Warning: This column mentions physical violence and sexual assault.
NATIONAL
In a historic development, Dr. Everett Blair Jr. won the special election to replace the late Rep. David Scott in Georgia’s 13th congressional district following Scott’s death in April, USA Today noted. Defeating Scott’s daughter, Blair, 34—the child of Jamaican immigrants—will be the third openly gay Black member of Congress (following New York’s Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones); he is also the first-ever Black and openly gay member elected from a Southern state. Blair will serve until January 2027.
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts) lost his U.S. Senate primary to incumbent Sen. Ed Markey (D)—a month after apologizing for suggesting that Democrats should moderate their support for transgender rights, according to LGBTQ Nation. Both candidates have backed LGBTQ+ rights and voted against anti-trans legislation. However, after President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory, Moulton was one of the first Democrats to suggest that support for trans rights had hurt the Democratic party.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit refused to let the Trump administration obtain sensitive medical records belonging to transgender young people who received care in New York, The Advocate reported. The decision leaves in place a preliminary injunction issued July 6 by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who had first granted a temporary restraining order in June.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 22 states in challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to ban states from using federal Medicaid funds for gender-affirming care for low-income minors and some young adults, according to a press release from Raoul’s office. The coalition contends the rule violates several federal and state laws, the Administrative Procedure Act and the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Maryland’s Anne Arundel County Public Schools decided school employees can no longer use LGBTQ+ students’ requested names or pronouns without parental permission, per The Advocate. The guidance came less than two weeks after Superintendent Mark Bedell said the district would end anti-outing policies and give parents or legal guardians access to all records concerning their children—even if a student objects.
In California, authorities are investigating the assaults of two men in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights district, per The Advocate. One victim said four men beat him while shouting racist and anti-LGBTQ+ slurs. The attacks come amid broader concerns about violent crime in midtown Sacramento and an increase in reported anti-LGBTQ+ incidents across the country.
Yorfred H. Marcano Gutierrez, 31, and Arturo R. Santos Albujas, 27, were charged with allegedly strangling and sexually assaulting a transgender woman on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, according to Them, citing WKOW. One eyewitness alerted police and said she saw the pair “being very handsy [toward] and with other females on State Street” about 45 to 60 minutes before the assault on the trans woman.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Bixlenvo, a once-daily HIV pill from Gilead, CNBC reported. The tablet (which combines bictegravir, found in Biktarvy, with lenacapavir) is aimed at patients whose virus is already under control but who remain on complicated treatment regimens.
GLAAD issued a statement on the passing of feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who died at age 92. President/CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said, “Gloria Steinem was a trailblazing titan of civil rights whose vision for liberation bridged the movements for gender equality, bodily autonomy, and LGBTQ rights. She recognized that feminist progress is incomplete without full inclusion and stood as an ally to transgender people’s fight for equality. Gloria rejected rigid binaries, choosing instead to build bridges of empathy and coalition across all marginalized identities. Gloria’s life was a masterclass in coalition-building, courage, and unconditional empathy.”
The Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community rallied around local drag performer/designer Chantal Waldorf (aka Manuel), an immigrant from Nicaragua, after she was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Philadelphia Gay News noted. Supporters quickly established a Cash App account to help pay for Waldorf’s legal fees.
Also regarding ICE, it detained controversial British figure and “ex-gay” right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, who was later deported, CNN noted. Yiannopoulos legally entered the country in 2019, but “chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws,” the Department of Homeland Security stated. Yiannopoulos has made disparaging remarks about Muslims, transgender people and others.
The Chicago City Council introduced a symbolic ordinance to permanently honor the legacy of legendary drag performance artist Chilli Pepper, per The Chicago Star. Sponsored by Ald. Brian Hopkins, the legislation establishes “Honorary Chilli Pepper Way” to honor Pepper, who passed away in September 2024. The formal street-naming ceremony is scheduled to take place on Oct. 3—her birthday.
Also in Chicago, outgoing AIDS Foundation Chicago President/CEO John Peller was among those honored at Legal Council for Health Justice’s annual Summer Soiree that was held at the queer nightspot Sidetrack, per an organizational statement. Peller received the James Monroe Smith Founder Award while Dr. Pamela Vergara-Rodriguez was honored with the Ann Hilton Fisher Advocate Award and ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) received the Karen & Kimball Anderson Community Award.
Tim Cook’s 15-year tenure as Apple’s CEO ended Aug. 31, CNN noted. Cook, who is openly gay, took over the company in 2011, succeeding Steve Jobs—and Apple’s stock soared more than 2,000% under Cook’s watch, while the company became only the second ever to reach a $5 trillion valuation. John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, is now the CEO.
More than 200 softball teams from across the United States and Canada visited Columbus, Ohio starting Aug. 30 for the weeklong Gay Softball World Series, The Columbus Dispatch noted. The games were played at Lou Berliner Sports Park until a winner was crowned Sept. 5.
GLAAD announced that the Equity in Media and Entertainment Initiative (EMEI) 2025-2026 cohort will present a visual art exhibition in New York City during Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, per a press release. The Nemesis: Remember Exhibition, presented by Gilead Sciences, will be the first-ever exhibition for the initiative, showcasing original work by 10 Black LGBTQ+ visual artists of the third annual cohort.
Former First Son Hunter Biden said he was 48.5% gay during a recent interview with gay progressive political commentator Luke Beasley—although the figure changed several times as Biden flirted and joked his way through the conversation, Out noted. Biden also said that, if he were gay, he would want someone “a little bit more masculine.”
The adult entertainment portal Erobella—responsible for the Sexually Liberal City Index—published Out on Campus: The LGBTQ+ College Index 2026, which ranks “1,718 four-year colleges scored against twelve public data sources,” per The Advocate. Among the top 15 most LGBTQ+-friendly academic institutions are New York University (which topped the list), Harvard University, the University of California-San Francisco, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois-Chicago.
The online-prediction market platform Kalshi has permanently banned gay former U.S. Rep. George Santos after concluding he probably engaged in insider trading when he bet against his attendance at the State of the Union address, the AP noted. On the eve of Trump’s speech, Kalshi put the odds of Santos attending at close to 75%; minutes into the speech, Santos posted that he had been delayed at the airport—and several social-media users accused him of running another scheme.
WORLD
Ireland has opened its first permanent queer museum exhibition, at the Cork Public Museum, per The Star Observer. The exhibition, “We Were Always Here: Cork LGBT History,” was developed in partnership with the Cork LGBT Archive; it includes interactive audio installations, a timeline of LGBTQ+ history in Cork, and an extensive physical and digital archive.
Pierre Picavet—who heads the French LGBTQ+ organization FLAG!—was hospitalized following an attack in the heart of Paris’ queer neighborhood by an assailant who allegedly shouted anti-gay slurs, according to LGBTQ Nation. Picavet, who is also a policeman, said that he was in the Marais area leaving a bar when a young man charged at him “to scare me.” Picavet said that the assailant hit him at the top of his head with the bottle; he added that he suffered multiple fractures in his face.
The Philippines’ Jamie Casiño was named Miss Equality World 2026, beating 14 other contestants, GMA News Online noted. Alanna Cordero Santillan of Mexico was first runner-up at the Bangkok trans-inclusive event, while Vietnam’s Vi Ai Giang was second runner-up. However, according to Free Malaysia Today, the Malaysian Islamic development department (Jakim) plans to summon Chinta Ardieyana—the individual from that country who allegedly took part in the Miss Equality World 2026 competition.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has pardoned anti-LGBTQ+ former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who spent 100 days under house arrest over allegations of corruption, money laundering and illicit enrichment Erasing 76 Crimes noted. Sexual Minorities Uganda Executive Director Frank Mugisha has said that Among should apologize for her past actions.
In Germany, an alliance of seven smaller Catholic pro-LGBTQ+ faith/political-based networks and groups criticized a sermon given by Bishop Stefan Oster of the Diocese of Passau, New Ways Ministry noted. Oster framed his Feast of the Assumption sermon by stating the Christian tradition provides insights into the dignity of every human being—but he also made controversial comments about the recent Christopher Street Day events, queer people and diversity. Interestingly, last year, Oster spoke favorably to several media outlets about a proposed national law that would increase trans equality.
Longtime Jamaican-Canadian LGBTQ+-rights activist Maurice Tomlinson wrote a piece that Erasing 76 Crimes ran that celebrates and comments on his 15 years of marriage to Tom Decker. In part, he stated, “We got married in Canada where I now reside, and my only regret is that I cannot live in my homeland with my partner of a decade and a half without seriously compromising our basic humanity.” Jamaica bans same-sex relationships and unions.
On Nov. 6, George Michael Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment will release The Faith Tour—an 18-track live album of previously unreleased recordings featuring hits from George Michael’s WHAM! and solo catalogues, a press release noted. Among other songs, the album includes live renditions of all the classic hit singles from Faith, including “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try” and “Monkey”; and cover versions of songs close to the legend’s heart, including performances of Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today” and Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade.” The Faith Tour: The Film will be released Dec. 11.
In the UK, in the wake of AI’s effect on the entertainment industry, Nicola Coughlan, out actor Luke Evans, queer Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes, BAFTA winner Siobhán McSweeney and Hugh Bonneville are lending their voices and/or have endorsed a new campaign: Save Our Voices Now, Deadline noted. The campaign—started by actor Peter Caulfield and audiobook narrator Alice Sockett—calls on the government to give individuals enforceable copyright ownership over their own voices.
Art Simone—a runner-up in the first season of Drag Race Down Under—begged the show’s fans to stop sending online hate, according to Out. Simone posted an Instagram video on Aug. 28 addressing the hateful comments she’s been receiving since Drag Race Down Under vs. the World (which Simone is also competing in) debuted weeks ago, including one they put on screen that read, “Just die.” Other show contestants have been supporting Simone.
To celebrate 40 years of the iconic British pop group Bananarama’s True Confessions, London Records has reissued the album across a multitude of formats available from the Official Bananarama Store, per a press release. Also, a final bunch of the album (which has the global hit “Venus,” among other songs) has been signed by the band and is available from Banquet Records. The official store also features original 1986 merchandise including T-shirts, tote bags and badge sets.
Out actor Jonathan Bailey has dropped out of the previously announced West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George, per Broadway World. In a statement on social media, Bailey said he made the decision to step back from the London production after his friend Ariana Grande announced her departure in August.
SHOWBIZ
The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation is finalizing the program for its Los Angeles fundraiser, “A Night of Compassion”—and Billy Porter will be among those honored, The Hollywood Reporter noted. The Emmy-winning actor/activist will receive the Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award, while Vanity Fair will receive the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award. Deborah Cox is slated to perform at the Sept. 17 event.
GO Mag ran a piece on 17 lesbian movie and TV productions that will run in September. Some of them include the Black queer movie Dreams in Nightmares; Practical Magic 2, which again teams Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock; the new HGTV competition series A Very Haunted Renovation, which has Elvira and Billy Porter as guest judges; and the Reacher spinoff Neagley (with the title lesbian character), which airs on Prime Video.
The New York City-based nonprofit Queer|Art launched its second annual auction exhibition of iconic LGBTQ+ art and memorabilia in conjunction with the organization’s transfem-powered fundraiser Doll Invasion, according to Hyperallergic. Proceeds from the auction items—which included a director-signed Paris Is Burning (1990) film poster—will benefit the Queer|Art|Mentorship program, which culminates in a week-long retreat and $2,500 stipends to participating artists.
Sept. 4 marked Beyoncé‘s birthday and the release of a voluminous remastered B’DAY, her coming-of-age second album, a press release noted. When news of the B’DAY (20th Anniversary Edition) broke last July 4, it was accompanied by the song “Morning Dew (Donk).” The album features collaborations with Maluma and the late icon Selena, among others.
During his appearance on the On Film… With Kevin McCarthy podcast, trans actor Elliot Page revealed he hasn’t been able to find another role after starring in The Odyssey, which hit theaters in July, according to Yahoo! Now that he’s embraced his true identity, Page feels he’s in the perfect place to accomplish his “best work.”
Following constant blowback over his past antisemitic remarks, queer British designer John Galliano and New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art confirmed that the planned exhibition highlighting his work in conjunction with the 2027 Met Gala will not be going forward, CBS News reported. Galliano’s remarks—made in 2010 and 2011—led to his dismissal from Christian Dior in 2011 and a hate-crime conviction in France.
Brandi Carlile, Carly Rae Jepsen, Cara Delevingne, Zara Larsson and Ethel Cain are among the musicians slated to perform at All Things Go New York, per a press release. The all-female/non-binary event will take place Sept. 25-27 at Forest Hills Stadium.
Queer rapper Lil Nas X is mourning the death of his mother, Tameka Hill, Page Six noted. “RIP TO THE BADDEST EVER! LOVE U FOREVER MOMMY. this one’s gonna hurt [sad-face emojis],’ posted the rapper, who is on a sobriety journey.
Queer figure skater Amber Glenn and bisexual reality-TV star Sarah Jane Nader (who will dance as part of the show’s second-ever same-sex couple) are among those slated to compete in the 35th season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, a press release noted. Some of the other celebrities taking part include actresses Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali, Bachelor alum Tyler Cameron, chef Giada De Laurentiis and Glee alum Harry Shum Jr.
According to ABC News, Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said that he spoke with Dolly Parton‘s team about renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of her. Lee’s proposal will be addressed at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s meeting on Sept. 17.
Also, the University of Tennessee’s football program will honor Dolly Parton with a sticker on the back of players’ helmets during the entire 2026 season, per ESPN. Parton had a close connection with the school: She spoke at the university’s commencement in 2009 and received an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters, and she performed on campus during world tours in 2011 and 2014.
Cordero Zuckerman—known to fans as RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 star Denali—wed longtime love Alexander Montgomery in Chicago, Out noted. Among the 125 attendees were Drag Race winners Shea Couleé and Willow Pill as well as Denali’s season 13 sisters Kandy Muse, Utica Queen (who also competed on Project Runway) and Kahmora Hall.
Bisexual actor Kit Connor will star opposite Diana Silvers (Booksmart) in PR∃PPY, a true-crime movie, Deadline noted. The film explores the summer of 1986, leading to the murder of recent high school graduate Jennifer Levin by Robert Chambers, a former Manhattan private-school student, in New York’s Central Park.
Abingdon Theatre Company announced that three-time Tony Award nominee Sandy Duncan (Peter Pan) will be a 34th Anniversary Gala Honoree on Nov. 2 alongside the previously announced two-time Emmy nominee Michael Urie, per a press release. Abingdon will also honor longtime board member John Gasdaska with the inaugural Beacon Award.
Menudo—the popular Latino boy band that gave Ricky Martin and many others their starts—will reunite for a six-day run this fall in celebration of its 50th anniversary, the AP noted. Paul Tarnopol, who acquired the Menudo brand name, decided that the reunited act will consist of Rene Farrait (who was in the band during 1979-82), Roy Rossello (1983-86), Raymond Acevedo (1985-88), Sergio Gonzales (1986-90), Ralphy Rodriguez (1987), Ruben Gomez (1987-90) and Robert Avellanet (1988-91).
The Oliver Sacks Foundation—named after the late gay British scientist—and iconic trumpeter/composer Wynton Marsalis will be honored at the annual Find Your Light Benefit Concert for Arts Education featuring Josh Groban and Friends, per a press release. The event will take place Monday, Oct. 19, in the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. The evening will feature performances and appearances by Groban, Marsalis, Stephen Colbert, Lorna Courtney, Joey Fatone and more.
Recent unauthorized footage allegedly from Grand Theft Auto VI shows protagonist Jason exploring what seems to be a nudist community—with completely naked non-playing characters, according to Instinct. However, nudity does not mean sex.