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…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
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…
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a request to consider overturning the historic Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage in the United States. The refusal to revisit the case marks a huge success for LGBTQ+ Americans, especially after the Trump Administration has put limiting LGBTQ+ rights at the front of its political agenda. According to NYT, the court declined the petition filed by Kim Davis, without comment. Kim Davis is the former Kentucky county clerk who went viral for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses due to religious beliefs back in 2015. She petitioned for the Supreme Court…
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…
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…