The 2024 Paris Olympics highlighted the contributions and achievements of many outstanding LGBTQ Athletes from around the world. LGBTQ athletes competed across various categories and represented and panoply of countries. Some showed their swag competing in track and field events, some cut it up on the dance floor during the break dance finals, some took the gold in fencing, judo, rugby or BMX, but all brought their best. Here are some queer athletes who took home medals this summer. Let’s start with rugby. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and her New Zealand team won gold for the second time, beating Canada. Meanwhile, Canada’s…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
There are many opinions floating around about the best time of year to travel to Europe. Those who wish to chase the sun may recommend you travel between June and August. Budget travelers will recommend traveling off-season, in the winter or early spring. But many have found the sweet spot or the best time to travel abroad is September. Tour guides and locals alike are often looking forward to September when the heat breaks and the streets are less crowded. Here are some very good reasons why September is considered the best month to travel to Europe Good Weather Depending…
In the midst of the Russia invasion of Ukraine, the LGBTQ citizens in the city of Kharkiv united to show their support with their annual Pride parade. Last month, Ukrainian forces mobilized to take back towns and cities formerly “annexed” by Russia. In recent days, Lyman, a city near the eastern border of the country, was reclaimed by Ukrainian forces. But before that, the nation’s second largest city, Kharkiv was liberated after Russian strikes cut access to power and water for the city’s occupants. Despite its liberation, Kharkiv continues to be bombed and destroyed by Russian forces. However, a glimmer…
Countless countries, cities, and businesses have become famous for their appearances in film and television, with millions of viewers packing their bags to visit various locations around the world. When George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones became a viral HBO television series, tourists started flocking to filming locations in Croatia, Spain, Malta, Ireland and more, to see where all the drama went down. Croatia’s Dubrovnik, and many other cities, feature popular Game of Thrones walking tours that take you to various iconic filming locations. Hotels and resorts have made many special appearances in many films and on TV. In Italy,…
Though same-sex marriage has been legal across the nation since the Supreme’s Courts landmark ruling with Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, LGBTQ+ people still fear a potential overturn of the ruling, especially following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which made it legal for states to ban abortion, and limit reproductive rights. What’s more, Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have signaled that they would be open to reversing the same-sex marriage ruling. Mary Bonauto, who defended same-sex couples during the Obergefell case and now serves as civil rights project director at GLBTQ Legal Advocates &…
As conservative lawmakers around the country call for divestment from diversity, equity and inclusion programs, some companies are making cuts to their DEI teams. DEI has been a hot button topic as the 2024 presidential race unfolds. New Republican VP elect, JD Vance has openly opposed DEI, proposing bills to deconstruct federal DEI programs just last month. What’s the driving force? State legislatures, including those in Utah, Florida and Texas have given the OK to DEI bans in high education. Working in tandem is the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action programs in college admissions. Corporate giants rushed to…
Popular Netflix series Bridgerton has finally given its characters queer awakenings this season. Warning: season three spoilers ahead. The Bridgerton family are known for their looks and charm, and throughout the first and second seasons, viewers were teased with the idea that outcast older brother, Benedict Bridgerton, may be gay as he encounters alluring male characters who entrance him with art and intrigue. But soon after, the writers kept Benedict busy with a string of casual heterosexual flings. This season Benedict pursues a relationship with progressive Tilley Arnold (Hannah New), and is eventually led to a threesome with Tilley’s friend…
A new iteration of Marvel’s famous Hawkeye character appears in the franchise’s latest volume of “The Ultimates” set in Earth-6160. “The Ultimates” presents an alternate version of the Avengers. A character called Iron Lad, “creates ready-to-go superpowers in a portable form called ‘origin boxes’ and sends them into the past,” according to Inverse. However, a box meant for the original Hawkeye, Clint Barton, reaches him and is thrown in the trash instead, in a rejection of the task. Instead, a stranger named Charli Ramsey takes the gear and begins using the superpowers. After some investigation by other lead heroes Captain…
Washington state has mandated that public schools begin teaching LGBTQ+ history. Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington signed a new law last week that will ensure the state’s public schools introduce new curriculum detailing LGBTQ+ history by 2025 In signing this bill into law, Washington joins six other progressive states which have already implemented similar mandates for public schools. These states include: California, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, Illinois and New Jersey, according to LGBTQ+ think tank, Movement Advancement Project. The new law seeks to encourage feelings of safety and acceptance at school for students of all races, gender and sexual identities. NBC affiliate…
Republican lawmakers in West Virginia’s state legislature have passed a terrifying bill allowing health care providers to examine children’s genitals to identify their “biological sex” without parental consent. The bill seeks to confine gender within a binary, defining “sex” based on whether a person produces eggs or sperm, and demanding that gender-segregated spaces such as restrooms and locker rooms be used based on an individual’s sex assigned at birth. The bill would also require transgender students to face examinations at school. The West Virginia House of Delegates approved an amendment from Delegate J.B. Akers to officially allow childrens’ health care…
Nearly twenty Republican legislators in Montana’s state house helped reject a bill that would have charged adults with “endangering child welfare” if they obtained gender-affirming medical care for children under the age of 16. Seventeen Republicans joined Montana Democrats to take down the bill which had already been approved by the state’s Republican majority Senate. S.B. 164 sought to penalize any adult who “knowingly procures or provides” gender-affirming care to minors, with fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment up to five years. The harsh bill didn’t just target doctors or health care providers, but any adult in the state, even those…
Colorado’s House of Representatives recently approved two bills to protect trans rights. The first bill included is H.B. 25-1309, which makes it illegal for health insurance providers to deny or limit gender-affirming care provided by a doctor, and codifies public health rules protecting gender-affirming care in Colorado. This bill also exempts testosterone prescriptions from state monitoring programs which are meant to limit abuse of controlled substances. Republicans attempted to amend the bill to exclude gender-affirming care for trans minors, an amendment which was struck down by the Democrat-majority chamber. Additionally, H.B. 25-1312, allows courts to consider deadnaming and other forms…
The Gay Games XI are slated to take place this year in Hong Kong and Guadalajara, but after backlash from LGBTQ+ activists there is growing concern about Hong Kong’s safety for LGBTQ people. Five human rights activists who formerly lived in Hong Kong voiced their concern through an opinion piece published with OutSports, calling on organizers to cancel the games. Their statement reads “We believe that the GGHK leadership team has betrayed the values and principles of the Gay Games, which purport to celebrate inclusion and promote human rights. Instead, they have aligned themselves with pro-authoritarian figures responsible for widespread persecution…
What teams are you cheering on at The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris? According to OutSports, at least 155 out athletes from 25 countries around the world are competing in many categories, including basketball, field hockey, gymnastics, tennis, volleyball, and more. Big names competing this year include track star Sha’Carri Richardson, trans nonbinary runner Nikki Hiltz, and British diver Tom Daley. Hiltz made history as she qualified for the games this year, finishing in record time for a 1500m race in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials. “I wanted to run this one for my community,” they told OutSports. “All…
When the hit Netflix show “Sex Education,” released its first season in 2019, it was already a radical concept: following British teenagers as they explore their sexuality, navigate relationships, and the constraints of their orthodox high school and steadfast teachers. Main character Otis, the son of a famous author and sex therapist, decides he’s good at giving advice and starts an off-the-books business at his school consulting students on their sex lives. The first three seasons are an exploration of the interpersonal relationships between all the usual high school players: cool kids, nerds, fashionistas, and the awkward quiet kids. The…
Though more than five states have posed a big threat to the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, some are more menacing than others. States like Florida and Texas are unrelenting as they pass laws targeting queer people. Conservative politicians seem to have undermining the rights of LGBTQ+ people at the top of their political agendas, ahead of any laws or programs that might actually benefit the populations of their states. Here’s why these five states are the biggest threat to the LGBTQ+ community. Florida A paradoxical state, Florida is likely one of the most unsafe states for LGBTQ+ in terms…
India’s Supreme Court declined the legalization of same-sex marriages last week disappointing millions of LGBTQ+ Indian citizens. A ruling from Chief Justice DY Chandrachud defended the decision stating: “this court can’t make law. It can only interpret it and give effect to it.” Chanrachud maintains that the decision to legalize same-sex marriage is up to Parliament, however he urged the federal government to end discrimination against queer Indians. In spring of this year, India’s Supreme Court considered 21 petitions from LGBTQ+ activists fighting for legal recognition of their unions and official marital rights. LGBTQ+ couples remain unrecognized in India amd…
Art is one of the many forms of self-expression that allows the LGBTQ+ community to convey meaning, communicate emotion, and give power to their experiences and stories. Queer art has existed for centuries through ancient depictions of same-sex love and gender identity, and now LGBTQ+ artists are being celebrated in some of the most prestigious museums around the world. We’ve compiled a list of upcoming and ongoing queer exhibitions that are worth a visit, with some vitual showcases available that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. LGBTQ+ Audio Trail At Museum Of Liverpool Liverpool, England In…
Billion dollar box office hit “Barbie” has caused a cultural wave in the United States and many places around the world, driving movie-goers to wear hot pink to the theaters, repeat the film’s classic phrase “Hi Barbie,” and reevaluate their position on feminism. But not everyone agrees with the stance the film takes on feminism and identity, and some countries have gone as far as to ban it from theaters. According to Reuters, In Lebanon, cultural Minister Mohammad Mortada banned the film claiming it promoted “homosexuality” and did not align with the country’s religious values. Mortada’s is known to be…
It’s gift giving season and frequent fliers, backpackers, and luxury travelers alike are in need of gifts that elevate their travel adventures. Whether you’re settling in at home, preparing to spend the holidays with your chosen family, or packing to kick back on a beach for the next few weeks, we’ve got a gift for you and your travel savvy loved ones. HANDY DANDY Gloves are a travel item we tend to overlook, but Arc’teryx Venta Gloves answer the call for perfect on-the-go hand wear that feel essential to any cool-weather trip. Thanks to versatile high-performance design, these gloves provide…
Judges Melissa DuBose and Nicole Berner made history last month after the Senate confirmed their judicial appointments. LGBTQ Nation reports, DuBose makes history as the first woman of color and the first out LGBTQ+ person on the Rhode Island District Courts, while Berner was appointed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, making her the first gay person to serve in the role. DuBose and Berner are not only openly LGBTQ+, but both are also working moms. DuBose, who is married with two sons, told the Washington Blade, she is grateful to her children “for gracing me…
Studying at university can be time consuming and expensive, so it’s important to feel comfortable, accepted and supported at the school you select. There are Liberal Arts universities around the country known to be inclusive and LGBTQ+ friendly, but a few of them consistently show up in the ranks of best LGBTQ+-friendly in the U.S. These schools are typically selected based on academic programing, student social support services, LGBTQ+ campus populations and more. Here are eight of the most-welcoming in the U.S.A. University of Washington Equipped with gender-neutral restrooms, LGBTQ+ student networks and organizations, and access to change your gender…
October has begun and so has Subaru of America’s annual initiative to help shelter pets find homes with the return of Subaru Loves Pets month. For the month of October, 600 local Subaru dealerships pledge to donate $100 for every pet adopted from their partnered local animal shelters; donations are capped at $3,100 for each participating dealership. They will also donate $20 to the ASPCA for select purchases of Subaru Pet-Friendly Accessories. The ASPCA has found that nearly 6.3 million pets enter shelters nationwide annually, and each year approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized. This month you could help one…
Springtime in Provincetown is filled with exciting things to do, see, and experience. Enjoy the beautiful coastline along the Atlantic, explore queer-owned shops in town, and spend evenings imbibing and dancing at some of the region’s best gay bars, restaurants, and clubs. In May, Ptown hosts Single Women’s Weekend where lesbian singles are invited to mingle over dancing, food, dune tours, and late night parties. During this event, Ptown remains an ever-safe space for women to connect with themselves and each other. The empowerment continues into June with Women of Color Weekend, three days of events exclusively for LGBTQ+ women…
After legislation was passed in Texas curtailing access to gender-affirming care for trans youth, the Galileo Church in Fort Worth began working to help families get healthcare for their children. The Catholic church and LGBTQ+ communities have been at odds with each other for forever, but this church’s move to support trans kids extends a small olive branch to the queer community. Galileo Church’s program to gain healthcare for these kids is called the North Texas TRANSportation Network. On their denomination’s site, a statement reads: “We believe that God, through Christ, has welcomed all to God’s heart. Period. We want…
Two Democratic U.S. Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently asking that the STI treatment doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) be free on insurance plans. California Reps. Robert Garcia and Barbara Lee’s request asked that doxy PEP be designated under the same ranking as PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, an HIV treatment taken ahead of potential exposure to HIV. After making PrEP essential free on insurance plans for Americans, a significant reduction in HIV rates was seen, according to LGBTQ Nation. Garcia said in a statement, “Surging STIs are disproportionately impacting LGBTQ+ individuals. We must ensure…
In a historic step forward for the LGBTQ+ community in Poland, new legislation has been introduced to support the legal recognition of partnerships between same-sex couples. Presently, only five countries in the EU (Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia) do not offer legal recognition for same-sex couples despite a recent ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in 2023 that these countries are violating civil rights. Though the majority of Poland’s ruling coalition support the bill, it is also suspected that conservative groups will reject it. What’s more, the bill could be approved in parliament but may still be…
Art lovers visiting L.A. should mark their calendars to see The Broad art museum’s exhibition “Jeffrey Gibson: The Space In Which To Place Me” May 10 through Sept. 28, 2025. Gibson is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Cherokee by descent and he received a B.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in painting, and a masters from the Royal College of Art in London. His career’s work has centered around indigenous and LGBTQ+ experiences. This is Jeffrey Gibson’s first solo museum presentation in Southern California and will include over thirty artworks exploring…
Lawmakers in Indonesia passed a new criminal code this Tuesday that criminalizes sex outside of marriage. Punishment for violations of this crime is up to one year in prison. Further legislative changes in the country include bans on cohabitation before marriage, and insults or criticisms of the president and state institutions, raising concerns on a global scale for the threat these new codes pose on the human rights of Indonesian citizens and visitors to that country. The New York Times reports “in recent years, conservative Islam has gained ground in the country, and now fear its influence, even as its…
Conservative Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) has introduced a bill that would legally erase transgender people if passed. Officially titled the “Defining Male and Female Act of 2024,” Marshall’s bill will apparently put an end to what he considered the Biden administration’s attempt to “replace biological sex with dangerous radical gender ideology,” according to LGBTQ Nation. The draconian law includes a long list of definitions for terms like “male,” “female,” “father” and “girl.” Marshall’s hope is that these definitions would bar transgender people from interacting with society in ways that align with their gender identities. This includes participation in school sports,…