Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis self-declared war on rainbow crosswalks reached its latest stop in the Florida Keys on Tuesday when the Florida Department of Transportation painted over gay mecca Key Wests Pride display in the dead of night.The erasure of the tiny crosswalk, measuring just six feet deep at the intersection of Duval and Petronia Streets, gave the lie to DeSantis claim that such street art is a traffic hazard in search of fatalities. Bikers and pedestrians at the narrow intersection regularly move faster than motorized traffic in the slow-paced resorts gayborhood. Related Protestors across Florida rally against rainbow crosswalk removals: We will not be erased The overnight erasure was met with an outpouring of emotion from our community, said the Key West Business Guild, which was deeply disheartened by the removal of the Rainbow Crosswalk in the middle of the night.While this action has caused pain and disappointment, we are not deterred, the group said in a statement posted on social media. The Guilds board and staff remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that the LGBTQ+ community is visibly represented in our Historic Gayborhood.We encourage everyone to make their voices heard by reaching out directly to the Key West City Commission tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, the Guild said. Together, we will move forward, stronger, prouder, and more united than ever. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today They destroyed the rainbow crosswalks in Key West overnight by order of the Orange felon but they ll never destroy their spirit. pic.twitter.com/YuOhQccGU4 Karen Tennents girl (@karen_flynn) September 9, 2025DeSantis obsession with the crosswalks resulted in multiple orders for Key West to remove the rainbow art. The final order, arriving on Monday, proved disingenuous; the FDOT erased the art before the city commission could act.Youre always gonna have the Key Wests of the world that are going to virtue signal, DeSantis raged about the LGBTQ+ bastion and other cities protesting the state governments unilateral removal orders two weeks ago. Thats just what they do.DeSantis employed the same duplicitous tactics north of Key West in Delray Beach near Fort Lauderdale on the very same night.Before dawn on September 9, 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) unilaterally removed the Delray Beach Pride Intersection, the city posted to Facebook today.Less than 12 hours before, the City of Delray Beach received an order directing the CITY to remove this symbol of inclusion. This immediate action by FDOT did not allow the city commission the opportunity to review the order as an elected government body and decide how to move forward.By acting outside of its process, FDOT disregarded the Citys good-faith efforts to follow established procedures, the statement reads. While FDOTs action cannot be undone, Delray Beach remains steadfast in its commitment to unity, respect, and the fundamental human rights that belong to every member of our community. Lets be honest. We all know this is not about traffic safety. This is political, said Delray Beach Vice Mayor Rob Long last week.In July, DeSantis signed a law effectively banning all pavement art and murals like rainbow crosswalks, regardless of their political message, in collusion with Transportation Secretary and former Road Rules contestantSean Duffy, who directed all state governors to keep intersections and crosswalks free from distractions.In a subsequentX post, Duffy said that Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks. Duffy also referred to nonexistent data implying the crosswalks cause traffic fatalities, a ruse deployed to serve the Trump administrations erasure of LGBTQ+ identity. DeSantis has promoted this untrue implication.Protests have erupted in several cities subject to the rainbow crosswalk ban, with activists and allies replacing the street art soon after its erasure. DeSantis deployed the Florida Highway Patrol to monitor the intersection in front of the Pulse Nightclub Memorial in Orlando after protesters chalked and then painted a new rainbow crosswalk for a third time.Last week, a 29-year-old man was arrested at the same intersection for rubbing chalk on his shoes and walking over the crosswalk, in defiance of a new sign reading, Defacing Roadway Prohibited. A judge released him the following day, finding no probable cause.Returning triumphantly on a rain-soaked day to the scene of his crime, the man danced and clapped his way across the intersection as supporters cheered him on.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The president of Texas A&M University removed the dean and department head of the schools College of Arts and Sciences on Monday after anti-LGBTQ+ Texas State Rep. Brian Harrison (R) shared a video of a literature student complaining about a professor mentioning gender identity. On Monday, Harrison wrote the Trump administration and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), demanding immediate action to end LGBTQ indoctrination in taxpayer-funded universities.In the video, shared by anti-LGBTQ+ Texas Rep. Brian Harrison, a student tells the professor that its not legal to teach about gender ideology because according to our president, theres only two genders. The student mentioned that the president has frozen federal funds from organizations that acknowledge the existence of transgender people. Related Brown University agrees to Trumps anti-trans demands as part of deal to restore funding This also goes very much against, not only myself, but a lot of peoples religious beliefs, the student continued. So I am not going to participate in this because its not legal, and I dont want to promote something that is against our presidents laws, as well as against my own religious beliefs.The president hasnt signed any laws forbidding professors from discussing trans issues in university classrooms. Also, many religions recognize and affirm the existence and divinity of trans people. 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 professor told the student that if they were uncomfortable, they had the right to leave and to discuss their complaint with the department head. The student then said that they had a meeting with the university president to discuss all of their documentation.Im not sure that your proposal will be effective in stopping me from teaching things that are biologically true because I do have the legal and ethical authority and, moreover, the professional authority in this classroom, the professor tells the student, before adding, Its time for you to leave now.Reposting the students video to X, state Rep. Harrison wrote, Im referring [Texas A&M University] to the Trump Administration for investigation and asking Gov. @GregAbbott_TX to fire the A&M officials involved and to instruct his Regents at all public universities to immediately end all DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] and LGBTQ indoctrination. CAUGHT ON TAPE: TEXAS A&M STUDENT KICKED OUT OF CLASS AFTER OBJECTING TO TRANSGENDER INDOCTRINATION and A&M President defends "LGBTQ Studies."I'm referring @TAMU to the Trump Administration for investigation and asking Gov @GregAbbott_TX to fire the A&M officials pic.twitter.com/J6IWsfw62I Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) September 8, 2025 Harrison also posted an audio clip of the student allegedly talking with Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III. In the clip, Welsh accuses the student of picking a fight and asks the student what she wants, asking, What do you expect us to do? Fire her?The student replies, Yes, absolutely. Welsh says, Well, thats not happening. In an additional clip, Welsh explains that there are professional reasons that the universitys courses include LGBTQ+ content, particularly because school educators and counselors cant always choose the kinds of people theyll be serving. Harrison then shared numerous images, allegedly of the class materials, that discuss LGBTQ+ issues, queer theory, childhood gender identity, intersectionality and other concepts that have been banned from federal websites by the current U.S. presidents administration. Harrison then shared his letter to Gov. Abbott, sent via email on Monday, asking him to have his politically appointed regents at the university to fire the professor and Welsh, to have Abbotts regents at other state schools take all necessary action necessary to rid all DEI and LGBTQ activity and instruction, and to call a special legislative session to finally pass a total ban on taxpayer funded DEI and LGBTQ indoctrination.Harrison also sent a similar letter to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, asking the departmental heads to investigate the incident and to ensure that Texas universities recieving federal funds are complying with the presidents anti-trans executive orders.In a statement issued on Monday night, Welsh wrote, Key leaders in the College of Arts and Sciences approved plans to continue teaching course content that was not consistent with the courses published description. As a result, I directed the provost to remove the dean and department head from their administrative positions, effective immediately.Our students use the published information in the course catalog to make important decisions about the courses they take in pursuit of their degrees, Welsh added. If we allow different course content to be taught from what is advertised, we let our students down. When it comes to our academic offerings, we must keep our word to our students and to the state of Texas. A statement from Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III:I learned this afternoon that key leaders in the College of Arts and Sciences approved plans to continue teaching course content that was not consistent with the courses published description. As a result, I pic.twitter.com/jj9sk0e0ni Texas A&M University (@TAMU) September 9, 2025 Responding to the incident, Texas A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar issued an August 8 statementwhich said the professor failed to comply with clear instructions to align course descriptions with course materials.This failure continues to be an issue with this professor, Hegar wrote. I will work with the Board of Regents to make certain that the A&M system takes the disciplinary action necessary to ensure this does not happen again at one of our campuses.It is unacceptable for A&M System faculty to push a personal political agenda, Hegar added. We have been tasked with training the next generation of teachers and childcare professionals. That responsibility should prioritize protecting children, not engaging in indoctrination.A recent survey by the American Association of University Professors found that 25% of Texas professors are seeking out-of-state positions, with many citing the states tense and anti-academic political climate.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

CNN reporter Matt Egan said earlier today that new data proves that the presidents tariff policies are backfiring completely against the administrations stated goals of creating more jobs and an American manufacturing renaissance.The president imposed a universal 10% tariff on all foreign goods that went into effect on April 5. In August, he implemented various tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on different countries. Related Presidents labor statistics nominee ran an anti-LGBTQ+ Twitter account Recent government statistics show that the economy only added an estimated 22,000 jobs in August, the unemployment rate rose to 4.3% (the highest level in four years), and the manufacturing industries that are most exposed to tariffs from imported resources and machinery like mining, logging, construction, and manufacturing are losing jobs, CNN reported.If you look at those tariff-exposed industries, they started losing jobs shortly after this trade war started, and its continuing, Egan said.This is the exact opposite of what the White House is looking for, Egan continued. Theyre trying to engineer this American manufacturing renaissance, theyre trying to cause a jobs boom that has not happened. Economists say, at best, that effort is off to a slow start, but at worse, its actually backfiring completely, that its been counterproductive because youre causing a lot of uncertainty. Egan noted that companies are hiring less, laying off workers, and purchasing fewer goods because theyre still waiting to understand all of the new tariffs economic consequences.

The out lesbian niece of Donald Trump has no doubts that it's his signature on an alleged raunchy birthday card sent to Jeffrey Epstein.Democrats recently revealed the card, which the Wall Street Journal first reported on in July but did not show, after Trump and officials in his administration continually called it a "hoax." Mary Trump has since weighed in, stating she believes the card to be authentic. Thats definitely his signature, she wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Just saying. (@) Trump allegedly sent the card to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, according to the WSJ report. It includes a hand-drawn sketch of a naked woman with Trumps signature placed along her pubic area to mimic hair, with text stating that the two share certain things in common" and wishing Epstein another wonderful secret."The card features an imaginary conversation between the two men written in third person. It reads as such:Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything, the note began.Donald: Yes, there is, but I wont tell you what it is.Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is.Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it.Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.Trump: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret."Trump filed a lawsuit against WSJ, as well as its parent company News Corp and owner Rupert Murdoch who also owns Fox News after the outlet published the article. The lawsuit, filed in southern Florida, seeks more than $20 billion in damages for defamation.The White House has repeatedly denied the card's authenticity, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt most recently saying that "its very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it."Epstein died in jail in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking conspiracy. He had long been accused of sexually abusing underage girls, with allegations that his prominent friends had been involved as well. His longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her complicity in child sex trafficking. Even though Trump has claimed to be not a fan of Epstein, the two men with frequently photographed together in the 1980s and 90s. Trump told New York Magazine in 2002, Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

LGBTQ+ billionaires.It's only been a couple of decades since media outlets have started to keep track of out LGBTQ+ people who are, in the modern sense, reportedly among the richest individuals around the globe.In a world now governed by billionaires, it will come as no surprise that everyone featured on this ranking has a net worth above $2 billion. And yet, this list has quite a range of people with a net worth anywhere between $2 billion and more than $20 billion according to estimates.Discover below the top 10 richest LGBTQ+ people in the world.9-10. (tie) Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana $2.5 billionDomenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana founded the luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana in 1985 and, together, have successfully run the brand for the past 40 years. Beyond business partners, Dolce and Gabbana were also romantic partners until 2004. As reported by The Guardian, they continued to act as partners despite going their separate ways as spouses.Both Dolce and Gabbana have a net worth of $2.5 billion and are tied according to Forbes estimates.Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 1,575 (tie)8. Tim Cook $2.5 billionApple CEO Tim Cook has a net worth of $2.5 billion per Forbes. Due to his role at Apple and reputation as the successor to Steve Jobs picked by Jobs himself Cook is arguably the best known person on this list of wealthiest LGBTQ+ public figures.Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 1,5567. Jennifer Pritzker $2.5 billionJennifer Pritzker's net worth is also an estimated $2.5 billion according to Forbes. Yet, as of this writing, she ranks slightly above Cook, Dolce, and Gabbana, evidenced by her overall placement in the "real-time billionaires list" updated by the publication.Jennifer Pritzker is one of 13 heirs to the Pritzker family fortune which has, over time, included various businesses such as the Hyatt Hotel chain, the Marmon Group, Reynolds American Inc., Braniff Airlines, and a stake in the credit reporting company TransUnion.In September 2013, Forbes reported that Jennifer Pritzker became the "first transgender billionaire."Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 1,5536. Stein Erik Hagen $2.7 billionStein Erik Hagen founded his family business a discount supermarket chain, RIMI, established in Norway alongside his father in the 1970s. After selling the business, Hagen's fortune was consolidated into an European conglomerate of consumer goods knowns as Orkla.Hagen publicly came out as bisexual in a talk show interview from October 2015. Hagen's current net worth is an estimated $2.7 billion according to Forbes.Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 1,4705. Barry Diller $5 billionBarry Diller, a self-made executive and chairman of the IAC Inc. media and tech conglomerate, has an estimated net worth of $5 billion according to Forbes. Even though Diller's sexuality has been a topic of discussion for a few decades, he discussed it for the first time at length in his memoir, Who Knew, published in May 2025.In the memoir as evidenced in an except published on New York Magazine Diller wrote that he "never questioned my sexuality's basic authority over my life (I was only afraid of the reaction of others)." The billionaire added that "today, sexual identities are much more fluid and natural," which he seems to relate to.Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 7944. Jon Stryker $5.7 billionJon Stryker is one of the heirs to Stryker Corporation, an industry leader for medical equipment and services around the world. Forbes estimates his net worth to be $5.7 billion. Family members that also appear on the list are Ronda Stryker (net worth estimate: $8.6 billion) and Pat Stryker (net worth estimate: $4.1 billion).Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 6823. David Geffen $8.9 billionBetween cofounding Asylum Records, Geffen Records, and a movie studio that would eventually become DreamWorks, David Geffen has a net worth of $8.9 billion per the latest Forbes estimates.In the past few years, Geffen made headlines for marrying and subsequently divorcing his partner of two years, David Armstrong (otherwise known as Donovan Michaels).Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 3782. Giorgio Armani $12.1 billionGiorgio Armani's net worth is no longer being indexed in the Forbes real-time ranking since the legendary designer passed away on Thursday at 91 years old. Nonetheless, a Forbes report estimates that Armani was "worth roughly $12.1 billion at the time of his death," which puts him in second place on this list.Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': N/A1. Peter Thiel $23.5 billionPeter Thiel an early Facebook investor and cofounder of PayPal is estimated to be the richest out gay person in the world according to Forbes. As of this writing, the tech executive's reported net worth amounts to $23.5 billion.Overall placement in the Forbes ranking 'Real-Time Billionaires List': No. 94