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. …
Author: Lauren Mulvey
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…
The world’s first Gonorrhea vaccine will be administered by the National Health Service in England. The vaccine will be available to those with a history of multiple sexual partners or those with a diagnosed STI in the past 12 months. According to BBC, the vaccine is 30-40% effective, but as the number of infections in the country climbs, the NHS hopes transmission will decrease with more vaccinations. The BBC reports there were over 85,000 cases of gonorrhea in 2023 and that It is one of the most common STI’s. Despite the hopes of the NHS, the choice to get vaccinated…
The mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karacsony, is facing a year in prison for allegedly aiding in the planning of the city’s LGBTQ+ Pride march in late June, following a ban on the event by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Despite Orbán’s bans, Budapest Pride saw its largest turnout in history this year when between 200,000-300,000 people attended the march, including politicians from other E.U. member states. According to reports from BBC, Karacsony attended the protest wearing a rainbow T-shirt featuring the Budapest coat of arms. On Friday, he told supporters at Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation “Neither freedom nor love…
Saint Lucia’s ban on homosexuality has been declared unconstitutional by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in a historic ruling for the LGBTQ+ community. The court found Saint Lucia’s “buggery” and “gross indecency,” laws enshrined in sections 132 and133 in the nation’s Criminal Code, unconstitutional. These laws punished consensual male sexual relationships with up to ten years in prison, and those convicted of attempting to “commit buggery” were also in danger of facing a prison sentence of up to five years according to LGBTQ Nation. Though the law wasn’t strictly enforced, the Human Dignity Trust claims the “mere existence of this provision…
London’s Trans+ Pride 2025 saw the largest turnout in its history with over 100,000 people participating. This year’s march theme was “Existence and Resistance,” likely in response to the U.K. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that the legal definition of a woman should be based on biological sex instead of gender identity in non-discrimination laws. Following the ruling, the country’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued guidance claiming trans women “should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities” in workplaces, or public-facing service buildings including hospitals. LGBTQ Nation reports, Trans+ Solidarity Alliance – a group that participated in the…
A federal judge granted plaintiffs a restraining order temporarily blocking restrictions that the Trump Administration put on grants given to organizations which serve survivors of sexual and domestic violence, LGBTQ+ youth, and unhoused people. The decision was made by Rhode Island District Judge Melissa DuBose as she presided over the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Kennedy case. The case was brought to court by a coalition of national organizations serving these marginalized populations, and challenged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as well as the Department of Housing and…
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has changed athlete eligibility rules to ban transgender women from sporting events. The committee updated its “Athlete Safety Policy” to read “The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport. The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., IOC, IPC, NGBs, to ensure that women have fair and safe competition environments consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act.” The executive order referenced is also known as the “Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports” order. It was issued…
Germany’s pride month celebrations were accompanied by alt-right backlash and lack of support from the country’s leaders this year. In late June, German parliament president Julia Klöckner banned rainbow flags from being raised atop the legislature’s building during pride. Lawmakers have also been directed to remove rainbow flags and stickers from office doors. Klöckner has also banned parliamentary public servants from attending Pride in any official capacity, according to reports from NPR. She has justified her policy changes with her goal of remaining “neutral” even “if that sometimes hurts,” Tagesschau reports. Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed Klöckner’s decision not to raise…
As Americans age, many consider moving to retirement homes where they can have easy access to resources they need such as cleaning services, cafeteria’s, clubhouses, and more. But for aging LGBTQ+ Americans, feeling safe in these communities can make or break the experience. As a result, in recent years senior living communities and retirement homes for aging LGBTQ+ individuals have been on the rise. According to SAGE – an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ elders – senior members of the LGBTQ+ community still face threats of discrimination in these environments that are meant to be safe. The organization estimates that…
A new mandate from the Trump administration requires that all federal agencies in the executive branch eliminate gender identity recognition and alter policies and practices to reinforce a rigid binary definition of gender by mid-August. On July 10, in a memorandum to executive branch department heads, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) instructed agencies to apply the beliefs of Trump’s draconian Executive Order 14168, or “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The memorandum ordered these departments to abandon gender-inclusive policies and DEI programs, and to adopt a binary-based definition of sex.…
Boynton Beach, Florida has painted over an LGBTQ+ rainbow crosswalk after receiving orders from Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Trump Administration. The South Florida city’s LGBTQ+ friendly intersection at East Ocean Avenue and Southeast First Street, which was unveiled in June 2021 according to Pink News, was recorded being painted-over by a road crew last week, but reappeared almost immediately in an act of protest from the city’s queer community. The state and federal government didn’t just target Boynton Beach’s rainbow crosswalks, but all rainbow crosswalks statewide. In a statement, city officials said the act of erasure was “to ensure…
The government-run Stonewall National Monument website has erased mentions of bisexuality, inciting backlash from the LGBTQ+ community. The erasure of bisexuality from the site follows changes made earlier this year that wiped all mentions of trans people from the site, despite the fact that the famous Stonewall Riots were led by trans women. According to Them, as of late last week the page dedicated to the monument on the National Park Service reads: “Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a gay or lesbian person was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the…
A same-sex couple in Ukraine has been officially recognized as a family in a historic court decision. The plaintiffs Zoryan Kis, secretary of Ukraine’s Embassy in Israel, and his partner Tymur Levchuk were married in the U.S. in 2021 and have lived together since 2013, according to LGBTQ Nation. Kis and Lechuk have made multiple attempts to be officially recognized as a family. Last year, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry refused to acknowledge them as family and denied Levchuk spousal rights to accompany Kis on a diplomatic posting in Tel Aviv. This led the couple to file a legal complaint. The couple…