The boy they refused to forget
When the Washington Blade first reported the story of Jonathan David Muir Burgos, the news centered on a 16-year-old Cuban teenager who had been sent to prison after taking part in a public protest in
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City Council approves legalizing bathhouses in move advocates say is critical to public health
Minneapolis has set the stage for legal bathhouses and adult sex venues to operate in the city for the first time since the 1980s. On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council approved a pair of measures repealing a 1988 ordinance that banned such businesses at the height of the AIDS epidemic. Related
Comings & Goings
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at comingsandgoings@washblade.com. Congra
‘Leviticus’ demonizes homophobia for gripping queer horror yarn
There’s something about horror films that makes them particularly apt as a vehicle for allegory. Vampires, zombies, ghosts, or seemingly death-proof serial killers can all easily be seen as metaphors for some lurking threat from the “dark side” of our own collective psyche, and stories about them ar
Nearly 40 Years Later, Minneapolis Repeals Bathhouse Ban
City council member Jason Chavez called it an important “first step” to the return of bathhouses.
Calendar: June 26-July 2
Friday, June 26 Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details,
Trans man flees US after unending discrimination & violence: "I have to get out or I'm going to die"
Since Elliot Hefty came out as a trans man in 2020, he has lost his job, been evicted, and received KKK flyers at his front door – all because of his gender identity. He was also a victim of sexual assault in a men's bathroom and thinks his gender identity is what caused the perpetrator to act. Afte
Orioles take on Nats for Pride Night
The Baltimore Orioles will take on the Washington Nationals on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. for Pride Night at Oriole Park. The first 15,000 fans will receive an exclusive Pride Night Orioles jersey. The Washington Blade is a media sponsor of this event. To purchase tickets, visit Orioles.com/Tickets.
My boyfriend is almost perfect
Dear Michael, I’ve been dating Mark for three years, living together for two, and I’m not sure he’s for me. We get along great but I’m questioning how attracted I am to him. I was never crazy about him physically but he was such a sweet and smart guy that I wanted to date him. Sex was never mind-blo
The FCC is considering trans content warnings for TV shows. Adding them would be pure propaganda.
On April 30, 1997, students at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams invited me to give a presentation I called "Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price," based on my 1992 book of the same title. They chose this specific day on this specific topic because that evening, the star of an
"It's not a turn on": Fox host calls bi women "super weird" in biphobic rant over "Supergirl" film
Anti-LGBTQ+ Fox News Host Jesse Watters hurled insults at bisexual women during a segment about the movie Supergirl, which opens in theaters today. Watters was reacting to an assertion from the film's star, Milly Alcock, that her character could be bisexual. And as the chyron declared the movie "des
She wasn't looking for love when she swiped right for the very first time. She found it anyway.
It started with a swipe. "In November of 2023, my friend took my phone out of my hands, downloaded the Her app, and created my online profile," says Jennelle Kariotis, a fortysomething assistant professor of Psychology at Northeastern University in Boston. The mother of two, twice-divorced, had neve
The boy they refused to forget
When the Washington Blade first reported the story of Jonathan David Muir Burgos, the news centered on a 16-year-old Cuban teenager who had been sent to prison after taking part in a public protest in Morón, Ciego de Ávila. At the time, the facts were straightforward. A minor had lost his freedom, a
Fox News Host Desperately Needs You to Know He Doesn’t Find Bisexual Women Sexy
Jesse Watters is having an extremely normal reaction to the release of Supergirl.
Reflect on Pride season with these engaging books
Books for Pride by various authorsc.2026, various publishers$18.95 – $29.00 How many times have you marched so far this month? Seems like there’s always a reason to gather and walk during Pride, but save some time for yourself, too. You’ll want to reflect, rest, and read these great books about livi
These 12 companies didn't back down from supporting Pride this year
While numerous brands have cautiously rolled back their Pride Month involvement in recent years, fearing right-wing blowback for any association with the LGBTQ+ community, a handful of big companies haven't backed away — in the case of Mastercard and Target, they have even increased their Pride inve
Zohran Mamdani Launches $15 Million Trans Care Investment: “New York City Is Stepping Up”
The funding comes amid a federal battle over gender-affirming care.
The Texas GOP's official 2026 platform calls to ban trans teachers & overturn Obergefell
The biennial convention of the Texas Republican Party convened last month, resulting in the release of a new official platform that includes a host of anti-LGBTQ+ provisions, including a ban on trans teachers and the characterization of homosexuality as "an abnormal lifestyle choice." Texas already
Remember when Pete Buttigieg nailed the real reason why Donald Trump’s ballroom is so troubling?
Pete Buttigieg zoomed out on Saturday on the controversy surrounding Donald Trump's teardown of the East Wing of the White House, saying he's not as concerned about historic preservation as he is about Americans suffering the effects of historic price hikes for health insurance, all while Trump buil
Trump is ending a life-saving HIV program over a fake anti-white "genocide"
After two decades, the U.S. will end a life-saving HIV-prevention and treatment program in South Africa, a country where over 8 million people live with the virus (about 12% of its population). The Trump administration said it is stopping the funding because South Africa hasn't done enough to meet t
Eswatini's government ordered to allow LGBTQ group to legally register
Eswatini's Supreme Court has ordered the government to allow an LGBTQ rights group to legally register. The Registrar of Companies in 2019 denied Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities' request to register. The advocacy group in 2020 petitioned the Supreme Court to hear the case. The Supreme Court in
Graham Platner pledges to "Protect Trans Kids" while slamming "cowards" & "bigots" who won't
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for Maine's U.S. Senate seat, had twin events demonstrating his strong support among the LGBTQ+ community this week. The candidate is facing off against longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November, with control of the Senate at stake. Platner won the Dem
The Right Freaked Out About Elliot Page Playing Achilles, Turns Out He's Probably Playing a Different Mythological Figure
The actor might be playing another figure in Greek mythology. We'll be tuning in regardless.
Sue Wicks on Her WNBA Legacy — And Reading Lesbian Fanfic in the Liberty Locker Room
WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Sue Wicks reflects on her New York Liberty career, coming out in 2002, and why she's just as obsessed with the league's new gay players as we are.
Does Pride decor resemble Trump’s design aesthetic?
Interior design is often a balancing act between taste, personality, and restraint. Sometimes, however, restraint leaves the building entirely. Such is the case when the colorful exuberance of gay Pride-inspired decorating collides with the famously excessive decorating style associated with the cur
Nearly 6,000 turn out for Pride Night Out at the Nationals
“Just shy of” 6,000 people purchased tickets for the Wednesday, June 24, 21st annual Pride Night Out at the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, which the Nationals said is the longest running LGBTQ Pride event in Major League Baseball, according to a Nationals spokesperson. The event was organize
Federal judge slaps down DOJ's demand for trans kids' medical information
A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order against the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prevent the DOJ from pursuing the private medical records of transgender youth receiving gender-affirming healthcare in New York City. The judge also granted the request for provisional certification
Neighbors unite to display Pride flags citywide after state bans them from public property
Amidst Idaho's ban on rainbow flags flying on government property, residents of the capital city of Boise are doing everything they can to show their pride. A grassroots group called Pride North End has come together to distribute as many flags and yard signs as possible to folks who will show them
Charges dropped for trans woman threatened with jail over license debacle caused by anti-trans law
A trans woman in Kansas accused of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license learned on Tuesday that charges against her have been dropped, Transitic News reports. Kris Ripper had been threatened with jail time after a traffic stop last month, despite following rules mandated by a new law in
UK releases “historic & long overdue" bill to ban "abusive" LGBTQ+ conversion therapy
The U.K. Government has published a draft of a bill to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy. The bill, introduced to Parliament this morning, defines conversion therapy as "abusive practices that aim to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity," and focuses on physical and mental health
Remember when Riley Gaines was mocked after blaming trans people for ruining her dentistry career?
Anti-trans activist and fifth-place swimmer Riley Gaines is getting attention on social media after she made a video complaining that her dream of going to dentistry school was ruined by pro-trans university officials. In a video produced by the anti-trans clothing brand XX-XY, Gaines complained tha
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WNBA Legend Angel McCoughtry Tells UFC President That Pride Nights Would Help Fighters Come Out
The league veteran responded to Dana White’s baffling excuse for not doing any LGBTQ+ initiatives in the UFC.
“Temper tantrum": Trump won't sign landmark housing bill until Congress passes anti-trans voting law
President Donald Trump has refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill until Congress passes the SAVE America Act – legislation critics say would likely disenfranchise many transgender Americans. Earlier this week, the “21st Century Road to Housing Act” passed with bipartisan support in both chambers
‘Girls Like Girls’ Stars Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy Are in Sync On and Off Screen
The stars open up about crying and flirting all the way through filming Hayley Kiyoko’s sapphic summertime romance.
White House to end PEPFAR funding for South Africa
The Trump-Vance administration will end PEPFAR funding for South Africa. A State Department spokesperson on Wednesday told the Washington Blade the State Department “will begin a phased drawdown of PEPFAR programming in South Africa, with most programs ending by Sept. 30, 2026, and critical personne
Let's praise & thank Barack Obama for his excellent qualities, A to Z
As former President Barack Obama opened the new Obama Presidential Center in the South Side of Chicago on Juneteenth, I thought back to the eight years of hope and dignity, stability and pride his administration brought to the people under its jurisdiction. The Obama Administration modeled how a gov
Joel Kim Booster Says Hollywood Has Learned the Wrong Lessons From ‘Heated Rivalry’
The actor says the industry is doubling down on hockey, not queer representation.
MAGA pastor says government should punish pro-LGBTQ+ churches & jail their leaders
Christian nationalist hate pastor Joel Webbon — a man who blames Jewish people for all social evils, blames teachers for causing men to be gay, blames marijuana for making men “spiritually gay,” and thinks Adolf Hitler wasn’t so bad after all — has encouraged anti-LGBTQ+ politicians to hide their vi
White House calls Dem rep. "dumbass" & "bi**h" for suggesting Trump has a terminal illness
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) insinuated yesterday that the president has a terminal illness because he canceled a signing ceremony for a bipartisan bill to create more affordable housing. "Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Is he unable to stay awake today? What's causing him to chicken out again?
"Thin skinned broflake": Mayor goes off on vandal who stole town's Pride flags
Haddonfield, New Jersey Mayor Dave Siedell did not hide his ire for the person who stole and damaged nine Pride flags from the borough's business district on Monday. In a social media post on Tuesday, Siedell called the vandal a "black hearted, thin skinned, broflake" and asked anyone who may have t
Amid Buzzy Media Tour, Woah Vicky Has Been Making Homophobic Posts About AIDS
The internet creator has over nine million followers on TikTok.