House Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) has introduced a resolution to officially recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The resolution, H.Res. 1039 was announced on Feb. 6, just one day prior to National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and has been co-sponsored by nearly 30 other House Reps. It has also seen backing from various organizations including AIDS Foundation Chicago, AIDS United, AMAAD Institute, LA pride, NAESM Inc., NMAC, and PFLAG National. “National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day set aside to increase HIV awareness and enhance prevention, testing, and treatment among African Americans,” Waters stated. “It is a day to…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
Grindr is testing a new ultra-premium subscription plan that utilizes AI and will charge users $500 per month. Grindr’s new premium plan entitled EDGE is now going through a trial period in the U.S. Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with subscription prices ranging from $349.99 to $499.99, according to PinkNews. The new subscription plan will be a tier up from Grindr’s established subscription plan, which includes Grindr XTRA and Grindr Unlimited. Grindr EXTRA offers extra app features like a special Incognito Mode, ability to unsend messages and to see who has viewed your profile, plus unlimited profile filtering. Grindr Unlimited offers…
The Pride flag proudly flies again in its rightful position at The Stonewall National Monument in New York City following its recent removal by the Trump Administration. Those in attendance at the re-raising of the flag included Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Congressman Jerry Nadler and more. “We won’t let Trump erase LGBTQ+ history,” Nadler wrote in a statement online. “Stonewall was a rebellion. Stonewall was a beginning. Today, Stonewall is a call to action once again.” NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani also made statements on the removal of the flag writing about Stonewall’s legacy last week: “New York is the…
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $45 million to LGBTQ+ nonprofit The Trevor Project. Scott, Jeff Bezos ex-wife, continues to up her philanthropic portfolio with a donation to the organization which was established in 1998. Scott is reported to have received close to $40 billion in her divorce from Bezos. Since then, she has donated millions to various organizations and efforts via her philanthropic organization Yield Giving. Yield Giving has donated more than $26 billion in financial aid to non-profits like The Trevor Project, Planned Parenthood, Lambda Legal, Movement Advancement Project, Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund and more.…
A new study from The Journal of Pediatrics has found that trans youth who have access to hormone replacement therapies are less likely to be suicidal. The survey, published in advance of the journal’s February 2026 release, concluded that hormone therapy could be “associated with clinically meaningful reductions in suicidality over time, extending prior findings with a larger sample and longer follow-up.” The study was conducted at a multidisciplinary gender health clinic in an urban Midwestern academic medical center, evaluating 432 patients with an average follow-up time of 679 days. The effectiveness of hormone therapies and other forms of gender-affirming care…
Anti-LGBTQ+ riders have been removed from a new spending bill for the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, marking a win for Congressional Democrats and the nation’s LGBTQ+ community. If the bill had been passed with the riders, they would have threatened various aspects of LGBTQ+ life, including preventing federal funding from supporting gender-affirming care at any age, banning higher education institutions from allowing trans participation in sports and clubs, and banning K-12 schools from implementing measures to protect and support trans youth (allowing for bathroom use and preventing pronoun responsibilities). These riders were just one part…
The Trump Administration has removed the Pride flag displayed outside the Stonewall National Monument, a move that has seen backlash from local leaders, advocates, and allies. The Stonewall National Monument located in Greenwich Village, Manhattan is a historical landmark for the LGBTQ+ community. The removal of the flag follows a National Park Service (NPS) directive banning certain types of flags at park sites including “non-agency flags and pennants” that are not the U.S. flag or the Interior Department flag. However, the directive also makes exceptions for military and historical flags. Ahead of this change, the NPS also made changes to Stonewall’s…
Popular gay dating app Grindr has announced that it would implement new safeguards and restrictions in-app to protect competitors at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.The protections are meant to safeguard athletes who aren’t out or are coming from countries where LGBTQ+ activity is illegal or restricted. “Grindr shows users who’s nearby and how far away they are. In most contexts, that’s useful,” Grindr’s team writes on their blog. “In the Olympic Village where thousands of athletes are packed into a small area, those same features may become a liability.” “Someone outside the Village could browse profiles inside it. Distance data…
In the face of what seems like a pervasive global campaign against gender affirming care, New Zealand hopped on the bandwagon in December banning new prescriptions of puberty blocking drugs for transgender youth. New Zealand’s Health Minister Simeon Brown claimed that doctors would be banned from writing new prescriptions for gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for those struggling with gender dysphoria. Those who are already on the drugs will still be able to continue treatment. The drugs will also remain available for those in New Zealand who have been diagnosed with early onset puberty, endometriosis, or prostate cancer. According to The Guardian, Brown claimed…
A new study from the Nature Ecology & Evolution journal has observed same-sex behaviors among 59 non-human species, proving that homosexual behavior exists in nature beyond human experience. The study found that beyond humans, primate species like bonobos, chimpanzees, macaques and more engage in same-sex behaviors repeatedly. According to NBC News, the findings pose a question to common assumptions about the purpose of sex in the animal world, suggesting it plays a social role as well as being a means of species reproduction. Researchers behind the study propose that same-sex behavior developed evolutionarily to help primates in complex social groups…
The Virginia State Senate approved a resolution last week that would repeal a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman, hoping for a future of codified protection for LGBTQ+ Virginians. The amendment was introduced by gay Democratic Senator Adam Ebbin and approved by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee last Wednesday by a 10-4 margin. The new amendment is intended to protect marriage and civil unions between Virginia citizens of all sexual orientations and identities by officially repealing the Marshal-Newman Amendment. This amendment passed with voter support in 2006, and defined marriage as solely between a…
The 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships took place Jan. 4 – 11 in St. Louis, Missouri and started the year off right with wins for LGBTQ+ representation in the sport as out skater Amber Glenn earned a spot on the Olympic team. Top skater in the women’s category, Amber Glenn, 26, who came out as pansexual in 2019 took the ice in a performance that showcased her queer identity. Glenn was appointed to the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will take place in Milan and across Northern Italy between Feb. 6-22. By taking a place…
As the Trump Administration enters its second year, red states are continuing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, including Texas, where the private information of trans and gender non-conforming individuals is being complied by the state. According to recent reports from The Texas Newsroom, a policy implemented in 2024 required that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) stop accepting court orders or amended birth certificates as valid documentation for gender marker changes on drivers licenses. Between August of 2024 and August 2025, the DPS also amassed a list of 110 people who attempted to update their gender status on their driver…
The organization that oversees competitive ice skating in the U.K. has announced that same-sex pairs will be eligible to compete in couples competitions in 2026. British Ice Skating (BIS) formerly known as National Skating Association of Great Britain (NISA) was established in 1879. The announcement came via BIS’s official website stating: “These updates follow recent reviews across all disciplines and reflect our continued commitment to supporting skater development, performance pathways, and fair access to competition…same-sex couples will now be permitted to compete in all events, including at the Championships.” Following the recent decision, same-sex ice dancing partners will be able to…
After a tough year for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S., House Republicans are gearing up to launch pointed attacks against the LGBTQ+ community in 2026. A recent study from the Human Rights Campaign indicates that conservative lawmakers are continuing to push anti-LGBTQ+ legislation forward, in spite of nationwide support for LGBTQ+ community. The HRC’s study found that Republicans who support Donald Trump are working to pass 52 anti-LGBTQ riders across 12 of the must-pass FY26 federal appropriations bills. Riders are unofficial amendments to current legislation which have little to no chance of passing on their own. These changes ride on…
In Georgia a judge has blocked a ban on gender affirming care for trans inmates determining it violated the Eighth Amendment. The case challenged SB 185, a bill that prohibited the use of state funds or resources for gender-affirming surgeries, hormone replacement therapy, cosmetic procedures, and other treatments for gender dysphoria. U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert ruled against the law last week, ordering Georgia to continue providing hormone therapies to inmates who were already taking them, as well as others who are newly diagnosed with gender dysphoria, and needing treatment. “The state is responsible for the well being of any…
The Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen museum in Dusseldorf, Germany is featuring an LGBTQ+ exhibition entitled “Queer Modernism 1900 to 1950″ from now through Feb. 15, 2026. The exhibit features over 130 works from 34 international artists spanning various mediums: paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, films, publications, and archival materials. Themes central to the exhibit include desire, gender, sexuality, and the politics of self-representation through the first half of the twentieth century. The exhibition also touches on stories of queer life and love in times of war and resistance. Artists featured in the exhibition include Claude Cahun, Hannah Höch, Jean Cocteau, Romaine Brooks, Marlow Moss,…
U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride of Delaware and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania introduced a bill to sanction foreign officials who carry out anti-LGBTQ+ human rights abuses. McBride and Fitzpatrick are joined by 119 members of Congress in sponsoring the bill which hopes to empower the U.S. “to hold individuals and entities accountable for egregious human rights violations committed against LGBTQI+ people around the world.” In effect, the new bill, the Global Respect Act, would “direct the U.S. government to identify and sanction foreign persons who are responsible for torture, arbitrary detention, physical attacks, murder, and other flagrant abuses against LGBTQI+ individuals,”…
A new LGBTQ+ favorite television series from HBO centers on two gay ice hockey players, rivals on the rink and lovers behind the scenes. HBO Max’s new drama became available for streaming last month, but since then it has received rave responses on both ends of the spectrum. The internet is practically blowing up over the new romance. On Heated Rivalry, pro hockey stars Shane Hollander from the Montreal Metros (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov of the Boston Raiders (played by Connor Storrie) fall into a secret star-crossed love affair. The show is based on novels by Canadian writer…
Iconic drag queen Pattie Gonia has raised over $1 million for environmental nonprofits while completing a 100-mile backpacking trek down the California coast. After completing the trek, Pattie took to Instagram to share her success. The initiative saw 34,700 individual donations with an average donation size of $30. Pattie Gonia, is not just a fabulous drag queen but an environmental activist, as emphasized by her drag name. And this is not the first time Pattie has been discussed in public discourse. At this past November’s Out100 Gala, a gathering of Out Magazine’s most influential LGBTQ+ influencers, Pattie wore a 66-foot long…
New York City mayor-elect and LGBTQ+ ally Zohran Mamdani recently appointed a trans woman to his transition team. The woman, Abby Stein, is also a rabbi and she supported Zohran through his candidacy as a member of the “Jews for Zohran” campaign which rallied Jewish voters for Mamdani. Mamdani will be the first Muslim mayor of New York city, the second Democratic Socialist mayor in the city’s history, and the youngest since 1892. Throughout his campaign, Mamdani focused on decreasing the costs of living for New Yorkers, bettering public transport, and supporting marginalized people, including the LGBTQ+ community. Last week, the…
The small town of St. George, Maine voted recently to continue compliance with the state’s Human Rights Act by allowing a transgender child to play on a girls’ basketball team. The vote took place on Nov. 10 after a group of parents submitted a letter for review at an earlier monthly meeting of the Select Board on Nov. 4. Parents voiced their concern with the St. George’s Parks & Recreation Department’s decision to include a transgender girl’s participation in a youth basketball program. The child plays on the third and fourth grade teams. One local parent read the group’s letter…
Cambridge University’s women-only Newnham College will continue admitting trans women despite a recent backlash and the U.K.’s Supreme Court ruling which declared the official definition of women to be defined by biological identity. Newnham College has been a learning institution since 1871, and has produced various successful intellectuals and public figures including broadcaster Clare Balding, novelist Iris Murdoch, and actress Miriam Margolyes, according to PinkNews. It is one of Cambridge University’s 31 constituent colleges. The decision to continue admitting trans women amongst its students, goes against the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) recent interim guidance that recommended organizations and…
Pride is not just an event, it’s a way of life, an attitude, and a year-round celebration of love and acceptance. Luckily, pride events do happen around the world in every season, especially for those in the Southern Hemisphere who enjoy partying during their summer months. Here are some of the world’s best Pride parties that happen in the winter season. Midsumma Pride Festival – Melbourne, Australia In 2026, between Jan. 18 and Feb. 8, Melbourne will alight with the Midsumma Pride Festival, hosted by Australia’s premiere queer arts and cultural organization. Each year, Midsumma hosts a plethora of queer…
Apple has removed gay dating apps from its App Store in China after facing pressure from the government. Two apps, Blued and Finka, disappeared from the iOS and several Android app stores, However, those who have already downloaded the apps can still use them, according to PinkNews. The China Project, a new and business-service platform said Blued is “not only the largest dating app for gay men in China but also in the world.” While Finka was referred to as the “second-largest dating app for gay men in China.” Other international LGBTQ+ platforms have already been banned in China. Back…
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has established a ban blocking Catholic hospitals from offering gender-affirming care to patients. USCCB is based out of Washington, D.C. and is a group of Catholic bishops in the U.S. who jointly exercise pastoral functions on behalf of the country’s Christian community. According to their website, their goals include: to unify, coordinate, encourage, promote, and carry on Catholic activities in the U.S.; organize and conduct religious, charitable and social welfare work at home and abroad; aid in education; care for immigrants and more. NPR reports more than one in seven patients in the…
A federal appeals court ruled last week that Texas can officially enforce a 2023 law that restricts some public drag shows. The 2023 law, Senate Bill 12 bans drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics on public property or in front of children. Businesses who host such performances would be fined up to $10,000, and persons who violate the law could face a Class A misdemeanor. Back in September of 2023, U.S. District Judge David Hittner blocked the law and declared it unconstitutional, saying it infringed on First Amendment rights. Hittner also said at the time of the ruling…
King Charles III recently unveiled a memorial dedicated to LGBTQ+ military service members at the U.K.’s National Memorial Arboretum. The memorial is the first of its kind and recognizes current LGBTQ+ military personnel as well as those who have faced injury or death serving the U.K. The memorial, entitled “An Opened Letter,” is meant to serve “as a place of reflection, recognition, and remembrance, ensuring that the stories of those who served, and those who suffered, are never forgotten.” Homosexuality was decriminalized in the U.K. in 1967, but a military ban on LGBTQ+ personnel lasted until 2000. Those who were…
A newly drafted bill in Turkey proposes to amend existing Article 225 of the Turkish Penal Code, more commonly known as “Immodest Acts,” and mandates that anyone who behaves contrary to the biological sex assigned at birth and general morality,” would face a prison sentence of one to three years, according to Pink News. Currently, same-sex activity is legal in Turkey, though the country does not recognize same-sex marriages or offer any domestic partnerships rights to LGBTQ+ couples. Same-sex adoption is also prohibited. The new bill would increase the legal age for gender affirming surgery from 18 to 25, prohibit…
Pennsylvania has elected its first trans mayor, Erica Deuso, marking another historic win for LGBTQ+ communities in PA and beyond. In Downingtown, PA voters elected Deuso who won 64 percent of the vote, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The town, a suburb of Philadelphia, has a population of over 8,000 people. Following the election, the mayor-elect released a statement writing: “Voters chose hope, decency, and a vision of community where every neighbor matters.” “I am deeply honored to be elected as Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” she added. Prior to running for office, Deuso…