The Galveston Gay Chorus continues to build community through music, fellowship, and year-round performances. Their holiday season includes several events, including a December 5 appearance at Soundbar to celebrate the start of Dickens Weekend. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/12/galv...

We are SO back with LGBTQ+ Night at the Ballet! Get 25% off an evening Out At The Ballet during The Nutcracker on Friday, December 12 at 7:30 PM, plus a complimentary drink voucher and access to a reserved area before the show and during intermission. All are welcome. tinyurl.com/rvwmxdmx

On World AIDS Day, we remember those lost, recognize those living with HIV, and take stock of the work still ahead. To everyone affected by HIV: we see you, and we’re not stepping away. #WorldAIDSDay

After surviving deadly anti-LGBTQ violence in Bangladesh, Tara Asgar entered a U.S. immigration system shaped by a century of exclusion. Her story highlights how queer asylum seekers still face inconsistent protections and long waits for safety. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/lgbt...

Thanksgiving weekend kicks off with the 76th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston. Later in the day, several community bars host Thanksgiving dinners and potlucks, followed by a full weekend of events for Houston's LGBTQ community. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/quee...

Beautiful Princess Disorder opens a portal to a heavenly parking lot where Triangle Person seeks truth, humor, and identity. Kathy Ng’s playful, queer storytelling brings a tender cosmic spark to The Catastrophic Theatre. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/beau...

Gretel Batista helps bring Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker to life, performing roles from Clara to snow flurry. The longtime company member says each performance feels magical thanks to the young dancers who make the show new every year. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/hous...

The weekend begins with Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor lives lost to violence. Houston hosts several TDOR events alongside a full slate of queer gatherings, from Friendsgiving celebrations and arts premieres to block walks and holiday markets. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/quee...

On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we pause to confront a devastating reality: anti-trans violence continues to claim lives across the globe. As we honor those we’ve lost, we also recognize the resilience, brilliance, and power of the community that continues to fight for a safer future.

Arlington’s debate over LGBTQ protections reflects a broader Texas trend as federal directives push cities to reconsider hard-won local safeguards. Advocates warn the impact could reach communities across the state. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/texa...

Texas schools enforcing SB 12 are now deadnaming some trans students and limiting support from teachers. Families and educators say the vague law fuels confusion and fear while LGBTQ students feel increasingly erased. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/texa...

The Ninth Circuit has affirmed that third-party administrators can be liable under the Affordable Care Act's Section 1557 for discriminatory health plan exclusions and that RFRA is not a defense in private litigation. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/nint...

China pulled the gay dating apps Blued and Finka from its app stores, leaving millions of users without key digital spaces. Advocates say the removals show how queer visibility is being narrowed in a country where offline gathering places are already rare. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/chin...

Houston’s Rec Room is taking on Angels in America, a seven-hour epic that hasn’t been professionally staged in the city for decades. Directors Matt Hune and Sophia Watt transform their 60-seat theater into a world of politics, faith, and human change. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/ange...

The Supreme Court refused to reopen the fight over same-sex marriage, rejecting a challenge from former clerk Kim Davis. The justices’ decision keeps Obergefell v. Hodges in place, a major win for equality and a powerful reminder that love still prevails. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/supr...

The Harris County Democratic Party is holding a rally with Governor Gavin Newsom. RSVP at the link below to attend. Event Details: 📅 Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 🕥 Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (Doors open at 12:30) 📍 Location: upon RSVP secure.ngpvan.com/V1oSOsxycUWv...

A federal appeals court ruled that Texas can enforce its 2023 law restricting certain drag performances in public. The ACLU of Texas called the decision “heartbreaking” and pledged to keep fighting for LGBTQ artists and free expression. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/texa...

Houston Food Bank is expanding emergency food distributions during the ongoing federal shutdown. The effort supports 15,000 households weekly with fresh produce, dairy, and proteins while SNAP benefits remain suspended. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/hous...

November’s Taurus full moon helps us balance emotion with practicality. Under its glow, each zodiac sign finds clarity about comfort, stability, and change. What’s surfacing for you, and what are you ready to release? www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/horo...

UPDATE: Alejandra Salinas advances to a runoff in the race for Houston City Council At-large Position 4. After gaining the most votes in the special election held on November 4, she'll face Dwight Boykins in the December 13 runoff. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/sali...

SNAP cuts left millions of Texans struggling to afford groceries. Enter Grocery Buddy, a Houston-born platform by Nina Quincy and Brent Friar that connects donors to recipients through direct, private grocery orders—fast, transparent, and judgment-free. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/groc...

People magazine just crowned Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey the 2025 Sexiest Man Alive. It’s historic—he’s the first openly gay actor to earn the title—and hilarious, given the “job” pays nothing and lasts only a year. Still, it looks great on a résumé. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/jona...

For the first time in 30 years, Angels in America returns to Houston. Co-directors Matt Hune and Sophia Watt bring Tony Kushner’s epic to the Rec Room’s 60-seat stage, turning a monumental story into an intimate experience. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/ange...

When Houston’s rainbow crosswalk was removed, many felt a symbol of pride was lost. Artist Nicky Davis and Korny Vibes Café responded with a mural bursting with color and joy—reminding Montrose that community, love, and pride can never be painted out. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/hous...

Houston launched an LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment Coordinator to strengthen access to jobs, business programs, and city services—helping LGBTQ youth and seniors build long-term economic stability. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/hous...

Houston’s queer Halloween weekend is packed! Check out OutSmart’s Queer Things to Do: Halloween Edition for the best parties, performances, and community events around town. 👻🎃 Subscribe to our newsletter for your weekly dose of LGBTQ happenings! www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/quee...

The Texas Supreme Court now permits judges to abstain from performing same-sex weddings if doing so conflicts with their religious beliefs. Advocates for marriage equality say the ruling weakens public faith in judicial impartiality. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/texa...

Four LGBTQ galas this fall will celebrate Houston’s legacy of giving and progress. Events hosted by The Diana Foundation, Avenue 360, Allies in Hope, and the Houston LGBTQ Political Caucus raise funds for health, education, and equality. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/2025...

DON'T WAIT! Last call to get your tickets now and join us today from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at South Beach Houston for a night of glitz, glam, and gratitude as we celebrate Houston’s Gayest & Greatest — the people, places, and businesses that make our LGBTQ community shine. givebutter.com/AXqNAG

The Human Rights Campaign and The Normal Anomaly host “Party with a Purpose” on Oct. 23 at Pause Nightclub—an evening of entertainment and education to promote harm reduction, sexual health, and empowerment for Houston’s Black and Brown LGBTQ communities. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/part...

Montrose lost more than paint when the rainbow crosswalks came up; it lost a visible piece of its identity. The removal, ordered under state pressure, has drawn protests and renewed calls to protect spaces that reflect the city’s LGBTQ history. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/mont...

OutSmart contributor Ian L. Haddock joins Out magazine’s 2025 Out100, honoring influential LGBTQ advocates. The Houston activist and founder of The Normal Anomaly Initiative is recognized for advancing equality and visibility nationwide. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/ian-...

Katy Pride will go on at Bear Creek Rodeo Arena following an abrupt venue change. Organizers report no credible threats and say the celebration will keep its family-friendly programming, centering inclusion and a welcoming environment for the whole community. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/katy...

It is with great sadness that we share that OutSmart magazine's iconic astrologer and beloved friend Lilly Roddy has passed away at the age of 73. We will update information when it becomes available. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/lill...

Celebrate Houston’s Gayest & Greatest—the people, places, and businesses that make our community shine. Every ticket supports the OutSmart Foundation, funding independent LGBTQ news and media initiatives that amplify our community’s stories. givebutter.com/AXqNAG

A giant of queer liberation has passed. Miss Major Griffin-Gracy—activist, mentor, and Stonewall veteran—devoted her life to protecting Black trans women and fighting injustice wherever it appeared. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/miss...

Houston’s rainbow crosswalks were built for safety and remembrance, not politics. Now, Gov. Abbott’s order to remove them has sparked outrage and renewed calls for LGBTQ visibility and belonging in Texas. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/hous...

Houston Art Weeks (Oct. 10–19) brings 30+ artists, galleries, and studios together citywide. Meet creators, explore exhibits, and support LGBTQ mental health services at the Montrose Center through this inaugural fundraiser. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/hous...

OutSmart magazine is thrilled to announce the winners and finalists of our 28th Annual Gayest & Greatest Awards. This year’s winners—extraordinary local individuals, organizations, and businesses—rose to the top thanks to your support. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/outs...

Harris County’s Fab Five judges are held to higher standards—and exceed them with fairness, leadership, and innovation. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/exce...

As the sun travels through Libra and enters Scorpio later in the month, balance and reflection give way to intensity and focus. Planetary shifts bring both supportive and busy days. Check out what’s in store this October. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/horo...

With nine states urging the Supreme Court to revisit marriage equality, Clarence Thomas says precedent doesn’t carry sacred weight. In his 2022 Dobbs opinion, he called for the court to reconsider rulings on same-sex marriage and private sexual conduct. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/thom...

The Montrose Center’s Out for Good gala is back with a Leather and Lace theme. Honorees Atlantis Narcisse and Brad Pritchett will be celebrated for their leadership, resilience, and dedication to Houston’s LGBTQ community. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/mont...

Texas Tech ordered faculty to restrict classroom discussions of transgender identities. Faculty and students fear censorship, while critics say the vague directive violates academic freedom and further marginalizes LGBTQ students. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/texa...

The former Eagle Houston space is getting a new life as Varsity Bar. Owner Jeff Harmon says the venue will blend sports, music, and community while keeping Montrose’s LGBTQ legacy alive. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/vars...

The Invisible Histories Project made it possible, and JD Doyle made it happen: OutSmart’s 30-year archive is now digitized, offering a vital record of Houston’s LGBTQ history. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/outs...

Gov. Abbott signed SB 8 into law, requiring people in Texas public buildings to use restrooms matching the sex on their birth certificate. LGBTQ advocates call it discriminatory and harmful. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/texa...

Ryan Williams, a corps de ballet dancer with Houston Ballet, performs in the mixed rep Rock, Roll & Tutus. This Friday, September 26, LGBTQ audiences and friends are invited to Out at the Ballet, a special community reception before the performance. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/ryan...

OUT at the Ballet is back on Friday, September 26th at 7:30 PM with Houston Ballet’s production of Rock, Roll & Tutus! Use promo code OUTBALLET to save 25% off tickets to Friday’s special performance. Get your tickets now at Houstonballet.org! 🎟️

The rainbow crosswalks at Westheimer and Taft were removed during repaving, leaving Montrose without one of its most visible LGBTQ landmarks. METRO says reinstating them depends on a city review of new federal roadway guidelines. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/mont...