A trans student-athlete at Middlebury College in Vermont has taken her own life.The body of Lia Smith, 21, was discovered by Vermont State Police in a field near The Knoll, the colleges organic farm, on October 23.The following day, authorities confirmed Smiths identity and death by suicide. Related Judge throws out most of Riley Gaines suit against trans athletes but lets one key claim proceed The college senior had beenreportedmissing five days earlier, and she was found after a large-scale searchinvolving the FBI.Smith, Middlebury class of 26, was a double computer science and statistics major from Woodside, California, and had previously competed on the schools Womens Swimming and Diving team. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Smith began diving for Middlebury as a freshman during the 20222023 season. She was one of her teams top performers. In Smiths rookie debut, she placed fifth overall off the 3-meter board.Smith took a break from diving the following year, later explaining the difficulties associated with competing as a trans student-athlete.As well as the burden of quarterly hormone checks, Smith lamented the challenge of sharing locker room space with teammates.She called it really hard going in a locker room where youre not welcome, and theres really not a clear space that I should be going to.Smith made the comments at a protest forum in February following the presidents executive order calling for a ban on trans athletes in womens sports.Were not trying to get into womens spaces to be perverts,she said at the event. Were just being ourselves. We dont mean any harm to anyone. For those still competing, and others facing government-sanctioned discrimination, Smith had words of support.Know that there are people in your community who are here for you and care about you, she told students.Like hundreds of other trans athletes, Smith was hounded on social media for competing in womens sports. The aggrieved website and X account, HeCheated, tracked Smiths diving history while deadnaming her and disparaging her motives and identity.In February, the account announced with satisfaction that Middlebury had removed Smiths diving team profile, following the NCAAs ban on trans women athletes competing.Middlebury College President Ian Baucom shared news of Smiths death in an email to the college community on Saturday morning. Over the past few days, I have learned what a remarkable person Lia was, Baucom wrote. She was a gift to us and we are so grateful that she wasand will always remaina member of our Middlebury family.I have spoken with Lias family to express my heartbreak. As president, and far more as a fellow parent, I ache for them. This is a profound loss that nobody should have to endure.On a memorial website, Smiths family asked for donations to the Prism Center for Queer and Trans Life at Middlebury in lieu of flowers.Lia will be remembered for her deep sense of empathy, her clever puns, her keen mind, particularly with respect to analytical matters, her robust and infectious laugh, her love of poetry and music, which she performed both as an accomplished pianist and trombonist, and perhaps most importantly, her undaunted courage, her family wrote. Smiths motives are not known, but trans journalist Erin Reed nonetheless slammed anti-trans political leaders, whose policies she said lead to deaths like Smiths. These policies carry blood on their hands, she wrote. Transgender advocates have warned for years that the relentless criminalization and isolation of our community would lead to deaths. Lia deserved betterbetter than this government, better than these institutions. Every transgender suicide is not just a tragedy, its a murder; its the foreseeable consequence of policies designed to make us disappear.Editors note: This article mentions suicide. If you need to talk to someone now, call the Trans Lifeline at1-877-565-8860. Its staffed by trans people, for trans people. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for LGBTQ youth at1-866-488-7386. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at1-800-273-8255.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Hilary Rivers, the San Francisco drag queen who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for nearly three months, is now back at home and ready to talk about her experience.Rivers was released on September 20 after being detained by ICE on June 26 outside immigration court. In an interview with bilingual independent news publication El Tecolote, she spoke about being taken into custody and then held in a California detention center for weeks. First, she described how her friends had warned her not to go to the court date, which she believed was a routine appointment related to her asylum claim. A few days before my court date, friends warned me not to appear because people were being picked up, Rivers, who was born in El Salvador and raised in Guatemala, told El Tecolote. But I wanted to do things right. I knew if I didnt show up, I could get an automatic deportation order. So I went to court with my lawyer.Under President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration, ICE agents began waiting outside immigration courts in the Bay Area this summer to detain people, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. But Rivers was completely caught off guard by officers approaching her right after the judge said they would need more time to review her case. This was the day after she competed in the 30th annual Miss & Mr. Safe Latino pageant, which was founded to bring awareness to issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community."Officers asked my name. I stayed quiet. My lawyer also didnt answer. They seemed to understand I was the person they wanted," Rivers said. "They grabbed me, pushed me against the wall and shackled me. My lawyer tried to intervene, but they pushed him aside. They put my hands and feet in chains. Ive never been arrested before. It was terrifying."Rivers spent nearly three months at the Golden State Annex detention center in McFarland, California, where she said she and other detainees "had to stand for hours because there was no space to sit, no air, and we were freezing." Rivers also told El Tecolote that there were no safeguards against harassment or sexual violence, and that the "staff didn't protect" her."One person came into my room when the door was locked, and another time I woke up to someone touching me," she told the publication. "I reported it using the tablet system and spoke to staff. They told me there would be an investigation, but nothing changed. Later I saw paperwork that didnt match where I actually was housed, as if units were mislabeled."Rivers was finally granted asylum and released near the end of September, but when she returned home, she realized the ordeal was far from over. "I learned I'd lost almost everything, housing and belongings. Some documents were missing," she said. "I'm starting from zero. Despite everything shes been through the last few months, and the long road ahead rebuilding her finances and recovering from a preexisting injury that got worse during her detention, Rivers is grateful to be free. She also remains determined to improve her situation and advocate for others now that she has been granted asylum."We have to fight for our dreams," she told El Tecolote. "I paid a high price, but nothing is impossible. Don't let them break you. Don't sign things you don't understand. Know your rights. We all have the same worth, no matter where we're from."A GoFundMe campaign is currently raising money for her.

Benson Boone is hitting the gym!The popular singer is keeping his body right and tight as he travels the world on his American Heart World Tour.With hits like "Beautiful Things," "In The Stars," "Mystical Magical," and more, Boone has captivated fans all around the world for his infectious energy, impressive vocals, and dashing looks.The star is now going viral for his latest gym selfie where he's showing off his rock-hard abs alongside his friend Dawson Wills. Naturally, fans went feral online, so check out some of the wild reactions below. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Donald Trump's Department of Education has unveiled a new policy that will make workers of LGBTQ+ nonprofits ineligible for student loan forgiveness.The department will publish a rule tomorrow in the Federal Register that would allow the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to disqualify government and nonprofit employers that do not align the Trump administrations agenda from participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.While no specific organizations have yet been named publicly as ineligible for PSLF under the rule, LGBTQ+ organizations operating as 501(c)(3) nonprofits are likely to be targeted. Even large legal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union or Lambda Legal working to legally protect gender-affirming care could be misconstrued as the "subsidization of illegal activities."Related: Trump poised to make LGBTQ+ nonprofit workers ineligible for student loan forgivenessThis is a direct and unlawful attack on nurses, teachers, first responders, and public service workers across the country," Democracy Forward and Protect Borrowers said in a joint statement. "Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program because it is important for our democracy that we support the people who do the hard work to serve our communities.""This new rule is a craven attempt to usurp the legislatures authority in an unconstitutional power grab aimed at punishing people with political views different than the administrations," it continued. "In our democracy, the president does not have the authority to overrule Congress. Thats why we will soon see the Trump-Vance administration in court.The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the student loans of those who work for federal, state, tribal, or local government, or for non-profit organizations, after they've made payments for ten years (120 payments). The program was created as part of the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act and signed into law by President George W. Bush as a way to encourage students to pursue careers in public service.Related: Federal student loan restrictions will disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ adults Trump signed an executive order in March that drastically limits who qualifies for PSLF, preventing forgiveness for people who work at organizations that engage in the supposed subsidization of illegal activities, including illegal immigration, human smuggling, child trafficking, pervasive damage to public property, and disruption of the public order. The order directly singled out organizations that assist trans people, including with gender-affirming care, which it falsely refers to as child abuse, including the chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children."More than one-third (35 percent) of LGBTQ+ adults ages 18 to 40 an estimated 2.9 million held more than $93.2 billion in federal student loans at the beginning of the Biden Administration, according to a March report from the Williams Institute and the Point Foundation, including over half (51 percent) of trans adults, 36 percent of cisgender LBQ women, and 28 percent of cisgender GBQ men.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, the South Carolina Republican now running for governor, built a national profile as a conservative willing to defy her partys extremes. She once voted twice to protect marriage equality, calling it a basic civil right for any two people to marry without discrimination.Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocates email newsletter.On Wednesday, she posted something very different, writing, Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, on X, formerly Twitter.The seven-word message a slogan rooted in decades of anti-gay rhetoric has sparked widespread outrage, not only for its content but for what it represents. For many LGBTQ+ advocates, it is confirmation that one of the few Republicans to embrace marriage equality publicly has now abandoned that position in favor of a campaign steeped in culture-war politics. (@) The post received a "community note," which is a community-sourced clarification or correction to misleading posts that users believe require additional context. The note referenced her previous support for same-sex marriage.Maces 2022 vote for the Respect for Marriage Act was once heralded as a sign of bipartisan progress. Todays vote to protect marriage and protect religious liberties marks the end of a long fight for the basic civil right for any two people to marry without discrimination, she said in an official House statement at the time.Related: Nancy Mace declares herself a proud transphobe. The internet had some thoughts Her new social-media post marks a break from that framing. The line Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, long used by opponents of LGBTQ+ rights, is shorthand for rejecting the legitimacy of same-sex relationships.Its the latest time Mace has clashed publicly with LGBTQ+ constituents. In April, she was recorded confronting a gay constituent inside an Ulta Beauty store after he asked if she planned to hold a town hall. F**k you! she yelled at the man. I voted for gay marriage twice, she said, unprompted. The video of the encounter went viral. The constituent later told The Advocate that Maces actions put a target on my back, citing harassment and threats that followed.Related: Nancy Mace yells F**k you! at man she assumes is gay for asking her a question in an Ulta storeIn July, she publicly declared herself a proud transphobe in response to an Advocate headline that said she was considering quitting Congress to take her transphobia statewide in South Carolina. In a post, she wrote: FALSE: I am not quitting Congress. TRUE: Proud transphobe. She announced her run for governor shortly thereafter.In a statement to The Advocate on Thursday, Maces campaign press secretary Piper Gifford said, As the loudest and proudest transphobe in Congress, Nancy Mace will never stop pointing out the fact that there are only TWO genders.The backlash to Maces post was immediate and fierce. The Human Rights Campaign condemned the congresswomans latest comments. Nancy Maces desperation for attention is exceeded only by her willingness to hurt others to try to advance her own career, HRC spokesperson Delphine Luneau told The Advocate. Shes embarrassing herself, and no one is looking to her for guidance on this or any other topic.GLAAD issued a statement to The Advocate calling Maces comments both strange" and "out of step with the American publics values. Marriage equality remains the law of the land, secured by the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act and by the Supreme Courts Obergefell decision more than ten years ago, a GLAAD spokesperson said. Threatening families and couples who just want the same protections and recognition as any other married couple or family is a strange political tactic out of step with the bipartisan support for it and while families are suffering to pay the bills and feed their children. Continuing to bizarrely pound on transgender people rather than articulate policies that actually address voters concerns about the economy, health care, and food insecurity is a sign of a campaign that is bankrupt on ideas and basic human dignity for fellow Americans.GLAAD noted that public support for marriage equality has reached near-record highs. A 2025 Gallup poll found that 68 percent of Americans support marriage for same-sex couples, including nearly half of Republicans. A June 2025 Centerline Liberties and Project Right Side survey found 56 percent of Republicans support allowing same-sex couples to marry, and 63 percent believe a person who supports same-sex marriage can still be considered a Republican.A recent Public Religion Research Institute survey also found that 67 percent of Americans support marriage for same-sex couples, including majorities in every state. The Williams Institute at UCLA estimates that there are now more than 823,000 married same-sex couples in the U.S., raising nearly 300,000 children over double the number since Obergefell v. Hodges was decided in 2015.Polling also shows that voters remain far more concerned about economic issues than anti-trans legislation. In recent statewide polls, restrictions on transgender people ranked last among voters top concerns, behind inflation, health care, and threats to democracy, CNN reports.Related: Gay man Nancy Mace cursed out in South Carolina Ulta says a fire was lit from Republicans meltdownFormer congressional candidate Brianna Wu wrote on X, Girl get a job. Comedian Cody Johnston added, As soon as it becomes advantageous, sharing screenshots of Maces past tweets boasting of her votes for same-sex marriage. (@) Maces reversal reflects a broader trend within the Republican Party, where lawmakers are reversing or softening their previous support for LGBTQ+ rights. The Advocate asked Maces campaign what has changed since her 2022 vote in favor of marriage equality and how she reconciles that record with her recent statements. The campaign did not respond beyond Giffords statement.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) submitted a court filing on Tuesday opposing President Donald Trumps attempt to obtain the private medical records of transgender youth from the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Shapiro said that complying with Trumps attempts would erode trust between doctors and patients, violate his states right to regulate healthcare, and achieve another step in Trumps quest to end gender-affirming care (GAC) for trans youth despite there being no federal law against it.In June, Trumps Department of Justice (DOJ) sent subpoenas to 20 medical providers who offer GAC to trans youth. Under the pretense of finding evidence of healthcare fraud, the DOJ demanded patients Social Security numbers, emails, home addresses, and information on the care they received. Additionally, the DOJ sought information about the providers employees and their correspondence with pharmaceutical manufacturers, marketing departments, and sales representatives, as well as other sensitive information dating back to January 2020. Related Right-wing group releases list of worst-offending childrens hospitals to stoke trans panic In an amicus curiae (or friend of the court) brief, Shapiro wrote, Permitting DOJ to demand the confidential health information of hundreds of patients based on manufactured justification would erode the trust between doctors and patients and undermine state efforts to use their regulatory authority to protect that trust, The Inquirer reported.The brief, filed on behalf of the governor and attorneys general from 14 other states, asked U.S. District Judge Mark A. Kearney to grant CHOPs motion to protect patient privacy by limiting the scope of the DOJs subpoena. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today CHOPs Gender and Sexuality Development Program was created in 2014 and has served hundreds of families. Fewer than 3,000 teens nationwide receive puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy,according to a 2025 JAMA analysisof private insurance data.If enforced, DOJs subpoena to CHOP would threaten all states ability to regulate the practice of medicine, wrote Shapiro and the 15 attorneys general. It is part of an effort to end a specific type of care for a particularly vulnerable population, even though there is no federal law prohibiting such care. The DOJ said that its subpoenas seek to prevent healthcare fraud and off-label use of puberty blockers and hormones to treat youth gender dysphoria, beyond the on-label uses approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The blockers and hormone treatments have been used safely on children for decades to treat precocious puberty and certain cancers, and off-label uses of these drugs for trans individuals has also occurred safely for decades without any additional federal government oversight.While no federal law bans gender-affirming care, the current presidential administration has sought to eradicate the practice through a Januaryexecutive order(that has since beenblocked by several courts). The order instructed the DOJ to extend the time that patients and parents can sue gender-affirming doctors and to use laws against false advertising to prosecute any entity that may be misleading the public about the long-term effects of gender-affirming care.In April, Bondi issued a memo to DOJ employees, telling them to investigate and prosecute cases of minors accessing gender-affirming care as female genital mutilation (FGM); even though hospitals dont conduct such female genital surgeries. The memothreatened to jail doctors for 10 yearsif they provide gender-affirming care to young people. Gender-affirming care is supported by all major medical associations in the U.S., including the American Medical Association, the Endocrine Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as safe and life-saving for young people with gender dysphoria. A recent study following young trans patients for a decade found that 97% of trans youth dont regret transitioning.In September, federal Judge Myong J. Joun, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, blocked a similar DOJ subpoena targeting the Boston Childrens Hospital (BCH). Jouns ruling accused the DOJ of going on a bad faith fishing expedition to end GAC.The Administration has been explicit about its disapproval of the transgender community and its aim to end GAC, Joun wrote. The subpoena reflects those goals, comprising overbroad requests for documents and information seemingly unrelated to investigating fraud or unlawful off-label promotion.It is abundantly clear that the true purpose of issuing the subpoena is to interfere with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts right to protect GAC within its borders, to harass and intimidate BCH to stop providing such care, and to dissuade patients from seeking such care, Joun added.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Graham Linehan, the trans-obsessed and once successful British television writer and producer, admitted in court this week that, yes, he did grab the phone of an 18-year-old transgender teen and toss it across the street outside an event in London.He admitted in the same breath, As soon as I did it, I thought, That was a mistake. Related JK Rowlings ally told people to punch trans women. He just got arrested. Linehan, 57, is on trial at Westminster Magistrates Court in London, accused of harassing trans teen activist Sophia Brooks and damaging her mobile phone while both were on the street outside a Battle of Ideas conference in Westminster last October.Linehan was arrested in April on criminal damage and harassment charges and pleaded not guilty in May, the Independent reported.That arrest preceded another in September, when Linehan was taken into custody at Londons Heathrow Airport on suspicion of inciting anti-trans violence via social media. Among three messages Linehan posted to X earlier in the year was one encouraging people to punch trans women in the balls. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Jurors in Linehans trial in September heard testimony that trans activist Brooks confronted the Father Ted creator outside the event and asked him why he thinks it is acceptable to call teenagers domestic terrorists.In response, Linehan called her a groomer, a disgusting incel, and a sissy-porn-watching scumbag, Brooks testified.She said she responded by telling Linehan, Youre the incel. Youre divorced.Prosecutor Julia Faure Walker told the court, Linehan was clearly proud of what he had done because a few days [later] he tweeted: I am quite proud. I grabbed his phone and threw it across the road.'Linehan and his defense witnesses consistently referred to Brooks using male pronouns. Walker added about Linehan, Clearly, he was pleased from gaining a sense of superiority over someone on the other side of the ideological debate.The defense has tried to portray Brooks as provoking Linehan.Earlier in the evening in question, Brooks stood up in the audience during a panel discussion at the event and snapped pics and video.Katherine Harris, co-founder of the transphobic organization LGB Alliance UK and a witness for the defense, recounted seeing the trans activist stand up with her phone. It was a deliberate, intimidatory move on his part and he would not stop, Harris said of Brooks. He was photographing anybody and everybody he could, and it felt intrusive and aggressive.It felt as though he wanted to get everybody, to get all of us in his power through his camera, to say, Im the big man here, I can do what I want. That was the message. The disruption was complete, Harris added.A video played to the court appeared to show Linehan grabbing Brooks phone.Asked why he threw the phone and didnt just return it, Linehan said, My adrenaline was up, I was angry. I guess that feels like surrender, so I threw it away. I didnt slam it, I just skimmed it. It was instinctive. As soon as I did it, I thought that was a mistake.Linehan testified in September that his life was made hell by trans activists, calling Brooks a young soldier in the trans activist army. He was misogynistic, he was abusive, he was snide, Linehan said of the 18-year-old.The prosecution told jurors that Linehan posted relentlessly about Brooks following their confrontation.Linehan described his reaction towards Brooks this way: He depended on his anonymity to get close to people and hurt them, and I wanted to destroy that anonymity.While Linehans trial continues, hes off the hook for inciting anti-trans violence via social media.After a transatlantic uproar accusing authorities of violating Linehans freedom of speech the comedy writer claimed in a Substack diatribe that his punch em in the balls tweet was a joke the Metropolitan Police said earlier this month they wont pursue charges.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Trumps Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks to end all Medicaid and Medicare funding for young peoples gender-affirming care (GAC), according to newly proposed rules shared by NPR. A trans activist said the rules would amount to a de facto national ban on GAC.The proposed rules would prohibit all federal Medicaid and Medicare funding as well as funding through the federal Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for any services at hospitals that provide GAC for trans youth. Related Gov. Josh Shapiro blasts DOJ for trying to seize young trans patients private medical records These would be proposals that would go out for public comment, it would take months for the Trump administration to issue a final rule, and then, if past is prologue, we would see litigation over whatever the final rules are, Katie Keith, director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown University, told NPR.Terry Schilling, president of theAmerican Principles Project, a right-wing think tank that has pushed national transphobia as an effective Republican political strategy, said of the proposed rules, I think these restrictions are very good. Its going to change the entire transgender industry, and its going to take away a lot of their funding streams. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today This would be a de facto national ban, wrotetrans activist and civil rights attorneyAlejandra Caraballo via Bluesky. There would still be providers in blue states that dont take federal funding but the large interdisciplinary teams of just a few years ago would be nearly impossible to maintain. The result is that the care that remains would largely be underground with worse support and likely outcomes.Theyll never be able to fully ban this care, Caraballo added. There will always be providers willing to provide it like abortion. Even without access to providers, many trans youth will simply go DIY [do-it-yourself] like trans folks have done for decades. Theyre not actually banning this care, theyre making it less safe. The administrations toxic war on gender-affirming careThough there is no federal law banning gender-affirming care, the current presidential administration has sought to eradicate the practice through a Januaryexecutive order(that has since beenblocked by several courts). The order instructed the DOJ to extend the time that patients and parents can sue gender-affirming doctors and to use laws against false advertising to prosecute any entity that may be misleading the public about the long-term effects of gender-affirming care (GAC).In April, Bondi issued a memo to DOJ employees, telling them to investigate and prosecute cases of minors accessing gender-affirming care as female genital mutilation (FGM), even though hospitals dont conduct such female genital surgeries. The memothreatened to jail doctors for 10 yearsif they provide gender-affirming care to young trans people. The following June, the DOJsent subpoenas to 20 medical providerswho offer GAC to trans youth, demanding patients Social Security numbers, emails, home addresses, and information on the care they received, as well as other sensitive information dating back to January 2020. A federal judge blocked the subpoenain one instance and accused the DOJ of going on a bad faith fishing expedition to interfere with states rights to protect GAC within its borders, to harass and intimidate providers from offering such care, and to dissuade patients from seeking such care.Fewer than 3,000 teens nationwide receive puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy,according to a 2025 JAMA analysisof private insurance data. Gender-affirming care is supported by all major medical associations in the U.S., including the American Medical Association, the Endocrine Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as safe and life-saving for young people with gender dysphoria.One doctor interviewed byThe Washington Postcalled the federal governments crusade against gender-affirming care a toxic plan that will force some patients to detransition, potentially forcing them into adverse psychological and physical effects, including increased anxiety, depression, and the development of unwanted physical changes.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

In the 40 years since its release, 1985s A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddys Revenge has cemented its legacy as one of the most overtly queer entries in the horror canon, an accidental gay classic whose subtext has become the subject of countless blogs, essays, and queer-studies college papers.For four decades, the popular belief was that director Jack Sholder was oblivious to the themes of repressed homosexuality and sexual panic swirling around A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 protagonist Jesse Walsh, played by actor Mark Patton.Now, in an exclusive Q&A with Out, Sholder sets the record straight, explaining that while he was acutely aware of the underlying sexual anxiety in the script, he never considered it specifically gay, nor did he ever realize the star of his film, Patton, was gay.Sholder, who spent formative years living in New Yorks West Village from before the Stonewall uprising until the height of the AIDS crisis was no stranger to the landscape of gay life. Just to put it into context, I read the script, Shoulder firmly replied when asked if he was aware of the scripts queer subtext. I was living in the West Village. I moved to the West Village right before Stonewall happened. And I moved out in the height of the AIDS period. So I lived through that whole arc. But there was a period when gay life was out on the street. So I kind of knew what it looked like on the surface. And so there were those elements that were in the script." Still from 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 Freddy's Revenge'New Line CinemaWhen he received the script, his interpretation was centered on a broader emotional struggle common to many young people. I got the script six weeks before we started shooting and I had to get it done. I always think about the subtext. You know, what's the film really about? Sholder reflected. And I thought it was about teen sexual anxiety.Sholder understood the social dynamics of the 80s era, which informed his approach to the narrative's tension. And if you were a teen and you thought you might be gay in 1985, it wasn't a good thing, he said, explaining his mindset at the time. It meant you were going to have at that point a tough life: You could get arrested, you could get beat up, or you have to hide who you really are and all the rest of that stuff.For Sholder, the elements of what is now celebrated as queer coding were simply part of the stew of the story. But the distinction is crucial: He was seeing a generalized fear of difference, not the specific gay allegory that was intentionally written in by screenwriter David Chaskin. The idea that his protagonists anxiety was rooted in repressed homosexuality, or that the actor playing him was himself gay, was completely outside the conversation.The idea that Mark was gay never occurred to anybody. You know, it wasn't even a conversation, Sholder admitted. He recounted the common sentiment among the female production staff at New Line Cinema: The girls at New Line all said, Oh, he's so cute. He's like another Johnny Depp, you know?The public and critical re-evaluation of the film didn't happen overnight. Sholder recalls that when the film initially opened to great box-office success, none of the major critics mentioned the subtext. It wasnt until a weekly publications review that the conversation really began. Then on Wednesday when the Village Voice came out, you know, then it said, Oh, this is the gayest horror film of all time or something like that. And we thought, oh, come on. Because, you know, nobody ever thought that.The director said it took a cast reunion 10 years ago (the films 30th anniversary, to be precise) to fully grasp the films newfound life and how highly regarded it was within the gay community. There was a reunion. Mark Patton was there, and Robert Englund, Robert Ressler and Marshall Bell. And that's when I kind of found out about the reinterpretation, shared Sholder. Mark started to talk to me about it. And I started to say, 'Oh, well, OK, it's kind of interesting.' It took me a few years and Mark and I would sometimes have debates about it. Still from 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 Freddy's Revenge'New Line CinemaUltimately, Shoulder embraced the audience's appreciation of the film and recognized how young queer fans looked up to Patton. He had an audience who would come, who were younger gay kids that really just embraced him, Sholder recalled. I mean, even physically, the film meant so much to them. To have that sort of representation.Sholder has also realized that his and Pattons connection transcends their specific identities. He recalled reading a Fangoria article about Patton where the actor referenced a key scene in the films opening, where his character is ostracized on a school bus. Theres this key scene in Elm Street 2, which is in the beginning and he's this queer kid who doesn't belong and he's sitting in the back of the bus. The girls are laughing at him and all that," recalls Sholder. After I read the article, I said [to Mark], You know, for me, I was the kid in the back of the bus. And we kind of realized that we had this sort of if you're gay or you're not gay or whatever this common humanity of somebody who doesn't quite fit in.While A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 continued to be an academic talking point, and is now famously being taught in queer studies classes something Sholder finds hes delighted by its impact on Pattons life was immediate and devastating. Still from 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 Freddy's Revenge'New Line CinemaDuring the making of Scream, Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street, a documentary about Pattons career struggles after A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, Shoulder, who is a key presence in the film, got a really eye-opening look at the seismic negative impact the film had on its stars life. Sholder contrasted his own experience with Pattons. I realized that my life had changed, and then I just went on from there. For Mark, the clock stopped.Patton, who had dreamed of movie stardom, quit the business shortly after the films release and eventually retreated to Mexico. Sholder also talked about the reasons he knows led to Pattons departure from the spotlight, including a cruel moment of industry rejection: Mark had always wanted to be a movie star. And his agent said, 'You're never going to be a movie star because everybody can tell that you're gay. And he quit the business.Worse still, as chronicled in Scream, Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street, Patton was privately navigating a personal crisis. You know, his lover was dying of AIDS, which nobody knew, recalled Sholder. Still from 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 Freddy's Revenge'New Line CinemaPatton eventually returned to the spotlight, fighting tirelessly for the films acknowledgment, but, He got a lot of shit and a lot of bad stuff, Sholder noted. Mark really stuck his neck out because he got a lot of negative response when he came back on the scene Eventually, people started to come around.Now, on the eve of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2s official 40th anniversary which is November 1 Sholder is a witness to the films second life and is grateful for its new audience, who can now see the film in pristine 4K a new ultra-high-definition transfer he personally supervised. The director who once thought he was making a film about generalized teen anxiety now sees its true power: Its not only a revolutionary piece of gay cinema, its also a solid entry in the Freddy Krueger saga that stands perfectly fine on its own two legs and all fans of the franchise, gay or straight, are finally embracing it. Eventually, people started to come around. People started to see that it was its own film, said Sholder. The film is being taught in queer studies classes, and it has this whole new audience, and I'm delighted.

Actor Max Parker has been making waves recently on Boots as Sergeant Liam Robert Sullivan, a handsome (and closeted) leader in the Marine Corps. But before boot camp, Parker was featured in 2023's Red Hot calendar, a popular series from photographer Thomas Knights that spotlights the beauty of red-haired men (and also benefits charity). Resurfaced images from this shoot, pictured ahead, have now been shared with Out.The 33-year-old English actor, who previously appeared in BBC's Casualty, ITV's Emmerdale, and Peacock's Vampire Academy, also discussed his coming-out journey in an interview for the Red Hot shoot. (He came out in a 2020 interview with Attitude magazine, in which he confirmed his relationship with Emmerdale costar Kris Mochrie, who he later wed.)"It took me so long to come out because I didn't want to prove myself wrong. I've always told myself that, 'No, you're not." And so coming out to myself was probably the hardest thing," he told Red Hot. "Being a gay actor was scary. I didn't want to be pigeonholed, but I also didn't wanna lose out on opportunities because people maybe wouldn't cast you as a lead, a straight lead, because people wouldn't believe it after they know you're gay.""But honestly, I've had the best experience. I've had roles playing romantic leads and, honestly, I feel like it's just another string to my bow. It's essentially, I've opened this door," he added. "Just being yourself opens so many more doors than you think. When I came out, it was probably the last door that needed to be opened for me to get on with my life and to get on with my career. That was literally the only thing holding me back. Being you, authentically you, is the most freeing thing you can do. And the quicker you do it, the quicker you can live."Learn more about Red Hot's calendars, artworks, events, and more at redhot100.com. See Parker's images and Red Hot video ahead.Photographer / Director @thomasknightsModel @maxparker____Produced by @redhot100 for the Own It seriesProducer @thealecjames_ 1st AD @jamiefirth90Video Editor @ismail_fwcrReel Edits @pflipsen_MUA & Grooming @toshirogohmaSocial Media @samysanchisCommunications Manager @matteoranieri_----------------------------------------------------------------Arranged for Out.com by Nikki Aye, Digital Photo Editor View this post on Instagram A post shared by Out Magazine (@outmagazine)

When you think of Great Britain, a few things spring to mind. Big Ben tolling and handsome guards standing perfectly still (even when tourists test them). The double-decker bus that somehow still shows up on every postcard, and Windsor Castle with its round keep and picturesque view from the Long Walk.And somewhere between Doctor Who reruns and a cup of tea, there's The Great British Bake Off: a television institution as iconic as the Royal Family and twice as comforting. It's the cozy heartbeat of Britain, a place where "soggy bottoms" are a tragedy and the only real crime is overbaking your dessert.But beyond the cakes, the charm, and the gentle chaos of baking under pressure, Bake Off has done something extraordinary. It has become one of the most quietly revolutionary shows on television: creating a tent where queerness isn't a headline but part of the recipe.Over its many seasons, The Great British Bake Off (The Great British Baking Show in the U.S.) has welcomed contestants, co-hosts, and celebrity guests from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, from the first gay man to ever win the show (Edd Kimber) to the first drag king contestant (Jessika). It's a reminder that representation doesn't always have to shout. Sometimes, it can whisper softly through buttercream.The Queer Co-Hosts Who Stirred the PotSue Perkins (Season 1-7)The original queen of quips. Sue's humor, charm, and sly queer brilliance made the early seasons a masterclass in camp understatement. Forget Stonehenge: Sue was redefining what a national treasure could really look like.Sandi Toksvig (Season 810)When Sandi took over, she made viewers feel safe, smart, and seen. Like your favorite professor who secretly brings you snacks.Matt Lucas (Season 1113)The camp comedian who made the tent feel like a Pride float in buttercream. His joyful chaos, quick wit, and signature warmth proved that laughter and a little extra frosting can fix almost anything.Edd Kimber (Season 1; Gay)See on InstagramBake Off's first-ever winner and gay pioneer, Edd set the standard for queer representation on the series. A debt collector turned baker, he left call centers for cakes, and we love him for it.John Whaite (Season 3; Gay)See on InstagramThe Bake Off golden boy turned mental-health advocate. After winning Series 3, John joined Strictly Come Dancing's (U.K.'s original Dancing with the Stars), becoming the first all-male pairing. He later married graphic designer Paul Atkins in a surprise wedding in NYC. These days, he's an OnlyFans creator, proving that confidence rises higher than any souffl.Ruby Tandoh (Season 4; Bisexual)See on InstagramThe fourth season's runner-up posted a coming-out tweet in 2015 that cemented her queer legend status. She later married musician-therapist Leah Pritchard and continues to write on a variety of topics.Tamal Ray (Season 6; Gay)See on InstagramThe nation's gay anesthetist crush of 2015! Tamal captured hearts with his calm demeanor and immaculate flavor profiles. When he came out the same year after being bombarded with flirtatious DMs, he did it with the same grace as his perfect piping.Tom Gilliford (Series 7; Ally)See on InstagramWhen the Trump administration tried to ban trans people from the military, Bake Off's Tom baked a pro-trans rights cake in response. Who would've thought allyship tasted so delicious?Yan Tsou (Season 8; Lesbian)See on InstagramOur scientist queen! The amateur baker blended chemistry, humor, and quiet pride into every bake.David Atherton (Season 10; Gay)See on InstagramSeries 10 winner and certified soft boy. David spoke with our sister brand, The Advocate, back in 2020 about his journey coming on the show and escaping the homophobia around him. His success story is a love letter to living authentically.Michael Chakraverty (Season 10; Gay)See on InstagramSweet, self-deprecating, and always heartfelt, Michael has become a mental health advocate and co-host of the Sticky Bun Boys podcast alongside Season 10 winner, David Atherton. A true reminder that vulnerability and victory can coexist beautifully.Janusz Domagaa (Season 13; Gay)See on InstagramThe Pride of Poland herself! Janusz's camp humor and rainbow-themed bakes turned him into a gay icon overnight. His unapologetic joy made him a symbol of queer pride.Sandro Farmhouse (Season 13; Queer/Bisexual)See on InstagramA bisexual baker with body-positive brilliance and confidence for days. Sandro's charm lit up the tent, and his baking workshops for children continue to inspire the next generation of creators.James Dewar (Season 13; Queer)See on InstagramThe Scottish charmer who brought bold flavors and a dash of tartan flair.Mike Wilkins (Season 15; Gay)See on InstagramOur rural queer heartthrob, Mike's appearance on the show was a breath of fresh air. A "champion for the LGBTQ+ community within farming," Mike was proof that you can be a country, gay, and covered in flour without hiding who you are.Leighton Morgan (Season 16; Gay)See on InstagramThe married software manager who proves that stability can be sexy. Calm, thoughtful, and as smooth as his ganache.Tom Arden (Season 16; Gay)See on InstagramCreative entrepreneur, husband, and frosting perfectionist. Domestic bliss never looked so chic.Jessika Trassel (Season 16; Queer)See on InstagramDrag king meets pastry queen. Jessika became the first drag performer in Bake Off history: a milestone moment in queer visibility served with sprinkles.Aaron Mountford-Myles (Season 16; Gay)See on InstagramStylish, cheerful, and in perfect bliss with his boyfriend, Aaron represents the next generation of Bake Off where queerness isn't an exception, it's just part of the recipe.The Celebrity SpecialsOver the years, the Stand Up to Cancer, Comic Relief, and Sport Relief specials have turned the tent into a veritable Pride parade of pastry. Queer celebrity contestants have included: Alan Carr (comedian), Jameela Jamil (actress), Tom Daley (former Olympian), Joe Locke (actor), Tan France (designer), and Russell Tovey (actor). Not to mention queer icons like Absolutely Fabulous duo Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, Spice Girls Geri Halliwell and Mel B, the late Australian drag icon Dame Edna Everage, and Chicken Shop host Amelia Dimoldenberg. All fabulous, all welcome, and all proof that baking is, in fact, a form of art.So yes, Britain has its palaces, its poets, its pubs, and its pop divas. But when future historians look back on the empire that gave us both Shakespeare and Jaffa Cakes, they'll have to admit: the gay agenda may have been hiding in the Bake Off tent all along.Because every time a queer baker laughs nervously through a technical challenge, or a host sneaks in a wink of solidarity, something beautiful happens: queer joy becomes part of the national story.So here's to the queens of sponge, the kings of pastry, and the drag royalty of dough. May our cakes rise, our queerness shine, and our tea always be piping hot.

The Rainbow Youth Project, a group that operates a national crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, said calls from Oklahoma declined over the last month after the resignation of anti-LGBTQ+ Christian Nationalist Ryan Walters as the states superintendent of public instruction.The hotline received an average of 1,431 monthly calls from Oklahoma between March 2024 and September 2025, Advocate reported. The hotline has received 914 calls since Walters resignation on September 25, a 36% reduction. The organization said that 64% of callers identified Walters as a source of distress before his departure as the head of public schools. Related The president tried to bribe colleges into ending trans rights. Most have said no. Following Ryan Walterss resignation, we have noticed a substantial decrease in crisis calls from Oklahoma, Lance Preston, the organizations executive director, said. The relief expressed by callers is palpable, and we are grateful for the positive impact his departure has had on the mental well-being of our community.Waltersresigned in late Septemberto lead The Teacher Freedom Alliance, a right-wing anti-union group that bills itself as an alternative to woke teachers unions, leaving his position one year before the end of his tenure. In the wake of his resignation, teachers have been celebrating, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has been busy reversing Walters actions, including dropping his unconstitutional requirement for schools to teach Bible-based social studies lessons. 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 Walters tenure oversaw a dramatic rise in calls to the Rainbow Youth Projects hotline. In the weeks following the 2024 death of 16-year-old transgender student Nex Benedict, the crisis line saw a 238% rise in calls from Oklahoma.The Department of Education under then-President Joe Biden launched aninvestigationfollowing a complaint by the Human Rights Campaign, which alleged that Benedict endured gender-based discrimination while attending the Owasso School District and that the school district failed to adequately respond to these issues. Benedict reportedly was previously the victim of anti-trans bullying. The majority over 80% of the calls were related to bullying incidents within Oklahoma schools, with a particularly high call volume seen from Owasso. Lance Preston, founder of Rainbow Youth Project USA, said he believes the increase was partly due to greater awareness of the hotline.This increase reveals the need for these support services and for mental health services and for allies for these young people, Prestontold CNN. Weve seen a rapid increase in those calls because kids are scared, they are worried, and they are hurting. I would say, up to 15% of those calls are from concerned parents, who are asking what their rights are under Title IX, what can they do to persuade schools to be more proactive against reports of bullying instead of reactive.The situation led his organization to create a rapid-response team for Oklahoma.Activists cited the states policies on trans youth as contributing to anti-LGBTQ+ there. Thisincludesbills banning gender-affirming care for trans minors, legally defining gender based on sex assigned at birth, and implementinga 2022 law forcing trans students to use restrooms aligned with their sex assigned at birth. Walters had a notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ tenureOklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) replaced Waters with retired school superintendent Lindel Fields. Soon after, the OSDE reversed one of Walters first actions by restoring the OSDEs Hall of Fame, which honors the states past award recipients for Teacher of the Year. The OSDE also quickly revamped its website, removing numerous links that promoted Christian Nationalist misinformation, includingWalters unconstitutional orderfor schools to display The Ten Commandments.Additionally, State Attorney General Gentner Drummond has ordered the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspectors Office toinvestigate the Education Departments finances over the entirety of Walters tenure in charge. Drummond said, [Walters had a] well-established history of mishandling tax dollars.During his tenure, Walters withheld$150 million in public school fundsto ostensibly make security enhancementsagainst school shootings, in defiance of legislation directing the funds to poorer rural schools. Waltershid information about his offices travel budgetandrefused to spend moneythat he was legally obligated to spend onasthma inhalers for students,The Friendly Atheistadded. Walters sought toban LGBTQ+ books but teach the Bible in public school history classes, andpushed the transphobic lie about schools providing litterboxes to studentswho identify as cats. He alsoreferred to teachers unions as terrorist organizationsandillegally tried to make rulesbanning LGBTQ+ books and transgender bathroom access in schools.He has appeared at events hosted by Moms for Liberty, a right-wing anti-LGBTQ+ parents rights group that has been calledan extremist hate groupby the Southern Poverty Law Center. He also appointed Chaya Raichik, an anti-LGBTQ+ activist who goes by Libs of TikTok online,as a Library Media Advisor for the state(even though she has no educational experience, doesnt reside in Oklahoma, and has made posts that have led to bomb threats against students).He also unveiled an ideological purity test to seek and remove woke teachers. (The test wascriticized as performative bulls**tand as an advertisement masquerading as an assessment.) The day before his resignation, he pledged toforce all schools statewideto host student groups for Turning Point USA, the young conservatives group started byrecently murderedanti-LGBTQ+ MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk.Oklahomaranks among the worst statesfor education and isfacing a teacher shortage.Editors note: This article mentions suicide. If you need to talk to someone now, call the Trans Lifeline at1-877-565-8860. Its staffed by trans people, for trans people. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for LGBTQ youth at1-866-488-7386. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at1-800-273-8255.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A collection of Christian hate preachers attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin stopped by a Subway restaurant for lunch on Monday they left hangry.The four white men each wore a t-shirt spreading their particular take on Christian values, with messages that loudly read, Abortion is murder, Homo sex is sin (Romans I), Repent (with a burn in hell pic), and Planned Parenthood murders children and rapes their mothers. Related George Santos tells closeted gays at the RNC to come out: You can be gay & conservative Subway staff refused to serve them. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Shes refusing to serve us, says one man to another in a video that the group posted to Facebook. @thatdaneshguy your viral video is misleading @user42865994505 take it down. The man who filmed this is David Harold Grisham, a street preacher who once dressed as the Grinch to protest children at an elementary school. srsly look him up original sound Danesh What are you talking about? the second preacher asks incredulously. So we have to go somewhere else?I want her to say it again, demands the man recording the video.I am refusing you service, the employee confirms as she continues preparing another customers sandwich.When asked why, she replies, That is a personal matter, before the peckish customer verifies the obvious.Because of my T-shirt? he asks.Yes, she answers.OK, Im sure Subway Corp. will love to hear that, the preacher growls or was it his stomach?The resolute young woman behind the counter then returned to her work.Now, the far-right outrage machine has ginned up its latest left-bashing indignity, claiming the men are the victims of religious discrimination.Subway Karen Refuses Service to Christians in Wanaukee WI, cried The Daily Mail, turning the I wanna speak to your manager trope inside-out like a pair of used food-prep gloves.Subway has been accused of religious discrimination against Christians, the aforementioned British tabloid reported, accusing Subway of anti-Christian sentiment, after an outlet in Wisconsin refused to serve customers because of the anti-abortion and anti-gay messages on their T-shirts.The story implied the men had a right to parade through Milwaukee wearing their hateful opinions, but blurred out the odious message on the anti-LGBTQ+ shirt. Which vile t-shirt the Subway staffer found the most offensive is unknown.The group of so-called Christians in town for the RNC was led by street preacher David Grisham, who has a history of performative ambushes caught on tape. He previously recorded himself disrupting a childrens story hour at a library to yell about transgenders and yelling at kids in a mall that Santa isnt real. The Texas-based hatemonger claimed his group did not purposely try to antagonize anyone with their spiteful slogans.REASONABLE people are reasonable when it comes to differences of opinion and are professional enough to just serve someone without letting their emotions go into elementary schoolyard mode and whine publicly, said the actual Karen in the story.For actually reasonable people who could slog through all the left-loathing and supportive replies Grisham earned for his post about the incident, there was a glimmer of Christian love amid the hate.I would rather have some radical love exhibited in Christs name around here in Waunakee than have a traveling road show of provocateurs come stumbling thru, shared a Badger State local.

For years, Republicans have been blaming their inability to get anything done on transgender people, and out Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) is tired of their cruel distraction tactic.This president just loves to prey upon the vulnerable, the congressman told LGBTQ Nation. It just makes me think that hes very desperate. Related Rep. Mark Pocan is hoping for a Republican with a conscience. Charlatan Nancy Mace isnt it. The federal government is currently shut down because the Senate cant pass a continuing resolution to fund federal services. Democrats want a continuing resolution that would also extend health care tax credits for the working class, which are set to expire at the end of this year, while Republicans want to pass a continuing resolution that lets those subsidies expire.And LGBTQ+ people have been thrown at the center of this fight. Republicans led by the president have repeatedly accused Democrats of demanding funding for gender-affirming care in order to vote for a continuing resolution something the president calls transgender for everybody even though the continuing resolutions dont mention gender-affirming care at all. 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 Because the LGBTQ+ community is getting blamed for the shutdown, LGBTQ Nation talked to Rep. Takano by phone earlier last week about the fight over the continuing resolutions and the upcoming appropriations battles. Takano is the chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, a group of lawmakers working to advance LGBTQ+ rights in Congress.Absolutely none, he responded when asked if there is any possible truth in the Democrats shut down the government to get transgender for everybody accusation. Absolutely zero, none!Sarah McBride is just a very decent, intelligent I will go beyond intelligent, shes a brilliant member of Congress, and shes just very- Its very hard to stigmatize somebody who is smart, reasonable, and generous in her spirit.Our funding bill does not include any changes to current laws as they relate to medical care for transgender people, he said. Our Democratic alternative bill does not do that.Rep. Takano said the president is just using his favorite distraction technique so people dont notice hes trying to take away health care subsidies from millions of people to partially, partially pay for permanent tax credits to the very, very wealthy in our country.Even within the shutdown, the administration is finding new ways to blame the fight on trans people. For example, SNAP benefits are set to run out tomorrow, on November 1. The administration could use emergency funds to keep benefits flowing so people dont lose access to food, but it has chosen not to. The USDAs website was modified to say that the reason the benefits are ending is that Democrats are demanding funding for gender mutilation surgery and health care for undocumented immigrants, a cruel lie considering LGBTQ+ people disproportionately rely on SNAP benefits.Takano called the USDA website modifications insidious and toxic.I dont think its going to work, he added. Republicans control the entire federal government, and this shutdown falls squarely on their shoulders. While Republicans dont seem to be all that interested in negotiating an end to this shutdown the president canceled a meeting with Democratic leaders before the shutdown and then posted memes mocking them, almost as if he was trying to ensure that no deal would be reached Takano thinks that his GOP colleagues will come to the table as their constituents face the economic reality of the shutdown.He noted that open enrollment for ACA health care plans will also start tomorrow, on November 1, and the subsidies are expiring unless Congress votes to extend them, so people will see their premiums go up by a lot. This, he said, will raise the political heat on Republicans, as polling shows that more Americans blame the GOP for the shutdown.Serious legislators dont come [to Washington] to ostracize and stigmatize other Americans.But LGBTQ+ people wont be out of harms way when the shutdown ends, because after Congress reconvenes, itll start debating appropriations bills, which are large pieces of legislation that provide funding to all the different parts of the federal government. For the last few years, Republicans have tried to attach anti-LGBTQ+ amendments to those bills, hoping that the fact that the bills need to be passed will help them get the anti-LGBTQ+ measures passed into law.And there are a lot of these amendments, some of which are substantial enough that they will affect millions of peoples lives. They range from bans on displaying Pride flags on government buildings to bans on trans health care coverage and rescinding anti-discrimination rules that protect LGBTQ+ foster kids and trans people in homeless shelters.While the situation looks dire for LGBTQ+ people, Takano pointed out that Democrats got these riders removed in past years, and theyll do it again.In the last Congress, we were able to defeat nearly every anti-LGBTQI+ provision in the Republicans partisan appropriation goals and keep them from becoming law, he said. I am optimistic that we can do the same. | Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY via IMAGN This time, though, they cant use a presidential veto threat in negotiations, but Takano is confident that Democratic leverage in the Senate where 60 votes are needed to pass most of these measures can be used to fight back, as well as congressional soft power.It really helps in the House to have 12 congressmen who identify as LGBTQI+, he said. I got members who are going to fan out across a 216-member caucus, and theyll be able to advocate for our community.Representation matters. Takano had particularly kind words for Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first out trans member of Congress, and how her presence in Congress is helping build support for equal rights.Its remarkable that this really charged time over transgender Americans that weve also had for the first time, a transgender member of Congress, he said. She is an amazing presence here. Shes a real gift, Sarah McBride is a real gift to this Congress, and a gift to the country.Sarah McBride is just a very decent, intelligent I will go beyond intelligent, shes a brilliant member of Congress, and shes just very- Its very hard to stigmatize somebody who is smart, reasonable, and generous in her spirit, he added. Ultimately, despite Republicans control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, Congressman Takano says the politics of cruelty wont win.I dont get the sense that even among Republicans, theyre really embracing the politics of cruelty, he said. Serious legislators dont come [to Washington] to ostracize and stigmatize other Americans.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

When Washington, D.C. resident Josh Sorbe saw The Atlantics recent reporting about the failure rate among new Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruits, the Democratic U.S. Senate press secretary and political strategist decided to put it to the test himself literally.Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocates email newsletter.In a video posted to social media, Sorbe, who is gay, completed the same physical fitness test that has stumped a third of new ICE trainees in 12 minutes and 19 seconds. The challenge 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run in under 14 minutes was part of a Trump administration push to hire 10,000 new deportation officers by next January. Sorbe completed the exercises in less time than the ICE exam allots for the run alone.Related: Josh Sorbe is using his voice on Capitol Hill to fight for LGBTQ+ rightsI was in the middle of a workout, I was lifting, and I ran across an article from The Atlantic that called out ICEs athletically allergic new recruits, Sorbe told The Advocate in an interview on Thursday. I read the test and I was like, one, I know I can do this. Two, its a good opportunity to show just what the reforms that have been happening within ICE since [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem took over the department and how its very relatable, and its a good way to capture attention to talk about it.The Atlantic report detailed that more than one-third of ICE recruits have failed the agencys physical-readiness exam after the Trump administration shortened training programs and relaxed screening requirements. See on Instagram In his video, Sorbe mocked the administrations recruitment push while running on a treadmill. MAGA is so desperate to villainize immigrants that theyre willing to try to let anyone become an ICE agent, he said in the clip. The standards to join ICE are so, so, so low.Ive been very frustrated with ICE ever since the Trump administration started escalating immigration enforcement efforts, Sorbe told The Advocate. You think about the bureaucracy of a big federal agency rules and tests and things that are oftentimes written and not seen. Well, in the last month and a half, weve been able to see them a lot more of whats happening in Chicago and in Los Angeles and in D.C. Related: Chicago alderperson describes sanctioned violence after ICE detained her for simply asking questionsUnder Trumps mass deportation program, cities with Democratic governors have seen masked ICE agents snatching people, including American citizens, out of cars and homes. Violent scenes with menacing plainclothes officers terrorizing communities have spread across social media as residents film what is happening, often at great peril to themselves. Josh Sorbe at the gym.courtesy Josh Sorbe At the end of this video, Sorbe added, Immigrants make America really f***ing great.Sorbe said his video wasnt planned but quickly became a moment. Its about a shift in culture, he said. Democrats are fit, Democrats are hot, and were tired of Republicans trying to lay claim [to health and fitness] when its so demonstrably false.He added, These targeted advertisements that [Department of Homeland Security spokesperson] Trisha McLaughlin is lauding online whos going to respond to a 1950s-esque racist ad? Its going to be people who appeal to their base. And now were seeing that theyre failing not only the fitness test at record rates, with more than 30 percent failing, but theyre also failing open-book written exams at rates that hadnt been seen before. Its laughable. And I think it speaks exactly to the type of people that comprise the MAGA base.Related: ICE detained San Francisco drag queen after asylum hearingSorbe said he views the ICE Agent Challenge as both a form of political commentary and a way to reclaim fitness culture from the far right. I am a very passionate Democrat who believes that everyone ought to be treated with a basic level of respect that ICE is not demonstrating, he said. I am a fitness instructor and a marathoner. I was a D1 athlete for a long time, and this was a perfect opportunity to totally debunk the idea that Republicans can lay claim here.He added that his video caught the attention of people inside the Department of Homeland Security. I did get a text message from a friend saying that someone they knew at DHS, Im not going to go deeper than that, saw the video, and they were kind of pissed, Sorbe said. Im like, you know what? If I were called out this effectively, Id probably be a little bit pissed too. Josh Sorbe partipates in a 10-mile run.courtesy Josh SorbeIn his interview, Sorbe described the Trump administrations recruitment push as DEI for the MAGA base. I dont want this push or this video per se to be taken as anti-ICE, he said. If you are a dedicated person who really wants to be a law enforcement professional and serve our country as an ICE agent, absolutely. That is an incredible passion to have, and you should definitely consider a career in public service in that way.He added, When theyre receiving orders from MAGA drag queen-in-chief Kristi Noem and lowering standards for them to come in, those are not going to be serious law enforcement professionals.Related: LGBTQ+ immigrants face 'most immediate risk' of ICE raids in Los AngelesSorbe said his frustration runs deeper than fitness. The state of the politics around ICE is so devastating, he said. Every day at work, were talking about whats happening in Chicago now, but its Chicago right now it could easily be any other major city or any other place that Donald Trump sees as an enemy that could be subjected to this next. Imagine if this were happening in your community, how you would feel, and pay attention and speak out against it any way you can.The viral post has already inspired others to join in. I coach HIIT classes in D.C. in my free time, and a couple of my clients actually asked, Are we going to do the ICE agent challenge today? Sorbe said. In the back of my head, I was like, What if the ICE agent challenge should totally become a thing? I would love it if a base of fit liberals who are passionate about this issue start taking it and doing it the same way that I do.For Sorbe, the challenge is about more than exercise. There are two components here, he said. Its about principles and its about performance. MAGA is very, very good at performing, but they have no principles. Democrats are incredibly principled. Theyre on the right side of issues, and we need to be better at taking the opportunities to perform.

Happy Halloween, Out readers!It's Gay Christmas! Halloween is the biggest holiday on the Gay Calendar, and since it's on a Friday this year, we know the queer community is going to go all out! No one does Halloween like the queer community, and queer celebs take things to a new level!If you need some last-minute costume inspiration, check out our lists of 10 Halloween costumes that broke the internet and our ever-growing slideshow of this year's best queer celeb costumes!If you're more in the mood for a spooky movie, may we suggest an LGBTQ+ classic like Nightmare on Elm Street 2 or Jennifer's Body? If you need more ideas for great gay horror movies, don't worry, we've got you covered!If you're still working on a last-minute costume, we've got suggestions for you, and if you're going to dress as the new horror icon Aunt Gladys from Weapons, the hair and makeup team from the movie spoke with us to give you some tips and tricks!Whatever you're doing tonight, make sure you embrace the spirit of the holiday and be your full, authentic, most loud and proud self!Happy Halloween!- Mey RudeKim Kardashian tells Sarah Paulson the moon landing 'didn't happen'San Francisco drag queen Hilary Rivers has been released by ICE and granted asylumGay Senate staffer easily completes ICE fitness test that Trump-Noem recruits are failingEvery queer baker, host & guest who's made 'The Great British Bake Off' extra sweet'Boots' star Max Parker is 'Red Hot' in resurfaced calendar pics'A Nightmare on Elm Street 2': How a straight director made a queer classicBenson Boone shows off his sexy six-pack abs in steamy new gym selfieTrump's DOE will make LGBTQ+ nonprofit workers ineligible for student loan forgivenessNancy Mace, who often touted her support for marriage equality, now says, Adam and Eve, not Adam and SteveGayest Song of the WeekRosala has teamed up with Bjrk and Yves Tumor for the powerful, unforgettable new track "Berghain." Listen now!Get Out / The Advocate in your physical mailbox, too!Get print issues of Out Magazine / The Advocate in the mail for just $9.95 a year!

Eric Williams admits he was being a little "lazy" when he dressed up as Riley's Dad from Inside Out. Historically, he's been told he's resembled the Pixar character a quintessential "dad" in t-shirt, jeans, and a mustache who has become something of an unlikely sex symbol on queer social media.So when the host of Gay Ass Podcast posted side-by-side images of his costume with the character Sunday on X and took a nap, he was shocked by the online response upon awakening. By the time of this article's publishing, the post has logged almost 10 million views and hundreds of comments, many of them disparaging his appearance.The comedian turned lemons into lemonade, using his humor (and the unexpected spotlight) to promote his new Gay Ass Podcast interview with Kathy Griffin as well as an upcoming performance at Joe's Pub in New York City. But he also has some takeaways from the ordeal about internet culture and the state of public discourse (as well as a message for his haters), which he shares with Out ahead.What inspired you to dress up like the Inside Out dad for Halloween?Well, first of all the doctored image of him with a giant bulge is both hilarious and deeply horny to me. And people have left enough comments on my posts saying I kind of look like him, so I thought, why the hell not?Also I amvery lazy. A t-shirt and jeans? Perfect. What do you believe is part of the queer appeal of that character?There is nothing like a hot dad. I think as young people we had crushes on dads on TV (and some of our friends dads), and so now being old enough to lust after them and actually hook up with them is a dream come true.And while Inside Out is a movie for children, I think gay guys imprint that fantasy onto Rileys Dad hes the dad who would wear sweatpants and youd try not to look but likeyoud look. A side-by-side of Eric Williams and the character that inspired his Halloween costume, Riley's Dad, posted to XEric Williams / PixarYou posted a side-by-side of your costume with the dad to X. At what point did you notice the responses souring?I am fortunately not spending a ton of time on Twitter these days, so I posted it on a Sunday morning thinking a few people would see it and find it funny. I then took a nap, and by the time I woke up, the comments had gotten aggressively mean. So I did have that momentary panic of, wait, did I do something wrong?But then the comments kept coming and cominguntil millions of people had engaged with the post. And by then I knew something wasnt right. I am not ugly enough for this many people to agree.What were some of the meanest reactions?Oh my god, they got brutal. Those teenage trolls know their way around the written word.Shout out to the queen who said I have the sex appeal of a door handle. Lots of kids called me chopped. Many people said they would sleep with me only if I had a bag on my head. Someone said I should have dressed like Sloth from The Goonies. Just impressively cruel.I will say a bunch of sweet people defended me and messaged me, and I am incredibly grateful to them. But some people defended me with even meaner comments. Like, idk they were just so nasty to the guy whos just trying to have fun and has a receding hairline that stretches from louisiana to malaysia. Likeput the quill down, queen.But to the sweet and flirty messages, I appreciate you and am rock hard for you.Todays News: Gay Mans Inside Out Dad Costume Sparks Cruel X Backlash pic.twitter.com/3MGl4KvS9H Wendell (@RhodeToLove) October 28, 2025 Any notable allies that can come to your defense?My husband Matt has really had my back I feel like a cast member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. May they rest.Why do you think people responded with the vitriol they did?I think thats what X has become. People want attention and people think the only way they can get it is by being as mean or hateful as possible.I also think that some people are pissed that I have the confidence or delusion to say I look like a hot cartoon character. I think it pisses people off to see someone that they are not attracted tonot hate themselves. Because deep down a lot of them dont like themselves. Theyre probably living on their phones all day feeling miserable. I dont know whats happening. But I dont think theyre doing too great.What was your initial response to the hate? And how did you end up choosing the (fantastic, I thought) public response you had, which was humor combined with a dose of self-promotion?You know whats funny is I felt completely fine as it was happening. I have been piled-on by the Internet before I just wrote about it on my Substack because those instances prepared me for being called ugly (and bald and fat) by so many people.I chose to respond with a bag on my head to let those people know I see them. The way theyve been trolling is a cry for help, and I see you all.Also social media is such a hellscape that if Im getting that many eyeballs, I might as well plug my podcast I just released an interview with Kathy Griffin and I want people to see it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by thats a gay ass podcast (@gayasspodcast)Theres an overarching sense that many social media spaces, X especially, have become toxic, body-shaming, homophobic cesspools. What takeaways do you have from your own experience about the state of public discourse right now and how we treat and speak with one another?Thats a great question. My biggest takeaway is that we all need to be in therapy. Actually. So we can figure out how to untangle our own senses of self. Right now the world is telling us to attach our worth to our jobs or homes or followers or whatever, and its just not true. We cannot attach our worth to the crazy shit people say online. Because if I did, I would not be okay right now.The only way we can lead happy lives, while social media makes sure we dont, is to figure out a way to be at peace with ourselves and have radical acceptance. Because its the people who havent worked through their own baggage who are attacking you. And so you gotta do the work offline so that no matter what happens online, you know youre that bitch. If that makes sense.What message do you have for the haters?Come see your tweets in my show at Joes Pub on March 20 tickets go on sale soon.What did you learn from your experience?I need to renew my Klonopin prescription.Any advice for others going through a similar crucible?You are allowed three responses and then let it run its course. Dont stoop to their level.Then do what I did go to your friends buildings pool, smoke weed, and talk about it for 10 minutes before talking about literally anything else. At least for a few hours. And the second you start to feel crazy, do anything that feels good. Personally, I ate a lot of ice cream. And I went premium. (Tillamook.)Whats next for you, and where can our readers find more of you and your content?Ill be posting more bald and ugly content on Instagram and TikTok, and every week I release a new episode of Thats a Gay Ass Podcast (plus a horny bonus episode on Substack).Also, I am bringing my solo show Why All The Drama to a few cities next year in addition to Joes Pub in New York on March 20. Follow me and youll see tickets on sale there! Eric Williams posts a comedic clapback on X@ericwillz / X

President Donald Trumps second term has especially targeted two groups in particular: immigrants and LGBTQ people. On his first day in office, he ended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which left thousands of refugees who had already been approved to live in the United States stranded.He also drastically lowered the cap on the number of refugees allowed to enter the U.S. from 125,000 to 7,500. Thankfully, Immigration Equality is here to help.For many decades, weve seen clients arrive with nothing but hope and fear, and walk out with safety and freedom, Anto Chavez, Immigration Equalitys communications director, told LGBTQ Nation. Its just becoming harder to fight, but were still here with them. We still hold their hand every step of the way. We have more than 700 active legal cases, our legal staff trains thousands of lawyers nationwide to represent queer immigrants pro bono, and we fight in the courts and Congress to expand protections. Related These LGBTQ+ refugees fled hatred & found safety in the US. Now theyre navigating Trumps America. Founded in 1994, Immigration Equality provides free legal help for immigrants and asylum seekers who are LGBTQ+ or HIV-positive. The group isfighting Trumps seemingly arbitrary executive orders on immigration in courts and winning.Chavez spoke with LGBTQ Nation about how the sociocultural landscape around immigration has changed now that Trump is back in office and what average citizens can do to fight for the rights of queer immigrants in our community. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today For forever, immigrant communities have learned how to take care of each other without relying on systems that have failed us. We have to continue to do that. We have to continue to fight. Anto Chavez, Immigration Equality communications directorLGBTQ Nation: What has changed under Trumps second term for immigrants applying for asylum to escape anti-LGBTQ persecution in their home countries?Anto Chavez: The anti-immigrant rhetoric has shaped the culture and the cultural shift in our country; this happened during Trumps term as well. But it really changes how queer immigrants even envision themselves in the U.S.At the beginning of this administration, some of our clients were refugees. We have an asylum program and a refugee program. Historically, we have worked with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), but we opened up our refugee program a few years ago. After we launched it, some folks were really scared to even just decide to come to the U.S. I think there was a lot of misinformation, [but] this is still a place thats safer for many folks.But when it comes to policy I mean, if we talk about refugee work, every avenue has been blocked for us. The refugee resettlement program went from thousands a year to zero, and so weve had to really look into other options.Donald Trump signs an executive order on Inauguration Day 2025. | SAM GREENE/THE ENQUIRER/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images How has Donald Trumps executive order drastically lowering the refugee cap affected refugees who were already approved?Since January 20, after the executive order suspending the refugee resettlement program and halting the process for many folks, we had people who were ready to travel and had to cancel. So for queer and trans asylum seekers, this means just fewer pathways for relocation or protection from persecution.The U.S. has historically been a place where queer immigrants have been able to come and live freely. Its scary to think its starting to change.There are increased barriers for asylum seekers who are already here as well. Policies like what was called Remain in Mexico, were reinstated. The CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) One app, which allowed those migrating for humanitarian reasons to schedule asylum interviews at ports of entry, was ended, and existing appointments were canceled. There has been increased deportation, including of multiple LGBTQ asylum seekers. Theres also the abuse that happens in detention, particularly to queer and trans immigrants. Its just out of this world. We have some reports that queer immigrants are more likely to be assaulted and abused in ICE detention and put into solitary confinement. Related ICE raids uniquely harm queer immigrants, but LGBTQ+ communities are fighting back Have your clients been affected by the ICE raids and forceful detainments? Thankfully, we havent seen that happening with our clients, at least not directly working with us. We do want to make sure that were giving folks the best advice. So it has been tricky to let our clients know, yes, you need to go to this check-in or this interview. But are we sure that they will not be pulled, even though theyre not supposed to be detained? Not 100%.So thankfully, we havent run into those issues with our clients. But I see what youre talking about every day in the news. We have to protect each other.To what degree do the courts seem sympathetic to immigrants who are seeking legal residential status in the U.S.?Some of our courts have blocked government efforts to revoke broad classes of legal protections when they have been, or at least appear, arbitrary. For example, [consider] the recent rulings blocking attempts to end status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and Haitians under TPS (Temporary Protected Status). A lot of [Trumps] decisions are really just a back and forth [in the courts] and still on hold.Unfortunately, for me, its not just work, right? I have loved ones who are going through these procedures, who Im calling and Im checking in every day and trying to see what else we can do to keep them safe. So its impactful beyond just my everyday at work.Were not talking about strangers at the border. Were talking about our friends, our partners, our coworkers. Queer immigrants are part of every community in this country.To me, as someone who has been an activist and working in the LGBTQ and immigration justice spaces, organizing and advocacy become more and more essential when protections are being erased. When the systems are getting more and more hostile, the work of organizations like Immigration Equality becomes even more critical: for litigation, for direct representation, for policy pushes, and community care. Thats a huge one.For forever, immigrant communities have learned how to take care of each other without relying on systems that have failed us. We have to continue to do that. We have to continue to fight. Its not the first time that were targeted as immigrants or as queer people or as queer immigrants, and so we will continue to stay.Were here to stay; theres nowhere that were going. No matter how much they want to erase us, we have always existed, and were here to stay.Sacramento, CA, U.S.A. Feb. 22, 2025: A woman holds up a sign about migration being a human right at the Pro-immigrant Protest in downtown at Cesar Chavez park. | Shutterstock What can average citizens do to help LGBTQ immigrants who are seeking legal status in the United States?First, amplify stories and visibility. Share the stories of queer immigrants. Follow organizations like Immigration Equality and share whats happening. Talk about these issues with your friends, with your networks. Visibility is part of the fight. Erasure is what endangers us, and storytelling is one of the most powerful ways we have to push back and shift that narrative.Advocate for human policies. Ending trans detention, restoring the asylum system, expanding protections, just joining your community. There will be someone around you thats doing this work already. You dont have to reinvent the wheel, and we all have a role. We dont all have to be out in the street protesting. We dont all have to be sitting at a desk writing press releases. We all have different roles, and I think its important to remember that, and build that empathy and courage to say were not talking about strangers at the border. Were talking about our friends, our partners, our coworkers. Queer immigrants are part of every community in this country.People always ask what they can do, and I tell them, Start where you are. Share stories. Speak up when queer and trans immigrants are erased from the conversation. Donate if you can, call your representative and demand humane immigration policies. Immigration Equality can only do this work because people have believed in it for three decades, and that collective belief is what saves lives every day.Its good to know that all is not lost.Thats right. And we keep winning. We still have a 90% win rate for asylum cases. So yeah, were fighting. Theres still hope.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Donald Trumps Education Department (ED) released a new rule to deny student loan forgiveness to people who work for LGBTQ+ organizations.The rule will deny access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to many Americans. Employees of government or non-profit organizations that support communities and initiatives that this administration dislikes are likely to be cut off from the program. Related Calls to suicide hotline decline sharply after Christian conservative resigns as education head As part of the announcement, Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent made it very clear that organizations supporting trans people were a target of the new rule: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program was meant to support Americans who dedicate their careers to public service not to subsidize organizations that violate the law, whether by harboring illegal immigrants or performing prohibited medical procedures that attempt to transition children away from their biological sex.Trump initially signalled his intention to overhaul the PSLF program back in March when he issued the executive order Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The order claimed that the Biden administration had abused the program and denigrated non-profits by suggesting that the program could push students into organizations that hide under the umbrella of a non-profit designation and degrade our national interest, thus requiring additional Federal funding to correct the negative societal effects caused by these organizations federally subsidized wrongdoing. 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 PSLF program is meant to provide student loan relief to people who work in public service, both for the government and for non-profit organizations.Trumps March executive order directed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to define public service to exclude organizations that he disagrees with or that have a substantial illegal purpose. His examples included language that echoes his rhetoric against the trans community: child abuse, including the chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children or the trafficking of children to so-called transgender sanctuary States for purposes of emancipation from their lawful parents, in violation of applicable law. Theyll also target organizations with a pattern of aiding and abetting illegal discrimination, which has been the same language used to suggest that supporting trans children is in violation of Title IX or that diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI) programs discriminate against dominant groups like white people and men. That executive order was a list of Trumps demands for new policies. The final rule rolled out by the ED this week represents the first implementation of those demands as actual policy. The PSLF program was created under Republican President George W. Bush in 2007 as a result of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Graduates who worked in approved government or non-profit jobs could have their loans forgiven after making 120 qualifying payments over a span of 10 years.The PSLF program was designed to encourage graduates to take jobs in needed fields and to support communities in the United States by providing economic stability through the forgiveness of student loans, even when high-paying jobs werent always available.Trumps order and the EDs new rule have been criticized as a political move to attack certain groups, rather than an attempt to improve the program in any way. This rule is simply about bullying LGBTQ+ people and nonprofits and other progressive groups and making life more difficult for those who Donald Trump dislikes, senior legal writer for the Human Rights Campaign, Luis Vasquez, told The Advocate. The result is that it would keep talented people from pursuing careers in public service, fearing that they may suddenly lose eligibility for this program on a whim.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Washington State Universitys Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine has given its seal of approval to a series of continuing medical education (CME) courses developed and published the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), a group designated as an anti-trans hate group by Southern Poverty Law Center.The seven SEGM courses are available to view for free on the organizations website, the trans news website Erin in the Morning noted. An Accreditation Statement on the webpage indicates that the courses were planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (WSU) and the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM). Related Trans health care skeptics lost a key ally now theyre having a meltdown A separate note, however, indicates that the content which appears to be based around videos of lectures and panels from the groups October 2023 conference is currently not available on the WSU site.According to a December 2023 SPLC report, SEGM is part of a network of more than 60 groups that have, in recent years, weaponized pseudoscience to manipulate public opinion and advance legislation and legal action targeting the LGBTQ+ community. 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 Since its founding in 2020, the report notes, members of SEGM have undertaken a global media and public policy blitz to challenge the affirming care model [for treating minors experiencing gender dysphoria], advocate against gender-affirming care, and lend scientific credibility to legal claims against LGBTQ+ civil rights.The groups members played a role in passing Idahos H.B. 509, which denied trans people the ability to update their birth certificates, and in efforts to ban gender-affirming care in Florida and Texas. SEGM members also served as advisors on the Cass Review, a widely criticized 2024 report commissioned by the U.K.s National Health Service that claimed that there is insufficient evidence about the risks and benefits of social transitioning, puberty blockers, and hormone replacement therapy for minors experiencing gender dysphoria.In January 2024, SPLC officially designated SEGM an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group.Theyre an issue group that has a position on transgender health care whatever they do serves that particular agenda, Evan Urquhart, a science journalist and founder of Assigned Media, told Erin in the Morning. Its not about an openness to evidence in the spirit of scientific exploration; they advocate against gender-affirming care, using misinformation.In August, Gordon Guyatt, a distinguished professor of medicine at McMaster University in Canada who had previously co-authored SEGMs reviews of the evidence base for transgender health care, joined several colleagues in criticizing the group for misapplying standards he pioneered to justify bans on gender-affirming care. In a recent Mother Jones report, Guyatt recalled telling people affiliated with SEGM that the group was not evidence-based. WSU spokesperson Pam Scott told Erin in the Morning that the university had not created SEGMs CME content, nor had it paid the group. Scott reiterated that the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine acted as an accreditor, through its Continuing Medical Education (CME) program and noted that accreditation indicates that the courses met ACCMEs requirements for scientific balance and educational integrity. However, she noted that inclusion of the SEGM content in WSUs CME offerings does not represent an endorsement of the groups views.But, as Erin in the Mornings S. Baum notes, WSUs accreditation lends the appearance of legitimacy to SEGMs content. Well-meaning providers who want to enhance their practice with trans-competent care may be misdirected to SEGM propaganda instead of evidence-based best practices, Baum writes.ACCME president Dr. Graham McMahon told the outlet that while the organization is not in a position to comment publicly on an activity that we have not (yet) reviewed or audited for compliance, the description of SEGM as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group raises questions that appear appropriate for an inquiry.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Former Transportation Secretary and Afghanistan military veteran Pete Buttigieg called out Donald Trumps latest betrayal of key allies a disgrace.The Trump administration is currently trying to deport an Afghan man who is worried that if he goes back to his home country, the Taliban will kill him. The man has not been identified in the media out of fear that his extended family, still in Afghanistan, could face retaliation. Related Pete Buttigieg has a message for those who want to drop the T from LGBTQ+ The man supported the U.S. while living in Afghanistan, helping a U.S. nonprofit organization that taught teens to use computers. He escaped the country on a U.S. military plane and applied for asylum in the U.S. while living with his brother a naturalized U.S. citizen and his wife and their two children, who are also U.S. citizens.The Trump administration doesnt accuse him of being a criminal or a terrorist. Instead, he was in the U.S. on humanitarian parole this past July when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested him, canceling his parole at the same time, which instantly made him an undocumented immigrant. He has been in federal custody ever since, fighting deportation because he is worried about the Talibans documented history of retaliating against Afghan people who helped the U.S. government and American organizations during the Afghanistan War. 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 Buttigieg called out the administration for not standing up for the man, who is one of around 250,000 Afghan refugees in the U.S.When we were deployed, some Afghans risked their lives to help us, Buttigieg posted to social media. Now Trump wants to send them out to be killed by the Taliban. Its a disgrace, a betrayal, and a decision that endangers future US troops.When we were deployed, some Afghans risked their lives to help us. Now Trump wants to send them out to be killed by the Taliban. Its a disgrace, a betrayal, and a decision that endangers future US troops. Pete Buttigieg (@petebuttigieg.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T23:13:45.818Z The Trump administration is arguing that its totally safe for him to return to Afghanistan, which experts say isnt true.That is absolutely not evidence that he would be safe, Ashley Jackson of theCentre on Armed Groups told the Washington Post. Non-governmental organization [NGO] workers or people who are formerly affiliated with NGOs face a lot of threats and suspicion. Theyre coerced. Theyre pressured. Theyre threatened. Theyre beaten.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Lufthansa Airlines will face a lawsuit brought by a gay couple that has accused an employee of outing them to the Saudi government.That was the ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Thursday, over whether a California federal district court has jurisdiction to hear the couples lawsuit, centered on actions taken at the airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, prior to the couple flying to San Francisco. Related Out comedian apologizes for performing at Saudi Arabian comedy festival The appeals court said it does.The suit was brought by the gay couple, identified in court papers as John Doe and Robert Roe, in 2024. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The two men, one a U.S. citizen and the other a Saudi national, had lived in a committed, but discreet relationship for 33 years, and were married in California in 2013. The couple lived in Saudi Arabia most of the year, but flew back to San Francisco frequently.They were forced to keep their relationship and sexual orientation hidden, the lawsuit detailed, because homosexuality has been treated as a capital offense in Saudi Arabia. Living very carefully, they successfully kept their 33-year relationship a secret from the government, strangers, employers, friends, and family, alike, the lawsuit reads.That changed in May 2021, when the couple was anxious to return to California after travel restrictions in place at the time kept them in Saudi Arabia for an extended period. The couple reasoned that their marriage would allow Roe to travel to the U.S. despite strict entry requirements at the time for foreign nationals.The couple booked their flight on Lufthansa, expressly because they believed the Western carrier would be discreet about their relationship as they left Saudi Arabia. Instead, the couple says the top staffer for Lufthansa at Riyadhs airport harassed the couple publicly over their relationship status, refusing to believe they were married and loudly demeaning them, despite their pleas for discretion.Their concerns over transmitting copies of the marriage certificate and their passports to Lufthansa headquarters via Saudi Arabias heavily monitored internet were also dismissed.The couple was finally allowed to board the flight and returned to California, but about a month later, Saudi citizen Roe discovered that his marital status on his Saudi government profile was changed from single to married. The couple alleges there is no conceivable way the Saudi Arabian government could have learned about Plaintiffs marriage other than as a result of their experience at the Riyadh airport and their flight on Lufthansa.Roe hasnt returned to Saudi Arabia since the May 25, 2021, flight, for fear of Saudi government punishment, with the most lenient being the revocation of his passport and inability to ever leave Saudi Arabia, and escalating to potential harassment of his family, imprisonment, or the risk of being executed because of his sexual orientation and relationship with Roe.The couple says U.S. consulate officials unanimously concurred that Roes safety cant be assured in the country. In January 2023, Roe received a provisional green card for permanent residency in the United States.While his husband, as a U.S. citizen, faces less risk of severe Saudi government retribution, nevertheless, Doe still fears that his sexual orientation and marital status will cost him his job, result in public shaming, and potential permanent deportation from Saudi Arabia.In an emailed message to LGBTQ Nation, Lufthansa declined to comment due to ongoing litigation. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

With a population of just over 2 million, Vienna is a city of precision and poetry. Its known as the classical music capital of the world, and for good reason: Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss all lived and worked here, and their influence lingers in the citys ornate opera houses, concert halls, and grand boulevards. But the rhythm of Austrias capital city is felt beyond its music. From the candlelit charm of its UNESCO-listed coffeehouses to the lush vineyards nestled within its city limits, Vienna moves with quiet elegance and enthusiasm.And while it shines year-round, Vienna is especially magical in winter. The city transforms into a wonderland of Christmas markets, festive lights, and warm glhwein poured curbside. Ice-skating rinks pop up all over town most famously in front of City Hall and the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air.For queer travelers, Vienna is both welcoming and progressive, consistently ranking among Europes most LGBTQ-friendly destinations. (Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 1971, with marriage equality arriving in 2019.) So whether youre drawn in by the art, the wine, or the waltz, Vienna offers plenty to uncover. Use this LGBTQ+ travel guide to help you navigate where to stay, eat, and explore along the way.Getting thereTouching down at Vienna International Airport (VIE) marks the start of a refreshingly seamless travel experience, with a 20-minute drive or a 30-minute train ride to the city center. The sleek airport sits about 11 miles southeast of Viennas historic Innere Stadt, making it easy to swap jet lag for schnitzel in no time. Direct flights from the U.S. are available via Austrian Airlines, United, Lufthansa, and Delta, connecting cities such as New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., to Austrias capital. Where to stay: Almanac Palais ViennaHoused in two grand 19th-century palais overlooking the oasis of green that is Stadtpark, the Almanac Palais Vienna is a boutique escape that feels equal parts regal and relaxed. Youre right on the Ringstrasse walking distance from the Vienna State Opera, MAK museum, and the Naschmarkt but just far enough from the hustle and bustle to relax.Inside, the design strikes a rich balance of plush textures, glints of gold, and, in some rooms, mirrored ceilings that catch the light in just the right way. It nods to the buildings imperial past without tipping into heaviness or excess. My room felt serene, the kind of space that invites you to actually unpack and unwind. Subtle elevated touches, such as motion-sensing lights and automated blinds, arent just clever; they reflect the hotels innovative approach to promoting sustainability without compromising comfort.Art lovers are in for a real treat: The Almanac has recently unveiled an in-house Austrian art collection in collaboration with Galerie bei der Albertina Zetter, featuring an original Klimt on view the first ever displayed in a hotel. Via the hotel's concierge, guests can also book exclusive after-hours gallery tours and enjoy complimentary access to the Upper and Lower Belvedere museums.Downstairs, Donnersmarkt serves up a vibrant, plant-forward menu from breakfast to dinner, with hand-crafted cocktails and a colorful mural to match. The indoor spa pool, steam room, and sauna were delightful highlights that offered a welcome pause from sightseeing. And Elias, the hotels park-facing coffee bar, brings Viennas caf culture into the present with specialty brews and vegan baked treats, making the Almanac a truly artful stay, in every sense.Where to stay: Hilton Vienna PlazaTheres something instantly uplifting about stepping into the Hilton Vienna Plaza. Maybe its the soft, signature scent that greets you at the door not too strong, but just enough to signal youre officially on vacation. Perhaps its the refreshed interiors, which underwent a thoughtful update in 2024 and now feel both sleek and nostalgic. Inspired by the golden era of the 1920s, the design nods to art deco glamour while retaining a modern sensibility. The property, located on the opposite end of Viennas storied Ringstrasse, is just a 10-minute walk from sights like St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg palace. Its an ideal home base, whether youre museum-hopping, shopping, or simply wandering around.With 254 rooms and suites including an exclusive penthouse floor with panoramic balconies the hotel offers classic comfort with a touch of grandeur. During my visit, I stayed in an executive king room, which came with access to the spacious second-floor lounge that serves complimentary continental breakfast, and drinks and snacks throughout the day. Downstairs, the all-day restaurant, MILE, blends modern flair with vintage charm, serving a menu thats international yet rooted in Viennese tradition. The breakfast spread alone deserves applause and will leave you well-fueled for the day ahead. The Brse tram stop is located right outside the hotel, and the U-Bahn is nearby; however, Viennas walkability means youll barely need either. As a bonus, the property is just 20 minutes from the airport, door-to-door.Where to eat and drink: Caf PrckelStep inside Caf Prckel and youll feel as if time has slowed to the perfect pace for coffee, cake, and conversation. Although it first opened its doors in 1903, the cafs signature look dates back to a 1950s redesign, and that mid-century style has become an integral part of its charm. With sunlight spilling across marble tables and the frequent rustle of newspapers, its the kind of place that invites you to stay awhile. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., the menu is classic: strong coffee, flaky pastries, and a proper Viennese breakfast, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Prckel remains a gathering place for locals, artists, and travelers alike. Service here is warm, the crowd is eclectic, and whether youre stopping in for lunch or lingering over strudel, its a slice of everyday Austrian culture that feels effortlessly authentic. Just keep in mind that its worth booking ahead if youre visiting during busier hours, such as lunch or dinner.Where to eat and drink: Caffeine fixVienna does coffee like nowhere else, and its worth sampling cups from both the old guard and the new wave. For classic grandeur, start at Caf Central. At this architectural gem, you can lose track of time over a melange (Viennas version of a cappuccino) and a slice of sachertorte (a famous Viennese chocolate cake). Just down the Ringstrasse boulevard, Caf Landtmann is another storied spot; once frequented by Sigmund Freud and Paul McCartney, it has shaded terrace seating and all the charm youd expect from a grand Viennese caf.Modern gems shine, too. Calienna, located in the 7th district, serves top-tier flat whites and matcha in a bright, plant-filled space that feels more like a creative studio than a coffee shop. And Aida caf is a local chain known for its retro pink interiors and decadent sweet treats, making it an ideal spot for an afternoon pick-me-up while on the go.Where to eat and drink: Vienna's gay barsViennas LGBTQ+ nightlife is refreshingly diverse equal parts refined, rowdy, and risqu. If youre looking to dance, Why Not is the city's oldest and best-known gay club. It spans three floors and is especially lively on weekends, with themed nights and a mix of locals and travelers keeping the party going well into the night. A short walk away, Felixx Bar offers a more polished vibe. With its stylish interiors and strong cocktail selection, its ideal for pre-dinner drinks or a relaxed evening with friends.For something more intimate, Mango Bar is a no-frills, cozy spot with friendly staff and a loyal following great for a quiet evening and easy conversation. If youre feeling adventurous, Kaiserbrndl mens sauna is housed in a historic building and known for its ornate interiors and cruisy atmosphere. And while not exclusively queer, DonauTechno is one of Viennas edgiest underground bars, drawing a mixed, alternative crowd with its nightly techno and visual projections under neoclassical arches.Where to eat and drink: Plant-powered posseFor vegan and veg-curious travelers, Viennas plant-based scene is quietly spectacular. Start at TIAN Bistro, where a beautifully composed sharing menu rotates seasonally and leans into bold, surprising flavors. If mushrooms arent usually your thing, they just might convert you here. The vibe is intimate without being stuffy low music, great lighting, and food youll still be thinking about the next day. If youre feeling extra indulgent, TIAN, their Michelin-starred sister restaurant located in the city center, Stephansplatz, delivers plant-based fine dining with flair.Restaurant JOLA also offers an upscale experience with a creative fixed menu that impresses locals and visitors alike. For something more casual, Swing Kitchen prioritizes sustainability while serving delicious burgers, fries, and refillable sodas. And at Ramasuri, just steps from the Prater, youll find inventive vegan options from French toast to gnocchi in a relaxed space. Afterward, be sure to stroll over to Viennas iconic giant ferris wheel; whether you ride during the day or at night, the panoramic city views make for a memorable experience.What to do: Top museums to visitFrom major institutions to respected galleries and alternative spaces, Viennas art scene seamlessly blends imperial grandeur with modern vision. Albertina Modern, the citys newest museum for contemporary art, was a personal highlight of my trip. Its permanent collection spans classical to contemporary works, while the rotating exhibitions are thoughtfully curated and consistently fresh.For Viennese art in a historic setting, the Upper and Lower Belvedere two baroque palaces built in the 18th century are essential. Gustav Klimts The Kiss glows at the Upper Belvedere. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to see its highlights, or plan for a half-day to explore both palaces, the gardens, and Belvedere 21, Viennas top museum for contemporary art.The Leopold Museum is another standout, housing Egon Schieles masterpieces. For a dose of aristocratic splendor, book a guided tour of Palais Liechtenstein, where baroque halls and paintings by the old masters await.What to do: Vienna wine tastingsIf you're curious about Austrian wines and want a relaxed, thoughtful way to learn about them, Wine Tasting Vienna is an excellent detour from the typical tourist track. Just a 15-minute walk from St. Stephens Cathedral, this boutique tasting room is bright, modern, and genuinely welcoming. Their two-hour tasting, priced at 120 per person, is led by certified wine professionals who guide you through six exceptional Austrian wines, which are paired with local cheeses or, if requested ahead of time, a vegan alternative.Although you'll undoubtedly leave with a deeper understanding of Austrian grapes, the best part of Wine Tasting Vienna is the casual and friendly vibe. No question feels too basic, and the setting makes it easy to meet other travelers. The snacks are spot on, the staff is knowledgeable without being intimidating, and the relaxed setup makes it easy to settle in and enjoy the experience. Whether youre flying solo or traveling as a pair, visiting the tasting room is a fun and enriching way to experience Viennas wine culture firsthand.What to do: Cultural cornersVienna may be known for its palaces and precision, but its the contradictions that make it most compelling. Case in point: Viennas Naschmarkt. Just a short walk from the Almanac Palais, this sprawling farmers market is loud, chaotic, and wonderfully alive. The scent of spices wafts through the air, vendors shout over one another, and falafel is crisped to perfection, making it easy to lose track of time and meals!For something more traditional, St. Stephens Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece worth lingering in; however, the real thrill is below, where guided tours of the catacombs reveal macabre tombs and Habsburg secrets. For a night out, consider attending the opera, the ballet, or even a Strauss dinner show. And if youre in the mood to escape the citys buzz, head just outside town to a heuriger a traditional wine tavern, like Wieninger am Nussberg, where you can sip local selections with a view of the Vienna skyline.Major annual eventsYear-round events keep the citys rhythmic pulse alive long after the curtain falls at its concert halls. From music festivals featuring jazz, classical, and electronic to celebrations of identity, like Pride, the citys scene is ever-evolving. Annual highlights include: Vienna Opera Ball (February): This glamorous black-tie affair is held at the State Opera House, which is transformed into a sparkling ballroom for one unforgettable night. Its a throwback to the citys imperial past and a favorite of both local high society and curious tourists lucky enough to snag a ticket.Vienna Festival (May to June): This festival turns the city into a playground for international thespians, musicians, and visual artists. Expect bold performances from some of the worlds most exciting talents, staged in venues ranging from classical concert halls to open-air courtyards.Vienna Pride (June): Pride brings color and visibility to Viennas LGBTQ+ community. Centered around the Rainbow Parade along the historic Ringstrasse, its more than a march; its a week of parties, talks, performances, and solidarity in one of Europes most queer-welcoming capitals.Donauinselfest (July): Donauinselfest is Europes largest free open-air music festival, drawing millions to Danube Island for a long weekend of live acts, food stalls, and summer revelry. Think Eurovision energy, stretched across multiple stages, with something for everyone.Other important informationLanguage: German is the official language of Austria, and youll see Wien Vienna in German used frequently. English is widely spoken, but locals always appreciate a few basic German words, like bitte (please), danke (thank you), and hallo (hello).Alcohol consumption: The legal drinking age in Austria is 18, though beer and wine can be consumed at 16. Drinking in public is legal and relatively common, especially during warmer months.Cannabis consumption: Recreational cannabis is illegal in Austria, though possession of small amounts (up to 3 grams) for personal use has been decriminalized. Tipping culture and currency: Tipping is always appreciated, but much more relaxed than in the U.S. Rounding restaurant bills up or leaving 5 to 10 percent is standard. The national currency is the euro. Water consumption: Viennas tap water comes fresh from the Alps, meaning its clean and perfectly safe to drink straight from the tap or any public fountain. Clothing and weather: Vienna has four distinct seasons. Summers are warm but not overly hot, with temperatures around 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 30 degrees Celsius). Winters can be chilly, with occasional snow, and average temperatures around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).Transportation: Viennas public transport system is reliable and clean, and it operates until around 12:30 a.m. during the week. On Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays, it operates 24/7. The U-Bahn (subway), trams, and buses cover the city pretty well. Uber is also available.

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts the lead architect of Project 2025, the blueprint for Trumps second presidency called anti-LGBTQ+, antisemitic, white nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes a friend of Republicans. Fuentes has said that the GOP is run by Jews, atheists, and homosexuals, has described Adolf Hitler as really fu**ing cool and said perfidious Jews must be given the death penalty after we take power, Vox noted. Roberts defended former Fox News host Tucker Carlsons recent interview with Fuentes, citing a venomous coalition attacking Carlson over the interview and claiming that their attempt to cancel him is sowing division. Related Here are 5 gay republicans and their often controversial political beliefs Most importantly, the American people expect us to be focusing on our political adversaries on the left, not attacking our friends on the right, Roberts said. I disagree with, and even abhor, things that Nick Fuentes says, but canceling him is not the answer either.Roberts and Carlson are personal friends, and he has featured Carlson at Heritage events in the past, The Hill reported. 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 Anti-LGBTQ+ Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized Carlson for interviewing Fuentes, writing, If you sit there with someone who says Adolf Hitler was very very cool, and that their mission is to combat and defeat global Jewry, and you say nothing then you are a coward and complicit in that evil.JUST IN: Ted Cruz BLASTS Kevin Robertss Tucker Carlson defense:Now is a time for choosing. If you sit there with someone who says Adolf Hitler was very cool and that their mission is to defeat global Jewry, and you say nothing, then you are a coward, and you are complicit pic.twitter.com/QsDFbEDona Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) October 31, 2025 Fuentes has been described as a white supremacist by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and is an opensupporter of the Talibanbecause its a conservative, religious force. Fuentes has compared Jews being burnt in concentration camps during the Holocaustto cookies baking in an oven.Fuentes is also the leader of the Groyper Army, a group of far-right and racist internet trolls whose youth and web influence are attractive to Republicans seeking young and disaffected conservative male voters.Fuentes participated in rallies leading up to the January 6, 2021, Capitol Insurrection, where Trump supporters tried to violently overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Fuentes frequently clashes with other conservatives, who he claims arent conservative enough. He has said that the GOP is run by Jews, atheists, and homosexuals and called homosexuality and trans identity deviancy. Related I love Hitler: Young Republican leaders spout racist, anti-LGBTQ+ views in leaked chat Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Spokane School District of Washington State recently paid $60,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging that it had failed to protect a transgender student attacked by another student on school grounds.The October 2021 attack involved Ian Ring. At the time, Ring was a 13-year-old seventh-grader at Dr. Jonas E. Salk Middle School. His bully allegedly taunted him with transphobic slurs in the past and then attacked him while he waited for the school bus. Other students just laughed and recorded the attack, later posting video of it on Snapchat. Related Calls to suicide hotline decline sharply after Christian conservative resigns as education head The attack left Ring with bruises and a loose tooth, and Rings family sought fourth-degree assault charges against the bully, though its unclear if they pursued or resolved the charges. Rings family also filed a lawsuit against the school district, alleging that the school staff failed to contact law enforcement or take appropriate steps to protect Ring against transphobic bullying. On October 24, a judge approved the school districts $60,000 settlement with Rings family, KREM reported. Ring will receive $36,000, which will go into an account that hell be able to access after his 18th birthday. His parents will receive $2,000 each, and $20,000 will pay the familys attorneys fees. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Near the time of the initial attack, Rings mother said she had spoken to her son before about the possibility of his being targeted for transphobic violence.The conversation that we have always had about these kinds of issues is to walk away, not make yourself a target, especially when youre alone and not with family, Sara Ring said. Hes gone to the mall a few times and was wearing sweaters that are promoting identity, and you need to be very careful. Like, this is an issue, and if your familys not there to protect you, [you] cant just be yourself without worrying about even adults coming after you.Rings father started driving him to and from school to help his son avoid further attacks. This was brutal, and if this is the kind of behavior is going to exhibit towards my child, I cant imagine going forward, though whats going to happen. I need these children to be held accountable, and their parents to be held accountable, Sara Ring added. A surveyfrom the queer youth crisis hotline organization The Trevor Project found that 52% of LGBTQ+ middle and high school students had been bullied over the previous school year.Transgender and non-binary students were among those who experienced the highest levels of bullying. The survey also found that bullied LGBTQ+ students were three times more likely to attempt suicide than students who werent bullied.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Gays on the internet have turned into rabid fans of gay politician Rob Jetten, who just won the election to become the Netherlands youngest prime minister.But why are they going feral for this politician? Not only is he young and hot, but he is also dating an equally sexy male athlete who is nine years his junior, and he is the first openly gay prime minister in the countrys history. Its really a trifecta that Gay Twitter couldnt ignore. But who is Jetten; what do we know about his boyfriend, Nicols Keenan; and why are the gays so obsessed? Allow us to explain.Who is Rob Jetten? (@) At just 38 years old, centrist liberal leader Jetten just claimed victory in Wednesdays nail-biter Dutch election over the hard-right anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders, making him both the youngest prime minister to ever be elected to the Netherlands parliament and the first openly gay Dutch prime minister. Jetten, who took over as the leader of the D66 party in 2023, quickly established his lead in the election by becoming the main antagonist to Wilders hard-right views and by appearing on the popular quiz show, De Slimste Mens, during his campaign. The Dutch politician is a centrist liberal who ran on a platform of being both a progressive and a patriot, and is part of the D66 party, a socially liberal and progressive political party in the Netherlands. While Jetten is a liberal, he hit his stride in his campaign when he broke with other left-leaning establishment politicians by calling to control the influx of migrants into the Netherlands, and admitted that increased immigration leads to a burden in large working-class neighborhoods, The Times reports.Who is Nico Keenan?See on InstagramNicols Nico Keenan is a 28-year-old bisexual field hockey player who is now set to become the first gentleman of the Netherlands. Keenan was born in Buenos Aires, but has lived in Europe since he was a child. The Argentinian athlete began playing for HC Klein Zwitserland in 2017 when he moved to The Hague, Netherlands, which is also where he met Jetten.He has also been to the Olympics twice, both at the Tokyo Olympics and again in 2024 in Paris, representing the Argentina National team.Their relationship@nicokeenan97Finally back home to annoy this guyThe two men started dating in 2022 after meeting while they both lived in the same area in The Hague and would occasionally see each other at the supermarket. We happened to live close to each other thats how we bumped into each other. And now weve been together for two and a half years, Jetten told De Telegraaf.After losing at the Tokyo Olympics, his parents splitting up, and ending his relationship with his girlfriend, all in a short span of time, Keenan started spiraling. But then he met Jetten.I needed time, Keenan told the Dutch website Trouw. I quickly knew for sure that I wanted to go to the Paris Games, but when it came to love, I was at a loss. Fortunately, everything fell into place with Rob, I am very grateful for that, I was lucky.See on InstagramJetten and Keenan publicly hard launched their relationship in 2023 and then announced their engagement the following year with a photo taken in Paris during the Olympics, captioned, Soon we will be Mr & Mr. The lovebirds plan to get married next year.The public has pointed out that when they tie the knot, Keenan wont be the only Argentinian to make headlines for marrying a Dutch politician. Argentinian Mxima Zorreguieta is also married to the King of the Netherlands, Willem Alexander, and went viral last summer for mocking President Donald Trump.@nicokeenan97Election night, lets go @RobJetten #stemmen #d66Why are the gays going feral? (@) Youve got a young gay politician dating a professional athlete. And it doesnt hurt that both men are hot.Combing a politician with a professional hockey player has gays on the internet thirsting after them because of how handsome they both are, how hot they look together, and because, as one intrepid social media user put it, Sometimes life gives you a Red, White & Royal Blue x Heated Rivalry crossover, cleverly referring to the gay rom-com where a prince dates an American presidents son, and the upcoming spicy gay hockey romance adaptation.Theyre also no strangers to social media themselves and make adorable videos together, never hiding their sexuality or love for each other, and Keenan has been called a twunk for posting the occasional thirst trap photo.

There's a new hunk in town!Hunter McVey is the breakout star from 9-1-1: Nashville, and his latest steamy photoshoot for Folie Magazine is giving the girls and gays everything they need.The handsome actor strips down to just a pair of tight white shorts and shows off his impressive six-pack in the sexy spread. Naturally, fans went berserk online for the spicy photos, so check out some of the highlights below. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Free the nipples!Actress Sydney Sweeney was busy making headlines this week, but instead of shaking things up with a controversial jeans commercial, she decided to show nip on the red carpet. Nipples are treated like a taboo part of the human body. For some, it's ok to show them off whenever they please, and for others, its a literal crime. But Sweeney isnt the only star to break these societal norms. In recent years, celebrities both queer and straight have started to use their considerable platforms, and the red carpet, to show off their nipples regardless of their gender.From singers rocking sheer looks on the red carpet to actors showing off their nipples at film premieres, there is no shortage of hot famous people showing off their chest accessories. As Alice from The L Word would say, these celebs have nipple confidence, and we love that for them!Sydney SweeneySydney Sweeney freed her nipples at Varietys Power of Women event on October 29. The controversial Euphoria star took off her blue jeans for the night to rock a completely see-through silver chainmail dress that draped over her chest.Lil Nas XLil Nas X has made a name for himself wearing subversive clothing and showing skin on the red carpet, but it was at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 where he showed nip on the red carpet when he rocked leather pants, platform shoes, and a black jacket with nothing underneath. Julia FoxJulia Fox is the queen of nipple confidence. Her nipples have been front and center in countless looks both on and off the red carpet, but it was her daring ensemble at the Vanity Fair Oscars After Party in 2025 that earned her a place in the Nip Hall of Fame. Celebs often wear more daring looks at the after party, but Fox stunned in a completely sheer number that only hid part of one nipple with long, wavy hair. Cody FernOpenly gay actor Cody Fern may be known for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace or playing the Antichrist in another Ryan Murphy joint, but we remember him best for showing nipple while wearing a sheer top on the red carpet of an American Horror Story: Apocalypse event in 2019.Florence PughGay fave Florence Pugh has never been one to shy away from an intentional nip slip. She showed off her figure wearing a sheer pink gown at the Valentino show in 2022, at the Vanity Fair Oscars After Party in 2024, where she rocked a partially sheer Jean Paul Gaultier look, and again in a completely sheer lavender gown at the Fashion Week in 2024.Doja CatQueer singer Doja Cat stunned at the 2024 Met Gala when she showed up in a wet T-shirt dress that was a bold as it was revealing.Charli XCXSinger and LGBTQ+ ally Charli XCX is known for her daring fashion choices, along with her music that quickly became a gay fave when she skyrocketed to fame. But it was her 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party look that really garnered attention. The British singer sported a yellow floor-length, completely sheer gown.Dua LipaDua Lipa sported a silver crystal mesh gown by Bottega Veneta when she walked the pink carpet for the world premiere of Greta Gerwigs Barbie. It really is a Barbie world!Damiano DavidMneskin frontman Damiano David and his bisexual fiance Dove Cameron rocked the 2024 Met Gala runway when the actress showed up in a floor-length gown with strategically placed flowers, and David showed off his pierced nipples in a sheer suit jacket with nothing on underneath.Janelle MoneNonbinary singer and actor Janelle Mone has been an advocate for desexualizing nipples for years. Not only did they rock a see-through wet T-shirt in their Lipstick Lover music video, but they wore a shirtless outfit to the PUBLIC's Met Gala after party in 2025 where their nipples were only covered by little anchors, and wore a sheer black gown to the Critics Choice Awards in 2023.Jeremy ScottJeremy Scott made headlines when he received the Creative of the Year award at the Daily Front Row Fashion Awards, not for the incredible honor but for showing nip. Scott walked the red carpet and accepted the award wearing a Moschino one-shoulder, open nipple, pinstripe tuxedo.AnittaBisexual singer Anitta stunned on the red carpet when she wore a naked dress to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2024. The netted Fendi gown left nothing to the imagination. Victoria MontBisexual singer-songwriter Victoria Mont was just one of many celebs who showed nip at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2024. The Grammy-winning star stunned on the red carpet in a sheer corseted gown with strategic seams.Hari NefTrans actress Harry Nef managed to look ethereal in a sheer cream-colored gown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 while also looking like a badass with a bob haircut and visible nipple piercings. Lily-Rose DeppQueer actress Lily-Rose Depp, who is currently dating 070 Shake, wore a sheer gown in the gothic horror film Nosferatu, but she took that look into the real world at the BAFTA Special Screening of the film when she wore a sheer dress.Indya MooreTrans star Indya Moore has never been shy about showing off their nipples. Moore sported outfits a number of times on the red carpet that have made their nipples part of the look, but at the 2019 Time 100 Gala, they made a real splash in an avant-garde gown that put their nips front and center. HalseyQueer singer Halsey showed nipple on the red carpet when they attended the amfAR Cannes Gala in 2023, rocking black leather opera gloves and a hot pink dress.Ncuti GatwaOpenly gay Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa always dresses to impress, but he really stunned on the red carpet at the Vogue World: London 2023 event when he wore a Burc Akyol look featuring a green and white train attached to his pants and a sheer black top.

Fall is fully underway, and it shows! This month is positivelyy packed with exciting LGBTQ+ movies and TV shows headed our way. Get ready to settle in for some serious binge-watching! November brings the return of some of our most anticipated and favorite shows, including Palm Royale, Selling the OC, Stranger Things, and Open To It. Were also getting brand-new titles like All's Fair, The Beast in Me, Wicked: For Good, I Love L.A., and The Suction to obsess over.Keep scrolling to see what well be watching all month longand where you can watch it, too. All film and series descriptions are courtesy of their respective studios and networks.I Love L.A. - November 2An ambitious friend group navigates life and love in LA. I Love L.A. is created and executive produced by Rachel Sennott; executive produced by Emma Barrie, Aida Rodgers, Max Silvestri, and Lorene Scafaria. Where to watch: HBOAll's Fair - November 4A team of female divorce attorneys leave a male-dominated firm to open their own powerhouse practice. Fierce, brilliant, and emotionally complicated, they navigate high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiancesboth in the courtroom and within their own ranks. In a world where money talks and love is a battleground, these women dont just play the gamethey change it.Where to watch: HuluI Really Love My Husband - November 4One year into their marriage, Teresa (Madison Lanesey) and Drew (Travis Quentin Young) head to the tropical paradise of Bocas del Toro, Panam, for a long-overdue honeymoon. But as the lush setting strips away their daily routines, Teresas perception of her golden boy husband begins to shift. When she becomes captivated by Paz (Arta Gee)a free-spirited expat managing their rentalTeresa proposes an unconventional idea to rekindle their connection leading to unexpected consequencesWhere to watch: VOD Squid Game: The Challenge (Season 2) - November 4Squid Game: The Challenge returns for a gripping second season. This time, 456 brand-new contestants will enter the ultimate test of strategy, alliances, and endurance as they compete for a life-changing $4.56 million prize. Inspired by the iconic original series with shocking new twists and never-before-seen games season two raises the stakes higher than ever. As players face elimination at every turn, only one can emerge victorious. New players. New games. New rules.Where to watch: Netflix Come Closer - November 5 (Limited)Wild and restless Eden, following her brothers unexpected death, discovers he had a secret girlfriend. Drawn to the mysterious Maya, Eden plunges into a world of parties, obsession, and forbidden desire, blurring the lines between love and loss.Where to watch: In theaters (limited)Open To It (season 2) - November 6In this series, a loving gay couple experiments with becoming a hot gay throuple. But threesomes and polyamory come with more complications than extra limbs. This season, Cam and Greg re-examine why they're open - with lots of sexy shenanigans. Princeton gets a look in the mirror, and doesn't love what he sees, even though it's toned. Elsa and Reggie must figure out whether threesomes are better in theory, practice...or both! Where to watch: OUTtvAll That We Love - November 7 (limited)Emma (Margaret Cho) faces an empty nest and renewed feelings for her estranged ex-husband Andy (Kenneth Choi), as she navigates the joy and sorrow of starting anew alongside her best friend Stan (Jesse Tyler Ferguson).Where to watch: In theaters (limited) Christy - November 7Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginiauntil she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster).But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside itconfronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death. Based on remarkable true events, Christy Martins story is one of resilience, courage, and the fight to reclaim ones life.Where to watch: In theaters Frankenstein - November 7Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelleys classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.Where to watch: NetflixI Wish You All The Best - November 7Based 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.Where to watch: VODJay Jurden: Yes' Ma'am - November 7Jay Jurden has been called "one of the most reliable killers working the New York comedy circuit" (Jason Zinoman, NY Times), and his debut comedy special, "Yes Ma'am", proves just why that is the case. Jurden delivers a fast-paced, punchline-filled love letter on what it means to be Black, Southern, and Queer, all while navigating those identities with his signature wit. Filmed at the historic Joy Theater in downtown New Orleans, the Mississippi native and Tonight Show regular is ready to make a big splash with this premier hour presented by Comedy Dynamics.Where to watch: Hulu Maxton Hall - The World Between Us (season 2) - November 7Those who fly high can also fall low...After their passionate night together in Oxford and her greatest life goal within reach, everything seems to be going perfectly for Ruby (Harriet Herbig-Matten). But a stroke of fate in James' (Damian Hardung) family changes everything and James himself, of all people, brings her back from cloud nine to a harsh reality. Ruby is devastated. She has never had such strong feelings for anyone as she does for James - and she has never been so hurt by anyone either. She wants her old life back, where no one at Maxton Hall knew her and she wasn't part of the elitist world of her classmates. But she can't forget James - especially since he's doing everything he can to win her back.Where to watch: Prime VideoPeter Hujar's Day - November 7 (limited)A recently discovered conversation between photographer Peter Hujar and his friend Linda Rosenkrantz in 1974 reveals a glimpse into New York Citys downtown art scene and the personal struggles and epiphanies that define an artists life.Where to watch: In theaters (limited) Power Book IV: Force (season 3) - November 7Power Book IV: Force centers on fan-favorite character Tommy Egan, played by Joseph Sikora, after he cuts ties and puts New York in his rearview mirror for good. As Tommy leaves New York after losing Ghost, LaKeisha, and the only city he's ever known, he makes a quick detour to close an old wound thats been haunting him for decades. What was supposed to be a quick stop turns into a labyrinth of family secrets and lies Tommy thought were long buried. One step leads to another, and Tommy quickly finds himself in Chicago's drug game, inserting himself between the city's two biggest crews. In a city divided by race, Tommy straddles the line, ultimately becoming the lynchpin that not only unites them - but holds the POWER to watch them crumble. As the first season unfolds at breakneck speed, Tommy uses his outsider status to his advantage, breaking all the local rules and rewriting them on his quest to become the biggest drug dealer in Chicago.Where to watch: StarzStone Cold Fox - November 7Fox (Kiernan Shipka) breaks out of an abusive commune, but when the queenpin (Krysten Ritter) kidnaps her little sister and sends a crooked cop (Kiefer Sutherland) after her, Fox has no choice but to infiltrate the very place she escaped.Where to watch: In theaters and on VODStumble - November 8Starring Jenn Lyon as Coach Courteney, Taran Killam as Coach Boon with Kristin Chenoweth as Coach Tammy, Stumble is an all-new, high-flying comedy about a former champion cheer coach trying to flip the odds by leading a new squad of lovable misfits to victory.Where to watch: PeacockSurviving Mormonism With Heather Gay - November 11Heather Gay explores the secrets and sins behind the Mormon church, fracturing the church's seemingly perfect veneer to expose secrets. Heather has impactful conversations with abuse survivors, ex-Mormons and former LDS church leaders.Where to watch: PeacockPalm Royale (season 2) - November 12Palm Royale is a true underdog story that follows Maxine Dellacorte (Kristen Wiig) as she endeavors to find her footing in the cutthroat world of Palm Beach high society. As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, Palm Royale asks the same question that still baffles us today: How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has? Palm Royale is a testament to every outsider fighting for their chance to truly belong.Where to watch: Apple TV+Selling The OC (season 4) - November 12The OC agents are back and ready to establish their office as the top brokerage within the Oppenheim Group. As the competition heats up for some high-stakes listings, some may get burned as devastating rumors divide the team. While the office gets busier, Jason enlists agents from San Diego, but will the OGs of the OC let the new agents sink or swim?Where to watch: Netflix The Beast in Me - November 13Since the tragic death of her young son, acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs (Danes) has receded from public life, unable to write, a ghost of her former self. But she finds an unlikely subject for a new book when the house next door is bought by Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), a famed and formidable real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wifes disappearance.Where to watch: NetflixCome See Me in the Good Light - November 14An unexpectedly funny and joyful love story, poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley navigate life and mortality in the face of an incurable diagnosis.Where to watch: Apple TV+The Running Man - November 14In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on televisiona deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the shows charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Bens defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favoriteand a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters but a nation addicted to watching him fall.Where to watch: In theatersThe Seduction - November 14To be the hero of your own story, you sometimes have to be the villain in others. Marquise de Merteuil, betrayed by Valmont, embarks on a daring journey to become Paris leading courtesan. Freely adapted from the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, a thrilling exploration of the price of emotional & sexual freedom in a world where women had little.Whee to watch: HBO MaxJune Farms - November 17June Farms is a magical paradise located on 120 acres in New Yorks beautiful Hudson Valley. Matt Baumgartner, an accomplished but demanding entrepreneur, runs the farm, restaurant/bar and events space with the help of a team of well-intentioned 20-somethings who arent always on the same page as their detail-obsessed boss.Where to watch: Prime Video The Mighty Nein - November 19The Mighty Nein follows a group of fugitives and outcasts, bound by secrets and scars. But when a powerful arcane relic known as "The Beacon" falls into dangerous hands, they must learn to work together to save the realm and stop reality itself from unraveling.Where to watch: Prime VideoJurassic World: Chaos Theory - November 20Set six years after the events at Camp Cretaceous, members of The Nublar Six are struggling to find their footing off the islands, navigating a world now filled with dinosaurs and people who want to hurt them. Reunited in the wake of a tragedy, the group comes together only to find themselves on the run and catapulted into a global adventure to unravel a conspiracy that threatens dinosaur and humankind alike and finally learn the truth about what happened to one of their own.Where to watch: NetflixWicked: For Good - 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.Where to watch: In theatersBel-Air (season 4) - November 24Will tries to balance the excitement of senior year with the expectations that have brought him to this moment, while Carlton tests his own resolve as he deals with the fallout of some big decisions that could impact his future. An unexpected power shift threatens the brotherhood between Phil (Holmes) and Geoffrey (Akingbola), whose loyalties to the Banks family will be tested. Viv (Freeman) struggles with reinventing herself as she looks at motherhood from a different perspective.Where to watch: PeacockStranger Things (season 5, part 1) - November 26The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Wills disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything theyve faced before. To end this nightmare, theyll need everyone the full party standing together, one last time.Where to watch: NetflixWake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - November 26 (Limited)Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet.Where to watch: In theaters (Limited)

Angel City Football Club captain Sarah Gorden and vice captain Angelina Anderson have made one of the strongest statements from female athletes about including trans and intersex athletes in professional women's sports.Less than a week after their ACFC teammate, Elizabeth Eddy, published an essay in the New York Post calling for genetic testing of National Women's Soccer League athletes to ensure they fit a specific definition of womanhood, the team leaders delivered a definitive response."We've all obviously seen the article that was written in the New York Post earlier this week, so I really want to start off by saying that that article does not speak for this team and this locker room," Gorden said in a team press conference on October 30, looking visibly frustrated, but resolute.Gorden said her teammates felt "hurt and harmed" by the essay and were "disgusted by some of the things that were said in the article." "We don't agree with the things written, for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and racist as well," she said.The team captain pointed out that the article calls for genetic testing of certain players to determine their womanhood, and features a photograph of Zambian soccer star Barbra Banda under the headline. "That's very harmful, and to me, it's inherently racist, because to single out this community based on them looking or being different is absolutely a problem And as a mixed woman with a Black family, I'm devastated by the undertones of this article," Gorden said. Potentially alluding to her recently signed, Zambian teammate Prisca Chilufya, who is intersex, Gorden added, "And there are players in this league and in this locker room that are directly harmed by what was written in the article."Gorden went on to issue a heartfelt apology on behalf of the team, affirming their collective support for anyone who may have been harmed by Eddy's essay which argues that players who don't fit a certain definition of womanhood should be banned from the league, citing alleged issues around safety and fairness. "Please know that I do speak for the team when I say, 'We do support you.' You don't have to look like me, you don't have to look like Ang, or you don't have to look like somebody from Orange County to be accepted and celebrated here, and it's really important that you know that is the true message from this locker room and this team," she said, referring at the end to Eddy, who was born in Newport Beach, Orange County, California.After Gorden finished her remarks, Anderson, who plays goalie, spoke. She began by saying that when she thinks of Los Angeles and of ACFC she thinks of "a place that was founded upon inclusivity and love for all people." "Angel City is a place for everyone, it always will be," she said.Then, Anderson brought up the timing of Eddy's essays, which comes as ACFC has failed to earn a spot in the playoffs and is set to play their final game of the regular season."This feels like another really big challenge that we have to go through as a team, on top of an already really challenging year. And it's definitely not the note that we, as a group, want to end on," Anderson said, adding that the players are doing their best to keep the locker room respectful and hope to end the season on a positive note.ACFC plays its last game of the year this Sunday. Gorden and Anderson have started most games this season, and will probably do so again. Eddy has played zero minutes so far this year.Watch the entire press conference below. (@)

In 2023, Texas Republicans passed, and Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed into law, House Bill 2127, a power grab so sweeping that its become known among critics and the public as the Death Star Act. The law essentially outlaws any measure a local government entity passes that isnt explicitly authorized by the state. Related Texas will now let judges refuse to marry same-sex couples if it goes against their religion The law passed several judicial challenges, and now a lawsuit against the City of Dallas, invoking it against 83 ordinances, will test whether its constitutional, theTexas Tribunereports.Many of those local laws or regulations include anti-discrimination measures for LGBTQ+ people. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The lawsuit asserts state supremacy over local regulation, citing overreach by local officials and the absence of state laws specifically authorizing local regulation, among other arguments against local control.To cite one example from the suit, filed by three Dallas residents in Denton County District Court on Wednesday: the plaintiffs object to a local ordinance regulating billiard halls, which requires operators to obtain a city license, pay an annual $52-per-table fee, and comply with local moral-character standards. Their argument: No Texas statute authorizes the City of Dallas to regulate billiard halls.In the case of anti-discrimination measures, the suit argues the city exceeded its authority by adding protected classes not recognized under state law, including sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.Dallas City Code prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and businesses open to the public on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, the suit says, but thats preempted under Texas Labor Code, which only permits local ordinances that prohibit practices already unlawful under state or federal law. The same logic applies to at least six local laws or ordinances that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment and hiring, for-hire drivers, housing, City of Dallas personnel decisions, public accommodations, and more.No Texas law requires businesses to comply with nondiscrimination mandates in public accommodations, the lawsuit states.Shortly after House Bill 2127 passed in 2023, the cities of Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso sued Texas to block the new law, arguing it deprived elected officials of the power to enact local ordinances, on everything from noise regulation to cat breeding (the Dallas suit claims state authority over that, as well). What this means is that cities like the city of Houston cannot pass ordinances in these areas unless the state of Texas explicitly gives us permission to do so, late Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told the Texas Tribune at the time. That is a total reversal from the way things have been in this state for more than a century.Cities dont get to pick and choose which state laws they follow, said Matthew Chiarizio, a senior attorney for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the conservative think tank representing the plaintiffs in the Dallas suit.For too long, Dallas has piled unnecessary and duplicative regulations on its citizens. The Legislature has rightly preempted those rules, and this lawsuit is about protecting Texans freedom to live and work without being smothered by layers of needless local regulation.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

In this two-part interview feature with Kieron Moore, the actor discusses his personal life, career changes, and milestone performances from 2025. Part I, below, focuses on the hit Netflix series Boots. In Part II coming soon to Out.com Moore examines his performance in Elliot Tuttles debut feature, Blue Film.From playing a homophobic recruit at the U.S. Marine Corps on Boots to embodying a queer cam boy and sex worker in Blue Film, this is a breakthrough year for Kieron Moore. Born in Manchester, England, Moore spent 12 years in competitive boxing influenced by his hypermasculine father and only started acting at 21.This year alone, Moore delivered two standout performances in queer-centric projects: First as Slovacek on Boots, a Netflix show inspired by Greg Cope Whites memoir The Pink Marine; then as Aaron Eagle in Blue Film, a daring debut feature from filmmaker Elliot Tuttle. Both performances examine the fragility of masculinity through a queer lens, and its endearing to hear Moores deep awareness of such archetypes despite not being anything like either of those characters.Im probably not a good reflection of straight men, thats something Ive come to terms with, Moore tells Out. Im just so full of love. I just want to understand everyone. Kieron MooreRussell Baer Moore explains, I use this example all the time: I love my straight friends, but if I go out with my straight friends, and we go dancing or whatever, its not a dance. We get there, and it feels a bit tense, and weirdly volatile. It feels like a bit of animosity. And Im like, Is there going to be a fight? [Laughs.] Im alert!But then I go out with Max [Parker] and its just like, Oh, Im dancing. And I love being able to do that, the actor notes. A lot of people look at me and think a certain thing, but Im actually quite delicate, and fun, and frivolous.The five out actors on Boots Miles Heizer (Cameron Cope), Max Parker (Sgt. Sullivan), Sachin Bhatt (Major Wilkinson), Angus OBrien (Hicks), and Jack Cameron Kay (Jones) were paired with an ensemble of straight actors who were just as playful, just as friendly, and without any hang-ups about bonding with their queer costars. For Moore, the layers were even deeper.Me and Max became friends from the moment we met. With Miles as well, Moore says. Miles is an interesting one, because my moms been obsessed with Miles since 13 Reasons Why. When I told her I was working with Miles, she was more happy that Miles was working than me. [Laughs.] I was like, You dont even know this person! Kieron Moore and in-drag Miles Heizer on set while filming Boots.Instagram (@kieronmoore) Speaking of Heizer! The Boots fandom has been losing its collective mind over certain pictures of the actor being in full drag. Even though the images seem to have been taken while filming the show, that moment never came up in any of the episodes. There also hasnt been any clear explanation for them. So, whats that all about?There was a moment in the original script where there was going to be a It was more of a dream sequence, Moore says, being careful but also candid. We were all in it. The scene was meant to be this old reality dream, I guess, and Slovacek was holding Cam. This was a moment for Cameron to weaken these other men; to make himself feel a sense of belonging.Moore explains that the scene was ultimately cut once they came back from the SAG/WGA strike hiatus and the total number of episodes had been reduced from 10 to eight. Still, filming that moment was one of the best days on set, Moore recalls. The photo with me and Miles I love that picture so much. And he looks so good! The actors, alongside an in-drag Miles Heizer, on set while filming Boots.Instagram (@kieronmoore) Even though the scene was cut from the final edit, the memories are good enough. The boys really bonded that day. I was very interested to see how all of the boys would come together, and it was this really beautiful thing, Moore reveals. We all fell in love pretty quickly. It was just really special to watch the boys dance in the scene and be like, Yeah, this is a good group of boys.Hopefully, one day theyll just release the footage for BTS or something, he muses. The actors, alongside an in-drag Miles Heizer, on set while filming Boots.Instagram (@kieronmoore) Moore acknowledges how funny it is to see this social media investigation on the drag files of Miles Heizer. I also have pictures of him in a different look, he teases. Im surprised that no ones noticed yet, but I guess its because I havent posted the other look.Its Wilson Phillips. Ive got a different one where hes eating his lunch, and I think if I posted that one, people would clock like, Oh, hes in drag as Wilson Phillips! That was going to be It was all three of them, and Cope has this moment. He looked so good. Chynna Phillips in the music video for 'Hold On' by Wilson Phillips; Miles Heizer dressed as Chynna Phillips on set while filming Boots.YouTube (@WilsonPhillipsVEVO)/SBK Records; NetflixThis bond between the straight-identifying actors and the out queer actors has drawn some criticism and questioning from fans, too, which isnt that surprising.Moore reflects, Everyones been super nice. I mean, I have seen some comments from people who just cant comprehend that Im a straight man being that close to the fold, and it makes me a bit sad. How lucky am I that I get to have friends from different walks of life, that I love with all of my heart?Im always going to be that friend. I actually have more gay friends than straight friends, the actor says. Coming from my volatile boxing background, and where I lived, its such a toxic masculine place. Im more myself in queer spaces, and my friends have been so welcoming.Moore explains that Parker is one of his best friends and so is Parkers husband, Kris Mochrie, whos also an actor. I have this running theme where I call them my dads, Moore teases. Max Parker, Kieron Moore, and Kris Mochrie via Instagram.Instagram (@krismoc) Max is quite a fascinating human being, Moore says, reflecting on their friendship. I know a lot of hypermasculine, overt, alpha straight men who are quite taken aback by Max. Its this thing, like They dont understand it! [Laughs.] Max is one of my best friends, so its one of my favorite things to see in the flesh. I love watching other people meet Max. Their brains go like, What?!Moore and Parker became friends as costars on Peacocks Vampire Academy. Since the Boots phenomenon, pictures and videos of the two actors spending time together have resurfaced and gone viral.Moore, who admits that hes chronically online at the moment, has had a lot of fun with the memes and jokes. However, the actor wishes fans could see the full picture, and not just what is being currently projected onto them.Weve got some people that knew our friendship from Vampire Academy, and its been nice to see some of them weigh in. Ive got so many memories with Max, but obviously Kris [Mochrie] is dear to me, too, Moore adds. I mean, I read a poem at their wedding! I love them both. People are like, Oh, I hope Kris doesnt see the comments. And Im like, Kris! [Motions to look at his phone.] I literally stay at their house on the weekends sometimes, you know what I mean? Kieron Moore and Max Parker on set filming Boots. Elaine Siemek (@elameeeee)/Netflix Its that sort of thing: Fantasy and projection. Luckily, we have such a strong friendship that we get to laugh at it. But it couldve been a very volatile space, you know what I mean? Moore reflects. Yet Im his friend, and its been one of them things where I got to watch him wait for this opportunity. I got to watch him book the role. I got to call him when he booked it. Ive read with him on auditions. Weve both not got jobs [in the past], and weve both been there for each other.Though they met for the first time as costars in Vampire Academy, Moore says that his acting coach knew Kris, who is Maxs love. He adds, So there was always a link there. We jelled immediately. I didnt know how close we would get, but he really became my family. Since Vampire Academy, we got really close.Moore recalls, There was this silly little moment where I bought him [Parker] a watch when he left [Vampire Academy]. And I was like, Whatever. Im thankful for this time. I hope, whatever happens with your career, well stay friends. And then Vampire Academy finished and we just hung out all the time anyway. We just became really close. Weve all seen the ups and downs of our lives and careers.Im super proud of getting to be able to play Slovacek. But, for me, the biggest win of this is getting to watch the world celebrate my best mate. Ive seen how much hes waited for this, and the time its taken, and the work thats gone into making it happen. Thats a huge win, Moore declares.Part II of this interview feature with Kieron Moore, in which the actor discusses Blue Film, is coming soon to Out.com. Stay tuned by signing up for the Out newsletter.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!Boots is now streaming on Netflix. See on Instagram

Thats how Pam Bondi, Donald Trumps latest pick to be his attorney general in a second Trump administration, described her support for the LGBTQ+ community in an interview with CNNs Anderson Copper in 2016 as Different color rainbow hands, referring to an illustration of clasped hands posted on her Florida Attorney General website following the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Related MAGA cries over Matt Gaetzs withdrawal as Donald Trumps attorney general pick Her history with the LGBTQ+ community in the state tells a different story. 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 Bondi, 59 who hopes to be confirmed as the nations top law enforcement official in the wake of fellow Floridian Matt Gaetzs abrupt withdrawal from consideration on Thursday is on the record as a staunch opponent of marriage equality. At the height of the marriage equality battle in the courts leading to the landmark Obergefell v Hodges decision by the Supreme Court in 2015, Bondi was a vocal opponent of same-sex unions.In 2014, Bondi filed a response asking a federal judge to throw out a marriage equality case in Florida, arguing that recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states wouldresult in what she called significant public harm.Bondis declaration was part of a protracted, and ultimately unsuccessful, legal fight to preserve Floridas constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Her office incurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs as she continued to fight same-sex marriage in the state, even after bans in nearly 20 states had been struck down, according to CNN.A court filing from Bondi asserted that an injunction to block the ban in her state, effectively allowing same-sex marriage, would irreparably harm the State of Florida.Bondi persisted with a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Floridas gay marriage prohibition.Equality Florida described Bondis response at the time as deplorable. The only Florida families suffering harm are the LGBT families who continue to be discriminated against. Pam Bondi is on the wrong side of history and on the wrong side of Florida public opinion, which shows 57% of Floridians now favor marriage equality, Nadine Smith, CEO of the advocacy organization, wrote at the time.Unlike Bondi, Attorneys General in states across the country have upheld their duty to the U.S. Constitution by refusing to defend a law that so clearly violates basic rights, Smith added.After the Pulse shooting in June of 2016, the longtime Trump supporter tried to rewrite history and hold herself up as a staunch defender of LGBTQ+ rights. Bondi endorsed Trump for president the same year. Shortly after the massacre, CNNs Anderson Cooper asked Bondi, Do you really think you are a champion of the gay community? He shared that a large portion of the LGBTQ+ community in Orlando had told him she was being a hypocrite.Bondi claimed she was seeking to uphold the state constitution.Thats what I was defending, she said. It had nothing to do Ive never said I dont like gay people. Thats ridiculous.Asking about her opposition to marriage equality, Cooper continued, Are you saying you do not believe it would do harm to Florida?Of course not, of course not, Bondi replied. Gay people no, Ive never said that. Those words have never come out of my mouth.But they had. Bondi comes to her nomination for U.S. attorney general with close ties to Trumpworld.As Floridas attorney general, Bondi sat on the fence when a multi-state lawsuit was filed against Trump University, brought on behalf of students who claimed theyd been cheated. Following a $25,000 donation from a Trump-funded nonprofit, Bondis office declined to join the suit.After leaving her Florida attorney general post, Bondi joined Trumps first impeachment trial team and was later recruited to the MAGA-affiliated nonprofit America First Policy Institute, chaired by Trumps pick for secretary of education, Linda McMahon. Like Trumps first attorney general nominee Gaetz, McMahon is facing legal troubles after an indictment in October, alleging she was complicit in the sexual abuse of teenage ring boys at the WWE during her tenure.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Here are this weeks most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this?Sign up for our Good News email.Happy Halloweekend! Now that spooky season has passed, take off your costume, and enjoy a heartwarming cup of good news with us! Did you hear about the Maine politician who launched her Senate campaign by mentioning her good record on trans rights? How about the Drag Race star Kim Chi who says her new middle-grade novel embodies all things beautiful & queer? And how about the judge who ordered the Defense Department to return books on race & gender to school shelves? So much good news to go around!Did you know that all the Power Rangers were queer?!?? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Croyden Wheeler (@croydenwheeler)He got attacked while standing up for a trans woman. Now strangers are helping fund his healing. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Not all heroes wear capes.Haley Bieber praised for iconic response to trolls who claim shes secretly transThe energy we NEED. Protect the dolls. UK unveils first memorial honoring LGBTQ+ veterans who served under anti-gay banThe dedication by King Charles marks his first official support of the LGBTQ+ community since he became King. Nothing tastes as good as your imagination! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chase James (@chaseejamess)This gay politician just set a fundraising record as he files for congressional runErik Bottcher represents Chelsea, the West Village and Hells Kitchen in Manhattan. South Korea census allows same-sex couples to identify as spouses in historic changeLGBTQ+ rights still have a long way to go in the country, but advocates praised the change as a signal of more to come. First-of-its kind trans immigrant support center opens permanent space after years without oneA physical space gives us that rooting to feel like we can belong, the groups founder said.Never turn your back on Pee-Wee! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jules Escobar (@oneandonlyjules.official) Laser clinic offers major discount to get rid of Harry Potter tattoosAround 16% of people regret getting a tattoo, the offer reads, less than 1% of people regret gender affirming surgery. Trans powerlifter wins state supreme court victory in discrimination suitUSA Powerlifting tried to argue that they arent discriminating against trans women, just women assigned male at birth. The judges didnt buy it.Scary to the right wing: San Francisco crowns its first-ever transgender Drag LaureateIt is a bold message, selecting a trans woman of color who is also a drag performer and works with children, the citys first drag laureate said. And a last bit of Halloween spookiness to send you off! View this post on Instagram A post shared by | (@masquenpapiermache) From our sibling sites:QUEERTY: That time OG bi-con Vincent Price performed for the troopsin full dragOUTSPORTS: Gay dads learn to love baseball watching Little League sonINTO: 28 LGBTQ+ people who changed the course of historyGAYCITIES: What the Van Gogh Museum taught me about the artists queer past

A video went viral for showing the heartwarming moment two trans wrestlers got engaged in the middle of a match.Trans influencer Miles McKenna was judging the event when the proposal took place. He posted the video of the competitors kneeling in the ring, smiling from ear to ear and sharing a sweet kiss after the proposal. Related He stood up for a trans woman & got brutally beaten. But strangers helped pay for his surgery. THIS HEALED ME, McKenna wrote in the caption. The video has garnered over 3 million views on TikTok, with many commenting on the joy it brought them. This is the cutest thing Ive ever seen, one commenter wrote. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Im going to start sobbing life is so beautiful, wrote another.A third called it the best thing ive ever seen, and a fourth added, this is the agenda they so afraid of ?!?!? plz this is so cute. @themilesmckenna THIS HEALED ME @tboywrestling original sound MILES Many also expressed interest in learning more about the event itself, which was hosted by a group called T Boy Wrestling. Organized by Trans Dudes of LA, T Boy Wrestling has been packing venues across the country with a politically charged mix of classic American wrestling, staged psychodramas, mixed fighting with strip teases, and drag.Adam Bandrowski and Mich Miller, two L.A.-based artists and founders of Trans Dudes of LA, told NBC in March that the matches are a form of therapy for both the participants and the audience.We wanted to move away from a support-group model to highlight artists and makers in the community, Miller said.Bandrowski added, We dont have to talk about being trans. We can just hang out.The organization turns the traditional idea of masculinity on its head. As LGBTQ Nation writer Greg Owen described the matches in July thus: The standing room only spectacles are making the latent and self-loathing homoeroticism of WWE wrestling a favorite pastime of the president and his MAGA-bro fans overt.Its a dream come true, said March event judge Mack Beggs, just to see this out in the open.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Kristallnacht(The Night of Broken Glass) was a state-sponsored terrorist action against Jewish people, businesses, homes, and synagogues, a pogrom planned and executed by SA paramilitary forces and civilians throughout Nazi Germany on November 9 and 10, 1938. Most German law enforcement officials looked on without intervening.Kristallnachtand the eventual murder of six million Jewish souls resulted from the longstanding hatred of the Jewish people, what some refer to as The Longest Hatred, dating back millennia. Related I love Hitler: Young Republican leaders spout racist, anti-LGBTQ+ views in leaked chat What I have deemed Kristallnachmittag(The Afternoon of Broken Glass) was a government-sponsored action on January 6, 2021, against the United States Constitution and the legal transition of power planned at the highest levels of the U.S. government and executed by cult-like insurrectionists at the Capitol in Washington, DC. It took government troops many hours to eventually intervene.Antisemitic imagery and tropes helped fuel and ignite the January 6 paramilitary forces of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, with some people wearing a blackCamp Auschwitz T-shirt emblazoned with a skull and crossbones, and beneath it the words work brings freedom an English translation of the Auschwitz concentration camp motto: Arbeit macht frei. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today Some of their words make it clear that they hope to provoke the Great Revolution based on a fabricated account of a government takeover and race war that would ultimately exterminate Jews.Hate speech generates hate crimes, resulting in harassment, violence, and loss of lives. It affects the individual, then the community, and eventually has ramifications at the national and international levels. The Holocaust did not begin with killing; it began with words, stated a 2016press releasefrom the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. The Museum calls on all American citizens, our religious and civic leaders, and the leadership of all branches of the government to confront racist thinking and divisive hateful speech.We have witnessed hate-filled, antisemitic words coming from Doug Mastriano, a former Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor, against his Jewish opponent, Josh Shapiro.Kanye West has doubled and tripled down on his scathing antisemitic rhetoric, and Kyrie Irving, star NBA player for the Brooklyn Nets, finally backpedaled and apologized for posting a link to a film containing antisemitic material. Stereotypes and tropes used to maintain and perpetuate oppression are many. Regarding those employed against Jewish people, a partial list includes:Killers of GodIn Service of / Fathered by the DevilHost DesecratorsPoisoners of Drinking Wells & Transmitters of DiseasesUsurersRitual Murderers & Abusers of Christian ChildrenForced Circumcisers of Non-Jewish malesImmature / Inadequate Religious ConsciousnessClannishAlien RaceWanderers / StatelessHolders of Dual / Multiple LoyaltiesProselytizers to JudaismFreedom-Killing CommunistsSuper CapitalistsSexually PerverseOversexed or Sexually Frigid FemalesLecherous Males of Christian Women and GirlsFeminized and Non-Athletic MalesController of World Economic Systems and GovernmentsGreedy for WealthFinancially Cheap and CheatersControllers of the MediaExaggerators of the Extent of Anti-Jewish OppressionExploiters of the OppressedWhen anyone uses an already marginalized group to advance their own agendas or careers by stereotyping and scapegoating, that itself is an act of oppression.Every time some Anti-White, Anti-American, Anti-freedom event takes place, you look at it, and its Jews behind it.Thisheadlinein October 2018 blamed Jews for sexual assault charges lodged against then newly confirmed United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The words were printed in bold capital letters on covertly posted extremist fliers distributed at the University of California at Berkeley and Davis, as well as at Vassar and Marist colleges in New York state.The fliers depicted a photo of Kavanaugh surrounded by distorted caricatures of Jewish Senators withMagen Davids(Stars of David) branded on their foreheads. The fliers also included Jewish billionaire, George Soros, whom the political right has unjustly accused of funding anti-Kavanaugh opposition, allegedly paying protesters, and funding the so-called migrant caravan (group of asylum seekers) then inching its way toward the U.S. southern border.On October 26, 2018, about an hour after Florida police captured a man who was suspected of sending approximately 15 pipe bombs through the mail to prominent Democrats, an anonymous man phoned my home, someone who apparently knew I am a professor, and spouted, Hey, how can I donate to your university, you Jew K**e.I immediately hung up. He called me back, but I did not answer his second attempt to deliver his message of hate.One day later, my heart broke as I watched TV reports of a shooter who entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing at least 11 people and wounding several others, including 4 police officers. The shooter was said to have ties to pro-neo-Nazi white supremacist organizations. He reportedly shouted during his carnage that Jews must die! As a fairly visible columnist, I have gotten many antisemitic and heterosexist online and telephone threats through the years, some anonymous, some not.I am an out and proud queer Jew. I have been involved in the struggle for civil and human rights most of my life, and I declared to myself long ago that the cause is just and that I would never shrink from the battles or allow others to intimidate me. That said, while making me somehow stronger and even more committed to work for a socially just society, the venomous insults have nonetheless taken an emotional toll on my psyche and on my overall self-esteem.And what are the effects on other members of Jewish communities, especially young people who are progressing through their identity development process? Victims of marginalization and systematic oppression are susceptible to the effects ofinternalized oppression, whereby they internalize, consciously or unconsciously, attitudes of inferiority or otherness. According to re-evaluation specialistSuzanne Lipsky, this internalization, created by oppression from the outside, plays itself out where it has seemed safe to do so in two primary places: 1. on members of their own group, and 2. upon themselves.In the case of religious minoritized communities, this can result in low self-esteem, shame, depression, prejudiced attitudes towards members of their own religious community, and even conversion to a dominant religious denomination.A Jewish student expressed to me in private that when he came to our Midwestern university campus when I was a tenured professor there, he went into a religious closet. To avoid marginalization by his peers, he told them that he was raised Methodist because he has often heard other students express cruel anti-Jewish sentiments regarding Hitler and the Holocaust as well as every-day expressions such as Dont Jew me down (translated as Dont cheat me like a Jew) and Thats so Jewish (like Thats so gay, both intense put-downs). The antisemitic fliers posted at the University of California at Berkeley and Davis and at Vassar and Marist colleges announced they were Brought to you by your local Stormer book club.The Anti-Defamation League describes the chapters of the Daily Stormer Book Club as small crews of young white men who follow and support Andrew Anglin and his neo-Nazi website, the Daily Stormer, and that SBC members present themselves as American Nationalists and are part of the alt right segment of the white supremacist movement.You Jews will not replace us! Jews will not replace us! The estimated 1500 neo-Nazi white supremacists blared out this disgusting chant as they marched with their Tiki Torches in hand through the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia on August 11 and 12, 2017. It happened during their Unite the Right protest rally over the scheduled removal of a statue commemorating Civil War General Robert E. Lee.This march was reminiscent of similar events held throughout Germany, and particularly in Nuremberg, during the Nazi era.So why do people all along the political spectrum, from far left to far right, from self-described white supremacists to many people who are otherwise well-intentioned, target Jews, many of whom appear white? The partial answer, stemming from a long and complex history, is that though Jewish people are members ofeveryso-called race, even Jews of European heritage (Ashkenazim) have been and still continue to be racially othered by some dominant Christian European-heritage communities.For this reason, members of white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups engage in religious, ethnic,andracial bigotry against all groups they consider non-white, including Jews. In other words, anti-Jewish prejudice and discrimination (antisemitism) is a form ofracism.Looking back on the historical emergence of the concept of race, critical race theorists remind us that thisconceptarose concurrently with the advent of European exploration as a justification for global domination beginning in the 15thcentury and reaching its apex in the early 20thcentury. Geneticists tell us that there is often more variabilitywithina given so-called race than between races, and that there are no essentialgeneticmarkers linked specifically to race.Though biologists and social scientists have proven unequivocally that theconceptof race is socially constructed, this does not negate the very real consequences people face living in societies that maintain racist policies and practices on the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and larger societal levels.Anti-Jewish hatred, while a mainstay of political, religious, and social discourse in the United States, appears nevertheless to be on the rise. Incidents in the U.S. hit an all-time high in2024with 9,354 recorded cases. This amounts to a 5% increase from the 8,873 incidentsrecorded in 2023, a 344% increase over the past five years, and an 893% increase over the past 10 years. As we commemorateKristallnachtin early November, we must not merely acknowledge it as a historic event, but more importantly, as a look into the not-so-distant future if we remain silent.Politicians, celebrities, and other public personalities must step up to the plate and stand up against the multiple forms of oppression, including antisemitism.Under the Hitler regimethe most important thing that I learned was that bigotry and hatred are not the most urgent problems, said Joachim Prinz, Rabbi of Berlin, who was exiled in 1937 to the United States, in a speech on August 28, 1963. The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful, and the most tragic problem is silence. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Queer refugees in Kenya, already displaced by fear of violence in the country, are being forced to flee the notorious Kakuma refugee camp and return to the capital of Nairobi in search of food.Rations at the massive camp, which houses over 300,000 refugees fleeing violence, privation, and political persecution around East Africa, have been slashed in the wake of foreign aid budget cuts imposed by the Trump administration and the collateral damage on aid from the United Nations and other Western countries. Related More than HIV: Trumps cuts shatter Kenyas health care system Refugees are going days without food, and those who can afford to buy are forced to do with one meal per day, said Terry Namalo, a 25-year-old Ugandan trans woman, who left Kakuma in September and headed to a safe house in Nairobi.The hunger became too much, she told Context. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In June, the United Nations World Food Program said it wasreducing its foodand cash assistance at Kakumaand two other camps to its lowest levels on record.The food crisis in the camp has complicated the situation of already vulnerable queer refugees. They are being targeted (and) attacked, and other refugees are stealing the little food they have, said Lucretia, coordinator of the LGBTQ+ rights group Queers of Kakuma.The group has helped at least 200 vulnerable queer refugees move to safe houses in Nairobi between June and October as food allowances were gutted, she said.Now those same places of refuge are suffering the consequences.The number of those making (their) way out of Kakuma is so huge that the available safe houses cannot handle it, said Craig Paris, executive director of the Refugee Coalition of East Africa (RefCEA). We are not only worried about the shortage of food but also about overstretched water, sanitation and hygiene services, he said, warning that residents are at risk for diseases like cholera.The requests are overwhelming, said Gregory, who runs resource mobilization at the Kipepeo shelter in Nairobi. Its one of two safe houses in the capital that have received more than 300 requests for shelter from Kakuma refugees.Our safe house can only accommodate 40 persons, but now we are housing 96, he said. We are only able to provide dinner to the refugees. We have three people sleeping on one mattress, while others sleep on bare floors. A shelter run by MAREPA, a refugee-led non-profit organization based in the United States and Kenya, normally serves 30 people but now has 100. The crisis has led the lesbian safe house to open its doors to other queer refugees from Kakuma.Some refugees at the shelters are afraid to venture outside for fear of attacks, they said, but at least one incident demonstrated that even the safe houses arent immune to violence.Complaints about the number of people entering and leaving a compound on the outskirts of the city led neighbors to storm the shelter.They injured three people before police intervened and saved the situation, said Charity, the safe houses administrator.With the safe houses overwhelmed, the same food scarcity has followed refugees to the shelters. Mercy Juma, head of communications for the U.N.s World Food Program in Kenya, said the refugees plight was unlikely to change without additional aid.Without adequate funding, she said, The situation will only get worse for refugees.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Jamie Lee Curtis says she was mistranslated over tearful comments she made about Christian nationalist Charlie Kirk days after he was shot dead at an open-air college event in Utah.In a revealing interview with Variety, Curtis clarified her comments about Kirks death with her trademark wit and fierce intelligence. Related Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears as she discusses man of faith Charlie Kirks death The controversy over Curtiss words began with an interview she gave just two days after Kirk was shot and killed live on the internet.I disagreed with him on almost every point I ever heard him say, Curtis said during an appearance on theWTFpodcast with Marc Maron on September 12. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Fighting back tears, she added, But I believe he was a man of faith, and I hope in that moment when he died that he felt connected to his faith.Even though his ideas were abhorrent to me, I still believe hes a father and a husband and a man of faith, and I hope whatever connection to God means, that he felt it, the Halloween actress said.A longtime LGBTQ+ ally, Curtis has shared unwavering support for her trans daughter Ruby since they came out in 2020. When Curtiswon the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once, she gave the statuette they/them pronouns in Rubys honor. Christian nationalist Kirk considered transgender people a disease to be stamped out of society.The transgender thing happening in America now is a throbbing middle finger to God, he said in 2023.Critics called the sympathetic words in Curtiss podcast interview a betrayal, but the actress doesnt see it that way. An excerpt of it mistranslated what I was saying as, I wished him well,' Curtis said pukishly. Like I was talking about him in a very positive way, which I wasnt; I was simply talking about his faith in God. And so it was a mistranslation, which is a pun, but not.Curtis zoomed out to describe how the internet and public debate in general today dont welcome nuance.In the binary world today, Curtis continued, you cannot hold two ideas at the same time: I cannot be Jewish and totally believe in Israels right to exist and at the same time reject the destruction of Gaza. You cant say that, because you get vilified for having a mind that says, I can hold both those thoughts. I can be contradictory in that way.Curtis disputed the idea that, as a public figure, she has to be careful.I dont have to be careful, Curtis replied sharply to Varietys correspondent. If I was careful, I wouldnt have told you any of what I just told you. I would have just said, Hi, welcome. I baked you banana bread. Heres my dog. Heres my house, blah, blah, blah. What do you want to know? I cant not be who I am in the moment I am, she said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.