The Trump campaign and allied Republicans spent roughly $215 million on anti-trans advertising in the 2024 election and the impact on the results will be debated for years to come. But for trans rights activist Mara Keisling, the effect was profoundly personal.Keisling, a transgender woman, was the interviewer who asked Vice President Kamala Harris the question that led to her explaining how she supported surgery for prisoners in the past as California attorney general. Related Donald Trump is hammering Kamala Harris on trans issues. But voters say they dont care. Even a plurality of Republicans agreed that the anti-trans rhetoric has been sad and shameful. Kamala is for they/them, the 30-second ad concluded. President Trump is for you. Your LGBTQ+ guide to Election 2024 Stay ahead of the 2024 Election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today I think it had devastating impact; not on the election itself, but on trans people, Kiesling told LGBTQ Nation in a rare interview on the subject following Donald Trumps victory.She called the idea that the ads were determinative of the election outcome absurd.Much more important, Keisling said, was their effect on trans people.It was atmospheric, she said, describing the ads ubiquitous appearance on screens tens of thousands of times in the last months of the campaign on social media, cable television, and live broadcasts like NFL games popular with men. It was out there, and people heard it.The history of the clip at the center of those ads began with a call from the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), which Keisling headed up in 2019, to the candidates running for president in 2020 including Harris, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, and the rest of the Democratic field to participate in an interview with Keisling about their stances on transgender rights. They were scheduled in different cities convenient to the candidates. Harris was interviewed in Los Angeles. A look at the full interview reveals the candidate defining herself as a longtime champion of the transgender community, hitting a series of talking points portraying her as proactive in her support of trans rights.I cant remember a time that theyve not been important to me, Harris responded to one of only three questions Keisling asked in the six-and-a-half-minute interview posted to YouTube by NTCE in October 2019. The query that elicited Harris answer about trans prisoners was in answer to what Keisling termed a very broad question: Why should transgender people vote for you?I have a long-standing awareness based on my experience in the community of knowing the lives that people are living every day, that are burdened with fear, that are burdened with unequal access to everything from employment to a response from law enforcement to access to health care to access to housing. I mean, it covers the gamut, Harris said. The ironic thing in all of this is that Kamala Harris was among the candidates who trans people were most suspicious of, Keisling said.Those doubts are a clue to why Harris brought up healthcare for trans prisoners in the first place: she took the broader question as an opportunity to defend herself to a trans audience.As Californias attorney general a position she was elected to in 2010 and held until she won a Senate seat in 2016 Harris represented the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in its refusal to provide gender-affirming surgery to a trans woman inmate convicted of murder. The case infuriated trans rights activists and their anger followed Harris into her presidential run. Unprompted by Keisling, Harris reframed the episode.When I was attorney general, I learned that the California Department of Corrections, which was a client of mine I didnt get to choose my clients, Harris told Keisling that they were standing in the way of surgery for prisoners. When I learned about the case, I worked behind the scenes to not only make sure that that transgender woman got the services she was deserving. I made sure that they changed the policy in the state of California so that every transgender inmate in the prison system would have access to the medical care that they desired and needed.And in fact, the settlement that Harris reached in 2015 did help clear the path for the first taxpayer-funded gender-affirmation surgery for a trans inmate in U.S. history. While the explanation may have satisfied some trans voters in the 2020 election, it would be a gift to Republican campaign strategists five years later.Trumps attack ad boiled the explanation down. Surgery for prisoners every transgender inmate in the prison system would have access, Harris said in the pulled-up clip used to such devastating effect.Republicans use of the interview didnt come as a total surprise to Keisling, who saw Trump first bring up Harris stand on healthcare for trans prisoners in his one and only debate with her in September.There was a lot of Yep, this is just another insane thing that Donald Trump says,' Keisling recalled. I think it was pretty close to when he made up that nonsense about kids going to school and coming home having had an operation' to change their sex. It was Elon Musk, Keisling pointed out, who first brought the receipts about Trumps claim, posting the clip of Keislings interview with Harris to X. It earned tens of millions of views and retweets.A cut of the first campaign ad using Harris words and the infamous tagline broke through in testing to an extent that stunned some of Trumps aides, according to The New York Times. The first ad aired a week after the debate.Another ad in the series using Harris answer which featured Harris supporter Charlamagne Tha God and his exasperated reaction to the then-senators remark shifted the race 2.7 percentage points in Trumps favor after viewers watched it, according to an analysis by Future Forward, Harris own leading super PAC. Keisling said a friend forwarded a link to the first they/them ad.She called it absolutely shameful.Do I think it cost Kamala Harris the election? No. Did it solidify Trumps attacks that she was a quote San Francisco liberal? Probably some. But the really scary part about it is how much it terrified children and parents of children, Keisling said. I dont think were going to know for years how much $200 million plus in anti-trans ads has hurt trans people. We know its hurt us individually, but we dont know how much its set back the movement for our rights. Asked if Harris might regret the defensive explanation, Keisling replied, Youd have to ask her if she regrets it. You know, I assume there was a time in October that she really regretted it. But I dont know. I dont regret it.I didnt say things like, Hey, there was this case in California where you represented I didnt do any of that. I sort of let them talk, Keisling said of Harris and the candidate forums. But I knew that trans people wanted them to say something very trans. And I think we have to think really hard about that.I think everybody needs to reconsider whether forcing people to the right or the left during primaries is worthwhile, she added. Particularly galling to Keisling was Trumps use of the clip after his own Justice Department was subject to the same constitutional requirements Harris cited to get her trans prisoner settlement.Its about the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which bars cruel and unusual punishment. And the Supreme Court, lots of times over the 250 years weve been a country, has said that withholding health care is cruel and unusual punishment, Keisling explained. And we understand if an inmate breaks their leg, the prison has to set their leg and give them appropriate medical care. If an inmate has cancer, they have to deal with that.I think one of the things that Americans dont understand is that trans healthcare is just healthcare for trans people. It is the medically recognized, medically necessary treatment in many, many cases. Not everybody needs medical intervention, but folks whose doctors say they need medical intervention, the jails and prisons, whether theyre local, state or federal, have a have a constitutional mandate which is what the Trump Justice Department understood to provide health care. They had to enforce it, too.What did Keisling think about some Democrats, including Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), laying the blame for Harris loss on her trans prisoner explanation?It was absurd to say that it was the deciding factor in the election. I think it is worth repeating that anybody who talks days after an election is just wrong. Or if theyre right, theyre right by luck, Keisling said. So I dont put any stock in those two members of Congress talking immediately after the election. I think they were ill-advised to do it.I dont know whether it had 2.7 percentage point impact or 0.1% impact, but even if it wasnt the most important thing, it was a thing, Keisling said. If it hasnt put us back on our heels, were not thinking strategically.I think all of us need to digest our new reality and think about how we move forward in a smart way, she added.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

This week, Congress is considering a dangerous provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that targets the dependents of active military service members and retirees and their essential health care. The provision would effectively ban nearly all forms of gender-affirming care through TRICARE, health care that is supported by every major medical association as [...]The post Dangerous Provision in Federal Defense Bill Seeks to Discriminate Against Military Families Raising Trans Youth first appeared on GLAAD.

A 2023 LGBTQ+ youth report by the Human Rights Campaign found that 55.1% of surveyed LGBTQ+ youth screened positive for depression, and those that were transgender or gender-expansive were screened at 60%. Although 9 in 10 felt proud to be LGBTQ+, more than 4 in 10 of them felt critical of their respective identities.The same study reported that 6 in 10 respondents reported being bullied and harassed at school because of their identity. While trends in the survey showcased improvement and hope for the future, queer youths are still statistically heavily marginalized in the real world at a detrimental level.It is also hard for young people, especially those who are LGBTQ+, to receive mental health treatment. A 2023 national survey by The Trevor Project saw that 56% of LGBTQ+ youths seeking mental health care were unable to receive it.Thirty-eight percent of the studies participants felt their home was affirming toward their identity, and 1 in 3 felt mental health depravity from anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and proposals.With many feeling a general lack of acceptance in person, many LGBTQ+ youth have turned to social media, to find community and content that can be geared toward their personal identities. The Trevor Projects survey found that 68% of LGBTQ+ youth felt that the online world provided affirming spaces, compared to just 38%, 54%, and 16% for home, school and community events, respectively.A separate Trevor Project survey stated that out of the major social media platforms, TikTok and Instagram were in the lead for safety among LGBTQ+ youth, even more so for people of color. TikTok sat at 54% for people of color, and 45% for white people, and Instagram had 41% and 38%. Although these numbers do not appear high, the study said that while there were differences in where LGBTQ+ youth felt safe, 80-81% of LGBTQ+ youth who were people of color and those who were white felt that they had safety and understanding in at least one online platform.Social media has the power to connect people of different backgrounds from all over the world on one site. People can access the ability to feel connected in ways they may never have before. Queer youth specifically have found online spaces to be more welcoming than their in-person communities.With that power of globalizing and connecting, there also comes the risk of online harassment and hate, which can become widespread and detrimental to queer youth that use social media.Gerardo Salgado-Martinez, a public health data professional, reflected on current trends with queer youth on social media.With queer youth, they have historically been at risk for poor mental health outcomes, Salgado-Martinez said. Technology can exacerbate these outcomes. I think that those who work in the fields of technology, psychology, politics, and activism are trying to actively minimize these risks and create spaces for folks to be able to express themselves and explore their identities in safer ways.Salgado-Martinez adds, I dont myself engage a whole lot with this data for online queer usage specifically, but I work with youth services, and online worlds can provide a lot of relief for them, especially when they are finding out who they are and entering into society for the first time on their own. Its important that we look into these regulations to avoid the risk of poor mental health that we see already affects queer youth on such a large scale.A 2023 social media safety index from GLAAD found that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter, the five major social media sites, all failed to safeguard LGBTQ+ content and users. While four out of five of these platforms had improved from anywhere between 9-15% from the previous year, none of them rose above 63%. After right-wing billionaire Elon Musks acquisition of Twitter and subsequent rollbacks of provisions for queer safety, the site had been the only one to worsen, from 45% in 2022 to 33% in 2023.It currently feels like theres some weird double edged sword-fighting with social media, says Damien Rodriguez, a queer Philadelphian who regularly uses TikTok and Instagram to stay connected.Rodriguez said, I think in the past four, maybe five years, Ive used social media to help me understand myself, because I can look up coming-out stories or videos of people explaining how they knew they were gay, and then suddenly I feel much less alone in the world.But at the same time, I dont know how to even address the opposition that on social media can feel so much louder, Rodriguez added. You have bots and the ability to spam messages which I have seen affect queer folks on social media. There are, for sure, certain gay creators or trans creators who when you look at their post comments, its just all hate. People can pretty much do whatever they want in any which direction with that.It currently feels like theres some weird double edged sword-fighting with social media.Damien RodriguezAnother fight that LGBTQ+ people find themselves in online is the possibility of their favorite social media site becoming banned in their country, effectively losing their online community, which for many may be the only way they feel seen and heard.This past year, many U.S. lawmakers sought to put an end to TikTok, the leading site for visibility among LGBTQ+ youth, and the third most improved site for safety provisions for LGBTQ+ users from 2022. The House of Representatives voted in favor of pursuing this ban. There has been much pushback on this decision from many LGBTQ+ online creators and users.When sites that provide security for LGBTQ+ youth may be in danger of going away overnight, a larger question comes into play with how marginalized individuals, especially youth, can be better protected and not reliant on any one finite or unstable resource.The possibility of TikTok getting banned at first made me conflicted, because I think Ive gotten so tired of just seeing so much negativity spewed at queer people online, and the misinformation that can come with that is crazy, said Emma Chen, a young queer advertiser in the Philadelphia region.She added, I also feel as someone who has engaged in community organizing both in-person and online that we have become too reliant in our communities on the safety of online platforms that could theoretically vanish overnight. We dont have a lot of physical systems set up in the event that we actually need to meet face to face.Chen went on to remark, I do feel that social media is a good starting-off point though, and so I came around pretty quickly on that first-hand impression of banning TikTok. I feel so much less alone when I see others like me, especially when they are queer people who have similar cultural heritage and experiences as I do. There is such a beautiful community to be a part of online, I just wish wed be less afraid to use that to make more in-person action.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 The impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, and why its important appeared first on News Is Out.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) as retaliation for her recent crusade against trans rights. I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man, Mace wrote on X. Its unclear why she is now starring out the word trans, but based on her anti-trans views, she may be trying to communicate that it is some sort of dirty word. Related Nancy Mace tried to sell transphobic wrapping paper & failed miserably She then spent the weekend attacking trans people and calling them slurs. One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and itll heal just fine, she continued. The Capitol police arrested the guy. Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down. FAFO. #HoldTheLine. 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 I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man. One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and itll heal just fine. The Capitol police arrested the guy.Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down. FAFO. #HoldTheLine Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 11, 2024A statement from U.S. Capitol Police confirmed they arrested foster youth advocate James McIntyre of Illinois for allegedly assaulting Mace after lawfully entering the building through security. Sources told Axios the incident occurred at an event for the Foster Youth Caucus, of which Mace is a co-chair. Three eyewitnesses, however, have accused Mace of manufacturing the assault, saying Mace and McIntyre shared nothing more than a standard handshake while he asked the Congresswoman to protect trans rights. From what I saw, it was a normal handshake and interaction that I would expect any legislator to expect from anyone as a constituent,former foster youth and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Elliot Hinkle told Imprint.Hinkle added that the arrest of McIntyre who is also a former foster youth sends a chilling effect of, youre not actually safe to go to the Capitol Hill and share an opinion that is true for you, that isnt violent because right now if you do, a congressperson might say that they were physically assaulted and call the police on you. So how would a young person in care feel safe?In a Facebook post, foster youth advocate Lisa Dickson railed against Mace for her behavior at the event: I want to express deep disappointment in the fact that Congresswoman Nancy Mace came to a national foster youth event, told participating youth that it was a safe space and literally had one of them arrested by Capital police for simply shaking her hand and asking about trans rights. She added in a follow-up: Today was not the day or the time for a self-serving publicity stunt especially not a politician lashing out at a vulnerable young person who just took her at her word that, when helping foster youth, all suggestions are welcome.Mace, who has a long history of anti-trans politics, has been on a tear since trans Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE) won her race for Congress in November. In response to McBride becoming the first trans person ever elected to Congress, Mace introduced a resolution banning trans women from using the womens facilities at the Capitol, as well as legislation to ban trans people from using restrooms on all federal property. This is despite the facts that trans people have been working at and visiting the Capitol for years without incident and that McBride would get her own private bathroom as a member of Congress.While her resolution hasnt been voted on, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has already put in place a rule banning trans people from using the restroom that corresponds to their gender at the Capitol complex.Over the past several weeks, Mace has continued to escalate her anti-trans rhetoric and recently began casually using an anti-trans slur. After trans rights protestors demonstrated against her, she made a video for social media in which she stated, Alright, so some tr***y protestors showed up at the Capitol today to protest my bathroom bill, but they got arrested, poor things. So I have a message for the protestors who got arrested. You ready?She then pulled out a bullhorn, despite already being audible through her microphone, and read the standard Miranda rights into the bullhorn while facing the police office. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.In response to uproar about her use of the slur, she wrote on X, If tr*nnies is considered a slur then cis should be too.If "tr*nnies" is considered a slur then "cis" should be too. #HoldTheLine https://t.co/u4umKE298G Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) December 7, 2024 And it seems she is now regularly spouting the bigoted word. My staff has arrived to another wonderful morning in Washington, DC. Good morning, tr*nnies.#HoldTheLine pic.twitter.com/TTzqN3sFGF Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) December 9, 2024Mace has been using transphobia to build her political career since before she was elected to Congress. In her first campaign for Congress, she made up a law that she claimed required transgender equality in the military, said that her Democratic opponent was responsible for it, and said that it would result in a Marine Corps base in her district getting shut down. It was all a lie there was no such law and the Marine base is still in operation today but it helped her secure her seat in Congress.In her second run for Congress, she accused her opponent of providing SEX CHANGE SURGERY. PUBERTY BLOCKERS. GENDER CHANGING HORMONES. FOR CHILDREN? in an ad, even though her opponent was a doctor who worked at a hospital that didnt provide gender-affirming care for trans people at all. Her opponent was forced to resign from her job.Mace has a poor record on LGBTQ+ rights in Congress, getting scores of 15 and 14 out of 100 on HRCs Congressional Scorecard, and she even voted against the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ people at the federal level, and against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act because it would give some protections to transgender inmates.In her effort to stop McBride from using the womens restrooms at the Capitol, Mace has referred toMcBride as it and as a man. She has also startedselling anti-trans t-shirtsand saidthat its offensivethat McBride thinks shes equal to other congresswomen.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Sure, its still 2024, but we can't help but already be looking forward to 2025, and especially all the amazing queer stories that will be heading to our screens, big and small.What do we have to look forward to? Honestly, a lot! From major blockbusters like Jurassic World Rebirth, to queer romances like Swift Horses and The Wedding Banquet, and even some spooky thrillers and horror like Mother Mary and Queens of the Dead. Oh yes, this year is already stacking up to be a very entertaining one. So, with that in mind, here is everything currently on our radar! All film descriptions are courtesy of their respective studios and networks.One of Them Days - January 17Best friends and roommates Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are about to have One of Them Days. When they discover Alyssas boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. Presence - January 17A family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they're not alone. Starring newly out Julia Fox! Love Me - January 24Long after humanitys extinction, a buoy and a satellite meet online and fall in love. K-Stew, so we are seated. Star Trek: Section 31 - January 24In this new original movie, Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh reprises her Star Trek: Discovery role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou, who joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.Companion - January 31New Line Cinemathe studio that brought you The Notebookand the unhinged creators of Barbarian cordially invite you to experience a new kind of love storyMickey 17 - April 18The unlikely hero, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) has found himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job to die, for a living.Lilo & Stitch - May 23A live-action reimagining of Disneys 2002 animated classic, Lilo & Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. M3GAN 2.0 - June 27The next installment in the "M3GAN" franchise.Jurassic World Rebirth - July 2Five years post-Jurassic World Dominion, an expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.Fantastic Four: First Steps - July 25Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvels First FamilyReed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet.Freakier Friday - August 8Years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might strike twice.On Swift Horses - Sept 7Muriel and her husband Lee are about to begin a bright new life, which is upended by the arrival of Lee's brother. Muriel embarks on a secret life, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible. Starring Jacob Elordi, Diego Calva, and Will Poulter.An untitled sequel to Downton Abbey: A New Era - September 12No plot details have been released. The Running Man - November 21The futuristic United States of 2025 when the world has become a dystopia.Wicked: Part Two - November 21Follows Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.Dead Mail - TBDOn a desolate, Midwestern county road, a bound man crawls towards a remote postal box, managing to slide a blood-stained plea-for-help message into the slot before a panicking figure closes in behind him. The note makes its way to the county post office and onto the desk of Jasper, a seasoned and skilled "dead letter" investigator, responsible for investigating lost mail and returning it to its sender. As he investigates further, Jasper meets Trent, a strange yet unassuming man who has taken up residence at the mens home where Jasper lives. When Trent unexpectedly shows up at Jaspers office, it becomes clear he has a vested interest in the note, and will stop at nothing to retrieve it...Dope Queens TBAAn action-packed romantic thriller where three remarkable friends navigate San Franciscos fluorescent Tenderloin District and quickly find themselves trapped in a prison of their own making.Fear Street: Prom Queen - TBDIn this next installment of the blood-soaked Fear Street franchise, prom season at Shadyside High is underway and the schools wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown. But when a gutsy outsider is unexpectedly nominated to the court, and the other girls start mysteriously disappearing, the class of 88 is suddenly in for one hell of a prom night.The History of Sound - TBDTwo young men during World War I set out to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen.Howdy, Neighbor! TBAWhen former child actor, Benjamin Caldwell, is recognized by his new neighbor, the lines between friend and fan are blurred, turning his number one fan into his number one nightmare.I Dont Understand You - TBD 2025I Dont Understand You is a pitch-black horror comedy featuring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells as a couple on the verge of adopting their first child. The two set off to Italy to celebrate their babymoon/anniversary, but the language barrier soon leads to a series of very unfortunate events, plunging them into a waking nightmare.I Wish You All The Best - TBDBased on Mason Deaver's novel, the film follows Ben DeBacker, a non-binary teen who is thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas. Struggling with anxiety, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their art teacher, Ms. Lyons, while trying to keep a low profile at their new school. Ben's attempts to survive junior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. With the help of Nathan, and his friends Sophie and Mel, Ben discovers themselves and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.Mother Mary - TBDFollows the relationship between a fictional musician and a famous fashion designer. Starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel as lovers. Hunter Schafer costars and David Lowrey directs.Ponyboi - TBDUnfolding over the course of Valentines Day in New Jersey, a young intersex sex worker must run from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways, forcing him to confront his past.Queens of the Dead - TBDDrag queens and club kids battle zombies craving brains during a zombie outbreak at their drag show in Brooklyn, putting personal conflicts aside to utilize their distinct abilities against the undead threat.The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo - TBDFollows Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo, who chooses an unknown reporter to tell her life story. Evelyn recounts her time in the Golden Age of Hollywood and her seven marriages. Directed by Leslye Headland.Untitled Christy Martin Biopic - TBDSee on InstagramTells the story of Christy Martin, the most successful female boxer of the 90s.Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - TBD (@) No plot details have been released. The Wedding Banquet - TBDWai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese-American, agrees to marry Wei-Wei for a green card. When their parents visit for the wedding, Wai-Tung's homosexuality is revealed, leading to eventual acceptance. Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese-American, agrees to marry Wei-Wei for a green card.

Some of these really tug the heart strings...For decades, queer people have flipped through channels only to be greeted with an endless stream of heteronormative humbuggery at the holidays. And sure, push comes to shove, we can enjoy things made for straight people. But haven't we suffered enough? Same-sex couples have only recently begun making their way to the forefront of those cheesy Christmas films that get us through the dark winter nights, but it's happening. Give us your tired cliches, your formulaic romcoms, your low budget lesbians! We're not looking for cinematic masterpieces here; as long as we get to watch ladies falling in love amidst a holiday backdrop, that's a Christmas miracle we're not taking for granted anytime soon.So without further ado, may we present 10 sapphic gems to keep your yuletide properly gay.1. Under the Christmas TreeLifetime's first lesbian Christmas movie calls upon one of the many familiar tropes upon which holiday movies are built. Charlie (Tattiawna Jones) is sent to a small town in Maine to find the perfect Christmas tree for the state capital. It just so happens that the best tree she finds is sitting on the property of Alma (Carmilla's Elise Bauman) and her parents and Alma isn't so willing to let it go.Where to watch: Hulu or Lifetime Movie Club2. Happiest SeasonAbby (Kristen Stewart) finally accompanies her longtime girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), home for the holidays, where she meets her high strung family and learns the hard way that Harper has yet to come out to any of them. If you're looking for a cute and breezy Christmas movie, Happiest Season might not be your cup of tea. But if you prefer something that hits a little closer to home for the holidays, Clea DuVall's take on wintertime woes delivers on both the laughs and the angst. Plus, you'll be able to join in on the continued debate as to whether Abby should have ended up with Harper or Aubrey Plaza's Riley.Where to watch: Hulu3. Looking for HerWhen her family insists on finally meeting her girlfriend over Christmas, Taylor (Olivia Buckle) finds herself in a bind. Rather than just come clean and admit they broke up, she decides to hold auditions for someone to play the part, ultimately casting Olive (Alexandra Swarens, who also wrote and directed the film) for her foray into the fan favorite fake dating trope. What could possibly go wrong?Where to watch: Prime Video or Tubi4. The Christmas ClapbackThe Christmas Clapback centers around three competitive sisters who have to come together to try to win their town's annual cook-off while celebrating their first Christmas without their mother. A few curveballs get thrown their way, including the appearance of social media influencer Aaliyah (Kara Royster), who proves to be a challenge when it comes to both the competition and Tisha's (Porscha Coleman) love life.Where to stream: BET+ or Pluto5. A Holiday I DoA Holiday I Do imagines a world where the type of idyllic small town viewers love to step into for Christmas cinema doesn't bat an eye at queer love. Instead, the conflict here comes in the form of Jane (Lindsay Hicks) unexpectedly falling in love with a wedding planner named Sue (Rivkah Reyes). The catch? The wedding Sue is planning is that of Jane's ex-husband.Where to watch: Tello6. CarolWe would be remiss not to include what is undoubtedly the highest profile of all sapphic Christmas films, even if there's very little chance this one hasn't already been crossed off your viewing list at least once.Cate Blanchett stars as Carol, a self-assured lesbian living in 1950s New York City who embarks upon an affair with a younger woman (Rooney Mara) despite being married to a man. Todd Haynes and Phyllis Nagy's adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's classic novel The Price of Salt is a rare queer film to break into the mainstream, and it will always have a place amidst iconic holiday films.Where to watch: Netflix7. It's A Wonderful KnifeTired of formulaic Christmas TV romcoms? There's a slasher for that!A year after a masked killer murders her best friend, a depressed Winnie (Jane Widdop) wishes she had never been born and finds herself stuck in a timeline where her wish coming true also means that the killer was never stopped. While trying to put an end to the murderous mayhem plaguing a town that doesn't even remember she exists, Winnie enlists the help of outcast Bernie (Jess McLeod). And if she happens to develop feelings for her new friend along the way, well...Where to watch: Hulu or Shudder8. A New York Christmas WeddingIt's a Wonderful Knife isn't the only LGBTQ+ Christmas movie with a time traveling "what could have been" twist. In A New York Christmas Wedding, Jennifer (Nia Fairweather) gets the chance to see how her life could have turned out if she hadn't denied her true feelings for her childhood friend, Gabrielle (Adriana DeMeo). Where to watch: Prime Video or Tubi9.Friends & Family ChristmasIt took Hallmark until 2023 to release a Christmas movie that actually centered on a sapphic romance, but we were thrilled when Friends & Family Christmas finally graced our screens. We've got another fake dating trope with this one, after Amelia (Ali Liebert) and Dani (Humberly Gonzlez) pretend their parents' attempt to set them up with one another actually led to a real relationship just in time to keep everyone happy for the holidays. Could playing pretend lead to something more? I think we all know the answer to that one.Where to watch: Hallmark+10. Christmas at the RanchIs it really Christmas if somebody somewhere isn't trying to save the family ranch? Here we've got another queer take on a familiar trope ('tis the season!) as Haley (Laur Allen) returns home and winds up getting to know Kate (Amanda Righetti), the ranch hand at her family's struggling property. (Don't get this one mixed up with Christmas on the Ranch, where you will not find the lesbians you're looking for.)

After going viral for his putting his own personal "Grindr Wrapped" on TikTok, Joshua Fox (@jshfx) has made a follow-up video explaining how he collects his data and defending his hookup habits after receiving harsh criticism.In the video, the TikToker posts a comically long list of all of the men hes ever hooked up with on Grindr, including his ex-husband who he met on the app.It all starts with this list, Fox explains. Basically, every time I meet someone I put in a little note in my phone of like the name and location and that, and then when I get home, I go to my laptop, then I just update this spreadsheet.He said that he charts all of his Grindr hookups he slept with 84 men in 2024 but doesnt always get the mens names so instead he uses descriptors like Muscley Japanese, Sweet Jake, Tacky & Drunk, and Older Random. His hookups really picked up speed after his husband left him three years ago and he started seeking outside validation.@jshfxReplying to @toadd The list of men ive met up with #grindr #gay #gaycultureFox explained that the most important tab in his chart is the emotion he was feeling at the time of a hookup. A lot of the time Im meeting them up because Im depressed, and when Im at my worst I meet multiple people in one day.After meeting up with six men in one day his therapist said that he should start journaling and asking myself why am I doing this?While Fox has received harsh comments from viewers, charting his hookups has helped him understand his motivations more and hes proud of how much hes grown. Theres been a lot of judgment in the comments from people saying Im an embarrassment to the gay community and I should be ashamed of myself, but Im not, he said. Im ashamed of how long it took me to realize why I was stuck in this kind of destructive cycle. I was seeking validation from all of these random men, but Im also proud that Im being so open about this because nobody is and so many other gay men are stuck in this same cycle, but no one talks about it so thats why Im doing these videos.Fox also writes notes after each hookup, explaining that there was a day when he didnt finish. There were also notes about the men he slept with like, Avoid gym for a while, Height doesnt equal hung, Inexperienced but sweet, and Didnt douche thoroughly all important information!Wed all probably be horrified if our hookup app data was put out there for public combustion but Fox said its worth it if it helps people.Thats why I agreed to have my personal diaries turned into a book documenting the last couple of years because I know it will help people and it already is helping people. So maybe the people judging me, they should be the ones ashamed of themselves for being so closed-minded and not realizing that hey, people have different struggles, people have different coping mechanisms for things, and fk were not all perfect.Fox's book What You Into is currently available as an ebook on Amazon.

The founder and chief operating officer (COO) of the U.K.-based LGBTQ+ news website PinkNews have been accused by 33 current and former publication members of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behavior and fostering a toxic and misogynist workplace culture. The co-founders have denied the accusations. LGBTQ Nation has reached out to the founder for comment.The allegations, reported by the BBC, came mostly from anonymous people who worked at PinkNews between 2017 and 2024 who made their claims via official written complaints, private emails, WhatsApp messages, and doctors records about workplace stress. The accusers said they often kept their concerns private for fear of workplace retaliation or firing. Related U.K. forces Google to remove websites selling gender-affirming medications The government says its protecting peoples safety, but others worry its just part of a campaign to end gender-affirming care in the United Kingdom. The allegations state that a workplace culture of heavy drinking including staff cocktail evenings that lasted until early morning hours and Prosecco Fridaywhere the bosses offered wine and snacks in the office allegedly led founder Benjamin Cohen and his husband, COO Anthony James, to make sexual advances towards publication members. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today A worker accused James of groping and kissing a junior member of staff outside of a London pub after a workplace event. The junior member was allegedly too drunk to stand or talk and unable to consent. [James] was just forcing himself on somebody who wasnt able to make that decision for themselves because of how intoxicated they were, the accuser told the BBC. The accuser reported the incident via an email which was shared with PinkNews senior leadership, but its unclear if any consequences occurred as a result.Another worker accused Cohen of being extremely drunk to the point he fell off his chair and then privately inviting him back to his home because Cohens husband was away. The suggestion was we would do something sexually. I was extremely uncomfortable, the worker said, adding that he made sure he was never alone with Cohen ever again.I never heard about it again, no apology, the worker said. It put me on alert because it made me realize it was a boundary he thought he could cross. Another worker, Stephan Kyriacou, said his dream come trueof working at a place where he didnt have to hide his LGBTQ+ identity was shattered when Cohen slapped him on the buttocks in front of others at a staff Christmas party. He completely avoided Cohen after. In a private group chat, others allegedly referred to Cohen as a creep.Workers accused Cohen of abusively belittling and shouting at him in the office. One said the treatment and stressed him out to the point of tears, but then Cohen would love bomb him by manipulatively showering him with compliments afterward.Cai Wilshaw, PinkNews former head of external affairs told the BBC, You had this sort of dark cloud in the office sometimes when [Cohen] was there, that made it really difficult to actually enjoy working there. He is a very, very difficult character, and sometimes overly so in a way that really impacted people who worked with him. Several people said Cohen and James jokingly asked young female staff members if theyd serve as surrogates to carry their children. The people called the awkward and uncomfortable comments creepy and sleazy, and another worker said the behavior was part and parcel of the workplaces misogynisticculture.One accuser said that Cohen and James should step away from the business so the publication could continue its mission of credibly reporting on LGBTQ+ issues. While the men have denied the accusations, James was recently suspended from his part-time role as an associate non-executive director of Bedfordshire Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust in response to the BBCs report, though the trust said it had no allegations against him in its workplace.The office of the prime minister called the allegations very concerning.Theyre clearly very concerning reports, the prime ministers official spokesperson said. I cant speak to the specifics of them, but everyone should be free from sexual harassment at the workplace and indeed anywhere. And people should obviously always feel confident to come forward in these situations.Disclosure: LGBTQ Nations parent company, Q.Digital, has an advertising partnership with PinkNews.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Police are on offense confronting teenage gangs terrorizing gay men in pedo hunts in the Sydney area.New South Wales (NSW) Police have run multiple strike forces and investigations for nearly a year into assaults across the citys northern beaches, western and south-western suburbs, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Related Gay flight attendant won his job back after getting fired for a hook-up The gay Virgin Australia flight attendant says the airline got the whole thing wrong. Nearly a dozen organized attacks have been connected to the mostly teenaged gangs, likely a fraction of the actual number, police say. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In each case, the victims were gay men who arranged to meet in public parks with someone they met on a dating app like Grindr. Instead of a consensual hook-up, they were confronted by multiple teenagers, who then taunted, beat, and robbed the victims, sometimes using weapons.Several of the victims were forced to confess to being pedophiles while being filmed, which led investigators to discover videos of the attacks online, including an Instagram account called pedohunting_syd.The attacks and videos on social, including TikTok, are part of a trend known as pedo hunting, police say.Seven attacks took place over five days in April alone, prompting police to form Strike Force Section in the areas affected. A 16-year-old boy was attacked in a public park on April 2, while four males in a car followed a 21-year-old through a square in a suburb asking if he was gay or Muslim. Four teenagers attacked and robbed the man and his friend.At least five boys, ages 14 to 17, have been charged in connection with the assaults and robberies, as well as corporal violence and possessing unauthorized firearms. Police are describing the gang as a terror group. A second squad, Strike Force Dividing, has made arrests over similar attacks around Sydneys northern beaches, charging 14 youths with assault and extortion.One gang, led by a 21-year-old, was intercepted on their way to an attack, police said. Members of another gang, including two juveniles and an 18-year-old ringleader, were apprehended as they traveled south out of Sydney.Investigators have connected a member of the pedo hunt gangs to the attempted murder of a far-right Christian preacher, who was stabbed repeatedly in front of his congregation. Extremist material was found on the 16-year-old boys phone. He and six friends corresponding in a group chat were charged with terror offenses. Gay men in the Sydney area were subject to an epidemic of violence from the 1970s to the 2000s while police looked the other way. The NSW government and NSW Police have since apologized for their institutional neglect and failure to secure justice for the victims of previous hate crime attacks.The latest attacks, a police spokeswoman said, are being treated with the utmost seriousness.The incidents are similar to those performed by ultra-nationalists in Russia a decade ago, who used social media to lure gay victims to meeting places, where they were then harassed, brutally beaten, humiliated and forced to perform sexual acts with inanimate objects.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominatedformer professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education, even though he wants to eliminate the cabinet-level government office completely. She has little educational experience apart from taking some college education classes and spending one year on Connecticuts Board of Education.In addition to donating millions of dollars to Trumps campaign and chairing a political action committee supporting him, she also supports so-called school choice programs. Such programs redirect taxpayer funds from public schools to private for-profit schools that can discriminate against LGBTQ+ students and others without any government oversight. Related Marco Rubio may become the nations most anti-LGBTQ+ secretary of state ever He will signal to other countries that the U.S. tolerates and endorses anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry. 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 Linda McMahon at a glanceLocation: Greenwich, Connecticut.Party Affiliation: RepublicanRace/Ethnicity: Welsh-AmericanGender Identity: FemaleOrientation: HeterosexualPronouns: She/her/hersLGBTQ+ Ally: No Social mediaFacebook:LindaMcMahonX:@Linda_McMahonInstagram:LindaMcMahonOfficialLinkedIn:LindaMcMahonLinda McMahons stance on LGBTQ+ issues Same-sex marriageWhen running for the U.S. Senate in 2010 campaign, McMahons campaign said she supported the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) a 1996 law that forbade the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages because she supports states rights. At the time, 29 states had banned same-sex marriage and seven had legalized it.The head of the anti-LGBTQ+ Family Institute of Connecticutendorsed McMahonin 2010 and in 2012, stating that McMahon had reached out for their endorsement and that they agreed with her support for DOMA. In 2012, she said she supports Americas law for same-sex marriage. At the time, there was neither a federal law nor congressional legislation for same-sex marriage. She later said, I have changed my position on DOMA. With now gay marriage approved in the state of Connecticut, I dont think its fair. She said her opinion has just been evolving on the issue. Trans children in sportsMcMahon helped launch and serves as chair of the board for America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a right-wing think tank that has called transgender athletes a nightmare, said that President Joe Bidens trans-inclusive Title IX rules pervert girls sports, and said that trans athletes threaten both the safety of female athletes and the integrity of womens sports. Transgender access to public bathroomsWhile McMahon doesnt seem to have made public comments about this issue, Trump has promised to repeal Bidens Title IX protections for trans students, which require schools to let trans students use bathrooms matching their gender identity, on day one of his presidency. Dont say gay/LGBTQ+ discussions in schoolsMcMahons AFPI think-tank has published numerous articles supporting so-called parents rights policies, claiming that an evergrowing movement is now infusing classrooms with race-based policies and instruction that sexualizes young children and deconstructs the nuclear family.Parents rights groups have long said that LGBTQ+-inclusive books and classroom instruction sexualize children, and they use the argument as a pretext for banning both from schools.The think-tank has also expressed support for The Parents Bill of Rights (H.R. 5), Republican legislation that would require federally funded elementary and middle schools to obtain parental consent before changing a minor childs gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or allowing a child to change the childs sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms. Gender-affirming care for trans youthMcMahons AFPI think-tank says it is fighting back against radical gender ideology. It spreads falsehoods about gender-affirming care and has applauded states for passing laws restricting gender-affirming care for trans minors. Discrimination protectionsAs education secretary, McMahon would be expected to support Trumps plan to repeal Bidens Title IX protections for trans students. These include protections against deliberate misgendering and other types of harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ students.Other LGBTQ+ issuesDuring McMahons 1989 to 2009 tenure as CEO of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), she oversaw violent storylines that involved queer-acting characters being violently assaulted and insulted with homophobic and transphobic language. She has also been accused of knowingly allowinga ring announcer to repeatedly sexually assault young boys while doing nothing to stop it. McMahons careerGraduated from East Carolina University in 1969 with a bachelors degree in FrenchWorked as a receptionist at the corporate law firm ofCovington & BurlingCo-founded Titan Sports, Inc. in 1980 (which later became WWF/WWE)Appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education in January 2009Ran unsuccessful campaigns for U.S. Senate in 2010 and 2012Appointed asadministratorof theSmall Business Administrationunder Trump in 2017. Resigned in 2019Founded the America First Policy Institute in 2021Nominated by Trump to serve as Education Secretary in 2024 ConclusionIn a statement against McMahons nomination, GLSEN wrote, Donald Trumps decision to nominate Linda McMahon, a political ally with no substantial background in education, is yet another deeply concerning move in his ongoing effort to undermine public education. McMahons lack of expertise in education, paired with Trumps focus on so-called parents rights and school choice, signals a continued push to strip critical protections for LGBTQ+ students and historically marginalized communities.Her record of anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy suggests shell continue Trumps transphobic campaign and roll back any protections for LGBTQ+ students. Related links Related Donald Trump picks wrestling impresario Linda McMahon to head Department of Education The pick is apparently not a joke. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a temporary injunction against the states ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, becoming the first state supreme court in the nation to do so. I will never understand why my representatives are working to strip me of my rights and the rights of other transgender kids, Phoebe Cross, a trans boy and the lead plaintiff, said in a statement. Just living as a trans teenager is difficult enough, the last thing me and my peers need is to have our rights taken away. Related Trans women sue Montana over new policies that risk their public safety It took years for Jessica Kalarchik to live openly as a woman. But now the state is subjecting her to discrimination and harassment. Several trans teens, their families, and two medical providers filed suit last year after the state of Montana passed a law banning trans teens but not cisgender teens from accessing gender-affirming care. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The debate in the state legislature was heated and involved Republicans voting to ban state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) the first trans lawmaker in the state from entering the state house floor after she said that her Republican colleagues would have blood on your hands for supporting the bill. The plaintiffs argued that the law amounts to illegal sex discrimination because it only bans certain treatments based on a patients sex assigned at birth. For example, a cisgender teen boy, under the law, can get hormone therapy if his body isnt undergoing puberty in a way that conforms to how boys generally develop, while a trans teen boy can be in the same situation but would be denied care. The only difference in their situations is their sex assigned at birth.The parents of the plaintiffs argued that the law also violates their constitutional right to make medical decisions for their children, a right that conservatives usually support but not for the parents of transgender kids. Gender-affirming care is supported by all major medical organizations in the U.S. Two medical providers joined the lawsuit and argued that it prevents them from providing effective and necessary care.A lower court judge blocked the measure from going into effect in September 2023, saying that it was unlikely to survive any level of constitutional review and adding that barring access to gender-affirming care would negatively impact gender dysphoric minors mental and physical health.The judge called the state legislature disingenuous in its claimed desire to protect minors. In its ruling today, the state supreme court agreed that the ban on gender-affirming care is likely unconstitutional. This makes the state the first state Supreme Court to rule that trans medical care is protected, trans journalist Erin Reed said. This applies REGARDLESS of what the US Supreme Court does. Incredible news! Montanas Supreme Court just affirmed that the states gender affirming care ban is likely unconstitutional.This makes the state the first state Supreme Court to rule that trans medical care is protected.This applies REGARDLESS of what the US Supreme Court does.[image or embed] Erin Reed (@erininthemorning.com) December 11, 2024 at 7:36 PMFortunately, the Montana Supreme Court understands the danger of the state interfering with critical healthcare, said Lambda Legal Counsel Kell Olson. Lambda Legal, along with the ACLU and the ACLU of Montana, worked on the lawsuit. Because Montanas constitutional protections are even stronger than their federal counterparts, transgender youth in Montana can sleep easier tonight knowing that they can continue to thrive for now, without this looming threat hanging over their heads.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Matthew Scott Montgomery is all grown up!The former Disney Channel star is devoting all of his time and energy into a slew of passion projects that are spicy and so gay.His latest venture is a brand new play he wrote called Foursome which, as you can expect, is about sex between four queer men. Now this is pushing the gay agenda!"It's exactly what you think! It's very different from Disney Channel. There is sex in it. There is a foursome scene in it. I don't know why I've been inspired to write about sex this year so much. I guess I was just really horny this year," Montgomery tells PRIDE. See on Instagram While the title of the play and the steamy content may initially entice audiences, the show is much more than just sex."What it's really about is growing up. It's these four queer friends who love each other deeply and they're navigating sex, romance, friendship, and commitment. It's a romantic comedy of them figuring their way through that."Foursome isn't the only project that has fans of Montgomery on the edge of their seats. The actor will be reuniting with other Disney alum such as Debby Ryan and Alyson Stoner in the upcoming horror movie Howdy, Neighbor."It's a queer, campy, horror comedy that we've already shot. A group of my queer best friends making a scary movie? That's what dreams are made of! This is a great way to grow up together. It's scary, but it also has a nasty sense of humor to it."Fans can check out the reading for Foursome this Friday at IAMA Theatre Company. To see the full interview with Matthew Scott Montgomery, check out the video at the top of the page.

It's time for end of the year reviews!All across the internet people are posting their Spotify Wrapped, Steam Recaps, and Letterboxd Years in Review. There was even one gay man who took the time to break down all the data from his 2024 Grindr hookups. But what about data for all the time we spent not listening to music, playing games, watching movies, or between the sheets? Where did all the hours spent looking for love go? Well, one TikToker has the answer.Drew David (@itsdrewsdiary) continued a tradition he started in 2022 posting a dating year-end-review video to TikTok, detailing all the success, failures, and trends he found along the way. "Hello, and welcome to Drew's Dating Wrapped for 2024," he said sitting in front of a very chic presentation made for this special event. "I've been really excited to share this update with you since last year."After his 2023 Dating Wrapped, four of David's former paramours tried to start things up again, thinking that "the TikTok was an excuse to reach out and try again." One man even threatened legal action after something he said was featured in David's "Craziest Quotes" section, but that was all talk. This year, David went on first dates with 17 men. How do you even meet 17 eligible bachelors in 2024? David met 41% (7) through Tinder, 23% (4) through Hinge, 18% (3) through real life, and another 18% (3) through his Instagram DMs. Which just goes to show that if you're thinking of sliding into someone's DMs and shooting your shot, you should.@itsdrewsdiaryDrews Dating Wrapped returns for its third installment, with MUCH better production quality and a better deck. #dating #datingwrapped #gayHow did they spend these first dates? A combined 64% of the dates were either over drinks (35%) or a meal (29%). 30% were at home, either David's place (12%) or their place (18%). Of one suitor in particular, David said, "6% of the date I felt that it was necessary to meet in a public place, and I was right."David also goes on to break down how many dates he had with each of the 17 men, and how they compared to him in height, and how things ended up breaking off between them, but the real highlight of the presentation is the "Craziest Quote" section."Maybe I can date you in the new year, I've just been really busy with work," said one man to David in September, a good three months from the beginning of the next new year. There was also, "Why would you hang out with your friends and not me?" and, "That's why you have an eating disorder," both truly deranged statements to make to someone you are casually dating.The last one takes the cake for wildest, hands down: "I thought you were a top."Unfortunately for us, but very fortunate for David, he announced at the end of the video that this would hopefully be the last video in the series because he'd found someone who stuck! So far, David and his beau have been on 27 dates together, and are planning many more to come!While all of the data was interesting, I think the most helpful part of the presentation was when David looked at his goals from last year. "Last year, I set a the goal that 100% of the men I would go on dates with were bears. I accomplished that goal," he boasts proudly. It had never occurred to me that "date exclusively bears" could be a New Year's resolution, and that has me really rethinking my personal goals for 2025. Congratulations to David, and if you're an eligible bear out there, slide into my DMs and let's get together in the new year!

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a 281 140 vote. The annual military budget contains a provision banning gender-affirming care for military members with trans children; nonetheless, 81 Democratic representatives voted in favor of the NDAA.Republicans hijacked the $895.2 billion military bill by inserting a provision banning any medical treatment for gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization for those under 18 under the militarys health insurance plan, TriCare. The provision will prevent military members from getting safe, effective transitional care for their transgender children. Related Donald Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee thinks LGBTQ+ soldiers harm the military Pete Hegseth thinks the estimated 126,827 LGBTQ+ military service erode standards of the US military. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said that Democratic congressional leadership didnt tell legislators how to vote on the bill, adding, theres a lot of positive and bipartisan provisions in the NDAA but also some troubling ones, CBS News reported. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The Senate will now vote on the bill. If the Senates version remains identical to the Houses and passes in the upper congressional chamber, it will go to President Joe Bidens desk, where he may veto or sign it into law. In the past, Biden has promised to veto legislation that harms the LGBTQ+ community.If Biden signs the law, it would be the first federal statute restricting the LGBTQ+ community since the infamous Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy of the 1990s which heavily restricted LGBTQ+ peoples membership from serving in the military.Transgender activists criticized the bills passage. When a service member is forced to choose between continuing their military service or protecting the wellbeing of their child, it also undermines military readiness and endangers national security, Advocates for Trans Equalitys (A4TE) Director of Federal Policy, Olivia Hunt, said in a statement. Military families have enough to worry aboutthey should never have to fear that they cant get necessary healthcare for their children. Politicians who prioritize discriminatory agendas over the wellbeing of those who serve do a disservice to the very patriots they claim to honor, Hunt added. Healthcare decisions made between military families and their doctors should be respected, not politicized.Its unclear exactly what specific procedures the NDAA will ban.Puberty blockers dont affect fertility, hormone replacement therapy can, and not all gender-affirming surgeries (like mastectomies) affect fertility. Such surgeries are rarely conducted on children.House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) supported the bill, saying in a statement, This [NDAA] legislation includes House-passed provisions to restore our focus on military lethality and to end the radical woke ideology being imposed on our military by permanently banning transgender medical treatment for minors and countering antisemitism. However, before the vote, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) released astatementurging Johnson to reconsider the bill.Blanketly denying health care to people who clearly need it, just because of a biased notion against transgender people, is wrong, Smith wrote. This provision injected a level of partisanship not traditionally seen in defense bills. Let the House bring forward a bill reflective of the traditional bipartisan process that supports our troops and their families, invests in innovation and modernization, and doesnt attack the transgender community.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A little more than a year since her divorce from ex-wife Ashlyn Harris amid cheating rumors, former pro soccer star Ali Krieger is living her best life with her new paramour. In a TikTok video posted earlier this week, Krieger and her new girlfriend, Scottish soccer player Jen Beattie the pair made their love public in November by posting on Instagram giggle while they compare UK and American words for everyday objects.The two lovebirds start off strong, with Krieger calling their shared sport soccer and Beattie reminding her that its actually football.Things get even cuter when a picture of a woman holding a stop sign pops up, and Krieger calls her a crossing guard while Beattie says she would call her a lollipop lady. Krieger laughs, finding the UK name hilarious, and then asks, But what if its a guy?@jennybeattie5 @Ali KriegerLollipop person? We actually need to ask some kids that actually, Beattie responds.The pair keep giggling as they discover that the UK and US pronounce zebra and aluminum differently, and Krieger learns that people in Scotland call the classic pink eraser we all used in elementary school a rubber a word that has a much different connotation on our side of the pond.The video which gives us a sweet peek into their relationship dynamic finishes with the two women holding onto each other as they both laugh hysterically over the way Krieger refers to snack foods (like chips and cookies), compared to Beattie (crisps and biscuits).Could these two get any cuter?!

Do you like Huey Lewis and The News? Austin Butler does, and we're suddenly all shook up!Butler, who earned an Oscar nomination for playing Elvis Presley in the biopic Elvis, has now been cast in Luca Guadagnino's highly anticipated upcoming American Psycho film (via Variety).The new American Psycho film has a script by Scott Z. Burns (The Laundromat). According to reports, Guadagnino's version won't be an actual remake of the 2000 film directed by Mary Harron and starring Christian Bale as the murderous and psychopathic yuppie Patrick Bateman. Instead, it will be a new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' book of the same name published in 1991.It will be Guadagnino's third horror film following Suspiria and Bones and All. (L-R) Christian Bale in 'American Psycho' (2000); Austin Butler in 'Elvis' (2022).Lions Gate Films; Warner Bros PicturesGuadagnino is currently one of the most exciting directors in film. In 2024, the Italian director made two of the best films of the entire year: Challengers and Queer. Audiences and critics alike are also excited about his work Queer was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor (Daniel Craig), and Challengers earned four nominations including Best Actress (Zendaya) and Best Motion Picture.As a result, all upcoming projects from Guadagnino have a lot of hype surrounding them.Guadagnino recently wrapped shooting another film, After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. He's also working on the film Separate Rooms, which tells the story of an Italian writer mourning the loss of his boyfriend.The original American Psycho (2000), starring Christian Bale, is streaming on Netflix.

If you think the RuPauls Drag Race universe is anywhere near the finish line, then honey, you betta buckle up because theyre just getting started.Along with the upcoming 17th season on the main stage, among a number of other projects, we also have some pretty sickening news when it comes to the spin-off show The Pit Stop.For those unfamiliar, The Pit Stop became the official aftershow for RuPauls Drag Race in season 8 and has covered everything from the main stage since. It has also given us all of the drama we could hope for from All Stars 2 and Canadas Drag Race season 1. Its seen a number of hosts over the years, including Alaska, Manila Luzon, Bob the Drag Queen, and is most often hosted by Trixie Mattel.Now, ahead of the new season of Drag Race, we get the return of one of our favorite winners, Mont X Change, back in the hosts seat where she belongs.The announcement came on the official Drag Race X page and instantly had everybody gooped, gagged, and seated. (@) In case youre not a Drag Race super fan, we all first met Mont in Season 10, and shes gone down as one of only two queens to have ever split the title alongside Trinity the Tuck in All Stars 4. She also competed on the all-winners season of All Stars 7 and previously hosted The Pit Stop during season 14 of the flagship show.Following the announcement, Mont also posted a carousel of photos on her Instagram that showed her in the same outfit as the tweet, as well as some behind-the-scenes takes on the look shes sporting and a couple of shots of her back in the hot seat.See on InstagramA few photos also confirm Raven will be part of this, too.Starting January 4, the day after the season 17 premiere, catch new episodes of The Pit Stop on YouTube and watch her crush it like she does.

With a record number of social and political stressors facing young LGBTQ+ people, the Trevor Project has released a collection of advice given by young queers to their peers.The responses were taken from the organizations 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People which made the following open-ended request to respondents (who were between the ages of 13 and 24): We would love for you to share a message of advice or encouragement to other young people in the LGBTQ community. Related Pro-LGBTQ+ laws boost queer peoples mental health I walk around my city, and I see businesses that have gay pride flags and pride flags in their windows, one gay man said. One respondent wrote, Finding a sense of community helps so much, whether its online or in person. Just find a place where you can ask questions and read about other peoples experiences. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Another stressed the importance of envisioning a better future and doing what one can to cultivate community support now.Find your group and work towards where you wanna be in life and youll make it there, one wrote, as other offered encouraging words like, Keep pushing, Keep going for another day, Just keep going, please, and Please keep strong.Another urged resilience and perseverance. Be yourself always, they wrote. You may lose connections along the way but trust, theres someone out there who will love you. Another respondent agreed, writing, Just look for the people who love you no matter what.Others urged self-compassion and patience as young people figure out their identities. One such message said, Dont rush finding your identity. Take your time to explore, and dont be afraid to take up labels if they feel right at the time. Some respondents suggested repeating self-affirmations like the following:I love you.I believe in you.You got this.You are so strong and you are deserving of love always.Wake up everyday, and tell yourself you love yourself until, one day, you believe it, one young person wrote.Other respondents acknowledged the adversity faced by young LGBTQ+ people, whether in politics or unaccepting homes.[Its] very easy to think that the entire world [despises] you for who you are when your home environment conveys that, one wrote. You might not feel safe and happy now, another wrote, but hopefully, there will come a day when you find your home. Dont let the people around you tell you that you cant love who you want and feel what you want to feel, one respondent wrote.Another added, I know things look down right now and its hard to see past the hate thats being spread but it always helps to remember that most people dont hate us and that there are tons of us out there that are willing to help.Weve always been here. And we always will be, another wrote. They cannot erase us.Other respondents advised doing things to lessen negativity.Ignore the Idiots and cut people off if [you] have too [sic]. Life is too short to care what people think about you and they dont even have to live your life and experience the things you do. In the same vein, another respondent replied, Dont let the people around you tell you that you cant love who you want and feel what you want to feel.Peer support is associated with lower levels of emotional and behavioral distress among LGBTQ+ young people, the Trevor Project wrote. However, not all LGBTQ+ young people have consistent access to peer support, especially LGBTQ+ young people who hold multiple marginalized identities.As such hearing words of encouragement and advice from fellow LGBTQ+ young people has never been more needed, the group added.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The word tr*nny (and its plural form, tr*nnies) is a derogatory slur used to express contempt for transgender people, and should be understood accordingly. Like other slurs for historically marginalized groups, it should not be used to refer to transgender people or others. When referring to the slur and reporting on the use of the [...]The post Fact Sheet for Reporters Derogatory Slurs Referring to Transgender People: Tr*nny first appeared on GLAAD.

Cynthia Erivo was honored as the 2024 Out100 Icon of the Year and her speech accepting this honor couldn't be more magical!On Wednesday, December 11, Erivo took the stage at the 2024 Out100 event, proudly sponsored by Lexus, to deliver a powerful message about what this moment means to her. The Wicked superstar said:When I heard I would be the recipient of this award, the ICON award, I kept trying to figure out what that meant for me.When I think of the word Icon, I think of Marsha P. Johnson, a revolutionary who worked to make change for the trans community and by default the queer community at large. I think of Reverend Pauli Murray, whose work influenced the civil rights movement and taught people that queerness does not erase faith. I think of George Michael who gave us the video and song freedom and celebrated the freedom of expression and self. I think of Koko the doll.. I think of the mothers of the houses of Pendavis, Labeija, Xtravaganza, and Ninja, exquisite queens who took in young queer people and gave them a place to dream. A place where they could be anything they wanted to be.a place where Octavia St Laurent could believe that she was a super model.I think of those people and I wonder, what qualities do I have that allow me the privilege of being garnished with such a title; and I have come to the conclusion that this is actually where I earn it. That the choices I make in my work help to reflect the many varied lives we live, that the people I have the joy of playing are a celebration of our humanity. That the stories I choose to tell, regale you with the light and dark of our lived experiences. That those pieces, as a whole, serve as a place for you and many others to go, to remind yourself that your existence is cause for exploration and growth and complexity and celebration. I keep using the word celebration, because I think at the core of what I do is a deep want to celebrate us in all our differences and quirks, in our pain and scars, in our laughter and joy.Hopefully, over time, I will have done enough of this work to be worthy of the word ICON. Until then, I shall have a glorious time earning it.I was at a talkback last night, and the moderator asked me why I thought people cried watching defying gravity, to which I gave my answer, I think people are connecting on a very personal level with the journey it has taken to get to the place where Elphaba can proclaim she is defying gravity the moderator then looked at me and said, can I give you my reason for crying? Of course, I obliged I cried because Elphaba had discovered these new powers, and instead of using them for herself, she chose to use them for others, even though it meant she had to do it aloneId like to take a leaf out of Elphabas spell book, Grimery for those in the know and use the powers I have for others, not just myself. I think thats what makes an Icon.Now I should let you get on, you deserve to enjoy this night and according to queer media, I have been all over your social media, at least thats what Ive heard and I dont want you to grow to tired of me, theres a part two on the way and we really need to hold space for that and feel the power in that.Good night and thank you again Out magazine for this divine honor. It is unbelievably meaningful to me.We'll continue to not only "hold space" for Cynthia Erivo but celebrate, honor, and elevate this performer who embodies every single thing that it takes to be considered our Icon of the Year.Lexus passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With eight models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, two F performance models and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and Mean Girls Rene Rapp shared a moment on stage at the Out100 event on Wednesday night.The two multiple-hyphenated artists recently made waves with their Musicians on Musicians interview for Rolling Stone. During the interview, the stars spoke about their appreciation for one another, and Rapp told Erivo that her performance in Broadways The Color Purple led her to pursue her own career in music and acting.Related: Cynthia Erivo dazzles the 2024 Out100 event with powerful speech"You started performing, and I was like, 'OK, shes just different. On another planet, on another level,' Rapp said to Erivo in the interview.On stage Wednesday the two were reunited for an adorable moment between two queer (and both Capricorn) legends where Rapp, along with Out editor-in-chief Daniel Reynolds, presented Erivo her award as the Out100 Icon of the Year."When I was 17, I had an ex-boyfriend, right? And we used to get super high in his college dorm room and watch videos of Cynthia singing in The Last Five Years. And I was like, I think she's the hottest person I've ever seen. I also think no one's voice is like that, just that kind of ever. And now everybody knows the thing," Rapp recalled while introducing Erivo. Rapp went on to list Erivo's accolades and what she's accomplished with her latest role."Cynthia is wowing audiences in Wicked, breathing a new life into the 20-year-old character with her nuanced interpretation and her goaded interpretation," Rapp said. "As a queer black woman, she's allowing people who've never seen themselves in Elphaba to identify with her more deeply. And that's critical for visibility for those who need it."Rapp wrapped up her introduction by saying, "Simply put, Cynthia's talent and impact are unlimited."

Emmy-winning Broadway legend Sheryl Lee Ralph received The Advocate of the Year award at the Out100 event Wednesday night where she spoke of being inspired by the LGBTQ+ community and shared wisdom about what advocacy means to her.The Out100, proudly sponsored by Lexus, honored distinguished celebrities, politicians, activists, and more who are making a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ people. While Ralph received The Advocate of the Year, Wickeds queer star Cynthia Erivo was named Out100 Icon of the Year. Ralph, who co-stars in the hit sitcom Abbott Elementary, graced a recent digital cover for The Advocate. The longtime activist took the stage Wednesday night reaffirming her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Her Abbott Elementary fellow actors Chris Perfetti and Lisa Ann Walter presented her with the award.She began her speech with a verse from "Endangered Species" a song off Dianne Reeves' 1994 album, Art & Survival. The same song she iconically sang when she won her Emmy. To be named Advocate of the Year is an honor I carry on behalf of every individual who has fought for love, for identity, for visibility, and for freedom, Ralph said. The acclaimed singer and actress went on to describe her views on advocacy. Advocacy is not a solo journey it is a collective movement. It is the bravery of those who came before us, the courage of those who stand with us, and the hope of those who will follow.Ralph took time to honor the trailblazers who came before her. She also took a moment to share how shes been motivated by queer peoples experiences. I have been inspired over the years by so many in this community by those who refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice, by those who live their truth unapologetically, and by those who show us that joy is also an act of resistance, she said. She also cautioned that theres more to do. I am a believer in the power of unity. The world may try to divide us, but our strength has always been in our ability to stand together, to lift one another, and to remind each other that love at its core is unstoppable, Ralph said.About LexusLexus passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With eight models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, two F performance models and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

On Wednesday night, the luminaries of LGBTQ+ Hollywood and beyond gathered in Los Angeles at the Out100, proudly sponsored by Lexus.It's our communitys annual chance to honor a retrospective of the most influential and impactful queer and trans folks who helped make the world a better, more inclusive, and more representative place in 2024.Keep scrolling to see all the Out100 honorees and the LGBTQ+ difference-makers who walked the red carpet at the 2024 Out100, proudly spondored by Lexus. And to see the full list of this year's honorees, click here!Daniel Reynolds & Cynthia ErivoReynolds (Editor-in-Chief Out Magazine) alongside Erivo (Actress Wicked, Icon of the Year, and 2024 Out100 Honoree Artists)Sheryl Lee RalphAdvocate of the YearPattie GoniaDrag Queen, Activist, Outdoor Enthusiast, and 2024 Out100 Honoree DisruptorsKaty OBrianActor Love Lies Bleeding and 2024 Out100 Honoree ArtistsTracy E. GilchristVP, Editorial & Special Projects, equalprideJake Borelli & Alexis FloydBorelli (Actor Greys Anatomy, The Thundermans) and Floyd (Actor Greys Anatomy)Eugene Lee YangFilmmaker The Try GuysBrian Michael SmithActor 9-1-1 Lone StarHarper SteeleWriter and Comedian SNL, Will & Harper, and 2024 Out100 Honoree DisruptorsLaw RoachFashion Stylist and 2024 Out100 Honoree DisruptorsChris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Lisa Ann WalterPerfetti (Actor Abbott Elementary, Advocate of the Year), Ralph (Advocate of the Year), and Walter (Advocate of the Year)Mark Berryhill & Daryl CrostonBerryhill (CEO equalpride) and husband CrostonCynthia ErivoActress Wicked, Icon of the Year, and 2024 Out100 Honoree ArtistsJon LovettPodcaster Pod Saves America and 2024 Out100 Honoree EducatorsColton UnderwoodScreenwriter and DirectorKarla Sofia GascnActor Emilia Perez and 2024 Out100 Honoree GroundbreakersOrville PeckMusicianGabrielle Union-Wade,Zaya Wade, and Dwayne WadeGabrielle (Actress Bring It On, 10 Things I Hate About You), Zaya (Model, Activist, and 2024 Out100 Honoree Groundbreakers), and Dwayne (Former NBA Player, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame)Tim BagleyComedian and Actor Will & GraceTom Daley & husbandDaley (Olympian U.K. Diving and 2024 Out100 Honoree Groundbreakers) and Black (Screenwriter and Director)Nymphia WindWinner RuPauls Drag Race Season 16 and 2024 Out100 Honoree ArtistsMargaret ChoComedian and Actress Fire Island and 2024 Out100 Honoree ArtistsMarissa BodeActress Wicked and 2024 Out100 Honoree Wicked CastNava MauActress Baby Reindeer and 2024 Out100 Honoree DisruptorsNina WestDrag Queen and 2024 Out100 Honoree EducatorsVincintQueer Pop StarKevin McHaleActor GleeJesse Tyler FergusonActor Modern FamilyMatt Bernstein & Miss BennyBernstein (Makeup Artist and Activist) and Benny (Actress Glamorous)Laith AshleyActor, Model, and Singer-SongwriterGrant Vanderbilt, Caleb Feeney, Riley Holden, Hunter Crenshaw, Gigi Goode, Marko Monroe, and SymoneVanderbilt (Creative Director), Feeney (Actor), Holden (Drag Queen), Gigi Goode (Drag Queen RuPauls Drag Race Season 12), Monroe (Designer), and Symone (Drag Queen RuPauls Drag Race Season 13 Winner)Devin KawaokaActorChristie Raleigh CrossleyParalympian U.S. Swimming and 2024 Out100 Honoree LGBTQ+ ParalympiansSam Champion & Rubem RobierbChampion (GMA, 2024 Out100 Special Co-Host, and 2024 Out100 Honoree Educators) and Robierb (Visual Artist)Jeff ConsolettiFounder JJLA and 2024 Out100 Honoree EducatorsArisce WanzerModel, Comedian, and ActressKayla GagnetEditorial SVP, equalprideCynthia ErivoActress Wicked, Icon of the Year, and 2024 Out100 Honoree ArtistsScott Evans & GuestActorThe Barbie MovieShaun RossModel and Music ArtistJaymes BlackCEO The Trevor Project and 2024 Out100 Honoree EducatorsAriana MadixTV Personality Vanderpump RulesGigi GorgeousCreator and ModelRan Aubrey Frazier & Daniel ReynoldsFrazier and Reynolds (Editor-in-Chief Out Magazine)Mark Berryhill & Cynthia ErivoBerryhill (CEO equalpride) and Erivo (Actress Wicked, Icon of the Year, and 2024 Out100 Honoree Artists)

Uncloseted Media launched three months ago, and its been a wild ride. Since its been a (relatively!) slow news week for LGBTQ issues, I thought Id use this newsletter to pull back the curtain about our ultimate goals. Trust in media is at an all-time low and I think thats partly because news organizations dont pull back the curtain and divulge their goals and strategies to their audience.Subscribe nowFor those who are interested, our raison-d'tre is to be your go-to source for rigorous, trustworthy, nonpartisan, LGBTQ-focused journalism. And yeswe admit itin 2024, that is really damn hard to pull off! We are committed to providing you with journalism that has the sophistication and gravitas that 60 Minutes is famous for as well as the edginess and willingness to go there that Vice had in its heyday. We wont shy away from controversial or taboo topics and we wont avoid subject areas that may be critical to the LGBTQ community.A major goal for Uncloseted is to get our stories beyond LGBTQ echo chambers and in front of all Americans who may not be seeking queer-specific news. Parents in the Midwest who may not be inherently homo/transphobic but dont feel they have a trustworthy source for queer news. Pastors in the Bible Belt who may be looking for religious materials to help them understand the LGBTQ experience but dont know where to find it. We have a multi-pronged strategy on how we plan to do this and will be sharing with you some updates about this in the coming weeks.Until then, feel free to reach out if you want to get involved or help amplify our journalism.Subscribe nowHouse poised to pass massive defense bill with ban on gender-affirming care for transgender kids (NBC)The GOP provision has sparked an outcry from the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, who has vowed to vote no on the NDAA.Donald Trump appoints anti-trans lawyer to lead Civil Rights Division at DOJ (LGBTQ NATION)Harmeet Dhillon, a prominent election denier, has a history of anti-woke and anti-LGBTQ activism.She Sued Over Transgender Conversion Therapy, a First for China (The New York Times)Linger won a settlement payout from the hospital, where she was held for three months against her will and subjected to electroshock therapy.Making Sense of the Gay Internet On the Day We Discovered Luigi Mangione (Them)The instant memeification of Mangione has led to unverified information and deceptive dupes about the suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter.PinkNews bosses accused of sexual misconduct (BBC)The couple who run PinkNews, the world's largest LGBTQ news website, have been accused by staff of multiple incidents of sexual misconduct.LGBTQ advocates ask leadership to torpedo Kids Online Safety Act (The Hill)Advocates for the LGBTQ community asked Democratic congressional leaders to reject the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), arguing Monday that it could stifle access to important information online.LGBTQ Americans stockpile meds and make plans to move after Trumps win (The Washington Post) Some LGBTQ people are anxiously preparing for what they fear will be a rollback of their rights.Gay pro tennis player comes out, is in a relationship with his hunky actor boyfriend (Out Sports)Brazils Joao Lucas Reis da Silva has come out publicly as gay while active on the mens pro-ATP Tour, sharing a message to his boyfriend.This weekend, be on the lookout for new Uncloseted reporting: Transgender men experience eating disorders at higher rates than any other demographic group, yet their struggles are under-researched and underreported. Sam Donndelinger follows Daniel-Jos Cyan on his journey with eating disorder recovery and gender-affirming care. Only half of LGBTQ kids feel accepted by their families. Alarmingly, those rejected by their families are eight times more likely to commit suicide. What will they do for the holidays? This weekend we investigate how rejection of queer family members is a public health crisis and should be treated as such. Youll hear from three different people making the tough decision of whether or not to go home for the holidays. Thanks for reading! And feel free to email me with questions, complaints, tips or story ideas! Spencer Macnaughton, Editor-In-Chiefspencer@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 MediaUncloseted Media is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) was one of three out LGBTQ+ senators until last week. Butler, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to the Senate to complete the late Sen. Dianne Feinsteins (D-CA) term in October 2023, stepped down on Sunday. Newsom appointed Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) who just won the Senate race in California to fulfill the rest of Feinsteins and Butlers term in the Senate, which will last until January. Schiff will then serve his full six-year term. Related Lesbian senators fiery take on GOP extremists left Republicans silent Sen. Laphonza Butler pulled no punches when defending her own. Butler, who largely stayed out of the spotlight during her 14 months in the Senate, gave a farewell speech last Thursday. 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 My final prayer as a member of this August body is that we realize that as policymakers we are generations Head Start teachers, she said, referencing the educational program that she was a part of when she was young. Every single day we can plant seeds that will grow in the hearts and minds of young leaders, and we get to decide the seeds we plant.She voted as a strong Democrat, the Sacramento Bee reports. She sponsored 33 bills and cosponsored 333 more. Her office said that she helped more than 2000 constituents with casework. Butler was the third Black woman to serve in the Senate and the first out LGBTQ+ senator from California, as well as the third out LGBTQ+ U.S. senator in history. She served alongside the first and second: Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ). Sinema did not seek reelection this year, so Baldwin will be the only out LGBTQ+ senator come January. Butler was the president of the pro-choice womens political action committee EMILYs List before she was appointed to the Senate. She had a background in political strategy (serving as a senior strategist in Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign) and labor (serving as president of the California chapter of the SEIU, which represents nursing home and home-care workers). Butler was asked at an event in LA last month what her plans were after the Senate. I dont know, she responded. Im gonna be a mom to a 10-year-old who has picked up this new habit of competitive cheer.Laphonza has never shied away from fighting for whats right. She works not for recognition, but for the greater good a commitment that began long before her time in the Senate and will continue well beyond it, Newsom said in a statement. Thank you, Senator Butler, for your dedication and service and for honoring the life and legacy of the late Dianne Feinstein, a legacy Im confident Senator-elect Schiff will also carry forward. Vice President Harris swore Schiff in earlier on Monday on the Senate floor.I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of giants, Schiff said in comments after he was sworn in, citing Butler as well as Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Feinstein, and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA)Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Out Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) along with fellow centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) are facing condemnation from the left for a parting shot they took at Democrats as they both leave the Senate.Sinema and Manchin voted against President Joe Bidens re-nomination of Lauren McFerran to the board of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency that protects employees rights in the workplace. Their no votes sunk the nomination since all Republicans in the Senate also voted no. Only one of them was needed to vote with Democrats in order for McFerrans nomination to succeed. Related Former Democrat Kyrsten Sinema raised $200K from Republican megadonors She even got Clarence Thomass friend Harlan Crow to max out to her campaign. Shes saying she can win next year. If McFerrans nomination had succeeded, she would have been on the NLRB board until 2026, maintaining Democratic control of the NLRB for two more years. Now Donald Trump will be able to pick McFerrans replacement and shift the balance of the board earlier than he otherwise would have been able to. 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 The NLRB has a lot of power in settling disputes between labor unions and corporations, and NPR notes that it has become more assertive in supporting unions during the Biden administration. The NLRB has come under attack from corporations like Elon Musks SpaceX and Jeff Bezos Amazon, who sued arguing that the NLRB is itself unconstitutional after it ruled against them and in favor of their workers.It is deeply disappointing,a direct attack on working people,and incredibly troubling that this highly qualified nominee with a proven track record of protecting worker rights did not have the votes, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema just voted against Bidens #NLRB nominee, blocking Democrats from securing control of the labor board through 2026, wrote Democratic activist Alex Guiden on X. Their betrayal hands Trump control of the NLRB at the expense of working people. They should be ashamed. Politico reports that Sinema hasnt voted on anything in the Senate since Thanksgiving, which has cost Democrats the chance to clear some of their most highly contested judicial picks and other nominations. They also report that Sinema isnt talking about why shes avoiding these votes.With Sinema leaving the Senate in January and former Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) stepping down this past weekend, there will only be one out LGBTQ+ person in the upper chamber: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Sinema has been a controversial figure in the Senate, often frustrating Democratic priorities.She left the Democratic party in late 2022, after earning enmity from other Arizona Democrats for not helping others get reelected that year.She decided not to seek reelection this year, not saying whether her decision had anything to do with her massive unpopularity in Arizona. A Rasmussen poll from late Februaryfound that only 21% of likely voters in Arizona would vote for Sinema in a three-way race against a Democratic and a Republican candidate this year.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

What do we do now? That was the question LGBTQ+ folks, racial minorities, and immigrants across the United States asked their friends and family as the news rolled in that Donald Trump would be president again. Some people considered leaving the country, causing a 1,500% spike in Google Searches about emigration. Others wondered how to care for their communities and prepare a rocky four years. However, for a small group of women, one term came up again and again: 4B.If you only see a few posts online, 4B appears to be a simple movement created by South Korean feminists. The movement has four tenets, each starting with the Korean word bi, which means no. The four tenetsor 4 nosare biyeonae (no dating), bisekseu (no sex), bihon (no marriage), and bichulsan (no childbirth).Within hours of Trumps win, the idea of adopting 4B in the United States began to circulate widely online. Just one day after the election, content creator brielleybelly123 posted a video on TikTok saying, All I have to say is good luck getting laid, especially in Florida, because me and my girlies are participating in the 4B movement. In less than a month, her video had been played 1.7 million times, garnered 191,400 likes, and generated 16,000 comments.For American women looking for a way to respond politically to Trumps victory, 4B seems to offer a somewhat easy means of punishing conservative men for their votes or persuading them to vote differently in the future. Videos like @brielleybelly123s quickly filled the 4B hashtag on TikTok and were then reposted to other social media platforms.However as these videos popped up, so did concerns from South Korean womenboth within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community. Some English-speaking women of the Korean diaspora have largely turned to social media to share not only their own impressions and insights, but those of fellow Korean womencis and transwho may not be able to or feel comfortable speaking out.Their overarching message? That American women havent done enough research into 4B, otherwise they would know that 4B is actually the creation of a very small transphobic, homophobic, misandrist fringe group.A quick breakdown on 4Bs origins: In mid-2015 a radical online feminist group created Megalia, a message board where women organized to respond to the misogyny and harassment they faced online by trolling and mirroring the hate speech they encountered. By December, anti-trans, and anti-LGBTQ+ posts on the message board led moderators to ban hate speech against queer and trans individuals, as well as any campaign of harassment of another person.Upset by these changes, the most extreme members broke away from Megalia and created their own groupWOMADin January 2016. A portmanteau of woman and nomad, WOMAD is exclusively online, with no headquarters or physical space. On these message boards, women admitted to sexual assault and poisoning men with anti-freeze. Some united to lobby against a transgender womans admission to Sookmyung Womens University, claiming her attendance would be a womans safety issue, and eventually pressured the student into withdrawing her enrollment. And it was here, in this toxic corner of the internet, that 4B was born.You CANNOT fix American feminism problems with a Korean hashtag that is problematic at its roots.Tracy The women of WOMAD dont include trans women or those outside of the gender binary in their brand of feminism. In a conversation on Bluesky with Sarah Tracy*, a Korean American woman [Editors note: her name has been changed to protect her privacy], she said, 4B is TERF [trans-exclusionary radical feminists]. At its absolute core it is violently beyond TERF. It is actually systemically TransHateful.Tracy, who is cisgender, says that the hatred that WOMAD members direct towards queer and trans women isnt something that can be easily discarded from 4B for American practitioners. You CANNOT fix American feminism problems with a Korean hashtag that is problematic at its roots, Tracy said.This is a website with anonymous membership that [has] shared revenge porn, cp [child pornography], harassment campaigns against trans individuals, outed and doxxed gay couples, encouraged queer genocide, she said.In South Korea, WOMAD is largely considered a radical form of feminismoutside of the mainstream feminist movementas participation in 4B results in a total disconnect with men. Mira Kim, a Korean American transgender woman explains how this can quickly go awry. The problem is that it can veer very quickly into feminist separatism, or less charitably, Women Going Their Own Way, mirroring male supremacist ideologies such as MGTOW.The Anti-Defamation League explains Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW) as a distinct faction of the manosphere, the broad set of male supremacist, anti-feminist, misogynist and sometimes violent extremist movements that exist largely online. The group aims to remove themselves entirely from the toxicity of women.In South Korea, 4B aims to combat expectations practitioners feel are placed upon them as women in a deeply patriarchal society.The Korean formulation doesnt actually use the word for men at all, and the crux of that movement is opposing marriage and childbearing, Kim said. WOMAD doesnt consider queer and trans women, who often cannot conceive children in the same way as cis-gender heterosexual women, as a part of their group.Kim continues, In a lot of ways (at least in the English translation) everything is about avoiding men.She worries that this type of gender-based ideology could slide into gender essentialism, mimicking the same transphobic and homophobic beliefs that guide WOMAD.On top of all of that, Tracy points out that adopting 4B as an American woman isnt likely to spark any sort of change. Its inactivism that is a distraction. Its not actually activism. Its not doing anything to address 53% of white women who voted for Trump.Instead, she suggests that women upset by the election results volunteer at domestic violence shelters and immigration law offices, call their lawmakers, continue to do voter registration and voter education.Kim shares a similar sentiment.Decentering men from your life is a completely understandable thing to do! But that alone wont solve any problems. Women, femmes, non-binary folk, we take care of ourselves. We need to do work to protect ourselves, to care for ourselves, to help ourselves thrive. We dont need men, but we dont need to shun them.While 4B may have an attractive elevator pitch, its far from the simple fix it appears. Apart from the lack of intersectionality or inclusivity at the 4B movements core, boycotting genders was going to save us from the dangers of the next four years. To do that we have to support one another, care for our communities, and perhaps most importantly, listen to those around us willing to share the knowledge we lack.The post Why some LGBTQ+ voices warn against 4Bs adoption in the U.S. appeared first on News Is Out.

Yes, Luigi Mangione is super-hot, highly educated, and super-rich, and he may have acted out the rage many of us have against mega-insurance companies and other blood-sucking corporations when he allegedly shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.A cursory glance on social media makes clear the extent to which Mangione has already become a cultural icon, a hero in the realm of David slaying the mighty Goliath, or Robin Hood challenging the powerful Mayor of Nottingham on behalf of the poorest among us. Related There is no room for denial in resisting the Trump regime Following a grieving process, we can pick ourselves and others up and organize our defenses. Some have compared him to the good people of Ukraine gallantly warding off their evil Russian invaders or the armed resistance of Syrian militias finally toppling the longstanding brutal Assad dynasty. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today But I ask of those who have transformed this young man into the figure of an immortal Greek God or the long-awaited Messiah: Are they not applying the same standards of righteousness as Donald Trump and his mega-minions to the insurrectionists on January 6, 2021, who stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. to interfere with the transfer of executive power?Mangiones alleged goal of highlighting the greed, insensitivity, and inhumanity of large corporations may have been just, ethical, and appropriate unlike the insurrectionists actions on behalf of a corrupt and malevolent would-be dictator. Nonetheless, Mangiones means could never justify his ends.If we condone the murder of an insurance CEO, what moral standing do we have when Trump fulfills his threats of deporting literally millions of undocumented immigrants?What moral standing do we have when Trump fulfills his threats to go after and incarcerate his internal enemies, including his media critics, members of the U.S. House of Representatives Select January 6 Committee, former and current high-ranking officers of the U.S. military, and virtually anyone else who has opposed him?And what if Mangione had not been a beautiful young white man, but instead had been, for example, a balding middle-aged Black man? Would he have received the praise and hero worship this young man is receiving? To date, 352 people weremurderedin New York City in 2024, which comes out to nearly one per day. Over half of the homicides there are never solved.The answer is very clear why so many people across several departments within and outside the city dedicated full-time resources to this case: The victim of this crime was a millionaire who headed the largest health insurance company in the United States.So, let us not turn the alleged shooter into a cultural hero because of his beauty and the target of his actions. Many people viewed the Tamerlanbrothers (the Boston Marathon bombers) as modern-day warriors in the likes of Billy the Kid because of their youth and good looks.The old truism most certainly applies here, which is that beauty is only skin deep.Let us now resurrect our national discussion on the benefits of a single-payer healthcare system like the other 32 of the worlds richest nations support.Remember, health insurance is not healthcare.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Military families with transgender children are horrified by the Houses passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and some servicemembers are now considering leaving the armed forces to protect their kids. The annual military budget contains a provision banning gender-affirming care for the trans children of military members. The bill passed Wednesday in a 281-140 vote, with 81 Democratic congressmembers voting in its favor. Related Young LGBTQ+ people advise each other on how to survive challenging times Just look for the people who love you no matter what. I have a strong desire and propensity to continue to serve, but this will definitely weigh on my and my familys decision to continue serving and thats difficult, but my familys got to come first, an Air Force chief with a trans daughter, going by J, told The Hill. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today J said he has served for over 20 years and cannot at all see the connection between military readiness and taking away this essential health care. In fact, he sees the provision as actively harmful to morale. Taking away something that families are relying on distracts us from the mission and the task at hand in order to be and remain as lethal as we are, he said. Js spouse added, You cant say that this is going to help our military when youre scaring military families.If the NDAA passes, his family may have to purchase supplemental health insurance or pay out-of-pocket for their daughters health care. J is considering leaving the Air Force in two and a half years when his commitment is up. Ann, a veteran with a trans son whose husband is currently a senior Pentagon officer, said it feels like the safety bubbles are getting smaller and smaller and smaller. Ann served a 15-month combat tour in Iraq and eight total years in the military. The country is kind of closing in on us, she said, like, were running out of places to go, especially with something like the NDAA and just seeing the writing on the wall about a national ban on gender-affirming care. Anns son receives gender-affirming care through the military health plan TRICARE. She said he is thriving as a result, and while her husband does not want to retire, he may do so if NDAA eliminates the coverage they need. Thats pretty much marking the end of the road, she said,pointing out that legislation like this not only impedes health care but will cost the military talented members. If thats the way were going to be treated if thats the tone that Congress and the government wants to set, then thats pretty unfortunate because youre going to lose combat experience; youre going to lose leaders with decades of valuable experience that the military needs. Its a scary world out there, so its a pretty sad state of affairs for our national security that youre going to ask folks to make that decision and not support their families. One parent and veteran spouse of a now trans adult is devastated by the fact that the increasingly hostile environment could dash their childs dream of serving in the military. Its all theyve ever wanted to be like their dad, to carry on a family tradition of service to the country, she said. I dont think I can truly even express how devastating it would be for them to not be able to fulfill those dreams.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said that Democratic congressional leadershipdidnt tell legislators how to vote on the bill, adding that theres a lot of positive and bipartisan provisions in the NDAA but also some troubling ones,CBS News reported. Senators will now vote on the bill. If their version is identical to the Houses and passes in the upper congressional chamber, it will go to President Joe Bidens desk, where he may veto or sign it into law. In the past, Biden has promised to veto legislation that harms the LGBTQ+ community.If Biden signs the law, it would be the first federal statute restricting the LGBTQ+ community since the infamous Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy of the 1990s which heavily restricted LGBTQ+ peoples membership from serving in the military.Another military spouse with an adult trans daughter said she worries that the anti-trans provision is a slippery slope toward ultimately banning gender-affirming care for adults through TRICARE as well. I do get concerned about that moving forward, that this could impact my daughter, this could impact older trans adults. I dont know where this ends, so I think its a really dangerous road to start down.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Our minds are racing.Eye candy galore!If there is one thing we love more than seeing our favorite adult entertainers at work, it's when they collab with one another! Double the pleasure, double the fun, as they say. So PRIDE caught up with some of our fave industry leaders, Paul Cassidy, Reno Gold, Kaden Hylls, Noah Way, and Jkab Ethan Dale to find out who their fantasy collab would be. Their answers, as expected, were so unbelievably hot! Scroll down to see which guys spilled on who they were most excited to film .. and in the inevitable future.Paul CassidySee on InstagramAnyone who's a fan of the adult entertainment genre has likely watched Paul Cassidy!He's one of the most-followed content creators in the world and has yet to collab with some other top models that he's known for quite some time."I'm really excited for Reno Gold because I think he's the only one who I've known seven years now. He's the only one I haven't collabed with yet, so I'm really excited to collab with Reno," Cassidy tells PRIDE.Reno GoldSee on InstagramSpeaking of Reno Gold, this familiar face in the porn world has worked with the best of the best for years now.He's built some solid friendships with a lot of the other adult entertainers in the game, so his favorite scenes are with those he's filmed with before."I'm always excited to collab with Peachy Boy, just because we're genuinely friends. He's awesome, so sweet and so nice. His butt is so great!"Kaden Hylls (Let's Eat Cake)See on InstagramKaden Hylls has a couple of dream guys he'd like to collab with next. The first? Malik Delgaty."We were supposed to record together, but we didn't actually get to do anything. He retired after three hours of filming, so we did a human centipede video with six guys lined up for Twitter. I'd like to fully film a scene with him one day," Hylls tells PRIDE.That's not all... he's also hoping to work with Renato Shippee once he's back home in California."Renato Shippee luckily lives in LA. We've been talking about recording now that he's doing collabs, so I'll get a chance to work with him when I'm back there."Noah WaySee on InstagramNoah Way has quickly become a popular trans male performer in the industry. Hes worked with major studios and built a strong social media prescence, but he's ready for his next exciting collab."I'd love to work with Rocco Steele, but he lives somewhere crazy. I think he goes to New York a lot, so I might see if we'll ever be there at the same time. He says he's love to [collab], but he lives in like Algeria!"Jkab Ethan DaleSee on InstagramAfter blowing up on TikTok, Jkab Ethan Dale has found a ton of success by joining the adult film industry."Who haven't I worked with? Alex Mecum! There you go."

News Is Out, a queer media collaborative, has received $250,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to launch a research project to document the status of LGBTQ+ media in the U.S.The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project is in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, City University of New Yorks Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Center for Community Media, and Local Media Foundation, which hosts News Is Out.This funding is part of MacArthursLocal News Program, with $20 million in grants announced this week. MacArthur launched theprogramlast year with a commitment of at least $150 million in new grantmaking to local news over five years, and the potential of $25 million in additional impact investments. This latest round of grants brings the total committed to date to more than $90 million.Our grantmaking supports a range of organizations working to strengthen nascent and emerging local news ecosystems and their leaders, who innovate in these spaces, with tools, resources, and funding. This includes a cohort of legacy newsrooms pioneering new paths, said Silvia Rivera, MacArthurs director of local news. These investments are part of a collective effort to ensure that local communities have steady access to reliable and trustworthy information.LGBTQ+ media have often been left behind when it comes to new types of funding, in part because its difficult to quantify who and where we are, said Tracy Baim, research lead and co-founder of Windy City Times, a member of the News is Out collaborative. Baim wrote a history of LGBTQ+ media, Gay Press, Gay Power, a decade ago. Since that time, many outlets have closed, but many new digital-first outlets have been launched.LGBTQ+-owned news organizations are essential to a healthy media ecosystem. The seven members of News Is Out are: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco); Dallas Voice; Los Angeles Blade; Philadelphia Gay News; Tagg Magazine; Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.); and Windy City Times. News Is Out will be adding affiliate members in early 2025.A survey will go out soon to more than 150 local and national LGBTQ+ media. Focus groups and other research will continue through spring 2025. A final report and map will be out in summer 2025 and will be distributed to interested stakeholdersfunders, advertisers, donors, readers, academics, and more.Hanna Siemaszko is the research associate on the project. Penny Riordan, Local Media Associations director of business strategy and partnerships, is overseeing the project. LGBTQ+ media outlets should contact newsisout@localmedia.org if they want to participate in the project.About Local Media Association / Local Media FoundationLocal Media Association brings all media together to share, network, collaborate and more. More than 3,000 newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, digital news organizations, and research and development partners engage with LMA as members or constituents of our programs. As a 501(c)(6) trade association, LMA is focused on the business side of local media. Its programs and labs focus on revenue growth and new business models. LMA helps local media companies develop their strategies via cutting-edge programs, conferences, webinars, research and training.Local Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable trust, serves as the innovation and transformation affiliate of LMA. Incorporating our four strategic pillars business transformation, journalism funded by philanthropy, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color LMF helps provide local media companies the strategies and resources for meaningful innovation and impactful journalism projects.The post MacArthur-funded research project documents status of LGBTQ+ media in U.S. appeared first on News Is Out.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the latest National Defense Authorization Act.The defense spending bill for 2025, which included a provision that would ban gender-affirming care for children of military service members, passed by a margin of 281 to 140, including support from 81 Democrats.Section 708 of the bill, titled Prohibition of coverage under Tricare program of certain medical procedures for children that could result in sterilization, states: Medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18.The House bill rolled back some of the original language in the Senate version, which included a ban on Tricare or government funds being used for gender-affirmation surgery for adults, stating: No medical treatment facility or other facility of the Department of Defense may be used to perform or facilitate a sex change surgery.The bill has had many detractors, including Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), who addressed the provision on the House floor. Smith referred to the provision as a partisan wedge issue and said it is denying health care to minors who clearly need it.Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) also spoke out against the provision, echoing Smiths words and calling the provision right-wing extremist dogma.If we ignore extremism now, the next time there will be another group attacked, then another and another until eventually no one will be left to defend you when you need it, said Pocan.Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released a statement about the NDAA saying: I will not support any bill that includes hateful, divisive language targeting transgender dependents of service members. The eleventh-hour addition by Speaker Johnson is not only intentionally hostile; its also dangerously vague, opening the door for future administrations to further target vulnerable children.Allen Morris, policy director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, released a statement regarding the passing of the NDAA. We are deeply disappointed with the recent House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), said Morris. LGBTQ organizations and advocates have consistently pushed back on anti-LGBTQ amendments or riders and expressed our concerns about our trans siblings being used as leverage for political purposes at the expense of their health, safety, and rights.Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson also issued a statement following the vote.Military servicemembers and their families wake up every day and sacrifice more than most of us will ever understand, said Robinson. Those families protect our right to live freely and with dignity they deserve that same right, and the freedom to access the care their children need. Today, politicians in the House betrayed our nations promise to those who serve. Not since the Defense of Marriage Act passed almost 30 years ago has an anti-LGBTQ+ policy been enshrined into federal law. For the thousands of families impacted, this isnt about politics. Its about young people who deserve our support.The post Lawmakers approve defense bill restricting gender-affirming care for military families appeared first on News Is Out.

After making anti-trans attacks the center of his campaign, Donald Trump now claims hes not preoccupied with stripping trans peoples rights since they make up such a small percentage of the population. Trump was recently named Times 2024 Person of the Year, and in his extensive interview with the publication said he agreed with transgender Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE) that lawmakers should focus on more pressing issues than where she will use the bathroom. Related Donald Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee thinks LGBTQ+ soldiers harm the military Pete Hegseth thinks the estimated 126,827 LGBTQ+ military service members erode standards of the US military. I do agree with that. On thatabsolutely, he said. As I was saying, its a small number of people. 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 The interviewer brought up Trumps assertion in 2016 that trans people could use any bathroom they wanted. Trump replied that he did not want to get into the bathroom issue since its a very small number of people and its ripped apart our country. Theyll have to settle whatever the law finally agrees, he continued. I am a big believer in the Supreme Court, and Im going to go by their rulings, and so far, I think their rulings have been rulings that people are going along with, but were talking about a very small number of people, and were talking about it, and it gets massive coverage, and its not a lot of people. The comments run directly counter to the vicious anti-trans campaign Trump ran, spreading outrageous lies that schools are forcibly transitioning kids without parental consent and spending millions of dollars on anti-trans ads that many believe helped swing the election in his favor.The Time staff called him out on the contradiction, pointing out that one of the ads he put the most money behind declared Trump is for us and Harris is for they/them. Well its true, Trump replied. Trump is for us. I mean, Trump is definitely for us, okay? And us is the vast, vast majority of people in this country. And also, I want to have all people treated fairly. You know, forget about majority or not majority. I want people to be treated well and fairly.After saying he wants everyone to be treated fairly, he proceeded to confirm the possibility that his administration will reverse President Joe Bidens anti-discrimination protections for trans kids under Title IX. Im going to look at it very closely, he said. Were looking at it right now. Were gonna look at it. Were gonna look at everything. Look, the country is torn apart. Were gonna look at everything.Trump has already announced a bevy of anti-LGBTQ+ nominees for Cabinet positions, and he reportedly plans to reinstitute his trans military ban immediately upon taking office. Project 2025, widely considered to be the blueprint for his second term, essentially calls for a complete elimination of LGBTQ+ rights. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

As a queer, non-binary content creator who posts mainly about body acceptance and self-love, I have become a visible target for queerphobic people. Commenters often flood my social media with comments like: 'That's a man' or 'Is that a man or a woman?' Ironically, they cannot decide if I am a man or a woman, yet somehow still refuse the existence of non-binary people.Overwhelmed with the constant online harassment, I initially felt pressured to change my appearance so the public would see my queer identity as valid. To feel in control of the situation, I adopted the belief that to feel more confident in my non-binary body, I should get gender-conforming surgery or treatments to validate my gender identity. This belief was rooted in the common perspective that to is seen as legitimate in our gender expression; queer people must conform to whatever standards are placed on that specific gender.Considering this, I began to contemplate getting my breasts removed to feel more confident and comfortable in my body and, hopefully, receive less harassment for my gender identity. But, when I reflected on the body image and disability struggles prevalent in my past, I started to question how much getting a major surgery would really improve my life. Then, I had an epiphany. I had already experienced the pressure to change my body, and it wasn't because of gender dysphoria. The pressure for queer people to change their bodies to fit public standards directly mirrors the pressures women face to spend their whole lives trying to meet unrealistic beauty standards.For decades, beauty standards have pressured women to change their bodies and appearances to be accepted in public. For example, because of socialization, most women feel they need to shave and have no other option. By 1964, 98% of American women aged 15 to 44 were regularly shaving their legs. According to a 2008 survey by American Laser Centers, this pressure amounts to American women spending more than $10,000 on hair removal products throughout their lives.And this is just one cost.Remember what women must spend on beauty products, hair care, weight loss, and more just to feel accepted and valued in society. Thanks to unrealistic beauty standards, women feel pressured to spend thousands of dollars a year changing how they look. The cost of undergoing a gender transition, like the cost of following women's beauty standards, can be thousands of dollars, often lining the pockets of plastic surgeons and 'wellness' professionals. According to Joshua Safer, the Executive Director of the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Mount Sinai, the cost of medical treatments for transitioning can add up to more by $100,000, often not covered by insurance. Unfortunately, the cost of not transitioning can be even higher.In our current world, gender-affirming surgery is life-saving and worth supporting and advocating for, especially in the current climate of beauty standards and trans hate. Trans people have unemployment rates up to three times higher than the general public due to workplace discrimination. Suicide rates are high, up to 40%, where no medical interventions are offered.In this world where violence and discrimination against queer people and women are alive and well, it is completely understandable why someone would want to get risky surgery or $20,000 treatment to change their appearance. What more do we need as a sign that our obsession with gendered beauty standards is failing us as a society?We need more queer body-positivity Women do not deserve the beauty standards thrust upon them, and neither do queer people. The same oppressive narratives on beauty standards geared to women have been successfully co-opted and marketed aggressively to the queer community. But women, trans women, and gender-diverse humans all deserve the right to be accepted and respected in society, no matter how well they adopt beauty standards or exemplify certain gendered traits.While the body positivity movement has taken off for cis women, queer people must be included and embrace this movement.We desperately need to learn to accept our bodies as they are so we can create a world where everyone is free to be themselves. It is up to us to call out the beauty standards and body hate that we are seeing and radically embrace all body types. We must protect vulnerable people forced to choose between major surgery, spending thousands of dollars on beauty treatments, or never being accepted and respected for their authentic selves. Hannah Bee (they/them) is a nonbinary influencer, writer, and speaker. You can support their work by following them on Instagram at @healthybyhannahb or subscribing to their Substack, the Chronically Confident Crew.Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ and Allied community. Visit pride.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of PRIDE.com or our parent company, equalpride.

Gay animal types slang: fully explainedGay slang originated out of necessity. Gay men wanted to be able to speak in public without revealing their sexuality, especially in places and times of extreme LGBTQ+ persecution. Thus, the gay animal types lexicon was born. Over the years, gay slang has evolved, and its sometimes tough to keep up. So here they are, all the creatures in the queer animal kingdom, fully explained. Well start off with the ones youre more likely to know, and then move into some of the less common critters.Silver FoxOh, the silver fox, arguably among the more sexy of the stereotypes. These are the men with the salt-and-pepper hair who never seem to age. Like George Clooney, the most silver of silver foxes.Fox/TwinkThis is not to be confused with the silver fox, mind you. According to Greg from the above-mentioned TikTok video, twinks are foxes now, so lets all get with it.BearAh, the bears, are one of the oldest and largest subgroups of the gay community. Bears are on the heavier side, either muscular, beefy, or chunky. They wouldnt dream of shaving their body hair (which comes in abundance) and they usually have a full beard to match. They exude masculinity and are some of the kindest men youll meet in your entire life. There are many subtypes of bears, like a polar bear, which is an older bear with white hair.CubA baby bear. As bears are typically older men, cubs are younger ones. Large, hairy guys in their teens and 20s who are on their way to becoming a bear.MeerkatA man named Greg who goes by @coffeegreg on TikTok posted a video announcing new gay stereotypes, and we cant get enough. The best one? The meerkat, or an anxious, sassy gay whos always looking around at everyone else instead of paying attention to conversations. Guilty.Gym RatThe gay man who spends every waking minute at the gym, talking about how he needs to go to the gym, or how hes coming from the gym.Gym BunnyLike the gym rat, the gym bunny is just a more feminine version of the gym rat. Theyre the ones that come dressed to the gym in their full outfits treating it like a runway appearance.Chicken/TwunkA twunk is the polar opposite of a bear. Skinny and hairless and often a little more on the feminine side. Chicken is a word used to describe a younger version and twunk is a more muscular twink (think Justin Bieber).OtterSomeone whos in between a twink and a bear. Medium build and hairy. Otters come in all ages with all different types of facial hair. Otters often trim their chest hair and manscape their bodies, but always leave at least some hair. WolfSimilar to an otter, a wolf has some hair and is in between a twink and a bear. However, there are some key differences between wolves and otters. Wolves typically have a lean, muscular build and are sexually aggressive.GiraffeAn incredibly tall gay man. PigAs you might imagine, pigs are more focused on sex than anything else, often into kinkier and somewhat seedier sexual practices.ChickenhawkAn older man who sexually pursues younger chickens/twinks/twunks.UnicornUrban Dictionary has the best definition, A bisexual person, usually though not always female, who is willing to join an existing couple, often with the presumption that this person will date and become sexually involved with both members of that couple, and not demand anything or do anything that might cause problems or inconvenience to that couple. They're called unicorns, because bisexuals like these don't (or rarely) exist.PupAs part of pup play, a form of kink that is becoming more popular in the gay community. Men act as puppies and have handlers. The handler treats their puppies like they would their own dog, with love and affection. Its a great introduction for gay men interested in kink and has a pretty relaxed power dynamic as far as kink goes.BullHunky, muscular bodybuilders who weigh 200+ pounds. These men are big, strong and have muscles you didnt even know existed.

The United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care has placed a permanent, indefinite ban on puberty blockers, extending it to include Northern Ireland as well. It is set to go into effect on January 1, 2025.Northern Ireland was the last respite in the country for access to puberty blockers, with a previous temporary ban only including England, Scotland, and Wales. This was made in direct reaction to efforts from medical professionals to continue prescribing life-saving medical care to transgender youth in the UK. Related Youth activists release thousands of crickets to disrupt anti-trans hate group conference Lead conference speaker JK Rowling called the activists homophobic for standing up for trans rights. The ban does not extend to hormone replacement therapy. It only affects puberty blockers as they relate to gender dysphoria and does not affect their usage for precocious puberty or early-onset puberty. The only way trans children can access puberty blockers is through clinical trials. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today This ban will be reviewed in 2027 after the results of UK-based trials on safety and effectiveness are published.The decision is based on the Cass Review, a systematic review of the literature that has been criticized for immense bias. Dr. Hilary Cass, the researcher behind the Review, had no professional history working with transgender youth and actively consulted anti-trans lawmakers in Florida during her research.Researchers at Yale University gave a detailed, evidence based critique of the Review, revealing that Cass had failed to bring trans people onto the project, didnt listen to the subjects she interviewed, left out crucial information in her report, and relied on a highly flawed methodology which largely invalidated the claims and recommendations made.Trans advocacy organization Trans Actual provided a detailed list of critiques of the Cass Review that have been published since its findings were made public in May. The list includes testimonies from hundreds of academics who believe Casss work is heavily flawed.TransActual Strategy Director Keyne Walker denounced the ban in a statement to LGBTQ Nation. Banning medicines with no evidence of serious harm, only for trans people, using powers designed for contaminated and life-threatening drugs, is discrimination plain and simple. To do so in order to coerce young trans people into a delayed and currently unspecified research trial which both the BMA and Council of Europe have described as potentially a violation of the patients rights, is an unconscionable act that will have severe ramifications for a generation of trans people. Evidence of the harm of the temporary ban continues to emerge, and will grow now that it has been made permanent. Meanwhile evidence of actual harm from the past 40 years of puberty blockers use remains elusive.That the UK government pursues such an approach while counterparts in France, Germany, Australia and elsewhere have rejected this approach in favour of trans peoples access to healthcare, demonstrates just how out of touch with evidence the Secretary of State for Health is. When the UK is an outlier used to try to restrict peoples access to healthcare elsewhere, then questions ought be asked how can we be so different.Walker encouraged folks to read the organizations deep dive into the Cass Review. Puberty blockers are indeed well-regarded, and research has shown they are safe and have no permanent effects.Theyve previously been tested on youth undergoing precocious puberty and have a great deal of evidence to back their efficacy.There has been evidence to suggest that depriving trans youth from access to care via the National Health Service has led to an uptick in suicides, according to activists in the region. However, the NHS disputed this claim in an independent report, which suggested that there is no statistical relationship between restrictions on care and suicides.Yet trans activist Caroline Litman, the mother of a transgender young person who took her own life after being deprived of care from NHS waitlists, revealed on BlueSky that this report excluded her daughter, suggesting that there may be additional data that were unaccounted for in this critique.BREAKINGOn the day the UK government announces a permanent puberty blocker ban I learn: ALICES DATA WAS NOT INCLUDED in data sent to Appleby to assess for his rushed DHSC report, that dismissed whistleblower claims of increased suicides in trans youth since Bell.The report is a proven sham.[image or embed] Caroline Litman (@alicemydaughter.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 7:09 AM I am shaking. I am relieved. I am devastated. I am furious. I am bereft. The puberty blocker ban is a death sentence for some particularly vulnerable trans youth. It is unconscionable. When will the people with the power to help sit up and listen? Its a scandal. A cover up. A crime. Im so sad, she said of the ban.I am shaking. I am relieved. I am devastated. I am furious. I am bereft.The puberty blocker ban is a death sentence for someparticularly vulnerable trans youth. It is unconscionable.When will the people with the power to help sit up and listen? Its a scandal. A cover up. A crime. Im so sad. Caroline Litman (@alicemydaughter.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 7:09 AMUK-based activist group Trans Kids Deserve Better known for releasing thousands of crickets at a conference hosted by the anti-trans hate group LGB Alliance launched an emergency protest outside Wes Streetings office the day the ban was announced. Streeting is the Labour Health and Social Care Secretary who pushed for the ban to go into effect.Wes Streeting has chosen politics over our lives, said an activist known as Grin in a statement. We are being put through an experiment, but the experiment is to deny us healthcare, not to provide it. He wants to see what happens to us when we grow up permanently altered in ways we never wanted, and we never consented to be part of that, The trans-led UK news outlet What The Trans released a live thread on BlueSky detailing the latest developments in this protest. BREAKING NEWSTrans Kids Deserve Better are occupying Wes Streeting's Office at Ilford North. Get down there and support everyone. For folks who want to support. Signal announcement group:www.transkidsdeservebetter.org/adult_supporWe've Been advised to share this.[image or embed] What The Trans (@whatthetrans.com) December 11, 2024 at 1:32 PMWes Streeting said in a statement, Childrens healthcare must always be evidence-led, Citing the Cass Review, he continued, We need to act with caution and care when it comes to this vulnerable group of young people, and follow the expert advice.We are working with NHS England to open new gender identity services, so people can access holistic health and wellbeing support they need. We are setting up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers next year, to establish a clear evidence base for the use of this medicine.TransActuals Walker said Streetings claim that he is doing this to help trans kids is at best paternalism, at worst the smiling face of bigotry being passed off as concern. Cass said in a statement, I support the governments decision to continue restrictions on the dispensing of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria outside the NHS where these essential safeguards are not being provided.Editors note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at988lifeline.org. TheTrans Lifeline(1-877-565-8860) is staffed by trans people and will not contact law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for youth viachat, text (678-678), or phone (1-866-488-7386). Help is available at all three resources in English and Spanish.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Emi Grate AnniversaryNew York drag queen Emi Grate is celebrating 10 years in drag with a spectacular cabaret show.Last month, friends and fans packed into the Dromedary: Coming Out bar in Bushwick to watch Emi ring in her 10th anniversary with a fabulous show where she sang 10 songs in 10 different languages alongside performer Darius Lamont who acted as emcee and PoiseN Envy who charmed the audience as the tip girl/stage kitten.Unlike other drag shows you may have attended, Emi guided the audience through her life story from the early days of learning her craft through her journey to becoming an international diva. The cabaret-style show featured her performing her own renditions of songs from divas like Dalida, Edith Piaf, and ABBA while recounting stories from her extraordinary life.Scroll through to see the fierce and fabulous pictures from Emi Grates once-in-a-lifetime show!

Pete Hegseth a former Fox News host and President-elect Donald Trumps pick for secretary of defense says he regrets not fighting against the 2010 repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell (DADT), the 1992 law banning out gay and bi people from serving in the military. In a June 2024 episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, Hegseth said he thinks DADTs repeal was part of the Marxist and leftist gateway shift towards individualism (rather than unit cohesion) that was a costume for the trans agenda being pushed into the military, something that undermined the militarys overall effectiveness. He said a lot of other people who initially supported DADTs repeal now regret it for the same reason. Related Trump nominee accused of disturbing misconduct by colleagues & his own mother Pete Hegseths mother did not mince words. At least when [the Armys advertising and recruiting slogan] was an Army of One [between 2001 and 2006] they were, you know, tough looking, go get em army but that was the subtle shifting toward an individual ad campaign, he said. Now [since the repeal of DADT,] you just have the absurdity of I have two mommies and Im so proud to show them that I can wear the uniform too. So they, its just like everything else the Marxists and the leftists have done. At first, it was camouflaged nicely and now theyre just, theyre just open about it. 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 Hegseth echoed this sentiment in his 2024 book The War on Warriors, according to CNN. In it, he called DADT repeal a gateway and a camouflage for broader cultural changes that have harmed the military. When asked by CNN on Wednesday whether repealing DADT was a mistake, he reportedly didnt answer.His recent comments echo ones he made to Fox News in 2015 in which he said that the military repealed DADT under former President Barack Obama because it was more interested in social engineering led by this president than they are in war fighting. He said that the inclusion ofout LGBTQ+ soldiers helps erode the U.S militarys effectiveness.In a statement to CNN, a Trump spokesperson said, Pete wants to see the U.S. military focus on being the worlds strongest fighting force not on cultural and social issues. Bottom line: If you can meet the standards, you can serve. Given the threats we face, our priorities shouldnt be lowering standards and wasting taxpayer money to meet arbitrary social quotas our priorities should be readiness and lethality. An estimated6.1%of current military personnel identify as LGBTQ+,according to a 2022 study, a percentage that accounts for approximately 126,827 people. If confirmed by the Senate, Hegseth will be partially responsible for re-instating Trumps ban on out trans military service members. The ban could result in the discharge ofanywhere from 2,150 to 10,790 trans military members.In a statement against Hegseths views, Human Rights Campaign National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf wrote, Every day, brave military servicemembers get up and courageously protect and defend our country. They put their lives on the line for our freedoms, and they are owed our ironclad gratitude for their sacrifice.The Secretary of Defense is responsible for supporting all our servicemembers, but Hegseths comments show an immense disrespect for those in the military who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, women, and anyone who doesnt fit his own narrow ideology, Wolf added. Not only is he unqualified and unfit for this role, but those who have stepped up to serve their country deserve better than the failed, discriminatory policies of the past. Hegseth also thinks women make the military less effective and less lethal, according to his comment in a November 7 installment ofThe Shawn Ryan Showpodcast. Elsewhere in his June interview with Shapiro, Hegseth said that he joined the military to fight extremists but was now branded as one for his Christian faith, support of Trump, and work at Fox News. He claimed that Democratic presidents with foreign values inserted woke values into the military by pressuring top military leaders and military academy educators to promote them and by allowing soldiers to attend left-leaning universities.While at Fox News, Hegseth opposed Defense SecretaryLloyd Austins directive toroot out right-wing extremism, white supremacy, and Nazi ideology. The directive followed the revelation that 20% of the initial 140 arrestees from the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots were either military veterans or retirees. Hegseth called the issue of extremism in the ranks a myth even though a 2019 Military Times poll found that 36% of white active duty service members said they had personally witnessed displays of white nationalism in the ranks. In the Shapiro interview, Hegseth blamed the January 6 insurrection on left-wing anti-fascist activists and Democrats, even though the riots were started by Trumps supporters who believed his lie that the 2020 presidential election had been stolen from him by a widespread and unprecedented national conspiracy of voter fraud that only occurred in the states that he lost.Hegseth has refused to answer whether Trump lost the 2020 election. Trump lost by over seven million votes.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke on conservative commentator Benny Johnsons webcast yesterday, where she threatened to sue journalists who bring up doubts about whether she exaggerated or made up parts of the attack she says she was the victim of. And, in the process, she used the slur tr***y again.As she ranted about the media not believing her, she said that she received a threat that said that pro-tr***y people online were going to organize against me. Even while she was in the middle of an anti-trans screed, it was jarring to hear her drop a slur like that. Related Nancy Mace tried to sell transphobic wrapping paper & failed miserably She then spent the weekend attacking trans people and calling them slurs. Mace knows that word is a slur. She has been using it for a week now, has been called out online, and acknowledged being called out. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today She has decided to be the most flamboyantly transphobic member of Congress going into 2025, outdoing her colleagues like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Greg Steube (R-FL). She is not going to stop any time soon.And, in all of this, where are the Democrats?Usually, Im the last person to point a finger at Democrats when Republicans behave badly. Its something of a running joke in American politics, that when Republicans do something bad, the press rushes to blame Democrats for not stopping them instead of blaming Republicans for their misbehavior.Here, the blame for Maces use of slurs falls squarely on her. She knows that the word demeans transgender people. It dehumanizes them. It justifies violence and discrimination against them. Of course she knows these things thats why shes using the word! Her fellow Republicans, high off their electoral wins in November that came in part due to their partys transphobia, arent going to call her out. They should, and its a sign of their deeper moral rot that they refuse to. But, frankly, a lot of them are probably using all sorts of slurs behind closed doors.Democrats though? They dont have a majority in the House. They cant stop Maces and Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-LA) bathroom nonsense with votes. They cant even seem to get their entire caucus to oppose the transphobic version of the NDAA that passed yesterday.But could they say something about her use of slurs? Anything? Itd cost them nothing. Unlike the NDAA which funds the Defense Department as well as, for many of Democrats, projects in their districts calling out slurs is free. Mace isnt even a part of Republican leadership; it would be easy to portray her as an extremist within her own party.And while it wouldnt give anyone healthcare or better legal protections from discrimination, it would get people to start thinking of transgender people as an oppressed minority, a group of people that faces rampant discrimination and bias.The key to anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination is getting people not to think of us as a group of people but instead as an idea or an action. Anti-gay activists often say that being gay isnt an identity but a set of behaviors. They say this because they know that Americans, in general, dont want to perceive themselves as being unfair to a group of people. Hate the sin, love the sinner is a way to get people to turn their consciences off, to think that theyre just against what some people do, not what some people are. This is why anti-trans activists have adopted the gender ideology catchphrase. They dont want Americans to see transgender people as a group of people that happens to be different. They want Americans to see trans people as different in terms of what they do or the ideas in their heads.That way no one notices that theyre punching down. That way no one feels bad about the punching down.And thats where Mace slipped up. People dont use slurs to refer to people based on characteristics that are not a part of their identities. Now would be a perfect time to capitalize on that, to show people that, no, she isnt fighting to protect women and kids something she said on Johnsons show, an accusation that anti-LGBTQ+ activists have used for decades against all of us. She is fighting because she just really doesnt like a group of people, a people that has contributed just as much to this country as any other group of people but who she hates because they are different.Last week, trans advocates protested at the Capitol, and one of their chants was, Democrats, grow a spine, trans lives are on the line! Democrats deserved the taunting. Again, for most things, Democrats arent going to be able to do much over the next two years because voters chose not to give them the House, the Senate or the White House. But Democrats can set a baseline of respect for others and exert moral and cultural power, even if they lack institutional power.If the past month is any indication, the next few years are going to get mean. We can and should expect Democrats to use their platform to remind Americans what it means to treat one another with respect.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A lesbian TikToker recently went viral with a video about "teaching men how to change a tire." Now she's filling viewers in on the deets."Call me a soft masc if you want to, but when my girlfriend calls to tell me that her car has a flat tire and she's stranded at work, you better believe that I'm going to show up to change that tire in front of all her coworkers and an audience of men who come out to watch," @christina_nomadak said.Christina was referencing her TikTok that's been viewed over 1.2 million times since it was posted earlier this week. In it, she radiated confidence as her girlfriend filmed her fixing up a flat tire in the snow, shutting down men who kept trying to "mansplain" the process to her.She did so by brilliantly turning everything around into a lesson for them, leaving the guys a little flustered.@christina_nomadakSome dudes came outside to watch me change my tire so I took it as an opportunity to teach them how to do it properly #womeninmalefields #masc #lesbiansoftiktok #lesbian"I was watching you so I could correct you," one admitted. "But you're doing everything right."Addressing that point in her follow-up TikTok, Christina said she will always happily go out of her way to flip the script on that sort of condescension."During that tutorial, I will use a lot of strong innuendo, like 'finger tightening' or 'finishing with a ratchet.' You know, for the benefit of my girlfriend. And I will throw a couple winks her way, you know, while I'm absolutely humbling those men," she said."Point is that anytime I'm doing physical labor on behalf of my girlfriend, I will make sure that I put on a good show for her," she added. "Because being a masc lesbian isn't just about being good at everything you do with your hands, it's also about looking hot while doing it."@christina_nomadakReplying to @otterfluff Its my duty to put on a good show when doing tasks for my gf #softmasc #masc #lesbian #lesbiansoftiktok #womeninmalefieldsThis short and sweet series of videos was clearly inspirational for other ladies, who cheered Christina on both for her tire changing skills and the way she absolutely wrecked those dudes with so little effort."The 'pay attention now!' Was deeply satisfying to my soul," wrote @bellalugosi33."The essentially component here is the 'Pay attention now' because they clearly interrupted for a reason: to be humbled," @stemurt agreed. "Never let them take that moment from you."@kv_doom undoubtedly wasn't alone with the lesson she took from all of this, writing, "Omg. I gotta learn how to change a tire now. I need to be this hot."Clearly, that's the kind of life skill we should all be learning from a lesbian.

Figuring out your orientation can be scary, but we got you!Congratulations on possibly being bi. We might have haters, but its oh-so-fun. That being said, figuring out your identity, especially when its in the more nuanced and greyer area, can be scary and stressful. There is absolutely no rush, and youre allowed to take all the time you need. Because, in part, understanding your identity when it lands somewhere in the middle of the Kinsey scale can be a bit of a journey but one worth taking. The only person who can name your sexual identity is you. Most folks when coming out will try on every letter of the alphabet mafia before settling on an identity that feels true to them, Anne-Marie Zanzal, M.Div., coming out coach tells PRIDE It is not about anything being different or more, it is about deciding what kind of partner will meet our emotional, physical, spiritual, and intellectual needs.While some people may know right away that they are bi or pan, others take longer to understand and their feelings may even change over time, Sofie Roos, licensed sexologist and relationship therapist tells PRIDE. Its common to feel that your sexuality is floating from time to time, based on people and situations, something thats another thing making it more difficult to know how you really feel.Also complicating the coming out process are outside forces, prejudices, and misunderstandings. For example, bi folks in our society are sometimes seen as confused, going through a phase, promiscuous, straddling both sides because they want their cake and eat it too, Dr. Frankie Bashan, board-certified sex therapist, clinical psychologist, professional matchmaker, and founder of Little Gay Book tells PRIDE.Also, bi and pan folks are often subject to hypersexualization and objectification, fueled by stereotypes and fantasies that portray bisexuality/pansexuality as a form of sexual entertainment for others. This can lead to the invalidation of their identities, erasure of their emotional experiences, and contribute to a hostile or dismissive environment. Saba Harouni Lurie, LMFT, ATR-BC, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Take Root Therapy tells PRIDE. And this can be highly damaging. Research also suggests that bisexual/pansexual women may experience higher rates of intimate partner violence compared to their heterosexual and lesbian counterparts. But perhaps even more challenging is facing those feelings of confusion and invalidation when they are internal. The fluidity inherent in these identities can feel empowering but also lead to questions about authenticity, especially since some people may assume bi or pan individuals are 'confused' or going through a phase, Jillian Amodio, licensed social worker LMSW at Waypoint Wellness Center tells PRIDE. Eek! Ok that does sound a bit scary, but seeing the problem is the first step to overcoming it and happily and proudly embracing your bisexual identity which is amazing by the way. And remember, the labels you use to describe your orientation are allowed to grow and evolve with you. But finding the right words that fit your sexuality is incredibly empowering, as is the community that comes with it. So, a little help never hurts! Still, feeling confused? No worries, heres how the experts say youll know if you're bi or pan. 1. You're conflicted by your feelingsBefore we even get close to knowing our feelings, it's likely you'll go through some major confusion before you figure it out. This can be especially complicated for bi folks who are assigned male at birth says Lurie. That conflict can sometimes be a sign of your sexuality emerging. "Those who are assigned male at birth can often experience a notable resistance to acknowledging or exploring their attractions to people who arent of the opposite gender," says Lurie. "This resistance is caused by societal pressure and traditional gender norms that discourage men from exploring or expressing attractions beyond heterosexuality. Therefore, this hesitation or resistance can be a signal that those desires exist and that that person might need time, self-reflection, and a safe environment to fully recognize and embrace their sexuality."The good news is this is often just a phase, and it's the only part of your journey that can be classified as such! The inner conflict is placed on you by society, and your feelings can be especially confusing if you grew up in a more traditional household or have spent most of your life attracted to only one gender.2. You watch porn with all genders...and want to act on it There was a study that (in my opinion, incorrectly) assessed that all women are bisexual because they experience arousal from watching lesbian porn, even if they identify as straight. Look, were animals. If youre a sexual person presented with sexual stimuli, its probably going to turn you on. However, if when watching it you found curiosity burning in your, well, chest (and other parts), that might be a sign of something deeper says Roos. "Many people who later realized theyre bi or pan started by just watching gay porn in phases where that made them way more turned on than hetero porn (and when looking back, this was the first sign of their sexuality), but that they out of shame or denial just said to themselves that they were too horny and justifying them not being bi or pan with that they never could have a relationship with someone of both genders," she explains.So, if watching erotic videos of straight sex and queer sex all turn you on, and you want to act on it rather than just watch it, you might be bisexual.3. Your sex dreams are bisexual AFEven if you're not consciously ready to acknowledge your bisexuality, your subconscious may be. Roos says it's common for your dreams to offer clues about your true desires. "When we sleep, the subconscious tends to show up, and if you often dream about being intimate or having romantic relationships with different genders, then that can mean you should at least discover it to find out what it feels like outside of your dreams! Because the dreams often tell the truth to someone where their queer sexuality is deep down," she explains. 4. You feel drawn to more than one genderDo you feel yourself being strongly drawn to more than one gender? Well, that's a pretty clear sign says Roos. If youre attracted to people of the opposite gender, but have that one friend ... who you just feel a bit more for in a romantic or sexual way ... then thats a quite clear sign of being extremely curious and maybe being bi or pan, she explains. This is often a key realization that goes beyond preferences or admiration. adds Amdio. Attraction means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Do you get butterflies, blush, feel tingling in your genitals, or find yourself admiring certain features, just to name a few.5. "Gay" or "straight" just doesn't fitSometimes the clearest sign isnt about resonating with an idnentiy so much as it is not vibing with a label. Amodio says that feeling invalidated by binary labels is a sign that you're somewhere in the liminal space between. "Many bi or pan individuals feel discomfort or resistance when trying to fit into labels like "gay" or "straight." This is a natural sign that your identity might be more fluid or inclusive than binary categories allow," she explains. 6. Attraction isn't just about physical attributes for youDo you find that what you're drawn to most is personality, essence, a vibe, rather than specific physical attributes? Again this is pinging the bisexual and pan radars, says Amodio. "Some pansexual individuals, in particular, describe attraction as being tied more to personality, energy, or connection rather than specific gender expressions," she says. 7. You find yourself wanting more intimacy than just friendship with your loved onesWarning this one may hit extra hard. Have you ever found yourself craving MORE with someone you are close to? A friend who you just cant seem to close enough to. Well, that probably means there's something deeper happening, says Lurie. "You may find yourself wanting or craving a deeper, more intimate connectionbeyond friendshipwith people you feel close to who are not of the opposite gender," she says. "This longing can reflect the broader scope of attraction experienced by bi or pansexuals, where emotional closeness and connection can naturally evolve into romantic or physical attraction, regardless of gender."8. The word resonates with youHow do you feel when you hear the word bisexuality or when it is described to you? Did something click? Roos says to take note of that feeling. "Many people have actually not heard much about bisexuality, and especially not about pansexuality, so if you hear someone explain it for you and feel that the signs cope with what you feel, almost like an 'oh, okay' feeling that sets words on your feelings, then its worth exploring further!" she advises. The same is true when you see, read, or hear bisexual narratives. Did you watch XO, Kitty, and feel like you were looking at a mirror? Did Challengers hit a bit too close to home? Again, those feelings may be pointing you toward a personal revelation. "Resonating with bi or pan communities or narratives," is a sign of bisexuality agrees Amodio. "If you feel seen or understood when hearing about bi or pan experiences, that sense of alignment can also be an indicator."9. You take "Am I Bi?" quizzes onlineYes, I'm calling you out for it. There are plenty of multiple-choice tests out there that will "tell you" whether or not you're bisexual. If you're taking them, they're not "just for fun" or to "pass the time," as you'll likely say if you're caught. You're more likely taking them to either have the quiz tell you you're not bisexual or for it to remind you of what you already know.10. Sex feels right with all gendersUsually, when straight people have sex with their own gender, they can take it or leave it. Likewise, when gay people usually have sex with their own gender, its like a person with poor eyesight finally got a pair of contacts and saw the world as it was meant to be seen. However, if youve tried, enjoyed, and felt like sex with all genders feels as sex should, youre probably bi.And finally... You just knowOkay, I know, this one is a little "duh." Truth is, denial is very much a thing, and it's likely if you're questioning your sexuality, you already know you're at least not completely straight. Plus, once things all click and you do step into your beautifully bisexual skin, you'll probably have the "I knew it all along" feeling, and it will hopefully bring you a little peace.EXPERTS EXPERTS CITED:Dr. Frankie Bashan, board-certified sex therapist, clinical psychologist, professional matchmaker, and founder of Little Gay Book.Anne-Marie Zanzal, M.Div., coming out coachSofie Roos, licensed sexologist and relationship therapist & author at PassioneradJillian Amodio, licensed social worker LMSW at Waypoint Wellness CenterSaba Harouni Lurie, LMFT, ATR-BC, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Take Root Therapy

This year, The International Conference on Stigma, held November 1921 at Howard Universitys Blackburn Center, provided a critical platform for addressing stigmas impact on marginalized communities. This years theme, Stigma No More Its 2024!, encouraged bold conversations about health inequities, particularly those affecting Black women. One pivotal panel, Spilling the Tea, Part III: Real Conversations [...]The post The 2024 International Conference on Stigma: Bridging Gaps for Black Women and Building Solidarity Between Cis and Trans Communities first appeared on GLAAD.

The post Los Angeles Blade publisher Troy Masters dies at 63 appeared first on News Is Out.

A Wisconsin man will soon face a new trial for allegedly assaulting a prison guard while currently serving two life sentences for ending the life of his girlfriend and her female best friend after he allegedly discovered them being physically intimate together.Richard Wendell Sotka will be tried in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 8, 2025 on one count of battery by a prisoner. He is serving two life sentences without parole after taking the life of his girlfriend, Rhonda Cegelski, and her best friend Paula OConnor, in 2023. Related Anti-LGBTQ+ attacks nationwide have increased 112% over the last two years The attacks effects are crossing state lines, harming queer people even when they live in LGBTQ+-friendly regions, experts say. Cegelskis daughter found the two women and called police after seeing they had been stabbed repeatedly with a large knife in the face and neck. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Sotka revealed his involvement, saying he was humiliated and had gone into a jealous rage after catching the two having intercourse.Youre like a predator in the wild, going for the neck, Judge Beau Liegeois said when giving out the sentence, according to local TV station WFRV. Thats the only way to really describe it.The current charge of battery emerged in October of last year after he allegedly assaulted a guard.Sotka screamed something, and that is when Sotka [hit] me for the first time with a fist, the guard said, according to local news station WLUK. His fist hit me on my left ear. The [blow] hurt my ear and I saw stars. I yelled, What are you doing? I heard Officer AG call for backup on the radio. Sotka continued to [pummel] me over and over again with his fist and we moved back. It felt like all the [hits] were on my head. I did not give Sotka permission to [accost] me, cause me pain, or cause me harm in any way. At one point I went into a defensive position as he kept hitting me. I finally was able to extend my arms and stop his [blows] from hitting me. Officer AG arrived, and I felt Sotkas level of tension drop.Sotka pleads not guilty to this charge.Sotka has a separate stalking charge from Ohio, which requires him to wear an ankle bracelet that has GPS monitoring. While he says he isnt guilty of this charge, he nevertheless cut the bracelet and fled in a truck stolen from his employer, getting down to Arkansas with his passport and $4,000 in cash. This was in direct response to the terminating of his girlfriends life.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A federal appeals court in Louisiana has ruled Nasdaqs DEI initiative to boost the number of women, racial minorities, and LGBTQ+ people on U.S. corporate boards is unconstitutional.The Wall Street exchanges proposed policy would have required most of the nearly 3,000 companies listed on Nasdaq to include at least one woman on their board of directors, as well as one racial minority or a person who identifies as LGBTQ+. The plan also required companies to publicly disclose the demographic composition of their boards. Related Fertility costs & open enrollment: What the LGBTQ community needs to know How do you know whats covered, and how much will this journey actually cost? How can you optimize your coverage and advocate for yourself? The proposal was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2021. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today On Wednesday, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the SEC shouldnt have agreed to the policy.It is not unethical for a company to decline to disclose information about the racial, gender, and LGTBQ+ characteristics of its directors, the ruling stated. We are not aware of any established rule or custom of the securities trade that saddles companies with an obligation to explain why their boards of directors do not have as much racial, gender, or sexual orientation diversity as Nasdaq would prefer.Nasdaq said they stood by the proposed policy but has no plans to appeal.We maintain that the rule simplified and standardized disclosure requirements to the benefit of both corporates and investors, Nasdaq said in a statement. That said, we respect the Courts decision and do not intend to seek further review.The SEC said in a statement they were reviewing the decision. The policy would have been the first of its kind for a U.S. securities exchange. Several members of Nasdaq have been at the vanguard of diversity policy in corporate America, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft.The decision comes amid a rollback of corporate DEI initiatives in the face of right-wing boycotts and a determinative Supreme Court ruling in 2023 that banned affirmative action in college admissions.Walmart, Harley-Davidson,Jack Daniels parent company Brown-Forman, Ford Motor Co.,Lowes, Tractor Supply Co.,John Deere, beverage company Coors, and large-equipment manufacturerCaterpillar Inchave all curtailed or eliminated inclusive initiatives with public declarations. Florida, Alabama and Utah are among the states that have eliminated DEI initiatives on state college campuses, leading to the shut-down of Pride centers and diversity discussions in classrooms.In October, Democrats in Congress, led by out Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), appealed to leaders of Fortune 1000 companies to resist far-right calls to dismantle their DEI initiatives.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Conservatives love to claim that Democrats are delicate little snowflakes, but Republican Rep. Nancy Mace is currently being read for filth by the internet after claiming she was injured by *checks notes* a handshake.Mace had a full Karen meltdown and called the cops on James McIntyre, a former foster youth and award-winning advocate for children, after an incident that took place following an event meant to honor the anniversary of a landmark child welfare law.The MAGA firebrand who seems to be competing with Laura Loomer and Marjorie Taylor Greene for who can promote the wildest conspiracy theories and most anti-trans rhetoric claimed that McIntyre "violently shook" her hand outside of the House of Representatives after the event, according to a police report obtained by Newsweek.Mace immediately took to social media to spew anti-trans hate and claim that the handshake caused her to need a wrist brace and posted pictures of herself in an arm sling."I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man. One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it'll heal just fine," Mace wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "The Capitol police arrested the guy. Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down." (@) (@) On Tuesday evening, McIntyre was arrested by Capitol Police and charged with assaulting a government official, even though eyewitnesses have reported that the 33-year-old merely shook Mace's hand and told the South Carolina congresswoman, "Trans youth are also foster youth, and they need your support," the Washington Post reports.Of course, this hasn't stopped Mace who has been making headlines for proposing a bill that would prohibit trans women from using the women's restrooms on Capitol Hill from flooding X with photos of herself wearing an arm sling with the hashtag #HoldTheLine, hateful messages about trans women, and sucking up to Donald Trump.But her gross histrionics, that seemed designed to paint the trans community and their allies as dangerous and violent, have not gone unnoticed by people on social media who have taken it upon themselves to read her for filth, and the results are both hilarious and delicious!We never thought we'd be happy that X still exists, but from people joking that next Mace is going to show up in a full-body cast because "a car with a Pride bumper sticker honked at her" to people calling her out for being a "clout-chasing crisis actor," we're getting some much-needed catharsis. (@) (@) This is not the first incident where Mace has shown her true colors. She proposed the anti-trans bathroom bill because of her colleague, incoming transgender Rep. Sarah McBride, who Mace referred to by the incorrect pronouns, and she has also posted the T slur on X multiple times. Sadly, right-wing politicians like Mace aren't going anywhere, but the more outlandish their claims and attempts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights, the more motivated we all are to fight back!Keep scrolling to see the most hilarious reactions to Nancy Mace being the ultimate Karen. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Gay military personnel thrown out of the U.K.s armed services are set to receive up to 70,000 (around $89,000) in compensation for what the Labour governments defense minister called a moral stain on our nation.Thousands of British military personnel were discharged between 1967 and 2000 because of the militarys anti-gay policy. The ban on gay service members saw soldiers jailed, stripped of their medals, and denied their pensions. Related Donald Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee thinks LGBTQ+ soldiers harm the military Pete Hegseth thinks the estimated 126,827 LGBTQ+ military service members erode standards of the US military. Defense Secretary John Healey said his government was determined to right the wrongs of the past and recognize the hurt that too many endured. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today An estimated 200 to 250 gay service members were discharged each year over the life of the ban. Exact figures arent known because proper records werent retained.The 75 million compensation fund will be formally introduced by Healey as he leads the debate on the issue on Thursday in the House of Commons. LGBTQ+ vets have been invited to attend in the public gallery.An independent review commissioned last year found evidence of dozens of cases of homophobia, victimization, mistreatment, and intrusive investigations, The Guardian reports. One former member of the Royal Navy admitted having sex with another man while on leave to avoid being blackmailed. He said after the admission, he was dragged from my bed by naval police the next morning and humiliated by being marched off of the ship in front of the entire ships company.The man was detained at a naval installation for months without legal representation, made to do degrading menial tasks, and in the end court-martialed based on violating the age of consent at the time. His partner was 19.The discharge led to my parents disowning me, along with the rest of my family, depression, and long self-destructive behavior, including alcoholism, because I had what I thought would be a confidential conversation with my divisional officer confessing a sexual experience I had had whilst on leave. Vets dismissed because of the ban will be eligible for a flat payment of 50,000. Further payments worth up to 20,000 will be based on the severity of their treatment at the time. Theyll also be eligible for restoration of their rank and the reason for discharge amended.In the Defense Ministrys announcement of the plan, Healy said, We have listened to veterans. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

It's always a good time for LGBTQ+ anime!If you want to watch an animated series with actual, openly queer characters, you are definitely not alone.The next time you're on the hunt for some queer anime, these 20 titles are sure to hit the spot! Here's what we've been watching and best of all where you can watch them, too! Yuri is My Job!Yuri is My Job! is a newer addition to the yuri genre that follows around a group of girls doing their best to give the full Liebe Girls Academy experience. Things take a turn once Hime Shiraki comes along, and her relationship with Mitsuki develops in a friends-to-enemies type of back and forth.Stream on CrunchyrollPrincess Jellyfish (Kuragehime)Those who are into josei anime should look no further than Princess Jellyfish, wherein the androgynous and cross-dressing Kuranosuke helps Tsukimi save a jellyfish in the pet store. As their relationship advances, Tsukimi helps bring the extroverted Kuranosuke into a place of deep self-reflection.Stream on CrunchyrollGivenIf you're looking for an anime that's both a TV show and a subsequent movie, check out Given. In it, Ritsuka Uenoyama is ready to give up on music until he encounters Satou Mafuyu, who winds up giving him lessons. The show sets up their relationship, and the movie expands on the complicated emotions after the two form a band and work up to their main show.Watch the show on Crunchyroll and catch the movie on MyAnime ListLand of the LustrousLand of the Lustrous is often lauded for putting non-binary representation at the forefront in a world inhabited by "jewel people" who try to find a place to belong. The people's bodies are made from crystal instead of flesh, which puts them as a target for Lunarians who are on the hunt for their skin to make jewelry. The representation isn't perfect, but the majority of main characters subscribe to they/them pronouns in both the original and the dubbed, so that's pretty sweet.Stream on Apple TV+Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from MercuryIn this action packed sci-fi anime the lead character is a transfer student from Mercury who is legally betrothed to the shows other lead character, who just so happens to also be female. While they never come out officially declare their sexuality, they have no problem whatsoever being in a same sex relationship, because its the future and queerness in NBD. Stream on CrunchyrollSkip and LoaferIn this sweet coming-of-age tale 15-yo teen girl, Mitsumi leaves the countryside to live in Tokyo with her aunt Nao-chan who is a transwoman. While that aspect isn't the main plotline of this series it offers wonderfully refreshing trans representation.Stream on Crunchyroll Tomo-Chan is a GirlThis romantic comedy explores gender identity and gender norms in hetero-normative relationships and whether that even matters surprise, it does not! It's a story about embracing your truth, refusing to conform, and still being lovable exactly for who you are. Stream on CrunchyrollBIRDIE WING - Golf Girls' StoryThis show is SO gay! The series leads in this golf yuri anime Eve and Aoi begin as rivals and slowly their dynamic shifts to something more romantic. Stream on CrunchyrollNeon Genesis EvangelionNeon Genesis Evangelion follows a group of teenagers who must work with a shadowy organization, NERV, to pilot bio-machines called Evangelions and fight monstrous beings called Angels to save a future Tokyo. The series centers on teenage boy, Shinji, as he fights Angels, copes with a seriously messed up father-son relationship, has one existential crisis after another, and explores his sexuality with Kaworu Nagisa. Though Kaworu only appears in two episodes, his relationship with Shinji made a huge impact on fans.Stream on NetflixSasaki and MiyanoSasaki and Miyano released in the winter of 2022 and was met with much approval. The show focuses on both the blossoming gay relationship of the main characters, but also showcases the boys love for manga.Stream on CrunchyrollRanma 1/2 (Ranma 1/2 Nettou Hen)Ranma 1/2 is a great show for anyone who wants to learn a little something about gender fluidity. The main character is a boy named Ranma Saotome, who has an accident during training that causes him to turn into a girl when exposed to cold water, then returns to being a boy when exposed to hot.Stream on PeacockStars Align (Hoshiai No Sora)Stars Align is among the list of sports animes, but it tackles some of the more complex and complicated aspects of figuring out your identity in middle school. One episode in particular focuses on a character discussing being nonbinary, and another discussing transgender experiences.Stream on HuluBloom Into You (Yagate Kimi Ni Naru)Bloom Into You follows a high-schooler named Yuu who comes to terms with the feelings she has for her classmate Touko, who lights her fancy much more than any man who tries. This touching coming-of-age lesbian romance is an easy binge. Stream on Prime VideoRevolutionary Girl UtenaRevolutionary Girl Utena follows Utena Tenjou, a teen girl who decides to become a prince. She meets Anthy Himemiya at Ohtori Academy, and fights to protect her from another student that Anthy is in an abusive relationship with.Stream on Prime VideoSailor MoonIf you watched the censored English dubbed version of Sailor Moon as a child, you may have missed the lesbian relationship between Sailor Uranus (Haruka Tenou) and Sailor Neptune (Michiru Kaioh). They were definitely not cousins. Also, pretty much every Sailor Scout has a crush on Haruka at some point.Stream on HuluAoi Hana (Sweet Blue Flowers)Aoi Hana focuses on high school students Manjoume Fumi and Okudaira Akira. Fumi goes from one failed lesbian relationship to another, but Akira remains a constant source of stability in her life.Stream on CrunchyrollHourou Musuko (Wandering Son)Hourou Musuko depicts a student named Shuichi Nitori, described as "a boy who wants to be a girl," and Yoshino Takatsuki, described as "a girl who wants to be a boy." The series deals with both characters coming to terms with their gender identity at the beginning of puberty.Stream on VRVSasameki Koto (Whispered Words)Sasameki Koto focuses on high school student Sumika Murasame who is in love with her best friend Ushio Kazama. Though Ushio likes girls too, tall and athletic Sumika is afraid to confess her love, because Ushio only likes girls she considers "cute" and "small."Stream on CrunchyrollOuran High School Host ClubOuran High School Host Club focuses on Haruhi Fujioka, a high school freshman attending the prestigious school on scholarship. Haruhi discovers the Ouran Host Club, in which handsome boys play romantic hosts to girls of the school. The boys of the host club think shes a boy at first, but her ID says female. Haruhi is happiest in neutral clothing, joins the host club, and entertains girls. There are several other characters in the show who are LGBTQ+, including Haruhis father, a bisexual drag queen who prefers to be called Ranka. Stream on NetflixAntique BakeryAntique Bakery is a comedy about four men who run a bakery. Yusuke Ono, the ptissier, is openly gay. Chikage Kobayakawa, a waiter, has a crush on Ono. Keisuke Tachibana is the owner of Antique Bakery, and is the only man who Ono finds attractive but who is not attracted to Ono in return.Stream on Prime Video

Power bottoms for the win!In the world of gay sex, there are usually four different sexual positions that come into the mix: The top, or the penetrator, the bottom, or the penetratee, the versatile who likes it both ways, or the side who doesn't enjoy giving or receiving. Although each role has its own perks, hidden within them is another term that gets tossed around: A power bottom.In general, bottoms have a lot of stigma and a lot of shame that they have to shake off by all the haters (who are often straight and closeted tops, but thats neither here nor there.)You may have heard the term and might not be totally sure what exactly a power bottom is, so here are some tips for you to remember what the role entails and, more importantly, what it does not.What is a "power bottom"?First of all, lets just get the definition of a power bottom out of the way. It isnt the same thing as being a pillow princess, or just lying back and receiving pleasure. Its the total opposite, actually. Power bottoms like to run the show, and just because theyre on the receiving end of the penetration does not at all mean theyll just lie around and take it. They control the tempo, the depth, the positions, the vocals, the everything else.Here are a few facts and myths that come associated with the role.Fact: Being a power bottom is, well, empoweringAs stated above, bottoms are on the receiving end (no pun intended) of a lot of stigma and shame, particularly by those who havent been fortunate enough to yet understand the power of anal pleasure. Being a power bottom equates to having control and owning who you are, despite the shame and negativity you may face from others.Myth: Power bottoms are considered weak or feminineBelieve it or not, not every bottom is wildly flamboyant, and not every top is wildly masculine. There are a whole lot of in-betweens that make up the space and spectrum of being queer, and being a power bottom doesnt automatically determine the masculinity or femininity of the individual. As with other areas of sex, the role is just a preference and doesnt define anything else about the person.Fact: The term traces back several decadesWe may be hearing more about power bottoms these days, but the term isnt exactly something new. In fact, some records show it might have been in use as early as the late 20th century, though the arrival of the Internet and the uptick in queer platforms in the early 2000s brought the term into a more popular and publicized light. Myth: It is strictly a gay termHear me out here for a second, because, yes: This term is predominately used in gay communities, but that doesnt necessarily mean it only belongs to them. Considering what a power bottom is someone who is in control of the intimate experience theyre undertaking those who identify as such usually have deeper emotional or psychological needs that need to be expressed. In essence, it is basically used to describe someone who maintains their assertive and dominant behavior while being in the receptive role.Fact: Being a bottom does not automatically make you a power bottomPower bottoms are usually in a class all of their own. They tend to come with an appetite for a lot of dick and can last for hours and hours or have multiple different sessions across the day. They are usually ready at any given time of the day and like to skip the foreplay just to get down to business. This is not automatically true for everyone who takes on the bottom role. As with anything, communication is an important factor here, but if youre a top interested in a cute bottom, dont automatically assume hes a power.Myth: Power bottoms are sluttyFirst of all, lets be honest, this same thing can be said about most gay men, regardless of the role you take in the bedroom. That said, just because someone identifies as a power bottom doesnt mean theyre just going to have sex with anything and everything. The identity isnt as much about how many different partners you can have in a day as opposed to simply having the ability to stay ready at the drop of a hat. Moreover, power bottoms actually come with a high degree of self-esteem or self-worth because they totally own everything about who they are.Fact: Being a power bottom is a mindsetOne does not just enter into the world as a power bottom, even if you had the best sexual experience of your life the first time you were on the receiving end. It takes a lot of mental stamina, sometimes years of development, and it really doesnt have anything to do with the top. Power bottoms have spent the time learning about digestive health and know the ins and outs of douching better than anybody, and it takes determination and will to be able to pull that off on a consistent basis.Myth: Power bottoms don't feel painWhether youve ever taken on the bottom role or not, its pretty common knowledge that it hurts, especially the first time. An issue a lot of tops find themselves subscribing to is thinking that power bottoms dont feel any pain just because they do it all of the time. Tops, let that go. You cannot just shove it in without any lube or stimulation. You cant immediately start to jackhammer them and not expect them to feel anything. Regardless of how often they do it, power bottoms still need a little time to open up before they can go all in, so just explore respectfully.

It's time to go cruising!Sniffies has hit an all-time high in popularity for LGBTQ+ users looking to have all types of sex. In fact, the popular website decided to release the surprising statistics that made 2024 a very horny year.Let's dive right in. Cruising has become a favorite pastime for many people... even the straights! There was a 26% rise in straight users this year, so experimentation must be on everyone's minds these days.Anonymous and discrete sexual encounters are also getting bigger... literally. Sniffies reports that the largest orgy or "pump and dump" had 339 attendees. Talk about stimulation!Some other interesting analytics include edging as the most popular kink, New York City as the city with the most messages sent, and "vers" overpowering tops and bottoms as the most popular position.If you're looking to try out Sniffies for yourself, then take a trip to Washington D.C., Los Angeles, or Houston as those three big cities have the most cruising opportunities available.Don't fret if you're international though! Calgary, Madrid, and Melbourne are the fastest rising cities using the hookup app. As always, be safe and cautious of your surroundings if you decide to have some fun and experience cruising yourself.