The numbers are clear: HIV affects people in the South at much higher rates than elsewhere in the nation. Within the southern demographic, the virus disproportionally affects BIPOC southerners. And right here in Texas—where we have the highest uninsured rate in the nation—the state legislature would like to cut funding for the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP).…
Well, Black History Month is officially over. As someone in the Black community, the fact that our history is confined to the shortest month of the year is troublesome to say the least. The month is also shared with other holidays, like Valentine’s Day, that tend to dominate the conversation, putting Black History Month on the back burner. And when Black History is acknowledged, it's often focused on slavery, oppression, and campaigns featuring quotes from the most well-known Black historical…
In the inaugural episode of the Asking for a Friend podcast, host Dr. Laura McGuire sits down with Drew Gurza, disability awareness consultant, podcaster, and co-author of The Handi Book of Love, Lust & Disability, to discuss ableism in queer dating, the nuance of coming out, the sex tech industry, and how sex work is part of disability justice. Follow Drew on Instagram @drewgurza, on Twitter @drewgurza, and at andrewgurza.com. You can subscribe to their podcast, Disability After Dark, on all…
I hate surprises—always have, always will. I remember making the terrible mistake of asking for a surprise party in elementary school. One peaceful Sunday afternoon, I came home from church thinking about how much I was looking forward to a nap, and instead found a house full of people screaming “Happy Birthday!” I immediately turned around and burst into a fountain of tears. I wasn’t emotionally prepared, I had other plans set in my mind, and I wasn’t ready to…
Most people have memories of getting the talk. Yes, the talk about S-E-X. Now how this talk happened and what was included can differ greatly. Being Black, queer, and growing up in the Bible Belt, conversations about sex were the definition of “hush hush.” To learn about sex, you had to turn to your friends—which meant conversations were mostly heteronormative and filled with misinformation.…
Jennifer Jeffries, along with her wife and business partner, Ashley Jeffries, recently launched Jen and Juice Juicery in Houston. Jen and Juice Juicery, a name inspired by the catchy hook in Snoop Dogg’s 1994 song “Gin and Juice,” promotes health and wellness with their made-to-order cold-pressed juices filled with fresh vegetables and fruits. From apples and celery to beets and carrots, Jennifer hopes the nutrients from the juices also heal her community. “[We aren’t juicing] for people to lose weight,”…
p1nkstar, Austin’s favorite queer pop icon, has partnered with Hotel Free TV to present “Girls Like Us,” a 50-minute live music video experience released last Thursday that celebrates Austin-based trans artists.…
Mycah Angelou Taylor's podcast, One Gay at a Time, feels like listening to a good friend talk about anything and everything. Every other Wednesday evening marks the launch of a new episode, in which Taylor dives into topics ranging from their own coming out tale, to the “lavender tax,” to the intersection of Blackness and queerness. Whatever the discussion of the week may be, Taylor both educates and entertains their audience.…
If I see one more fitness influencer share an image of a donut alongside how many squats it’ll take to erase it, I just might pack all my things and fly to Mars. Let’s be real: Your fitness journey is just that—your fitness journey.…
The debate rages as I scroll through my social media platforms: Should LGBTQ History be taught in schools? Parents flood the comments with concerns over how the subject would influence their children—and not in positive ways. As I read through the back-and-forth should-they-shouldn’t-they, my mind wanders to the more important question: if they do decide to teach LGBTQ History in schools, how will it be taught and who will be included in the narrative?…
