{"articles":[{"id":"obny75","title":"A popular gay bar announced a slate of Pride events. Then it abruptly closed.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-popular-gay-bar-announced-a-slate-of-events-for-pride-then-it-abruptly-closed/","excerpt":"A popular, longtime destination for the gay community in Mobile, Alabama, was forced to close ahead of Pride celebrations in the Gulf Coast city, after an ownership transfer revealed irregularities in the bar's liquor licensing. The three-story B-Bob’s Bar in downtown Mobile shuttered with little wa","content":"A popular, longtime destination for the gay community in Mobile, Alabama, was forced to close ahead of Pride celebrations in the Gulf Coast city, after an ownership transfer revealed irregularities in the bar's liquor licensing. The three-story B-Bob’s Bar in downtown Mobile shuttered with little warning and canceled planned events for Pride Month, including a Pride-themed drag show – expected to draw hundreds on the route for the city's Pride Month art walk – and a block party-style event featuring a voter registration drive on Saturday. Related It could be last call for Texas' oldest gay bar. Its patrons are fighting to save it. All of the long-planned events were put on ice by the new owner, interior designer and influencer Matthew Bees, who bought the bar from the retiring owner and has vowed to preserve one of the institutions that “make Mobile Mobile,” Alabama.com reports. “I am devastated that we must close our doors for the rest of Pride Week this year,” Bees said. “We are working as hard and as fast as we can to make things right, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back through our doors very soon.” Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “My commitment to this community is unwavering,” he said. The trouble started with Bees' purchase of the bar earlier this year and subsequent planning for the upcoming Pride Month events. “During a review of our licensing process with the City of Mobile for the street party event, questions arose concerning the status of our liquor license transfer,\" the bar said in a statement. \"In Alabama, liquor licenses are issued to specific individuals or business entities and do not automatically transfer with a property sale. In consultation with the Alabama ABC Board and appropriate authorities, we have voluntarily suspended operations while these matters are addressed.” Statements from city officials and those with Alabama's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board confirm Bees' version of events. “We want to be clear: this was never our intention,” Bees said of the closure. “We believed we were operating in compliance, and the moment we became aware of this issue, we took immediate steps to address it responsibly and transparently.” In his statement, Bees apologized to the performers slated to appear and the partners co-hosting the canceled Pride events. He said B-Bob’s employees would be paid for time off. It's unclear how long obtaining a new license will take or if Bees has any issues of concern for the authorities granting it. No estimate for a reopening date was provided. The bar is working “closely with the Alabama ABC Board and local officials to ensure we are in full compliance with all rules and regulations applicable to our business,” Bees said. In the meantime, one silver lining for the decorator-owner: the temporary closure gives Bees an opportunity to finish much of the work he wanted to do on the building's infrastructure without compromising his fresh take on the B-Bob's experience. He's already given the \"Rooftop Skybar\" a makeover. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-21T19:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F03%2Fshutterstock-2028537941-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"safety","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"3ogyf0","title":"Remember when Pete Buttigieg summed up why Trump invaded Venezuela in just one word?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-pete-buttigieg-summed-up-why-invaded-venezuela-in-just-one-word/","excerpt":"Donald Trump invaded Venezuela and arrested the Latin American strongman Nicolas Maduro on January 3 in an operation that resulted in at least 80 people's deaths. Trump then said that the U.S. is now \"in charge\" of the country. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg summed up the reason why ","content":"Donald Trump invaded Venezuela and arrested the Latin American strongman Nicolas Maduro on January 3 in an operation that resulted in at least 80 people's deaths. Trump then said that the U.S. is now \"in charge\" of the country. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg summed up the reason why Trump invaded Venezuela in one word: \"unpopular.\" Related \"It's terrible\": Pete Buttigieg denounces attempts to drop the T from LGBTQ+ And Buttigieg wasn't the only Democrat to do so. All the out LGBTQ+ people in Congress also denounced the invasion, many of them using similar arguments: The invasion was illegal because Congress wasn't consulted, the invasion risks destabilizing the region and getting the U.S. involved in a protracted military operation, and that Trump is using the invasion to draw attention away from domestic issues like the cost of living and health care. \"It's an old and obvious pattern,\" Buttigieg posted to several social media platforms. \"An unpopular president – failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home – decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.\" Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"The American people don’t want to 'run' a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.\" It's an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president – failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home – decides to launch a war for regime change abroad. The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.— Pete Buttigieg (@petebuttigieg.bsky.social) 2026-01-03T17:08:38.724Z In a later post, Buttigieg echoed many Democrats' rhetoric and asked why Trump isn't trying to help people get health insurance instead of invading Venezuela. As of this week, millions of Americans are now paying thousands more for health insurance. If the President and Congressional GOP think Washington has the capacity to \"run\" Venezuela right now, why won't they fix the insurance cost crisis they've created here at home?— Pete Buttigieg (@petebuttigieg.bsky.social) 2026-01-05T14:24:55.244Z Buttigieg was far from the only out LGBTQ+ elected official to denounce the invasion. All 13 out Congress members also criticized the invasion. Buttigieg, who served as a Navy Reserve officer in Afghanistan, has previously criticized Trump for ducking military service and disrespecting military members. “Donald Trump claimed to be incapacitated by bone spurs so that he would not have to serve [in Vietnam] and let somebody go to war in his place,” Buttigieg said in June 2024. “And that spirit continued through his presidency.” “We saw it in the report that he referred to those who gave their lives for this country as ‘suckers’ and ‘losers,’” Buttigieg continued, adding, “By the way, a report that did not originate from some democratic opposition research machine, it originated from his own chief of staff, somebody who couldn’t be bothered to attend a ceremony at Normandy because it was raining.” Last March, Buttigieg said that he was “p*ssed off” with Trump’s “slash-and-burn” proposal to cut 80,000 employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). An estimated 25% of VA employees are military veterans, according to PBS. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-21T18:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F11%2Fmixcollage-11-nov-2025-04-13-pm-7108.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"safety","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"l9dpqj","title":"Today is yours: An ode to every type of queer dad & dad-to-be","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/today-is-yours-an-ode-to-every-type-of-queer-dad-dad-to-be/","excerpt":"I always look forward to Father's Day. But if I'm being honest, it's complicated. For me, and I suspect for many other LGBTQ+ parents, the day arrives as a mixed bag of celebration, uncertainty, and quiet questions. My husband and I observe it together with our kids, but one of us usually gets to en","content":"I always look forward to Father's Day. But if I'm being honest, it's complicated. For me, and I suspect for many other LGBTQ+ parents, the day arrives as a mixed bag of celebration, uncertainty, and quiet questions. My husband and I observe it together with our kids, but one of us usually gets to enjoy it more than the other. Then comes the work of weaving our traditions into the larger fabric of extended family celebrations. And underneath it all, the questions none of us can quite shake: Are we seen? Is our family safe? Are our kids truly happy? Related The emotional weight nobody warns you about: mental health and LGBTQ+ family building For those still on the journey to parenthood, another question is even more fundamental: Does this day include us at all? These questions are worth sitting with. Father's Day looks different across our community, and every version deserves to be honored. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Love & resistance all at once Father's Day falls during Pride Month; this year, that feels like a lot There's something powerful about Father's Day landing in June. For LGBTQ+ families, Pride Month has always been about visibility, joy, and the hard-won right to live and love openly. And Father's Day, at its best, is a celebration of exactly that: the families we've built, the kids we're raising, and the love that makes it all possible. But this year, Pride feels different for me, and I suspect for many of you, too. The joy is still there (it never fully leaves), but so is the weight. Pride proclamations that were once a given are being pulled. The month itself has been renamed in some places as if our families are something to be erased rather than celebrated. Rights that felt settled are being challenged. Families like ours are being debated in legislatures and courtrooms. Our kids are growing up in a world that is still deciding how much it values their families. And I am doing my best to celebrate while also staying vigilant, staying loud, and staying together with this community. | Shutterstock Holding pride and fear at the same time is something we LGBTQ+ people have always known how to do. But that doesn't make it easy. And on a day that's supposed to be about celebration, I think it's okay to acknowledge that the world is asking a lot of us right now. So, as I do every Father’s Day, I will do my best to celebrate loudly and unapologetically. Because visibility matters. Because our families are real, valid, and worth fighting for. Because every LGBTQ+ dad raising a child with pride is an act of love and resistance all at once. For the two-dad family Maybe you've been celebrating Father’s Day for years, and by now you've got your own traditions: the handmade cards, the chaotic breakfast in bed, the annual debate over who gets to sleep in. But you also know what it's like to walk into a card aisle that wasn't designed for you, or to explain your family to someone who's never had to think about it. You've built something beautiful, and you've had to fight a little (or a lot) to have it recognized. Today is yours. For the single dad You're doing it all: the bedtime routines, the school pickups, the moments of doubt at 2 am, and the moments of pure joy that make it all worth it. You may not have anyone handing you a card this morning, but you know that someday your kids will know what you've given them. In the meantime, I want to remind you that this day is yours, too. For the dad who came out after becoming a dad Your path to fatherhood doesn’t look like the ones being navigated today, but your journey to your authentic self is reminiscent of our own coming-out journeys. You have navigated divorce, co-parenting, and the courage it takes to live authentically, all while showing up every day for your kids. The love you have for them has never wavered, even as everything else changed. That steady, brave kind of fatherhood deserves to be celebrated. Today is yours. | Shutterstock For our trans and nonbinary dads and parents Fatherhood has never been a one-size-fits-all experience, and for our trans and nonbinary community members, that's especially true. You may have fought hard to be seen as the parent you are. You may be raising kids who are learning that family comes in every form. You may be navigating a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to your very existence, even as you show up every single day with love and intention for your children. Your fatherhood, however you define it, is valid, real, and worth celebrating. I see you, I honor you, and I am proud to be part of a community that includes you. For the dads-to-be You're in the thick of it – researching, waiting, hoping, planning. Maybe you're deep in an adoption process that feels like it will never end. Maybe you're navigating surrogacy or fertility treatments and trying to stay hopeful when it's hard. Maybe you’re waiting for a phone call from your adoption agency or regarding a foster placement. Maybe you're just starting to ask whether this is even possible for you. Father's Day can feel bittersweet when you're not there yet. But the love you already have for a family you haven't yet built? That counts. You count. Today is for you, too. For the dads whose journeys look different Maybe you're a foster dad, loving a child through uncertainty. Maybe you're a stepdad who showed up when it mattered. Maybe you're the dad figure in someone's life who has never called you that out loud but feels it every day. Families don't always come with tidy labels, and neither does fatherhood. However, you've shown up for the kids in your life. I see it. | Shutterstock For the dads who aren’t sure if it's safe to celebrate I know this year feels heavier for many of us. Questions about whether our families are protected, whether our rights are secure, whether the world in which our kids are growing up will see them and love them the way we do, weigh heavily. Those questions are real, and they don't take the day off just because it's Father's Day. You're allowed to hold the joy and the worry at the same time. I'm holding it with you. For the people who made our families possible I also want to take a moment to honor the extraordinary people whose generosity, love, and sacrifice made so many of our families real. The surrogates who carried our children and trusted us with something beyond words. The egg donors who gave a part of themselves so we could become parents. The birth families who made the most difficult and loving decision imaginable. You are woven into our families' stories in ways that can never be fully expressed. I see you today, too. We see you GWK Academy exists because I believe every LGBTQ+ person who dreams of building a family deserves to be supported, seen, and celebrated. That belief has never felt more important than it does right now. Happy Father's (or Fathers’) Day to every dad, future dad, foster dad, stepdad, and chosen family member who makes this community what it is. You are seen. You are celebrated. And you belong here. Visit GWK Academy today, and take your first step toward becoming a parent. We’re with you the whole way. And don’t forget to come back to LGBTQ Nation for monthly family-building insights and support from your friends at GWK Academy. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Brian Rosenberg","publishDate":"2026-06-21T17:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-18-jun-2026-10-07-am-3441-scaled-e1781795374904.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.5%2C0.36%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"wx4vxd","title":"US no longer refuge for LGBTQ refugees","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/21/us-no-longer-refuge-for-lgbtq-refugees/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=us-no-longer-refuge-for-lgbtq-refugees","excerpt":"I have spent the past eight years leading programs at Rainbow Railroad that support LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution and violence. What began as a small, volunteer-led effort has grown over the past two decades into an international organization that has supported more than 50,000 people around th","content":"I have spent the past eight years leading programs at Rainbow Railroad that support LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution and violence. What began as a small, volunteer-led effort has grown over the past two decades into an international organization that has supported more than 50,000 people around the world. That growth reflects what is possible when communities choose solidarity in the face of rising hate. Yet the forces that make Rainbow Railroad's work necessary have not diminished. In many places, they are accelerating, including in countries like the United States that have historically been viewed as places of refuge for LGBTQI+ people. In 2025, Rainbow Railroad received a record 20,215 requests for help from people around the world. Over 30 percent of these requests came from people living in the U.S., making it the top country of origin for LGBTQI+ people seeking assistance for the second year in a row. It's a trend that began following the 2024 presidential election, when 1,177 people reached out for support the day after the results were finalized. That single day generated more than twice the number of requests for help we had received from across the United States during the previous 10 months combined. The fears reflected in the requests for help we received during those first hours were well-founded. With the stroke of a pen, on his first day in office, the president suspended the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), upending the lives of refugees who were already processed and approved for resettlement in the U.S. Many of these individuals remain in limbo. Months later, the president authorized a cap of just 7,500 refugees to resettle in the U.S. for fiscal year 2026 and ordered a review of refugees admitted under former President Joe Biden. At the same time, he cut asylum-related services and legal support, making it even harder for vulnerable migrants to navigate an increasingly complex system. Despite these barriers and increasing hostility, LGBTQI+ individuals continue to seek safety in the United States, often relying on their own resources and determination to flee to the pockets of safety in cities and states that protect their rights. It is in that spirit that I’ve witnessed the community stepping up to support LGBTQI+ migrants. Following the collapse of federal programs such as Welcome Corps, which allowed Americans to sponsor refugees looking to resettle in the U.S. Rainbow Railroad launched Communities of Care, a volunteer-driven ecosystem of post-relocation services for LGBTQI+ migrants. Across the country, volunteers are helping newcomers navigate unfamiliar systems, build social connections, and begin rebuilding their lives. While volunteers’ commitment has been extraordinary, community-led efforts cannot replace the infrastructure governments have dismantled. Volunteers can offer community, guidance and practical support, but they cannot replace refugee resettlement programs, legal services, or a functioning asylum system. As need grows and public support shrinks, the gap between what communities can provide and what governments should provide continues to widen. I think often about the LGBTQI+ people Rainbow Railroad helped reach safety in the U.S. over the years. For many, the United States represented possibility, a place where they could finally live openly and without fear. To now see the U.S. become the country generating more requests for help than any other is profoundly alarming. The question on my mind this Pride month is whether we will collectively meet this moment with the urgency it demands. Governments must restore and strengthen refugee and asylum protections. Volunteers must step up to provide connections to care and community. Donors must support organizations in filling critical gaps. And all of us must recognize that welcoming LGBTQI+ people seeking safety is a responsibility we all share. Devon Matthews is the chief programs officer for Rainbow Railroad. The post US no longer refuge for LGBTQ refugees appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Devon Matthews","publishDate":"2026-06-21T15:36:01.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"pwgd3b","title":"Cool convertibles","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/21/autos-convertibles-summer-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=autos-convertibles-summer-2026","excerpt":"Ragtops rock! For drivers looking to carve their own lane, the world already has enough sensible crossovers, minivans, and pickups. These three convertibles trade practicality for sunshine, wind, and the occasional wild-hair day. BMW Z4 $58,000 MPG: 25 city/33 highway 0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds Trunk ","content":"Ragtops rock! For drivers looking to carve their own lane, the world already has enough sensible crossovers, minivans, and pickups. These three convertibles trade practicality for sunshine, wind, and the occasional wild-hair day. BMW Z4 $58,000 MPG: 25 city/33 highway 0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds Trunk space: 10.0 cu. ft. PROS: Strong engines. Uber comfy. Stylish. CONS: Expensive. Final year of production. Act fast, Bimmer fans, this is the last year the BMW Z4 roadster will be produced. Along with the entry-level xDrive30i and high-performing M40i, there is a Final Edition model. Since 2002, the Z4 has expertly balanced performance, comfort, and style. The long hood and short rear deck still look fantastic. The stance is athletic. And with the top down, this car gains an extra dose of drama. Under the hood, BMW offers turbo power that feels eager rather than overwhelming. Acceleration is brisk. The steering precise. The chassis composed. Upgrading to the premium models lets you scoot from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. But—ka-ching!—the MSRP soars to $79,000. Available in manual or automatic transmissions, this convertible can sprint through mountain roads on Saturday and soothingly devour highway miles on Sunday. As for the interior, it blends luxury and functionality. Materials feel expensive. Controls are easy to use. And the seats are supportive. For me, other ragtops may be more party hearty, but the Z4 is low-key, impeccably tailored and still the center of attention. Think suave James Bond versus sparkling RuPaul. MAZDA MX-5 MIATA $32,000 MPG: 26 city/35 highway 0 to 60 mph: 5.5 seconds Trunk space: 5.0 cu. ft. PROS: Nimble. Lightweight. Affordable. CONS: So-so power. Wind noise. Limited space For decades, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has followed a simple formula: Keep it light, keep it balanced and make every drive feel special. The result: Automotive comfort food that never gets old. Many vehicles grow larger every year, but the Miata has remained Lilliputian in a way that feels rebellious. You sit low. The controls are user-friendly. Visibility is excellent. No, the engine power won't blow you away. But this beachcomber isn't about brute force. It's about how the Miata makes you feel wonderfully alive, whether tootling along city streets or a winding road. Inside, the dashboard is sparse but echoes a traditional sports car. Large analog tachometer and analog speedometer. And while the 8.8-inch infotainment display is dinky, it works nicely. Alas, storage is limited. The cabin is snug. And taller drivers may wish for a bit more room. Yet somehow even those compromises feel almost charming. This ride knows exactly what it is and refuses to apologize. Sort of like showing up to Pride wearing what makes you happy rather than chasing trends. MINI COOPER $27,000 MPG: 28 city/39 highway 0 to 60 mph: 7.9 seconds Trunk space: 5.2 cu. ft. PROS: Playful styling. Fun handling. Extra stowage. CONS: Ride can be firm. Not a speed demon. Mini Coopers approach life with a wink and a grin. Rounded headlights. Compact dimensions. Cheerful styling. It all works to create a vehicle that looks like it's having fun before you've even started the engine. Driving this ragtop is equally entertaining. The steering is quick, and the chassis feels eager to please. Overall performance is lively rather than blistering. The cabin leans heavily into Mini's playful design language. Circular elements appear throughout. Details feel intentionally quirky. Many modern interiors seem created by committees that fear excitement. This cabin feels designed by someone who enjoys color, personality and perhaps spontaneous dance breaks. Unlike the BMW Z4 and Mazda Miata, the Mini offers a small rear seat. “Small” is doing some heavy lifting there, but the extra space adds flexibility. It may not be enough room to comfortably squeeze in friends, but you can easily stow a few bags here. To me, driving this convertible feels like attending the world's friendliest block party. People notice it. People smile. Sometimes people even wave. The post Cool convertibles appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Joe Phillips","publishDate":"2026-06-21T15:18:55.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FBMW_Z4_insert.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"j17mti","title":"Columnist mocks Trump for endless failed attempts to present himself as a strongman","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/columnist-mocks-for-endless-failed-attempts-to-present-himself-as-a-strongman/","excerpt":"As Donald Trump continues his ego-driven efforts to secure a legacy both domestically and abroad, one columnist is calling out his endless failed attempts. \"Trump sees himself as a strongman and wants the world to see him in the same way,\" wrote James Ball for The i Paper. \"He thinks Congress and th","content":"As Donald Trump continues his ego-driven efforts to secure a legacy both domestically and abroad, one columnist is calling out his endless failed attempts. \"Trump sees himself as a strongman and wants the world to see him in the same way,\" wrote James Ball for The i Paper. \"He thinks Congress and the Supreme Court work for him. Laws are things he gets to write, not things he has to follow. He seems to believe that every other nation has to do what he wants. But it is a lot harder to project that image when you can’t even manage a home renovation or fix the pool at the bottom of your garden.\" Related Trump blocked the opening of a new bridge. Rachel Maddow says there's a \"shamelessly corrupt\" reason Ball is referring to the fact that the president was convinced he could solve the algae issue in the Washington, DC reflecting pool, which has been plaguing the National Mall since the pool was built in the 1920s. Over $14 million dollars later, Trump's renovated pool is having the same problem. \"Donald Trump, then, can hardly be blamed for the reflecting pool’s woes,\" Ball said, \"but he did seem absolutely confident that he, with his decades of experience in the construction industry, knew how to fix them.\" Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"Trump dispensed with plans to rework the filtration system, or deal with any of the complex issues plaguing the pool, and decided it could instead be fixed by painting it a darker shade of blue. Instead of taking years, it would be sorted in weeks… Today, the pool is blue, open for business… and absolutely full of algae.\" Ball pointed out that some folks even believe the darker color is helping the algae grow because it is making the water a bit warmer. Just in time for #Pride – it’s the Algeabtqia+ reflecting pool!#reflectingpool #algea #lgbtqia+— Borders Abound (@bordersbarking.bsky.social) 2026-06-20T17:43:22.589Z He then identified the series of events that is a clear pattern for the president: He \"waded into a complex problem that successive administrations failed to address, declared he alone could fix it, didn’t learn anything about the actual underlying issues, and fell flat on his face.\" While Ball acknowledged there might be parallels between that project and the war he inexplicably started in Iran, he said there is \"no shortage of disasters\" to assess domestically. From his dismantling of the Kennedy Center to his rushed White House renovations. \"Trump chaotically rushed in, demolishing the existing East Wing and rendering the White House bunker underneath it unusable,\" Ball explained. \"However, trying to build a new ballroom with no final plans in place, no permits and no process of any kind has completely run aground.\" \"As a result, almost any time he’s in front of a camera, Trump descends into lengthy and largely incoherent rants as he tries to explain why building a new ballroom is actually an urgent matter of national security. Not even Jane Austen could have imagined ballrooms as such an essential component of political life.\" Ball concluded that Trump's rushed quest to leave a \"lasting impression\" on Washington, DC, may succeed, but not in the way he hopes. \"He wants a legacy in marble,\" Ball wrote. \"Not one covered in algae.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-21T15:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2411512555-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.49%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"yrv0pz","title":"PHOTOS: 2026 Capital Pride Parade","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/21/photos-capital-pride-parade/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-capital-pride-parade","excerpt":"The 2026 Capital Pride Parade was held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 20. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key, Robert Rapanut and Landon Shackelford) The post PHOTOS: 2026 Capital Pride Parade appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","content":"The 2026 Capital Pride Parade was held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 20. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key, Robert Rapanut and Landon Shackelford) The post PHOTOS: 2026 Capital Pride Parade appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Washington Blade photography department","publishDate":"2026-06-21T14:39:13.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260620_Monroe_Alise_at_Capital_Pride_Parade_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Landon_Shackelford.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"0ycane","title":"Remember when an analyst was shocked by voter response to Gavin Newsom’s Trump trolling?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-an-analyst-was-shocked-by-voter-response-to-gavin-newsoms/","excerpt":"","content":"","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-21T14:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F07%2Fusatsi-23673326-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"xq89s8","title":"Union leader files assault complaint against gay Md. delegate after fight at early-voting site","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/21/union-leader-files-assault-complaint-against-gay-md-delegate-after-fight-at-early-voting-site/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=union-leader-files-assault-complaint-against-gay-md-delegate-after-fight-at-early-voting-site","excerpt":"By ANTONIO PLANAS | After a physical confrontation outside an early-voting site Thursday, local union leader Gino Renne filed an assault complaint against Del. Gabriel Acevero, who said he plans to do the same. Each accuses the other of starting the fight and throwing punches in an incident Thursday","content":"By ANTONIO PLANAS | After a physical confrontation outside an early-voting site Thursday, local union leader Gino Renne filed an assault complaint against Del. Gabriel Acevero, who said he plans to do the same. Each accuses the other of starting the fight and throwing punches in an incident Thursday at about 6 p.m. at the Bohrer Park Activity Center in Gaithersburg, police said. The park, an early-voting site that day, attracted many candidates and their supporters. Acevero, 35, is defending his seat representing District 39, which includes Montgomery Village and surrounding areas. The primary is on Tuesday. The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner's website. The post Union leader files assault complaint against gay Md. delegate after fight at early-voting site appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Michael K. Lavers","publishDate":"2026-06-21T13:00:26.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"d8b19m","title":"Trump admin sues key trans org, another country bans homosexuality & Vance insults Pride","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/admin-sues-key-trans-org-another-country-bans-homosexuality-vance-insults-pride/","excerpt":"Trump administration sues the world's leading trans medical group to suppress gender-affirming care What the lawsuit argues: The WPATH has published the standards of care for trans health care for decades. The Federal Trade Commission, now led by a Trump appointee, is suing the WPATH, saying that it","content":"Trump administration sues the world's leading trans medical group to suppress gender-affirming care What the lawsuit argues: The WPATH has published the standards of care for trans health care for decades. The Federal Trade Commission, now led by a Trump appointee, is suing the WPATH, saying that it fooled parents into getting gender-affirming care for their kids for personal financial benefit. Why it matters: All major medical associations back gender-affirming care for trans people as safe and life-saving, and the standards of that care are set by the WPATH. By claiming that they're just in it for the money, the Trump administration is hoping to undermine the basis for gender-affirming care even further. Trump admin sues world's leading trans medical group, alleging financial blackmail of parents Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Niger bans homosexuality with a new law that will send gay people to 5 to 10 years in prison Why it's happening now: Niger is one of several Saharan nations and former French colonies (along with Burkina Faso and Mali) that are banning homosexuality after their democratically elected governments were toppled by military coups in the 2020s. Niger's government was overthrown in 2023. In 2025, homosexuality was banned, and this week that ban was officially codified. Why it matters: Not only does this make the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Niger worse, but it is also a sign of increased hostility towards LGBTQ+ people across both western and eastern Africa. Military junta in Niger bans homosexuality with 5 to 10 years in prison Federal judge shuts down Idaho bathroom ban What the judge said: Calling the state's anti-trans bathroom ban \"unconstitutionally vague,\" Judge Amanda Brailsford wrote: \"It does not identify any objective benchmark, specify what evidence may establish such a need, or explain how an officer is to assess whether the exception applies… Instead, enforcement largely depends on an officer’s subjective assessment of an individual’s physical condition at a particular moment.\" Why it matters: Courts (but not the Supreme Court) remain one of the few federal institutions willing to stand up to the right and protect LGBTQ+ people's rights. Federal judge temporarily blocks Idaho law threatening prison for trans restroom users JD Vance says that people \"don't have to do\" Pride anymore now that Donald Trump is president The context of his statement: Vance was commenting on several Major League Baseball players who wrote Bible verses on their baseball caps during a Pride Night game in an attempt to insult LGBTQ+ people. Why it matters: While Pride Nights were never required by law – teams host them to draw more LGBTQ+ fans to support their games – his statement is part of a right-wing narrative that Trump's election was not about any particular policy but was more about ending \"woke,\" that is, respect for historically oppressed minorities. This is one of the main reasons Trump's supporters stand by him: he could crash the economy and start a war, but he gives MAGA permission to express their anger at Pride Nights. JD Vance says sports teams \"don't have to do\" Pride Nights anymore because \"Trump won\" Trump administration declares fertilized embryos to be \"children who already exist\" in what could be an attack on IVF rights What happened: The Department of Health and Human Services updated its description of a small grant program to say that frozen embryos are \"children who already exist and are in need of a family.\" This is part of the anti-choice narrative, which states that an individual's life begins at the moment of fertilization, even though a lot of fertilized eggs will never turn into children who are born. Why it matters: This idea was behind the court case that banned IVF in Alabama. IVF is a fertility treatment that requires many fertilized eggs to be created in the hopes of them resulting in even one pregnancy. LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to depend on IVF to build their families. \"Trojan horse\": Trump admin calls embryos \"children who already exist\" in possible threat to IVF Pictures of the week Indianapolis celebrated Pride this past weekend. Participants march through downtown Indianapolis during the Indy Pride Parade on June 13, 2026. The annual event brings together LGBTQ+ organizations, community groups, businesses, performers and allies in one of the city’s largest celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community. | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK Some more great queer and trans reads Deputy Editor Molly Sprayregen dug into the fight to keep the Pride flags up at the National Stonewall Monument and she found lots of ways that flags stir emotions. Trump sparked fury like no other when he removed Stonewall's Pride flag. Here's why it hit so hard. Columnist John Gallagher speculated on how Donald Trump is planning to undermine democracy if his party doesn't win in November. Trump is already planning how to sow chaos if Republicans lose in November Contributor Greg Owen talked to Stonewall vet Mark Segal about some of the myths surrounding that historic event. Stonewall veteran busts myths: It wasn't about Judy Garland, it was \"a revolution\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-21T13:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-18-jun-2026-06-28-pm-851.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"3i3uax","title":"A school fired an intersex teacher because a parent thought he was trans. Now he's fighting back.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-school-fired-an-intersex-teacher-because-a-parent-thought-he-was-trans-now-hes-fighting-back/","excerpt":"A teacher hired by a Florida school was forced by the superintendent to either resign or be fired (with no reason given) after only three weeks. Now, Shepherd Scalf is filing a discrimination complaint with the ACLU, alleging that the district thought he was trans because he’s intersex. “Receiving t","content":"A teacher hired by a Florida school was forced by the superintendent to either resign or be fired (with no reason given) after only three weeks. Now, Shepherd Scalf is filing a discrimination complaint with the ACLU, alleging that the district thought he was trans because he’s intersex. “Receiving this ultimatum was confusing and overwhelming. Everything had been going so well — I couldn’t understand why this was happening,” said Shepard Scalf in a statement. “The start of a school year is always brimming with promise and excitement, and I was looking forward to continuing my teaching career at Patriot Oaks until I was cornered into resigning. It became clear to me that being fired had nothing to do with my qualifications or teaching — it was about who I am.” Related The Trump-nominated EEOC head wants to end diversity programs. One organization is fighting back. Intersex as a term covers many different ways that physical sex traits and reproductive anatomy can develop in a body that do not fit the traditional binary male and female understandings some people have. Scalf is an intersex man with XY chromosomes and has Swyer’s Syndrome. People with Swyers may sometimes be born with external genitalia that appear female at birth and are therefore assigned female at birth. While some intersex people identify as trans, the majority do not. Scalf was hired by Patriot Oaks Academy in Florida to teach Language Arts for the school year of 2025-26. However, on August 29, just three weeks into the school year, he was summoned to an “emergency meeting” with the principal. There, he was told to read a letter from Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The letter said that as he was in his first year and on probationary status, he was able to be dismissed without cause. It went on to make it clear that Scalf could either resign his position or be terminated. On the recommendation of his union representative, Scalf resigned as it would be easier to get another job that way than if he had a termination on his record. The letter did not provide any reason for his dismissal. According to the complaint filed by the ACLU on Scalf’s behalf with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), during that meeting the school principal said that he “met every expectation” set for him and described his performance as “nothing less than exemplary.” This, the complaint argues, makes it clear that there was no “merits-based justification for firing” him. While his new hire paperwork included his gender-assigned at birth, it was clear that the school understood that he was a man, going as far as to give him a placard that read “Mr. Scalf.” His gender identity nor his genetics were ever discussed with students or school district officials. According to the complaint, Scalf believes that those who chose to fire him did not know that he was intersex, but saw that his gender identity did not match his gender assigned at birth and assumed that he was trans. The complaint also makes it clear that Scalf has evidence that the decision to fire him came from a perception that he was trans. It notes, “Following Mr. Scalf’s resignation, he received communications providing evidence that the termination followed complaints from a parent about the perception that Mr. Scalf is transgender.” Through the complaint, Scalf seeks reinstatement, noting that he is a dedicated teacher. The complaint says that the St. Johns County School District violated Scalf’s Title VII rights, which were established in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Supreme Court set precedent in 2020 with its decision in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County. In that case, the court ruled that Title VII includes protections against discrimination on the basis of gender identity, as it is impossible to discriminate against trans or queer people without taking into account their sex assigned at birth. While that should make this case a simple matter, recent moves by the EEOC might complicate the matter. Earlier this year, the EEOC ruled against a trans person who filed a complaint about being denied access to the appropriate restrooms in a federal building. In their decision, they upheld that “Title VII permits a federal agency employer to maintain single-sex bathrooms and similar intimate spaces,” and “permits a federal agency employer to exclude employees, including trans-identifying employees, from opposite-sex facilities.” There is also a pending complaint from the Legal Accountability Center against the current chair of the EEOC, Andrea Lucas, alleging that she told investigators not to look into complaints about anti-LGBTQ+ behavior and sent letters to law firms requesting DEI information in a move designed to intimidate them into ceasing and DEI programs. The complaint suggests that the EEOC itself is in violation of Title VII. While intersex identities are often distinct from trans ones, for a long time, intersex people have been seen as something to “fix,” with doctors pressuring families to allow irreversible surgeries on intersex infants. While the EEOC has made its stance on trans people painfully clear, it is less clear how they may handle this case. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Faefyx Collington","publishDate":"2026-06-20T21:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F05%2Fshutterstock-1868918968.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"y2jk8a","title":"Japan to institute nationwide LGBTQ+ education program","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/japan-to-institute-nationwide-lgbtq-education-program/","excerpt":"Japan is on the verge of instituting a nationwide LGBTQ+ education program, designed to address a lack of public knowledge on gender and sexual diversity in the country, ABC Japan reports. The plan was approved by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) earlier this month and is expected to get a ","content":"Japan is on the verge of instituting a nationwide LGBTQ+ education program, designed to address a lack of public knowledge on gender and sexual diversity in the country, ABC Japan reports. The plan was approved by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) earlier this month and is expected to get a sign-off by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet, despite the new PM's official opposition to same-sex marriage. Takaichi was elected to the post by Japan's Parliament in October. Related Japan just took a huge step towards marriage equality Observers say young people's enthusiasm for Takaichi may be one factor behind her approval of the measure, as young Japanese people are much more in favor of same-sex marriage than older Japanese people. Takaichi has gone on record opposing marriage equality, despite previously saying that \"there should be no prejudice against sexual orientation or gender identity.\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The education measure stems from the Act on the Promotion of Public Understanding of the Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, which passed in 2023 and required the creation of the new plan. While it hasn't been made public, the initiative reportedly includes requirements for schools to provide information to students about sexually and gender-diverse people, as well as access to social workers and counselors. The plan also directs universities to add training on sexual diversity for future healthcare workers and academics. Yui Oizumi, a queer student at Sophia University in Tokyo, described the education plan as a \"baby step.\" \"Training teachers and employers to be mindful is good. But at the same time, I think it's not really going to do much to change the perception of regular everyday people and how they think about queer people,\" she said. \"I think that's going to take more time and more conscious effort, through media, as well.\" The student said it's uncommon to experience outright homophobia in Japan, but the average Japanese person lacks an understanding of what being LGBTQ+ is. \"That is such an alien concept that people are like, 'What do you mean? That doesn't make any sense.'\" She said anti-discrimination laws would be more effective, pointing to friends in a lesbian relationship who had been denied housing because they're gay. Japan does not have nationwide anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination laws and is the only member of the G7 that has not legalized same-sex marriage. \"The LDP is very conservative, especially for promoting traditional family values,\" said Kazuyoshi Kawasaka, an expert on LGBTQ+ rights in Japan at The University of Tokyo. He said the government had decided against anti-discrimination laws to appease conservative factions of the LDP. That's made progress on LGBTQ+ rights in Japan \"very tricky\" for activists, he said. Charles Crabtree, a political scientist at Monash University in Melbourne, said the education measure could have positive downstream effects for the LGBTQ+ community. \"Misinformation or a cloudy sense of 'the other,' whatever that 'other' is, impedes individuals' ability to empathize with those who are different from them,\" Dr. Crabtree said. \"Education can have an effect.\" Based on previous survey data, he said a large plurality of Japanese people \"may be potentially malleable in terms of their views.\" In the meantime, Japan's two-steps-forward, one-step-back march to marriage quality continues. In October, the government extended the application of nine laws related to spousal rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples, a significant, if limited, victory. Three of eight of Japan’s regional high courts in the last few years have ruled that the government’s failure to grant legal recognition to same-sex couples is unconstitutional. In November, however, Tokyo's High Court ruled in favor of Japan's same-sex marriage ban, saying it doesn't violate the country's constitution. But there was a caveat. The judge noted that \"it is inevitable that constitutional violations will arise\" and that \"the issue should first be thoroughly deliberated\" in Japan's Parliament. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-20T19:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2019%2F12%2Fgay-history-kids.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"zxopuz","title":"Remember when cruel Kristi Noem didn't care if a gay man she sent to a torture camp died?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-cruel-kristi-noem-didnt-care-if-a-gay-man-she-sent-to-a-camp-died/","excerpt":"Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the administration sending a gay man to a prison camp in El Salvador and not even knowing if he's still alive. Noem said that it wasn't her problem. Noem, who has bragged in the past about shooting her dog to death, a","content":"Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the administration sending a gay man to a prison camp in El Salvador and not even knowing if he's still alive. Noem said that it wasn't her problem. Noem, who has bragged in the past about shooting her dog to death, appeared before the House Homeland Security Committee for a hearing yesterday, where Garcia asked her about Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay hair dresser from Venezuela who came to the U.S. legally to escape anti-LGBTQ+ violence and who was sent to the CECOT camp in El Salvador, which is known for torturing inmates, earlier this year. Related Gay Democrat Robert Garcia calls \"bulls**t\" on party's attempt to bury torture camp story The administration, which sent immigrants to the CECOT without letting courts determine if they were in the country illegally or if they had committed any crimes, has refused to try to bring anyone back from the camp. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"Would you commit to just letting his mother know – as a mother-to-mother – if Andry is alive?\" Garcia asked Noem. \"He was given an asylum appointment by the United States government. We gave him an appointment, we said, Andry, come to the border at this time and claim asylum, he was taken to a foreign prison in El Salvador.\" \"His mother just wants to know if he's alive. Can we check and do a wellness check on him?\" Noem said she doesn't \"know the specifics\" of Hernandez Romero's case but said that since he's in El Salvador, Garcia should be asking El Salvador's government about him. \"This isn't under my jurisdiction,\" Noem said. Garcia reminded her that she said that the Salvadoran prison is a \"tool in our toolkit\" for fighting crime. \"You and the president have the ability to check that Andry is alive and not being harmed,\" he said. \"Would you commit into at least looking and asking El Salvador if he is alive?\" \"This is a question that is best asked to the president and the government of El Salvador,\" Noem responded drily. Garcia to Noem: \"Can you commit to just letting his mother know mother to mother if Andry is alive? He was given an asylum appointment by the United States government.\" (Noem wouldn't commit to it.)[image or embed]— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) May 14, 2025 at 7:27 PM Hernandez Romero is a Venezuelan immigrant who trekked to the U.S. and entered legally last year at San Diego. There, he asked for asylum, saying that he was being targeted in Venezuela for being gay and due to his political beliefs. He was held in a CoreCivic detention center, where he was screened by Charles Cross Jr. “The government had found that his threats against him were credible and that he had a real probability of winning an asylum claim,” his lawyer, Lindsay Toczylowski, said. In March, he, along with over 200 other immigrants, was taken in shackles to the CECOT camp in El Salvador. Even his lawyer said she didn’t know what happened to him until he was gone and missed a hearing in his immigration case. In a video from the CECOT, Hernandez Romero could be heard saying, “I’m not a gang member. I’m gay. I’m a stylist,” as he was slapped and had his head shaved. “We have grave concerns about whether he can survive,” Toczylowski told CBS News. It was later revealed that the evidence Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had against Hernandez Romero was his tattoos, which came from a report from the contractor CoreCivic, specifically from former police officer Charles Cross Jr., who lost his job with the Milwaukee police after he drunkenly crashed into a house and allegedly committed fraud. His name was subsequently added to the Brady List, a list of police officers who are considered non-credible for providing legal testimony in Milwaukee County. Cross claimed that Hernandez Romero had crown tattoos associated with a gang. The tattoos are labeled “Mom” and “Dad” and are common symbols associated with his hometown of Capacho, Venezuela. Capacho is known for its elaborate festival for Three Kings Day, and a childhood friend, Reina Cardenas, told NBC News that it was that festival that awakened Hernandez Romero’s desire to be an artist. “Andry dedicated his life to arts and culture, and he worked hard to better his craft,” Cardenas said. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-20T18:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F05%2Fusatsi-26154629-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"9oqimg","title":"Calling James Talarico trans shows just how bad things are for Republicans","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/calling-james-talarico-trans-shows-just-how-bad-things-are-for-republicans/","excerpt":"The Republicans have been running a campaign to claim that Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) is secretly a trans woman. While there wouldn’t be anything wrong with Talarico being trans, the Republicans clearly think there is. The attacks are based on transphobia and homophobia, but beyond that, th","content":"The Republicans have been running a campaign to claim that Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) is secretly a trans woman. While there wouldn’t be anything wrong with Talarico being trans, the Republicans clearly think there is. The attacks are based on transphobia and homophobia, but beyond that, they are so bizarre and devoid of any sort of truth that, instead, the whole thing highlights just how bad things are for Republicans under Donald Trump. Ad hominem attacks are nothing new in politics. Trump’s nicknames for political rivals (and allies, for that matter) are just a very childish version of it. But such attacks are traditionally based on at least some distant level of truth or policy. For Republicans today, it appears that they are simply desperate for any distraction from Trump's numerous scandals and poor running of the country. Related Nancy Mace & Sarah McBride show that the biggest fights are still to come Talarico is the Democratic candidate for a Senate seat this November, having beaten Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in a primary at the start of March. In any other year, a Democrat running statewide in Texas would be a long shot, but polls suggest it’s a real possibility that Talarico could become the first Democratic senator from Texas at all since 1993. With Talarico running against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, he is a particularly harsh thorn for the Republicans, so they have been looking for any way possible to discredit him. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today That’s been difficult, as Talarico really entered the national consciousness in a middle-finger-by-proxy to Trump. Ahead of his primary win, Talarico was scheduled to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but, for the first time, CBS told Stephen Colbert he couldn’t have the political candidate on, a decision that came only after its parent company was purchased by a Trump sympathizer. Instead, Colbert filmed the segment and released it on YouTube, where it garnered far more attention than it would have as part of the broadcast. While it would normally be easy for the religious conservatives of Texas to vote for the Republican candidate, Paxton has been making it difficult. Paxton’s wife divorced him, citing claims that he had “committed adultery.” Talarico’s campaign has also highlighted other ethical issues, including an indictment for felony investment fraud, a report to the FBI by his own staff alleging bribery, and an impeachment by his party for corruption. Conversely, Talarico is a proud Christian who has been working hard to court centrist and swing voters. With all of that, Republicans could be expected to focus on building up Paxton while attacking Talarico’s policies. As a Democrat, he’s anti-billionaire (although also accepts their donations), and that’s a platform that the Republicans are well-practiced at portraying to their base as anti-capitalist, anti-American, and pro-handouts. But instead, the attacks have been bizarre and baseless. They’ve claimed he’s vegan (which I suppose is un-Texan because of barbecue?), but he isn’t. They’ve implied he’s gay, called him“barely straight,” and claimed that he’s made up his girlfriend because they’ve never seen her (her identity is kept out of the public eye for fear of threats of violence). And, mostly, they’ve claimed that he’s trans. That’s especially strange given that they’ve also criticized him for not supporting gender-affirming care for minors. It started at the end of May, in what appears to have been a coordinated rollout of a planned tactic, with a series of strange claims about Talarico that were mimicked by a range of Republicans. Stephen Miller, Trump’s White House deputy chief of staff, posted to claim that “The Democrats made history in Texas by nominating their first transgender senate candidate.” The Democrats made history in Texas by nominating their first transgender senate candidate. https://t.co/KaGDLn2naP— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) May 27, 2026 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) posted a picture of Talarico as a woman, and U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) called him “Low T,” a claim that was also used in an ad put out by the Paxton campaign. The whole endless string of attacks claiming that Talarico isn’t a “real man” has all the depressing and stupid hallmarks of high school kids in the 90s calling things they didn’t “gay.” So why is it that bizarre claims that Talarico is trans that the Republicans have fallen to now? Well, it’s perhaps no coincidence that it comes at the same time that we’ve got people on the White House lawn (slash UFC fighting arena) yelling about old conspiracy theories that Michelle Obama is secretly a man. It was once the purview of QAnon and InfoWars to claim that Michelle Obama was a man in an attempt to suggest that Barack Obama was gay, just as it was a conspiracy theory area of expertise to claim that French First Lady Brigette Macron was trans. But in an act of desperation, this has moved from being a weird conspiracy tactic on the fringes to something spouted by sitting governors, representatives, and the White House deputy chief of staff. As we head towards the midterms, it should be a time for Republicans to highlight their successes, showing off all they’ve achieved while holding the House, Senate, and presidency. But they have nothing to show. Failing that, they should be highlighting Democratic failings or trying to claim that their own failures were really the Democrats', like the affordability crisis and gas prices. But the simple truth of the matter is that things are so bad under Trump that Republican strategists know that’s not going to work anymore. It has become too obvious to the average swing voter that gas prices are high because Trump started a pointless and unpopular war in Iran and cut off our supplies. That, in turn, has worsened an already dire affordability situation. While people are working out how to afford to feed their family and get to work each week, Trump is on TV saying he doesn’t think “about Americans’ financial situation.” Trump and his team are so clearly responsible for so much of this that Republicans running races around the country don’t have much of a leg to stand on. Republicans are having to gamble on the idea that voters will be more ready to believe that a random Democratic candidate is trans and will think that’s a bad thing, than that they’re responsible for the many problems that Trump has caused. Republicans are left trying to rework voter maps so it doesn’t matter that people won’t vote for them and reaching for ridiculous Trumpian solutions. The last time a candidate dealt with lies as silly as these was when Trump tried to tell everyone that Obama was born in Kenya. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Faefyx Collington","publishDate":"2026-06-20T17:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-15-jun-2026-11-57-am-956.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.51%2C0.24%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"l8d5nj","title":"‘Feeling Afraid’ explores life of a neurotic stand-up comic","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/20/feeling-afraid-theater-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feeling-afraid-theater-review","excerpt":"‘Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen’Through July 12Studio Theatre1501 14th St., N.W.$55-$102Studiotheatre.org Wordily yet rightly titled, solo show “Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen” dives deeply into the world of a neurotic stand-up comic as he navi","content":"‘Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen’Through July 12Studio Theatre1501 14th St., N.W.$55-$102Studiotheatre.org Wordily yet rightly titled, solo show “Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen” dives deeply into the world of a neurotic stand-up comic as he navigates sex, work, and possibly love in London. Busy arranging hookups and dates on “The App,” the 36-year-old gay funnyman juggles a full dance card; still he’s never been in a romantic relationship. While he’s willing to give love a shot, he’s not pressed about it. As he says, he harbors no fear of dying alone. Currently making its American premiere at Studio Theatre, this darkly humorous Edinburgh Fringe import features terrific out English actor Steven Webb as The Comedian who’s about to explore what it means to spend all his time with one man. At Studio’s intimate Mead Theatre, Kat Heath’s minimal set says standard comedy club (fluorescent tube lighting, the mic with a long cord, a single stool backed by a rose-colored curtain), but gay playwright Marcelo Dos Santos has conjured something much more than a live comedy set. Yes, The Comedian bounces onstage in his red Converse high tops, jeans, and pink shirt with a huge mouth emblazoned on the back, but he delivers more than jokes. At times hilariously self-deprecating, then dark, and occasionally a lesson on what makes standup work, this is a layered, well-acted piece. With Webb (a keen caricaturist of types and voices) playing all the parts while conducting The Comedian’s hilariously frenetic interior monologue, “Feeling Afraid” takes us through a summer of love. It seems after six chaste dates with The American, our nervous hero has found Mr. Right. The American is earnest, smart, hesitant to initiate sex. He’s also well built with a beautiful smile. And strangely, he’s been medically advised not to laugh aloud. The Comedian delights in the joys of new love: dates, first kisses, sex, and then suddenly spending all of his time with the adored. Visits to art galleries become fun. Eating home cooked meals followed by grim documentaries is a thing. The Comedian is beguiled as his own boyish figure fills out, but something isn’t right. He can’t entirely relax. Along the way we meet the Aussie doctor, our protagonist’s longtime hookup; a young runner with some exceptional body parts; the random third in a failed threesome; grumpy working comics, male and female; and an ineffectual counselor. Webb gives a lightning-fast performance that boggles the mind (in terms velocity and virtuosity). He can be impish, very impish. He’s nervous energy incarnate, flashing jazz hands, grimacing but handsome when still. He’s likeable, a necessity when delivering a hilariously rude joke just feet away from two stone-faced audience members. (Perhaps they were laughing on the inside? At any rate, they stayed through the end the show.) Produced by the team behind Fringe hits “Fleabag” and “Baby Reindeer,” small stage works that were developed into major TV screen successes, “Feeling Afraid” is funny for sure, and it’s also highly confessional, sexually explicit, and raw. Written by Dos Santos during COVID lockdown, the piece was a smash hit in the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe before finding further success in London. Its depiction of a youngish queer guy navigating the big city rings entirely true. Like so much Fringe stuff, the one-man show is delightfully lewd and standup inspired. One little moan: the show closes cleverly but too abruptly with its star dashing offstage without sufficiently basking in the admiration and applause of his thoroughly chuffed audience. They say third time’s a charm, and regarding “Feeling Afraid,” I’d agree. After two performance cancellations (first for laryngitis and the second involving faulty air conditioning on an especially muggy June evening), I made my third trek to Studio where I found both the actor and AC in very fine fettle. And truly, Webb’s work was more than worth the wait. The post ‘Feeling Afraid’ explores life of a neurotic stand-up comic appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Patrick Folliard","publishDate":"2026-06-20T16:00:04.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"mfzlw7","title":"PHOTOS: Baltimore Pride Festival","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/20/photos-2026-baltimore-pride-festival/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-2026-baltimore-pride-festival","excerpt":"The 2026 Baltimore Pride Festival, \"Pride in the Park,\" was held at Druid Hill Park on Sunday, June 14. (Washington Blade photos by Linus Berggren) The post PHOTOS: Baltimore Pride Festival appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","content":"The 2026 Baltimore Pride Festival, \"Pride in the Park,\" was held at Druid Hill Park on Sunday, June 14. (Washington Blade photos by Linus Berggren) The post PHOTOS: Baltimore Pride Festival appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Linus Berggren","publishDate":"2026-06-20T15:46:41.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260614_Baltimore_Pride_in_the_Park_insert_11_c_Washington_Blade_by_Linus_Berggren-1.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"igp69z","title":"Remember when Trump passed out in Oval Office, reawakened, then passed out again?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-remember-when-passed-out-in-oval-office-reawakened-then-passed-out-again/","excerpt":"Donald Trump is facing scrutiny online after a clip went viral showing him falling asleep in the Oval Office during a press event, waking up, and falling asleep again. The clip is from an event where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr announced a new deal with the pharma company R","content":"Donald Trump is facing scrutiny online after a clip went viral showing him falling asleep in the Oval Office during a press event, waking up, and falling asleep again. The clip is from an event where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr announced a new deal with the pharma company Regeneron, which they claim will lower prescription drug prices. Related Trump reportedly fell asleep during the first day of his hush money trial Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, was speaking as the president dozed off. He can be seen waking up again and then falling asleep again. Trump completely passed out, reawakened, then passed out again during today's pressor in the Oval Office. 😂🤣👇 pic.twitter.com/5nOfQJUzow— Bill Madden (@maddenifico) April 23, 2026 \"There is something mentally wrong with the President of the United States,\" Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) posted to X. \"There is also something physically wrong with the President of the United States. Trump can’t stay awake at public events with the cameras rolling. Imagine what he’s like when there are no cameras.\" There is something mentally wrong with the President of the United States.There is also something physically wrong with the President of the United States.trump can’t stay awake at public events with the cameras rolling. Imagine what he’s like when there are no cameras. https://t.co/lZY1I15sBk— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 24, 2026 \"This photo should be on the front page of every single newspaper in America today,\" Democratic strategist Jon Cooper wrote on Bluesky. This photo should be on the front page of every single newspaper in America today.— Jon Cooper (@joncooper-us.bsky.social) 2026-04-24T13:31:17.213Z Author Joyce Carol Oates took a more empathetic approach on X. slowed blood circulation to the brain; not a moral failing, a neurological symptom. there is plenty to criticize T***p for but ill-health is something else. https://t.co/YN54168E4T— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 24, 2026 Others remembered how much Trump and the media criticized former President Joe Biden for having a stutter as a sign of failing mental health. But tell us more about “Sleepy Joe.” https://t.co/fir3sI18dm— Andrew—#IAmTheResistance (@AmoneyResists) April 24, 2026","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-20T14:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F04%2Fsleepy-don.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"vqi4f0","title":"This gay dad's honest take on raising a straight son made him go viral","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/this-gay-dads-honest-take-on-raising-a-straight-son-made-him-go-viral/","excerpt":"Here are this week’s most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this? Sign up for our Good News email. There's a great assortment of inspiring and heartwarming stories in this week's Good News Roundup, including a great piece on ","content":"Here are this week’s most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this? Sign up for our Good News email. There's a great assortment of inspiring and heartwarming stories in this week's Good News Roundup, including a great piece on Black Pride celebrations, a few stories about people standing up for queer inclusion, and even a secret queer character in the classic musical comedy Sister Act! Related A trans man donated his eggs to his sister. The pics of him holding his nephew will melt your heart. But before we begin, have you been reading our monthly edition about why LGBTQ+ people love their flags so much? It's filled with great articles like this one about how activists turned a vandalized Pride flag into a surprising symbol of resilience. Last month's edition about queer spirituality included this interesting historical nugget: 63 years ago, the Quakers stood up for gay dignity & they’re still fighting for our LGBTQ+ rights. And its cover story about how faeries & witches are magically helping the most vulnerable is worth a look too! Enjoy! This morning, it's a good knight for coffee Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today View this post on Instagram A post shared by @by.lizy.bye Gay dad goes viral for honest reflection on raising a straight son \"People think it’s gonna be super 'modern' and easy. Spoiler: it’s not.\" Teacher spreads joy across the internet with “fun & easy” lesson on calling something “gay” \"THE BEST TEACHER TO EVER EXIST!!!!\" Nancy Pelosi refused to remove trans rights from landmark Hate Crimes Act despite pressure “People told me, ‘You can pass this in a minute if you take out trans.' I said, ‘I won’t pass it in 100 years because I’m not ever taking out trans.’ An inspiring theory about why queer people are so theatrical… View this post on Instagram A post shared by King Key – Drag King (@kingkeydrag) \"Crying in my arms\": People are moved to tears as these dads come to Pride to play catch \"A young man was passing by our booth and shouted to his friends, 'That's my Dad! That's the Dad I was telling you about!'\" Judge upholds decision to keep anti-trans referendum off Maine's ballot this year \"They took some shortcuts and got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.\" How this racecar driver went from flag marshal to building an all-LGBTQ+ racing team \"I wanted to provide a safe space and team environment for anyone who was LGBTQ+ to get involved in motorsport,\" he said. Something queer is happening in the basement… View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Sedaris (@amysedaris) Netherlands to ban conversion therapy for both kids & vulnerable adults The parties who spearheaded the bill declared that \"years of commitment to freedom, equality, and human dignity have been rewarded.\" The sapphic subtext of ‘Sister Act’: One nun was \"attracted\" to Whoopi Goldberg's character “I thought, ‘Well, maybe there’s an attraction,’” Wendy Makkena said in a recently resurfaced clip. The celebration of Black joy during Pride Month reminds us of our beauty & power LGBTQ+ people of African descent use Black Pride events not only to celebrate, but also to define and advance their own priorities. And lastly, an inspiring message from … potato soup bowls View this post on Instagram A post shared by The abyss stares back (@thisisyourbrainondrugs) From our sibling sites: QUEERTY: Revisiting the movie—and the musical moment—that made Marlene Dietrich a timeless queer icon OUTSPORTS: The Outsports Soccer Power 26: LGBTQ people making a difference GAYCITIES: Soccer legend and queer icon Megan Rapinoe shares her Seattle hotspots INTO: How an unlicensed song on Stephen Colbert's finale forced CBS to fund a progressive charity","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-20T13:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2601100537.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"yot02f","title":"‘Stop! That! Train!’ is made for fans, but fun for all","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/stop-that-train-movie-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stop-that-train-movie-review","excerpt":"Before I can begin a review of “Stop! That! Train!” (the movie that’s been algorithmically dominating your queer social media feed in the form of ads for weeks now), I feel it’s necessary to provide a disclaimer: I am not a superfan of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” That doesn’t mean I’m NOT a fan, mind you.","content":"Before I can begin a review of “Stop! That! Train!” (the movie that’s been algorithmically dominating your queer social media feed in the form of ads for weeks now), I feel it’s necessary to provide a disclaimer: I am not a superfan of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” That doesn’t mean I’m NOT a fan, mind you. I’m just disclosing that I have never been the loyal viewer for whom each new episode is the highlight of the week, or followed the careers of the contestants I loved the most; I don’t know who won each season, or how many times they’ve been on the show. I barely even know any of the catch phrases. I say all this because you should know that, as someone who didn’t get any of the show references I’ve been told were laced throughout the movie, I’m probably not the person RuPaul and filmmaker Adam Shankman had in mind when they were making it. I do, however, respect and adore the art of drag, not just as an expression of queer identity tied to a long tradition stretching back centuries, but as a powerful tool for satire. It’s a queer-eyed view that exposes the hypocritical norms and mainstream social “morality” in a form that goes right over the heads of anyone who isn’t in on the joke, and the Queens of “Drag Race” not only honor that tradition but live up to it. Make no mistake, the queer spirit of rebellion is alive and well in “Stop! That Train!” – even if it sometimes feels like it’s just along for the ride. Mounted as a parody of old-school “disaster movies” – a genre that found its heyday in the same ‘70s and ‘80s period that also saw the success of classic movie spoofs like “Young Frankenstein” and “Airplane!” (which clearly serves as the primary blueprint) – Shankman’s film seems driven by an impulse toward the absurd as a kind of de facto social commentary, but puts the most emphasis on landing its jokes. It imagines a contemporary world where high-speed train travel is an actual thing in America (wouldn’t that be nice?) and a Black drag queen can be elected president (OK, maybe she’s a cisgender woman in context of the plot, but still), but in which everything is pretty much just as “off the rails” as it really is, anyway. In the middle of it all are Tess and DeeDee (Ginger Minj and Jujubee, both popular “Drag Race” veterans), two “train stewardesses” who fake their way into jobs on the prestigious “Glamazonian Express” railway line and face hostility from the “mean girl” attendants who work there. The popularity contest soon takes a back seat, however, when the train finds itself speeding into a catastrophic “storm-o-ganza,” and they’re faced with the challenge of saving themselves – along with the train’s assortment of passengers – from all-but-certain doom. Fortunately, they’re not alone; under-appreciated train dispatcher Donna Dusk (Rachel Bloom) is doing her best to guide them from afar toward the least catastrophic outcome, and no less than American President Judy Gagwell (RuPaul Charles, of course) takes a personal interest in averting the disaster; after all, it could take a few points off of her popularity rating if she doesn’t. Can this plucky alliance of women-with-something-to-prove shepherd this runaway train (and everyone on board) to safety? Of course they can, and in the most ridiculous way possible. Like the aforementioned “Airplane!” (the zany 1980 farce that was itself modeled after the popular “Airport” series of all-star disaster epics), “Stop! That! Train!” takes an approach to comedy that’s more like facing a high-speed pitching machine in a batting cage than watching a movie in a theater; it’s one joke after another, thrown rapid fire against the wall on the theory that at least some of them will stick – a time-honored tradition that, admittedly, results in a lot of them that don’t. For every belly laugh, there’s a real groaner, and a fair number of the chuckles are “polite” ones, at best; but that, of course, is part of the appeal. Screenwriters Christina Friel and Connor Wright skew their humor toward the lowbrow – something the popular drag movement fully embraces, anyway – and make most of their characters into clowns as they freely transplant plot points and tropes into their ludicrous scenario; all of it’s on purpose, and most of it works, because this is the kind of movie that is intended to be as “stupid” as possible and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Of course, some viewers will inevitably be underwhelmed by the movie’s humor; its borrowed tropes may feel less funny for being too familiar, sometimes the “lowbrow” might edge too closely on the “tasteless,” and the overall spirit of “bitchiness” could easily come across as just plain “mean” if one is in the wrong mood. Let’s face it, though: most of those people will probably not be going to see “Stop! That! Train!,” anyway. For the rest of us, even if more of its jokes fall flat than we might hope and some of the zingers don’t have the “zing” that they should, there’s still a cumulative effect that leaves the impression of a whole being greater than its parts. After all, sometimes we just want to have brainless fun at the movies instead of having to think too much about it, and nobody was expecting an Oscar-winner, were they? As for the disaster movie plot, it’s impossible to take seriously, of course, but it does provide the opportunity to showcase a lot of characters – and caricatures – along the way. Minj and Jujubee are essentially the stars of the show, and their easy chemistry together helps them carry the film; RuPaul, every inch the superstar as ever, strides confidently into his presidential role and rightfully dominates every scene that he’s in, yet is graceful enough not to overwhelm or overshadow the work of his co-stars, especially Matt Rogers, who, as President Gagwell’s possibly psychopathic press secretary and confidante, shares more screen time with him than anyone else. Veteran comic actor (and “SNL” alumnus) Chris Parnell uses his hilariously deadpan lunacy to great advantage as the train’s conductor, and Brian Jordan Alvarez (“The English Teacher”) brings a smarmy charm as the co-conductor who doesn’t know how to operate a train – despite the questionable choice of using an exaggerated “Bill and Ted” era Keanu Reaves impression for his character’s voice. There’s a whole gallery of familiar faces on hand in bit parts and cameos as passengers on the train, who arguably provide more genuine comedy and interest than the main storyline. And even if she never sets foot on the train herself, Bloom (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) is every bit on board for the ride, serving as a grounding force even as she gives herself over completely to the silliness. And silly it certainly is. It’s as insubstantial as the AI-generated backgrounds used to create the action scenes of speeding train and the storm. And at the risk of repeating myself, we wouldn’t have it any other way. The post ‘Stop! That! Train!’ is made for fans, but fun for all appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"John Paul King","publishDate":"2026-06-19T21:27:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"9m84ed","title":"Facial recognition tech is coming to a queer bar near you — if it's not already there","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/facial-recognition-tech-is-coming-to-a-queer-bar-near-you-if-its-not-already-there/","excerpt":"A digital rights advocacy group is reupping its call to ban biometric facial recognition technology in bars and other venues serving the LGBTQ+ community after new reporting revealed widespread use of the technology in San Francisco's Castro District. This week, Gazetteer SF put a spotlight on the f","content":"A digital rights advocacy group is reupping its call to ban biometric facial recognition technology in bars and other venues serving the LGBTQ+ community after new reporting revealed widespread use of the technology in San Francisco's Castro District. This week, Gazetteer SF put a spotlight on the face-scanning technology that's been hiding in plain sight in multiple Castro venues for over a year. Related LGBTQ+ groups warn Meta's facial recognition smartglasses could harm queers & abuse victims Hart Owen, a guest at Mix bar on 18th Street in the iconic gayborhood, said she was taken aback when she saw the tech stationed at the bar's front entrance. She'd just handed her ID to the bouncer when she was directed to turn and face a small camera before being allowed into the bar. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Owen described a device with a monitor and a forensic ID scanner, something like a high-security kiosk stationed at a TSA checkpoint. “Why is this at a gay bar, of all places?” she asked herself. The tech Owen was confronted with was Patronscan Guard+, a biometric and personal data collection device made by a Canadian surveillance company. At least three bars in the Castro employ the technology to collect the personal data of every customer that comes through the door, including names, addresses, genders, and even how they behave inside, Gazetteer reports. The surveillance is ostensibly used to flag \"blacklisted\" customers.A bouncer at Mix filled in some details. “I’ve been here for a year, and it’s been here longer than me,” they said of the kiosk. Personal and biometric data gathered from customers is stored on the Patronscan platform for 30 days, then deleted unless the patron is flagged for bad behavior, “like fighting or stealing,” they said. Mix bouncers aren't required to tell patrons the tech is in use; a small plaque on the device advises customers that's the case. “It’s posted signage,” says the bouncer. At least nine bars in the Castro are synced to the same flag network that Mix is a part of, according to Gazetteer's reporting. Sarah Phillips, campaign director at digital rights organization Fight for the Future, calls use of the technology at LGBTQ+ venues \"a complete betrayal\"; the group has been warning against it for years. \"As we speak, the federal government and anti-LGBTQ actors across the country are putting together databases of trans people and attacking our community in every way imaginable,\" Phillips said in a statement shared with LGBTQ Nation. \"Gay bars should be a space where we can gather without the fear of dangerous and invasive surveillance technology that has historically been weaponized against vulnerable communities.\" The group has started a social media campaign to avoid exactly that kind of \"dystopian\" future. \"Demand they trash their surveillance machines and stop endangering the community,\" the group's online petition reads. \"One of the distinct ways that the venues, bars, and public spaces can actively combat the targeting of people in our community by law enforcement, bad actors, and anti-LGBTQ politicians is rejecting facial recognition, and we are calling on gay bars everywhere to read the room,\" Phillips said. \"We've seen this movie before and refuse to comply with this oppressive tech in our spaces during an enormous wave of political persecution against queer and trans people.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-19T21:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F07%2Fshutterstock-2198446515-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"g1m7op","title":"Transphobe mad that pro-LGBTQ+ stores support trans masc top surgery","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/transphobe-mad-that-pro-lgbtq-stores-support-trans-masc-top-surgery/","excerpt":"Ahead of Pride demonstrations this month, two U.K. stores put up window art that supported trans people who had scars from top surgery, one at a LUSH store, and another at an Amnesty bookstore. This particularly angered anti-trans freelance journalist and campaigner Janet Murray, who has raged again","content":"Ahead of Pride demonstrations this month, two U.K. stores put up window art that supported trans people who had scars from top surgery, one at a LUSH store, and another at an Amnesty bookstore. This particularly angered anti-trans freelance journalist and campaigner Janet Murray, who has raged against the displays on social media, called for the removal of one of them, and riled up other anti-trans activists online. In an open letter posted to X addressing LUSH and Chelmsford Council, Murray noted that she had “half a breast removed last year due to cancer,” and that she wanted the mural removed because “mastectomies are not a fashion statement, an identity marker or something to be celebrated.” Refusing to acknowledge trans masc identities, Murray mused that she didn’t know “the number of women who have elective mastectomies” to “affirm a gender identity.” Related Trans menstruators event moved after extremists target it with hate Many commenters responded to Murray’s letter criticizing her choice to “stoop so low in furtherance of your transphobic agenda that you invoke survivors of breast cancer as a weapon,” and noting that “not everything is about you.” However, other anti-trans campaigners took up the call, with right-wing columnist Julia Hartley-Brewer reposting the letter with an image of the mural and claiming that it was encouraging teen girls to “CUT OFF THEIR HEALTHY BREASTS in the name of trans pride.” Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Ugh. This is DISGUSTING @LushLtd. Teenage girls love to shop in your stores and here you are happily encouraging them to CUT OFF THEIR HEALTHY BREASTS in the name of trans pride. This is beyond repulsive. It's dangerous and sick. No parent should allow their child near your… https://t.co/yfhuGGtL82 pic.twitter.com/h9fRSCXRl5— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) June 14, 2026 In the ensuing attacks on trans rights and support, Murray reposted and amplified a picture posted by “TransgenderTrend” of a display in the window of The Amnesty bookshop in Kentish Town. Among a group of people, one person is depicted with top surgery scars with a trans flag above their head. The account criticized the art as “dangerous and irresponsible messaging” and said that “Amnesty's message to vulnerable young women: get your healthy breasts surgically removed and you can be one of the cool crowd too.” Amnesty's message to vulnerable young women: get your healthy breasts surgically removed and you can be one of the cool crowd too.Amnesty bookshop in Kentish Town uses this dangerous and irresponsible messaging to celebrate Pride.With a backdrop of the trans flag of course. pic.twitter.com/8RFHH1hKyd— TransgenderTrend (@Transgendertrd) June 16, 2026 The display at LUSH, created by queer nonbinary artist Bucky Ringsell, depicts a tiger with pink top surgery scars whose stripes are in the colors of the trans flag. It comes with the slogan “Proud of my stripes.” Both LUSH and Amnesty have a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights. In a statement to LGBTQ Nation, Ringsell explained their design and highlighted the way that the anti-trans brigade has co-opted it for their hate. \"I designed and painted this tiger to support and represent trans people who have undergone top surgery — myself included. Often, trans bodies are policed, with healthcare being increasingly hard to access. On top of this, the surgeries undertaken by trans individuals often leave considerable scarring, which can be seen societally as undesirable or something to be ashamed of. This design is meant to combat that – Being proud of your surgical scars is something everyone can take inspiration from, regardless of your journey.\" \"People who want to revoke rights from trans and queer folks will co-opt absolutely anything to get their abhorrent opinions across. This time, unfortunately, it was a mural made with love and compassion. If you’re so blinded by hate that you need to twist the intentions and message of a Pride mural, I fear you’re beyond help. Trans bodies are beautiful, and they deserve to be portrayed and celebrated. If you don’t like it, don’t look.\" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bucky Ringsell (@your_pal_bucky) Dr. Helen Webberley, who founded Gender GP, an online gender service, and who has been vocal in support of trans rights, responded to Hartley-Brewer’s alarmist take, saying what most people were thinking. “Calm yourself my love. No teenage girls are having their healthy breasts removed, just teenage boys are having their gynaecomastia resolved so they can live in freedom in their bodies.” Calm yourself my love. No teenage girls are having their healthy breasts removed, just teenage boys are having their gynaecomastia resolved so they can live in freedom in their bodies. Also – BTW – puberty blockers prevent the need for top surgery – FYI Oh and well done to… https://t.co/CFqpoW8xCj— Dr Helen Webberley (she/her) (@HelenWebberley) June 15, 2026 Murray has leaned hard into anti-trans activism over the last year or two. In her recent posts, she has rejected claims that gender-affirming care is life-saving, cited the Cass Review as a defense, and reposted comments from renowned transphobe Graham Linehan. While her website cites work with The Guardian, the BBC, and The Telegraph, she has no credits with The Guardian since 2017, and doesn’t appear as an author for the BBC in searches. Murray’s regular work for The Telegraph only began in March, and all six of her pieces since then focus on anti-trans talking points. Her more regular work is for far-right sites such as Spiked and UnHerd, and her most recent Substack piece commemorates being “canceled” last year for a video complaining about the phrase “pregnant people.” Murray may be best known outside anti-trans circles for being schooled by Hugh Laurie when she attempted to criticize House, a TV show that ended over a decade ago. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Faefyx Collington","publishDate":"2026-06-19T19:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2F721462742-1397697835525918-926882711552313148-n.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1170%2C616%2C0.48%2C0.29%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"qbah9t","title":"Remember when at least 20 ICE & CBP officials were charged with sex crimes against children?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-remember-when-at-least-20-ice-cbp-officials-were-charged-with-crimes-against-children/","excerpt":"A list of 30 agents working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) shows that 29 of them have been charged with sexual offenses, and two-thirds committed sexual crimes against children, according to a list published by the Ohio Immigrant Alliance and the Pa","content":"A list of 30 agents working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) shows that 29 of them have been charged with sexual offenses, and two-thirds committed sexual crimes against children, according to a list published by the Ohio Immigrant Alliance and the Pacific Antifascist Collective. \"The off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who killed Keith Porter, Jr. has a history of racism, child abuse, and explosive tempers. Despite murdering Porter in cold blood, Brian Palacios remains free without charge and employed by ICE,\" the groups' website states, invoking the name of Porter, a Black 43-year-old father of two who was fatally shot by an ICE officer on New Year's Eve outside his apartment complex . \"In February 2025, Palacios was barred from having any contact with two of his girlfriend’s children, after they testified that he beat his own sons and frequently made homophobic and racist remarks.\" Related \"Really, really embarrassing\": GOP Rep. roasted for copy/paste error in post about ICE The members of the all-male list have been charged with offenses like gunpoint sexual assault; child sex trafficking; aggravated assault; robbery; rape; torture; kidnapping; sexual abuse of a minor; and possession and production of child sexual abuse materials. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “[There is] a real problem with gender-based violence by ICE agents, and the agency is not taking it seriously,\" Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, said. \"This culture of violence toward women and children is visible in ICE agents’ officially-sanctioned actions, and the Department of Homeland Security’s unconditional support for their acts of violence,\" the website further states. The website notes that, according to Ms. Magazine, “Across the country, so-called ‘ICE impersonators’ are on the rise as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) itself has been violently arresting people without warrants, sometimes in plain clothes using unmarked vehicles. Nearly impossible to distinguish between real and fake agents, men have allegedly lied about their identities to intimidate, kidnap, and rape women with precarious immigration statuses, according to survivors’ accounts.” ICE has launched a $100 million effort to attract new recruits that includes sending geo-targeted advertisements directly to the phones of people located near Mixed Martial Arts fights, NASCAR races, and gun shows. The advertisements use futuristic imagery of war and video games, along with slogans about \"defending the homeland\" against \"invaders.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-19T18:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2017%2F02%2F800px-US_Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement_SWAT.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"ils6h1","title":"Delaware guv signs bill to protect children born using assisted reproduction","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/delaware-governor-signs-bill-protect-children-born-assisted-reproduction/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=delaware-governor-signs-bill-protect-children-born-assisted-reproduction","excerpt":"Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer on June 9 signed SB 250, a bill that helps fill the gaps in the state’s parentage law. SB 250 amends the 2017 Uniform Parentage Act to broaden the state’s legal framework for surrogacy. Prior to SB 250, some children, particularly those born through assisted reproduction or ","content":"Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer on June 9 signed SB 250, a bill that helps fill the gaps in the state’s parentage law. SB 250 amends the 2017 Uniform Parentage Act to broaden the state’s legal framework for surrogacy. Prior to SB 250, some children, particularly those born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy, did not have a clear path to a legally recognized relationship with their parents. This created issues around parental decision-making and children’s access to health insurance. According to the bill’s prime sponsor, Sen. Marie Pinkney, SB 250 ensures that every child in the state has a secure legal relationship with their parents. She said the bill modernizes outdated statutes and strengthens protections for children born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy. These issues are more likely to affect queer families that rely on assisted reproduction methods to have children. Parentage laws are critical to the well-being of children and the ability of parents to care for them without unnecessary legal barriers. “Today, we celebrate a victory for all children and families in Delaware. By modernizing its laws to better reflect and protect today’s families, Delaware has set an example for states across the country,” said Jordan Wilson, executive director of COLAGE. COLAGE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering youth in LGBTQ+ families through activism and community. “We are grateful to the many families and advocates who worked tirelessly to advance this legislation, from the bill’s drafters to the COLAGErs who shared their lived experiences directly with lawmakers,” said Wilson. \"Delaware is strongest when the law respects and protects all families,” said Mark Purpura, board member of Equality Delaware, a statewide organization focused on promoting and ensuring dignity, safety, and equality for all LGBTQ+ Delawareans. The bill’s sponsors and co-sponsors include Sen. Pinkney, Rep. Krista Griffith, Sens. Russ Huxtable, Raymond Seigfried, and David Sokola; and Reps. Alonna Berry, Mara Gorman, Kerri Harris, Eric Morrison, DeShanna Neal, Sophie Phillips, and Cyndie Romer. The post Delaware guv signs bill to protect children born using assisted reproduction appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Thomas Weaverling","publishDate":"2026-06-19T16:07:58.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"o348w9","title":"Calendar: June 19-25","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/lgbtq-events-calendar-june-19-25/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lgbtq-events-calendar-june-19-25","excerpt":"Friday, June 19 Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. Saturday, June 20 Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s","content":"Friday, June 19 Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. Saturday, June 20 Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc. The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website. Sunday, June 21 Kinetic Presents will host “DiscoVERS: Pride with Alexis Tucci & Clinton Foster” at 10 p.m. at Sax Restaurant and Lounge. Alexis Tucci and Clinton Foster trade off behind the decks all night, weaving uplifting disco and driving house into one continuous set. Throughout the evening, surprise performances unfold across the room, woven into the music rather than stacked on top of it. Tickets cost $41.76 and are available on Eventbrite. Monday, June 22 “Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org). Center Faith will host “Pride Interfaith Service” at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. This is the 43rd annual LGBTQ+ community celebration of religious pluralism and interfaith collaboration. Founded during the era of the Names Project AIDS memorial quilts, we continue to connect and weave many LGBTQ+ faith communities. For more details, email centerfaith@thedccenter.org. Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The Queer Book Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month to discuss queer books by queer authors. This month’s reading is “The Skin and it’s Girl” by Sarah Cypher. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. Tuesday, June 23 Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook. “Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website. Wednesday, June 24 Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email centercareers@thedccenter.org or visit thedccenter.org/careers. Thursday, June 25 The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245. Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website. The post Calendar: June 19-25 appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Tinashe Chingarande","publishDate":"2026-06-19T16:02:03.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"6rokis","title":"My trans daughter thrived in Chicago public schools","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/opinion-trans-daughter-thrived-chicago-public-schools/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-trans-daughter-thrived-chicago-public-schools","excerpt":"I am a Chicagoan whose daughter is transgender. But that is not the most important fact about her. My daughter loves fashion, sings in choir, is active at church, and is, by every measure, your classic American teenager. Yet it is her gender identity that politicians in Washington have once again de","content":"I am a Chicagoan whose daughter is transgender. But that is not the most important fact about her. My daughter loves fashion, sings in choir, is active at church, and is, by every measure, your classic American teenager. Yet it is her gender identity that politicians in Washington have once again decided to make their business. She’s had the benefit of attending school in a district that affirms her, with educators who have added protections for students like her to a contract, in a city that benefits from and believes in diversity. If the Republican-led Congress that is subpoenaeing the CEO of Chicago Public Schools truly was interested in “inappropriate content” and its impact on students, they would start with the anti-trans state legislation that increases youth suicide attempts by 72%, not the school districts making them feel safe and welcomed. Protecting these kids in school is not a culture war talking point. It is suicide prevention. But that is not what they are doing. Instead, they are calling to question the head of a school district where Chicago’s values have made our schools safer places for students of every gender, race, and nationality. The same administration that has yet to investigate the Epstein files but is moving the FCC to put warning labels on television shows that portray inclusive families and characters of different sexualities, is telling on itself in what they think is permissible and what they think is harmful for school-age youth. They say this is about parental rights and children’s well-being, but the parental right I care most about is the right for my daughter and all children to walk into a school building and feel safe and affirmed instead of scared and threatened. My daughter spent 13 years in Chicago public schools. Her teachers used her chosen name. Her classmates accepted her for who she is. She wore a formal dress at choir concerts, landed a female lead in the school musical, and used the women’s bathroom without anyone batting an eye. When she went to a school dance, her teachers celebrated her like any other student, gushing over her dress, cheering her on. Nobody treated her like a problem to be managed. That is not luck. That is Chicago. It’s the result of educators who fought hard for these protections. While MAGA has moved other states to bar teachers from even acknowledging LGBTQ+ students, the Chicago Teachers Union ratified a contract that does the opposite. It puts gender support coordinators in every network, codifies protections for chosen names and pronouns, and incorporates CPS guidelines for transgender students into the collective bargaining agreement itself. Those are not bureaucratic details. They are what stands between a child like mine and the bully who, without them, could decide she does not deserve dignity and hurt her without consequence. Chicago believes every student, including LGBTQ+ children, belongs in school and deserves to feel safe there. Our city has grit and resolve and a deep sense of pride in the diversity that makes it what it is. I believe that is exactly why this administration has put us in its crosshairs. This is a city that shuts down its streets for the Pride parade, Puerto Rican Day Parade, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Bud Billiken Parade. This is the Chicago I am raising my daughter in. The Republicans in Congress have decided that belief is the problem. They have already passed a bill to pull federal funding from any school that affirms a transgender student's identity without first notifying parents. They’re attempting to withhold funds from Chicago and other districts for programs that reverse generations of discrimination and disinvestment. They want to dismantle the Department of Education and have already passed a law to fund private religious schools with public dollars. Putting our school district under the lights of their circus is just one tactic in their political agenda. I wanted my daughter to read, to do math, to graduate ready for whatever comes next, and find her place in the world. Every parent I know wants that. My daughter recently graduated. She got there because she had good teachers, she applied herself, and she never had to walk into school ashamed of who she was or afraid of what might happen. It matters to me that my daughter was in a district intentionally seeing to her safety, immigrant students’ sanctuary, and Black students’ success. What they see as a violation is really our city’s commitment to the dignity of all students What they are running is not a parental rights agenda. It is a defunding agenda against parents, students, and educators who don't subscribe to their beliefs, and Chicago is just the beginning. Washington can hold all the hearings it wants, but they’ll never be able to erase children like my daughter. And I pray that our schools will never make children like her think twice before walking through those doors for the most formative years of their lives. Whether they attend a school district that supports them in holding their heads high or one that bends the knee to make them fearful instead is what this fight is actually all about. Mary Kay Devine is a Chicago resident. The post My trans daughter thrived in Chicago public schools appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Mary Kay Devine","publishDate":"2026-06-19T14:51:28.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"fes03v","title":"Hunting Wives Co-Stars Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow Make Out at Las Culturistas Awards","url":"https://www.them.us/story/brittany-snow-malin-akerman-kiss-las-culturistas-awards","excerpt":"They danced, they vogued, they acted out and made out on stage to the cheers of the crowd at Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers' awards show in Los Angeles.","content":"They danced, they vogued, they acted out and made out on stage to the cheers of the crowd at Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers' awards show in Los Angeles.","source":"them.","author":"Dawn Ennis","publishDate":"2026-06-18T21:12:47.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a345ec81c5b4b71953da84f%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FHunting%2520Wives%2520Co-Stars%2520Malin%2520Akerman%2520and%2520Brittany%2520Snow%2520Make%2520Out%2520at%2520Las%2520Culturistas%2520Awards.png","category":"culture","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"pb02rz","title":"Young Republicans Mock Cisgender Candidate for Congress Over Likeness to Dylan Mulvaney","url":"https://www.them.us/story/jennifer-jenkins-dylan-mulvaney-florida","excerpt":"'That's it? That's the joke?'","content":"'That's it? That's the joke?'","source":"them.","author":"Jacob Ogles","publishDate":"2026-06-18T20:58:22.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a345b65ee9357e4ac110a89%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FYoung%2520Republicans%2520Mock%2520Cisgender%2520Candidate%2520for%2520Congress%2520Over%2520Likeness%2520to%2520Dylan%2520Mulvaney.png","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"vo6fcr","title":"What If We Kissed in Fresno During Traditional Nuclear Family Month?","url":"https://www.them.us/story/fresno-california-traditional-nuclear-family-month","excerpt":"A California county has officially declared June “Traditional Nuclear Family Month,” insisting it’s not an anti-LGBTQ+ gesture.","content":"A California county has officially declared June “Traditional Nuclear Family Month,” insisting it’s not an anti-LGBTQ+ gesture.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-18T15:32:40.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a340b15eed8ae33b6bc9aaa%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FUntitled%2520-%2520May%252029%2C%25202026%2520at%252012.30.48-2%2520(1).png","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"r1665w","title":"Baseball Team Forfeits Pride Night Game After Players Refuse to Wear Rainbow Jerseys","url":"https://www.them.us/story/york-revolution-pride-canceled-rainbow-jersey","excerpt":"After several players refused to wear the Pride Night jerseys, Pennsylvania club baseball team York Revolution forfeited the annual game.","content":"After several players refused to wear the Pride Night jerseys, Pennsylvania club baseball team York Revolution forfeited the annual game.","source":"them.","author":"Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-18T14:47:51.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a34007291d739c3a04d0850%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FScreenshot%25202026-06-18%2520at%252010.27.46%25E2%2580%25AFAM.png","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"94y8i4","title":"Milly Alcock Says Supergirl “Doesn’t Live Inside the Binary” of Gender Expectations","url":"https://www.them.us/story/milly-alcock-supergirl-binary-queer-readings","excerpt":"The star says she is “honored” by queer readings of Kara Zor-El.","content":"The star says she is “honored” by queer readings of Kara Zor-El.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:44:48.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a33f419210cced897e14a0b%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2281018914","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"qtnn4e","title":"Republican States Join Trump FTC in Lawsuit Against World’s Leading Transgender Health Care Group","url":"https://www.them.us/story/national/trump-admin-sues-wpath","excerpt":"The World Professional Association for Transgender Health rejected the lawsuit as another Trump administration attack on transgender patients and medical providers.","content":"The World Professional Association for Transgender Health rejected the lawsuit as another Trump administration attack on transgender patients and medical providers.","source":"them.","author":"Christopher Wiggins","publishDate":"2026-06-17T21:03:04.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a330aa86e387a3805a94043%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FRepublican%2520States%2520Join%2520Trump%2520FTC%2520in%2520Lawsuit%2520Against%2520World%25E2%2580%2599s%2520Leading%2520Transgender%2520Health%2520Care%2520Group.png","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"o1wtlv","title":"Lil Nas X Breaks Silence in Rehab, Reveals Bipolar Disorder 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Messman-Rucker","publishDate":"2026-06-17T20:13:25.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a32feec9e24203471a4a188%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F5%2520Sexy%2520Queer%2520Vertical%2520Romances%2520to%2520Binge%2520During%2520Pride%2520Month.png","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"d2pvt7","title":"Thailand Will Host a “Tom” Pageant for Trans Men and Masc Lesbians","url":"https://www.them.us/story/thailand-will-host-a-tom-pageant-for-trans-men-and-masc-lesbians","excerpt":"Tom Thailand 2026 will be the country’s first-ever beauty pageant uplifting masc-of-center lesbians, transmasculine people, and trans men.","content":"Tom Thailand 2026 will be the country’s first-ever beauty pageant uplifting masc-of-center lesbians, transmasculine people, and trans men.","source":"them.","author":"Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-17T17:29:24.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a32d7814b67cb2687e0b94d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F721404319_122109704367311159_1839718701956898790_n.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"dl1ot7","title":"Brooke Mayo Is Making Men’s World Cup History as First Out Gay Match Official","url":"https://www.them.us/story/fifa-mens-world-cup-first-gay-ref-brooke-mayo","excerpt":"Mayo said that making it to the Men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup was a career goal.","content":"Mayo said that making it to the Men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup was a career goal.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-17T14:49:25.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a32b21747c46b0c79b07f13%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2173047474","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"s73t1y","title":"Anti-Trans Health Secretary RFK Jr. Once Allegedly Put Snake in Pool Full of Kids","url":"https://www.them.us/story/rfk-jr-snake-swimming-pool-kerry-kennedy","excerpt":"His sister Kerry Kennedy detailed the story during a CNN interview.","content":"His sister Kerry Kennedy detailed the story during a CNN interview.","source":"them.","author":"Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-17T14:49:19.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a32a89368d84bbce34dd4b2%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Frfksnake.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"6euozz","title":"Jesse Watters Served Pickle Cake to JD Vance Because Fudge Is “Too Gay”","url":"https://www.them.us/story/jd-vance-fudge-cake-fox-news-joke","excerpt":"The bizarre food stunt came during the veep’s National Fudge Day appearance on The Five.","content":"The bizarre food stunt came during the veep’s National Fudge Day appearance on The Five.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-17T13:38:48.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a32a2350414e3111c3d3f87%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fjdvancejessewatters.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"k3bo7s","title":"Birmingham Community Mourns Kalena “Peaches” Croskey, Trans Woman Found Dead in City Jail Cell","url":"https://www.them.us/story/kalena-peaches-croskey-birmingham-city-jail-death","excerpt":"Conditions in the jail have reportedly been deteriorating for years.","content":"Conditions in the jail have reportedly been deteriorating for years.","source":"them.","author":"Samantha Allen","publishDate":"2026-06-16T20:46:49.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a31b60b0d3b5371fd340712%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F658121363","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"3yzk06","title":"All the Celebrities Who Have Come Out as LGBTQ+ in 2026 So Far","url":"https://www.them.us/story/lgbtq-celebrities-celebs-coming-out-2026","excerpt":"From Drag Race stars to international professional athletes, public figures are sharing their truth.","content":"From Drag Race stars to international professional athletes, public figures are sharing their truth.","source":"them.","author":"Abby Monteil, Samantha Allen, Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-16T18:56:35.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a319bf94b67cb2687e0b8f7%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fcelebswhocomeout.jpg","category":"culture","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"zgia97","title":"Federal Court Blocks Idaho Law Criminalizing Restroom Use by Transgender People","url":"https://www.them.us/story/politics/judge-blocks-idaho-bathroom-law","excerpt":"The court questioned how authorities would determine who belongs in which restroom.","content":"The court questioned how authorities would determine who belongs in which restroom.","source":"them.","author":"Christopher Wiggins","publishDate":"2026-06-16T18:12:54.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a31912bed48c055a04f55b5%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FFederal%2520Court%2520Blocks%2520Idaho%2520Law%2520Criminalizing%2520Restroom%2520Use%2520by%2520Transgender%2520People.png","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"v3hwmp","title":"Zohran Mamdani Pushes Back Against DOJ’s Subpoena for Trans Youth Health Records","url":"https://www.them.us/story/mamdani-nyc-trans-youth-subpoena-records","excerpt":"“Your medical decisions and personal health information belong to you, not the government,” Mamdani wrote in a post to X on June 15.","content":"“Your medical decisions and personal health information belong to you, not the government,” Mamdani wrote in a post to X on June 15.","source":"them.","author":"Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-16T17:13:53.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a3152286991e2b496f795d3%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2279054115","category":"health","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"m6h0m8","title":"A Lush Pride Display of a Tiger With Top Surgery Scars Sparks Right-Wing Outrage","url":"https://www.them.us/story/lush-trans-tiger-top-surgery-scars","excerpt":"Bucky Ringsell, the artist behind the display, defended the mural on Instagram.","content":"Bucky Ringsell, the artist behind the display, defended the mural on Instagram.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-16T15:34:59.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a315c8101f402e314b122f8%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Ftranstiger.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"wd977s","title":"Intersex Teacher in Florida Says School Fired Him Based on Belief He Was Trans","url":"https://www.them.us/story/florida-intersex-teacher-eeoc-complaint-transgender","excerpt":"Shepard Scalf said in an EEOC filing that a parent complained to the district that he was transgender.","content":"Shepard Scalf said in an EEOC filing that a parent complained to the district that he was transgender.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-16T14:03:29.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a314c6426d3fb639d306c98%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2237142540","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"onpi9l","title":"7 LGBTQ+ Albums Coming Out in Summer 2026, From Kelela to Adam Lambert and Beyond","url":"https://www.them.us/story/lgbtq-albums-summer-2026-hayley-kiyoko-mykki-blanco","excerpt":"From sapphic pop to Mykki Blanco’s comeback, we’ve got you covered.","content":"From sapphic pop to Mykki Blanco’s comeback, we’ve got you covered.","source":"them.","author":"Samantha Allen","publishDate":"2026-06-15T21:49:51.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a3045e80d3b5371fd3405c2%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2274089143","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"dtt7e0","title":"Queer-Owned NYC Women’s Sports Bar Says Meta Banned Their IG Account With No Explanation","url":"https://www.them.us/story/wilkas-sports-bar-instagram-account-banned","excerpt":"The bar says they have “no idea” why the account was “deemed inappropriate.”","content":"The bar says they have “no idea” why the account was “deemed inappropriate.”","source":"them.","author":"Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-15T19:52:46.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a30571d0d3b5371fd340604%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fwilkaswebsite.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"38b977","title":"Knicks Fans Go Viral With Steamy Gay Kisses in the Streets","url":"https://www.them.us/story/knicks-gay-kisses-championship","excerpt":"The city erupted into chaotic celebrations after the Knicks clinched a victory, including spicy make-out sessions.","content":"The city erupted into chaotic celebrations after the Knicks clinched a victory, including spicy make-out sessions.","source":"them.","author":"Ariel Messman-Rucker","publishDate":"2026-06-15T19:31:23.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a304fdcbd8751dc6a8c2a98%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F_queer-kisses-knicks-win.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"bru75g","title":"Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit From Fired Ranger Who Flew Trans Pride Flag at Yosemite","url":"https://www.them.us/story/sj-joslin-lawsuit-dismissed","excerpt":"Dr. SJ Joslin's lawsuit is too soon, according to the court.","content":"Dr. SJ Joslin's lawsuit is too soon, according to the court.","source":"them.","author":"Jacob Ogles","publishDate":"2026-06-15T19:06:35.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a304cc60d3b5371fd3405d1%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FSJ.png","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"5y48ei","title":"Them Superlatives: RuPaul Is “Most Likely to Be President”","url":"https://www.them.us/story/rupaul-superlatives-2026-stop-that-train-jujubee-tribute","excerpt":"For our Pride series, Stop! That! Train! star Jujubee honors the film’s commander-in-chief.","content":"For our Pride series, Stop! That! Train! star Jujubee honors the film’s commander-in-chief.","source":"them.","author":"Them","publishDate":"2026-06-15T16:53:49.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a302a0101f402e314b12198%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FOUT328-Film-RuPaul%2C%2520Matt%2520Rogers%2520in%2520Stop%2520That%2520Train.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"xtfkiq","title":"‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Writer Hannah McMechan Says Creating Movie Helped Her Come Out as Bisexual","url":"https://www.them.us/story/kpop-demon-hunters-writer-hannah-mcmechan-says-creating-movie-helped-her-come-out-as-bisexual","excerpt":"“I was so afraid of telling anyone in my life, which ironically is very accurate to the movie,” McMechan told People.","content":"“I was so afraid of telling anyone in my life, which ironically is very accurate to the movie,” McMechan told People.","source":"them.","author":"Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-15T15:31:12.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a301758c566ea04da364b7c%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2280339576","category":"culture","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"wumy8h","title":"SF Giants Players Couldn’t Wear Rainbow Hats Without Writing Bible Verses on Them","url":"https://www.them.us/story/san-francisco-giants-bible-verses-caps-pride-night","excerpt":"Some members of the MLB team wrote Genesis citations on their hats in an apparent act of protest.","content":"Some members of the MLB team wrote Genesis citations on their hats in an apparent act of protest.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-15T14:42:06.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a300abf0691b9df706145b5%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2281320711","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"sintfb","title":"UFC Fighter Josh Hokit Shouts “Michelle Obama is a Man!” After White House Match","url":"https://www.them.us/story/josh-hokit-ufc-250-white-house-michelle-obama-transphobic-conspiracy-theory","excerpt":"The false conspiracy theory made it all the way to the South Lawn.","content":"The false conspiracy theory made it all the way to the South Lawn.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-15T13:23:32.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2ff4ac5926510a5d459c2b%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2281628968","category":"rights","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"rpbs94","title":"The celebration of Black joy during Pride Month reminds us of our beauty & power","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/the-celebration-of-black-joy-during-pride-month-reminds-us-of-our-beauty-power/","excerpt":"June is Pride Month for LGBTQ+ communities nationwide — and parades abound! But as we all rev up each June for Pride, many of us also grow more aware of the fault lines of race, gender identities, class, and more that still remain; especially today on Juneteenth. This Pride Month also serves as a re","content":"June is Pride Month for LGBTQ+ communities nationwide — and parades abound! But as we all rev up each June for Pride, many of us also grow more aware of the fault lines of race, gender identities, class, and more that still remain; especially today on Juneteenth. This Pride Month also serves as a reminder that the struggle for LGBTQ+ civil rights is far from over, particularly amid the surge of anti-trans legislation across the country. In Massachusetts alone, six anti-trans bills are currently being tracked. Related \"Lord have mercy, they won't stop us from dancing\": The Black queer activists uniting joy & change However, Black LGBTQ+ communities continue to experience Pride differently. As still a predominantly white event in many cities and towns across the country, many queer people of color (QPOC) revelers experience social exclusion, alienation , and cultural invisibility. Today, in response, Pride celebrations centering QPOC emerged, creating Black-themed performances, parties, gatherings, and getaway weekends rooted in affirmation and belonging. By 1999, Black Pride events had grown into the International Federation of Black Prides, Inc. (IFBP). Recognizing the need to build coalitions beyond their immediate communities, IFBP also established the Black/Brown Coalition to strengthen networks of support and advocacy. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today Black Pride: Same month. Different priorities | Shutterstock Black Pride grooves to a different beat. LGBTQ+ people of African descent use these events not only to celebrate, but also to define and advance their own priorities. For example, Sunday gospel brunches, Saturday-night poetry slams, Friday-evening fashion shows, bid whist tournaments, house parties, the smells of soul food and Caribbean cuisine, and the beautiful display of African art and clothing are just a few of the cultural markers that make Black Pride distinct from the dominant queer culture. Health and wellness are also central. At Black Pride events, attendees often encounter health booths offering screenings for sexually transmitted infections, vision care, hypertension, and HIV/AIDS. Black Pride also addresses broader social determinants of health affecting the community, including unemployment, housing insecurity, gang violence, youth homelessness, mass incarceration, prostate health, trans health, domestic violence, and depression. What too often goes unreported, however, are the proactive, community-led efforts to confront and reduce these challenges. The get-aways Despite Provincetown's reputation for bohemianism and artistic freedom, Provincetown — unlike Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard — did not historically have a Black enclave or a consistent summer influx of African Diaspora vacationers, whether straight or queer. That began to change in the 2000s with the emergence of Black-themed weekends such as Womxn of Color (WoCW) and Frolic (formerly known as Men of Melanin Magic). During these two Pride Month weekends, LGBTQ+ people of the African Diaspora flock to Provincetown to celebrate community, visibility, and joy. For nearly two decades, WoCW’s annual gathering has been a significant cultural anchor — a sacred haven of joy, love, sisterhood, and unapologetic self-expression. In this political era that increasingly targets marginalized communities, WoCW stands as a bold and affirming intersectional space. Year after year, it reasserts our right to exist, to gather, and to be seen in our fullness. | Shutterstock Founded in 2007, Womxn of Color Weekend (WoCW) has become a vital cultural force in Provincetown. Since 2017, the visionary power behind its growth and evolution has been Jha D Amazi, WoCW’s executive producer and director. Under her leadership, WoCW transformed into a nonprofit organization with a bold, unapologetic mission: to bring racial and cultural diversity to Provincetown while cultivating spaces rooted in belonging. “There aren’t enough spaces that center and cater to our experiences as Black, queer, womxn — our expansive gender expressions and our layered identities,” Amazi shared with me. “My hope is that our time together says Black folks, queer folks, women folks don’t just exist here — we thrive here. We belong here.” Frolic welcomes queer men of color from across the globe. Now celebrating its tenth year, P-town is its signature summer event. It’s an embrace of brotherhood culture — a supportive, affirming fraternity that fosters connection, belonging, and pride for all. And for six days, Frolic offers boat cruises, pool parties, club nights, beach takeovers, panels, workshops, group exercise, and much more!! | Shutterstock With more than 1,200 Frolickers filling Commercial Street, the town’s vibrant main drag, the energy is unmistakable with laughter, joy, and celebration rippling through every corner. Attendees arrive from near and far, from Amsterdam to Truro, the next town over. \"At its core, FROLIC is a space rooted in joy, belonging, and intentional community-building for queer people of color,\" Ronnie Smith, the executive producer of Frolic weekend, told me. This multicultural brotherhood creates a safe, protective camaraderie that sparks lifelong friendships and shared memories. Black joy is both an act of resistance & of visibility The theme for Pride Month 2026 — resilience, liberation, and visibility — is more than a slogan; it is a call to action and radical self-care. WoCW and Frolic themed weekends of joy are both. They are acts of resistance, to take up space, and rebuke erasure in this political climate. Those themed weekends are a bold declaration of our rights as queer people of color to be our authentic selves. On those weekends, we are all fam. It’s the one time each year that I gift myself a weekend of unabashed radical self-care — I only wish there were more events and space for QPOC to keep connecting and growing together. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Reverend Irene Monroe","publishDate":"2026-06-19T17:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2337935153.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"n5qk93","title":"Suspects arrested for burning school's Pride flag as hate crimes skyrocket","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/suspects-arrested-for-burning-schools-pride-flag-as-hate-crimes-skyrocket/","excerpt":"Two Ontario teens have been charged with mischief after allegedly tearing down a secondary school flag and setting it on fire. The act, which is being investigated as a hate crime, took place in the city of Markham around 11 pm on June 8. York Regional Police have identified Sepehr Abadar and Mahan ","content":"Two Ontario teens have been charged with mischief after allegedly tearing down a secondary school flag and setting it on fire. The act, which is being investigated as a hate crime, took place in the city of Markham around 11 pm on June 8. York Regional Police have identified Sepehr Abadar and Mahan Mohammad Radmard, both 18, as the alleged perpetrators. \"Two suspects attended the school, removed the Pride flag from its holder, ripped it and attempted to set it on fire,\" a police press release states, adding that \"Investigators believe the incident was hate-motivated.\" Related Trump sparked fury like no other when he removed Stonewall's Pride flag. Here's why it hit so hard. \"York Regional Police takes all hate-motivated incidents seriously and will not tolerate any form of hate crime. All reports of hate crime or hate/bias incidents are investigated thoroughly. Anyone who witnesses or has been the victim of a hate crime or hate/bias incident is encouraged to report it to police immediately.\" A statement from a local PFLAG chapter slammed the incident as an \"attack on one of our community's most sacred symbols.\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “Hate-motivated campaigns of discrimination have been emboldened over the last decade,\" the group told Global News. \"They are well-organized, well-funded and unfortunately, successful in their mandate to not only encourage bigoted thoughts, but encourage and promote hate-motivated incidents and hate crimes.” The publication also cited statistics showing that hate crimes more than doubled in Ontario between 2020 and 2024, with 14% of them being motivated by sexual orientation. The incident happened around the same time as two other acts of Pride-related vandalism at another Ontario school. On June 7, two suspects cut down the metal flagpole from which the Pride flag flew at Norwich’s Emily Stowe Public School and proceeded to steal the emblem of acceptance. A week earlier, on June 1, perpetrators removed the Pride flag and set it on fire. “It’s every year, and it escalates every year, it gets worse,” Jeff, a Norwich resident, told CTV News. “Everybody’s entitled to their own beliefs and their own philosophies, but respect for one another and respect for other people’s property and public community property is important.” Last year, Norwich endured four incidents of Pride flag theft or destruction, according to the Simcoe Reformer. Two of the incidents also took place at Emily Stowe Public School. There were also several Pride flag thefts reported in both 2022 and 2023. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-19T15:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F06%2Fcolorado-republican-party-burn-pride-flag-lgbtq.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"7868t1","title":"Remember when an enraged Marjorie Taylor Greene told off a Dem governor?: “Don’t you dare smile!”","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-an-enraged-marjorie-taylor-greene-told-off-a-dem-governor-dont-you-dare-smile/","excerpt":"During a hearing on blue-state sanctuary policies for immigrants, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) berated New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for allegedly smiling while the Congresswoman spoke about Laken Riley, a young woman who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant and whose death the Republica","content":"During a hearing on blue-state sanctuary policies for immigrants, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) berated New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for allegedly smiling while the Congresswoman spoke about Laken Riley, a young woman who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant and whose death the Republicans have used to justify their cruelty to all immigrants. Hochul responded that she wasn't smiling as Greene paused her line of questioning to talk down to Hochul, \"You look like you've got quite a smile on your face,\" Greene said, as House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Rep. James Comer (R-KY) banged his gavel and told her not to \"attack the witness.\" Related Out lawmakers grill Pete Hegseth over decision to remove Harvey Milk's name from Navy ship This angered Greene, who said it was \"my time\" and that she was \"reclaiming her time.\" Comer continued to tell her to stop attacking the witness, but Greene kept going \"Don't you dare smile about the murder of Laken Riley,\" Greene said. \"I'm thinking about her parents,\" Hochul replied. \"Don't question how I look. My heart is breaking for her parents.\" \"My time, Governor Hochul,\" Greene retorted. Greene: Are you smiling at me? Hochul: No Greene: Don’t you dare smile Hochul: Don’t question how I look pic.twitter.com/RpXFok0HEW— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025 The hearing was wrought with tense exchanges between Republican representatives and the Democratic governors. Greene: You stated that you’re a proud registered Democrat?Hochul: Yes. Is that illegal now too in your country?Greene: *laughs* This is not a laughing matter. pic.twitter.com/PoFBGjMbRG— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025 Lawler: That’s why you’re here.Hochul: No, the reason I’m sitting here is because Republicans are trying to deflect from their bill that’s going to hurt people in your district pic.twitter.com/zZROTBV6kw— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025 Fischbach: When you hold a position like this, you should not be saying something like thatWalz: But you support the president’s language? pic.twitter.com/aREK9gCcDq— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025 Pritzker to Mary Miller: I am not going to be lectured to by somebody who extols the virtue of Hitler. pic.twitter.com/Ja0X6cYYgJ— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025 Boebert: What we’re seeing in LA is an insurrection Pritzker: You don’t know understand what insurrection is. It is outrageous that you are asking that when you are the one condoning the pardoning of people that attacked police. pic.twitter.com/iOrhvzK8JV— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-19T14:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F04%2Fusatsi-22587566-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"otvmlw","title":"The sapphic subtext of ‘Sister Act’: One nun was \"attracted\" to Whoopi Goldberg's character","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/the-sapphic-subtext-of-sister-act-one-nun-was-attracted-to-whoopi-goldbergs-character/","excerpt":"If you caught a frisson of sapphic chemistry in Sister Act, there’s a good reason, according to Wendy Makkena. This week, the You Might Know Her From podcast reposted an archive clip from their 2021 interview with Makkena, in which she explained that she imagined her character in the 1992 film was a","content":"If you caught a frisson of sapphic chemistry in Sister Act, there’s a good reason, according to Wendy Makkena. This week, the You Might Know Her From podcast reposted an archive clip from their 2021 interview with Makkena, in which she explained that she imagined her character in the 1992 film was attracted to Whoopi Goldberg’s. Related JD Vance runs to Fox News to complain about Whoopi Goldberg asking him about racism In Sister Act, written by out novelist and screenwriter Paul Rudnick under a pseudonym, Goldberg played Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer forced to hide from her mobster ex-boyfriend by posing as a nun. Makkena played Sister Mary Robert, a shy novitiate at the convent where Deloris takes refuge, who is immediately drawn to Goldberg’s brassy character. “I thought to myself, ‘How am I gonna then justify how obsessed I sort of am with Deloris?’” Makkena told You Might Know Her From hosts Damian Bellino and Anne Rodeman. “And then I thought, ‘Well, maybe there’s an attraction.’” Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The actress went on to explain her acting process. “It occurred to me that possibly Sister Mary Robert was drawn to Deloris unconsciously, subconsciously — that there was some kind of attraction that not even Sister Mary Robert would have been — given how very innocent she was — aware of,” she said. Makkena said that she kept this bit of character work to herself. “And nobody certainly noticed it on set. It was just an internal little secret that I used as an actor,” she explained. To her surprise, however, queer audiences did pick up on the homoerotic vibes. After the movie premiered, she said, “Somebody called me, and they said, ‘Oh my gosh, Out Magazine says that ‘how come nobody has noticed the sexual tension between Deloris and Sister Mary Robert?’” “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, they picked up on it!’” Makkena enthused. View this post on Instagram A post shared by You Might Know Her From Actress Interviews (@youmightknowherfrom) Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"John Russell","publishDate":"2026-06-19T13:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-18-jun-2026-06-35-pm-9582.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"i5la4i","title":"Minor league team in York, Pa., forfeits Pride Night game after some players refuse to wear special jersey","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/minor-league-team-in-york-pa-forfeits-pride-night-game-after-some-players-refuse-to-wear-special-jersey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=minor-league-team-in-york-pa-forfeits-pride-night-game-after-some-players-refuse-to-wear-special-jersey","excerpt":"An independent minor league baseball team says it is forfeiting a game because some of its players refused to wear a special Pride Night jersey. The Atlantic League Pro Baseball’s York Revolution were planning to hold their 11th annual Pride Night event Thursday for a game against the Southern Maryl","content":"An independent minor league baseball team says it is forfeiting a game because some of its players refused to wear a special Pride Night jersey. The Atlantic League Pro Baseball’s York Revolution were planning to hold their 11th annual Pride Night event Thursday for a game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. But the Revolution announced the day of the game that it wouldn’t be played. York is about 20 miles north of the Maryland line. The Blue Crabs play in Waldorf. The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website. The post Minor league team in York, Pa., forfeits Pride Night game after some players refuse to wear special jersey appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Baltimore Banner","publishDate":"2026-06-19T14:44:41.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"1ip5eu","title":"Congratulations to Lewis George and all winners in D.C.’s primary","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/opinion-congratulations-winners-dc-primary/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-congratulations-winners-dc-primary","excerpt":"The primary is just about over and we are about to have a new mayor in D.C. For the first time D.C. has ranked choice voting. Because of this, we don’t have a final winner for every race on election night. It will take a few days to declare some winners. I opposed ranked choice, and would rather see","content":"The primary is just about over and we are about to have a new mayor in D.C. For the first time D.C. has ranked choice voting. Because of this, we don’t have a final winner for every race on election night. It will take a few days to declare some winners. I opposed ranked choice, and would rather see a run-off between the top two candidates, but the voters of D.C. spoke, so we have ranked choice. Let me congratulate Janeese Lewis George, the apparent winner of the primary for mayor. Now it will be on to the general election where we can be close to 100% certain she will be the next mayor. I campaigned against her for a variety of reasons, and those reasons still hold. But she will have my support, and I congratulate her on her win. It is my hope she will become a good mayor for all the people of the District. That she will be a mayor we can all trust, and work with. That she will always speak up for the LGBTQ community, and speak out against anyone who wants to discriminate against us. Just as I hope she will actively fight antisemitism, Islamophobia, sexism, and racism. That she will fight for economic equality. So, again, I give her my full support at this time, trusting she will do all those things, because we all want only the best for all the people of the District. So, Janeese Lewis George, I salute you on your win, and wish you success. In addition to a new mayor, we will have a new delegate to Congress, Robert White. I wish him well, and hope he will work to form the coalitions we will need if we are ever to get statehood. But also hope his first goal as we fight for that, will be to get us legislative and budget autonomy. Then we reelected Brian Schwalb as Attorney General, Phil Mendelson as Council Chair, and Zachary Parker as Council member for Ward 5. I hope they all continue the good work they have been doing. Then congratulations to Oye Owolewa for his win as Democratic Council member- at-Large. Then in the special election for Independent Council member-at-Large, Elissa Silverman reclaimed her seat. I hope those who endorsed her will fare better than I did when I previously endorsed her. I was nominated by the mayor for a seat on a board, and Ms. Silverman said she couldn’t participate in my committee review, or vote for me, as it would look bad for her as I had endorsed her. Figure that one out. Thankfully, the other 12 members of the Council had no problem confirming me. I hope the people in Ward 1 will get fair and equal representation, from former Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America chair, Aparna Raj, who apparently won that election. Congratulations also to Matthew Frumin, reelected in Ward 3, and Charles Allen, reelected in Ward 6. Then congratulations to my friend Phil Pannell, and all the others elected to Democratic Party posts. With the new members of the Council, and the new mayor, we can definitely anticipate some changes in how our government is run, and which issues will be a priority. I just hope considering the frustration we all feel with the felon in the White House, they will be able to hold in check some of their thoughts, understanding he can inflict pain, and has shown a willingness to do so, on the people of D.C., if he is challenged too fiercely, and too directly, especially true when the challenge comes from the mayor. He can, and will, react negatively, and we have seen that. The new mayor must know how to walk a tight rope, because it’s a skill she will need when dealing with the lying, racist, sexist, homophobic felon in the Oval Office. Disgusting or not, he will be around for the first two years of the new mayor’s term. I would rather see him in jail, but so be it. The new mayor and the Council will be working on some of the same issues that have been around for a number of years, and some new ones. They will still be fighting the rat problem, and I mean the animals, and then we look forward to the new RFK stadium, and the Commanders return to D.C. The team made certain promises, and it is up to the government to hold them accountable, including working with the community, building affordable housing, a new supermarket, and a host of other commitments. They must monitor hiring to ensure residents of D.C. are given all the opportunities possible, for jobs at every level on the various projects. Again, congratulations to all the winners. Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. The post Congratulations to Lewis George and all winners in D.C.’s primary appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Peter Rosenstein","publishDate":"2026-06-19T13:49:50.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"rkg8fn","title":"‘Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo’: memoria, resistencia y celebración marcan inicio del Mes del Orgullo en El Salvador","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/mani-fiesta-tu-orgullo-memoria-resistencia-y-celebracion-marcan-inicio-del-mes-del-orgullo-en-el-salvador/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mani-fiesta-tu-orgullo-memoria-resistencia-y-celebracion-marcan-inicio-del-mes-del-orgullo-en-el-salvador","excerpt":"Entre los sonidos vibrantes de la batucada, las luces de colores, la música y los mensajes de reivindicación, el 5 de junio se llevó a cabo una nueva edición de “Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo”, un evento que durante los últimos cuatro años se ha convertido en una de las actividades más emblemáticas para da","content":"Entre los sonidos vibrantes de la batucada, las luces de colores, la música y los mensajes de reivindicación, el 5 de junio se llevó a cabo una nueva edición de “Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo”, un evento que durante los últimos cuatro años se ha convertido en una de las actividades más emblemáticas para dar inicio a las celebraciones y acciones de incidencia política, cultural y comunitaria del Mes del Orgullo en El Salvador. La actividad, organizada por la Federación Salvadoreña LGBTI en conjunto con el Centro Cultural de España en El Salvador, congregó entre 200 y 300 personas que se dieron cita para compartir un espacio de encuentro, reflexión, memoria histórica y celebración de la diversidad. Desde las 7 p.m. y hasta las 10 p.m., el recinto se transformó en un punto de reunión para activistas, artistas, organizaciones de la sociedad civil, personas de la comunidad LGBTQ y aliados que año con año encuentran en esta actividad una oportunidad para reafirmar su identidad y fortalecer los lazos comunitarios. Más allá de una fiesta, los organizadores destacan que “Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo” representa un acto político y social de gran importancia, pues marca oficialmente el inicio de las actividades que diversas organizaciones desarrollan durante junio y permite posicionar públicamente las demandas, preocupaciones y aspiraciones de la comunidad LGBTQ salvadoreña. Cuatro años construyendo comunidad y visibilidad La iniciativa nació hace cuatro años como una propuesta para abrir el Mes del Orgullo desde un espacio cultural, inclusivo y accesible para todas las personas. Desde entonces, la actividad ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en una referencia dentro de la agenda de junio, permitiendo que organizaciones, activistas y miembros de la comunidad encuentren un espacio para compartir experiencias, fortalecer alianzas y proyectar mensajes de incidencia. Para la Federación Salvadoreña LGBTI, uno de los aspectos más significativos ha sido el respaldo constante del Centro Cultural de España, institución que ha abierto sus puertas para albergar la actividad y contribuir a la promoción de los derechos humanos y la diversidad. “Para nosotras y nosotros es muy gratificante contar con el apoyo del Centro Cultural de España, que ha sido un aliado importante para poder desarrollar este espacio y hacerlo crecer cada año”, destacaron integrantes de la Federación. La continuidad del evento también refleja la capacidad de resistencia y organización de la comunidad LGBTQ en un contexto que continúa presentando desafíos relacionados con la igualdad, el reconocimiento y la garantía de derechos. Durante estos cuatro años, “Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo” ha servido como un espacio de expresión artística, pero también como una plataforma para visibilizar las realidades que enfrenta la población diversa en el país. Un hecho histórico: la participación activa de la Asamblea Feminista Uno de los aspectos que marcó esta edición fue la participación activa de la Asamblea Feminista, organización que desde el año pasado se ha incorporado de manera más directa a la coordinación y desarrollo de las actividades del Mes del Orgullo. Aunque históricamente mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales han formado parte de las marchas y acciones impulsadas por la comunidad LGBTQ, su participación en los procesos organizativos había sido limitada. La incorporación de la Asamblea Feminista representa, según activistas, un paso importante hacia la construcción de un movimiento más amplio, inclusivo y articulado. Para Karla Guevara, secretaria general de la Federación Salvadoreña LGBTI, este acercamiento constituye un hecho sin precedentes dentro de la historia reciente del movimiento. “Creo que esto es inédito, y a nosotras y nosotres como Federación nos llena de orgullo que las compañeras lesbianas y bisexuales se hayan podido sumar a estas actividades del Mes del Orgullo”, expresó. Karla Guevara, secretaria general de la Federación Salvadoreña LGBTI (Foto cortesía de la Federación Salvadoreña LGBTI) La participación de organizaciones feministas también evidencia una creciente convergencia entre distintas luchas sociales que comparten principios relacionados con la igualdad, la dignidad humana y la defensa de los derechos fundamentales. Para muchas personas asistentes, esta articulación representa una oportunidad para fortalecer redes de apoyo y construir agendas comunes frente a desafíos que afectan a diversos sectores históricamente excluidos. Arte, música y celebración como herramientas de resistencia La jornada estuvo marcada por expresiones artísticas que aportaron energía y color a la celebración. La reconocida batucada Las Musas fue una de las agrupaciones encargadas de animar la noche, aportando ritmos vibrantes que acompañaron gran parte de la actividad. Asimismo, la participación de la DJ Drag Alexa Evangelista contribuyó a crear un ambiente festivo y diverso, donde la música se convirtió en un lenguaje común para las personas asistentes. Más allá del entretenimiento, las expresiones artísticas desempeñan un papel fundamental dentro de los movimientos sociales, especialmente en aquellos relacionados con la diversidad sexual y de género. El arte, la música, la danza y las expresiones culturales permiten construir comunidad, fortalecer identidades y generar espacios seguros donde las personas pueden expresarse libremente. En este sentido, “Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo” demuestra cómo la celebración también puede convertirse en una forma de resistencia frente a la discriminación y la exclusión. Un manifiesto dedicado a la memoria y la gratitud Uno de los momentos más significativos de la noche fue la lectura del manifiesto del orgullo correspondiente a este año. A diferencia de otros años, el documento estuvo enfocado principalmente en la memoria histórica y el reconocimiento de quienes construyeron los primeros espacios de organización y resistencia en condiciones mucho más adversas. El mensaje recordó a aquellas personas que, en décadas pasadas, comenzaron a construir comunidad desde la clandestinidad, cuando la discriminación social era aún más intensa y los espacios seguros prácticamente inexistían. También rindió homenaje a quienes fallecieron durante la pandemia del VIH/Sida en las décadas de 1980 y 1990, una de las etapas más dolorosas para la población LGBTQ a nivel mundial. El manifiesto destacó además la importancia de recordar la primera Marcha del Orgullo realizada en El Salvador en 1997, un acontecimiento histórico que marcó un antes y un después en la visibilidad pública de la comunidad diversa. Asimismo, se hizo un reconocimiento especial a las personas adultas mayores de la comunidad, incluyendo mujeres lesbianas, hombres gays, personas bisexuales y mujeres trans, cuyas experiencias y luchas han contribuido a abrir camino para las nuevas generaciones. Para muchas de las personas presentes, este enfoque representó una invitación a mirar hacia atrás con gratitud, reconociendo que los avances actuales son el resultado de décadas de trabajo, organización y valentía. El orgullo como memoria, comunidad y esperanza Aunque junio suele asociarse con celebraciones, desfiles y manifestaciones públicas, para muchas organizaciones LGBTQ el orgullo también implica memoria, reflexión y compromiso con las generaciones futuras. Eventos como “Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo” permiten recordar que detrás de cada conquista existen historias de personas que enfrentaron discriminación, violencia y exclusión para abrir espacios de participación y reconocimiento. Al mismo tiempo, estas actividades fortalecen los vínculos comunitarios y generan oportunidades para que nuevas personas se integren a los movimientos de defensa de derechos humanos. La edición de este año dejó en evidencia que la comunidad LGBTQ salvadoreña continúa apostando por la organización colectiva, la construcción de alianzas y la recuperación de la memoria histórica como herramientas fundamentales para avanzar. Con una asistencia que superó las expectativas de los organizadores y una creciente participación de distintos sectores sociales, “Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo” reafirmó su lugar como una de las actividades más significativas del inicio del Mes del Orgullo en El Salvador. Más que una celebración, fue un espacio para recordar, agradecer y reconocer que cada paso dado en la búsqueda de igualdad ha sido posible gracias a quienes, desde distintos momentos de la historia, decidieron levantar la voz y construir comunidad. Y precisamente allí radica la esencia de esta actividad: en recordar que el orgullo no solo se celebra, también se hereda, se construye y se comparte. The post ‘Mani Fiesta tu Orgullo’: memoria, resistencia y celebración marcan inicio del Mes del Orgullo en El Salvador appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Ernesto Valle","publishDate":"2026-06-19T13:00:56.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260605_Karla_Guevara_at_Mani_Fiesta_tu_Orgullo_Pride_event_in_San_Salvador_El_Salvador_insert_courtesy_Federacion_Salvadorena_LGBTI.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"e5cotl","title":"Trump's DOJ encourages Christian MLB players to sue over Pride ballcap controversy","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/trumps-doj-encourages-christian-mlb-players-to-sue-over-pride-ballcap-controversy/","excerpt":"Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads up the Civil Rights Division of President Donald Trump's Justice Department, waded into the ongoing Major League Baseball (MLB) cap controversy, stoking outrage over the league's reaction to a San Francisco Giants player displaying a Bible v","content":"Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads up the Civil Rights Division of President Donald Trump's Justice Department, waded into the ongoing Major League Baseball (MLB) cap controversy, stoking outrage over the league's reaction to a San Francisco Giants player displaying a Bible verse on his Pride Night ballcap. \"It is illegal to treat employees differently\" on the basis of \"protected characteristics, and religion is one of those protected characteristics under our federal laws,\" Dhillon said in an appearance on the right-wing Newsmax outlet, encouraging unnamed plaintiffs to pursue legal action through private litigation or through her \"friend,\" Andrea Jacobs, the head of Trump's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Related JD Vance says sports teams \"don't have to do\" Pride Nights anymore because \"Trump won\" It was unclear who would be suing, as neither the Giants nor MLB have issued any sanctions against the San Francisco team's starting pitcher, Laden Roupp nor against the other two players who added Bible verses to their caps that night. MLB did give them a warning, saying that regulations prohibit any “alterations, writing, or illustrations” on league uniforms. The players wore the altered hats last Friday night at the Giants' Pride celebration at Oracle Park. Roupp's bore the words \"Gen 9:11-16\" next to his cap's rainbow-colored Giants team logo. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The verse follows God’s promise to never again flood the world for its sinful ways, adding, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the Earth.” Following a bad outing on the mound — the Giants gave up five runs to the Chicago Cubs and lost by four — Roupp was unfazed over the controversy his hat inspired. “There’s no hate at all. It’s just what I stand for and what I stand in. I believe in God, and that’s me,” he said. “We live in a country where you’re welcome to believe what you want,\" Roupp added. \"There’s a freedom of speech and stuff like that, so that’s really all I have to say about that. I’m just thankful that God has put me in this situation and that I can go out and share his kingdom.” It was left to Giants management to acknowledge that the alterations were inappropriate.In a statement, the team said, “We understand that the choices by individual players have caused pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community, and we are sorry for that.” In her Newsmax appearance, Assistant AG Dhillon said the MLB holds players like Roupp and the others to a different standard. \"They're treating people of faith and their faith-based messages on their hats differently than, say, employees who want to have pins that are LGBTQ or other types of messaging on their hats, and they tolerate that,\" Dhillon claimed. \"In other words, if they're applying that uniform policy in a discriminatory manner, that definitely could be the basis of an employment discrimination claim by a private lawyer or by the EEOC,\" she added. Dhillon's stoking followed Vice President JD Vance doing the same two days before, when he responded to MLB's warning with a cryptic post intended for his audience of one: “Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T20:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2F2026-06-13t024625z-1792382358-mt1usatoday29186819-rtrmadp-3-mlb-chicago-cubs-at-san-francisco-giants.webp%3Ffocus_crop%3D1544%2C813%2C0.48%2C0.12%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"65robm","title":"Primary Day is not the end of election season in D.C.","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/19/primary-day-is-not-the-end-of-election-season-in-d-c/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=primary-day-is-not-the-end-of-election-season-in-d-c","excerpt":"Fellow citizens and voters in the District of Columbia!Primary Day has passed. By now there should be some idea whom our new Congressional representative, mayor and members of the City Council may be. Hopefully Mr. Trump's chest beating threats to take over the District resulted in more voters than ","content":"Fellow citizens and voters in the District of Columbia!Primary Day has passed. By now there should be some idea whom our new Congressional representative, mayor and members of the City Council may be. Hopefully Mr. Trump's chest beating threats to take over the District resulted in more voters than ever sending a crystal-clear message to the White House.Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, delivers the final decisions and requires every registered vote to cast final votes on the aforementioned positions. WAIT! There are other elected positions to fill. The DC Board of Education will have candidates in Wards 1,3, 5, and 6. Finally, there are the ultra-local positions: all those running for the entire Advisory Neighbor Commissions in all eight wards. There are 345 Single Member Districts around the city representing around 2,000 neighbors.Love your city and want to have a say in your area? Then consider running for the ANC. To learn more, check out www.oanc.dc.gov. Of course, also check out the DC Board of Elections at www.dcboe.org.There might also be some initiatives/referenda to be decided on the November ballots. Do let the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund/Institute know if you are running either for the Board of Education or your local ANC at www.victoryfund.org. The post Primary Day is not the end of election season in D.C. appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"John Klenert","publishDate":"2026-06-19T10:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"safety","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"c0cjbk","title":"Angry constituents school transphobic Democrat who misgendered colleague in front of everyone","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/angry-constituents-school-transphobic-democrat-who-misgendered-colleague-in-front-of-everyone/","excerpt":"An Erie City, Pennsylvania city councilmember who intentionally misgendered a colleague from the dais last week is suffering the backlash, with dozens of outraged constituents showing up to a Wednesday night council meeting to share their displeasure. The councilman, Ed Brzezinski, a former school b","content":"An Erie City, Pennsylvania city councilmember who intentionally misgendered a colleague from the dais last week is suffering the backlash, with dozens of outraged constituents showing up to a Wednesday night council meeting to share their displeasure. The councilman, Ed Brzezinski, a former school board member and registered Democrat, sat stone-faced through the five-hour meeting. Related “Your time is up!\": Out mayor publicly shuts down religious homophobic troll “In this country, we have freedom of speech, but that does not mean that we have freedom from consequence,” said Savannah Wilson, an Erie resident. Brzezinski's behavior \"last meeting is permission for discrimination,” Wilson said.Brzezinski's insult came toward the end of a heated council debate on June 9 over a bayfront redevelopment project. Council President Tyler Titus, who is out as transgender and uses they/them pronouns, cautioned Brzezinski with a reminder to limit his interruptions, Erie News Now reports. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Brzezinski replied to Dr. Titus, “Yes, ma’am.” News of the slight spread quickly, and had Democrats in the county addressing hateful words from one of their own.\"Being registered as a Democrat is not a shield from accountability by the Democratic Party, as our values mean very little if they are only campaign language,\" Erie County Democrats said in a statement. \"This conduct is particularly concerning because it follows prior public concerns about Councilmember Brzezinski's use of degrading language toward colleagues,\" the statement added. The rebukes continued at Wednesday night's council meeting, where 58 attendees addressed his behavior during three hours of public comment in the packed council chamber, with almost all the comments directed almost exclusively at Brzezinski, Erie Times-News reported. Dozens of people spoke out Wednesday during an Erie City Council public comment session, calling for the immediate resignation or a public apology from Councilman Ed Brzezinski. https://t.co/4ndk6pz24k— JET/FOX/YourErie.com (@JET24FOX66) June 18, 2026 “Let us be clear: this was a deliberate act of disrespect and intent to harm a member of our trans community,” said trans constituent Rie Witherow. “I am misgendered daily,” they said, adding that most of those incidents are simple mistakes. Brzezinski's outburst was not a mistake, they said, while calling on him to resign or for his colleagues to censure and strip him of his committee assignments. Erie Mayor Daria Devlin publicly apologized to Titus during her report in chambers. She said she regretted not doing more in the moment after Brzezinski uttered the words. Brzezinski said nothing through the comment period, only speaking at the end of the meeting to announce an unrelated event. \"That's it. Thank you,\" he said.Titus saved their comments for the meeting's final minutes. \"Healing does not happen by pretending harm did not occur. Healing happens when we tell the truth about what happened, we take responsibility for our role in it, and we commit ourselves to building a better city,\" they said. \"That is my hope for this council, that is my hope for this city, and despite everything, that hope remains stronger than my anger,\" Titus said. Whether or not that message sank in seemed to be answered by a meeting attendee who watched Brzezinski exit the session. \"After hours of public comment condemning Ed's decorum at the city council meeting tonight, Ed Brzezinski walked up to a young female reporter in the lobby, made smooching noises and commented that she was the only thing that kept him awake through the meeting. I heard him and he'll have to hear me call him out at the next meeting,\" social media user Sammie Voto wrote online. Councilman Brzezinski purposefully misgendered Erie’s trans nonbinary city council president last week, got yelled at by constituents for 4+ hours last night due to his actions, and then proceeded to hit on a reporter. We need him gone from council ASAP. pic.twitter.com/Scz3eLowrb— Cole (@ColeAsLife) June 18, 2026 Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T19:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Ferie-city-council.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"chmw2e","title":"Remember when a church stood by its call to execute gay people? “I will not apologize …”","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-a-church-stood-by-its-call-to-execute-gay-people-i-will-not-apologize/","excerpt":"A church leader in Indianapolis is doubling down on a sermon delivered at the Sure Foundation Baptist Church in the state's capital city last week that called on gay people to \"blow yourself in the back of the head,\" among other incendiary statements. Church leader Justin Zhong endorsed the remarks ","content":"A church leader in Indianapolis is doubling down on a sermon delivered at the Sure Foundation Baptist Church in the state's capital city last week that called on gay people to \"blow yourself in the back of the head,\" among other incendiary statements. Church leader Justin Zhong endorsed the remarks delivered by lay pastor Stephen Falco during a Men's Preaching Night service on June 29, including his assertion that, \"There's nothing good to be proud about being a f*g. You ought to blow yourself in the head in the back of the head. You're so disgusting.\" Related Preacher calls gay people \"AIDS dispensers\" in disgusting rant The church posted the sermon to YouTube, and it was widely denounced by members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies who called the hate-filled screed \"theologically irresponsible\" and \"pastorally dangerous.\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today YouTube has since removed the video for violating its terms of service. A portion of the sermon was reposted by radio station 93 WIBC Indianapolis. An Indianapolis church said members of the LGBTQ+ community should be put to death or kill themselves.During a recent sermon titled “Pray the Gay Away” inside the Sure Foundation Baptist Church on the northwest side of the city, church leader Stephen Falco said the community… pic.twitter.com/w8PDbG5hAD— 93 WIBC Indianapolis (@93wibc) July 3, 2025 \"Why do I hate sodomites, why do I hate f*gs? Because they attack children, they're coming after your children, they are attacking them in schools today, and not only schools in public places, and they're proud about it!\" Falco said during the Pride month sermon titled \"Pray the gay away.\" Another man identified in the same video as \"Brother Wayne\" followed Falco at the pulpit with a sermon he called \"Worthy of Being Beaten,\" according to the Indianapolis Star. He blamed society's moral decline on a lack of discipline and physical punishment, calling beatings a deterrent that have been lost in American culture, while aiming his harshest rhetoric at immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. \"I don't even understand why we're deporting these illegal criminals who are murderers, who are doing drug trafficking, sex trafficking, human trafficking. They're putting them on a plane, and they're sending them over to a prison in another country,\" he said. \"I say we put them to death right here. I say we beat them right here.\" Brother Wayne said of gay people, \"I think they should be put to death. You know what, I'll go further. I think they should be beaten in public first for all their sick and demented, just [slur] and the things they're doing to our schools, to our government, to our institutions, to our churches. These people should be beaten and stomped in the mud, and then they should take a gun and blow the back of their heads off.\" While not officially associated with the notorious New Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, which has long espoused the death penalty for gay people, Sure Foundation Baptist Church says their pastor, Aaron Thompson, is a new IFB church member from Vancouver, Washington. Both churches are \"KJV only\", referring to their literal interpretation of the gospel from the King James Bible. \"The Bible is crystal clear that sodomites – homosexuals – deserve the death penalty carried out by a government that actually cares about the law of God,\" said church leader Zhong in Falco's defense. \"I will not apologize for preaching the Word of God. I will not apologize for stating facts. I will not negotiate with terrorists, among whom the LGBTHIV crowd is full of domestic terrorists,\" Zhong said, before citing multiple verses from the Bible to make his church's case on Facebook. A sermon by Falco in March even directed ire at Donald Trump for appearing religious to secure political support while having a life of pride, perversion, blasphemy, and mockery of Jesus Christ. He cited Trump's declaration that he would date his own daughter if they weren't related. \"Unless Donald Trump gets saved, which I hope he does … God will judge him for it and he will go to hell.\" In his June sermon, Falco also wished death on former President Joe Biden, whom he described as \"a wicked reprobate.\" \"I have prayed for the death of former President Biden many times,\" he boasted. But Falco's most outlandish and threatening rhetoric was reserved for the LGBTQ+ community, which he shouted down as \"evil\" and \"disgusting\". Allies and activists rallied in the community's defense, including an association of Black churches and activists. \"Such messages are not only theologically irresponsible but pastorally dangerous,\" faith-based civil rights group Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis said in a statement. \"The pulpit must never be used as a weapon to dehumanize, isolate, or incite fear.\" Equality Indiana called Falco's sermon inflammatory and extremist, saying it could inspire violence against the community. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T18:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F07%2Fshutterstock-1927682228-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"z8fc9f","title":"\"Heated Rivalry\" stars score cheeky ads in a tough environment for LGBTQ+ visibility","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/heated-rivalry-stars-score-cheeky-ads-in-a-tougher-environment-for-lgbtq-visibility/","excerpt":"The rising stars of the steamy, runaway HBO hit Heated Rivalry, which is about hockey players who repeatedly scored with each other, are now scoring with major advertisers too, even as Pride events struggle to hold on to sponsors. Their sculpted bottoms play important supporting roles. Related Accep","content":"The rising stars of the steamy, runaway HBO hit Heated Rivalry, which is about hockey players who repeatedly scored with each other, are now scoring with major advertisers too, even as Pride events struggle to hold on to sponsors. Their sculpted bottoms play important supporting roles. Related Acceptance of gay people improved a lot in the 2010s, but it's stagnating in the 2020s. Why? Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today A short horror-style video for Verizon called “Look Behind You” features Connor Storrie, who portrayed the Russian player Ilya Rozanov on Heated Rivalry. Set at a remote cabin in the woods, a series of creepy things happen to Connor but it ends humorously on the tagline, “The Best Butt, The Best Network. There’s no escape.” Verizon CMO Leslie Berland told Marketing Brew, “There was a real spark of excitement around this idea of, ‘What if we bring together this famous butt with the Verizon 5G network and create really fun, interesting, compelling storytelling around that?’” Hudson Williams, who repeatedly revealed his muscular physique as Heated Rivalry’s Canadian Shane Hollander, now shows off his body – this time clothed – as he exercises for the internet-connected workout system Peloton. His \"Let Yourself Go\" ad fittingly starts off with the camera trained on his derriere as he drips with sweat through a dance-infused workout. “‘Let yourself go’ feels very in line with my beliefs,” Hudson said in the Peloton release. “It’s amazing what fitness can do for your life. I think everyone needs a form of movement that liberates them. Movement is the quickest way to get out of sticky feelings – whether that’s dancing or exercise.” [Editor's note: Peleton removed its ads featuring Williams after the emergence of a photo of him as a high school senior with a swastika drawn on his face. Williams' representatives said he had no idea that the symbol had been drawn on his face by others when the photo was taken. The drawings were part of a school tradition in which seniors draw on one another.] Big brands apparently weren’t scared of the spicy sex in the series, since a good number of them provided product placements, including Adidas, Corona, Doritos, Land Rover, Lays, Nike, Ray-Ban, Royal Caribbean, Tostitos, Under Armour and others. So far, neither Heated Rivalry star has publicly defined their sexuality, even though Williams has been in a long-term relationship with a woman. Yet many advertisers are showing they will still choose LGBTQ+ stars – and those playing queer characters – even amid the current conservative political climate. Verizon and Peloton are part of a pattern that signals a new era of \"gay vague\" advertising. Today’s spots don't call attention to a celebrity's queerness or queer-coded roles unless the viewer already knows. Their sexuality isn't the point — their fame is. Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform the halftime show in Super Bowl LX | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images That resolve was on full display during this year’s Super Bowl LX, where advertisers paid a record average of $8 million for 30-second ads – many that prominently featured openly LGBTQ+ stars. The lineup of rainbow celebrities included TV host and producer Andy Cohen for Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters, SNL comedian Bowen Yang for RITZ crackers, and pop group Katseye, whose out members include Lara Raj and Megan Skiendiel, for State Farm. Levi's tapped Grammy-winning bisexual rapper Doechii, and Pokémon paired Young Miko, the lesbian Puerto Rican rapper with bisexual pop icon Lady Gaga. The trend extended into the 2026 Olympic Winter Games when The Hershey Company featured Jason Brown, a gay bronze-medal figure skater, in its \"Happiness is the Real Gold\" ad campaign with supportive messages from athletes’ parents. But future queer representation on TV could get tougher, as the climate shifts. The FCC is now evaluating whether TV ratings should flag \"gender identity themes\" or carry warning labels before programs featuring transgender or non-binary characters. No major corporation or media company has publicly opposed the plan, but resistance is being channeled through industry coalitions and trade groups. Public comments will be accepted through June 22, 2026. With increased federal scrutiny about DEI policies, the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index, published February, reported a 65% decline in participation by Fortune 500 companies in the survey. Accordingly, an April 2026 survey by Gravity Research of corporate executives found that 39% planned to reduce Pride engagement this year – 61% cited pressure from the White House and the broader political environment as the primary drivers. Tampa Pride and events in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Arlington, Texas have all canceled this year after punishing sponsor losses. This may explain why \"gay vague\" is so appealing to advertisers right now as they try to ride things out. Brands can boast queer inclusion with less of a target on their backs. Here's hoping it's a strategy for the moment, and not a permanent retreat. Michael Wilke has written for The New York Times and Advertising Age and is the founder of nonprofit AdRespect.org, which promotes advertising that respects diversity, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation for a more accepting society and better business results. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Michael Wilke","publishDate":"2026-06-18T18:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fconnor-storrie-verizon-commercial.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1200%2C632%2C0.62%2C0.23%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"37rw9d","title":"2 moms & a bernedoodle: Finding my purpose in puppies","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/2-moms-a-bernedoodle-finding-my-purpose-in-puppies/","excerpt":"This article is offered exclusively to members, those who contribute monthly or annually to LGBTQ Nation.View this article on LGBTQ Nation to learn more or log in to continue reading.","content":"This article is offered exclusively to members, those who contribute monthly or annually to LGBTQ Nation.View this article on LGBTQ Nation to learn more or log in to continue reading.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T17:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fimg-2090.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1206%2C635%2C0.58%2C0.18%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"8cdl9h","title":"Fox host makes bizarre comment about Hillary Clinton being \"a female\"","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-fox-host-makes-bizarre-comment-about-hillary-clinton-being-a-female/","excerpt":"Inflammatory Fox host Jesse Watters spoke on The Five about how the only reason Hillary Clinton will be remembered in history is because she's \"a female.\" \"These are the times to be alive. Historians will look back in 100 years. They're not gonna look at the fake news stuff… They're gonna see the bi","content":"Inflammatory Fox host Jesse Watters spoke on The Five about how the only reason Hillary Clinton will be remembered in history is because she's \"a female.\" \"These are the times to be alive. Historians will look back in 100 years. They're not gonna look at the fake news stuff… They're gonna see the big stuff, the world-defining moments, the rewiring of world trade, crime, the economy, the border, what we're doing internationally… Hillary Clinton is going to be a footnote, and it's just 'cause she's a female.\" Related Conservatives freak out over cheerful message from gay/straight alliance teens His fellow panelists did not agree, but Watters doubled down. \"It's true! What has she done? She's just a female, that's it. A female that does what men do.\" Democrat Jessica Tarlov, who often appears on the show, mentioned Clinton's roles as First Lady, a U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State. \"That's just a job… She did a terrible job. Just like many men have done terrible jobs at those same jobs.\" Tarlov replied, \"Rarely do I say this is beneath you, but it's actually beneath you.\" \"You'd be surprised,\" Watters retorted. The rest of the panelists laughed as Tarlov appeared horrified. Watters: Hillary Clinton is going to be a footnote. It's just because she's a female. What has she done? She’s just a female. That’s it. Jessica: US Senator, Secretary of State. pic.twitter.com/pVGkIlFh0n— Acyn (@Acyn) June 17, 2026 Watters is notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ and is also obsessed with masculinity. He repeatedly mocks Democratic men for doing things like drinking from straws and eating ice cream, claiming it makes them effeminate.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T16:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F08%2Fjesse-watters-kamala-harris-joke.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.47%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"ekeadk","title":"N.Y. governor’s race presents stark contrast on LGBTQ rights","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/new-york-governors-race-presents-stark-contrast-on-lgbtq-rights/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-york-governors-race-presents-stark-contrast-on-lgbtq-rights","excerpt":"As states across the country grapple with a rapidly changing federal landscape under President Donald Trump, governors have increasingly become the first line of defense — or enforcement — on issues ranging from healthcare and education to LGBTQ rights. Nowhere is that more apparent than in New York","content":"As states across the country grapple with a rapidly changing federal landscape under President Donald Trump, governors have increasingly become the first line of defense — or enforcement — on issues ranging from healthcare and education to LGBTQ rights. Nowhere is that more apparent than in New York, Trump's home state, where the 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up as a high-profile battle over the future of LGBTQ protections. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking a second full term as New York's 57th governor and the state's first female governor. She enters the race with strong support from LGBTQ advocates and organizations, including an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of New York City. Earlier this year, Hochul was also endorsed by progressive leaders like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She is running alongside New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her lieutenant governor candidate. Throughout her tenure, Hochul has signed a series of measures aimed at strengthening protections for LGBTQ New Yorkers, particularly transgender residents. Among the most notable is New York's \"Trans Safe Haven Act,\" which protects out-of-state trans youth, their parents, and medical providers who travel to New York to access legally protected gender-affirming care. Hochul has also signed legislation requiring health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention medications, including PrEP and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), without out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, Hochul signed a Long-Term Care Bill of Rights that prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ seniors and people living with HIV in long-term care facilities. \"As the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, New York has long been at the forefront of advancing equality,\" Hochul said in a statement during Pride month. \"During Pride month, we celebrate New York's vibrant LGBTQ+ community and acknowledge the importance of protecting the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. This month and every month, we proudly stand with the LGBTQ+ community and remain committed to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all where everyone can live freely with dignity, safety, and respect.\" On the Republican side, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has emerged as the party's leading candidate. Blakeman is running with Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood as his lieutenant governor pick. Blakeman, Nassau County's 10th county executive, was first elected in 2021 after defeating Democratic incumbent Laura Curran. He previously served as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a Nassau County legislator, and a Hempstead town councilman. A longtime supporter of Trump, Blakeman appeared alongside the president during a 2024 event honoring slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller. LGBTQ advocates have frequently criticized Blakeman for his positions on trans issues, particularly his opposition to trans women participating in women's sports. In February 2024, Blakeman signed an executive order barring women's sports teams that include trans women from using Nassau County athletic facilities. The policy applies to youth, collegiate, and professional teams. Teams that include trans men were not affected. The order has since been halted by the New York State Appellate Division swiftly issued an injunction halting enforcement while the plaintiffs appeal the decision Ahead of announcing the order, Blakeman repeatedly referred to trans women as \"biological males\" and argued they should compete on men's or co-ed teams. LGBTQ rights groups condemned the policy, saying it discriminates against trans athletes and contributes to the marginalization of trans youth. Trump endorsed Blakeman's gubernatorial campaign in December 2025, shortly after U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) announced she would not seek the Republican nomination. The president made his endorsement via Truth Social that \"Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning.\" The Washington Blade contacted Blakeman's campaign seeking comment on his LGBTQ policy priorities and views on issues including nondiscrimination protections, trans rights, and healthcare access. The campaign did not respond. The race highlights two sharply different approaches to LGBTQ policy in a state widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, home to the 1969 Stonewall uprising that helped launch the contemporary movement for LGBTQ equality. Despite the ideological contrast, early polling suggests Hochul remains the clear favorite. Most public surveys show the incumbent holding a double-digit advantage over her potential Republican challengers, with some polls placing her lead at roughly 20 percentage points ahead of the November election. The post N.Y. governor’s race presents stark contrast on LGBTQ rights appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Joe Reberkenny","publishDate":"2026-06-18T21:43:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"d1ph55","title":"Rehoboth’s ‘Poodle Beach’ to be honored with historical marker","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/poodle-beach-rehoboth-delaware-honored-historical-marker/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=poodle-beach-rehoboth-delaware-honored-historical-marker","excerpt":"The Delaware Public Archives is set to unveil a new State of Delaware Historical Marker recognizing Rehoboth’s Poodle Beach Saturday, June 27, at 9 a.m. The unveiling will take place at the corner of Prospect Street and the South Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The unveiling ceremony is free and o","content":"The Delaware Public Archives is set to unveil a new State of Delaware Historical Marker recognizing Rehoboth’s Poodle Beach Saturday, June 27, at 9 a.m. The unveiling will take place at the corner of Prospect Street and the South Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The unveiling ceremony is free and open to the public and will include remarks from members of the community, government officials, and representatives from the Delaware Public Archives. Located at the southern end of the boardwalk near Queen Street, Poodle Beach is one of the most famous sections of Rehoboth Beach, having served as a gathering place for the LGBTQ community for decades. The Delaware Public Archives said that, “The marker recognizes the site’s longstanding role in the social and cultural history of both Rehoboth Beach and the State of Delaware.” The petition to have Poodle Beach recognized with a historical marker was started by a group of Rehoboth Beach residents in June 2020 and was officially approved in December 2020. Although the origins of where Poodle Beach got its name are unknown, its history can be traced back to du Pont heiress and well-known lesbian Louisa Carpenter. Carpenter and her LGBTQ group of friends would travel to ‘Carpenter Beach’ toward Dewey Beach in the19 30s and ‘40s. Over time, the beach grew in popularity and began to be used predominantly by gay men in the following decades. It wasn’t until the ‘80s when the beach spread back toward the boardwalk as people stopped making the journey to Carpenter beach. Poodle Beach was initially called “Lazy Gay Beach” because gay men got tired of walking so far from the boardwalk to get to Carpenter Beach. There are multiple theories that explain how the name ‘Poodle Beach’ came to be. One of the most popular is the ‘Two cousin theory’ where it is rumored that a pair of cousins would drive up from Maryland and bring their poodle dogs onto the beach. Poodle was also the site of the popular Labor Day weekend drag volleyball games that were started in 1988 and ended with COVID in 2020. The post Rehoboth’s ‘Poodle Beach’ to be honored with historical marker appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Thomas Weaverling","publishDate":"2026-06-18T21:16:40.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"tbyxo3","title":"Acceptance of gay people improved a lot in the 2010s, but it's stagnating in the 2020s. Why?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/acceptance-of-gay-people-improved-a-lot-in-the-2010s-but-its-stagnating-in-the-2020s-why/","excerpt":"Gallup Poll released global survey data on the state of gay and lesbian rights, and it's pretty clear that we're now in the midst of not just a national stagnation, but a global one that is affecting the lives of tens of millions of LGBTQ+ people. Gallup has been asking people around the world, \"Is ","content":"Gallup Poll released global survey data on the state of gay and lesbian rights, and it's pretty clear that we're now in the midst of not just a national stagnation, but a global one that is affecting the lives of tens of millions of LGBTQ+ people. Gallup has been asking people around the world, \"Is the city or area where you live a good place or not a good place to live for gay or lesbian people?\" since 2006, meaning they now have 20 years of data to look at. This roughly follows my career in LGBTQ+ media, by the way: I got my first job writing for a queer website in February 2007. Related This anti-trans law didn't need to pass to shut down classroom discussions Currently, 40% of people say their area is a good place, while 44% say it's not. This is a significant improvement over the 23% who said that their area was a good place in 2006 and the 53% who said it was not. | Gallup Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today To be clear, this question isn't an exact statistic measuring how many queer people are safe worldwide. First, mostly cishet people were surveyed because they're just the vast majority of the population, and they are the people who are least likely to know what conditions LGBTQ+ people are living under. Second, the question focused just on \"gay or lesbian people,\" which excludes a large part of the community, although it's unclear how aware straight people would be of that fact. Last, it's not clear what \"a good place\" even means in this context. Obviously, it doesn't mean \"gay and lesbian people are treated just as well or better than straight people\" since that's true nowhere in the world. So, at best, the question is asking if the discrimination and oppression queer people face in one's locality is somewhat less than what queer people face elsewhere, based on the respondents' imagination of what it's like to be queer wherever they live, compared to, say, Russia or the U.S. More likely, though, respondents were just answering based on whether they personally are OK with having gay people in their area. So this poll can offer some insight into broad trends, but don't take it too literally. Gallup showed poll results separated by countries that have legalized marriage equality and those that haven't. The countries that legalized it saw a significant increase in the percentage of people saying their locality is a \"good place\" from 2006 to 2015 (39% to 73%), while the remaining countries saw some growth in the period after that (16% to 26%). Most countries and regions that legalized same-sex marriage by the mid-2010s, with the U.S. legalizing it nationwide in 2015. | Gallup It's also notable that Gallup is not legally allowed to ask this question in some countries. Several countries banned either homosexuality or \"LGBTQ+ propaganda\" in the 2020s or increased the penalties for it, which means that the stagnation is likely worse than what is seen here. Also, the 2020 results are likely skewed because COVID prevented Gallup from conducting in-person interviews and from surveying certain countries altogether. Broken down by country, legalizing same-sex marriage was correlated with an increase in positive attitudes towards gay and lesbian people in the three years before and after legalization. Because the increases came both before and after marriage was legalized, it's less that public opinion caused or was caused by marriage being legalized and more that, as public opinion moved in our favor, societies became more aware of how denying a basic right to a historically oppressed minority for no reason other than their identity is a bad thing and also that governments recognizing equal rights for queer people in a highly visible way shifted some people's attitudes as well. These things are coproductive. | Gallup But this all comes back to the question of the stagnation seen since around 2020 and why that happened. One reason could be that there was just always going to be stagnation in attitudes towards gay people after marriage was legalized. In the 2000s, a lot of LGBTQ+ people saw marriage rights as either unachievable or at least a very difficult fight, more difficult than, say, getting anti-discrimination protections would have been. But here we are in the U.S. in 2026 with over 10 years of marriage equality and no law from Congress banning anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, with the latter unlikely to happen any time soon (the president has long been opposed to such legislation). Marriage was not the hardest thing to get; it was actually one of the easier things because it places very few demands on individuals who are not queer themselves. It was a right that was denied to a discrete population that doesn't affect pretty much anyone outside of that population, other than people acknowledging that it happened. It was also a large and visible sign of acceptance of queer people. But by 2019-ish – the year that Austria, Taiwan, and most of Mexico legalized it – it had already happened in most places where it was going to happen any time soon, which meant that fewer people after that saw evidence of conditions improving for gay people. A second factor is the global movement against trans rights, which really gained speed in the U.S. in 2021 when red states started banning gender-affirming care and sports participation after previously not caring about those issues. In the U.K., the Tavistock and Forstater cases (in 2020 and 2021, respectively) drew significant media attention to anti-trans attitudes (J.K. Rowling famously came out as a TERF in response to the Forstater case). The U.S. and the U.K. remain highly culturally influential worldwide, in part due to the size of their economies and in part because English is the lingua franca, giving native English speakers an advantage in international discussions. The rise in fascist attitudes is global. They're sharing ideas online. So it's unlikely that increasingly negative attitudes towards trans people would remain confined to the U.S. and the U.K., or would only target trans people and not the larger LGBTQ+ population. Last, the world has changed drastically since 2020, and not just with respect to LGBTQ+ rights. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on how people see each other, and time spent on social media increased significantly throughout the 2010s. Passive social media that feeds users content, like TikTok and Instagram Reels, grew in popularity in the 2020s, and outrage and negativity are rewarded on such platforms because they drive engagement. Meanwhile, other social media networks like Facebook and X – the latter of which still rules a lot of professional journalists' worlds – turned to the right. This list isn't exhaustive. It's just some observations from a news junkie who has been following these things for two decades. But it's something to consider as we enter the next decade in this global story. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-18T16:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-29216787-168404765-lowres-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.51%2C0.74%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"5stdc2","title":"\"A travesty\": Cop reinstated after being fired for using anti-gay slur on the job","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-travesty-cop-reinstated-after-being-fired-for-using-anti-gay-slur-on-the-job/","excerpt":"A New Jersey cop who was fired for using an anti-gay slur on the job returned to work earlier this month, following a two-year legal battle. Roselle, New Jersey, police chief Stacey Williams was fired in July 2024 and had his law enforcement license suspended after an investigation by the Union Coun","content":"A New Jersey cop who was fired for using an anti-gay slur on the job returned to work earlier this month, following a two-year legal battle. Roselle, New Jersey, police chief Stacey Williams was fired in July 2024 and had his law enforcement license suspended after an investigation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office found that he had used a homophobic slur and other offensive language both during an October 2022 conversation at Roselle Police Department headquarters and when referring to other officers, according to NJ.com. Related Police are more likely to mistreat LGBTQ+ people, a disturbing new study finds Williams challenged his termination, which also came after the local Policemen’s Benevolent Association union accused him of “abusive, retaliatory, and bizarre behavior.” In May 2025, a judge threw out most of the disciplinary charges against him, reducing his punishment to a 30-day suspension. During a January 2025 hearing, Administrative Law Judge Thomas R. Betancourt reportedly heard how two of Williams’s subordinates – out Lieutenant Delmonte Pryor and Helder Freire – overheard him describing a personal friend as a “f***ot” during the October 2022 conversation. Pryor also alleged that Williams used the same slur in 2020. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Williams claimed he did not remember using the slur, but said it was possible he had. He also admitted to calling a fellow officer a “f*g” 10 years prior. Williams argued that using the slur was “like calling somebody a punk.” Williams argued that while he did not remember using the slur during the October 2022 conversation, he had joked “about a personal friend of mine, nothing to do with anybody homosexual whatsoever.” When Pryor’s attorney asked Williams if he thought the slur was funny, he replied that “it depends on how you look at it.” “Culturally, if you look into the Black neighborhood, people utilize f***ot and the N word,” said Williams, who is Black. Ultimately, Betancourt found that Williams did use the slur during the October 2022 conversation, but that his “use of the word was neither discriminatory nor targeted toward another officer or specific individual in such a manner exhibiting homophobia or disapproval of those who identify as homosexual,” the New Jersey Monitor reported. Betancourt also said he found Pryor’s discomfort over Williams’s use of the slur “overstated.” The New Jersey Civil Service Commission later upheld Betancourt’s decision. In February, lawyer for the Roselle Policemen’s Benevolent Association Peter Paris told NJ.com that Williams’s return to duty “would be a travesty.” “He is known to be retaliatory even before this, so we would expect immediate retaliation,” Paris said. But earlier this month, the New Jersey Police Training Commission reinstated Williams’ license, allowing him to return to his position as police chief on June 9 – despite Freire having been appointed to the position in the wake of his termination. “While there is a long and sordid history of homophobic behavior by police chiefs in Roselle and other towns, I never imagined that the Civil Service Commission would expressly condone the unapologetic use by a police chief of abusive, homophobic tropes toward a subordinate officer,” Paris, who also represents Pryor in his own lawsuit against Roselle, told the Monitor. “It is clear that bigoted police chiefs in New Jersey are protected by the powers that be.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"John Russell","publishDate":"2026-06-18T15:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F12%2Fshutterstock-1962181327-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"ssv8le","title":"McDuffie concedes to Lewis George in D.C.’s mayoral primary","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/mcduffie-concedes-to-lewis-george-in-d-c-s-mayoral-primary/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mcduffie-concedes-to-lewis-george-in-d-c-s-mayoral-primary","excerpt":"D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) emerged as the presumed winner in the city’s June 16 Democratic primary for D.C. mayor as her lead opponent, former Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D-At-Large) conceded the race Thursday, June 18. Both Lewis George and McDuffie have strong records of","content":"D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) emerged as the presumed winner in the city’s June 16 Democratic primary for D.C. mayor as her lead opponent, former Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D-At-Large) conceded the race Thursday, June 18. Both Lewis George and McDuffie have strong records of support for the for the LGBTQ community, and local LGBTQ rights activists appeared divided in their support between the two mayoral candidates. “Earlier this morning, I called Councilmember Janeese Lewis Geroge to congratulate her on her victory and wish her success as she prepares for the general election,” McDuffie said in a statement. “The campaign may be over, but the work of building a safer, more affordable, more prosperous city continues,” he said It its most recent release of the official first-choice vote count at 1:54 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, the D.C. Board of Elections reported Lewis George had 55,214 votes or 52.87 percent of the vote. McDuffie had 38,033 votes, or 36.42 percent. Each of the five other Democratic mayoral candidates had less than 4 percent of the vote, including Rini Sampath, who self-identifies as queer, who had 3.093 votes or 3.02 percent. With about 75 percent of D.C. voters registered a Democrats, Lewis George’s status as the apparent Democratic nominee makes here the odds-on favorite to win the general election in November. Board of Elections records show that no Republican candidate ran for mayor in the D.C. Republican primary on June 16 and one Statehood Green Party candidate — Robert G. Gross — ran unopposed. The latest vote count shows he received 312 votes from registered Statehood Green Party members. With Lewis George running as a democratic socialist and left leaning “progressive” candidate and McDuffie running as a more moderate Democrat on a wide range of issues, LGBTQ activists, like voters in general, appear to have backed either of the two on non-LGBTQ issues since both are strongly supportive of the LGBTQ community, including transgender-related issues. Lewis George received the endorsement of the Capital Stonewall Democrats, D.C.s largest local LGBTQ political group. D.C. Councilmember Robert White (D-At-Large), who supported Lewis Geroge for mayor, emerged as the apparent winner in the race for D.C. delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. He received 62.9 percent of the vote in a five-candidate race. His closest opponent, D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), who conceded the race to White, received 21.52 percent of the vote. White and Pinto have been longtime supporters of the LGBTQ community. In other races, D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), the Council’s only gay member, received 76.51 percent of the vote in a three-candidate race, making him the clearcut winner in the primary. In the Ward 1 D.C. Council race, where five LGBTQ supportive candidates were competing for the seat being vacated by incumbent Brianne Nadeau, who is not running for re-election, community activist Aparna Raj, who identifies as bisexual, has emerged as the apparent winner with 46.91 percent of the vote. Her closest opponent, gay candidate and LGBTQ rights advocate Miguel Trindade Deramo, had 20.63 percent. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) and Councilmember Matthew Frumin (D-Ward 3) ran unopposed for re-election in the primary and emerged as winners. Also emerging as apparent primary winners were Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), with 74.4 percenter of the vote, and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, with 90.4 percent. In the At-Large D.C. Council race where nine Democrats were competing for the seat being vacated by incumbent Anita Bonds, who is retiring, local pharmacist and community activist Oye Owolewa, who was endorsed by Capital Stonewall Democrats, was leading with 33.89 percent In the special election to fill the other At-Large Council eat that under the city’s Home Rule Charter must go to a non-Democrat, former Councilmember Elissa Silverman was leading with 54.87 percent of the vote in a three-candidate race. Incumbent Doni Crawford, who was temporarily appointed to the seat, was in second place with 24.09 percent. At least 14 known LGBTQ candidates were among several dozen candidates competing for seats on the D.C. Democratic State Committee in the June 16 primary. Longtime local gay Democratic activist and Ward 8 community leader Philip Pannell emerged as the apparent winner in the race for D.C. Democratic National Committeeman, one of the two highest-level State Committee positions, along with the National Committeewoman post. Pannell received 40,073 votes or 49.32 percent of the vote, according to the latest vote count. Coming in second place in the National Committeeman race was gay Democratic activist David Meadows, who had 34,875 votes or 42.92 percent. The third candidate in the race, Mike Panetta, had 5,904 votes or 7.27 percent. The winners couldn’t immediately be determined in the races where most of the other LGBTQ State Committee candidates were running. Two of the presumed winners who had a sufficient number of votes to win prior to the final vote count were trans candidate Vida Rangel for the Ward 1 Democratic Committeewoman seat; and Stevie McCarty for the Ward 2 Democratic Committeeman seat. The post McDuffie concedes to Lewis George in D.C.’s mayoral primary appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr.","publishDate":"2026-06-18T20:58:30.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"klg82z","title":"Doctors refuse care to trans youth even after court order. They're afraid of the Trump admin.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/doctors-refuse-care-to-trans-youth-even-after-court-order-theyre-afraid-of-the-admin/","excerpt":"In May, the Colorado Supreme Court ordered Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) to resume providing gender-affirming care to trans youth after it suspended the program in January. Now, it says that they are resuming the program, but that doctors are refusing to provide the care for fear of losing thei","content":"In May, the Colorado Supreme Court ordered Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) to resume providing gender-affirming care to trans youth after it suspended the program in January. Now, it says that they are resuming the program, but that doctors are refusing to provide the care for fear of losing their medical licenses or facing criminal charges. The doctors say they individually sought legal counsel before reaching their decisions. In a communication to the families being denied care, they said, “We were each individually forced to make a very difficult decision, and none of us reached this decision lightly. Ultimately, each of our decisions is driven by the serious risk of federal action that could result in the inability to continue serving and caring for any patients for years into the future.” Related 2nd major hospital opens detransition clinic under pressure from Department of Justice The gender-affirming care provided to minors through the CHC is limited to puberty blockers and hormone therapy prescriptions, and they do not provide surgeries to anyone under 18. The doctors who work at CHC’s TRUE Center for Gender Diversity are actually employed by the University of Colorado School of Medicine, so the hospital theoretically cannot force them to provide any treatment or prescription that they don’t want to, according to a senior CHC official who spoke anonymously to The Denver Post. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The official went on to say that the doctors don’t object to providing gender-affirming care to minors, but are concerned that they will be targeted by the federal government if they provide it. John McHugh, an attorney for the plaintiff families, has criticized the hospital’s move, claiming it is an attempt to “side-step” the court order and shift blame from the administrators to the doctors. “It is, I think, devastating to our clients, to have fought this far… and to have the hospital trying to play games with compliance and to try to throw their providers under the bus,” McHugh said. CHC suspended its gender-affirming care for minors back in January. Like many other hospitals in the country, CHC had received a subpoena from the Department of Justice (DOJ) demanding full records on patients and providers for any gender-affirming care given to minors over the last several years. Many of these subpoenas have been quashed (including the one targeting CHC) with judges describing them as “fishing expeditions” that are intended to “intimidate” and “harass,” and noted that the “Government seeks to fulfill its policy agenda through compliance born of fear.” However, in December, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared without evidence that gender-affirming care for minors was not safe or effective and that hospitals could be punished for providing it. CHC was then referred to the Office of the Attorney General for investigation, and they chose to suspend their gender-affirming care for those under 18 in January. Families of those denied care filed a class-action lawsuit, and in May the Supreme Court of Colorado ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, saying that the suspension violated Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act. The court then instructed a lower court to issue a preliminary injunction to resume care while the main case proceeded through the courts. Since that injunction was issued, CHC has worked to avoid complying with the order. Defending against the lawsuit before the Supreme Court’s ruling, the hospital argued that resuming care could expose it to federal action, legal costs, and the loss of funding. With that argument as support, earlier this month they requested that the plaintiff families put up a $250,000 bond before care was resumed, which they said would help to cover costs if it was later found that the injunction had been wrongly ordered. Attorney Paula Greisen, representing the families, argued against that bond, noting that “If somebody else sues them, then go after that party for whatever damages it causes you. Don't go after the children. Stop throwing up roadblocks to get around the court order.\" Greisen argued that the bond should instead be $1, a common practice in discrimination cases, and a district judge agreed. The doctors’ professed concern for federal retaliation is not unfounded. Texas Children’s Hospital settled with the DOJ in May to stop providing gender-affirming care to minors and to terminate five doctors, revoking their admitting privileges, preventing them from seeing patients at that hospital in the future. A clinic in Ohio also settled with an agreement to cease gender-affirming care for minors for 20 years. Both the Ohio and Texas institutions also had to agree to fund the establishment of detransition clinics. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Faefyx Collington","publishDate":"2026-06-18T15:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F02%2Fshutterstock-788107000-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"daegl7","title":"7 LGBTQ+ TV Shows Coming Out in Summer 2026 — And Where You Can Watch Them","url":"https://www.them.us/story/7-lgbtq-tv-shows-summer-2026-ted-lasso-adults","excerpt":"From new comedies to the return of House of the Dragon, there’s lots of queer TV to keep you company this summer.","content":"From new comedies to the return of House of the Dragon, there’s lots of queer TV to keep you company this summer.","source":"them.","author":"Samantha Allen","publishDate":"2026-06-12T21:25:46.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2c6b889e79735ea093393d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FWIFLFAG.jpeg","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"ptit3h","title":"\"Trojan horse\": Trump admin calls embryos \"children who already exist\" in possible threat to IVF","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/trojan-horse-admin-calls-embryos-children-who-already-exist-in-possible-threat-to-ivf/","excerpt":"The Trump administration updated the language describing a small federal grant program in what experts are calling a \"Trojan horse\" that could have sweeping implications for IVF access and reproductive rights overall. The Embryo Adoption Awareness and Services Program is a public awareness campaign ","content":"The Trump administration updated the language describing a small federal grant program in what experts are calling a \"Trojan horse\" that could have sweeping implications for IVF access and reproductive rights overall. The Embryo Adoption Awareness and Services Program is a public awareness campaign through the Department of Health and Human Services aimed at shedding light on the surplus of frozen embryos available for adoption. It also provides funding to a small group of organizations seeking to help prospective parents adopt embryos. Related Trump admin sues world's leading trans medical group, alleging financial blackmail of parents But the 62-page handbook describing the program now contains a stark message: that the program considers embryos as existing children. The program \"recognizes embryo adoption first and foremost as a response to the needs of children who already exist and are in need of a family,\" the description states, purporting to place \"the best interests of the child at the center of all activities.\" The handbook also states that grant funds cannot be used to \"facilitate the donation of human embryos to embryo-destructive research\" or to \"pay for, subsidize, promote, or otherwise support discarding or destroying human embryos.\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Dorianne Mason, senior director of health equity and contraceptive access at the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), told HuffPost the updated language is \"essentially a Trojan horse\" and \"incredibly harmful,\" despite the fact that on its face, the program seems relatively non-controversial. Anti-abortion activists have long advocated for the law to recognize both embryos and fetuses as having the same rights as fully born human beings, which could have tremendously detrimental effects on both IVF and abortion rights. As states increasingly grant legal rights to unborn children in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, the debate has grown over whether embryos count as human beings or personal property that can be used, donated, or destroyed at will. Republicans are now stuck between trying to assure the majority of Americans they support IVF access while also catering to their more extreme far-right backers who want those who want the destruction of embryos to be considered legal murder. In Alabama, for example, a 2024 state Supreme Court decision ruled that embryos have the same legal rights as children, creating widespread fear that IVF providers could face criminal charges if they mishandle or destroy an embryo. Discarding unused or abandoned embryos is a routine part of the IVF process, and the court even acknowledged that its ruling would effectively end IVF treatment in Alabama. Several major providers in the state halted IVF treatment in the ensuing weeks, leaving LGBTQ+ couples, single people, and those who struggle with fertility issues with dwindling access to the most common method of assisted reproduction. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) then signed a bill shielding in-vitro fertilization (IVF) providers from civil and criminal liability, but the underlying issue of embryonic personhood remains in the state. Heather Shumaker, NWLC's senior director of state abortion access and lead on fetal personhood work, said the Trump administration's declaration of embryonic personhood in the adoption program \"is all part of their long-term plan to eventually ban abortion.\" “In order to do that, they have to have examples of embryos being treated as children in public policy and law,” Shumaker explained. “So, this is just fuel for that fire – to say, ‘Look, the federal government says that an embryo is in fact a child’ – and that becomes something to lean on when making these arguments.” In the wake of the Alabama decision, other states across the country began to consider legislation that would define embryos and/or fetuses as people, causing many prospective parents – especially LGBTQ+ people, who disproportionately rely on assisted reproductive technology to have children – to become terrified for the future.A 2024 study released by surrogacy agency SurrogateFirst in 2024 found that a whopping 98% of intended parents of all identities are concerned about legislation seeking to restrict family-building services. The SurrogateFirst study found that 50% of same-sex couples said they are “extremely concerned” about fetal personhood bills, compared to 41% of heterosexual couples. 67% of same-sex couples also expressed extreme concern that IVF and surrogacy could be negatively impacted by these bills, compared to 29% of heterosexual couples. But the national outrage spurred by the Alabama ruling made it clear that Americans on both sides of the aisle (including a significant number who are anti-abortion) overwhelmingly support easy access to IVF and other fertility treatments. This has placed Republicans in a tricky position, as these court decisions directly stem from their successful crusade to overturn Roe v. Wade. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T14:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2454169415-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"7ae69a","title":"Ariana Grande Launches Charity Focused on “Protecting Trans and LGBTQ+ Rights”","url":"https://www.them.us/story/ariana-grande-brighter-days-ahead-foundation-announcement","excerpt":"The Brighter Days Ahead Foundation will fund small grassroots organizations with a focus on protecting queer and trans people.","content":"The Brighter Days Ahead Foundation will fund small grassroots organizations with a focus on protecting queer and trans people.","source":"them.","author":"Samantha Allen","publishDate":"2026-06-12T18:48:13.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2c4feff64a05e2942850cc%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2255904786","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"afh2y9","title":"Netherlands to ban conversion therapy for both kids & vulnerable adults","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/netherlands-to-ban-conversion-therapy-for-both-kids-vulnerable-adults/","excerpt":"The Netherlands will ban conversion therapy after the Senate voted 75 to 57 in favor of legislation to eradicate the harmful practice. The Dutch House of Representatives has already approved the bill, which will reportedly punish anyone who practices conversion therapy on children or vulnerable adul","content":"The Netherlands will ban conversion therapy after the Senate voted 75 to 57 in favor of legislation to eradicate the harmful practice. The Dutch House of Representatives has already approved the bill, which will reportedly punish anyone who practices conversion therapy on children or vulnerable adults with up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 27,500 euros (about $31,500). Therapists could also lose their licenses. The country already bans some of the more extreme methods of conversion therapy, like medication and shock therapy, according to the NL Times, but the authors of the bill did not feel existing law was comprehensive enough. Related Judge upholds decision to keep anti-trans referendum off Maine's ballot this year During parliamentary debate about the bill, Senator Peter Nicolaï, a member of the left-wing Partij voor de Dieren, reportedly emphasized the need to also cover the dangers of exorcism, prayer-based therapy, psychological pressure, and pseudo-therapy sessions. The D66 and VVD parties, who spearheaded the bill, celebrated the victory and declared that \"years of commitment to freedom, equality, and human dignity have been rewarded.\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The Dutch LGBTQ+ Rights Group COC Netherlands celebrated the bill's passage. \"We have been fighting for the ban with victims and colleague organizations for almost 15 years and are very happy with this result. We see it as a victory for the victims,\" the group said on social media, according to Facebook's translation tool. Numerous scientific studies on conversion therapy show that the abusive practices substantially increase the suicidality of its victims. A 2013 survey, for example, showed that 84% of former patients who tried ex-gay therapy said it inflicted lasting shame and emotional harm, and in 2022, a report found that LGBTQ+ people who participated in sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts were more likely to experience negative impacts than those who did not, including serious psychological distress (47% vs 34%), depression (65% vs 27%), substance abuse (67% vs 50%), and attempted suicide (58% vs 39%). Editor’s note: This article mentions suicide. If you need to talk to someone now, call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-565-8860. It’s staffed by trans people, for trans people. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for LGBTQ youth at 1-866-488-7386. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T14:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2498743195-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"eiw7yi","title":"Obama Center opens with tributes to marriage equality, LGBTQ progress","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/obama-center-opens-with-tributes-to-marriage-equality-lgbtq-progress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=obama-center-opens-with-tributes-to-marriage-equality-lgbtq-progress","excerpt":"The Barack Obama Presidential Center held media previews on Thursday ahead of its official Juneteenth opening, marking the debut of the first presidential center dedicated to the 44th and only Black U.S. president. The 19.3-acre campus, located on Chicago's South Side within historic Jackson Park, f","content":"The Barack Obama Presidential Center held media previews on Thursday ahead of its official Juneteenth opening, marking the debut of the first presidential center dedicated to the 44th and only Black U.S. president. The 19.3-acre campus, located on Chicago's South Side within historic Jackson Park, features a museum, garden, basketball court, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library. Multiple artifacts related to the LGBTQ rights movement appear in the presidential museum’s collection, though none appeared to be on display at the time of publication, according to the center's website. Among the objects in the collection are the pen Obama used to sign the repeal of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy that prohibited gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving openly in the military; a set of Harvey Milk commemorative stamps honoring the first openly gay elected official in San Francisco; and an Out2Enroll rainbow sweat wristband used to connect communities — specifically LGBTQ people and their families, friends, and allies — with health insurance coverage options available under the Affordable Care Act. The artifacts reflect a broader LGBTQ legacy associated with the Obama presidency. During the televised opening ceremony, former first lady Michelle Obama thanked her husband for “standing up for marriage equality.” During his presidency, Obama took a number of actions affecting LGBTQ Americans, including repealing “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” signing the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, directing the Justice Department to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act in court, expanding federal benefits and leave to same-sex domestic partners of federal and Foreign Service employees, broadening Affordable Care Act coverage for LGBTQ health issues, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and signing a 2014 executive order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The opening event drew numerous celebrities, including Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Oprah Winfrey, and Tom Hanks. It also attracted political figures from both sides of the aisle. One notable exception was President Donald Trump, who was not invited to the ceremony. All other living former presidents were invited and attended. The Obama Presidential Center will open to the public on June 19, with tickets available on its website. The post Obama Center opens with tributes to marriage equality, LGBTQ progress appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Joe Reberkenny","publishDate":"2026-06-18T18:46:48.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"27imkd","title":"Intersex teacher alleges Fla. school fired him over perceived trans identity","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/intersex-teacher-alleges-fla-school-fired-him-over-perceived-trans-identity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=intersex-teacher-alleges-fla-school-fired-him-over-perceived-trans-identity","excerpt":"An intersex teacher in Florida who was fired is alleging in a new Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filing that he was terminated based on assumptions that he was transgender. Shepard Scalf in the filing says he was assigned female at birth but identifies as male. According to Monday's filing ","content":"An intersex teacher in Florida who was fired is alleging in a new Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filing that he was terminated based on assumptions that he was transgender. Shepard Scalf in the filing says he was assigned female at birth but identifies as male. According to Monday's filing with the EEOC, submitted on Scalf’s behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, and the law firm of Chanfrau & Chanfrau P.L., the school district fired Scalf on the basis of his sex and the presumption that he is trans. Scalf was hired for the 2025-2026 school year at Patriot Oaks Academy in the St. Johns County School District to teach language arts to 6th- and 7th-graders, after previously working in another Florida school district. During the hiring process, Scalf submitted paperwork that disclosed he had been assigned female at birth. He was born with an intersex variation with XY chromosomes, and he lives as and presents as a man. On Aug. 28, 2025, Patriot Oaks Academy Principal Drew Chiodo scheduled an emergency meeting with Scalf. The principal was directed to read a letter from the school district superintendent informing Scalf that he must either submit his resignation or be fired. According to the ACLU, Scalf was provided with no legitimate reason for his termination and had not received any prior warnings or disciplinary actions. At the time of his termination, Chiodo told Scalf his work was “exemplary” and that Scalf had “met every expectation.” “Receiving this ultimatum was confusing and overwhelming. Everything had been going so well — I couldn’t understand why this was happening,” Scalf said. “The start of a school year is always brimming with promise and excitement, and I was looking forward to continuing my teaching career at Patriot Oaks until I was cornered into resigning. It became clear to me that being fired had nothing to do with my qualifications or teaching — it was about who I am.\" According to the filing, Scalf received communications that the termination followed complaints from a parent about his gender identity. However, the filing also claims that his gender identity, sex assigned at birth, and intersex status were never mentioned in his classroom.In a 2020 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court in Bostock v. Clayton County found employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ACLU is claiming that under that ruling, Scalf’s rights under Title VII were violated. “Six years ago, the Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that employers cannot fire someone for being gay or transgender because doing so is discrimination because of sex,” said Shana Knizhnik, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, in a press release from the ACLU. “The same reasoning protects intersex people, who have long faced discrimination because their bodies and lives do not conform to narrow expectations about what a man or a woman is supposed to be. Mr. Scalf was an exemplary teacher, but despite his performance and qualifications, he was forced out of his job because he did not fit those expectations. As politicians and institutions increasingly seek to police sex and gender, intersex people are too often caught in the crossfire alongside transgender people — but federal civil rights law protects everyone from this kind of discrimination.” Samantha Past, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Florida, stated in a press release that Florida's public school system is increasingly hostile towards LGBTQ people. “At a time when Florida’s public schools are increasingly targeted by disruptive state policies and in the midst of a teacher shortage crisis, St. Johns County School District chose to unlawfully oust a qualified and respected educator. Everyone deserves the opportunity to work and contribute to their community without fear of being targeted because of who they are. Mr. Scalf is no exception,” Past stated. The post Intersex teacher alleges Fla. school fired him over perceived trans identity appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Emma LaPointe","publishDate":"2026-06-18T15:59:03.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"7091r8","title":"How this racecar driver went from flag marshal to building an all-LGBTQ+ racing team","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/how-this-racecar-driver-went-from-flag-marshal-to-building-an-all-lgbtq-racing-team/","excerpt":"Adam Trapski had his first brush with motorsports in the 1990s in New Zealand, when he was a young flag marshal. That's one of the race officials you see along the track waving flags at drivers to share critical road conditions. Trapski's family had a problem with that, and more. Related \"Singing ac","content":"Adam Trapski had his first brush with motorsports in the 1990s in New Zealand, when he was a young flag marshal. That's one of the race officials you see along the track waving flags at drivers to share critical road conditions. Trapski's family had a problem with that, and more. Related \"Singing activist\" Gregory Marks had a long career helping LGBTQ+ people mourn \"When I was growing up, my parents were homophobic and anti-motorsport. They didn’t like me being involved in the sport. So it was not a great family environment in that respect,\" he told LGBTQ Nation.They kicked the queer early-twentysomething out of the house on both accounts. Trapski didn't race cars as a kid, as if that was a possibility. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"My first car was a horrible lime green-colored Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback called Kermit, followed by a four-door 1980 Ford Escort RS2000.\" Neither car was ready for the racetrack. It wasn't until almost 30 years later that the one-time flag marshal settled in behind the wheel of a racecar. \"I was 52 years old when I first started circuit racing in 2023, with no prior karting or racing experience,\" Trapski says. He calls race day \"sheer adrenaline.\" \"It's the most rewarding, fun-filled, and exciting thing that you can ever possibly do,\" he says. Not to keep the excitement to himself, Trapski set out on a mission to give back by assembling a young, all-LGBTQ+ racing team. Trapski had spent the intervening years between his racetrack forays volunteering with LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, the country's first gay and lesbian Dragon Boat group, and its first gay rugby team. He wanted to give young, queer motorsports enthusiasts like him the chance to share in the fun in his new home in Australia. \"I wanted to provide a safe space and team environment for anyone who was LGBTQ+ to get involved in motorsport,\" he says. None had previous experience racing or otherwise. The result was the first all-LGBTQ+ motorsports team in the land Down Under. \"All current members of my team are from the LGBTQ+ community, which is fantastic,\" Trapski says. \"I have not heard of another purely LGBTQ+ race team anywhere in the world.\" Trapski also knew the right sponsorship was important for what would be a highly visible LGBTQ+ sports team. His \"sponsors\" are one homegrown nonprofit and a major LGBTQ+ sports advocacy organization. Trapski finances the team himself. \"The Rainbow Shoelace Project was created by then-12-year-old Abbie Jane, who was getting bullied at school because of her sexuality. They supply my team with beads and marketing material from their project, and I get to promote an amazing idea, created by someone passionate about fighting back against homophobia.\" \"I even wear Rainbow beads on my race boots!\" Trapski shares. Proud2Play helps promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and understanding in all forms of sport in Australia and around the world. The team enters \"as many track events, club 'sprint' days, and race meetings\" as they can, primarily around Victoria, which includes Melbourne in Australia's southern-most state. Four volunteers make up Trapski's team, in roles covering \"everything from simple repairs, tire changing, and temperature monitoring to refueling, in-car camera set-up, and answering questions from the public regarding our team and our sponsors.\" At the center of it all is a major upgrade from Trapski's first two beaters: a right drive 1990 BMW E30 325i, with a 5-speed manual gearbox and top speed of 124 mph, maybe higher after some recent modifications. The team's latest E30 Championship outing in 2025 saw them place 7th out of 21 entries. Trapski calls his \"rainbow crew, sponsors and supporters\" three of his favorite things about his late-in-life racing career, aside from the sheer thrill of the driving. Those supporters include Michael Goode, Australia's first openly gay top-tier racing driver. \"The biggest reward,\" however, \"has been meeting the parents of my pit crew, and others who have thanked me for creating hope for their children, by creating a safe LGBTQ+ race team and opportunities for young people to get involved in the sport that I love.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fadam-trapski-bmw-australia.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"qbtame","title":"Trump Administration Says It Will Restore LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Line It Eliminated Last Year","url":"https://www.them.us/story/politics/national/trump-restoring-988-lgbtq-crisis","excerpt":"They are trying to figure out how to reconnect LGBTQ+ youth with specialized suicide counselors while complying with policies that deny recognition of trans people. The LGBTQ+ community is skeptical.","content":"They are trying to figure out how to reconnect LGBTQ+ youth with specialized suicide counselors while complying with policies that deny recognition of trans people. The LGBTQ+ community is skeptical.","source":"them.","author":"Christopher Wiggins","publishDate":"2026-06-12T17:22:38.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2c3e8df64a05e2942850c6%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FTrump%2520Administration%2520Says%2520It%2520Will%2520Restore%2520LGBTQ%2B%2520Youth%2520Crisis%2520Line%2520It%2520Eliminated%2520Last%2520Year.png","category":"safety","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"z4i6pl","title":"Man Charged With Murder Over Killing of Trans Woman Persia Amarra Conway in Houston","url":"https://www.them.us/story/man-arrested-for-murder-of-persia-amarra-conway-houston-trans-woman","excerpt":"Daniel Arnulfo Ceron, 22, was arrested on June 10 in connection to the violent killing.","content":"Daniel Arnulfo Ceron, 22, was arrested on June 10 in connection to the violent killing.","source":"them.","author":"Quispe López","publishDate":"2026-06-12T17:13:22.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1edbdf420e53f87175b32e%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fpersia.jpg","category":"safety","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"ok0e09","title":"Washington Blade publishes ‘Queering America 250’","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/queering-america-250-blade-publishes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=queering-america-250-blade-publishes","excerpt":"The Washington Blade this week published a new glossy magazine, titled “Queering America 250,” a look back at the many contributions that LGBTQ people have made to the founding of the country through the present day. From Colonial times to modern pop culture, the magazine aims to remind readers of s","content":"The Washington Blade this week published a new glossy magazine, titled “Queering America 250,” a look back at the many contributions that LGBTQ people have made to the founding of the country through the present day. From Colonial times to modern pop culture, the magazine aims to remind readers of some of the many ways queer people have influenced American life. “As the country commemorates 250 years, we wanted to do our part to ensure LGBTQ contributions to America were not ignored or forgotten,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff. “As this administration seeks to erase queer identities, it’s more important than ever that we speak up and remind the world that we have always been here and always will be.” The magazine is divided into chapters addressing queer life in Colonial times, the early 20th century, the late 20th century, and the 21st century. There’s a story about D.C.’s role in LGBTQ visibility; a top 40 moments in queer pop culture piece; and a series of opinion pieces and photo pages from the Blade’s historic archive. The magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. It’s also available online. You can find the magazine here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. The post Washington Blade publishes ‘Queering America 250’ appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Staff reports","publishDate":"2026-06-18T15:32:40.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"3sfxjs","title":"As we celebrate 250 years of America, let’s remember our elders","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/as-we-celebrate-250-years-of-america-lets-remember-our-elders/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=as-we-celebrate-250-years-of-america-lets-remember-our-elders","excerpt":"Editor’s note: This is part of the “Queering America 250” LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor’s note: This is part of the “Queering America 250” LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. The United States does not have a monarchy. I do not mean to comment on whether or not we live under tyranny or despotism, or if people live under modern serfdom; I mention that to explain, likely to the chagrin of our current president, U.S. citizens are not rewarded for their accomplishments by becoming a Knight or a Dame. We do, however, like our awards, including trophies from academies and medals from the executive or legislature. The aforementioned current president likes awards so very much that the U.S. Congress and an international sports association created new awards just to appease him, and the recent winner of the Nobel Peace Prize gifted hers. These incidents will likely be rendered as footnotes in history because of the sheer volume of lunacy we are enduring under this regime of idiocracy. In entertainment, a coveted status is that of EGOT: the winning combination of receiving an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. I assert that not all EGOTs are equal. Some Emmys and Tonys are received merely by financing productions. Oscars and Grammys have been won because of sympathy for personal tragedy, the nominated veteran performer is considered overdue for a win, or a deceased nominee posthumously wins, as a final sendoff. Not all awards are created equal. Some are considered prestigious, while others are less notable. As far as awards bestowed upon local entertainers, the Nation's Capital has very few of the former. Given what I know about their processes, many are decided upon by small groups of often unremarkable people or flawed online procedures. It is not a meritocracy. Ultimately, receiving awards is about who knows you and who likes you. Even more unfortunate is that bias and bigotry play at least as much a part as loyalty or nepotism. Winners of the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes receive money, which is something some advocacy groups have done, and I wish more would do. As an outside observer, I find that the local awards for D.C. theater, television, and restaurants seem to have the most cachet. Some other awards that have a precise focus or have only a select few annual honorees are commendable, but many of the rest seem haphazard and disorganized, if not corrupt or simply irrelevant. While most local awards fail to impress me, be it the categories, the trophies, the ceremonies, or the recipients themselves, I still want people to be recognized, so I nominate them. I point out who is often left out, such as DJs, who not only help to curate nightlife and culture but also enable these organizations to have successful events, including their award ceremonies and receptions. Over the years, in many an awards nomination process, I have done my best to advocate for people, especially elders, whom I consider unsung heroes or under appreciated trailblazers. My focus is primarily Black LGBTQ people who are local or who hail from the region. Consistently unacknowledged by local awards are people who are from here and have since gone on to achieve national or international acclaim. Merely from the perspective of production and promotion, and especially prestige, this seems like a missed opportunity. There are the Black LGBTQ performers who are commonly known to be from this area: Grammy-winning musician and former Duke Ellington student Meshell Ndegeocello, comedian and former NSA employee Wanda Sykes, blues legend and former Fredericksburg science teacher Gaye Adegbalola, and recording artist and former D.C. nightclub performer Kevin Aviance. Samira Wiley (Photo by DFree/Bigstock) There are several accomplished Black LGBTQ actors from this area, including Emmy winner and Duke Ellington graduate Samira Wiley, Helen Hayes Award winner and Howard University graduate Roz White, Emmy winner and graduate of Greenbelt's Roosevelt High Tramell Tillman, \"Noah's Arc\" cast member and Hyattsville native Doug Spearman, \"Angel\" cast member and former Bladensburg resident J. August Richards, and former \"America's Next Top Model\" contestant-turned-actor and Prince George's County native Isis King. Pioneering transgender actor and singer Sandra Caldwell was born and raised in Washington, D.C. I also think of people who deserve posthumous recognition, including DJ and music producer Vjuan Allure, poet and D.C. government employee Venus Thrash, and Tony Washington, lead singer of the Motown vocal quintet Dynamic Superiors. There are others in the performing arts, as well as authors, playwrights, journalists, and content creators, whose notable achievements seem to be unacknowledged locally. It appears one can be revered in certain D.C. circles, but once success is achieved beyond that, that person likely never receives a homecoming. It is reminiscent of U.S.-born showgirl and singer (and later war hero) Josephine Baker, who found success in France, and elsewhere around the world, but is less revered in the nation of her birth. Wanda Sykes speaks at the 'LGBT 50th' event in Philadelphia on July 4, 2015, marking the 50 year anniversary of the first gay and lesbian rights picket outside Independence Hall. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) As some people celebrate 250 years of the United States, I hope we will all think about how we acknowledge history and honor our community members, especially our elders. In my opinion, we can do better. I think there are many people whose accomplishments, big or small, in various arenas, are overlooked. Furthermore, just as I find the flag-waving jingoism that purports itself as patriotism distasteful, I also think that lackluster ceremonies and overpriced trinkets are not the best ways to acknowledge community advocates and activists who particularly need financial support. At least the aforementioned performers have received national acclaim. While I have not yet been successful in getting any of them honored by local organizations, I was able to acknowledge them here. I give you all your proverbial flowers. Congratulations on your success, and know that some of us see you and are proud of your success. Zar is the mononynous community advocate, speechwriter, songwriter, and event organizer who founded Team Rayceen Productions in 2014. The post As we celebrate 250 years of America, let’s remember our elders appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Zar","publishDate":"2026-06-18T15:17:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FSamira_Wiley_insert_by_DFree_via_Bigstock-407x600.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"xym1v0","title":"Donald Trump says he’s never had a drink. But he may suffer from an addiction all his own.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/donald-says-hes-never-had-a-drink-but-he-may-suffer-from-an-addiction-all-his-own-3/","excerpt":"Frederick Crist Trump Jr. (Fred Trump Jr.) was born on October 14, 1938, in Queens, New York City. The eldest son of Mary Anne MacLeod Trump and real estate developer Fred Trump Sr., as well as the older brother of Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) and sisters Elizabeth and Maryanne, Fred Trump","content":"Frederick Crist Trump Jr. (Fred Trump Jr.) was born on October 14, 1938, in Queens, New York City. The eldest son of Mary Anne MacLeod Trump and real estate developer Fred Trump Sr., as well as the older brother of Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) and sisters Elizabeth and Maryanne, Fred Trump Jr. became an airline pilot rather than enter his father’s business like his younger brother, Donald Trump. Fred Jr. struggled most of his life with the disease of addiction, largely with alcohol, a condition that contributed to his fatal heart attack at the young age of 43. On several public occasions, Donald Trump related the tragic story of his brother’s life as an alcoholic. Related Rachel Maddow details \"stunning\" Trump disapproval ratings: \"We're gonna need a bigger boat\" He said in a 2017 speech that his brother had a tough life and told him many times not to drink or smoke. “And to this day, I’ve never had a drink,\" he said. \"I have no longing for it. I have no interest in it. To this day, I've never had a cigarette.\" The president seemed to believe that in heeding his brother's advice, he has escaped the destructive effects of addiction. But as we know from medical and psychological research, the disease of addiction expresses itself in many ways. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today As one definition of the word makes clear: “Addiction is when you have a need or urge to do something or use something, even if it causes harm.” If continued over time, addictions cause long-lasting changes in brain structures, thus making the disease of addiction both a brain disorder and a mental illness. The types of addiction include “substance addiction” (such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and food) and “non-substance addiction” or “behavioral addiction” (such as compulsive shopping, gambling, sex, social media, or video games). The risk of developing an addiction depends on a combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. The more factors a person has, the greater the chance of developing an addiction. Signs of an addiction include obsessive thoughts and compulsive use or engagement in the rewarding stimuli (substances or behaviors) for immediate gratification. It is also characterized by increasingly continued use or engagement, even after experiencing negative consequences. What is power? In a 1968 speech given to striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. defined power as “the ability to achieve purpose and effect change.” A dictionary definition views “power” (a noun) in general as: “The ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.” In this definition, “capacity” is seen as a synonym of “power.” Another definition of “power” is as a “great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force. In this definition, “energy” is a synonym. A third definition is “the possession of control or command over people,” with the synonyms of authority and influence. A final definition for our purposes here defines “power” as the “political ascendancy or control in the government of a country, state, etc.” by “overthrowing the legal government” with the synonyms sovereignty, rule, sway, and ascendancy. We can place how leaders use their power on a spectrum from “With” on one side to “Over” on the other. “Power With” refers to a leader or leaders utilizing their power collaboratively to empower those they lead. It involves a mutual appreciation and respect for autonomy to accomplish shared goals. For the leaders, getting it right has priority over being right. By contrast, \"Power Over\" refers to an undemocratic or authoritarian approach where the leader or leaders exert their dominance by dictating the actions to be taken, often using coercion or fear in which power is gained at another's expense. Leaders give the orders, and they expect to be obeyed without challenge. For the leaders, being right has priority over getting it right. Power as addiction History has shown a vast array of leaders and ordinary people who have become addicted to power. While people are initially attracted to power for a variety of reasons – like promoting social change, seeking personal admiration, or wanting to control others – as they accumulate power, some experience euphoria or a sense of fulfillment. Over time, as in all forms of addiction, people develop dependency, with a need to maintain and even increase their power. This dependency dominates other aspects of life, including personal relationships and previously held values. Addictions in general, and in the case of power addiction, often lead to unethical behaviors, isolation, and even paranoid thoughts that others are coming to take what is yours. Enabling the addict “Enabler” is the term given to those who fail to act to help addicts and stop them from harming themselves and others around them. “Passive bystander” or “bad Samaritan” is the name for someone who is conscious of bad actions developing around them but fails to intervene. Enabling and passively standing by take many forms, including literally offering an addict substances, conspiring with an abuser in a sinister plot, contributing to denial by asserting that they don’t have a problem, downplaying the seriousness and making excuses for their behaviors, translating for others what the person “really meant,” downright lying, and so on. How many times have we heard, “He didn’t mean it that way. What he really meant to say was…” and “You are misunderstanding her” or “I got this black eye by walking into a door.” The Trump enablers Though Donald Trump has followed the warning of his elder brother to refrain from addictive substances like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, one can make a strong argument by observing his behaviors that he certainly displays the classic signs of addiction – in Trump’s case, non-substance addictions. These include wealth, power, and sex. He stakes his personal value on the amount of wealth and power he can accumulate, and by how many notches he can carve on his bedpost representing his sexual conquests. Trump’s enablers include members of the Republican Party in Congress and Republican politicians in state governments, in addition to the six Republican-nominated Supreme Court justices who seem to have relinquished their constitutional roles to serve one man. They have, therefore, aided and abetted Trump’s need to consume as much power as he can and to act on his compulsive paranoid need to persecute his supposed enemies. An all-consuming lust On January 9, 1961, then-President-elect John F. Kennedy addressed a joint convention of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In his speech, he presented a touchstone by which history should evaluate a leader. Beginning with his now-famous statement that “For of those to whom much is given, much is required” (a paraphrase of Luke 12:48), Kennedy enumerated four essential criteria in assessing a leader. “And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each one of us,” he stated, “recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state – our success or failure, in whatever office we may hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions.\" \"First, were we truly men of courage…. the courage to resist public pressure, as well as private greed?\" \"Secondly, were we truly men of judgment…. with enough wisdom to know that we did not know, and enough candor to admit it?\" \"Third, were we truly men of integrity…. men whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust?\" \"Finally, were we truly men of dedication – with an honor mortgaged to no single individual or group, and compromised by no private obligation or aim, but devoted solely to serving the public good and the national interest?” I have enough conclusive evidence to rank Trump as a true danger to our nation and to the world community in his all-consuming lust for material riches and sexual conquests over the common good of the people who trusted him with their vote. How do you judge him? How do you think history will judge him? Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld","publishDate":"2026-06-18T12:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F04%2Fshutterstock-2429741167-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"h5u1x0","title":"After years of progress, 21st century brings backlash, roll backs","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-years-progress-21st-century-backlash-lgbtq-rights/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-years-progress-21st-century-backlash-lgbtq-rights","excerpt":"Editor’s note: This is part of the “Queering America 250” LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor’s note: This is part of the “Queering America 250” LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. Over the past 26 years, the fight for LGBTQ rights in the United States has unfolded in cycles of progress and backlash. Legal victories and cultural breakthroughs have expanded visibility and protections, building on momentum from decades of activism at the turn of the millennium. Despite the community’s best efforts, those gains have never been fully secure. Even landmark rulings like Obergefell v. Hodges have not ended the struggle. Today, as federal, state, and local leaders continue to introduce laws targeting LGBTQ people — particularly transgender Americans — the movement finds itself once again defending rights many once considered settled. In 2000, Vermont became the first state in the country to recognize same-sex couples through civil unions following the Vermont Supreme Court decision in Baker v. State of Vermont. The ruling marked the first statewide legal recognition of LGBTQ relationships in the United States, even if it fell short of full marriage equality. While progress toward protections for same-sex couples was being made in the “Green Mountain State,” rights for LGBTQ people in other parts of the country were being restricted the same year. In Mississippi, same-sex couples were banned from adopting children, underscoring how dramatically LGBTQ rights varied across the country — state by state, and often county by county. Culturally, LGBTQ stories were becoming more visible. In late 2000, “Queer as Folk” premiered in the United States, featuring unapologetic gay storylines that explored addiction, relationships, sex, and life during the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic. While groundbreaking in its visibility, the series was also criticized for its lack of racial and gender diversity, reflecting the limitations of LGBTQ representation at the time. The next major legal shift came in 2003, when the Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas that sodomy laws were unconstitutional. The decision decriminalized same-sex intimacy between consenting adults nationwide and marked a turning point in the recognition of LGBTQ people under constitutional law, moving the country closer — at least legally — to treating private relationships with equal dignity. Just a year later, in 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, making it the first jurisdiction in the United States where marriage equality became law. That same year, however, the national political climate revealed deep resistance: more than a dozen states passed constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, embedding discrimination into state law through ballot initiatives. The tension between cultural progress and political backlash intensified in 2006, when Arizona became the first state to reject a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage at the ballot box — an early sign that public opinion was beginning to shift, even as most states still moved in the opposite direction. By 2008, California’s Proposition 8 overturned marriage equality in the nation’s most populous state, sparking widespread protests and legal challenges that would eventually reach the Supreme Court. That same year, the global financial crisis briefly overshadowed LGBTQ political momentum, but organizing continued at the state and local level. President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) In 2009, Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, expanding federal hate crime protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and religion. The law was named after Matthew Shepard, a gay man murdered in a 1998 hate crime, and James Byrd Jr., a Black man murdered in a racially motivated attack in Texas. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act into law, ending the ban on openly gay and lesbian service members in the U.S. military. The repeal took effect in 2011, marking a major milestone in LGBTQ inclusion in federal institutions. In 2012, the FDA approved Truvada as the first medication used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a breakthrough that transformed HIV prevention. For the first time, HIV transmission became medically preventable through daily medication. Over the following years, advances in antiretroviral therapy dramatically improved life expectancy for people living with HIV, turning what was once a fatal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition when treated properly. The fight over repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ led to numerous protests, including this one in 2010 featuring gay service member Daniel Choi who handcuffed himself to the White House fence. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) Also in 2012, voters in several states — including Maine, Maryland, and Washington —approved same-sex marriage at the ballot box for the first time, signaling growing public support for marriage equality. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Windsor that key parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) were unconstitutional, requiring federal recognition of legally performed same-sex marriages. This decision accelerated the spread of marriage equality litigation across the country. By 2014, federal courts had struck down same-sex marriage bans in multiple states, creating a legal patchwork that increasingly pointed toward nationwide recognition. In 2015, the Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. The ruling marked the culmination of decades of activism and legal advocacy, establishing marriage equality as the law of the land. Despite that victory, new challenges emerged almost immediately. In 2016, the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando became the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, killing 49 mostly LGBTQ people and injuring dozens more. That same year, North Carolina passed House Bill 2 (HB2), one of the earliest and most widely criticized “bathroom bills” targeting transgender individuals’ access to public facilities. In 2017, President Donald Trump announced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, reversing Obama-era policy. The ban was implemented in 2019 after a series of legal challenges. At the same time, visibility for transgender people in politics and media continued to grow, with more openly trans candidates running and winning office. In 2018, a record number of openly LGBTQ candidates were elected nationwide, reflecting a growing pipeline of political representation. That same year, increasing legal battles over transgender athletes and healthcare access began emerging in state legislatures. In 2019, the FDA approved Descovy as another PrEP option, expanding HIV prevention tools and access for patients who could not take Truvada. That year also saw continued expansion of LGBTQ representation in media, with more trans and nonbinary characters appearing in mainstream television. In 2020, the Supreme Court delivered another major civil rights ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, holding that federal workplace discrimination protections under Title VII apply to LGBTQ employees. The decision marked a significant expansion of federal legal protections, as the Court declined to revisit marriage equality, leaving Obergefell intact. The early 2020s brought rapid shifts in federal policy. In 2021, the Biden administration reversed the transgender military ban and expanded federal protections for LGBTQ Americans in housing, healthcare, and education. That same year, the FDA approved Apretude, the first long-acting injectable form of PrEP, marking another major advancement in HIV prevention. In 2022, Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which required federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages even if Obergefell were ever overturned. But that same year, Florida enacted its “Don’t Say Gay” law, restricting classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades and sparking similar legislative efforts in other states. By 2023, state legislatures across the country introduced a record number of bills targeting LGBTQ people, particularly transgender youth. These measures included bans on gender-affirming care, restrictions on school participation in sports, and regulations on drag performances. At the same time, several states passed “shield laws” protecting access to gender-affirming care and abortion-related healthcare, deepening a growing legal and cultural divide between states. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) In 2024, LGBTQ rights once again became a defining issue in national politics. Debates over transgender healthcare, youth protections, and curriculum policies increasingly shaped state and federal elections. As the political landscape intensified, former President Donald Trump and allied lawmakers continued to campaign on rolling back LGBTQ protections, particularly those affecting transgender Americans. As the country moves further into the 2020s, the central reality of the past 26 years remains unchanged: LGBTQ Americans have achieved historic legal and cultural victories, but those gains have never been permanent. Progress has consistently been met with resistance, reversal attempts, and renewed political conflict. The result is a civil rights movement that, even after landmark victories like Obergefell v. Hodges continues to fight for protections that remain vulnerable to the shifting tides of American politics. The post After years of progress, 21st century brings backlash, roll backs appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Joe Reberkenny","publishDate":"2026-06-18T15:16:20.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F10%2F20091028_Matthew_Shepard_Hate_Crimes_Act_signing_by_Barack_Obama_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key-600x400.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"wt4jqz","title":"Republican police chief arrested for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-republican-police-chief-arrested-for-unlawful-conduct-with-a-minor/","excerpt":"Chad Essert, the 44-year-old Republican police chief of Bethel, Ohio, was arrested and indicted last Thursday on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He faces up to 280 years in prison if convicted on all charges. The alleged incidents occurred between 2","content":"Chad Essert, the 44-year-old Republican police chief of Bethel, Ohio, was arrested and indicted last Thursday on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He faces up to 280 years in prison if convicted on all charges. The alleged incidents occurred between 2005 and 2010 while Essert served as a teacher in Sharonville and an instructor at the Young Marines, a national youth program for children ages 8 through high school. Related GOP leader arrested for trying to hire a child prostitute Essert became Bethel's police chief in 2021. Reporting from 2023 found that he had been fired or resigned under threat of firing from three of his previous law enforcement jobs for allegedly sexually harassing a female officer, intimidating witnesses, lying, and disobeying orders. A 2020 domestic violence charge accused him of hitting a woman with his vehicle, causing minor injuries. Conservative Christians and Republicans have repeatedly accused LGBTQ+ people and allies of “grooming” and “sexualizing” children. Essert is just the latest of a long line of Republicans to face legal consequences for such alleged crimes.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-17T22:16:22.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-17-at-35512pm.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"fn4lkf","title":"Celebrating 250 years of LGBTQ Icons","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-lgbtq-icons/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-lgbtq-icons","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. Throughout much of our nation’s 250-year history, the LGBTQ+ community was rendered invisible. Relatively few Americans – including much of our community – knew the impact that LGBTQ+ Americans have made to our country. As that story emerged, there is pushback and attempt to re-closet that history. The LGBTQ+ community is the only minority community that does not learn its history at home, public schools, and religious institutions. That lack of history denies role models, diminishes community empowerment and undermines our collective important national contributions. In 2006, Equality Forum, a national LGBT civil rights organization initiated LGBT History Month – a celebration that takes place each year in October. Each day there is a featured Icon with a video, biography, bibliography with links and downloadable images – all online and free. After 20 years, there are 620 Icons archived on the site with searchable resources accessible by race, sexual orientation, field of expertise, and many more categories. At lgbtHistoryMonth.com, you can find Icons who have impacted our nation including as president, vice president, legislators, soldiers, athletes, entrepreneurs, and cultural legends, among others. A statue to Baron von Steuben is in Lafayette Park near the White House. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) Those significant contributions to history began in the nation’s founding battle for independence. For instance, at Benjamin Franklin’s recommendation, Prussian military leader Baron Von Steuben was named the Continental Army’s Inspector General. He took rag tag recruits and turned them into a disciplined fighting force. Von Steuben wrote the training and discipline manual and is considered one of the founding fathers of the U.S. Army. George Washington named him a Major General. Von Steuben served as General Washington’s chief of staff through independence. President James Buchanan (Photo public domain) In the 1800s, Alabama U.S. Sen. William Rufus King was a diplomat and the nation’s 13th vice president. King and Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. James Buchanan shared a house in Washington and were known as a couple. Buchanan, the nation’s 17th Secretary of State was elected our 15th president. Buchanan was succeeded by Abraham Lincoln. Historical documents have also revealed President Lincoln’s intimate relationships with men. The 1800s also included distinguished poets Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Mary Edwards Walker was the first woman female surgeon in the U.S. Army and the only woman ever to be bestowed the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Among leading abolitionists and suffragettes are Susan B. Anthony, Anna Elizabeth Dickinson and Jane Addams. Anthony’s image is on a U.S. coin; Anna Dickinson was the first woman to address Congress; and Addams was a founder of social work and settlement houses and the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. To close out the 19th century, our national anthem “America the Beautiful” was written by poet and Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates to celebrate July 4th in 1895. The first half of the 20th century included the African-American agricultural scientist who pioneered crop rotation, George Washington Carver; renowned novelist of life on the Great Plains Willa Cather; composer and Dean of American Music Aaron Copland; first American-born Chinese female physician Margaret Chung, who distinguished herself in WWII; women’s golf superstar Babe Didrickson; founder of the Eastman Kodak Company George Eastman, who revolutionized photography; chef James Beard; legendary jazz and swing singer Billie Holiday; pioneering human sexologist Alfred Kinsey; the first African-American Rhodes Scholar and Dean of the Harlem Renaissance Alain Locke; stellar cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead; the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Edith Wharton; and the longest-serving first lady and international human rights activist Eleanor Roosevelt. Bayard Rustin (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle) The second half of the 20th century was a civil rights era. In August 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined a national civil rights movement on the National Mall at the March on Washington. That March would not have happened without the strategic and organizational skills of Bayard Rustin. Among other prominent African-American leaders were Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, author James Baldwin, and activist Angela Davis. What has come to be known as the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement was launched by Gay Pioneers Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings with Annual Reminders for equality each July 4 from 1965 to 1969 at Independence Hall. These Annual Reminders laid the groundwork for the Stonewall Rebellion in June 1969. With Craig Rodwell, Kameny and Gittings helped organize the Christopher Street Liberation Day March in June 1970 to remember Stonewall — now known as the first New York Pride Parade. In the Eisenhower administration, Robert Cutler became the nation’s first National Security Adviser and organized its mission and structure. American culture was shaped by playwrights Tennessee Williams and Stephen Sondheim, composer Leonard Bernstein, choreographer Alvin Ailey Jr. and artist Andy Warhol. Heart throb and Academy Award-nominated actor Rock Hudson helped bring the AIDS epidemic to public concern just as Rachel Carson did the same for the environment. Architect Philip Johnson and entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes were preeminent in their careers. Gold Medal Olympian Greg Louganis and world title fighter in three divisions Emile Griffith helped upend stereotypes. Sally Ride, a physicist and astronaut, was the first American woman in space. Decorated Marine veteran Billy Sipple thwarted an attempt to assassinate President Ford. The murders of Matthew Shepard and San Francisco’s first openly gay elected official Harvey Milk, focused the nation’s attention on hate crimes and LGBTQ+ rights. As the new millennium emerged under the dark cloud of Sept. 11, 2001, Franciscan friar and chaplain, Fire Department of New York, Father Mychal Judge emerged as the heroic “Saint of 9/11” and Mark Bingham led those who brought down Flight 93 that terrorists intended to destroy the White House or Capitol. Marin Alsop became the first American woman to be permanent conductor of a major American orchestra. Soccer’s Megan Rapinoe and basketball’s Sue Bird and Brittney Griner are legendary superstars and Olympic Gold Medalists. Tammy Smith was named a Major General in the U.S. Army Reserves. Raphael Bostic headed the Atlanta Office of the Federal Reserve Bank and served on the Federal Reserve Board’s prestigious Federal Open Market Committee. Darren Walker was the president, Ford Foundation. Jeffrey Seller became one of Broadway’s most successful producers with hits that include “Rent” and “Hamilton.\" Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The first quarter of the 21st century has seen LGBTQ+ advances that would have seemed unimaginable to the Gay Pioneers at the Annual Reminders at Independence Hall just 60 years ago. In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court declared consensual adult same-sex sodomy statutes unconstitutional in John Lawrence and Tyron Garner v. Texas. Tammy Baldwin became the first out U.S. Senator in 2013. In 2015, the Supreme Court upheld same-sex marriage in James Obergefell v. Hodges. In 2021, Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation became the first Senate-confirmed openly gay Cabinet member. In 2024, Sarah McBride was elected the first transgender member of Congress. While these are a handful of the 620 LGBT History Month Icons that have enriched our nation and world, you can find more than 550 more Icons at www.lgbtHistoryMonth.com. On the top bar, click on Icon Search. A prideful July 4, 2026! Malcolm Lazin is founder and executive director of Equality Forum. The post Celebrating 250 years of LGBTQ Icons appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Malcolm Lazin","publishDate":"2026-06-18T14:47:45.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FBaron_von_Steuben_monument_isnert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key-600x399.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"5i8s8g","title":"JD Vance says sports teams \"don't have to do\" Pride Nights anymore because \"Trump won\"","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/jd-vance-says-sports-teams-dont-have-to-do-pride-nights-anymore-because-won/","excerpt":"Vice President J.D. Vance wrote a social media message seemingly supporting an Major League Baseball player who wrote a Bible verse on their baseball cap during a June 12 Pride Night event at the Oracle Park ballpark in San Francisco, California. The image that Vance commented on showed San Francisc","content":"Vice President J.D. Vance wrote a social media message seemingly supporting an Major League Baseball player who wrote a Bible verse on their baseball cap during a June 12 Pride Night event at the Oracle Park ballpark in San Francisco, California. The image that Vance commented on showed San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Laden Roupp, who wrote Gen 9:11-16, a Bible verse about the rainbow, on his black cap bearing his team's logo in rainbow colors. The verse, which follows God's promise to never again flood the world for its sinful ways, says, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the Earth.” Related Trump sparked fury like no other when he removed Stonewall's Pride flag. Here's why it hit so hard. Sports Illustrated (SI) posted the image of Roupp and noted that he was one of three Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride caps as well as that the MLB had issued a warning to the players. In response to SI's post, Vance wrote, \"Trump won we don't have to do this anymore.\" It's unclear what exactly Vance thinks \"we don't have to do\" anymore: hold baseball team Pride Nights, write Bible verses on ballcaps, or warn MLB players who break the league's uniform rules by altering their apparel (as the MLB did in this case). Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today It's most likely that Vance meant that sports teams don't have to hold Pride Nights or have players wear Pride-themed gear. The current presidential administration has largely sought to eliminate all LGBTQ+ recognition in its crusade to end all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as its ongoing empowerment of anti-LGBTQ+ Christian conservatives. Despite Vance's vague assertion, 29 out of 30 MLB teams are holding Pride Night events this year, Outsports reported; the only team not doing so is the Texas Rangers. Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore https://t.co/Dsl5DH2obf— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 16, 2026 After the Pride Night in question, Roupp deflected criticism about his Bible verse by saying, \"There’s no hate at all. It’s just what I stand for and what I stand in. I believe in God, and that’s me.” When asked how he would respond to an LGBTQ+ critic of his Pride Night protest, he said, “I would push them to read the Bible,” as if only non-Christian queer people would take issue with his actions. He added, \"We live in a country where you’re welcome to believe what you want. There’s a freedom of speech and stuff like that, so that’s really all I have to say about that. I’m just thankful that God has put me in this situation and that I can go out and share his kingdom.” MLB issued a warning to the Giants players, saying that the league's uniform regulations prohibit any \"alterations, writing or illustrations.\" Outsports reported that there is no evidence that the MLB has ever fined a player for a uniform violation. While the Giants could independently discipline its players, no reports indicate that they have done so. In a statement, the team said, “We understand that the choices by individual players have caused pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community and we are sorry for that.” After MLB issued a warning to the players, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a June 16 letter to MLB, saying that the league “must answer for what appears to be a pattern of discrimination” against Christian players. Fox News recently accused MLB of launching an \"attack on faith\", with contributor Mary Katharine Ham saying, \"It’s not tolerant, and by the way, support for LGBTQ causes has been going precipitously down because of this behavior. It used to be a live and let live argument, which is something most Americans were very friendly to, and then it became 'Bake the cake and wear the hat, you bigot.'\" While Ham is correct that public and corporate support for LGBTQ+ causes has declined somewhat recently, the decline is largely due to federal, state, and local Republican attacks against companies and organizations that have LGBTQ+ inclusive DEI policies as well as right-wing campaigns targeting any groups that ally with the LGBTQ+ community. Despite this, a recent GLAAD study showed that most Americans support brands that back Pride and also politicians who oppose anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-17T22:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-28529539-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.53%2C0.46%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"4wrnsv","title":"America’s founders sought ‘justice.’ That fight never ends.","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-fight-for-justice-never-ends/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-fight-for-justice-never-ends","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. America’s 250th celebration is not what most of us anticipated. Fifty years ago, as a much more united United States celebrated its bicentennial, President Gerald Ford rang the Bicentennial Bell in Philadelphia. The Smithsonian held a Festival of American Folklife. The French president presented a light show at Mount Vernon and Queen Elizabeth visited the country. Tens of thousands of bicentennial events were celebrated across the country. This year, with a felonious president, America celebrates with a UFC fight on the White House grounds and a grand prix race around the National Mall. Times sure have changed. For America’s LGBTQ community, the news is slightly better. Back in 1976, just after Stonewall and before AIDS, the movement for equality was gaining steam. Who could have imagined then all the progress we would see over the next 50 years? From an openly gay presidential candidate winning the Iowa caucuses, to national marriage equality, to a transgender member of Congress, it’s been quite a ride. But the reality of 2026 is that an aggrieved minority of voters — manipulated by social media, algorithms, and misinformation — elected a dangerous con man to the presidency who is determined to destroy all that made America “great” in the first place: our Constitution, our rule of law, separation of powers, and freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. It’s all being systematically dismantled now, as laid out in Project 2025. None of this should surprise anyone who paid attention in 2024: not the destruction of the East Wing or the recision of abortion access. And not the undoing of LGBTQ rights. Hillary Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) When Hillary Clinton was anointed the Democratic nominee for president in 2016, many questioned why we needed queer spaces like bars, clubs, and even LGBTQ media outlets like the Blade. The assumption then was that President Obama had ushered in a new era of LGBTQ equality and that Hillary would cement those gains. The war was over. Some LGBTQ advocacy groups even closed their doors, in our community’s own “Mission Accomplished” moment. Then Trump won. Although Trump’s worst impulses were blunted in his first term by dedicated non-political federal workers, more moderate Cabinet picks, and ultimately by the distraction of COVID, his second term is a full-scale disaster. Trump’s attacks on the transgender community keep coming, from a reinstated military ban to restrictions on everything from playing sports to accessing affirming healthcare. It’s a harsh reminder that our progress is not cemented or guaranteed and sadly the LGBTQ community must forever remain on high alert. Our legislative wins in recent years are often framed as “protections,” but the reality is that no law or president can protect us from anything. Not from schoolyard bullies. Not from discriminatory bosses. Not from racist, transphobic presidents. Our pro-LGBTQ laws give us recourse but not protection. And they require a sustained fight across generations to preserve and expand them. Activists hold signs while walking in a picket line outside of the D.C. Attorney General's office on Feb. 13, 2026 in support of access to gender-affirming care and support for trans youth. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) That’s one of the lessons from our recent setbacks. Nothing is promised. We must always fight on. The hard work of my generation and the generations before us led to tremendous progress that many of us couldn’t have envisioned. Part of the American promise is that through hard work and resiliency anything is possible. That is largely still true. The current setbacks can be overcome. Executive orders can be rewritten. The East Wing can be rebuilt. Decency and rule of law can return. But it will require the dedication and hard work of a new generation of activists, lawmakers, jurists, donors, artists, and everyday citizens doing the right thing to ensure the American Dream survives for another 250 years. So we must brush off these setbacks. Read our own history to rediscover how we got here to learn the way back. Embrace new ideas and technologies as a younger generation steps up. Remember that in the preamble to the Constitution, our founders specifically highlighted the need to establish “justice” in America. That fight for justice continues. Kevin Naff is editor of the Washington Blade. Reach him at knaff@washblade.com. The post America’s founders sought ‘justice.’ That fight never ends. appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Kevin Naff","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:53:37.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FHillary_Clinton_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key-600x401.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"ek5gwp","title":"Anti-LGBTQ+ Christian nationalist finishes dead last in 3-way GOP state senate primary","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/anti-lgbtq-christian-nationalist-finishes-last-in-3-way-gop-state-primary/","excerpt":"Rabidly anti-LGBTQ+ Christian nationalist Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers (R) lost his re-election bid yesterday as he came in dead last in a three-way Republican primary for his state Senate seat. Deevers received only 29.93% of all votes, placing third behind his opponents, Curtis Erwin (who won","content":"Rabidly anti-LGBTQ+ Christian nationalist Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers (R) lost his re-election bid yesterday as he came in dead last in a three-way Republican primary for his state Senate seat. Deevers received only 29.93% of all votes, placing third behind his opponents, Curtis Erwin (who won 33.12%) and Jean Hausheer (who won 36.95%). In a video posted on Wednesday evening, Deevers blamed \"wealthy outside groups\" for spending \"massive sums\" to defeat him and other candidates. He also said he's deeply grateful to his wife and six children, his church, and his local and national supporters. Related Conservatives freak out over cheerful message from gay/straight alliance teens Last year, Deevers said that Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, is not settled law because “there is just no right to gay marriage in the Constitution” and because marriage is “God’s institution.” Deevers’s campaign website also clearly states his anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “It is outrageous that drag queens are permitted to dance and twerk for children at pride parades and story hours in our state,” his website states. “It is outrageous that … public schools have exposed elementary and middle school children to… LGBTQ+ propaganda…. It is outrageous that Critical Race Theory and Queer Theory dominate in many of our public institutions. I promise to support legislation to put a stop to all of this.” Friends, after Tuesday’s primary I wanted to say thank you and share what’s on my mind.Here’s a short message from me: pic.twitter.com/7873lCzWiY— Dusty Deevers (@DustyDeevers) June 17, 2026 The extremist watchdog group, Right Wing Watch, noted that, upon taking office in 2023, \"Deevers provided a case study in what happens when Christian nationalists get in power as he sought to abolish abortion, ban no-fault divorce, outlaw pornography, and literally take the nation back to the 1600s. Time and again, Deevers declared that the fundamental purpose of government is to convert people to faith in Jesus Christ.\" Indeed, Deevers introduced legislation in 2024 that would have massively fined and imprisoned consenting adults for sending sexual images or text messages to one another. The broadly and vaguely written bill would've allowed persecution of people acting in live theater performances, strip clubs, and possibly even burlesque and drag performances. Christian nationalist Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers loved to thank \"Right Wing Boost\" every time we highlighted his extremism, but it seems that the voters in his district were not impressed, as they just voted him out of office. https://t.co/JTfHVsvUcV pic.twitter.com/F6l5iFfY9O— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) June 17, 2026 It's unclear whether either of his opponents will be any less anti-LGBTQ+. Hausheer's campaign website states, \"I stand on two unshakable foundations: the Holy Bible and the U.S. Constitution. If your law breaks either, I’m not voting for it…and if your feelings are hurt by that, I suggest you read both.\" Erwin's website promises to protect \"family values\" (a common anti-LGBTQ+ dog whistle) and to defend religious liberty. Hausheer and Erwin will face each other in a Republican primary run-off election scheduled for August 25. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-17T22:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F01%2Fsen-dusty-deevers-porn-ban-oklahoma.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D685%2C361%2C0.44%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"mdo07j","title":"How queer contributions shaped colonial America","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-colonial-america-revolutionary-war/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-colonial-america-revolutionary-war","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. If you were told about a gay general leading soldiers during the Revolutionary War, you’d think it’s the fictional plot of the next steamy arthouse movie coming to a theater near you. But it’s not fictional –– that’s the story of Baron Friedrich von Steuben. LGBTQ relationships and identities existed in the colonial era, they just looked a little different. Stories like these shaped the modern LGBTQ community, but rarely get told with the depth they deserve. Mark Segal, activist and founder of the Philadelphia Gay News, said it’s vital for queer history to be taught, especially as America’s 250th birthday approaches. “One of the issues that is very sad in our community is that we don't look at our own history,” Segal said. “If we look at our own history, we will realize very quickly that we've been a part of the fiber of this nation for many years. We’re people who created this nation.” Segal’s point is prevalent even when just walking around D.C. In Lafayette Park, you’ll find a statue of von Steuben and a plaque listing his wartime accomplishments. The identities of those in the colonial era of America paved the road toward acceptance and community, but not without brutal punishments, well-kept secrets and different social values. From romantic friendships to openly gay marriages, here’s an overview of what an 18th century LGBTQ community looked like Identity and sexuality in colonial America LGBTQ relationships, though not labelled with modern terms, came in all shapes and sizes during the 18th and 19th centuries. Some engaged in same-sex sexual or romantic relationships without being able to label their feelings. Others engaged in acts, such as two men walking arm in arm, that modern society would label as queer but at the time were viewed as socially acceptable. These acts may be labeled as queer today, but Tyler Putman, manager of gallery interpretation at the Museum of the American Revolution, said the colossal difference in social expectations of the 18th century doesn’t mean that people of that time would agree. “If you live in a society where the labels are different, you can think about yourself and become different things just because these are the things available,” Putman said. “We know that people had sex with people of the same sex in the 18th century, but many of those people probably would not have identified as being unusual or queer because they were living in a world that they constructed that had a whole different set of expectations.” Queerness was also prevalent among soldiers. During the Revolutionary War, there’s one known case of a soldier being prosecuted for “attempting to commit sodomy” named Frederick Enslin. However, Putman said it’s likely many more cases occurred during the war since soldiers were living in close quarters for eight years. Some kept their same-sex relationships shrouded in secrecy to avoid retaliation. Others, especially after the Revolutionary War, engaged in “romantic friendships.” These friendships weren’t seen as queer, but their tenderness and vulnerability has given historians an insight into how they resembled LGBTQ relationships during this time. Men in romantic friendships would share the same bed, write flattering letters to one another and spend their days together. They would typically then take wives and start families. They’d still remain distant friends with one another, but their relationships would begin to strain as their duties as husbands took over. These relationships were acceptable due to the differing social standards. Putman said that people today can identify the queerness of romantic friendships because of how engrained the LGBTQ community is in modern society. During the 18th century, there weren’t as many social stipulations for how men’s friendships could look. Another reason for the acceptance of romantic friendships, as well as homosexual tendencies, was from social oblivion. In the modern sense, Segal said everyone has that “crazy aunt” or “eccentric uncle” that no one gives much thought about. Those who expressed modern queer tendencies during the 18th century were seen as just that –– unique characters that no one questioned. Furthermore, family members or close friends who did discover these secret relationships didn’t want to make it public due to the severe consequences of openly queer relationships or sexual activity. They found it best to turn a blind eye to it. Depending on which colony or state one lived in, punishments for same-sex relationships or sexual intercourse –– and even heterosexual anal intercourse or masturbation –– could lead to castration, banishment, or the death penalty. Colonial queerness didn’t only present itself as physical intimacy and sexuality, as some didn’t conform to social gender expectations. In lesbian relationships, it was common for one partner to dress and pass as a man, with some even joining the army in a male disguise. Beyond understanding the prevalence of LGBTQ relationships in the colonial era, Segal said knowing the icons and figures of the time is crucial in giving life to these historical accounts and inspiring youth to accept themselves. “I never want to see a young LGBT person go through what I did growing up, feeling the way that we all did, that society will abandon us, that we won't be able to have the position in society that we want to have,” Segal said. “That goes down to various professions. LGBT youth who want to go into the military, shouldn't they know about Leonard Matlovich? Shouldn't they know about von Steuben?” Icons who shaped LGBTQ America Cathay Williams dressed as a man and joined the army. She was eventually caught and honorably discharged. (Image public domain/U.S. Army) The list of queer icons pre- and post-Revolutionary War is extensive, but it fails to paint the full spectrum of identity and sexuality during this time. Putman said studying the historical influence of figures modern society would define as queer is difficult because sexuality isn’t something you can easily identify in paintings as you would race or gender. There needs to be documentation in order to draw those connections. This means that the history of queer African Americans during the colonial era has mostly gone unrecorded since they were largely held as slaves or servants during this period, according to Putman. One of the few recorded examples of an African American challenging gender expectations was Cathay Williams, who dressed as a man and joined the army. She was eventually caught and honorably discharged, but later joined an all-Black regiment that would become part of the Buffalo Soldiers. Women like Deborah Sampson and Anna Maria Lane also subverted gender expectations by dressing as males and joining the army. The journals, letters and court records are what historians have to piece together to reveal what an 18th century LGBTQ community looked like. Letters reveal the romantic friendship of Charles Sumner, who had romantic friendships with Henry Longfellow and Samuel Howe in 1837. Both eventually got married, leaving Sumner feeling isolated. Before marrying, Howe wrote to Sumner: “I find my heart yearning more and more for something to love even more than I love you my dear Sumner: but till I find it let me be all yours.” Sumner was encouraged by Howe and Longfellow to get married, but he never found a relationship or marriage that lasted long term. Instead, he spent his days wallowing and yearning for the time he used to spend with the two men. During the Revolutionary War, at a time when the American army was low on food and morale, a Prussian military man was called into help. Baron Friedrich von Steuben was allegedly dismissed from the Prussian military for homosexuality. Benjamin Franklin recommended von Steuben to George Washington, downplaying rumors of his sexuality. After fleeing his home country, von Steuben accepted Franklin’s proposal and joined the military to whip the undisciplined men back into shape. Both Franklin and Washington knew of von Steuben’s sexuality, but found it irrelevant to his military qualifications. Von Steuben also threw sexually charged parties to socialize with troops, with one party requiring the men not to show up in a “whole pair of breeches.” He grew close to two other men, William North and Benjamin Walker, with whom he legally adopted upon returning home so he could live with them. Von Steuben stands today as one of the earliest examples of a somewhat openly gay man in this era, and receives little mainstream recognition for turning the war around. “George Washington made it clear: without von Steuben, there would be no United States of America,” Segal said. Sylvia Drake and Charity Bryant were the rare queer couple who lived openly without punishment. The pair ran a successful tailoring business and were recognized as a married couple by the community. They lived together and assumed traditional roles of husband and wife. When Bryant died in 1851, Drake wore all black as a widow would. Thomas(ine) Hall’s situation was a bit more complex. Presumed to be an intersex person by historians, Hall was raised as a girl. They joined the English army dressed as a man before moving to colonial Virginia years later. Hall lived as both a man and woman throughout their life, alternating between the name Thomas and Thomasine. Their identity caused confusion in the community where they lived. Inspections were done on their body to determine their gender, often with inconclusive results. After Hall testified that they had lived as both man and woman, they didn’t face the punishments others sought for them. Rather, they were ordered to wear the clothing of each gender, including the breeches and shirt of a man and the cap and apron of a woman. Though they didn’t know it at the time, each of these figures played a key role in defining gender and sexuality as we know them today. That’s the significance of a community learning its history, according to Segal. Segal said learning about the LGBTQ community’s role in shaping the nation is more than just gaining knowledge; it’s a way for those in the community, especially youth, to feel seen and understand that their identity doesn’t hinder their ability to find long-term love or make a difference in the world. “Many LGBT youth don't think that they could grow up and have love for a lifetime,” Segal said. “If we show them that they could have the life that they wanted to have, they will feel more comfortable in their skin.” The post How queer contributions shaped colonial America appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Clinton Engelberger","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:52:42.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FCathay_Williams_insert_public_domain_by_US_Army-600x600.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"4qer89","title":"Queer existence is much older than 250 years","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-queer-existence-older-250-years/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-queer-existence-older-250-years","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. Back in February of 2025, I wrote a piece for “Hyperallergic”about the importance of museums stepping up for their LGBTQ+ staff. As a queer public historian and D.C.-based museum worker, I was right to be concerned. Over the last three years, censorship of LGBTQ+ history, culture, and art has exploded in the museum field, largely as a result of the current administration’s push to mold history to heterosexual, cisgender norms. It’s historical revisionist violence that seeks to erase the fact that LGBTQ+ people have existed since — and even before — the founding of the United States. Before colonists first stepped foot on Indigenous land, Two Spirit people who held and expressed both masculine and feminine roles and attributes were celebrated as sacred, tethered to the divine through their third gender. In early European settlements, LGBTQ+ people carved out space for themselves and their expressions, including Thomasina Hall, a 17th-century intersex colonist who immigrated to colonial Virginia; The Public Universal Friend that shed all pronouns and lived as a genderless religious leader in early Rhode Island; and Deborah Sampson, a Massachusetts colonist who like several other women dressed as a man to serve in the Continental Army. Queer and trans people have been part of this country’s fabric since the beginning, and histories of affirmation and celebration among Indigenous communities predate colonial landing and violence on Turtle Island, a name that many Indigenous peoples call North America. Queer existence and affirmation is much older than the 250 years we will celebrate on July 4. Perhaps this is what threatens the Trump administration, which issued an Executive Order on his inauguration day denying the existence of intersex, nonbinary, and trans people, and in March 2025, issued another titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” that targeted the Smithsonian’s inclusion of LGBTQ+ histories in their telling of the story of the United States. Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) It is our very existence as ancestors, as not just passengers but actors in transformative American history, that angers an administration so eager to view LGBTQ+ people as “new.” Because the deeper, the richer our histories are known, the harder it is to discredit our existence, our identities, our fight for legal recognition and protection. But whatever the reason, Trump’s campaign has deeply affected American cultural and historical institutions over the past three years. In February 2025, D.C.’s Art Museum of the Americas canceled \"Nature's Wild With Andil Gosine\" scheduled to open in March. While the museum did not say why, some of Gosine's work scheduled for inclusion reflected on LGBTQ+ identity and activism in the Caribbean, and that same month, the National Park Service erased mentions of transgender people from their website describing the Stonewall Uprising. Exhibition titles and content have also been changed, obscured, sanitized. In February 2025, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art changed its traveling exhibition of work by women, queer and trans artists, changing the title that was originally \"transfeminisms.” Just four months later, the Art Institute of Chicago changed the title of an exhibition of Gustave Caillebotte's work and removed discussions of gender and sexuality from the wall text. Amy Sherald cancelled her groundbreaking exhibition “American Sublime”at the National Portrait Gallery. And finally, this past February, a Pride flag was removed from the Stonewall National Monument after a directive from the Trump administration. Later that month, protesters re-raised the flag, and in April of this year, the National Park Service agreed to restore the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Memorial and keep it up permanently. Historians now recognize this rush of censorship in the early 2020s as the “rainbow panic,” first coined by historian Wendy Rouse in her piece published in July 2025. And LGBTQ+ galleries, library, archives, and museum (GLAM) workers are feeling the heat, as discourse surrounding censorship of art and artifacts reflects GLAM institutions' push to erase LGBTQ+ stories, language, and people from not just exhibitions but also the wider museum field — from censorship and erasure of our histories to the firing of and discrimination against LGBTQ+ federal workers, federal agencies have denied our existence, cut off lifesaving care for LGBTQ+ people, and ordered the termination of employee community resource groups. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary, I want to issue a call-to-action not only to continue to fight for our histories but to recognize the queer and trans history workers who preserve and share the stories that tether us to our ancestors. It is because of them, it is because of us, that people know Thomasina, The Public Universal Friend, and Deborah’s names. But I also want to affirm that despite the efforts of institutions to censor and sacrifice our histories in order to appease this administration, LGBTQ+ histories have and are surviving. A Pride flag waves in front of the Stonewall Inn, LGBTQ+ historical material still remains safe in large-scale and grassroots archives, and queer art still hangs in federal galleries. Ours, like many marginalized communities, is a history delayed, not denied — and one that refuses to be erased and silenced on the nation’s birthday. Emma Cieslik is a museum worker and public historian. Activists gather outside of the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments for U.S. v. Skrmetti on Dec. 4, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The post Queer existence is much older than 250 years appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Emma Cieslik","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:51:22.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F2016_Donald_Trump_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key-600x399.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"sgvbtg","title":"LGBTQ equality movement takes off: 1960-1999","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-lgbtq-equality-movement-1960-1999/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-lgbtq-equality-movement-1960-1999","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. Franklin E. “Frank” Kameny, a native of New York City served in the U.S. Army during World Ward II in combat in France before he later earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University in astronomy in 1956. Kameny co-founded the Mattachine Society of Washington with local activist Jack Nichols in November 1961, which became D.C.’s first significant LGBTQ organization and which is credited with becoming one of the nation’s first homosexual organizations to hold protests and reach out to elected officials in support of the rights of gays. Kameny, who later emerged as a national LGBTQ rights leader, is also credited with being the first known gay person to challenge the loss of their job because of their sexual orientation. He was recruited by the U.S. Army MAP service in 1957 as an astronomer in Washington, D.C., where he had hopes of becoming involved in the fledgling U.S. space program possibly even as an astronaut. But later that year, in a development that would change Kameny’s life and lay the groundwork for his gay rights advocacy, he was fired from his government job after officials learned of his misdemeanor arrest in 1956 in San Francisco for allegedly engaging in sex with another man at a bus terminal men’s bathroom. After being charged with “lewd and indecent acts,” he accepted an offer to plead guilty, pay a $55 fine, and be on probation for six months after which the charges were expunged, according to accounts of the incident by Kameny years later. Unlike others facing similar situations, Kameny challenged his firing on grounds, among other things, that his firing was due to his status as a homosexual and the government’s policy that homosexuals were a security risk and could not work for the federal government. After his challenge was denied by the U.S. Civil Service Commission, Kameny continued to challenge the dismissal in federal court and after facing continued losses in lower federal courts he appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in an historic first-of-its-kind petition seeking to overturn an anti-gay action by the government and lower courts. On March 17, 1961, the Supreme Court denied Kameny’s petition seeking a hearing on his case without giving a reason. Lilli Vincenz and the Mattachine Society of Washington operated in a far more aggressive and activist way than Mattachine groups in other U.S. cities. (Washington Blade photo by Jim Marks) Kameny and Nichols founded the Mattachine Society of Washington in November 1961. Along with about a dozen other D.C. lesbians and gay men, including lesbian activist Lilli Vincenz and gay activist Paul Kuntzler, the group soon operated in a far more aggressive and activist way than Mattachine Society groups in other U.S. cities and states. The first Mattachine Society group was founded in 1950 in Los Angeles by activist Harry Hay as a national organization, with the goal of serving mostly as an educational group addressing homosexuality that initially did not challenge the then widespread belief that homosexuality was a psychological illness. Under Kameny’s leadership, in which he served as its first president and coined the phrase “Gay is Good,” the D.C. Mattachine Society challenged the notion that homosexuals were impaired in any way. The group initiated a letter writing campaign in which letters calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals in all walks of life, including employment, were sent to then-President John F. Kennedy, Vice President and later President Lyndon Johnson, and the heads of most U.S. government departments and agencies. Among those receiving the letters was then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Years later, Kameny told the Washington Blade that an FBI official contacted the group to ask that it stop sending its letters and its newsletter to Hoover, who did not want to be on the group’s mailing list. Kameny said he informed the official that the group would consider no longer sending the mailings to Hoover if the FBI provided a written statement agreeing not to investigate gay people based only on their sexual orientation, which the FBI was known to be doing, and discard all FBI investigative files on the D.C. Mattachine group. The FBI declined that request, and the group continued to send its mailings to Hoover and the FBI, Kameny recounted in public appearances for many years. In addition to the letter-writing campaign, the Mattachine Society of Washington in the 1960s began homosexual rights protests outside the offices of several federal government agencies, including the Pentagon, as well as the White House in yet another first-of-its-kind action in the early LGBTQ rights movement. The group’s first protest outside the White House in April 1965 drew national press coverage. 1969 Stonewall Riots propel LGBTQ rights movement Virtually all LGBTQ rights observers along with historians agree that the 1969 Stonewall Riots at the site of a police raid of the Stonewall Inn gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village triggered the start of what is referred to as the modern LGBTQ rights movement in the U.S., including Washington, D.C., and worldwide. Also referred to as the Stonewall Uprising, a clash between New York City police and gay and lesbian patrons, including male patrons dressed in drag, began in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located on Christopher Street. Accounts of the incident, including the highly acclaimed 2004 book by gay historian David Carter, “Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution,” state that the police raid triggered a riot among bar patrons and nearby residents as police hauled employees and patrons out of the bar and into a police wagon. Enraged patrons began throwing rocks and bottles at the police, who quickly barricaded themselves inside the Stonewall while calling for reinforcement as some of the rioters attempted to set the building on fire. As dozens more police arrived along with firefighters who extinguished a small fire, the rioters backed off but remained in the area. Clashes between police and what witnesses described as rioters and protesters continued over six days. History.com reports that hundreds of people flocked to the scene over those days of protests. Among other things, the anger by patrons stemmed from the fact that NYC police had raided other gay bars, as well as the Stonewall Inn, on prior occasions in the late 1960s. “Though the Stonewall uprising didn’t start the gay rights movement, it was a galvanizing force for LGBT political activism, leading to numerous gay rights organizations, including the Gay Liberation Front,” History.com reported. On the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion on June 28, 1970, thousands of people marched in the streets of Manhattan from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was called “Christopher Street Liberation Day.” That march quickly became known as the first U.S. gay Pride parade, with participants chanting, “Say it loud, gay is proud.” Nancy Tucker co-founded the Gay Blade in 1969; the publication evolved into the Washington Blade. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle) Among the first post-Stonewall developments to take place in D.C. was the start-up by lesbian activists Nancy Tucker and Lilli Vincenz of The Gay Blade as a newsletter that was distributed in the city’s gay bars. The initial mimeographed newsletter soon evolved into the Gay Blade newspaper and later the Washington Blade. Another important development in the late 1960s was the founding of the Metropolitan Community Church, an affirming ministry for the LGBTQ community, by cleric Troy Perry Jr. in Los Angeles on Oct. 6, 1968. Activism, setbacks in the 1970s One of the first post-Stonewall LGBTQ groups to emerge in D.C. was the D.C. Gay Liberation Front, which lasted for just two years from 1970 to 1972, but which engaged in many projects that expanded the scope of local gay and lesbian activism, according to the Rainbow History Project. Rainbow History reports numerous other local and national then gay rights organizations emerged in D.C. and across the nation in the 1970s. Continuing his role as a groundbreaking gay activist, Kameny in 1971 became one of the first gay people to run for public office when he announced his candidacy for the newly created non-voting D.C. delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Although he finished in fourth place in a six-candidate race, his candidacy drew national attention. The next year, in 1972, the gay and lesbian volunteers for his campaign, led by early D.C. Mattachine member Paul Kuntzler, founded the Gay Activists Alliance of Washington. Before evolving into the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance or GLAA DC, which still exists today as the nation’s oldest continuing LGBTQ organization, the group in the 1970s took on several groundbreaking actions. Among them was the start of a campaign to repeal D.C.’s sodomy law, which like similar laws in all but one of the states classified gay sex between consenting adults a crime punishable by time in jail. Kameny, who was among the first to call for sodomy law repeal nationwide, joined that effort while also joining others in a nationwide early 1970s campaign to pressure the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its list of mental health disorders. Activists argued that the classification of gays as being mentally impaired was a longstanding reason for the anti-sodomy laws. Following an intense lobbying campaign and protests led by Kameny, the board of the American Psychiatric Association voted on Dec. 15, 1973, to remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. In the 1970s the then GAA also played a lead role in the campaign to prompt the D.C. City Council to expand coverage of the city’s human rights law to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The progressive D.C. Council consisting of a majority African Americans who were part of the Black civil rights movement, passed a gay rights bill in 1973 known as Title 34, making D.C. one of the nation’s first major cities to enact such a law. Several of the nation’s most prominent LGBTQ rights organizations were founded in the 1970s, including the D.C.-based Gay Rights National Lobby, which evolved into the current Human Rights Campaign, and the New York-based National Gay Task Force that became the current National LGBTQ Task Force, with offices in D.C. In 1975, gay activist Deacon Maccubbin, who one year earlier opened D.C.’s first gay bookstore called Lambda Rising, emerged as the lead organizers for D.C.’s first Gay Pride celebration on 18th Street, N.W. where his bookstore was located. In 1976, D.C.’s Gertrude Stein Democratic Club was co-founded by Paul Kuntzler and local activist Richard Maulsby. Two major setbacks for the LGBTQ rights movement occurred in 1977 and 1978. On June 7, 1977, controversial singer and conservative Baptist Anita Bryant led a successful campaign through her “Save Our Children” group to repeal a gay rights ordinance in Dade County, Florida through a voter initiative. On Nov. 27, 1978, gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who won election one year earlier, was assassinated by former supervisor Dan White in an action that authorities said was motivated by jealousy and depression rather than homophobia. In 1979, with the work of a coalition of national gay rights leaders, D.C. was the host for the first national Gay Rights March on Washington, which brought thousands of LGBTQ people to the nation’s capital in a first-of-its-kind event. 1980s dominated by AIDS crisis Major advances in LGBTQ rights took place in the 1980s, but the decade was dominated for the LGBTQ community by the emergence of the AIDS epidemic in 1981. LGBTQ advocates in D.C. joined the nationwide effort begun by newly emerging AIDS advocacy groups in New York and San Francisco to pressure the administration of then-President Ronald Reagan to increase efforts to develop a medical and public health response to a then-untreatable illness that was taking the lives of thousands of mostly gay men. In March of 1987, the AIDS advocacy group ACT UP, also known as the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, was formed in New York and began its widely publicized protests against the Reagan administration’s AIDS policies and pharmaceutical companies that the group said were profiteering from AIDS drugs. In another development that same year, hundreds of thousands turned out from across the nation for the Oct. 11, 1987, Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. At the time of the march the AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed on the National Mall. In yet another political development, in 1980 the National Convention Project, an effort to elect openly gay and lesbian delegates to the August 1980 Democratic National Convention, resulted in at least 100 LGBTQ delegates being elected. The convention also made history by becoming the first major U.S. political party — the Democratic Party — to adopt a platform in support of gay rights. 1990s In August of 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Ryan White Care Act into law after the landmark legislation was approved by Congress. The law provided, as it still does today unless dismantled by President Donald Trump, federally funded programs for people living with HIV/AIDS, including life-saving treatment and drugs. In December 1993 then-President Bill Clinton directed the Department of Defense to put in place his controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The policy called for prohibiting U.S. military officials from barring applicants from joining the military based on their sexual orientation or asking recruits or existing service members to disclose their sexual orientation. But it also continued the existing policy of forbidding recruits or existing service members from engaging in homosexual acts or making statements disclosing they are homosexual, resulting in the continued forced discharging of thousands of gay and lesbian service members. Clinton argued that the policy, which was denounced by LGBTQ rights advocates, was needed as the best possible alternative to removing the military ban on LGBTQ people, that he said Congress was unwilling to approve. Two more setbacks surfaced in 1996. On May 20, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Romer v. Evans decision overturning a Colorado law protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination on grounds that it was unconstitutional because it advanced “special rights.” On Sept. 21, 1996, President Bill Clinton, to the dismay of many LGBTQ rights advocates, signed into law the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. It also declared that no state was required to recognize a same-sex marriage from out of state. President Bill Clinton (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) In another more positive development, the D.C. Council voted unanimously in April 1993 to repeal the D.C. sodomy law, ending a years-long effort by LGBTQ advocates to decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults. The action by the Council, which cleared a required 30-day congressional review period, came after Congress overturned the Council’s earlier repeal of the sodomy law in 1981. The post LGBTQ equality movement takes off: 1960-1999 appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr.","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:50:44.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F19810710_Lilli_Vincenz_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Jim_Marks-600x419.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"82nbpp","title":"Two Young Queer Lovers Face a Shapeshifting Entity in Exclusive ‘Leviticus’ Clip","url":"https://www.them.us/story/leviticus-horror-movie-exclusive-clip-conversion-therapy","excerpt":"“I want it to look like you.”","content":"“I want it to look like you.”","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-12T16:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2ac9a99a6062559ec414c9%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FLEVITICUS_Still05_CourtesyofNEON.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"cm1d2q","title":"$70 Tickets? Manhattan?! People Are Upset With This Year’s “Twinks vs. Dolls” Event","url":"https://www.them.us/story/twinks-vs-dolls-manhattan-venue-change-ticket-prices","excerpt":"The campy competition is moving out of Brooklyn — and charging more.","content":"The campy competition is moving out of Brooklyn — and charging more.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-12T14:39:50.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2c17991599ed557d6d39a9%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FScreenshot%25202026-06-12%2520at%252010.28.19%25E2%2580%25AFAM.png","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"lyo385","title":"Trump admin sues world's leading trans medical group, alleging financial blackmail of parents","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/admin-sues-worlds-leading-trans-medical-group-alleging-financial-blackmail-of-parents/","excerpt":"The Trump administration took the next step in its attack on gender-affirming care for trans youth on Wednesday, filing a lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the leading global organization focused on transgender health and the primary developer of clin","content":"The Trump administration took the next step in its attack on gender-affirming care for trans youth on Wednesday, filing a lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the leading global organization focused on transgender health and the primary developer of clinical guidelines for gender-affirming medicine. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, follows an earlier Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation of WPATH over the same claims in the lawsuit, which accuses the 46-year-old organization of defrauding parents for the financial benefit of health care professionals. Related Judge halts Trump's \"retaliatory\" investigations of major trans medical groups The FTC, which is not a medical regulator, brought the suit, joined by Republican attorneys general in Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Alaska. “Today, the FTC filed a lawsuit against WPATH alleging that the organization made false and unsubstantiated claims regarding the necessity, effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers, hormones and sex-change surgeries,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson in a statement announcing the filing. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today WPATH \"has provided the means for medical providers to make false and unsubstantiated claims to parents in order to sell pediatric medical transition services,\" the FTC alleges. Ken Paxton, a MAGA loyalist who was endorsed by President Donald Trump in his bid for a U.S. Senate seat, signed on to the suit in his role as that state's attorney general. “Any group that illegally promotes irreversible, life-altering ‘transitioning’ procedures to kids as safe and necessary will face the full force of the law for harming children,” Paxton was quoted in the FTC announcement. “We will not allow WPATH or any other organization to illegally promote or perform dangerous ‘transitioning’ procedures on our kids that leave them with permanent trauma and lifelong health consequences.” Among the complaint's allegations, the FTC says WPATH deceptively promoted the benefits of \"breast amputation\" and \"penis removal\" for trans minors (even though such procedures are almost never performed on minors); failed to disclose the side effects \"cross-sex\" hormones for minors, including \"pelvic pain, clitoral discomfort, vaginal pain, inability to orgasm, incontinence and erectile pain\"; and blackmailed parents into the organization's \"profit\" scheme by asking whether they “would rather have a live daughter or a dead son,” in the case of gender dysphoria diagnoses for boys. According to the FTC, parents in search of life-saving treatment for their children are dupes in a decades-long grift perpetrated by doctors associated with WPATH and the organization itself. Doctors' characterization of gender-affirming care as \"life-saving\" is only a means of forcing insurance companies to pay for the treatments, thereby profiting health care professionals and WPATH, according to the suit. The FTC joined Trump's anti-trans crusade last July when it sought public comment from consumers “deceived” by gender-affirming care providers. Then in January, the FTC accused WPATH and the Endocrine Society of defrauding consumers over their claims of the efficacy of gender-affirming care, and launched investigations demanding internal records and communications from the groups. The two organizations sued in February, claiming the FTC was retaliating against each for its protected speech in support of medically caring for trans youth. The judge in the case, James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, agreed, granting preliminary injunctions in May that halted both investigations, which he characterized as based on “retaliatory motive.” “On this preliminary record, with extensive evidence of animus and wafer-thin justifications lacking evidentiary support, it finds that WPATH is likely to demonstrate a causal link between its protected speech and the FTC’s issuance of the CID [civil investigative demand],” the judge wrote. Research by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law indicates nearly 1.5 million young people aged 13 to 24 identify as transgender in the U.S. Approximately 40% of trans and nonbinary youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and 10% to 14% made an actual attempt, according to The Trevor Project's latest survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people. Numerous studies show the benefit of gender-affirming care on the overall wellbeing of trans youth. A 2026 study found that trans youth who get hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are less suicidal. A 2025 study found that gender-affirming medical care has positive effects on the mental health and psychosocial functioning of trans youth. A 2024 study found that 97% of trans youth didn’t regret transitioning, even a decade after receiving such care, and another study that same year found that only 1% of trans teens detransition. A 2023 study also found that HRT improves mental health for trans youth. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T21:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2019%2F09%2Fdoctor-and-patient.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"vo19qj","title":"D.C. has long been at forefront of fight for LGBTQ equality","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-lgbtq-equality-dc-forefront/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-lgbtq-equality-dc-forefront","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. The District of Columbia has been at the forefront of the LGBTQ rights movement for more than a century. William Dorsey Swann — a former slave who became known as the “queen of drag” — in the 1880s became the first person to lead a gay advocacy group in the country. Swann was also the first American to legally advocate for the rights of LGBTQ people. Bayard Rustin, a Black gay man, organized the 1963 March on Washington at which Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Frank Kameny, a civilian astronomer with the U.S. Army Map Service who lost his job during the so-called “Lavender Scare” in the decades after World War II, led the first LGBTQ rights protest in front of the White House. Upwards of 100,000 people participated in the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979. The second March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which took place at the height of the AIDS epidemic, drew more than 700,000 people to the nation’s capital in 1987. Almost a million people took part in the third March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation of 1993. Washington in 1973 became one of the first cities in the country to explicitly ban discrimination based on sexual orientation when the D.C. Council passed Title 34. It became part of the D.C. Human Rights Act. Gender identity and expression was added to it in 2006. D.C. in 2010 became the first jurisdiction south of the Mason-Dixon Line to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Here are three figures who placed D.C. at the vanguard of the country’s LGBTQ rights movement. William Dorsey Swann A ceremonial marker in a small park near Dupont Circle honors William Dorsey Swann. (Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro Jr.) Swann in the 1880s led the House of Swann. Channing Joseph, a professor at Princeton University, in an article he wrote for The Nation in 2020 noted gay, formerly enslaved gay men danced and cross-dressed at balls that House of Swann organized. Police regularly raided these parties, and arrested Swann several times. The National Star on Jan. 13, 1896, noted a judge sentenced Swann to 10 months in jail. “This is the case in which a number of men, white and colored, were found in this place, which Judge Miller characterized as a ‘hell of iniquity,’” reported the newspaper. “William Dorsey Swan, the colored man at whose house, No. 1504 L Street, Northwest, a ‘drag’ was raided about two weeks ago, and who was convicted in the Police Court last week of a charge of keeping a disorderly house, was sentenced to 10 months in jail by Judge Miller today.” President Grover Cleveland denied Swann’s pardon request. Swann died in 1925. The D.C. Council in 2023 designated Swann Street, N.W., in Dupont Circle in honor of Swann. The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation last August installed a marker in T Street Park at the intersection of Swann and T Streets and New Hampshire Avenue in Dupont Circle. “In 1896, he was convicted of ‘keeping a disorderly house’ and sentenced to 10 months in jail. He later petitioned for a presidential pardon, becoming the first-known American to take legal steps in defense of a queer cause,” notes the marker. “Although President Grover Cleveland denied his request, Swann’s actions marked a historic moment in LGBTQ legal advocacy. His title as ‘queen’ of the drag balls was one of the earliest positive terms of self-identification used by queer people, long before modern identity labels were created.” Frank Kameny Frank Kameny rides in the 1991 Pride parade. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle) The native New Yorker was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Europe during World War II. Kameny moved to Washington in 1956 when he began to teach astronomy at Georgetown University. He became a civilian astronomer with the U.S. Army Map Service the following year. Two San Francisco police officers on Aug. 26, 1956, detained Kameny and accused him of engaging in “lewd and indecent acts” in a men’s bathroom. Kameny later pleaded guilty and paid a $55 fine. A judge also sentenced him to six months probation. The U.S. Army Map Service in 1957 fired Kameny during the “Lavender Scare” in which the federal government terminated thousands of employees who it suspected were LGBTQ. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1961 declined to hear his appeal. (Then-Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, a gay man who later became the U.S. Ambassador to Australia during the Obama-Biden administration, in 2009 formally apologized to Kameny on behalf of the federal government.) Kameny on April 17, 1965, led the first LGBTQ rights protest in front of the White House that the Mattachine Society of Washington — the city’s first politically active LGBTQ rights group that he co-founded — organized. The picket took place more than four years before the Stonewall Riots in New York. President Richard Nixon in 1970 signed the District of Columbia Delegate Act, which allowed Washingtonians to elect a non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Kameny the following year became the first openly gay person to run for Congress. He later founded the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Washington. Kameny in 1977 was among the group of gay and lesbian activists who met with President Jimmy Carter in the White House. The meeting is the first time a president sat down with a group of LGBTQ advocates. Kameny died on Oct. 11, 2011. Marion Barry Marion Barry with Frank Kameny at the 1979 Gay Pride Day. (Blade photo by John Yanson) The so-called “Mayor for Life” was a larger-than-life figure who shaped the city’s politics for decades. Barry also had a complicated history with the LGBTQ community. Barry was president of the D.C. State Board of Education in 1972 when it approved a resolution against discrimination in public schools based on sexual orientation. Barry, who won a seat on the D.C. Council in 1974, supported Gay Pride Day, which later became known as Capital Pride, and opposed Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign that ultimately succeeded in overturning an ordinance in Dade County, Fla., that banned anti-gay discrimination. Barry during his 1978 mayoral campaign visited gay bars in D.C. The Washington Blade previously reported that his strong support from LGBTQ voters in the city proved pivotal in his election. “Barry followed through by appointing gays to all kinds of important positions throughout the government,” former GLAA President Craig Howell told the Blade in a previous interview. “He put us on the map politically speaking, and he really led the field as far as any other mayor in the country. Nobody was more pro-gay or did more for us than Marion Barry did.” Barry in 1983 became the first mayor in the U.S. to award a city contract for HIV/AIDS-related services. Jim Graham, a gay man who served on the D.C. Council from 1999-2015, was its president at the time. “There was a lot of pressure on Barry not to give it to Whitman-Walker,” Graham later told the Blade. “He decided that we were in the best position on the merits and we should get it. And that was an act of political courage at the time, and I’ve never, never forgotten what he did.” FBI agents and Metropolitan Police Department officers on Jan. 18, 1990, arrested Barry at the Vista International Hotel after a surveillance camera caught him smoking crack cocaine. A judge sentenced him to six months in prison after a jury convicted him on a drug possession charge. Barry in 1992 returned to the D.C. Council after he defeated Wilhelmina Rolark, a four-term incumbent, in the Ward 8 Democratic primary. Rolark, who chaired the Council’s Judiciary Committee, consistently blocked a bill that sought to repeal Washington’s sodomy law. Barry was among the Council members who voted for the statute’s repeal in 1993. Washingtonians in 1994 once again elected Barry mayor. Congress in 1995 created the District of Columbia Financial Control Board that oversaw the city’s finances. Barry left office in 1999. Ward 8 voters in 2004 returned Barry to the D.C. Council. Barry in 2009 opposed a marriage equality bill that David Catania, the first openly gay person elected to the Council, introduced. The only other Council member who did not support the measure was Yvette Alexander, a Democrat who represented Ward 7 from 2007-2017. Activists sharply criticized Barry for speaking at a Freedom Plaza rally against the bill that anti-LGBTQ organizations organized. Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., a Maryland pastor who led an unsuccessful campaign to overturn the marriage equality law and once said he placed a “curse” on the Blade, was among those who spoke alongside Barry. Then-Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the law on Dec. 18, 2009. The District of Columbia on March 3, 2010, became the first jurisdiction south of the Mason-Dixon Line to allow same-sex couples to legally marry after the statute took effect. Barry died on Nov. 23, 2014. He was 78. The post D.C. has long been at forefront of fight for LGBTQ equality appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Michael K. Lavers","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:49:38.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20250909_William_Dorsey_Swann_marker_in_DC_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Lou_Chibbaro_Jr-600x400.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"d5xce6","title":"Robert De Niro says loving America isn't unconditional: \"I can't love a country that's led by Trump\"","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-robert-de-niro-says-loving-america-isnt-unconditional-i-cant-love-a-country-thats-led-by/","excerpt":"Legendary actor Robert De Niro did not mince words when he spoke of his feelings about Donald Trump at a Sunday event for democracy. Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment took place at The Town Hall in New York City to call on people to stand up against authoritarianism. Related JD Va","content":"Legendary actor Robert De Niro did not mince words when he spoke of his feelings about Donald Trump at a Sunday event for democracy. Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment took place at The Town Hall in New York City to call on people to stand up against authoritarianism. Related JD Vance runs to Fox News to complain about Whoopi Goldberg asking him about racism De Niro spoke alongside stars like Jane Fonda, Bette Midler, and Joy Reid and alongside LGBTQ+ entertainers such as sexually fluid actress Tessa Thompson, gay musician Rufus Wainwright, gay actor Wilson Cruz, transgender Drag Race alumn Peppermint, and queer Native American actor Lily Gladstone. \"Our country isn't so lovable right now,\" De Neniro said. \"I hate to say it, but loving our country is starting to sound like an abused spouse saying they love their abuser.\" Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"I can't love a country that starts stupid and inhumane wars,\" he said. \"I can't love a country that takes healthcare away from millions of people and uses that money to enrich their pals in the Trump/Epstein class. I can't love a country that sends out masked militias to shoot citizens in the streets, torture our neighbors, and separate families. I can't love a country that's led by a racist, misogynist, xenophobic tyrant.\" He then made clear, \"I can't love a country that's led by Donald Trump.\" After applause, he added, \"and a sycophant Congress.\" He emphasized that he had loved this country for most of his life. \"I want to love my country again,\" he said. \"I want my country back.\" Robert De Niro: ‘I can’t love a country that’s led by Donald Trump’ pic.twitter.com/p9KyxkCfAu— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) June 15, 2026 Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T19:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-17-at-125249pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1952%2C1027%2C0.4%2C0.21%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"qsso8b","title":"Marsha didn't throw the first brick. A Stonewall veteran busts some myths.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/marsha-didnt-throw-the-first-brick-a-stonewall-veteran-busts-some-myths/","excerpt":"Mark Segal was a witness to history and a participant on \"just another night out\" at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. The soon-to-be activist was just 18 when he arrived in New York City a few weeks before from his hometown in Philadelphia. He discovered Greenwich Village not long after, and \"nir","content":"Mark Segal was a witness to history and a participant on \"just another night out\" at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. The soon-to-be activist was just 18 when he arrived in New York City a few weeks before from his hometown in Philadelphia. He discovered Greenwich Village not long after, and \"nirvana.\" Related Edmund White witnessed the Stonewall riots, just the beginning of a revolutionary life In the days, months, and years that followed the uprising against cops that night at the Christopher Street bar, Segal became a central figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. His latest project is curating the new Philly Pride Visitor Center, unveiled just in time for America 250 celebrations at the site of the nation's founding. Segal dispensed with \"Hello\" when he picked up the phone for his interview with LGBTQ Nation and started right in with his own question. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Mark Segal: Good afternoon, Greg. How are you doing? LGBTQ Nation: I'm well, Mark. How are you today? Overwhelmed by all of the Pride things. Mark Segal, publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News. | Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images I know, it's the season, right? It is the season, but it seems to get more and more crazy every year. But you know what, that's a great thing. I remember when we did it once a year on one day, so that was back in 1970, and look at what's happened since. Kind of wonderful. How old are you, Mark? I'm 75. I'm an old man. That makes it your Diamond Jubilee year. You know what? It's really great, because if you consider the alternative, it's not so great. I'm a very happy old man. You don't sound so old. I have a feeling you sound exactly the same as you did back in 1970. So that's an interesting point. I don't know. The most important thing is, my husband says I'm still cute. That really counts. I'm a very lucky man in a place none of us back in 1969 expected, right? It's all good. The last time I watched Drag Race was when RuPaul was going on about how \"We were there,\" and the reason it all happened was Judy Garland, which is my least favorite of the myths. That gets me real angry. I'd like to talk about some of the mythology around Stonewall and get your views as a participant and witness. Stonewall has been described by people both advancing LGBTQ+ rights and those attacking them differently and the same, depending on their motivation. On the attacking side, just a couple of weeks ago, a school board in Wisconsin canceled a performance because a piece of music that students were scheduled to perform honored trans icon Marsha P. Johnson, who one board member described as \"a cross-dressing prostitute who threw a brick at a police officer at Stonewall.\" Another said the music would inspire the same kind of \"political violence\" that Stonewall did. A statement from the board called Stonewall \"a six-day riot, which included police officers and attempting to burn down a building with human beings trapped inside.\" Some LGBTQ+ activists might agree with those characterizations and applaud them. So, let me get your take on some common assumptions or misconceptions about that night, and whether or not they're true. Number one, was Stonewall \"a riot,\" and is that a pejorative, or a label to embrace? And if it wasn't a riot, what do you call it? A revolution. Number two, true or false: Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick. False. What are the facts around that? There was no brick. I mean, there are many myths about Stonewall, and one of them is, \"Who threw the first brick?\" Well, there was no first brick, and the people who are attributed to have been throwing the first brick say some very contradictory things themselves in recordings that have been made since that time. Primarily, the people attributed to the brick were Sylvia and Marsha, my sisters from Gay Liberation Front, and both of them said contradictory things years after that happened. Marsha said that she was uptown and was up there till 2:00 am in the morning, and Sylvia said she was part of it, but maybe she didn't throw a brick. How long did the riot last? Good question. So when I'm asked that question, I say, well, on that evening alone, hours. But my true answer is 365 days, because right after the riot, we were out there every single night leafleting in one way or another. One night, we were out leafleting for maybe, \"If you get arrested, this is where you can go. These are people you could see for your legal issues.\" Another might be, \"If you have medical issues and you're afraid to talk to your own doctor, here are other people you can see.\" Another was, \"We're angry gay people. We're forming this new organization called Gay Liberation Front, and we would like you to join us. And here's where we're meeting.\" These were revolutionary. Since before Stonewall, if you were out on Christopher Street, our gayborhood, and you stopped on a corner, and you started talking with a group of your friends, the police would come along and maybe say, \"Move along, people like you are not allowed to congregate.\" Here we were defying the police, not only congregating, but leafleting to organize our community directly in front of the police, basically taunting them. We also created social organizations. We created the first gay youth organization, we created the first trans organization, and if all of that were not enough, to celebrate the new community we created, and to mark the first anniversary of Stonewall, we created the Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee, which created the first gay Pride march. Not bad for one year. Another assumption or misconception: gay men led the uprising to the exclusion of trans people, or trans people led it, alienating gay men. Oh, I mean, that line has been around for years. The obvious thing to realize is there were two groups of people at Stonewall: one group comprised people who lived in the area, had good jobs in the area, and as soon as they got outside of Stonewall, you know, they ran for the subway, or to catch a taxi, or just to get out of the area. The group that remained was a mix of disenfranchised people, people like me, who had no vision of what their future would be, marginalized people, and young activists. We were a very mixed group, and that included people of color and trans people. I mean, it's a riot. Does anyone take a roll call at a riot? It's difficult to stand there in the middle of a riot and count different people moving around or being chased by police. Another assumption or misconception: rioters tried to kill cops. I think for the most part, LGBT people were defending themselves against the cops. Remember, the cops came in, brutalized the gay community inside a place we thought was safe, right? We were safeguarding ourselves. Unfortunately, the earlier reports of Stonewall were written by straight white guys who gave their own slant to it — in the Village Voice, by a white straight guy who just happened to be friendly with Inspector Pine, who led the raid. So, which side do you think he would be more sympathetic to? What was he doing there? Good question! In all these years, I never said that or thought that, even. That is great. Was he called beforehand? Good point. Last question on that topic. True or false, people died at Stonewall. No. Have you seen that great clip from Drag Race about their discussion of Stonewall? Luckily, no. Yeah, it's one queen correcting another: \"Nobody was killed at Stonewall.\" It's pretty funny. The last time I watched Drag Race was when RuPaul was going on about how \"We were there,\" and the reason it all happened was Judy Garland, which is my least favorite of the myths. That gets me real angry. You know, people of my generation didn't really care about Judy Garland. We were into Barbra Streisand and listening to Let the Sunshine In by the 5th Dimension. That was our generation. Judy Garland wasn't. I like to ask people, what the hell did Judy Garland ever do for our community? She wasn't particularly proactive. (Laughing) No. Yeah, I mean, nobody knew about the riot anywhere in the nation. There were only like three reports of it, in The New York Times, The Village Voice. I mean, there were no news vans in those days, no radio covered it, no TV covered it. We were invisible, and even our riot was invisible, almost. What's changed for the LGBTQ+ community since Stonewall, and what's the pre-Stonewall era that Donald Trump and his supporters would like to return us to?Oh, that's like 12 questions in one. What has changed? Well, before you called, I was on the phone talking to the people who are putting together the July 4 celebration in Philadelphia, and that will include a parade that will be passing by Independence Mall, with an LGBT float. Think about that. They are creating a float for the LGBT community to be part of America's independence. And where? In front of the symbol of America, Independence Hall. I am so proud that my city and my state take our history, and their history as part of the LGBT movement, very seriously. Philadelphia became the first city, not only to hold LGBT demonstrations, but it's also the first city to open a citywide LGBT Pride visitor center for LGBT tourists, and that was paid for by state money. Our state wanted LGBT people to feel comfortable and welcomed in Pennsylvania. That's sort of amazing. What's the era that Trump and his supporters would like to take us back to?Oh, they'd like to take us back to before 1969, and in that case, I could use my own example. I grew up in the late 50s and the early 60s, and when I grew up and realized who I was, I knew instinctively that I couldn't tell my parents, I knew I couldn't tell my friends, but I didn't understand why. We had no internet, no social media. The only thing we had were TV, radio, magazines, and newspapers, and guess what? I couldn't find out anything in any of those, so therefore I had one place to turn to, which was the public library. And when I went to the public library, I found five books. What did I discover? Let's see, I found that in the psychological department, I was psychologically unsound. I found in the criminology department that I was probably a criminal. I learned in the religion department that I was probably not moral, and I learned basically that I would end up having a very lonely, sad life. That's what this 13-year-old kid learned, and that was pretty upsetting. But for me, luckily — and I guess it was the way I was raised — I didn't feel there was anything wrong with me. But I didn't understand why society felt that way, and luckily for me, again, I saw a show on PBS late one night, and they had real live homosexuals on TV. They said they lived in a place called Greenwich Village in New York. So on May 10, 1969, when I graduated high school, I hightailed it to New York. Checked into the Sloane House YMCA on 34th Street, and that night went looking for people who were like me. I eventually found Christopher Street and nirvana. That began my education on who I was, and also who we were. I love the quote that's on your website from a friend who said, \"Mark was so busy helping to create the sexual revolution that he didn't have time to participate.\" Did you really have no time to get laid in the 1970s? And what were you missing out on in New York then if you didn't? (Laughing) You know what? I think you just stumped me. I think that quote was from Mark Horn, who was a member of Gay Youth and is a member of the Gay Liberation Front Foundation. We talk very often. I mean, I'm very lucky that I have the LGBT friends that I've had for over 50 years, and most of them I grew up with. I was 18 years old when I got to New York, and the friends I didn't have in high school? Well, then I got them. You famously zapped through this period, including crashing the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. There have been some satirical protests confronting Trump, like that video at the Housing and Urban Development headquarters of Trump caressing Elon Musk's feet with the caption \"Long live the real king.\" And statues erected on the National Mall by Secret Handshake, which are pretty effective statements. None have been as far-reaching as some of your zaps. Do we need more protests like yours now, and what's your advice for activists? I love you for this question. I think we need to get back to that form of activism. I was doing an interview about the gubernatorial race here in Pennsylvania, and someone asked me, \"What's the difference between a politician who's an ally and an LGBT activist like yourself?\" And I said, you know, I'm willing to chain myself to something and get arrested. They're there to change policy. My purpose is to give visibility to the policy. Gay liberation's motto was \"Out loud and proud!\" and I took that to mean we had to become more visible, because if you become more visible, you're no longer that green-eyed monster in the closet. That's what Gay Liberation Front started. And I'd like to believe that I took that a lot further along by disrupting the Today Show, The Tonight Show, and Walter's show. We were able to be seen by millions of people. They might not like what I did, but they discussed it. Discussion brings education, and education eventually brings equality. How old were you when you came out? I came out to my mother when I was 18. I was living in New York. I had become president of Gay Youth, and I thought, gee, you know, might be a good thing to tell my parents what I'm doing. I guess they didn't know you were at the riot. Yeah, I mean, nobody knew about the riot anywhere in the nation. There were only like three reports of it, in The New York Times, The Village Voice. I mean, there were no news vans in those days, no radio covered it, no TV covered it. We were invisible, and even our riot was invisible, almost. When do you think Stonewall became \"historical,\" in the sense that people started referring to it as a milestone in the history of LGBTQ+ rights? That's difficult for me to say, because it's always been in my life. But the first time I remember it being historical is when we created Stonewall 25. Yeah. That's when I thought of it as historical to some extent. It still is difficult for me to process it being historical, you know, because for me it was just another night out, until it wasn't. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T18:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmark-segal-on-microphone-e1781140972315.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1588%2C836%2C0.51%2C0.39%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"euhn70","title":"Conservatives freak out over cheerful message from gay/straight alliance teens","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/conservatives-freak-out-over-cheerful-message-from-gay-straight-alliance-teens/","excerpt":"A high school Pride Month display telling students to \"Have a Gay Summer!\" sparked conservative outrage across the country after an angry parent shared a photo of the message on social media. In the photo at Massachusetts's Dartmouth High School, the bright-colored letters are taped to a bulletin bo","content":"A high school Pride Month display telling students to \"Have a Gay Summer!\" sparked conservative outrage across the country after an angry parent shared a photo of the message on social media. In the photo at Massachusetts's Dartmouth High School, the bright-colored letters are taped to a bulletin board, along with two Pride flags, a photo of Marsha P. Johnson, a photo of Harvey Milk, a photo of Alan Turing, and a grid of rainbow Post-it notes containing positive messages like \"love yourself\" and \"you're amazing.\" Related Happy Straight Pride Month! Wait… let me double check my notes \"This is NOT ok,\" wrote parent Lynne Turner on social media, alongside a snapshot of the display. \"It needs to be removed and an apology needs to be made to the children and parents of Dartmouth kids. Schools are supposed to educate and prepare students for successful careers, as well as give them skills for life.\" \"DHS, pushing gay ideology on our youth is NOT your place!!!\" Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Turner continued to update her post as she communicated with school officials. She said the principal told her the board was created by a student-led Gay/Straight Alliance group and approved by the group's adult sponsor. \"He does not have a problem with it because he feels that the messages are positive on the sticky notes…. He said the bulletin board will be up for another week, until school gets out.\" She continued, \"I let him know the photo is online and I told him the problem many of us have is not the positive affirmations on the small sticky notes, but in the big words telling everyone to, 'Have a Gay Summer'. This message is NOT inclusive, it is suggesting their gay orientation for everyone, or for 'gay' acts to occur over summer. I also suggested that some people see this as grooming…\" She said the principal did not agree that it was grooming and also said he \"highly doubts that someone walking by the bulletin board will want to become gay.\" \"I responded that I think it does promote becoming gay, or considering being gay… and joining the club… especially for kids who feel like they don't really fit in other places, or are lonely,\" Turner said. \"I told him I thought the large words were inappropriate, and that he should make a public apology and change the words.\" The principal refused, she said, adding that she has now moved on to campaigning for the superintendent. GOP state legislative candidate Chester Tam reposted Turner's message and added his own disapproving thoughts about the bulletin board. \"Public schools are funded by all taxpayers and their job is to teach kids academics and critical thinking,\" Tam said, \"not promote specific sexual identities or activist messaging on the walls. A plain 'have a great summer' sign works just fine. One-sided ideological stuff like this is where a lot of reasonable people draw the line.\" In the replies, he also claimed the message wasn't inclusive to all students. In my town of Dartmouth 9th Bristol DistrictHigh school bulletin board in full Pride mode with big rainbow letters spelling out HAVE A GAY SUMMER and all the Pride Month posters and notes. Is this really the right message for an official public school display? Public schools… pic.twitter.com/MVqwXN7s84— Chester Tam (@islantstudio) June 16, 2026 The rapidly anti-LGBTQ+ account, Libs of TikTok – which has been accused of stochastic terrorism – also picked up the story, sparking hundreds of comments from folks who saw the board as \"an alarming sign of a degenerating society.\" \"That really is obscene,\" one person wrote. \"It's a groomers mentality that would do something like this.\" A classroom in Dartmouth High School (@DartmouthHS) in MA, reportedly has a board that reads \"Have a Gay Summer!\" alongside Pride flags.We reached out to the school to ask if they thought this was appropriate for kids, but they did not respond. pic.twitter.com/p1wwMN1xxx— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 15, 2026 Turner's own post has also garnered over a thousand comments on Facebook alone. Folks called it \"unacceptable,\" \"disturbing,\" and \"disgusting,\" and called for the teacher in charge to be fired. Some did jump to the LGBTQ+ community's defense. One person noted, \"Are you aware that kids enter puberty in their teens or earlier? Sex is on their brains and they need honest, knowledgeable support no matter what their sexuality is.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T18:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F07%2Fis-queer-a-slur-lgbtq-02-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"x00xd3","title":"A trans woman complained about suffering in jail. Days later, guards found her dead.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-trans-woman-complained-about-her-suffering-in-days-later-guards-found-her/","excerpt":"A transgender woman and community fixture in Birmingham, Alabama was found dead in the city's jail last week, part of a pattern of neglect and deplorable conditions in the facility, trans advocates say. Another inmate died just three days later after an attempted suicide, according to city officials","content":"A transgender woman and community fixture in Birmingham, Alabama was found dead in the city's jail last week, part of a pattern of neglect and deplorable conditions in the facility, trans advocates say. Another inmate died just three days later after an attempted suicide, according to city officials. Kalena “Peaches” Croskey, a 32-year-old Black trans woman, was found unresponsive during a routine check at Birmingham City Jail last Thursday afternoon and couldn't be resuscitated, WTVM News reported. Related Federal judge blocks Trump administration's plan to send 14 trans women to men's prisons Jail staff tried to save her life and called for medical assistance, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office/ Croskey was later declared dead at the scene. TAKE Resource Center, a local trans advocacy organization, mourned the young woman's passing. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"She brought light, laughter, and joy into every space she entered,\" the group said in a statement. \"Despite the many challenges she faced throughout her life, she never allowed those struggles to define her. Whether she was singing her favorite Beyoncé songs, voguing to the beat, creating glamorous makeup looks, or simply making others smile, Peaches found ways to experience joy and share it with those around her.\" Croskey's death was followed on Sunday by a suicide attempt by another inmate in the facility. That morning, jail staff found a 35-year-old man in an apparent act of self-harm. Birmingham Fire and Rescue took him to a local hospital, where he was evaluated and later released back to the jail, WTVM reported. After returning, Sweazer was placed on suicide watch, officials said. But just over three hours later, jail staff found the man unresponsive in his cell. Staff attempted to resuscitate the inmate, and he was returned to hospital, where he died later. According to city officials, a preliminary review found that jail staff followed established procedures in both Crokskey's and the second inmate's deaths. The Birmingham Police Department is conducting its own investigation. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office has yet to announce the cause of death in either of the back-to-back cases. While it was unclear where Croskey was held in the Birmingham jail, initial reports from the city, repeated by local news outlets, identified Croskey as male. \"This loss is not accidental,\" TAKE Resource Center said of Croskey. \"It is a tragic reminder of the failures within the carceral system. The lack of adequate mental health resources, combined with negligence and systemic shortcomings in our system, continues to cost lives.\" Croskey had been held at the Birmingham jail since April 21, on charges including disorderly conduct, public intoxication, criminal mischief, and two counts of third-degree assault. TAKE Resource Center founder and executive director Daroneshia Duncan-Boyd, a close friend of Croskey's, shared the challenges she faced in the deteriorating jail, including bullying by other inmates, lack of access to specialty medications, a failure to prioritize medically necessary appointments, inedible food, pest infestations, broken windows, and the absence of air conditioning in the facility. \"Despite living with untreated mental illness and having to navigate this world alone in your trans identity, you still managed to bring so many people joy,\" Duncan-Boyd said to her friend in a post to social media. \"The love you had for me is something I can't fully put into words. Once again, a system has failed you.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T17:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fkalena-peaches-croskey-birmingham-alabama-jail.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1446%2C761%2C0.51%2C0.24%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"z5coxm","title":"Three Years After Dylan Mulvaney Backlash, Bud Light Is Sponsoring White House UFC Match","url":"https://www.them.us/story/bud-light-white-house-ufc-match-sponsorship","excerpt":"Only 16% of Americans approve of the event.","content":"Only 16% of Americans approve of the event.","source":"them.","author":"Mathew Rodriguez","publishDate":"2026-06-12T13:48:57.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2c02ee1599ed557d6d3989%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2280385254","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"no17bd","title":"10 Years After Pulse, Survivors Are Still Turning Grief Into Action","url":"https://www.them.us/story/pulse-nightclub-ten-year-shooting-anniversary-survivors","excerpt":"The Advocate spoke with four survivors who dedicated their lives to changing the world since a gunman killed 49 people in the Orlando nightclub mass shooting.","content":"The Advocate spoke with four survivors who dedicated their lives to changing the world since a gunman killed 49 people in the Orlando nightclub mass shooting.","source":"them.","author":"Jacob Ogles","publishDate":"2026-06-12T13:12:20.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2c0469b76874d2faee444f%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F541225016","category":"safety","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"0kbhh7","title":"‘Stop! That! Train!’ Is Proof That the U.S. Needs High-Speed Rail","url":"https://www.them.us/story/stop-that-train-high-speed-rail-review","excerpt":"A purely train-based review of the queer comedy spectacle.","content":"A purely train-based review of the queer comedy spectacle.","source":"them.","author":"Samantha Allen","publishDate":"2026-06-11T20:33:27.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2b17a05bfd442d3d1ef74e%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fstop_that_train.jpeg","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"nqx82c","title":"Protests and pioneers emerge in early 20th century","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/america-250-protests-pioneers-early-20th-century-lgbtq-history/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-250-protests-pioneers-early-20th-century-lgbtq-history","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. Protest comes in many forms, and a path to social respect and legitimacy for the LGBTQ community was forged by the pen. Writing is power, words are power, community is power. Meeting people where they are, providing logical arguments, and being unapologetic are defining traits of the LGBTQ movement in the 1900s. Through honest community building, cultural expression, and relentless action, the modern LGBTQ movement was birthed. Underground Roots (1900-1930) Homosexuality was a crime in America. Before there was a political movement, the goal was really just to find each other without being arrested. Historian George Chauncey, in his book “Gay New York,” detailed this tense phase, noting that, \"The gay world of the early twentieth century was not a world of isolated individuals … it was a highly sophisticated, interlocking network of cafeterias, speakeasies, and private apartments where a 'look' or a 'word' was a passport.\" Coded language was more than a choice, it was a survival tactic. Being “in the closet” was both a social and legal choice. Chauncey argued that this system of policing was not merely reactive but actively foundational. The state did not simply find a pre-existing gay world, but helped to create it by defining its boundaries through policing. Apartments called “buffet flats” were a perfect example of this. These clandestine venues provided an oasis for Black queer people, hidden from the oppressive white dominated police state. People would hold “rent parties” during Prohibition, where anyone could drink and express themselves freely, often with live entertainment. The buffet flats and rent parties were where famed blues singer Gladys Bentley got her start. Known for her tuxedo, top hat, and tails, Bentley proudly declared, “It seems I was born different. At least, I always thought I was.” Even in this pocket of openness, there was always a double-think. The larger Black community often navigated a \"double-consciousness\" that applied similarly to queer people of color, a concept described by W.E.B. Du Bois in “The Souls of Black Folk:” \"It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness … two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings.\" This pervasive \"double-consciousness,\" born from the necessity of coded words and hidden communities, demanded a new vocabulary for self-respect. Part of changing people’s minds is speaking a different language, and in this case that language was science. Magnus Hirschfeld introduced the concept of medical defense for queer existence through the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee. Through a scientific approach, it allowed others to understand queerness without being clouded by religion or politics. In his work “The Homosexuality of Men and Women” (as referenced by Vern Bullough), Hirschfeld wrote: “Soon the day will dawn when the persecution of those whose only 'guilt' is that they were born as they are … will be a thing of the past.\" This medical model, while progressive for its time, also established a system of gatekeeping. Susan Stryker, writing in “Transgender History,” observed that under this paradigm, transitioning was not seen as a right but as a medical miracle that required the permission of doctors who acted as gatekeepers to one’s own identity. It is strange to think, but before we had words to describe our gender or sexual identity, those feelings still existed. Words have incredible power. Stryker highlights figures like Lucy Hicks Anderson (1886-1954) as a primary example. When her identity was challenged in court, she issued a powerful declaration: \"I defy any doctor in the world to prove that I am not a woman. I have lived, dressed, and acted as just what I am, a woman.” Articulating existence beyond societal or medical decree was a problem being tackled by literature. The appearance of Radclyffe Hall’s novel, “The Well of Loneliness\" (1928), marked a pivotal moment, forcing the discussion of lesbian identity into public view. Its protagonist, Stephen Gordon, provided a rallying cry that resonated: \"Give us also the right to our existence!\" This theme of coded existence was also present in mainstream literature, such as in Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando,” where the protagonist experiences the world treating them differently depending on if they are wearing men’s or women’s clothing. She famously notes \"Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, they say, more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world's view of us.” The public literary expression of this hidden, coded identity, helped to open the floodgates of community, and laid the groundwork for a network of communities across the country. Post War: Lavender Scare (1945-1950) The end of World War II marked the beginning of a new era. Veterans seeking opportunity in big cities created the first large, self-aware queer populations. As Lillian Faderman captured in “The Gay Revolution:” \"The war had uprooted millions of young men and women … It allowed them to find each other in the anonymity of the port cities.\" Things were good, but the pendulum always swings back. Cold War anti-Communist rhetoric led to The Lavender Scare. The 1950 Senate report by the Hoey Committee, titled “Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government,” concluded that homosexuals were \"unsuitable for employment in the Federal Government\" and constituted \"security risks in positions of public trust.” The report asserted that \"one homosexual can pollute a Government office.” By the mid-1950s, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 federal employees were fired or forced to resign. Rise of the Homophile Movement (1950s) The Homophile Movement focused on education and legal reform, but the actual goal was to gain the status of “respectable citizens,” as noted in a 1953 editorial in the Mattachine Review. The Mattachine Society, founded in 1950 by Harry Hay, advanced the idea that LGBTQ people constituted a \"cultural minority.\" Hay knew, “… in order to earn for ourselves any place in the sun, we must with perseverance and self-discipline work collectively for the full first-class citizenship participation of Minorities everywhere, including ourselves.” Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin founded the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) in 1955, and through their publication, “The Ladder,\" they helped to build self-esteem and combat internal shame. Martin referred to the DOB as a \"coming out place… where women could get their act together and find out who they were.” Meanwhile, Alfred Kinsey’s Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) provided groundbreaking research. Kinsey’s finding was a rejection of rigid classification: \"The world is not to be divided into sheep and goats, and not all things are black nor all things white. It is a fundamental principle of taxonomy that nature rarely deals with discrete categories. Only the human mind invents categories and tries to force facts into separated pigeon-holes. The living world is a continuum in each and every one of its aspects.\" By providing statistical proof that non-heterosexual identities were not rare aberrations, Kinsey’s work dismantled the myth of abnormality and offered intellectual grounds for the Homophile Movement’s appeal to reason. Frank Kameny (1957) Frank Kameny in 1986. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle) At a certain point, assimilation was not good enough, a notion asserted by astronomer Frank Kameny. Fired for being gay in 1957, Kameny sued the government all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1961, he petitioned the court, saying, \"I do not seek your indulgence; I demand my rights as a citizen.\" He lost the appeal, but started a national conversation in the process. Kameny’s voice rose above the rest, saying, \"Ask not what can your country do for you, but what can you do for your country. … I know what I can best do for my country, but my country’s government, for no sane reason, will not let me do it.” He went on to coin the phrase \"Gay is Good,\" as cited in works by Eric Cervini and Lillian Faderman. Kameny asserted, “… flatly, unequivocally, and absolutely uncompromisingly, that homosexuality, whether by mere inclination or by overt act, is not only not immoral, but that for those choosing voluntarily to engage in homosexual acts, such acts are moral in a real and positive sense, and are good, right, and desirable, socially and personally.” Kameny’s uncompromising defiance signaled the end of the assimilationist approach, proving that the demand for rights must be absolute and unwavering. Words have power. Communities have power. The journey from the coded \"undercover agents\" of the 1920s to the visible communities of today has been long and fraught. The historical precedent of the Lavender Scare reminds us that progress is not guaranteed, and it is not a straight line. The issue that was once “hiding under a rock for so long\" demands eternal vigilance. Figures like George Chauncy, Phyllis Lyon, Frank Kameny, Susan Stryker, and others were only a few in an army of activists that never let up, despite the upward battle ahead. Their words ignited a fire in people. Say it loud, say it proud. Words have power. Gay is Good. The post Protests and pioneers emerge in early 20th century appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Kyle Rood","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:48:30.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FFrank_Kameny_1986_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Doug_Hinckle-600x419.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"yyqez3","title":"40 defining moments in LGBTQ pop culture history","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/40-defining-moments-in-lgbtq-pop-culture-history/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=40-defining-moments-in-lgbtq-pop-culture-history","excerpt":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Din","content":"Editor's note: This is part of the \"Queering America 250\" LGBTQ history magazine published by the Washington Blade. The glossy magazine is free and available across the D.C. region during Pride. You can find it here: Annie’s, As You Are, Bunker, Crush, DIK Bar, District Eagle, Green Lantern, Her Diner, Jane Jane, JR.’s, Icon, Kiki, Larry’s Lounge, Little Gay Pub, Nellie’s, Number Nine, Pitchers, Red Bear Brewing, Shakers, Sinners and Saints, Spark Social House, Fireplace, Thurst, Trade, Uproar, Whitman-Walker Health, Destination DC, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, DC Center, SMYAL, HRC, Bite the Fruit, 350 Bakery, Logan 14 Aveda Salon Spa, Vida Fitness U Street and Logan Circle, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Destination Tomorrow. The magazine is also available at D.C. and Northern Virginia libraries. As America turns 250 this year, what better time to look back on the defining LGBTQ pop culture moments in our country’s history? Here are our picks for 40 of the top pop culture moments along with a few honorable mentions. In today’s volatile political climate, these selections are a reminder of the power that comes with fair representation in the films, shows, and music we consume every day. As with all such lists, these choices are subjective but offer a good overview of our community’s progress. • “Moonlight” wins Best Picture — after the wrong movie is announced A scene from 'Moonlight.' (Photo courtesy AMPAS) When Barry Jenkins’s acclaimed indie “Moonlight”won the 2017 Best Picture Oscar (in a famous fiasco in which “La La Land”was accidentally named the winner), it was a landmark moment for Black and queer cinema, and stories told on a personal, intimate scale. At just $1.5 million, the film reportedly had the lowest budget of any Best Picture winner in history. • “Angels in America”premieres on Broadway and wins Pulitzer Prize Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America: Millennium Approaches”premiered on Broadway in 1993, going on to win the Tony for Best Play alongside three other awards; the second part, “Perestroika,” opened in fall 1993 to similar acclaim. The show explored AIDS during the Reagan era and remains one of the most ambitious theater productions in Broadway history. • Ellen comes out on TV Ellen DeGeneres came out in 1997 in a watershed moment for queer visibility. DeGeneres is pictured here at the Mark Twain Awards at the Kennnedy Center in 2012. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) Although Ellen DeGeneres has unfortunately tainted her legacy after allegations of harassment on the set of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,\" she made LGBTQ history in 1997 after coming out as gay on her sitcom “Ellen,” and on the cover of Time magazine. In that famous “Ellen\"episode, DeGeneres told Laura Dern, “Susan, I’m gay!” • “All in the Family” makes history by featuring gay character in 1971 One of the most successful American sitcoms, “All in the Family,”made history by featuring a gay character in the Season 1 episode “Judging Books by Covers,” which debuted in 1971. The episode featured a character named Steve (Phil Carey) who explains that he is gay, much to the shock of the lead character Archie (Carroll O’Connor), one of Steve’s old football friends. • “Roseanne”sparks outrage after airing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”episode In Season 6, “Roseanne”aired an episode that featured a same-sex kiss between Roseanne (played by Roseanne Barr) and Sharon (played by Mariel Hemingway), prompting outrage from ABC, the network airing the show. (Read more about this history through the Blade’s interview with “Roseanne\"writer Stan Zimmerman.) • “Dawson’s Creek” becomes first primetime show to feature gay kiss In Season 3, “Dawson’s Creek”became the first primetime network show to include a gay kiss. The episode featured characters Jack (played by Kerr Smith) and Ethan (played by Adam Kaufman) sharing a passionate on-screen moment. The show’s creator, Greg Berlanti, is out and proud himself, and helped usher in a new era of LGBTQ representation on teen-centered shows. • The smash hit that is “Heated Rivalry” (Photo courtesy of Crave HBO Max) Talk about an unexpected hit. One of the more recent entries on this list, the Canadian show \"Heated Rivalry,” was adapted from a novel by Rachel Reid and became an overnight sensation after releasing on Crave and HBO Max at the end of 2025. The show’s leads, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, instantly became stars to watch at every awards season event. • “Schitt’s Creek”sweeps the Emmys for final season “Schitt’s Creek”had gone unrecognized at the Emmys, but pulled off a clean sweep with nine wins for its sixth and final season. The moment was made all the more impactful since that season happened to finish airing during the pandemic — seeing Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy all take home awards was a true feel-good moment for a show celebrating queer love. • Pop divas penning queer anthems Lady Gaga speaks at the National Equality March in 2010. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) Many pop divas have paid tribute to their gay fans, everyone from Diana Ross to Taylor Swift. Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” wasreleased in 2011 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. Rolling Stone named it the most inspirational LGBT song of all time in 2023. In 1997-1998, two divas released iconic hit songs: Cher with “Believe” and Janet Jackson with “Together Again,” a No. 1 hit that paid joyful tribute to her friends who died of AIDS. More recently, Chappell Roan became one of the 21st century’s defining artists with the release of her solo album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” in 2023. The album included multiple catchy hits, including the smash “Pink Pony Club.” • “Will & Grace\" starts airing \"Will & Grace”started airing in 1998 and brought a gay lawyer’s (played by Eric McCormack) romantic and personal journey into millions of households. The show ran on NBC for eight seasons and also starred Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, and queer icon Megan Mullally. • Michaela Rodriguez wins Golden Globe for “Pose” For her work as Blanca Evangelista in Ryan Murphy’s “Pose,” Michaela Rodriguez made history as the first trans person to win a Golden Globe. While the 2022 ceremony was private that year, Rodriguez took to Instagram to celebrate the gravity of the moment: \"This is for the LGBTQAI, Black, Latina, Asian, the many multi beautiful colors of the rainbow around the freaking world. This not just for me, this is for y’all.” • Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee make Tony Awards history In 2023, Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee made Tony Awards history after becoming the first nonbinary actors to win competitive awards. Ghee won Lead Actor in a Musical for their performance in “Some Like it Hot,” while Newell won Featured Actor in a Musical for their work in “Shucked.” • New Queer Cinema In the ‘90s, notable filmmakers like Todd Haynes, Gregg Araki, and Tom Kalin were part of the blossoming New Queer Movement, coined by B. Ruby Rich in the Village Voice. These films challenged traditional norms and paved the way for a new manner of imagining queer bodies on camera. • “Paris is Burning” debuts in 1990 In 1990, Jennie Livingston’s groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning”brought audiences right into New York City’s drag ball scene, featuring queens Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, Willi Ninja, Octavia Saint Laurent and Venus Xtravaganza. The film would later inspire the creation of “Pose”and is considered one of the most essential queer documentaries ever made. • “But I’m a Cheerleader” becomes a cult classic The term “cult classic” gets overused now — “But I’m a Cheerleader”is a true example of one. Although the film was under appreciated by critics when it debuted in 1999, queer movie fans have since embraced its campy tone, which was ahead of its time. The cast included Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey and, of course, RuPaul. • “Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt” wins documentary Oscar In 1990, “Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt” won the Oscar for Best Documentary. Directed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein, the film told the story of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and how it honored the lives lost to HIV/AIDS. The film even recently screened at the Academy Museum and continues to leave an impact. • Caitlyn Jenner comes out as trans Caitlyn Jenner came out as transgender, then betrayed the LGBTQ community by siding with Donald Trump and supporting bans on trans athletes. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) For those not in the LGBTQ community, Caitlyn Jenner was likely one of the first trans people they saw come out publicly. Jenner graced the cover of Vanity Fair after coming out in 2015, capturing the world’s attention, although the former Olympic gold medalist’s legacy has become more complicated in recent years after supporting bans on trans people in sports. • James Ivory wins Oscar for writing “Call Me by Your Name” At 89, James Ivory became the oldest Oscar winner in 2018 when he took home the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for penning “Call Me by Your Name,” the acclaimed adaptation of André Aciman’s novel that starred Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer. Ivory previously wrote the 1987 queer classic “Maurice.” It was a big night for “Call Me by Your Name”at the 2018 Oscars as, in addition to the film’s adapted screenplay win, Sufjan Stevens performed his nominated song “Mystery of Love”in a tender, heartbreaking performance. That year, the song was up against “Remember Me”from “Coco”(which won) and “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman.” • Jonathan Bailey makes history as People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” “Wicked”star Jonathan Bailey made history as the first openly gay man to be chosen as People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2025. “There’s so many people that want to do brilliant stuff who feel like they can’t,” he told the magazine, “and I know the LGBT sector is under immense threat at the moment. So it’s been amazing to meet people who have the expertise and see potential that I could have only dreamed of.” • RuPaul wins first Emmy for hosting “Drag Race” RuPaul won his first Emmy in 2016 for hosting “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and continued to dominate that category through 2023. The last two years, Alan Cumming has won the award for “The Traitors, representing a new era of reality TV. Upon winning the award in 2016, RuPaul said backstage, “I really didn’t expect this.” • Lil Nas X comes out on last day of Pride 2019 Lil Nas X came out on the last day of 2019 Pride, although he humorously tweeted “deadass thought i made it obvious.” The announcement came at a peak in his career after releasing “Old Town Road.” In 2021, his hit single “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” also made waves after the rap-country artist seduced the devil in the memorable music video. • “Brokeback Mountain” almost completes awards season sweep Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain\"was a landmark queer film and nearly swept the 2006 awards season, winning top awards at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Producers Guild and Directors Guild Awards. Despite famously losing Best Picture in a shocking upset to “Crash,” “Brokeback Mountain” is the film that has stood the test of time, and Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s performances remain heartbreaking. Some anonymous voting members of the Academy later told news outlets that they couldn’t vote for a “gay film” for Best Picture. • Hitchcock’s ‘gay’ films Iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock made several films with gay subtext. Although audiences and critics may not have realized it at the time, modern audiences have rediscovered films like “Rope” and “Strangers on a Train” for their gay themes. • Two of TV’s gay firsts in early ‘70s The 1973 PBS show \"An American Family\" followed the Loud family, including eldest son Lance, who came out as gay to his family during the show's run and, thus, became what is widely believed to be the first openly gay \"character\" on television, as well as the first gay character on an early example of reality television, as ABC reported. Meanwhile, the ABC sitcom “The Corner Bar” featured the first recurring gay character on TV in 1972. • Netflix reboots “Queer Eye”for the modern era In 2018, Netflix rebooted the popular Bravo show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”for a new generation of fans, bringing together Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk (later replaced by Jeremiah Brent), Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown and Tan France for weekly makeovers. The reboot was titled simply “Queer Eye” and its final season aired in January 2026. • Billy Porter makes Emmys history with “Pose”nod Billy Porter performs at the Capital Pride Festival in 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) In addition to his iconic red carpet looks, Billy Porter is remembered for becoming the first openly gay Black man to be Emmy-nominated in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category. He would go on to win this category in 2019, and was nominated the following two years. • Sean Baker releases “Tangerine”in 2015 Ten years before winning four Oscars for “Anora,” Sean Baker released “Tangerine,\" a low-budget film shot entirely on the iPhone 5S. The two trans stars were Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriquez, who were new to acting; Baker cast the two after meeting them at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center. • “30 Something” depicts two men in bed On Nov. 7, 1989, ABC hit show “30 Something” created a firestorm of controversy when it aired an episode featuring two male characters, Russell and Peter, in bed just after having sex. They did not touch on camera but the outrage led some advertisers to pull out of the episode and ABC did not rebroadcast it. • Madonna brings vogueing into the mainstream Pop icon Madonna has been a queer ally since the 1980s, standing up to everyone from the pope to the Boy Scouts. But she reached peak gay on 1990’s “Vogue,” which brought ballroom culture into the mainstream. Madonna later brought vogueing to the most unlikely place: the Super Bowl during her 2012 halftime performance. Her film “Truth or Dare” brought her mostly gay and out backup dancers to mainstream cineplexes across the world. • Kim Petras wins a Grammy In 2023, musician Kim Petras became the first openly trans person to win a Grammy. • “LA Law” airs same-sex kiss In 1991, hit show “LA Law” aired a kiss between two women — lesbian CJ Lamb (Amanda Donohoe) and lawyer Abby Perkins (Michele Greene). Advertiser boycotts ensued. The scene is blamed for a rise in shows airing “lesbian kiss episodes” to boost ratings. • Elton John comes out Elton John and husband David Furnish have helped raise millions for AIDS research. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) Elton John has been a ubiquitous presence in popular music since the 1970s. He came out as bisexual in a 1976 Rolling Stone interview and later as gay in 1992. He went on to marry his partner, David Furnish. Elton John is regarded as an iconic and leading figure in the LGBTQ movement, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for AIDS research via his Elton John AIDS Foundation. • Laverne Cox makes history Laverne Cox, breakout star of “Orange Is the New Black,” became the first transgender person ever to be featured on the front cover of Time magazine in 2014. She later made more history after becoming the first out trans person to score an Emmy nomination. • The enduring popularity of camp Gay audiences have always embraced camp and this list would be incomplete without acknowledging perhaps the four greatest camp classic films of all time: “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane” (1962), “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), and “Mommie Dearest” (1981). “Oz” brought us Judy Garland and hence the expression “friend of Dorothy.” “Baby Jane” was, of course, best known for its pairing of feuding divas Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Tim Curry’s portrayal of Frank-N-Furter in “Rocky” remains iconic 50 years later and was recently rebooted for Broadway with Luke Evans wearing the bustier. And Faye Dunaway’s career may not have recovered but her over-the-top performance in “Dearest” caused us all to reconsider wire hangers. (Honorable mentions: “Sunset Boulevard,” “All About Eve.”) • Drag balls of the 19th century Drag culture has its origins in ancient Greek theater, when women were barred from acting, forcing men to play female roles. The first documented drag balls in America were held in the 1860s in Harlem. William Dorsey Swann, a former slave, became the first known figure to use the term \"queen of drag,\" hosting balls in D.C. in the late 19th century. • “Billy Elliot”nabs 10 Tony Awards In 2009, it was “Billy Elliot”all night at the Tony Awards, taking home 10 trophies including for Best Musical and Best Actor (which David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish shared). The musical was adapted from the 2000 film directed by Stephen Daldry, which itself was adapted from a 1999 play titled “Dancer\" by Lee Hall. • Androgynous pop stars challenge gender norms Modern pop stars often flaunt gender norms but it wasn’t always safe to do so. Three stars who did it best were David Bowie, Boy George, and k.d. Lang. Bowie famously came out as bisexual and performed in androgynous costumes in the 1970s. Boy George’s breakout hit “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” in 1982 upended audience expectations of a male pop singer. And Lang, who came out in 1992 as a lesbian, challenged norms, perhaps most memorably on the cover of Vanity Fair with Cindy Crawford in 1993. • Newer queer-themed movies hit and miss at box office Adapted from the 2015 book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,” the 2018 film “Love, Simon”brought a young high schooler’s coming out story to the big screen. The film managed to gross $66.7 million worldwide on a $17 million budget, and led to the spin-off show “Love, Victor,” which ran for three seasons. In 2023, Casey McQuiston’s hit novel “Red, White & Royal Blue”was turned into an Amazon original movie starring Nicholas Galitzine, Taylor Zakhar Perez and Uma Thurman. The film received solid reviews and was the #1 movie on Prime Video’s platform upon release, drawing more subscribers to the platform. At the other end of the spectrum, “Bros” became the first R-rated gay romcom to be released by a major studio, Universal Pictures. While the film was not a box office hit, it helped pave the way for more studio films positioning openly queer actors as romcom material, and it made a huge splash when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. • Oscar’s biggest queer winners John Schlesinger won Best Director for Midnight Cowboy in 1970. Sir John Gielgud is recognized as the first openly gay actor to win an Oscar for 1982’s “Arthur.” Howard Ashman won for Best Original Song (\"Under the Sea\" and \"Beauty and the Beast”) in 1990 and 1992 respectively. Elton John won Best Original Song for \"Can You Feel the Love Tonight\" from “The Lion King” in 1995. Alan Ball won Best Original Screenplay for “American Beauty” in 2000. And Dustin Lance Black won Best Original Screenplay for “Milk” in 2009. • Little Richard comes out, goes back in Little Richard was a leading pioneer of rock ’n roll, bursting into national prominence with his 1955 hit song “Tutti Frutti.” “I’m not gay now but I was gay all my life,” he once told David Letterman. Richard acknowledged being gay but later said he wanted to \"overcome it,” citing his religious beliefs. Honorable mentions: • Lisa Cholodenko and “The Kids Are All Right” For “The Kids Are All Right,” Lisa Cholodenko became the first openly queer woman to direct a film to a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. The film starred Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as a couple who have been together for 20 years, with a cast rounded out by Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska. The film is credited with helping shift popular opinion about gay marriage in a more positive direction. • Jazz Jennings gets her own series “I Am Jazz” For many households, Jazz Jennings, who came out as transgender at the age of five, was the youngest person they ever saw publicly discuss their transition on national television. In 2015, her own show, \"I Am Jazz,\" launched on TLC and ran for eight seasons. • Elliot Page releases memoir “Pageboy” After coming out in late 2020, “Juno”star Elliot Page detailed his transition in the memoir “Pageboy,” which was released by Flatiron Books in 2023. It would go on to win the 2023 Libby Book Award for Best Memoir and Autobiography. • Will Byers makes it official on “Stranger Things” Season 5 Although the show had dropped some not-so subtle hints at Will Byers’s sexuality, the fifth and final season of “Strangers Things”made it official during Episode 7. “The truth is,” he said, “I am different. I just pretended like I wasn’t because I didn’t want to be.” Noah Schnapp, who played Byers, is gay himself, adding an extra touch of authenticity to the emotional scene. • Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers launch Las Culturistas podcast Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers have broken the internet numerous times with viral interviews from their Las Culturistas podcast, which launched in March 2016 and was recently renewed with iHeartMedia and the Big Money Players Podcast Network. The post 40 defining moments in LGBTQ pop culture history appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Matt Minton","publishDate":"2026-06-18T13:47:38.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F12%2FMoonlight_insert_courtesy_AMPAS-1-600x400.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"h6bbeg","title":"Corporate LGBTQ Pride 2026 on life support","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/opinion-corporate-lgbtq-pride-2026-life-support/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-corporate-lgbtq-pride-2026-life-support","excerpt":"Terrified of becoming targets of right wing media and activists, businesses and brands are fleeing Pride support in 2026. The fear of boycotts and retribution have seen Pride sponsorships plummet to previously unseen levels. Further, there is now a complete corporate reevaluation of marketing and ad","content":"Terrified of becoming targets of right wing media and activists, businesses and brands are fleeing Pride support in 2026. The fear of boycotts and retribution have seen Pride sponsorships plummet to previously unseen levels. Further, there is now a complete corporate reevaluation of marketing and advertising activities in the LGBTQ consumer sector writ large. No more rainbow washing. For the past 30 years, corporations have literally wrapped their brands in rainbow colored monikers during the month of June. This practice, know as “rainbow washing,” sought to ingratiate companies with the over $1 trillion LGBTQ consumer segment. From rainbow filled Oreos to rainbow wrapped Burger King Whoppers, brands actively engaged in developing relationships with this coveted consumer. Now, it’s considered taboo. No more multi-million dollar beer sponsorships in the aftermath of the Bud Light disaster. For the first time since the over 100 Pride festivals accepted marketing opportunities, major brands including Bud Light, Miller and Corona have decided that reputational risk, boycotts and the like are more dangerous than the commercial reward. Their non-participation and the significance of this loss cannot be overstated. When right-wing bloviators co-opted the meaning of the word woke, they turned a positive definition into a pejorative. Now, corporations and brands are petrified of being labeled as woke, and in turn, are curtailing marketing outreach to niche consumer segments, LGBTQ included. Anti-woke legislation has now appeared in a multitude of states, primarily around transgender issues. Bathroom bills, as they are known, are ubiquitous. Boys playing in girls sports,is portrayed as a national emergency. These issues are a constant presence on social media as well as at every level of government, and have had a major impact on LGBTQ-related corporate activities. But perhaps most devastating, is the federal government effort to enact elements of the right-wing’s Project 2025 agenda, seeking to eradicate DEI at every level. Companies, universities, and nearly all institutions that previously championed diversity, equity, and inclusion, have rapidly and radically disbanded and defunded all DEI efforts and activities within their organizations. Discontinuing supplier diversity initiatives, defunding support for internal ERG’s (employee resource groups), and decamping from participation in HRC’s (Human Rights Campaign) Equality Index. Importantly, this index is considered the gold standard for corporate DEI evaluation, and its repudiation is having a profound effect on corporate behavior. DEI is now in the ICU on life support, with little chance of resuscitation. Companies that once embraced DEI have retreated in fear, in spite of critical positive facts. In 2023, McKinsey and Company, no bastion of liberalism stated, “that for five years, our research has shown a positive, statistically significant correlation between company financial outperformance and diversity, on the dimensions of both gender and ethnicity.” What happens next is unknown. We have entered uncharted territory where the confluence of so many factors is having negative effects. June 2026 has seen many companies severely curtail or fully exit partnerships with Pride organizations and LGBTQ marketing programs in general, citing among other things, economic concerns. However, no company can honestly deny that overall fear and the increasingly hostile climate for DEI and LGBTQ issues have prompted brands to rethink their overall support and initiatives. This, despite pressure from stakeholders and shareholders, and vital employee recruitment and retention efforts. Political winds have outcomes. It would be naïve to think that there might be an immediate rethinking should the Congress or presidency change parties. Business cycles, though more agile than government, take longer to work through. Years, not months. So just as quickly as “rainbow washing” has come to a precipitous end, so too is the arrival and reckoning with the blistering Rainbow Washout. Andrew A. Isen is the founder and president of WinMark Concepts, a D.C.-based marketing and communications firm. For 35 years, WinMark has been advising companies and brands on defining and developing effective LGBTQ business strategies. The post Corporate LGBTQ Pride 2026 on life support appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Andrew Isen","publishDate":"2026-06-18T12:08:57.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"ok0j88","title":"Pride is here!","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/capital-pride-2026-is-here/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=capital-pride-2026-is-here","excerpt":"The 51st annual Capital Pride is already underway with parties and events throughout D.C. The Capital Pride Parade and Capital Pride Festival are the two large signature events slated for this weekend, though there are many other LGBTQ Pride celebrations planned for venues throughout the city in the","content":"The 51st annual Capital Pride is already underway with parties and events throughout D.C. The Capital Pride Parade and Capital Pride Festival are the two large signature events slated for this weekend, though there are many other LGBTQ Pride celebrations planned for venues throughout the city in the days to come. Friday, June 19 The Capital Pride Alliance and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs are hosting the LGBTQ+ Women’s Symposium at Arlo Washington DC (333 G St., N.W.) with sessions scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and a day party from 3-7 p.m. The symposium brings together community leaders and advocates for panel discussions and dialogue. RSVP for the free event on capitalpride.org. The RIOT! Opening Party is this Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The RIOT! Official Capital Pride Opening Party is scheduled for 9 p.m.-3:30 a.m. at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.). Bob the Drag Queen will be running a DJ set and Myki Meeks scheduled as the headlining performer. Area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir and WessTheDJ. Advance tickets run from $49-$59 and will be $69 at the door. Capital Pride General and VIP pass packages also include admission and can be purchased on capitalpride.org. The event is 18+. KINETIC Presents is holding a Pride opening party, UNCUT XXL: Heavy Load from 10 p.m.-4 a.m at A.i. Warehouse (530 Penn St. N.E.). There will be music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira and Mitch Ferrino. Tickets are $80.33-$96.62 + fees on Eventbrite. The event is 21+. Saturday, June 20 A Capital Pride Family Fun Festival will be held at Stead Park (1625 P St., N.W.) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event is designed for families and children with games, crafts, glitter tattoos, hair tinsel, story time, an inflatable obstacle course, and more. The event is free and especially designed for children ages 2-10, though is open to everyone. The Crack of Noon Parade Brunch is scheduled for 12-3 p.m. at Viceroy Washington DC (1430 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). It is an all-you-can-eat gourmet brunch with mimosas. Tickets for the event are limited and range from $75-$90 or as a part of the VIP package available on capitalpride.org. The event is 21+. The 17th Street Pride Block Party will run concurrently with the Capital Pride Parade from noon-10 p.m. on 17th St., N.W. between P and S streets. The event is presented by Absolut. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The Capital Pride Parade is one of the largest in the region and is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants and spectators. The annual parade is scheduled for 3-7:30 p.m. and will move through the Shaw, Logan Circle, Downtown and Penn Quarter neighborhoods. The parade is anticipated to begin at 14th Street and T Street, N.W. and end at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street, N.W. The event is free to spectate and open to people of all ages, however, there are grandstand bleachers set up at Franklin Park (957 14th St., N.W.) for a shaded, seated spot for $40 in advance. Tickets for the grandstand bleachers are available on capitalpride.org. Monroe Alise and David Archuleta are serving as the parade grand marshals. The Official Capital Pride Women’s Party, ELIX-Her, is slated for 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Decades DC (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) The multi-floor event has a different “vibe” for each floor: Latin/reggaeton/Caribbean, house/dance/pop, and hip-hop/rap/afro/reggae musical genres. Tickets are $32.15-$42.59 + fees and can be purchased on capitalpride.org. The event is 21+. The MIXTAPE Pride Party is scheduled for 10 p.m. at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) with DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer. Tickets are $45.65 and are available on ticketmaster.com. The dance party is 21+. KINETIC Presents partners with Capital Pride to produce the Official Main Event party, Toy Land, from 10 p.m.-4 a.m at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.). Toy Land is 18+ and features music by GSP and Matt Suave. There will be a special performance by Alaska from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Tickets are $63.35-$69.15 and available on ticketmaster.com. Sunday, June 21 (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The Capital Pride Festival is scheduled for 12-10 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. The event will include food courts, multiple beverage gardens, vendors, community organizations, games, art, performances, dancing and more. Donations are appreciated by organizers, but the event is free. There are designated beverage garden areas for attendees 21+, but the majority of the festival is open to people of all ages. The Capital Pride Concert on the main stage of the festival runs from 1-8 p.m. with a sunset dance party with DJ Tracy Young planned for 8-10 p.m. The stage is at the east end of the festival on Pennsylvania Ave. at 3rd Street. The event is free and open to the public, but VIP passes for an area near the stage for attendees 21+ are available on capitalpride.org and range from $230-$290 or as a part of a $450 Capital Pride VIP package. Concert headliners include Maren Morris, Myki Meeks, Leikeli47 and Harrison. Other performers include Carlos Ova Dupress, Kora Edge, Ruepratt, RenRiot, Vagenesis, Kitty Lovelace, Ari Voxx, RAYSHARD, Bryce Bowyn, the 2026 Capital Pride royal court, Lisa Lisa, Ms. DC Black Pride and Destiny B. Childs. An accessibility zone is available with ASL interpretation and accessible seating. KINETIC’s discoVERS closing party is scheduled from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at SAX (734 11th St., N.W.). Music is provided by Alexis Tucci and Clinton Foster. Tickets are $41.76-$69.46 + fees and are available at kineticpresents.com. The event is 21+. The post Pride is here! appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Michael Key","publishDate":"2026-06-18T12:01:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2023%2F06%2F20230609_RIOT_Capital_Pride_Official_Opening_Party_insert_12_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key-600x399.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"ks9siw","title":"Trump sparked fury like no other when he removed Stonewall's Pride flag. Here's why it hit so hard.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/sparked-fury-like-no-other-when-he-removed-stonewalls-pride-flag-heres-why-it-hit-so-hard/","excerpt":"It was an “all hands on deck” situation. That’s how Lambda Legal fellow Nephetari Smith described it. The Trump administration’s abrupt removal of the rainbow flag from the Stonewall National Monument in February – under the guise of adhering to “government-wide guidance” – sparked a frenzy of activ","content":"It was an “all hands on deck” situation. That’s how Lambda Legal fellow Nephetari Smith described it. The Trump administration’s abrupt removal of the rainbow flag from the Stonewall National Monument in February – under the guise of adhering to “government-wide guidance” – sparked a frenzy of activity within the civil rights organization as activists, politicians, and nonprofits across the country demanded action. Within a week, an expert team of Lambda Legal attorneys had filed a lawsuit demanding the restoration of the flag. After only two months of litigation, they won. And now, only two months later, Lambda Legal has already released a video series on the journey. Every day at LGBTQ Nation, we write about horrific actions taken by this administration to silence and erase LGBTQ+ people. These acts continue to cause tremendous physical and emotional harm, yet it has been years since we’ve seen the wrath of the LGBTQ+ community burn so brightly as the day that flag came down. The move seemed to cut through Donald Trump’s barrage of rash actions that constantly overwhelm our news feeds, inspiring a collective outrage like none other. Never have I received more emailed statements in a single day, and it felt like a long time since any of us had seen activists and politicians this riled up. Related Vandals tore their Pride flag in two. Activists turned it into a surprising symbol of resilience. What was it about that particular move that struck such a nerve? Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Of course, progressive activists, politicians, and organizations have relentlessly fought back against Trump’s many anti-LGBTQ+ policies, refusing to let his “flood the zone” strategy wear them down. Their grit has led to some critical wins for LGBTQ+ people and has sent a clear message to the administration that no matter how barbaric his and his party’s attempts to erase us become, we’re not going anywhere. But among the battles against gender-affirming care bans, Don’t Say Gay laws, forced outing policies, and bathroom bans, something felt different about the fight to return the Pride flag to Stonewall. It was more emotional, more rage-filled, more mobilizing. Our whole team felt it. \"We can’t have our one flag at our one monument on our one flagpole? It was like, enough.”Steven Love Menendez That rainbow emblem, understood around the world as a symbol of belonging, holds an almost incomprehensible level of power for an inanimate object. It’s why activists fight so hard to fly it, and right-wingers fight so hard to ban it from public spaces. Its weight is undeniable. Its presence or absence, addition or removal, can change the entire aura of a place. The flag “serves as a beacon of hope and light for people that are still struggling,” Stonewall flag caretaker Steven Love Menendez, who has devoted the past decade to fighting for a permanent Pride flag installation at Stonewall, told LGBTQ Nation. “It lets them know that there's a community of people behind them that has their backs.” Symbolically costly After elected officials raised a Pride flag on a temporary flagpole, activists raise the flag on the permanent flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City Feb. 12, 2026. Thousands gathered at the monument to see the flag raised after President Donald Trump had ordered the flag to be removed in February. | © Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Smith knew immediately she wanted to be involved in the lawsuit. As a New Yorker, she has long felt a deep connection to the place that launched the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. She remembers how meaningful it felt to visit the Stonewall Inn during her college years, when she was still coming to terms with her queer identity. “I remember having a conversation with this queer person I met who was 65 or 70, and at 21, I'm the only queer person in my family. I just remember being so floored meeting someone who had been queer for so long and was so unashamed and had this comfort with their own identity.” Only a year out of law school, she described how “amazing” it felt to work on something so historic alongside a team that is “deeply connected to what is happening and responding to it so quickly and expertly.” The older, more experienced attorneys involved in the case, she explained, had strong ties to activists in the community, which “facilitated being able to work so quickly and so efficiently.” “In addition to, of course, the law just being very much on our side.” But Trump and his cronies have never been all too concerned about the rule of law. Yet, the administration caved quickly. Perhaps Trump officials could not have anticipated the potency of the fury. Perhaps for once, they actually accepted they had made a mistake. “The irony is quite unbearable. You're removing a symbol of queer resistance from the site that exists because queer people were persecuted by the state.\"Callum Blades Callum Blades, a lecturer in political psychology at Bournemouth University who studies the emotional significance of flags, told LGBTQ Nation that some symbols hold so much cultural weight that nothing can penetrate their power. “There are symbols that become too embedded in the broader cultural sphere to be demonized,” Blades explained. “There’s 50 years of cultural history behind [Stonewall]… and it appears in mainstream films, history books, and is recognized quite globally.” The administration’s decision to settle, Blades posited, “might tell us the limits” of its anti-LGBTQ+ fearmongering strategy. “It was too symbolically costly,” he said. “The Stonewall monument, it does occupy that different cultural position… The imagery of a Pride flag being physically removed from that location is always going to generate media coverage that even people who are sympathetic to Trump might find uncomfortable.” “The irony is quite unbearable,” he continued. “You're removing a symbol of queer resistance from the site that exists because queer people were persecuted by the state. I think people felt that instinctively… It demonstrated in quite a concrete way that history being commemorated at that monument isn't considered settled or safe by this administration.” Smith emphasized that the removal of the flag was a clear symbol of the administration’s quest to erase LGBTQ+ people from the American story. “To see that symbolically,” she said, “gives an additional visual cue to what is going on.” Menendez sees it as “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” “Like, we can’t have our one flag at our one monument on our one flagpole?” he told LGBTQ Nation. “It was like, enough.” A halfway win Thousands watch as the Pride flag is raised at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City Feb. 12, 2026. Local officials and activists raised the flag after President Donald Trump had ordered the flag to be removed in February | © Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images After President Barack Obama designated Stonewall as a national monument in 2016, Menendez contacted the superintendent of national monuments and proposed doing a Pride Month flag installation involving 250 flags around the park. He has spearheaded that project on a volunteer basis ever since. For a long time, he’d also install a temporary flagpole bearing the Pride flag, but permits allowed it to remain only for Pride Month. “This is our landmark. This is the heart and soul of the movement where it all began.\"Steven Love Menendez “I immediately saw how much people loved it, would take pictures with it. It was a meaningful symbol for them… So each year when I did the flag installation around the park for Pride Month, I would ask to keep up that flagpole inside, and every year the answer was no. But bearing in mind that those four years were the first Trump administration… Then when the Biden administration was coming in… suddenly the answer was yes.” “The pole has two little side flags where you can put smaller ones,” he explained, “and we would put trans, two-spirit, and just rotate different flags in the community so that everyone felt represented, everyone felt seen, and that's how the flagpole was functioning during the four years of the Biden administration.” Then Trump returned to the Oval Office. First, his administration removed all references to trans people from the Stonewall Monument’s website. Then, officials banned the Progress and trans Pride flags from flying in the park. And finally, the administration removed the traditional rainbow flag. Lambda Legal’s lawsuit focused narrowly on convincing the courts to return the six-striped rainbow flag, which Menendez says now flies in the park beneath an American flag, as the settlement required. Menendez called it a “halfway” victory. “This is our landmark,\" he said. \"This is the heart and soul of the movement where it all began… We should show different iterations of flags, we should make everyone feel represented… I feel like in the lawsuit, they should have fought for us to have the freedom to fly whatever flags we want inside.” Flags, Blades explained, “carry enormous emotional weight for people’ and send a message “about who belongs, who is seen, and whose history is considered legitimate.” “Maybe the reason behind the public outcry was that removal was saying the opposite, that this history is contestable.” And with so many variations of Pride flags still banned, Menendez believes that message continues to be sent about the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community. Blades, in fact, believes there’s a reason that the outcry was not quite as loud when, in 2025, the National Park Service banned the Trans and Progress Pride flags from the monument’s Pride Month display (something Menendez has circumvented this year by discovering that the fence around the park is actually city-owned and thus he can attach the flags to it). View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Queer Review (@thequeerreview) “Trans rights have been attacked relentlessly with very little political blowback within the coalition that Trump needs to maintain,” he said. “I think there's something psychologically interesting there. The attacks on trans people have been quite remarkably effective precisely because trans people remain, for many Americans, abstract. It’s easier to construct a persecutory other… that no one's ever met or seen; you can just believe and project any image you want onto it.” For the love of the flags | Shutterstock The LGBTQ+ community seems to have an infinite number of flags. An infographic shared earlier this month by LGBTQ Nation shows dozens of flags focused only on variations of asexual and aromantic identities. There’s a flag for leather pride, ally pride, nonbinary pride, and polyamory pride. There’s pansexual, bisexual, and lesbian pride (and even a separate flag for butch lesbian pride). The list goes on, and new flags are introduced all the time. Some folks, both in and outside the LGBTQ+ community, think it’s all too much, that it has made queer people a source of mockery, and that one or two flags are enough to encompass everyone. But there’s a reason these flags continue to proliferate in a way they don’t in other communities. “It speaks to something really important about how the community relates to symbols of identity compared to nationalist flag culture,” Blades said. “When you look at the original rainbow flag and trace the evolution, including the trans flag, intersex inclusive flag, progress flags, these various identity flags, each new addition acknowledges there's something within the broader community that's not yet fully seen. It's an ongoing reparative gesture, a refusal to leave anything in the position of being unacknowledged.\" “There are genuine debates about this in the community on whether that dilutes the symbol's power or if it reflects real political tensions around race and inclusion that need to be named as well. Those are legitimate conversations, but I think the impulse behind it is to make the symbol more accurate. I think it's quite beautiful, really, and quite worth defending, trying to ensure that level of inclusivity and always making progress and space for different identities and different people to feel included.” Pride flags, he explained, do “something quite unique compared to a lot of political symbols.” Groups often co-opt existing flags to serve their own agendas, like how the American flag has come to symbolize conservative values. But in this case, flags serve as “rallying points” to bring a community together that might not have found each other any other way. “The LGBTQ+ flags come from the bottom up, the grassroots. They already represent a community rather than trying to force a community onto a flag.” Smith points out that, unlike other marginalized communities, LGBTQ+ people may feel especially isolated because they may find themselves the only queer people in their families. Flags signify there are people out there like them. “Race, that’s something that you can see… Part of how [queer people] build community is how we communicate symbols to each other.” No place like this PROVINCETOWN — 08/22/24 — Steven Love Menendez, of Harlem, New York, rides his bike down Commercial Street with a peace flag. | © Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times / USA TODAY NETWORK Once, while working in the park, Menendez spotted a young trans person trying to take a selfie with the Progress Pride flag in the background. He offered to take a photo for them, and as he did so, the person began to cry. “They said to me, ‘I'm here for a visit, I'm on vacation from Texas, we don't have a place like this.’” “Some people want to discount the flag and say, ‘Well, what does it mean? It doesn't really mean anything,” Menendez said, “but it really is important to so many people.” Under an administration so hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, Pride flags, it seems, have come to take on even more meaning. The presence of a flag, and the existence of Stonewall specifically, is a source of comfort to many, a signal of safety, and a reminder to those who are suffering that there is an entire community out there that supports them and is like them. In a way, these visual cues might just make it possible to keep going. How else, after all, will we find each other? How else will we know there are people out there still fighting? How else can we know that people still care? In other words, it seems it’s not that the flag is more important than other battles; it’s that the flag makes it possible to fight them. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T17:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2636676215-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"zogerk","title":"JD Vance runs to Fox News to complain about Whoopi Goldberg asking him about racism","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/jd-vance-runs-to-fox-news-to-complain-about-whoopi-goldberg-asking-him-about/","excerpt":"The vice president appeared on both The View and Fox News yesterday to promote his book about religion. On The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked him about racism in the Trump administration, and he acted like he didn't know what she was talking about. Then, while on Fox News, he said that she accu","content":"The vice president appeared on both The View and Fox News yesterday to promote his book about religion. On The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked him about racism in the Trump administration, and he acted like he didn't know what she was talking about. Then, while on Fox News, he said that she accused him of being racist, which she didn't do. \"What have Black people done to this administration that has allowed it to really stigmatize folks of color?\" Goldberg asked on The View. Related Whoopi Goldberg celebrates her lesbian friends when asked about her sexuality \"You know how hard it is, you have folks of color in your family, so when you see, you know things, the Emmett Till stuff coming down, or them doing all kinds of removal of information of Black heroes, how does that sit with you?\" Goldberg continued. She was referring to how the administration is removing and rewriting historical exhibitions across the country to remove references to slavery and racism, a move that stems from an executive order and has already resulted in at least one lawsuit. \"What are you exactly talking about, Whoopi? Emmett Till wasn't-\" Vance said, and the audience audibly groaned. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Goldberg explained that she was talking about how museums have been pressured to remove historical information about Black people. Co-host Sunny Hostin stepped in to try to explain to Vance that Goldberg is asking about \"Black history getting erased from public spaces, Black voter districts are being dismantled, Black leaders are being sidelined from our ranks. Where do Americans of color fit in this vision, because it doesn't seem like we fit?\" \"You say that we're anti-minority, right?\" Vance told Goldberg, and she said that she didn't. WHOOPI GOLDBERG: What did Black people do to this administration that has allowed it to really stigmatize folks of color?JD VANCE: What exactly are you talking about?AUDIENCE: *groans* pic.twitter.com/xFozfFCohk— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 16, 2026 “No, I didn’t say that!” she said and tried to take down the tension in the room with some humor. “I asked— see? Don’t start any stuff with me, man. Don’t get me in trouble.” But Vance decided to just deny the administration's actions instead of explaining them: \"Black history is not erased from public spaces, that is not right.\" \"I’m telling you we celebrate Black history, we celebrate all American history in this administration.\" While Vance remained polite on The View, he went to Fox News' Gutfeld! to complain about Goldberg and Hostin. \"I expected them to be absolutely vicious, and they were only a little bit vicious,\" he said. Vance: I thought Sunny, the woman to my left, was going to call me racist. In reality, it was Whoopi, the woman to my right, that called me racist. Expectations defied. pic.twitter.com/yO1CHiU9lF— Acyn (@Acyn) June 17, 2026 \"I thought that Sunny, the woman to my left, was going to call me a racist. In reality, it was Whoopi, the woman to my right, who called me a racist. So expectations were defied,\" he said, even though Goldberg did not call him racist. Host Greg Gutfeld then said that Hostin can't call Vance racist because \"her ancestors were slaveowners,\" referring to her appearance on Finding Your Roots several years ago, when she found out that some of her ancestors from Puerto Rico likely owned slaves. Vance didn't challenge Gutfeld's bizarre assertion that people whose ancestors owned slaves can't oppose racism today. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-17T16:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-17-jun-2026-04-50-pm-2909.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.52%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"gutv4n","title":"Dwayne Bensing looks to make history in Delaware AG race","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/dwayne-bensing-looks-make-history-delaware-ag-race/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dwayne-bensing-looks-make-history-delaware-ag-race","excerpt":"Editor’s note: This is the first of two reports on the race for Delaware attorney general. Next week: An interview with the incumbent candidate, Kathy Jennings.) Delaware is known as the state of “firsts” and it could deliver another first in this year’s elections if Dwayne Bensing becomes the first","content":"Editor’s note: This is the first of two reports on the race for Delaware attorney general. Next week: An interview with the incumbent candidate, Kathy Jennings.) Delaware is known as the state of “firsts” and it could deliver another first in this year’s elections if Dwayne Bensing becomes the first openly gay man elected attorney general of any state in the country. The Washington Blade spoke with current Delaware ACLU Legal Director Bensing to discuss his campaign. He is challenging incumbent Attorney General Kathy Jennings in the Sept. 15 primary. Bensing is an Arkansas native who moved to Delaware from D.C. a decade ago. He is a UPenn law school graduate with a background in education both as a teacher and an attorney, having worked for the Department of Justice and then the Department of Education under the Obama administration. He left the DOE under the first Trump administration in 2020 after acting as a whistleblower in an effort to protect trans athletes from discrimination. “As a whistleblower, I don't shy away from calling out bad acts, even if it's from the political elite or the establishment. That's the kind of independent government oversight that I want to bring to the office of the attorney general,” Bensing told the Blade. One of the pillars of Bensing’s campaign is corporate accountability: “I don't think billionaires need any more grease on the wheels to pad their pockets,” said Bensing. Bensing criticized Jennings for her stance on corporations and the wealthy. “I don't think that our attorney general appreciates the moment that we find ourselves in, where the billionaire class is consolidating all of the wealth on the backs of the working class and consumers,” Bensing said. In particular, he knocked Jennings’s handling of the restructuring of OpenAI, as she and California Attorney General Rob Bonta approved the company’s transition from a nonprofit organization to a public benefit corporation. “The people's voice is being diminished in so many ways by the corporate oligarchy and government establishment elite who've benefited from the system as it is,” said Bensing. “I believe that we have to clean up our own backyard first and really solidify the ‘small d’ democratic norms of access to voting at the ballot box, access to a high-quality public education, and access to free speech,” said Bensing. Bensing also spoke about the mistreatment of unhoused persons and the unhoused camps that are being removed by the government in Wilmington. “For people who have no place to go and are in a public space, we need to make sure that we're providing them the services so that they can lift themselves up, not criminalize their mere existence,” said Bensing. Bensing shared his desire to reform the “Delaware way” by pushing Delaware to sort out its disagreements internally and hold the federal government and corporations accountable. “From my vantage point at the ACLU of Delaware, the Delaware way is a way to preserve the power, the influence, the resources of the establishment elite, and so those who are benefiting from the Delaware way,” said Bensing. “I think we are a state of neighbors, as our congresswoman often reminds us, and I think that will always keep us polite without being aggressively disagreeable, but what I feel we are losing is that accountability piece,” said Bensing. As a gay man, Bensing has been a staunch supporter of transgender rights and the LGBTQ community as a whole throughout his career. When asked about his plans to continue his support for the trans community. Bensing responded by saying “I've been on the front lines of this issue.” He also referenced the late Barney Frank, saying “If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” “In private practice, I filed the very first federal district court case regarding the rights of transgender students under Title IX,” said Bensing. Bensing continued the fight for trans youth while working in the DOE under the first Trump administration: “When I found myself in the Trump administration unexpectedly, I met with Secretary Betsy DeVos in her office, and I begged her to meet transgender students because I didn't think she understood that our transgender students were being vilified by the very leaders who were sworn to protect them.” As previously mentioned, Bensing left the DOE in 2020 after he leaked emails showing protocol violations in an investigation involving the treatment of transgender students. Bensing highlighted Delaware’s past as being a leader on the “front lines” of LGBTQ protections and emphasized the need to continue protecting LGBTQ rights. Last August, Jennings wrote a letter to Nemours Children’s Hospital imploring them to reconsider their decision to stop providing gender affirming care services to new transgender youth patients. Bensing criticized Jennings’s letter to Nemours, describing it as an example of Jennings having “more bark than bite.” “Our attorney general wrote a strongly worded letter to Nemours while other attorneys general said we will sue you, and did sue when health care providers stopped providing life-saving healthcare to transgender youth,” said Bensing. “Battle lines have been drawn and the attorney general needs to stand with LGBTQ+ youth on this issue,” said Bensing. Bensing has also been president of the Delaware Stonewall Political Action Committee for five years. He explained that its mission is to elect LGBTQ individuals and allies to office. “It's really important that we keep fighting for equal protection under the law, and that we show up in civic spaces, that we become elected leaders, that we become engaged members of our community,” Bensing said. Bensing recalled growing up gay in Arkansas at a time not too long ago when same-sex marriage was what we described as “a bipartisan issue of objection.” He shared his concerns over same-sex marriage losing support according to recent polls: “That's a fight I think that many in the LGBTQ+ community thought we had won.” “I know firsthand how fragile our constitutional rights are and how fickle the public can be when extending dignity to a minority group.” The post Dwayne Bensing looks to make history in Delaware AG race appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Thomas Weaverling","publishDate":"2026-06-18T12:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"e1n9hh","title":"White nationalist called critics \"cowards\" for not fighting for their beliefs. So they beat him up.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/white-nationalist-called-critics-cowards-for-not-fighting-for-their-beliefs-so-they-beat-him-up/","excerpt":"Anti-LGBTQ+, anti-immigrant, white nationalist influencer Gregory Moffitt (also known on social media as \"Young Bob\") was beaten up while holding a public debate in Manchester, England, last weekend. Video shows Moffitt debating a dark-skinned man with gray dreadlocks while seated at a table in a pu","content":"Anti-LGBTQ+, anti-immigrant, white nationalist influencer Gregory Moffitt (also known on social media as \"Young Bob\") was beaten up while holding a public debate in Manchester, England, last weekend. Video shows Moffitt debating a dark-skinned man with gray dreadlocks while seated at a table in a public outdoor space. The table had a sign that said: \"Reform UK must be more radical.\" Moffitt's stance in the debate was that subjects of the British Empire shouldn’t necessarily be welcome in the U.K., Metro UK reported. Related Fox hosts force JD Vance to eat \"pickle cake\" as part of bizarre anti-gay joke During their discussion, a bystander threw a water bottle at Moffitt, and he turned and said, \"All of you who throw water are cowards. You don't actually want to fight for what you believe in.\" A woman replied, \"If you wanna fight, I'll fight you, b**ch.\" People laughed and Moffitt replied, \"And you'll go to prison.\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The dark-skinned man then continued to debate Moffitt for a while before he dismissed the man's argument by saying, \"Righteous indignation. No discussion.\" Moments later, Moffitt confronted bystanders who had been throwing paper wads at him. When the fight broke out, a person held Moffitt by his shirt, while others encircled and started to punch him, eventually sending him to the ground, where they started kicking him. Eventually, a man interceded to keep the attackers off of him. Video footage showed the attackers overturning Moffitt's stool and camera tripod. He has pledged to continue holding public debates, though he said he plans to bring in extra security. Young Bob, who literally sets up a stall to calmly debate anyone, is again attacked by a gang of invaders today.Anyone celebrating or encouraging this is a coward.Starmer's regime shutting down debate online, and the left shutting it down in public! https://t.co/Qx5mJiBR6O— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) June 15, 2026 In a June 15 post on X, Moffitt wrote that a group of foreign lads had attacked him, allegedly encouraged by members of the organization Stand Up to Racism. The attack caused him to \"pass out halfway through\" and not remember what occurred, Moffitt said, though video seems to show him moving soon after being dragged to the ground as well as a moment later, after the attackers fled. Moffitt claimed that police arrived five minutes later but \"did nothing to stop the counter-protesters or retrieve the to see what actually happened.\" The attack left Moffitt with \"a cut and a number of marks on my neck, bruises on my face and the top of my head, and cuts running down my back,\" he added, while promising to be checked out at a hospital. Metro reported that his phone was smashed and his banner was stolen. Moffitt also said that his video camera was smashed. Police reportedly arrested three people in connection with the attack. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Young Bob (@youngbobrb) Moffitt was once a member of Turning Point UK, the British offshoot of the U.S. young conservatives organization well-known for its public debates with its now-slain leader, Charlie Kirk. Like Kirk, Moffitt records debates where he takes conservative positions and tells others, \"Change my mind.\" Moffitt has been praised by other white nationalists like Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson for his advocacy of the so-called remigration movement, which seeks to forcibly deport immigrants and their descendants back to their countries of origin. Moffit has taken anti-LGBTQ+ positions and has previously claimed that his generation is being \"sexualized\" through \"pornographic material,\" including drag queens. He claimed, without evidence, that there's a correlation between children's exposure to this material and the exploration of their gender identities. \"They're hypersexualizing these children through trans-ing them,\" he claimed once while speaking on a right-wing broadcast. \"I mean, why would you need to explore your gender identity at such a young age…? It confuses this younger generation into this Marxist illusion.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-17T16:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmoffitt-young-bob-attack.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D636%2C335%2C0.56%2C0.16%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"m2baaa","title":"Ian McKellan shares hilarious way he channeled anger at Trump into his role as an Avengers villain","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ian-mckellan-shares-hilarious-way-he-channeled-anger-at-into-his-role-as-an-avengers-villain/","excerpt":"Ian McKellen channeled his fury at Trump into archvillain role in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Iconic out actor Ian McKellen says he shouted “Mar-a-Lago” to get into his character’s destructive headspace while filming Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The latest installment in Marvel’s cinematic univers","content":"Ian McKellen channeled his fury at Trump into archvillain role in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Iconic out actor Ian McKellen says he shouted “Mar-a-Lago” to get into his character’s destructive headspace while filming Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The latest installment in Marvel’s cinematic universe, due out in December, sees the 87-year-old Oscar nominee reprising his role as X-Men archvillain Magneto. While filming a scene in which his character destroys all of New Jersey, McKellen told The Guardian that directors Anthony and Joe Russo told him “to look more furious.” Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Related Ian McKellen said an iconic \"Star Wars\" actor discouraged him from supporting gay rights The actor and long-time LGBTQ+ rights advocate recalled the Russos telling him to “Make it look as if you hate what you’re destroying.” “So, I stood there, and I shouted: ‘Mar-a-Lago!’” McKellen told the outlet, referring to President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, resort. McKellen has been involved in LGBTQ+ rights advocacy since the late 1980s, when he came out publicly in part as a reaction to Section 28, a proposed law later passed by Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government that banned the “promotion” of homosexuality. McKellen has also been a vocal critic of Trump. During the president’s first term in office, the actor criticized the administration’s refusal to recognize Pride Month and Trump's formal rescission of President Obama’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order in 2017. “It’s appalling and quite unnecessary and very un-American,” McKellen told Variety at the time. McKellen also spoke about channeling his antipathy for Trump on the set of Avengers: Doomsday during a February appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “So, I’m standing up, pretending to [destroy New Jersey], and the wind is blowing in my hair, and I’m putting on a fierce look, and I’m trying to be magnetic. And the director, over the loudspeaker, says, ‘Ian, look more furious!’” McKellen said, while demonstrating his Magneto fury. “He said, ‘Shout the worst thing you can possibly think of!’ So, I said, ‘Mar-a-Lago!’” “Will I be allowed back in the country?” McKellen joked. “No guarantees. I don’t think I’m the right person to ask for that,” said Colbert, whose canceled show has been viewed, at least in part, as retaliation for his own criticism of Trump and CBS parent company Paramount Skydance owner David Ellison’s ties to the administration. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"John Russell","publishDate":"2026-06-17T15:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fianmckellan.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1770%2C932%2C0.54%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"zkb79p","title":"Corporate America caves to Trump, abandons Pride","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/corporate-america-caves-to-trump-abandons-pride/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=corporate-america-caves-to-trump-abandons-pride","excerpt":"Pride began as an uprising against a political system that told LGBTQ people they did not belong. More than 50 years later, after what many believed was a lasting cultural shift toward acceptance, that progress now feels increasingly fragile. What once seemed like hard-won inclusion is being tested ","content":"Pride began as an uprising against a political system that told LGBTQ people they did not belong. More than 50 years later, after what many believed was a lasting cultural shift toward acceptance, that progress now feels increasingly fragile. What once seemed like hard-won inclusion is being tested in a political environment in which LGBTQ rights have re-emerged as a central point of debate, from school boards to state legislatures to the highest levels of government. While today’s backlash does not resemble police batons on the streets of Greenwich Village in 1969, advocates say it is taking a new form—through policy fights, cultural rhetoric, and a quiet retreat by corporate America from Pride itself. For many in the LGBTQ community, Pride remains the most important event of the year. It is a moment when cities and towns—large and small, urban and rural, blue and red—attempt to create space for those who were long treated as outsiders. What was once confined to secrecy, coded meeting places, and dingy bar backrooms has become visible and celebrated openly in streets filled with music, color, and community. Over time, however, Pride has also evolved. With each passing year and each wave of corporate sponsorship, it has drifted further from its explicitly political roots. For many observers, it is now often perceived as a cultural celebration or festival rather than a protest born out of state violence and legal discrimination against LGBTQ people. Now, as LGBTQ communities again face intensified political attacks—this time driven by Republican officials across multiple levels of government and policies emerging from the Trump administration—some advocates say corporate sponsors are quietly pulling back to avoid offending the government amid an unprecedented crackdown on DEI. In doing so, they argue, companies risk forgetting that Pride itself began as a refusal to stay silent or invisible—a movement that, in its earliest form, quite literally overturned the status quo. That tension between political urgency, cultural visibility, and corporate participation is now being felt in very concrete ways inside the organizations that produce Pride events. The Washington Blade spoke with Pride organizers, marketing experts, advocacy organizations, and reviewed national reporting and corporate data to understand what the decline in Pride sponsorships reveals about corporate America's relationship with LGBTQ people—and whether that support was ever as durable as many believed. Declining sponsorships For organizers, the conversation begins with numbers. Across the country, Pride groups report declining sponsorship revenue, fewer corporate partners, and increased difficulty securing the commitments that have helped fund modern Pride celebrations for decades. Mike Alexander, director of development for Capital Pride Alliance, which organizes D.C.'s Pride events, said the shift became noticeable almost immediately after President Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office. \"As soon as the inauguration happened and the immediate swift attacks on DEI began, we started seeing a downturn in sponsorships. We probably had close to $10 million in pledges, and that was pretty much cut in half last year. Even though WorldPride ended up being an overall success and we had incredible support from sponsors that were able to remain on, overall support has been down quite significantly from what we usually have. Between 2016 and 2024, we typically saw anywhere from 150 to 275 corporate sponsors. Now we're looking at probably about half of that this year, so it's quite a significant drop.\" Yet organizers say most companies are not explicitly citing politics when they walk away. \"I can't recall any particular sponsor that actually cited DEI. A lot of them cited budget concerns, reorganizations, and restructuring. No one in particular says, 'We're not coming back because of this. We don't want to support you.' I think the overall sentiment is that a lot of companies still want to support.\" Alexander noted that uncertainty extends beyond DEI debates alone. \"There are a lot of things happening right now. The global conflicts, the economy, and the broader political climate all play a role. D.C. is uniquely impacted because there are a lot of organizations and companies here that are directly connected to government, federal contractors, public policy, and advocacy. There's so much uncertainty.\" Even so, he acknowledged the reasons often go unsaid. \"Nobody really says that. They cite other reasons, or they don't respond. Sometimes they simply say they can't participate and don't mention the exact reasons why. I think we can read between the lines.\" Political pressure, DEI, & corporate fear For many observers, those lines point toward a rapidly changing political environment. Andrew Isen, founder and president of WinMark Concepts, said the current moment differs from previous periods of anti-LGBTQ backlash because companies now believe there are tangible financial consequences for visible support. \"It's 100 percent quantifiable and 100 percent relatable to the administration's anti-trans and, more particularly, anti-DEI policies,\" Isen said. \"An administration that has threatened universities, law firms, corporations, and just about any entity that supports any iteration of DEI policies has had a profound effect on the behavior of these organizations. \"In the aftermath of the Bud Light situation, companies became very afraid to put their brands out there, and they continue to do so.\" He argues the roots of the current climate stretch back several years. \"Things have changed exponentially. What's happened in the last two and a half years we've never seen before,” he continued. “This started several years ago with what I'll call trans-bashing on the right, then the adoption of the word 'woke' as a pejorative. When you put those two together, there was an incendiary fire waiting to happen, and it happened with the Bud Light situation.\" National Pride leaders have reached similar conclusions. \"I think that's why some of the corporations have pulled back, because they don't want that government scrutiny,\" Jordan Braxton, co-president of the United States Association of Prides, told NPR in May. \"People sometimes look at Pride festivals just as a big party, which they are, but they're also resource fairs, job fairs, and we also use it as a fundraising event.\" Advertising researcher E. Ciszek also told NPR the trend reveals something deeper about corporate support. \"It's important to take a step back and see this more as a moment of risk, a moment of political pressure, and looking really at the limits of corporate allyship, particularly when LGBTQ visibility has become really politically costly.\" Corporate pullbacks That pressure is increasingly visible in how corporations present themselves publicly. Isen pointed to the ongoing Target boycott as one of the clearest examples. \"Target, which was a huge supporter of all things LGBTQ, began to pare back its visibility. The amount of Pride merchandise it carried went from roughly 3,500 products to about 500. Instead of putting those products at the front of stores, they moved them to the back.\" That continued to be scaled back as the most vocal and those in line with Trump were considered the ones to appease. \"Because of bomb threats and other concerns, Pride merchandise appeared in far fewer stores than it had previously.\" Yet retreating from LGBTQ visibility has not necessarily insulated companies from criticism. In a letter to shareholders, investors wrote that \"Target has repeatedly entangled itself in social controversy over the past several years, including its decision to pull back its Pride collection, the rollback of its DEI initiatives, and, most recently, its limited public response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities at certain store locations.\" The letter concluded that those actions may have alienated \"Black, Latino, LGBTQ+, and progressive consumer segments.\" Beyond individual companies, Pride organizers describe a much broader pullback. \"We're now in a vacuum where Pride and its sponsors have been eviscerated by fear and backlash from consumers and by retribution from the current administration through its DEI policies,\" Isen said. That said, some major brands continue to support Pride, including Absolut, Marriott, Coca-Cola, and others. Pride's economic reality For organizers, the consequences of this Pride pullback extend far beyond symbolism. Pride celebrations require significant financial resources, and corporate sponsorships have traditionally provided much of that support. This is the same game with new rules. \"It takes a lot of money to do this,\" Pittsburgh Pride Director Dena Stanley told NPR. \"Permitting costs, security costs, headliners costs, staging costs, cleaning crew costs, insurance costs, all of these are expenses.\" Former Tampa Pride organizer Carrie West described how quickly the situation can become unsustainable. \"All of a sudden, bingo. Here you have no money, no grant money, no supporting money, to make operations, to plan, to get any kind of anything.\" San Francisco Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford told The Wall Street Journal that replacing lost sponsors is extraordinarily difficult. \"It’s hard to replace a $150,000 sponsor with individual donations,\" Ford said. \"I’ve just got to find some new corporate sponsors out there…I’m cautiously optimistic.\" Allyship under pressure The sponsorship decline has also reignited a longstanding debate about whether corporate support for LGBTQ communities represents genuine allyship or merely marketing. Isen argues fear—not economics—is driving much of the retreat. \"The LGBTQ community is more economically viable than it ever was.\" \"The community is as economically viable as it has always been, but unfortunately the corporate fear factor has outweighed the economic viability and importance of the LGBTQ consumer community.\" He believes the Bud Light controversy fundamentally altered corporate calculations. \"Boycotts have never worked in my entire professional history. On either side, straight or gay, boycotts do not work. Until now.\" \"This is the first time a boycott has ever worked as a demonstrative opposition to a brand supporting LGBTQ consumers.\" At the same time, national data suggests corporate support has not disappeared entirely. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2026 Corporate Equality Index, 71% of surveyed companies still sponsor LGBTQ-inclusive events or run LGBTQ-focused marketing campaigns, 81% provide financial or in-kind support to LGBTQ organizations, and 97% maintain LGBTQ employee resource groups or diversity councils. Still, HRC President Kelley Robinson warned that many LGBTQ employees are feeling the effects of corporate hesitation. \"Our latest community survey shows LGBTQ+ employees—especially transgender and gender-expansive people—are experiencing increased bias and heightened anxiety about job security, career advancement, and physical safety at work. And in too many workplaces, the response has been silence, retreat, or ambiguity.\" The future of Pride Despite the uncertainty, organizers insist Pride will continue regardless of what corporations decide. Alexander emphasized that sponsors have never been the entirety of Pride. \"There's a misconception about corporate sponsorships. Sponsors have typically provided the majority of our funding, but they still make up only about one-third of our participants. The other two-thirds are community groups, nonprofits, small businesses, and service organizations.\" He also believes organizations must adapt. \"Because nothing is certain, it's important to diversify funding. It's important to create programming and partnerships that make sense, whether that's grant funding, individual support, grassroots support, or other avenues.\" Most importantly, he said, Pride's purpose remains unchanged. \"Pride is a protest, but it is also a celebration. Being joyful, being happy, and being who you are is in itself a protest. If you show up to Pride and celebrate yourself, you're sending the message that you're not living in fear.\" And regardless of sponsorship totals, he said the movement itself belongs to the people who show up. \"We're going to keep moving forward no matter what. There's important work to do, important voices to be heard, people who need support, and communities that are marginalized. We're going to find a way to move forward.\" \"We are not Pride. Pride is the community. It is the people who show up and participate. We provide the platform and the amplification, but Pride belongs to the community.\" The post Corporate America caves to Trump, abandons Pride appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Joe Reberkenny","publishDate":"2026-06-18T12:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"wttug3","title":"Traveling by barge through France","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/travel-barge-france/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=travel-barge-france","excerpt":"Blog #1: I was excited about my trip even though Gate 1 Travel notified me there was a change in the itinerary. France decided to close the Burgundy canal for long overdue repairs, so we would be traveling on the C. du Rhone au Rhin. I boarded my Air France flight arriving in Paris on time. Contrary","content":"Blog #1: I was excited about my trip even though Gate 1 Travel notified me there was a change in the itinerary. France decided to close the Burgundy canal for long overdue repairs, so we would be traveling on the C. du Rhone au Rhin. I boarded my Air France flight arriving in Paris on time. Contrary to what I was told to expect, customs went really smoothly. Day 1: Because customs went quickly, I waited 45 minutes for my pre-arranged driver, to take me to the Gare de Lyon, where I boarded my fast-train to Lyon. A two-hour trip. In Lyon it was a long walk to the hotel, The Radisson Blu, but only because I exited the station on the wrong side. Finally got there, checked into a room on the 36th floor with a spectacular view of Lyon. Then took a stroll around the area, a short nap, and finally it was time for dinner and to meet the rest of the traveling party. There would only be 13 of us in the group. Five of us from D.C./Rehoboth, and eight others. I met our guide Patricia, who is from Portugal, and spoke fluent French and English. She is charming, and clearly very knowledgeable. She worked with Gate 1 for many years. We stayed at the hotel for our welcome dinner. It was a great meal, and over drinks, each of us was asked to introduce ourselves to the group. Aside from the five of us, there were three women traveling alone, one gentleman alone, and two couples. They were from New Jersey, New York, Florida, Houston, and Nebraska. I was sitting across from the woman from Nebraska. Conversation at dinner was pleasant but I quickly realized one person was apparently a MAGA. Wonder if you can guess where she was from, lol. But we also found if we didn’t talk politics, which we agreed not to do, things were fine. After dinner we all headed to our rooms for a good night’s sleep. DAY 2: We woke to beautiful weather. I headed to the included breakfast at the hotel, which was really very good. After breakfast we boarded a bus for a tour of Lyon. We had a full-size bus for just the 13 of us. Our guide for the half day tour, was Vincent, and he is charming and young, and told us his fiancé lives in Lyon. He was incredibly knowledgeable. We began at the Basilica, which is being repaired on the outside, but the inside is, wow! Incredible stained glass, and there was a service going on in one of the smaller side chapels which I l listened to for a bit. The Basilica is high on the hill and the views of Lyon are spectacular from there. Then we headed to the old city and walked around for an hour, ending up at the smaller cathedral. Directly in front of it they had set up a great market, mostly food, which would be there for a week. Lyon is a foodie paradise, with, we were told, a restaurant, or at least coffee shop, for every 250 people. We then had a choice of staying in town, or going back to the hotel on the bus, which I did. The afternoon and evening were free time to do as we pleased. I headed to the Les Halles du Lyon Paul Bocuse, named after the famous chef, to take a look around. It is a large market with small restaurants connected to most of the stalls. It was charming. I then headed to the huge three-story mall across from our hotel and walked around for an hour. Then caught up on some emails, and writing, and met my friends, Paul and Martin, John and Dan, for dinner at 6. We went to a really nice Bistro, which John had found, two tram stops away from the hotel, and enjoyed some drinks and a relaxed dinner. The owner of the place found us a waitress who spoke great English, which made ordering really easy. After a two-hour great meal, we headed back to the hotel. Riding a tram in Lyon is easy, you just need to use your credit card. It is an honor system. Back at the hotel I headed to my room and packed, our luggage had to be outside the door by 8:00 am the next morning. I set my alarm for 6:30 so I had time to eat at the buffet breakfast. Then it was on the bus to head to our barge. The post Traveling by barge through France appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Peter Rosenstein","publishDate":"2026-06-18T11:59:52.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"93kyii","title":"Cowardly corporations abandon LGBTQ America","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/opinion-corporations-abandon-lgbtq-america/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-corporations-abandon-lgbtq-america","excerpt":"I had a thought provoking conversation with Billy Porter over Memorial Day weekend. The talented and opinionated star asked me how things were going at the Blade and in D.C. given the current administration in the White House. It was a loaded question. The short answer is that things in D.C. are pre","content":"I had a thought provoking conversation with Billy Porter over Memorial Day weekend. The talented and opinionated star asked me how things were going at the Blade and in D.C. given the current administration in the White House. It was a loaded question. The short answer is that things in D.C. are pretty terrible these days — the economy is down, inflation and gas prices are up; small businesses and non-profits are struggling amid widespread government funding cuts; and, yes, media outlets large and small are also feeling the pinch. Even the aesthetics of our once beautiful city are suffering (see the White House lawn). For queer-identified businesses, the news is worse, as major corporations across the country have reduced or eliminated support for anything deemed “DEI,” which includes LGBTQ causes and support for Pride celebrations. When I explained all of this to Porter, he replied with a quick and definitive comment that has left me thinking for weeks: “And when the pendulum swings back, don’t let those companies back in. Ever.” There are certainly some big companies that continue to live their values and stand by the LGBTQ community — Absolut, Marriott, Walmart, Coca-Cola. But so many others have abandoned us at a challenging time — Target, Bud Light (and most beer brands), PepsiCo, Accenture, among a long list. There’s a lot of cynicism about so-called “rainbow capitalism,” or the practice of companies profiting off of the LGBTQ community especially during Pride month. We’ve seen all sorts of silly pandering in recent years — rainbow Oreos and Doritos come to mind. But corporate America has frequently been called upon to play an important role in advancing equality. From implementing inclusive and affirming hiring and workplace practices (especially in places lacking legal protections) to using their influence to advance public policy, our corporate allies have helped us in myriad ways. To suggest we don’t need them ignores the many accomplishments corporate leaders have made on our behalf. They stepped up to fight bathroom bills in North Carolina and they successfully blunted Mike Pence’s notorious “license to discriminate” law in Indiana. That was then. Fast forward to 2026 and under pressure from the corrupt Trump administration, our former corporate allies have run for cover. They are cowards. Their cynical abandonment of the LGBTQ community has grave consequences. New York City Pride ran $800,000 short last year after major sponsors like Mastercard and Nissan pulled out, according to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal. San Francisco Pride fell $300,000 in debt last year when Anheuser-Busch and others pulled out, the Journal noted. Phoenix Pride has filed for bankruptcy. There will be many other casualties. The topic of how to respond if and when the pendulum swings back is a popular one right now in the LGBTQ movement. Do we replace corporate sponsorship dollars with grants and individual donations? That’s easier said than done. Do we take their money and forgive these transgressions? Or do we follow Porter’s advice and tell them to fuck off? Nonprofits, Pride organizations, and queer media outlets like the Blade have some thinking to do about this. No one is in business to turn away sponsors and ad dollars. But we have a responsibility to our customers, readers, and community to operate ethically. An ad in the Blade carries a lot more subtext and meaning than an ad in the Washington Post. To those companies and executives hiding in the closet this Pride season: Shame on you. To the companies standing with us: Our sincere gratitude. Our community’s memory is long and we will not forget those who resisted Trump’s anti-DEI crusade to stand on the right side of history. Kevin Naff is editor of the Washington Blade. Reach him at knaff@washblade.com. The post Cowardly corporations abandon LGBTQ America appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Kevin Naff","publishDate":"2026-06-18T11:55:53.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"9lrxho","title":"Queer candidates, allies on the ballot in Md. primary","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/18/queer-candidates-allies-on-the-ballot-in-md-primary/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=queer-candidates-allies-on-the-ballot-in-md-primary","excerpt":"Maryland voters will see LGBTQ candidates on ballots across the state when they head to the polls for the June 23 primary election. Evan Glass, an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, is the current frontrunner in the Montgomery County Executive race. He made history in 2018 as the firs","content":"Maryland voters will see LGBTQ candidates on ballots across the state when they head to the polls for the June 23 primary election. Evan Glass, an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, is the current frontrunner in the Montgomery County Executive race. He made history in 2018 as the first openly gay Jewish man on the County Council. Glass is currently nearing the end of his second term as a councilmember. During his time on the council, he passed the ICE Out Act and the Pay Equity Act. He has also been outspoken about his disapproval of AI data centers and is endorsed by the Sierra Club. \"Our community is under attack and we need local leaders who will continue fighting back against Donald Trump while embracing our beautiful diversity,” Glass said in a statement to the Washington Blade. Josie Caballero, who is running for an at-large seat on the Montgomery County Council, would become the first transgender woman elected to office in Maryland if successful. Alleria Stanley, who is running for the House of Delegates in District 4, could also make history. Stanley, a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, would become the first trans person elected to the Maryland General Assembly if successful. She currently serves as vice president of the Transgender American Veterans Association. Several congressional races are also drawing attention ahead of the primary. In Maryland's 6th Congressional District, former Congressman David Trone is challenging U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney. Trone has previously supported LGBTQ rights legislation, including the Equality Act, during his time in Congress. Meanwhile, voters in Maryland's 5th Congressional District will help determine who succeeds retiring U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer. State Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s County), former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, and Quincy Bareebe are among the Democrats running for Hoyer’s seat. During his congressional career, Hoyer supported LGBTQ rights legislation and opposed the Trump-Vance administration's trans military ban. His daughter, Stefany Hoyer Hemmer, in 2012 came out as a lesbian in an exclusive interview with the Blade. Maryland voters the same year approved the state’s marriage equality law in a referendum. “I’m pleased that Stefany is adding her voice to those across Maryland and the country calling for marriage equality,” Steny Hoyer told the Blade, referring to his daughter’s decision to come out and to champion the marriage equality law. “This is about ensuring all families receive equal treatment under the law. As more people speak out, the more momentum this effort gains to give every family the dignity and respect they deserve.” Gay, lesbian incumbents running for re-election A number of openly gay and lesbian members of the Maryland General Assembly are seeking re-election this year. State Del. Joe Vogel, who represents Montgomery County's District 17, is seeking another term in office. Vogel made national headlines during his 2024 congressional campaign and has received support from LGBTQ advocacy organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign. State Del. Joe Vogel (D-Montgomery County) in 2023. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) State Del. Gabriel Acevero, who represents District 39 in Montgomery County, is also seeking re-election. When he was first elected in 2018, Acevero became the first openly gay Afro-Latino elected to the General Assembly. State Del. Anne Kaiser (D-Montgomery County), who represents District 14, is running for another term. Kaiser, who is a lesbian, was recently appointed vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and has served in the legislature since 2003. State Del. Kris Fair is seeking re-election in District 3 in Frederick County. Fair has been active in civil rights advocacy and has worked with organizations including Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the campaign in support of the state’s marriage equality law. State Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince George's County), who represents District 22, is also running for re-election. Martinez has focused on issues including affordable housing, healthcare access, and support for small businesses during his time in office. State Sen. Mary Washington (D-Baltimore County) is seeking another term for District 43. When she was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2010, Washington became Maryland's first openly LGBTQ African American elected official. State Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) is also running for re-election for Legislative District 46. Clippinger has served in the House of Delegates since 2010 and has supported legislation including marriage equality and efforts to ban the use of LGBTQ panic defenses. Byron MacFarlane seeking re-election in Howard County Several other LGBTQ candidates are running for local and state offices across Maryland. Jamar Day is running for an at-large seat on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners. According to the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Day identifies as pansexual and would become the first openly gay member of the board if elected. He previously worked as a teacher and dean of students in Baltimore and Washington. Jamie McGonnigal is running for the Prince George's County Board of Education representing District 3. McGonnigal currently serves as president of the Hyattsville Elementary School PTA and founded the advocacy organization TalkAboutEquality.org. Matt Menter is seeking election to represent District 41 in the House of Delegates. Menter has worked on issues related to homelessness and addiction recovery and has served on Baltimore City's LGBTQ Commission. Joe Toolan is running for Anne Arundel County Council’s District 6 seat. Toolan previously served as the first chair of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs and currently works with the environmental advocacy organization GreenLatinos. Spencer Dixon is seeking a seat in the House of Delegates representing District 32 in Anne Arundel County. Dixon currently serves on the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board and has worked on Democratic political campaigns in Maryland. Byron Macfarlane is running for re-election as Howard County's register of wills. When he was first elected in 2010, Macfarlane became the first openly gay person elected in Howard County. The post Queer candidates, allies on the ballot in Md. primary appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Emma LaPointe","publishDate":"2026-06-18T10:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2023%2F04%2F20230423_Joe_Vogel_at_Victory_Fund_National_Champagne_Brunch_insert_2_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"1zmrj8","title":"Netherlands to ban conversion therapy","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/17/netherlands-to-ban-conversion-therapy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=netherlands-to-ban-conversion-therapy","excerpt":"The Dutch Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would ban so-called conversion therapy in the Netherlands. NL Times, an online Dutch newspaper, reported 57 of 75 senators backed the proposal. The Dutch House of Representatives, the lower house of the country’s parliament, approved the measure last ","content":"The Dutch Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would ban so-called conversion therapy in the Netherlands. NL Times, an online Dutch newspaper, reported 57 of 75 senators backed the proposal. The Dutch House of Representatives, the lower house of the country’s parliament, approved the measure last September. Conversion therapy practitioners could face up to two years in prison and a €25,000 ($28,980) fine under the bill once it becomes law after King Willem-Alexander gives his royal assent. “We have been fighting for the ban with victims and colleague organizations for almost 15 years and are very happy with this result,” said COC Nederland, a Dutch LGBTQ and intersex rights group, in a statement after Tuesday’s vote. “We see it as a victory for the victims.” Seven EU countries — Belgium, Cyprus, France, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Spain — have banned conversion therapy outright. Greece in 2022 banned the practice for minors. German lawmakers in 2020 passed a law that prohibits conversion therapy for minors and for adults who have not consented to undergoing the widely discredited practice. The European Parliament in April voted in favor of prohibiting conversion therapy across the EU. The European Commission last month said all EU countries should ban it. Rob Jetten, the country’s first openly gay prime minister, took office in February. This year’s World Pride will take place in Amsterdam from July 25-Aug. 8. The post Netherlands to ban conversion therapy appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Michael K. Lavers","publishDate":"2026-06-17T15:49:40.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"um5wa2","title":"Conservatives outraged that a governor appointed a trans rights supporter to an LGBTQ+ board","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/conservatives-outraged-that-a-governor-appointed-a-trans-rights-supporter-to-an-lgbtq-board/","excerpt":"Conservatives are up in arms over the fact that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) appointed a trans rights supporter to the state’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Kellen MacBeth, the founder and president of LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Arlington, has \"a long history of pushing gender transitions for m","content":"Conservatives are up in arms over the fact that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) appointed a trans rights supporter to the state’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Kellen MacBeth, the founder and president of LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Arlington, has \"a long history of pushing gender transitions for minors,\" according to right-wing outlet The Washington Free Beacon. Related GOP congressman says Talarico is \"a barely straight Buttigieg\" so he shouldn't be around kids Equality Arlington advocates for the rights of trans and nonbinary students and has spoken out against the Trump administration's anti-trans policies. Macbeth also wrote a letter advocating for best practice gender-affirming care for trans youth. This year, Equality Arlington also launched the Arlington Trans Youth Quilt Project, for which trans kids ages 5 through 19 created quilt squares to answer the question, \"What does Freedom to Be mean to Me?\" The group also advocates for discrimination policies that protect LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The Free Beacon wrote that MacBeth's appointment proves Spanberger's \"embrace of left-wing gender activism\" and claimed it \"contradicts the rhetoric Spanberger offered on the issue while campaigning as a 'moderate' Democrat.\" The publication pointed to the fact that Spanberger said she believes the issue of trans kids in sports should be addressed by schools on a case-by-case basis, rather than relying on the state or federal governments to enact sweeping legislation. Despite the Free Beacon's view of Spanberger's moderate campaign, her GOP opponent, Winsome Earle-Sears, repeatedly accused Spanberger of being obsessed with trans rights. Earle-Sears ran multiple ads attacking Spanberger for her support of trans rights. One of the ads ended with a slogan reminiscent of the 2024 presidential campaign, saying that Spanberger is “for they/them, not for us.” The ad cited Spanberger’s vote in Congress for the Equality Act – which would ban anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination at the federal level – and falsely said that it would “allow men in girls’ sports, bathrooms, and locker rooms.” School sports are not addressed in the Equality Act. Moreover, no Democrat supports adult men joining girls’ sports teams; they generally want trans girls to have access to the same education, including sports education, as cis girls do. Another ad accused Spanberger of wanting to “let children change genders without telling their parents,” a reference to the fact that many on the left believe that schools should let kids tell their parents they are LGBTQ+ on their own instead of mandating that teachers report their students’ identities to their parents, which can put students in danger. “It really angers me to hear these lies about who I am,” Spanberger responded at the time. “I believe we need to get politics out of our schools and trust parents and local communities.” Throughout the campaign, Spanberger maintained her belief in equality for all Virginians, but did not allow Earle-Sears to force her to focus exclusively on trans rights over other issues important to Virginians. The Free Beacon slammed Spanberger for appointing others to the board who have \"a record of left-wing activism.\" Virginia's LGBTQ+ Advisory Board consists of 26 members, including 21 nonlegislative citizen members, at least 15 of whom must identify as LGBTQ+. The current board contains several conservatives appointed by the virulently anti-LGBTQ+ former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T14:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F10%2Fusatsi-24706465-168404765-lowres-1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"w7g7l0","title":"Lewis George holds strong lead over McDuffie in D.C. mayor’s race","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/17/lewis-george-holds-strong-lead-dc-primary-race/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lewis-george-holds-strong-lead-dc-primary-race","excerpt":"D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) was leading former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie (D-At-Large) in the D.C. primary race for mayor late Tuesday night by a margin of 52.79 percent of the vote compared to 36.57 percent for McDuffie with 64 percent of the votes counted, accordin","content":"D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) was leading former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie (D-At-Large) in the D.C. primary race for mayor late Tuesday night by a margin of 52.79 percent of the vote compared to 36.57 percent for McDuffie with 64 percent of the votes counted, according to information released by the D.C. Board of Elections at 11:55 p.m. A Board of Elections spokesperson informed the media by email that the board had stopped its vote counting shortly before midnight and would resume its counting Wednesday morning, June 17. The late-night returns showed Lewis George and McDuffie were far ahead of the other five candidates competing in the Democratic primary for mayor, with candidate Rini Sampath, who self-identifies as queer, receiving 2.93 percent of the vote. Of the remaining Democratic mayoral candidates, former Council member Vincent Orange received 3.73 percent; businessman Gary Goodweather received 3.0 percent; and civic activists Hope Solomon, 1.09 percent; and Ernest Johnson 0.53 percent. Election board spokesperson Sarah Graham noted in her email to the media that the initial vote percentages released Tuesday night were counted under the city’s newly implemented ranked choice voting system, which was in place for mayor, D.C. Council, D.C. congressional delegate, and D.C. attorney general. She said the follow-up “round-by-round tabulation results” when voters’ second, third, fourth and possibly fifth choices are counted under the ranked choice system, they are estimated to be released between Sunday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 24. “The final round-by-round tabulation results will be released on or after June 26, 2026,” she stated. The ranked-choice system does not go into effect if a candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote. Lewis George and McDuffie have strong records of support on LGBTQ issues, and Goodweather expressed strong support for LGBTQ issues during the campaign. The Capital Stonewall Democrats, the city’s largest LGBTQ political group, endorsed Lewis George for mayor. Although the election board had yet to declare a winner in the mayor’s race, with 36 percent of the votes cast not yet counted, Lewis George delivered a rousing speech at her election-night event at the Howard Theatre that many of her supporters considered a victory speech. Among those attending the event and expressing the belief that Lewis George was the expected winner was Capital Stonewall Democrats President Stevie McCarty. “There’s still a lot of votes to count, but I feel very confident and it looks really good,” he said in referring to Lewis George and the LGBTQ community members who supported her campaign. Like the other races for D.C. Council, the D.C. congressional delegate seat, and D.C. attorney general, most if not all of the candidates had either expressed support for LGBTQ rights or had strong records of support, like McDuffie and Lewis George. LGBTQ activists have said that meant LGBTQ voters would be choosing a candidate based on issues other than LGBTQ rights issues. In other races, D.C. Council member Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), the Council’s only gay member, was far ahead of two Democratic challengers, with 76.37 percent of the vote. Challengers Bernita Carmichael and Bridgete French received 15.28 percent and 7.57 percent respectively. Political observers believe Parker is the strong favorite to win re-election in November against a Republican and a Statehood Green Party candidate. In the Ward 1 D.C. Council race, where five LGBTQ supportive candidates were competing for the seat being vacated by Democratic incumbent Brianne Nadeau, who is not running for re-election, community activist Aparna Raj, who identifies as bisexual, was leading gay candidate and LGBTQ rights activist Miguel Trindade Deramo by a margin of 46.7 percent to 20.27 percent in a five-candidate race. The other candidates were Rashida Brown, 17,18 percent; Jackie Reyes Yanes, 9.98 percent; and Terry Lynch, 5.75 percent. In the race for the D.C. delegate seat to the U.S. House of Representatives, which is being vacated by retiring Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), D.C. Council member Robert White (D-At-Large) was leading in a five-candidate race with 63.16 percent of the vote. His leading opponent, D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) had 21.45 percent of the vote. The vote count for the other candidates was 7.66 percent for Kinney Zalene; 4.55 percent of Trent Holbrook; and 2.8 percent for Greg Jaczko. In other D.C. Council races Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) and Council member Matthew Frumin (D-Ward 3) were unopposed in the Democratic primary and are considered strong favorites to win re-election in November. Nine Democrats competed for the At-Large D.C. Council seat being vacated by Council member Anita Bonds (D), who is not seeking re-election. Community activist and local pharmacist Oye Owolewa, who was endorsed by Capital Stonewall Democrats, was leading in the Democratic primary with 33.77 percent of the vote. The vote count percentage for the other candidates were: Lisa Raymond, 15.22; Kevin Chavous, 13.84; Greg Jackson, 10.95; Candis Nelson, 7.67; Dwight Davis, 6.02; Dyana Forester, 3.72; and Leniqua Jenkins, 3.0. In the Ward 6 D.C. Council race, Democratic incumbent Charles Allen, a longtime LGBTQ rights supporter who received the Capital Stonewall Democrats endorsement, was far ahead of his two Democratic challengers with 74.43 percent of the vote. Gloria Ann Nauden had 18.68 percent, and Michael Murph had 6.51 percent. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ rights who also received the Capital Stonewall Democrats endorsement, had 90.34 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, with his sole opponent J.P. Szymkowicz receiving 9.15 percent. In the special election to fill the At-Large Council seat that must go to a non-Democrat under the city’s Home Rule Charter, and which was vacated by McDuffie when he decided to run for mayor as a Democrat, former Council member Elissa Silverman was leading with 54.75 percent of the vote. Incumbent Council member Doni Crawford, who was temporarily appointed to the seat, was in second place with 34.81 percent of the vote. A third candidate, Jaque Patterson, had 19.27 percent. All three candidates ran as independents. In the separate D.C. Republican and D.C. Statehood Green Party primaries held on June 16, all the offices for which a candidate from those two parties were on the ballot ran unopposed. No Republican candidate ran for D.C. mayor in the primary. With a large majority of D.C. voters being registered as Democrats, no Republican or Statehood Green Party candidate has won election to public office in D.C. for at least the past 10 years or longer. No known LGBTQ Republican or Statehood Green Party candidate was on the ballot in the June 16 primary. The post Lewis George holds strong lead over McDuffie in D.C. mayor’s race appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr.","publishDate":"2026-06-17T13:01:29.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"community","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"10o6yi","title":"War, geopolitical tensions with U.S. overshadow Pride month events","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/17/war-geopolitical-tensions-with-u-s-overshadow-pride-month-events/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=war-geopolitical-tensions-with-u-s-overshadow-pride-month-events","excerpt":"Activists around the world are marking Pride month this year against the backdrop of war and geopolitical tensions with the U.S. KyivPride on June 21 will hold its annual Pride march in the Ukrainian capital. The group, which is raising funds for the country's air defense, on June 14 hosted KyivPrid","content":"Activists around the world are marking Pride month this year against the backdrop of war and geopolitical tensions with the U.S. KyivPride on June 21 will hold its annual Pride march in the Ukrainian capital. The group, which is raising funds for the country's air defense, on June 14 hosted KyivPride Park, an event that highlighted LGBTQ service members and veterans. Russia in 2022 launched its war against Ukraine. Oleksandr Demenko is the head of Ukrainian LGBT Military for Equal Rights. He also fought to defend Azovstal, a sprawling steel mill in Mariupol, a city in eastern Ukraine that Russian forces occupied after a months-long siege that ended on May 20, 2022. Demenko in a KyivPride press release said that \"almost no one talked about LGBTIQ+ servicemembers\" before the war. \"Today we have our own platform, and every year more and more people are ready to speak openly,\" he noted. \"This is the best proof of how the country is changing.\" \"When we talk about rights and equality, we are talking about specific people — service members who defend Ukraine. We carry out the same duties as everyone else, yet we still do not have the same rights,\" added Demenko. \"That is why it is so important that the state finally recognizes our families. On June 21, we will remind everyone of this at the KyivPride March.\" More than 100,000 people participated in Tel Aviv's 28th annual Pride parade on June 12. \"Each year, we share a joyful day in Tel Aviv-Yafo,\" said Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. \"It is a day when we come to celebrate the society we strive to be: one where people are valued not for who they are, whom they love, where they fall on the spectrum, or the kind of family they choose to create.\" Tel Aviv authorities last year cancelled the parade, which was to have taken place hours after Israel launched airstrikes against Iran. Tehran, in turn, launched hundreds of missiles toward the Jewish State. President Donald Trump on June 23, 2025, announced a ceasefire that ended the 12-day war. Israel and the U.S. on Feb. 28 launched airstrikes against Iran. The Jewish State continues to carry out airstrikes against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shia militant group the U.S. and Israel have designated a terrorist organization, in Lebanon. Reports indicate the U.S. and Iran this week are poised to formally sign a ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said his government would continue its efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. More than 100,000 people participated in the Tel Aviv Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Kfir Sivan, courtesy of the Israel Tourism Ministry) Hamas militants on Oct. 7, 2023, killed roughly 1,200 people, including upwards of 360 partygoers at the Nova Music Festival, when they launched a surprise attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip. The militants also kidnapped more than 200 people. A case that South Africa filed with the International Court of Justice accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Hamas-controlled enclave after Oct. 7. Roma Pride organizers earlier this month banned two Jewish LGBTQ groups from having floats in their June 20 parade in the Italian capital because they refused to categorize the Israeli government's post-Oct. 7 war in Gaza as a genocide. The decision has sparked outrage among Jewish organizations around the world. \"The participation of a float in Roma Pride therefore also assumes — regardless of the sexual orientation, identity, religion, ethnicity or nationality of the person you see — a clear and unequivocal position of condemnation of the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government,\" said Roma Pride in a May 26 statement. \"The history of our republic is a history of resistance. The history of our movement is a history of resistance. Roma Pride, therefore, supports the right to exist and to resist (for) the Palestinian people oppressed by Israeli government's criminal and genocidal conduct.\" The Coliseum in Rome on July 12, 2025. The Italian capital's Pride parade will take place amid controversy over organizers' decision not to allow two LGBTQ Jewish groups to have floats in the parade. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers) Sipineq+, a Greenlandic LGBTQ rights group, organized its annual Pride parade that took place in Nuuk, the mineral-rich island's capital, on June 13. Trump since he took office for the second time has called for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory with a population of less than 60,000 people. Trump claims the U.S. needs to control the island in the Arctic Ocean between Europe and North America because of national security. Cuba's National Center for Sexual Education, a group that Mariela Castro, the daughter of former Cuban President Raúl Castro directs, last month held a series of events that commemorated the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. The IDAHOBiT commemorations took place against the backdrop of widespread blackouts and a severe fuel shortage after Venezuela stopped oil shipments to Cuba after American forces seized now former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Jan. 3. Federal prosecutors last month also indicted Raúl Castro over his alleged role in the 1996 shooting down of four planes that Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based Cuban exile group, operated over the Florida Straits that separate Cuba and the Florida Keys. Raúl Castro, 94, was Cuba's defense minister when the incident took place. New Hungarian government lifts Budapest Pride ban The Budapest Pride march will take place in the Hungarian capital on June 27, less than two months after Prime Minister Péter Magyar took office. Hungarian lawmakers last year passed a bill that banned Pride events and allowed authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify participants. MPs later amended the Hungarian Constitution to ban public LGBTQ events. More than 100,000 people defied the ban and participated in last year’s Budapest Pride parade. The event became one of the largest protests against then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government that Magyar and his center-right Tisza party ousted on April 12. Hungarian police on May 29 announced they will allow the Budapest Pride march to take place. “We will march freely in fresh air for our rights, for the democratic Hungary,” said Budapest Pride on its Facebook page. Erika Hilton, a Black travesti and former sex worker who has been in the Brazilian Congress since 2022, is among those who spoke at the annual São Paulo Pride Parade that took place on the city's Paulista Avenue on June 7. Reports indicate more than 1 million people took part in the event. Brazilian Congresswoman Erika Hilton at the annual São Paulo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Acervo Parada SP) Equal Namibia will hold several events in the country. The Namibian High Court in 2024 struck down Apartheid-era statutes that criminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations — the country gained its independence from neighboring South Africa in 1990. The Namibian Supreme Court the year before ruled the country must recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere. Patrick Reissner, co-founder of Equal Namibia, on Monday told the Washington Blade the organization is preparing to file a marriage equality case. Reissner said two Equal Namibia staffers are planning to participate in this year's World Pride, which will take place in Amsterdam from July 25-Aug. 8. \"By staying visible, engaging with the international (business) community, and pushing for more research in queer spaces — Namibian, regional, and continental — we hope to prove to our government that the economic and social costs of discrimination cause more damage, affect productivity, limit innovation, and hold back our nation's investment attractiveness,\" Reissner told the Blade. \"Diversity and inclusion — across the board — are not only social values, but increasingly vital arguments in shaping our local economies for future generations.\" The post War, geopolitical tensions with U.S. overshadow Pride month events appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Michael K. Lavers","publishDate":"2026-06-17T11:47:23.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260612_Tel_Aviv_Pride_Parade_Israel_insert_2_by_Kfir_Sivan_courtesy_Israel_Tourism_Ministry.jpg","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"b4f9e9","title":"Fox hosts force JD Vance to eat \"pickle cake\" as part of bizarre anti-gay joke","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/fox-hosts-force-jd-vance-to-eat-pickle-cake-as-part-of-bizarre-anti-gay-joke/","excerpt":"JD Vance was on Fox News' The Five yesterday to promote his book about religion. As the segment ended, host Jesse Watters – who is obsessed with performing heterosexual masculinity – noted that it was National Fudge Day, said that that's \"too gay,\" and so instead he had the vice president eat an unu","content":"JD Vance was on Fox News' The Five yesterday to promote his book about religion. As the segment ended, host Jesse Watters – who is obsessed with performing heterosexual masculinity – noted that it was National Fudge Day, said that that's \"too gay,\" and so instead he had the vice president eat an unusual cake. \"It’s National Fudge Day for the VP but I thought it would be too gay so I did pickle cake instead,\" Watters said. \"I'm not sure if I got it right.\" Related Pete Buttigieg slams JD Vance repeatedly: \"He tends not to be very successful\" Vance laughed at the elaborate gay joke. \"And enjoy your pickle cake,\" Dana Perino said as she thanked Vance for appearing on the show. Watters: It’s national fudge day but I thought it would be too gay so I did pickle cake instead Perino: Enjoy your pickle cake Mr. Vice President. pic.twitter.com/XjRPtRfPqP— Acyn (@Acyn) June 16, 2026 Watters' joke was likely a reference to the anti-gay slur \"fudgepacker,\" but it's not clear if he noticed that making Vance eat pickles could also be interpreted as a gay joke. The pickle cake itself went viral about a month ago after a New York City pastry shop posted a picture of the cake to social media. The New York Post covered the cake as a product of social media, noting that pickles are trending in 2026.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-17T14:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fpickle-cake.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1456%2C766%2C0.39%2C0.23%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"culture","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"fv5ot6","title":"The Internet Has Turned Rep. Nancy Mace's Humiliating Election Loss Into Comedy Gold","url":"https://www.them.us/story/news/culture/nancy-mace-social-media-reaction","excerpt":"The MAGA politician managed to get last place in the gubernatorial primary, an embarrassing loss the internet won't let her forget.","content":"The MAGA politician managed to get last place in the gubernatorial primary, an embarrassing loss the internet won't let her forget.","source":"them.","author":"Ariel Messman-Rucker","publishDate":"2026-06-11T21:20:35.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2b25c942416a2de5231157%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FThe%2520internet%2520has%2520turned%2520Rep.%2520Nancy%2520Mace","category":"community","briefingScore":90,"priority":1},{"id":"07rqk4","title":"\"Singing activist\" Gregory Marks had a long career helping LGBTQ+ people mourn","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/singing-activist-gregory-marks-had-a-long-career-helping-lgbtq-people-mourn/","excerpt":"Whenever people ask Gregory Marks, “When did you come out?” it earns a laugh from the retired opera singer. \"I’ve always been out. I didn’t have a dramatic reveal or a tortured confession. I was simply a fat queer kid who knew exactly who he was,\" he tells LGBTQ Nation. Related \"Crying in my arms\": ","content":"Whenever people ask Gregory Marks, “When did you come out?” it earns a laugh from the retired opera singer. \"I’ve always been out. I didn’t have a dramatic reveal or a tortured confession. I was simply a fat queer kid who knew exactly who he was,\" he tells LGBTQ Nation. Related \"Crying in my arms\": People are moved to tears as these dads come to Pride to play catch And what he wanted to do: sing. \"I was always a performer — onstage in school plays, singing in choirs, dancing in show choir, and playing piano and flute. My mother took the flute as an early sign that I might be 'a bit off,' and she wasn’t wrong,\" the longtime San Franciscan says. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today His career as a professional opera singer began long before he ever stepped on a stage, however. \"It started in my father’s butcher shop. My dad was a Portuguese immigrant with a distinctly European sensibility — gentle and artistic. Every Saturday morning, while he trimmed meat and greeted customers, we listened to the Texaco Metropolitan Opera broadcasts together. He would patiently tell me the stories, and I was absolutely transfixed. Those mornings were my first masterclasses.\" Marks followed up those lessons with a music major at San Francisco State University, where he joined the College Opera Guild and saw every production at San Francisco Opera, including, in 1977, the very first performance by Luciano Pavarotti singing his legendary rendition of \"Nessun Dorma\" in Turandot. After earning a master's in music, Marks joined the San Francisco Opera Chorus, \"where I spent 24 glorious seasons as a proud union chorister singing with the greatest artists of the late 20th century.\" It was his time with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, however, that earned Marks his favored moniker: \"Singing activist.\" \"Being a 'singing activist' is one of the great joys and privileges of my life. It’s the moment when my literal voice becomes my political voice — when the sound coming out of my body aligns with what I believe in, what I fight for, and who I am. Singing becomes more than music. It becomes testimony,\" Marks says. His first real encounter with singing activism happened hours after Harvey Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were shot at City Hall in 1978. \"I was at the candlelight march that ended on the steps of City Hall, where the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus sang publicly for the very first time. They performed Mendelssohn’s Lord, Thou Art My Refuge. Not exactly a queer anthem, but the very act of a gay chorus singing in public, on that night and in that moment, was pure defiance. It was the birth of the gay chorus movement, and it was the first time I understood that singing could be a form of resistance.\" Mourning in song was a necessary ritual into the 1980s and 90's, at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in San Francisco.\"As an opera singer then, I sang at more funerals and memorials than I can count. If I didn’t sing for my friends, who would? Music became the only way I could express my grief, my rage, and my love. But they were wrapped in beauty, because beauty was the one thing the virus couldn’t take from us.\" In 2013, Marks' career and activism and his dad's Saturday morning opera lessons aligned when he and a team from the Gay Men's Chorus commissioned composer Andrew Lippa to write the oratorio, I Am Harvey Milk. \"It was the greatest piece I ever had the privilege to sing with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus,\" Marks says. \"To witness a work like that being born, and to know it would become part of our community’s musical DNA, was one of the greatest joys of my life. \"I Am Harvey Milk isn’t just music,\" Marks says. \"It’s memory. It’s activism. It’s a love letter to a man who changed the world, and to the movement that rose from his courage. Every time I’ve sung it, I’ve felt Harvey’s spirit in the room — hopeful, stubborn, joyful, and absolutely unwilling to be erased.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T13:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fgregory-marks.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D537%2C283%2C0.5%2C0.36%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"hqj2nj","title":"Confronting homophobia at school","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/16/confronting-homophobia-at-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=confronting-homophobia-at-school","excerpt":"A couple weeks ago, I was walking into my school’s cafeteria, about to get lunch. As I navigated around groups of students, I heard a student shouting “ fa**ot!” over and over again at one of his friends, as some kind of joke or playful insult. How do I know it was a joke? Because I’ve seen countles","content":"A couple weeks ago, I was walking into my school’s cafeteria, about to get lunch. As I navigated around groups of students, I heard a student shouting “ fa**ot!” over and over again at one of his friends, as some kind of joke or playful insult. How do I know it was a joke? Because I’ve seen countless amounts of people at my school call each other this slur, or other homophobic language while bantering with their friends. The prevalence of homophobia in my school, even if it’s not directed at queer people, is troubling. As an openly queer student, I’ve experienced homophobia in school since middle school. During middle school, I was teased, bullied, and ostracized just because I tried to live as my authentic self. My classmates knowingly asked me uncomfortable and invasive questions about my sexuality, and I was called all types of dehumanizing names. The bullying was so bad that I would frequently isolate myself during school, just so I could get a break from all of the harassment I went through. I felt like I was an outcast, so I’d constantly hide myself behind books or my computer. I started to develop depressive and suicidal thoughts, and every day I had to go to school was a nightmare for me. When I eventually graduated middle school and started high school, I was elated to discover that there were many more queer students at my school, some of whom I’d eventually get to know and become friends with. However, the homophobia I faced did not go away, but instead took a new form. Instead of hearing homophobic slurs directed at me, they’re now used as if they were another insult, like “stupid” or “idiot,” despite the fact that they carry much more weight. I still have to face the effects of the normalization of homophobia and homophobic language in schools, and it isn’t just my school that has this problem. According to the District of Columbia Public Schools Panorama Survey, only 45 percent of gay and lesbian students, 37 percent of bisexual students, and 39 percent of transgender or nonbinary students in DCPS schools say that students in their school show them respect. Across the entire district, over half of LGBTQ students feel as if they are not respected in school which is both heartbreaking, yet not surprising to see as a queer student myself. And this is a consistent trend across all of America. According to Glisten’s 2025 National School Climate Survey, which polls LGBTQ youth about their school climate, two-thirds of LGBTQ students said they felt unsafe at school due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, 63 percent of students reported hearing homophobic remarks from peers, and 62 percent and 68 percent of participants experienced harassment or assault based on sexual orientation or gender identity respectively. School should be a place where queer students should feel comfortable and safe, a place where they can learn and prosper. Instead, so many are mistreated and abused, and feel as if they’re an outsider in their own community. Teachers and administrators should be striving to create a LGBTQ+ friendly space where all kinds of students can work toward their goals in an environment where they feel accepted and loved. (This work is part of a partnership between the Washington Blade Foundation and Youthcast Media Group, funded through the FY26 Community Development Grant from the Office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Quinn McPherson is a rising sophomore at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, one of Youthcast Media Group’s journalism class partners. YMG founder, former USA Today health policy reporter Jayne O’Donnell, contributed to this report.) The post Confronting homophobia at school appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Quinn McPherson","publishDate":"2026-06-16T16:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"dyl4xa","title":"57 towns in 57 hours: Rep. McBride kicks off re-election campaign","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/16/sarah-mcbride-kicks-off-re-election-campaign/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sarah-mcbride-kicks-off-re-election-campaign","excerpt":"Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) officially kicked off her re-election campaign this week with a grueling tour of her state that saw her visit 57 municipalities in just 57 hours. The tour culminated Monday evening in Rehoboth Beach with a packed crowd at the Convention Center. At least 400 attendees stoo","content":"Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) officially kicked off her re-election campaign this week with a grueling tour of her state that saw her visit 57 municipalities in just 57 hours. The tour culminated Monday evening in Rehoboth Beach with a packed crowd at the Convention Center. At least 400 attendees stood patiently in a line that wrapped around the block and snaked down Rehoboth Avenue. Once inside, a DJ entertained the ebullient crowd that kept busy batting beach balls around the venue. The crowd featured a large LGBTQ presence that cheered speakers including state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, state Sen. Russ Huxtable, and Delaware Democratic Party Chair Evelyn Brady, who introduced McBride. McBride took the stage to Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping” and the lyrics “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” In her remarks, she touched on a record of introducing more bipartisan legislation than any other freshman lawmaker and touted an award her office won for providing superior constituent service. “People want leaders who are focused on lowering costs, solving problems, and delivering results,” she said. “That's exactly what I've worked to do in Congress, and that's why I'm running for re-election – to continue delivering for and defending Delaware.” McBride is the first transgender member of Congress and is Delaware’s sole representative in the U.S. House. She will face the winner of the Republican primary in November. Rev. Earl Cooper — a former Democrat McBride defeated two years ago — is running for the GOP nomination. The state primary election is Sept. 15 and the general election is Nov. 3. The post 57 towns in 57 hours: Rep. McBride kicks off re-election campaign appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Staff reports","publishDate":"2026-06-16T13:05:09.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"rights","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"vw3nxp","title":"D.C. nude dance club Archibald’s to feature male strippers beginning Pride weekend","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/16/nude-dance-club-archibalds-offer-male-strippers-pride/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nude-dance-club-archibalds-offer-male-strippers-pride","excerpt":"Archibald’s Gentlemen’s Club, which has offered adult entertainment in the nation’s capital involving nude female dancers since it first opened in 1969 at 1520 K St., N.W., will offer nude male dancers beginning Saturday night, June 20, according to co-owner Thom Naylor. The female dancers will cont","content":"Archibald’s Gentlemen’s Club, which has offered adult entertainment in the nation’s capital involving nude female dancers since it first opened in 1969 at 1520 K St., N.W., will offer nude male dancers beginning Saturday night, June 20, according to co-owner Thom Naylor. The female dancers will continue as usual on the upper two floors of Archibald’s three-story building, according to Naylor, who released a flier promoting the opening of the male dancer venue as an event “for Gay Pride.” He told the Washington Blade he expects a dozen male dancers to perform beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday when D.C.’s LGBTQ Pride Parade will take place earlier in the day. Following its opening night for the male dancers, Naylor said he plans to continue offering male nude dancers on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The club is closed on Sundays and Mondays. “I want to have an official Champagne grand opening probably in July,” he said referring to the male dance venue. “This is like a soft opening just to get going and to get everybody acclimated.” The decision by Archibald’s to offer nude male dance entertainment for an LGBTQ clientele will mark the first time such entertainment will take place in D.C. since March 2020, when the LGBTQ nightclub Ziegfeld’s-Secrets, which featured nude male dancers, was forced to close at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. (Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.) The owner of the building at 1824 Half St., S.W., discontinued the Ziegfeld’s-Secrets lease a short time later to demolish the building and construct a high-rise residential condominium. Naylor, who identifies as gay, said he has long believed nude male entertainment should be available in D.C. for a gay clientele as well as anyone else interested in that type of entertainment. “So, we decided to go with three days in the summer and then come September go into a full swing when we’re open five days a week,” he said, referring to the male dancers. The post D.C. nude dance club Archibald’s to feature male strippers beginning Pride weekend appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr.","publishDate":"2026-06-16T13:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FArchibalds_Gentlemens_Club_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Lou_Chibbaro_Jr-600x400.jpg","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"3r6mz2","title":"LGBTQ seniors honored at D.C. Silver Pride event","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/16/lgbtq-seniors-honored-at-d-c-silver-pride-event/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lgbtq-seniors-honored-at-d-c-silver-pride-event","excerpt":"About 250 people turned out on Friday, June 12, for D.C.’s annual Silver Pride celebration, which honors and recognizes LGBTQ seniors and their role in advancing LGBTQ rights. The event was held in a large conference hall in the building of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advoc","content":"About 250 people turned out on Friday, June 12, for D.C.’s annual Silver Pride celebration, which honors and recognizes LGBTQ seniors and their role in advancing LGBTQ rights. The event was held in a large conference hall in the building of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, which was among the event’s sponsors According to local event organizer and longtime LGBTQ rights advocate Rayceen Pendarvis, who served as host of the event, the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living and the D.C.-based Seabury Resources for Aging, a nonprofit group that provides services and support for seniors, were the two lead organizers of this year's Silver Pride. In addition to presentations by several speakers, a DJ played music for dancing and two popular local drag performers — Shi-Queeta Lee and Capri Bloomingdale — performed at the event drawing loud applause. Among the speakers were Japer Bowles, director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs; Jody Wright, a member of the board of the Capital Pride Alliance, which organizes D.C.’s annual Pride events; Craig McCullough, board chair of Seabury Resources for Aging; Jermaine Dillon, an official with the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living; and Bianca Ward, an official with the ViiV Healthcare company, which was one of the sponsors of the event. “It is a joy to be a senior in this community,” Pendarvis told the crowd in opening remarks at the event. “And every part of every Pride movement is built on the backs and the foundations of the elders,” she said. “We have to have a day when we’re celebrated and we are honored and we are represented in our fullness,” Pendarvis told the Washington Blade. “Because sometimes unfortunately, various Prides forget about our elders. And we have to let them know that we’re here, we’re queer, and we ain’t going anywhere,” Pendarvis said. “It is my distinct honor and privilege to be here among the elders,” Wright, the Capital Pride board member, told the gathering. “Because what we do at Capital Pride is because of what you’ve done and you continue to do, because we are standing on the shoulders of giants,” he said, in referring to LGBTQ seniors. The post LGBTQ seniors honored at D.C. Silver Pride event appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","source":"Washington Blade","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr.","publishDate":"2026-06-16T12:17:59.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","category":"health","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"eo18lc","title":"Most LGBTQ+ people say they're hiding more at work as corporate America is dialing back support","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/most-lgbtq-people-say-theyre-hiding-more-at-work-as-corporate-america-is-dialing-back-support/","excerpt":"A new poll from Harris coinciding with Pride Month indicates that LGBTQ+ employees are feeling the same chill the current administration's attacks on DEI and the community itself are having on American society more broadly, with a majority of LGBTQ+ workers saying they are now self-censoring at work","content":"A new poll from Harris coinciding with Pride Month indicates that LGBTQ+ employees are feeling the same chill the current administration's attacks on DEI and the community itself are having on American society more broadly, with a majority of LGBTQ+ workers saying they are now self-censoring at work. 62% of LGBTQ+ employees have noticed at least one meaningful change in how their employers communicate about LGBTQ+ staff or issues, including more cautious language, more focus on legal compliance than belonging, and less internal or public communication around diversity and LGBTQ+ issues. Related Costco tells shareholders not to cave under right-wing pressure to ban DEI The findings suggest that LGBTQ+ support at work is not disappearing in one dramatic move, analysts say. Instead, many employees see it becoming quieter, more cautious, and less visible. That silence is starting to affect how workers judge their employers, the poll shows. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"Corporate silence does not feel neutral to employees,” says Tim Osiecki, director of thought leadership and trends at The Harris Poll. \"When companies get quieter about LGBTQ+ support, LGBTQ+ workers may read that as a signal about whether leadership will stand by them when the conversation gets harder. That can affect how open they feel at work, how much they trust leadership, and whether they see a future at the company.\" The poll surveyed more than 3,000 employed U.S. adults, including 650 LGBTQ+ employees and 2,432 non-LGBTQ+ employees. Dialed-back support from the top has employees self-censoring, the data indicates. 64% of LGBTQ+ employees say they have self-censored or changed their behavior because of the current social or political climate around LGBTQ+ issues at work. That includes avoiding personal conversations, staying quiet when LGBTQ+ issues come up, or becoming more careful about what they share with coworkers. Four in 10 LGBTQ+ employees say workplace conversations about issues that impact LGBTQ+ employees are declining, or never even started. A company's reaction to the current political climate affects LGBTQ+ employees' trust in their workplace, the poll shows. 80% of LGBTQ+ employees say they are less likely to trust a company that becomes quieter about LGBTQ+ inclusion, and 68% say they would leave a company if they felt it no longer supported LGBTQ+ employees. Less support could translate to lost LGBTQ+ talent, as well as other staff concerned about how their company supports all employees. Among non-LGBTQ+ employees, 62% say that their workplace's treatment of LGBTQ+ employees says something about how it treats employees overall, while the same number say they trust leadership more when inclusion efforts are consistent, even during backlash. 60% say support for LGBTQ+ employees makes the workplace feel more welcoming for everyone. \"Support for LGBTQ+ colleagues is a broader signal of how the company treats people overall,\" said Osiecki. \"For employers, this is not just about Pride Month or internal communications. It is about trust, leadership credibility, and whether employees believe the company’s values hold up under pressure.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T13:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F09%2Fworkplace-harassment-discrimination.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"0mmzza","title":"Remember when Edwin Feulner, Project 2025 author and Heritage Foundation founder, died?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-edwin-feulner-project-2025-author-and-heritage-foundation-founder-died/","excerpt":"Edwin Feulner, a former congressional aide in Washington who rose to prominence as a co-founder of the influential Christian Nationalist right-wing think-tank, The Heritage Foundation, died on Friday. He was 83. The Heritage Foundation announced his death but provided no details. Related IRS says ch","content":"Edwin Feulner, a former congressional aide in Washington who rose to prominence as a co-founder of the influential Christian Nationalist right-wing think-tank, The Heritage Foundation, died on Friday. He was 83. The Heritage Foundation announced his death but provided no details. Related IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates in move that \"threatens our democracy\" Feulner (pronounced FULL-ner) co-founded the group with another now-prominent right-wing Republican, Paul Weyrich. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The far-right policy group has long advocated against LGBTQ+ rights, including bans on marriage equality, LGBTQ+ military service members, trans service members, adoption by gay and same-sex parents, gender-affirming care for trans youth, and advocating for \"conversion therapy\" and draconian bans on LGBTQ+ content in libraries. Heritage generally opposes anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination measures, opposed the Supreme Court's Bostock decision to include \"sex\" in discrimination rulings, and opposes the Equality Act, federal legislation that would explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. With its founding in 1973, Feulner and Weyrich transformed the conservative think tank model from \"ivory tower\" to \"accessible\", based on easily digestible policy briefs they called \"backgrounders\", distributed to lawmakers before a vote to influence policy outcomes, rather than waiting to deliberate on the results afterward. \"It doesn't do us any good to have great ideas if we are not out there peddling our products,\" Feulner told the Washington Examiner. Rightwing House Speaker Newt Gingrich called the Heritage Foundation \"the Parthenon of the conservative metropolis.\" Feulner served as founding president of the organization until 2013, and again briefly in 2018. The group gained renewed prominence in 2024 with their policy recommendations for a second Trump administration, called Project 2025, a nearly-thousand-page far-right conservative wish list that has been implemented with an army of appointees — many recommended by Heritage — at every level in every department of the federal government. Partner organizations for Project 2025’s advisory board include anti-LGBTQ groups Alliance Defending Freedom, Eagle Forum, Family Policy Alliance, Moms for Liberty, Turning Point USA, and dozens of other far-right organizations. Trump publicly distanced himself from Project 2025 during the campaign but has embraced its goals as an organizing principle for his second term. Feulner described those early on in the history of the Heritage Foundation as “free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional values and a strong national defense.” Project 2025 was the latest iteration of the \"Mandate for Leadership,\" another wish list for new presidents that Heritage has issued since Ronald Reagan took office in 1981. That document, also around a thousand pages and “the nuts and bolts of how you make the kind of changes that philosophers and academics have been talking about,” said Feulner, was distributed by Reagan at his first cabinet meeting. Heritage claimed that about 60% of its suggestions had been acted on by the Reagan administration in its first year in power. Heritage identified Trump as a pliable partner for its conservative goals early on. In 2016, as the Republican establishment turned against him, Feulner's successor as the group's president, Tea Partier and former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), pursued a collaborative relationship with the Trump campaign. With Trump's win, Feulner became head of domestic policy for Trump's first transition. The group returned again with a database of thousands of loyal conservatives to appoint to political office. The Heritage Foundation was launched in 1973 with a $260,000 donation from beer baron Joseph Coors, a far-right conservative and notorious homophobe. At the early peak of Heritage Foundation influence in 1984, Feulner told The New York Times, “The years in the wilderness gave us the time to work out challenges to the prevailing orthodoxy.\" Feulner saw “intellectual ferment” happening on the left — new ideas, new institutional energy. “Now we are in the mainstream,” he cautioned, “and we will suffer for that like the liberals before us.” President Trump meeting with Edwin Feulner (left front) co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, Leonard Leo (fifth back on right) co-chairman of the Federalist Society, and other conservative group leaders in 2017. pic.twitter.com/aXR9MS7Atc— Sheryl Holson (@holson_sheryl) September 28, 2024 Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-17T12:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F07%2Fedwin-feulner-heritage-foundation.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1658%2C873%2C0.53%2C0.2%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"hzu73v","title":"Federal judge temporarily blocks Idaho law threatening prison for trans restroom users","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-idaho-law-for-trans-restroom-users/","excerpt":"A federal judge issued a temporary injunction against Idaho's new law, which would've given prison time to transgender people who use government and business restrooms that differ from the sex that they were assigned at birth. Idaho’s attorney general, Raul R. Labrador, has pledged to appeal the dec","content":"A federal judge issued a temporary injunction against Idaho's new law, which would've given prison time to transgender people who use government and business restrooms that differ from the sex that they were assigned at birth. Idaho’s attorney general, Raul R. Labrador, has pledged to appeal the decision. Though the law was set to go into effect on July 1, U.S. District Judge Amanda Brailsford of the District of Idaho issued an injunction against its restroom enforcement portion after six trans state residents, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), sued to stop it. Related High school wrestler files lawsuit for sexual assault after finding out opponent was transgender Brailsford, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, said the law is \"unconstitutionally vague\" because it requires police officers to individually assess a person’s biological sex without any specific guidance on how to do so. Though the allow includes an exception for trans people in “dire need” who access a “reasonably available” restroom to relieve their needs, the law \"furnishes no standards by which those facts are to be evaluated,\" Judge Brailsford wrote. “It does not identify any objective benchmark, specify what evidence may establish such a need, or explain how an officer is to assess whether the exception applies,” the judge wrote in her 30-page decision, according to The Hill. “Instead, enforcement largely depends on an officer’s subjective assessment of an individual’s physical condition at a particular moment.” Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today She wrote that the law “imposes criminal penalties — up to a felony for repeat violations — yet leaves critical enforcement decisions to the unguided discretion of individual officers,” The New York Times reported. Last week, Idaho Solicitor General Michael Zarian suggested that police could figure out people's gender by forcing suspected violators of the law to undergo forced DNA testing, something that usually requires a warrant. Nevertheless, Judge Brailsford also acknowledged that although the state has a “valid interest in promoting bodily privacy and protecting women and children in public restrooms from those who may seek to do harm,” she said existing laws already do that. Paul Carlos Southwick, legal director of the ACLU of Idaho Legal Director, said in a statement, “This ruling means trans folks in Idaho can continue participating in public life without the threat of being arrested for using the bathroom.” “Trans Idahoans have been understandably anxious about the disruption this unconstitutional law would cause in their daily lives,” Southwick added, noting that both the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association and the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police called the law impractical and unworkable. A first-time violation under the law would've resulted in a misdemeanor charge and up to a year in jail, while a second violation within five years would be a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. A fourth violation of the law would constitute a third felony conviction, punishable under Idaho’s persistent violator statute by a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison. The ACLU notes that analyses of public safety data have found policies inclusive of transgender people’s access to public accommodations have no impact on rates of harassment or violence, while policies that restrict access actually increase the risk of harassment and violence. Trans people are four times as likely as their cisgender peers to be the victims of violence. In his statement pledge to appeal the judge's ruling, Labrador noted that the part of the law barring trans people from sex-segregated locker rooms and showers remains in effect. “Biological sex is not vague, and neither is this law,\" Labrador said. \"The good news is that this ruling is narrow.\" Currently, 21 states have passed transphobic bathroom bills, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-16T22:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2022%2F05%2Fshutterstock_1278676255-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.29%2C0.56%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"fbwkwa","title":"Trump's ambassador mocked over warning that jet skis pose \"serious risk\" of sexual assault","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/trumps-ambassador-warns-jet-skis-pose-serious-risk-of/","excerpt":"In a bizarre video that is being compared to a Saturday Night Live sketch, the office of the U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas, led by appointee Herschel Walker, warned Americans visiting the archipelagic country that \"Jet ski rentals pose a serious risk of injury, death, and sexual assault.” In the vi","content":"In a bizarre video that is being compared to a Saturday Night Live sketch, the office of the U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas, led by appointee Herschel Walker, warned Americans visiting the archipelagic country that \"Jet ski rentals pose a serious risk of injury, death, and sexual assault.” In the video, Walker said that injuries and deaths have been caused by people riding jet skis in shallow waters. He then clarifies, “Americans have also been sexually assaulted by jet ski operators who take victims to isolated islands,” and adds that operators may be unlicensed, uninsured, and may not properly maintain the skis. Related Anti-LGBTQ+ Muslims tried to go to a GOP convention. Christian conservatives bullied them to tears. Numerous social media users mocked the message for its awkward phrasing, with many saying they couldn't tell if the video was real or a parody, and at least one person claiming that Walker, a former NFL player, has brain damage. One commenter jokingly asked, \"Jet ski rentals pose a risk of sexual assault?? How wrong are you using a friggin jetski?\" SAFETY ALERT: Ambassador Herschel Walker has an important message for Americans visiting The Bahamas: Jet ski rentals pose a serious risk of injury, death, and sexual assault. U.S. gov't employees are banned from renting them — and you should avoid them too. Watch. Share.… pic.twitter.com/zgxSTEjdmh— U.S. Embassy Nassau (@USEmbassyNassau) June 15, 2026 Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today During Walker's failed 2022 U.S. Senate campaign, journalists discovered that he hadn’t actually owned several businesses or worked in law enforcement or as an FBI agent as he had previously claimed. Walker’s flamboyantly “not gay” son, Christian Walker, said in October his father’s repeated death threats against him and his mother forced them to move “six times in six months.” Walker opposes same-sex marriage and told a crowd at a rally that transgender kids will not get into heaven. During his failed campaign, Walker’s handlers reportedly wouldn't allow journalists “within 20 feet of him,” for fear that he would make embarrassing comments. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-16T21:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fherschel-walker-jet-skis.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1464%2C771%2C0.52%2C0.35%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"jxjnym","title":"Anti-LGBTQ+ Muslims tried to go to a GOP convention. Christian conservatives bullied them to tears.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/anti-lgbtq-muslims-tried-to-go-to-a-gop-convention-christian-conservatives-them-to-tears/","excerpt":"Samar Halabi and her husband, Amjad Muhtaseb, both attended the Republican Party of Texas Convention, which was held in Houston from June 11 to 13, because, as Muhtaseb explained to The Texas Tribune, “We believe in Adam and Eve. We don’t believe in this, multiple genders. We don’t drink. We don’t g","content":"Samar Halabi and her husband, Amjad Muhtaseb, both attended the Republican Party of Texas Convention, which was held in Houston from June 11 to 13, because, as Muhtaseb explained to The Texas Tribune, “We believe in Adam and Eve. We don’t believe in this, multiple genders. We don’t drink. We don’t gamble. We are against pornography.” Republicans at the event repeatedly told them and other Muslim delegates to leave the country because they're a terrorist threat. Other attendees tried to boot them from the event. Convention rules prohibited them from kicking the couple out, but party officials promised to create such rules when the convention meets again in 2028. Related A Muslim teen came out to his mother. Her reaction left them both in tears. Halabi wore a hijab (head covering) at the event. Attendees accused her of being a part of a terrorist organization. When one attendee approached her and told her to leave the country, she turned and wept into her husband's chest. The married couple said they are trying to bring more Muslims into the Republican Party. But the Texas GOP has spent a lot of time during recent election cycles speaking out against Sharia Law and the so-called “Islamification” of Texas. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The state GOP and Gov. Greg Abbott (R) have deemed the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, a terrorist threat. Hussein's father founded the organization's Houston chapter and also attended the convention as a delegate; there's no proof substantiating CAIR's alleged ties to extremist organizations. Additionally, Abbott signed a law in September 2025 to ban the establishment of an Islamic community in the city of Joesphine (35 miles northeast of Dallas) after numerous state officials and locals said it intended to enforce Sharia law and exclude non-Muslims, claims which the community's developers denied. On Saturday at the convention, outgoing state GOP chair Abraham George told two Muslim delegates, “I would strongly advise you to leave our caucus,” adding, “There is a Democrat convention happening in a couple weeks. Join them.” That same day, Muslim conservative Mohamed Hussein attended a Judeo-Christian Caucus moderated by former Southern Baptist pastor Dr. Rick Scarborough, who is also president of the religious political organization Recover America. Scarborough said Muslims will erode Christian values, lie and hide their meanness to win political power, and then use that power to “cut your head off as believers of Christ.” State Sen. Bob Hall (R) echoed that sentiment, falsely claiming that Muslims are “required by Sharia to lie” to “stay below the radar of being aggressive.” At the panel, state Rep. Brent Money (R), founder of the convention's Sharia-Free Texas Caucus, said political candidates should undergo religious tests and that all Americans should only vote for Christians because, “We’ve proven over 250 years that we’re best … when we’re ruled by Christian men who serve a God that’s bigger than them and that seek the welfare of everyone that’s here.” Horrified by their statements, Hussein spoke out, saying that Sharia law only provides a religious framework that applies to Muslim daily practices. “When they tell you that we’re compelled to lie, they are putting your Texan neighbors in an impossible position where nothing that we can say or do can absolve us from the crimes that they are accusing us of. That is not just, the Bible commands you to be just, and that is not American.” After the panel, Scarborough told Hussein to either convert or leave the country. Hussein then cried in a chair while Scarborough sat next to him and offered to pray to Jesus with him. Muslims pray only to God (Allah) and do not pray to Jesus, seeing him only as a prophet rather than the son of God. Scarborough later told The Texas Tribune, “If you’re going to embrace the values and the teachings that you’re advocating for, there’s no place in America for you. That’s not assimilation. That’s taking over.” Hussein expressed disbelief at being told to convert or leave, noting that the convention's tagline was, “Unity drives victory.” He said he worries that the party's anti-Islamic rhetoric could foment violence against Muslims. However, he said he will vote for whichever candidate most supports religious liberty and economic prosperity. “I will vote along those principles, but what I saw at the convention is not conservatism, so I’m going to assess in November and vote along with my values,” he said. “Absolutely, I will be voting for Republicans who denounce this extremism.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-16T20:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2517397481-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.57%2C0.48%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"yeovkp","title":"This anti-trans law didn't need to pass to shut down classroom discussions","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/this-anti-trans-law-didnt-need-to-pass-to-shut-down-classroom-discussions/","excerpt":"While researching my forthcoming book, We Refuse to Disappear: Resistance Amid Anti-Trans Education Policy, I heard a story from Alabama that I cannot stop thinking about. An elementary school student walked into class, looked at a bulletin board that had once displayed a rainbow border, and asked a","content":"While researching my forthcoming book, We Refuse to Disappear: Resistance Amid Anti-Trans Education Policy, I heard a story from Alabama that I cannot stop thinking about. An elementary school student walked into class, looked at a bulletin board that had once displayed a rainbow border, and asked a simple question: \"Where did the rainbow go?\" The teacher knew the answer. So did every adult in the building. Related House passes \"Don't Say Trans\" bill that would force teachers to out trans students nationwide Yet no explanation made sense because nothing had actually happened. No law had passed. No policy required the display's removal. The rainbow had disappeared because educators were already responding to a threat that did not yet exist. Alabama's HB 244 never became law. Introduced in 2025, the bill sought to prohibit discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity throughout K–12 schools, ban Pride flags and LGBTQ+ symbols, and further restrict how educators could acknowledge LGBTQ+ students and families. Civil rights organizations, educators, and advocacy groups warned that the bill would intensify censorship and erasure in public schools. Ultimately, it stalled in the legislature. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today Yet by the time lawmakers moved on, classrooms across the state had already begun changing. Books were removed from shelves. Displays disappeared. Teachers altered lessons. Administrators advised staff to avoid controversy. The bill failed. The fear succeeded. That should concern all of us. We often talk about anti-trans legislation as though its impact begins when a governor signs a bill. Increasingly, that is not how these policies operate. Their power often emerges long before they become law. A bill is introduced. National organizations amplify it. School boards discuss it. Administrators worry about complaints. Teachers receive warnings to stay neutral. Classrooms begin censoring themselves before anyone is legally required to do so. Researchers sometimes call this pre-compliance. Educators often call it survival. The danger is not simply that schools become more cautious. The danger is that fear becomes curriculum. Students notice what disappears. They notice which books vanish, which conversations stop, which histories are no longer taught, and which families are no longer represented. Absence teaches. Silence teaches. Erasure teaches. Long before a student encounters a formal lesson about citizenship, they learn who belongs, whose stories matter, and which identities are treated as controversial. The educators I spoke with in Alabama understood exactly what was happening. As HB 244 advanced, a group of teachers from different schools began meeting off campus in the back room of a public library. They taught elementary students, middle schoolers, and high schoolers. Some worked in social studies, others in English language arts, special education, and the arts. They were not organizing protests. They were trying to figure out how to continue serving students without sacrificing either their professional responsibilities or their humanity. At one meeting, they compared what was happening in their schools. Bulletin boards had been stripped. Inclusive books had been boxed for review. Administrators across multiple districts were using remarkably similar language: community standards, neutrality, avoid controversy. One teacher finally voiced what everyone was thinking. \"It feels like we're being trained to erase before we're told to.\" Another educator responded immediately: \"That's the point. Fear is cheaper than law.\" Fear is cheaper than law. I have spent years studying educational policy and anti-trans legislation, and I cannot think of a more accurate description of the current moment. Legislatures attract headlines. Fear quietly reshapes behavior. Lawmakers increasingly understand that they do not always need laws to achieve their goals. They only need educators to believe punishment may be coming. Once fear enters a system, institutions often begin policing themselves. The Alabama educators chose a different path. Rather than retreat into isolation, they built a coalition. They created shared folders containing lesson plans, state standards, instructional rationales, and documentation. They compared strategies and developed common language explaining why teaching fairness, belonging, and civic participation remained central educational responsibilities. If one teacher faced criticism, others would stand beside them. If one classroom became the target of complaints, similar lessons would appear elsewhere. Their refusal was not individual heroism. It was collective protection. That coalition soon found its way into classrooms. One elementary teacher introduced a story about a neighborhood garden in which two mothers appeared among the families. Students discussed fairness, community, and belonging. In another classroom, children explored what makes neighborhoods welcoming. In another, they considered who belongs when we use the word \"we.\" The lessons were fully aligned with state standards and grounded in civic learning. They also affirmed a truth increasingly under attack: every child deserves to see themselves as part of the community. Students understood the lesson immediately. One child said fairness meant \"when everyone helps.\" Another responded that a fair community is one \"where nobody is hidden.\" The teachers documented these responses because they recognized something policymakers often overlook. Belonging is not separate from civic education. It is civic education. Public schools cannot prepare students for democratic participation while simultaneously teaching them that some people are too controversial to acknowledge. Yet educators cannot carry this burden alone. Too often, we celebrate teachers for their courage while abandoning them to the conditions that require courage in the first place. We praise resilience while normalizing hostility. We applaud educators for protecting students while expecting them to absorb the consequences of political decisions they did not create. That is not support. It is abandonment disguised as admiration. No educator can do this work alone. Teachers need librarians, counselors, healthcare providers, families, legal advocates, faith leaders, journalists, unions, community organizations, and administrators willing to stand beside them. Protecting students is not the work of a single profession. It is the work of communities willing to defend one another. The story of HB 244 is not ultimately a story about a bill. It is a story about what happens when fear enters schools and how educators respond when it does. Alabama's proposed law never took effect, yet its shadow reshaped classrooms across the state. At the same time, the educators who gathered in that library demonstrated another possibility. They showed that solidarity can interrupt fear, that coalition can counter isolation, and that belonging remains worth defending even when doing so carries risk. The student who asked where the rainbow had gone was really asking a much larger question: Who gets to belong here? That question now confronts schools across the country. Alabama's HB 244 taught us how quickly fear can spread through an educational system. The teachers who refused to face that fear alone taught us something far more important. When educators build coalitions and communities stand beside them, erasure becomes harder to accomplish. The anti-trans law did not need to pass. Its fear already had. Fortunately, so had the refusal. sj Miller | sj Miller Dr. sj Miller is an award-winning scholar-activist, Faculty Trainer in the Center for Professional Learning, Professor at Santa Fe Community College, and part-time faculty at the University of Washington. Their work centers on gender identity justice, the pedagogy of refusal, and inclusive educational frameworks. Miller has authored eight books, over fifty peer-reviewed articles, and over thirty book chapters. Miller serves as Senior Associate Editor of The International Journal of LGBT Youth and co-editor of the series Social Justice Across Contexts in Education. Miller has received numerous awards in the fight for gender identity justice, including the 2019 Distinguished Contributions to Gender Equity Award from the American Education Research Association. Miller’s forthcoming book, We Refuse to Disappear: Resistance Amid Anti-Trans Education Policy, with Harvard Ed Press, is due out later this month. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"sj Miller","publishDate":"2026-06-16T19:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F01%2Fshutterstock-2033497547-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"6f48md","title":"Remember when Trump homophobically insulted Anderson Cooper for fleeing to a bomb shelter on TV?","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-homophobically-insulted-anderson-cooper-for-fleeing-to-a-shelter-on-tv/","excerpt":"In a post attacking the media for its coverage of his strike on Iran, President Donald Trump referred to CNN host Anderson Cooper as \"Allison Cooper\" in a seemingly homophobic dig, implying that he is basically a woman because he is gay. The insult also implies that being stereotypically feminine is","content":"In a post attacking the media for its coverage of his strike on Iran, President Donald Trump referred to CNN host Anderson Cooper as \"Allison Cooper\" in a seemingly homophobic dig, implying that he is basically a woman because he is gay. The insult also implies that being stereotypically feminine is a bad thing. \"The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it,\" Trump wrote. \"Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible — And even they say they were 'pretty well destroyed!'\" Related Trump's lesbian niece explains exactly why he wants a war with Iran: This is \"about his fragile ego\" \"Working especially hard on this falsehood is Allison Cooper of Fake News CNN, Dumb Brian L. Roberts, Chairman of 'Con'cast, Jonny Karl of ABC Fake News, and always, the Losers of, again, Concast’s NBC Fake News. It never ends with the sleazebags in the Media, and that’s why their Ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW — ZERO CREDIBILITY!\" Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Cooper was one of several journalists who questioned the president's claim that his strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities completely obliterated them. The U.S. “successfully” hit three nuclear sites in Iran, President Donald Trump announced earlier tonight, as the conflict between Israel and Iran entered its second week. pic.twitter.com/OekDOQxmHN— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) June 22, 2025 Trump's homophobic comment toward Cooper came only a day after Cooper and his film crew fled to a bomb shelter while live on-air in Israel due to an alert of an incoming Iranian missile strike. Despite the danger, Cooper continued his journalistic duties, telling viewers, “We have about a 10-minute window to get down into a bomb shelter, and we’ll continue to try to broadcast from that bomb shelter, and even if we can, on the way down.\" Cooper spoke with viewers as he and his co-hosts, all impressively calm, walked through a hotel to descend to the basement. \"This is the first time today that we have had an alarm like this,\" he said. \"It’s obviously something that many here in Tel Aviv have gotten used to over the last 10 or 11 days since this began. We saw one alarm shortly after the first strikes on Iran by the United States. This is the first one we’ve had this morning.\" The live feed cut off as they descended into the shelter, but once they arrived, they continued to broadcast. Cooper explained it was a \"luxury\" to have a 10-minute warning before a strike because that window doesn't exist when rockets are coming from Gaza. Trump is facing anger from every side of the aisle for his decision to attack Iran and put the United States at risk. Even some of his staunchest allies, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), have publicly expressed their extreme disappointment in the president for breaking his campaign promise to keep the United States out of another war. He's been heavily criticized for prioritizing his ego and desire to show strength over the safety of Americans. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-16T18:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2610680759-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"safety","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"jkdvy3","title":"\"I literally thought I was going to die\": Gay couple survives brutal beating in small town","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/i-literally-thought-i-was-going-to-die-gay-couple-survives-brutal-beating-in-small-town/","excerpt":"A gay couple leaving a restaurant during a night market event was taunted, chased, and then beaten by at least one man in a group shouting homophobic slurs. The attack happened in Caldwell, Idaho, a small city west of the capital in Boise, Idaho6 News reports Related Wanna pee in Idaho? First, get a","content":"A gay couple leaving a restaurant during a night market event was taunted, chased, and then beaten by at least one man in a group shouting homophobic slurs. The attack happened in Caldwell, Idaho, a small city west of the capital in Boise, Idaho6 News reports Related Wanna pee in Idaho? First, get a forced DNA test to prove your gender, state GOP lawyer suggests Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The couple was enjoying dinner at the Acapulco restaurant in Caldwell when they attracted the attention of a group of men who began directing homophobic slurs at them, they said. The couple got up and left, but the men followed them through the back entrance. They said they were chased through a parking lot behind the Mexican restaurant and onto railroad tracks just off the small town's main street, where they were jumped and beaten. Juan Olvera said he was punched to the ground, kicked, and left with a swollen black eye, cuts, and bruises. Eric Reed was punched in the mouth and suffered a gaping hole in his lip requiring six stitches. Both men said they were terrified. \"I literally thought I was going to die, and I don't even know how to explain the fear I have right now. We haven't left the house for the past few days,\" Olvera said. \"What's going to happen to the next person? Are they going to kill them? I literally felt they were going to kill us for being gay. It's a scary thing to live through, and I never would wish this on anyone.\" \"I just feel so scared that this could happen to my partner and me, and just seeing my partner's face afterwards,\" he said. Police were quick to apprehend one of the suspects in the attack. Pedro Villarreal III, 55, of Caldwell, was detained and charged with misdemeanor battery. Idaho does not have a hate crime designation based on sexual orientation. \"It covers crimes that involve national origin, things of that nature, but unfortunately, sexual orientation is not one of those that is actually covered under Idaho statute,\" said Lt. Jeffrey Peterson with the Caldwell Police Department. \"It is frustrating,\" said the surprisingly sympathetic small-town cop. \"We're here to serve the citizens of Caldwell and Idaho, and unfortunately, when we're unable to give them the justice that they feel that they need, under the application of the law, it is frustrating.\" \"It's difficult when the law ties their hands in these types of cases,\" he added. Olvera and Reed said they've been together for 15 years and have never experienced this kind of homophobia. The gay mixed-race couple described themselves as \"conservative,\" according to KTVB7 News. \"As politics continue to clash, everybody needs to put that away and remember we're all Americans in the end. All of us bleed the same, and we're all Americans,\" said Olvera. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Greg Owen","publishDate":"2026-06-16T18:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-16-at-13236pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1550%2C816%2C0.49%2C0.19%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"id":"yfr1h1","title":"A Muslim teen came out to his mother. Her reaction left them both in tears.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-muslim-teen-came-out-to-his-mother-her-reaction-left-them-both-in-tears/","excerpt":"Jafer Karausta — a 19-year-old social media influencer from Cambridge, England — came out to his Muslim mom on video. Her refusal to accept him left both of them in tears. He spent the rest of the video explaining to her that he can't change his sexual orientation and promising never to date another","content":"Jafer Karausta — a 19-year-old social media influencer from Cambridge, England — came out to his Muslim mom on video. Her refusal to accept him left both of them in tears. He spent the rest of the video explaining to her that he can't change his sexual orientation and promising never to date another man for the rest of his life. Since posting the video, he has expressed thanks for the outpouring of support from viewers. Related Islam is seen as hostile to LGBTQ+ people. This gay Muslim says it's queerer than you think. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today After telling his mom, she says, \"Really? I'm very upset about it. I cannot accept this. It's not right. I don't want to see you with another boy…. You should hide who you are… Promise me you'll never get another boy or live with them.\" Karausta admits he's upset by her response, but promises not to date, saying he'll be single for life because he doesn't want to be in a relationship with anyone anyway. He also said that he sometimes wears wigs and plays with makeup to express his feminine side, but promises not to do so anymore after his mother expresses disapproval in the video. His mother repeatedly asks him whether he can change his sexual orientation, and he repeatedly says he cannot because sexuality \"a majority of it is biological.\" She later questions whether he's gay because of the number of gay people he's exposed to on the internet; he then says that's not the case and that he has known about his sexuality since age five. Nevertheless, his mother still blames herself because she used to dislike the gay people she works with and because she raised him in a bad environment. She also says, \"If a nice girl comes around,\" or if he really wants to, perhaps he can change his sexual orientation. \"Like, I want to change, but I know you can't change your sexuality…. That's not how it works,\" he explains to his mother. \"I've always wanted to change. I would stay up every single night, praying that I would be straight, and I'd wake up straight…. I would do that, since I was literally 10 years old, I would pray for that, and it never worked. There's nothing that you can do…. There's no changing that. You can't change your sexuality. I'm like, almost certain of it.\" He eventually says that he thinks he is seeking male affection because the only men in his life, his older brother and father, were both abusive. He later reveals that his sister Yasmin already knows but that he never came out to his father (and never will) because his father is abusive and \"crazy.\" He also says he doesn't wish to visit his relatives in the island nation of Cyprus because they already \"hate\" him and won't accept his sexuality. His mother repeatedly says that \"You don't see gay people\" in Cyprus — though Karausta explains that gay people definitely exist there because gay people exist everywhere. His mother encourages him to hide his sexuality from his relatives, and he promises to. When he later asks what she's thinking, she asks if he knows how gay men have sex. (He replies that he does.) She then admits that she's worried that he'll contract diseases (though he replies that he could also contract diseases from heterosexual intercourse). She also worries that he'll be lonely and not have a family. He says he doesn't want a family because he's gay. He repeatedly says his gayness doesn't matter and that it doesn't change anything. He also says he will never meet a boy because he has no friends. Near the end of the video, he asks her, \"Do you see me any different than you did before?\" \"No,\" she says, \"because you're my son.\" She also asks him not to upload the video, worried that his relatives will see. He replies that if relatives see, they can think whatever they want, because it will only reflect on him, not on her. \"I want to post myself online because this is what I want to do,\" he explains. \"I want to do this full-time. This is what I want so badly. Like, this is what I've wanted for so long. I want to make videos of my life so people feel seen and acknowledged and entertained.\" He then reassures her that posting the video online won't matter because he will only post it on his YouTube and not his other social media accounts, and it will only get 100 views. The video has over 288,000 views as of June 16. Since posting the video, he admitted, “My mum’s response was incredibly difficult to hear, and it was one of the hardest moments of my life. At the same time, sharing my story has allowed me to connect with so many people around the world who have had similar experiences, and the support I have received has been overwhelming,” The Tab reported. “Although the situation with my family has been painful, I hope that by sharing my experience I can help others feel less alone and encourage more understanding and acceptance. Seeing the response to my video has reminded me that there are so many people out there who genuinely care and want to support others.” While some YouTube commenters said it's sad that he promised never to date anyone just to make his mother more comfortable, others noted that Karausta is still a young person trying to immediately comfort his distressed mother, and that they may come to feel differently over time. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Daniel Villarreal","publishDate":"2026-06-16T17:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-16-at-125111pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1452%2C764%2C0.55%2C0.49%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"kyji5o","title":"High school wrestler files lawsuit for sexual assault after finding out opponent was transgender","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/high-school-wrestler-files-for-after-finding-out-opponent-was-transgender/","excerpt":"A cisgender Washington state high school wrestler is suing state officials, her school district, and others, claiming that a transgender opponent sexually assaulted her during a match. Last week, anti-LGBTQ+ Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit on behalf of","content":"A cisgender Washington state high school wrestler is suing state officials, her school district, and others, claiming that a transgender opponent sexually assaulted her during a match. Last week, anti-LGBTQ+ Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit on behalf of Kallie Keeler and her mother, Stephanie Brown. The lawsuit claims that during a December 2025 high school girls’ wrestling tournament sponsored by the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), Keeler was forced to throw a match to end an alleged sexual assault by her transgender opponent. Related Trans wrestler Mack Beggs speaks out on being forced to compete as a girl: \"It's a no-win situation\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The complaint alleges that the unnamed opponent, who is misgendered throughout, “sexually assaulted [Keeler], shoving his fingers through her spandex clothing, digitally penetrating her vagina, and holding the position for several seconds.” “To stop this, [Keeler] allowed [her opponent] to pin her,” according to the complaint, resulting in a fourth-place finish in the tournament. Keeler and Brown claim tournament officials did not make them aware that the then-15-year-old would be competing against a transgender wrestler, and if they had, Keeler would have declined to compete. As part of its lawsuit, ADF provided video of the match, recorded by Brown. In the three-minute video, Brown can be heard cheering her daughter on, but at no point does she sound alarmed by what she is seeing. At one point, Keeler’s opponent’s arm can be seen between Keeler’s legs. Keeler then appears to look directly at her mother, who can be heard saying, “I don’t know what she said or why her face looked like that,” while laughing. According to the lawsuit, Keeler allegedly “cried to her mom that her opponents’ fingers are ‘in my c***hie!’” She can't be heard in the audio in the video, though. Notably, the referee, who is clearly visible in the video, did not stop the match. According to Hemant Mehta, multiple wrestlers, wrestling coaches, and parents of youth wrestlers he spoke with for his The Friendly Atheist newsletter told him they saw nothing abnormal in the video. One experienced wrestler told Mehta that they did not “see any sexual assault whatsoever” and that every move in the video was executed as they were taught. “There's a leg lift on a turn that was high on the thigh, but it was pretty clearly just an exhausted wrestler using poor technique,” another wrestler told Mehta. A female wrestling coach explained that “oil checking” — a joke term for when a finger ends up between an opponent’s cheeks — is a common mishap in wrestling matches, “especially when you’re attempting to lift the opponent’s leg from around the thigh to step through and turn them (which is a very common technique).” But she told Mehta that when she watched the video, “nothing seemed malicious or intentional.” She also went on to note that “no one said anything to the ref, or went to the officials' table after the match to make a complaint, which is typically what you do if you have a problem as serious as they're claiming.” According to ADF’s lawsuit, Keeler intended to tell her mother about the alleged assault immediately after the match, but was too upset to do so. At that point, a coach from another District team informed them that Keeler’s opponent was trans. The following Monday, Brown sent an email to her daughter’s school complaining that Keeler had unknowingly wrestled a transgender girl and reporting the alleged assault. As Mehta notes, the lawsuit claims that the Puyallup School District took no action following Brown’s report. Brown and Keeler then took their story to local journalist Brandi Kruse, whose reporting went viral among anti-trans advocates. In February, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into Puyallup School District based on Keeler’s allegations. Still, as Mehta notes, the WIAA has taken no action over the incident, and Pierce County prosecutors declined last week to file criminal charges in the case, according to local NBC affiliate KING 5. ADF announced its lawsuit last week, with president and CEO Kristen Waggoner posting about it on X — and anti-trans advocate J.K. Rowling reposting. However, according to Mehta, multiple anti-trans X users posted comments on Waggoner’s post, which included video of the match, criticizing the allegations. “Conflating an otherwise normal wrestling match as sexual assault simply because of the identity of your opponent is absurd,” one user commented. “While I hate this trans ideology s**t more than anyone, this wasn’t sexual assault,” another wrote. “If you are using this video as evidence, it just shows a wrestling match.” “As a former highschool [sic] wrestler I agree with not letting males wrestle females, but nothing in this video constitutes sexual assault,” another commenter wrote on June 11. “There’s [sic] isn’t a single move or action that wouldn’t have been done if it was male v male or female v female.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"John Russell","publishDate":"2026-06-16T17:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fwashingtonwrestler.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"p8z51m","title":"Teacher spreads joy across the internet with \"fun & easy\" lesson on calling something \"gay\"","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/teacher-spreads-joy-across-the-internet-with-fun-easy-lesson-on-calling-something-gay/","excerpt":"Math teacher Christian Shearhod went viral for his passionate lesson on acceptance that helps students understand what is and is not \"gay.\" Shearhod, who is straight, was addressing how the term is often used as an insult against people who do not conform to gender expectations. “‘This is gay! That ","content":"Math teacher Christian Shearhod went viral for his passionate lesson on acceptance that helps students understand what is and is not \"gay.\" Shearhod, who is straight, was addressing how the term is often used as an insult against people who do not conform to gender expectations. “‘This is gay! That is gay! Everything is gay!’ I hear it all day, but do y’all know what it means?” he asked the class. Related Gay dad goes viral for honest reflection on raising a straight son A student responds: \"You like the same gender as yourself.\" \"Exactly!\" he responds. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today He then turns to a PowerPoint presentation and begins asking his students if various things are gay. “Painting your nails, is it gay?\" he yells. \"No!\" the kids yell back. \"Wearing pink, is it gay?\" \"No!\" He asks about wearing crop tops, holding hands with your friends, liking Barbie or My Little Pony, and wearing dresses. The kids enthusiastically shout that none of those things are gay. Shearhod shows the students a picture of a man in a pink dress and asks, \"Do you think he feels bonita?\" The class yells in agreement. He concludes by asking if \"boys who like boys\" and \"girls who like girls\" are gay, and everyone excitedly yells, \"Yes!\" The next slide displays a little girl and her two dads, and everyone applauds. “Can y’all believe that some people look at this and they don’t like that?\" he asked. \"So hateful, you know what I mean? This is beautiful. And being gay is…\" \"Okay!” the class responds. The video has amassed over 415 thousand views on TikTok and over 900 comments. \"I hope this teacher gets everything good in life,\" one person wrote. \"what a freakin great example to give those kids.\" \"I love how you make such a potentially explosive topic into such a fun and easy to understand lesson :)\" wrote another. A third person called Shearhod , \"THE BEST TEACHER TO EVER EXIST!!!!\" @mr.shearhod Is it gay!?? ♬ original sound – Christian Shearhod Shearhod has 1.8 million followers on TikTok and 1.3 million on Instagram. He posts videos on LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender equality, student advocacy, immigration rights, and the like. He has also been outspoken about how it angers people that he still identifies as straight while his partner is a trans woman. @mr.shearhod Protecting kids can sometimes mean protecting them from their family.. ♬ original sound – Christian Shearhod @mr.shearhod Things are just things ♬ original sound – Christian Shearhod @mr.shearhod Today we talked about ICE ♬ original sound – Christian Shearhod He also regularly posts videos with his son. In 2023, he went viral for taking the then-three-year-old to get a manicure after his teacher told the child that only girls could paint their nails. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NBC OUT (@nbcout) Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-16T16:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-16-at-73343am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D998%2C525%2C0.38%2C0.24%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"community","briefingScore":160,"priority":1},{"id":"otq8j4","title":"Trump blocked the opening of a new bridge. Rachel Maddow says there's a \"shamelessly corrupt\" reason","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-blocked-the-opening-of-a-new-bridge-rachel-maddow-says-theres-a-shamelessly-corrupt-reason/","excerpt":"Out MS Now host Rachel Maddow pointed out in a Monday segment how suspicious it is that Donald Trump has continued to block the opening of a critical new bridge connecting the United States and Canada. The Gordie Howe International Bridge connects Detroit, Michigan, to Ontario, Canada, across the De","content":"Out MS Now host Rachel Maddow pointed out in a Monday segment how suspicious it is that Donald Trump has continued to block the opening of a critical new bridge connecting the United States and Canada. The Gordie Howe International Bridge connects Detroit, Michigan, to Ontario, Canada, across the Detroit River, making international travel between the two significantly easier. Experts say it could be huge for the economies on both sides of the bridge, as the current route across the river is far less efficient, and many businesses rely on partners on both sides. Related Rachel Maddow savors the moment as Trump gets repeatedly booed at Knicks game And even though the bridge is complete, Trump won't let it open. \"The White House insists that categorically, just because [Trump is] president, he can't have a conflict of interest. It's like dividing by zero. Doesn't make sense!\" Maddow said. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"There is a competing bridge a little way down the river,\" she pointed out. \"A privately owned, very old, very congested toll bridge that will likely lose some of its traffic because of competition.\" She then explained that the wealthy family that owns it made a $1 million donation to Trump's super PAC earlier this year. \"This is why we can't have nice things,\" she said, acknowledging the \"very practical consequences\" of having a \"shamelessly corrupt\" president. \"Heaven forbid a MAGA donor be inconvenienced… Because that, to a corrupt administration, is way worse than literally tens of thousands of people a day being deprived of the use of this… state-of-the-art, brand-new, beautiful bridge.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-16T16:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-16-at-93925am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D2392%2C1259%2C0.35%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":170,"priority":1},{"id":"sts3oc","title":"Judge dismisses lawsuit filed by nonbinary ranger fired for trans flag. They're not done fighting.","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/jude-dismisses-filed-by-nonbinary-ranger-fired-for-trans-flag-theyre-not-done-fighting/","excerpt":"The nonbinary ranger who was fired for displaying a large trans flag at Yosemite National Park last year has had their lawsuit against the federal government dismissed by a judge. The dismissal came not on the merits of the case, but on a technicality, which requires them to wait on a response from ","content":"The nonbinary ranger who was fired for displaying a large trans flag at Yosemite National Park last year has had their lawsuit against the federal government dismissed by a judge. The dismissal came not on the merits of the case, but on a technicality, which requires them to wait on a response from the office of the special counsel before they can appeal. Dr. SJ Joslin told the New York Times that this “isn’t a ‘win’ for the federal government.” They went on to lament that “this just slows down the process of allowing justice to be served for the American people and slows down allowing National Park Service employees to be effective stewards of public lands.” Related Nonbinary biologist fired for hanging large trans Pride flag in Yosemite National Park Nonbinary biologist fired for hanging large trans Pride flag in Yosemite National Park Joslin had petitioned the court to reinstate them in their job, order the government not to pursue a criminal investigation into them for an action purportedly protected by the First Amendment, and issue a preliminary injunction enabling them to return to work while the case was decided. US District Judge Jennifer Thurston ruled that, as a probationary employee, Joslin was required to follow the process in the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA). Under that policy, they must file a complaint with the Office of the Special Counsel (OSC). Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Joslin has already filed with the OSC, but a response to their case is not expected until August. In the meantime, OSC denied the request to put Joslin’s termination on hold until a final decision is issued. While Joslin may be able to return to the courts if the OSC upholds their termination, Judge Thurston has said they cannot do more until that decision is reached. In her ruling, the judge noted that the government claimed Joslin’s firing was not related to the potential free speech issue surrounding the display of the trans flag, but rather focused on the technical matter. “The government has another more fundamental and more persuasive point: under the laws that Congress has passed, and under the legal precedent that a federal trial court must follow, this Court does not have authority to decide whether Joslin was fired for unconstitutional or illegal reasons, nor to block a hypothetical criminal case against them.” The judge also denied the preliminary injunction, as such an injunction would have to be predicated on an expectation that Joslin would win their case. As that case is being dismissed, the injunction cannot be issued. In May 2025, during off-work hours, Joslin led a group of activists (including Pattie Gonia, who is currently fighting a copyright lawsuit from Patagonia) to hang a 55-foot transgender Pride flag from El Capitan. Joslin has said that the protest came in the face of the Trump administration’s campaign against trans and gender diverse people through a series of executive orders and a renewal of his trans military ban. Speaking to the Associated Press at the time, Joslin said, “I was really hurting because there were a lot of policies coming from the current administration that target trans people, and I’m nonbinary.\" They described it as a way to “tell myself… that we’re all safe in national parks.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pattie Gonia (@pattiegonia) The act was not illegal, with many National Parks having “First Amendment areas” where no permit is required for a small demonstration of 25 or fewer people. El Capitan is located within one of those areas, and the group of activists was small. There were also no policies against such a display at Yosemite at the time. However, the day after Joslin and their team unfurled the trans flag, Ray McPadden, the Yosemite acting supervisor, updated the rules to ban “any banner, flag, or sign larger than fifteen square feet” from any of the park’s “natural or cultural feature[s].” On August 12, Joslin received a letter firing them for “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” during their 2-year probationary period, citing the demonstration. They asked for evidence that the display was in any way against the policies of the time, but never received it. They were later notified that they and two of their coworkers were under criminal investigation over the incident. In February, Joslin filed their lawsuit against the federal government, challenging their termination and the alleged criminal investigation, claiming that both infringed on their First Amendment right to free speech. The lawsuit targeted the National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and NPS acting director Jessica Bowron. In the complaint, Joslin’s lawyers noted, “For decades, climbers at Yosemite National Park have expressed messages — political and non-political — from the iconic rock formation El Capitan.” However, “For this transgression, Dr. Joslin was summarily fired and then, in a significant escalation, criminally investigated. This vindictive campaign violated Dr. Joslin’s First Amendment and Privacy Act rights and continues to chill their expressive conduct and speech.” The lawsuit also cites the Trump administration’s campaign against the trans community. Joslin told The Hill in May, “Yes, I lost my job for this flag. But this wasn’t the first way that the Trump administration had been scaring us into silence as federal workers.” Clayton Bailey of the Civil Service Law Center, which serves as co-counsel on the case, said that, “If Dr. Joslin had hung a flag the administration liked, they would be working at Yosemite today.” Despite the dismissal, the judge has left room for Joslin to return to court in the future. She notes that if OSC upholds the termination, Joslin might have limited options. At the same time, the decision does not address the First Amendment aspect of the case. Instead, Thurston dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning that the matter may be revisited in a subsequent lawsuit. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Faefyx Collington","publishDate":"2026-06-16T16:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F08%2Fscreenshot-2025-08-18-at-52940pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1244%2C655%2C0.61%2C0.48%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"tsdn95","title":"City forced to scrap Rainbow Arch project due to Ron DeSantis's anti-DEI law","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/city-forced-to-scrap-rainbow-arch-project-due-to-ron-desantiss-anti-dei-law/","excerpt":"The city of Key West, Florida, has been forced to end a Pride-themed art initiative due to the state's anti-DEI law. On Friday, the Key West Business Guild wrote on social media that the city attorney had \"confirmed what many feared and sadly what we anticipated: Florida's new Senate Bill 1134 effec","content":"The city of Key West, Florida, has been forced to end a Pride-themed art initiative due to the state's anti-DEI law. On Friday, the Key West Business Guild wrote on social media that the city attorney had \"confirmed what many feared and sadly what we anticipated: Florida's new Senate Bill 1134 effectively ended the Rainbow Arch project before it could even begin.\" Related Ron DeSantis declares June \"Faith & Family Month\" to honor \"Christian faith\" & \"Biblical\" families The city launched the project in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) crusade against rainbow crosswalks throughout the state. After DeSantis' wrath against LGBTQ+ people reached Key West and included his administration painting over a rainbow crosswalk in the dead of night, city officials proposed replacing the symbol of inclusion with a large rainbow arch downtown, declaring, \"All Are Welcome Here.\" But according to the Business Guild, the city attorney said the project was against state law \"because its purpose was to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the freedom of LGBTQ+ people to live openly and authentically.\" Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In April, DeSantis signed S.B. 1134, which bans local governments from using taxpayer dollars to fund or promote DEI efforts. The bill defines DEI as any effort to “promote or adopt training, programming or activities designed or implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation,” but it includes exceptions for events or programs related to federal holidays or individuals and groups honored by monuments, memorials, and museums authorized by state law. The law – described by Equality Florida senior political director Joe Saunders as “a sledgehammer aimed at cities and counties that dare to recognize and address the diversity of the people they serve\" – also allows any city or county resident to sue their local government for perceived violations, while local elected officials could be removed from office. The Guild explained that the arch could not even have been grandfathered in if it were built before the law officially takes effect on January 1, 2027, because it would require ongoing funding from the city to maintain. \"Let's be clear about what this means,\" the Guild wrote. \"The Rainbow Art project was not canceled because of a lack of community support. It was not canceled due to a lack of funding. It was not canceled because the project was flawed. It was canceled because a new state law targets initiatives associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ visibility.\" \"For years, the Rainbow Crosswalk and the proposed Rainbow Arch Project represented something bigger than paint, steel, or public art,\" the group continued. \"They were symbols that told LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, families, and young people that they belong here. That they are welcome here. That they are part of the fabric of our community.\" The Guild also emphasized its continued commitment to \"equality, visibility, and belonging\" and said they are \"determined to do everything possible to restore our symbol of visibility and acceptance.\" Last July, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged governors to remove any political messages, artwork, and markings from intersections that are not directly related to pedestrian or driver safety. He wrote on social media, “Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks.” Later that month, DeSantis signed a law banning “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.” Florida Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue confirmed the true motivation behind the campaign to remove the crosswalk art while praising the law. “Florida’s proactive efforts to ensure we keep our transportation facilities free & clear of political ideologies were cemented into law by @GovRonDeSantis,” Perdue posted to socials. “Great to now have our federal partners also aligned behind this same common-sense policy.” GOP officials claim the crosswalks distract drivers, but data says otherwise. The Bloomberg Philanthropies 2022 Asphalt Art Safety Study found that crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists drop 50% at painted intersections. It also reported a 25% decrease in conflicts between drivers and pedestrians, a 27% increase in drivers immediately yielding to pedestrians, and a 38% decrease in pedestrians crossing when the walk signal was not lit at intersections involving public art. The data also revealed that injuries resulting from crashes drop 37% in painted intersections. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-16T15:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F03%2Fusatsi-22724213-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.5%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1},{"id":"k2mnah","title":"\"Death warmed over\": Trump's trip to France reignites concerns about his failing health","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-warmed-over-trumps-trip-to-france-reignites-concerns-about-his-failing-health/","excerpt":"People are reacting strongly to images of Donald Trump appearing excessively fatigued as he met with French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday for the G7 summit. \"Trump looks like death warmed over,\" independent journalist Aaron Rupar wrote while sharing a picture of the two presidents shaking hand","content":"People are reacting strongly to images of Donald Trump appearing excessively fatigued as he met with French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday for the G7 summit. \"Trump looks like death warmed over,\" independent journalist Aaron Rupar wrote while sharing a picture of the two presidents shaking hands. Related Trump has people wondering if he's about to die with his latest social media post Trump looks like death warmed over(Anna Moneymaker/Getty) pic.twitter.com/HUpmaEYviL— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 15, 2026 Shortly after Sunday night's White House UFC fight, Trump hopped on a plane and flew to Europe to meet Macron at Évian-les-Bains, near the Swiss border, for the G7 summit. Macron, who is hosting the summit, even postponed it so that Trump could attend the UFC fight on his birthday. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today But observers noted that Trump didn't appear to be in great shape when he arrived in France, noticeably struggling to keep his eyes open while meeting with Macron, The New Republic noted. get a load of Trump's drowsy body language during this Macron meeting pic.twitter.com/gQkFjUlXDb— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 15, 2026 Trump does not look like a man that’s in full control of his faculties. https://t.co/Q6LguUCjhj— Gissur Simonarson (@GissiSim) June 15, 2026 The same outlet noted that Trump's hands were swollen and bruised again, a chronic issue for Trump over the past year. \"If this is what the public is seeing, how much worse is Trump doing in private?\" TNR's Hafiz Rashid wrote. \"The WH is trying to project Trump as the president who never stops working, going right from the UFC thing to Paris and nailing down the Iran agreement when others were sleeping,\" posted author and conspiracy theory expert Mike Rothschild. \"In reality, he looks and sounds totally spent. How much longer can they keep the plates spinning?\" While the UFC fight may have kept him up late the night before his meeting with Macron, people have pointed out that it appears Trump slept through at least part of it. There is no confirmation that he was actually sleeping and not just blinking really hard, as some Trump supporters claimed. BREAKING: DONALD TRUMP HAS FALLEN ASLEEP AT HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY UFC FREEDOM 250 EVENT. pic.twitter.com/Q7hdbDWQOW— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) June 15, 2026 Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-16T14:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Ftrump-macron-g7.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D2488%2C1309%2C0.45%2C0.19%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"community","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"mtsrys","title":"JD Vance says he regrets calling Harris, Buttigieg & AOC \"childless cat ladies\"","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/jd-vance-says-he-regrets-calling-harris-buttigieg-aoc-childless-cat-ladies/","excerpt":"Vice President JD Vance now says it was \"boneheaded\" of him to call several prominent Democrats \"childless cat ladies.\" In his new book Communion, Vance said that the comments were \"One of the dumbest things I ever said.\" Related Pete Buttigieg is playing JD Vance in Tim Walz's debate prep He was re","content":"Vice President JD Vance now says it was \"boneheaded\" of him to call several prominent Democrats \"childless cat ladies.\" In his new book Communion, Vance said that the comments were \"One of the dumbest things I ever said.\" Related Pete Buttigieg is playing JD Vance in Tim Walz's debate prep He was referring to statements he made on Fox News in 2021 on Tucker Carlson's show where he said that the U.S. is run by \"Democrats\" and \"corporate oligarchs\" who are \"a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the voices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.\" He then named three examples: Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"And how does it make any sense that we’ve turned our country over to people who don’t really have a direct stake in it?” Vance asked. Less than a month after Vance’s comments, Buttigieg announced on social media that he and husband Chasten were in fact in the process of becoming parents. In September 2021, they announced that they had adopted fraternal twins Penelope Rose and Joseph August. Moreover, Harris was already a mother to her two stepchildren. But now Vance is walking back that insult: \"It was a boneheaded comment, intentionally (and successfully) provocative rather than illuminating.” Vance discusses the episode in a part of the book where he talks about how it's \"okay to admit error.\" He said that he intended his comments to be about how \"our society is becoming pathologically hostile to having kids\" but that he \"could have made that point much more effectively, and with the benefit of showing a little charity to the many Americans who — some for reasons beyond their control —­ don’t have children.\" Buttigieg said as much in 2024, noting that he and his husband were going through a difficult – and private – adoption process when Vance made his comments. “The really sad thing is he said that after Chasten and I had been through a fairly heartbreaking setback in our adoption journey,” Buttigieg said at the time on CNN. “He couldn’t have known that, but maybe that’s why you shouldn’t be talking about other people’s children.” Vance's book discusses his \"faith journey\" from Protestant to atheist to Catholic, according to NBC News. The book reportedly has a chapter about how Pope Francis died the day after he encountered Vance. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-16T14:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fmixcollage-19-may-2026-07-59-pm-1211.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.52%2C0.27%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"y4rk0b","title":"French National Assembly observes minute of silence for gay 19-year-old killed in alleged hate crime","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/french-national-assembly-observes-minute-of-silence-for-gay-19-year-old-in-alleged-hate/","excerpt":"The French legislature observed a minute of silence for a teenager who was killed in a potential homophobic hate crime last month. Two men, ages 20 and 27, allegedly attacked a 19-year-old identified only by the first name Noahm in the media late at night on May 29 in the city of Metz in northeast F","content":"The French legislature observed a minute of silence for a teenager who was killed in a potential homophobic hate crime last month. Two men, ages 20 and 27, allegedly attacked a 19-year-old identified only by the first name Noahm in the media late at night on May 29 in the city of Metz in northeast France. Noahm died on June 2 in the hospital due to his injuries. Related Vandals tore their Pride flag in two. Activists turned it into a surprising symbol of resilience. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"I yelled, I screamed as loud as I could,\" one of Noahm's friends who witnessed the attack told the local news outlet ICI Lorraine Nord. The friend said that their group encountered another group that accused Noahm and his friends of filming them. \"They hit [Noahm] once and he fell to the ground,\" the witness said. \"Even after he was on the ground, they continued. They hit his head. After that, they let out all their hatred, calling Noahm 'pédé' and 'pédale' [homophobic slurs], and flipped him off. It was a homophobic hate crime, pure and simple.\" Several LGBTQ+ organizations immediately denounced the attack as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime, as did prominent French politician Jean-Luc Mélanchon, who called it a \"homophobic attack\" on X. On June 9, the National Assembly – the lower chamber of the French legislature – was scheduled to observe a minute of silence for Lyhanna, an 11-year-old who was found dead earlier this month and whose death has led to demonstrations across the country. \"The nation's emotions also ran very high after the murder of Noahm, victim of a real lynching in the streets of Metz,\" said National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet (RE) on June 9 as she introduced the minute of silence for both victims. \"Noahm was 19. He was just going home from a night out with friends.\" \"In our Republic, no one – absolutely no one – should be insulted, harassed, killed for being who they are, for loving.\" Braun-Pivet didn't mention the alleged homophobic nature of Noahm's killing, so a deputy – a member of the National Assembly – pointed it out. \"Madame President, because words are important, please permit me to say on this floor that Noahm was killed because gay, because of homophobia,\" said Deputy Marie-Charlotte Garin (Ecologist), getting applause from her colleagues. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SIMILIQUEER (@similiqueer) At Pride in Metz this past weekend, Noahm's cousin Nabil said, \"His story reminds us why Pride still exists and why it's still necessary,\" earning applause, AFP reports. Two suspects were arrested in connection with Noahm's death. They were held on charges of \"murder aggravated by state of intoxication,\" which is not a hate crime, leading to outcry against prosecutors. A third suspect, age 19, was brought in for questioning and later cleared. Describing his death as the result of \"an attack obviously motivated by his gender expression and perceived homosexuality,\" the organization Inter-LGBT denounced the lack of media attention on Noahm the day after the minute of silence. \"We are profoundly angry at this loss of life, at the lack of reaction of certain elected officials and media outlets, which are often very fast to take up such stories,\" the statement read. \"We are disgusted that, once again, despite the testimony of people who witnessed the crime, the aggravating circumstance related to sexual orientation was not taken into account by prosecutors.\" \"Noahm was the victim of a hate crime. We expect authorities to shine a light on all aspects of this murder,\" the group continued. \"We appreciate the minute of silence observed in the National Assembly, but we are concerned that there was no mention of the victim's homosexuality.\" The next day, prosecutor David Touvet expanded the investigation to include the possibility that Noahm was killed in a hate crime. Noahm's family's attorney said this was because of \"serious and consistent clues,\" while the suspects' attorneys accused prosecutors of capitulating to public outcry around Noahm's death. A source with the prosecutor's office told France Inter that they estimate the investigation will take 18 months to two years to complete. The LGBTQ+ organization SOS Homophobie said that an estimated 1,800 anti-gay attacks occurred in France in 2025. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-16T13:30:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fnoahm-metz.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":175,"priority":1},{"archiveId":"rgbkxp","id":"rgbkxp","title":"Remember when Nicki Minaj called Trevor Noah gay after he brutally mocked her at the Grammys?","slug":"remember-when-nicki-minaj-called-trevor-noah-gay-after-he-brutally-mocked-her-at-the-grammys","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-16T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-nicki-minaj-called-trevor-noah-gay-after-he-brutally-mocked-her-at-the-grammys/","excerpt":"Nicki Minaj can't take a joke. Trevor Noah, who hosted the Grammy Awards this Sunday in LA, made a joke about her meeting with Donald Trump last week, part of her transformation into a QAnon-believing MAGA supporter. Related Nicki Minaj wants Don Lemon locked up for reporting on anti-ICE protest \"Ni","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fmixcollage-02-feb-2026-03-43-pm-6798.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"zwbnz1","id":"zwbnz1","title":"South Korea marriage equality movement gaining momentum","slug":"south-korea-marriage-equality-movement-gaining-momentum","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-16T10:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/16/south-korea-marriage-equality-movement-gaining-momentum/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=south-korea-marriage-equality-movement-gaining-momentum","excerpt":"On Oct. 30, 2025, a same-sex couple in South Korea filed a petition with the country's human rights commission after a public institution denied marriage leave to one of the men and later reduced his pay and performance bonus for taking time off for their wedding ceremony. The commission last month ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Ankush Kumar"},{"archiveId":"owgctt","id":"owgctt","title":"Married \"Pastors for Trump\" GOP candidate caught in sexting scandal, says antichrist is gay","slug":"married-pastors-for-trump-gop-candidate-caught-in-sexting-scandal-says-antichrist-is-gay","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-15T23:11:13.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/married-pastors-for-gop-candidate-caught-in-sexting-says-antichrist-is-gay/","excerpt":"Jackson Lahmeyer, a Republican U.S. House candidate and founder of “Pastors for Trump” who is married with five kids, reportedly sent sext messages to a former Miss Oklahoma Caitlin Simmons Key who had worked for him as a fundraiser, The Daily Mail reported in a June 14 article. Trump has endorsed L","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-18087712.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2091%2C1101%2C0.44%2C0.39%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"ixppux","id":"ixppux","title":"Niger recriminalizes homosexuality","slug":"niger-recriminalizes-homosexuality","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T22:16:27.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/15/niger-recriminalizes-homosexuality/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=niger-recriminalizes-homosexuality","excerpt":"Niger is the latest African country to recriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations. The Associated Press on June 12 reported the country’s military junta announced a new penal code under which anyone who “commits or attempts to commit an immodest or unnatural act or practices lesbian, gay, bi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"usfa3w","id":"usfa3w","title":"Julia Roberts delivers beautiful tribute to queer mom killed by ICE agent","slug":"julia-roberts-delivers-beautiful-tribute-to-queer-mom-killed-by-ice-agent","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/julia-roberts-delivers-beautiful-tribute-to-queer-mom-by-ice-agent/","excerpt":"LGBTQ+ ally, actress Julia Roberts, delivered a beautiful tribute to Renee Nicole Good — the 37-year-old queer mother of three in Minneapolis, Minnesota, whose killing by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer last January began a national outcry against the current president's ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2688955797.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.48%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"2bleg3","id":"2bleg3","title":"Police are hunting \"The Doodler,\" the suspected murderer of five gay men during the mid-1970s","slug":"police-are-hunting-the-doodler-the-suspected-murderer-of-five-gay-men-during-the-mid-1970s","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/police-are-hunting-the-doodler-the-suspected-murderer-of-five-gay-men-during-the-mid-1970s/","excerpt":"San Francisco police are offering $250,000 to anyone who can help identify the person(s) who targeted six white gay men and murdered them during the late night and early morning hours of nights between late January 1974 to June 1975. Investigators don't think Investigators believe that a serial kill","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-16-at-22500am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1030%2C542%2C0.79%2C0.37%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"06wp5f","id":"06wp5f","title":"Gay San Diego mayor elected US Conference of Mayors president","slug":"gay-san-diego-mayor-elected-us-conference-of-mayors-president","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T19:59:53.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/15/oh-gloria-todd-gloria-mayor-of-san-diego/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=oh-gloria-todd-gloria-mayor-of-san-diego","excerpt":"Todd Gloria has had a whirlwind two decades as a public servant. Beginning with his successful 2008 San Diego City Council election, followed up by his second successful campaign in 2012 — this time as president of the San Diego City Council — Gloria has been strapped to a rocket headed to public se","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joe Reberkenny"},{"archiveId":"n3qo3z","id":"n3qo3z","title":"GOP congressman says Talarico is \"a barely straight Buttigieg\" so he shouldn't be around kids","slug":"gop-congressman-says-talarico-is-a-barely-straight-buttigieg-so-he-shouldn-t-be-around-kids","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-congressman-says-talarico-is-a-barely-straight-buttigieg-so-he-shouldnt-be-around-kids/","excerpt":"A Republican Congressman said that Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) is \"a barely straight\" version of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and then said that that's why he wouldn't want Talarico \"around my young kids.\" Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), age 32, was speaking with Fox host Kayleig","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-05-jun-2026-09-03-pm-7673.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.52%2C0.28%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"l0ouy6","id":"l0ouy6","title":"Remember when Trump’s lesbian niece explained the president’s mental decline in just 4 words?","slug":"remember-when-trump-s-lesbian-niece-explained-the-president-s-mental-decline-in-just-4-words","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T18:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-trumps-lesbian-niece-explained-the-presidents-mental-decline-in-just-4-words/","excerpt":"The president's lesbian psychologist niece, Mary Trump, recently took the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a test used to assess an adult's cognitive impairment and dysfunctions. Donald Trump bragged about acing the test in the past. But even though she did well on the MoCA too, she warned that","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2020%2F08%2FTrump-racist-point.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"57c4vu","id":"57c4vu","title":"50,000 celebrate Seoul Pride fest as 15,000 anti-LGBTQ+ activists counterprotested","slug":"50-000-celebrate-seoul-pride-fest-as-15-000-anti-lgbtq-activists-counterprotested","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/50000-celebrate-seoul-pride-fest-as-15000-anti-lgbtq-activists-counterprotested/","excerpt":"Seoul saw dueling LGBTQ+-focused events over the weekend, with tens of thousands showing up for the South Korean capital city’s annual Pride festival while anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrators gathered for a counterprotest less than a mile away. The Seoul Queer Culture Festival Organizing Committee estimated t","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2020%2F06%2Fshutterstock_115334461.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"fcge7b","id":"fcge7b","title":"Health programs for LGBTQ+ veterans targeted by new administration directive","slug":"health-programs-for-lgbtq-veterans-targeted-by-new-administration-directive","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/health-programs-for-lgbtq-veterans-targeted-by-new-administration-directive/","excerpt":"The administration’s war on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has now come for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and it could mean the end of specialized LGBTQ+ programs at the VA. A new internal memo reportedly instructs the VA to remove LGBTQ+ labels from staff and services in a way that wi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2020%2F02%2Ftransgender-military-trump-pentagon-study.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"yv9m8s","id":"yv9m8s","title":"Calif. governor’s race spotlights Becerra’s LGBTQ advocacy","slug":"calif-governor-s-race-spotlights-becerra-s-lgbtq-advocacy","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T16:50:55.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/15/calif-governors-race-spotlights-becerras-lgbtq-advocacy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=calif-governors-race-spotlights-becerras-lgbtq-advocacy","excerpt":"California voters selected its two front runners for the state's open governor seat following the second election of Gavin Newsom. Last week former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra became the Democratic nominee for governor, setting up a general election matchup against Rep","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joe Reberkenny"},{"archiveId":"e1folh","id":"e1folh","title":"Psychologist says Trump is the sickest person he has ever seen","slug":"psychologist-says-trump-is-the-sickest-person-he-has-ever-seen","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-psychologist-says-is-the-sickest-person-he-has-ever-seen/","excerpt":"Dr. John Gartner, a medical professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and psychology expert, says that Donald Trump is in the worst health he has seen in his decades-long career. \"In 40 years of clinical practice and almost 30 years of teaching psychiatric residents, I've never encoun","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2622644199.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"ad5zkn","id":"ad5zkn","title":"Nancy Mace & Sarah McBride show that the biggest fights are still to come","slug":"nancy-mace-sarah-mcbride-show-that-the-biggest-fights-are-still-to-come","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/nancy-mace-sarah-mcbride-show-that-the-biggest-fights-are-still-to-come/","excerpt":"Noted anti-trans Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) lost the Republican primary for South Carolina governor in a truly decisive defeat, coming in fifth place. But the pain and policy that she has brought with her rhetoric still remains and can’t be expected to go out the door with her when she leaves Congress i","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-15-jun-2026-04-49-pm-9613.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"gctu4d","id":"gctu4d","title":"UFC fighter says ‘Michelle Obama is a man’ at White House event","slug":"ufc-fighter-says-michelle-obama-is-a-man-at-white-house-event","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T15:58:29.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/15/josh-hokit-ufc-fighter-says-michelle-obama-man-white-house/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=josh-hokit-ufc-fighter-says-michelle-obama-man-white-house","excerpt":"UFC fighter Josh Hokit, in a crude post-match stunt, told podcaster Joe Rogan that, “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right America?” The incident occurred as part of President Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 event held on the White House lawn on Sunday night. Hokit won his fight then gave an interview to Roga","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"31xt19","id":"31xt19","title":"Republicans are now mad at James Talarico for opposing gender-affirming care for minors","slug":"republicans-are-now-mad-at-james-talarico-for-opposing-gender-affirming-care-for-minors","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/republicans-are-now-mad-at-james-talarico-for-opposing-gender-affirming-care-for-minors/","excerpt":"After weeks of calling Democratic state Rep. and Senate candidate James Talarico transgender, gay, and feminine for supporting LGBTQ+ rights, he's now facing criticism from Republicans for walking back his support. Republicans have spent weeks saying that Talarico is himself \"transitioning to a woma","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-15-jun-2026-11-57-am-956.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.51%2C0.24%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"e1mxin","id":"e1mxin","title":"This John Waters interview has been edited for readability — but perhaps not human decency","slug":"this-john-waters-interview-has-been-edited-for-readability-but-perhaps-not-human-decency","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T14:08:44.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/15/this-john-waters-interview-has-been-edited-for-readability-but-perhaps-not-human-decency/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-john-waters-interview-has-been-edited-for-readability-but-perhaps-not-human-decency","excerpt":"By WESLEY CASE | At 80 years old, John Waters is still the ideal dinner guest — incisively sharp, quick-witted and funny as hell. The chic Baltimore native proved it again and again in a recent Zoom interview, calling from his summer home in Provincetown, Mass. The occasion was the Blu-ray releases ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Baltimore Banner"},{"archiveId":"xp2fzi","id":"xp2fzi","title":"Military junta in Niger bans homosexuality with 5 to 10 years in prison","slug":"military-junta-in-niger-bans-homosexuality-with-5-to-10-years-in-prison","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/military-junta-in-niger-bans-homosexuality-with-5-to-10-years-in/","excerpt":"The military junta that took over the Sahara nation of Niger in 2023 announced the country's new penal code last Friday. The new penal code criminalizes homosexuality and imposes a prison sentence of five to ten years. The AP notes that homosexuality wasn't formally illegal in Niger before 2025, but","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-1458369101-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"eqi4aa","id":"eqi4aa","title":"Trump is already planning how to sow chaos if Republicans lose in November","slug":"trump-is-already-planning-how-to-sow-chaos-if-republicans-lose-in-november","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/is-already-planning-how-to-sow-chaos-if-republicans-lose-in-november/","excerpt":"The primaries in California took place almost two weeks ago, but the election is far from over. For Republicans who see a landslide for Democrats heading their way in November, the Los Angeles mayoral race has become the template for undermining the results. California primaries for state and local ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fimg-4860.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1179%2C621%2C0.53%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"John Gallagher"},{"archiveId":"jqbbaz","id":"jqbbaz","title":"There is no Pride in detention","slug":"there-is-no-pride-in-detention","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/15/there-is-no-pride-in-detention/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=there-is-no-pride-in-detention","excerpt":"“There Is No Pride in Detention” is the name of a campaign led by Rainbow Migration, the British organization to which I contribute as part of an advisory panel. The campaign, launched during Pride Month, highlights the fact that an unknown number of LGBTQ people are held in immigration detention in","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Ayman Eckford"},{"archiveId":"9ysg0r","id":"9ysg0r","title":"Remember when police arrested 201 men in a raid on an alleged “gay spa?” A judge released them all.","slug":"remember-when-police-arrested-201-men-in-a-raid-on-an-alleged-gay-spa-a-judge-released-them-all","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-police-arrested-201-men-in-a-raid-on-an-alleged-gay-spa-a-judge-released-them-all/","excerpt":"A raid by Malaysian authorities on an alleged \"gay spa\" in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur late last month saw over 200 individuals arrested, but ultimately yielded no convictions under colonial-era prohibitions on \"carnal knowledge\" between men. Local police carried out the joint raid with the Fed","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F12%2Fshutterstock-2558473629-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"jqv9ho","id":"jqv9ho","title":"UFC fighter says, \"Michelle Obama is a man!\" at White House Freedom 250 event","slug":"ufc-fighter-says-michelle-obama-is-a-man-at-white-house-freedom-250-event","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-15T12:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ufc-fighter-says-michelle-obama-is-a-man-at-white-house-freedom-250-event/","excerpt":"After Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitor Josh Hokit won his heavyweight fight against Derrick Lewis during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House lawn on Sunday night, he concluded his victory interview with popular transphobic broadcaster Joe Rogan by declaring, “And lastly, Mich","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-28712419-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.56%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"n3jilf","id":"n3jilf","title":"PHOTOS: Pride on the Pier","slug":"photos-pride-on-the-pier","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-15T00:24:16.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/14/photos-pride-on-the-pier-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-pride-on-the-pier-2026","excerpt":"The Washington Blade held the seventh annual Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC on Saturday, June 13. (Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford) The post PHOTOS: Pride on the Pier appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260613_Pride_on_the_Pier_insert_5_c_Washington_Blade_by_Landon_Shackelford.jpg","author":"Landon Shackelford"},{"archiveId":"v2v3a9","id":"v2v3a9","title":"New Africa \"charter\" attempts to impose Christian nationalist ideology across the continent","slug":"new-africa-charter-attempts-to-impose-christian-nationalist-ideology-across-the-continent","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/new-africa-charter-attempts-to-impose-christian-nationalist-ideology-across-the-continent/","excerpt":"In Ghana last week, participants from 20 African nations advanced the latest iteration of the African Inter-Parliamentary “Family, Sovereignty and Values” Charter, a document African rights activists say threatens to dismantle protections for women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people in service of a Christian","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fshutterstock-455882905-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.45%2C0.39%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"2zkk0j","id":"2zkk0j","title":"PHOTOS: Lost River Pride","slug":"photos-lost-river-pride","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-14T20:48:57.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/14/photos-lost-river-pride/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-lost-river-pride","excerpt":"The 2026 Lost River Pride Festival was held on the scenic grounds of the Lost River Farmers Market in Lost City, W.Va. on Saturday, June 13. Headliner Tom Goss performed at the festival and gave a second performance at the nearby Guesthouse Lost River. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key) View o","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260613_Lost_River_Pride_insert_1_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg","author":"Michael Key"},{"archiveId":"1to0qf","id":"1to0qf","title":"\"Crybully\": Republicans share how they really feel about Nancy Mace after her primary loss","slug":"crybully-republicans-share-how-they-really-feel-about-nancy-mace-after-her-primary-loss","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/crybully-republicans-share-how-they-really-feel-about-nancy-mace-after-her-primary-loss/","excerpt":"Notorious transphobe Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) lost in her state’s Republican gubernatorial primary earlier this week, coming in 5th place as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff. And now, Republicans who worked closely with her are speaking out about why she is ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F08%2Fusatsi-26209115.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D812%2C427%2C0.53%2C0.37%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"628506","id":"628506","title":"Stonewall veteran busts myths: It wasn't about Judy Garland, it was \"a revolution\"","slug":"stonewall-veteran-busts-myths-it-wasn-t-about-judy-garland-it-was-a-revolution","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/stonewall-veteran-busts-myths-it-wasnt-about-judy-garland-it-was-a-revolution/","excerpt":"Mark Segal was a witness to history and a participant on \"just another night out\" at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. The soon-to-be activist was just 18 when he arrived in New York City a few weeks before from his hometown in Philadelphia. He discovered Greenwich Village not long after, and \"nir","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmark-segal-on-microphone-e1781140972315.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1588%2C836%2C0.51%2C0.39%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"703do5","id":"703do5","title":"David Archuleta on Mormon faith, ‘Idol,’ more in new book","slug":"david-archuleta-on-mormon-faith-idol-more-in-new-book","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T16:11:36.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/14/devout-david-archuleta-book-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=devout-david-archuleta-book-review","excerpt":"‘Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself’By David Archuletac.2026, Gallery Books$29/290 pages So just make up your mind already. The decision is very much in your control – or, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be. It’ll be your future, your path, and seizing it may not just be necessary, but mand","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2023%2F01%2FBuy_the_Book_button.jpg","author":"Terri Schlichenmeyer"},{"archiveId":"6piyub","id":"6piyub","title":"The advantages of owning your home","slug":"the-advantages-of-owning-your-home","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-14T15:51:24.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/14/real-estate-advantages-homeownership/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=real-estate-advantages-homeownership","excerpt":"While one would hope it’s easy to calculate a break-even point for a home purchase – such as you could calculate for “how many widgets a month do I need to sell to break even?” It’s not always easy when looking at the return on investment for a home purchase. Condo buildings can lose a view due to n","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joseph Hudson"},{"archiveId":"dv7jh1","id":"dv7jh1","title":"‘Suffs’ an entertaining chronicle of battle to pass 19th Amendment","slug":"suffs-an-entertaining-chronicle-of-battle-to-pass-19th-amendment","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T15:41:29.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/14/suffs-national-theatre-gwynne-wood/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=suffs-national-theatre-gwynne-wood","excerpt":"‘Suffs’June 16 – 28National Theatre1321 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.$115 and upBroadwayatthenational.com Poised to kick off a two-week run at D.C.’s National Theatre (June 16-28), “Suffs,” the Tony Award-winning musical written by Shaina Taub, promises an entertaining chronicle of what was the arduous po","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Patrick Folliard"},{"archiveId":"lg8afl","id":"lg8afl","title":"It's Flag Day… so why don't we celebrate our flags?","slug":"it-s-flag-day-so-why-don-t-we-celebrate-our-flags","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/its-flag-day-so-why-dont-we-celebrate-our-flags/","excerpt":"June 14 is Flag Day. That's right, smack in the middle of Pride Month – which celebrates a community that absolutely adores flags – there is a day celebrating a flag. I'm not the first person to notice this. A sketch in season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired in 2021, noticed it too. The challe","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fflag-day-factory.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.53%2C0.2%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"2s395k","id":"2s395k","title":"Remember when Jeffrey Epstein photos showed Trump with victims & Trump-branded condoms?","slug":"remember-when-jeffrey-epstein-photos-showed-trump-with-victims-trump-branded-condoms","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-jeffrey-epstein-photos-showed-with-victims-branded-condoms/","excerpt":"Democrats on the House Oversight Committee today released photographs from the Jeffrey Epstein estate confirming the close ties President Donald Trump had to the late child sex trafficker, and documenting his proximity to the young women who were victimized. Committee Democrats released 19 photos re","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F12%2Ftrump-epstein-house-oversight-democrats-e1765560266365.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"hvtqm9","id":"hvtqm9","title":"Hate killer convicted, Nancy Mace loses everything & trans designer makes history","slug":"hate-killer-convicted-nancy-mace-loses-everything-trans-designer-makes-history","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-14T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/hate-convicted-nancy-mace-loses-everything-trans-designer-makes-history/","excerpt":"O'Shae Sibley's killer found guilty on hate crime charges What he was convicted of: Dmitriy Popov, who stabbed gay dancer O’Shae Sibley to death in 2023, was found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment because of race or religion. Why it","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-12-jun-2026-11-58-am-3446.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"1lvase","id":"1lvase","title":"Nancy Pelosi refused to remove trans rights from landmark Hate Crimes Act despite pressure","slug":"nancy-pelosi-refused-to-remove-trans-rights-from-landmark-hate-crimes-act-despite-pressure","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-13T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/nancy-pelosi-refused-to-remove-trans-rights-from-landmark-hate-crimes-act-despite-pressure/","excerpt":"House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is set to retire in 2027 and recently spoke about her decades-long career advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. “Anything that we accomplished, whether it was fighting HIV and AIDS, ending discrimination, passing hate crimes legislation, or ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F08%2Fdnc-2024-nancy-pelosi-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"uew1qc","id":"uew1qc","title":"Gay dad goes viral for honest reflection on raising a straight son","slug":"gay-dad-goes-viral-for-honest-reflection-on-raising-a-straight-son","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-13T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gay-dad-goes-viral-for-honest-reflection-on-raising-a-straight-son/","excerpt":"A gay dad's thoughts on the trials and tribulations of raising a straight son went viral last week as parents across the internet connected to his feelings. The Brazil-based father posted in Portuguese under the handle @cleccio. According to X's translation, he opened by saying that being the gay da","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2257738371-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"3df1st","id":"3df1st","title":"Trump wants to boot trans people from a lifesaving program. Queer health groups are fighting back.","slug":"trump-wants-to-boot-trans-people-from-a-lifesaving-program-queer-health-groups-are-fighting-back","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-13T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/wants-to-boot-trans-people-from-a-lifesaving-program-queer-health-groups-are-fighting-back/","excerpt":"National HIV medical associations and providers are challenging the Trump administration's new federal funding guidelines that target transgender identity assisted by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The new regulations bar organizations that access the decades-old program, including several of the ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F01%2Fshutterstock-2711671719-1544x1029-1.webp%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"3uy35v","id":"3uy35v","title":"Remember when a 13-year-old girl bit Trump’s genitals, according to Epstein documents?","slug":"remember-when-a-13-year-old-girl-bit-trump-s-genitals-according-to-epstein-documents","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-13T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-remember-when-a-13-year-old-girl-bit-trumps-genitals-according-to-epstein-documents/","excerpt":"President Donald Trump was accused of trying to orally rape a 13- to 14-year-old girl who then bit his genitals, according to an unproven allegation contained among the 3.5 million pages of investigatory files connected to deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, released today by the Departme","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2021%2F05%2Floser-trump.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.35%2C0.37%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"79gmgw","id":"79gmgw","title":"A trans man donated his eggs to his sister. The pics of him holding his nephew will melt your heart.","slug":"a-trans-man-donated-his-eggs-to-his-sister-the-pics-of-him-holding-his-nephew-will-melt-your-heart","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-13T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-trans-man-donated-his-eggs-to-his-sister-the-pics-of-him-holding-his-nephew-will-melt-your-heart/","excerpt":"Here are this week’s most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this? Sign up for our Good News email. It's the second week of Pride Month, and we've got a great mixed bag of rainbow-colored goodies for you to enjoy in this week'","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-09-jun-2026-11-44-am-2025-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.43%2C0.29%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"4q93ha","id":"4q93ha","title":"The GOP's \"Family month\" declarations are the new \"All Lives Matter\"","slug":"the-gop-s-family-month-declarations-are-the-new-all-lives-matter","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-12T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/the-gops-family-month-declarations-are-the-new-all-lives-matter/","excerpt":"This article is offered exclusively to members, those who contribute monthly or annually to LGBTQ Nation.View this article on LGBTQ Nation to learn more or log in to continue reading.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-28632217.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2196%2C1156%2C0.52%2C0.37%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"isqj1q","id":"isqj1q","title":"PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch","slug":"photos-the-audacity-brunch","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-12T21:03:32.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/12/photos-capital-pride-honors-audacity-brunch-fuchsia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-capital-pride-honors-audacity-brunch-fuchsia","excerpt":"The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at \"The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia\" at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7. (Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford) The post PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ Ne","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260607_Capital_Pride_Audacity_Brunch_insert_2_c_Washington_Blade_by_Landon_Shackelford.jpg","author":"Landon Shackelford"},{"archiveId":"cvwfmh","id":"cvwfmh","title":"Gay writer says, \"Bombing Iran is the perfect way to celebrate Pride.\" Commenters disagree.","slug":"gay-writer-says-bombing-iran-is-the-perfect-way-to-celebrate-pride-commenters-disagree","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T20:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gay-writer-says-is-the-perfect-way-to-celebrate-pride-commenters-disagree/","excerpt":"British-Jewish journalist Jonathan Sacerdoti authored an article entitled, \"Bombing Iran is the perfect way to celebrate Pride.\" While the article's title has since been changed to, \"Bombing Iran’s evil regime is a point of Pride for Israel\", in it he praises Israel's missile strikes against \"the ho","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2018%2F06%2FIsraeli-rainbow-flag.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.7%2C0.61%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"mxgf2w","id":"mxgf2w","title":"D.C. Council approves expanded grant funding for Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs","slug":"d-c-council-approves-expanded-grant-funding-for-mayor-s-office-of-lgbtq-affairs","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T20:16:12.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/12/dc-council-approves-expanded-grant-funding-lgbtq-affairs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dc-council-approves-expanded-grant-funding-lgbtq-affairs","excerpt":"The D.C. Council on June 9 gave its first round of approval to an amendment to the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget that calls for increasing the number and size of funding grants that the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides for local organizations providing services for the LGBTQ community. The ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"c8vxy4","id":"c8vxy4","title":"David Hockney, pioneering gay artist known for bright & playful works, dies at age 88","slug":"david-hockney-pioneering-gay-artist-known-for-bright-playful-works-dies-at-age-88","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/david-hockney-pioneering-gay-artist-known-for-bright-playful-works-dies-at-age-88/","excerpt":"David Hockney, the pioneering gay artist best known for his portraits of male desire in mid-century settings, has died. He was 88. His cause of death is not yet publicly known. The British artist, who, along with compatriots Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud, was uncompromising in his depictions of gay","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-374496367-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"10kr51","id":"10kr51","title":"\"I’ve been crying all day\": Ten years after Pulse, survivors gather to honor the dead","slug":"i-ve-been-crying-all-day-ten-years-after-pulse-survivors-gather-to-honor-the-dead","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ive-been-crying-all-day-ten-years-after-pulse-survivors-gather-to-honor-the/","excerpt":"Ten years after the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub, survivors, family and friends of the 49 victims are gathering in Orlando to honor the dead. Several events around the city will pay tribute to those lost in what was then the largest mass shooting in American history. 58 clubgoers at the Latin-th","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2017%2F02%2Fpulse-memorial.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"319ves","id":"319ves","title":"\"He clearly doesn't care\"; Pete Buttigieg slams Trump for saying he loves inflation","slug":"he-clearly-doesn-t-care-pete-buttigieg-slams-trump-for-saying-he-loves-inflation","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T18:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-he-clearly-doesnt-care-pete-buttigieg-slams-for-saying-he-loves-inflation/","excerpt":"Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg slammed Donald Trump for saying that he loves inflation. \"We have a president and a White House that clearly don't care,\" Buttigieg said in a video posted to social media. Related Pete Buttigieg will be the next president. Here's why. Buttigieg was r","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F11%2Fmixcollage-11-nov-2025-04-13-pm-7108.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"fnyr8e","id":"fnyr8e","title":"Judge upholds decision to keep anti-trans referendum off Maine's ballot this year","slug":"judge-upholds-decision-to-keep-anti-trans-referendum-off-maine-s-ballot-this-year","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/judge-upholds-decision-to-keep-anti-trans-referendum-off-maines-ballot-this-year/","excerpt":"A state judge in Maine agreed on Thursday that \"Protect Girls' Sports,\" an anti-transgender activist group, tried to get a referendum on sports participation on the ballot this fall but failed to collect enough valid signatures. Earlier this year, Protect Girls' Sports, a campaign that was bankrolle","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F04%2Fshutterstock-1743337607-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"1yeos2","id":"1yeos2","title":"\"He is so insane\": Trump claims 6 states steal children & force \"transgender mutilization\" on them","slug":"he-is-so-insane-trump-claims-6-states-steal-children-force-transgender-mutilization-on-them","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/he-is-so-insane-claims-6-states-steal-children-force-transgender-mutilization-on-them/","excerpt":"During a press event at the Oval Office on Thursday, Donald Trump claimed that there are six states that are taking people's children and forcing them to transition, leaving people wondering if Trump was lying or if he had lost his mind, since this is not happening anywhere. \"No men in women's sport","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fshutterstock-2735597871-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.61%2C0.47%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"3rgpvd","id":"3rgpvd","title":"Bud Light sponsors Trump’s UFC cage fight 3 years after MAGA boycotted over trans influencer video","slug":"bud-light-sponsors-trump-s-ufc-cage-fight-3-years-after-maga-boycotted-over-trans-influencer-video","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/bud-light-sponsors-trumps-ufc-cage-fight-3-years-after-boycotted-over-trans-influencer-video/","excerpt":"Bud Light has gone from sponsoring Pride events in major U.S. cities to sponsoring the Trump administration’s UFC cage match on the White House lawn. Three years after a one-off Instagram video partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney sparked a MAGA boycott, the brand’s logo will appea","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F06%2Fdylan-mulvaney-bud-light-video.webp%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"15pz9n","id":"15pz9n","title":"Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves","slug":"congressional-cemetery-hosts-gays-graves","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-12T16:47:38.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/12/congressional-cemetery-hosts-gays-and-graves/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=congressional-cemetery-hosts-gays-and-graves","excerpt":"Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m. The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Tinashe Chingarande"},{"archiveId":"p306ji","id":"p306ji","title":"Baltimore Pride is here","slug":"baltimore-pride-is-here","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-12T16:38:59.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/12/baltimore-pride-is-here/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baltimore-pride-is-here","excerpt":"Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14. The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Pa","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Tinashe Chingarande"},{"archiveId":"yc112i","id":"yc112i","title":"Calendar: June 12-18","slug":"calendar-june-12-18","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-12T16:33:58.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/12/lgbtq-events-calendar-june-12-18/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lgbtq-events-calendar-june-12-18","excerpt":"Friday, June 12 Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. Women in the","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Tinashe Chingarande"},{"archiveId":"awwt9d","id":"awwt9d","title":"Anti-LGBTQ+ group praises GOP gov. for signing \"Family month\" declaration","slug":"anti-lgbtq-group-praises-gop-gov-for-signing-family-month-declaration","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/anti-lgbtq-group-praises-gop-gov-for-signing-family-month-declaration/","excerpt":"Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed a proclamation on June 3 designating this month as \"Marriage and Family Month.\" His proclamation makes his state just the latest among several red states that have recently tried to give Pride Month a conservative and anti-LGBTQ+ rebranding. “The nuclear family, c","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-23350663.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1815%2C955%2C0.48%2C0.38%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"z0y49g","id":"z0y49g","title":"Gender-bending buddy film gets 4K restoration for 25th anniversary","slug":"gender-bending-buddy-film-gets-4k-restoration-for-25th-anniversary","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T16:12:31.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/12/by-hook-or-by-crook-lgbtq-movie-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=by-hook-or-by-crook-lgbtq-movie-review","excerpt":"If you think the idea of a movie about two gender-nonconforming buddies embarking on an anti-establishment crime spree feels dangerously radical in 2026, just think how it must have felt 25 years ago. That’s when “By Hook or By Crook,” a DIY independent film shot in low-tech “Mini-DV” format by a pa","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"John Paul King"},{"archiveId":"naoynz","id":"naoynz","title":"Happy Straight Pride Month! Wait… let me double check my notes","slug":"happy-straight-pride-month-wait-let-me-double-check-my-notes","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/happy-straight-pride-month-wait-let-me-double-check-my-notes/","excerpt":"It’s finally that time of year, when we celebrate \"Straight Pride!\" And frankly, it’s about time. For centuries, heterosexual people have been oppressed, marginalized, and forced to live in the shadows of a ruthlessly queer-dominated world. It’s time we address this glaring inequality and finally ce","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-11-at-23539pm-e1781206649252.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D2146%2C1129%2C0.49%2C0.73%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Shaley Howard"},{"archiveId":"17gtwz","id":"17gtwz","title":"\"Crying in my arms\": People are moved to tears as these dads come to Pride to play catch","slug":"crying-in-my-arms-people-are-moved-to-tears-as-these-dads-come-to-pride-to-play-catch","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-12T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/crying-in-my-arms-people-are-moved-to-tears-as-these-dads-come-to-pride-to-play-catch/","excerpt":"LGBTQ Nation will be sharing your pictures of Pride throughout May and June. Submit your own if you want to be included! Over seven years and thousands of tossed balls, \"Play Catch With a Dad\" has become a ubiquitous part of Pride celebrations everywhere. John Piermatteo started the sessions in 2019","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fplay-catch-w-a-dad-st-louis-cardinals.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"h76dez","id":"h76dez","title":"James Talarico slams Republicans for focusing on his gender: \"Here's what real men don't do…\"","slug":"james-talarico-slams-republicans-for-focusing-on-his-gender-here-s-what-real-men-don-t-do","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/james-talarico-slams-republicans-for-focusing-on-his-gender-heres-what-real-men-dont-do/","excerpt":"Republicans are making accusations of being gay, trans, or just not masculine enough, the central issue in the Senate race in Texas this year, accusing state Rep. and Democratic candidate James Talarico of being too light in his loafers because he supports trans people's rights and because he is, ac","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Ftalarico-psaki.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.5%2C0.21%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"p1327d","id":"p1327d","title":"Judge denies class action lawsuit to challenge DOJ's collection of trans kids' medical information","slug":"judge-denies-class-action-lawsuit-to-challenge-doj-s-collection-of-trans-kids-medical-information","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/judge-denies-class-action-to-challenge-dojs-collection-of-trans-kids-medical-information/","excerpt":"Maryland District Court Judge Julie Rubin has denied a request to turn a challenge against one of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) requests for trans youth's private health information into a class action lawsuit, which would have allowed the case to quash the subpoenas seeking private health recor","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fjulie-rubin-judge.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1170%2C616%2C0.54%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"dyu1bc","id":"dyu1bc","title":"Ted Cruz tried to insult James Talarico's masculinity. It backfired immediately.","slug":"ted-cruz-tried-to-insult-james-talarico-s-masculinity-it-backfired-immediately","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-12T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ted-cruz-tried-to-insult-james-talaricos-masculinity-it-backfired-immediately/","excerpt":"Since Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) became the state Democratic Party's nominee for U.S. Senate, the GOP has focused almost exclusively on discrediting him by attacking his masculinity and accusing him of being gay or trans. And the jabs don't seem to be slowing down. Earlier this week, Sen. T","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2186937149.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.5%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"woi7e1","id":"woi7e1","title":"Trump's biggest & worst lies aren't about the \"rigged\" 2020 election","slug":"trump-s-biggest-worst-lies-aren-t-about-the-rigged-2020-election","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/trumps-biggest-worst-lies-arent-about-the-rigged-2020-election/","excerpt":"In his June 9 interview with Kristen Welker on NBC’s Meet the Press, Donald Trump returned again to his loathsome “Big Lie” that he won the 2020 presidential election due to massive fraud in the states that declared Biden as the winner. Ever since November 3, 2020, Trump has sung this Faustian leitm","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2664739281-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.54%2C0.46%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"lk18u5","id":"lk18u5","title":"Everything Donald Trump is doing makes sense – if he’s dying","slug":"everything-donald-trump-is-doing-makes-sense-if-he-s-dying","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-12T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/everything-donald-is-doing-makes-sense-if-hes-dying-3/","excerpt":"It can be hard to work out what might be going through Donald Trump’s head at the best of times, but lately his actions have seemed to be increasingly bizarre and reckless. However, all of those actions become much easier to understand with one simple perspective shift: Trump knows he is dying, he d","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F10%2Fusatsi-27056372.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"j1tays","id":"j1tays","title":"German group slams White House’s LGBTQ rights record ahead of World Cup","slug":"german-group-slams-white-house-s-lgbtq-rights-record-ahead-of-world-cup","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T22:23:20.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/11/german-group-slams-white-houses-lgbtq-rights-record-ahead-of-world-cup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=german-group-slams-white-houses-lgbtq-rights-record-ahead-of-world-cup","excerpt":"A German advocacy group on the eve of the 2026 World Cup sharply criticized the Trump-Vance administration over its anti-LGBTQ policies. The World Cup will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico through July 19. The tournament began on Thursday in Mexico City with Mexico beating South Africa 2-0","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"2k1ylx","id":"2k1ylx","title":"School fires art professor after student complains about queer-related assignment","slug":"school-fires-art-professor-after-student-complains-about-queer-related-assignment","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/school-fires-art-professor-after-student-complains-about-queer-related-assignment/","excerpt":"The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) suspended tenured art therapy professor Savneet Talwar after a student complained about her assignment asking students to develop an ethical treatment plan for a hypothetical queer, Muslim woman living in the United States, The Guardian reported. The","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2023001951-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.46%2C0.05%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"y0epcp","id":"y0epcp","title":"Anti-LGBTQ+ MAGA candidate jailed for threatening to harm Black teenager","slug":"anti-lgbtq-maga-candidate-jailed-for-threatening-to-harm-black-teenager","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-11T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-anti-lgbtq-candidate-jailed-for-to-harm-black-teenager/","excerpt":"Jake Lang — a racist Republican candidate for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat who was jailed for allegedly assaulting Capitol Police officers during the January 6, 2021, riots — is in jail on a $1 million bond for allegedly \"making terroristic threats\" by threatening to harm a Black teenager. Police book","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F01%2Fscreenshot-2026-01-06-at-111406am.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"aro2jq","id":"aro2jq","title":"Giant inflatable of Elon Musk touts his role in producing child pornography","slug":"giant-inflatable-of-elon-musk-touts-his-role-in-producing-child-pornography","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/giant-inflatable-of-elon-musk-touts-his-role-in-producing-child/","excerpt":"A giant inflatable bust depicting the shirtless tattooed likeness of transphobic, white supremacist near-trillionaire Elon Musk appeared in New York City's Times Square on Thursday morning. Its appearance foreshadowed the Friday debut of Musk's space exploration company, SpaceX, on the NASDAQ, the d","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-11-at-55732pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1758%2C925%2C0.53%2C0.15%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"omonyb","id":"omonyb","title":"Queer businesses are cleverly fighting Trump's anti-immigrant raids","slug":"queer-businesses-are-cleverly-fighting-trump-s-anti-immigrant-raids","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/queer-businesses-are-cleverly-fighting-trumps-anti-immigrant-raids/","excerpt":"Community advocacy, protest, and mutual aid weren't new concepts for queer businesses and their employees before Donald Trump unleashed Operation Metro Surge on Minnesota late last year. When the brutal immigration raids began, queer businesses were as ready as they could be for the chaos, financial","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fshutterstock-2740049869-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"aqmq58","id":"aqmq58","title":"Pete Buttigieg drops yet another hint suggesting his 2028 presidential run","slug":"pete-buttigieg-drops-yet-another-hint-suggesting-his-2028-presidential-run","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-11T20:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/pete-buttigieg-drops-yet-another-hint-suggesting-his-2028-presidential-run/","excerpt":"Out former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's upcoming speaking gig is amping up speculation that he'll run for president in 2028. He is the scheduled keynote speaker for the Iowa Democratic Party's Liberty & Justice dinner on July 12, the state party's largest event of the year, and one","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F04%2Fbuttigiegflagrant.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2335%2C1229%2C0.5%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"l5oeep","id":"l5oeep","title":"Wanna pee in Idaho? First, get a forced DNA test to prove your gender, state GOP lawyer suggests","slug":"wanna-pee-in-idaho-first-get-a-forced-dna-test-to-prove-your-gender-state-gop-lawyer-suggests","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/wanna-pee-in-idaho-first-get-a-forced-dna-test-to-prove-your-gender-state-gop-lawyer-suggests/","excerpt":"A recent court hearing on a lawsuit brought by six transgender Idahoans against the state's latest bathroom bill has revealed just how unworkable the draconian new law would be. In fact, to enforce it, an attorney for the red state said restroom users might need to undergo forced DNA testing. House ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2745437721.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.62%2C0.28%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"pk7dhs","id":"pk7dhs","title":"MAGA hate pastors say female teachers cause men to become gay","slug":"maga-hate-pastors-say-female-teachers-cause-men-to-become-gay","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/hate-pastors-say-female-teachers-cause-men-to-become-gay/","excerpt":"Christian nationalist hate pastor Joel Webbon — a man who blames Jewish people for all social evils, thinks marijuana makes men \"spiritually gay,\" and thinks Adolf Hitler wasn’t so bad after all — and the co-hosts of his Right Response broadcast said in a June 9 episode that female public school tea","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F06%2Fjoel-webbon.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"ze0lrm","id":"ze0lrm","title":"Jaw-dropping 1,000-foot Pride banners kicked off this city's Pride weekend: \"Symbol of hope\"","slug":"jaw-dropping-1-000-foot-pride-banners-kicked-off-this-city-s-pride-weekend-symbol-of-hope","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/jaw-dropping-1000-foot-pride-banners-kicked-off-this-citys-pride-weekend-symbol-of-hope/","excerpt":"Several banners forming a 1,000-foot Progress Pride flag covered the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art last Friday morning as activists with Philly Pride 365, the city's lead Pride event organizer, marked the start of the city's Pride Month celebrations. The city held its official Pride parade","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-08-at-54457pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1388%2C731%2C0.48%2C0.29%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"9kcis6","id":"9kcis6","title":"Ron DeSantis declares June \"Faith & Family Month\" to honor \"Christian faith\" & \"Biblical\" families","slug":"ron-desantis-declares-june-faith-family-month-to-honor-christian-faith-biblical-families","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T18:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ron-desantis-declares-june-faith-family-month-to-honor-christian-faith-biblical-families/","excerpt":"Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has joined the growing trend of red states bucking Pride Month to celebrate \"traditional\" families. The anti-LGBTQ+ governor – who branded his state \"the place where woke goes to die\" – released a proclamation declaring June as Faith and Family Month. The proclamation c","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F02%2Fusatsi-25409391-168404765-lowres-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.47%2C0.2%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"jckia1","id":"jckia1","title":"How Vic Michaelis Keeps a Straight Face on ‘Very Important People’ — Most of the Time","slug":"how-vic-michaelis-keeps-a-straight-face-on-very-important-people-most-of-the-time","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-11T18:08:34.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/vic-michaelis-very-important-people-ponies-comedian-interview","excerpt":"The Dropout TV star talks to Them about interviewing extravagantly made-over comedians and acting in Ponies.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2af36df34d4a4595fbb05a%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FVic%2520Headshot%25201.jpg","author":"Ana Osorno"},{"archiveId":"ntevtn","id":"ntevtn","title":"British miners & LGBTQ+ activists have a strong & enduring alliance. Here's how it all began.","slug":"british-miners-lgbtq-activists-have-a-strong-enduring-alliance-here-s-how-it-all-began","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/british-miners-lgbtq-activists-have-a-strong-enduring-alliance-heres-how-it-all-began/","excerpt":"A new musical currently playing at London’s National Theatre recounts the extraordinary story of an unlikely alliance between the U.K.’s South Wales coal mining communities and LGBTQ+ activists, a relationship that still holds strong today. A stage adaptation of the Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-11-at-104800am-scaled-e1781193002112.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D2250%2C1184%2C0.47%2C0.25%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"cbclsa","id":"cbclsa","title":"Trans sheriff's deputy settles health care lawsuit after 7 years of legal battle","slug":"trans-sheriff-s-deputy-settles-health-care-lawsuit-after-7-years-of-legal-battle","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/trans-sheriffs-deputy-settles-health-care-after-7-years-of-legal-battle/","excerpt":"After seven years, sheriff’s deputy Anna Lange and Houston County, Georgia, have reached a settlement in the case over the county’s health insurance excluding gender-affirming services. The legal case and the county’s push to exclude trans health care are estimated to have cost the county over $2 mi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2022%2F06%2Fanna-lange-1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"4jmaad","id":"4jmaad","title":"“Young Man, I Don’t Have All Day”: 30 Years of wit and wisdom from the great Barney Frank","slug":"young-man-i-don-t-have-all-day-30-years-of-wit-and-wisdom-from-the-great-barney-frank","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-11T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/young-man-i-dont-have-all-day-30-years-of-wit-and-wisdom-from-the-great-barney-frank/","excerpt":"This article is offered exclusively to members, those who contribute monthly or annually to LGBTQ Nation.View this article on LGBTQ Nation to learn more or log in to continue reading.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2021%2F10%2FBarney-Frank.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Chris Bull"},{"archiveId":"592734","id":"592734","title":"Marlow Trottie, Trans Woman and “Sweetest Person,” Killed in Louisiana","slug":"marlow-trottie-trans-woman-and-sweetest-person-killed-in-louisiana","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-11T16:57:31.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/marlow-trottie-trans-woman-and-sweetest-person-killed-in-louisiana","excerpt":"Trottie, 35, was found killed in Alexandria on June 8.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2af30395bb2a8cea6afdc5%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F274612220_134974115689800_4112735934684383622_n.jpg","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"e2juk1","id":"e2juk1","title":"Gay 1920s-era Hollywood star to be honored in Staunton, Va.","slug":"gay-1920s-era-hollywood-star-to-be-honored-in-staunton-va","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T16:55:24.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/11/william-billy-haines-honored-staunton-virginia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=william-billy-haines-honored-staunton-virginia","excerpt":"A project is underway in Staunton, Va., to honor William ‘Billy’ Haines, who was born and raised in Staunton before becoming an out gay 1920s and early 1930s-era Hollywood movie star whose acting career ended around 1934 when he refused demands that he conceal his sexual orientation and end his rela","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"yzmahs","id":"yzmahs","title":"Fox host rages at mindblowing videos of LGBTQ+ people dancing","slug":"fox-host-rages-at-mindblowing-videos-of-lgbtq-people-dancing","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/fox-host-rages-at-mindblowing-videos-of-lgbtq-people-dancing/","excerpt":"Fox host Jesse Watters wanted to make his audience mad about Pride Month, but he had an odd way of doing it: by showing amazing videos of queer people dancing. Watters started the segment with what he described – apparently derogatorily? – as a \"gay dance fiesta,\" referring to a short dance number o","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fpride-salsa-party-scaled.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.48%2C0.26%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"o176lg","id":"o176lg","title":"Straight Pride Month would finally help cishet people feel like they belong","slug":"straight-pride-month-would-finally-help-cishet-people-feel-like-they-belong","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/straight-pride-month-would-finally-help-cishet-people-feel-like-they-belong/","excerpt":"As we kick off June’s Pride activities, many cis-hetero Christian nationalists are feeling dejected. So, in their attempts to reclaim the month, many Republican governors have pushed “counterprogramming” by labeling June as “Nuclear Family Month” in Indiana and Tennessee, “Strong Families Month” in ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2473263361-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.53%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"n2pwlp","id":"n2pwlp","title":"The right is trying to overturn marriage equality. That will hurt LGBTQ+ families.","slug":"the-right-is-trying-to-overturn-marriage-equality-that-will-hurt-lgbtq-families","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/the-right-is-trying-to-overturn-marriage-equality-that-will-hurt-lgbtq-families/","excerpt":"Across much of America, marriage equality is widely accepted and recognized as a fundamental right. More than a decade after the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry, LGBTQ+ families across America have flourished. Study after study ha","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fjwilson-headshot.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Jordan Wilson"},{"archiveId":"dsf0dq","id":"dsf0dq","title":"Republicans Cannot Stop Generating Images of James Talarico as a Woman","slug":"republicans-cannot-stop-generating-images-of-james-talarico-as-a-woman","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-11T15:24:53.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/james-talarico-greg-abbott-aoc-election-image-attack-ads","excerpt":"Obsessed much?","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2acdebf703926413254994%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Ftalaricoads.jpg","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"llukao","id":"llukao","title":"Hank Heaven Has Masculinity on Their Mind","slug":"hank-heaven-has-masculinity-on-their-mind","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-11T15:01:00.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/hank-heaven-thread-music-video-music-boxing","excerpt":"The singer-songwriter talks with Them about their new song “Thread” — and why it marks a “turning point.”","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a299e02f283ad56dcb97c2b%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F000031380023.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"jmv068","id":"jmv068","title":"Two nuns hated each other when they first met in a convent. Then they gave it all up & fell in love.","slug":"two-nuns-hated-each-other-when-they-first-met-in-a-convent-then-they-gave-it-all-up-fell-in-love","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-11T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/two-nuns-hated-each-other-when-they-first-met-in-a-convent-then-they-gave-it-all-up-fell-in-love/","excerpt":"Former nuns Francília Costa and Luiza Silvério hated each other when they first met at a convent in their early twenties. But after years of navigating mental health challenges that led them both to give up their habits, they discovered those strong feelings were actually love. \"Believe it or not,\" ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-11-jun-2026-06-30-am-3446-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.53%2C0.25%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"x5vit1","id":"x5vit1","title":"\"Unforgivable\": Marjorie Taylor Greene brands Donald Trump a traitor over Epstein files","slug":"unforgivable-marjorie-taylor-greene-brands-donald-trump-a-traitor-over-epstein-files","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-11T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-unforgivable-marjorie-taylor-greene-brands-donald-a-traitor-over-epstein-files/","excerpt":"Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) branded Donald Trump a \"traitor\" to the American people due to his attempts to cover up the Epstein files. CNN's Kaitlan Collins asked Greene about a recent New York Times report detailing that the Epstein situation \"basically paralyzed the White House,\" as ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F05%2Fmarjorie-taylor-greene-republicans-johnson-sick-tired.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D812%2C427%2C0.68%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"ebvceu","id":"ebvceu","title":"A far-right group planned a protest over a small city's drag story hours. Only 9 people showed up.","slug":"a-far-right-group-planned-a-protest-over-a-small-city-s-drag-story-hours-only-9-people-showed-up","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-11T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-far-right-group-planned-a-over-a-small-citys-drag-story-hours-only-9-people-showed-up/","excerpt":"A far-right party called for people to protest against LGBTQ+ Pride events held at a local library, but only nine protestors showed up. The counterprotest, which was made up of Pride supporters, attracted over 200. At issue are several events being held by the city of Brest in western France, popula","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F05%2Fusatsi-22144371-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2011%2C1058%2C0.69%2C0.44%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"qcifx3","id":"qcifx3","title":"Why I’m supporting Gary Goodweather for D.C. mayor","slug":"why-i-m-supporting-gary-goodweather-for-d-c-mayor","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T13:35:21.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/11/opinion-supporting-gary-goodweather-dc-mayor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-supporting-gary-goodweather-dc-mayor","excerpt":"Hey fellow LGBTQ+ Democrats, this is worth reading! Especially if you're a voter in Washington, D.C. who's planning to cast a ballot for the nomination of local candidates in the District of Columbia in 2026. Because next Tuesday June 16 is a really Big Deal for D.C. Democrats. It's the first time i","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"David J. Hoffman"},{"archiveId":"47y4wa","id":"47y4wa","title":"GOP gov posts picture of James Talarico as a woman while attacking his climate action bill","slug":"gop-gov-posts-picture-of-james-talarico-as-a-woman-while-attacking-his-climate-action-bill","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T13:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-gov-posts-picture-of-james-talarico-as-a-woman-while-attacking-his-climate-action-bill/","excerpt":"Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) posted a picture of Democratic Senate candidate and state Rep. James Talarico as a woman in order to mock the Democrat for supporting action on climate change. \"Jimmy Talarico authored the Texas Climate Action Act – Texas’ Green New Deal,\" Abbott wrote on Facebook on Tuesd","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fabbott-talarico.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"mddowu","id":"mddowu","title":"Don’t just vote for change — vote for Hope Solomon for mayor","slug":"don-t-just-vote-for-change-vote-for-hope-solomon-for-mayor","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T13:26:40.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/11/opinion-vote-hope-solomon-dc-mayor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-vote-hope-solomon-dc-mayor","excerpt":"My name is Hope Solomon, and I’m running for mayor of Washington, D.C. I’ve spent my entire life here. I attended D.C. Public Schools. I grew up working in my family’s small business here in D.C. I live in Dupont Circle. For 17 years, I worked in national security with the Department of Defense, FBI","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Hope Solomon"},{"archiveId":"exvb8e","id":"exvb8e","title":"Vote Kenyan McDuffie for D.C. mayor","slug":"vote-kenyan-mcduffie-for-d-c-mayor","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T13:22:31.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/11/opinion-vote-kenyan-mcduffie-dc-mayor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-vote-kenyan-mcduffie-dc-mayor","excerpt":"Elections are always important, but this year in D.C. they will bring major changes. Because of that, your vote in the Democratic primary on June 16 is more important than ever. D.C. is so overwhelmingly Democratic it is a near certainty the winners in the Democratic primary will win the general ele","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Peter Rosenstein"},{"archiveId":"7lwsy1","id":"7lwsy1","title":"Your queer D.C. voting guide","slug":"your-queer-d-c-voting-guide","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T13:17:20.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/11/your-queer-d-c-voting-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=your-queer-d-c-voting-guide","excerpt":"LGBTQ voters in the nation’s capital are choosing among a long list of LGBTQ supportive candidates running for mayor, D.C. City Council, and the position of D.C. Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives in the city’s June 16 primary election. LGBTQ activists who have spoken to the Washington Bl","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2023%2F06%2F20230601_Zachary_Parker_at_Progress_Pride_flag_ceremony_at_Wilson_Building_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key-600x375.jpg","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"m7ia81","id":"m7ia81","title":"Ingrid Christina moved to Canada because of Trump. But they still found Pride in their hometown.","slug":"ingrid-christina-moved-to-canada-because-of-trump-but-they-still-found-pride-in-their-hometown","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ingrid-christina-moved-to-canada-because-of-but-they-still-found-pride-in-their-hometown/","excerpt":"LGBTQ Nation will be sharing your pictures of Pride throughout May and June. Submit your own if you want to be included! Last August, Ingrid Christina packed up with their \"kiddo\" and moved from D.C. to Canada. Credit Trump with the relocation. Related This photojournalist usually shot crime scenes.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fingrid-christina-e1781148751165.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1575%2C829%2C0.52%2C0.51%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"pvniow","id":"pvniow","title":"Blade reporters reflect on covering Pulse massacre 10 years ago","slug":"blade-reporters-reflect-on-covering-pulse-massacre-10-years-ago","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-11T12:48:43.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/11/blade-reporters-reflect-covering-pulse-massacre/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blade-reporters-reflect-covering-pulse-massacre","excerpt":"Friday marks 10 years since a gunman killed 49 people inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. The massacre, which, at the time was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, left the LGBTQ community in this country and around the world reeling. It also prompted renewed calls for gun con","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2FNadine_Smith_and_Terry_DeCarlo_insert_2_c_Washington_Blade_by_Jason_Fronczek-1.jpg","author":"Kevin Naff and Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"wdtixg","id":"wdtixg","title":"Remember when a right-winger tried gotcha questions on a No Kings protestor & she turned the tables?","slug":"remember-when-a-right-winger-tried-gotcha-questions-on-a-no-kings-protestor-she-turned-the-tables","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-11T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-remember-when-a-right-winger-tried-gotcha-questions-on-a-no-kings-protestor-she-turned-the-tables/","excerpt":"A woman interviewed by a right-winger at a March 28 No Kings protest against the U.S. president has earned the praise of the internet for her responses that seemed to leave the interviewer speechless. Youtuber Nate Friedman claimed to have \"exposed\" No Kings protestors in New York City by peppering ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fscreenshot-2026-03-30-at-14621pm.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"li2s5p","id":"li2s5p","title":"Bombshell report details White House's \"freakout\" to hide Epstein files & protect Trump from them","slug":"bombshell-report-details-white-house-s-freakout-to-hide-epstein-files-protect-trump-from-them","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-bombshell-report-details-white-houses-freakout-to-hide-epstein-files-protect-from-them/","excerpt":"A bombshell New York Times article, entitled \"Inside the White House Freakout Over the Epstein Files,\" repeatedly states that President Donald Trump and his closest White House staff have held numerous meetings discussing how best to delay any release of federal investigatory materials related to no","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fimg-4860.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1179%2C621%2C0.53%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"uhy0hi","id":"uhy0hi","title":"LGBTQ+-ally Graham Platner wins big in Maine Senate primary despite problematic history","slug":"lgbtq-ally-graham-platner-wins-big-in-maine-senate-primary-despite-problematic-history","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/lgbtq-ally-graham-platner-wins-big-in-maine-primary-despite-problematic-history/","excerpt":"U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner won the Maine Democratic primary on Tuesday night with an overwhelming showing from voters fired up over prospects of replacing longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins and retaking Congress this fall. Collins has proven unbeatable over a 30-year career in the Sena","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fgraham-platner-and-wife-greet-bernie-sanders-after-victory-speech-maine-forbes-2.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"k4n4ky","id":"k4n4ky","title":"Dayna Kathan of \"Vanderpump Rules\" comes out as a lesbian in Pride Month post","slug":"dayna-kathan-of-vanderpump-rules-comes-out-as-a-lesbian-in-pride-month-post","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-10T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/dayna-kathan-of-vanderpump-rules-comes-out-as-a-lesbian-in-pride-month-post/","excerpt":"Dayna Kathan, a fan-favorite personality from the reality TV series Vanderpump Rules, came out as a \"late in life lesbian\" in a June 7 Instagram post. Kathan previously came out as bisexual during Season 8 of the show, in a scene filmed in June 2020, as well as in a June 2019 Instagram post. The rec","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fdayna-kathan-vanderpump-rules-lesbian.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D733%2C386%2C0.44%2C0.37%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"x0y4is","id":"x0y4is","title":"7 LGBTQ+ Movies Coming Out in Summer 2026 — And Where You Can Watch Them","slug":"7-lgbtq-movies-coming-out-in-summer-2026-and-where-you-can-watch-them","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-10T19:46:28.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/summer-2026-queer-movies-girls-like-girls-teenage-sex-and-death-at-camp-miasma","excerpt":"From Girls Like Girls to Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, the warmer months are jam-packed with new releases.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a07422d5813f44e6e2513ac%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fgillianandersonhannaheinbinder.jpeg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"og0rs2","id":"og0rs2","title":"Budapest's mayor faced criminal charges for organizing Pride. They were just dropped.","slug":"budapest-s-mayor-faced-criminal-charges-for-organizing-pride-they-were-just-dropped","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/budapests-mayor-faced-charges-for-organizing-pride-they-were-just-dropped/","excerpt":"Earlier this year, criminal charges were filed against Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony for defying Hungary's ban on Pride celebrations and for helping to organize a Pride march in the capital. The charges against him, though, were just dropped, weeks after Hungarian dictator Viktor Orbán was remove","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F06%2Fgergely-karacsony-budapest-mayor-euro-news-3.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"kwguke","id":"kwguke","title":"An 18-year-old cut his ankle monitor & murdered a trans woman. He's going away for a very long time.","slug":"an-18-year-old-cut-his-ankle-monitor-murdered-a-trans-woman-he-s-going-away-for-a-very-long-time","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/an-18-year-old-cut-his-ankle-monitor-murdered-a-trans-woman-hes-going-away-for-a-very-long-time/","excerpt":"Justice came for 19-year-old Ajani Grimes on Tuesday when he was sentenced to at least 25 years in prison for the murder of Laura Schueler, a 47-year-old trans woman. Grimes's arrest in Schueler's killing was the end of a months-long crime spree that started in October 2024, when prosecutors say the","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fajani-gimes-laura-schueler-murder-ohio.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"d3040s","id":"d3040s","title":"Trump says \"I love the inflation\" as it hits 3-year high: \"Your struggle is a joke to him\"","slug":"trump-says-i-love-the-inflation-as-it-hits-3-year-high-your-struggle-is-a-joke-to-him","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T18:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-says-i-love-the-inflation-as-it-hits-3-year-high-your-struggle-is-a-joke-to-him/","excerpt":"Donald Trump told reporters at the Oval Office today that he loves inflation when asked about new Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) this morning. Earlier today, the BLS released the latest CPI for the month, based on its study of prices for goods and","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2411512555-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.49%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"1dzxpe","id":"1dzxpe","title":"Vandals burned an elementary school Pride flag. They returned days later to do more damage.","slug":"vandals-burned-an-elementary-school-pride-flag-they-returned-days-later-to-do-more-damage","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/vandals-burned-an-elementary-school-pride-flag-they-returned-days-later-to-do-more-damage/","excerpt":"An Ontario, Canada, elementary school's Pride flag installation over the weekend was vandalized for the second time in a week, leaving community members reeling. On Saturday night, two unknown suspects cut down the metal flagpole from which the Pride flag flew at Norwich's Emily Stowe Public School ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-10-at-84844am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D2214%2C1165%2C0.39%2C0.85%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"m51mk1","id":"m51mk1","title":"\"Pathetic coward\": GOP congressman blatantly fakes phone call to avoid reporter's question","slug":"pathetic-coward-gop-congressman-blatantly-fakes-phone-call-to-avoid-reporter-s-question","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-pathetic-coward-gop-congressman-blatantly-fakes-phone-call-to-avoid-reporters-question/","excerpt":"Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) was caught clearly faking a 90-second phone call to avoid answering a reporter's question about possible cuts to Social Security. The reporter asked Wittman – who is up for reelection this year – about \"Mike Johnson's secret plan to cut Social Security.\" Rumors have been swir","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-10-at-92609am-scaled.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.47%2C0.55%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"5yqh2r","id":"5yqh2r","title":"Someone stole my Pride flag 3 times. This anonymous letter from a neighbor brought me to tears.","slug":"someone-stole-my-pride-flag-3-times-this-anonymous-letter-from-a-neighbor-brought-me-to-tears","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/someone-stole-my-pride-flag-3-times-this-anonymous-letter-from-a-neighbor-brought-me-to-tears/","excerpt":"As I walked into my front yard, I noticed that the LGBTQIA-inclusive Pride flag I had hung on my garage was missing once again, for the third time in less than eight months. Coming from the depths of my soul, I looked up into the sky and let out a howl that scattered birds from an adjacent tree. On ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2270186291-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"g7q02t","id":"g7q02t","title":"MAGA PAC drops millions on anti-trans AI ad showing James Talarico in a dress","slug":"maga-pac-drops-millions-on-anti-trans-ai-ad-showing-james-talarico-in-a-dress","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-10T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/pac-drops-millions-on-anti-trans-ai-ad-showing-james-talarico-in-a-dress/","excerpt":"A far-right political action committee has released an anti-trans AI-generated attack ad depicting Texas Democratic Senate candidate and state Rep. James Talarico in a dress. The ad shows an AI-generated Talarico in a dress similar to the one worn by Julie Andrews in 1965’s The Sound of Music, singi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Ftalarico-ad.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"pis3nw","id":"pis3nw","title":"Rehoboth’s Pride on the Bay set for June 27","slug":"rehoboth-s-pride-on-the-bay-set-for-june-27","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-10T16:15:20.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/10/rehoboth-pride-on-the-bay-june-27/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rehoboth-pride-on-the-bay-june-27","excerpt":"Pride month festivities continue through the end of the month and there’s a new event for Rehoboth/Dewey Beach residents and visitors, Pride on the Bay, set for June 27. Boaters will tie up at the sandbar near Massey’s Landing from 12-4 p.m. Visit Pride on the Bay’s Facebook page for a map of the ex","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"u14h3j","id":"u14h3j","title":"Vandals tore their Pride flag in two. Activists turned it into a surprising symbol of resilience.","slug":"vandals-tore-their-pride-flag-in-two-activists-turned-it-into-a-surprising-symbol-of-resilience","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/vandals-tore-their-pride-flag-in-two-activists-turned-it-into-a-surprising-symbol-of-resilience/","excerpt":"For Benoît, a gay man in rural France, Pride flags are not decoration. They are a declaration that queer people belong to the same fields, towns, and forests that once made them feel unwelcome. The morning of their first rural Pride march, the organizers returned to the storehouse near the train sta","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fwhatsapp-image-2026-06-09-at-170001.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Oriol Poveda"},{"archiveId":"4i155a","id":"4i155a","title":"Roller Derby Was Already Queer-Friendly. Then It Got More Inclusive.","slug":"roller-derby-was-already-queer-friendly-then-it-got-more-inclusive","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-10T15:40:21.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/roller-derby-queer-trans-inclusion-history","excerpt":"Years before trans athletes in sports embroiled national politics, roller derby — the five-player high-contact sport with punk rock nicknames — tackled the question of who could play.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2984e955e167209747018d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2254192222","author":"Kate Sosin, The 19th"},{"archiveId":"mjpykc","id":"mjpykc","title":"Why do LGBTQ+ people love flags so much? The answer is complicated.","slug":"why-do-lgbtq-people-love-flags-so-much-the-answer-is-complicated","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/why-do-lgbtq-people-love-flags-so-much-the-answer-is-complicated/","excerpt":"Earlier this year, the federal government removed Pride flags from the Stonewall National Monument, and the outrage from the LGBTQ+ community was deafening. Activists across the country spoke out against it, LGBTQ+ media published column after column denouncing the removal, and a group of queer acti","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2470224247-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"f2dmsm","id":"f2dmsm","title":"Niece of MLK Jr spouts anti-trans rhetoric when asked about Trump slush fund","slug":"niece-of-mlk-jr-spouts-anti-trans-rhetoric-when-asked-about-trump-slush-fund","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/niece-of-mlk-jr-spouts-anti-trans-rhetoric-when-asked-about-slush-fund/","excerpt":"Dr. Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was asked at a committee hearing about President Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund for January 6 rioters. Her response was to peddle alarmist anti-abortion rhetoric and misinformation about gender-affirming care for minors.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2020%2F05%2Falveda-king-abortion-new-york.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.5%2C0.43%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"30sgvk","id":"30sgvk","title":"‘Vanderpump’ Alum Dayna Kathan Comes Out: “Shout Out to My Fellow Late in Life Lesbians”","slug":"vanderpump-alum-dayna-kathan-comes-out-shout-out-to-my-fellow-late-in-life-lesbians","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-10T14:52:32.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/dayna-kathan-comes-out-lesbian-vanderpump-rules","excerpt":"The reality TV star came out in a Pride Month message on Instagram.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a296b0305f4d631daf4849a%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2181340291","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"uqsqnc","id":"uqsqnc","title":"Lilly Wachowski’s Favorite Part of Making ‘Bound’ Was “All the Eggs” She Cracked","slug":"lilly-wachowski-s-favorite-part-of-making-bound-was-all-the-eggs-she-cracked","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-10T14:34:01.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/lilly-wachowski-bound-eggs-cracked-trans-coming-out","excerpt":"The co-director of the lesbian noir said films like Bound give “people a trail of breadcrumbs that they can follow out of the closet.”","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F66e358e2b83355eda6549652%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fhorror.jpg","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"sp6r06","id":"sp6r06","title":"Sarah McBride gets last laugh as Nancy Mace loses gubernatorial primary: \"Happy Pride, Nancy!\"","slug":"sarah-mcbride-gets-last-laugh-as-nancy-mace-loses-gubernatorial-primary-happy-pride-nancy","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/sarah-mcbride-gets-last-laugh-as-nancy-mace-loses-gubernatorial-primary-happy-pride-nancy/","excerpt":"Notorious transphobe Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) lost in her state's Republican gubernatorial primary yesterday, coming in 5th place as Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff. As the vote count came in, Equality PAC hosted its National Pride Gala in Washin","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-10-jun-2026-08-18-am-9858-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"2496nw","id":"2496nw","title":"Blade editor inducted into D.C. Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame","slug":"blade-editor-inducted-into-d-c-society-of-professional-journalists-hall-of-fame","source":"Washington Blade","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-10T14:06:33.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/10/blade-editor-inducted-into-d-c-society-of-professional-journalists-hall-of-fame/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blade-editor-inducted-into-d-c-society-of-professional-journalists-hall-of-fame","excerpt":"The Society of Professional Journalists' Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter on Tuesday inducted Kevin Naff, the Washington Blade's editor and co-owner, into its Hall of Fame. The induction took place at the group's annual dinner that took place at the National Press Club. White House Correspondent Joe Re","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260609_Lou_Chibbaro_Jr_and_Joe_Reberkenny_and_Kevin_Naff_and_Michael_K_Lavers_and_Michael_Key_at_SPJ-DC_Dateline_Awards_insert_c_Washington_Blade.jpg","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"ak08br","id":"ak08br","title":"Republicans Run Bizarre AI Deepfake Ad Showing James Talarico Singing About Trans Kids","slug":"republicans-run-bizarre-ai-deepfake-ad-showing-james-talarico-singing-about-trans-kids","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-10T13:30:55.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/james-talarico-deepfake-ai-sound-of-music-parody-ad","excerpt":"The fake Talarico is shown singing a parody of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a29656055e16720974700a0%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FScreenshot%25202026-06-10%2520at%25209.14.33%25E2%2580%25AFAM.png","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"nh3wui","id":"nh3wui","title":"This photojournalist usually shot crime scenes. But he took this \"joyful\" picture of 1978 Pride.","slug":"this-photojournalist-usually-shot-crime-scenes-but-he-took-this-joyful-picture-of-1978-pride","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/this-photojournalist-usually-shot-scenes-but-he-took-this-joyful-picture-of-1978-pride/","excerpt":"LGBTQ Nation will be sharing your pictures of Pride throughout May and June. Submit your own if you want to be included! In June 1978, freelance news photographer Mark Ivins was on assignment for the Village Voice, covering the Christopher Street Liberation Day March in New York City. It wasn't Ivin","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmark-ivins-1978-nyc-march-gay-love-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.35%2C0.64%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"7hzala","id":"7hzala","title":"Pride in a new world order","slug":"pride-in-a-new-world-order","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/10/pride-in-a-new-world-order/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pride-in-a-new-world-order","excerpt":"It can be tempting to feel somber this Pride. In 2025 and 2026, the United States dismantled much of the LGBTQ+ rights infrastructure it had spent decades building — eliminating the Global Equality Fund, defunding local LGBTQ+ organizations, and banning the rainbow flag from federal buildings and em","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Fabrice Houdart"},{"archiveId":"s0ikmz","id":"s0ikmz","title":"McDuffie on LGBTQ support and standing up to Trump","slug":"mcduffie-on-lgbtq-support-and-standing-up-to-trump","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T12:56:27.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/10/kenyan-mcduffie-interview/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kenyan-mcduffie-interview","excerpt":"Former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie is running for mayor as Muriel Bowser’s third term expires in January. He’s running in a crowded Democratic primary field; recent polls show him in second place behind Council member Janeese Lewis George. D.C.’s primary is Tuesday, June 16. The Blade sat do","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"4uduhy","id":"4uduhy","title":"Remember when Trump forgot the word for “Alzheimer’s” as he claimed he didn’t have it?","slug":"remember-when-trump-forgot-the-word-for-alzheimer-s-as-he-claimed-he-didn-t-have-it","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-10T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-remember-when-forgot-the-word-for-alzheimers-as-he-claimed-he-didnt-have-it/","excerpt":"Donald Trump had a fairly ironic – and perhaps telling – memory lapse. Talking with New York Magazine, Trump said that his father, Fred Trump, had no health problems except for one. Related Trump's doctors are monitoring \"the progress of his dementia and/or strokes,\" psychologist says \"He had one pr","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F01%2Fdonald-trump-executive-order-two-genders.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"leu1bt","id":"leu1bt","title":"Comedian brutally mocks MAGAs who hate rainbow flags but proudly wave Trump flags","slug":"comedian-brutally-mocks-magas-who-hate-rainbow-flags-but-proudly-wave-trump-flags","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-10T12:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/comedian-brutally-mocks-magas-who-hate-rainbow-flags-but-proudly-wave-flags/","excerpt":"Satirical comedian and activist Walter Masterson released a Pride Month video on Monday in which he mocks MAGA supporters at pro-Trump demonstrations by complaining about people \"with these flags and hats\" that they \"wave around in people's faces,\" adding, \"It's become their entire personality.\" Man","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2210969919.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1608%2C846%2C0.24%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"5oe75y","id":"5oe75y","title":"2nd major hospital opens detransition clinic under pressure from Department of Justice","slug":"2nd-major-hospital-opens-detransition-clinic-under-pressure-from-department-of-justice","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/2nd-major-hospital-opens-detransition-clinic-under-pressure-from-department-of-justice/","excerpt":"The Cleveland Clinic of Ohio will direct $2 million to provide no-cost detransition healthcare services for the minuscule number of trans people who detransition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last Friday. Though the hospital already provided detransition care, its publicized pledge make","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2486703237.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.56%2C0.28%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"rjurl7","id":"rjurl7","title":"A new law bars doctors from asking kids about gender. Allies say it'll harm children & clinics.","slug":"a-new-law-bars-doctors-from-asking-kids-about-gender-allies-say-it-ll-harm-children-clinics","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T21:04:55.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-new-law-bars-doctors-from-asking-kids-about-gender-allies-say-itll-harm-children-clinics/","excerpt":"Advocacy groups are criticizing a new Tennessee law, House Bill 1665, signed in April by Gov. Bill Lee (R), which prohibits doctors from asking minor patients questions about gender. The law takes effect in October. Advocacy groups say it's an “unnecessary” attack on the LGBTQ+ community and likely ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2021%2F02%2Fdoctor-with-transgender-teen.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.46%2C0.43%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"e3cqzk","id":"e3cqzk","title":"'Interview With the Vampire' Stars Learn All About the Omegaverse From Thirsty Fan Tweets","slug":"interview-with-the-vampire-stars-learn-all-about-the-omegaverse-from-thirsty-fan-tweets","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-09T20:16:19.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/celebs/interview-with-a-vampire-fans","excerpt":"Stars Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson reading streamy posts from fans is the best thing you'll see all day.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2873e6a85579238996f403%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F","author":"Ariel Messman-Rucker"},{"archiveId":"8jw8dv","id":"8jw8dv","title":"Zohran Mamdani is opening a gender-affirming clinic. But it's already banning trans youth.","slug":"zohran-mamdani-is-opening-a-gender-affirming-clinic-but-it-s-already-banning-trans-youth","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/zohran-mamdani-is-opening-a-gender-affirming-clinic-but-its-already-banning-trans-youth/","excerpt":"A new gender-affirming medical clinic will open in the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York City. But the clinic (which hasn't announced an opening date) won't serve adults or children under the age of 19, adhering to President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to ban gender-affirming care f","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-29118711-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.51%2C0.38%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"jzbt4l","id":"jzbt4l","title":"House Republicans are trying to make June \"Family Month\" nationwide. They're failing.","slug":"house-republicans-are-trying-to-make-june-family-month-nationwide-they-re-failing","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/house-republicans-are-trying-to-make-june-family-month-nationwide-theyre-failing/","excerpt":"Deep red states across the country have rolled out anti-Pride alternatives to Pride month recently, inspired by so-called Christian values, and riding the Trump administration’s own anti-LGBTQ+ crusade. However, legislation to create a federal \"family month\" in June has not gained any serious tracti","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-16589500.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1479%2C778%2C0.49%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"ejbq3t","id":"ejbq3t","title":"Okra Project Releases Lengthy Video Responding to Former Leader: “The Receipts Exist”","slug":"okra-project-releases-lengthy-video-responding-to-former-leader-the-receipts-exist","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-09T18:43:45.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/okra-project-nonprofit-video-dominique-morgan-allegations","excerpt":"The 40-minute video was briefly pulled from YouTube before being republished.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a285d49f69b1ca108913dcd%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FScreenshot%25202026-06-09%2520at%25202.29.55%25E2%2580%25AFPM.png","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"oaizwj","id":"oaizwj","title":"A trans man donated eggs to his sister & shared the incredible moment he first held his nephew","slug":"a-trans-man-donated-eggs-to-his-sister-shared-the-incredible-moment-he-first-held-his-nephew","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-09T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-trans-man-donated-eggs-to-his-sister-shared-the-incredible-moment-he-first-held-his-nephew/","excerpt":"After years of struggling with infertility, Kizzy Jones started considering egg donors. To her shock, her trans brother, Kenny Ethan Jones, offered his eggs. Eighteen challenging months later, Kizzy welcomed a baby, and Kenny became an uncle. “When [Kizzy] mentioned she was looking into egg donors, ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-09-jun-2026-11-44-am-2025-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.43%2C0.29%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"pokofw","id":"pokofw","title":"PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride","slug":"photos-fairfax-city-pride","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-09T17:16:40.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/09/photos-fairfax-city-pride/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-fairfax-city-pride","excerpt":"Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key) The post PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260606_Fairfax_City_Pride_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg","author":"Michael Key"},{"archiveId":"pk22aj","id":"pk22aj","title":"Laverne Cox explains why she dated & left a MAGA cop","slug":"laverne-cox-explains-why-she-dated-left-a-maga-cop","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/laverne-cox-explains-why-she-dated-left-a-cop/","excerpt":"Laverne Cox is opening up about her former relationship with a Trump-supporting New York City police officer. The actress and trans rights advocate joined the hosts of The View on Monday to discuss her new memoir Transcendent. During their conversation, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin asked her about t","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2020%2F11%2Flaverne-cox.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"995619","id":"995619","title":"EXCLUSIVE: Pelosi reflects on four decades of LGBTQ advocacy","slug":"exclusive-pelosi-reflects-on-four-decades-of-lgbtq-advocacy","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T16:45:46.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/09/exclusive-pelosi-reflects-on-four-decades-of-lgbtq-advocacy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=exclusive-pelosi-reflects-on-four-decades-of-lgbtq-advocacy","excerpt":"For nearly four decades, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been one of the most influential champions of LGBTQ rights in American politics. The former U.S. House of Representatives speaker helped lead landmark LGBTQ legislation through Congress; including the repeal of \"Don't Ask, Do","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joe Reberkenny"},{"archiveId":"vqhkxa","id":"vqhkxa","title":"Bakery gives straight couples free coffee to celebrate \"Nuclear Family Month\" in June","slug":"bakery-gives-straight-couples-free-coffee-to-celebrate-nuclear-family-month-in-june","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/bakery-gives-straight-couples-free-coffee-to-celebrate-nuclear-family-month-in-june/","excerpt":"A family-owned bakery in Minnesota is celebrating June as Nuclear Family Month to counter Pride Month celebrations. Joshua Streblow, a farmer and father of nine, is the owner of Carl's Bakery in Granite Falls. He told the News Tribune he believes the nuclear family (as in a mother, father, and their","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2219444709-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.4%2C0.5%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"na5jo2","id":"na5jo2","title":"Eric Chung resigned as Elon Musk ransacked his government office. Now he's running for Congress.","slug":"eric-chung-resigned-as-elon-musk-ransacked-his-government-office-now-he-s-running-for-congress","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/eric-chung-resigned-as-elon-musk-ransacked-his-government-office-now-hes-running-for-congress/","excerpt":"By his own account, Eric Chung was living the American Dream. A son of immigrants from Communist Vietnam, Chung is a constitutional lawyer who was working at the Commerce Department on the CHIPS and Science Act to boost the economy and bring jobs and manufacturing to places like Southeast Michigan, ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Feric-chung-headshot-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.37%2C0.27%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Ellen Shanna Knoppow"},{"archiveId":"2b20jn","id":"2b20jn","title":"Bowen Yang says he felt like \"the seasoning\" and \"never felt central\" to SNL","slug":"bowen-yang-says-he-felt-like-the-seasoning-and-never-felt-central-to-snl","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-09T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/bowen-yang-says-he-felt-like-the-seasoning-and-never-felt-central-to-snl/","excerpt":"Out Saturday Night Live alum Bowen Yang says he “never felt central” to the show, saying that he \"never played the dad or the straight man teacher. I was always there as the seasoning.” The actor, comedian, and podcast host’s comment came during an episode of Variety’s Actors on Actors series with R","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fbowenyang.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"d7bclt","id":"d7bclt","title":"Watch the Mean Girls of ‘Stop! That! Train!’ Tear Into Ginger Minj and Jujubee","slug":"watch-the-mean-girls-of-stop-that-train-tear-into-ginger-minj-and-jujubee","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-09T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/stop-that-train-exclusive-clip-ginger-minj-jujubee","excerpt":"And yes, Symone’s character is named Ayshleiygh.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2815031f96123183967e7e%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fstop_that_train.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"pg7pnh","id":"pg7pnh","title":"GOP enraged over bill to make parentage laws more LGBTQ+-inclusive: \"Woke culture run amok\"","slug":"gop-enraged-over-bill-to-make-parentage-laws-more-lgbtq-inclusive-woke-culture-run-amok","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-enraged-over-bill-to-make-parentage-laws-more-lgbtq-inclusive-woke-culture-run-amok/","excerpt":"Republicans are up in arms over a New York state bill seeking to make state child custody and parental laws more inclusive to LGBTQ+ families. The New York Legislature passed a bill last week that would amend gendered language in the state's Family Court Act. Mother and father, for example, would be","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F04%2Fshutterstock-2342312153-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.49%2C0.37%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"w99cxn","id":"w99cxn","title":"University of Washington Creates Memorial Scholarship for Juniper Blessing","slug":"university-of-washington-creates-memorial-scholarship-for-juniper-blessing","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-09T14:42:12.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/juniper-blessing-university-of-washington-memorial-fund","excerpt":"The scholarship will be used in part to help students who share Blessing’s love of music.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a281dd702d8101509ac535e%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fjuniperscholarship.jpg","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"xkh9hg","id":"xkh9hg","title":"\"Completely out of his mind\": Trump claims chorus of boos at Knicks game was \"mostly cheers\"","slug":"completely-out-of-his-mind-trump-claims-chorus-of-boos-at-knicks-game-was-mostly-cheers","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-completely-out-of-his-mind-claims-chorus-of-boos-at-knicks-game-was-mostly-cheers/","excerpt":"Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while attending the Knicks game in his hometown of New York City last night, yet he told the press that New Yorkers gave him a warm and joyous welcome. Despite an abundance of video evidence showing the president being booed multiple times, he seems, as always, to h","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-29155055-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.44%2C0.51%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"2k02wd","id":"2k02wd","title":"Rachel Maddow savors the moment as Trump gets repeatedly booed at Knicks game","slug":"rachel-maddow-savors-the-moment-as-trump-gets-repeatedly-booed-at-knicks-game","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-rachel-maddow-savors-the-moment-as-gets-repeatedly-booed-at-knicks-game/","excerpt":"Donald Trump was roundly booed multiple times while attending a Knicks game in his hometown of New York City last night, and out MS NOW host Rachel Maddow appeared to enjoy the moments. As the national anthem was sung, the Jumbotron focused on the president, who was saluting in his suite. The crowd ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-29154804-168404765-lowres-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.64%2C0.17%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"xclos3","id":"xclos3","title":"Laverne Cox Says She “Betrayed” Herself by Dating MAGA Cop","slug":"laverne-cox-says-she-betrayed-herself-by-dating-maga-cop","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-09T13:51:01.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/laverne-cox-maga-cop-boyfriend-the-view-relationship","excerpt":"The actress tells the full story in her new memoir Transcendent.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a28188e1f96123183967e84%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2279910695","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"g7s5jt","id":"g7s5jt","title":"D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday","slug":"d-c-prepares-to-party-as-pride-celebrations-kick-off-saturday","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T13:48:29.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/09/dc-pride-celebrations-kick-off-saturday/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dc-pride-celebrations-kick-off-saturday","excerpt":"Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birt","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Evan Caplan"},{"archiveId":"kdtzjh","id":"kdtzjh","title":"Killer found guilty of hate crime in stabbing of gay man who was dancing to Beyoncé","slug":"killer-found-guilty-of-hate-crime-in-stabbing-of-gay-man-who-was-dancing-to-beyonce","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T13:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/found-guilty-of-hate-in-stabbing-of-gay-man-who-was-dancing-to-beyonce/","excerpt":"Dmitriy Popov, who stabbed gay dancer O'Shae Sibley to death, was found guilty of a hate crime on Monday but was acquitted on the most serious charges he faced. Sibley, 28, was voguing to Beyoncé when he was killed at a gas station in July 2023. Popov, who was 17 at the time, argued at his trial tha","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F08%2Foshea-sibley.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"ny70hw","id":"ny70hw","title":"David Archuleta, Monroe Alise named D.C. Pride parade marshals","slug":"david-archuleta-monroe-alise-named-d-c-pride-parade-marshals","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-09T13:17:17.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/09/david-archuleta-monroe-alise-named-d-c-pride-parade-marshals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=david-archuleta-monroe-alise-named-d-c-pride-parade-marshals","excerpt":"The Capital Pride Alliance has announced that David Archuleta and Monroe Alise will be the grand marshals for the Pride parade on June 20. Ryan Bos, the Capital Pride Alliance’s president, said the two were chosen for the way that they exemplify the theme “Exist. Resist. Have the Audacity!” Archulet","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Emma LaPointe"},{"archiveId":"88q08p","id":"88q08p","title":"Trump slammed as \"psychologically incontinent\" by former GOP operative","slug":"trump-slammed-as-psychologically-incontinent-by-former-gop-operative","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-slammed-as-psychologically-incontinent-by-former-gop-operative/","excerpt":"Former Republican campaign operative Steve Schmidt called President Donald Trump \"deranged,\" \"emotionally and psychologically incontinent,\" and \"in a state of decomposition and collapse\" for storming out of an NBC interview last Sunday when journalist Kristen Welker pointed out he has provided no ev","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2664739281-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.54%2C0.46%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"9f1bko","id":"9f1bko","title":"Remember when Pam Bondi wanted the DOJ to pay cash bounties for turning in trans equality activists?","slug":"remember-when-pam-bondi-wanted-the-doj-to-pay-cash-bounties-for-turning-in-trans-equality-activists","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-pam-bondi-wanted-the-doj-to-pay-cash-bounties-for-turning-in-trans-equality-activists/","excerpt":"A new Justice Department memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi instructs the FBI to create a “cash reward system” to incentivize providing information against domestic terrorists. However, it also makes it clear that the targets of such domestic terrorist investigations will be “Antifa-aligned extrem","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F05%2Fusatsi-25187932-168404732-lowres-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"bg7ebu","id":"bg7ebu","title":"Gay Trump toadie loses $1M Kennedy Center lawsuit for the silliest reason","slug":"gay-trump-toadie-loses-1m-kennedy-center-lawsuit-for-the-silliest-reason","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-09T12:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gay-toadie-loses-1m-kennedy-center-for-the-silliest-reason/","excerpt":"Gay Trump administration official Richard Grenell, who stepped down last March as president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., had his $1 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against jazz artist Chuck Redd thrown out by a judge last Friday because, it turns out,","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F06%2Fusatsi-14834854-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"3afzje","id":"3afzje","title":"City-Run Gender-Affirming Care Clinic for Trans Patients Coming to New York City","slug":"city-run-gender-affirming-care-clinic-for-trans-patients-coming-to-new-york-city","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T22:41:51.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/transgender-health/trans-health-clinic-nyc-queens","excerpt":"The planned clinic comes as hospitals face mounting federal pressure over gender-affirming care.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a27445502d8101509ac5325%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FCity-Run%2520Gender-Affirming%2520Care%2520Clinic%2520for%2520Trans%2520Patients%2520Coming%2520to%2520New%2520York%2520City.png","author":"Jack Walker"},{"archiveId":"ddsnu9","id":"ddsnu9","title":"Disgraced gay former GOP Rep. allegedly promised a gold mine for improving US-Venezuela relations","slug":"disgraced-gay-former-gop-rep-allegedly-promised-a-gold-mine-for-improving-us-venezuela-relations","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/disgraced-gay-former-gop-rep-was-promised-a-gold-mine-for-improving-us-venezuela-relations-report/","excerpt":"Disgraced former Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) mounted a political comeback of sorts, Politico reported in a June 8 article, claiming that Venezuela’s vice president had promised him a literal gold mine if he got the U.S. to improve diplomatic relations between the countries. Schock recently visited a Ve","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Faaron-schock.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D686%2C361%2C0.51%2C0.28%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"woynze","id":"woynze","title":"Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events","slug":"hundreds-of-thousands-expected-to-attend-d-c-pride-events","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:44:40.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/08/hundreds-of-thousands-expected-to-attend-d-c-pride-events/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hundreds-of-thousands-expected-to-attend-d-c-pride-events","excerpt":"Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend Pride events in D.C. this month. The Capital Pride Alliance is marking its 51st year with a full slate of events, including a parade, festival, concert, parties, and community events across the city. This year’s theme is “EXIST. RESIST. Have the","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Emma LaPointe"},{"archiveId":"63pocw","id":"63pocw","title":"Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner","slug":"queen-jean-is-tony-s-first-transgender-winner","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:34:32.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/08/queen-jean-wins-tony/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=queen-jean-wins-tony","excerpt":"It was a historic night at the 79th annual Tony Awards on Sunday as Queen Jean won the award for Best Costume Design of a Musical, making her the first out transgender person to win a Tony. \"This experience has been monumental. We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people,\" she said. \"We","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"1nd6l1","id":"1nd6l1","title":"Sloppier Makeouts Than ‘Heated Rivalry’? ‘Slo Pitch’ Creators Tease New Sapphic Show","slug":"sloppier-makeouts-than-heated-rivalry-slo-pitch-creators-tease-new-sapphic-show","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:31:52.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/sloppier-makeouts-than-heated-rivalry-slo-pitch-creators-tease-new-sapphic-show","excerpt":"During an interview with E Talk, stars Karen Knox, Jess Salgueiro and Emily Hampshire spoke about what viewers have in store.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F696545eca76c41303eeca1b1%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FG2Q2WkUWIAAkHe2.jpeg","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"e1hbcs","id":"e1hbcs","title":"GOP senator rages at Pete Hegseth for excluding Mormons from list of Christian sects: \"Undo it.\"","slug":"gop-senator-rages-at-pete-hegseth-for-excluding-mormons-from-list-of-christian-sects-undo-it","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"international","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-gop-senator-rages-at-pete-hegseth-for-excluding-mormons-from-list-of-christian-sects-undo-it/","excerpt":"Mormon anti-LGBTQ+ Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) raged on social media after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listed the Latter-day Saints as a religious sect separate from Christians on a newly revised list of military members' faiths. In a May 20 memo, the Department of Defense slashed the number of indiv","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F09%2Fusatsi-27165116-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.52%2C0.23%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"0swqjc","id":"0swqjc","title":"Court Rules Trump Can’t Move Transgender Women to Men’s Prisons","slug":"court-rules-trump-can-t-move-transgender-women-to-men-s-prisons","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:16:46.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/politics/trump-transgender-women-mens-prisons","excerpt":"The judge's order keeps 14 incarcerated women in their current placements after the court found evidence of serious safety risks.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a27226885be1f14b7a5988c%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FCourt%2520Rules%2520Trump%2520Can%25E2%2580%2599t%2520Move%2520Transgender%2520Women%2520to%2520Men%25E2%2580%2599s%2520Prisons.png","author":"Christopher Wiggins"},{"archiveId":"9mqtsb","id":"9mqtsb","title":"Them Superlatives: Team Ironman Transmasc Is Our “Dream Team”","slug":"them-superlatives-team-ironman-transmasc-is-our-dream-team","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:00:52.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/team-iron-transmasc-schuyler-bailar-chella-man-cal-calamia-superlatives-dream-team","excerpt":"For our Pride series, Olympic athlete Nikki Hiltz honors Schuyler Bailar, Chella Man, and Cal Calamia.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2444f917fcc75d2cc84b36%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FFinish%2520line.jpg","author":"Them"},{"archiveId":"z0cw9f","id":"z0cw9f","title":"Missing trans art student found dead after weeks of searching","slug":"missing-trans-art-student-found-dead-after-weeks-of-searching","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/missing-trans-art-student-found-after-weeks-of-searching/","excerpt":"The body of a transgender art student missing for nearly a month was found on May 24 in a wooded area near the campus of Northern Kentucky University (NKU), where he was a student, police and family say. Murry Foust, 22, was last seen on April 27 in Covington, Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati, acc","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fmurry-foust-transgender-kentucky-missing-e1780932189980.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1200%2C632%2C0.5%2C0.38%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"spe6gs","id":"spe6gs","title":"Federal judge blocks Trump administration's plan to send 14 trans women to men's prisons","slug":"federal-judge-blocks-trump-administration-s-plan-to-send-14-trans-women-to-men-s-prisons","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/federal-judge-blocks-administrations-plan-to-send-14-trans-women-to-mens-prisons/","excerpt":"A federal court blocked the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) from transferring 14 transgender women from women's prisons to men's prisons, saying that doing so puts the women in danger. The ruling, which came down on Sunday, is in Doe v. Blanche, a legal challenge to the president's stance that the g","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2334417667-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.49%2C0.22%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"59boyl","id":"59boyl","title":"Trans Student Murry Foust Receives Posthumous Arts Degree at Memorial","slug":"trans-student-murry-foust-receives-posthumous-arts-degree-at-memorial","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-08T19:28:49.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/murry-foust-posthumous-degree-awarded-northern-kentucky-university","excerpt":"Foust’s professors unanimously praised his creativity at the standing-room-only event.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F69f8ef00b4fb6aac04c5c3ca%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fmurryfoust.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"1j6lr7","id":"1j6lr7","title":"Neo-Nazis tried to disrupt a Pride event. It didn't go quite as planned.","slug":"neo-nazis-tried-to-disrupt-a-pride-event-it-didn-t-go-quite-as-planned","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/neo-tried-to-disrupt-a-pride-event-it-didnt-go-quite-as-planned/","excerpt":"About 10 neo-Nazis wearing matching red and black outfits, sunglasses, and masks protested Athens Pridefest in Georgia last Saturday, while holding a black flag with a white swastika on it, delivering Nazi salutes, and reportedly shouting “Heil Hitler” along with racist and anti-gay slurs. Pride att","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F03%2Fchrispohlhaus.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1601%2C843%2C0.39%2C0.32%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"g45rcl","id":"g45rcl","title":"Ashlyn Harris Wants “Closure” After Publicly Falling In Love With Sophia Bush","slug":"ashlyn-harris-wants-closure-after-publicly-falling-in-love-with-sophia-bush","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-08T18:54:04.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/harris-sophia-bush-documentary","excerpt":"The famous athlete is embracing a new chapter of her life and addresses all of her struggles in a raw documentary.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a270edde958dabe213099a8%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FAshlyn%2520Harris%2520Wants%2520%25E2%2580%259CClosure%25E2%2580%259D%2520After%2520Publicly%2520Falling%2520In%2520Love%2520With%2520Sophia%2520Bush.png","author":"Ricky Cornish"},{"archiveId":"58i594","id":"58i594","title":"TikTok Influencer Christoper Delgado Responds to Fan Concerns About “Exploratory Therapy”","slug":"tiktok-influencer-christoper-delgado-responds-to-fan-concerns-about-exploratory-therapy","source":"them.","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-08T18:19:40.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/christopher-delgado-tiktok-creator-conversion-therapy-detransition","excerpt":"Delgado’s posts are continuing to create confusion and concern among his followers.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a27072f71221b28ae0ef904%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fchristopherdelgado.jpg","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"j5yyzk","id":"j5yyzk","title":"Activist & designer Qween Jean makes trans history with Tony win: \"We have to take up space\"","slug":"activist-designer-qween-jean-makes-trans-history-with-tony-win-we-have-to-take-up-space","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-08T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/activist-designer-qween-jean-makes-trans-history-with-tony-win-we-have-to-take-up-space/","excerpt":"Trans activist and costume designer Qween Jean made history at last night's Tony Awards, becoming the first out trans person to ever win one of the iconic theater awards. Jean won for Best Costume Design of a Musical for her work on Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a revival of the original Cats musical. Re","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-08-at-83410am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1540%2C811%2C0.54%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"12nm69","id":"12nm69","title":"Girls will be forced to undergo vaginal inspections if voters approve anti-trans sports measure","slug":"girls-will-be-forced-to-undergo-vaginal-inspections-if-voters-approve-anti-trans-sports-measure","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/girls-will-be-forced-to-undergo-vaginal-inspections-if-voters-approve-anti-trans-sports-measure/","excerpt":"Voters in Washington state could approve an anti-transgender law, Initiative Measure No. IL26-638, which would require girl student-athletes statewide to confirm their \"biological sex\" with genital inspections just to play sports. Opponents of the initiative say it's invasive, could block poorer stu","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2022%2F04%2Fshutterstock_1237020280-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"7759ep","id":"7759ep","title":"Federal judge rips into Trump administration lawyers & refers them for disciplinary proceedings","slug":"federal-judge-rips-into-trump-administration-lawyers-refers-them-for-disciplinary-proceedings","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/federal-judge-rips-into-administration-lawyers-refers-them-for-disciplinary-proceedings/","excerpt":"A federal judge has referred attorneys from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disciplinary proceedings, criticizing them harshly for how they behaved when asking for trans kids' private medical records as part of a wide and unfocused investigation into a hospital that provides gender-affirming care","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-08-jun-2026-05-18-pm-2699.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.5%2C0.29%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"6o3bjq","id":"6o3bjq","title":"PHOTOS: Pride Run","slug":"photos-pride-run","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-08T16:05:47.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/08/photos-pride-run-5k-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-pride-run-5k-2026","excerpt":"The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key) View on Threads The post PHOTOS: Pride Run appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260606_Pride_Run_5K_insert_1_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg","author":"Michael Key"},{"archiveId":"8wzglu","id":"8wzglu","title":"With its efforts to placate Trump, business is proving once again that it is a fickle LGBTQ+ ally","slug":"with-its-efforts-to-placate-trump-business-is-proving-once-again-that-it-is-a-fickle-lgbtq-ally","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/with-its-efforts-to-placate-business-is-proving-once-again-that-it-is-a-fickle-lgbtq-ally/","excerpt":"With so many frontal attacks on the LGBTQ+ community coming from the federal government, it's easy to overlook the impact from the private sector. But according to a new report from Out Leadership, which describes itself as \"the global LGBTQ+ network,\" it finds that the red and blue state divide mat","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F10%2Fshutterstock-1791787433-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Gallagher"},{"archiveId":"vkg2ee","id":"vkg2ee","title":"Rosie O'Donnell returns to US with some choice words for Donald Trump: \"He is a psychopath\"","slug":"rosie-o-donnell-returns-to-us-with-some-choice-words-for-donald-trump-he-is-a-psychopath","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-08T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-rosie-odonnell-returns-to-us-with-some-choice-words-for-donald-he-is-a-psychopath/","excerpt":"Longtime Donald Trump enemy Rosie O'Donnell did not mince words when asked about the president on the Tony Awards red carpet Sunday night. A reporter from Variety commended the out comedian – who fled to Ireland after Trump won the 2024 presidential election – for never being afraid to speak out. O'","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-08-at-94608am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1970%2C1037%2C0.49%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"oph1im","id":"oph1im","title":"Pride-goers boo Democrat who tried to blame 2024 election loss on trans kids in sports","slug":"pride-goers-boo-democrat-who-tried-to-blame-2024-election-loss-on-trans-kids-in-sports","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/pride-goers-boo-democrat-who-tried-to-blame-2024-election-loss-on-trans-kids-in-sports/","excerpt":"Attendees at Boston's annual Pride parade on June 6 booed Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) as he marched down the street, likely due to prior comments the lawmaker has made about trans rights. In a video posted to social media, Moulton and his supporters can be seen marching with rainbow signs while onlooke","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2019%2F06%2Fseth-moulton-official.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D686%2C361%2C0.53%2C0.39%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"ykl424","id":"ykl424","title":"Bowen Yang Opens Up About ‘SNL’ Exit: “I Never Felt That Central”","slug":"bowen-yang-opens-up-about-snl-exit-i-never-felt-that-central","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-08T14:22:32.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/bowen-yang-leaving-saturday-night-live-interview-explanation","excerpt":"In a conversation with Rachel Sennott, Yang said he always felt more like a “weird utility” player.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a26cdc2ce58f075ba3d47bc%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2279836075","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"rftk2x","id":"rftk2x","title":"Judge slammed in grand jury report for refusing to officiate lesbian couple's wedding","slug":"judge-slammed-in-grand-jury-report-for-refusing-to-officiate-lesbian-couple-s-wedding","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/judge-slammed-in-grand-jury-report-for-refusing-to-officiate-lesbian-couples-wedding/","excerpt":"A grand jury in New York ruled that a judge who refused to marry a same-sex couple in 2024 should be removed from office, ripping into her by accusing her of \"[laying] bare her bigotry towards homosexual people and her willingness to put her personal feelings above her oath as an official charged wi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F12%2Ffelicia-pitts-davis.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1285%2C676%2C0.52%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"kapcnd","id":"kapcnd","title":"Hudson Williams Reportedly “Unaware” Swastika Was Drawn on His Face in Teen Pic","slug":"hudson-williams-reportedly-unaware-swastika-was-drawn-on-his-face-in-teen-pic","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-08T13:32:34.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/hudson-williams-swastika-marker-statement","excerpt":"Sources close to the Heated Rivalry star told TMZ the Nazi symbol has “never reflected Hudson’s beliefs, values, or character.”","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a26bf9bce58f075ba3d4745%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2279175775","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"eh52qs","id":"eh52qs","title":"\"Emotionally unstable\" Trump storms out of interview after journalist calls him out for lying","slug":"emotionally-unstable-trump-storms-out-of-interview-after-journalist-calls-him-out-for-lying","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-08T13:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-emotionally-unstable-storms-out-of-interview-after-journalist-calls-him-out-for-lying/","excerpt":"Donald Trump stormed out of an NBC interview on Sunday when challenged about his claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Trump was talking about the January 6 rioters, who he pardoned en masse last year, when journalist Kristen Welker said, \"Just to be very clear, there's no evidence of what you're","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-08-jun-2026-11-51-am-982.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.49%2C0.14%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"ufolb1","id":"ufolb1","title":"Remember when a psychologist said Trump’s doctors are monitoring “his dementia and/or strokes”?","slug":"remember-when-a-psychologist-said-trump-s-doctors-are-monitoring-his-dementia-and-or-strokes","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-08T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-remember-when-a-psychologist-said-trumps-doctors-are-monitoring-his-dementia-and-or-strokes/","excerpt":"A psychologist is speaking out about what it means that the president keeps taking cognitive tests, explaining that Donald Trump's doctors are likely past the point of trying to figure out whether he is suffering from dementia and are now just monitoring his decline. Former Johns Hopkins University ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F10%2Fusatsi-27056372.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"jeea75","id":"jeea75","title":"D.C.’s housing reality: Cautious optimism meets landlord strain","slug":"d-c-s-housing-reality-cautious-optimism-meets-landlord-strain","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-07T21:48:23.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/07/real-estate-changes-in-dc-economy-rental-market/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=real-estate-changes-in-dc-economy-rental-market","excerpt":"Washington has long prided itself on stability. Anchored by the federal government and buoyed by a highly educated workforce, the District has historically weathered economic uncertainty better than most cities. But beneath that stability, cracks have been showing since January 2025. I was having a ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Scott Bloom"},{"archiveId":"jqab68","id":"jqab68","title":"‘Mighty Real’ explores history of LGBTQ music","slug":"mighty-real-explores-history-of-lgbtq-music","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-07T21:34:34.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/07/mighty-real-book-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mighty-real-book-review","excerpt":"‘Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000’By Barry Waltersc.2026, Viking$35/496 pages Step, step, tap, back step. Shimmy in a circle, left hand waving over your head, shake your tail feathers, repeat to the beat. Once there was a time when you could do any dance in your sleep, but it’s been ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2023%2F01%2FBuy_the_Book_button.jpg","author":"Terri Schlichenmeyer"},{"archiveId":"oxqpk0","id":"oxqpk0","title":"A study examined support for gay candidates based on gender presentation. The results may surprise you.","slug":"a-study-examined-support-for-gay-candidates-based-on-gender-presentation-the-results-may-surprise-yo","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-07T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-study-examined-support-for-gay-candidates-based-on-gender-presentation-the-results-may-surprise-you/","excerpt":"A new study out of Northwestern University in Chicago asserts that gay candidates are receiving more support than ever from voters, shedding the \"electoral penalty\" of being gay in ever greater numbers. At the same time, voters are imposing another penalty on candidates for gender presentation: male","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-05-jun-2026-09-03-pm-7673.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.52%2C0.28%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"wnbz1v","id":"wnbz1v","title":"Vivian Wilson walks off red carpet after reporter says her father Elon Musk is \"the best\"","slug":"vivian-wilson-walks-off-red-carpet-after-reporter-says-her-father-elon-musk-is-the-best","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-07T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/vivian-wilson-walks-off-red-carpet-after-reporter-says-her-father-elon-musk-is-the-best/","excerpt":"Billionaire Elon Musk's estranged trans daughter, Vivian Wilson, made headlines this week for her abrupt exit from an interview after the reporter told her that Musk is \"the best.\" Wilson, a model, was at an event in Spain to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Desigual store. Video of the m","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F03%2Fmy-screenshots-2025-03-11-at-105825am.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D730%2C384%2C0.62%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"ad0ii6","id":"ad0ii6","title":"PHOTOS: 'Soul Divas'","slug":"photos-soul-divas","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-07T17:29:37.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/07/photos-soul-divas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-soul-divas","excerpt":"The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington performed the annual Pride show at Lincoln Theatre. The \"Soul Divas\" show featured songs popularized by Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston and more. For information on tickets and showtimes, visit gmcw.org. (Washington Blade ph","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260605_GMCW_Soul_Divas_insert_1_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg","author":"Michael Key"},{"archiveId":"ryomlx","id":"ryomlx","title":"Trump is targeting queers. Faeries & witches are magically helping the most vulnerable.","slug":"trump-is-targeting-queers-faeries-witches-are-magically-helping-the-most-vulnerable","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-07T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/is-targeting-queers-faeries-witches-are-magically-helping-the-most-vulnerable/","excerpt":"Republicans' increasing attacks on transgender people caused compelled many trans people and their families to move to Portland, Oregon, a trans-friendly city in a state with lots of trans legal protections. To help these newcomers to the city, 65-year-old Stela Marris — who identifies as a \"bi, pol","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmay-2026-monthly-issue-300-x-250-px-2.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"u93zku","id":"u93zku","title":"Queer author pens touching ode to chosen family: \"They see who I am\"","slug":"queer-author-pens-touching-ode-to-chosen-family-they-see-who-i-am","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-07T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/queer-author-pens-touching-ode-to-chosen-family-they-see-who-i-am/","excerpt":"Acclaimed queer author Kristen Arnett recently shared the moving story of her queer Florida wedding, during which she was surrounded by chosen family after a decade of estrangement from her biological one. In an excerpt from the anthology Living, Together published in Oprah Daily, the With Teeth and","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2384043083-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"vmpnzi","id":"vmpnzi","title":"Remember when 2 men were hit with a cane 80 times each for hugging & kissing in private?","slug":"remember-when-2-men-were-hit-with-a-cane-80-times-each-for-hugging-kissing-in-private","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-07T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-2-men-were-hit-with-a-cane-80-times-each-for-hugging-kissing-in-private/","excerpt":"Islamic authorities in Indonesia's Aceh province will hit a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old man 80 times with a cane for kissing and hugging each other in a public toilet. Witnesses in the Taman Sari city park informed police after seeing the men enter the same restroom in April, leading to the me","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F08%2Fshutterstock-2639765519.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"m3pqdv","id":"m3pqdv","title":"GOP goes all in on gay jokes, court rejects trans military ban & Pride Month is off to a rocky start","slug":"gop-goes-all-in-on-gay-jokes-court-rejects-trans-military-ban-pride-month-is-off-to-a-rocky-start","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-07T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-goes-all-in-on-gay-jokes-court-rejects-trans-military-ban-pride-month-is-off-to-a-rocky-start/","excerpt":"GOP's first attack on James Talarico in Texas Senate campaign is to call him \"too low-T\" for Texas Is he really a man? That's the question the GOP has been focusing on in this race, with GOP state Attorney General Ken Paxton mocking Talarico for supporting LGBTQ+ rights, being vegan (he's not), and ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-05-jun-2026-07-08-pm-487.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"6ev30c","id":"6ev30c","title":"Timothy Nelson on the premiere of his opera ‘Song of Sakuntala’","slug":"timothy-nelson-on-the-premiere-of-his-opera-song-of-sakuntala","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-06T21:45:13.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/06/timothy-nelson-song-of-sakuntala/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=timothy-nelson-song-of-sakuntala","excerpt":"‘The Song of Sakuntala’IN SeriesIn Washington and BaltimoreAtlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St., N.E.(Selected dates June 6-14)Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., Baltimore(June 19-21)$25-35Inseries.org As the artistic director of IN Series, Timothy Nelson rarely blows his own horn, bu","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Patrick Folliard"},{"archiveId":"fvj0j5","id":"fvj0j5","title":"Controversial ‘Blue Film’ pushes past taboos for gripping drama","slug":"controversial-blue-film-pushes-past-taboos-for-gripping-drama","source":"Washington Blade","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-06T21:15:59.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/06/blue-film-movie-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blue-film-movie-review","excerpt":"When movies are labeled as “controversial,” the effect is often akin to Oscar Wilde’s quip that “there’s only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” Indeed, a whiff of controversy can be the best publicity of all, turning a movie that might otherwise ha","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"John Paul King"},{"archiveId":"xgdmzu","id":"xgdmzu","title":"For gay Palestinians fleeing persecution at home, Israel is no safe haven","slug":"for-gay-palestinians-fleeing-persecution-at-home-israel-is-no-safe-haven","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-06T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/for-gay-palestinians-fleeing-persecution-at-home-is-no-safe-haven/","excerpt":"Israel, which bills itself as the only democracy in the Middle East, has long claimed that status makes it a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution elsewhere in the region. In his speech before Congress in 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mocked protesters holding “Gays for G","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2566824871.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.47%2C0.46%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"2m1lrc","id":"2m1lrc","title":"Cara Delevingne says she's a \"proud lesbian\" after rejecting labels in the past","slug":"cara-delevingne-says-she-s-a-proud-lesbian-after-rejecting-labels-in-the-past","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-06T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/cara-delevingne-says-shes-a-proud-lesbian-after-rejecting-labels-in-the-past/","excerpt":"Model and actress Cara Delevingne said she is \"very happy\" to call herself a lesbian despite long struggling with the concept of labels. \"People love to comment on stuff like that, [and say things like] 'she's not gay, she's pan,' or 'she's had boyfriends,\" Delevingne told Variety in a May 29 interv","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2548910561-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.53%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"246182","id":"246182","title":"People still ask me why we need Pride. The answer could not be simpler.","slug":"people-still-ask-me-why-we-need-pride-the-answer-could-not-be-simpler","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-06T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/people-still-ask-me-why-we-need-pride-the-answer-could-not-be-simpler/","excerpt":"People of all ages have consistently asked me two questions over the years: 1. “Why do you have to have those Pride marches every June?\" 2. “Why do you think you deserve these special rights that straight people don’t have?” Related GOP candidate shows no remorse after disturbing \"Anti-Pride Month\" ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fshutterstock-1420827677-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.32%2C0.49%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"xjwv3u","id":"xjwv3u","title":"This 81-year-old nun is helping Catholic parents affirm their trans kids","slug":"this-81-year-old-nun-is-helping-catholic-parents-affirm-their-trans-kids","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-06T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/this-81-year-old-nun-is-helping-catholic-parents-affirm-their-trans-kids/","excerpt":"An 81-year-old St. Louis nun has devoted the past two years to helping Catholic parents affirm their trans children. Sister Nancy Corcoran of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet hosts weekly dinners where about two dozen parents commiserate over the challenges of raising trans children in Americ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-02-at-22229pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1768%2C931%2C0.5%2C0.56%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"198878","id":"198878","title":"Remember when Idaho Republicans voted no on overturning same-sex marriage?","slug":"remember-when-idaho-republicans-voted-no-on-overturning-same-sex-marriage","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-06T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-idaho-republicans-voted-no-on-overturning-same-marriage/","excerpt":"The Idaho House of Representatives passed a measure this week asking the Supreme Court to overturn its landmark 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the U.S. But the legislation lost three Republican votes compared to a similar measure that passed in the state House last year. As the Id","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F03%2Fshutterstock-668745841-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"12x1ic","id":"12x1ic","title":"Fans are loving Spice Girl Mel C's reaction to being perceived as gay","slug":"fans-are-loving-spice-girl-mel-c-s-reaction-to-being-perceived-as-gay","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-06T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/fans-are-loving-spice-girl-mel-cs-reaction-to-being-perceived-as-gay/","excerpt":"Here are this week’s most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this? Sign up for our Good News email. Happy Pride Month, everyone! This week's Good News Roundup is filled with rainbows, some big firsts, and more proud politician","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2642701361.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.57%2C0.35%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"m9vmxb","id":"m9vmxb","title":"Ballroom Culture Shines at New York City Hall Pride Celebration","slug":"ballroom-culture-shines-at-new-york-city-hall-pride-celebration","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T23:15:51.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/nyc-pride-ball-city-hall","excerpt":"The legislative chamber became a runway as performers and advocates received their flowers at the Council's first Pride Ball.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2357da902d8bf83d762feb%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FBallroom%2520Culture%2520Shines%2520at%2520New%2520York%2520City%2520Hall%2520Pride%2520Celebration.png","author":"Jack Walker"},{"archiveId":"kyjxxo","id":"kyjxxo","title":"He shouted anti-trans slurs at a woman during karaoke. Now he's facing the music.","slug":"he-shouted-anti-trans-slurs-at-a-woman-during-karaoke-now-he-s-facing-the-music","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/he-shouted-anti-trans-slurs-at-a-woman-during-karaoke-now-hes-facing-the-music/","excerpt":"A 54-year-old man named Mark McMinn pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behavior on Wednesday and was fined £200 ($267) for harassing a transgender woman at a May 6 karaoke event at the Cloch Caravan Park of Gourock, Scotland (a town 28 miles west of Glasgow). The woman he harassed was hanging","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2693010975.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.44%2C0.55%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"rdjabv","id":"rdjabv","title":"ICE is going to stop reporting when detainees die soon after being released","slug":"ice-is-going-to-stop-reporting-when-detainees-die-soon-after-being-released","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-ice-is-going-to-stop-reporting-when-detainees-die-soon-after-being-released/","excerpt":"At least 18 ICE detainees have died shortly after being released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities this year. This week, ICE announced that it would no longer release information related to such deaths. Advocates worry that this will obscure ICE's practice of releasing severe","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-29058048.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.55%2C0.41%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"jixdsv","id":"jixdsv","title":"New York State's Budget Allocated $0 to New Gender-Affirming Care Resources. Advocates Want to Know Why","slug":"new-york-state-s-budget-allocated-0-to-new-gender-affirming-care-resources-advocates-want-to-know-wh","source":"them.","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-05T21:26:06.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/new-york-states-budget-allocates-no-money-to-new-gender-affirming-care-resources","excerpt":"Resources for homeless youth and the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund did not receive increased funding.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a233577b4b9910596637876%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2274804861","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"1x7vr2","id":"1x7vr2","title":"Jennifer Lopez: “Everything I Do” Is for the LGBTQ+ Community","slug":"jennifer-lopez-everything-i-do-is-for-the-lgbtq-community","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T21:14:18.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/jennifer-lopez-lgbt-community","excerpt":"The talented singer says her headlining performance at Pride started a 'new chapter' in her life and career.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a233ac4153e5b065193882b%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FJennifer%2520Lopez%2520","author":"Ricky Cornish"},{"archiveId":"g2kjwf","id":"g2kjwf","title":"This NYC LGBTQ+ Health Clinic Is Giving Away the Ultimate Pride Month Survival Kit","slug":"this-nyc-lgbtq-health-clinic-is-giving-away-the-ultimate-pride-month-survival-kit","source":"them.","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-05T21:02:04.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/sexual-health/callen-lorde-party-packs-nyc","excerpt":"Callen-Lorde is offering LGBTQ+ New Yorkers free kits packed with HIV prevention medication, sexual health supplies, and overdose reversal drugs throughout June.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2338bb792e716de99d4d59%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FThis%2520NYC%2520LGBTQ%2B%2520Health%2520Clinic%2520Is%2520Giving%2520Away%2520the%2520Ultimate%2520Pride%2520Month%2520Survival%2520Kit.png","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"1wfx93","id":"1wfx93","title":"3 men assaulted a trans bartender. Now she's facing felonies for defending herself.","slug":"3-men-assaulted-a-trans-bartender-now-she-s-facing-felonies-for-defending-herself","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/3-men-assaulted-a-trans-bartender-now-shes-facing-felonies-for-defending-herself/","excerpt":"A transgender bartender in Laramie, Wyoming, who pointed her gun at a man she says hurled gay slurs at her and threw her to the ground, is headed to trial on felony assault and gun charges. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Ríhanna Kelver says she was acting in self-defense afte","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2022%2F07%2Fshutterstock_2056414424-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"k1ehem","id":"k1ehem","title":"Haters want to kick trans people out of city swimming holes. Locals are saying no.","slug":"haters-want-to-kick-trans-people-out-of-city-swimming-holes-locals-are-saying-no","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/haters-want-to-kick-trans-people-out-of-city-swimming-holes-locals-are-saying-no/","excerpt":"The committee that oversees the gendered swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath in London have decided to maintain the trans-inclusive policies they formalized several years ago. The decision follows the UK Supreme Court’s decision on the legal definition of a woman and a campaign from an anti-trans grou","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2300206265.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"8cp6m0","id":"8cp6m0","title":"Governor’s races have never been more important for trans rights than this year","slug":"governor-s-races-have-never-been-more-important-for-trans-rights-than-this-year","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/governors-races-have-never-been-more-important-for-trans-rights-than-this-year/","excerpt":"It can be easy to forget about gubernatorial races as we head towards the midterms. They are, ultimately, state-level elections at a time when we’re focused on national problems. The balance of power in the Senate and the House of Representatives is the focal point for many of us as we hunt for a wa","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-05-jun-2026-08-32-pm-4511.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"kt9u7v","id":"kt9u7v","title":"Lesbian couple wanted for murder in Silver Spring, Md.","slug":"lesbian-couple-wanted-for-murder-in-silver-spring-md","source":"Washington Blade","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-05T18:36:11.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/couple-wanted-for-murder-silver-spring-maryland/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=couple-wanted-for-murder-silver-spring-maryland","excerpt":"The Montgomery County, Md., Department of Police announced on June 4 that it is seeking the public's help in locating two women, who they identify as a couple, who are charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing the mother of one of them. In a statement police identified the two women as ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"ntdmna","id":"ntdmna","title":"\"Christian fascist\" influencer says Pride flag is anti-white. Here's why he's wrong.","slug":"christian-fascist-influencer-says-pride-flag-is-anti-white-here-s-why-he-s-wrong","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-05T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/christian-influencer-says-pride-flag-is-anti-white-heres-why-hes-wrong/","excerpt":"Self-described “white nationalist” and “Christian fascist” broadcaster John Doyle published a video on Tuesday claiming that the progress Pride flag mocks Christianity and is deliberately meant to represent \"every identity incapable of producing white children.\" Neither claim is true – and here's wh","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2310217211-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.77%2C0.38%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"wyk3ah","id":"wyk3ah","title":"George Santos allegedly threatened an NPR reporter with \"a gun in your face\"","slug":"george-santos-allegedly-threatened-an-npr-reporter-with-a-gun-in-your-face","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/george-santos-allegedly-an-npr-reporter-with-a-in-your-face/","excerpt":"A day after a bombshell report dropped revealing disgraced ex-congressman George Santos is the target of a federal probe over insider trading on the prediction market Kalshi, the convicted felon was making more news, and another possible case for prosecutors. Bobby Allyn, the veteran technology corr","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F07%2Fshutterstock-2284802561-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"1o6ms1","id":"1o6ms1","title":"Queer Magic dance party planned","slug":"queer-magic-dance-party-planned","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T17:05:55.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/queer-magic-dance-party-planned/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=queer-magic-dance-party-planned","excerpt":"Celebrate the start of Pride month at the Queer Magic Dance Party at the Black Cat on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 p.m. There will be pole performances and demonstrations, a free photo booth with glitter bar, a queer vendor market, tarot readings by Skye Marinda Tarot, a drag performance by Sap","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael Key"},{"archiveId":"ns0lu5","id":"ns0lu5","title":"Trump isn't gay & calling him gay as a schoolyard insult is homophobic","slug":"trump-isn-t-gay-calling-him-gay-as-a-schoolyard-insult-is-homophobic","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/isnt-gay-calling-him-gay-as-a-schoolyard-insult-is-homophobic/","excerpt":"Just yesterday, The Advocate published a column calling Trump gay as an insult, proving why we still need Pride Month. The publication's reasoning centered around the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) cage fight scheduled to take place at the White House on June 14, because the fighters ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-25917239-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2515%2C1324%2C0.3%2C0.57%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"kaldd2","id":"kaldd2","title":"NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade","slug":"nlgja-dc-pride-happy-hour-at-trade","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T16:42:34.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/nlgja-dc-pride-happy-hour-trade/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nlgja-dc-pride-happy-hour-trade","excerpt":"Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free. The post NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Tinashe Chingarande"},{"archiveId":"42d33d","id":"42d33d","title":"DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday","slug":"dc-front-runners-pride-run-5k-set-for-saturday","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T16:35:18.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/pride-run-5k-saturday/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pride-run-5k-saturday","excerpt":"The 14th annual DC Front Runners' Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Tinashe Chingarande"},{"archiveId":"rt0iqg","id":"rt0iqg","title":"Trump says he \"probably won all 50 states\" before passing out in Oval Office","slug":"trump-says-he-probably-won-all-50-states-before-passing-out-in-oval-office","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-says-he-probably-won-all-50-states-before-passing-out-in-oval-office/","excerpt":"Donald Trump has been making increasingly wild claims about how much he won the 2024 election by. He didn't even win a majority of the popular vote in that election, but has been saying he won in a \"landslide\" for over a year. He apparently found a way to claim that he won the election by even more,","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fsleepy-trump.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1999%2C1052%2C0.38%2C0.62%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"il2qnj","id":"il2qnj","title":"Calendar: June 5-11","slug":"calendar-june-5-11","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T16:20:38.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/lgbtq-events-calendar-june-5-11/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lgbtq-events-calendar-june-5-11","excerpt":"Friday, June 5 “Center Aging: Pride Monthly Luncheon with Chair Yoga & Drag Bingo” will be at 12:00 p.m. at the DC LGBQ+ Community Center. Lunch will be provided. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. “Comedy Show for LGBTQ+ Prosperity” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Tinashe Chingarande"},{"archiveId":"prvrp7","id":"prvrp7","title":"PHOTOS: Project GLOW","slug":"photos-project-glow","source":"Washington Blade","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-05T16:03:21.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/photos-project-glow/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-project-glow","excerpt":"D.C.'s electronic music festival Project GLOW was held on the RFK Stadium grounds on May 30-31. The festival included an LGBTQ-focused Secret Garden stage. (Photos by Andy Nason) The post PHOTOS: Project GLOW appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260530-31_Project_GLOW_insert_16_by_Andrei_Nasonov.jpg","author":"Andy Nason"},{"archiveId":"5v771f","id":"5v771f","title":"MAGA has given us a bad fever, but MLK Jr. taught us how to turn down the heat","slug":"maga-has-given-us-a-bad-fever-but-mlk-jr-taught-us-how-to-turn-down-the-heat","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/has-given-us-a-bad-but-mlk-jr-taught-us-how-to-turn-down-the-heat/","excerpt":"During April 1963, Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference joined together with the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights in a massive nonviolent action to protest Birmingham’s system of segregation during the Easter holiday season, the second-largest s","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2692486355.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.53%2C0.22%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"5h1eko","id":"5h1eko","title":"Trans Woman Faces Assault Charges For Self-Defense, Despite Wyoming’s 'Stand Your Ground' Law","slug":"trans-woman-faces-assault-charges-for-self-defense-despite-wyoming-s-stand-your-ground-law","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T15:41:40.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/trans-woman-faces-assault-charges-self-defense-wyoming-stand-your-ground-law","excerpt":"Rihanna Kelver was standing outside the Crowbar & Grill in Laramie, Wyoming, when a man began to shout homophobic and transphobic slurs at her.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a22ed8da7005973e6dbec7a%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F1245531932","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"x79vis","id":"x79vis","title":"\"C’mon, gays. Happy Pride!\" Madonna kicked off Pride Month with free Times Square concert","slug":"c-mon-gays-happy-pride-madonna-kicked-off-pride-month-with-free-times-square-concert","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/cmon-gays-happy-pride-madonna-kicked-off-pride-month-with-free-times-square-concert/","excerpt":"Madonna kicked off Pride Month in New York City on Thursday evening with a free pop-up concert in Times Square. Part of her ongoing collaboration with gay hook-up app Grindr, the 15-minute show saw the 67-year-old pop music icon taking over The Square, a new performance venue overlooking the Midtown","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmadonnatimessquare.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"2qycpo","id":"2qycpo","title":"The attacks on James Talarico's masculinity hurt everyone, including the people who lob them","slug":"the-attacks-on-james-talarico-s-masculinity-hurt-everyone-including-the-people-who-lob-them","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/the-attacks-on-james-talaricos-masculinity-hurt-everyone-including-the-people-who-lob-them/","excerpt":"I published an edited book titled Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price in 1992, not long after I read a book by Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), a man who escaped the bitter tyranny of slavery to become a preeminent leader for civil rights in the United States during the 19th century. His book, Narra","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fusatsi-28398785-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1750%2C921%2C0.46%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"9v3y5p","id":"9v3y5p","title":"Patagonia vs. Pattie Gonia: Trademark Lawyers Break Down the Dispute","slug":"patagonia-vs-pattie-gonia-trademark-lawyers-break-down-the-dispute","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T14:30:28.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/pattie-gonia-patagonia-trademark-lawyers","excerpt":"Three legal experts share their opinions on the outdoor apparel brand's lawsuit against the drag performer.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a22dca3153e5b0651938808%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FPatagonia%2520vs.%2520Pattie%2520Gonia-%2520Trademark%2520Lawyers%2520Break%2520Down%2520the%2520Dispute.png","author":"Moises Mendez II"},{"archiveId":"m7bh6y","id":"m7bh6y","title":"Madonna turns Times Square into massive dance floor","slug":"madonna-turns-times-square-into-massive-dance-floor","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T14:26:24.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/madonna-turns-times-square-dance-floor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=madonna-turns-times-square-dance-floor","excerpt":"Pop icon Madonna celebrated Pride month with a pop-up performance in New York City’s Times Square on Thursday to the delight of 50,000 fans. She performed for about 15 minutes high above street level, including several songs from her new album “Confessions II” due on July 3, along with a trio of son","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260604_Madonna_in_Times_Square_insert_by_Alex_Antonioni_insert_2_courtesy_Warner_Records.jpg","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"0ll56u","id":"0ll56u","title":"Ariana Madix Also Wants to See More Queer Bombshells on 'Love Island'","slug":"ariana-madix-also-wants-to-see-more-queer-bombshells-on-love-island","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T14:17:22.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/ariana-madix-also-wants-to-see-more-queer-bombshells-on-love-island","excerpt":"Calling all queer bombshells to the villa.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a22d8f29d01445cbbb32de9%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Flove-island-usa-701-ariana-madix.jpg","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"svyblg","id":"svyblg","title":"She came out at age 11.5 in her military family. Her supportive parents took her to Pride.","slug":"she-came-out-at-age-11-5-in-her-military-family-her-supportive-parents-took-her-to-pride","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/she-came-out-at-age-11-5-in-her-military-family-her-supportive-parents-took-her-to-pride/","excerpt":"LGBTQ Nation will be sharing your pictures of Pride throughout May and June. Submit your own if you want to be included! It's been said by James Baldwin, Kurt Vonnegut, and the Whispers — in their chart-topping 1981 song — that \"Love is where you find it.\" For teenager Fiona Morris, it was in Hampto","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Ffiona-morris-teen-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.41%2C0.58%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"9wknvz","id":"9wknvz","title":"Blade welcomes summer intern","slug":"blade-welcomes-summer-intern","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T13:52:06.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/05/blade-welcomes-summer-intern-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blade-welcomes-summer-intern-3","excerpt":"The Washington Blade this week welcomed Emma LaPointe as its summer intern. Emma is studying journalism, political science, and German studies at the University of Arizona. She is from Tucson, Ariz., and is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center. \"I am","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"zr9fha","id":"zr9fha","title":"These 10 LGBTQ+ books about religion and spirituality are must-reads for all queer believers","slug":"these-10-lgbtq-books-about-religion-and-spirituality-are-must-reads-for-all-queer-believers","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/lgbtq-books-about-religion-and-spirituality/","excerpt":"Sacred and historical texts form the backbone of mainstream religions worldwide, but even modern-day writings about religion often exclude queer perspectives, which is why we've compiled this essential list of LGBTQ+ books about religion and spirituality that will expand the minds (and hearts) of be","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2601364965.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.47%2C0.71%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"znhk45","id":"znhk45","title":"Remember when Republicans passed a law that singles out married same-sex couples for discrimination?","slug":"remember-when-republicans-passed-a-law-that-singles-out-married-same-sex-couples-for-discrimination","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-05T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-republicans-passed-a-law-that-singles-out-married-same-couples-for-discrimination/","excerpt":"Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill that says that people and private organizations don't have to recognize same-sex marriages. It also shields people from facing professional discipline if they refuse to officiate or \"celebrate\" a same-sex wedding. Opponent","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fusatsi-28011261-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"1o59cj","id":"1o59cj","title":"PHOTOS: Shepherdstown Pride Parade","slug":"photos-shepherdstown-pride-parade","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-05T03:13:09.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/photos-shepherdstown-pride-parade/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-shepherdstown-pride-parade","excerpt":"The second annual Shepherdstown Gay Pride Parade was held in Shepherdstown, W.Va. on Monday, June 1. (Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford) The post PHOTOS: Shepherdstown Pride Parade appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260601_Shepherdstown_Pride_Parade_insert_16_c_Washington_Blade_by_Landon_Shackelford.jpg","author":"Landon Shackelford"},{"archiveId":"3k9xqt","id":"3k9xqt","title":"Charges against Budapest mayor for organizing Pride march dropped","slug":"charges-against-budapest-mayor-for-organizing-pride-march-dropped","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T21:41:01.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/charges-against-budapest-mayor-for-organizing-pride-march-dropped/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=charges-against-budapest-mayor-for-organizing-pride-march-dropped","excerpt":"Hungarian authorities on Thursday dropped charges against Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony over his role in organizing the city’s 2025 Pride march. Karácsony spoke at the event, even though then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government banned it. More than 100,000 people defied the ban and participa","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"rjabcl","id":"rjabcl","title":"Former GOP head implies Trump is obese. Most adults think he'd lose in a physical fight.","slug":"former-gop-head-implies-trump-is-obese-most-adults-think-he-d-lose-in-a-physical-fight","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-former-gop-head-implies-is-obese-most-adults-think-hed-lose-in-a-physical-fight/","excerpt":"Former Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele implied on Thursday that President Donald Trump is obese and lying about his weight. Steele also noted a recent YouGov poll in which 66% of Americans said that an \"average American\" could beat Trump in a fight. In an MS NOW column, Steele not","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2589320061.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"p7tld0","id":"p7tld0","title":"Most Americans support brands that back Pride & politicians who oppose anti-LGBTQ+ attacks","slug":"most-americans-support-brands-that-back-pride-politicians-who-oppose-anti-lgbtq-attacks","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/most-americans-support-brands-that-back-pride-politicians-who-oppose-anti-lgbtq-attacks/","excerpt":"A new poll conducted by GLAAD ahead of Pride Month shows that large majorities of Americans support companies that support Pride as well as politicians who oppose anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. The poll found that 68% of registered voters agreed that companies and brands should be able to show support to the ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F01%2Fshutterstock-2157107463-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"pufaxm","id":"pufaxm","title":"‘She’s the He’ Review: ‘Booksmart’ for Foul-Mouthed Trans People","slug":"she-s-the-he-review-booksmart-for-foul-mouthed-trans-people","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-04T20:25:12.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/shes-the-he-review-booksmart-trans-gender-swap-comedy","excerpt":"Forget representation. This is the irreverent gender-swap comedy we need.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a21dbba7f2398f7d5692b5d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FShesTheHeader.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"db1qqh","id":"db1qqh","title":"Gallup finds LGBTQ support among Americans is dropping","slug":"gallup-finds-lgbtq-support-among-americans-is-dropping","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T20:11:22.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/gallup-finds-lgbtq-support-among-americans-is-dropping/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gallup-finds-lgbtq-support-among-americans-is-dropping","excerpt":"Gallup, one of the leading organizations in public opinion polling, has found that LGBTQ support among Americans is dropping. The poll, whose data was collected using Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey, was conducted in May and was published on Wednesday. The data was collected through teleph","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260604_Gallup_Poll_Data_insert_c_Gallup-600x367.png","author":"Joe Reberkenny"},{"archiveId":"b5ej5o","id":"b5ej5o","title":"Ogles faces bipartisan backlash over anti-gay social media post","slug":"ogles-faces-bipartisan-backlash-over-anti-gay-social-media-post","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T19:53:10.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/ogles-faces-bipartisan-backlash-over-anti-gay-social-media-post/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ogles-faces-bipartisan-backlash-over-anti-gay-social-media-post","excerpt":"U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who represents Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, is facing backlash from LGBTQ advocates and fellow Republicans after a social media post declared that \"homosexuality has no place in America.\" \"Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month,\" ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joe Reberkenny"},{"archiveId":"815867","id":"815867","title":"Enraged Trump snaps \"Be quiet!\" at woman who he said has \"hatred in her eyes\" & should smile more","slug":"enraged-trump-snaps-be-quiet-at-woman-who-he-said-has-hatred-in-her-eyes-should-smile-more","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-enraged-snaps-be-quiet-at-woman-who-he-said-has-hatred-in-her-eyes-should-smile-more/","excerpt":"Donald Trump lashed out at a reporter in the Oval Office yesterday who asked him a question about his $1.8 billion fund that he had the Department of Justice approve to disburse money to people he believes were unfairly targeted by the criminal justice system under President Joe Biden, including the","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F01%2Fshutterstock-2711671719-1544x1029-1.webp%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"j4nxy9","id":"j4nxy9","title":"LGBTQ+ candidates sweep CA primaries: \"The voters sent a clear message\"","slug":"lgbtq-candidates-sweep-ca-primaries-the-voters-sent-a-clear-message","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/lgbtq-candidates-sweep-ca-primaries-the-voters-sent-a-clear-message/","excerpt":"California's primary on Tuesday was a \"clean sweep\" for LGBTQ+ candidates for Congress, as two Democratic incumbents dominated their races and two new contenders advanced to the general election in November. In San Francisco, out California state Sen. Scott Wiener (D) captured more than 42% of the v","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2022%2F09%2Fscott-wiener.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"n7i4il","id":"n7i4il","title":"Cops accuse Seattle Police Department of refusing to promote them because they're gay","slug":"cops-accuse-seattle-police-department-of-refusing-to-promote-them-because-they-re-gay","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/cops-accuse-seattle-police-department-of-refusing-to-promote-them-because-theyre-gay/","excerpt":"Two gay police officers are suing the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for allegedly denying them promotions because of their sexuality. Detective Anna Fishel and Lieutenant Douglas Raguso claim the department repeatedly passed them over for promotions to roles for which they were qualified, the Seat","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2020%2F02%2Fgay-rainbow-seattle-police.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"4y2lfk","id":"4y2lfk","title":"This trans student just won at state. The Supreme Court might now ban her from sports.","slug":"this-trans-student-just-won-at-state-the-supreme-court-might-now-ban-her-from-sports","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/this-trans-student-just-won-at-state-the-supreme-court-might-now-ban-her-from-sports/","excerpt":"High school sophomore Becky Pepper-Jackson just won the West Virginia Class AAA girls' shot put championship. But she might have played her last season, as the Supreme Court is expected to rule in her challenge to the state’s trans sports ban later this month, and she might be barred from participat","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-28003718-168404765-lowres-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.37%2C0.4%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"pm3x8d","id":"pm3x8d","title":"TikTok Personality Formerly Known as Bela Delgado Says He Is No Longer Trans After “Exploratory Therapy Camp”","slug":"tiktok-personality-formerly-known-as-bela-delgado-says-he-is-no-longer-trans-after-exploratory-thera","source":"them.","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-04T16:43:09.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/tiktok-personality-christopher-delgado-says-he-is-no-longer-trans-after-exploratory-therapy-camp","excerpt":"\"I am very much a man and I’m now realizing I always have been one,” Christopher Delgado told followers.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a21aa580dba9ddf6df4719a%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fdelgado.jpg","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"9dhn7u","id":"9dhn7u","title":"Organizer of Omaha's first Pride march in 1985 explains how much things have changed","slug":"organizer-of-omaha-s-first-pride-march-in-1985-explains-how-much-things-have-changed","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-04T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/organizer-of-omahas-first-pride-march-in-1985-explains-how-much-things-have-changed/","excerpt":"LGBTQ Nation will be sharing your pictures of Pride throughout May and June. Submit your own if you want to be included! For Jim Gau, a veteran of Omaha's very first Pride march in 1985, the city's Heartland Pride event last year was \"emotional.\" \"We went from just a few people cheering and lots of ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fjim-gau-omaha.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1640%2C863%2C0.54%2C0.5%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"4cbwbe","id":"4cbwbe","title":"First gay underwear party? How to have fun nearly naked","slug":"first-gay-underwear-party-how-to-have-fun-nearly-naked","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/first-gay-underwear-party-how-to-have-fun-nearly-naked/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=first-gay-underwear-party-how-to-have-fun-nearly-naked","excerpt":"You’re at a new gay bar, mustering up the courage to leave all your clothes at coat check except for your briefs, socks, and sneakers. Through the door, you catch glimpses of pantless men laughing and grinding to house anthems, and somehow, everyone inside seems totally comfortable being nearly nake","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Differio"},{"archiveId":"b7nb13","id":"b7nb13","title":"Poll Shows Americans Care More About Affordability Than Attacking Trans People","slug":"poll-shows-americans-care-more-about-affordability-than-attacking-trans-people","source":"them.","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-04T15:47:25.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/poll-shows-americans-care-more-about-affordability-than-attacking-trans-people","excerpt":"The numbers paint a very different picture than the GOP’s midterm strategy would suggest.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a219c07792e716de99d4b0f%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2198459795","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"v7kbej","id":"v7kbej","title":"Far-right Christian group praises Trump for ignoring Pride Month & backing a \"family-focused\" agenda","slug":"far-right-christian-group-praises-trump-for-ignoring-pride-month-backing-a-family-focused-agenda","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/far-right-christian-group-praises-for-ignoring-pride-month-backing-a-family-focused-agenda/","excerpt":"An influential far-right Christian group that believes LGBTQ+ people are \"demonic\" is celebrating Donald Trump's failure to acknowledge Pride Month this year. Intercessors for America (IFA), which works closely with the White House Faith Office and has hosted a prayer call with Trump, wrote on its w","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fshutterstock-2735597871-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.61%2C0.47%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"xfbl1m","id":"xfbl1m","title":"GOP candidate shows no remorse after disturbing \"Anti-Pride Month\" declaration","slug":"gop-candidate-shows-no-remorse-after-disturbing-anti-pride-month-declaration","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-candidate-shows-no-remorse-after-disturbing-anti-pride-month-declaration/","excerpt":"A GOP candidate for the Connecticut state House is doubling down after posting a callous anti-Pride message that has been condemned by both Democrats and Republicans in the state. \"Happy Straight Month!\" wrote 23-year-old Jadon MacCormack in a June 2nd social media post. \"It’s American to be Anti-Pr","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-04-at-61557am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1410%2C742%2C0.48%2C0.39%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"eflsu2","id":"eflsu2","title":"Tim Kaine tells trans kids to ignore hateful GOP Senators: You are \"worthy of love as you are\"","slug":"tim-kaine-tells-trans-kids-to-ignore-hateful-gop-senators-you-are-worthy-of-love-as-you-are","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/tim-kaine-tells-trans-kids-to-ignore-hateful-gop-senators-you-are-worthy-of-love-as-you-are/","excerpt":"Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) shared moving words in support of trans youth during a Senate hearing on gender-affirming care on Wednesday. \"If you’re a trans kid watching this hearing, if you have friends who are trans kids, if you have family who are trans kids, if you're not trans but you're grappling [wi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-26622054-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"ykyxf0","id":"ykyxf0","title":"Michigan City Council Cuts Drag Queen Story Hour From Pride Festival Lineup","slug":"michigan-city-council-cuts-drag-queen-story-hour-from-pride-festival-lineup","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-04T14:15:14.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/michigan-city-council-cuts-drag-queen-story-hour-from-pride-festival-lineup","excerpt":"Madison Heights voted to cancel even though performer Jadein Black’s dress and her choice of book had both been vetted.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a218782809c89d1dffae95b%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FJadein.JPG","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"661640","id":"661640","title":"How to Clean Up Before Sex, According to Experts","slug":"how-to-clean-up-before-sex-according-to-experts","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-04T13:35:11.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/clean-up-before-sex-soap-douching-pubic-hair","excerpt":"Our culture is far more obsessed with pre-sex cleanup than it needs to be.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a217aa17f2398f7d5692b0a%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F1339045896","author":"Ian Kumamoto"},{"archiveId":"02r3xt","id":"02r3xt","title":"Companies behind gender reveal smoke bombs that caused forest fire agree to pay $4 million","slug":"companies-behind-gender-reveal-smoke-bombs-that-caused-forest-fire-agree-to-pay-4-million","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T13:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/companies-behind-gender-reveal-smoke-that-caused-forest-fire-agree-to-pay-4-million/","excerpt":"Six years ago, a straight couple in California used a \"smoke-generating pyrotechnic device\" as part of a gender reveal party, which started a fire that burned 23,000 acres of land, destroyed 20 buildings, and killed at least one person. Now the companies that sold the device have agreed to pay $4 mi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2019%2F10%2Fgender-reveal-smoke.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"ipkstu","id":"ipkstu","title":"D.C. Latinx Pride celebrates culture and heritage","slug":"d-c-latinx-pride-celebrates-culture-and-heritage","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T12:50:38.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/latinx-pride-events-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=latinx-pride-events-2026","excerpt":"Organizers with the Latinx History Project have planned a host of events this Pride season with parties, poetry, drag and more. The festivities begin with the DC Latinx Pride 2026 Kickoff at Crush Dance Bar (2007 14th Street, N.W.) on Friday, June 12 from 6-10 p.m. The party will include a coronatio","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael Key"},{"archiveId":"1vu2w5","id":"1vu2w5","title":"Fighting ‘Rainbow Panic’ in museums","slug":"fighting-rainbow-panic-in-museums","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T12:44:49.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/fighting-rainbow-panic-museums-glam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fighting-rainbow-panic-museums-glam","excerpt":"Back in February of 2025, I wrote a piece for New York City-based arts publication Hyperallergic about the importance of museums stepping up for their LGBTQ staff. I was right to be concerned. Over the last three years, censorship of LGBTQ histories and art has exploded in the museum field. Discours","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Emma Cieslik"},{"archiveId":"ed0503","id":"ed0503","title":"A vice president marches by our side","slug":"a-vice-president-marches-by-our-side","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T12:33:29.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/opinion-rainbow-history-vice-president-marches-by-our-side/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-rainbow-history-vice-president-marches-by-our-side","excerpt":"A photograph can change how we understand ourselves. In Rainbow History Project’s exhibit “Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington,” one pairing does exactly that: 10 Washingtonians in their Sunday best picketing the White House in 1965, and, a few panels later, Vice P","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Vincent E. Slatt"},{"archiveId":"5mv4rg","id":"5mv4rg","title":"Remember the outrage when Trump ranted about inappropriate topics to kids, then passed out?","slug":"remember-the-outrage-when-trump-ranted-about-inappropriate-topics-to-kids-then-passed-out","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-04T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-the-outrage-when-ranted-about-inappropriate-topics-to-kids-then-passed-out/","excerpt":"Donald Trump ranted about trans women in sports, executions in Iran, nuclear weapons, and other topics to kids who were at the Oval Office yesterday. \"He's the LeBron James of being weird around kids,\" one commenter noted on X. Related Medical professor sounds alarm on Trump's \"deterioration almost ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fdonald-trump-sleeping-rfk.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.51%2C0.64%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"q7ymet","id":"q7ymet","title":"Leaving for a barge trip through canals of Burgundy","slug":"leaving-for-a-barge-trip-through-canals-of-burgundy","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-04T12:21:25.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/04/opinion-leaving-barge-trip-canals-burgundy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-leaving-barge-trip-canals-burgundy","excerpt":"As those who read my columns know, I love cruising, the kind you do on water. I have had many different cruise experiences, including sailing through the Galapagos and the Norwegian fjords. This time, I will be doing something a little different and am off on a new adventure. With 18 others, will be","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Peter Rosenstein"},{"archiveId":"s8fybe","id":"s8fybe","title":"Shia LaBeouf pleads guilty in homophobic assault of queer man in New Orleans","slug":"shia-labeouf-pleads-guilty-in-homophobic-assault-of-queer-man-in-new-orleans","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/labeouf-pleads-guilty-in-homophobic-of-queer-man-in-new-orleans/","excerpt":"Heterosexual actor Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty to three counts of simple battery on Wednesday related to a February incident in which he assaulted two men and called them \"fa***ts\" during an altercation amid the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans, Louisiana. LaBeouf insinuated that the altercatio","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-1595761312.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.45%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"b465mi","id":"b465mi","title":"George Santos allegedly bet on himself. He may be going to prison again for it.","slug":"george-santos-allegedly-bet-on-himself-he-may-be-going-to-prison-again-for-it","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/george-santos-allegedly-bet-on-himself-he-may-be-going-to-again-for-it/","excerpt":"Four months after his prison sentence was commuted by Donald Trump, George Santos went on social media to say that he'd be at the State of the Union (SOTU) address in February to cheer the president on. \"I'm going to be there for the State of Union in the gallery, guys,\" Santos said in a video poste","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F03%2Fusatsi-22717544-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"nxmrhw","id":"nxmrhw","title":"Trans teens who receive hormone therapy are less likely to run away from home","slug":"trans-teens-who-receive-hormone-therapy-are-less-likely-to-run-away-from-home","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T20:49:50.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/trans-teens-who-receive-hormone-therapy-are-less-likely-to-run-away-from-home/","excerpt":"Transgender teens who received hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are less likely to run away from home, according to a new study. Researchers at Southern Oregon University and Rutgers University examined data from about 1,101 respondents to the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey who began receiving HRT be","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2638192065.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.51%2C0.26%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"fn1kus","id":"fn1kus","title":"Trans Youth and Their Families Are Fighting Trump’s Medical Records Grab","slug":"trans-youth-and-their-families-are-fighting-trump-s-medical-records-grab","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T20:37:50.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/health/transgender-health/trans-youth-sue-hospital-subpoena","excerpt":"Patients and parents say federal demands for records from NYU Langone and Stanford Medicine threaten privacy, safety, and access to gender-affirming care.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a208fd973b1804a0c08131c%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FTrans%2520Youth%2520and%2520Their%2520Families%2520Are%2520Fighting%2520Trump%25E2%2580%2599s%2520Medical%2520Records%2520Grab.png","author":"Jack Walker"},{"archiveId":"6x9k2h","id":"6x9k2h","title":"The Queer Discourse You Should Solve This Pride, Based on Your Sign","slug":"the-queer-discourse-you-should-solve-this-pride-based-on-your-sign","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-03T20:32:49.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/queer-discourse-you-should-solve-this-pride-based-on-your-sign","excerpt":"From kink at Pride to debating who “counts” as queer, there's enough queer discourse for us all.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2080c0f62640fd0b2d456c%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2162995159","author":"Sam Manzella"},{"archiveId":"dffhw4","id":"dffhw4","title":"MAGA pundit wants James Talarico to answer a truly bizarre question about his underwear","slug":"maga-pundit-wants-james-talarico-to-answer-a-truly-bizarre-question-about-his-underwear","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-pundit-wants-james-talarico-to-answer-a-truly-bizarre-question-about-his-underwear/","excerpt":"Todd Starnes, a pundit who has previously appeared on Fox News and Newsmax, said he wants to ask Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and state Rep. James Talarico a bizarre question about his underwear. While speaking on The Todd Starnes Show, Starnes played a clip of Talarico telling a church au","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-27112813.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1968%2C1036%2C0.49%2C0.32%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"7nf0kw","id":"7nf0kw","title":"Phoenix Pride files for bankruptcy as corporate sponsors abandon Prides across the country","slug":"phoenix-pride-files-for-bankruptcy-as-corporate-sponsors-abandon-prides-across-the-country","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/phoenix-pride-files-for-as-corporate-sponsors-abandon-prides-across-the-country/","excerpt":"With Pride organizations facing corporate retreat in the wake of President Trump's assault on the LGBTQ+ community and DEI efforts, Phoenix Pride announced on Thursday that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The group cited \"rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, shifts in sponsorship","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fphoenix-pride.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1040%2C547%2C0.5%2C0.35%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"su3x61","id":"su3x61","title":"Federal appeals court rules White House illegally banned trans troops","slug":"federal-appeals-court-rules-white-house-illegally-banned-trans-troops","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T18:55:00.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/03/federal-appeals-court-rules-white-house-illegally-banned-trans-troops/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=federal-appeals-court-rules-white-house-illegally-banned-trans-troops","excerpt":"A panel of federal appeals court judges ruled that President Donald Trump’s policy banning transgender troops likely violates their constitutional rights. The three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 that Trump’s Executive Order 14183, also know","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joe Reberkenny"},{"archiveId":"p7ldwu","id":"p7ldwu","title":"George Santos Is Under Investigation for Betting on George Santos","slug":"george-santos-is-under-investigation-for-betting-on-george-santos","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T18:07:25.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/news/crime/george-santos-kalshi-investigation","excerpt":"Federal investigators are examining whether the disgraced former congressman profited from bets about his own behavior on Kalshi.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a206c848ed2622dfd00970c%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FGeorge%2520Santos%2520Is%2520Under%2520Investigation%2520for%2520Betting%2520on%2520George%2520Santos.png","author":"Christopher Wiggins"},{"archiveId":"q3axev","id":"q3axev","title":"Christian man sues employer for forcing him to see a Pride flag on his way into work","slug":"christian-man-sues-employer-for-forcing-him-to-see-a-pride-flag-on-his-way-into-work","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/christian-man-sues-employer-for-forcing-him-to-see-a-pride-flag-on-his-way-into-work/","excerpt":"A conservative Christian man is suing Los Angeles County and the L.A. Department of Public Works for making him come to work during Pride Month. Department of Public Works employee Eric Batman claims that having to see a Progress Pride flag flying outside the department’s Alhambra, California, headq","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F06%2Ffox-news-progress-pride-flag-pedophilia-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.41%2C0.49%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"319718","id":"319718","title":"Meg Stalter’s “GAY” Is an Instant Pride Month Anthem","slug":"meg-stalter-s-gay-is-an-instant-pride-month-anthem","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-03T17:33:27.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/meg-stalter-gay-is-an-instant-pride-month-anthem","excerpt":"This is going to go triple platinum on Fire Island.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2062bdf62640fd0b2d4521%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2277563534","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"19kk14","id":"19kk14","title":"The Trump admin is trying to collect trans kids' medical information. So families are suing.","slug":"the-trump-admin-is-trying-to-collect-trans-kids-medical-information-so-families-are-suing","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/the-admin-is-trying-to-collect-trans-kids-medical-information-so-families-are-suing/","excerpt":"Trans patients and their families filed a federal class action lawsuit this week aimed at preventing hospitals from handing trans kids' medical records over to the Trump administration. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been fighting a nationwide campaign to acquire the medical records from hospit","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2267095757-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"bvn5vh","id":"bvn5vh","title":"Drag queen devastated after city's 11th hour cancellation of story time event: \"It hurts really bad\"","slug":"drag-queen-devastated-after-city-s-11th-hour-cancellation-of-story-time-event-it-hurts-really-bad","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/drag-queen-devastated-after-citys-11th-hour-cancellation-of-story-time-event-it-hurts-really-bad/","excerpt":"The city council of Madison Heights, Michigan, voted 4-3 on Monday to cancel a drag queen story time that was slated to be a part of the city's Arts & Pride festival. The vote took place less than a week before the festival was scheduled to take place in the city's Civic Center Park. The council con","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-03-at-92811am-e1780497454375.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"usbpxg","id":"usbpxg","title":"\"She loves me for me\": This small town trans man proposed to his wife at an Easter egg hunt","slug":"she-loves-me-for-me-this-small-town-trans-man-proposed-to-his-wife-at-an-easter-egg-hunt","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/she-loves-me-for-me-this-small-town-trans-man-proposed-to-his-wife-at-an-easter-egg-hunt/","excerpt":"LGBTQ Nation will be sharing your pictures of Pride throughout May and June. Submit your own if you want to be included! In the small town of Neenah, along the banks of Lake Winnebago in rural Wisconsin, Pride was alive and thriving one night last year when Jesse Moore and his wife, Joline, attended","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fjesse-and-joline-moore-pride-in-pictures-wisconsin-scaled.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1921%2C1011%2C0.57%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"kqchi8","id":"kqchi8","title":"Islam is seen as hostile to LGBTQ+ people. This gay Muslim says it's queerer than you think.","slug":"islam-is-seen-as-hostile-to-lgbtq-people-this-gay-muslim-says-it-s-queerer-than-you-think","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/islam-is-seen-as-anti-lgbtq-this-gay-muslim-found-beauty-acceptance-in-its-homoerotic-culture/","excerpt":"While Islam lacks a central governing body to put forth any official stance on homosexuality, those who adhere strictly to the words of the Quran tend to interpret the text similarly to the traditionalist followers of the other Abrahamic religions – as condemning same-sex love. But Nour Tayara doesn","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-03-at-74818am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1206%2C635%2C0.51%2C0.26%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"r853ec","id":"r853ec","title":"\"We live in GASLIT NATION\": Dr. Oz gives \"ludicrous\" reason Trump is always at the doctor","slug":"we-live-in-gaslit-nation-dr-oz-gives-ludicrous-reason-trump-is-always-at-the-doctor","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-03T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-we-live-in-gaslit-nation-dr-oz-gives-ludicrous-reason-is-always-at-the-doctor/","excerpt":"Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, made an appearance in the White House press briefing room on Tuesday, where he not only called people \"stupid\" for disliking Donald Trump, but also claimed the president is going to the doctor so often because he re","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F04%2Fusatsi-25934939.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D812%2C427%2C0.54%2C0.33%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"9obtq2","id":"9obtq2","title":"Cara Delevingne Says Sleeping With Her 'Straight' Friends Helped Her Realize She's A Lesbian","slug":"cara-delevingne-says-sleeping-with-her-straight-friends-helped-her-realize-she-s-a-lesbian","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-03T15:26:47.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/cara-delevingne-sleeping-with-straight-friends-helped-her-realize-lesbian","excerpt":"“I discovered more about my sexuality through sleeping with my friends because there was a safety in that.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a2040c7f62640fd0b2d4514%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2276369780","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"ncbcx7","id":"ncbcx7","title":"Outright International honors Cyndi Lauper at annual NYC gala","slug":"outright-international-honors-cyndi-lauper-at-annual-nyc-gala","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T15:09:37.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/03/outright-international-honors-cyndi-lauper-at-annual-nyc-gala/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=outright-international-honors-cyndi-lauper-at-annual-nyc-gala","excerpt":"NEW YORK — Cyndi Lauper on Monday said LGBTQ Americans and their allies cannot give up in the fight for equality. \"We need to band together. We need to stand together, and we need to speak out, and we need to help each other,\" she told the Washington Blade during an interview after she arrived at Ou","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2022%2F12%2F20221213_Cyndi_Lauper_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key-1.jpg","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"qsedpc","id":"qsedpc","title":"Sesame Street posted a sweet message of love for Pride month. Cue the backlash.","slug":"sesame-street-posted-a-sweet-message-of-love-for-pride-month-cue-the-backlash","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/sesame-street-posted-a-sweet-message-of-love-for-pride-month-cue-the-backlash/","excerpt":"On June 1, the official Sesame Street social media account posted a simple message of acceptance for LGBTQ+ people to honor the start of Pride Month. \"Happy #PrideMonth from Sesame Street!\" it read. \"Join us in celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQIA+ members of our community.\" Related Red states are ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-1370107424-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.41%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"mecqt2","id":"mecqt2","title":"CO Gov Jared Polis kicks off Pride Month by signing new conversion therapy law","slug":"co-gov-jared-polis-kicks-off-pride-month-by-signing-new-conversion-therapy-law","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/co-gov-jared-polis-kicks-off-pride-month-by-signing-new-conversion-therapy-law/","excerpt":"Out Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a new bill aimed at stopping conversion therapy. \"Conversion Therapy can be harmful, traumatizes kids, and is a scam to waste people's hard-earned money,\" Polis posted to social media after signing the bill on June 1 at The Center on Colfax, an LGBTQ+ nonprof","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F08%2Fjared-polis-kamala-harris.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"18ubr0","id":"18ubr0","title":"\"Pathetic vanity\": GOP candidate brutally mocked over AI muscle picture","slug":"pathetic-vanity-gop-candidate-brutally-mocked-over-ai-muscle-picture","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-03T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-pathetic-vanity-gop-candidate-brutally-mocked-over-ai-muscle-picture/","excerpt":"Former congressmember Mike Rogers (R-MI) is running for Senate, and his supporters appear to be employing an unusual strategy: posting AI-generated pictures of him with huge muscles. And he's getting roundly mocked online for his alleged vanity. Related Gay candidate calls out \"homophobic\" AI-genera","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-27104449.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2400%2C1263%2C0.43%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"214569","id":"214569","title":"New Poll Shows Support for LGBTQ+ Rights Continues to Drop in the U.S.","slug":"new-poll-shows-support-for-lgbtq-rights-continues-to-drop-in-the-u-s","source":"them.","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-03T13:37:04.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/new-poll-shows-support-for-lgbtq-rights-continues-to-drop-in-the-us","excerpt":"A Gallup poll showed only 5% of Republicans say that gender transition is morally acceptable.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a202d0cdbbc08e656466dc6%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F539718664","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"x8nrp0","id":"x8nrp0","title":"Support for marriage equality drops again as Republican anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes increase","slug":"support-for-marriage-equality-drops-again-as-republican-anti-lgbtq-attitudes-increase","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T13:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/support-for-marriage-equality-drops-again-as-republican-anti-lgbtq-attitudes-increase/","excerpt":"Support for marriage equality and for LGBTQ+ people in general has dropped significantly this decade, according to a new poll from Gallup. Gallup released the results of its yearly Values and Beliefs survey, which asks people, among other things, if they are in favor of same-sex marriages remaining ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F01%2Fshutterstock-2366866445-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"ll605k","id":"ll605k","title":"Results from key Tuesday primary races","slug":"results-from-key-tuesday-primary-races","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T13:20:32.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/03/results-tuesday-primary-races/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=results-tuesday-primary-races","excerpt":"State officials in California had not called the governor’s race as of Wednesday morning but Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra appear likely to advance to the general election. The race for governor has been scrambled several times after Kamala Harris opted not to run, Rep. Eric Sw","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"knrd98","id":"knrd98","title":"AIDS Healthcare Foundation announces 3 million people globally in its care","slug":"aids-healthcare-foundation-announces-3-million-people-globally-in-its-care","source":"Washington Blade","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-03T12:53:35.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/03/aids-healthcare-foundation-announces-3-million-people-globally-in-its-care/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aids-healthcare-foundation-announces-3-million-people-globally-in-its-care","excerpt":"The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit group founded in 1987 that has become the world’s largest HIV/AIDS organization, has announced it has three million people in care around the world. In a statement released on May 26, the organization, known worldwide as AHF, said the lat","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"l0s2g5","id":"l0s2g5","title":"Remember when a crowd cheered after Pete Buttigieg destroyed Turning Point USA in just one sentence?","slug":"remember-when-a-crowd-cheered-after-pete-buttigieg-destroyed-turning-point-usa-in-just-one-sentence","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-03T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-a-crowd-cheered-after-pete-buttigieg-destroyed-turning-point-usa-in-just-one-sentence/","excerpt":"During a town hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday night, out former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg hilariously mocked the right-wing organization for young conservatives, Turning Point USA. \"As a tactical matter, I'll give the Turning Point folks a lot of strategic credit for going to a","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fusatsi-28005064.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"oxrn41","id":"oxrn41","title":"Teen allegedly stabbed his gay dad to death in horrific attack","slug":"teen-allegedly-stabbed-his-gay-dad-to-death-in-horrific-attack","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T12:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/teen-allegedly-stabbed-his-gay-dad-to-in-horrific/","excerpt":"In Columbus, Ohio, police have charged an unnamed 17-year-old with murder and felony assault for lethally stabbing his adoptive father and severely injuring his father's husband. The stabbing occurred on Sunday, May 24, killing 58-year-old Mark Rayburn-Velco and severely injuring his husband, Brent ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-02-at-122029am.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1228%2C646%2C0.56%2C0.51%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"8nbkqs","id":"8nbkqs","title":"Ted Cruz calls out GOP colleague who said \"Homosexuality has no place in America\"","slug":"ted-cruz-calls-out-gop-colleague-who-said-homosexuality-has-no-place-in-america","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-03T12:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-congressmen-fight-after-one-says-homosexuality-has-no-place-in-america/","excerpt":"In a now-deleted X post published Tuesday morning, rabidly anti-LGBTQ+ Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) wrote, \"Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month.\" After several Republican politicians called his statement \"idiotic\" and \"insane,\" Ogles deleted it later that day. He has previous","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F05%2Fusatsi-23228511-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"ojm173","id":"ojm173","title":"10 HIV/AIDS activists arrested on Capitol Hill","slug":"10-hiv-aids-activists-arrested-on-capitol-hill","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T23:27:22.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/10-hiv-aids-activists-arrested-on-capitol-hill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10-hiv-aids-activists-arrested-on-capitol-hill","excerpt":"U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday arrested 10 HIV/AIDS activists who protested Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. The activists from Housing Works, Health GAP, the Treatment Action Group, and ACT UP held signs and chanted “Rubio’s Cuts Kill People with A","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"fba4up","id":"fba4up","title":"Dito van Reigersberg, Known As Philly Drag Performer Martha Graham Cracker, Dies","slug":"dito-van-reigersberg-known-as-philly-drag-performer-martha-graham-cracker-dies","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-02T22:52:02.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/obituaries/dito-van-reigersberg-martha-graham-cracker-dies","excerpt":"Van Reigersberg helped expand what drag could look and sound like in Philadelphia: theatrical, literary, absurd, deeply musical, and emotionally alive.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1f5d2d548286510b7ca33a%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FDito%2520van%2520Reigersberg%2C%2520Known%2520As%2520Philly%2520Drag%2520Performer%2520Martha%2520Graham%2520Cracker%2C%2520Dies.png","author":"Alexander Kacala"},{"archiveId":"rqjxvd","id":"rqjxvd","title":"MAGA hate preacher says smoking marijuana makes men \"spiritually gay\"","slug":"maga-hate-preacher-says-smoking-marijuana-makes-men-spiritually-gay","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/hate-preacher-says-smoking-makes-men-spiritually-gay/","excerpt":"Christian nationalist hate pastor Joel Webbon — a man who blames Jewish people for everything he hates and thinks maybe Adolf Hitler wasn’t so bad after all — said in a May 30 X video that Christian men should smoke tobacco to help restore the nation because marijuana makes men \"spiritually gay.\" \"I","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-451889653.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.51%2C0.49%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"26ck07","id":"26ck07","title":"A Democrat was called a \"f**gocrat\" at a town hall meeting. His response might surprise you.","slug":"a-democrat-was-called-a-f-gocrat-at-a-town-hall-meeting-his-response-might-surprise-you","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-02T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/a-democrat-was-called-a-fgocrat-at-a-town-hall-meeting-his-response-might-surprise-you/","excerpt":"On the first day of Pride Month, Maine congressional candidate Jordan Wood (D) shared the story of a tense encounter he had at a March town hall meeting, which he says is a lesson that \"democracy demands.\" \"I’m not intimidated and I’ll never back down from a fight. That is what democracy demands, an","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fjordan-wood-faggocrat-conrontation-maine.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1344%2C707%2C0.33%2C0.41%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"0uxdt8","id":"0uxdt8","title":"Your Guide to Lesbian Bars, Pop-Ups, and Parties in Every State","slug":"your-guide-to-lesbian-bars-pop-ups-and-parties-in-every-state","source":"them.","category":"international","publishDate":"2026-06-02T21:24:07.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/lesbian-bars-parties-popups-sapphic-groups-every-state","excerpt":"From Alaska to Wyoming, we’ve got hot leads on where to meet sapphics in every corner of the country.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1f493e73b1804a0c0810aa%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FGettyImages-2232484148.jpg","author":"Quispe López, Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"kp054x","id":"kp054x","title":"GOP candidate struggles to burn rainbow flag on top of U-Haul truck while screaming at 2 people","slug":"gop-candidate-struggles-to-burn-rainbow-flag-on-top-of-u-haul-truck-while-screaming-at-2-people","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-candidate-struggles-to-burn-rainbow-flag-while-screaming-from-top-of-u-haul-at-2-people/","excerpt":"Jake Lang — a racist Republican candidate for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat who was jailed for allegedly assaulting Capitol Police officers during the January 6, 2021, riots — struggled to set two Pride flags on fire outside of the Delaney ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, yesterday afternoon while y","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fscreenshot-2026-06-02-at-13850pm.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"3zttcf","id":"3zttcf","title":"Nancy Mace is outraged that Trump endorsed her opponent: \"Do not believe her LIES\"!","slug":"nancy-mace-is-outraged-that-trump-endorsed-her-opponent-do-not-believe-her-lies","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-06-02T20:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-nancy-mace-is-outraged-that-endorsed-her-opponent-do-not-believe-her-lies/","excerpt":"Rep. Nancy \"proud transphobe\" Mace (R) is furious that Donald Trump endorsed her primary opponent in the South Carolina gubernatorial race. Last Friday on Truth Social, Trump endorsed South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R) to be the state's next governor. His long, effusive paean to Evette covere","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fusatsi-27989058-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.49%2C0.2%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"v9mtqq","id":"v9mtqq","title":"Gay right-winger humiliated as he can't name a single thing in America Trump has improved","slug":"gay-right-winger-humiliated-as-he-can-t-name-a-single-thing-in-america-trump-has-improved","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gay-right-winger-humiliated-as-he-cant-name-a-single-thing-in-america-has-improved/","excerpt":"Gay conservative influencer Dave Rubin failed to cite a single way in which President Donald Trump has improved the lives of average Americans since taking office during a recent debate with progressives. Rubin was the featured guest on the most recent episode of Jubilee Media’s Surrounded, in which","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fdaverubin.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"chtmus","id":"chtmus","title":"These 10 LGBTQ+ films about religion show queer believers keeping their faith","slug":"these-10-lgbtq-films-about-religion-show-queer-believers-keeping-their-faith","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/lgbtq-films-about-religion/","excerpt":"While many stories show queer people leaving their unaccepting faith communities to maintain their safety, dignity, and mental health, we've found a handful of LGBTQ+ films about religion that depict queer people who stay in their spiritual communities, both to push for greater acceptance and to dee","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Flgbtq-films-about-religion-gospel-of-eureka.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1592%2C838%2C0.48%2C0.44%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"jbryuk","id":"jbryuk","title":"Karamo Brown Reveals Why He Broke Up the Fab Five & Talks Queer Eye Toxicity","slug":"karamo-brown-reveals-why-he-broke-up-the-fab-five-talks-queer-eye-toxicity","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-02T19:18:08.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/celebs/karamo-brown-queer-eye","excerpt":"Antoni Porowski is also weighing in on the drama, but says he's \"left with more questions than answers.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1f20fd7a1dafcf8af69ca4%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FKaramo%2520Brown%2520Reveals%2520Why%2520He%2520Broke%2520Up%2520the%2520Fab%2520Five%2520%26amp%3B%2520Talks%2520Queer%2520Eye%2520Toxicity.png","author":"Dawn Ennis"},{"archiveId":"mgikuo","id":"mgikuo","title":"Patagonia sues drag environmentalist Pattie Gonia over trademark dispute. She's not giving up.","slug":"patagonia-sues-drag-environmentalist-pattie-gonia-over-trademark-dispute-she-s-not-giving-up","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/patagonia-sues-drag-environmentalist-pattie-gonia-over-trademark-dispute-shes-not-giving-up/","excerpt":"Pattie Gonia, the trail-trekking environmental activist drag queen, is fighting back over a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Patagonia, the company whose name resembles her own. The adventure sports and wilderness corporation, well known for investing its profits to support its own environmen","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fpattie-ginia-responds-to-lawsuit-screenshot-insta.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"g82lr0","id":"g82lr0","title":"JR.’s hosts meet & greet for mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George","slug":"jr-s-hosts-meet-greet-for-mayoral-candidate-janeese-lewis-george","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T18:34:09.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/lgbtq-janeese-lewis-george-event-jrs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lgbtq-janeese-lewis-george-event-jrs","excerpt":"D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George spoke to a crowd of LGBTQ supporters on June 1 at a meet & greet event held at JR.’s on 17th Street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. The event, organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, which has endorsed Lewis George for mayor, with support from a group","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260601_supporters_of_Janeese_Lewis_George_outside_JRs_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Lou_Chibbaro_Jr.jpg","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"tzzoqn","id":"tzzoqn","title":"Trans menstruators event moved after extremists target it with hate","slug":"trans-menstruators-event-moved-after-extremists-target-it-with-hate","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-02T18:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/trans-menstruators-event-moved-after-extremists-target-it-with-hate/","excerpt":"An event designed to highlight issues around menstrual equity among trans people as part of Boston's Pride programming has been forced to relocate after backlash from right-wing voices. A story on Fox News and social media posts have included transphobic attacks and claims that the mayor’s support o","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F03%2Fshutterstock-1445722547.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"ue5gzb","id":"ue5gzb","title":"Campaign to support Va. marriage amendment repeal launched","slug":"campaign-to-support-va-marriage-amendment-repeal-launched","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T18:23:02.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/campaign-to-support-va-marriage-amendment-repeal-launched/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=campaign-to-support-va-marriage-amendment-repeal-launched","excerpt":"Virginians for Marriage Equality on Monday launched a campaign in support of repealing Virginia’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman, former state Sen. Adam Ebbin, former state Del. Mark Sickles, and Ameri","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260601_Breanna_Diaz_and_Narissa_Rahaman_at_Virginians_for_Marriage_Equality_campaign_launch_in_Richmond_Virginia_insertby_Phuong_Tran_of_ACLU_of_Virginia.jpg","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"3gyhrr","id":"3gyhrr","title":"Investigating the Claims That ‘Stop! That Train!’ Used Generative AI","slug":"investigating-the-claims-that-stop-that-train-used-generative-ai","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-02T18:05:03.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/film/stop-that-train-rupaul","excerpt":"The film is being dragged online over the involvement of Acme AI & FX, which uses artificial intelligence as a tool.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1f1ab94998afd84d8f5858%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FInvestigating%2520the%2520Claims%2520That%2520%25E2%2580%2598Stop!%2520That%2520Train!%25E2%2580%2599%2520Used%2520Generative%2520AI.png","author":"Ariel Messman-Rucker"},{"archiveId":"xusobz","id":"xusobz","title":"Why Michelle Visage needs you to get ‘PrEP Wise’","slug":"why-michelle-visage-needs-you-to-get-prep-wise","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T17:48:12.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/why-michelle-visage-needs-you-to-get-prep-wise/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-michelle-visage-needs-you-to-get-prep-wise","excerpt":"If you ask an LGBTQ person what Michelle Visage is known for, you’re likely to get a few similar answers. Most people will say that they know her as the co-judge on \"RuPaul’s Drag Race,\" with the woman serving looks (and scathing critiques) for more than a decade on this seminal program. Others may ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joel Medina"},{"archiveId":"sxkc5z","id":"sxkc5z","title":"More Americans believe the earth is flat than approve of Trump's quest to put his name on buildings","slug":"more-americans-believe-the-earth-is-flat-than-approve-of-trump-s-quest-to-put-his-name-on-buildings","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-more-americans-believe-the-earth-is-flat-than-approve-of-trumps-quest-to-put-his-name-on-buildings/","excerpt":"CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten detailed for viewers yesterday just how much Americans loathe Trump's quest to name government buildings after himself. \"Stop it, just stop it,\" Enten said, explaining that only nine percent of Americans find it acceptable for the president to put his name on a gov","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fusatsi-28228723-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2000%2C1053%2C0.72%2C0.36%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"n5b3cp","id":"n5b3cp","title":"White House Correspondents’ Dinner rescheduled after shooting","slug":"white-house-correspondents-dinner-rescheduled-after-shooting","source":"Washington Blade","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-02T17:14:13.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/white-house-correspondents-dinner-rescheduled/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=white-house-correspondents-dinner-rescheduled","excerpt":"The White House Correspondents’ Association announced on Tuesday that it has rescheduled its annual dinner for July 24 after the April event was halted when gunshots rang out at the Washington Hilton. Cole Allen, 31, is charged with the attempted assassination of President Trump, who was in the ball","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"jv9878","id":"jv9878","title":"GOP accused James Talarico of making up a girlfriend to hide that he's gay. She's real & is an ally.","slug":"gop-accused-james-talarico-of-making-up-a-girlfriend-to-hide-that-he-s-gay-she-s-real-is-an-ally","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-accused-james-talarico-of-making-up-a-girlfriend-to-hide-that-hes-gay-shes-real-is-an-ally/","excerpt":"Republicans have (very maturely) accused Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic Senate candidate from Texas, of lying about having a girlfriend to hide the fact that he is gay. But the media has since identified the girlfriend as 30-year-old Brianna Menard, Talarico's former chief of staff.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fusatsi-28398785-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1750%2C921%2C0.46%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"lpvty2","id":"lpvty2","title":"Anti-trans laws are killing us & making it even harder to fight back against them","slug":"anti-trans-laws-are-killing-us-making-it-even-harder-to-fight-back-against-them","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/anti-trans-laws-are-us-making-it-even-harder-to-fight-back-against-them/","excerpt":"We’ve said for a long time that anti-trans laws will lead to deaths in the trans community. We’ve cited studies time and again that show there are higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation for trans people who are living in a non-affirming situation or are being denied gender-affirm","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2017%2F11%2FTrans-candlelight-vigil.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"2mj8ox","id":"2mj8ox","title":"The Pattie Gonia and Patagonia Legal Battle, Explained","slug":"the-pattie-gonia-and-patagonia-legal-battle-explained","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-06-02T15:49:09.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/pattie-gonia-patagonia-lawsuit-tradmark-explained","excerpt":"The drag climate activist and the outdoor retailer are locked in a dispute over trademark infringement.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1ee61d95a296f16b9e40ed%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fpattiegoniaversuspatagonia.jpg","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"979g6q","id":"979g6q","title":"CAMP Rehoboth’s new director shares plans for busy summer","slug":"camp-rehoboth-s-new-director-shares-plans-for-busy-summer","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T15:34:31.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/camp-rehoboth-robin-brennan-new-director/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=camp-rehoboth-robin-brennan-new-director","excerpt":"Dr. Robin Brennan, CAMP Rehoboth’s new executive director, has been getting adjusted to her role and connecting with the Rehoboth community. In March of this year, Brennan took on the role of executive director of CAMP Rehoboth, an LGBTQ+ community center in Delaware working to Create A More Positiv","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Thomas Weaverling"},{"archiveId":"ra8fih","id":"ra8fih","title":"Democratic leaders across the country are all in for Pride Month: \"Pride is joy. Pride is courage.\"","slug":"democratic-leaders-across-the-country-are-all-in-for-pride-month-pride-is-joy-pride-is-courage","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/democratic-leaders-across-the-country-are-all-in-for-pride-month-pride-is-joy-pride-is-courage/","excerpt":"As red state governors across the country try to denigrate Pride Month by declaring June a month to celebrate husband-wife families, Democratic leaders are making it clear that Pride is in the air with proclamations of their own. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) kicked off June with a Pride Month ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2647307597-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.55%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"cpiveq","id":"cpiveq","title":"D.C. kicks off Pride month with flag raising ceremony","slug":"d-c-kicks-off-pride-month-with-flag-raising-ceremony","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T14:34:38.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/pride-month-flag-raising-ceremony/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pride-month-flag-raising-ceremony","excerpt":"Members of the D.C. Council joined Mayor Muriel Bowser and a crowd of LGBTQ activists and supporters on June 1 for the city’s fourth annual LGBTQ Pride flag raising ceremony held outside the John A. Wilson Building, which serves as the D.C. City Hall. Since its inception four years ago by Mayor Bows","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260601_Muriel_Bowser_raises_Pride_flag_over_Wilson_building_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"oql0j1","id":"oql0j1","title":"Pete Hegseth promises to appeal ruling against trans military ban to Supreme Court","slug":"pete-hegseth-promises-to-appeal-ruling-against-trans-military-ban-to-supreme-court","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/pete-hegseth-promises-to-appeal-ruling-against-trans-military-ban-to-supreme-court/","excerpt":"A federal appeals court ruled against the trans military ban yesterday, saying that it violates the Constitution and was created just to target \"a politically unpopular group.\" Now, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says that he will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Related Military student","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F09%2Fusatsi-27165116-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.52%2C0.23%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"54z06z","id":"54z06z","title":"Red states are declaring June something other than Pride Month in latest anti-LGBTQ+ trend","slug":"red-states-are-declaring-june-something-other-than-pride-month-in-latest-anti-lgbtq-trend","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/red-states-are-declaring-june-something-other-than-pride-month-in-latest-anti-lgbtq-trend/","excerpt":"More red states are designating June as something other than Pride Month in an attempt to make a statement about their states' lack of support for LGBTQ+ people. Tennessee kicked off the \"rename June\" trend this year by designating the month as \"Nuclear Family Month.\" The declaration said that nucle","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2017%2F10%2FSarah-Huckabee-Sanders.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D770%2C405%2C0.54%2C0.31%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"d6t9jl","id":"d6t9jl","title":"Houston’s LGBTQ+ Community Will Hold Vigil for Persia Amarra Conway: “Your Death Will Not Be in Vain”","slug":"houston-s-lgbtq-community-will-hold-vigil-for-persia-amarra-conway-your-death-will-not-be-in-vain","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-02T13:54:10.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/persia-amarra-conway-vigil-houston","excerpt":"“Her mother promised to speak her name. So will we.”","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1edbdf420e53f87175b32e%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fpersia.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"2byhs8","id":"2byhs8","title":"Trump's latest check-up has this doctor wondering what's really happening: \"A few questions…\"","slug":"trump-s-latest-check-up-has-this-doctor-wondering-what-s-really-happening-a-few-questions","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-trumps-latest-check-up-has-this-doctor-wondering-whats-really-happening-a-few-questions/","excerpt":"Nearly 80-year-old President Donald Trump underwent a medical check-up last week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, his third such check-up since April 2025. But Jonathan Reiner, the heart doctor of former Vice President Dick Cheney, said the White House's three-page memo about the vis","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2411512555-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.49%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"8l7mi2","id":"8l7mi2","title":"Remember this video of a MAGA bully face-planting after yelling anti-gay slurs at protestors?","slug":"remember-this-video-of-a-maga-bully-face-planting-after-yelling-anti-gay-slurs-at-protestors","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-02T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-this-video-of-a-loudmouth-face-planting-after-shouting-anti-gay-slurs/","excerpt":"Video captured a MAGA counterprotestor shouting homophobic slur to \"No Kings\" protestors in Denver, Colorado, shortly before face planting twice on the pavement, causing his face to bleed as other protestors suggest that he leave for his own safety before others possibly cause him more harm. The vid","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F10%2Fmaga-face-plant-no-kings-rally.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"ri83vb","id":"ri83vb","title":"Advocates push back on proposed FCC warning labels","slug":"advocates-push-back-on-proposed-fcc-warning-labels","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-02T11:42:12.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/02/advocates-push-back-on-proposed-fcc-warning-labels/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=advocates-push-back-on-proposed-fcc-warning-labels","excerpt":"The Federal Communications Commission is considering a new rating system that would require a warning label to appear before any television content that includes LGBTQ characters. On April 22, the FCC issued a public notice asking Americans to submit comments on whether the TV Oversight Management B","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Joe Reberkenny"},{"archiveId":"20ibob","id":"20ibob","title":"Trump's ex-border chief speaks alongside neo-Nazis at pro-fascism summit","slug":"trump-s-ex-border-chief-speaks-alongside-neo-nazis-at-pro-fascism-summit","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"international","publishDate":"2026-06-01T22:09:03.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-trumps-border-chief-speaks-alongside-neo-at-pro-summit/","excerpt":"Gregory Bovino — the now-former tactical commander-at-large for U.S. Border Patrol official who oversaw the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaigns in U.S. cities before Trump removed him last January — spoke alongside fascists and neo-Nazi at a \"remigration\" summit in Figueira da Foz, Por","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2748092807.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2046%2C1077%2C0.6%2C0.41%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"u0xzte","id":"u0xzte","title":"Ken Paxton wants to cancel a queer pool party over trans restrooms. Organizers aren't backing down.","slug":"ken-paxton-wants-to-cancel-a-queer-pool-party-over-trans-restrooms-organizers-aren-t-backing-down","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ken-paxton-wants-to-cancel-a-queer-pool-party-over-trans-restrooms-organizers-arent-backing-down/","excerpt":"Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city of Denton for hosting the “Big Gay Swim Day,” a private Pride month pool event scheduled for June 7 at the city's Civic Center. Paxton alleged that the event's changing rooms will violate the Texas Women’s Privacy Act. The state law requires publicly-f","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-1786027850.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.49%2C0.6%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"k5gfl6","id":"k5gfl6","title":"Ghana's parliament passes bill criminalizing \"promotion\" of LGBTQ+ activities","slug":"ghana-s-parliament-passes-bill-criminalizing-promotion-of-lgbtq-activities","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T21:00:32.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ghanas-parliament-passes-bill-criminalizing-promotion-of-lgbtq-activities/","excerpt":"Ghana’s parliament passed a new bill last Friday that punishes the “willful promotion, sponsorship or support of LGBTQ+ activities” with up to five years in prison. The legislation, entitled The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also punishes same-sex acts with a prison term of up to three","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2556530763-1.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.54%2C0.42%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"thh8p3","id":"thh8p3","title":"Federal Appeals Court Rules Trump’s Trans Military Ban Appears Discriminatory","slug":"federal-appeals-court-rules-trump-s-trans-military-ban-appears-discriminatory","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T19:44:57.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/trans-military-ban-court-ruling-bare-desire-to-harm","excerpt":"Judge Robert Wilkins said key provisions of the Trump administration's transgender military policy may be driven by a “bare desire to harm” transgender people.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1de0d4720d09af14b79e2f%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2199781715","author":"Christopher Wiggins"},{"archiveId":"ssqo5o","id":"ssqo5o","title":"Federal court rules Trump illegally banned trans people from the military","slug":"federal-court-rules-trump-illegally-banned-trans-people-from-the-military","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T19:06:35.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/federal-court-rules-illegally-banned-trans-people-from-the-military/","excerpt":"A federal court ruled against Donald Trump's transgender military ban earlier today. A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled 2-1 in Talbott v. USA that the ban on transgender people serving openly in the military is a policy designed to target a group of p","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F01%2Fusatsi-28043842.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1894%2C997%2C0.54%2C0.21%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"362mgv","id":"362mgv","title":"Anna Kendrick to Direct Adaptation of ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’","slug":"anna-kendrick-to-direct-adaptation-of-the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T19:03:11.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/anna-kendrick-to-direct-adaptation-of-the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo","excerpt":"The film would mark Kendrick’s second feature following the true crime thriller Woman of the Hour.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1dd6d2245b7f352924d2e8%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2177121204","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"zdo96f","id":"zdo96f","title":"Elon Musk says his daughter being trans fueled his decision to get involved in right-wing politics","slug":"elon-musk-says-his-daughter-being-trans-fueled-his-decision-to-get-involved-in-right-wing-politics","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/elon-musk-says-his-daughter-being-trans-fueled-his-decision-to-get-involved-in-right-wing-politics/","excerpt":"Anti-trans billionaire Elon Musk claimed on social media that he only began to meddle in politics because he was ashamed of his transgender daughter, Vivian Wilson. On Sunday, a high-traffic X account shared a photo of Wilson's new modeling campaign and wrote, \"We should never forget that if not for","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F02%2Felon-musk-white-supremacist-neo-nazi.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"xja2ee","id":"xja2ee","title":"Dem gubernatorial candidate defends trans track star targeted by Donald Trump","slug":"dem-gubernatorial-candidate-defends-trans-track-star-targeted-by-donald-trump","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/dem-gubernatorial-candidate-defends-trans-track-star-targeted-by-donald/","excerpt":"Ahead of this weekend’s California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track & Field Championships, California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer (D) made it clear that he was rooting for a high school athlete who has been the target of relentless anti-trans protests. On Friday, Steyer’s campaign","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fscreenshot-2026-05-19-at-64923am.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"bmkhuk","id":"bmkhuk","title":"Nonreligious people are the largest spiritual group in the US. Why don't we hear more about them?","slug":"nonreligious-people-are-the-largest-spiritual-group-in-the-us-why-don-t-we-hear-more-about-them","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/nonreligious-people-are-the-largest-spiritual-group-in-the-us-why-dont-we-hear-more-about-them/","excerpt":"When the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) released its most recent Census of American Religion, its survey data on U.S. spiritual beliefs identified nine types of Christians (including five types of Protestants and three types of Catholics). However, when it came to religiously unaffiliated","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2185120477.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D604%2C318%2C0.55%2C0.45%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"6wyehb","id":"6wyehb","title":"GOP Gov. declares June \"Fidelity Month\" in stark Pride Month rebuke","slug":"gop-gov-declares-june-fidelity-month-in-stark-pride-month-rebuke","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/gop-gov-declares-june-fidelity-month-in-stark-pride-month-rebuke/","excerpt":"As the country begins to celebrate Pride Month, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) has declared this June \"Fidelity Month\" in her state. The declaration explains that June will be a time to \"encourage renewed dedication\" to \"virtue, commitment, responsibility, and shared moral foundations.\" Re","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F10%2Fsarah-huckabee-sanders-white-house-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"748191","id":"748191","title":"Boston’s Trans-Inclusive Period Pride Moved to New Location After Right-Wing Backlash","slug":"boston-s-trans-inclusive-period-pride-moved-to-new-location-after-right-wing-backlash","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-01T16:04:35.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/boston-public-library-cancels-period-pride-event-right-wing-backlash","excerpt":"Organizers say the event will continue elsewhere after the event was listed as canceled on the public library’s website.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1d8ce7720d09af14b79d7d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2222376012","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"4ygpvi","id":"4ygpvi","title":"PHOTOS: Hagerstown Pride","slug":"photos-hagerstown-pride","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-01T16:03:24.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/01/photos-hagerstown-pride-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-hagerstown-pride-2026","excerpt":"Hagerstown Hopes held the Hagerstown Pride Festival outside Hub City Brewery on Saturday, May 30. (Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford) The post PHOTOS: Hagerstown Pride appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F06%2F20260530_Hagerstown_Pride_insert_2_c_Washington_Blade_by_Landon_Shackelford.jpg","author":"Landon Shackelford"},{"archiveId":"lm3v4p","id":"lm3v4p","title":"NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Kicks Off Pride With “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” Campaign","slug":"nyc-mayor-zohran-mamdani-kicks-off-pride-with-trans-rights-are-human-rights-campaign","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/zohran-mamdani-trans-rights-are-human-rights-campaign","excerpt":"The campaign will highlight existing protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1d80e2b33056d16ec37854%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2222778623","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"kpmkxd","id":"kpmkxd","title":"Trump administration tightens political control of federal grants to stop \"gender ideology\"","slug":"trump-administration-tightens-political-control-of-federal-grants-to-stop-gender-ideology","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/administration-tightens-political-control-of-federal-grants-to-stop-gender-ideology/","excerpt":"A new policy proposed by the Trump administration will force organizations receiving federal financial assistance to stop acknowledging that trans people exist or risk losing federal funding. In the new policy proposal, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) claims to be targeting “wasteful spend","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fusatsi-28271129.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"ojemsy","id":"ojemsy","title":"Texas AG Ken Paxton Jumpstarts Pride by Suing City Over Planned LGBTQ+ Swim Event","slug":"texas-ag-ken-paxton-jumpstarts-pride-by-suing-city-over-planned-lgbtq-swim-event","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T15:40:37.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/ken-paxton-big-gay-swim-day-lgbtq-lawsuit","excerpt":"The lawsuit claims that the Big Gay Swim Day violates the state’s anti-trans bathroom bill.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1da609420e53f87175b207%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2278437459","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"nxmhjm","id":"nxmhjm","title":"Hungarian authorities lift Budapest Pride ban","slug":"hungarian-authorities-lift-budapest-pride-ban","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T15:39:29.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/01/hungarian-authorities-lift-budapest-pride-ban/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hungarian-authorities-lift-budapest-pride-ban","excerpt":"Hungarian police on May 29 announced they will allow the annual Budapest Pride march to take place. “The Budapest Metropolitan Police has approved the 2026 Budapest Pride Parade and also has issued restrictive orders in relation to three counter-demonstrations,” a Budapest Metropolitan Police spokes","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"cpvs1o","id":"cpvs1o","title":"Man tased after he allegedly pantsed a trans woman in front of children at an amusement park","slug":"man-tased-after-he-allegedly-pantsed-a-trans-woman-in-front-of-children-at-an-amusement-park","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/man-tased-after-he-allegedly-pantsed-a-trans-woman-in-front-of-children-at-an-amusement-park/","excerpt":"An 18-year-old man has been charged with four misdemeanors after allegedly pulling down a trans woman's skirt and underwear in the middle of Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park on Tuesday evening. The suspect, identified as Marquez D. Williams, allegedly walked up to the woman from behind, ripped down","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2684573119-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"9z76y4","id":"9z76y4","title":"\"His brain is toast\": Trump appears to believe James Talarico is literally transgender","slug":"his-brain-is-toast-trump-appears-to-believe-james-talarico-is-literally-transgender","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-06-01T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/his-brain-is-toast-appears-to-believe-james-talarico-is-literally-transgender/","excerpt":"Republicans have been making jokes about Senate candidate and Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) being transgender, gay, and \"low-T\" this past week, an attempt to paint him as too queer for public office, even though he's a straight, cisgender man. But people online are questioning whether Donald T","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fshutterstock-2723017375-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.46%2C0.36%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"g7l5iu","id":"g7l5iu","title":"Elon Musk Says It’s “True” He Only Got Involved in Politics Because of Vivian Wilson","slug":"elon-musk-says-it-s-true-he-only-got-involved-in-politics-because-of-vivian-wilson","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-01T13:30:05.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/elon-musk-right-wing-politics-trans-daughter-vivian-wilson","excerpt":"Vivian Wilson has previously said her father’s right-wing turn is “not because of me.”","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1d8315b33056d16ec3785d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fmuskvivian.jpg","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"a0h1wd","id":"a0h1wd","title":"Ken Paxton's first campaign ad calls James Talarico \"too low-T\" while avoiding policy issues","slug":"ken-paxton-s-first-campaign-ad-calls-james-talarico-too-low-t-while-avoiding-policy-issues","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T13:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/ken-paxtons-first-campaign-ad-calls-james-talarico-too-low-t-while-avoiding-policy-issues/","excerpt":"Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Senate campaign released its first ad, which is fixated on state Rep. James Talarico's (D) gender, calling him \"too low-T for Texas.\" And Donald Trump himself joined in the attacks, referring to Talarico as \"this transgender\" in comments The ad does not","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-01-jun-2026-11-29-am-4093.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.5%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"641349","id":"641349","title":"50 Years Ago, Dykes on Bikes Rode to the Front of Pride. Their Engines Are Still Hot","slug":"50-years-ago-dykes-on-bikes-rode-to-the-front-of-pride-their-engines-are-still-hot","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-06-01T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/dykes-on-bikes-50th-anniversary-history-supreme-court-fight-future","excerpt":"We ride along with the legendary, leather-clad lesbians — and take a trip through their history.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a19eb4e1b06849768508d0d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FUntitled%2520-%2520May%252029%2C%25202026%2520at%252012.30.48%2520(2).png","author":"Ana Osorno"},{"archiveId":"tegh1x","id":"tegh1x","title":"Republicans are going to go all in on anti-trans attacks in the midterm campaign","slug":"republicans-are-going-to-go-all-in-on-anti-trans-attacks-in-the-midterm-campaign","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/republicans-are-going-to-go-all-in-on-anti-trans-attacks-in-the-midterm-campaign/","excerpt":"Republicans are facing the worst midterm prospects since, well, the last time Donald Trump was president. However, the political landscape for the GOP is far, far worse. Thanks to Trump's failed tariffs and his bumbling war with Iran, the economy is in a precarious position. Gasoline prices are a da","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F04%2Fusatsi-22287361-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1500%2C789%2C0.47%2C0.21%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"John Gallagher"},{"archiveId":"dimr1w","id":"dimr1w","title":"Remember when a GOP lawmaker said trans people “harm” kids & was busted for child porn?","slug":"remember-when-a-gop-lawmaker-said-trans-people-harm-kids-was-busted-for-child-porn","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/remember-when-a-gop-lawmaker-said-trans-people-harm-kids-was-busted-for-child/","excerpt":"South Carolina state Rep. RJ May (R) — an anti-LGBTQ+ politician who has accused drag queens and transgender people of harming kids — was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to five counts of distributing child sex abuse material (CSAM). May — who was honored","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F06%2Frj-may-suspected-distributor-of-child-pornographer.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"8ekh7q","id":"8ekh7q","title":"Unhinged rightwing podcaster says gay people having families is the same as slavery","slug":"unhinged-rightwing-podcaster-says-gay-people-having-families-is-the-same-as-slavery","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T12:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/unhinged-rightwing-podcaster-says-gay-people-having-families-is-the-same-as/","excerpt":"Seth Gruber, the Christian Nationalist host of The Seth Gruber Show, says \"gays\" should be banned from \"buying children\" because it is no different from the institution of slavery in the U.S. It's unclear whether he's referring to adoption, surrogacy, or both. In a May 28 post on the social platform","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2397152751.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"lz6n63","id":"lz6n63","title":"Claudia López comes up short in Colombian presidential election","slug":"claudia-lopez-comes-up-short-in-colombian-presidential-election","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-06-01T11:20:23.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/06/01/claudia-lopez-comes-up-short-in-colombian-presidential-election/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=claudia-lopez-comes-up-short-in-colombian-presidential-election","excerpt":"Former Bogotá Mayor Claudia López on Sunday finished fifth in the first round of Colombia’s presidential election. López, a centrist who ran as an independent, received 225,517 votes. This figure is .95 percent of the total votes cast. López was the Colombian capital’s mayor from 2020-2023. She was ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"wwfcfc","id":"wwfcfc","title":"Episcopalians in the South just got their first out lesbian bishop","slug":"episcopalians-in-the-south-just-got-their-first-out-lesbian-bishop","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-05-31T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/episcopalians-in-the-south-just-got-their-first-out-lesbian-bishop/","excerpt":"The Southern United States' first out lesbian Episcopal bishop was officially installed as the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina last Saturday. The Rev. Sarah Fisher, 54, was elected last November by a simple majority on the third ballot, the Christian Post reports. In her respo","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-240243268-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.5%2C0.42%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"gb67o0","id":"gb67o0","title":"Scott Wiener rages at Rome Pride for banning major LGBTQ+ Jewish org: \"Straight up antisemitic\"","slug":"scott-wiener-rages-at-rome-pride-for-banning-major-lgbtq-jewish-org-straight-up-antisemitic","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-31T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/scott-wiener-rages-at-rome-pride-for-banning-major-lgbtq-jewish-org-straight-up/","excerpt":"State Sen. Scott Wiener (D) of California, a gay and Jewish candidate for Congress from San Francisco, is speaking out over a decision by organizers of Rome Pride to bar a major Jewish LGBTQ+ organization from the event because it “failed to distance itself from the ongoing genocide in Gaza.” \"This ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F01%2Fshutterstock-2499689891-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"5zvp4k","id":"5zvp4k","title":"AI porn isn't regulated. What does that mean for depictions of queer people?","slug":"ai-porn-isn-t-regulated-what-does-that-mean-for-depictions-of-queer-people","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-31T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/ai-isnt-regulated-what-does-that-mean-for-depictions-of-queer-people/","excerpt":"When Pornhub released its most-watched categories of 2025, queer-themed content held the top two spots: “Lesbian” was the most viewed category, and “Transgender” was the second most viewed, up five spots from 2024. The global appetite for LGBTQ adult content is increasing in tandem with the explosio","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F08%2Fkosa-queer-lgbtq-kids-youth-computer.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"cc5xjb","id":"cc5xjb","title":"Barney Frank’s powerful legacy for LGBTQ federal employees","slug":"barney-frank-s-powerful-legacy-for-lgbtq-federal-employees","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-31T15:30:53.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/31/opinion-barney-frank-powerful-legacy-lgbtq-federal-employees/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-barney-frank-powerful-legacy-lgbtq-federal-employees","excerpt":"Former Congressman Barney Frank, who died last week, was dogged during his life over being gay. The self-proclaimed only “left-handed, gay, Jewish congressman,” in Congress deserved better. Frank’s perseverance paved the way for others. With wit and intelligence, he helped educate Americans about se","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"James Patterson"},{"archiveId":"poqtjc","id":"poqtjc","title":"Books for a pre-Pride celebration","slug":"books-for-a-pre-pride-celebration","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-31T15:08:04.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/31/pride-books-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pride-books-2026","excerpt":"You’re all geared up. You’ve got your best parade-walking shoes, your coolest tee, your most-comfortable shorts, and a rainbow flag to carry. You’re set for Pride, but before you go, try one of these great new books about LGBTQ life and history. After the parade, where will you end up? A place to ta","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Terri Schlichenmeyer"},{"archiveId":"rce1gk","id":"rce1gk","title":"Lawsuit over anti-trans bathroom ban dismissed after trans plaintiff dies by suicide","slug":"lawsuit-over-anti-trans-bathroom-ban-dismissed-after-trans-plaintiff-dies-by-suicide","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-31T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/over-anti-trans-bathroom-ban-dismissed-after-trans-plaintiff-dies-by/","excerpt":"A 2023 measure targeting trans school children came into full effect in Idaho last week, following the suicide of one of the plaintiffs in a pair of lawsuits challenging the law. Both the state and Boise High School's Sexuality and Gender Alliance agreed to close the lawsuits challenging Senate Bill","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F10%2Fshutterstock-434906164-scaled-e1762364738579.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"4dbq1p","id":"4dbq1p","title":"Remember when Donald Trump tried to call Pete Buttigieg dumb? It backfired immediately.","slug":"remember-when-donald-trump-tried-to-call-pete-buttigieg-dumb-it-backfired-immediately","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-31T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/remember-when-donald-tried-to-call-pete-buttigieg-dumb-it-backfired-immediately/","excerpt":"Donald Trump ranted about wiring allegedly installed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in an attempt to make Buttigieg sound dumb, but instead, everyone pointed out how ignorant Trump's accusations were. \"There's Pete Buttigieg, he spent billions of dollars on fixing the air traffic ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F10%2Fmixcollage-22-oct-2025-03-35-pm-7762.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"al9hfm","id":"al9hfm","title":"Right mounts anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on Talarico while Maine kills anti-trans ballot question","slug":"right-mounts-anti-lgbtq-attacks-on-talarico-while-maine-kills-anti-trans-ballot-question","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-31T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/right-mounts-anti-lgbtq-attacks-on-talarico-while-maine-kills-anti-trans-ballot-question/","excerpt":"Maine quashes anti-trans ballot initiative due to invalid signatures What the initiative did: Maine was one of several states to put a ban on trans sports participation on their 2026 midterms ballot, a move intended to bypass the state's Democratic elected officials. But a court review of the signat","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fmixcollage-29-may-2026-11-36-am-1656.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"mgguje","id":"mgguje","title":"Queer male blood donations are way up now after changing to new risk assessment model","slug":"queer-male-blood-donations-are-way-up-now-after-changing-to-new-risk-assessment-model","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-30T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/queer-male-donations-are-way-up-now-after-changing-to-new-risk-assessment-model/","excerpt":"Blood donations in England are way up, as the National Health Service benefits from eligibility changes that have brought more gay and bisexual men to their local donation sites. A recent survey found that 7.5% of male blood donors now report that they're bisexual, gay, pansexual, queer, bicurious, ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F01%2Fshutterstock-1219338337-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"zwyk3z","id":"zwyk3z","title":"People are delighted by Mel C's \"stunning response\" to a question on speculation she's gay","slug":"people-are-delighted-by-mel-c-s-stunning-response-to-a-question-on-speculation-she-s-gay","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-30T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/people-are-delighted-by-mel-cs-stunning-response-to-a-question-on-speculation-shes-gay/","excerpt":"Folks online are delighted by Spice Girl Mel C's response to a question on speculation around her sexuality in the nineties, when the Spice Girls were at the height of their fame. The exchange took place on the Mitch Churi Chat Show podcast earlier this month. Churi, who is gay, asked Mel, whose ful","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2482124915-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.54%2C0.28%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"oidxh6","id":"oidxh6","title":"Time travelers from the AIDS era","slug":"time-travelers-from-the-aids-era","source":"Washington Blade","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-05-30T17:01:59.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/30/time-travelers-from-aids-era/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=time-travelers-from-aids-era","excerpt":"If I admit I’m HIV positive, some men immediately reject me. If I lie and say I’m HIV negative, many of those same men will gladly have unprotected sex with me. That contradiction has haunted me for years and made me wonder: What would the gay men who died of AIDS in the 1980s think if they could se","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Randy Boyd"},{"archiveId":"4i2a4u","id":"4i2a4u","title":"Donald Trump's contempt for female journalists is indicative of a much larger problem","slug":"donald-trump-s-contempt-for-female-journalists-is-indicative-of-a-much-larger-problem","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-30T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/donald-trumps-contempt-for-female-journalists-is-indicative-of-a-much-larger-problem/","excerpt":"Though it seems routine by now, each time I hear Donald Trump verbally attack journalists, particularly women of color, who are doing their job by asking him hard questions, I feel as though he has punched me in the gut, making me almost want to scream out against this monster bully-in-chief. With h","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F11%2Fshutterstock-1326218579.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.5%2C0.24%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"pqy4y3","id":"pqy4y3","title":"Trans Woman Found Near Houston Waterway Identified as Persia Amarra Conway","slug":"trans-woman-found-near-houston-waterway-identified-as-persia-amarra-conway","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-30T16:13:11.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/transgender-victim-houston-bayou-body-found","excerpt":"Social media posts from Conway’s family confirmed her identity.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1b0b4c3f7679dffaecfbe8%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fpersia.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"wwcm4n","id":"wwcm4n","title":"\"It's practically a revolution\": Could Trump's J6 slush fund be the final straw for GOP loyalists?","slug":"it-s-practically-a-revolution-could-trump-s-j6-slush-fund-be-the-final-straw-for-gop-loyalists","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-30T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/its-practically-a-revolution-could-trumps-j6-slush-fund-be-the-final-straw-for-gop-loyalists/","excerpt":"A former Fox host and current political analyst believes a recent Donald Trump action may have finally spurred a real rebellion among Republicans. \"It's a revolt,\" wrote Howard Kurtz for Fox News. \"Practically a revolution.\" He said the backlash \"seems to be breaking, or at least loosening, Trump's ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fshutterstock-2723017375-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.46%2C0.36%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Molly Sprayregen"},{"archiveId":"9k7rp2","id":"9k7rp2","title":"Remember when a flood of Kennedy Center cancellations ruined Ric Grenell’s holiday season?","slug":"remember-when-a-flood-of-kennedy-center-cancellations-ruined-ric-grenell-s-holiday-season","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-30T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/remember-when-a-flood-of-kennedy-center-cancellations-ruined-ric-grenells-holiday-season/","excerpt":"The fallout from Donald Trump's decision to illegally rename the Kennedy Center to give himself top billing continues to grow, creating an embarrassing situation for the president. As it turns out, artists don't want their work associated with Trump, despite legal threats from Ric Grenell, the presi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F07%2Fusatsi-23763580-168404765-lowres-1-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Gallagher"},{"archiveId":"qc6tms","id":"qc6tms","title":"A new country just took the crown as Europe's most LGBTQ+-friendly nation","slug":"a-new-country-just-took-the-crown-as-europe-s-most-lgbtq-friendly-nation","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-30T13:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/a-new-country-just-took-the-crown-as-europes-most-lgbtq-friendly-nation/","excerpt":"Here are this week’s most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this? Sign up for our Good News email. Our weekly Good News Roundup is filled with brave, creative, and outspoken individuals who're making a difference — they're in","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2129743907-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.58%2C0.2%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"5tgte8","id":"5tgte8","title":"Ghanaian lawmakers approve anti-LGBTQ bill","slug":"ghanaian-lawmakers-approve-anti-lgbtq-bill","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T23:01:44.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/29/ghanaian-lawmakers-approve-anti-lgbtq-bill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ghanaian-lawmakers-approve-anti-lgbtq-bill","excerpt":"Ghanaian lawmakers on Friday approved a bill that would, among other things, criminalize LGBTQ allyship. Reuters reported MPs approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, in a voice vote after parliament's Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee backed it. MPs in 2024 approved a","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"cc6377","id":"cc6377","title":"Man sues employer for not accommodating his \"phobia\" of rainbow flags & trans pronouns","slug":"man-sues-employer-for-not-accommodating-his-phobia-of-rainbow-flags-trans-pronouns","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/man-sues-employer-for-not-accommodating-his-phobia-of-rainbow-flags-trans-pronouns/","excerpt":"A British evangelical Christian man who sued the U.K. government for \"religious discrimination\" after his government employer refused to accommodate his discomfort of LGBTQ+ symbols had his lawsuit dismissed by a tribunal, according to a Daily Mail article published yesterday. Mark Jennings accepted","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2064563018.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.53%2C0.43%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"5p4s0o","id":"5p4s0o","title":"Fox host Greg Gutfeld defends feeding maggots to ICE detainees: \"Who cares…?\"","slug":"fox-host-greg-gutfeld-defends-feeding-maggots-to-ice-detainees-who-cares","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/fox-host-greg-gutfeld-totally-ok-with-feeding-maggots-to-ice-detainees-who-cares/","excerpt":"Fox News host Greg Gutfeld yesterday defended maggots being fed to detainees at the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. A majority of the detainees there have not been convicted of any crimes but are being held as part of a \"civil\" legal p","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fgreg-gutfeld-maggots-fox-news.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"2t7ltq","id":"2t7ltq","title":"Ohio Man Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Trans Woman at Amusement Park","slug":"ohio-man-arrested-for-allegedly-assaulting-trans-woman-at-amusement-park","source":"them.","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-05-29T20:19:14.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/ohio-man-arrested-for-allegedly-assaulting-trans-woman-at-amusement-park","excerpt":"The unnamed suspect was charged with four misdemeanors: public indecency, persistent disorderly conduct, obstructing official business, and resisting arrest.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a19f15b20b1f9f58f171105%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F1449836440","author":"Dawn Ennis"},{"archiveId":"yatp86","id":"yatp86","title":"Kim Petras regrets discussing her transition as a child","slug":"kim-petras-regrets-discussing-her-transition-as-a-child","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/kim-petras-regrets-discussing-her-transition-as-a-child/","excerpt":"Transgender pop music star Kim Petras said in an interview published yesterday that she somewhat regrets discussing her gender transition with the press during her childhood. However, she explores this regret and the happiness she feels about her choices in “Brutalist,” a song on her recently releas","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fkim-petras-transgender.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1920%2C1011%2C0.33%2C0.22%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"nb61s4","id":"nb61s4","title":"Trump admin bars federal employee insurance from covering gender-affirming care","slug":"trump-admin-bars-federal-employee-insurance-from-covering-gender-affirming-care","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/admin-bars-federal-employee-insurance-from-covering-gender-affirming-care/","excerpt":"Federal employees will now be fully barred from gender-affirming care under their health insurance programs, with no exceptions. The Trump administration has just updated their guidance for health insurance companies who want to provide plans to federal employees and have removed language that had p","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F03%2Fusatsi-20579743.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Faefyx Collington"},{"archiveId":"r3zopn","id":"r3zopn","title":"Viral Strap-fluencer Answers All Your Burning Strap-on Questions","slug":"viral-strap-fluencer-answers-all-your-burning-strap-on-questions","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-29T19:01:05.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/viral-strap-fluencer-answers-all-your-burning-strap-questions","excerpt":"We asked Nae, known to her TikTok followers as The Strapfluencer, for her expert advice about purchasing, using, and cleaning your first strap-on.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a19df705d7cdcfa40de9933%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F1443546352","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"0njh8o","id":"0njh8o","title":"The Rise of Queer Line Dancing: “A Bit Like Going to Church”","slug":"the-rise-of-queer-line-dancing-a-bit-like-going-to-church","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-29T19:00:06.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/queer-line-dancing-magazine-story","excerpt":"Country dancing has long resonated with the LGBTQ+ community — and is currently experiencing a revival. Here’s why.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a19e18598d427b099e812ca%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FADV1145_FEA_Queer%2520Line%2520Dancing-Janaye%2520Pohl%2520(credit%2520Lizzy%2520Montana%2520Myers%2520-%2520courtesy%2520Stud%2520Country).jpg","author":"Diane Anastasio"},{"archiveId":"lsghg6","id":"lsghg6","title":"Pride returns to Budapest after dictator was voted out","slug":"pride-returns-to-budapest-after-dictator-was-voted-out","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/pride-returns-to-budapest-after-dictator-was-voted-out/","excerpt":"Authorities in Budapest have given the green light for the Hungarian capital's Pride parade to march again this June, after last year's event was banned under authoritarian leader Viktor Orbán. Orbán's government was deposed in elections in April. Related Anti-LGBTQ+ Trump-backed Viktor Orbán loses ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2767545505-1-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"npw1tf","id":"npw1tf","title":"How this cabaret performer's musical idol helped her come out","slug":"how-this-cabaret-performer-s-musical-idol-helped-her-come-out","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T18:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/how-this-cabaret-performers-musical-idol-helped-her-come-out/","excerpt":"LGBTQ Nation will be sharing your pictures of Pride throughout May and June. Submit your own if you want to be included! \"I didn’t find Frances Faye,\" singer Terese Genecco tells LGBTQ Nation. \"She found me.\" Genecco is the center of attention in her photo snapped by Fidel Lirio, just off the mainst","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fterese-genecco.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1201%2C632%2C0.5%2C0.32%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"eoo7ch","id":"eoo7ch","title":"Federal court vacates ruling against people with HIV serving in the military & agrees to rehear case","slug":"federal-court-vacates-ruling-against-people-with-hiv-serving-in-the-military-agrees-to-rehear-case","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T17:54:08.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/federal-court-vacates-ruling-against-people-with-hiv-serving-in-the-military-agrees-to-rehear-case/","excerpt":"After siding with the Trump administration to ban HIV-positive service members from the military, a federal appeals court has reversed itself and will hear the case again. In February, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit agreed with the Department of Defense (DO","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F11%2Fshutterstock-2328854321.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"hmkmpz","id":"hmkmpz","title":"‘The Stranger’ queers an existentialist classic","slug":"the-stranger-queers-an-existentialist-classic","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T17:05:18.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/29/the-stranger-movie-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-stranger-movie-review","excerpt":"When Albert Camus published “L’etranger” (“The Stranger”) in 1942, he was living in Nazi-occupied France, so it’s no surprise that it became one of the most celebrated “existential” novels of all time. A fascist regime is great for inspiring thoughts of an indifferent and meaningless universe. It wa","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"John Paul King"},{"archiveId":"42664h","id":"42664h","title":"White House official says James Talarico has less testosterone than a Black woman","slug":"white-house-official-says-james-talarico-has-less-testosterone-than-a-black-woman","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/white-house-official-says-james-talarico-has-less-testosterone-than-a-black-woman/","excerpt":"A White House official continued with attacks on Senate candidate and Texas state Rep. James Talarico's (D) masculinity on Thursday evening, saying that he's \"transitioning to a woman,\" that his blood is soy milk, and that he has less testosterone than Black Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX). Re","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F03%2Fusatsi-28395894-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"3317p5","id":"3317p5","title":"Here's how we can break free from patriarchal Christian Nationalism","slug":"here-s-how-we-can-break-free-from-patriarchal-christian-nationalism","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/heres-how-we-can-break-free-from-patriarchal-christian-nationalism/","excerpt":"Thousands of people flocked onto the National Mall in Washington, DC for an all-day prayer rally on Sunday, May 17. The event was promoted as a “re-dedication of our country as One Nation under God.” The rally’s official title was “Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving.” ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-250103.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.47%2C0.41%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld"},{"archiveId":"0zqx3d","id":"0zqx3d","title":"RuPaul Would Like to Know If Ginger Minj Has Ever Been on ‘All Stars’","slug":"rupaul-would-like-to-know-if-ginger-minj-has-ever-been-on-all-stars","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-05-29T15:40:38.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/rupaul-would-like-to-know-if-ginger-minj-has-ever-been-on-all-stars","excerpt":"Thanks to a bout of forgetfulness, the Stop! That! Train! press tour has produced its first viral moment.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a19b21c38557f8d099f0a77%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FScreenshot%25202026-05-29%2520at%252011.33.09%25E2%2580%25AFAM.png","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"w3ngdr","id":"w3ngdr","title":"Nine Russian LGBTQ groups deemed 'extremist' banned","slug":"nine-russian-lgbtq-groups-deemed-extremist-banned","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T15:25:17.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/29/nine-russian-lgbtq-groups-deemed-extremist-banned/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nine-russian-lgbtq-groups-deemed-extremist-banned","excerpt":"Nine LGBTQ groups in Russia have been banned so far this year after authorities deemed them as \"extremist.\" Human Rights Watch on Thursday noted courts in seven regions between March and May banned Coming Out, the LGBT Resource Center, Parni Plus, the Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives, I","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Michael K. Lavers"},{"archiveId":"yxj6nq","id":"yxj6nq","title":"Gay candidate calls out \"homophobic\" AI-generated pics in flyers","slug":"gay-candidate-calls-out-homophobic-ai-generated-pics-in-flyers","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/gay-candidate-calls-out-homophobic-ai-generated-pics-in-flyers/","excerpt":"West Hollywood councilmember John Erickson and several LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations are condemning recent attack ads targeting his campaign for a California state Senate seat. In a joint statement, Equality California, Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Elected Officials, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, and Honor ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2F55157192941-c8c00123c8-k-1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"John Russell"},{"archiveId":"fci4d5","id":"fci4d5","title":"\"Oh my goodness gracious!\" CNN analyst shocked by just how much Trump is losing with key demographic","slug":"oh-my-goodness-gracious-cnn-analyst-shocked-by-just-how-much-trump-is-losing-with-key-demographic","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T14:28:52.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/quick-hit-oh-my-goodness-gracious-cnn-analyst-shocked-by-just-how-much-is-losing-with-key-demographic/","excerpt":"CNN data analyst Harry Enten was shocked when describing just how much ground Donald Trump has lost with a key demographic: men under the age of 30. Enten pointed out that Trump won men under 30 by one percentage point. While that's not a big margin, it was still surprising in 2024 to see a Republic","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fshutterstock-2442962271-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.57%2C0.36%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","author":"Alex Bollinger"},{"archiveId":"20v845","id":"20v845","title":"Right-Wingers Are Losing It Over a Trans-Inclusive Period Pride Event in Boston","slug":"right-wingers-are-losing-it-over-a-trans-inclusive-period-pride-event-in-boston","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-29T14:06:54.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/boston-period-event-mayor-michelle-wu-right-wing-backlash","excerpt":"Apparently the mere prospect of trans people having periods is too much for some to bear.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1992e220b1f9f58f170f25%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2214773326","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"vbvwus","id":"vbvwus","title":"Ghana's Parliament to host conference about how LGBTQ+ rights are against African \"cultural values\"","slug":"ghana-s-parliament-to-host-conference-about-how-lgbtq-rights-are-against-african-cultural-values","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/ghanas-parliament-to-host-conference-about-how-lgbtq-rights-are-against-african-cultural-values/","excerpt":"The latest iteration of the African Inter-Parliamentary “Family, Sovereignty and Values” Conference is scheduled to take place in Ghana next week, the Ghanaian Parliament announced, and it's earning condemnation and controversy days before it starts. Like the gatherings that preceded it over the las","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2021%2F10%2Fghana-christian.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Greg Owen"},{"archiveId":"z76gij","id":"z76gij","title":"An entire generation of AIDS survivors is now struggling with a hidden epidemic","slug":"an-entire-generation-of-aids-survivors-is-now-struggling-with-a-hidden-epidemic","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/an-entire-generation-of-aids-survivors-is-now-struggling-with-a-hidden-2/","excerpt":"Tez Anderson decided to get tested for HIV after he moved to San Francisco in 1986 at the age of 25 and began dating his new boyfriend. When the results came back positive two weeks later, the doctor told Anderson he had 18 to 24 months to live. It was two days after his 26th birthday. Devastated by","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Ftez-anderson-aids-survivor-syndrome.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"6j87ik","id":"6j87ik","title":"Bad Bunny's gender-bending style isn't just fashion. It's a protest.","slug":"bad-bunny-s-gender-bending-style-isn-t-just-fashion-it-s-a-protest","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-29T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/bad-bunnys-gender-bending-style-isnt-just-fashion-its-a-3/","excerpt":"Immediately after Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime show performer for the 2026 Super Bowl, right-wingers began trying to \"cancel\" the cis-het ally by pointing out his refusal to sing in English and his past performances in drag. Bad Bunny — who grew up in a lower","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F09%2Fbad-bunny-yo-perreo-sola-look-2-vid-2020-billboard-1548-1585592459-1.webp%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"uk5hnh","id":"uk5hnh","title":"Bari Weiss slammed during major awards show as she tears \"60 Minutes\" apart","slug":"bari-weiss-slammed-during-major-awards-show-as-she-tears-60-minutes-apart","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/journalism-student-slams-lesbian-cbs-news-chief-bari-weiss-during-major-awards-show/","excerpt":"Bari Weiss, the transphobic lesbian editor-in-chief of CBS News, was notably absent last night at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards in Manhattan, where a scholarship recipient told the audience that Weiss' leadership at the news network \"stains the legacy\" of one of its most famous journalists. The","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F10%2Fbari-weiss.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","author":"Daniel Villarreal"},{"archiveId":"7lcwe5","id":"7lcwe5","title":"MAGA Republicans are increasingly opposing Trump. But they really haven't changed.","slug":"maga-republicans-are-increasingly-opposing-trump-but-they-really-haven-t-changed","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/republicans-are-increasingly-opposing-but-they-really-havent-changed/","excerpt":"This article is offered exclusively to members, those who contribute monthly or annually to LGBTQ Nation.View this article on LGBTQ Nation to learn more or log in to continue reading.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fusatsi-29003466-168404765-lowres-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.3%2C0.25%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"1atzw4","id":"1atzw4","title":"Students for Trump co-founder arrested for allegedly threatening to kill a woman","slug":"students-for-trump-co-founder-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-to-kill-a-woman","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T20:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/quick-hit-students-for-co-founder-arrested-for-allegedly-to-a-woman/","excerpt":"Washington D.C. police arrested Ryan Fournier, co-founder of Students for Trump and Turning Point Action (the PAC for the young conservatives group Turning Point USA), early Tuesday morning for allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill a woman he was dating. The woman told police that, while visi","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fryan-fournier-students-for-trump.jpeg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.49%2C0.32%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"qex9kb","id":"qex9kb","title":"Bangladesh gov't saves Albino buffalo from sacrifice because it looks like Donald Trump","slug":"bangladesh-gov-t-saves-albino-buffalo-from-sacrifice-because-it-looks-like-donald-trump","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/quick-hit-bangladesh-govt-saves-albino-buffalo-from-sacrifice-because-it-looks-like-donald/","excerpt":"The hair is uncanny.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F12%2Fusatsi-27809845.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"y6x0b2","id":"y6x0b2","title":"Small town cancels Pride after vandals destroyed their banners twice","slug":"small-town-cancels-pride-after-vandals-destroyed-their-banners-twice","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/small-town-cancels-pride-after-vandals-destroyed-their-banners-twice/","excerpt":"“I thought we were living in 2026 and had moved on from this kind of discrimination.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2649989079.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.59%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"0gifa5","id":"0gifa5","title":"Husbands Richard & Chris recreate a romantic moment each year at Pride","slug":"husbands-richard-chris-recreate-a-romantic-moment-each-year-at-pride","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T18:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/husbands-richard-chris-recreate-a-romantic-moment-each-year-at-pride/","excerpt":"\"I know how romcom it sounds...\" Richard told LGBTQ Nation.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Frichard-munoz-moore-pride-in-pictures.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1497%2C788%2C0.67%2C0.15%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"n67hd6","id":"n67hd6","title":"The GOP's actual strategy against James Talarico? Call him a fa**ot","slug":"the-gop-s-actual-strategy-against-james-talarico-call-him-a-fa-ot","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/the-gops-actual-strategy-against-james-talarico-call-him-a-faot/","excerpt":"They all got the same memo: question his sexuality and gender, avoid substantive policy issues.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fusatsi-28398785-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1750%2C921%2C0.46%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"ftu3fc","id":"ftu3fc","title":"Jared Polis brutally mocked for \"tape\" picture about being silenced: \"This is pathetic\"","slug":"jared-polis-brutally-mocked-for-tape-picture-about-being-silenced-this-is-pathetic","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T17:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/jared-polis-brutally-mocked-for-tape-picture-about-being-silenced-this-is-pathetic/","excerpt":"Polis was censured for commuting a MAGA official's jail sentence. It appears he equates that to being silenced.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F05%2Fusatsi-22054929.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"jz9zhh","id":"jz9zhh","title":"D.C. Pride flag raising ceremony set for June 1","slug":"d-c-pride-flag-raising-ceremony-set-for-june-1","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T17:28:13.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/28/d-c-pride-flag-raising-ceremony-set-for-june-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=d-c-pride-flag-raising-ceremony-set-for-june-1","excerpt":"D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs is inviting the LGBTQ community and friends to attend the city’s annual Pride flag raising ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, June 1, outside the John Wilson Building that serves as the D.C. City Hall. Like in prior years, members of the D.C. Cou","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Lou Chibbaro Jr."},{"archiveId":"2caxvt","id":"2caxvt","title":"Pete Buttigieg leads Democrats in early presidential poll","slug":"pete-buttigieg-leads-democrats-in-early-presidential-poll","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/pete-buttigieg-leads-democrats-in-early-presidential-poll/","excerpt":"Buttigieg beat several other top Democrats people are talking about.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F09%2Fusatsi-26169108.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"o6otzf","id":"o6otzf","title":"James Talarico’s Comments on Trans Rights, Explained","slug":"james-talarico-s-comments-on-trans-rights-explained","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T16:31:27.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/james-talarico-god-is-nonbinary-comment-trans-rights-support","excerpt":"The Democratic senatorial candidate presents a sharp contrast to his Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a186b6fb58acdc38dc1ce3d%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2277888088","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"4ewkqi","id":"4ewkqi","title":"Democrats shoot down Stephen Miller's trans insult in just 5 words","slug":"democrats-shoot-down-stephen-miller-s-trans-insult-in-just-5-words","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/democrats-shoot-down-stephen-millers-trans-insult-in-just-5-words/","excerpt":"Now Stephen Miller's wife is whining about \"violent rhetoric.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F05%2Fusatsi-13664418-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"fv8vkn","id":"fv8vkn","title":"Cynthia Erivo Opens Up About Friendship with Ariana Grande Post-‘Wicked’","slug":"cynthia-erivo-opens-up-about-friendship-with-ariana-grande-post-wicked","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T16:07:56.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-friendship-wicked-press-tour","excerpt":"“I think that people didn’t really believe that we were actually friends,” she told Variety.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1840268e3ef5479135e945%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2247324515","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"ps19da","id":"ps19da","title":"Hinduism's queer history provides a \"sword of knowledge\" for fighting anti-LGBTQ+ bias","slug":"hinduism-s-queer-history-provides-a-sword-of-knowledge-for-fighting-anti-lgbtq-bias","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/hinduisms-queer-history-provides-a-sword-of-knowledge-for-fighting-anti-lgbtq-bias/","excerpt":"Amara Das Wilhelm is a Hindu priest who has spent the last 30 years ministering to LGBTQ+ people.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Famara-das.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1024%2C539%2C0.43%2C0.42%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"iybb7n","id":"iybb7n","title":"Scott Bessent busted writing \"concerning\" affirmation to himself during Cabinet meeting","slug":"scott-bessent-busted-writing-concerning-affirmation-to-himself-during-cabinet-meeting","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/scott-bessent-busted-writing-concerning-affirmation-to-himself-during-cabinet-meeting/","excerpt":"\"We are f**ked.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F02%2Fshutterstock-2598232495-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"cs11pv","id":"cs11pv","title":"Still marching: Rev. Troy Perry and the ongoing fight for liberation","slug":"still-marching-rev-troy-perry-and-the-ongoing-fight-for-liberation","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T15:28:57.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/28/still-marching-rev-troy-perry-and-the-ongoing-fight-for-liberation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=still-marching-rev-troy-perry-and-the-ongoing-fight-for-liberation","excerpt":"Long before tone-deaf Target swag and rainbow-scented hashtags lit up the very queer month of June, Rev. Troy Perry was helping the LGBTQ community create space where it did not yet exist, and he did so with little more than faith and perseverance. This Pride season, as communities around the world ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"AJ Sloan"},{"archiveId":"muinrh","id":"muinrh","title":"Sarah McBride knows exactly who should play her in a movie & her answer says a lot","slug":"sarah-mcbride-knows-exactly-who-should-play-her-in-a-movie-her-answer-says-a-lot","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-05-28T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/sarah-mcbride-knows-exactly-who-should-play-her-in-a-movie-her-answer-says-a-lot/","excerpt":"A reporter seemed to catch McBride by surprise with the question, but she answered with aplomb.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F03%2Fusatsi-25696713-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"6j5mt7","id":"6j5mt7","title":"Introducing Next-Generation Assisted Living & Memory Support.","slug":"introducing-next-generation-assisted-living-memory-support","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T14:44:47.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/28/introducing-next-generation-assisted-living-memory-support/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=introducing-next-generation-assisted-living-memory-support","excerpt":"We have good news for those seeking assisted living or memory support for a loved one: a fresh, hospitality-driven approach to care is now available in the heart of Tysons, Virginia. Kokua at The Mather opened in fall 2025 and provides residents with collaborative care as well as everyday possibilit","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F05%2FAlegria-restaurant-and-flex-space_KokuaNew-1-600x408.png","author":"Sponsored Content | The Mather"},{"archiveId":"xhknm8","id":"xhknm8","title":"Man charged with stabbing gay dancer O'Shae Sibley claims “it wasn’t my intention to hurt”","slug":"man-charged-with-stabbing-gay-dancer-o-shae-sibley-claims-it-wasn-t-my-intention-to-hurt","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-05-28T14:10:27.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/man-charged-with-stabbing-gay-dancer-oshae-sibley-claims-it-wasnt-my-intention-to-hurt/","excerpt":"Dmitry Popov faces a hate crime charge for the 2023 murder.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2023%2F08%2Foshea-sibley.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"3stsd1","id":"3stsd1","title":"Trump’s Department of Labor Urges Employees to Narc on Each Other for Doing DEI","slug":"trump-s-department-of-labor-urges-employees-to-narc-on-each-other-for-doing-dei","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T13:49:31.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/department-of-labor-dei-employees","excerpt":"One DOL employee called it “pure witch-hunt territory.”","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a183caf64be7cee016b8d89%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2231685323","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"ah39xj","id":"ah39xj","title":"Cedric Neal on his juicy narrator role in ‘Pippin’","slug":"cedric-neal-on-his-juicy-narrator-role-in-pippin","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T13:15:05.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/28/cedric-neal-pippin/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cedric-neal-pippin","excerpt":"‘Pippin’Through July 26Signature Theatre4200 Campbell Ave.Arlington, Va.$47-$153Sigtheatre.org As Leading Player in Signature Theatre's revival of “Pippin,” Cedric Neal portrays the manipulative narrator who guides the title character, a young medieval prince, on a quest for meaning. Neal is also re","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Patrick Folliard"},{"archiveId":"qg60op","id":"qg60op","title":"Dual endorsement for Independent Council-at-large: Patterson or Crawford","slug":"dual-endorsement-for-independent-council-at-large-patterson-or-crawford","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T12:56:47.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/28/opinion-council-at-large-dc-patterson-crawford/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-council-at-large-dc-patterson-crawford","excerpt":"(Editor’s note: This column reflects the writer’s opinion and does not constitute a Washington Blade endorsement of any candidate.) The race for Independent Council-at-Large is interesting. There are three main candidates and I suggest making your choice easier by first eliminating Elissa Silverman ","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Peter Rosenstein"},{"archiveId":"vxp9og","id":"vxp9og","title":"What I learned from Barney Frank and a bit of queer history","slug":"what-i-learned-from-barney-frank-and-a-bit-of-queer-history","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-28T11:44:19.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/28/what-i-learned-from-barney-frank-and-a-bit-of-queer-history/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-i-learned-from-barney-frank-and-a-bit-of-queer-history","excerpt":"Since I started my activist career at the early age of 25, I feel incredibly blessed to have learned so much from many of the legends of our movement, including from Congressman Barney Frank. When I was just beginning OutRight International (then the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commis","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Julie Dorf"},{"archiveId":"w7sys8","id":"w7sys8","title":"Bushwick’s Trans Community Gathers for Vigil Honoring Slain Trans Woman Eryka Caldwell","slug":"bushwick-s-trans-community-gathers-for-vigil-honoring-slain-trans-woman-eryka-caldwell","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-28T05:27:15.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/eryka-caldwell-vigil-bushwick-brooklyn-killing","excerpt":"The event included remarks from Taylor Brown, director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a17ba6d285cc4a985e9a2df%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FIMG_0214.jpeg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"26n61m","id":"26n61m","title":"Stephen Miller Calls James Talarico the Democrats’ “First Transgender Senate Candidate”","slug":"stephen-miller-calls-james-talarico-the-democrats-first-transgender-senate-candidate","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T23:16:24.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/stephen-miller-calls-james-talarico-the-democrats-first-transgender-senate-candidate","excerpt":"Talarico is cisgender, heterosexual, and, contrary to popular Republican belief, a meat-eater.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a177b3b3ac09bf3a28a0507%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2277738435","author":"Jacob Ogles"},{"archiveId":"szyx9x","id":"szyx9x","title":"Trans prom king speaks out as critics whine about “woke agenda”","slug":"trans-prom-king-speaks-out-as-critics-whine-about-woke-agenda","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T21:27:06.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/students-queer-mom-love-on-trans-prom-king-as-critics-whine-about-woke-agenda/","excerpt":"\"The other students are wonderful people ... and happen to love when people are able to express themselves.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2589946305.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.56%2C0.5%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"ddxz28","id":"ddxz28","title":"Medical expert gives surprising sign Trump may have a heart issue","slug":"medical-expert-gives-surprising-sign-trump-may-have-a-heart-issue","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-05-27T20:08:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/medical-expert-gives-surprising-sign-may-have-a-heart-issue/","excerpt":"He said readouts from Trump's physicians indicate a possibly deadly potential health issue.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2622644199.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"4044rq","id":"4044rq","title":"Gayle King admits the lesbian rumors about her & Oprah Winfrey “used to really bother” her","slug":"gayle-king-admits-the-lesbian-rumors-about-her-oprah-winfrey-used-to-really-bother-her","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T20:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/gayle-king-admits-the-lesbian-rumors-about-her-oprah-winfrey-used-to-really-bother-her/","excerpt":"\"It’s hard enough for me to get a date on a Saturday night!\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fgayle-king-oprah-winfrey-gay.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1057%2C556%2C0.44%2C0.32%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"34rjw3","id":"34rjw3","title":"California gov candidate Tom Steyer takes strong stand for trans rights in school sports","slug":"california-gov-candidate-tom-steyer-takes-strong-stand-for-trans-rights-in-school-sports","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T19:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/california-gov-candidate-tom-steyer-takes-strong-stand-for-trans-rights-in-school-sports/","excerpt":"\"I’m totally in favor of trans athletes in high school,\" he said. Also, here is where the other California candidates stand.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fusatsi-14124778-1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"me335v","id":"me335v","title":"Pattie Gonia: Patagonia Is Trying to “Bully” and “Erase” Her With Lawsuit","slug":"pattie-gonia-patagonia-is-trying-to-bully-and-erase-her-with-lawsuit","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-27T18:52:24.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/news/pattie-gonia-patagonia-laws","excerpt":"\"This is a corporation trying to erase an activist,\" said the drag performer, breaking her silence on the tense legal battle with the outdoor apparel company.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a173ad5e37fe3242d4697f4%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FPattie%2520Gonia%2520Patagonia%2520Is%2520Trying%2520to%2520%25E2%2580%259CBully%25E2%2580%259D%2520and%2520%25E2%2580%259CErase%25E2%2580%259D%2520Her%2520With%2520Lawsuit.png","author":"Moises Mendez II"},{"archiveId":"ebo5kf","id":"ebo5kf","title":"‘How to Survive a Plague’ screens June 5","slug":"how-to-survive-a-plague-screens-june-5","source":"Washington Blade","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-05-27T18:32:54.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/27/how-to-survive-a-plague-screens-june-5/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-survive-a-plague-screens-june-5","excerpt":"June 5 marks the 45th anniversary of the first report of AIDS. To commemorate the occasion, Whitman-Walker Health is sponsoring a screening of the film “How to Survive a Plague” on June 5 at 5:30 p.m. at GWU Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.). The screening is free and you can register on Eventb","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop","author":"Staff reports"},{"archiveId":"k84sch","id":"k84sch","title":"‘Queer Love’ campaign launched to address domestic violence","slug":"queer-love-campaign-launched-to-address-domestic-violence","source":"Washington Blade","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-05-27T18:25:31.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/27/queer-love-shouldnt-hurt-campaign/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=queer-love-shouldnt-hurt-campaign","excerpt":"The D.C.-based Wanda Alston Foundation, which provides housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth, announced earlier this month that it has joined partner organizations to launch a Queer Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign aimed at addressing domestic violence within the LGBTQ community. In a Ma","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"zkr2tq","id":"zkr2tq","title":"Strap On! Pornhub Launches New Lesbian Site for the “Female Gaze”","slug":"strap-on-pornhub-launches-new-lesbian-site-for-the-female-gaze","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-05-27T18:11:19.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/news/pornhub-sapphic","excerpt":"The popular adult film platform is creating a space for all of the steamy sapphic content.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a1732ba790e6b1e5d82015b%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FStrap%2520On!%2520Pornhub%2520Launches%2520New%2520Lesbian%2520Site%2520for%2520the%2520","author":"Ariel Messman-Rucker, Dawn Ennis"},{"archiveId":"35nam0","id":"35nam0","title":"\"From Trump’s America\": UK’s latest trans bathroom ban condemned by equality advocates","slug":"from-trump-s-america-uk-s-latest-trans-bathroom-ban-condemned-by-equality-advocates","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-27T18:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/from-trumps-america-uks-latest-trans-bathroom-ban-condemned-by-equality-advocates/","excerpt":"The new guidance is similar to a 2016 US bathroom ban that was decried by the UK.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2019%2F08%2Fbathroom-green.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"de9p5c","id":"de9p5c","title":"Alan Cumming Says He Has Felt the Rise in Anti-LGBTQ+ Prejudice “Quite Palpably”","slug":"alan-cumming-says-he-has-felt-the-rise-in-anti-lgbtq-prejudice-quite-palpably","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T17:46:51.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/alan-cumming-lgbtq-acceptance-interview","excerpt":"The Traitors host says he has mostly observed the trend online, but his staffers at Club Cumming have felt it in public.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a172c23790e6b1e5d820120%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2F2274008310","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"9pzyrv","id":"9pzyrv","title":"Trans salutatorian stands up to anti-trans school administration in inspiring speech: \"Be yourself\"","slug":"trans-salutatorian-stands-up-to-anti-trans-school-administration-in-inspiring-speech-be-yourself","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-05-27T17:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/trans-salutatorian-stands-up-to-anti-trans-school-administration-in-inspiring-speech-be-yourself/","excerpt":"\"I think that he showed exactly why he was salutatorian.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2022%2F05%2Fshutterstock_730882288.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"dhrk9d","id":"dhrk9d","title":"CMAT Is the Pop Star She Always Dreamed of Becoming","slug":"cmat-is-the-pop-star-she-always-dreamed-of-becoming","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-05-27T16:54:02.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/cmat-irish-singer-songwriter-euro-country-interview","excerpt":"The Irish singer-songwriter opens up about being a bisexual icon, sticking to her creative instincts, and achieving the fame that she wished for while blowing out her birthday candles.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a16fec6ffd9445d097478cb%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FCMAT_RunningPlanning-OptionWIDE_HR_SarahDoyle.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"krsvyg","id":"krsvyg","title":"Veteran Dem strategist James Carville hopes Trump lives to see midterms: \"I want him to know\"","slug":"veteran-dem-strategist-james-carville-hopes-trump-lives-to-see-midterms-i-want-him-to-know","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T16:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/quick-hit-veteran-dem-strategist-james-carville-hopes-lives-to-see-midterms-i-want-him-to-know/","excerpt":"\"I don’t want him just to be alive this November,\" said James Carville. \"I want him to be cognizant.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F01%2Fshutterstock-2711671719-1544x1029-1.webp%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"gcsp6m","id":"gcsp6m","title":"Ken Paxton wins Texas Republican primary runoff","slug":"ken-paxton-wins-texas-republican-primary-runoff","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T16:23:44.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/27/ken-paxton-wins-texas-republican-primary-runoff/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ken-paxton-wins-texas-republican-primary-runoff","excerpt":"LGBTQ rights opponent will face Democrat James Talarico in November The post Ken Paxton wins Texas Republican primary runoff appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1573164713988-8665fc963095%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"fgo17u","id":"fgo17u","title":"Seminary leader: Anti-LGBTQ+ politics are a \"distraction\" from the Gospel's true mission","slug":"seminary-leader-anti-lgbtq-politics-are-a-distraction-from-the-gospel-s-true-mission","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T16:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/seminary-leader-anti-lgbtq-politics-are-a-distraction-from-the-gospels-true-mission/","excerpt":"If you've only heard about the Bible's anti-LGBTQ+ verses, then you've missed out on its radically inclusive message.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fsun-yon-pak-union-theological-seminary.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D768%2C404%2C0.44%2C0.37%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"x8aiog","id":"x8aiog","title":"Man arrested for threatening to shoot restaurant employee while shouting anti-gay slur","slug":"man-arrested-for-threatening-to-shoot-restaurant-employee-while-shouting-anti-gay-slur","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-05-27T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/man-arrested-for-to-shoot-restaurant-employee-while-shouting-anti-gay-slur/","excerpt":"Bars and restaurants in the surrounding area had been celebrating DC Black Pride throughout Memorial Day Weekend.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2022%2F07%2Fshutterstock_162524705-scaled.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"bfp44u","id":"bfp44u","title":"He beat a man in the subway while shouting gay slurs. 3 years later cops finally found him.","slug":"he-beat-a-man-in-the-subway-while-shouting-gay-slurs-3-years-later-cops-finally-found-him","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-27T15:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/he-beat-a-man-in-the-subway-while-shouting-gay-slurs-3-years-later-cops-finally-found-him/","excerpt":"“New Yorkers deserve to be safe using our transit system without fear of violence, discrimination or harassment,” said the Manhattan district attorney.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2017%2F07%2FSubway.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"jl1g6c","id":"jl1g6c","title":"James Talarico has the best response to GOP accusations that he's vegan","slug":"james-talarico-has-the-best-response-to-gop-accusations-that-he-s-vegan","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T14:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/quick-hit-james-talarico-has-the-best-response-to-gop-accusations-that-hes-vegan/","excerpt":"Apparently this is the worst thing they can say about the Democratic Senate candidate.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fusatsi-28398785-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1750%2C921%2C0.46%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"aemsir","id":"aemsir","title":"Little Death Is Coming in the ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ Trailer","slug":"little-death-is-coming-in-the-teenage-sex-and-death-at-camp-miasma-trailer","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-05-27T14:01:10.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/teenage-sex-and-death-at-camp-miasma-trailer","excerpt":"The first official trailer for Jane Schoenbrun’s meta horror film offers the clearest look yet at Jack Haven’s slasher villain.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a16ece6ffd9445d0974784e%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2FScreenshot%25202026-05-27%2520at%25209.08.35%25E2%2580%25AFAM.png","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"s34103","id":"s34103","title":"City drops investigation into lesbian accused of sexual misconduct after she's booted from council","slug":"city-drops-investigation-into-lesbian-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-after-she-s-booted-from-council","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T14:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/city-drops-investigation-into-lesbian-accused-of-after-shes-booted-from-council/","excerpt":"She is running for Congress and says she \"welcomes an independent investigation.\"","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F04%2Feva-lopez-chavez.png%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"cc1qnx","id":"cc1qnx","title":"China’s top court acknowledges anti-LGBTQ discrimination","slug":"china-s-top-court-acknowledges-anti-lgbtq-discrimination","source":"Washington Blade","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-27T13:52:13.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/27/chinas-top-court-acknowledges-anti-lgbtq-discrimination/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chinas-top-court-acknowledges-anti-lgbtq-discrimination","excerpt":"Postgraduate student petitioned for legal clarification The post China’s top court acknowledges anti-LGBTQ discrimination appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"fzyrvx","id":"fzyrvx","title":"‘Matilda’ Star Mara Wilson on Screen Acting Comeback: “I Don’t Really Want to Do That”","slug":"matilda-star-mara-wilson-on-screen-acting-comeback-i-don-t-really-want-to-do-that","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T13:32:56.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/matilda-mara-wilson-screen-acting-comeback","excerpt":"Wilson, who came out as bisexual in 2016, shared thoughts on the state of Hollywood.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a16f1eb4f07d597ebfbf33a%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fmatildamarawilson.jpg","author":"Mathew Rodriguez"},{"archiveId":"hscrt0","id":"hscrt0","title":"Julie Johnson, the first LGBTQ+ Congressmember from the South, loses primary","slug":"julie-johnson-the-first-lgbtq-congressmember-from-the-south-loses-primary","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-27T13:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/julie-johnson-the-first-lgbtq-congressmember-from-the-south-loses-primary/","excerpt":"She lost to Colin Allred, who represented the same district as her in the past.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fmixcollage-27-may-2026-10-07-am-1774.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1600%2C842%2C0.52%2C0.21%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"bb5v8j","id":"bb5v8j","title":"Here's what the United States might have become if Kamala Harris had won the presidency…","slug":"here-s-what-the-united-states-might-have-become-if-kamala-harris-had-won-the-presidency","source":"LGBTQ 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Nation","category":"international","publishDate":"2026-05-27T12:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/remember-when-a-trans-woman-secretly-recorded-her-cancer-surgeons-sued-over-what-she-heard/","excerpt":"Jennifer Capasso has endured a lot of hate while undergoing care at one of the world’s best cancer hospitals.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2025%2F12%2Fshutterstock-1527639332.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1"},{"archiveId":"dezuzv","id":"dezuzv","title":"Rabidly anti-LGBTQ+ Republican won his Senate primary. 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He may lose to a pro-LGBTQ+ Christian Democrat.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2024%2F04%2Fusatsi-22287361-168404765-lowres.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1500%2C789%2C0.47%2C0.21%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"wsd497","id":"wsd497","title":"Maine kills anti-trans ballot measure over forged & invalid petition signatures","slug":"maine-kills-anti-trans-ballot-measure-over-forged-invalid-petition-signatures","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-26T22:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/maine-kills-anti-trans-ballot-measure-over-forged-invalid-petition-signatures/","excerpt":"The measure would have singled out trans students for discrimination, even though state law currently forbids it.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fshutterstock-2206686719.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1000%2C526%2C0.34%2C0.4%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"pivq18","id":"pivq18","title":"Donald Trump Jr. marries daughter of Jeffrey Epstein's banker","slug":"donald-trump-jr-marries-daughter-of-jeffrey-epstein-s-banker","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-26T21:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/quick-hit-donald-jr-marries-woman-whose-father-was-jeffrey-epsteins-banker/","excerpt":"The groom's father has a well-documented friendship with the deceased child-sex trafficker.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fusatsi-25580425.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1048%2C552%2C0.49%2C0.3%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"eom1rg","id":"eom1rg","title":"36 Republicans vote against law banning child marriages. Some cited the Bible as justification.","slug":"36-republicans-vote-against-law-banning-child-marriages-some-cited-the-bible-as-justification","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-26T21:00:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/36-republicans-vote-against-law-banning-child-marriages-some-cited-the-bible-as-justification/","excerpt":"Some of them also oppose same-sex marriages.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fscreenshot-2026-05-26-at-45823pm.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1424%2C749%2C0.24%2C0.25%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"pl47jk","id":"pl47jk","title":"Trans rights advocates win a major court victory in Kenya","slug":"trans-rights-advocates-win-a-major-court-victory-in-kenya","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-26T20:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/trans-rights-advocates-win-a-major-court-victory-in-kenya/","excerpt":"\"Silence and delay cannot defeat rights,\" the High Court wrote.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Faudrey-mbugua-ithibu-speaking-at-a-conference-in-2021-prince-mahidol-award-conference-e1779820446438.png%3Ffocus_crop%3D1530%2C805%2C0.54%2C0.46%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"3qr72a","id":"3qr72a","title":"Bentley Hudgins Is Poised to Become Georgia’s First Trans State Lawmaker","slug":"bentley-hudgins-is-poised-to-become-georgia-s-first-trans-state-lawmaker","source":"them.","category":"rights","publishDate":"2026-05-26T19:57:11.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/bentley-hudgins-is-poised-to-become-georgias-first-trans-state-lawmaker","excerpt":"In the middle of America’s intensifying backlash against trans rights, voters are set to send Bentley Hudgins to the state Capitol.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a15fae0a93b867c0766d667%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fbentley-hudgins.jpeg","author":"Christopher Wiggins"},{"archiveId":"76ixhc","id":"76ixhc","title":"Man accused of threatening to shoot D.C. bar employee after making anti-gay slurs","slug":"man-accused-of-threatening-to-shoot-d-c-bar-employee-after-making-anti-gay-slurs","source":"Washington Blade","category":"safety","publishDate":"2026-05-26T19:45:04.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/26/man-accused-of-threatening-to-shoot-dc-bar-employee-after-making-anti-gay-slurs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=man-accused-of-threatening-to-shoot-dc-bar-employee-after-making-anti-gay-slurs","excerpt":"May 24 incident took place near Black Pride events on U Street The post Man accused of threatening to shoot D.C. bar employee after making anti-gay slurs appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"f6s3yq","id":"f6s3yq","title":"\"Not your typical chicken\": How a rooster helped a queer woman embrace her identity","slug":"not-your-typical-chicken-how-a-rooster-helped-a-queer-woman-embrace-her-identity","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-26T19:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/not-your-typical-chicken-how-a-rooster-helped-a-queer-woman-embrace-her-identity/","excerpt":"Kassidy Watson-Perry says she feels \"soul ties\" with her \"queer bird,\" Nelson.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F05%2Fnelson-the-rooster-pride-in-pictures-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D1920%2C1011%2C0.62%2C0.32%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630"},{"archiveId":"6ffbz4","id":"6ffbz4","title":"‘Our Hero, Balthazar’ Is a Doomed Yaoi Unpacking Manhood and Gun Culture","slug":"our-hero-balthazar-is-a-doomed-yaoi-unpacking-manhood-and-gun-culture","source":"them.","category":"culture","publishDate":"2026-05-26T19:18:25.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/our-hero-balthazar-review-asa-butterfield-jaeden-martell","excerpt":"In Oscar Boyson’s darkly funny comedy, two young men wrestle over rifles — and their place in the world.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F6a15ed62a50a7e85986a220c%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fourherobalthazar_header.jpeg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"y04ao5","id":"y04ao5","title":"13-year-old Russian kid prosecuted for \"LGBT 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Peter Leland DeGroote dies at 86","slug":"rev-peter-leland-degroote-dies-at-86","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-26T15:31:28.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/26/rev-peter-leland-degroote-dies-at-86/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rev-peter-leland-degroote-dies-at-86","excerpt":"Trailblazing gay United Methodist pastor once worked at Blade The post Rev. Peter Leland DeGroote dies at 86 appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1518998053901-5348d3961a04%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"0vxpns","id":"0vxpns","title":"Supportive dad of trans son Marlon Wayans defends his friendship with Dave Chappelle","slug":"supportive-dad-of-trans-son-marlon-wayans-defends-his-friendship-with-dave-chappelle","source":"LGBTQ Nation","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-26T15:30:00.000Z","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/supportive-dad-of-trans-son-marlon-wayans-defends-his-friendship-with-dave-chappelle/","excerpt":"\"I'm between them, so I can explain both sides to each 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News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1557862921-37829c790f19%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"pt8a3q","id":"pt8a3q","title":"Art Scholarship Fund Will Be Established for Murry Foust, Trans Student Found Dead After Monthlong Search","slug":"art-scholarship-fund-will-be-established-for-murry-foust-trans-student-found-dead-after-monthlong-se","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-26T14:57:01.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/murry-foust-scholarship-fund-northern-kentucky-university-student-found-dead","excerpt":"His family made the announcement in a Facebook post.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F69f8ef00b4fb6aac04c5c3ca%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fmurryfoust.jpg","author":"Quispe López"},{"archiveId":"64gm5l","id":"64gm5l","title":"Designer Jeremy Scott Slams AI in Graduation Speech: “It Can’t Have an Original 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The post From Media Matters to massive queer ragers: the rise of Tara Dikhof appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F04%2FTara_Dikof_insert_2_by_Alejandro_Carvajal-480x600.jpg"},{"archiveId":"62z1ft","id":"62z1ft","title":"Sam Asghari talks allyship and his new MISTR partnership","slug":"sam-asghari-talks-allyship-and-his-new-mistr-partnership","source":"Washington Blade","category":"health","publishDate":"2026-05-26T12:59:40.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/26/sam-asghari-talks-allyship-and-his-new-mistr-partnership/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sam-asghari-talks-allyship-and-his-new-mistr-partnership","excerpt":"Reality star breaks down new role as healthcare service’s newest ambassador The post Sam Asghari talks allyship and his new MISTR partnership appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"zegrq4","id":"zegrq4","title":"Why this Black Pride, I ranked Janeese Lewis George #1 for D.C. mayor","slug":"why-this-black-pride-i-ranked-janeese-lewis-george-1-for-d-c-mayor","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-26T12:32:33.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/26/opinion-ranked-janeese-lewis-george-number-one-mayor-dc/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=opinion-ranked-janeese-lewis-george-number-one-mayor-dc","excerpt":"Compliance is not a strategy for defending D.C. The post Why this Black Pride, I ranked Janeese Lewis George #1 for D.C. mayor appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1620121692029-d088224ddc74%3Fw%3D800%26h%3D500%26fit%3Dcrop"},{"archiveId":"s9x6p2","id":"s9x6p2","title":"Body of Missing Trans College Student Murry Foust Found by Search Party","slug":"body-of-missing-trans-college-student-murry-foust-found-by-search-party","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-25T03:31:28.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/murry-foust-body-found-northern-kentucky-university","excerpt":"Police say there are “currently no indications of foul play.”","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.them.us%2Fphotos%2F69f8ef00b4fb6aac04c5c3ca%2Fmaster%2Fpass%2Fmurryfoust.jpg","author":"Samantha Allen"},{"archiveId":"vramvk","id":"vramvk","title":"PHOTOS: Black Pride Opening Reception","slug":"photos-black-pride-opening-reception","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-24T17:09:50.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/24/photos-2026-dc-black-pride-opening-reception/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-2026-dc-black-pride-opening-reception","excerpt":"Durand Bernarr headlines program The post PHOTOS: Black Pride Opening Reception appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F05%2F20260522_Kenya_Hutton_at_DC_Black_Pride_Opening_Reception_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg"},{"archiveId":"vfhu05","id":"vfhu05","title":"PHOTOS: Black Pride Pageant and Unity Ball","slug":"photos-black-pride-pageant-and-unity-ball","source":"Washington Blade","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-23T22:28:16.000Z","url":"https://www.washingtonblade.com/2026/05/23/photos-black-pride-pageant-unity-ball/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photos-black-pride-pageant-unity-ball","excerpt":"Back-to-back events held on first night of D.C. Black Pride The post PHOTOS: Black Pride Pageant and Unity Ball appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2Fcontent%2Ffiles%2F2026%2F05%2F20260521_Mr_and_Miss_Black_Pride_and_Unity_Ball_insert_1_c_Washington_Blade_by_Landon_Schackelford.jpg"},{"archiveId":"f3jq1w","id":"f3jq1w","title":"A Twink and a Redhead’s Search History","slug":"a-twink-and-a-redhead-s-search-history","source":"them.","category":"community","publishDate":"2026-05-22T19:06:17.000Z","url":"https://www.them.us/story/a-twink-and-a-redhead-search-history-interview","excerpt":"You know them, you love them, and you probably can’t stop quoting them. They’re superstars, divas, viral internet personas, performers, and so much more. 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Laws are things he gets to write, not things he has to follow. He seems to believe that every other nation has to do what he wants. But it is a lot harder to project that image when you can’t even manage a home renovation or fix the pool at the bottom of your garden.\" Related Trump blocked the opening of a new bridge. Rachel Maddow says there's a \"shamelessly corrupt\" reason Ball is referring to the fact that the president was convinced he could solve the algae issue in the Washington, DC reflecting pool, which has been plaguing the National Mall since the pool was built in the 1920s. Over $14 million dollars later, Trump's renovated pool is having the same problem. \"Donald Trump, then, can hardly be blamed for the reflecting pool’s woes,\" Ball said, \"but he did seem absolutely confident that he, with his decades of experience in the construction industry, knew how to fix them.\" Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today \"Trump dispensed with plans to rework the filtration system, or deal with any of the complex issues plaguing the pool, and decided it could instead be fixed by painting it a darker shade of blue. Instead of taking years, it would be sorted in weeks… Today, the pool is blue, open for business… and absolutely full of algae.\" Ball pointed out that some folks even believe the darker color is helping the algae grow because it is making the water a bit warmer. Just in time for #Pride – it’s the Algeabtqia+ reflecting pool!#reflectingpool #algea #lgbtqia+— Borders Abound (@bordersbarking.bsky.social) 2026-06-20T17:43:22.589Z He then identified the series of events that is a clear pattern for the president: He \"waded into a complex problem that successive administrations failed to address, declared he alone could fix it, didn’t learn anything about the actual underlying issues, and fell flat on his face.\" While Ball acknowledged there might be parallels between that project and the war he inexplicably started in Iran, he said there is \"no shortage of disasters\" to assess domestically. From his dismantling of the Kennedy Center to his rushed White House renovations. \"Trump chaotically rushed in, demolishing the existing East Wing and rendering the White House bunker underneath it unusable,\" Ball explained. \"However, trying to build a new ballroom with no final plans in place, no permits and no process of any kind has completely run aground.\" \"As a result, almost any time he’s in front of a camera, Trump descends into lengthy and largely incoherent rants as he tries to explain why building a new ballroom is actually an urgent matter of national security. Not even Jane Austen could have imagined ballrooms as such an essential component of political life.\" Ball concluded that Trump's rushed quest to leave a \"lasting impression\" on Washington, DC, may succeed, but not in the way he hopes. \"He wants a legacy in marble,\" Ball wrote. \"Not one covered in algae.\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Molly Sprayregen","publishDate":"2026-06-21T15:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fshutterstock-2411512555-scaled.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.49%2C0.34%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"d8b19m","title":"Trump admin sues key trans org, another country bans homosexuality & Vance insults Pride","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/admin-sues-key-trans-org-another-country-bans-homosexuality-vance-insults-pride/","excerpt":"Trump administration sues the world's leading trans medical group to suppress gender-affirming care What the lawsuit argues: The WPATH has published the standards of care for trans health care for decades. The Federal Trade Commission, now led by a Trump appointee, is suing the WPATH, saying that it","content":"Trump administration sues the world's leading trans medical group to suppress gender-affirming care What the lawsuit argues: The WPATH has published the standards of care for trans health care for decades. The Federal Trade Commission, now led by a Trump appointee, is suing the WPATH, saying that it fooled parents into getting gender-affirming care for their kids for personal financial benefit. Why it matters: All major medical associations back gender-affirming care for trans people as safe and life-saving, and the standards of that care are set by the WPATH. By claiming that they're just in it for the money, the Trump administration is hoping to undermine the basis for gender-affirming care even further. Trump admin sues world's leading trans medical group, alleging financial blackmail of parents Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Niger bans homosexuality with a new law that will send gay people to 5 to 10 years in prison Why it's happening now: Niger is one of several Saharan nations and former French colonies (along with Burkina Faso and Mali) that are banning homosexuality after their democratically elected governments were toppled by military coups in the 2020s. Niger's government was overthrown in 2023. In 2025, homosexuality was banned, and this week that ban was officially codified. Why it matters: Not only does this make the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Niger worse, but it is also a sign of increased hostility towards LGBTQ+ people across both western and eastern Africa. Military junta in Niger bans homosexuality with 5 to 10 years in prison Federal judge shuts down Idaho bathroom ban What the judge said: Calling the state's anti-trans bathroom ban \"unconstitutionally vague,\" Judge Amanda Brailsford wrote: \"It does not identify any objective benchmark, specify what evidence may establish such a need, or explain how an officer is to assess whether the exception applies… Instead, enforcement largely depends on an officer’s subjective assessment of an individual’s physical condition at a particular moment.\" Why it matters: Courts (but not the Supreme Court) remain one of the few federal institutions willing to stand up to the right and protect LGBTQ+ people's rights. Federal judge temporarily blocks Idaho law threatening prison for trans restroom users JD Vance says that people \"don't have to do\" Pride anymore now that Donald Trump is president The context of his statement: Vance was commenting on several Major League Baseball players who wrote Bible verses on their baseball caps during a Pride Night game in an attempt to insult LGBTQ+ people. Why it matters: While Pride Nights were never required by law – teams host them to draw more LGBTQ+ fans to support their games – his statement is part of a right-wing narrative that Trump's election was not about any particular policy but was more about ending \"woke,\" that is, respect for historically oppressed minorities. This is one of the main reasons Trump's supporters stand by him: he could crash the economy and start a war, but he gives MAGA permission to express their anger at Pride Nights. JD Vance says sports teams \"don't have to do\" Pride Nights anymore because \"Trump won\" Trump administration declares fertilized embryos to be \"children who already exist\" in what could be an attack on IVF rights What happened: The Department of Health and Human Services updated its description of a small grant program to say that frozen embryos are \"children who already exist and are in need of a family.\" This is part of the anti-choice narrative, which states that an individual's life begins at the moment of fertilization, even though a lot of fertilized eggs will never turn into children who are born. Why it matters: This idea was behind the court case that banned IVF in Alabama. IVF is a fertility treatment that requires many fertilized eggs to be created in the hopes of them resulting in even one pregnancy. LGBTQ+ parents are more likely to depend on IVF to build their families. \"Trojan horse\": Trump admin calls embryos \"children who already exist\" in possible threat to IVF Pictures of the week Indianapolis celebrated Pride this past weekend. Participants march through downtown Indianapolis during the Indy Pride Parade on June 13, 2026. The annual event brings together LGBTQ+ organizations, community groups, businesses, performers and allies in one of the city’s largest celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community. | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK | Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK Some more great queer and trans reads Deputy Editor Molly Sprayregen dug into the fight to keep the Pride flags up at the National Stonewall Monument and she found lots of ways that flags stir emotions. Trump sparked fury like no other when he removed Stonewall's Pride flag. Here's why it hit so hard. Columnist John Gallagher speculated on how Donald Trump is planning to undermine democracy if his party doesn't win in November. Trump is already planning how to sow chaos if Republicans lose in November Contributor Greg Owen talked to Stonewall vet Mark Segal about some of the myths surrounding that historic event. Stonewall veteran busts myths: It wasn't about Judy Garland, it was \"a revolution\" Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Alex Bollinger","publishDate":"2026-06-21T13:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-18-jun-2026-06-28-pm-851.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630%26%23038%3Baspect_ratio%3D1.9%3A1","category":"rights","briefingScore":190,"priority":1},{"id":"l9dpqj","title":"Today is yours: An ode to every type of queer dad & dad-to-be","url":"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/today-is-yours-an-ode-to-every-type-of-queer-dad-dad-to-be/","excerpt":"I always look forward to Father's Day. But if I'm being honest, it's complicated. For me, and I suspect for many other LGBTQ+ parents, the day arrives as a mixed bag of celebration, uncertainty, and quiet questions. My husband and I observe it together with our kids, but one of us usually gets to en","content":"I always look forward to Father's Day. But if I'm being honest, it's complicated. For me, and I suspect for many other LGBTQ+ parents, the day arrives as a mixed bag of celebration, uncertainty, and quiet questions. My husband and I observe it together with our kids, but one of us usually gets to enjoy it more than the other. Then comes the work of weaving our traditions into the larger fabric of extended family celebrations. And underneath it all, the questions none of us can quite shake: Are we seen? Is our family safe? Are our kids truly happy? Related The emotional weight nobody warns you about: mental health and LGBTQ+ family building For those still on the journey to parenthood, another question is even more fundamental: Does this day include us at all? These questions are worth sitting with. Father's Day looks different across our community, and every version deserves to be honored. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Love & resistance all at once Father's Day falls during Pride Month; this year, that feels like a lot There's something powerful about Father's Day landing in June. For LGBTQ+ families, Pride Month has always been about visibility, joy, and the hard-won right to live and love openly. And Father's Day, at its best, is a celebration of exactly that: the families we've built, the kids we're raising, and the love that makes it all possible. But this year, Pride feels different for me, and I suspect for many of you, too. The joy is still there (it never fully leaves), but so is the weight. Pride proclamations that were once a given are being pulled. The month itself has been renamed in some places as if our families are something to be erased rather than celebrated. Rights that felt settled are being challenged. Families like ours are being debated in legislatures and courtrooms. Our kids are growing up in a world that is still deciding how much it values their families. And I am doing my best to celebrate while also staying vigilant, staying loud, and staying together with this community. | Shutterstock Holding pride and fear at the same time is something we LGBTQ+ people have always known how to do. But that doesn't make it easy. And on a day that's supposed to be about celebration, I think it's okay to acknowledge that the world is asking a lot of us right now. So, as I do every Father’s Day, I will do my best to celebrate loudly and unapologetically. Because visibility matters. Because our families are real, valid, and worth fighting for. Because every LGBTQ+ dad raising a child with pride is an act of love and resistance all at once. For the two-dad family Maybe you've been celebrating Father’s Day for years, and by now you've got your own traditions: the handmade cards, the chaotic breakfast in bed, the annual debate over who gets to sleep in. But you also know what it's like to walk into a card aisle that wasn't designed for you, or to explain your family to someone who's never had to think about it. You've built something beautiful, and you've had to fight a little (or a lot) to have it recognized. Today is yours. For the single dad You're doing it all: the bedtime routines, the school pickups, the moments of doubt at 2 am, and the moments of pure joy that make it all worth it. You may not have anyone handing you a card this morning, but you know that someday your kids will know what you've given them. In the meantime, I want to remind you that this day is yours, too. For the dad who came out after becoming a dad Your path to fatherhood doesn’t look like the ones being navigated today, but your journey to your authentic self is reminiscent of our own coming-out journeys. You have navigated divorce, co-parenting, and the courage it takes to live authentically, all while showing up every day for your kids. The love you have for them has never wavered, even as everything else changed. That steady, brave kind of fatherhood deserves to be celebrated. Today is yours. | Shutterstock For our trans and nonbinary dads and parents Fatherhood has never been a one-size-fits-all experience, and for our trans and nonbinary community members, that's especially true. You may have fought hard to be seen as the parent you are. You may be raising kids who are learning that family comes in every form. You may be navigating a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to your very existence, even as you show up every single day with love and intention for your children. Your fatherhood, however you define it, is valid, real, and worth celebrating. I see you, I honor you, and I am proud to be part of a community that includes you. For the dads-to-be You're in the thick of it – researching, waiting, hoping, planning. Maybe you're deep in an adoption process that feels like it will never end. Maybe you're navigating surrogacy or fertility treatments and trying to stay hopeful when it's hard. Maybe you’re waiting for a phone call from your adoption agency or regarding a foster placement. Maybe you're just starting to ask whether this is even possible for you. Father's Day can feel bittersweet when you're not there yet. But the love you already have for a family you haven't yet built? That counts. You count. Today is for you, too. For the dads whose journeys look different Maybe you're a foster dad, loving a child through uncertainty. Maybe you're a stepdad who showed up when it mattered. Maybe you're the dad figure in someone's life who has never called you that out loud but feels it every day. Families don't always come with tidy labels, and neither does fatherhood. However, you've shown up for the kids in your life. I see it. | Shutterstock For the dads who aren’t sure if it's safe to celebrate I know this year feels heavier for many of us. Questions about whether our families are protected, whether our rights are secure, whether the world in which our kids are growing up will see them and love them the way we do, weigh heavily. Those questions are real, and they don't take the day off just because it's Father's Day. You're allowed to hold the joy and the worry at the same time. I'm holding it with you. For the people who made our families possible I also want to take a moment to honor the extraordinary people whose generosity, love, and sacrifice made so many of our families real. The surrogates who carried our children and trusted us with something beyond words. The egg donors who gave a part of themselves so we could become parents. The birth families who made the most difficult and loving decision imaginable. You are woven into our families' stories in ways that can never be fully expressed. I see you today, too. We see you GWK Academy exists because I believe every LGBTQ+ person who dreams of building a family deserves to be supported, seen, and celebrated. That belief has never felt more important than it does right now. Happy Father's (or Fathers’) Day to every dad, future dad, foster dad, stepdad, and chosen family member who makes this community what it is. You are seen. You are celebrated. And you belong here. Visit GWK Academy today, and take your first step toward becoming a parent. We’re with you the whole way. And don’t forget to come back to LGBTQ Nation for monthly family-building insights and support from your friends at GWK Academy. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.","source":"LGBTQ Nation","author":"Brian Rosenberg","publishDate":"2026-06-21T17:00:00.000Z","image":"https://lgbtqnews.org/imgp?u=https%3A%2F%2Flgbtqnation-wp.b-cdn.net%2Fassets%2F2026%2F06%2Fmixcollage-18-jun-2026-10-07-am-3441-scaled-e1781795374904.jpg%3Ffocus_crop%3D2560%2C1347%2C0.5%2C0.36%26%23038%3Bwidth%3D1200%26%23038%3Bheight%3D630","category":"rights","briefingScore":180,"priority":1}]},"rights":{"protectiveBills":12,"restrictiveBills":47,"headline":"Missouri hearing on healthcare ban Thursday","hotspots":[{"code":"FL","name":"Florida","status":"restrictive","detail":"3 new bills this week"},{"code":"TX","name":"Texas","status":"restrictive","detail":"Healthcare ban in effect"},{"code":"MO","name":"Missouri","status":"watch","detail":"Committee hearing Thursday"},{"code":"CA","name":"California","status":"protective","detail":"Shield law active"}],"lastUpdate":"2026-06-22T00:30:18.653Z"},"events":[{"id":"pride-phoenix","title":"Phoenix Pride Festival","date":"2026-03-28","location":"Phoenix, AZ","url":"https://phoenixpride.org"},{"id":"pride-weho","title":"WeHo Pride Parade","date":"2026-06-07","location":"West Hollywood, CA","url":"https://wehopride.com"},{"id":"pride-nyc","title":"NYC Pride March","date":"2026-06-28","location":"New York, NY","url":"https://nycpride.org"}],"alerts":[{"type":"safety","title":"A popular gay bar announced a slate of Pride events. Then it abruptly closed.","subtitle":"LGBTQ Nation · 6h ago"},{"type":"rights","title":"Missouri hearing on healthcare ban Thursday","subtitle":"Legislative action pending"}],"lastUpdate":"2026-06-22T00:30:18.653Z","version":"1.0"}