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Articles by Emma Mays
Tar Heel Hockey November Recap
By Caleb Herrera, Sarah Stephens & Emma Mays Tar Heel Hockey wrapped up November with their final games of 2025. With the outdoor clash against the South Carolina Gamecocks behind them, here’s what fans may have missed and what lies ahead for the team in 2026. Greensboro matchup against NC State After a tough 4-1 loss the night before, the North Carolina Tar Heels bounced back to defeat the NC State IcePack 3-2, evening the home-and-home season series.
Colorado Takes Anti-Discrimination Case to Supreme Court
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office is asking the United States Supreme Court to uphold Colorado’s anti-discrimination law. The law is currently being challenged by a Christian business owner who designs websites, including wedding websites, but wants to be able to explicitly note that the service would not be available for same-gender weddings. The district court upheld Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act and the 10th Circuit Court denied an appeal to overturn the ruling.
Shea Couleé Shares Her Experience Filming Marvel's Ironheart
Drag queen Shea Couleé is best known for her time on RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she was a finalist in Season Nine and winner of All Stars 5, but earlier this month it was announced that Couleé was cast in the Marvel Studios Ironheart series. Information about the series continues to be limited, but we do know it is currently slated to air in the fall of 2023 and that Dominique Thorne will play RiRi Williams.
Trans Streamer Arrested After Swatting Incident
A Canadian trans streamer, and political commentator named Clara Sorrenti reported that she was swatted and arrested after trolls impersonated her online. Swatting is the act of making a false report of extreme violence in an attempt to invoke an overwhelming law enforcement response at an individual’s home. It’s a harassment technique that has gained popularity in recent years and in a few instances, has turned deadly.
Florida Limits Gender-Affirming Care Under Medicaid
Florida has been in the headlines a lot this past year for its “Don’t Say Gay” law and the complications arising from its implementation, including recent news that anti-LGBTQ “groomer” rhetoric has increased as much as 400% on social media platforms like Twitter. Unfortunately, the state doesn’t seem satisfied with its current anti-LGBTQ policies and has introduced new guidelines regarding Medicaid, this time targeting trans people.
Ratskin Records Uplifts Marginalized, Decolonial Musicians
Ratskin Records is a collective record label and archival imprint who focuses on LGBTQ, Black, Native, POC, and disabled artists. The label prides itself on creating decolonized, experimental music in the Bay Area. They work hard to create an alternative to the traditional industry which has been historically exploitative, devaluing artist labor and requiring them to work to the point of burnout.
Coffee at The Point Temporarily Closes in Five Points
The Denver coffee shop Coffee at The Point has closed starting July 31 with the intention of reopening on September 13.
Teen Body Shamed by Matt Gaetz Raises Abortion Fund Money
After being bullied and body shamed by a congressman most people would be upset, but 19-year-old activist Olivia Julianna took it in stride, even going so far as to send a thank you note. Florida Representative Matt Gaetz made a speech in which he said several misogynistic and fatphobic things, among them, “Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?
Congressional Candidate Says Constitution Never Uses Pronouns
Because the world isn’t weird enough, Florida republican congressional candidate Lavern Spicer has posted a series of tweets rallying against pronouns. Spicer was promptly roasted, as the thread underscores how little she understands pronouns. One of the most widely mocked tweets is one in which Spicer claims, “There are no pronouns in the Constitution.” To be clear, the first word of the Constitution is “We,” and that is a pronoun.
22 States Sue USDA for Right to Discriminate Against Trans People
Twenty-two state attorneys general have gotten together to file a lawsuit against the Biden administration to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to give money for school meals to schools that discriminate against LGBTQ students. The case is over a rule from the USDA that in established that states involved in the school meal program have already agreed to abide by federal civil rights laws, including Title IX. Title IX bans discrimination in education on the basis of sex.
Trevor Project: Discrimination Trauma Leads to Higher Suicide Risk
The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization aimed at supporting LGBTQ youth, recently released a report that shows queer youth who have experienced trauma related to discrimination are three times more likely to attempt suicide. This most recent report on the mental health of LGBTQ youth showed important links between the trauma that queer youth suffer and suicide.
Ted Cruz is the Only Texas Official Calling to End Sodomy Ban
For 50 years, the state of Texas has had a law banning “homosexual conduct,” and now Ted Cruz is the only statewide elected official to publicly call for overturning the law.
OFM Gallery: Celebration Continues with Pikes Peak Pride
Pride Month may be over, but that doesn’t mean that the celebrations are. On July 23 and 24, Pride celebrations were held in Colorado Springs for the Pikes Peak Pride celebration. The weekend was full of music, drag performances, and community. Like Denver Pride, 2022 was the first in-person Pikes Peak Pride event since the COVID-19 pandemic pushed everything virtual in 2020. Check out these photos from the event, as a reminder that Pride is all year long.
Billy Porter's Directorial Debut Showcases Queer Joy
Billy Porter’s directorial debut, Anything’s Possible,released on July 22 on Amazon Prime. The film, written by Ximena García Lecuona, follows the story of Kelsa, a confident trans girl navigating her senior year of high school, and Khal, the boy who develops a crush on her and asks her out despite the drama it causes. Billy Porter is best known for his acting work, famously portraying Pray Tell on Pose, but the Emmy award-winning actor isn’t on screen in this film.
Colorado Survey Shows Queer Youth are Struggling
Every two years, the state of Colorado administers an anonymous and voluntary survey to middle and high school students of the state. Titled the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS), the survey is meant to allow young people to self-report their health status in a number of areas including mental health, nutrition, physical activity, sexual health, substance use, and experiences of violence and racism among others.
Historic Numbers of LGBTQ People are Running for Office
The LGBTQ Victory Fund, an organization dedicated to electing queer people to public office around the country, has recently released a collection of demographic data about the out-LGBTQ people who are running for office this election season. The data shows a historic 1,008 queer people running in this election, and they tend to be significantly more diverse in terms of race and ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Envision:You Appoints Two New Board Members
Earlier this year, Envision:You, a Colorado-based organization intended to help fill in the gaps in health disparities for LGBTQ people, announced their new vice president, Brad Barfield. Now the organization has announced that there will be two new members on its board of directors: Jessica Anson and Trent Norman.
Bill to Protect Birth Control Access Passes House
Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court earlier this summer, Americans have collectively pinpointed numerous concerns about the status of other rights that have been established via other Supreme Court precedents. Lawmakers have introduced several bills in the House in an attempt to codify these rights into federal law, including a recent bill designed to protect birth control and contraceptive access.
America Could Have Two Lesbian Governors Come Election Season
Among the other important issues on the ballot this election season, some voters will have the opportunity to elect the country’s first lesbian governor. In fact, there are two potential candidates for the title: Maura Healey, who is running for governor in Massachusetts, and Tina Kotek, who is running for governor in Oregon. Healey was elected to the position of Massachusetts attorney general in 2014, becoming the first LGBTQ individual to hold such a position in the country.
'Raven's Home' Debuts Disney Channel's First Trans Character
Raven-Symoné’s Disney Channel Sitcom, Raven’s Home, just made history by having the first live-action transgender character in the channel’s history. The show is a sequel series to the beloved Disney series That’s So Raven from the early 2000s. In the 15th episode of the show’s fifth season, trans actress Juliana Joel debuted as an influencer named Nikki.
'Naruto's Single LGBTQ Character has Shounen Anime Fans Seeking More Representation
LGBTQ representation in shounen anime tends to be uncommon; however, Boruto’s confirmation that the character Orochimaru is genderfluid was at least a slight step forward. Boruto is a manga which has since been adapted into an anime, starting in 2017. The series is a sequel to Naruto, which is one of the most popular shounen anime of all time. Orochimaru was one of the antagonists of Naruto, in which he attempted to achieve immortality by swapping bodies with powerful ninjas.
Love and Thunder's Queer Content Sparks Backlash from All Angles
The reactions to Marvel’s newest release Thor: Love and Thunder have been nothing short of a conflicting fiasco. Reviews for the film run the gamut, some calling it a goofy mess and others praising the unconventional style that was first spotted in Thor: Ragnarok. Outside of the debate about the film’s quality and style, there is a second debate amongst viewers relating to its depictions of queer characters. Like the reviews, the opinion on the queer content varies greatly.
Florida School Board Guidelines Require Outing Trans Students to Peers' Parents
On top of the chaotic and frankly alarming implementation of the “Don’t Say Gay” law in Florida, one school district has approved guidelines to out trans students to their classmates’ parents. The Leon County School Board unanimously voted to approve the LGBTQ Inclusive School Guide, which is meant to provide guidance for educators and administrators on how to help queer students.
Report: LGBTQ Community Vastly Underrepresented on School Boards
A recent report from the LGBTQ Victory Institute, a national organization focused on electing leaders within the LGBTQ community, has revealed that queer people are vastly underrepresented on American school boards and that those who have been elected face discrimination. The report, titled “Few & Under Fire: LGBTQ School Board Members in the U.S.,” includes the results of the first nationwide survey to assess the number of LGBTQ school board members in the country.
Colorado Governor Issues Executive Order to Protect Those Seeking Abortions
In response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the precedent of Roe v. Wade, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed an executive order to make Colorado a safe haven for people seeking abortions. The order is designed to protect both abortion providers and recipients, including those who are coming out of state. Colorado is anticipating an influx of people seeking abortions in response to the new abortion restrictions around the country.
'Transgender Bill of Rights' Introduced in House
In response to the rash of anti-trans legislation, a group of House democrats has proposed the “Transgender Bill of Rights” in an attempt to codify federal protections for trans Americans. This proposal would codify the 2020 Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which protects gay and transgender employees from experiencing discrimination.
UK Bank Tells Patrons Upset About Pronouns on Badges They're Welcome to Close Accounts
Recently a British bank, Halifax Bank, announced on Twitter that their employees would be given the opportunity to list their pronouns on their name tags. The bank tweeted “Pronouns matter.
Amazon Censors LGBTQ Keywords in United Arab Emirates
After receiving pressure from the government of the United Arab Emirates, Amazon has blocked search results for more than 150 terms related to the LGBTQ community in the country. This is a step back from their 2019 stance, when Amazon elected to remove books from their site that promoted conversion therapy. However this is not the first time that a large Silicon Valley company has altered itself in exchange for access to foreign markets, and it likely won’t be the last.
Conservatives Rage Over Transmasc Person Buying Pads in 'Baymax!'
Disney has been shaky on its support for the LGBTQ community, both in its funding of politicians who passed Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law and their practices of routinely cutting queer storylines and characters to appear as minimally as possible. However, what little Disney does do for the queer community is still too much for many conservatives to handle.
Florida 'Don't Say Gay' Law's Uneven Implementation Sparks LGBTQ Community Concern
Since Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Act, or as it is more commonly known, the “Don’t Say Gay” law, there have been questions about how exactly the state intends to enforce the law. With the law finally going into effect, some of those questions are finally being answered, and in an unsurprising turn of events, the implementation of the law is chaotic and concerning to its critics.
Hawaii's Governor Signs 3 New Pro-LGBTQ Laws
Hawaii’s Governor David Ige recently announced on Instagram the signing of three new bills designed to help protect LGBTQ people in Hawaii.
Elliot Page Discusses Transition of His 'Umbrella Academy' Character
Elliot Page, who first publicly came out as transgender in December of 2020, appeared on Late Night Night with Seth Meyers to discuss his own transition and the transition of his character, Viktor Hargreeves, on the show The Umbrella Academy. Page has been a lead cast member of The Umbrella Academy since the show’s premiere in 2019.
Stonewall Monument to Receive Visitors Center Dedicated to Queer History
The Stonewall Inn will see a new addition in the coming years as part of its ever-evolving history, as the National Park Service plans to open the Stonewall Visitors Center to teach LGBTQ history in 2024. In 1969, the Stonewall Inn was the location of an uprising that is credited as founding the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The uprising occurred on June 28, when police attempted to raid the bar, as it was illegal to sell alcohol to homosexuals.
OFM Gallery: Revisiting Denver PrideFest 2022
Denver PrideFest came back with a splash after two years of virtual festivities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Civic Center Park was filled with people celebrating the advances queer rights have made and also to protest the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and the rash of anti-trans and anti-queer legislation over the past few years. While we already shared some of the highlights of the weekend, it’s hard to capture the full essence of PrideFest’s return in a single gallery.
Justice Thomas Calls Rulings on Birth Control, Same-Gender Marriage 'Errors'
In the week since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, disrupting a 50-year precedent that legally ensured abortion rights across the country, Clarence Thomas and several other prominent politicians have begun calling for reevaluations of other landmark rulings.
OFM Gallery: June Art Bar's Third-Annual Us Exhibition Highlights Queer Artists
OFM was a part of this June’s Art Bar at the Bitfactory Gallery for their third-annual Us Exhibition to display the work of four queer artists this Pride Month. The gallery displayed the work of Christopher La Fleur, James Mullane, Clint Ramstetter, and Louis Trujillo. Historically, LGBTQ artists are underrepresented in galleries and exhibits. By showing off the work of talented queer creatives, Bitfactory hopes to foster inclusion in the art world.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough on Supporting LGBTQ Vets
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, visited Denver this past weekend to celebrate Denver PrideFest and recognize outstanding LGBTQ VA employees with the Secretary’s Coin. While he was in town, OFM had the chance to sit down with him and discuss the importance of supporting LGBTQ veterans.
OFM Gallery: LoHi Pride Celebrates the Joy of Music and All Things Queer
OFM was a part of LoHi Pride and their annual music festival which celebrated Pride and a number of musicians. Over the course of three days, from Thursday, June 16 to Saturday, June 18, the festival showcased artists from across the country at The Monkey Barrel. The event also included a book release party for OFM‘s newest book The Queerest Touch by author Brian Aragon-Shafi Byrdsong, who attended and MC’d on Saturday in drag as Shamy Lee.
Catholic Org. Encourages Parents to Check Out LGBTQ Library Books in Protest
In a creative new attack on Pride, the Catholic organization Catholic Vote started encouraging their readers to “reclaim public libraries” through their Hide the Pride campaign. The movement relies on parents to check out books from the Pride displays of their local library and refuse to return them. In an online resource for parents, the organization states, “It’s June! Do you see rainbow-trans-BLM flags everywhere? Including in your public, taxpayer-funded spaces? We do.
Starbucks Managers Allegedly Threaten Removal of Trans Benefits
Just a month after Starbucks announced that it would cover travel costs for its employees’ gender-affirming care and abortions, benefits for transgender employees are allegedly being threatened as part of an anti-union push by the coffee chain. Trans baristas in several states, including Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Kansas, contend that managers pulled them aside for one-on-one conversations in which it was implied that union benefits for employees may not include gender-affirming care.
Russia Extends Detention for WNBA Player Brittney Griner
WNBA player Brittney Griner continues to be detained in Russia and will reportedly remain in custody through the length of her trial. Griner was taken into custody on February 17 after airport officials allegedly found vape cartridges containing hash oil in her luggage. Hash is illegal in Russia, and Griner was charged with “large-scale transportation of drugs.” Griner briefly appeared in court on Monday.
Brad Barfield is Envision:You's New Vice President
Envision:You, a Colorado organization dedicated to eliminating historical disparities in healthcare for LGBTQ Coloradans, has promoted Brad Barfield to the position of vice president. Barfield is Envision:You’s first vice president; he has served as a program manager for the organization since 2021. As the vice president of Envision:You, Barfield will oversee the organization’s administrative functions and strategic program initiatives.
Dwyane Wade Speaks Out on Anti-Trans Laws
Amidst the continuing onslaught on anti-trans legislation, specifically regarding trans youth’s ability to compete in school athletics, retired NBA star Dwyane Wade has spoken out.
Police Seek Community Input in Search for New Aurora Police Chief
Following the termination of Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson in April of 2022, the Aurora Police Department released a community survey and held a public forum on June 14 to receive community input on the search. It is the hope of the department that community desires and concerns can be factored into the decision on the new police chief. Wilson was fired by Aurora City Manager Jim Twombly, who cited concerns with Wilson’s overall management and leadership of the department.
New Film Seeks to Highlight Denver's Tracks Nightclub
One of Denver’s longstanding LGBTQ bars, Tracks, may be seeing the big screen sometime soon, according to a Denverite report. Local filmmaker Shawna Schultz started working on the film’s script after her production company, Mass FX Media, was hired to make a memorial video about Marty Chernoff, Tracks’ longtime owner after he passed away in 2019. As Schultz researched for the video, she felt that the club and the people who made it possible needed to be celebrated on a larger scale.
Denver 2022 Pride Parade Grand Marshals Announced
Organizers of Denver PrideFest selected community leaders from four organizations to serve as Grand Marshals for the in-person return for the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade, hosted by The Center on Colfax. The chosen organizations are One Colorado, Dragutante, Black Pride Colorado, and Womxn’s March Denver. These organizations were chosen to lead the parade because of their unwavering commitment to community engagement and empowerment.
First Openly Gay MLB Player Glen Burke Finally Celebrated
More than 40 years after trading away Glen Burke, the MLB’s first openly gay player, the Dodgers celebrated him at their 2022 Pride Night on June 3. In 1978, Burke was traded to the Oakland Athletics because of General Manager Al Campanis’ disapproval of homosexuality. Campanis is said to have offered Burke $75,000 to hide his sexuality from the public by getting married.
New Law Requires CO Health Orgs to Submit Data on Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and More
A new law signed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis mandates that organizations that submit data to the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) must collect and report demographic data. The demographics covered by the law are race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability status, and sexual orientation. Before this law, there was no requirement for entities to collect data relating to Colorado communities that have historically suffered from disproportionate health impacts.
Colorado Rep. DeGette Heads Up New Gun Safety Act
On June 2, the United States House Judiciary Committee approved a package of eight gun safety bills, and on Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve the series of measures. The package includes legislation introduced by Colorado Representative Diana DeGette and Florida Representative Ted Deutch that would ban the manufacturing, sale, possession, or transfer of high-capacity gun magazines, otherwise defined as a magazine that can hold 10 or more rounds of ammunition.
Ohio House Passes Creepy Trans Athlete Ban
Pride 2022 is starting off with a reminder of why Pride is still necessary. The rights of transgender athletes to compete in school sports have been highly debated in recent years. On June 1, 2022, the Ohio House passed a bill that could require student-athletes suspected of being trans to undergo several examinations, including a genital examination. The bill, titled, Save Women’s Sports Act, was created to prevent trans women and girls from participating in school athletics.
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