The last decade has seen several victories for LGBTQ civil rights. The Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision undoubtedly made headlines in 2015. Other milestones include local nondiscrimination ordinances, broader insurance protections, and greater media visibility. Yet as more conservative LGBTQ individuals speak up, their political ideologies raise serious questions about inclusion, diversity, racism, and […]

Hillsong is well-known as a popular and charismatic Christian megachurch. Founded in Australia in 1983, Hillsong has attracted celebrities such as musician Justin Bieber and actor Chris Pratt. Yet it’s not without its controversy and disturbing details. A January 2019 Queerty article delved into the organization’s past, revealing its history of homophobia. This seems at […]

Getting engaged to your partner can be a very exciting moment in your life. While you may be overtaken by positive feelings, there is a long road to travel before you’re finally ready to walk down the aisle. Planning a wedding can bring about some interesting challenges. You and your partner are going to want […]

Wedding etiquette guidelines and customs were initially created with heterosexual couples in mind. While it logically follows that same-sex couples abandon some of these practices, the internet is still awash in articles about same-sex wedding “trends.” Despite the headlines, it’s important to understand that LGBTQ couples often create their nuptial celebrations with some traditional elements […]

With the significant development of e-commerce since the mid-1990s, it’s no surprise that soon-to-be-wed couples can book wedding vendors such as caterers, florists, venues, and photo and video professionals online. You can theoretically hire for nearly every wedding-related service without leaving your home or office, but you still must pick people you trust to handle […]

India’s Supreme Court took a major leap forward for the nation on September 6, striking down a 167-year-old law that banned same-sex love. After this key victory, activists turn their sights toward other civil rights causes. Alongside key issues like improved access to health care and ending violence against their communities, the right to marry […]

Since many wedding-related customs evolved around heterosexual pairings, LGBTQ couples may decide to forgo some while retooling others to fit their lives and values. One of these is the prenuptial last hurrah that usually takes place a day or two before the wedding itself. No matter what you call this kind of party, transforming a […]

Say the word “queer icon” and you might elicit a wide range of mental imagery. For example, you might see prominent singers made famous by their LGBTQ fandoms, such as Donna Summer and Janet Jackson. The openly gay Star Trek actor and internet sensation, George Takei, might come to mind. Some might even mention luminaries, […]

Weddings are nothing new. People have been getting married for most of recorded history. Still, same-sex unions were not legalized in the United States until far more recently. Even though the decision to legalize same-sex unions happened only a short while ago, couples have been flocking to their respective altars in droves since the announcement. […]

The LGBT community has come a long way over the years. While it is true there is still much further to go in regards to equal rights and protection under the law, the strides that have been made so far are impressive and worth noting. The important LGBT figures who inspired lawmakers to change their […]