Provincetown may be famous for summertime shenanigans, but a thrilling time can also be found in this queer haven at the tip of Cape Cod during the fall and winter months, making the town a year-round destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. P’town’s schedule is jammed packed with events and theme weeks almost every week until the New Year. As the leaves drop off the trees, prices on accommodations will do the same, and special holiday shows and events, along with memorable dining experiences and a chance to explore the town at a slower pace. Here’s what’s on the docket for the…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
President Joe Biden announced that thousands of those imprisoned for marijuana possession would be federally pardoned and urged state governors and officials to follow suit. Criminal possession of marijuana has federally incarcerated over 6,500 citizens over the past three decades. And as states continue to legalize marjuana possession, many have raised brows at the number of people that remain incarcerated for a legalized action. “While white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates,” said Biden. “Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates.” Biden’s message included three parts. After the initial pardon…
Thailand may become the first southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the government would submit a new bill for cabinet review on Oct. 31. The bill would officially legalize same-sex marriage throughout Thailand, according to Bloomberg. Currently in Thailand same-sex couples and heterosexual couples are granted the same rights, however, only heterosexual couples can get legal recognition for their marriages. Prime Minister Thavisin is hopeful that the new bill will spread equality in Thailand. According to eTurbo News Thavisin said “I see this (bill) as important in order for society to be more…
A new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) has found that “minority stress” experienced by LGBTQ+ people can lead to cancer. ACS’s 2024 Cancer Facts and Figures report published in January, produced data on the rates of cancer in all people According to Pink News, minority stress is the physical stress response that is triggered by experiences of discrimination and prejudice. ACS’s report finds that enduring these hardships can affect people on a “cellular level.” “Psychological stress influences biochemical changes such as increased cortisol levels, which can lead to chronic inflammation that increases the risk of cancer and other…
New findings from Booking.com have found that LGBTQ+ travelers seek inclusivity and acceptance when traveling. Data shows that around 59% of LGBTQ+ travelers experience discrimination during their travels, and an additional 50% agree that identifying as LGBTQ+ has made them “more insecure and self-conscious as a traveler” according to TravelPulse. The same data finds that around 56% of LGBTQ travelers are considering their destination’s local legislation on marriage equality prior to booking, with 53% considering whether that destination is more or less accepting of queer people than their home country. With the release of this data, Booking.com also announces a…
Keir Starmer became the newest prime minister of the U.K. after a recent general election that brought the social democratic Labour party into prominence. But where does Starmer stand on LGBTQ+ rights? The U.K. has received a lot of flack recently for being one of the worst places for LGBTQ+, particularly trans people, to live. After the election, the Labour party officially holds 411 of 650 seats in the House of Commons. This means Starmer and the Labour party are taking their place as the majority in the U.K. for the first time in 14 years, but what does this…
Though there are some independent and big screen films that depict LGBTQ+ relationships and identities, or explore feminist ideas, we’ve narrowed down our favorites to a list of must-sees exploring the intersectionality of sexual, gender, and racial identities that depict authentic queer desire through beautiful, funny, and heartbreaking narratives. Featured Photo: Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the Oscars in 2017. (Photo: David Bornfriend) Women Talking (2022) tw: trigger warning One of the most moving contemporary commentaries on the female experience, Women Talking, explores the conversations between a group of Mennonite women as they decide…
As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues his censorship rampage in schools, public libraries and elsewhere, best-selling author John Green and major publishing houses have filed a lawsuit in return. In August, several authors and publishing houses filed a federal complaint against law HB 1069 that simplifies the process of banning books that contain “sexual conduct” or “pornographic” content. Big five publishers Harper Collins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and Hachette, along with SourceBooks, John Green, and author Julia Alvarez all complained that the bill violates their First Amendment rights. The Florida Department of Education told reporters the lawsuit was…
A win for trans youth in California and around the country comes after a state judge ruled that Chino Valley Unified School District must comply with the state law that protects trans youth from being forcefully outed in schools. In the court’s 50-page ruling, San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Michael Sachs determined Chino Valley’s policies were “discriminatory” based on prior case law. “The District could have adopted a policy which focused on the existing problems (bullying, mental health, psychological distress, any drastic behavior changes, etc.) instead of focusing on the protected group,” the ruling reads. According to LGBTQ Nation, earlier this…
Actress and long-time LGBTQ advocate, Jamie Lee Curtis, recently spoke out about the anxieties and danger many people who are trans face in daily life, reflecting upon her own fear for her trans daughter, Ruby, who came out in 2020. In an interview with the Spanish pubication Cadena SER, she said of her daughter, “there are threats against her life, just for existing as a human being. There are people who want to annihilate her.” She continued to explain that she is seeking to use her voice and platform to speak out against transphobia, facism and ignorance. Ruby was married…
New York State will celebrate the Capital Region’s first-ever Pride Ski Weekend running Jan. 20 – 21 at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount. The Pride Center of the Capital Region is partnering with Belleayre Mountain, the Ulster County Tourism Office of Film, SKI NY and I LOVE NY LGBTQ+ for two days of slope-side fun. Special lift ticket packages will be available to registering guests which includes access to amazing events like an Après Ski Tea Dance with DJ RVMBA on Saturday from 4 – 7 p.m. Dust off your skis or borrow some from the mountain’s equipment rentals and take…
Last week, long running tensions between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney boiled over as the company filed a first amendment lawsuit against the politician claiming political retaliation. Disney took a stand against DeSantis’s infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law last year, a law that bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in educational settings. According to The New York Times, the governor along with other state legislators have targeted Disney ever since. Consequences of this feud have seen Florida legislators end the resort’s “long-held ability to self-govern its 25,000-acre resort as if it were a county,” and appoint a new…
Though New York’s Staten Island has not fully decided to cast aside its antiquated exclusionary rules and welcome LGBTQ+ groups into the borough’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, a separate inclusive parade will now allow these groups. In recent years, one of New York’s most controversial boroughs has sparked a whole lot of debate in maintaining the hateful exclusion of LGBTQ+ groups and people from its biggest parade. According to CBS News, Staten Island parade organizers have been denying applications from groups like Pride Center of Staten Island and the Gay Officers Action League for years. And despite many LGBTQ+…
As the country and world get ready to celebrate WorldPride in Washington, DC this summer, more details about the big event are coming out every week. Recently, Rainbow History Project announced their featured exhibition entitled “Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington.” Rainbow History Project (RHP) is a non-profit volunteer-led group which has been recording LGBTQ+ history in D.C. for more than two decades. Their WorldPride exhibition will be on display between May 27 and July 6 in Freedom Plaza. Spokesperson for the organization, Emma Cieslik said the multi-display exhibition would be open 24/7 under any…
Edomex, the most populus state in the country of Mexico legalized same-sex marriage last Tuesday with a vote by its congress. Following this vote, there are only three remaining Mexican states that have not yet legalized same-sex marriage including: Tamaulipas, Tabasco, and Guerrero. Though a majority of the country has mobilized to accept LGBTQ unions, the rate of violence against women and LGBTQ communities remains high. However, this marks a significant victory for Latin America on a broader scale. According to an article from Reuters, “same-sex marriage remains illegal or not recognized in Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, most of Central America…
A bill seeking to ban trans healthcare in Arkansas has been struck down by a federal judge, a monumental decision in the fight against transphobic legislation nationwide. The rejection of this bill sets a precedent for at least 19 others states who have introduced similar legislation, attempting to curtail gender-affirming healthcare for youth under the age of 18. The US District Judge Jay Moody ruled that the act violated the US Constitution and wrote in his ruling “Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patient and…
While the U.S.’s basic human rights topple down with the reentry of the Trump Administration in the White House, across the Atlantic in France, public schools are rolling out new “essential” gender equality and consent curriculum. France’s Education Minister Elisabeth Borne is said to be launching a new plan to elevate sex education in schools across the country to combat sexual violence against women and girls. This good news follows a similar trend in other European countries like the U.K. which has launched new government plans to treat the worst cases of misogyny as extremism, according to reports from Pink News. …
The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) has expressed concern for the increasingly prevalent anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the United States. The UNHRC is responsible for the review of human rights records of countries that signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), an international human rights treaty. Participating countries in the ICCPR opt to submit themselves for review of human rights policies and practices every four years. According to the ACLU, “The ICCPR obligates countries that have ratified the treaty to protect and preserve basic human rights, such as: the right to life and human dignity; equality before…
In London’s King’s Cross the Outside Art Project presents “Queer Joy,” an exhibition on display through August 31st celebrating queer love through 50 portraits from 10 LGBTQIA+ photographers. Portraits depict queer couples exuding happiness and love and seek to capture the essence and individuality within every queer identity. These works are exhibited in Granary Square, Pancras Square and Battlebridge Place. The Outside Art Project has turned King’s Cross into an open-air gallery with exhibitions displayed on gallery benches. At large, this summer’s “Queer Joy” showcase seeks to carve a place for queer artists and identities in the history of photography…
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has released their official 2024 Social Media Safety Index. The index, one of the leading reports on anti-LGBTQ online hate and discrimination, is intended to increase safety for LGBTQ+ people according to the report’s official release. “As we have seen over and over again, there is a direct line from dangerous online rhetoric and targeting to violent offline behavior against the LGBTQ community,” according to GLAAD. The report analyzes various popular social media platforms based on user safety, and rates them accordingly. These Platform Scorecard ratings provide an overview of “the current…
An appeals court in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has officially re-criminalized homosexuality. The decision follows the case of Jason Jones, an activist from Trinidad and Tobago who challenged Sections 13 and 16 of the country’s Sexual Offenses Act. The sections were later found unconstitutional by High Court Justice Devindra Rampersad, making same-sex activity legal by precedent in 2018. At the time Rampersad said of his decision “This is a case about the dignity of the person, not the will of the majority or any religious view…history has proven that the two do not always coincide.” Despite this, the…
Get ready to embark on a delectable culinary journey like never before during the highly anticipated Taste of Pride! From now through July 31st, you can enjoy an exquisite celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and dining flavors in the National Capital Region. Talented chefs and amazing restaurants will curate exceptional menus that showcase the best of their culinary artistry. Taste of Pride (ToP) is an annual multi-tiered event series celebrating the rich connection between the LGBTQ+ and culinary communities. This year’s program will feature a multi-month collaboration between DC’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) that showcase the distinctive flavors and culinary…
The Biden-Harris Administration set a record for the number of LGBTQ+ federal judicial appointments last week after Mary Kay Costello was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The number of appointed judges now sits at 12, breaking the former record (11) set by the Obama-Biden administration. Costello, a military vet, served as assistant U.S. attorney in Philadelphia since 2008. Costello served in the U.S. Air Force between 1986 and 1994 before she earned her law degree from Temple University. She was sworn in last month as a federal magistrate judge, NBC reports. According to The…
Florida lawmakers have revoked a policy allowing transgender residents to change their official gender on driver’s licenses. A leaked memo dated January 26 from deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), Robert Kynoch, indicates an immediate halt to the issuance of licenses for updated gender markers. Kynoch’s memo claims that “gender” is synonymous with “sex,” a concept that has been refuted by the National Institute of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention according to ABC News. Prior to rescinding the law, the DHSMV allowed Floridians to submit a court order to officially…
The tried and true LGBTQ-friendly destinations around the world are undoubtedly beautiful and rich in culture and experiences, but once in a while, a new queer-friendly gem surfaces amongst the world’s many tempting cities. This year, travel publication Lonely Planet has named Toulouse, France as the winner for city travel worldwide in 2025. Each year Lonely Planet drops a “Best in Travel” hotlist featuring 30 trending destinations to consider for new year travel. Now in its fifteenth year, the hotlist commonly features lesser known locations that can still offer a hearty slice of travel deliciousness. France is the number one…
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is drawing up a proposal to put an end to the rule that bans men who have had sex with other men from donating sperm. The FDA is planning on trading the full ban for a set of carefully curated screening questions that will evaluate an individual’s risk for transiting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, according to The Wall Street Journal. The current ban on MSM was put into place at the height of the AIDS epidemic, and intended to block high risk sperm donors from spreading diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Since…
The English Chess Federation (ECF) has decided not exclude trans women from competing following a statement from International Chess Federation (FIDE) stating trans women would be officially banned from competitions until further notice. FIDE’s policy would also ban members who were formerly registered with the league as women and later transitioned, but the English Chess Federation has maintained that its stance will not change, and referenced several other chess bodies that also refuse to impose such restrictions. The decision by ECF, takes a stance against a consistent campaign against the trans community, an issue which has seen particular concentration across…
Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney has faced a swath of criticism and hate speech from conservatives following her social media promotion with Bud Light last month, and is now speaking out. On April 1, Mulvaney released her collaboration with Bud Light in celebration of her “365 days of girlhood” series. In the promotion, Mulvaney sits with several cans of Bud Light in front of her and discusses the company’s special “March Madness” sweepstakes contest. Though the video is innocuous, conservative figures became outraged with the use of a transgender person for brand advertising and quickly began boycotting the beer. Musician Kid…
A new study from Stonewall has found that more than half of LGBTQ+ couples in the UK are afraid to hold hands in public, among other public displays of affections. Findings from the study show that 56% of queer couples shy away from holding hands in public for fear of discriminatory actions from others in public spaces. Stonewall’s data also found that more than half of reported hate crimes were public order offenses and a corresponding 41% involved violence, with 5% recorded as criminal damage. The research has been released in association with Stonewall’s “Hold My Hand” campaign, which urges the U.K.…
Conservative lawmakers around the USA are focusing much of their energy on restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities. These politicians have been trying to subvert these communities with disruptions of the culture surrounding them. One of their primary takedown methods? Banning famous books. There are many books new and old which discuss LGBTQ+ topics, and conservatives are making attempts to ban incredible literary classics, along with new educational commentary. But this is no new tactic. Conservative parents have long been complaining to schools about their children reading books with even a mention of sexuality, race or…