review, Rights Aotearoas Paul Thistoll posted after news of the decision. He called it a blatant violation of New Zealands Human Rights Act. Restricting the availability of puberty blockers to trans kids but allowing them for cis kids is a blatant violation of NZBORA (1990) and the Human Rights Act (1993).This will undoubtedly end up in court very quickly as the subject of a Judicial Review. Paul Thistoll (@pault.bsky.social) 2025-11-19T05:45:12.841ZNew Zealands ban takes effect on December 19.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Work-from-home options have become familiar to everyone during the lockdown period due to the pandemic. This remote working pattern has brought many changes to the business field. Some think this remote working model is a burden, and some consider it a jackpot.    The main reason for offering work from home option is to increase productivity from the employee’s side. So,...

Out gay character actor Udo Kier died yesterday at the age of 81 in a Palm Springs, California hospital. He appeared in over 280 films, became known for playing various horror and villain roles (particularly vampires and Nazis). But he also appeared in works associated with pop singer Madonnas early 1990s Erotica era, as well as roles in numerous international and gay-themed films. His cause of death has not yet been publicly released. He is survived by his partner, Delbert McBrideBorn in Cologne, Germany in October 1944, Kier moved to London, England at age 18 and worked between the U.S. and Europe throughout his lifetime, despite moving to Palm Springs in 1991. Related Jewel Thais-Williams, beloved activist and influential Black queer nightclub founder, has died He began acting in film in 1966, and two of his earliest film roles were in two films advertised as Andy Warhols Frankenstein (1973) and Andy Warhols Dracula (1974), though the gay pop artist had barely any involvement in either films creation.From 1977 to 1981, he appeared in four films directed by iconic bisexual German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, with whom he briefly slept. While attending the showing of Fassbinders films at the Berlin Film Festival, Kier met gay director Gus Van Sant and subsequently appeared in Sants gay sex worker drama My Own Private Idaho (1991). Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Kier appeared in the sexually-themed music videos for two songs on Madonnas 1992 album Erotica, including the video for the titular song Erotica and the music video for Deeper and Deeper. That same year,Kier also appeared inMadonnas groundbreaking bookSex, which included softcore pornography, queer sexual content, and BDSM fetish imagery.Kier later appeared in the sapphic comedic drama Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993), the gay cultural documentary Citizens of Perpetual Indulgence (2000), the European queer hustler drama House of Boys (2009), and gay director Todd Stephens Swan Song (2021). He also appeared in 50 TV shows and voice acted for seven video games.Look. No one ever asked about my sexuality, Kier said in a 2021 interview. Maybe it was obvious, but it didnt make any difference because all that mattered was the role I was playing. As long as I did a good job on the part, no one cared about my sexuality.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Miles Heizer has put in the work!The talented actor certainly has plenty of notable projects under his belt, including Parenthood, 13 Reasons Why, Nerve, Love, Simon, and more. However, his breakout role on the hit gay Netflix series Boots has critics and audiences raving.While attending this year's Out100 as an honoree as well as the cover star of The Advocate, Heizer opened up on all the love the show about a closeted teen Marine has been receiving since its release."I am honestly still so shocked by the response!... I know it's hard for gay shows to break through. The fact that this show has been able to do that has been so exciting for me and truly has blown my expectations out of the water! I'm just thrilled," Heizer tells Out. See on Instagram Boots made waves right after its successful premiere on Netflix. In fact, the Pentagon even slammed the gay series as being "woke garbage" once it gained momentum with mainstream audiences."I was surprised by that one!" Heizer says. "Especially this show, the message really is about community and people coming together. It has a very positive message. That response is not what I expected, but here we are."Beyond the emotional and relatable storylines, Boots became a hit within the gay community as plenty of steamy and sexy moments from the show went viral on social media. That was a surprise for Heizer, who had a less glamorous view of the show from a production perspective."We all felt so incredibly hideous! We're like bald, we're sweating, we're exercising.... We saw each other in the same three outfits for like two years. It's very funny to me that people are saying some of the boys are hot, just because our experience was very different!" See on Instagram It's safe to say that fans are patiently awaiting a series announcement from Netflix regarding the show's future. In the meantime, Heizer is literally campaigning boots on the ground for a second season. He even teases that he'd be down to film sexier scenes if Boots were to get renewed."Trust and believe I'm on your side. ... I'm very much manifesting Boots season 2. That's what I want and I won't stop until I get it! ... I'd be curious just to see what [sexy scenes] would be like, if they ask me to! The whole process... there's a lot of gay stuff going on, unbeknownst to them."Boots has created a safe space for LGBTQ+ people around the world, and Heizer encourages anyone struggling to rely on community to help keep up the good fight."My message for young queer people is to ... try and find even one person you can be yourself around who loves and accepts you. It's pretty shocking how much that will change your life and your world. I really hope people have the ability to find that."Fans can follow Heizer on Instagram here. To see the full interview from the Out100, check out the video at the top of the page. The Out100 is presented by Lexus.

LGBTQ+ advocates say bystanders cheered as two transgender women were viciously attacked in Minneapolis earlier this month.In a statement, Minneapolis Police told The Independent that the two women confronted a group of people who were making derogatory remarks about them at a downtown Minneapolis light rail station on November 10, leading to a physical altercation. Related Jen Psaki warns Democrats not to cave to the right on trans rights Amber Muhm, one of the organizers of a rally in support of the victims at the station on Sunday, told the outlet that shes spoken to the women, identified only as Dahlia and Jess. They told her that they were leaving the station when a man yelled anti-trans slurs at them. According to Muhm, when Jess asked the man to stop, he sucker punched her. After Dahlia hit the man with her cane, four or five other men began beating the pair. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Both women were reportedly knocked unconscious, with Dahlia sustaining a broken nose and Jess left with multiple contusions to her ribs.No one came to help them. In fact, they said people were cheering the attackers on while they were getting beaten, Muhm told CBS News.It was a traumatic event and they are both still dealing with the physical consequences of that very acutely but the community is kind of whats keeping them grounded right now, Muhm told The Independent.Minneapolis police told CBS News that they were investigating the incident, but had made no arrests as of Sunday night.They need to step up because this keeps happening and its ridiculous and unacceptable at this point, Muhm said of the police response.According to CBS News, Dahlia and Jess moved to Minnesota from Iowa because of the states Trans Refuge law. Introduced by state Rep. Leigh Finke (D) Minnesotas first out trans legislator and passed in March 2023, the law prevents out-of-state laws from interfering with people seeking gender-affirming care in Minnesota. At Sundays rally, Finke said she expects to see even more trans people moving to the state following the re-election of former President Donald Trump, whose campaign spent millions on anti-trans ads in battleground states during the final months of the campaign.People are so emboldened now. Theres so much false data, so many false narratives about trans people, Muhm told The Independent, adding that at Sundays rally bystanders repeated false claims about gender affirming surgeries being performed on 10-year-olds.One speaker at the rally told CBS News that Trumps re-election is fueling fear in the trans community. People are talking to me about erasing their social media presence, going back in the closet, they said. But Muhm urged people to stay in the fight. The community here is beautiful. Were building a movement, were going to get through this and were going to be stronger for it and Minneapolis is going to be such a beautiful place for trans people to live, she said.At the same time, Muhm noted that trans people in the city are preparing for a possible uptick in anti-trans violence by enrolling in self-defense classes and looking into getting handgun permits.People are about to get a lot more hostile and emboldened in their transphobia, she told The Independent, so what do we do to protect ourselves when were out?Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) blasted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) for resigning from Congress the moment she found herself at odds with the president. Youre on the other side of the president for one week, and you cant take the heat? Crockett told CNN host Jake Tapper. Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes, to not only be on the opposite side of him, but to have people like her who are constantly fanning the flames of hate, and imagine what those threats look like when you literally are someone like me. Related Marjorie Taylor Greenes resignation shows that Trump & MAGA arent the same thing She pointed out that many other Republicans who have pushed for the release of the Epstein files have been able to handle Donald Trumps wrath.Marjorie has been an instigator of a lot of this hate that we see as it relates to the MAGA movement, Crockett continued. Its just interesting that I dont know if she really fully understood how bad she was making it for other people, and now that theyre doing it to her Why is it that everyone else is able to stand it and you cant? Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today View this post on Instagram A post shared by CNN (@cnn)Before Greene announced her resignation, Crockett also slammed her colleagues sudden (and for many, suspicious) change of heart as she began criticizing her own party for closing down the House of Representatives, calling them out for having no plan to improve health care access, and even criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) fordelaying the swearing in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) for over a month.At the time, Crockett pointed out that Greene was responsible for many of the problems she is criticizing now.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

So Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) decided last Friday to call it quits in Congress, after Donald Trump attacked her for leading the charge to release the files on Jeffrey Epstein. Greene learned the hard way that loyalty to Trump is a one-way street, but she did schedule her departure to ensure that she will draw a Congressional pension once she turns 62. (Its a modest $8,717 annually.)Greene lashed out at Trump in her video announcement, comparing herself to a battered wife. But what was much more interesting was the series of issues that she cited to show her disillusionment with the Trump-led GOP. The Epstein files ranked on her list of complaints, but they werent the only ones. She also cited Republican failure to address affordability and the cost of health care, two issues that are generally the Democrats strongest talking points.The fact is, the MAGA world is beginning to show cracks. Trump has set himself up as synonymous with MAGA. I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else, Trump said in an interview this month. But the problem with Trump is that he likes telling people what they want to hear. He doesnt necessarily want to deliver on those promises.For a long time, his followers were content to agree that Trump and MAGA were one and the same. That enabled Trump to turn the Republican Party into a cult of personality. (Spineless Republican leaders were too afraid to stop him.) In his first term, Trump could complain about the deep state blocking him, but that doesnt work this time around. He controls all three branches of government, and his loyalists willingly carry out his orders. Now, when Trump promises something will happen and it doesnt (or vice versa), his followers question the disconnect.Releasing the Epstein files is the clearest example of a promise that has come back to bite Trump. But its hardly the only one. Most of the issues fly under the radar. MAGA diehards love Trumps vicious deportation policy, but they are infuriated that hes willing to give H-1B visas to skilled foreign workers. After promising to put America first, Trump has angered MAGA by giving $20 billion to Argentina (at the expense of American soybean farmers) and threatening to go to war with Venezuela. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today Even the corruption in the Trump administration is angering MAGA warriors, although they are steering clear of Trumps own money-making efforts. FBI Chief Kash Patel, who got his job because of his MAGA credentials, is now a target of MAGA activists for using a government jet to see his girlfriend whom Patel calls a country music sensation sing at a wrestling match.MAGA is as much a religion as it is a political movement (which is why Christian nationalism is so integral to it), so any deviation from principle is heresy. But what MAGA is bumping up against is whether the word of God and the man appointed by God to carry out his will are one and the same. The rub is that the only principle that has guided Trump is his own self-interest. He has impulses, which align with his followers and animate them, but no fixed ideology beyond himself. That is why he can be charmed by a figure like New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, who represents everything that MAGA despises. The picture of Trump beaming at Mamdani drove MAGA round the bend. Impulses may work for Trump, but not for a movement. Increasingly, the Republican Party is at war with itself over what it represents. Is it the party of white supremacists and neo-Nazis, like Nick Fuentes? Or is it the party fighting anti-Semitism? Is it a populist movement that truly supports cheaper health care and free IVF? Or is it the party of the corporate elite who dine at Mar-a-Lago?By his actions or his words, Trump has at one time or another been supportive of all of these directions, some much more than others. Hes a mass of contradictions. And hes old. At 79, the clock is ticking on Trump. Constitutionally, hes barred from a third term, but hes made it clear wont necessarily stop him. Yet his age means that he is time-limited one way or another, and who inherits his movement is up for grabs.What the battle within the party shows is that no one has the personality power that Trump has. (J.D. Vance certainly doesnt.) The Republican Party wont be the party of whims as it was under Trump. But other than foaming-at-the-mouth hatred of minorities and trans people, what does that mean? A personality cult without a personality is just going to drift. In the meantime, as Trump is finding out, even a personality cult has its limits.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Gun Oil one of the most popular and longest-running brands of personal lubricants among gay men is facing very public accusations directed at the product's parent company, Empowered Products, and founder/CEO, Scott Fraser. Over the last few days, an alleged group of dissenting employees seized control of the brand's social media pages and used them to share complaints.Notably, the staffers seemingly running these brand pages accused Fraser, Gun Oil, and Empowered Products of "wage theft and labor exploitation" in an X post from Friday, November 21 adding that the company "failed to pay $21,067 USD in overdue salaries and invoices owed to seven agencies/contractors," not to mention that the brand allegedly "refuses to pay its freelancers, marketers, creatives, and agencies."The X post urged all partners of Gun Oil to "cease work immediately" and direct "all inquiries for the overdue funds" to Fraser himself. The presumed email address of the founder and CEO is included in the statement. (@) In another post, this dissenting group of employees promptly shut down rumors that the Gun Oil social pages had simply been hacked and that none of these claims were a serious concern."Do not believe the hacking claim," another X post shared on Friday reads. "The financial default warning was 100% accurate. We are holding the accounts, and the $20,767 in overdue salary and vendor debts must be cleared immediately." (@) On Saturday, November 22, a pro-Gun Oil group of individuals attempted to dismiss the claims shared on X via an Instagram grid post. "The post was from the real GUN OIL," the caption read."Dear GUN OIL fans, we are terribly sorry about all the crazy posts over the past few weeks. We are dealing with people who have no legal right to post on our behalf. Nor do they know all the information. There have been major managerial issues this year that have now turned into a legal matter. This is being handled right now. Hopefully this goes away once and for all. If you have any questions/concerns just call our office."The statement on Instagram attempting to defend the company audio-tagged the grid post with Madonna's "Sorry" a song famously about the pop star not apologizing. In it, she sings, "I don't wanna hear / I don't wanna know/ Please don't say 'Forgive me' / I've seen it all before and I / Can't take it anymore" to the person who hurt her. Gun Oil via Instagram.Instagram (@gunoil) That Instagram statement which suggested that the former employees were just mad at the company and made false accusations along the way angered the group even more, and other well-known figures in the LGBTQ+ community joined in."This has been a mess from both sides, very hard for customers or your ambassadors to feel comfortable after all this. Instead of a faceless post, can an actual human make a video and speak up," Teddy Bar noted. "As of right now, there is no reason to believe anyone since it's just been text back and forth, and putting a face to it gives customers/ambassadors a chance to decide what is actually happening." Gun Oil and Teddy Bear Instagram.Instagram (@gunoil) Jordi Massive, another brand ambassador for the Gun Oil, wrote:"Yes, I really need the full story. I agree with @mrteddybeargrr that customers and ambassadors have absolutely lost trust and don't know what to believe." Gun Oil and Jordi Massive via Instagram.Instagram (@gunoil) This story is still developing...

Anti-trans Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) rocked the Capitol over the weekend by announcing her resignation from Congress, effective January 5. But Republican representatives have told reporters that hers might just be the first of many. More explosive early resignations are coming, an anonymous senior House Republican told Punchbowl News. Its a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out. Related Marjorie Taylor Greenes resignation shows that Trump & MAGA arent the same thing Greenes resignation came after the one-time Donald Trump loyalist had a string of continued disagreements with the president, largely over government spending and the release of the Epstein Files. After Trumpstarted name-callingand promised to endorse a primary challenger against her, Greene stepped away, leaving a manifesto of an explanation.My official statement. pic.twitter.com/x48zEugmPV Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) November 22, 2025 Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today While lengthy, Greenes key message was that Trump and the Republicans arent following through on their priorities and were wasting what little majority they had in the House.According to the senior House Republican, those sentiments are common among all Republicans in the House, with many tired of the way Trump has treated them. That, reportedly, hasnt been helped by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). This entireWhite Houseteam has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL, the Republican said. And Mike Johnson has let it happen because he wanted it to happen. That is the sentiment of nearly all appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file. The arrogance of this White House team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened. They dont even allow little wins like announcing small grants or even responding from agencies. Not even the high profile, the regular rank and file random members are more upset than ever. Members know they are going into the minority after the midterms.The thoughts from the anonymous source were bolstered by Dough Heye, a GOP strategist, who spoke about the situation on CNN. I wouldnt be surprised to see more resignations or retirement announcements come over the coming weeks or months when members of Congress spend time with their families back home. Obviously, theyve done that for several weeks during the shutdown, but Thanksgiving and Christmas, thats when we see those decisions get made.Ahead of Greenes January resignation, Republicans hold only 219 seats of the 435, while Democrats hold 213. Three seats are open pending special elections in Texas, Tennessee, and New Jersey, the earliest of which will take place in December and the last in April. While they have a technical majority at the moment, those elections could potentially leave the Republicans with only 218 seats, meaning a single dissenting vote could be enough to sink a bill. That situation gives more power to extreme members of their party, as well as to those inclined to turn against Trump.If more Republicans resign in protest, the Republican majority could disappear well before the midterms next year. Additionally, any other illnesses or deaths among House members could have significant implications. Even if a seat might be refilled by a Republican in a special election, the empty seat while that election is organized could stall the partys proceedings.Greene has hinted that she will be looking for a new path forward, which could easily still be in politics. Some believe Greene could be resigning to run for senator or Georgia governor, or even to run for president in 2028.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Hello Out readers!This past weekend wasn't just the premiere of Wicked: For Good, it was also the Out100 party! Queer celebs and luminaries like Vivian Wilson, Tonatiuh, Anna Camp, and Pattie Gonia (complete with a massive trans flag) turned heads on the red carpet before enjoying speeches from Out100 honoree Bre-Z, an impromptu performance from SIA, and husbands Sam Tsui and Casey Breves teaming up with KPop Demon Hunters songwriter Mark Sonnenblick to sing "Golden"!Of course, Advocate of the Year Kathy Griffin was honored at the party, and as always, her speech shook the room."I owe so much to the community. Let me tell you, when I was canceled, right away, there were gays on Fire Island dressed as me, holding the Trump Halloween mask mimicking me," Griffin said. "Through the tears and all the chaos, I was like, 'Thank God the community didn't turn on me.'""Gay rights are civil rights! I'm happy and proud to be an advocate and will continue to advocate because we're in really tough times for gay people. We have to stay busy, keep marching...and do more, because this administration is coming for you," she continued.Meanwhile, on the red carpet, honoree Anna Camp said she'd love to star in a sexy, sapphic drama, and Vivian Wilson expressed her hope for a Zohran Mamdani-like candidate in Los Angeles!Keep reading to find out all the highlights from the party, as well as our Man Crush Monday!- Mey RudeGun Oil CEO Scott Fraser accused of not paying employeesMiles Heizer 'is very much manifesting Boots season 2'Kathy Griffin: 'Thank God for gay' support16 bold looks that turned heads on the Out100 red carpetWatch Sia sing 'Unstoppable' as tribute to Kathy Griffin's LGBTQ+ advocacyColman Domingo: Out100 Icon Niecy Nash-Betts is 'always an inspiration'Vivian Jenna Wilson wants a candidate like Zohran Mamdani to take over Los AngelesWatch husbands Sam Tsui and Casey Breves sing 'Golden' with hit song's co-writer at Out100Anna Camp would love to star in her own sexy, sapphic dramaMan Crush MondayBoots star Miles Heizer was also honored at the Out100 party, where he said he's dying to get to film more of the hit show!"Trust and believe I'm on your side. ... I'm very much manifesting Boots season 2," he said. "That's what I want, and I won't stop until I get it! ... I'd be curious just to see what [sexy scenes] would be like, if they ask me to! The whole process... there's a lot of gay stuff going on, unbeknownst to them."Holiday deal: One full year of Out / The Advocate for just $6!With this special holiday limited time offer, you can get one full year of Out / The Advocate for just $6!

Child development experts say that children develop their own sense of gender identity early on. But some kids and adults may find the topic of gender identity challenging or confusing, especially regarding transgender or nonbinary people. Luckily, there are a bunch of great childrens books with trans and nonbinary characters who can help demonstrate the concepts in simple and playful ways.While the eight titles below are just a few of the childrens books with trans and nonbinary main characters, weve chosen picture books that would especially appeal to young readers. But dont be fooled just because they were written for young readers, they have a lot to teach people of all ages, no matter their gender identity. Related 20 exceptional LGBTQ+ childrens books your kids should read immediately I Am Jazzby Jessica Herthel and Jazz JenningsThe cover of I Am Jazz | Dial Books Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today I Am Jazzis a picture book version ofJazz Jennings life as a transgender child. She says that she knew she was a girl from the time she was 2 years old, and her parents accepted her and let her live as she wanted. The book is great for kids experiencing gender identity issues, or for those who have a friend who is and want to better understand them.Introducing Teddyby Jess WaltonThe cover of Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton | Bloomsbury USA Childrens Introducing Teddyis a tender exploration of friendship, understanding, and gender identity. Teddy, a teddy bear, confides in his friend Errol that she is actually a girl bear named Tilly. Errols supportive response models how we can accept and respect others identities; after all, a persons friendship and happiness are what matter the most.When Aidan Became a Brotherby Kyle LukoffThe cover of When Aidan Became a Brother by transgender male author Kyle Lukoff. | Lee & Low Books This transgender childrens book, written by a trans male author, is about a family that accepts their trans child named Aidan. Aidan wants to make everything right for the birth of his new sibling, but what if he prepares something that doesnt feel right for them? Not only is this book one of the few transgender childrens books that feature a main character of color, but its also one of the few that shows a trans kid reflecting on their own gender expectations of others. If you like this book, consider checking out Lukoffs Call Me Max, a book about a younger childs gender exploration. Im a Girl! by Yasmeen IsmailThe cover of Im a Girl by Yasmeen Ismail | Bloomsbury USA ChildrensThe donkey-eared girl in this book is loud, competitive, messy, fast, and strong but everyone keeps mistaking her for a boy! Luckily, shes proud and knows theres more than just one way to express yourself in this world. While this award-winning book has joyful and energetic watercolor illustrations and a refrain that invites young readers to read along, its message is universal and timeless for all sorts of readers. My Princess Boy by Cheryl KilodavisThe cover of My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis | AladdinThis sensitive and compassionate book lovingly praises a four-year-old boy who likes to wear pink dresses, dance like a ballerina, and has a loving relationship with his older athletic brother. But when someone laughs at the boys style, the narrator asks the reader if they would do the same or if they would play with him and treat him kindly. Its a great conversation starter for how we treat people who may look and act differently than how others expect. Who Are You?: The Kids Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-WhedbeeThe cover of Who Are You? by Brook Pessin-Whedbee | Jessica Kingsley PublishersThis straightforward educational book starts with a pregnant person being asked, Is it a boy or a girl? but soon explains, Gender is much more than the body we were born with. After explaining that personal expression and identity can both change as someone grows up (or even from day to day), it asks young readers to point out interests and activities that they like and introduces the basic concept of cisgender and the gender spectrum. For a similarly educational book that discusses the gender binary head-on, check out Meet Polkadot by Talcott Broadhead. Im Not a Girl: A Transgender Story by Maddox Lyons and Jessica VerdiThe cover of Im Not a Girl: A Transgender Story by Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi | Roaring Brook PressThe young child in this transgender childrens book doesnt wanna dress up pretty for picture day or Halloween hed rather dress like a pirate. But when he tries to explain that hes not a girl, his own parents and friend dont seem to understand.Gradually, he builds the courage to tell them hes a boy. The climactic conclusion shows the struggle and courage it takes for young people to express their transgender identity, especially when those closest to them dont initially seem so accepting. Pugdog by Andrea URenThe cover of Pugdog by Andrea URen | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)Mike the human loves watching his dog, Pugdog, chase squirrels and roll in mud in the park. But when his veterinarian tells Mike that Pugdog is actually a girl, he starts expecting Pugdog to look and act like a lady. The humorous conclusion shows that Mike has a lot to learn and that all animals (including humans) do best when theyre free to be themselves. The lasting impact of trans & nonbinary representationThese books are small windows into how kids see themselves and each other. When a story includes a transgender or nonbinary character, it quietly expands whats possible for every reader, no matter their age. For trans and gender-diverse kids, that reflection can be grounding and even life-changing; for others, its an early invitation to understand the world with more empathy and less assumption.For parents, educators, and allies, reading these stories together is a chance to nurture empathy and curiosity early on. Conversations about gender dont have to be intimidating; they can begin with laughter, color, and the simple act of turning a page. When kids learn that self-expression and acceptance are part of growing up, they carry those values well beyond the classroom or bedtime.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Rebel Wilson has now commented on the many controversies and legal battles surrounding her directorial debut feature, The Deb, describing them as her "worst nightmare."Best known for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, Wilson has been the target of two lawsuits defamation and breach of contract by The Meg producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden, in addition to the movie's star Charlotte MacInnes.In response, Wilson filed a countersuit in which she doubled down on the allegations of sexual assault, and how producers attached to the project allegedly stole money from the movie itself. Wilson also claimed that producers of The Meg were having "inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film." "I felt, in my position as director, I had to report that, and the moment I did, started all the retaliation against me," Wilson told 60 Minutes Australia. "All I can say is she came to me, she made what I obviously inferred as a sexual harassment complaint, and I had a duty to then act on it."Elsewhere in the interview, Wilson brought up being "presented with texts in which [she] seemed to have clarified the 'bizarre situation' with Ghost and relayed that the incident did not actually make MacInnes uncomfortable." The director attempted to "maintain professional communication" with Ghost, though she already "very uneasy" about the situation.In her financial lawsuit, Wilson accused the producers of attempting to embezzle close to a million dollars from the movie's budget, as well as of uploading a video to Instagram in July 2024 in which she said the producers are blocking the movie from premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Wilson confidently alleged that this happened because "they knew it would be good for me as a first-time female director to have that profile and they blocked it as part of their retaliation against me speaking up against them." Her blasting them on social media had the intended result of getting the film to premiere at TIFF, but it was also the reason for the defamation lawsuit."It's wild it's gotten to this point," The Deb director went on. "I think it's a ridiculous waste of the Australian legal system. [MacInnes] reported something to me, I acted on it in my position as the director of the movie," Wilson said of the lawsuits. "I had a legal, ethical, moral responsibility to do that."Watch Rebel Wilson's interview with 60 Minutes Australia below.

Over 400 trans Pride flags were removed from a memorial marking the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on Boston Common last week. Authorities are still searching for the culprits as advocates grapple with what they describe as a hate crime.The Boston-based nonprofit Queer Neighborhood Council obtained a city permit to install the flags in the downtown Boston park on November 16, ahead of TDOR on November 20, local CBS affiliate WBZ reports. The annual international day of remembrance honors trans and gender-expansive people who have died by transphobic violence. The hundreds of flags on Boston Common represented the lives lost to transphobic violence since January 2020 alone. Related Remembering 366+ trans and gender-diverse lives lost in 2025: Trans Day of Remembrance Queer Neighborhood Council executive director Jack Imbergamo told WBZ that on the morning of November 17, he received an email from someone saying theyd witnessed the flags being pulled from the Boston Common lawn. We had talked about that being a possibility, but I dont think it could have prepared me for it, Imbergamo said. I wasnt prepared to be as upset as I was. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Authorities so far have no leads on the perpetrator of the vandalism.Boston stands with our trans neighbors and firmly against all hate, discrimination or violence, a spokesperson for the city said in a statement. Our residents should feel safe and supported in every neighborhood across the City. No act of prejudice is tolerated here we will continue to work with BPD to assess the situation and identify those who are responsible.In its own statement posted on Instagram on TDOR, the Queer Neighborhood Council condemned the hateful act of vandalism. This act is not simple vandalism; it is a hate crime that directly echoes the very violence and prejudice that TDOR was established to condemn, the statement read. The removal of this public, permitted memorial is a brutal reminder that the hate which spurs anti-trans violence is alive and active in our City and our communities.Mayor Michelle Wus (D) office worked with the Queer Neighborhood Council to find a protected site for the memorial, WCVB reports, and the flags have since been installed at the Rita Hester Community Green in Allston.But Imbergamo told WBZ that the organization intends to reinstall the memorial on Boston Common next year.Were just going to move forward, he said. Were just going to keep going, put one foot in front of the other.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.