Trans rights faced severe rollbacks in 2025 from federal actions and court rulings, causing relocation and necessitating sustained struggle for improvement in 2026.

The Mattachine Society, founded in 1950 in Los Angeles, was the first long-lasting gay rights organization, evolving from secrecy to national chapters and public activism.

Brad Hoylman-Sigal advanced major LGBTQ protections in New York, sponsoring GENDA, banning conversion therapy for minors, repealing anti-trans loitering law, and legalizing gestational surrogacy.

Andrea Jenkins became the first openly transgender African American elected to U.S. public office and the first openly trans city council president.

Queer athletes quietly manage identity-related stress while maintaining elite performance, risking long-term mental health when identity is suppressed.

Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender member of Congress, elected to represent Delaware and sworn in on January 3, 2025.

2025 delivered joyful, diverse, and visible LGBTQ+-inclusive films ranging from blockbuster escapism to intimate indie stories.

2025 saw sweeping rollbacks of LGBTQ+ rights, targeted attacks on trans people, erasure of queer history, reduced visibility, and rising hate-fueled violence.

Tia Kofi will appear on Celebrity Mastermind on 31 December to raise funds for Not A Phase, continuing her charitable TV appearances for LGBTQ+ causes.

The LGBTQ+ community lost numerous prominent entertainers and allies in 2025, including drag stars, adult performers, designers, actors, musicians, and activists.

Photography documents diverse communities, revealing how desire, customs and a search for belonging shape identities across places, eras and social contexts.

Kazakhstan enacted a law banning LGBTQ+ and "pedophilia" propaganda, punishable by fines and up to 10 days' imprisonment.

Dozens of public figures publicly came out as LGBTQ+ in 2025, boosting queer visibility across entertainment, sports, and public life.

Open communication and mutual consent are essential when considering adding a partner; bisexuality does not automatically imply interest in threesomes.

Chappell Roan apologized after praising Brigitte Bardot upon learning Bardot's documented history of racism, homophobia, and multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred.

A popular gay hockey-romance show may not prompt pro players to come out, and could instead provoke locker-room mockery and reinforce homophobic norms.

Five uplifting LGBTQ+ stories showcase solidarity, resilience, family support, and creative resistance that strengthen community and inspire hope.

Dónal Óg Cusack, Ireland's first openly gay elite sportsman, announced his engagement to longtime partner Nathan Adams on Christmas Day.

Trans-affirming Christians protested at the Wisconsin State Capitol against religious condemnation and anti-trans rhetoric, marching and holding a prayer service.

A hungover 20-year-old on a 2014 European road trip experiences spontaneous, messy encounters with a pale punk amid rustic settings and club culture.

Iconic north west buildings will light up green on the first anniversary to honour The Vivienne and raise awareness of The House of the Vivienne.

Kate Winslet revealed her first intimate teenage experiences were with girls, connecting that experience to her portrayal in the film Heavenly Creatures.

Dylan Mulvaney marked her 29th birthday while advancing trans visibility through a memoir, theatrical work, brand collaboration, and revealing career auditions.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. referred Seattle Children's for investigation and threatened to cut Medicare/Medicaid funding over gender-affirming care for trans youth.

Chris Colfer faced intense harassment, death threats, and agoraphobia after portraying an openly gay teenager on Glee in a hostile early-2000s cultural climate.

Los Gatos will raise the Progress Pride flag in June 2026 after a 4-1 Town Council vote adopting a process to fly commemorative flags.

A Palm Springs viewer complained about a drag-themed holiday duo, prompting NBC anchor Tim O'Brien to defend inclusivity and mock the complaint.

Lillian Bonsignore, a 31-year FDNY EMS veteran and out lesbian, was nominated to lead FDNY and faces conservative attacks over her non-firefighter background.

A CDC HIV surveillance leader was fired during workforce cuts after refusing demeaning reporting demands, risking vital data and protections for marginalized people with HIV.

Malaysian authorities raided a Kuala Lumpur men-only spa, arresting over 200 men under laws criminalizing same-sex activity, but no convictions were secured.

Leaving a close, supportive family to pursue a dream in New York was difficult, but living near sister and friends recreated a supportive, chosen family.

A university permitted an LGBTQ+ reinterpretation of the nativity, prompting Christian students to threaten protests and allege discrimination.

A federal judge blocked the DOJ subpoena for personal health records of transgender minors at UPMC, finding the government's motives rooted in anti-trans animus.

BIPOC queer and trans elders forged community and chosen families amid historical challenges, revealing resilience, cultural diversity, and storytelling's power to heal and inspire.

British Ice Skating will allow same-sex pairs to compete in all couples competitions starting with March 2026 qualifying rounds, including national Championships.

A 1966 police raid on Los Angeles's Black Cat bar sparked organized resistance and activism in response to police brutality against LGBTQ+ patrons.

Kids Hurt Too Hawaii kept its 24/7 crisis helpline open through the holidays to support queer youth facing increased demand after federal LGBTQ+ youth service cuts.

LGBTQ+ athletes are losing sponsorships under the current political environment, jeopardizing training, competition and livelihoods.

A gay couple deleted Grindr together moments before their wedding as a symbolic gesture, sparking viral attention and mixed reactions about monogamy and app use.

Major UK firms have sharply curtailed public Pride support, with corporate mentions plunged over 90% since 2023 amid political pressure and a wider DEI rollback.

2025 featured both LGBTQ+ victories like marriage equality and widespread regressive laws restricting rights and access to gender-affirming care.

Two men used Grindr to target gay people for burglaries, theft and fraud, resulting in convictions and prison sentences.

Jade Thirlwall uses her platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights, celebrates trans lives, and publicly calls out silence and anti-trans rhetoric.

A turbulent year for LGBTQ+ TV featured high-profile cancellations, surprise hits, representation firsts, increased character counts, and a significant portion of characters not returning.

2025 featured prominent sapphic cultural moments, including debate over the 'lesbian boyfriend' label and wider recognition of diverse lesbian identities and expressions.

A Drag Queen Christmas in Pensacola sold out its 1,600-seat venue despite Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's attempt to shut it down and local protests.

A federal judge ruled that two teachers may refuse to follow a school district policy requiring use of transgender students' chosen names and pronouns.

Many professional Santas adopt the role year-round as central identity, enduring low pay, discrimination, and lifestyle changes out of devotion.

Many trans people experience voice dysphoria; gender-affirming voice training is essential for mental health, social connection, and often ranks alongside hormones and surgery.

Dave Chappelle performed anti-trans jokes at the Riyadh Comedy Festival and said they 'went over very well', provoking criticism over Saudi human-rights and anti-LGBTQ+ laws.