The LGBTQ+ community has faced discrimination for decades, especially in healthcare settings. A recent survey from KFF shows that up to 41 percent of queer individuals are more likely to receive unfair or disrespectful treatment at the doctor’s office compared to their straight counterparts. Younger LGBTQ+ individuals, queer BIPOC patients, and those who report lower incomes are the most likely to experience discrimination. …
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It can be difficult to truly assess the queer-friendliness of a town before living there. When looking for a place to call home, you want to feel safe and allowed to express all parts of yourself without judgment. Ideally, you want to find a space that embraces diversity, understanding, and acceptance. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to find queer-affirming spaces in the United States, even in historic southern neighborhoods and rural areas. Here, we explore how to find a…
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With a nation so divided over how people should be allowed to identify, it’s more urgent now than ever for schools to take action to protect LGBTQ+ youth. The majority, 62 percent, of elementary school teachers report that they don’t think gender identity should be taught in their schools. Queer issues in the classroom aren’t broached very often across the board, with just 29 percent of teachers reporting discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation. For LGBTQ+ students, this can feel…
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Drag has long been a vibrant and multifaceted part of LGBTQIA+ culture, embodying themes of creativity, resilience, and community cohesion. Recently, however, the relevance and legitimacy of drag have been challenged, particularly in rural locales where LGBTQIA+ visibility is notably sparse. Now, more than ever, it’s imperative to understand and affirm drag’s critical role in these spaces as a signifier of enduring queer culture and social progress.…
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In the wake of increasing societal awareness around the need to support marginalized communities, the concept of “safe spaces,” particularly in the context of the LGBTQA+ community, has come to the forefront. These spaces are designed to eliminate biases and microaggressions, creating environments that promote respect and inclusivity. But as appealing as this ideal sounds, the notion of a universal “safe space” is both unrealistic and potentially limiting. Let’s explore a more pragmatic approach: shifting from pursuing safe spaces to…
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Being an entrepreneur is an incredible opportunity. Not only do you get to bring your unique perspectives and innovative ideas to the market, but your approach as a businessperson can also drive change. Your choices can make you instrumental in boosting diverse workplaces in your area and providing support for the next generation of queer professionals. Yet, there are still hurdles before you’re able to have this kind of impact. One of the significant challenges to starting a company is gaining…
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As the year comes to an end, many of us feel compelled to set New Year’s resolutions for 2024. This tradition, while well-meaning, often leads to short-lived commitments that fade by February. Why? Because we often view resolutions as temporary changes rather than lifelong transformations. The journey toward personal and professional success requires more than mere resolutions—it calls for a shift toward a goal-setting mindset. So what’s the difference between a resolution and a goal? Resolutions often revolve around breaking…
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Queer women have been breaking barriers and redefining the norms of historically male-dominated sports for decades. Motorcycling has long been linked with masculinity, but there’s a growing community of queer women riders who are challenging these stereotypes and making riding more accessible to everyone.…
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I grew up in a rural town where being unapologetically bold and beautiful was the mark of a troublemaker. I was raised in an area where being queer or identifying with the LGBTQIA+ community was considered a sin, a bedroom secret never to be talked about. In my reality, it felt more like I should move or disappear in order to please the traditions of a predominantly white, heterosexual, cisgender, Christian, and country mindset.…
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On the season three finale of the Asking for a Friend podcast, host Dr. Laura McGuire sits down with the Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, activist, author, and the first openly transgender Bishop in a major Christian denomination, to discuss being our own cheerleaders, finding hope in our current climate, and the evolution and ongoing restrictions of coming out.…
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