Sniffies, the popular cruising map, has teamed up with fashion label Barragn to launch a limited-edition capsule collection that celebrates queer identity, sexual energy, and self-expression.The Sniffies x Barragn collaboration features three exclusive pieces designed for those who live boldly: a blue wrestling singlet, a black box muscle tank, and a grey hoodie. Each piece reimagines athleticism and desire through Barragns sculptural, gender-fluid aesthetic and Sniffies unapologetic, sex-positive energy.Sniffies has always been about confidence and connection, said Eli Martin, Chief Marketing Officer of Sniffies. Barragn captures that same energy in fashion, fluid, powerful, and fearless. This collection brings cruising culture into the streetwear space with attitude and pride.Founded by designer Victor Barragn, the Mexico Cityborn, New Yorkbased brand has become a cult favorite for its subversive approach to gender, performance, and identity. Known for blending high concept with queer sensuality, Barragn has been featured in outlets like Vogue, Dazed, and Paper, and shown at New York Fashion Week as one of the most provocative voices redefining modern fashion.The limited run will be available exclusively on Sniffies.com beginning October 14 with select drops at Sniffies real-world events and pop-ups throughout the fall.Sniffies collaborations have become cultural signifiers for a new era of cruising culture, bridging digital connection, IRL community, and fashion that makes a statement. Explore the collection at www.sniffies.com.

Now that Kim Kardashian's shapewear line has everyone talking about pubic hair, thanks to their release of faux hair thongs available in different colors and textures, it feels like the right time to have a serious conversation about body hair.But first, let's take a step back and talk about hair more broadly. We use hairstyling it, shaping it, or removing itto express and accessorize our gender. When we go to salons, we're not just framing our faces or keeping up appearances; we're also performing and affirming our gender identities.From a young age, we learn what hairstyles are considered "for girls" and which are "for boys."I remember when my son was three years old, and one of his preschool teachers asked me and his other mother why we chose a "girl's hairstyle" for him. Our son liked having longer hair (and still does). Long hair isn't exclusive to people with vaginas, but to his teacher, a boy with long hair didn't "look right."At the time, my partner, Ranita, was working on her book. For the project, she spent three years shadowing students from third to sixth grade, documenting their daily experiences inside classrooms. What she discovered was both daunting and disturbing: many children were regularly mocked not by classmates, but by their teachers. Teachers made fun of immigrant kids' accents, their clothing, and, yes, even their hair.Given my partner's work, I shouldn't have been surprised that an educator made our child self-conscious about his hairstyle. But I was. That same day, our three-year-old asked if boys could have long hair. After dinner, we googled "men with long hair." As we scrolled through images, he smiled; we talked about how no one is truly immune to the subtle, slow forms of violence that happen in schools.That was two years ago. Our son, in kindergarten this year, still likes to keep his hair long. We are proud of him for not seeing hairstyles as either for "boys" or "girls" but instead as simply hairstyles.Hair and the act of removing it have a long social history. Some estimates suggest that 99% of women have tried some form of hair removal, and around 85% regularly remove body hair.While Kardashian's faux hair thongs may seem funny at first, we should pause to consider the harm behind that laughter.Women already feel pressure to manage their body hair. And while men may feel some of the same pressure, it is stronger for women. Take, for example, pubic hair. Many women, in particular, monitor their pubic hair for the comfort of their romantic partners: shaving, trimming, or waxing, often not for themselves but to avoid judgment or jokes about their "bushes."Others, such as people born with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), one of more than two dozen intersex traits, have little to no pubic hair at all. And they, too, become targets of cruel humor.As a sociologist with CAIS who studies the lived experiences of intersex people, I know firsthand that pubic hair or the absence of it can be deeply personal and even traumatic. Intersex people with CAIS have told me about being mocked by male partners for having no pubic hair. Or being called "prepubescent," "gross," or even "abnormal." When intersex people with CAIS like myself point out that many women pay good money to remove their pubic hair, those same partners double down, saying, "Well, they don't remove all of it!"Clearly, they've never heard of Brazilian waxes.When it comes to pubic hair, women can't seem to win.When I treated myself to a facial more than a decade ago, an esthetician asked me if I was interested in their waxing services. "My unibrow is that bad, huh?" I laughed, which I often do in uncomfortable situations. I don't think she believed me when I shared that "I used to regularly get my eyebrows waxed" because she went on to say, "It won't hurt and I also have time in my schedule to do a bikini wax if you'd be interested."I was in her salon for a facial. Not for hair removal. But that didn't stop the otherwise friendly esthetician from making me feel self-conscious about my eyebrows and (lack of) pubic hair. She didn't know I had CAIS, and thus didn't have hair on my vagina, but the stigma still stung deep.I left her salon that day with my humor wrapped tightly around my unibrow and my threeyes, only threepubic hairs intact. I've had those three hairs for what seems like years. And, as I later joked with a friend, there was no way in hell I was going to let anyone yank those three hairs out. We laughed about it, which I know firsthand can be the best medicine. Still, there is a difference between laughing as a defense mechanism and laughing at someone or something you're not thinking critically about.So, before you share a link to Kardashian's sold-out faux hair thongs for a laugh, think twice. The joke might come back around the next time you feel pressure to "tidy up" your bikini line. Or when you notice how every strand of hair on our bodies is still policed by gender.Georgiann Davis is an intersex scholar-activist at the University of New Mexico. She is the author of Five Star White Trash: A Memoir of Fraud and Family.Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Out.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 Out or our parent company, equalpride.

Hidden disabilities represent a significant portion of disabilities in the UK, yet their invisibility creates unique challenges for those living with them. Under the Equality Act 2010, someone is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The distinction of being hidden means these conditions arent immediately apparent to others, making disclosure a complex decision with real consequences.Understanding Dyslexia as a Hidden DisabilityWhen examining UK dyslexia awareness, it serves as an instructive case study for how hidden disabilities function within the legal framework. Dyslexia is specifically protected under the Equality Act 2010 as a hidden disability, and this protection carries significant implications.Employers are under a duty to make reasonable adjustments for dyslexic individuals, who are considered to be at a substantial disadvantage in the workplace compared to those who are not dyslexic. The adjustments might include assistive technology like screen reading software, alternative methods of receiving information, or modified deadlines.A Workplace Needs Assessment can determine the most appropriate adjustments, examining the nature of an individuals dyslexia through diagnostic assessment, job requirements, working environment and the demands of any training. This structured approach to accommodation demonstrates how UK legislation attempts to level the playing field, though the burden often falls on individuals to request support and prove their need for it.The ADHD and Chronic Pain ConnectionThe intersection between different hidden disabilities reveals how complex these conditions can be. ADHD has been reported to be associated with primary chronic pain syndromes including fibromyalgia, migraine, and chronic low back pain. This relationship highlights how hidden disabilities rarely exist in isolation. Someone managing ADHD may also contend with chronic pain, whilst facing scepticism about both conditions because neither is visible to observers.People with invisible disabilities may not use mobility aids on some days or at all because severity of pain or level of mobility can change from day to day. This fluctuating nature makes documentation and disclosure particularly fraught. Someone might appear fully functional one day whilst struggling intensely the next, leading to accusations of exaggeration or inconsistency.Documentation and Legal ProtectionsThe UK system provides protections but requires individuals to navigate complex processes. Documentation accepted to verify disability status includes the back of a Blue Badge, disabled persons Freedom Pass or Bus Pass, letters from doctors, Disability Living Allowance decision letters, Personal Independence Payment letters, or other relevant documentation showing disability status. Gathering this documentation can be arduous, particularly for those whose conditions make administrative tasks challenging.Protection from discrimination applies in employment, education, exercise of public functions, goods, services, facilities and transport. Organisations must make reasonable adjustments once they know about a disability, though what counts as reasonable depends on factors like organisational resources and the practicality of changes. This framework creates legal recourse but doesnt eliminate the emotional labour of constant disclosure decisions.The Disclosure DilemmaFor many LGBTQ+ individuals with hidden disabilities, disclosure becomes doubly complex. Deciding when and how to share information about a disability involves calculating risks around discrimination, workplace dynamics, and access to necessary support.Some worry that disclosing will invite unwanted scrutiny or assumptions about their capabilities. Others find that without disclosure, they cant access the adjustments they need to succeed.The invisibility of these conditions means that people constantly face doubt about their legitimacy. Research by the charity Scope found that more than half of UK employees with a less obvious disability worry constantly about losing their jobs. This precarity shapes every decision about whether to request accommodations or simply try to manage without them.EndnoteHidden disabilities in the UK exist within a legal framework designed to protect, yet the burden remains on individuals to prove their conditions, request adjustments, and navigate systems that werent built with them in mind. The Equality Act provides a foundation, but genuine accessibility requires organisations and society to move beyond compliance toward proactive understanding and support.The post What Counts as a Hidden Disability in the UK appeared first on LGBTQ and ALL.

If youre hoping for a bright future in your chosen career path, youll need a solid foundation. That means choosing a training program that offers the right blend of hands-on instruction, content to reinforce skills, and personal support. And if youre LGBTQ+, youll want to be especially mindful of a particular training programs approach to inclusivity. Youll need to feel welcomed and connected to thrive.Read on to discover how you can choose inclusive career training programs to power your future in 2025.Verify Access to Support SystemsWhen youre in the throes of a career training program, you may reach moments where you feel overwhelmed. Thats why its critical to ensure you have access to mental health support systems within the program that are friendly toward LGBTQ+ individuals. When youre able to sit down with a counselor or meet with other students experiencing the same stresses, you can manage the challenges of school more easily. Online programs should provide resources, as well, in the form of virtual counseling or other connections. Ultimately, technical schools in Texas or any state that deliver these support networks will show greater commitment to helping you succeed.Look for Evidence of Respect for IdentitiesWhen youre looking for a career training program, the small details matter. Schools that respect how you identify will set the tone for future interactions. You should be able to see your chosen name and identity reflected in everything from your email address to your printed name on class rosters or classroom management systems. When a school makes this effort, theyll demonstrate that inclusivity is a priority. Staff and faculty members should carry this respect through their communication with you, as well.Investigate Connected Internship ProgramsWhile youll start your training by working with faculty and staff at your chosen program, youll eventually move into internship programs, as well. You dont want to feel disrespected or unsafe in an internship scenario. Its wise to ask a prospective training program if they limit partnerships to organizations with a track record of affirming behavior. Your internship experience should be a rewarding step toward building confidence and an attractive resume.Check Placement InformationOutcomes are an important indicator of a training programs ability to help you find success. Look at graduation rates, which can tell you whether students felt supported on their academic journey. And look at job placement. When youre making the effort to go after something you want, you want to commit your time and money to a program that can help you get there. Also, check to ensure that the school is accredited and helps prepare students to pass any necessary certifications in your desired field.Find the Right ProgramEnrolling in a career training program can be a big step for your career development. But it wont be worth the effort unless you feel affirmed and supported during your time in the classroom or during hands-on internships. Its smart to ask a prospective program about their approach to inclusivity. Confirm that they will address you by your preferred pronouns, offer support systems, and help you find a job. The right program will check all those boxes and launch you toward a meaningful career.The post How to Find Inclusive Career Training Programs appeared first on LGBTQ and ALL.

Jack Cameron Kay didnt just bring Jones to life on Netflixs Boots, but delivered a performance that resonated far beyond the character and the series in many ways serving as an embodiment of what LGBTQ+ rights have become in the 2010s and 2015s. The show, set in the 1990s, features Sgt. Sullivan (Max Parker) as a slightly older closeted man whose mindset is still stuck on never coming out as gay for the rest of his life. Unsure of himself, Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer), the protagonist, sees Sullivan as a role model for how to survive as a gay man in the world U.S. Marine Corps or otherwise.And then comes Jones, who is like a glitch in the matrix when considered as a character that exists in the 1990s. Jones clocks Sullivan immediately, and tells Cope, who had been pretty oblivious the entire time. It is also Jones who tells Cope that looking up to someone who hates himself and lives in constant fear of being found out isnt quite the bright future that they could dream of. Is living a secret life and just being tolerated by others really the highest goal that queer people should strive for?In an interview with Out, Kay discusses his journey leading up to Boots, becoming a viral sensation, being called trade, and having his own father send him TikToks of his scenes on the show. The actor also reflects on the process of playing this character, how he feels about the overall response hes received, and dreams of a potential second season renewal for this beloved new Netflix series. Jack Cameron Kay on Boots.NetflixOut: Looking at your Instagram feed before all the Boots content, you seemed to be pursuing a modeling career?Jack Cameron Kay: Its funny you say that I was modeling, I honestly wasnt. Its more so that Ive taken fun pictures with my friends.Well, it looked like a legit gig!I appreciate that. I actually have, a couple of times, but that was not my main pursuit. Ive been an actor for the past four years, and before that This is an epic lore drop, but I studied classical singing at Juilliard.Oh, wow. Thats where you were?I was training to be an opera singer.How was that going?Well, I feel comfortable saying that you dont wind up at a place like Juilliard without having some ability But when I arrived there, I was actually immediately drawn to the actors. I was like, Gosh, these people are so self-possessed. Theyre so at the center of their being.Having come from a really conservative town in Michigan, I was still operating from a place of serious repression. I was so insecure. And [at Juilliard] I was surrounded by all these young people who had grown up in coastal metropolitan areas and who had been afforded the time and opportunity to develop themselves further than I had. I was just in awe of how the actors and the dancers carried themselves, and expressed themselves, and even how they dressed.So a lot of my time at school I spent independently studying acting, working a lot on musical theater, attending all of the drama shows, and just trying to learn as much as I could from them. Jack Cameron KaySam Pickart (@sampickart)Where in Michigan were you born, what did your folks do for a living?Im from a town called Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Its an automotive center about 20 minutes from downtown Detroit. My mom was a teacher. My dad was a financial analyst, a stockbroker.Were there any concerns when a career in the arts, and Juilliard, came up?You know what? From a young age, it was very clear to them what my goals were, and clearly what I was going to want to be pursuing. Thankfully, I did not experience a ton of pushback from them. If I may say so, I was demonstrating a considerable amount of talentOh, they clocked the talent! How amazing.It sounds obnoxious to say, but I think that played a huge role in them being OK with it. They were like, Oh.This will work.I think he has something.Incredible.Im really grateful for it. Its something that creative people, for generations, for decades, had to contend with: Not having the support of their family and the people around them to pursue these things. Im grateful that I didnt have that one obstacle, but I had plenty of others After college, I was a little bit like, What do I want to do? So I started auditioning for Broadway a lot.Did you do anything on Broadway, off-Broadway?Oh, no, I didnt get anything. [Laughs.] I was in callbacks for Dear Evan Hansen, and I was making that my big dream, and then the pandemic happened.I started to learn how to play the guitar, I was writing a lot of music, and it became a very creative time. Then, I started to write songs every day, and it became my thing for a while. Jack Cameron Kay on Boots.NetflixThats a sharp left, but an interesting one.Yeah, it was a nice little side quest And then, while doing that, I was like, Why dont I get into an acting class? Thats when I got with my current teacher. She immediately took notice of me and my potential, and then she just became my mentor.Even up until when I was shooting Boots, I would call her from my trailer and be like, Joan, help me! I dont know whats happening.Whats her name? We should give her a shout-out.Joan Rosenfels! Shes an incredible teacher.Shout-out to the diva!The diva, Mrs. Rosenfels! She was the acting coach on SNL for a while. She coaches Murray Bartlett on all his stuff.Oh, wow. No big dealAs soon as she told me that, I was locked-in to working with her. As someone who snuck episodes of Looking on my iPod Touch in high school I was literally hiding in the darkest corners of my home, on my iPod Touch, watching Looking. Miles Heizer and Jack Cameron Kay on Boots.Netflix/Instagram (@most)I love the concept of watching Looking on an iPod Touch.Yeah, exactly. [Laughs.] And Murray Bartlett, hes such I really look up to him as someone who demonstrated such longevity in his career, and has stayed such an honest craftsman, and who is soHes so disengaged from what seems to be the celebrity of it all. He seems to be completely focused on the craft. Thats really the kind of person, and the kind of artist, that I want to be.Well Youre actually great at social media, so that sucks. I dont know what youre going to do, Jack.[Laughs.] Yeah, the fans have pointed out which, the fact that I am even referring to people as fans is news to me but fans have pointed that out. Theyve been calling me a Chronically Online King in my DMs.I started to go viral on Twitter immediately. And I was like, I feel like most people would probably just ignore it. But I feel like I possess that internet language. Im very fluent in Twitter.Yes, you absolutely are. [Laughs.] Youre screwed, Jack.I thought, Im in a unique position to respond to this in a way that feels really authentic. So Im going to cautiously continue to stoke those fires a little bit.I think I was a gay Twitter main character for one day [in the week following the Boots premiere.] That can go one of two ways, and I am grateful that I feel like Ive been largely spared.Yeah, I sincerely havent seen anything negative about you, or the actors, or the show itself which is actually so lovely and surprising, in the best way?Oh, I would agree. We knew the show was good. Weve had the show since August or so. Before it launched, I had seen the whole thing twice. I knew we had a really phenomenal product.The performances, and the actors, I was just so in awe of everyone in the cast. But, as Im sure youre familiar, oftentimes that does not determine whether or not something breaks through. (@) It does not, youre right.It is ultimately the combination of good promotion and sheer luck when something just takes on the internet, so I didnt know what was going to happen. I was obviously hopeful.But from the moment it dropped, specifically queer sectors of the internet were already devouring it, and then continued to do so. I keep posting, like, Okay, re-watch it. Then, the DMs I get back are like, I already did. Im on my third watch. And the fansOh my god, the fan edits.So my father has learned how to use TikTok [Laughs.]No. No way. and hes the one whos sending me all the fan cams, and reading all the comments. Im just like, This is absurd.And the ones of you in the shower with Miles [Heizer] looking over I cant.Oh, that is the featured clip! But hes having the time with his life. Hes really having the time of his life.What was your coming-out process like, moving to New York City to go to college?When I left for college, I was out to everyone and I was very secure. By the time I was ready to talk about it, I was very secure in it. And that only grew the more time I spent in New York. And Im so grateful, too, in a sense, to have grown up in New York in that way.Sometimes I feel like I grew up in New York, even though obviously I didnt. But those years, from 18 to 22, are so crucial. Because I was thrust into this new environment around profoundly dynamic young people, it really accelerated my development as a person. But I was put in a situation that was very uncomfortable, which forced me to evolve. It forced me to open my eyes to so many different ways of being. Im really grateful for that. Jack Cameron Kay on Boots.NetflixI had a similar college trajectory, and I agree that it does give you the chance to be whoever you want. But when you havent yet emerged, what ends up coming to the surface is the person you actually are.Exactly. Were so shaped by those [hometown] environments where existing is like acting. You are existing under a set of circumstances in a certain environment. We assume different personas and sets of behavior.Did it feel similar when you started bringing Jones to life?It did feel similar stepping into a role like Jones. Its like you have this framework of what they would like the character to look and sound like, and you have this person you know as yourself. You try it on, and then you allow this new person to emerge over time. Its a combination of the two whats on the page and who you are and then they merge into something new, which is extremely rewarding.I wanted to explore your story prior to Boots because, as an actor we hadnt really seen on our screens before, its remarkable to watch you come into this moving train and just nail it. We get to know Jones very well, very quickly, just from your face checking out Heizers character. I dont know if people realize how hard it is to convey that much personality with just a look and a smirk. I was like, Oh, we know exactly who Jones is.That literally means the world to me. You hear people talk about this all the time. Its like, You work for years to have an overnight success. I sent in the tape for Boots in April of 2024. I got the callback two weeks later, and then I was going to have the callback a week later.I took the callback, and it was the best callback Ive ever given in my life. And then immediately, an hour later, Angus [OBrien] followed me on Instagram. And I was like, Okay, maybe somethings happening. And then I booked it.I was at the restaurant I worked at, boxing up peoples food to go, when I got the call.Aw, Jack. That is a wonderful story.It was one of the most euphoric, joyful moments of my life. I was in complete disbelief. Im sure you can understand, but the level of despair you can feel sometimes as an actor trying to do this It feels like winning the lottery. It feels like being struck by lightning. Miles Heizer and Jack Cameron Kay on Boots.Netflix/Instagram (@most)Thoughts on how Jones and Cope [Heizer] end season 1, and how a potential second season could play out?I just really appreciate that Jones and [Cope] end on good terms. I think theres such potential for a truly beautiful friendship or relationship. Who knows? I thought it was really clever the way that they had Sullivan thwart that and turn us against one another.And then Jones leaves on that truck, and you dont really know where he goes, do you? I thought it was a very poetic way to close on Joness story in the show, but I would happen to agree with a lot of other people in saying that there does exist the potential for him to return! I would love to play Jones again.Well, yes!And I want that season 2 not just for myself, but for everyone who has spent years shooting it, and five years developing it, and writing it. Greg Cope White, who spent his life developing this story. I want that for them just as much as they want it for me. I have complete faith in the people who are in charge of this story, and how it extends further into the future. If they want to include Jones in that story, they have my numberI have a feeling the fans will want to keep up with the Joneses of it all.All right, I am down! [Laughs.] But if Jones is not a part of the story they want to keep telling, I have faith in that, and I will be happy to support and watch along with everyone else.Boots is now streaming on Netflix.

Hidden disabilities represent a significant portion of disabilities in the UK, yet their invisibility creates unique challenges for those living with them. Under the Equality Act 2010, someone is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The distinction of being hidden means these conditions arent immediately apparent to others, making disclosure a complex decision with real consequences.Understanding Dyslexia as a Hidden DisabilityWhen examining UK dyslexia awareness, it serves as an instructive case study for how hidden disabilities function within the legal framework. Dyslexia is specifically protected under the Equality Act 2010 as a hidden disability, and this protection carries significant implications.Employers are under a duty to make reasonable adjustments for dyslexic individuals, who are considered to be at a substantial disadvantage in the workplace compared to those who are not dyslexic. The adjustments might include assistive technology like screen reading software, alternative methods of receiving information, or modified deadlines.A Workplace Needs Assessment can determine the most appropriate adjustments, examining the nature of an individuals dyslexia through diagnostic assessment, job requirements, working environment and the demands of any training. This structured approach to accommodation demonstrates how UK legislation attempts to level the playing field, though the burden often falls on individuals to request support and prove their need for it.The ADHD and Chronic Pain ConnectionThe intersection between different hidden disabilities reveals how complex these conditions can be. ADHD has been reported to be associated with primary chronic pain syndromes including fibromyalgia, migraine, and chronic low back pain. This relationship highlights how hidden disabilities rarely exist in isolation. Someone managing ADHD may also contend with chronic pain, whilst facing scepticism about both conditions because neither is visible to observers.People with invisible disabilities may not use mobility aids on some days or at all because severity of pain or level of mobility can change from day to day. This fluctuating nature makes documentation and disclosure particularly fraught. Someone might appear fully functional one day whilst struggling intensely the next, leading to accusations of exaggeration or inconsistency.Documentation and Legal ProtectionsThe UK system provides protections but requires individuals to navigate complex processes. Documentation accepted to verify disability status includes the back of a Blue Badge, disabled persons Freedom Pass or Bus Pass, letters from doctors, Disability Living Allowance decision letters, Personal Independence Payment letters, or other relevant documentation showing disability status. Gathering this documentation can be arduous, particularly for those whose conditions make administrative tasks challenging.Protection from discrimination applies in employment, education, exercise of public functions, goods, services, facilities and transport. Organisations must make reasonable adjustments once they know about a disability, though what counts as reasonable depends on factors like organisational resources and the practicality of changes. This framework creates legal recourse but doesnt eliminate the emotional labour of constant disclosure decisions.The Disclosure DilemmaFor many LGBTQ+ individuals with hidden disabilities, disclosure becomes doubly complex. Deciding when and how to share information about a disability involves calculating risks around discrimination, workplace dynamics, and access to necessary support.Some worry that disclosing will invite unwanted scrutiny or assumptions about their capabilities. Others find that without disclosure, they cant access the adjustments they need to succeed.The invisibility of these conditions means that people constantly face doubt about their legitimacy. Research by the charity Scope found that more than half of UK employees with a less obvious disability worry constantly about losing their jobs. This precarity shapes every decision about whether to request accommodations or simply try to manage without them.EndnoteHidden disabilities in the UK exist within a legal framework designed to protect, yet the burden remains on individuals to prove their conditions, request adjustments, and navigate systems that werent built with them in mind. The Equality Act provides a foundation, but genuine accessibility requires organisations and society to move beyond compliance toward proactive understanding and support.The post What Counts as a Hidden Disability in the UK appeared first on LGBTQ and ALL.

If youre hoping for a bright future in your chosen career path, youll need a solid foundation. That means choosing a training program that offers the right blend of hands-on instruction, content to reinforce skills, and personal support. And if youre LGBTQ+, youll want to be especially mindful of a particular training programs approach to inclusivity. Youll need to feel welcomed and connected to thrive.Read on to discover how you can choose inclusive career training programs to power your future in 2025.Verify Access to Support SystemsWhen youre in the throes of a career training program, you may reach moments where you feel overwhelmed. Thats why its critical to ensure you have access to mental health support systems within the program that are friendly toward LGBTQ+ individuals. When youre able to sit down with a counselor or meet with other students experiencing the same stresses, you can manage the challenges of school more easily. Online programs should provide resources, as well, in the form of virtual counseling or other connections. Ultimately, technical schools in Texas or any state that deliver these support networks will show greater commitment to helping you succeed.Look for Evidence of Respect for IdentitiesWhen youre looking for a career training program, the small details matter. Schools that respect how you identify will set the tone for future interactions. You should be able to see your chosen name and identity reflected in everything from your email address to your printed name on class rosters or classroom management systems. When a school makes this effort, theyll demonstrate that inclusivity is a priority. Staff and faculty members should carry this respect through their communication with you, as well.Investigate Connected Internship ProgramsWhile youll start your training by working with faculty and staff at your chosen program, youll eventually move into internship programs, as well. You dont want to feel disrespected or unsafe in an internship scenario. Its wise to ask a prospective training program if they limit partnerships to organizations with a track record of affirming behavior. Your internship experience should be a rewarding step toward building confidence and an attractive resume.Check Placement InformationOutcomes are an important indicator of a training programs ability to help you find success. Look at graduation rates, which can tell you whether students felt supported on their academic journey. And look at job placement. When youre making the effort to go after something you want, you want to commit your time and money to a program that can help you get there. Also, check to ensure that the school is accredited and helps prepare students to pass any necessary certifications in your desired field.Find the Right ProgramEnrolling in a career training program can be a big step for your career development. But it wont be worth the effort unless you feel affirmed and supported during your time in the classroom or during hands-on internships. Its smart to ask a prospective program about their approach to inclusivity. Confirm that they will address you by your preferred pronouns, offer support systems, and help you find a job. The right program will check all those boxes and launch you toward a meaningful career.The post How to Find Inclusive Career Training Programs appeared first on LGBTQ and ALL.

A full catalog of BTS photos.Filming this brand-new queer Netflix series was a hot Boots summer, and these candid, hilarious, sweaty, and iconic behind-the-scenes photos are here to prove it.Ahead, a full catalog of BTS pictures from a hot Boots summer.

In its 37th year, NewFest continues to raise the bar for LGBTQ film and industry programming. The LGBTQ film festival, which runs from October 9-21, throughout New York City boasts 13 days of events, activities, and screenings of over 130 films. These range from premieres to special presentations, and retrospective screenings. It is the countrys [...]The post NewFest 37 Celebrates Spirit Day with Shorts Program, The Celluloid Closet & More first appeared on GLAAD.

The fiery legal battle between music mogul David Geffen and his estranged husband, David Armstrong (a.k.a. Donovan Michaels), continues. This week, the new development came in the form of legal documents obtained by TMZ, in which Armstrong accused Geffen of hiding his finances to subvert California's financial disclosure laws, "in an effort to achieve aggressive spousal support limitations, the court documents report, per TMZ.Back in May, Geffen filed for divorce from Armstrong, citing "irreconcilable differences," and the couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement. Not too long after the split, the husband requested spousal support from the billionaire, who owns multiple record labels and is a co-founder of DreamWorks Animation alongside Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg. The court issued an order in May for the two men to provide their financial documents, which involves "statements, valuations, important facts, and access to records about all current income and expenses and community and separate property assets and debts," the legal documents obtained by People said. But now, it seems Geffen is holding out, and Armstrong feels the situation is "completely unfair," likening it to a "case of David and Goliath."Armstrong goes on to claim that he is being unfairly outspent and that Geffen is "prepared to win by any means necessary." He adds that he feels the music mogul should share his financial records so the divorce can proceed. In September, Geffen filed a motion to have the money he's spent on Armstrong after their divorce credited towards the spousal support he was willing to pay: $50,000 a month for 12 months. According to TMZ, he says he gave his ex $200,000 in cash since they split back in February, and he dolled out $200,000 to send Armstrong to rehab. This is on top of the $15,000-a-month apartment that he says Armstrong lives in rent-free, which Geffen owns.There was also a civil lawsuit that Armstrong opened against Geffen, alleging that the 82-year-old businessman weaponized the 32-year-old's trauma against him for "personal gratification and public image," but he ended up withdrawing that suit on Tuesday.

Grammy-winning artist Scott Hoying and his husband, Mark Manio, are ushering in the holiday season with Fa La La Family, their joyful new childrens book celebrating love, and the many beautiful ways families come to be. Fresh off his run on Dancing with the Stars following this weeks elimination, Hoying is embracing his next big [...]The post WATCH: Scott Hoying and Mark Manio on Creating Fa La La Family, a Holiday Story That Celebrates Every Kind of Love first appeared on GLAAD.

Editor's note: This review contains spoilers for Guillermo del Toros Frankenstein, which premieres on November 7 on Netflix.Who is the monster, the creature, or the creator? This central theme of one of the most classic science fiction stories ever, Frankenstein, has been repeated to death (and back again). Now, Guillermo del Toro's stunning vision breathes new life into it by viewing it through a feminine, maternal lens.One fan recently wrote on X that del Toro "has the imagination and creativity of a woman who spends her time maladaptive daydreaming in her bedroom about meeting her soulmate in the most gothic situation imaginable."The filmmaker shared the post saying, "I believe I do"Never has that imagination and creativity been so clearly on display as in his new classic, Frankenstein.Frankenstein is about a man, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who creates life by reanimating a body he has sewn together from parts of various corpses. Understandably, adaptations are often made by men and usually focus on the horrors of fatherhood.However, Mary Shelley, a woman, wrote the original novel, so it makes an abundance of sense to approach the story's creator character through a maternal angle.As both a child and an adult, we see Victor lapping up glasses of milk, trying to keep the physical connection he had with his mother as an infant, when they literally shared bodily fluids.In flashbacks, he's dutifully devoted to his mother, so much so that, as a child, he says he sees them as one person. When she dies giving birth to his younger brother, Victor is not only devastated, but grows to hate and resent his father, a celebrated surgeon, for not being able to save her.His father, with all his knowledge and skill, still couldn't do what his mother did: create life. Soon, Victor's entire being becomes centered around acquiring this power.When we first see adult Victor (played with feverish frenzy and narcissistic bravado by Oscar Isaac), he appears feminine, sporting tight, maroon gloves, long wavy hair, and a wide-brimmed hat. This Victor is our monster's mother and his father.While at a University, Victor unlocks the secret of reanimating corpses for a limited time and presents his findings to the other academics. After they shout him down, saying his work is heresy, he teams up with arms merchant Henrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz), who funds his experiments.This is where Victor meets the beautiful Elizabeth, Harlander's niece and Victor's brother's fiance. Played by horror icon Mia Goth, Elizabeth is draped in silks and tulle, appearing as an angel or a ghost, echoing the lost beauty of Victor's mother.When he finally does give birth to his son, Victor immediately slips into postpartum depression. Unable to communicate or bond with his creation, Victor shuns his child, chaining him up in the laboratory's basement. Just as soon as he's created life, he turns his back on it.Victor is still his father's son and quickly turns cold, beating his creation just as his own father beat him. His own traumatic, motherless childhood now comes back in the form of Victor not being there for his child. He has become both his father's monster and his mother's ghost.It's only Elizabeth who shows the creature any kindness, giving him the mother that Victor could not be.Victor destroys his lab, intending to destroy the creature in it, but only succeeds in freeing him. Free from his abusive parent, the creature is now able to learn to talk, read, and become his own man.Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) delivers the most nuanced and powerful performance of his career as the creature. It seems having an Oscar-winning auteur direct him to be a mumbling, stumbling, naked man-baby for his first thirty minutes of screen time was exactly what Elordi needed to become a fully realized actor and artist.The creature is still a monster, and even though he acts like a puppy or a baby deer, his size and strength are immense, and he ends up frightening or hurting many of the people around him. Eventually, the creature catches up with his creator, confronting him on the day Elizabeth is set to marry Victor's brother.There, Victor points a gun at the creature, only for Elizabeth to dive in front of the bullet and save him. Just like Victor lost the woman who loved him as a child, he now causes his creation to go through the same trauma.From there, Victor is slavishly hunting the creature across the world and into the Arctic.It's fitting that the film doesn't end on a masculine climactic battle or disaster, but with a feminine, quiet speech about forgiveness, growth, and acceptance.While it certainly takes its liberties with the tale, del Toro's film is more devoted to the source material than any other adaptation I've seen. Instead of a straightforward monster movie, the tale is a gothic romance filled with gowns, balls, veils, statues, towers, and nightmares.While the film is just as much a gothic romance as a horror, the violence, gore, and brutality do not hold back. Limbs are destroyed, backs are broken, and flesh is ripped to shreds throughout the film.Del Toro is the modern master of the monster movie, so it's no surprise Frankenstein feels like it was written specifically for him.The source material is rife with set pieces perfectly designed for del Toro's sensibilities. From frozen-over battlefields to ships stuck in the ice to fantastical gothic towers to morbidly beautiful displays of dead bodies, to stunning angels of death appearing in visions, the entire film is a visual spectacle, especially for fans of the filmmaker's style.Del Toro is already one of the greatest filmmakers of the 21st century. With Frankenstein, he's continued to cement a legacy that will delight and challenge film lovers for years to come.Five out of five stars.Frankenstein premieres on November 7 on Netflix.