culture
PHOTOS: High Heel Race
The 17th Street High Heel Race was held on Tuesday, Oct. 27. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key) The post PHOTOS: High Heel Race appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News....
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Republicans have spent nearly $200 million on anti-trans ads in the midterms
With Election Day a week away, it seems all that Republicans want to talk about is transgender people. The data firm AdImpact has been keeping a tally of issues-based political ads in the midterm election cycle and says that Republicans have spent $183 million on television ads t...
rights
Trump DOJ sues Anne Arundel school board over gender identity policy
By JESSICA CALEFATI and JUSTIN FENTON | The U.S. Department of Justice’s civil rights division on Tuesday sued Anne Arundel County’s Board of Education, claiming the district secretly allowed students to change their gender without their parents’ knowledge or consent. The Trump a...
rights
Remember when Caitlyn Jenner’s alleged trans MAGA girlfriend died in a horrific accident?
Sophia Hutchins, the 29-year-old MAGA supporting transgender woman who was once rumored to be the girlfriend of right-wing trans conservative millionaire Caitlyn Jenner, recently died in an accident while driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) near Jenner's condo in Malibu, Califor...
rights
Marriage equality, redistricting referenda on Va., Md. ballots
Voters are facing a number of ballot questions this year in Virginia and Maryland. Question 2 in Virginia would codify marriage rights for same-sex couples in the state Constitution. Question 3 in Maryland would grant state lawmakers more authority to redistrict congressional dis...
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Adam Conover Shares His Dating App Bio Says “Bisexual” Now
Comedian Adam Conover shared that his dating app bio says “bisexual” in response to a question from Nicole Byer about whether he is “queer-identified.”While not a formal coming out, the actor — known for Adam Ruins Everything and his own podcast Factually! —has been increasingly ...
rights
Midterms could put LGBTQ lawmakers in committee chairmanships
Currently, Republicans hold a majority across the federal government, with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, alongside a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. That control has allowed the Trump-Vance administration to pursue an aggressive policy...
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Republican who accused Democrat of being "dangerous" to kids found guilty of child endangerment
A Republican city councilmember in Dallas who participated in an ad denouncing a Democratic candidate as "dangerous" to children due to her support of trans rights was found guilty of child endangerment in connection with driving while under the influence. The ad shows Dallas Cen...
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Pappas poised to become first out gay male U.S. senator
MANCHESTER, N.H. — New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas on Monday said he has “campaigned authentically as myself” in the campaign to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). “I’m really proud of who I am, but [I am] more proud of the fact that New Hampshire embraces...
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Trump administration seeks researchers to link gender dysphoria to violent crime
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research arm of the Department of Justice, has put out a call for researchers to study an alleged connection between gender dysphoria and violent crime. A successful application will lead to up to $1 million in federal funding to “Gene...
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"It's giving winner vibes": Trump's latest attempt to mock Democrats backfired immediately
The White House tried to make Democrats look bad with an AI-generated video just a week before Election Day, but social media users are saying that the clip just makes Democrats look awesome. The deepfake video shows well-known Democrats – including Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton...
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The Fight to Preserve Queer History Is Happening One Wikipedia Edit at a Time
This story originally appeared on The Advocate.Lane Rasberry likes to wear the color blue. Only blue. Years ago, a fortune teller said another color would play a role in his death, and Rasberry hasn’t taken chances since.The habit has inspired a cheeky online username, Bluerasber...
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Gay man brutally beaten while called "fa***t" & n-word in park. A teen has been arrested.
An 18-year-old was released on his own recognizance on Monday after he was charged with attacking a man he met on Grindr. His lawyer denied the allegations. The victim, who is unnamed, sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized after the attack by the teen and four other juv...
safety
Remember when a crowd cheered after Pete Buttigieg destroyed Turning Point USA in just one sentence?
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 c...
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"Stop embarrassing our state": GOP senator slammed for using slur to insult Democrat
Anti-LGBTQ+ Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) followed in the president's footsteps on Monday when he used an anti-trans slur to describe cisgender Democratic South Carolina Senate candidate Annie Andrews. Scott said during an appearance on Real America's Voice, “Annie Andrews, as President ...
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Cheyenne Jackson Wants to Help Actors Who Are “One Job Away” From Health Insurance
In light of a growing number of actors who are having trouble meeting the yearly minimum wage requirement to qualify for the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, actor Cheyenne Jackson has launched a series called One Job Away to help actors who need help meeting the requirement of $28,933.Jac...
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Gay MAGA activist obsessed with "voter fraud" allegedly helped others fraudulently vote
Scott Presler, a co-founder of Gays for Trump whose MAGA activism has focused on alleged voter fraud, reportedly let several out-of-state GOP operatives use his Pennsylvania address to vote in the key swing state. Legal experts say Presler, who has often repeated the Republican P...
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D.C. prepares for new mayor after next week’s election
Like most recent D.C. elections, LGBTQ voters will be choosing candidates for mayor, City Council, D.C. Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives and other races from a list of mostly strong LGBTQ rights supporters in the city’s Nov. 3 general election. In a city with a large...
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How an anti-trans backlash to James Talarico spread like wildfire
This story was reported in partnership with The 19th, a nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy. Texas’ Senate race has become one of the most-watched elections of the year. MAGA Republican nominee Ken Paxton pulled off a rare primary defeat against a well-est...
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Bruce Cohen Presented with GLAAD's Vito Russo Award at NYC Gala
Last night at its New York Gala, GLAAD honored acclaimed producer Bruce Cohen—an Oscar and Tony winner and Emmy nominee—with the prestigious Vito Russo Award, celebrated for exceptional contributions to LGBTQ equality. The Vito Russo Award, named in honor of GLAAD’s co-founder—th...
culture
Benito Skinner Teases a Steamy Hookup in Overcompensating Season 2
This story originally appeared on Out.Benito Skinner is opening up about the hot hookup he has planned for Overcompensating’s second season that will fulfill a popular fantasy among fans.On a recent episode of co-star Owen Thiele’s In Your Dreams podcast, Skinner dished on the nu...
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Brazilian president melts hearts celebrating victory with trans lawmaker: "Hope in Latin America"
A sweet video of the Brazilian president celebrating his recent victory alongside a trans lawmaker is bringing joy across social media. Transgender Brazilian lawmaker Erika Hilton became her country's most-voted woman congressperson earlier this month after she was re-elected to ...
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Red state Democrat praised for "excellent" response to trans rights question: "God bless this man"
Democratic US Senate candidate Adam Hamilton earned praise for his defense of transgender people during a live interview with local news station KMBC. "Where do you come down on transgender rights?" the reporter asked. Related Democratic Senate candidate releases last minute atta...
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Ouch! Lindsey Graham's sister betrayed as former GOP governor endorses her Democratic opponent
Just a week before Election Day, a former Republican governor of South Carolina has publicly endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews over Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), the Trump-backed Republican who was appointed to carry out the rest of her late brother's t...
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"Fake & Gay!" Trump administration's homophobic response to "60 Minutes" report
The official account for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used "gay" as an insult when responding to a 60 Minutes report about the deportation of a man from Mali. "Fake & Gay!" ICE's official account posted to X while sharing a post from Fox News reporter Brooke Taylo...
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Remember: Lauren Boebert thinks queer parents are worse than her son jailed for child neglect.
Tyler Boebert, the son of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), is such a bad parent that he's going to jail for it. But no one – least of all his mother – is going to question his legitimacy as a parent over it, even as these same people refuse to accept that queer people are the parents ...
community
Gay Horror Icons the Boulet Brothers Dish on the "Raw" and "Ruthless" Twists Coming to Dragula
This story originally appeared on Out.Boo!The Boulet Brothers are bringing the horror at a truly terrifying time in history with the seventh mainline season of The Boulet Brothers' Dragula. Premiering just before Halloween, the horror duo is also celebrating 10 years of the popul...
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Who Sent Fake Trans Advocacy Mailers to Inflame Texas Republicans? A Trail Leads to an Illinois Printer
This story originally appeared on The Advocate. The search for whoever sent deceptive transgender advocacy mailers across Texas has reached an llinois printing company. The discovery offers a new lead in a campaign that has triggered threats against LGBTQ+ advocates and a crimina...
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Erika Hilton, One of Brazil's First Trans Legislators, Celebrates Lula's Presidential Victory
Erika Hilton, one of the first trans people in Brazil elected to the country’s National Congress, is celebrating the reelection of President Luiz Inácio da Silva, known mononymously as Lula, in the face of a challenge from far-right candidate, Flávio Bolsonaro. Hilton had played ...
safety
Is a Chastity Cage for You? Experts Explain the Kinky Locktober Practice
This story originally appeared on Out. Autumn is here, and that means cozy sweaters, fall leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and orgasm denial.Locktober — a portmanteau of lock and October — is an annual month-long celebration of chastity within the kink and BDSM community where peopl...
safety
Trump's Team Floats Nicki Minaj as Next White House Press Secretary After Katie Zacharia's Firing
This story originally appeared on The Advocate.Could rapper Nicki Minaj be the next “Super Freaky Girl” to serve as White House press secretary?White House communications director Steven Cheung openly floated the prospect, releasing a video of himself interviewing Minaj on Air Fo...
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Viral Lesbian Bar Last Ditch Will Close as It Seeks New Owners: “It’s Time We Pass It On”
Last Ditch, the small-town Massachusetts lesbian bar that became the center of a national firestorm after a Boston Globe article about the loosening of its masking policy went viral last month, announced on Monday that it will “soft close” as it seeks new ownership.In an Instagra...
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Drag queens rage at GOP after they're used in AI ad claiming Democrat hosted "drag queen barn dance"
Two Western North Carolina drag performers have issued cease-and-desist letters to Republican congressional candidate Jennifer Balkcom’s campaign after their likenesses were used in an AI-generated ad attacking Balkcom’s Democratic opponent Jamie Ager. The ad, which was paid for ...
health
Researchers Say Breakups Might Make Some People More Open to Exploring Their Sexuality
Romantic breakups — especially those involving long-term relationships — can be seismically life-altering. They may lead some people to reconsider their priorities, their lifestyle, and even their sexual orientation, according to new data. In a new study published in The Journal ...
community
Chrishell Stause and G Flip Have Separated After 4 Years
In a tearful, heartful video to Instagram, reality television star Chrishell Stause announced that she and her spouse, nonbinary Australian drummer G Flip, have separated after 4 years.“I have a pretty humbling update to share with your guys,” she said in a video posted to Instag...
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"I’ve got all kinds of slurs": Gay Republican allegedly sends hate-filled message to trans lawmaker
Out trans Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone (D) received an email claiming to be from gay Republican Rich Guggenheim, a major force behind the state’s anti-trans ballot initiative that Titone had spoken out against. In the email, Guggenheim called Titone anti-trans slurs, deadna...
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From Niagara Falls to Times Square, New York Shines in Purple for #SpiritDay
On October 15, The Empire State left no stone unturned in showing out for LGBTQ youth for #SpiritDay! Celebrities, politicians, sports leagues, schools, landmarks, and more all went purple in the name of putting an end to bullying. Whether they were visiting Times Square, shoppin...
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Democratic Senate candidate releases last minute attack on trans rights: "As a Paralympian…"
A Democratic Senate candidate released an ad highlighting his opposition to trans rights just a week before election day. Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek's latest ad shows him using his experiences as a Paralympian to justify his opposition to trans people being allowed to participate...
international
Pete Buttigieg turns Donald Trump's claim about gas prices around in just 7 words
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is getting attention for a particularly pithy response to Donald Trump's claims that oil prices are "temporarily high." At a rally in Georgia this weekend, Trump said that oil prices are "temporarily high" and will be "falling dramat...
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We Built Trump’s Perfect Man Based Off His Own Description
During the sprint to the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump has been focused on what’s really important: No, not the affordability crisis. Not his cratering approval ratings, either. We’re talking, of course, about Trump’s incessant focus on men’s bodies — which, to b...
safety
Nicki Minaj Floated as Trump’s Next Press Secretary. Now, the Internet Thinks She’s a Loser
This story originally appeared on Out. In a move that feels more like a Saturday Night Live skit than real life, Nicki Minaj’s name was floated as the next White House Press Secretary, after Trump praised her ass at a rally.The position is wide open since Katie Zacharia was fired...
rights
Sexist people more likely to support trans sports bans, study finds
A new study from political science researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that people who are more sexist are also more likely to support restrictions on trans girls and women participating in women's sports. The study examined the beliefs of 1000 American a...
safety
The Pope’s Gay Tailor Makes Perfumes Called “Quickie and Coffee” and “Cruising Area”
Filippo Sorcinelli, an Italian tailor known for crafting vestments for Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, and Pope Leo XIV through his studio Atelier LAVS, is also a perfume mogul in his spare time. In a new interview with Dazed about his “conceptual perfume house” UNUM, he opened ...
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The "I" in LGBTQIA+ Stands for People Who Are Tired of Being Overlooked
This story originally appeared on The Advocate. When Betsy Driver’s mother took her to medical appointments as a child, she asked whether other children were like her daughter. According to Driver, doctors told her no.Years later, Driver found people with the same intersex variat...
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Hatred & division are all the GOP has left to peddle ahead of midterms
From the campaign ads and stump speeches of the president and his party, one might assume that their Democratic opponents are transgender children who are also Muslim communists from Somalia who lied about being raped by their stepfathers and about their citizenship status after ...
culture
MAGA voters can't define communism after saying they're voting red to stop it
A clip from The Daily Show's upcoming special, "Red Flags," exposes the ignorance of some MAGA Republicans, who claim to be voting against "communism" but have no idea what communism is. The two-minute clip shows Daily Show correspondent Jordan Klepper interviewing MAGA voters wh...
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"We called him Lady Graham": Rightwingers claim they already knew about Lindsey Graham
A spokesperson for the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA mocked Democrats after the release of what has been billed as a shocking documentary about the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) employment of male sex workers. "Dear Democrats, This is why we called him Lad...
community
Dead by Daylight Leaker Says Trixie Mattel Skin Was Canceled After a Developer Made an “Ignorant Comment”
Any hopes of seeing drag queen Trixie Mattel in Dead by Daylight seem to have gotten the axe.Prominent Dead by Daylight leaker and news account @dvveet shared alleged insider information about an unsuccessful collaboration between RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 3 winner Trix...
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The gayborhood is changing. Are we?
There was a time when moving to Dupont Circle wasn't just a real estate decision. It was practically a declaration of independence. You weren't simply choosing an apartment. You were choosing a life. One where you could hold someone's hand on the sidewalk, flirt badly at a bar, o...
health
AIDS Healthcare Foundation to open new healthcare center in D.C.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 23 marking its healthcare center soon to open at 1115 U Street, N.W. in the heart of D.C.’s nightlife corridor. A statement released by AHF says its U Stre...
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Trans veteran rips into GOP governor candidate who called her "sir": "OK, ma’am, f–k off"
Anti-LGBTQ+ Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R) purposefully and repeatedly misgendered a transgender woman during a tense exchange on the campaign trail. Video shared on social media shows the woman confronting Donalds about an anti-LGBTQ+ mailer she received from ...
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The Sexiest Queer Horror Movies of All Time
There’s no getting around it: Horror is a horny genre, and some of the best horror movies are also the sexiest. There’s already a very thin line between being scared and getting turned on. Couple that with horror’s focus on the outsider, and it’s no surprise that queers in search...
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Vivek Ramaswamy's vile attack ad on Amy Acton proves that the Trump playbook is worn out
Political ads are usually forgotten once the election is over, but Republican's Vivek Ramaswamy's most recent ad in the Ohio gubernatorial race will live long in the annals of reprehensible campaigning. Ramaswamy dug up the mother of Democratic nominee Amy Acton to have her brand...
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Recall when a Dem called Trump 'disabled' in response to a 'disgusting' question about his wife?
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is getting attention on social media for turning a bizarre question about his wife into a slam on Donald Trump. The Atlantic published a profile by Mark Leibovich about the senator, who is the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ). Giffords served in...
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Troy Jackson's LGBTQ+ record is good news for Maine voters
Few people outside of Maine probably knew much about Troy Jackson's LGBTQ+ legislative record until earlier this year, when he joined the state's US Senate race after Democratic candidate Graham Platner dropped out. While Jackson started his political career as a Republican (and ...
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Lula defeats Flávio Bolsonaro in second round of Brazilian presidential election
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday defeated Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro in the second round of the country's presidential election. Lula beat Bolsonaro by a 51.79-48.21 percent margin with 100 percent of the votes counted. CNN Brasil declared Lula the winner shortl...
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Recall when people were gobsmacked by a Fox Host’s oblivious warning?: 'OMG SHE SAID THIS OUT LOUD'
Fox News host Laura Ingraham had folks face-palming across social media after an extraordinarily tone-deaf rant about the dangers of socialism. "The end goal, it's clear," Ingraham said, warning Democrats about the rise of Democratic Socialists in the party, "forced scarcity for ...
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Open letter to J.K. Rowling: My humanity is not elitism
Dear Ms. Rowling, I am writing to you not as a political organization, an activist institution, or a representative of any movement. I am writing as a transgender woman who has spent much of her life trying to live with dignity, integrity, and the freedom to be herself. I knew fr...
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Matthew Shepard should be turning 50 years old this year. We must never stop sharing his story.
Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered for being gay. He died on October 12, 1998, at the age of 21. December 1, 2026, would be his 50th Birthday. Not many years ago, when I was teaching a university Queer Studies course, I opened a unit on the topic of violence directed against m...
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Remember when a GOP candidate who supports executing LGBTQ+ people suffered a humiliating defeat?
Republican Jadon MacCormack, a Connecticut State House candidate who literally wants to execute all LGBTQ+ people, decisively lost his primary race last night against his competitor, Anthony Emilio. MacCormack won only 90 votes, less than 20% of the total votes cast for both cand...