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Good people and places are never forgotten. Such is the case of Dr. Kinji Hawthorne and his HIV/AIDS practice at DAP Health. If you walked DAP Healths halls in any capacity between 2008 and 2014, you may recognize the friendly face and pleasant bedside manner of Kinji Hawthorne, MD, MPH. He was a travel doctor []The post From Humble Beginnings Come Great Things appeared first on GEDmagazine.

A coalition of drag performers and their allies gathered outside the Kennedy Center on Friday to protest Donald Trumps controversial takeover of the historic cultural institution. The protest, which began at Washington Circle before moving to the Kennedy Center, was sparked by Trumps recent dismissal of the former president and 17 other board members, as well as his appointment of himself asSource

Dylan Mulvaney, the trailblazing trans icon and social media star, takes center stage in the March/April 2025 issue of The Advocate, offering a deeply personal look at her rise to fame, the challenges shes faced, and her reflections on lifes journey. Known for her viral Days of Girlhood video series, Mulvaney continues to inspire and advocate for the transgender community, and nowSource

Roman Mercury, a popular adult film star, has passed away at the age of 45. The news of his death was confirmed by his close friend and fellow adult performer, Greg Dixxon, who shared the heartbreaking information with Out magazine. Dixxon, who had worked alongside Mercury in numerous adult films, also revealed personal details about the talented performer, shedding light on his character andSource

Debating whether or not Y.M.C.A. is a gay anthem is like debating whether or not rain is wet. Y.M.C.A. was released in 1978 by the disco group Village People, an ensemble of men dressed to depict hyper-sexual gay archetypes, including a leather man, a construction worker, and a cowboy. Not only is the song gay, []The post RAIN IS WET appeared first on GEDmagazine.

Amy Lendian (left) and her wife Anne Barela, who recently moved to Chicago from Florida, stand together in their home in Chicago on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. | Pat Nabong for the Chicago Sun-TimesSubscribe nowThis story was produced in partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times, a nonprofit newspaper that was founded in 1948.Rylee Schermerhorn, an 18-year-old from Indianapolis, Indiana, is spending her final high school days pet-sitting in the afternoons and is planning to go to college to study dental hygiene.But as a trans woman, shes worried about President Donald Trumps executive orders seeking to ban gender-affirming care for patients under 19 through legal action and withholding of federal funds.Its why shes eyeing a move to Illinois, or possibly Michigan, as soon as she finishes school and can afford to. Shes one of many considering moving to safe-haven states as President Trump increasingly targets trans people and as states like Iowa repeal civil rights protections for the community.Illinois is one of the few states that's been standing up against a lot of the conservative push against our community, she told Uncloseted Media and the Chicago Sun-Times. I want to be able to start my life and do it in a place where I know I'm going to be accepted.Schermerhorn, who started on hormones in September and has been out as trans since 15, said her entire trans experience has been dictated by this state government.I don't want to wait around and watch my life continue to get worse, Schermerhorn said. I wasn't able to have access to health care until I was 18. Now Im worried its going to get taken away. I dont get how they can just change what it means to be an adult.Even though a federal judge temporarily blocked the order last Tuesdaywhich could pause the enforcement of the order until the case is finishedSchermerhorn said shes still stocking up on her medicines.This order proved that, even for just a few weeks, its possible for our federal government to disrupt the medical care we rely on, Schermerhorn said. Theyve proven they can and will shift the goalposts because this was never about minors. Im a legal adult and I could have been affected. The legal minimums could easily be raised to them ultimately taking away all of our healthcare.Midwest OasisAbout 40% of LGBTQ youth reported considering moving to a different state because of laws targeting LGBTQ people, according to the Trevor Projects 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young Peoplea survey of nearly 19,000 LGBTQ people aged 13 to 24. Nearly 20% of trans people said they had to cross state lines for medical care because of the policies.There was no mass exodus, though, as just 4%, or approximately 266,000 youth, actually moved. But states that passed anti-trans laws aimed at youth saw suicide attempts among trans teens increase by as much as 72% after the bills were signed.Subscribe for LGBTQ-focused accountability journalism. Fourteen states and Washington D.C. have shield laws for gender-affirming care, which protect patients and providers from legal actions spurred by other states laws, though Illinois is considered one of the sole havens for displaced trans people in the Midwest. Illinois law also prohibits healthcare providers from discriminating based on gender identity and requires state-regulated insurance plans to cover hormone therapy.Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul vowed last month to protect gender-affirming care in the face of federal funding cuts to hospitals that offered such care to people under the age of 19. He and a coalition of attorneys general also secured a win in federal court that directed the government to resume funding that the Trump administration threatened to freeze.But as trans youth are increasingly targeted by executive orders, some providerssuch as Lurie Childrens Hospital and University of Illinois Healthhave altered or ended certain gender-affirming care programs despite them being protected by state law.Hundreds gathered at a protest outside Lurie Childrens Hospital. The healthcare facility ceased offering gender-affirming surgeries for patients 19 and younger following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. Violet Miller for the Chicago Sun-TimesAsher McMaher, co-founder and organizer of Trans Up Front Illinois, a trans rights organization, rallied a protest in front of Lurie Childrens Hospital on Feb. 15 to oppose its decision to pause gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19.We were all holding our breath and hoping that Lurie would continue per the status quo, they said.Moving OutMany still fear the worst outcomes, especially in states without shield laws.A 16-year-old high school student living in a Chicago suburbwho didnt want to be identified over safety concernssaid their aspirations to double major in STEM and music had already narrowed their college search.But as the orders rolled out, finding a state where they can legally access gender-affirming careeven as an adulthas become a key factor in identifying the ideal college option.Im trying to narrow it down to places it wont be hell to live in, they said. Thats my main concern.After a visit to one dream school in Tennesseewhich has prohibited gender-affirming healthcare for minors since 2023they realized it wasnt the environment for me.Its limiting my opportunities and thats the worst part, they said. As someone with as big of ambitions as I have, its hard to think I can't do this because of my safety.The high schooler's trans friends are looking even further, with several of them planning to study in more trans-inclusive countries where they feel theyd be guaranteed gender-affirming healthcare. But even then, traveling is complicated as executive orders have also targeted trans peoples passports.McMaher is concerned that this is only the beginning.We could be looking at rollbacks that are even more devastating, forcing children to go through puberty they don't align with or stopping people who have been on hormones after they've already been on them, they say. Right now its 19 and under, but we could be seeing that in the future as any age and all ages.Amy Lendian, a 66-year-old trans woman from Florida who started transitioning in 2017, said similar concerns are what caused her to move to Chicago on New Years Eve. She and her wife Anne, who is also trans, decided two days after the election that they no longer felt safe.We felt Tallahassee would feel emboldened to expand their attacks on us due to the rhetoric from the Trump campaign, she said. And that the local MAGA might take things in their own hands.Lendian (left) and Barela | Pat Nabong for the Chicago Sun-TimesLendian left behind her house, her dream job at Kennedy Space Center, seven grandkids and two great-grandkids.I have gotten angry about it, and I have been upset and depressed about it, she said. I dont get to see my family much at all. It was a very tough decision. But we had to do it. We were worried about our safety.Support investigative LGBTQ journalism.Chicago was more welcoming than Lendian could imagine, finally allowing her to put her guard down.I was always on the edge, ready to fight or flight or whatever, Lendian said. And here it's not, it's total acceptance.Sophie Oberbroeckling didnt know how much she valued Illinois until she left. Last summer, at 18 years old, she moved from Chicago to Ohio to study political science at Cleveland State University.But after only her first semester, she said she wants to transfer to a school, maybe one in Illinois. Just five weeks ago there was a ban on trans students using the bathroom of their choice in K through 12 schools, she told Uncloseted Media and Chicago Sun-Times. I'm not comfortable with it, she said. The University of Cincinnati, one of the largest universities in Ohio, began displaying new signage last month limiting restroom use to biological men and biological women following the enactment of a new state law.Oberbroeckling returned to Chicago last week for International Womens Day to protest whats been done to the community, which includes trans women.Arriving in Chicago from Cleveland and seeing those protesters with signs attempting to resist the horrible things this administration has done is the biggest relief ever, she said. Not only does it feel like a weight being lifted off my shoulders because of the area where I feel like I can be myself as opposed to Cleveland. But actually seeing people with a response, ready to fight back which has never happened to me yet in Cleveland. Thats a huge factor in my decision to move [back to Illinois].If objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button:Donate to Uncloseted Media

As AI seemingly seeps into every area of consumers lives, especially media, its now vital to find proper ways to engage with it.AI-generated media contentcan often further stereotypesor only push user-frequented content about marginalized communities. However, experts say a few tools can be used in order to benefit consumers and increase their news consumption.In the journalism sphere, much of the conversation is centered around generative AIthe type of AI which can create new content after consuming existing data and studying it. Its counterpart, predictive AI, is more often used in the medical and business fields.Dr. Michael Spikes, a lecturer and director for Northwestern MedillsTeach for Chicago Journalism Program, said generative AI is often being used in journalism to simply create content. These creations dont use any original content and just regurgitate information similar to what theyve consumed.There are also entire websitessometimes called pink slime news siteswhich can look like regular news sites, but are filled with content often skewed in favor of one party or person running for office. This can also happen in the newsletter space, where local reporting is scaled back and instead replaced with AI generated sources.Spikes has spent more than 15 years working in topics around media literacy education. Photo courtesy of Michael SpikesI think, with all technology, theres a little bit of good and a little bit of the not so good, Spikes said.In terms of how generative AI could be used to promote accurate information, Spikes said algorithmic sources could potentially point readers to information they didnt know about before. An algorithm can use demographics like location or interests to help find content with angles that interest that specific reader.Also, he said AI tools could help reporters with large-scale investigations by synthesizing large amounts of data and finding trends. As with all AI content, that data still needs to be independently verified.For minority communities who are often left behind by mainstream media coverage, Spikes said algorithms can potentially point people towards content that they havent seen before. However, some of this content may not have the nuance and distinction needed to educate people properly.Nowadays, because we are confronted as consumers with so much content, I think were losing the ability to make distinctions [about] what makes journalism, he said.People should focus on media literacy and the skills needed to decipher whats real journalism, Spikes said. Communities of all demographics need to educate themselves on how to find authentic sources with real reporting, and not just take content at face value.People are being left behind even more because theyre not getting that kind of educationthe platforms are not helping them do that, he said. Theyre just feeding them tons of content.This can and should also be used when accessing new information via algorithms. For example, Spikes said YouTube pages about Chicago news will often have their South Side tab as just mostly about violence or other stereotypes. He said often what audiences are seeking out will affect algorithms, so people also need to be intentionally seeking out diverse news.AI keeps growingseemingly every search engine or app nowadays boasts an AI feature for use, with many requiring a manual opt-out. Spikes said he thinks itll keep being subtly introduced into peoples media ecosystems, and as it does, he wants people to have places to go for content they know they can trust.I would encourage people todevelop and cultivate trusted sources of information, especially information youre going to use to take action, he said. People should look for organizations that have sets of practices and ethics.Spikes said readers can vet an information source by determining if a publication has an editingchainby looking for a masthead, for examplesignifying that multiple individuals approved the content. Also, its important to follow organizations who make it clear to their audiences when they use AI tools, and look for ones who use it not to make content, but for other areas like data analysis.Consumers can use these tools in order to ask themselves what theyre missing, Spikes said. They can also potentially use AI to help them generate questions about what they may be missing in their news consumption.I think generative AI is good at looking at large bundles of content and saying, Here are themes that I see, he said. I dont think that can happen in the process of writing the content. But I think overall, doing an analysis of it, that can help publishers.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.The post Generative AI in journalism: Preventing harm and enhancing news consumption appeared first on News Is Out.

What started more than 10 years ago as a simple suggestion has grown into one of the nations largest LGBTQ archives. Since 2011, The Dallas Way has led the effort to preserve the stories of Dallass LGBTQ community.The idea for the organization was sparked when a Dallas Voice reporter was interviewing community leaders Jack Evans and George Harris to commemorate their 50th anniversary. The two had lived through much of what is now considered quintessential queer history, and they knew firsthand what it meant to persevere through homophobic oppression.Evans had been fired from Neiman Marcus back in the 1950s for being gay. And Harris was arrested in the military for being gay and dishonorably discharged.Evans and Harris both made their way to Dallas in 1961 and ended up meeting at a bar called Taboo Room. Then 54 years later, they became the first same-sex couple legally married in Dallas County following the Supreme Courts ruling inObergefell v. Hodges.After that interview, the couple decided it was time to document Dallass LGBTQ history before it was lost in the mists of passing years. Evans emailed more than 50 community leaders, and the rest, as they say, is history.To preserve documents, photos and artifacts, The Dallas Way partnered with the University of North Texas, which has a cold-storage facility that includes equipment to digitize physical photos and documents, as well as space to store artifacts including posters, T-shirts and more.Robert EmeryThe goal of the organization was and still is to collect any materials relevant to queer life in Dallas. Anyone who may have documents from their involvement in the community is encouraged to donate. You never know what will be helpful in understanding LGBTQ history.The archives have more than 275,000 distinct documents and has surpassed 1 million users online. The partnership has been mutually beneficial as UNT had the goal of becoming the largest depository of LGBTQ archives in the southwest.It was the perfect intersection of two passions and focuses, and we helped each other to become one of the largest LGBTQ+ archives in the nation, said Dallas Ways former president and co-founder, Robert Emery. (Since this interview was conducted, Emerys term as president has ended; Steve Atkinson is the current Dallas Way president.)In 2023, the UNT libraries became a member of the Association of Research Libraries, which includes the libraries of Harvard and Yale. The LGBTQ special collection is the most frequently used and visited out of all of UNTs special collections.That means that the work were doing is igniting the imagination and intellect of countless students and authors and researchers, said Emery.The Dallas Way has amassed more than 150 oral histories on YouTube by making and preserving recordings of people who helped make history. The goal is not only to collect these stories, but to also make everything available online. The process of digitization is a slow and expensive one, but it provides access all over the world.One of the first donations to the archives was the Phil Johnson Collection, donated by the Resource Center. Johnson had collected every article written about the LGBTQ community in Dallas newspapers since the 1940s. Dallas Voice also contributed the original typewriter used by editor Dennis Vercher, who wrote all his stories on it until switching to word processors in the late 1980s.The archives have been used for a wide variety of projects. A number of graduate students have accessed them for support in their theses; Wesley Phelps has used them for his books Before Lawrence v. Texas: The Making of a Queer Social MovementandA Peoples War on Poverty: Urban Politics and Grassroots Activists in Houston.This past year, the Dallas Way began the collection project for Affirmation, a gay and lesbian Methodist group from the 1970s. Affirmation worked for many years within United Methodist Church to bring about recognition of equality. We want to tell the story of how it came to be and illustrate how these kinds of changes take decades to achieve, Emery said.Archiving is activism, stressed Emery, And the Dallas LGBTQ+ community has had a rich and meaningful history.Dallas has one of the worlds largest predominantly LGBTQ churches, one of the most-recorded mens choruses and one of the largest seated-dinner fundraising events in the country. Dallas hosts the states largest fundraiser for HIV. The first Rainbow LULAC chapter was founded in Dallas, and the city hosts one of the largest Black Pride weekends.Also included in the archives are the 2015 founding papers and annual summit records of the Coalition for Aging for LGBT. The organization supports almost 400,000 LGBTQ seniors who live in North Texas and has created the first North Texas LGBTQ-friendly senior housing guide.Visibility leads to understanding and understanding leads to equality, explained Emery.The Dallas Way also plays a special part in another couples story.James Lynn Williams met the love of his life, Charles Longcope Jr., just a few weeks after moving to Dallas back in the 1970s. The two were together for 46 years, until Longcope died.Archiving is activism.Robert EmerySince then, Williams has been donating in his memory specifically to things Longcope loved to continue to express his love for Charles and to support the missions and organizations they both loved together.Previously, Williams donated $25,000 toward funding the digitization of The Turtle Creek Chorale concert recordings and poster collection. In 2024 the Williams/Longcope Matching Gift Challenge was established and matched donations to The Dallas Way up to $50,000, funding the digitization of historical documents for worldwide access.Its a way James has of showing Charles that he loves him, even after his passing. Its a manifestation of their love, Emery said.In addition to the archives, The Dallas Way aso hosts free events to engage the community with their history. Last year, these event topics included the landmark legal case Baker v. Wade, and the early city of Dallas ordinances that brought LGBTQ citizens closer to full equality.The organization was also a sponsor for the 2022 Queer History South conference, which brought together people across the south to discuss how to preserve our history.Robert Emery encourages people to keep coming back to look at the archives. Our collection is growing all the time, he said, so there is aways something new to learn about our history.We want your story, we want every story from every corner of community to be remembered, Emery concluded.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal.The post Preserving history through The Dallas Way archives appeared first on News Is Out.

The word "fruity" has been used for decades as slang to describe queer people, particularly gay men. In Season 17 of RuPaul's Drag Race, contestant Suzie Toot wore a piece modeled after 16th-century Spanish breeches for the "Who Wears Short Shorts" category. On it, she proudly had the word "Fruity" sewn over her butt in a font that matched the timeframe the piece was modeled after, but a bold statement as she walked away.See on InstagramWhile some embrace "fruity" with humor and pride it's a whole category of memes online others view it as a relic of coded language that carries a history of mockery and discrimination.But where did this term come from, and why has it endured? The answer lies in a complex blend of linguistic evolution, cultural shifts, and social perception.Lets take a look at that evolution and discuss how much of itif anyis still relevant in 2025The origins of fruity as queer slangThe connection between queerness and fruit dates back to at least the 19th century. According to linguistic research, "fruit" was once used to describe someone eccentric, lively, or flamboyant. It was thought to originate in Britain as a reference to the fruitcake, which commonly contains nuts, which is another term used to describe mentally insane people. Since homosexuality was (and in some places still is) viewed as a mental illness, it's thought that "fruit" came from something like "nutty fruitcake."@rainbowhistoryclassThoughts on fruity? #learnontiktok #tiktokpartner #berriesandcream #lgbtq #gaytiktokBy the early 20th century, the term took on a more pointed meaning, often used to belittle men who didnt conform to traditional masculinity.Dr. Ann Monis, a clinical and forensic psychologist at Medical Anti-Aging, explains that "fruit" became an easy metaphor because of its association with sweetness and softnesstraits historically linked to femininity.@cristiandennisits something about her wink @dojacatAs society became more rigid in its expectations of masculinity, language was used to reinforce those norms, Monis tells PRIDE. "By the mid-20th century, the word fruit and fruity were commonly used to mock men who were perceived as too delicate or expressive.How fruity became both an insult and an identityWhile the term was originally a slur, members of the LGBTQ+ community have a long history of reclaiming language. "Fruity" is no exception.In certain queer spaces, particularly among gay men, it became a tongue-in-cheek way to describe one another. In the same way that terms like "queer" and "fairy" were initially used to degrade but later embraced, "fruity" found its place in self-expression.@paparohnSend this to a fruity friend!!! #lol #fyp #fruity #games #cowboy #gay #fypSofie Roos, a licensed sexologist and relationship therapist at Passionerad, tells PRIDE that the term is still considered offensive by some, especially when used by straight people, but within the LGBTQ+ community, it can be used playfully. She compares it to other identity-specific terms, like twink or butch, which serve as descriptors that carry both personal and cultural weight.@sonics.fannWOAH (were both fruity) #Bf #relationship #fruity #meme #flop #viral #fyp #gay #erm #real #relateableOnline, however, the rise of straight men "claiming" their "fruity side" has also been met with mixed reviews, with some thinking it's a move toward acceptance and others thinking it's a form of gaybaiting or internalized homophobia.@jaksattacksStraight boys are a little fruity #gay #theboys #fruity #homies #broOthers, however, have been more open and accepting to straight men accepting their more "fruity" side as a means of moving toward inclusivity.Why do so many queer slurs reference nature?A striking pattern in LGBTQ+ slang is the frequent use of nature-based metaphors, from "pansy" to "fairy" to "fruit." Monis attributes this to cultural associations with beauty, fragility, and nonconformity.Flowers, for example, symbolize emotions and aesthetic appeal, which have often been coded as feminine, she says. Calling someone a pansy or fruity was a way of implying they were delicate, passive, or weak.Similarly, "fairy"which Monis notes originated from folklorecarried connotations of whimsy, otherworldliness, and gender nonconformity. Over time, these nature-related terms became part of the larger lexicon used to both insult and identify queer individuals.Is fruity still relevant in 2025?The word "fruity" has seen a resurgence in recent years, especially among younger generations on social media. As Monis points out, Language shifts with culture, and Gen Z has reclaimed fruity as something playful rather than pejorative.The term is often used humorously in TikTok videos and online conversations to describe behaviors, fashion, or even just a vague queer vibe.@gaybananafishits honestly fucking insane i almost die from laughing like...they will say shit like that casuallyHowever, not all members of the LBGTQ+ community are on board. Older generations who experienced the term as an outright slur still find it comes with a bit of a sting, whereas younger queer individuals often wear it as a badge of pride.These varying opinions also highlight a common occurrence in the age gap experienced by gay men: The older generations who lived the horror and the younger ones who get to reap the benefits.The evolution of queer slang beyond fruityWhile "fruity" remains in circulation, modern LGBTQ+ communities have expanded their vocabulary significantly. Rather than relying on broad terms, todays queer slang is more nuanced. Labels like "twink," "otter," and "bear" describe different types of gay men, while "butch," "femme," and "stud speak to varying expressions of lesbian identity.Roos believes this shift reflects a larger cultural move toward specificity. The slang has become more advanced and deep, so theres not one word to describe people in general anymore, but instead tons of terms that give more depth to what kind of queer person you want to describe.All in all, although fruity might still be around, its not the dominant slang term anymore, whether as an insult or a badge.Final thoughts: The staying power of fruityDespite its complicated history, "fruity" has managed to stick around in both queer and mainstream conversations. Its meaning has changed over time, oscillating between insult, joke, and self-identification.Whether it remains part of LGBTQ+ slang in the future depends largely on cultural trends and continued reclamation by the community. Language is fluid, but fruity is a reminder of both the challenges queer people have faced and the resilience theyve shown in shaping their own narratives.May that resilience stay strong throughout 2025 and beyond, because we're going to need it.

The Traitors season 3 winner Gabby Windey just proved yet again why shes become a lesbian icon!On March 11, the former Bachelorette sat down with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live alongside fellow Traitors winner Dylan Efron and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley.When Cohen asked Windey what her Real Housewives tagline would be, she answered in the most lesbian way possible: Im quick to cut people off but I love to scissor, the 34-year-old reality TV star proudly said.This is the kind of energy RHOBH needs! Where is the petition to get Windey and her wife, Robby Hoffman, on the next season?See on InstagramWindey gave credit to Efron, who helped her write the tagline before listing the Real Housewives stars she thinks could be lesbians.Im a lesbian, you could be too after PK, Windey told Kemsley, referencing her estranged husband. Maybe I could, it seems to be in fashion, Kemsley responded. And Kyle and Erika Jayne could. I dont know, she doesnt need a man, she needs a woman, Windey quipped about other RHOBH stars.During the episode, Cohen also tried to get the inside scoop on what lesbians like when he asked, Lesbians dont like abs?Dont make me say what we like. Well, come on, can I say pussy? Windey asked.You love pussy? he asked. Well, come on, Andy! I dont know how many straight people are in the audience, its too much. Well obviously, Im a lesbian, what do you want from me?" Windey joked. We dont prioritize abs, we prioritize emotional intelligence. Its also not all about pussy. The whole audience goes quiet, look what youre making me do, she continued, again proving why shes a lesbian fave.See on InstagramWindeys special brand of deadpan humor was on full display during the interview when Cohen asked what her rose and thorn would be from season 3 of The Traitors.Rose: winning, 100 percent, obviously. Still havent seen a dime, she began. Everybody knows here at Bravo, NBC, Peacock.See on InstagramCohen assured Windey and Efron that they would get the money they won on the show and asked her again what her thorn was.Not receiving my money, she repeated while everyone laughed. Im still waiting on the money!Never change, Gabby!

A tense moment unfolded during a House Foreign Relations Subcommittee meeting when Chairman Keith Self (R-TX) deliberately misgendered Representative Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first openly transgender member of Congress. Self referred to McBride as the Gentleman from Delaware, prompting a sharp response from McBride, who addressed him as Madam Chair in return. The exchange set off a heatedSource

A tense moment unfolded during a House Foreign Relations Subcommittee meeting when Chairman Keith Self (R-TX) deliberately misgendered Representative Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first openly transgender member of Congress. Self referred to McBride as the Gentleman from Delaware, prompting a sharp response from McBride, who addressed him as Madam Chair in return. The exchange set off a heatedSource

When people think of lesbian films, they often picture sad, melancholy tearjerkers like Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Ammonite, or Blue is the Warmest Color, but lesbian movies can be funny too!Yes, there are some great lesbian dramas out there about coming out, tragic breakups, and society keeping people apart, but there are also hilariously delightful raunchy teen comedies, rom-coms, and laugh-out-loud dramedies about queer women that will have you laughing until your sides hurt. So forget all of the stereotypes youve ever heard about lesbian movies because these comedies prove that straight people and gay men dont have a monopoly on being funny!Drive Away DollsMargaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan star alongside Colman Domingo, Beanie Feldstein, and Pedro Pascal in Drive Away Dolls, about two lesbian best friends who cross paths with inept criminals while on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, Fla. Ethan Cohens comedy caper features gay girlies behaving badly, getting sexy, and having the best time, and you will too when you watch this movie!Where to watch: Prime VideoRead PRIDE's review of Drive Away Dolls.BooksmartBooksmart is funny, clever, and fronted by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, who plays a lesbian teen. This female take on a teen sex comedy like Superbad feels smart, fresh and features a cute queer love story.Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoRead PRIDE's review of Booksmart.BottomsBottoms is a raunchy teen comedy about lesbians finally! Queer actress Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott star in this high school comedy about two high school senior girls who start a fight club as a way to hook up with cheerleaders.Where to watch: Prime VideoSaving FaceSaving Face is one of the very few lesbian comedies made by and for queer women of color. This delightful and emotional rom-com is about a Chinese-American lesbian who is afraid to come out to her traditional mother, who she just found out is pregnant.Where to watch: Fubo or rent on Prime videoBut Im a CheerleaderBut Im a Cheerleader is a cult classic for a reason. Honorary lesbian Natasha Lyonne stars in this campy queer movie about a naive teen girl whose parents send her to a gay conversion camp. Worried it wont live up to the hype after all of these years? Dont fret, it absolutely will!Where to watch: tubiSuicide KaleDark, funny, and whip smart, this comedy about queer women of color follows Jasmine and Penn, a lesbian couple who unexpectedly find a hidden suicide note in the home of their friends Billie and Jordan.Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoAppropriate BehaviorThis funny, quirky indie about a Persian bisexual Brooklynite stars Desiree Akhavan who also directed and co-wrote it. Its hilarious, full of inside queer jokes, and features the kind of messy characters we love to see on screen.Where to watch: tubiSomeone GreatThis 2019 film about a lesbian trying to move on after breakup is the kind of drunken, stoned, ridiculous comedy that usually only stars men, but this time its young women drunkenly dancing to Top 40 hits!Where to watch: NetflixWine CountryWine Country features your fave female comedians queer star Paula Pell, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, and Tina Fey and is about a group of middle-aged girlfriends getting together for a wine-soaked birthday trip that goes hilariously awry. Where to watch: NetflixHearts Beat LoudHearts Beat Loud stars Kiersey Clemons and Nick Offerman as a father and daughter who form an unlikely songwriting duo the summer before she leaves for college, but the real reason to watch is to see two young Black lesbians fall in love on screen.Where to watch: tubi and Prime Video

Acclaimed singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer Mike Maimone is set to release On My Way, the first single from his upcoming LP Guess What? I Love You, on March 7. The feel-good song holds deep personal significance, as it was originally written as a voicemail to his late husband, renowned PR guru Howard Bragman, during their long-distance courtship.We were always hopping planes to see each other, Maimone recalls. Just before one trip, I called him with guitar in hand and sang this little ditty that was running through my head about how excited I was to see him. He didnt pick up, so I left it as a voicemail. He told me it was fun and catchy and encouraged me to turn it into a full song.Maimones Guess What? I Love You is a deeply personal tribute to Howard, chronicling their love and his journey through grief, love, and healing. The day after their wedding, Maimone held his husband as he passed away. Over the next two years, he poured his emotions into Guess What? I Love You.Side A is about finding love, and Side B explores loss, Maimone reflects on the albums structure.While working on the record, Maimone revisited their voicemails to narrate their story. The hook in On My Way was one of those recordings.It felt like Howard was nudging me to keep going, Maimone says.The Ohio-born artist, who once played basketball against LeBron James, transitioned from a business school graduate and accountant to a full-time musician. His raw, emotive songwriting and electrifying performances have drawn comparisons to Randy Newman, Leon Russell, Tom Waits, and Warren Zevon.As he prepares to release On My Way on March 7, Maimone sees it as the perfect way to introduce Guess What? I Love You to the world.This song went from being a voicemail I had discarded to the lead single on my most emotional and profound album in two decades of music-making, he shares. Howard saw something in it that I didnt at the time, and now I get to share that with everyone.Visit mikemaimonemusic for more information.

A new queer dating show is set to shake up screens with its unique twist on the classic dating dynamics. You Hauled, a bold and humorous take on the lesbian stereotype of moving in together after a short dating period, has released its first trailer. Described as the Ultimate Lesbian Dating Experiment, the show follows a group of singles who move into a mansion together to test if theirSource

This is the content The White Lotus fans need!Everyone knows that the popular HBO series has served up some sexy scenes over the years, but Davey Wavey is taking things up a notch with his new show The Manchineel King.Based off of Lotus, Wavey recruited some of the hottest gay adult entertainers including Max Konnor, Jkab Ethan Dale, Dillon Diaz, Sammy Sinnns, Jake Mathews, Mick Weston, Max Adonis, and Rocky Heron to bring some very steamy storylines to life."We are delivering on both fronts! There's lots of gay and there's lots of sex. All of the different characters in the show are embodying different archetypes of gay men," Wavey tells PRIDE. See on Instagram While The Manchineel King certainly delivers on the sexy content, the show touches on many issues in the LGBTQ+ community that viewers will be able to resonate with."The series opens with a shot of a mirror and it closes with a shot of a mirror. The hope is that the show holds up a mirror to the audience. If there's a character that you really don't like, maybe it's illuminating a part of yourself that you're really uncomfortable with."As an influencer who's created content for nearly two decades, Wavey is making his best content yet and hopes audiences can appreciate all of the little things that makes The Manchineel King so special."It's fun to serve something to an audience that's sick and tired of regular porn and wants something different. They're interested not just in getting off, but in learning a little bit about themselves or pleasure. We want there to be something that people can take away."The Manchineel King is streaming now on Himeros.TV and on YouTube. To see the full interview with Davey Wavey, check out the video at the top of the page.

(@) President Donald Trump and Elon Musks PR stunt on Tuesday had critics calling them out about the ethics of using the White House lawn to boost the business of a campaign donor who has also taken control of part of the federal government, but the photos from the event had the internets mind hilariously in the gutter.On March 11, the South Lawn was turned into a Tesla showroom after Trump had taken to Truth Social to announce his plan to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence in the wake of Telsa stock taking a nose dive. You should cherish him, Trump said at the event while standing with Musk, Politico reports. We have to take care of our high IQ people, because we dont have too many of them.At the staged event, Trump and Musk posed for photographs together while sitting in a red Tesla, and the combination of close proximity, the mens seemingly close relationship, and the bizarre facial expressions caught on film had the internets imagination running wild.The Lincoln Project a moderate conservative political action committee dedicated to opposing Trump posted the photo on Musks own social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, Caption this. Well go first: Thats not the gearstick, and that was all people on the internet needed to run with the idea.Some people joked about Stormy Daniels being right when she describedlittle Trump as having a huge mushroom head. Like a toadstool, while others captioned the photo "Harder, babygirl? Yes please, Daddy and "Elon 'Trump couldnt decide if he wanted a Tesla or a Hummer, so I gave him both. In short? Theyre hilarious but definitely NSFW!Keep scrolling to see the funniest captions to Trump and Musks impromptu photoshoot. (@) "Tiny mushrooms are my favorite. Oh Elon." (@) "Harder, babygirl? Yes please, Daddy." (@) "Elon: Stormy Daniels was right!" (@) "Elon 'Trump couldnt decide if he wanted a Tesla or a Hummer, so I gave him both'" (@) They said it wasnt possible to devalue a Tesla any further. Ha! Hold my ketamine shake and watch this. (@) "some ppl bend the knee to pledge fealty, elon likes giving a handy instead" (@) "In the Tesla you also have a built in Defibrillator with tons of starting power!" (@) "You like that? *happy noises*" (@) "Ivanka never even turned me on this much." (@) (@) "Need more lube." (@) I said my $tesler, not testicles (@) Donald stop it !! Self-driving doesnt mean THAT! (@) "Lets play a game called 'just the tip' (@) "POV: Your self-driving car just locked the doors and whispered, 'You are about to get what you deserve'" (@) 'Oh Elon you touch is so exquisite. It reminds of when I had a real human for a wife.' Donald Trump" (@) "2 Fat 2 Furherious" (@) Thats not the coffee holder (@) "When you're short 29,000,000,000 to cover the monthly bills"

Actress Sarah Paulson made her runway debut at age 50, walking in Miu Mius Fall/Winter 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week. Known for her role in American Horror Story and her high-profile marriage to actress Holland Taylor, Paulsons appearance on the catwalk surprised many, adding a unique highlight to the final day of Fashion Week. Paulson wore an off-the-shoulder satin button-up dress thatSource

The Traitors season three ended with explosive drama, and the reunion episode delivered everything fans hoped for and more, especially when it came to the clash between Bob The Drag Queen and Real Housewives star Dorinda Medley. And now, Bob The Drag Queen is speaking when it comes to whether or not she will be watching Dorindas upcoming Bravo spinoff. When asked about rewatching the finale ofSource

Grammy Award-winning rapper and songwriter Doechii has been announced as the headliner for the WorldPride DC 2025 Closing Ceremony and Concert, set to take place on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The event, which will be free to the public, will serve as the grand finale of WorldPride DC, bringing together thousands to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, diversity, and resilience. The closing ceremony will unfoldSource

In a powerful call to action, GLAAD board members Frankie Grande and Peppermint have joined forces with several high-profile figures from the LGBTQ+ community to urge casting directors, producers, and creatives behind reality TV to take a bold step toward authentic inclusivity. Their message calls for fair, accurate, and diverse representation of LGBTQ+ people on reality televisionSource

Ill be honestI walked into The Electric State screening with some hesitation. It wasnt just the dystopian setting or the adventure-filled chaos that had me nervous. It was the robots (especially underwater ones, but thats a whole other story). Jokes aside, the film is a wild ride that had me feeling all the emotionsthanks to a few surprisingly nostalgic robots. But did it live up to the hype?Source

Survival, trauma, and cannibalism may fuel Yellowjackets, but lets be realso does its LGBTQ+ representation. From the shows deeply queer-coded friendships to its openly LGBTQ+ characters, Yellowjackets has become a staple for sapphics, horror lovers, and anyone who enjoys a little (or a lot of) chaos. But the queerness doesnt stop on-screen. Many of the actors themselves are part of the LGBTQ+Source

Subscribe nowLast week, my boyfriend Sean and I visited my mom (an official Canadian snowbird) in South Florida. We had the best time playing tennis, swimming, walking the beach and enjoying oceanside dinners. The state really is a winter wonderland.But beyond the ocean lies a deep red state that creates an unnerving feeling for LGBTQ people. As I hit forehands on the ball machine, I thought about how Sean and I could never comfortably raise a kid in Florida. After all, the Dont Say Gay law makes it illegal for teachers to read students books that feature two dads, andup until eighth gradeits illegal to discuss anything gay-related in the classroom.Does that mean my kids teacher could not talk about whether its Sean or me picking them up after school? Genuinely not sure but legitimately concerned.Another thought that crossed my mind is whether wed get fair medical care. Floridas Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed SB 1580, a so-called License to Discriminate in Healthcare bill that allows providers and insurers to deny a patient care based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. In other words, if my doctor or nurse is the kind of religious person who believes homosexuality is a sin, she can legally turn me away if Im bleeding out of my head because being gay is against her Biblical beliefs. After tennis, we drove to my friend's house for lunch. On the way, we crossed many bridges. It made me think about how DeSantis banned rainbow lights during last years Pride Month. Instead, he coined it Freedom Summer, where bridges could only light up in red, white and blue. While this move doesnt explicitly hurt anyone, the veiled homophobia isnt helping the 41% of LGBTQ youth who seriously considered suicide in 2023.Once we arrived at our friend's house and finished a fantastic barbeque, we got into our bathing suits for a swim. I thought about how effing weird, not to mention dehumanizing, it must be for my frienda trans womanto live in this state where she is legally forced to use the same bathroom or locker room as me in an airport, college campus or any other federal building. Many people make it seem like these laws have minimal impact. But make no mistakethey penetrate everyday life for queer people. Its a horrible feeling to implicitly understand that youre a second-class citizen in a state like Florida.LGBTQ tourism put Florida on the map, and our community contributes billions of dollars a year to the states economy. But as sunny and gorgeous as the state may be, at what point do we as a community need to press pause on hitting the beaches that are widely known for their homo/transphobic undercurrent?Republican Refers to Transgender Member as a Man, Cutting Short a House Hearing (The New York Times)LGBTQ Groups Call On Democrats To 'Do More' To Protect Their Rights (The Hill)Newsom Becomes Most Prominent Democrat to Buck the Party and Echo Majority Public Opinion on Trans Athletes (CNN)Dylan Mulvaney Is Ready to Move On (Glamour)Two years after the Bud Light controversy she calls Beergate, the actor, comedian, and TikTok star is ready for her next chapter.Supreme Court Takes Up Challenge to Colorado Conversion Therapy Ban (NBC News) Two weeks ago, Uncloseted Media was the first publication to interview Jaxon Seeger, the good friend of Sam Nordquist, the trans man who was tragically murdered in upstate New York. In our live interview, Seeger explained why they had started a Change.org petition demanding that the perpetrators of their friends murder have their charges elevated from second to first-degree murder. Second-degree murder is not even close to what they deserve, Seeger told me.Last week, we were informed that prosecutors have officially upgraded the charges against Nordquists accused killers to first-degree murder. Seeger reacted to the news: "This is an important step toward justice for Sam. No one should have to fight this hard for the system to recognize the full horror of what happened to him. While this wont bring Sam back, it sends a message that his life mattered and that crimes like this must be met with the strongest possible consequences."Our story in partnership with Fierce Healthcare, Unraveling the Urgent, Unspoken Struggle for Accessible HIV Prevention, was announced earlier this week as a regional Azbee award finalist. The Azbee Awards recognize outstanding work by business, trade, association and professional publications. The Azbees highlight editorial, online, and design excellence within print media, email newsletters, and digital publishing. What an honor! As political battles over gender-affirming care intensify, Illinois has emerged as a key refuge in the Midwest. In ourfirst storyin partnership with Chicago Sun-Times, we spoke with trans folks who are seeking refuge in Illinois. The story graced the front page of the Sun-Times Wednesday print edition!This weekend, be on the lookout for new Uncloseted reporting: Tensions between Canada and the U.S. are at an all-time high. In a matter of weeks, there could be a new Prime Minister, as Liberal candidate Mark Carney and Conservative candidate Pierre Poilievre get set to compete to lead our northern neighbor at a time when tensions could not be more fraught. But what are Carney and Poillievres track records on LGBTQ rights? Emma Paidra and Sophie Holland are co-reporting an analysis.Thanks for reading! Feel free to email me with questions, complaints and story ideas! Spencer Macnaughton, Editor-In-Chief spencer@unclosetedmedia.comIf objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button:Donate to Uncloseted Media

Corey O'Brien is the kind of man who refuses to be put in a box. And if you try, he'll dance his way right out of it, probably with a well-times joke and a defiant twirl.The comedian, dancer, and unabashedly loud-and-proud gay comedian is embarking on The Red Tour, taking his very liberal, very queer brand humor straight into the heart of America's red states. "I wanted to go into these red states because I feel like if there are people that are willing to buy a ticket and come and see me, then they're willing to listen to something," he tells me, his voice laced with equal parts of determination and joy.The tour is equally about creating a safe space, especially for queer people in these conservative communities who might feel trapped, isolated, or unseen. "There are queer people that live in these states as well that can't leave, don't want to leave," he muses. "And I'm doing it for them."A Journey of Unapologetic ExpressionBefore he took the stage with a mic, Corey's first love was dance. Growing up in a small conservative town in Pennsylvania, he navigated embracing his authentic self amid the heckling from classmates. "The bullying was relentless because I was nothing like my beers," he shares. But dance was his salvation. "It was a way of expressing myself without words because I didn't know how to express how I was feeling."But the pressure of being different in an unforgiving environment led him down a different path. Corey turned to drugs and alcohol to mask his pain. "It convinced me I loved myself for a little bituntil all that hate came back."At 21, he got sober. With 12 years of sobriety behind him, he channels his experiences into his comedy, both the highs and the rock-bottom moments. "Everything that has once brought me a lot of pain and sadness is something that I'm able to flip around and laugh at on stage," he says. Corey's comedy is therapeutic as it is entertaining, a way of healing for himself and those who see themselves in his story.Corey's dance background still plays a role in his comedy in expected and unexpected ways. "I know the way I command a stageI owe a lot of it to dance," he explains. He instinctively understands how to captivate an audience, whether it's physical comedy, using movement to tell a story or an actual dance break in his set.Transforming Hurt into HumorBut his real talent lies in taking the weapons used against queer people, from stereotypes to slurs and ignorance, and flipping them into comedy gold. "I love calling out ignorant and hateful people and just letting them know my comedy is also spreading a message. It's a way of resistance."And resist he does. His humor isn't just about making people laugh but reclaiming power. "I find a lot of peace and a lot of healing in laughter," he reflects. "If I can take the things that are being thrown at me or my community and flip it around to make fun of it, then I feel like I did my job."Corey has built a digital sanctuary for queer people looking for representation, humor, and a reminder they're not alone. "Social media has been a great game changer in letting us know that there are so many people out there just like us," he smiles.His approach? Be unapologetically himself, whether online or in person. "If I had Marjorie Taylor Greene walking past me, I'll still say some shit to her," he declares. But for all the viral moments and fiery clapbacks, the most meaningful interactions don't end up with thousands of likes. Instead, they're the quiet messages from parents. "When I've had parents reach out to me and say their children are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and that something I said helped them understand their kid betterthat means the world to me."Building Community and ConnectionCorey's Red Tour is just starting, but he's already thinking ahead. "I would love to add more dates and just keep going into these red states and just be gay as hell," he laughs. But a Blue Tour may also be on the horizon. "I feel like it's just going to be us talking about how amazing we are for the whole entire run, which I'm totally fine with."For now, Corey is focused on what he does best: making people laugh, making people think, and making sure no one ever feels as alone as he once did. "I just want to continue to spread a message of love, acceptance, and also that we aren't going anywhere."You can find Corey on tour at coreyobrienonline.com or follow him on social at @corey_obrien. And if you're in a red state feeling a little too blue, Corey's got just the show for you.

On March 7th, 2025, the world was introduced to T4T (Time for Truth), a groundbreaking collaboration between Neverending Nina and 2AM Ricky. This powerful single, now available everywhere, is more than just a songits a movement, a moment of history, and an anthem for unity and visibility within the Black Trans community and beyond. If [...]The post T4T (Time for Truth): A Groundbreaking Anthem by Neverending Nina & 2AM Ricky first appeared on GLAAD.

Newark, New Jersey LGBTQ activists are organizing to heal their city from redlining the systematic denial of services, like mortgages, insurance, and other financial services, often based on race or ethnicity and environmental discrimination to build a healthy, clean, and affordable place where bodily autonomy is never in question. These local leaders understand [...]The post For Newark LGBTQ Leaders, Linking Environmental Justice and Queer Liberation Movements is the Key to Healthy Communities Heres Why first appeared on GLAAD.

While dramas about male same-sex romance (known as boys love, or BL) have been popular in Asia since 2010, girls love (GL) dramas are only now seeing a meteoric rise in popularity and they are coming out of Thailand.On January 23 2025, Thailand became the first country in south-east Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Although the country is often imagined as a gay paradise, Thai society remains largely conservative and homophobia is still commonplace. Against this social backdrop, the rise of LGBTQ+ storytelling is intriguing perhaps revealing the emergence of more tolerant and progressive attitudes.In Thailand, these BL and GL dramas are known as series Y, an industry estimated to be worth 3 billion baht (approximately 72 million) in 2024. Thailands GL dramas now reshaping sapphic storytelling and bringing it to the mainstream.Besides the central romance plotline, GL stories often explore pertinent issues such as family expectations and societal pressure, coming-out struggles, and age and class differences. Adding depth to the narrative, these issues chime with young queer audiences seeking more realistic, relatable experiences.A hub for BL series since the mid-2010s, Thailand only produced its first full-length GL series in 2022. Despite investor doubts, the producer of a then-small production house financed a pioneering series called Gap, telling the story of an office romance between a royal-descendant CEO and a junior member of staff.Airing on domestic TV and later uncut on YouTube with multilingual subtitles, Gap amassed over 850 million views by January 2025, proving a global appetite for queer women-oriented stories. By February 2025, more than 20 GL series had aired, with at least 30 more in production. Trailer of Gap (2022), Thailands first full-length GL series.Series like Blank, 23.5, The Secret of Us, Affair, and The Loyal Pin illustrate the genres growing popularity, with uncut versions available on platforms like YouTube and Netflix, complete with subtitles in various languages such as English, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish.Thailands GL dramas have adopted successful practices from their BL counterparts: adapting novels, scouting and training actors, incorporating product placement, hosting fan events and appearing on variety shows. One notable practice is the making of khu-jin (imagined couple), where celebrities perform same-sex intimate moments on stage or social media to serve fans fantasies.Shipping culture the practice of imagining or supporting a romantic relationship between fictional or real individuals is pivotal to GLs success. The two Gap leads, Freen Sarocha and Becky Armstrong have created the FreenBecky ship, and each have more than four million Instagram followers. Actresses of other ships such as LingOrm, EngLot, and FayeYoko, command similarly devoted followings. Their fan meetings across Asia regularly draw tens of thousands, blending fiction and reality to create an immersive fan ecosystem.Celebrating Girls LoveAs we discussed in our recent research, Thai GL series also emphasises joy and resilience, unlike the tragic endings often seen in western LGBTQ+ narratives. US-produced content has been criticised for the bury your gays trope, where LGBTQ+ characters are frequently killed off in tragic or unnecessary ways.Another objection is dead lesbian syndrome, where lesbian and bisexual characters are even more likely to be killed on screen. Notorious examples include Killing Eve and The 100.In contrast, Thai GL stories celebrate love and acceptance, despite the challenges experienced by protagonists. Series like Gap, The Secret of Us, and Mate feature grand wedding finales with the blessing of parents and friends, portraying queer love overcoming obstacles and thriving.GL series also speak directly to the queer womens community. Many actresses, such as Engfa Waraha in Show Me Love and Petrichor, and Faye Malisorn in Blank, are openly queer or vocal queer allies.Although many GL series have male directors, love scenes are respectful, focusing on sensuality and desire rather than being graphic and exploitative. This contrasts with films such as Blue is the Warmest Colour, in which love scenes were criticised as being exploitative, and where actresses have reported problematic practices during filming.Opportunities and challengesFrom their inception, Thai GL dramas have aired locally but have quickly been made available on streaming platforms with multilingual subtitles for a global audience. Social media platforms amplify their reach, with production houses curating trends and fostering interactive fan experiences.Recognising the potential for cultural export, the Thai government has partnered with BL and GL production companies to promote Thai culture and products. It is unusual for governments to embrace queer culture as a vehicle for soft power, which highlights the growing cultural and economic significance of these series. Though this development has sparked concerns over the intentions behind such support, it signals a future where queer narratives hold global, cultural and political relevance.Despite its success, GL entertainment faces challenges. Many series are still adaptations of novels, limiting thematic diversity. While themes like schoolyard dramas and sweet romances such as Love Senior, Unlock Your Love, and Us prevail, some series are pushing boundaries with themes like disability (Pluto), supernatural power (Reverse 4 You), and crime (Petrichor).GL romances provide a vital space for queer womens stories, connecting audiences across borders through global visibility and fan culture. Most remarkably, this shift isnt coming from Hollywood.As the genre evolves, it holds the potential to continue redefining representation and amplifying underrepresented voices. Its not just reshaping how queer womens stories are told and viewed globally, its proving to be commercially viable and culturally transformative.In the face of rising global reactionary politics and growing hatred against the LGBTQ+ community following Trumps re-election, Thai GL series offers not only a safe escape and fantasy, but also a sense of solidarity through their worldwide fandom.Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, Lecturer in Sociology (Media & Cultural Studies Team), Lancaster University and Ka-Wei Pang, Lecturer in Cultural Studies, Chinese University of Hong KongThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.The post How Thailands TV lesbian romances captured a globalaudience appeared first on News Is Out.

Still not over that spicy Traitors reunion? We dont blame you, Bob the Drag Queen facing off with Dorinda Medley and Chanel Ayan in the reunion was exactly the kind of drama that show promised to deliver. But where do Bob and Dorinda stand now? From the sounds of things, not much has changed.During a red carpet interview at the Queerties (which was hosted by Bob) Gayety asked if Bob had plans to watch Medleys upcoming spin-off rumored to focus around her Berkshires home Blue Stone Manor. When asked if she would give it a chance and give it a watch and try to get to know her a little bit better, Bob did not mince words. The truth is I don't really watch reality TV shows that don't have competition in them, so if it's like Real Housewives I usually watch the shows where they're competing for a prize. So I probably won't watch it, to be honest, said Bob. There's no point in lying, she continued. I probably won't. I've never watched Housewives. Do you want me to start with a spin-off? Best of luck to Dorinda, best of luck. As for if the two have spoken since the reunion, Bob confirmed they have not, nor that she was aching or dying to talk to her. However she did say, should Medley call her she would answer the phone. Is it too soon to begin petitioning that these two join the cast of season four, for a rematch? We would love to see it. Watch the red carpet moment below. See on Instagram

California Governor Gavin Newsom has now featured three prominent anti-trans voices in the launch of his podcast, and not a single trans person. It bears repeating, and repeating: include transgender voices in stories and conversations about transgender people. Context is needed too, especially when oppositional voices are prioritized and have large platforms. GLAAD research shows [...]The post Trans Voices and Context Belong in the Conversation: Podcasts, Coverage of Podcasts, and Everywhere first appeared on GLAAD.

The third season of the Prime Video fantasy series The Wheel of Timepremieres on March 13 and things are about to change for fan favorite Maksim, played by actor Taylor Napier. The Rafe Judkins series, based on the books by Robert Jordan, follows the growing divisiveness in the Westlands. Season three is based primarily on [...]The post The Wheel of Time Star Taylor Napier Talks Whats in Store for Maksim in Season 3 and Need For More Bisexual Stories first appeared on GLAAD.

Foxs Extracted is the latest in reality survival shows and features 12 untrained competitors attempting to survive extremely grueling and wildly dangerous conditions (including predators!) in the Canadian wilderness. All the while, their family members are locked down at a secluded headquarters watching them via a 24/7 live feed. At any point in the game, [...]The post Extracted Contestant Rose Hyak Talks Competing on Survival Show and How LGBTQ Representation is Necessary in Reality TV first appeared on GLAAD.

Trying to figure out if the cute woman at the farmers market is a lesbian? Checking her belt loop is one way to find out!Much like Doc Martins and thumb rings, carabiners the metal D-shaped ring that was popularized by mountain climbers and frequently used as a key ring arent just a useful tool but a way to communicate your sexuality to other queer women. Some lesbian stereotypes are actually true! We're looking at you, Subaru. Carabiners are nearly ubiquitous in the lesbian community, but how did the tool become Sapphic coded?How did carabiners become a lesbian staple?The handy clip became a sartorial symbol of lesbian culture when women were thrust into the workforce during WWII. While many women ended up in secretarial jobs, butch women were attracted to blue-collar jobs and adopted the masculine aesthetics the work demanded. Without strict dress codes, women who worked as custodians, postal workers, and mechanics could stretch the boundaries of accepted gender presentations. They also needed easily accessible keys, Slate reported.Is Alison Bechdel responsible for making carabiners popular?The connection between lesbians and the belt-loop accessory continued through the 1960s and 70s and was cemented into the collective lesbian imagination in 2006 when Alison Bechdel author of Dykes to Watch Out For and creator of the Bechdel test published a memoir that detailed her experience as a young kid of seeing a masculine delivery woman with a short haircut, butch energy, and a key ring on her belt loop who sparked an awakening.The graphic novel memoir Fun Home was even turned into a musical featuring the popular song Ring of Keys about Bechdel identifying with the butch woman wearing a carabiner on her belt loop. Your swagger and your bearing/ And the just right clothes you're wearing/ Your short hair and your dungarees/ And your lace up boots/ And your keys, oh/ Your ring of keys, the actress playing a young Bechdel sings in the musical adaptation.What do carabiners signal to other lesbians?At the intersection of fashion and function is the trusty carabiner, which has been doing double duty as a lesbian flagging device ever since. Gay men have the hanky code, and lesbians have carabiners. And much like the hanky code, which hip you wear your carabiner on can indicate your sexual preference. Right hip if youre a bottom, left hip if youre a top, according to the documentary The History of the Carabiner.What do lesbians think about the accessory?Pride asked lesbian Redditors on the r/actuallesbians subreddit to explain "why lesbians are obsessed with carabiners," and the responses were both informative and hilarious!"Dates back to the butchfemme culture years ago. Butches were often always working class, and carabiners are just a useful tool to use for holding keys and similar things. The practice just carried on to the modern day, and were and still are used by some for flagging. Even before I was out I used them LOL. I saw my dad who is working class use them, and I thought it was super useful so I've always had my house and car keys hooked to my belt loop on a carabiner." straw_bees"They were a way to subtly signal you were a lesbian back in the day, especially by butches. plus they're cool and easily customizable, on top of being useful, so they stuck around." tunatunabox"90% of the time I don't use a purse. A carabiner makes it 1000% easier to wear keys during work and being out and about. I don't even care about the 'lesbian' stereotype over them. I just love how useful it is for me. Did I absolutely go out of my way to find one that was teal to match my car? Yes. Do I get happy thoughts knowing that others might immediately clock me with the short hair, more masc style and wearing it? Absolutely." nonbinari-star"it's like hanky code for sapphic people, stemming from butches often working manual labour jobs, in which it's obviously practical to have a carabiner." sapphoschicken"GenX butch dyke here... how else am I supposed to attach my yeti bottle to my back pack!? Or carry my ridiculously large amount of keys?" KissMyAlien"Carabineers reduce the friction compared to rope on rope so it's much easier to lift when suspending your girlfriend." JROppenheimer_From a blue-collar work accessory to inspiring a Broadway song to a popular way to tell the WLW world that you're a lesbian, the carabiner is here to stay!

We all could use a taste of Antoni Porowski.The Emmy-winning host of Queer Eye is living his best life as Out Magazine's latest digital cover star.Not only does Porowski spill the tea on his brand new National Geographic show No Taste Like Home, but the sizzling photos also include some of the model's favorite hobbies that showcase who he really is at his core."I would describe my personal style as comfort first. I always try to incorporate like at least one or two vintage pieces. Anything that's like nostalgic of like '90s campaigns. An old vintage T shirt is like my security blanket, I would say," Porowski tells Out. See on Instagram Porowski also dished on his past relationships and why he's such an old-school romantic at heart."Im a relationship guy through and through. I love meeting the family, the friends, getting to know each other, learning the conflict points, and how to meld, and not to, and all the nuances of it. Im a f***ing hopeless romantic. The best relationships that Ive had have really been, and this might sound trite, but they really happened when I wasnt looking for them. And so Im trying to do just that."Fans can check out BTS from the Out Magazine photoshoot in the video above and enjoy the gorgeous spread here.

Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. transportation secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has made the strategic decision not to pursue Michigans open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, a move that may hint at his ambitions for a larger political future, including a possible run for the White House in 2028. Buttigieg, the first openly gay person confirmed to a cabinet position by the U.S. SenateSource

Singer-songwriter Mike Maimone released On My Way, the lead single from his upcoming album Guess What? I Love You, on March 7. The feel-good track holds deep personal meaning for Maimone, as it was originally written as a voicemail to his late husband, celebrated public relations expert Howard Bragman, during their long-distance relationship. Maimones latest album Guess What? I Love You.Source

Gus Kenworthy, the former Olympic athlete and outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate, has been enjoying a relationship with Andrew Rigby, and the couples sweet moments have captured the hearts of fans. Though they keep much of their personal lives private, Gus has shared glimpses of their relationship through social media posts, particularly during special occasions. In a now removed from InstagramSource

Disney just dropped the first trailer for its next live-action remake of a beloved animated film, and fans are not happy about one specific change. Lilo & Stitch, the 2002 cartoon movie about a lonely Hawaiian girl who adopts a small dog named Stitch, who turns out to be a genetic experiment from an alien planet, is the next in line for the live-action treatment, which means actors will be playing characters who were formerly only in animated form.But one beloved character from the movie got more than a simple redesign, and fans think the change is a sign of how much more conservative this country has gotten since the original premiered. In the film, Stitch is on the run after escaping his planet, and Pleakley, a skinny, one-eyed green alien and self-proclaimed Earth expert, is intent on capturing the little blue creature alongside his reluctant alien partner Jumba Jookiba. While searching for Stitch, Pleakley cross-dresses as a human woman in a comically bad attempt at blending in. (@) Fans loved Pleakley in drag and were looking forward to seeing an updated interpretation of the character, but it seems like Disney might feel differently because, in the new trailer, Pleakley uses a digital skin to appear as a human man instead of cross-dressing as a disguise.Much like all of Disneys remakes, Lilo & Stitch will be a nearly shot-for-shot recreation of the original only instead of a lovable crossdressing animated character, Pleakely will be played by Billy Magnussen, and Jumba will be played by Zach Galifianakis. (@) This isnt the first time Disney has removed LGBTQ+ representation from one of their properties. The company cut a transgender storyline from the Disney+ series Win or Lose, and The Acolyte, the first Star Wars show made a lesbian, was axed after a single season. Disney has also been rolling back DEI initiatives since Donald Trump took office and drastically scaled back the content warnings on older films that have racist or culturally insensitive depictions. Fans have taken to social media in droves to voice their immense displeasure at the crossdressing erasure that seems to be at play in the trailer. Some people are angry that Pleakley doesnt look cunty in the trailer, while others think that Disney wants to appease transphobes and that the change is a sign of rising fascism. People are also upset that they are getting cheated out of seeing Jumba and Pleakley pretend to be a married couple because it wouldnt be allowed in Trumps America.Keep scrolling to see more reactions to Pleakley being turned into a straight white man. (@) "no married couple jumba and pleakley allowed in trumps america" (@) "the decuntification of pleakley is a tragedy BUT also jumba shouldve been played by a black fat actor!!!!" (@) "Pleakley having a human form and not crossdressing is a sign of rising fascism btw" (@) "Why is Pleakley NOT in drag? Why isnt he serving cunt? The whole joke is that he and Jumbaa do NOT blend in at all also Lilo needs to be WAY weirder, and the ice cream guy should be a sunburned white guy on vacation because Lilo takes photos of the white tourists because the white tourists all gawk at her and the native Hawaiians, so she takes their photos like they take photos of her and her culture like its some gimmick." (@) "Youre telling me we wont be seeing the original Queen of Drag Pleakley serving looks all the time! RuPaul was shook!" (@) "why is pleakley looking like that? He is supposed to be cunty" (@) "they gave pleakley normal human disguises instead of their girly dress ups? CHOPP" (@) "why was pleakley transformed into an actual human and does it imply hes not gonna have his wig? 0/10 movie ruined" (@) "This is REALLY cute, Im gonna need some more Jumba and Pleakley though and what Im not gonna stand for is the crossdressing erasure! I want aliens in wigs, lippy, a mustache & glasses in dresses! If people can believe stitch is dog they can believe in crossdressing aliens!" (@) "EPIC LOSS PLEAKLEY ISN'T IN DRAG!" (@) "I just realized that they had Pleakley disguised as a human man when in the movie and the series hed always have cute femme disguises. Its official this remake sucks." (@) "They took away Pleakley's drag disguises?!?!?!? COWARDS!" (@) "I'm kinda mad they didn't give Pleakley a bombass lace front for the live action He used to have that shit on"

The Vanderpump Rules tea is always piping hot.Scheana Shay is one of the only cast members to last eleven seasons before it was announced that the popular Bravo show would be getting a reboot.Since the news dropped, Shay has been keeping herself busy with a plethora of successful projects, including her most recent appearance as a contestant on The Masked Singer."I'm really good with it! I think it was time and I'm excited for all of the new kids at SUR. I'm excited to watch and I'm excited to see the shenanigans they're getting into," Shay tells PRIDE. See on Instagram Although her time on Rules has come to an end, Bravo fans will still get to see more of her life on the upcoming second season of The Valley, where she'll be helping Brittany Cartwright as she navigates her divorce from Jax Taylor.Taylor recently admitted to having a cocaine addiction, which resulted in many issues in his marriage with Cartwright. Elsewhere in VPR news, James Kennedy was arrested back in December 2024 for alleged domestic violence."I just hope both of them are on a clear path to sobriety and they are taking care of themselves, not just for themselves, but especially Jax for his family and his son. Stay on that path of sobriety. I'm always Team Brittany. I love that girl. I'm here for them for anything they need."Fans can keep up with Scheana Shay by following her on Instagram here. To see the full interview, check out the video at the top of the page.

Tamar Braxton is expanding her television career with an exciting new project, partnering with her mother, Evelyn Braxton, for a cooking show titled Cooking Sessions: with Tamar and Ms. E. The weekly series is set to debut on Cleo TV on Wednesday, March 28, and promises to offer viewers fabulous looks and delicious dishes as the Braxton duo showcases their culinary talents.Source

A new queer dating show is headed to your screens!You Hauled, a hilarious play on the lesbian stereotype of moving in together after a short dating period, has dropped its first trailer, and the official description calls the series the "Ultimate Lesbian Dating Experiment!" Dozens of singles move into a mansion to test the theory, putting budding relationships under the ultimate strain."Love at first sight? Try love at first lease! You Hauled is a bold and exciting dating experiment show where singles dive headfirst into loveand possibly each others homes! From first connections in a luxurious mansion to the ultimate 'U-Haul' decision, we test whether these relationships are built to last or if theyll crash and burn before the moving truck even arrives. Will they move in or move on?"No official release date for the series has been announced, but You Hauled's socials promise it's "coming soon" to their YouTube channel. They've also released an intro video about the singles appearing on the series. Subscribe to the You Hauled channel on YouTube to catch new episodes!

Every season of Drag Race provides fans with new cast members to love and obsess over, but this year, one queen didnt fully take off and become a true fan favorite until after she sashayed away. Kori King may not have come close to snatching the crown she was eliminated in episode 9 but her on-screen antics, big personality, and romance with Lydia B Kollins had fans rooting for her anyway.While the at-home audience was already becoming enamored of the queen and her tacky drag, its her online presence that really won her a devoted fan base. She has been catapulted to popularity because of the zany characters she dresses up as on TikTok and Instagram her drag version of Roger the Alien is perfection and has turned that fame into a successful gig on Cameo, where she quickly became the number one seller by crafting hilarious messages for followers trying to ring in a birthday or anniversary. Kori may have lost the lip sync for your life to her now-boyfriend Lydia, but shes winning the popularity game! How? Let us count the ways.Her unhinged Michael Jackson impersonationSee on InstagramKori donned the King of Pops signature sequined jacket, single white glove, and black hat while doing her makeup to mimic the plastic surgeries Michael Jackson had throughout his life. The look is so spot on that people in her comments are wishing Kori could have used it for Snatch Game. Ice skating as Lois from Family GuyKori went full Ice Capades by dressing up as Lois from Family Guy and dancing on ice with fellow Drag Race alum Denali.Roger the Alien from American DadSee on InstagramRoger the Alien from the animated show American Dad is already known for dressing in drag, but Kori took it a step further by dressing up as a drag version of one of the hilarious aliens female impersonations.Kori Toot AKA her Suzie Toot impressionSee on InstagramFor Drag Race super fans, watching one of their fave queens doing a loving, mad-cap impersonation of Drag Race star Suzie Toot is almost too good to be true! Suzie is one of my closest friends in the season. So I was like, Oh, this would be so funny if I get into Suzie Toot drag. I got into it, and I FaceTimed her right when I was done, and she gagged, Kori said of her friend in an interview with PRIDE. It was so funny. Then doing the cameos, at first I was trying to earnestly do Suzie Toots voice. I was trying to talk like her, and then as the Cameos went on, it slowly just turned into Mickey Mouse. I dont know why.The Grinch who stole dragSee on InstagramNow that weve seen sexy Grinch, Christmas will never be the same again.Even if Kori King didnt blow fans socks off during her run on the show, they cant help but love her and her chaotic antics and unstoppable charisma!

Antoni Porowski, the celebrated Queer Eye food expert and beloved public figure, is embarking on a new adventure in his latest project, No Taste Like Home, a travel and food documentary series streaming on Nat Geo. The series takes Porowski beyond the makeover realm of Queer Eye, delving into his passion for food, culture, and human connections across the globe. Alongside famous guests such asSource

David Archuleta is stepping into a new eraone filled with confidence, community, and a whole lot of EDM beats. The American Idol alum has been on a transformative journey since coming out, and now hes embracing every part of himselfincluding a flirty, sensual side thats making its way into his music. I just announced a new song today, Archuleta shared. Its called Crme Brle, and itSource

Chappell Roan is making waves in country music with her highly anticipated new single, The Giver. After months of teasing, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter is ready to release the track, which promises to become a powerful anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly lesbians. Originally performed on Saturday Night Live in November, The Giver quickly captured the attention of fansSource

In a candid conversation with Katya Zamolodchickova. , actress and comedian Megan Stalter opened up about her journey through comedy, her role in Hacks, and the trials of navigating both personal and professional relationships in the entertainment world. When asked about her favorite comedian, Stalters enthusiasm was palpable. She mentioned Maria Bamford, a personal favoriteSource

Multi-talented performer Frankie Grande has officially launched his debut single, Rhythm of Love, alongside an electrifying music video that promises to redefine the dance floor. Released under the esteemed labels Casablanca Records and Republic Records, the song marks a thrilling new chapter in Grandes career as a singer, songwriter, actor, and activist. Rhythm of Love is not just a catchySource

Black queer feminism is a powerful movement that has evolved over decades, shaped by the voices of radical thinkers, activists, and organizers who have challenged both racism and patriarchy while advocating for a more just and inclusive society. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black women, particularly those at the intersections of queerness and feminism, [...]The post A Look into Black Queer Women in Feminism Over the Years first appeared on GLAAD.

Are you ready for some sapphic soccer?The National Women's Soccer League is about to start a new season, with 14 teams from across the country and many of the world's best players competing for the championship cup starting this weekend.Last year, Orlando Pride, with stars Marta and Barbra Banda, won both the NWSL Shield for best regular season record, and the championship, leaving many to wonder if they'll repeat again this year.The NWSL was founded twelve years ago, and has steadily risen to be counted among the most elite leagues in the world, and queer players have had a huge impact on the league and its success.Former players like Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, and Sam Kerr, as well as current stars like Christen Press, Tierna Davidson, Marta, and Debinha, have helped to make the league one of the most fun sports leagues to watch, in the world.Many of the league's all-time leaders in goals, assists, and goalkeeping are queer, let's take a look at some of them.Christen PressSee on InstagramChristen Press is one of the great goal-scorers in league history. Despite missing recent seasons with injury, she has 48 career goals, placing her at number 8 on the all-time list. She's played for Chicago Red Stars, Utah Royals, and currently plays for Angel City Football Club, located in Los Angeles. She is dating former USWNT teammate Tobin Heath, and together they host the podcast The RECAP Show.Tierna DavidsonSee on InstagramDavidson, who currently plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC, after formerly playing for Chicago Red Stars, is a starting defender on the US Women's National Team. She is married to her former Stanford teammate Alison Jahansouz.MartaSee on InstagramBrazil's Marta is one of the greatest women's soccer players of all-time, playing in six consecutive Olympics and being the leading goal scorer in the history of both men's and women's World Cups, with 17. In the NWSL, she has 40 goals and 18 assists. She currently plays for the Orlando Pride, where she is engaged to teammate Carrie Lawrence.DebinhaSee on InstagramAnother Brazilian star is Debinha, who plays midfield and forward for Kansas City Current and used to play for North Carolina Courage. In her career, she has 47 goals and 25 assists.Carson PickettSee on InstagramPickett has played defence in the NWSL for eight seasons, with Orlando Pride, Seattle Reign, North Carolina Courage, and Racing Louisville and played for the U.S. national team in 2022. She was born without a left forearm and hand, and was the first player with a limb disability to make the U.S. national team.A.D. FranchSee on InstagramA goalkeeper, Franch has played for the US National Team for years and played for the Portland Thorns before joining her current team the Kansas City Current. She has 42 shutouts in 127 appearances in the league. She has a child with her wife Emily Boscacci.Jess FishlockSee on InstagramWelsh midfielder Jess Fishlock has played 11 seasons in the NWSL for Seattle Reign FC and is also the Wales national team's all-time leading scorer. Her 42 career goals are 11th most in league history, and her 25 assists are 7th most. She married her wife and Seattle teammate Tziarra King in 2023.Megan RapinoeSee on InstagramRapinoe is equally known for her activism and advocacy and her soccer playing. She spent most of her career playing for OL Reign, and also won two World Cups with the US National Team. Rapinoe's 51 goals in the NWSL make her the 6th highest scorer in league history. She's married to WNBA legend Sue Bird.Ali KriegerSee on InstagramKrieger has played for the Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride, and Gotham FC in the NWSL, as well as winning two World Cups with the U.S. national team. She's considered one of the greatest defenders in Women's soccer. She was formerly married to Ashlyn Harris, whom she divorced in 2023.Ashlyn HarrisSee on InstagramHarris served as a goalkeeper for the US National Team, as well as playing for Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride, and Gotham FC, earning 22 shutouts in 135 appearances. She was formerly married to Ali Krieger, and has two children with her. They divorced in 2023, and she is now in a relationship with actress and Angel City FC co-owner, Sophia Bush.Tobin HeathSee on InstagramHeath played in the NWSL for eight seasons, playing for the Portland Thorns for seven seasons and Sky Blue FC for one. Both a forward and midfielder, she also won two World Cups and two Olympic Gold Medals with the U.S. national team. She has 24 career assists, and 13 goals. She is dating Christen Press.Sam KerrSee on InstagramUntil Temwa Chawinga broke it last year, Australian striker Sam Kerr had the record for most goals in an NWSL regular season with 18 in 2019. Her 77 career goals are good enough for second all-time in the league. She played seven seasons in the league, for Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC, and Chicago Red Stars. She's played for Chelsea of FA WSL in England since 2019. Kerr is in a relationship with American soccer player Kristie Mewis and together, they have a child.QuinnSee on InstagramCanadian midfielder Quinn made history as the first out nonbinary and trans player in the league and has fought hard to make the league more welcoming to gender diverse players and fans. They played six NWSL seasons for Washington Spirit and Seattle Reign. Playing with team Canada, they were the first out trans Olympian to win a medal in 2021.Kelley O'HaraSee on InstagramO'Hara has played in 160 caps for the U.S. national team, and played for Sky Blue FC, Washington Spirit, Utah Royals, and Gotham FC over 11 seasons in the NWSL, scoring 16 goals and assisting on 21.She got engaged to Kameryn Stanhouse in 2022.Merritt MathiasSee on InstagramMathias was a long-time player in the league, playing for twelve seasons with Kansas City, Seattle Reign, North Carolina Courage, and most recently, Angel City. She co-hosts the podcast Sports Are Fun! With Kelley O'Hara, sports journalist Greydy Diaz, and Just Women's Sports intern BJ.