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My divorce from Jakob felt far more meaningful than our wedding. By the time our marriage officially ended in 2019, we had been together for over ten years, and only four of them were spent as a married couple. The wedding wasnt the start of us, but the divorce was absolutely the end. There was a weight to it that our wedding didnt have.The breakup was painful and a long time in the making. Im not the type to rush through the end of a relationship. I knew it was over, but I lingered, desperate to hold on a little longer. Even as I moved forward, I kept looking back. Related How marriage equality gave trans people the freedom to get divorced Before Obergefell, this couple spent years trapped in matrimony. Now, the landmark ruling has become pivotal for trans rights in more ways than one. I had mentally prepared to reduce contact with Jakob, but the deeper ramifications of our breakup didnt fully hit me until his mom a lesbian I had felt close to since our first meeting stopped texting me from one day to the next. Overnight, an entire network of intimate connections had gone offline. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today And yet, despite the depth of my feelings for Jakob and the countless memories I still hold dear, like those endless Swedish summer days at his cottage by the Baltic Sea, fishing for cod and picking mushrooms and berries Ive never once regretted our divorce.For most of my relationship with Jakob, I believed that the only gay man I needed in my life was my partner. My earlier attempts to forge genuine friendships with other gay men, mostly peers Id met in the club scene, never truly blossomed. Wed laugh loudly, trade gossip, and dance until dawn, but when the nights grew quiet and I felt vulnerable, I kept my guard up. I never dared share the parts of myself that ached or faltered. Those friendships stayed on the surface, fun but hollow. Gradually, I stopped trying. I came to the bleak conclusion that straight men made better buddies. It did not occur to me then that I may have been suffering from internalized homophobia.A few years before the divorce, I stumbled upon the Radical Faeries, a vibrant, nature-loving queer community that felt like a refuge for those of us who didnt quite fit in the mainstream gay scene. With each gathering, I found myself more drawn into their world, dancing barefoot to the beat of drums, sharing stories by campfires, and breathing in a freedom I hadnt known I craved. But Jakobs smile would tighten whenever I mentioned the faeries. His eyes darkened when I spent weeks away. Conversations grew colder, heavier. One evening, the words finally came, sharp and unyielding: I had to choose either him or the faeries.More than the occasional crush or passing sexual encounter, what made my time with the faeries truly transformative was discovering, for the first time in my forties, the joys of queer siblinghood. At gatherings, I found myself among people who valued me not for my looks or skills but for the quiet trust and honesty we shared. As I often tell my friend, May, lovers come and go, but sisters stay forever. It was through these new connections that I finally found my tribe.Getting divorced empowered me to discard all the scripts I knew about how life should or shouldnt unfold and instead to engage in the exhilarating, yet terrifying, exercise of open-ended queer creativity. I chose to follow intuition over convention and rely on trial and error so that experience rather than handed-down heteronormative wisdom could be my guide. Meeting the faeries shifted something inside me. At gatherings, I watched nomads drift through, restless and searching; I saw sex worker witches who spoke softly of using pleasure as a balm for broken hearts; and I met eco-farmers whose hands were calloused from tending the earth, yet whose eyes held quiet satisfaction. Through their stories and rhythms, my world grew wider, and the worn paths Id followed suddenly felt narrow. I felt a pull to step away, to carve out a life that was truly my own.The divorce wasnt just the end of a relationship; it was the end of a way of life. When I finally chose to leave behind a comfortable yet uneventful life in Sweden for the unpredictability of a nomadic path, I knew I was letting go of the safety net I had spent years building. Gone were the prospects of an academic career, along with the status and the financial stability. In their place opened an immense, uncertain, and thrilling expanse of possibility.Although we were only legally married for four years, we had lived like a married couple much longer. When I landed a PhD position at the Swedish university where Jakob was already teaching, we quickly fell into the gay middle-class dream. We took a mortgage to buy a cute two-room apartment, went on fancy holidays, and for the first few years never questioned the virtues of a monogamous sex life. Marriage came later, when, despite having all the trappings of a successful gay couple in liberal Sweden, we began to feel something was missing. Wed both work all day, and when we finally came together for a home-cooked dinner, wed find with a mix of dismay and embarrassment that we had nothing to say to each other. The clinking of silverware didnt break the silence; it only deepened it. It soon became apparent that there was a void in our lives, and when we looked at the script we had the only one society had handed us we divined that our nest was feeling empty for lack of children.Adoption was our preferred path to parenthood, and according to the law, we needed to get married to start the process. We went ahead with the marriage, but never adopted. The first thing social services told us was that wed need to move to a larger apartment and cut back our working hours. We couldnt afford either, so that was that. Ill never know what life with children would have been like, but I do know that the emptiness I felt had deeper causes than the absence of kids.As conclusive research has shown, drawing from 85 years of data in the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the quality of our relationships has the greatest impact on our happiness and health, surpassing wealth, fame, or career success. For me, marriage became a gilded cage in which I lived in the sole company of one individual. And while Jakob was exceptional in many ways, expecting him to be my lover, best friend, confidant, and logistical partner in juggling the challenges of running a household with a full-time job was asking too much. Something had to give. And eventually it did. Divorce for me meant giving up one extraordinary relationship in the hope of cultivating several meaningful new ones. The art of relationships, Ive found, lies in finding a number that is small enough to allow for depth and investment, yet large enough to enrich ones life with different perspectives. For me, that number wasnt one. And maybe if I hadnt been a foreigner in Sweden a country notorious for how difficult it is for expats to make good friends this story would have ended differently. But I doubt it.Five and a half years on, my life is far from perfect. I still miss certain moments I shared with Jakob, but Ive never looked back with regret.After the divorce, I lived like a nomad for a while, trying to figure out what would come next. Then two years ago, I co-founded an intentional community with five other gay men in rural France. The Radical Faeries showed me what community could be like the place where I had felt most alive in years. But those weeks in the forests, vibrant as they were, always slipped away too quickly, leaving me wanting more. When they ended, I returned to my nomadic wanderings, knowing deep down that such a lifestyle couldnt last. Still, the thought of falling back into the routine of working just to pay rent on a lonely apartment felt hollow. The dream of starting a community slowly took shape during that time, but it never would have occurred to me if it werent for the divorce.I also have a boyfriend in Paris whom I love to pieces. Although not always easy, I find that living two hours apart by train, with independent lives and interests, has been more of a blessing than a burden. I sometimes even muse that the key to a long-lasting romantic relationship might be allowing ample space to miss each other.Still, the shape my life took after divorce isnt the most important part. I could have chosen something completely different and thats exactly the point. We fool ourselves if we believe that, after centuries of institutional history and a lifetime exposed to Hollywood romance, marriage does not come with its own baggage. Queers are known experts in hacking social technologies, and I am sure many will find a joyful way to make marriage work for them. But for those of us who couldnt salvage ours, divorce can be the beginning not the end of living a more fulfilling and authentic life.And if I ever remarry, because queer people sometimes need the rights and protections that come with it, Ill make sure not to fall for the same trick again. Marriage can be just a piece of paper; the real trap is believing you have no choice but to buy into the lifestyle.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Trump administration has sued California over the states refusal to ban transgender girls and women from participating in school sports. The move is the latest escalation in the battle between the state and the administration as Donald Trump tries to impose a ban on trans student-athletes without going through Congress.The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit earlier today naming the California Department of Education as a defendant. The state of California has had a law allowing trans kids to participate in school sports as their gender since 2013 and has refused to violate it despite the Trump administrations stance against trans sports participation. Related Gavin Newsoms words come back to haunt him as Trump targets California over trans athletes The administration says trans girls have ten days to quit girls teams. The DOJ said that Californias rules are not only illegal and unfair but also demeaning, signaling to girls that their opportunities and achievements are secondary to accommodating boys, the AP reports. Californias rules do not allow boys to participate in girls sports, but the administration refers to trans girls as boys in order to misgender them. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today This past February, Trump signed an executive order to block federal funding for schools that allow trans girls and women to participate in school sports as their authentic selves, and the order told the DOJ to prosecute schools that allow trans students to play sports. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched an investigation into the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which handles school sports in the state, for sex-based discrimination under Title IX.Title IX is the federal law that bans discrimination on the basis of sex in education. President Joe Bidens administration interpreted that law as banning anti-trans discrimination since its impossible to discriminate on the basis of gender identity without taking sex into account. That is, banning trans girls from playing school sports but not cis girls, solely because of their sex assigned at birth, is the kind of discrimination that Title IX was intended to prevent, the previous administration believed.The current administration is arguing that allowing trans girls to play school sports takes away critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition from cis girls, who are also denied awards if trans girls win, the lawsuit states.In May, Trump raged at California after Fox News covered the story of a trans student who competed in the long jump. Please be hereby advised that large-scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to, Trump posted at the time on Truth Social. Executive orders only direct the actions of the federal executive branch and dont create new laws. Congress has not passed a law banning trans student-athletes at the federal level, and states have different laws governing trans participation in school sports.In June, OCR released the findings of its investigation,giving California 10 days to sign its proposed resolution agreement or face unspecified imminent enforcement action.Earlier this week, CIFs general counsel rejected OCRs findings and refused to sign the proposed resolution agreement. California Department of Education general counsel Len Garfinkel wrote in a July 6 communication that the agency respectfully disagrees with the Trump administrations interpretation of Title IX. California has just REJECTED our resolution agreement to follow federal law and keep men out of womens sports, Education Secretary and former wrestling promoter Linda McMahon wrote on X. Turns out Gov.Newsoms acknowledgmentthatits an issue of fairness was empty political grandstanding.She was likely referring to California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) comments on his podcast in March, where he agreed with far-right activist Charlie Kirk that trans girls and women participating in sports is deeply unfair.As Shannon Minter, legal director of the San Francisco-based National Center for LGBTQ Rights, toldThe Sacramento Beethis week, the conflict could lead to a court battle over whether federal law prevents states from enacting laws that protect trans students. This administration is targeting California in an attempt to intimidate it into backing away from its strong anti-discrimination laws, Minter said. Im encouraged to see the California Department of Education is standing up to that.The administration has also sparred with Maine on the same issue, withholding federal funding because the state allowed trans kids to participate in school sports as their gender. In April, a federal judge ordered the administration to unfreeze the funding, and in May, the state settled with the administration without agreeing that it had done anything wrong. The administration also sued Maine in a separate legal action to get the state to stop letting trans students participate in school sports. Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases that arelikely to determine whether trans sports bans violate the Constitution.California has had a law allowing trans kids to participate in school sports as their gender since 2013, and the first Trump administration did not sue the state over this. The issue of trans athletes became controversial in the early 2020s, after some religious conservative activists tried to get the 2020 Trump-Pence campaign to talk about the issue more. When that failed, Republican lawmakers in state legislatures started introducing legislation to ban trans kids from school sports, even when they werent aware of a single trans kid who wanted to play sports in their state. The issue proved popular among the GOP base, and dozens of states passed such laws over the next few years.In 2020, no state had a statutory ban on trans student-athletes. Today, 27 states do.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed three bills that targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and one that had anti-transgender provisions and would have let parents opt their children out of instruction on certain subjects.Stein, a Democrat, vetoed the bills Thursday, the Associated Press reports.Senate Bill 227 would have eliminated DEI programs in public K-12 schools. Senate Bill 558 would have banned the teaching of certain concepts related to DEI in public higher education, such as the North Carolina university system. House Bill 171 would have ended DEI in state and local governments.House Bill 805 would have prohibited state-funded gender-affirming surgeries or hormone treatment for prison inmates. It also would have said North Carolina officially recognizes only two genders, and if a trans person updates their birth certificate, it would have required the original birth certificate to be attached. Another provision would have required school boards to let parents or guardians request that their children be excused from any activity, discussion, or assigned reading that would impose a substantial burden on the students religious beliefs or invade the students privacy by calling attention to the students religion. The bill started as a measure to protect women and children from sexual exploitation, but all these provisions were added.At a time when teachers, law enforcement, and state employees need pay raises and people need shorter lines at the DMV, the legislature failed to pass a budget and, instead, wants to distract us by stoking culture wars that further divide us, Stein said in a press release. These mean-spirited bills would marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education. Therefore, I am vetoing them. I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians pressing concerns.He also issued veto messages saying Our diversity is our strength and We should not whitewash history or ban books.Legislators could try to override his vetoes. In the House, Republicans are one vote short of a veto-proof majority, the AP reports. The DEI bills received no Democratic votes, but one Democrat voted in favor of the bill with anti-trans and student opt-out provisions.Then Monday, Stein signed a bill to expand North Carolina's Medicaid program. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that pays for health care for low-income people and some with disabilities; many LGBTQ+ people rely on Medicaid coverage.This bill will strengthen North Carolina's Medicaid program by providing coverage for women who have just given birth for 12 months, making telehealth services more accessible, and launching a new statewide Medicaid health plan for children and young adults served by the child welfare system," the governor said in a press release. "However, much is still needed from our state legislature when it comes to protecting Medicaid, including a full rebase to preserve current services and a serious effort to defend against devastating federal cuts," he added. The federal budget bill signed into law by Donald Trump last week will cut $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next several years, ending coverage for millions of people.

LaVonnia Moore spent 15 years serving her Pierce County, Georgia, community, including five years as manager of the local library. She thought she knew what libraries were for: fostering curiosity, welcoming every reader, and creating spaces where the community could see itself reflected on the shelves.But in June, Moore found herself fired for doing just that.The longtime librarian told our sister brand, The Advocate, that she was terminated last month after including When Aidan Became a Brother, an award-winning picture book about a transgender boy, in a summer reading display assembled with community input. A child came to Moore and suggested the book as part of a colorful exhibit.I wasnt going to tell the kid no, Moore said. I was just happy the kid was reading, happy they were engaging in their library.Georgias official 2025 summer reading theme, Color Our World, was meant to celebrate diversity and creativity. Moore invited patrons, parents, and children to help curate a display showcasing colorful books. She said a child and their parents selected When Aidan Became a Brother from the librarys collection, which explores family love and identity when a young trans boy becomes an older sibling.The community engagement came together and built a display, Moore said. She said that as a public library, everyone in the community should be reflected. Just because you dont see people every day doesnt mean theyre not here," she said. When Aidan Became a Brother is an award-winning picture book.Courtesy Lee & Low BooksRelated: Virginia Republicans vote to take control of local library after losing fight to remove LGBTQ+ booksBut shortly after the display went up, Moore began hearing that the Alliance for Faith and Family, a local conservative Christian group, was targeting her.On June 18, the small group condemned Moore on social media, writing, Pierce County library manager promotes transgender childrens book front and center of summer reading program even after library system change. The group urged people to write to members of the library system and local elected government officials. The Alliance for Faith and Family even provided a sample email urging citizens to pressure county officials to act. In that email, the sender claimed it was beyond sad that the library was promoting When Aidan Became a Brother, calling the book mental manipulation (also known today as mental rape) of children where adults get children to focus on their sexuality and confuse them, teaching them God made them incorrectly. The email alleged Moore chose the book and no one else, urging commissioners to correct the problem quickly, for the sake of standing up for whats right and for the sake of the children in our community.On June 21, the group boasted online that the display has been removed, and LaVonnia is no longer the Pierce County Library Manager and urged supporters to thank local leaders for acting quickly.Moore said she was called in on her day off by Three Rivers Regional Library System director Jeremy Snell, expecting to discuss the situation, but was instead handed termination papers citing poor decision in the line of performance of duty.Snell did not answer The Advocates questions about the reasons for Moores termination, the role of the Alliance for Faith and Family, local elected leadership influences, or whether Moore had any prior disciplinary record. Instead, he wrote, In consultation with legal counsel, it is not possible to comment on this matter at this time.Attorney Wade Herring, who represents Moore, told The Advocate that the firing was unlawful and politically driven.It may be a First Amendment issue. It may be a Title VII issue, which protects employment, Herring said. I think it was content-based censorship and politically motivated, and she lost her job.Related: How library workers are defending books, democracy, and queer livesHerring insists Moore followed library policy and simply facilitated community participation. She had a local family and a local child who was enthusiastic about the library and the summer reading program, Herring said. What was she supposed to do, tell the child, No, your book doesnt belong? She was encouraging and supporting a child.GLAAD condemned Moores firing in a statement to The Advocate. No one should lose their job for doing their job, a GLAAD spokesperson said. Librarians and other educators are professionals and public servants who work for every child and family in the community, offering materials that help children learn about themselves, their peers, and the world around them. LaVonnia Moore in costume with others at the Pierce County Public Library.Courtesy LaVonnia MooreThe spokesperson added, The world is a far more interesting and colorful place than book banners ever want to see. Book banners and other opponents of LGBTQ people and equality shouldnt get to censor, dim, or dictate what is available to other families and readers. Libraries should always be a place where everyone in the community can feel safe to explore, learn, and grow.Related: Georgia Senate passes bill banning American Library Association from state librariesMoores firing is not occurring in a vacuum. In recent years, Pierce County and surrounding areas have seen ongoing disputes over LGBTQ+ visibility in libraries. In April 2023, The Blackshear Times published a letter to the editor from a Pierce County resident, raising alarm about LGBTQ+ displays and programs in regional libraries, including Pride book displays and LGBTQ+ youth book clubs.She wrote that many concerned citizens had been lobbying for policies prohibiting displays about sexuality and requiring patrons and staff to use restrooms corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. She claimed the regional board had delayed decisions on such policies while allowing LGBTQ+ visibility in libraries to continue.Concerned citizens, please contact your city officials, county commissioners, and library board members to express your alarm and recommend policy changes, the author urged in her letter. Moore told The Advocate that her library transitioned from the Okefenokee Regional Library System to Three Rivers in the aftermath of recent years far-right-wing political activism.The Alliance for Faith and Family, established in 2023, has campaigned on several issues related to LGBTQ visibility in regional libraries, according to posts on its website. The group has criticized library policies requiring staff to respect individuals gender identities, opposed transgender peoples access to restrooms matching their gender identity, and objected to childrens books featuring LGBTQ+ characters, including those intended for preschoolers. It has also demanded the removal of an LGBTQ-themed mural in the Okefenokee Regional Library System and expressed outrage over LGBTQ+ book clubs for teens, citing concerns about titles such as Gender Queer and All Boys Arent Blue.Moores firing has already exacted a steep personal price. She said her reputation has been damaged, and she now faces the prospect of leaving her hometown of 46 years because no other library jobs are available nearby.Its been overwhelming, Moore said.On June 24, Moore launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal expenses and living costs, writing that she was fired without warning, no meeting, no due diligence, despite following policy and standing by her mission as a librarian. Her fundraiser has raised more than $14,500.That book still exists in the collection because it belongs there. It reflects real families. Real kids. Real love, Moore wrote on her GoFundMe page. Although I did not choose the book myself, I stand ten toes down on this truth: The library is a public space. All community members should feel welcome inside it and have equal access to its resources. LaVonnia Moore represents the PIerce County Public Library at an outdoor event.Courtesy LaVonnia MoorePublic libraries in Georgia operate under a hybrid system in which local counties fund libraries and appoint regional boards of trustees, Herring said.. Library systems are formally connected to the University System of Georgia through the Georgia Public Library Service. The Board of Regents oversees the university system and provides statewide support and resources to libraries.In response to The Advocates inquiries, the University System of Georgia issued a statement clarifying its role.Personnel decisions are the responsibility of the local library system, which is governed by a regional board of trustees, the statement said. That board is appointed by the local government agencies that support the public libraries in the region. Neither the Georgia Public Library Service nor the University System of Georgia has authority over staff working in any public library in the state.Related: It's now illegal for Minnesota libraries to ban LGBTQ+ books under this new lawMoores story is unfolding amid a national wave of book bans and censorship attempts, especially around materials that center LGBTQ characters and themes. Data from Unite Against Book Bans, a coalition led by the American Library Association, shows a record-high number of efforts in recent years to remove books from public libraries and schools. The alliance, comprising more than 200 partner organizations, is working to equip communities nationwide to combat censorship and safeguard the right to read.Free people read freely, the coalition says on its website. Banning books and removing access to information take away choices from everyone. All people deserve to see themselves reflected in a librarys books.The Advocate reached out to Snell, Neal Bennett, chair of the Pierce County Board of Commissioners, and the Georgia Public Library Service for comment about Moores termination, the handling of LGBTQ-themed materials, and the influence of outside groups on public library operations. None responded.Moore told The Advocate if there were any path to return to her job, it would only be for the community she served.Only for the community, she said. For the seniors who come up to me and say, Vonna, that book you gave me was awesome, for the kids who bring me drawings. Libraries are there to bring people together.

Get ready, fans of Ryan Murphy and true crime!A new season of Murphy's hit Netflix anthology series Monster is reportedly coming and will focus on Lizzie Borden, according to Variety.This season 4 news comes before season 3 has aired. Season 3 will star Charlie Hunnam as serial killer and grave robber Ed Gein. It will also feature Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock; Olivia Williams as Alma Reville, Hitchcock's wife; and Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein. Season 4 is expected to debut in 2025 though the announcement has not been officially made (Variety learned of it through sources).Who was Lizzie Borden, and what crime was she accused of? Keep reading to find out everything you should know about the upcoming fourth season of Monster.What will 'Monster' season 4 be about?Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's true crime anthology series Monster debuted on Netflix in 2022, with its first season starring Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer and Niecy Nash as Glenda Cleveland. Peters won a Golden Globe for his role, and Nash won an Emmy.The second season debuted in September 2024, focusing on the Menendez brothers. Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez starred as Erik and Lyle Menendez.An upcoming third season will focus on Ed Gein.Variety now reports that, although a season 4 renewal has not been officially announced, a fourth season focusing on the Lizzie Borden case is "currently prepping for a potential fall shoot."Who was Lizzie Borden?In 1892, Lizzie Borden was the 32-year-old second daughter of an upper-class Massachusetts family. She was unmarried, living at home, and was a respected Sunday school teacher at a Congregational church in Fall River, Massachusetts. She lived with her 69-year-old father, Andrew Borden, and her stepmother, Abby Borden, aged 64.What crime was Lizzie Borden accused of?On the morning of August 4, 1892, the Borden family maid, Bridget Sullivan, was woken up by Lizzie calling out to her, "Come down quick! Father's dead; somebody came in and killed him!" reports Smithsonian.Andrew Borden was found on his sitting room sofa with 10 or 11 hatchet wounds to the face. Abby Borden was later found in her bedroom, where she had been murdered with 19 hatchet wounds.Lizzie was arrested for the murders on August 11.Was Lizzie Borden found guilty?Borden was found not guilty by a jury of men (women weren't allowed to serve on juries at the time). The decision was made in under an hour.After her acquittal, Borden moved with her sister Emma to a large Victorian house on the Hill, a wealthy neighborhood of Fall River. The two sisters had a falling out in 1905, and then both passed away in 1927. Lizzie Borden was 66.Was Lizzie Borden a lesbian?There is no direct evidence that Borden was a lesbian, but due to her being unmarried, some have theorized that she was. There is also no evidence she was having an affair with her maid. However, as Lizzie and the maid were the only two home at the time the bodies were found, some speculate they worked together on the crime or to cover it up. Are there other movies and TV shows about Lizzie Borden?The Borden trial is one of the most infamous in American history, and the case has been the subject of several TV shows and movies, including a 1975 ABC television film.In 2014, Christina Ricci starred in the Lifetime production Lizzie Borden Took an Ax as Borden. She returned for The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, a limited series that serves as a sequel to the film.In 2018, Chlo Sevigny starred in the feature film Lizzie, where Borden was portrayed as being in a lesbian relationship with her maid, Bridget Sullivan, played by Kristen Stewart.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09232-3The forelimbs of two Late Cretaceous theropod dinosaurs show the presence of the pisiform bone, previously thought to have been lost early in theropod evolution and regained in birds during the evolution of flight, indicating that a birdlike pisiform appeared prior to the evolution of flight.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09274-7A method making use of heavy water dissociation in bipolar membranes to synthesize deuterated acids and bases is described, which requires particularly mild conditions and inexpensive D2O and K2SO4 and is also environmentally friendly.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09246-xDecreased brain coenzyme Q10 levels cause encephalopathy and are associated with neurodegeneration; supplementation with 4-HMA or 4-HB restores coenzyme Q10 synthesis in mice and humans with HPDL variants, improving survival and neurological symptoms in HPDL-driven mitochondrial encephalopathy.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02116-6If plastics are to be made more sustainable, they must first be made safer in terms of the chemicals they contain and release. A comprehensive inventory of more than 16,000 known plastic chemicals, including particularly problematic ones, supports scientists and stakeholders in understanding and improving the safety of plastics.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09267-6Quantum correlations of spontaneous two-photon emission emitted from a bright quantum dot device are revealed, facilitating the creation of entangled photons with near-unity fidelity.

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When deadly floods swept through Texas, the National Weather Service issued a series of warnings that should have automatically triggered alerts to be sent to cellphones as the Guadalupe River began to rise. Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter for The New York Times, explains how catastrophe ensued despite those warnings.

It was so much easier than I thought itd be.READ MORE...

The new pope will continue to bless same-sex couples, according to the head of the Vaticans doctrine office. Asked by a journalist if Pope Leo XIV would revoke the blessings put in place by the late Pope Francis, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernndez reportedly replied, I really dont think so. The declaration will remain. Related Last weeks Supreme Court rulings show just how fragile marriage equality may be The right-wing of the Court continues to disregard precedent and place the rights of conservative Christians above everyone elses. In 2023, Pope Francis approved the blessing of same-sex unions, releasing a declaration through the Vaticans Office of the Doctrine of the Faith that allowed priests to do so for the first time. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The declaration did not amend the traditional doctrine of the church about marriage, Fernndez said at the time, because there is no liturgical rite that could be confused with the marriage sacrament. The Church still maintains that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, and the document explains the form of the blessing should not be fixed ritually by ecclesial authorities to avoid producing confusion with the blessing proper to the Sacrament of Marriage.Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God, Fernndez wrote at the time. The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.While Fernndez indicated Pope Leo would continue these blessings, the new head of the Catholic Church has also made it clear he believes in core Catholic teaching opposing same-sex marriage. In a private meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps earlier this year, he said that governments around the world had the responsibility to build peaceful societies, above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman.In avideo presentationthat surfaced following his election by the conclave, Leo (then-Bishop Robert Prevost) bemoaned the homosexual lifestyle at a gathering of the world Synod of Bishops in 2012.Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel, Prevost said, calling out the homosexual lifestyle specifically. He pointed to how alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed in television programs and cinema today.We pray that in the13years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, thathis heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a Catholic LGBTQ+ ministry, after his election had been announced, and wewill take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened. Asked by the Catholic News Service in 2023 if his views had changed, Prevost acknowledged the popes call for a more inclusive church and said Francis made it very clear that he doesnt want people to be excluded simply on the basis of choices that they make, whether it be lifestyle, work, way to dress, or whatever. But, he added, doctrine had not changed.And people havent said yet were looking for that kind of change, Prevost said. But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is no stranger to praise and scrutiny alike. As one of the most recognizable faces from the long-running ABC sitcom Modern Family, the openly gay actor recently opened up about the complicated legacy of his character, Mitchell Pritchett and the unexpected places where the sharpest criticism came from.Ferguson portrayed Mitchell, one-half of the shows trailblazing gay couple, for 11 seasons from 2009 to 2020. Alongside Eric Stonestreets Cameron Tucker, the duo became one of the first married gay couples with a child to be regularly featured on primetime network television. For many viewers, they were a symbol of progress. For others particularly within the LGBTQ+ community their portrayal wasnt enough.In a candid appearance on the July 8 episode of Dinners On Me podcast, Ferguson revealed that the critiques he heard most frequently and most loudly didnt come from conservative media or anti-LGBTQ+ voices, but from queer audiences themselves. You receive criticism, as you do, with anything you do, Ferguson said. But the criticism that I think I heard the loudest was always from the gay community, feeling as if, maybe, I didnt represent their idea of what a gay relationship was, or a gay man was.A Milestone in Representation With LimitsWhen Modern Family debuted in 2009, LGBTQ+ representation on network television was limited. Mitchell and Cams storyline which included adopting a daughter, building a life together, and eventually getting married marked a significant moment in American pop culture. It was one of the few depictions of a same-sex couple that didnt end in tragedy, stereotypes, or invisibility.Yet the realism some viewers were hoping for didnt fully translate on-screen. One year after the show premiered, fans launched a Facebook campaign demanding to see the couple express more physical affection, including something as simple as a kiss.The movement led to the production of The Kiss, a Season 2 episode that addressed the couples perceived lack of intimacy. The episode explained Mitchells reserved nature as a result of his emotionally distant upbringing a narrative choice meant to explain, and perhaps justify, the lack of public displays of affection. The episode culminated in a brief, meaningful kiss that, while subtle, marked a turning point for LGBTQ+ storytelling on television.A Mirror or a Mosaic?For Ferguson, portraying Mitchell came with its own internal tension the pressure to be everything to everyone. As an openly gay man playing a fictional version of himself, he often felt that viewers projected their hopes, fears, and ideals onto the character. I always took [the criticism] with such a grain of salt, he said. Because Im representing one person. Im in charge of this one character. We cant be expected to represent every gay person. We can only represent these two people.He added: Mitch is basically a version of me so I never know how to take it when people say that he is stereotypical.That balance between authenticity and universality is a recurring theme in conversations around LGBTQ+ visibility. While shows like Modern Family, Will & Grace, and Glee helped pave the way, they were often tasked with representing an entire community within the confines of a few scripted characters.Fergusons admission reveals the emotional burden that often comes with being a first the first gay couple, the first gay parent, the first to break through in middle America. And with that visibility often comes impossible expectations.The Impact Was UndeniableDespite critiques, Modern Family undeniably moved the needle in public opinion. A 2012 Hollywood Reporter poll revealed that 27% of Americans said watching gay-inclusive shows like Modern Family and Glee made them more supportive of marriage equality a significant statistic at a time when LGBTQ+ rights were still being hotly debated across the U.S.Ferguson and Stonestreets on-screen marriage even preceded the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage by several years. Their characters were among the first to show mainstream audiences that queer families existed and thrived beyond stereotypes. Its a strange paradox, Ferguson said. The same people who needed that representation the most were often the ones who were the most critical. But I understand it. When you dont see yourself reflected accurately for so long, you start looking for perfection. And we were never going to be perfect. We were just Mitch and Cam.A More Nuanced LegacySince Modern Family ended in 2020, the media landscape has dramatically expanded to include more diverse and complex LGBTQ+ stories. Shows like Heartstopper, Pose, Sex Education, and The Last of Us have introduced gay characters whose lives dont revolve solely around their sexuality, offering viewers a broader spectrum of queer experiences.Still, Ferguson believes Modern Family played a foundational role in pushing that door open even if it didnt open it all the way. I hope the show gave people a moment to breathe and say, Okay, were getting somewhere. We were never trying to be the end-all-be-all of gay representation. We were a start.Today, Ferguson continues to work in theater and television, while also advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. He and husband Justin Mikita have two children and remain vocal supporters of queer families, both on-screen and off.Looking back, Ferguson is proud of what Modern Family achieved even if it came with challenges. There were moments when the criticism stung. But it also showed me that people cared deeply. They wanted more. They deserved more. And hopefully, we helped make that possible.Source

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02055-2Wrist evolution helped birds to conquer the air. Fossil data and analysis of a modern birds development reveal that this evolution preceded bird origins

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02125-5Airborne particles adhere to filters only weakly. A filtration strategy that mimics the effects of the mucus layer coating nasal hairs captures particulate matter effectively, owing to a mechanism called capillary adhesion. Filters using this technology perform better than conventional air filters and have a longer lifespan.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09247-wLack of evidence for the transitional cerebellar progenitor

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02162-0These plastic particles smaller than a human hair can pass through cell walls and enter the food web

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02111-xMice that exercised produced higher levels of an immune-cell-stimulating molecule than sedentary rodents did.

Jannik Sinner, wearing a white arm sleeve over the right elbow he injured in his previous match, earned a routine 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 win over American Ben Shelton on Wednesday to reach the Wimbledon semifinals.

Major League Baseball will use the automatic balls and strikes (ABS) challenge system during next week's All-Star Game in Atlanta, the league announced on Wednesday.

Along the Guadalupe River, a 60-room inn and nearby homes were quickly filling with water. Confusion, desperation and heroism ensued.

The two men spoke about Mr. Musks push to create the America Party before the midterm elections. Mr. Yarvin has expressed support for a monarchy, along with provocative ideas about race.

Tariff negotiations between the two top trading partners are on a different track from those the U.S. is pursuing with other nations. But Canada may not get a better outcome.

Beautiful delights and colorful gems: This very well may be the most gorgeous apartment in Paris.READ MORE...

Nearly two weeks after several House Democrats sounded the alarm on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents proposal to remove sexual orientation and gender identity from a list of protected categories on the departments Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) forms, a former Treasury Department employee is shedding light on efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ inclusion and protections under Bessent.Late last month, out Reps. Becca Balint (D-VT), Mark Takano (D-CA), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY) sent a letter to Bessent asking him not to remove the terms from Treasurys EEO complaint forms, warning that the move would make it harder to combat unlawful workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Related Betrayal: Gay MAGA official could make it easier to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people Gay Democrats are sounding the alarm. But Christen Boas Hayes told the Washington Blade this week that the department has already stopped processing anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination complaints. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Hayes worked on the policy team at the departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) from 2020 to March 2025, and also served as president of the Treasurys LGBTQ+ employee resource group. They told the Blade that the removal of sexual orientation and gender identity from Treasurys EEO complaint forms was just a procedural recognition of something thats already happening.Internally, from speaking to two EEO staff members, the changes are already taking place from an EEO perspective on what kind of cases will be found to have the basis for a complaint, Hayes said.Hayes claims that one former member of the departments LGBTQ+ groups board left Treasury after experiencing explicitly transphobic treatment from supervisors. Hayes said the former board member was denied a promotion and did not have faith in the EEO complaint process.He decided to just leave, which was, of course, such a loss for Treasury and our Employee Resource Group and all of our employees at Treasury, Hayes told the Blade. Hayes said that part of their own reason for accepting a deferred resignation offer earlier this year as part of major staffing cuts under the administration was that the environment for LGBTQ staff members was increasingly negative in the wake of the presidents anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-diversity executive orders.They claim that while the umbrella LGBTQ+ employee resource group (ERG) they led was not explicitly instructed to shut down, as other smaller groups at the IRS and FinCEN were, implicit suggestions to stop emailing about the groups activities and to hold meetings off campus and outside of work hours contributed to the sense that the group could no longer function effectively, as did the firing of DEI staffers who helped make the groups events possible. Hayes said the groups information was also scrubbed from internal websites.Employees [are] feeling like its harder to find members of their own community because theres no email anymore to ask when the next event is or to ask about navigating healthcare or other questions, Hayes said. If there is no ERG to go to to ask for support for their specific issue, that contributes to isolation, which contributes to a worse work environment. The department, Hayes said, has also removed gender-neutral bathrooms and made it more difficult for employees with nonbinary gender markers on their IDs to access government buildings. They also note that under Bessent, the first out Treasury Secretary, the department did not host a Pride event.Employees notice changes like that, Hayes told the Blade. Things like the fact that the Secretarys official bio says spouse instead of husband. It makes employees wonder if they too should be fearful of being their full selves at work.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) ranted about how the U.S. sends money to Africa to prevent the spread of HIV, arguing that if Africans dont understand whats causing AIDS, then theyre on their own.Greene was on White House advisor Steve Bannons webcast when she began discussing amendments she introduced to cut aid to other countries in the defense appropriations bill. She listed several items she wanted to cut, including hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Israel, Jordan, and Taiwan. Related Rep. Sam Park on Marjorie Taylor Greene: Bless her heart The trailblazing gay lawmaker from Georgia talked to LGBTQ Nation about Republican gerrymandering and being raised Christian. But then she mentioned some much smaller amounts of aid being used to stop the spread of HIV in Africa. She said that this funding was even more outrageous than the military aid to the more developed countries. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Let me give you some that I think are outrageous beyond what Ive already listed, she ranted. $15 million for HIV prevention, education, and activities! $15 million for Africa! For HIV prevention, education, and activities. That is absurd! We dont need to be doing this anymore. If people dont understand whats causing AIDS, then theyre on their own. REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R): Im filing amendments to stop sending our defense money overseas.Nuclear-armed Israel doesnt need more cash. Taiwan doesnt either. Jordan and Africa can fund their own programs.This is Americas budget. Lets spend it defending America. pic.twitter.com/l6LsZvKn64 Bannons WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) July 9, 2025Greene expanded on this on social media, saying that people should already know what activities they need to stop doing to prevent getting AIDS. And Im sorry and no offense to anyone, but the American people should not be spending $15 million for HIV prevention educational activities in African nations, she wrote on X. If everyone doesnt know the activities they need to stop doing to prevent getting AIDS by now, well I dont know what to tell you.Greene didnt specify what activities she was referring to, and theres a chance that she doesnt know. Its a subject that even Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert Kennedy Jr. doesnt understand. He included over 100 pages of quotes from people who deny the connection between HIV and AIDS in his bookThe Real Anthony Fauci. Kennedy has disparagingly referred to the orthodoxy that HIV alone causes AIDS and the theology that HIV is the sole cause of AIDS. He has called medications used to treat HIV absolutely fatal. He refers to himself as an AIDS dissident.Greene celebrated Kennedys appointment to lead HHS. But its also possible that her language about the activities they need to stop doing is a homophobic dog whistle. Conservatives often portray HIV as a disease spread solely through gay sex, which isnt true. Conservatives often suggest people stop being gay in order to prevent the spread of HIV.Former Vice President Mike Pence famously suggested cutting funding to organizations that celebrate and encourage the types of behaviors that facilitate the spreading of the HIV virus during his 2000 congressional campaign and said that the funding should instead go to those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior, or conversion therapy.Greene has advocated for cutting foreign aid for HIV/AIDS prevention in the past, calling preventing the spread of the disease that has killed tens of millions wasteful.In 2023, she shared a conservative rap video on social media that included homophobic lyrics that linked being gay with getting HIV.Fake news always spreading disease, like two queers with HIV, the lyrics said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Netflix plans to end reality television showQueer Eye after Season 10, the streaming platform announced Wednesday. The show, which premiered in 2018, is the streamer's longest-running unscripted series to date. It's unclear exactly why the show is endingthe reason has not yet been announced.The original Fab Five, consisting of Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, and Bobby Berk, have all become public figures in their own right since the show started seven years ago. But after season 8, Berk left the show and was replaced by Jeremiah Brent. (@) Viewers watched as the group traveled around the world to help people transform various aspects of their lives. Since the beginning of the series, audiences have seen them travel to Kansas, Missouri, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and even Tokyo, Japan. But the last stop for the Fab Five will be Washington, D.C., and this season couldn't be any more timely.The show has been nominated for 37 Emmy Awards and won six years in a row for Outstanding Structured Reality Program, the year they premiered in 2023. Queer Eye lost out to Shark Tank last year.

Reality TV star Magan Mourad has revealed she was hospitalized during filming for Season 2 of Netflixs The Ultimatum: Queer Love, saying the emotional intensity of the process led to what she described as a physical collapse. On the Whats the Reality? podcast, Mourad and her fianc, Dayna Mathews, discussed the profound psychological and physical toll of the shows experimental format, which involved couples separating and forming trial marriages with other participants.I just f felt so depleted. I couldnt handle it anymore, Mourad recalled, describing how an emotional breakdown and suspected low blood pressure led to her being rushed to the hospital.The show challenges committed couples to pause their current relationships and take a trial marriage with fellow cast members. For Mourad and Mathews, both paused their long-term partnership to explore relationships with others Magan with Haley Drexler, and Dayna with Mel Vitale. Despite the difficulties, the couple ultimately returned to each other, reuniting and becoming engaged under dramatic and emotionally charged circumstances.The Toll of Emotional SeparationMourad emphasized that the heartbreak she experienced stemmed from watching someone she deeply loved forge an intimate connection with another person. Its just hard because you love someone so much, and its the first time you want to spend your life with someone, she said, her voice cracking. I dont want to let you go youre dating other people it hurts, you know?The couple described the strangeness of finding freedom during a week-long stay in a hotel without their phonesan enforced disconnection from their world and each other. I worked out at 11 at night, every night, just to remind myself who I am, Magan shared. I would basically walk with a buddy for every mundane thinggoing to the gym, even using the bathroom.Dayna Mathews and Magan Mourad in episode 209 of The Ultimatum: Queer Love.The physical consequences became severe. Magan reported feeling faint and dizzy after pushing herself through grueling workouts designed to keep her centered. Eventually, the film crew called for medical attention, and she was hospitalized overnight as a preventable but alarming health scare.Queer Visibility in Reality TVThe Ultimatum: Queer Love breaks new ground by placing LGBTQ+ relationships at its center. Unlike the original Ultimatum series, which primarily represented straight couples, the Queer Love installment places queer identities at the forefront, reflecting a broader push in reality television to diversify relationship narratives and spotlight underrepresented communities.Magan and Daynas story embodies many stressors unique to LGBTQ+ couplesqueer identity stress, societal pressures, and navigating a heterosexual-centric relationship model. Their willingness to open up about mental and physical health consequences marks a rare moment of vulnerability in reality TV, where dramatic revelations are often superficial.Stripped Down, Raw, and RealPodcaster-host Amber Desiree AD Smith described the challenges participants face when phones are taken away and judgment is deferred to the production environment. For queer participants, that stripped-down isolation can exacerbate the emotional weight of separation and reinvention. Its not what you imagined it to be, Dayna admitted, echoing Magans struggles. It isnt easy.Magan recalled that part of what tipped her was the loss of what she called identity anchorsthe routines and touchstones that kept her mental health stable. I didnt realize how much energy I was expending, she said. I started freaking out.Moments like this highlight ongoing conversations around mental health support for reality TV participants. The rapid pace and emotional intensity are often discomforting at best and damaging at worstparticularly for queer individuals who may already feel vulnerable.Love Rekindled, Engagement AnnouncedDespite the heartbreak posed by experimental relationships, Magan and Dayna ultimately returned to each other and became engaged. The podcast preview showcases their reflections on growth, communication, and emotional evolution. When Dayna and I come together, we have a certain type of energy together, she said. Now were just understanding how to be better partners and what we need individually.Their engagement set against the backdrop of Netflixs emotionally rigorous environment emphasizes queer resilience. The couple, like other queer participants, is rewriting the template of televised romance, where happy endings are too often reserved for straight couples.Beyond the Screen: A Beacon for Queer CommunitiesMagans candid account brings queer narratives closer to authentic experience. While LGBTQ+ characters are increasing in scripted shows, queer representation in reality television remains rare. When it does appear, it often glosses over emotional complexity, sanitizing narratives to avoid controversy.By sharing the unscripted high and low points of their relationship, including a trip to the hospital, Magan Mourad is humanizing queer love. She aligns with advocacy efforts that encourage nuanced inclusion rather than narrative tokenism. I hope people who watch us understand that being queer in love isnt always rainbow-bright, Magan said. Its messy, its real, and it can be overwhelming but its still worth it.Moving Forward in Health and HealingMagan revealed that following her hospitalization, she and Dayna focused on rebuilding their lives with new emotional tools. Therapy, mindfulness, and establishing daily wellness rituals are all part of their life-as-podcastpractices meant to support long-term relationship health.The couples honesty is significant, offering lessons to queer viewers about mental-health self-care in the context of emotional upheaval. For queer folks in relationshipsits okay to feel broken by love, Dayna said. Its in the rebuilding that you discover your resilience.Finale and ReflectionThe Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 2 dropped on Netflix on July 2, featuring six same-sex and queer couples at various stages of commitment. Magan and Dayna may have captured headlines, but the series as a whole is a watershed moment in LGBTQ+ reality TVamplifying love, identity, challenge, and growth in equal measure.Their story speaks to a universal truththat love, especially under scrutiny and separation, can cause profound emotional pain, but also imaging that same love can spring forward stronger. We came back to each other, Magan said. And were trying to do better, for us and for queer visibility in love.Source

Club Glow CEO Pete Kalamoutsos is sounding the trumpet for another dazzling return of Project Glow, the capitals own electronic dance music festival that has become a beacon of LGBTQ+ celebration and unity. Announced on June 3, 2025, Project Glow will make its milestone fifth appearance at RFK Stadiums expansive grounds from May 3031, 2026, promising a vibrant, inclusive weekend for queer and allied dance music lovers.Speaking to Gayety Pete Kalamoutsos statedHaving helped produce this years incredible World Pride Music Festival and hosting it on a back-to-back weekend with this years Project Glow really showed the power of dance music to unite communities and give LGBTQ artists a platform to reach fans, night after night. He went on to add Thats why we do this, and why we are so excited to be back for an incredible fifth year of Project Glow in 2026.In its first four years, Project Glow quickly established itself as Washingtons premier homegrown EDM event. With an energetic mix of world-class DJs, immersive stage designs, and unforgettable after-parties at Echostage, the festival emphasizes an inclusive environment for self-expression, acceptance, and queer empowerment.A Celebration of Community and CultureProject Glow isnt just about thumping basslines and laser lights its a movement firmly rooted in LGBTQ+ identity and culture. As part of a larger ecosystem that includes the World Pride Music Festival, which debuted in June this year, Glows organizers are championing representation within the dance music landscape. The back-to-back scheduling underscores the synergy between global queer celebration and local community-building.That sense of family and belonging is central to Glows ethos: vendors from Black Pride D.C., drag performers from local nightlife scenes, and queer visual artists all contribute to a festival that feels of the community, for the community.Stars Aligned: Top-Tier Talent and Queer VisibilityProject Glows first four installments were anchored by headline sets from electronic heavyweights like Tisto, Subtronics, Loud Luxury, and Alan Walker. The 2025 edition drew more than 80,000 attendees over two days. With such a massive turnout, Glow has powered a cultural ripple effect along the mid-Atlantic, with DJ sets often becoming viral for their queer-forward energy and inclusive vibes.Afterparties at EchostageProject Glows resident nightclubprovide an extension of the festival into the early morning hours, and give local LGBTQ+ artists their moment alongside international talent.Tickets, Builds, and 2026 DetailsTickets for the fifth edition of Project Glow are now on sale atProjectGlowFest.com. Glow has promised VIP and experiential passes, giving fans a variety of options to suit their festival budgets and desires.With the festival still months away, organizers are teasing more surprises activations that speak to intersectional LGBTQ+ identities, drag brunches, safe spaces, and partnerships with queer wellness groups. Glows goal is for festival-goers to come for the music but stay for the community.Details about the complete artist lineup will be announced in the coming weeks, with Queer tastemakers and electronic underground acts expected to feature alongside A-list headliners.How Project Glow Amplifies LGBTQ+ VoicesWhat sets Project Glow apart isnt just its location in the nations capitalits the message it sends. In an era when queer nightlife and welfare face political threats, Project Glow stands as a reminder that public queer culture is resilient.From Town Hall rallies to Pride parades, D.C. has long been a stage for LGBTQ+ visibility. Project Glow adds another layer: one where queer joy, resistance, and art collide in communal euphoria.Source

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09258-7The detection and coherent control of single 13C nuclear spins in hexagonal boron nitride at room temperature enables the use of van der Waals materials in upcoming quantum technologies.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09187-5A new class of moir materials based on monolayers with triangular lattices and low-energy states at the M points of the Brillouin zone is introduced, demonstrating emergent momentum-space non-symmorphic symmetries, a kagome plane-wave lattice structure, and potential quasi-one-dimensionality.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09218-1Observations from 12 hydrocast stations along a transect crossing the North Atlantic from the subtropical gyre to the northern European shelf provide evidence of large amounts of nanoplastics throughout the entire water column.

Nature, Published online: 09 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09251-0A single-cell multi-omics atlas of rice is revealed, providing insight into cell-type functions and molecular programs.