Everyone’s favorite queer pop star Chappell Roan launched The Midwest Princess Project last month to raise funds for trans youth and LGBTQ+ communities. Roan shared a statement via an Instagram post late last month writing: “These funds will be donated to an incredible organization making a positive impact for trans youth in their communities.” Already, the initiative has raised more than $400,000 in donations from Roan’s 2025 “Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things” pop-up show tour. According to Billboard, one dollar from each ticket sold on Roan’s recent live tour was redistributed to the donation pool. The Midwest Princess Project…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
The Netherlands has elected its youngest and first openly gay prime minister, Rob Jetten. The election took place on Oct. 29 and saw the Democrats 66 (D66) party gain 17 seats, while the corresponding far-right party lost 11 seats. Jetten, the 38-year-old leader of the Democrats 66, centered his campaign around issues like immigration and the country’s housing crisis. He defeated his opponent Geert Wilders of the far-right party according to Pink News. On election day, Jetten posted a message of positivity on Instagram writing: “Today we determine the course of our country. Either we keep hanging in grudge and stagnation, or…
South Korea is allowing same-sex couples to identify as spouses on their annual census for the first time, a move LGBTQ+ activists in the country are applauding. The South Korean census is conducted every five years, and this year, the country’s Ministry of Data and Statistics confirmed that same-sex couples will be able to check “spouse” or “cohabiting partner” when filling out their census forms. Same-sex marriage is still illegal in South Korea, but homosexuality is not criminalized. According to Equaldex, support for LGBTQ+ people being out and proud in the country is still low, at just 23%. What’s more,…
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) have enacted a policy allowing transgender and intersex citizens of the territory to change their gender markers on official documentation. The policy was passed via executive order by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (D) according to LGBTQ Nation. “Virgin Islanders have reached out to our administration seeking a way to have their documents reflect who they truly are,” Bryan said in a statement. “This Executive Order provides a fair and compassionate process where none existed before. It ensures that our government recognizes and respects the lived realities of all our residents.” The Executive Order allows trans…
New York City’s Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani recently honored transgender activist Sylvia Rivera in a campaign ad, along with a pledge to fight the Trump Administration’s anti-trans attacks. He paid tribute to Rivera in a two-minute campaign ad in which he claimed he would call on “hundreds of lawyers” to push back on the federal government’s anti-trans bills and executive orders, according to reports from LGBTQ Nation. “She arrived here at the age of 11, where she immediately landed in the center of the gay rights movement. She befriended the legendary Marsha P Johnson, protested at Stonewall, and led…
LGBTQ+ travelers and residents in Philadelphia will be able to visit the new Philly Pride Visitor Center starting in January 2026. According to Philadelphia Gay News (PGN), the center will offer visitors itinerary planning, tickets to local attractions, and travel information and recommendations focused on LGBTQ-affirming destinations, businesses, and cultural institutions. “The Philly Pride Visitor Center reflects our commitment to inclusive tourism and to making sure every traveler feels seen, welcomed, and celebrated,” said Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. “For more than 20 years, Visit Philadelphia has worked to show LGBTQ+ travelers that they belong here. This new…
Rail service Eurostar has introduced new gender-neutral uniforms for staff, including Dr. marten boots and skirts for men. The new uniforms are intended to “empower staff to express their individuality.” This is the first redesign of Eurostar uniforms in over a decade, and the collection comprises 54 pieces of clothing designed to “fit all genders, body types, and personalities.” According to Eurostar, the new uniform collection underwent 2.5 years of deliberation in order to meet the varied needs of today’s Eurostar staff and was co-created with 80 employees. Finalized looks were launched at the end of September in an onboard…
Lambda Literary has announced the winners of their 37th annual Lambda Literary Awards spanning 26 categories. The Winners, selected by a panel of 80 literary professionals, were announced via an online ceremony hosted by executive director Jozie Clapp from Charlie’s Queer Books in Seattle. Over 1,300 books from more than 300 publishers were submitted for review, and eight special prizes were awarded in the week leading up to the ceremony. Also this year, Lambda Literary introduced the Karla Jay Prize for Emerging Writers in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Winning in the category of Lesbian Fiction is The Safekeep by Yael van…
Discover our Best Books for Fall 2025, including Annie Lennox: Retrospect and Joe Westmoreland’s Tramps Like Us and more. In recent years, a rash of pop psychology books have focused on building good habits, following consistent routines, and optimizing productivity. So as a reader fond of neither repetition or self-help, I was delighted to discover Canadian writer and physicist Alex Hutchinson’s The Explorer’s Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map (Mariner. $32.50. alexhutchinson.net). Combining travel chronicles and science writing, the book analyzes the polar pleasures of exploitation and exploration. Integrating anthropological, genetic neuroscientific research, he…
FBI Director Kash Patel fired a bureau employee recently for displaying a Pride flag at his desk while working as a FBI support specialist in Los Angeles last year. The employee received a letter of termination from Patel on Oct. 1 reading: “You are being summarily dismissed from your position as a New Agent Trainee at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and removed from the federal service,” Patel wrote. “After reviewing the facts and circumstances and considering your probationary status, I have determined that you exercised poor judgement with an inappropriate display of political signage in your work area…
Japan recently made another stride forward for LGBTQ+ equality by extending spousal rights to same-couples. The Japanese government will now allow same-sex couples to be considered in “de-facto marriages” across nine additional laws and ordinances. According to LGBTQ Nation, the decision follows a January extension of 24 laws to same-sex couples, including the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, Land and House Lease Act, Child Abuse Prevention Act, and the Public Housing Act. This week’s decision suggests Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is taking public opinion into account more than previous governments. According to a 2023 report from Reuters, around 70% of Japan’s…
An exciting exhibit featuring the work of Iconic artistic duo and couple Gilbert & George is now on display at the Hayward Gallery in the Southbank Centre in London. Running through Jan. 11, 2026, this exhibit features some of their work from the past 25 years, including large-scale images, that center the human experience and reflect their classic motto: “Art for All.” Gilbert & George, who have been working together for over 50 years, have appeared in international exhibitions since the 70s. Their work spans mediums like large-scale photos, charcoal drawings, films, and living sculptures. According to their official site, their…
Pride events in the Florida cities of Tampa and Fort Myers have been canceled this year as organizers cite funding issues. President of LGBTQ nonprofit Visuality, Adam Larivee said Pride Southwest Florida cannot go on due to a lack of sponsorship funding. “The unfortunate part was we just didn’t have enough planning time for us to be able to put it on for 2025, so with that, we are shooting for 2026,” Larivee said. Southwest Florida’s Pride typically takes place in Fort Myers in November, and according to the event’s Facebook page it is the largest Pride celebration in Southwest Florida. …
The U.K. government is planning to introduce mandatory digital identification or “Brit cards” for adults. These ID cards are meant to tackle immigration issues, but are they a good idea? According to Euronews, Britain is requiring all citizens to register with the digital ID system by 2029. The new identification system digitizes identity information via an app. The U.K. government argues the new process will “simplify interactions with public services and enhance security by verifying individuals’ identities more efficiently.” The government’s website claims the “digital ID scheme will make it easier for people across the U.K. to use vital government services.” …
In California, an Orange County library system has been ordered not to censor books that include LGBTQ+ themes. The ruling from Orange County Superior Court Judge Lindsey Martinez sided with the plaintiffs who sued Huntington Beach Library for violating the state’s constitution and the Freedom to Read Act, according to LGBTQ Nation. According to LAist, Huntington Beach passed a resolution banning minors from accessing materials featuring sexual content in public libraries without parental permission. The resolution also required restrictions imposed on minor access to a wide range of topics including gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and reproductive health – anything…
As the DeSantis administration continues to erase and cover rainbow crosswalks and other symbols of pride across the state, local businesses and towns are working to replace them. DeSantis signed a bill earlier this year mandating that “nonstandard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardizing both driver and pedestrian safety.” The mandate followed an announcement from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that rainbow crosswalks and similar art displays on roadways are unsafe. Local businesses and towns, however, are seeking new ways to honor the LGBTQ+ population.…
The United Nations has drafted a report claiming that gender dysphoria is “socially contagious” and even goes as far as to say there is a “concerted international push [to] erase” women. The report was initially meant to evaluate sex-based violence against women and girls. However, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) the research led to the theory that there is a global effort to “delink the definition of men and women from their biological sex,” and to “erase the legal category of women.” As per PinkNews, the report was compiled by OHCHR’s…
A judge in Kenya has called on the government to guarantee constitutional rights and protections for trans people. The ruling came after a years-long case following the unwarranted arrest, detention, and forced medical examination of a trans athlete in 2019. The Justice presiding over the case, Reuben Nyakundi of the Eldoret High Court, maintained that trans people should have the right to determine their “self-identified gender,” and the government and legal system should recognize it, according to the Washington Blade. The plaintiff who brought the case forward, who is also a board member of Jinsiangu, a local trans rights organization,…
Head to Dallas and celebrate the 44th Black Tie Dinner on November 8th, 2025, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. This year’s theme is “Still We Rise,” focusing on the LGBTQ+ community’s determination and strength in the face of adversity, prioritizing the ongoing fight for equality, love, and unity. “As anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric intensifies, especially here in Texas, we remain committed to uplifting one another and to protect the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve,” says Black Tie Dinner Junior Co-Chair Deirdre Coleman. “With dignity, resilience, and hope: STILL WE RISE — just as we always have!” The first Black Tie…
Hong Kong lawmakers have rejected a bill to extend legal rights to same-sex couples in a disappointing loss for the LGBTQ+ community. According to the New York Times, 71 of 89 Legislative Council members in the territory voted against the measure, which would have allow same-sex couples to register civil unions. Holden Chow, vice chair of the city’s largest pro-Beijing party apparently warned that enacting the bill could “result in dire consequences” for traditional Chinese family values. Chow also voiced concern over the resulting “issues” the new bill might introduce, saying it might open a “Pandora’s box.” If the bill had…
Research from UCLA indicates that around 2.8 million people in the USA now identify as transgender. The new research represents the largest data analysis of its kind to date from the University of California, Los Angeles’ Williams Institute. The study utilized federal surveys and data from state health agencies to identify the size and demographics of trans populations by state, according to The Guardian. The Williams Institute is a renowned LGBTQ+ policy research center which has published national trans population data since 2011. The report is part of federal data collection, the likes of which is now being eliminated by…
The West African nation of Burkina Faso has officially banned homosexuality. Those who are found guilty can face anywhere from two to five years in prison. The law was unanimously passed by 71 unelected members of the country’s transitional government, which has been in place since the military seized power under the leadership of the now President Ibrahim Traore according to Al Jazeera. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, announced on national broadcaster RTB that those found guilty would face fines on top of the prison time, and foreign nationals found guilty will be deported. “If a person is a perpetrator of…
Hong Kong’s government has been mandated by the Court of Final Appeal to establish recognition for same-sex unions that have been officiated outside of the territory by October 27, 2025. According to IGLA Asia, a Registration of Same-sex partnership bill was submitted to the Hong Kong Legislative Council’s House Committee in late July. A committee was then established to oversee a bill reading and tabling process. Hong Kong’s high court proposed the need for a system to recognize same-sex partnerships back in 2023, but since then progress has been slow moving. In 2023, Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal put…
Illinois is officially the first state in the country to offer a specialized legal hotline for the LGBTQ+ community, pushing back on federal anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives and cuts that have jeopardized the safety of many. The new network “Illinois Pride Connect” was recently announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker who posted a video saying “with all the things that are coming at all of us, for us to be able to go on offense and not be on defense is what I love about this state.” “The state of Illinois, today I am announcing, is launching a first-of-its-kind legal hotline for LGBTQ individuals…
The U.S. Senate has confirmed the co-founder of an anti-LGBTQ+ Catholic group as the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, sending the LGBTQ+ Catholic community backsliding after a period of acceptance and tolerance during the late Pope Francis’ papacy. U.S. Senators voted in CatholicVote President Brian Burch by a close 49-44 margin. The win follows President Trump’s nomination of Burch late last year for the position. The choice is in alignment with the Trump Administration’s general anti-LGBTQ policies. From the start of Trump’s second term, he has made intentional attacks on the LGBTQ community. According to Washington Blade, “the Vatican’s…
CVS Health is refusing to provide coverage for groundbreaking HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, claiming it’s too expensive. Though the producing drug company, Gilead, claims to still be negotiating the price with CVS, the pharmacy benefit manager claims it will not provide coverage through commercial plans nor the Affordable Care Act, according to reports from Advocate. David Whitrap, a CVS spokesperson, told Reuters that the decision was based on “clinical, financial and regulatory factors.” Despite this, lenacapavir, also known generically as Yeztugo, has been proven nearly 100 percent effective. Advocate reports the cost of the drug for CVS would be around…
Washington state is supporting LGBTQ+-owned small businesses with a new program that helps proprietors establish contracts with state agencies. The new program, dubbed the LGBTQ Business Enterprise, comes from the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises and Governor Bob Ferguson and offers free certifications to businesses. “It’s a particularly important moment to show our support as a state for the LGBTQ community,” Ferguson said. “Washington state has a thriving, diverse business community,” said Ferguson in a news release. “This program ensures we are recognizing and supporting our LGBTQ business owners.” Tim Kenney, communications director at the Office of Minority…
It’s been ten years since same-sex marriage was legalized in the U.S., and though the Trump Administration may try to stop it, the love is only spreading. A new study reveals that LGBTQ+ couples want to get married more than ever before. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that LGBTQ+ people under the age of 50 are more likely to want to get married in the future compared to projections from over a decade ago prior to same-sex marriage being legalized via the Obergefell v. Hodes Supreme Court decision. Pew Research Center published their findings recently and they revealed…
LGBTQ+ owned businesses and bars are suffering in the face of Donald Trump’s federal takeover in Washington, D.C. as customers are staying home. Ever since Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to police Washington, the heavy police and military presence has struck fear in the city’s residents. According to Advocate, residents are bringing their passport and identification documents just to walk to work. Mark Rutstein, co-owner of Crush Dance Bar told the outlet “this whole thing is being billed as a violent crime crackdown, but it’s just an immigration sweep.” Rutstein reports the visible presence of law enforcement not only…
Governor Maura Healey has signed a law that enshrines protections for gender-affirming care and abortion in the state of Massachusetts. The new law dubbed “Shield 2.0” will strengthen protections surrounding reproductive rights and gender-affirming for health care providers and their patients. The law will also protect sensitive data, including doctor or patient names from being disclosed in cases of reproductive and gender-affirming care, and prohibits Massachusetts-based authorities from working with federal and out-of-state health care investigations. It also protects abortions that are medically necessary in emergency cases. In addition, the law directs the Department of Public Health to create a…