If one were to fact check all of Donald Trumps misstatements, exaggerations, lies, and redefinitions of established traditions before, during, and between his two terms as President of the United States, one would not have enough time to sleep more than two or three hours in a 24-hour period.From his hyperbolic claim, through his first term Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, on January 21, 2017, that That was the largest audience to witness an inauguration, period, even after aerial views showed far fewer people upon the Washington Mall in attendance at Trumps inaugural ceremony compared with those of Barack Obama. Related Trump doesnt care about drug trafficking. All he cares about is distracting us. Then to what has come to be referred to as Sharpiegate arising from Trumps attempt to cover up his misstatement in September 2019 that the approaching storm, Hurricane Dorian, would hit several Southern states while incorrectly including Alabama. Local weather bureaus had previously reassured Alabama residents that the hurricane would not affect their state. Rather than admit his mistake, Trump showed reporters a weather map, which he altered with a black Sharpie pen, by expanding the possible path of the hurricane to include Alabama.Most of us have read by now that theWashington Posthad recorded 30,573 untruths during his first term, which averaged approximately 21 invalid claims a day. The most egregious claim, which had deadly consequences, was the Big Lie that he had been swindled out of beating Joe Biden for the presidency in November 2020, which resulted in an insurrection by his staunch supporters upon the Capitol of the United States. 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 Trumpssecondterm is no different for this Misstater-(Lier)-in-Chief. As the lies continue piling up, as he attempts to grab more power and his wealth through grifting soars, he again has attempted to redraw the maps and redefine the definition of professional.He issuedan executive orderon the day of his second inauguration (January 20) directing U.S. federal agencies to officially change what is called the Gulf of Mexico tothe Gulf of America. This body of water was given the name Gulf of Mexico in the 1550s, derived fromMexica, theNahuatlterm of theAztecs. This name became internationally recognized. As part of Donald Trumps attempts to dismantle the Department of Education and its funding to the states in particular, for special education programs and student college loans. A key provision of Trumps so-called One Big Beautiful Law is reducing or eliminating loans to students who are not enrolled in degree programs classified as professional. This change has major implications for students as tuition costs continue to increase and family income has either remained static or has decreased.The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations states that a professional degree signifies the completion of academic requirements needed to begin practice in a profession. This requires skills beyond a bachelors degree with some involving a masters degree or a multi-year Doctoral degree and generally involve professional licensure.Under the Trump administration, several former professional college and university degree programs have been downgraded to non-professional. Even though they generally require advanced training or degrees past a bachelors degree, and they also require licensure, by entering these academic programs, students risk significantly reducing their loan caps or forfeiting entirely their ability to obtain government loans or grants. Alistof programs no longer defined as professional include, but are not limited to the following:Healthcare: Nursing, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Dental Hygiene, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, Speech PathologyArchitecture AccountingEducationSocial Work, Counseling EngineeringBusiness Masters ProgramsIt is no mere coincidence that women comprise the majority of practitioners in many of these fields and especially in healthcare, education, and social services. What we truth-tellers and realism-seekers here on Earth 1 refer to as Healthcare, Food and Shelter Assistance, Climate Control Regulations, and Education, the Republicans over on Earth 2 in Congress, in the Oval Office, and on right-wing media define as Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.The so-called One Big Beautiful Law the Republicans recently passed in both houses of Congress (and signed by President Trump) not only redefines and limits student loan programs, it also cuts essential services like the SNAP program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly called Food Stamps for people in need of food assistance. Approximatelyone in eight Americansreceives nutrition assistance through SNAP, and most of them are children.Though the president and most congressional Republicans promisedad nauseamnot to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid in the current budget surprise of all surprises the House Republicans cut $600 billion from Medicaid and from the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill makes significant reductionsto Medicaidby imposingwork requirements, mostly unreasonable and unrealistic, on many of those receiving benefits. While taking from the poorest and most needy, the bill provides amulti trillion-dollar tax breaks packagewith the majority going to the richest among us. The bill makes permanent the $4.5 trillion in enormous tax breaks for the rich, which was passed in Trumps first regime.The Big Lie so far in Trumps second term relates to his misrepresentation of how his priorities and policies are raising the economic fortunes of all U.S.-Americans.You know, I just might add, this is also the golden age of America, because we are doing better than weve ever done as a country. Prices are coming down and all of that stuff, Trump said during a speech at the McDonalds Impact Summit in Washington, DC on November 17.I wonder how many misstatements and lies theWashington Postwill accumulate during Trumps second regime.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

"What am I gonna do with you?" Ray (Alexander Skarsgrd) asks Colin (Harry Melling)."Whatever you want," replies Colin, on his knees in an alley. Ray unzips.So begins the spicy start of official trailer for Pillion, released Wednesday. It's also a fitting introduction of its two main characters. Directed by Harry Lighting and based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, the film is a queer BDSM romance, which follows the shy Colin's pursuit of Ray, a mysterious biker. Along the way, Colin discovers a new queer subculture, "authentic" kinky sex, and, as he phrases it in the trailer, "an aptitude for devotion."Pillion has been a hit with critics (100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes) and on the awards circuit. Lighton, who also wrote the screenplay, has picked up a host of honors, including the Un Certain Regard Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival. During the press tour, which incorporated red-carpet moments with bikers and pups, Skarsgrd has also emerged as a fashion icon.Watch Pillion's trailer below. And catch it in theaters in the U.S. on February 6.

The president of the United States said F**k you and gave the middle finger to a Ford F-150 automotive factory worker in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday after the employee called him a pedophile protector.Video clearly shows the exchange, and White House communications director Steven Cheung confirmed the videos authenticity, telling The Washington Post, A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response. Related Trump is pushing several new big lies that will devastate the country The factory workers comment likely referred to the White Houses refusal to release all of its investigative files on convicted and now-deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, as is required by congressional law. A judge is now considering whether the presidential administration needs additional oversight to comply with the legal requirement.The worker has been identified as TJ Sabula, a politically independent 40-year-old United Auto Workers Local 600 line worker who says he has voted for Republicans, although never for the president. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Sabula has been suspended from work, pending an investigation, but said, As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever. Sabula said he has been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing Trump in front of his friends.I dont feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you better be ready to seize the opportunity, Sabula said. And today I think I did that. A GoFundMe campaign to help Sabula while hes out from work has already rasied over $250,000.WATCH: Trump shows his middle finger and appears to say "fuck you" after Ford worker yells "pedophile protector" TMZ pic.twitter.com/aFsDmrvkr7 BNO News (@BNONews) January 13, 2026 Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Several conservative Christian teachers are asking the Supreme Court to allow them to immediately out trans kids to their parents after an appeals court told them theyd have to wait for a legal battle to play out in the courts.The case involves four teachers and four parents from the Escondido Union School District in California who claim that the districts policy banning them from outing kids to their parents forces them to violate faith. They argue that their right to exercise [their] own religious beliefs is being violated by the district policy, which was established in response to 2016 legal guidance from the California Department of Education advising districts not to out students. Related Teachers are outing trans students thanks to states new Dont Say Gay law The teachers won their case in a federal court in December, with George W. Bush-appointed Judge Roger Benitez ruling that California should trust parents to do the right thing for their child and let teachers out trans kids to their parents, even in cases where the child fears abuse, neglect, or homelessness as a result. Trans and nonbinary youth are muchmore likely to experience homelessnesscompared to cisgender youth.Benitez also said that the districts policy violates the religious exercise rights of both teachers and parents, as well as parents Fourteenth Amendment rights to care, guide, and make health care decisions for their children. He compared a child being transgender to being sexually victimized, arguing that a teacher would have to report abuse and that this is the same thing as outing trans kids. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today He issued a permanent injunction barring California from enforcing its state-level guidance advising districts to adopt anti-outing policies. In early January, a panel of judges on the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued a stay to Benitezs injunction, allowing California to enforce its trans youth protections. Now the plaintiffs, represented by the conservative Thomas More Society, are asking the Supreme Court to overturn that stay and allow the teachers to immediately out trans kids to their parents, K-12 Dive reports. This is an issue of national importance and will likely need to be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court, said Thomas More Society lawyer Paul Jonna in a statement.We believe that the district court misapplied the law and that the decision will ultimately be reversed on appeal, the California Attorney Generals Office said of Benitezs ruling. We are committed to securing school environments that allow transgender students to safely participate as their authentic selves while recognizing the important role that parents play in students lives.Outing trans youth to their parents puts them at increased risk of homelessness, according to the Williams Institute. Not only that, they might still be exploring their identities and need to exercise control over their coming-out process. Transition isnt a flick of a switch; its a complex, gradual, weaving journey of identity, Connie Walden, a trans woman, wrote to the New York Times in 2023. My own transition started in high school. At what stage between my experimenting with makeup now and then to asking specific friends to call me Connie would I have officially, suddenly, socially transitioned? When should I have been robbed of the right to come out to my own family, to decide when to include them in my own process?I recognize the pain of well-meaning parents who feel that their child kept such a large secret from them. Yet with transition being a gradual process of experimentation, there is no big secret. Theres only kids slowly figuring out who they are, like all other kids.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Jesse Kortuem, a real-life hockey player who walked away from the sport out of fear that he couldn't reconcile his athletic career and sexuality, has now shared a post coming out as gay and credited Heated Rivalry for inspiring him. While he didn't compete in the NHL, he played defenseman/center in several leagues, and that passion for hockey prevented him from coming out sooner."I know many closeted and gay men in the hockey world are being hit hard by Heated Rivalry's success," Kortuem tells Out. "Never in my life did I think something so positive and loving could come from such a masculine sport. I've struggled the last few weeks to put these emotions into words, fearing the impact on team dynamics, etc."Kortuem adds, "Today, I took the step to finally tell my hockey journey and my story. I'm beyond grateful for all the positive comments I've received from past teammates and high school teammates."Read Jesse Kortuem's full coming-out statement below, after the image. Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander on Heated Rivalry.HBO Max/Crave Canada Jesse Kortuem's coming-out statement.In hockey, there is nothing like hitting the ice after the Zamboni leaves behind a fresh, smooth sheet of ice. For many hockey players, the sound of skates carving on that fresh ice is just a normal part of warm-ups before a game or practice. But for me, it is the sound of a place where I felt I had to hide.I want to start by saying a massive thank you to The Cutting Edges Hockey Club for hosting me this past weekend at their Winter Classic in Sun Peaks, BC. Standing on the ice, wearing your jersey that represents both my sport and my community, felt like a bridge being built over a gap I had lived with for decadesI am a private person. Those who know me best know that I dont share much if anything publicly on social media, but lately, something has sparked in me (ok yes credit to #HeatedRivalry). I realized it is finally time to share a journey I have kept close to the vest for a long time.To any hockey player, the sounds of the rink and the feel of cold air are unmistakable. The slapshots, the pucks hitting the boards, the skates carving fresh ice, and the high-pitched clang of a puck hitting the post bring immense comfort. For a long time, however, the rink did not feel like a place where I could be all of me. I felt I had to hide parts of myself for far too long.Growing up as the youngest of four boys in the #StateOfHockey (Minnesota), sports and competition were not just what we did. They were who we were. As a young teenager, I carried a weight that did not seem to fit into that world, and I lived in a constant state of dichotomy."I loved the game, but I lived with a persistent fear. I wondered how I could be gay and still play such a tough and masculine sport."To my younger self, that identity could never be revealed. I did not think those two worlds could occupy the same person, let alone the same locker room. Coming out in the 2000s did not feel like an option, especially with so little positive representation in the media at the time and it would have been a social disaster at such a large high school. At 17, I walked away from the high school team and the brotherhood of hockey friendships I had developed from a young age for a myriad of reasons.Years later, while living in New York and Atlanta, I found myself back on the ice playing at a high level. While I was out to many people around me in my life at that point, I still could not bring myself to be fully out on my adult hockey teams. On the outside, I was still a top-tier player. On the inside, I was still that kid in Minnesota hiding. Like many closeted athletes, revealing who I truly was to my team would change everything in an instant, their opinion of me, could bring negative attention to the team with the gay player, so I never took the chance. I spent every week in a locker room with guys I respected, yet I still did not feel safe enough to tell them who I truly was. Even when the conversation turned to wives, families, or dating, I would quickly change the subject. If it came down to it, I would just tell them I was single, even when I was seeing someone."I spent every week in a locker room with guys I respected, yet I still did not feel safe enough to tell them who I truly was."The road from that teenager in Minnesota to the man I am today has not been so clear of a path. It involved a lot of searching, a lot of struggle, things I look back on that Im not happy about, and the difficult work of reconciling my past with my truth.The struggle to reconcile these two halves of my life reached a breaking point in 2017. I was ready to just remain a closeted player in straight leagues for good, or even worse, hang up the skates forever. I decided to give a gay hockey tournament one last shot by signing up last minute for the #SinCityClassic, a gay sports event held annually in Las Vegas with the hockey tournament sponsored by the #LABlades. I had been to a few gay tournaments before, but never really meshed with people.This tournament would prove to be a paradigm shift. I met a group of guys from across the US and Canada (Las Vegas Boyz) who were hockey players like me and were also gay. From that moment forward, my life has never been the same. It has been a long, vulnerable road to move past the closeted athlete persona (something Im still working on today) and find actual peace through the friendships I have developed through hockey in Vancouver (Cutting Edges), Toronto (Misfits), and across the U.S."From that moment forward, my life has never been the same."This past weekend at Sun Peaks was so much more than just a few hockey games. Standing on that ice, I realized I have finally found my peace. Thank you again to The Cutting Edges Hockey Club for the incredible weekend and for the reminder that there is room for all of us on the ice.This is my story. It is not everyones story, but for what it is worth, I thought I would share because I want to speak to the athletes out there who are still in the closet or struggling to find their way. I want you to know that there is hope and youre not alone. There is a life and a deep happiness waiting for you on your path. You will get through this, and it is going to be okay.

A TikToker who goes by Coach Jackie J online is getting attention for pointing out the hypocrisy of people protesting against trans rights at the Supreme Court yesterday.Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases concerning bans on trans people playing sports. Protestors marched in front of the Court, representing both sides of the case, and many people protested in favor of the bans, with signs admonishing onlookers to Protect womens sports. Related 7 LGBTQ+ athletes who came out & changed the game One major criticism that pro-LGBTQ+ advocates have had since these bans started sweeping the nation 5 years ago was that most of the proponents of such bans dont actually care about womens sports except when they can use them as a cudgel to promote anti-trans policies. So Coach Jackie J came up with a really tough challenge for the protestors who claimed to be defending womens sports: Name five current pro women athletes.Most of the protestors struggled to name even one. One person mentioned the Williams sisters who play tennis, even though Serena Williams retired years ago, and its not clear that the person knew Serenas and Venus first names. Another protestor brought up Riley Gaines, the University of Kentucky swimmer who tied for fifth place with a trans woman and who has built a career as a pundit on that experience, but not a career as an athlete. @jcubedhax They know nothing about womens sports except for the fact that it needs to be saved #womenssports #transrights #lgbt @Allie OBrien original sound Coach Jackie J

Writer and comedian Joel Kim Booster and partner John-Michael Sudsina have revealed details of their recent wedding, which Kim Booster called the best day of his life. Ive never felt so certain and so loved, Kim Booster wrote on Instagram, alongside a bevy of photos from the special day. More pictures will be coming, he promised, in fact, I might never stop. Im just really happy. Related Trumps gay niece reveals she got married: Im happy in a way I never wouldve dared imagine The pair met at a club while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta. We were pretty much scream-whispering stories into each others ears at the very loud nightclub, just telling every anecdote from our lives, Kim Booster told the New York Times. Which now, in hindsight, is very us. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joel Kim Booster (@ihatejoelkim)They soon became vacation boyfriends, with no intention of staying together once the magical weekend ended. But they couldnt help keeping in touch. Kim Booster also had a podcast where he couldnt stop gushing about Sudsina. Little did he know, Sudsinas friends were keeping him informed of everything Kim Booster shared. He knows I dont really use social media that much, so I think he felt a little overconfident that I wouldnt see, Sudsina said. I was an idiot, Kim Booster joked. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Carrillo Art & Soul (@artandsoulevents)The 167-guest wedding took place on December 30 at San Franciscos Exploratorium, an interactive science museum that fit well with the couples sense of play, as Kim Booster described it. Gay former Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang was a member of the wedding party. The couple also opened up to the Times about navigating Kim Boosters growing fame together, as well as his type 2 bipolar disorder, which he was diagnosed with a short while before the meeting with Sudsina.There was a lot of trial and error, Kim Booster said, both with me trying to figure out how to best take care of myself and for him to figure out how to best be there for me.In a collaborative Instagram post, the vendors posted photos of the big day and gushed over the couples love. Joel and John Michael are the kind of couple who stay until the last song plays, the kind who dissect art together, who host game nights, and who move through life with an insatiable curiosity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Editorial and Documentary Wedding Photographer (@mandeephoto)I feel when Im with Joel, Im in a rom-com, Sudsina told the Times. Its always an adventure. And I love that we both have already worked through so much and continue to meet new versions of each other and continue to grow together. I think hes going to be an amazing father, an amazing partner, an amazing friend.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Hello Out readers!Even though the final episode of Heated Rivalry's first season aired almost three weeks ago, we can't stop thinking about this show!The show is already having an impact on the real world, as it inspired former pro hockey player Jesse Kortuem to come out! Kortuem isn't an NHL player (no NHL players have ever come out), but his story is still important."I know many closeted and gay men in the hockey world are being hit hard by Heated Rivalry's success," Kortuem tells Out. "Never in my life did I think something so positive and loving could come from such a masculine sport. I've struggled the last few weeks to put these emotions into words, fearing the impact on team dynamics, etc."Queer TV fans are also begging for more queer sports content (like the upcoming Winter Olympics), and are now excited for another upcoming Crave TV show, Slo Pitch. Slo Pitch is about a queer women's softball team and stars Jess Salgueiro and Emily Hampshire. We can't wait to watch!Of course, if you're getting tired of TV, may we suggest the upcoming kinky romance Pillion? The new trailer for the BDSM biker film starring Alexander Skarsgrd and Harry Melling just came out. Make sure you check it out!Keep reading to find out our Woman Crush Wednesday and all the best pop culture news!- Mey RudeHeated Rivalry inspires real-life hockey player to come out as gay'Pillion' trailer: Watch Alexander Skarsgrd unzip in an alleyThe soft ache beneath this Spanish town's sun-drenched hedonismFranois Arnaud: Heated Rivalry's success due to 'the butts'and male vulnerability'Anaconda' star Paul Rudd praised for his 'huge penis'LGBTQ+ groups tell ICE to 'leave Minnesota' after killing Renee Nicole GoodRobbie G.K. strips down & gets soaked in sexy viral clipBrittany Snow warns 'The Hunting Wives' season 2 will make fans 'very angry, but in a sexy way'The Boyfriend season 2 faces a new reality for LGBTQ+ rights in JapanWoman Crush WednesdayStar Trek: Starfleet Academy star and hilarious comedian and podcaster Tig Notaro is our Woman Crush Wednesday! Check out our new interview with her!Get Out / The Advocate in your physical mailbox, too!Get print issues of Out Magazine / The Advocate in the mail for just $9.95 a year!

Comedian and actor Joel Kim Booster tied the knot with his partner, John Michael Sudsina, in front of the family and many famous friends on December 30 in San Francisco. Their love story and special day were captured by The New York Times, which chronicled their relationship from their first meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to their early dating days, to walking down the aisle surrounded by their loved ones. See on Instagram The couple started dating in 2021 and were introduced by mutual friends at a club in the gay Mexican hotspot. In the club, the two were immediately attached at the hip and spent the entirety of their vacation together as "vacation boyfriends." Once they returned to reality in their respective cities Booster in Los Angeles and Sudsina in San Francisco they remained tightly connected to one another. They'd watch television on FaceTime together and talk constantly. After two weeks of knowing each other, Booster, who covered Out in 2024, talked about Sudsina on his podcast, and his now-husband remembers him saying, So Im in love with this guy. I met him two weeks ago. Im going up to visit him at SF Pride. Ostensibly, Im going there to see my friends. But thats a lie, which he thought was endearing.The two were already in love with one another. But as the Times writes, when Booster showed Sudsina a director's cut of Fire Island before it was released, his husband was brought to tears by the end of the movie, which Booster rewrote after being inspired by their conversations in Puerto Vallarta, including one indelible experience where they left their friends and sat in a cabana all day and talked.In 2024, during a trip to Jeju Island in South Korea, where Booster was born and adopted from, he proposed to Sudsina, and the two got married just two years later. The ceremony took place at the Exploratorium in San Francisco and was officiated by Booster's childhood best friend, an ordained Methodist minister, Rev. Sarah Casey. During the ceremony, their friends, who included Mitra Jouhari, Ahmed Zaeem, Phil Tassin, Matt Rogers, and Bowen Yang, gave emotional speeches. The story ended with Booster's now-husband telling the Times that he's excited about married life. "I feel when Im with Joel, Im in a rom-com," Sudsina said. "Its always an adventure. And I love that we've already worked through so much, keep meeting new versions of each other, and continue to grow together. I think hes going to be an amazing father, an amazing partner, an amazing friend.Booster's Instagram post was flooded with excited comments from friends and fans alike, including Margaret Cho, Miss Benny, and Dexter Mayfield, congratulating him and his husband on their special day.

CNNs chief data analyst, Harry Enten, recently detailed polls that show the number of Americans who self-identify as liberal has reached a 50-year high.When I was a kid, liberal was a four-letter word, Enten said. Nobody wanted to identify as liberal. But now, he said, More folks are identifying as liberal than at any point since the Gerald Ford administration. Related AOC says rising healthcare costs are funding ICE: You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs He said in 1996, conservatives had a 22-point lead over liberals when it comes to self-IDing. Now, that lead is only 7 points. Enten gave one big reason for this: Democrats, Democrats, Democrats.He explained that these days, Democrats are much more willing to identify themselves as liberal. In 1976, only 30% called themselves liberal. Now, 59% do. It mightve used to be that the Democratic party was almost more moderate, conservative This Democratic Party is a liberal party, Enten declared. Enten also shared current projections for the midterms, which are leaning heavily toward Democrats. Prediction markets give Democrats a 77% chance of taking back the House, he said, which is up from 74% just a month ago. Liberal used to be a four-letter word in this country, but no longer.The % of Americans identifying as liberal is at a 50-year high. Most Dems now say they're liberal (59%), a 50-year high too.Also, the Dem lead on party id is even bigger than at this pt in the 2018 cycle! pic.twitter.com/wriMxybqVG (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 13, 2026

The queer moms featured in this story have spent years (decades in some cases) expanding representation and pushing for greater equity in how LGBTQ+ people create and raise families. They are not politicians, celebrities, or the heads of national organizations. Several are better known through their work than by their names. But within queer parenting and family-building circles, they have become deeply trusted and widely relied upon.Through hands-on care, education, consultation, publishing, and storytelling, theyve helped LGBTQ+ families feel seen, supported, and less alone and made queer parenthood more visible and more normalized along the way. Related Intention, creativity, & hope: LGBTQ+ family-building trends to watch in 2026 Long before podcasts, searchable databases, or social media made it easier to find one another, queer parents were building families in a culture that barely acknowledged they existed, let alone supported them. Information was fragmented. Representation was scarce. Legal protections were inconsistent or nonexistent. For many LGBTQ+ people, the path to parenthood felt isolating, opaque, and, at times, out of reach.In response, each of our unsung heroes did what so many advocates before them have done: They noticed what was missing and built it themselves. They launched magazines when there were none; created podcasts when queer family stories werent being told; reimagined birth and parenting education; and documented our communitys achievements. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Dana Rudolph (left) and family | ProvidedThis work has never been static. As laws changed, culture shifted, and visibility grew, these folks adapted. Some moved from print to digital. Others expanded their reach, rebranded to reflect a broader community, or shifted their focus to meet new needs. At the same time, backlash, disinformation, and renewed attacks on LGBTQ+ families have made their work just as urgent today as it was decades ago.What follows are the stories of six lesbian and queer moms whose independent work has sustained LGBTQ+ families offering guidance, visibility, and connection not only in how families are formed, but in how they are raised and supported over time. Filling the gapsFor Angeline Acain, the absence was glaring. When she launched Gay Parent Magazine in the late 1990s, LGBTQ+ parents were nearly invisible in mainstream media. Stories of queer families especially families of color were rarely told, and when they were, they were often framed as anomalies. Through nearly three decades of publishing, Gay Parent Magazine has documented LGBTQ+ families across adoption, foster care, surrogacy, and assisted reproduction, capturing not only personal stories but legal and cultural shifts as they unfolded.Dana Rudolph noticed a different gap. Parenting websites rarely addressed LGBTQ+ families, while LGBTQ+ sites often overlooked parenting altogether. In 2005, she launched Mombian as a news- and resource-focused platform for queer parents who wanted practical information, political context, and cultural commentary not a diary, but a guide. Over time, Mombian became a trusted hub that also provided a searchable database of LGBTQ-inclusive childrens and parenting books.Jaimie Keltons gap was emotional. While navigating infertility and early parenthood, she searched for stories that reflected the specific realities of lesbian family-building. She found almost none. In response, she co-launched a podcast that eventually became The Queer Family Podcast, creating space for honest, nuanced conversations about how queer families form and live.Sam Leeson (left) and wife | Provided Sam Leesons work emerged from birth itself. After feeling unheard during her own early birthing experiences, she dedicated herself to helping others feel informed, empowered, and supported through pregnancy and early parenthood. Through babyREADY the family wellness practice she built over more than two decades she supported countless families as a birth worker, educator, and parenting guide. Over time, she became increasingly focused on how queer families were navigating systems that were not built with them in mind and began reshaping education and support to be more inclusive, affirming, and responsive to real-world family structures.For Marea Goodman, the gap showed up repeatedly in clinical and community settings. As a midwife and insemination provider, Marea saw how isolating pregnancy and loss could be for queer, nonbinary, and trans parents. PregnantTogether grew from that recognition a space where people could find both medical insight and emotional grounding in a virtual community setting.And for Mia Cooley Adams, the absence was structural. As a Black queer mom, she saw how often Black queer families were excluded from fertility spaces, parenting programs, and conversations about what family looks like. She founded xHood in 2019 to ensure Black queer parents would no longer have to navigate family-building in isolation. She built not just community, but access, advocacy, and mutual aid.Mia Cooley Adams (left) and family | Provided How the Work EvolvedAfter nearly three decades of attending births, Leeson began to shift how she showed up for families. Staying on call for long stretches had become physically demanding, and she wanted a way to support more people without the toll that birth work can take over time. Her focus moved toward education, coaching, and advocacy roles that allow her to reach queer families earlier in their journeys while continuing to push for inclusive practices.Necessity as much as vision shaped the evolution of Goodmans work. Years of on-call midwifery and in-person insemination work collided with the realities of parenting and later, single parenting making that model increasingly unsustainable. Rather than stepping away from care work, Goodman changed how they offered it. PregnantTogether grew into a globally accessible virtual community, expanding from pregnancy support to include preconception, loss, and early parenting.As LGBTQ+-inclusive childrens publishing surged, Rudolph adapted her work to meet a new challenge: helping parents navigate abundance. Mombians LGBTQ+ family book database emerged as both a practical tool and a historical record, contextualizing representation while reminding readers how recently and unevenly it arrived.Marea Goodman and family | Provided Cooley Adamss evolution has been about infrastructure. What began as a Facebook group became a national ecosystem offering fertility grants, mutual aid, conferences, and advocacy. As political and economic pressures intensified, her role shifted from community moderation to systems-building ensuring Black queer families had not only emotional support, but material access and protection.Listening closely to her audience reshaped Keltons role as well. What began as a short-term passion project became a long-running podcast with hundreds of episodes and an expanding sense of responsibility. Over time, the show evolved to reflect a broader commitment to serving the full LGBTQ+ community, while continuing to center the lived experiences of queer families.And in 2020, when worldwide quarantines made print distribution impossible, Acain moved Gay Parent Magazine fully digital. The format changed; the mission did not. The magazine continues to document LGBTQ+ families in real time, preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. The cost of care work Visibility has not eliminated vulnerability.Cooley Adams spoke with GWK Academy about how anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Black legislation, DEI rollbacks, and workplace instability affect families access to insurance, fertility coverage, and parental leave. For Black queer parents, family-building is inseparable from economic security and when systems fail, communities like xHood are often left filling the gaps.Leeson described the emotional weight of long-term care work: holding space for fertility struggles, loss, and fear while continuing to show up with steadiness. The work is rewarding, but cumulative.Angeline Acain (right) and family | Provided For Acain, precarity became concrete when Gay Parent Magazine lost its Facebook page of more than 30,000 followers to a targeted attack, erasing years of audience-building overnight. Sustainability remains fragile for independent platforms.Kelton echoed that reality, describing years of self-funding her podcast while balancing parenting, a full-time job, and the growing responsibility that comes with telling other peoples stories.Across these experiences, one truth is clear: Visibility alone does not build families. It does not pay for donor cycles, therapy, legal fees, childcare, or the labor required to keep communities alive. Community is everything All agree that what sustains this work is community not follower counts or visibility, but real relationships built over time.For Goodman, sustainability means resisting urgency and building trust slowly. For Leeson, it means honoring physical and emotional limits while continuing to advocate for access. For Cooley Adams, it means building funding and leadership structures that allow the work to continue without exhausting the people doing it.Storytelling remains central to Keltons work, which continues to focus on creating space for queer families to see their lives reflected with honesty and nuance. And for Rudolph, sustainability means maintaining a long-running resource like Mombian, where LGBTQ+ parents can turn for context, clarity, and representation as the landscape continues to change.Jaimie Kelton (right) and family | Provided None of these folks set out to be heroes. They started because something was missing, and because they knew what it felt like to need support that didnt yet exist. Their message to the next generation of advocates is simple: Start. Start small. Start imperfectly.LGBTQ+ family-building has always moved forward because people trusted their lived experience and built something real in response. And because of that work ongoing, imperfect, and deeply human countless hopeful families and parents-to-be have found not just information, but belonging.VisitGWK Academytoday, and take your first step toward becoming a parent. Were with you the whole way. And dont forget to come back toLGBTQ Nationfor monthly family-building insights and support from your friends at GWK Academy.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A majority of registered U.S. voters do not believe that ICE agent Jonathan Ross was justified when he shot queer mother Renee Good to death in Minneapolis last week.A Quinnipiac Poll found that 82% of registered voters had seen a video of Good being shot. 53% of respondents said that the shooting was not justified, while 35% said it was, and 12% had no opinion. Related People all over the world send $1.5 million to help Renee Goods family after ICE shot her The divide was largely partisan. Democrats (92%) were more likely to say it wasnt justified, compared to Republicans (10%). Most independents (59%) also thought it wasnt justified.Men were more likely to say that the shooting was justified than women, but even a plurality of men (44%) said it was not justified, and a smaller percentage (42%) said it was justified. 61% of women said it was not justified, compared to 30% of women who said that it was justified. The poll did not report results on other genders. 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 Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem all face poor approval ratings. 57% of registered voters do not approve of ICEs enforcement of immigration laws, with 94% of Democrats disapproving and 84% of Republicans approving (64% of independents disapproved). 52% of respondents disapproved of Noem, and only 36% approved of how she is doing her job. Again, the divide was partisan, with independents more closely following Democrats; 85% of Democrats and 57% of independents disapproved, while 77% of Republicans approved. The poll was conducted from January 8 to 12 and involved 1133 registered voters nationwide.Video of Goods death spread online last week and over the weekend, with the administration releasing cell phone footage of the shooting that showed Ross firing three bullets at Good as she drove past him. He could then be heard calling her a f**king b**ch before fleeing the scene.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

One Million Moms, the conservative Christian organization whose apparent goal is to sanitize and de-gay all of American pop culture, is asking supporters to boycott Bad Bunnys performance during the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show.On its website, the group warns that Bunny consistently one of the most-streamed artists in the world since 2020 is a Puerto Rican rapper, who has a large fan base among Latino communities and is also known as an LGBTQ activist and for cross dressing in his music videos, media interviews/appearances, and concert performances. Related Demonic: MAGA has racist, homophobic meltdown over Bad Bunnys Super Bowl performance OMM also takes issue with the three-time Grammy winners vocal opposition to the presidential administrations campaign of terror carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and with his decision not to play any dates in the U.S. on his current Deb Tirar Ms Fotos World Tour.The group is urging supporters to skip the NFLs Super Bowl Halftime Show and tune in instead to Turning Point USAs All-American Halftime Show. The organization founded by the late anti-LGBTQ+ Christian Nationalist activist Charlie Kirk will broadcast an alternative to the liberal propaganda that the NFL is pushing on viewers, according to OMM, which describes the show as a celebration of faith, family, and freedom. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today As USA Today notes, TPUSA announced its halftime show back in October in response to racist and anti-LGBTQ+ backlash to the NFLs selection of Bad Bunny to perform at the Super Bowl from conservatives. TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet said at the time that the show would be in an arena and would be a real production.Four months later, however, TPUSA has yet to announce a single performer for the February 8 show. It also remains unclear where the show will take place and where it will be broadcast. (A viral social media post claiming that rapper Jelly Roll would headline the show was debunked back in October though Googles AI Overview continues to cite it as fact.) A website for the All-American Halftime Show just features a form where supporters can enter their personal information to receive updates on the show. Nevertheless, on its website, OMM highly recommends viewing this conservative and patriotic option for the entire family and letting the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell know about it via an online petition.This is not the first time OMM has spoken out about a Super Bowl Halftime Show, or even one featuring Bad Bunny. The rapper appeared alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in 2020, and as OMM reminds supporters, the group spoke out in February 2020 regarding the inappropriate halftime show starring scantily clad Jennifer Lopez.1MM cannot remember the last time we were looking forward to a Super Bowl Halftime Show and now Turning Point USA is giving us that option, the group said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Plus, listen to Brandi Carlile cover Celine, look at how cute Hannah Einbinder and Poppy Liu were at the Globes, and more.The post No Filter: We Love Geeking Out Over Cynthia Erivos Singing appeared first on Autostraddle.

Next summer is shaping up to be hot and steamy!Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie made his Today Show debut this morning and teased when they might start filming the second season of the hit gay show. The six-episode first season was such a phenomenon that it was picked up for a second season after only four episodes had aired, but so far, the details about when we can expect the new episodes to drop have been sparse.But Storrie teased that the show, which follows the tense, yearning-filled love story between closeted hockey players Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams), will likely start filming sometime during summer 2026."I think Jacob's still writing it, Storrie said of how director Jacob Tierney is doing with the season 2 script. "I think we're going to be filming, I don't know when, exactly.When Today anchor Craig Melvin asked if by soon he meant this coming summer, Storrie responded, Yeah, I think about then.With shows like Euphoria and Stranger Things often taking three years between seasons, fans have been concerned that it could be a long time before we see Shane and Ilya back on our screens again, but Tierney already confirmed fans have nothing to worry about. Its not gonna be two years, he told Entertainment Weekly. Its not even gonna be 18 months, I dont think. So were gonna go as fast as we can, while ensuring that were doing as good a job as we possibly can.Storrie previously teased that season 2 will follow the plot of The Long Game, but its unclear whether the entirety of the book will be covered in season 2 or if it will be broken up into two seasons, considering Storrie and Williams have both signed on to do three seasons.Start reading The Long Game if you want to spoil it for yourself, Storrie said in a promo for the next season.

As part ofLGBTQ NationsJanuary issue, we asked readers to tell us how one year of the second Trump administration has affected their lives and what they hope LGBTQ+ leaders and allies do differently in 2026.We received dozens of submissions and will be sharing them throughout the month (you can also still submit). Related Fear & instability: A trans man craves a sense of home while battling Trump for the right to exist Peter Klicker, a 63-year-old transgender veteran, expressed anger that he cannot take advantage of the international opportunities afforded by his graduate program due to the Trump administrations anti-trans passport policy. This year, he hopes to see more strength from LGBTQ+ leaders and allies. Heres what he had to say. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today How has living under the second Trump administration affected you personally over the last year?I got extremely depressedbeginning with the first few anti-trans executive orders. Im a disabled veteran with PTSD and felt like I was under attack, despite having done everything right. I got fired from my last job on Feb 25th filed for 100% VA disability. It was approved. Then I did some intense therapy at the VA, including a crisis management plan. It helped me realize the strength I do have, so despite being old (physically 64 next month, mentally going on 30), I applied to the Master of Human Rights program at the University of Minnesotas Humphrey School of Public Affairs. I just completed my first semester back. However, Im angry that a disabled veteran of the United States Marine Corps, honorably discharged in 1988 with a flawless record as a Sergeant of Marines, cannot get a passport with the correct gender marker. I believe I would be endangered if I tried to travel with any documents that say female. I have NEVER been misgendered. I am a carbon copy of my next older brother so that means I cant travel to China this spring with classmates, I cant do an internship at the UN in Geneva, I cant travel anywhere outside of the US, Canada, and Mexico. Why am I being punished? What do you hope to see from LGBTQ+ leaders and allies in 2026?I would love to see more people with the intestinal fortitude of Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-DE). I had the pleasure of interviewing her for a school assignment and learned so much from her and shes 29 years my junior. We need our LGBTQ+ representatives to stand up to the bullsh*t. Perhaps youve seen the video in which McBride is deliberatelymisgendered by a Republican man. She responded without anger, Yes, Madam Chair? No snark just doing what she can to make an impact. Thats what Id expect from LGBTQ+ leaders and our allies.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Niecy Nash-Betts has a way of making every conversation feel both joyful and grounded, and our latest Out and About chat is no exception. Fresh off being named the OUT100 Icon of the Year for 2025, Nash-Betts is having a moment that feels richly earned. Her career has spanned genres, decades, and expectations, from music video appearances with Beyonc and Jay-Z to unforgettable work across Ryan Murphys universe, including her commanding performances in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Grotesquerie. And while she has delivered so many standout roles, Claws remains one I always recommend revisiting if you are looking for a binge-worthy Niecy show this winter, start there. Of course, we also talk about travel. We bond over a shared love of Solvang, the charming California city that feels like stepping into a Danish storybook, she shares her travel essentials and favorite in-flight comfort film, and we dig into how she approaches LGBTQ+ culture while exploring the world.Following the announcement that Alls Fair Hulus buzzy legal drama centered on an all-woman law firm has been renewed for a second season, we caught up with Niecy just before the holidays for a conversation that offers a more personal window into the woman behind the headlines. Think travel inspiration, a little escapism, and simply another reason to add more Niecy Nash-Betts into your life. Niecy Nash-BettsDisney/Ser BaffoFavorite hotel?Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico.Favorite restaurant?Sol Y Luna in Tarzana, California. Must have travel essential item(s)?Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a good wig. Beach or mountain escape?Beach. Tucked into the jungle in Punta Mita, Naviva is Niecy Nash-Betts favorite place to stay.Naviva, A Four Seasons ResortGo-to movie to watch on a flight?The Joy Luck Club.If you found yourself stranded on an island, which three items would you hope to have with you? A phone, a flashlight, and a knife.What's been your most memorable/humorous travel experience so far, and why?When I took a family trip to Mexico with my kids for my birthday, we all got on a boat and a ton of different sea life swam up to greet us! A scene from Alls Fair, the Hulu series starring Niecy Nash-Betts that has kept the internet buzzing.Disney/Ser BaffoWhat's one travel destination that exceeded your expectations and why?Greece exceeded my travel expectations! Island hopping there is so unique because each island is a completely different experience.Are there any unique or lesser-known travel spots you would recommend to our readers?Solvang! Its a little city in California. Its like stepping into a Danish village!How do you navigate and embrace local LGBTQ+ culture when visiting different countries?I normally research on social media before traveling so that I can embrace the LGBTQ+ culture when I arrive at my destination. A glimpse of Solvang, the city Niecy Nash-Betts describes as like stepping into a Danish village."SolvangUSA.comCan you share a travel tip or hack that has made your journeys more enjoyable or convenient?For international flights, book a private suite service that allows you to bypass long lines at customs.Are there any specific LGBTQ+-friendly destinations or events that you've particularly enjoyed?I enjoyed going to New York and being a part of the NYC Pride parade!Have you ever had a transformative or eye-opening experience while immersing yourself in a different culture?Yes, I actually was able to participate in a Gratitude Temazcal Ceremony, in Punta Minta. It was a private ceremony with intense meditation. It was amazing!Are there any travel destinations on your bucket list that you haven't had a chance to visit yet, and if so, where are they?Yes! I would love to go to Thailand, Japan, and Zanzibar. Do you have any favorite LGBTQ+-owned or LGBTQ+-friendly businesses, hotels, or restaurants that you would like to recommend to travelers?I love The Abbey in West Hollywood! A West Hollywood icon, The Abbey has long been a cornerstone of the citys LGBTQ+ nightlife.The Abbey Food and BarHow do you balance your personal life and privacy while traveling in the public eye?I try to be lowkey, big hat and sunglasses.Can you share a story of a time when travel broadened your perspective or challenged your preconceptions?I was surprised when I traveled to Fiji- I loved that there were a lot of people who challenged traditional gender norms. I had an amazing time.All episodes of Alls Fair are streaming now on Hulu.

Twelve states are suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for forcing them to discriminate against transgender people.On Tuesday, the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington joined Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield (D) in a lawsuit challenging HHSs conditioning [of] hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding on states agreement to discriminate against transgender people, according to a press release from the Oregon Department of Justice. Related 19 blue states sue to stop RFKs proposed gender-affirming care hospital ban Under a new HHS policy, recipients of federal health, education, and research funding must certify compliance with a presidential executive order that seeks to deny the existence of transgender people and impose rigid, unscientific definitions of sex, the press release states.On January 20, 2025, his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14168, titled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In addition to declaring that the U.S. would only recognize two sexes (male and female) based on the size of an individuals reproductive cells, the order also instructs federal agencies to assess grant conditions and grantee preferences and ensure grant funds do not promote [so-called] gender ideology among many other anti-trans directives. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In October, HHS released an update to its Grants Policy Statement. The updated policy statement included requirements that grant recipients comply with the administrations interpretation of Title IX as excluding discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and that they certify that they comply with EO 14168.In their lawsuit, the 12 state attorneys general describe Trumps Gender Ideology EO [executive order] as a critical component of the Administrations ongoing campaign targeting transgender youth and adultsfor discrimination. The complaint asserts that HHSs efforts to implement the orders directives violate the U.S. Constitution by overriding Congress power of the purse, that the new policy breaks federal law by attaching vague and retroactive conditions to funding, and violates the Administrative Procedure Act by imposing a major policy change without notice or explanation, according to the Oregon DOJ. The policy also contradicts decades of court opinions and settled federal guidance recognizing that Title IX protects people from discrimination based on gender identity, and conflicts with state laws intended to protect the rights and dignity of transgender residents in Plaintiff States, in violation of Plaintiffs sovereign authority.Additionally, the complaint notes that HHS continues to condition federal grant funding despite orders from three courts enjoining and vacating it as unlawful. Collectively, the 12 states risk losing more than $300 billion in federal grant funding for health, education, and research, according to the lawsuit.Oregon has worked hard to expand access to medical choice and make sure everyone can get the care they need, Oregon Attorney General Rayfield said in a statement. This policy uses federal money to interfere with deeply personal medical decisions that belong to patients, families, and their doctors. Agencies shouldnt be forced to take care away from people just to keep their funding.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Out Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)has compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Nazis after agents attacked a teacher who serves students with special needs. Craig is part of a small group of Congress members who plan to introduce an impeachment resolution against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem after an ICE agent shot and killed queer woman Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota while she was driving away from him last week.ICE agents on Monday morning reportedly rammed the vehicle of Christina Rank, a teacher for special needs students at Concord Education Center Middle School, then broke her window to pull her out of the vehicle, and took her into custody (leaving her car unattended), according to Bring Me The News. Ranks mother said she wasnt allowed to speak with her daughter, nor was she told why she was apprehended ICE released Rank 12 hours after her arrest. Related Angie Craig almost lost her son because shes gay. Decades later that fight still fuels her. Craig alluded to Ranks case when recently speaking to MS NOW anchorwoman Ana Cabrera. Cabrera told Craig that Americans have seen an increase in clashes involving federal agents deployed to Minnesota since Renee Goods death: protesters pinned to the ground, aggressive arrest scenes, tear gas being deployed agents smashing car windows before dragging people from their vehicles to arrest them.While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that ICE agents use aggressive tactics against people who stalk and obstruct their law enforcement activities, Craig said, I dont think any city in America, or any state in America has ever seen this type of lawless behavior by federal law enforcement. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In addition to referencing Ranks case by the details mentioned above, Craig said Minnesotans had told her of schools where immigrant communities are refusing to attend, whether theyre citizens or not, because they are afraid of masked ICE agents coming into our schools and taking them away from their families. Craig also mentioned that she and her congressional colleagues, Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Kelly Morrison (D-MN) were denied entry into the Fort Snellingimmigrationdetentionfacility last Saturday. The denial may have violated a court order and a federal law that prohibits ICE from limiting Congress members access to such facilities. ICE agents pepper-sprayed protestors demonstrating outside of the facility, Craig added. Every American should be outraged. Every Minnesotan should be outraged, and at the same time, we should continue to peacefully protest whats happening, Craig told Cabrera. Ive never seen such an out-of-control agency.Craig then mentioned her intention to file articles of impeachment against. Shes lawless, and shes violating the law we cant have this in America, Craig said.Craig: "In my district, 2 days ago a special ed teacher pulled into her school parking lot, her windows were smashed, she was taken & detained for 12 hours. I've never seen such an out of control agency. That's why as soon as I leave, I'm joining a group to file articles of impeachment against Noem" Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-01-14T15:46:49.503ZCabrera also asked Craig about the recent resignations of six senior prosecutors in the Minnesota U.S. Attorneys Office after the current presidential administration demanded that they investigate any possible criminal activist ties to Goods surviving widow, Becca Good, as well as about the resignations of four senior officials in the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division, after the administration announced that it would not be investigating Goods death.Craig referred to the resigned officials as patriots, adding, They refuse to be part of an activity where the federal government is not going to allow our state and local law enforcement officials to participate in an investigation Im frankly proud of those U.S. attorneys who said, I cant be a part of this. No one should be a part of this.Craigs comments referred to federal officials blocking state investigators from accessing evidence related to Renee Goods killing. The federal government has claimed thatMinnesota has no jurisdictionto investigate the killing, even though the ICE agent who killed her, Jonathan Ross, could still face state charges if prosecutors determine that Ross acted illegally. Craig: "These US attorneys are witnessing what all Minnesotans are witnesses right now, which is Trump and Kristi Noem's ICE terrorizing the people of Minnesota, citizens and non-citizens. It's some of the most egregious behavior by any administration that I've ever witnessed in my entire lifetime." Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-01-14T15:40:17.852ZWhen asked what else Congress can do to rein in ICEs behavior, Craig said, Theres no way in hell Im voting to give one cent to Trump and Kristi Noems ICE. I wont send one penny to these people who are terrorizing the people of Minnesota. We also should pass a bill that will prevent them from going on to schools, into church, and daycares the places they are choosing to terrorize Minnesotans and Americans is truly just so disturbing and disgusting.She added that ICE agents should be required to wear body cameras (a requirement of law enforcement officers in Minnesota), and that ICE agents should be trying to de-escalate tense situations. She stopped short of saying, however, that Congress should shut down the government over ICE and DHS funding to make a statement.Referencing the Nazis, Craig told Cabrera, What is happening in America, the path that we are traveling, certainly reminds me of many of the images that we saw in the 1930s in Germany, and we should stand up to this lawless administration, and right now, nothing should be off the table. Rep. Angie Craig: "There's no way in hell I'm voting to give one cent to Trump and Kristi Noem's ICE. I won't send one penny to these people who are terrorizing the people of Minnesota. We also should pass a bill that will prevent them from going onto schools, into church, into daycares " Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-01-14T15:48:55.258ZCraig, who is running for one of Minnesotas U.S. Senate seats, has recently been criticized by her political opponent, state Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D), for voting in support of the Laken Riley Act, a law expanding the ability of federal officers to arrest immigrants accused of crimes, and for supporting a Republican resolution condemning antisemitism and praising ICE and law enforcement officials. A majority of House Democrats voted against the resolution.I would advise the lieutenant governor to join me in this fight against the Trump administration and this lawless thug group of ICE agents in Minnesota, instead of taking this opportunity to attack a fellow Democrat, Craig told HuffPost.What shes doing right now sounds just like it came out of the MAGA playbook, and frankly, it p**ses me off, Craig added.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

HBO has finally released the long-anticipated trailer for Euphoria season 3, which will bring the hit series starring Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and Alexa Demie to an end.The trailer gives us a lot of hints and visuals to theorize about where this whole thing is going, but one could never be sure. But there will be blood, and running, and chaos, and climax and we're ready to hop on that ride.The logline for season 3 of Euphoria reads, "A group of childhood friends wrestle with the virtue of faith, the possibility of redemption, and the problem of evil." Watching the trailer, that's a pretty on-point description of what we get to see.So, without further ado, here's a breakdown of standout moments from the official trailer of Euphoria season 3, premiering Sunday, April 12, on HBO/HBO Max.Rue is running.A lot of the time we spend with Rue Bennett (Zendaya) in this Euphoria season 3 trailer has to do with her physically or metaphorically running From something, toward something? It's hard to know.Season 3 is definitely Rue's endgame era. No matter how this story ends, it feels deliberate that we'll get a conclusion and closure from Rue. We're all pre-panicking and pre-crying.Jules is a sugar baby.Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer) is obviously also returning for Euphoria season 3, and fans are actually really curious to see what happens to her this time around. In many ways, Jules has been an entirely different woman when comparing her runs in season 1 and season 2 of the HBO series.By the looks of it, we're getting another totally new era for Jules in season 3!Trend alert! Encounters of the awkward kind in an elevator.Elevators haven't had this big of a moment in pop culture since Beyonc proclaimed that "Of course, sometimes shit go down / When it's a billion dollars on an elevator" in the "Flawless" remix of her self-titled album.If you're not off-book on your elevator pitch in 2026, you are not doing it right.Our king, Colman Domingo, is back.Euphoria couldn't possibly end without giving us another moment with Ali (Colman Domingo).Domingo won an Emmy Award for playing this role, and he'll be back as Rue's sponsor and mentor in season 3.Maddy, the icon that you are!Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) is back on Euphoria exactly like we know her to be. In the season 3 trailer, Maddy goes on talking about how every girl she meets being a sugar baby.But when asked if she's done it, Maddy says, "No, I'm not a fucking hooker." Classic Maddy. We have to stan.Cassie and Nate are married (what couples post on Instagram).Some fans saw this coming, but it felt so obvious that no one could be certain. Well, it is! Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) get married and the scene of their wedding is extremely extravagant.The Euphoria season 3 trailer shows Nate and Cassie being engaged, and eventually married, and living a domestic life in the suburbs.But they're also having marital issues (what couples post on X/Twitter).However, the trailer also establishes that Cassie now describes herself as being "addicted to social media" and has been secretly selling intimate content of herself to deal with the entrapment of domesticity (and certainly get some attention, in Cassie's case).No jeans in sight!Nate seems to be on a path of becoming similar to his father.Nate spent two seasons being a "troubled antagonist." As we watch him in these scenes from season 3, it's giving peaked in high school and it's all downhill from there tea.In fact, Nate is described to be working as a construction worker at this point.Nepo-babying his way to work with daddy? Of course he is.We need to acknowledge the potential storyline of Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) being that big of a bully himbo in high school thinking he's the king of the world only to grow up and work for his daddy, Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane).In all seriousness, actor Eric Dane has been facing some health issues, and we're happy to see him in this final season of Euphoria.Cassie is fully unhinged.If you think you've seen the full spectrum of Cassie's chaotic nature in the first two seasons of Euphoria, it's time to buckle up for the wild ride that season 3 is going to be.Laurie's back for that money, honey.It's good to see her, isn't it?The actually wicked Laurie (played by Martha Kelly) is the main character affected by the fan-favorite continuity complaint among Euphoria viewers. Long story short: Laurie is set up as this really dangerous woman despite being very soft-spoken and looking like a nice lady you've met at some point in life. Rue steals a bunch of money from her, gets away with it, and Laurie is never to be seen again.That never made any sense in the Euphoria saga, and it seems like season 3 will fix it.Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje's mysterious role.Which character is actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje playing on Euphoria, you ask? It's hard to tell! Lots of guesses and theories are already floating around, but the character's name is yet to be disclosed.Either way, it seems that he'll play a huge in Rue's storyline throughout season 3, and we're curious to find out what that is.Faye is spotted in the trailer.Fans have always loved the chaotic nature of a character like Faye (Chloe Cherry). Given her proximity to Fezco (played the late Angus Cloud), we just know that we're going to be heartbroken by his absence during this final season.Still, Faye can be a really quirky character, so it's fun to see her back.What is Darrell Britt-Gibson up to here?Darrell Britt-Gibson is one of the new actors joining Euphoria. While we still don't know much about him, the actor delivers quite an interesting line in the trailer for season 3."You know, I'm of the belief that certain people are cursed," the character says in the trailer. "I don't pretend to know why But there's gotta be something wrong with them."Rosala is dancing on a pole with a neck brace.Rosala on a pole while wearing a neck brace is camp! Fans are even more excited for her appearance in the final season of Euphoria after seeing this rather confusing first look of her character (undisclosed name).Oh, and in case you didn't know, Hunter Schafer has gone on record to confirm her relationship with Rosala. Meanwhile, Dominic Fike Schafer's ex and costar on Euphoria is also returning for this last season.Camp, we're telling you. Camp!Lexi is looking ready to 'gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.'It's great gowns, beautiful gowns from Maude Apatow reprising her role as Lexi Howard in Euphoria season 3.To recap, Lexi is Cassie's younger sister, and she's working as an assistant to a high-profile TV showrunner (played by Sharon Stone) this time around.James Landry Hbert in a onesie on a horse?We have absolutely no clue what James Landry Hbert's character (undisclosed name) is doing riding a horse wearing a onesie. But, you know what? It's kind of giving.Best known for playing Wade on 1883 and Axel on Stranger Things, Hbert will appear in this last cycle of Euphoria.

We knew Robyn always had good taste!The "Call Your Girlfriend" singer is the latest guest on Las Culturistas, and her "I Don't Think So, Honey" segment really struck a chord.On each episode of Las Culturistas, hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, the hosts and guests each have one minute to talk about something they don't like or agree with in this segment. After Rogers and Yang took aim at "gay guys on close friends asking 'do you want me to take you off, yes or no?'" and "having sex with the lights off," respectively, Robyn added her two cents."Well, I always hated Elon Musk. I have always hated him," Robyn says. "Way before it was cool to hate him. Because there was a time when it wasnt cool to hate him." "For me, I started hating him when he put a Tesla in space with a David Bowie song on it. He actually shot a car into space, as if there wasnt enough sh*t floating around," Robyn continues. "So this is the thing. I think there should be democracy in space there should be democracy on earth too, which we really maybe don't even have at the moment but the fact that a commercial company can decide what to do with natural resources and also do tacky things, like sending a stupid fucking car into space."Rogers agrees, saying, "Almost everything he does now makes my skin crawl."Robyn wasn't done there, also tearing into another billionaire, Jeff Bezos. "He went up in space, and then he came down, and he put out on whatever social media, 'Now I realize that we really have to protect this beautiful pearl in the universe.'" She says. "I'm like, 'OK, so you have to like, destroy the human race, destroy the environment, to go up, so that we all can have you realize this thing we all understand. Nobody else had to do that to realize it's important."Robyn recently released the lead-up singles to her first album since 2018's Honey, "Dopamine," "Sexistential," and "Talk to Me." Her new album, Sexistential, comes out in March.

A U.S. District Court judge sided with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) late Sunday night in a ruling that temporarily restores $12 million in funding to the group.Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy abruptly cancelled previously awarded grants worth $18 million to AAP in December, in what the childrens health group called a retaliatory move. Related Kennedy kills $18 million in child healthcare grants amid HHS attacks on gender-affirming care U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C. agreed, restoring a portion of the funding as AAPs lawsuit against the Trump administration plays out.This is not a case about whether AAP or HHS is right or even has the better position on vaccinations and gender-affirming care for children, or any other public health policy, Howell wrote in her decision. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today This is a case about whether the federal government has exercised power in a manner designed to chill public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and generally trusted pediatrician member professional organization focused on improving the health of children, the judge continued.Trump administration officials cited a range of reasons for the grant funding cuts, including AAPs use of identity-based languageand references to racial disparities and pregnant people. Butthe cuts followed intense criticism by the AAP of Kennedys changes to federal vaccine policy. The AAP is also a staunch supporter of gender-affirming care for trans youth.The AAP joined a chorus of condemnation last year over Kennedys decision to stop recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for children, as well as Kennedys firing of the Centers for Disease Controls panel of independent vaccine advisors Kennedy replaced them with a hand-picked panel of vaccine skeptics.The majority of what weve seen from the secretary has been a pretty clearly orchestrated strategy to sow distrust in vaccines, Sean OLeary, a physician who heads the AAPs infectious-diseases committee,toldThe Washington Post last summer. We make our recommendations based on whats in the best interest of the health of children.In response, Kennedyblasted AAPs financial tiesto pharmaceutical companies, demanding the organization disclose its corporate entanglements and conflicts of interest so that Americans may ask whether the AAPs recommendations reflect public health interest, or are, perhaps, just a pay-to-play scheme to promote commercial ambitions of AAPs Big Pharma benefactors.The funding withdrawal came at the same time Kennedy announced that hospitals across the U.S. would lose Medicare and Medicaid funding if they provided any form of gender-affirming care to trans minors. The seven terminated grants for AAP supported public health programs to prevent sudden unexpected infant death, strengthen pediatric care in rural communities, and help teenagers facing substance abuse and mental health challenges, among others.The sudden withdrawal of these funds will directly impact and potentially harm infants, children, youth, and their families in communities across the United States, Mark Del Monte, AAPs chief executive and executive vice president, said then.Judge Howell wrote in her decision that AAP had shown it would likely suffer irreparable harm from the cuts, and the group had shown that the public interest was in favor of allowing the AAPs programs to continue as their lawsuit moves forward. Once again, we took the administration to court to defend children, communities, and the Constitutionand once again, we won, saidSkye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, the legal group representing AAP.The court shut down a dangerous attempt to use federal funding as a political weapon and punish pediatricians for speaking the truth, Perryman said. This ruling sends a clear message: No administration gets to silence doctors, undermine public health, or put kids at risk, and we will not stop fighting until this unlawful retaliation is fully ended.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Mattel announced a new autistic Barbie, giving neurodivergent girls a chance to see themselves in a new way. However, some conservatives think the doll is "promoting gender ideology" through one of its accessories.The new Barbie doll was "created with guidance from the autistic community to represent common ways autistic people may experience, process, and communicate about the world around them," according to a press release. The new doll features elbow and wrist articulation, "enabling stimming, hand flapping, and other hand gestures," eye gaze that can shift to the side to avoid direct eye contact, and three accessories.The accessories include a fidget spinner and headphones, but it's the third accessory, a tablet showing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps, which allow nonverbal autistic people to better communicate, that is triggering conservatives.See on InstagramSome conservatives are getting upset that the new doll's speech tablet appears to have a button for "pronouns," claiming that it is "promoting gender ideology via a pronouns app.""Autistic Barbie appears to be promoting gender ideology via a pronouns app on the doll's toy tablet," an X account called Gender Receipts, which focuses on TERF talking points and anti-"gender ideology" content, recently posted on the popular social media platform. "The link between autism & identifying as trans is a major scandal. Worryingly, 1,000 of the dolls are being donated to hospitals." (@) Several studies have shown that people with autism are more likely to be transgender, and TERFs have picked up on this, arguing that neurodivergent girls are being taken advantage of by the trans community. They argue that most autistic trans people aren't actually trans, and are instead simply parroting "gender ideology" talking points that have been forced on them.Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools are used by people with communication difficulties to get their messages across without speech. They include symbol boards and AAC apps on mobile devices, like the one Barbie has. The person can then point to a symbol or press a button to help facilitate communication.Examples of AAC tablets and boards online show that they often include buttons labeled "I, me, my," "he, she, it, they," and "we, us." On Barbie's simplified board, there appear to be simplified versions that say "I," "we," "you," "they," and "pronouns". (@) In replies to others who pointed out that the tablet is for communication and people often use pronouns like "he," "she," and "it" when talking, the account didn't back down. Instead, it says that pronouns are "a loaded term" and "an ideological term" now and that "outside of gender ideology they're not typically referred to as 'Pronouns' in this way."

The same lawyer that represented the family of George Floyd will be representing Renee Nicole Good's relatives, launching a civil investigation into her killing. Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin has been retained by the wife, parents, and four siblings of Good, a 37-year-old poet and mother-of-three fatally shot by an ICE officer last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm told The Washington Post that the community is not receiving transparency about this case elsewhere, so our team will provide that to the country."People in Minneapolis and across this country truly, truly care about what happened to Rene Good and are committed to understanding how she could have been killed on the street after dropping her child off at school," said Antonio M. Romanucci, a civil rights lawyer and one of the firms founding partners. "They want to know what could and should have been done to let Rene live and pick her child up safely from school that afternoon. As often as possible, our team will promptly and transparently provide updates on what we learn.Related: Who was Renee Nicole Good? Remembering the Minneapolis poet and mother killed by ICE Floyd was a Black man murdered by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, sparking nationwide protests and renewed attention toward the ongoing epidemic of police brutality against communities of color. Floyd's killer, Derek Chauvin, was convicted in 2021 of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd's family filed a lawsuit against the city and the four officers, resulting in a historic $27 million settlement the same year.Good was killed January 7 in what Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called targeted operations" near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue. Noem alleged that rioters began blocking ICE officers, claiming that Good weaponized her vehicle by attempting to run over agents. Noem labeled Good's actions as "domestic terrorism" and those of the officers as "self defense," but multiple eyewitness accounts and video footage from the incident contradict this.The footage shows Good was attempting to leave the scene by turning right when an agent, identified as 43-year-old Jonathan Ross, circled her vehicle from the front and opened fire into her driver's seat window. The vehicle then crashed into a nearby light post, with Ross then walking away from the wreckage uninjured. Footage Ross took from his own cellphone shows that he was not in the path of the vehicle, and that he called Good a fucking bitch" after firing.Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have disputed the DHS account of Good's killing, with Frey dubbing it "bullshit." Both have called for a thorough investigation and for ICE to withdraw its agents from the state, though neither seem likely to happen, as the FBI has since announced that it will be solely leading the inquiry into Good's death, freezing out the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.Related: We've all seen the video. Do Kristi Noem and mainstream media think we're stupid? Good's killing occurred after the DHS deployed roughly 2,000 federal agents in the state as part of an aggressive crackdown on supposed fraud. Noem said over the weekend that "hundreds" more officers would be deployed to Minneapolis, nearly five times exceeding the number of police officers employed by the city (585, according to state records). In response, the city and state have filed a lawsuit against the DHS, accusing it of "inflammatory and unlawful policing tactics."The law firm is launching a civil investigation into Good's killing, seeking to file claims against ICE, the federal government, and other responsible parties. They also vow "to share information learned in the investigation on a rolling basis so that both public officials and concerned individuals across our American communities can see and understand the facts as we learn them.""Be Good. Thats all Rene wanted to be. Good to her partner, her family, her children and her community. She wanted to see a better world for her kids," Romanucci continued. "As a Christian, she would pray for all of us to do better, to be better. We will honor her memory by seeking accountability and change in her name."

South Carolina state Rep. RJ May (R) an anti-LGBTQ+ politician who has accused drag queens and transgender people of harming kids was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to five counts of distributing child sex abuse material (CSAM). May who was honored by theanti-LGBTQ+ parents rights group Moms for Liberty in 2023 as its Legislator of the Year first denied the charges after investigators found evidence that he had shared hundreds of images of kids, including pictures of adults raping seven-year-olds. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, who sentenced May, said the CSAM he shared was more severe than any other she had ever seen before, WIS-TV reported. Related Trump hurls expletive & flips off heckler who calls him pedophile protector Afterbeing arrested and indicted in June, May was suspended from his state congressional office and then resigned in disgrace. He originally planned to represent himself in court despite not having a law degree and asked the judge to throw out the warrant used to search his home, laptop, and mobile devices (which contained no CSAM, investigators said), as well as evidence that he had flown to Colombia to film himself having sex with three underage girls.Then, his lawyer claimed that May had been framed by his political enemies. However, May eventually pleaded guilty in an agreement to drop five of the other charges against him. Though the federal governmentsought a 20-year prison sentence, May requested a shorter sentence followed by house arrest at his familys Virginia farm. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Investigators found that May sent nearly 500 explicit videos over five days in late March and early April of 2024, including 265 different files of toddlers and young children involved in sex acts on the Kik social media network under the screen name joebidennnn69. He reportedly shared CSAM with other internet users in 18 states and six countries.A forensic analysis of his phone showed he deleted the messaging apps Kik, Telegram, Mega, and Loki Messenger, within seconds of each other in April 2024.He used the alias Eric Rentling on Mega and in a related Facebook account whose profile image was a picture of the back of his head. Prosecutors said that May showed sexual interest in incest between young children and their parents, as well as an interest in children the same age as his own kids. Because some of the images featured children the same age as his own child a seven-year-old the 39-year-old was held without bail until his trial.May was a founding member of the hardline conservative South Carolina Freedom Caucus, which pushed his states Republican party further to the right. During his time in the state legislature, May made anti-LGBTQ+ statements.In a January 2024 House speech on transgender issues and kids, he said, We as legislators have an obligation to ensure that our children have no harm done to them. In a November 24, 2022, post on social media, he said that exposing children to drag shows and pushing sex changes on toddlers were forms of child exploitation. He also compared Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care to the statepaying for lifestyles like drug addiction, adding, We as legislators have an obligation to ensure that our children have no harm done to them.Moms for Liberty (M4L) the anti-LGBTQ+extremist groupregularly seeks toban LGBTQ+-inclusive childrens booksas a form of pornography and regularly accuses LGBTQ+ people and their allies ofgrooming children for sexual abuse honored May as their 2023 Legislator of the Year and had himspeakat their 2022 event on Reclaiming Education in America.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.