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USA Today
01-07-2025
- USA Today
The New York City Pride shooting and our fear of the unknown
Two teenagers were injured in a shooting near New York City's historic Stonewall Inn as New York City's Pride celebrations came to a close on June 29. A 16-year-old girl was shot in the head and taken to the hospital in critical condition, while a 17-year-old girl was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital in stable condition, the New York Police Department said. No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation "remains active and ongoing," police said. News outlets has reported that the motive is 'unclear,' but the shooting drew reactions from the LGBTQ+ community. New York City's Pride march is the largest of its kind in the U.S., featuring 75,000 participants and approximately two million spectators, according to organizers. Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall uprising, which began on June 28, 1969, when the NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar on Christopher Street in NYC's West Village. In 2016, the Stonewall Inn was designated a national monument under former President Barack Obama, making it the first national park site dedicated to LGBTQ+ history in the country. Attacks like these raise valid concerns about safety for all, including LGBTQ+ people, and can deter people from taking part in celebrations like Pride or outwardly expressing their identities out of fear. However, mental health experts caution against letting that fear control your life. 'It's understandable to fear the unknown, no one walks around with their hands over their eyes for a reason," Raquel Martin, licensed clinical psychologist, previously told USA TODAY. "But when that fear stops you from engaging with the world, then there is an issue." More details: Teenage girl critical after shooting occurs near New York City's historic Stonewall Inn Anti-LGBTQ+ attacks affect the entire community In 2023, Southern California store owner Lauri Carleton was shot and killed over a Pride flag display. O'Shae Sibley, a gay man dancing outside a gas station in Brooklyn voguing to Beyoncé, was stabbed to death by a 17-year-old in a hate crime. Experts warned that hate indeed emboldens violence. Everyone will react to the consequences of hate differently, as with any grief. "It's normal for us to feel a combination of intense fear, shock, (confusion), feeling numb, feeling super overwhelmed, sometimes feeling all of these things at once, because it's really hard to make sense of it," T.M. Robinson-Mosley, a counseling psychologist, previously told USA TODAY. And in the information age, people have access to incessant information and on-the-scene footage, making these attacks feel personal and inescapable. 'For many, the negative holds our attention more than the positive,' Martin says. 'I think it's also a mirror of the current times because there is so much negative information out there in the first place it is hard not to get sucked in.' It makes sense why queer people would be on high alert, regardless of the motive behind the shooting. The LGBTQ+ community has suffered a series of political losses under the Trump administration, increasing LGBTQ+ advocates' safety concerns for the community. On June 17, the administration issued a stop-work order to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's extended services for the queer community. The Supreme Court also upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the court 'abandons transgender children and their families to political whims.' 'The fact that we're taking away services that could be protective means that, for sure, more young people will suffer harm and death,' Dr. Colette Auerswald, a professor of public health at the University of California, Berkeley, said. A 2024 survey of more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people conducted by The Trevor Project found that experiences of anti-LGBTQ+ victimization, which included physical harm, discrimination, negative experiences at school, bullying and conversation therapy, were associated with higher suicide risk. And 90% of LGBTQ+ youth surveyed said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics. 'When we cannot control something, it makes us feel more vulnerable and at-risk,' psychologist Reneé Carr previously told USA TODAY. In case you missed: LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to be homeless. We need to talk about it. 'Fear doesn't need to halt you' Remember: You may not be able to fully overcome your fear. But "it's important to remember that fear doesn't need to halt you," Martin says. "You can operate with a healthy level of fear." It's important to discuss distressing events with trusted friends, family or a mental health professional, and engage in healthy coping mechanisms to process the emotions that arise. After you take care of yourself, if you feel up to it, speak out whether you're a part of the affected community or an ally. This also includes holding leaders and elected officials accountable, either by contacting them directly or speaking out on social media. Otherwise, silence allows hate to flourish. Contributing: Saman Shafiq, David Oliver, Rachel Hale
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Which pride month belongs to the queer disabled?
Every June, rainbow flags flood the streets in celebration of Pride Month, marking the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising—a rebellion led by queer and trans people against police violence in 1969. Just a few weeks later, July brings another commemoration: Disability Pride Month, honouring the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, one of the most significant civil rights laws for disabled people. Yet despite their consecutive timelines and shared roots in protest, these two movements rarely meet—forcing people like me, who are both queer and disabled, to ask: Which one is our month?This question, unfortunately, is not rhetorical—it has a million realities tied to it. Realities that are embedded in practice and in law. I have attended three Pride parades in Bangalore and Delhi. Let alone having reasonable accommodation, these events are proactively exclusionary. Crowds without sensory support, high-decibel music without quiet zones, inaccessible and uneven pathways, lack of sign language interpretation, no seating or rest stops, absence of accessible washrooms, and no on-site volunteers trained to assist disabled persons—all of these effectively gatekeep these parades. Shelter homes for LGBTQIA+ persons are already scant, but even where they exist, the question of physical accessibility—such as wide doorways, ramps, or tactile flooring—is not even last on the priority list; it simply does not arise. This exclusion does not end at footpaths and buildings. It seeps into the digital sphere as well. Dating apps like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble are overwhelmingly visual and gesture-based, without proper alt text, keyboard navigability, or compatibility with screen readers. Their interfaces are not built for cognitive or motor accessibility either, effectively marginalising disabled queer people from even digital intimacy and self-expression. Likewise, online informational sources on queerness—be it sexuality, gender identity, or legal rights—are not designed to be accessible across disabilities: videos lack captions, PDFs are not screen-reader friendly, and content rarely uses plain or easy-to-read language. Mental health helplines and queer support services, too, are often unequipped to engage with callers who may be non-verbal, neurodivergent, or have intellectual or psychosocial disabilities—leaving queer disabled persons without crisis support that affirms both identities. The disabled community is not behind in overlooking the double marginalisation of the queer disabled. Most conferences or events I have attended—even those organised under the banner of disability rights—stop at ramps and captchas, treating accessibility as a logistical checkbox. There is rarely any talk of sexuality, intimacy, or gender diversity. Panels remain cisgender and heteronormative, and even materials on reproductive health assume a heterosexual family model. LGBTQIA+ disabled persons are rendered invisible in programme design, research surveys, and even panel representation. Where conversations on gender and disability do occur, they are often focused on women with disabilities in ways that flatten queerness and erase trans, non-binary, and intersex identities. Structural ableism is mirrored by cis-heteronormativity. Unfortunately, only one group within the queer community—transgender persons—has a dedicated legislation. The shortcomings of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 have been widely critiqued, but if one were to run it through the lens of disability inclusion, it fares no better. The law presumes the right-holder to be an able-bodied person. Section 6 mandates that a transgender person must apply for a certificate of identity through a formal application process, and Section 7 requires proof of medical intervention for a revised certificate—without any provision for reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. The accompanying Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 further entrench this exclusion. The National Portal for Transgender Persons, which is supposed to be a one-stop platform for name and gender change applications, welfare schemes, skill development, and ID card issuance, features a visual captcha without audio or logical alternatives. It is not screen-reader compatible, nor does it allow accessible modes of document submission or proxy application support—functionally excluding blind, low-vision, and neurodivergent persons from even the first step. There is no mention of assisted decision-making, nor any procedural safeguards for trans persons with psychosocial disabilities who may be denied recognition due to guardianship structures. If a codified law crafted to protect one of the most marginalised queer groups can overlook disability so blatantly, one can only imagine the invisibilisation of disabled persons in the broader gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, intersex, and plus spaces. For instance, in policy demands—like marriage equality, gender-neutral hostels, or conversion therapy bans—the disabled queer person is absent as a subject. They are either rendered invisible or seen as too complex, inconvenient, or rare to be planned for. This compounds stigma and isolation, and leads to queer liberation spaces reproducing the same ableism they claim to fight. On the other side, the disabled community does have a comprehensive legislation—but it remains entirely silent on queerness. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mentions the word gender only twice—Sections 5 and 24—stating that community support and social security schemes should be implemented 'with due regard to gender.' But the Act never defines what gender is, nor does it recognise that disabled persons may be trans, non-binary, intersex, queer, or asexual. Instead, it flattens gender into a male–female binary and assumes all disabled people live in heterosexual family structures. Across its anti-discrimination framework, legal capacity provisions, and welfare schemes, there is a conspicuous absence of any conceptual, legal, or policy space for queer-disabled individuals to be seen or protected. Further, Rule 10 of the RPwD Rules, 2017, which ensures access to reproductive and family planning services, assumes the user is heterosexual and cisgender. There is no mention of access to sexuality education, sexual autonomy, or relationship rights for queer-disabled individuals. Rule 15, which outlines accessibility standards, speaks of physical and digital access in generic terms but fails to consider how gendered infrastructure—like sex-segregated toilets, hostels, or shelters—can be inaccessible or unsafe for trans and non-binary disabled people. Exclusionary practices and compartmentalised laws that refuse to account for intersectionality stem from a deeper reluctance within both communities to see each other. Not every queer person is able-bodied, and not every disabled person is cisgender or heterosexual. Pride that is not accessible is not pride. Accessibility that does not imagine queerness is not inclusion. It is only when both movements begin to work in tandem—across lines of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation—that the full promise of dignity and rights can be realised. Until then, the rainbow and the purple flag will continue to fly on parallel poles—never meeting, never touching—leaving queer-disabled persons to wonder which Pride month is theirs? This article is authored by Anchal Bhatheja, research fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi.
Vogue Singapore
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Celebrate Pride Month 2025 with these eye-catching nail art ideas
Pride month is a moment, a celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community to come together and proclaim their identities to the world. Held every June, it marks the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, a pivotal moment in queer history that ignited a global movement for LGBTQIA+ rights. Today, Pride is both an exclaimation and a party—a space for honouring identity, love and unapologetic self-expression. And if there's anything this community has taught us, it's to always embrace our true authentic selves—and your talons are the perfect place to start. These days nail art has become somewhat of a fashion statement, which also makes the medium a fun, personal place to show your support for the LGBTQIA+ community. From sleek French tips dipped in rainbow hues to flag inspired ombrés, there's a nail art design for every mood and outfit. Want a little drama? Take your neutral manicure up a notch with holographic sparkles and let your nails do all the talking. Whether you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, get ready to make a statement and champion the rights of the community this Pride month, all while wearing your heart on your fingertips. Ahead, see Vogue Singapore's lineup of unique, vibrant pride nail art designs to inspire your next manicure. @amberjhnails 1 / 10 Go chromatica Nothing screams summer like a full chrome rainbow-inspired mani. This nail art design works great for a day out or a night at the club. @peachinails 2 / 10 Ombré hues Ombré nails—aka airbrushed nails—are truly everywhere. Elevate the look by incorporating contrasting colours. @polished_yogi 3 / 10 Rainbow drip Another modern take on the French mani, this version uses rainbow coloured polishes on each nail tip, lending it a drip effect. @nailartbyqueenie 4 / 10 Mermaidcore Seeking something more feminine? Try this mermaid-inspired look with an iridescent finish and dreamy pastel tones. @sansungnails 5 / 10 Crystal claws If you prefer something edgy yet practical, these fierce, blinged-out French tips will definitely set you apart. @clawswithcat 6 / 10 Rainbow waves A special twist on the actual rainbow, make a splash with this wavy design. @habaneromochi 7 / 10 Studio 54 Be a literal disco ball with these holographic nails, that give off the illusion of mosaic tiles. @ 8 / 10 A flower affair With summery, flower accents and a crystal clear top coat, this minimalist look is a fresh way to show off your talons. @nails_by_jenna.k 9 / 10 Polka dots In case you didn't know, polka dots are having a moment this summer. Incorporate this playful, Y2K-coded print into your next manicure. @ 10 / 10 3D plushies Cute and colourful, this 3D nail art turns your nails into a plushy-themed universe.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Yosemite climbers unfurl transgender pride flag on iconic El Capitan
A group of LGBTQ climbers and advocates hung a large transgender pride flag in the middle of Yosemite's famous El Capitan rock formation on Tuesday. Trans Is Natural, which describes itself as a coalition of transgender, queer and ally climbers, said in a statement that its members unfurled the flag 'in an act of solidarity and resistance.' They said the trans pride flag, which is 55 feet by 35 feet, is the largest flag ever displayed on El Capitan. The climbers hung the flag 1,500 feet up El Capitan, on the granite monolith's 'Heart Ledges,' between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. PT and displayed it until around noon, when park officials directed that it be removed, though the climbers said they were not told that they had broken any park rules, according Jess Fiaschetti, the group's media contact. The National Park Service and Yosemite National Park did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'We flew the Trans pride flag in Yosemite to make a statement: Trans people are natural and Trans people are loved,' drag performer and environmentalist Pattie Gonia, one of the demonstration's lead organizers, said in a statement. 'Let this flag fly higher than hate. We are done being polite about Trans people's existence. Call it a protest, call it a celebration — either way, it's giving elevation to liberation.' The group noted that the demonstration comes as the Trump administration has removed mentions of transgender and intersex people from government websites, including from the website for the Stonewall National Monument. The New York City monument commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising, which historians believe was led in part by trans people and which is largely considered a turning point in the modern gay rights movement. Nate Vince, a climber who was involved in raising an upside-down U.S. flag during Yosemite's firefall event in February to protest the Trump administration's cuts of National Park Service employees, said in the statement shared by Trans Is Natural that 'everyone deserves respect.' 'Trans people are my friends,' Vince said. 'I step up when my friends need help and we all need to step up right now for Trans people.' The climbers hung the flag on the 'Heart Ledges' as a way to reclaim space in the heart of Yosemite, their statement said. 'Raising this flag in the heart of El Capitan is a celebration of our community standing in solidarity with each other and all targeted groups,' SJ Joslin, a conservationist and a lead organizer of the demonstration, said in a statement. 'Trans existence is not up for debate. We are social workers, public servants, parents, and neighbors. Being trans is a natural, beautiful part of human and biological diversity. We can only make progress when we embrace diversity, not erase it.' This article was originally published on
