Film & TV
August 4, 2021
A New Documentary Pens a Poignant Love Letter to Numbers, a Storied Houston Haunt
‘Friday I’m in Love’ delves into the fascinating history of the former dinner theater, gay disco, and frequent dance party locale.
LGBT
Film & TV
July 22, 2021
Raúl Castillo Is Ready for His Big Break
The McAllen-bred actor and writer, 43, was a fan favorite on HBO’s ‘Looking.’ Now he’s poised to become an action star.
Film & TV
July 13, 2021
Nava Mau Shines (and Subverts Transgender Stereotypes) on HBO’s ‘Genera+ion’
“When stories about trans people are created by trans people, it opens up a world of possibilities,” says the San Antonio–raised actress.
Being Texan
June 29, 2021
The Past and Future of One of Houston’s Most Historic Gay Bars
Former Montrose bar Mary’s...Naturally! served as the site of raucous parties, AIDS-era organizing, and even a final resting place for patrons. This Pride Month, a new exhibit reckons with the bar’s legacy for today's queer community.
Books
May 17, 2021
‘Dumplin’’ Author Julie Murphy on Fat Positivity and Writing Queer Characters
The Fort Worth author’s new book follows a gay teen’s bid for prom queen in a fictional West Texas town.
Books
April 13, 2021
In Her Debut, ‘Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing,’ Author Lauren Hough Keeps Returning to Texas
In her funny, vulnerable essay collection ‘Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing,’ Hough takes on the cult she grew up in, coming to terms with being a closeted lesbian, and her complex relationship with her home state.
Music
September 21, 2020
“Nobody Talks About That Stuff”: Waylon Payne on His Candid New Country Album
The progeny of two country stars, Payne, who grew up in East Texas, writes songs informed by his struggle with substance abuse, trauma, and redemption.
Texas History
August 18, 2020
The ‘Country Queers’ Podcast Challenges Preconceptions About Rural Areas
The multimedia oral history project features the stories of queer people, many of them Texans, who live outside cities.
Arts & Entertainment
October 14, 2019
When ‘Angels in America’ Came to East Texas
Twenty years ago my hometown made national headlines when the local college staged an internationally acclaimed play about gay men and the AIDS crisis. The people I grew up with are still feeling the aftershocks.
Politics & Policy
May 20, 2019
The Culture Wars Come Roaring Back in the Closing Days of the Texas Legislature
The last few days have brought tearful, angry debate over abortion, religious discrimination, and LGBTQ rights.
Politics & Policy
May 2, 2019
‘A Hearing Can Save a Life’: Ban on Gay Conversion Therapy Gets a Courtesy Airing
Despite Representative Celia Israel’s emotional, personal testimony, her bill to curtail the discredited practice has little chance of becoming law.
Politics & Policy
May 10, 2016
Dan Patrick Signals That Restrooms Will Become A Statewide Issue
The Lieutenant Governor foreshadows a statewide war over bathrooms.
Business
April 19, 2016
Whole Foods Says It Didn’t Write Homophobic Slur On An Austin Man’s Cake
This is the most complicated that thinking about cake has ever been.
The Daily Post
July 8, 2015
Baylor Drops Ban on ‘Homosexual Acts,’ But Does That Actually Change Anything?
It’s a great step, but what it amounts to in practice isn’t quite clear.
Books
July 6, 2015
Hood County Residents Try to Ban LGBT Children’s Books From Library
The two books aim to educate young readers on gender, sexuality, and LGBT history.
The Daily Post
June 10, 2015
What Should Austin and El Paso Do With the Streets Named “Bruce Jenner Lane”?
Neighborhoods in both Austin and El Paso have subdivisions with streets named after famous Olympians—including the 1976 Decathlon gold medalist who earned that medal when she went by the name “Bruce Jenner.” What do you do with those streets now that she’s living as Caitlyn?
The Daily Post
June 10, 2015
Houston’s Huge Pride Parade Is Heading Downtown, Leaving Montrose Behind
Proponents says it’s outgrown its small-neighborhood roots and that the move is indicative of the triumph of LGBT rights. Opponents say the event forsaking its soul in the name of dubious progress.
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2015
The Department of Criminal Justice Moved a Transgender Inmate to a Safekeeping Unit
Following a string of complaints about alleged harassment, assault, and rape, a transgender inmate in Texas was moved to a special “safekeeping” unit in what LGBT activists consider a significant victory.
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2015
A State Representative Filed a Bill That Would Harm His Openly Gay Son
Rick Miller, a Republican from Sugar Land, introduced legislation that would reverse local non-discrimination ordinances—like the one in Houston, where his openly gay son works as an attorney.
The Daily Post
February 24, 2015
State Representative Debbie Riddle’s Crappy Bill to Police Who Gets to Use Which Bathroom
The Harris County State Representative wants to ensure that your DNA matches the gender designation for each bathroom before you go.
The Daily Post
February 6, 2015
A Gay Student Left His Private School To Avoid Discrimination
Austin Wallis posted a video to YouTube this week that details his difficult experience of being gay in a private, Lutheran school in Houston.
Politics & Policy
February 3, 2015
In Texas, There’s No Such Thing as a Transgender Hate Crime
A black, transgender woman was murdered in Tyler, which her friends say was a hate crime—but the murder won’t be investigated that way.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2015
Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance, Explained
The journey of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance has been long and full of plot-twists—but it could all be over soon.
GL&KG
September 4, 2014
Pride in Lubbock
Kat Cade, a Texas Tech student, founded a pride festival tailored to the largely conservative community of Lubbock.
Business
June 2, 2014
East Texas Bait Shop that Slurred Gay Customers Now the “#1 Gay Hangout in Texas,” According to Yelp
Petty, childish, and oh-so-satisfying.
The Daily Post
May 29, 2014
Houston Passed Its Equal Rights Ordinance Last Night
Here's what that means—and what it doesn't.
The Daily Post
May 27, 2014
Robert Gates Would Have Supported Gay Scoutmasters if He’d Been Leading the Boy Scouts When the Organization Voted on the Issue
That's not the boldest stance anyone ever took on gay rights.
Sports
February 10, 2014
Texas-Raised SEC Football Star Becomes the Biggest NFL Draft Story in Years by Coming Out
Michael Sam, the SEC's reigning defensive player of the year and sack leader went from promising prospect to Jackie Robinson overnight—a transition that says a few things worth saying about the places he came from.
The Daily Post
December 3, 2013
What the History of Gay Marriage Legislation in Texas Can Teach Us About Its Future
Two couples are suing in federal court to overturn the gay marriage ban in Texas, while two others are taking to the state's Supreme Court for the state to grant them a divorce. Between the four cases, the ban on gay marriage in Texas could meet its end.
Books
December 1, 2013
Best-Selling Gay Novel Turns Fifty
John Rechy, whose novel "City of Night" was wildly successful when it was published in 1963, grew up during the Depression, the youngest of five children born to a Mexican family in El Paso.
Style & Design
November 5, 2013
Please Be Careful Before You Get Cosmetic Injections
On both ends of Texas, discount "plastic surgeons" have been shooting people full of potentially fatal substances.
The Daily Post
November 4, 2013
Baylor Sexual Misconduct Policy to Remain Unchanged
Despite the Student Senate voting to remove the language "homosexual acts" from its policy, Baylor Student Body President Wesley Hodges vetoed the resolution.
Sports
January 21, 2013
How ’Bout Them Cowboys?!
The ones at Cowboys.com, that is. A URL the Dallas Cowboys failed to buy is now a "an online dating community for men who enjoy the same country living lifestyle."
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Rick Perry Latest Ad Attacks Gays in the Military
The governor’s latest campaign ad, “Strong,” gets denounced across the Internet for stirring up the culture wars.
Politics & Policy
December 8, 2011
Is Perry’s “Anti-Gay Ad” Having Its Intended Impact?
People are definitely talking about the controversial “Strong” ad, which has Perry’s own team divided, but will its message get him votes in Iowa?
Politics & Policy
December 8, 2011
Macy’s Draws Fire for Its Dressing Room Policy
A Florida activist group files a complaint after a San Antonio employee was dismissed for refusing to let a transgender customer use the women’s changing room.
The Culture
June 30, 2011
Houston Has Pride
The largest gay pride parade in Texas celebrates its 33rd year.
Politics & Policy
May 31, 1973
Briar Patch
THE SIN OF AUSTININ AUSTIN RECENTLY, DURING A public hearing on skinnydipping in Lake Travis, local resident Louis Steinbach testified to attentive city councilmen: “God has the power to destroy this city for its sin…and officials had better realize it.” We do not want to appear soft on sin, but