The number of filings is back above 2020 levels as prices rise and people rely more on credit cards, an analysis finds. But many borrowers dont respond to the suits and lose by default.

Its so spooky!READ MORE...

A first-of-its-kind report assessing the current state of local LGBTQ+ media outlets shows how the current administration is impacting their ability to tell queer stories. The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project co-authored by legendary Chicago journalist Tracy Baim, co-founder of the Windy City Times presents a variety of data on everything from the annual budget of local LGBTQ+ publications to the number of freelancers versus full-time workers utilized. But the most powerful findings came from the focus groups, who shared anecdotes on the fear and loss brought on by the federal governments crusade against DEI. Related We just made history in trans health care. And we had to lock our doors. The focus groups were held less than two months into the new presidential administration, but outlets were already feeling the effects of an anti-LGBTQ+ backlash that preceded the current federal leadership, the report explains.While advertisers and sponsors had already begun to pull back, the actions increased due to the executive orders targeting DEI. 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 is the case even though advertising itself has nothing to do with DEI; the backlash is just caused by fear among businesses. This conflating of two different decisions a business decision based on the strength of a market segment vs. diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic and employment policies is a painful problem experienced firsthand by LGBTQ+, African American, and other media targeting specific communities.One publisher said their publication has lost its second-largest advertiser solely because they are not allowed to advertise with anything DEI-related anymore, because they are federally funded. Another mentioned that a trans healthcare company was too afraid to advertise with them for its own sake, fearing backlash from anyone who saw the ad. That is almost even scarier than editorial, the publisher said, because if you dont advertise your business, then thats really bad for your business.Beyond that, there is an overall culture of fear among those in the industry, fear of backlash, violence, and being shut down. A radio producer said staff have said they are afraid to go on the air, and after 40 years on the air, thats the first time Ive ever heard that.One publisher said freelancers are kind of afraid to report now. Another said editors have made it quite clear to make sure that their addresses and emails are not available on the website any longer. Some of these fears were expressed even before the current administration took control, the leaders said. And its only gotten worse. The presidents tariff war has also had an impact, with one publisher saying their printing costs have risen at least 5%. But the focus group participants expressed one good thing that has emerged due to the current climate: increased reader engagement.Believe it or not, the upside to a Republican administration is that the gay community feelsunder threat and are more motivated to read gay press, to give to gay press, to be activeand involved, said one person. I made a small fortune during the Reagan administration Nows our time to rally the troops, raise the flag, whatever metaphor you want The political climate could motivate our community.However, increasing readership also presents challenges when revenue from advertisers is not forthcoming. The report explained that most outlets have not been able to monetize their audiences, as they either lack the capacity or know-how to raise funds through memberships or donations. This is a muscle that needs growing through training, funding, and access to field experts.There is a real need for funders to look closely at LGBTQ+ media at this point in time, the report declared, as particular communities are under threat and require support more than ever.It concluded with several calls to action, primarily focusing on creating additional resources to help leaders of these outlets learn more about funding strategies and legal rights, as well as increasing opportunities for community building among the outlets. It also called for more diverse leadership. As the backlash grows against LGBTQ+ people, especially the transgender and gender nonconforming community, LGBTQ+-owned and operated media are more important than ever, the report emphasized. But when it comes to research and funding, LGBTQ+ media have often been left behind, in part because its difficult to quantify who and where they are. The report, of course, hopes to change that.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

It turned out to be an easy win for Arsenal over Nottingham Forest, and Mikel Arteta's summer signings stole the show.

Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is expected to make his NFL debut against the Ravens, sources told ESPN.

We can condemn his assassination without mythologizing him.

It was the latest in a series of new conditions that President Trump had announced on punitive action against Russia for its war against Ukraine.

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The Dolphins have no plans to trade Tyreek Hill and haven't received any calls from teams interested in the star wide receiver, sources told ESPN.

Kings forward Corey Perry will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 2 player in the 2026 SportsCenter NEXT 100 class, has committed to Tennessee. The 6-foot-3 forward is the highest-rated recruit for the Lady Volunteers since 2019 and the first top-five recruit for coach Kim Caldwell.

Commanders running back Austin Ekeler has suffered a torn right Achilles that will keep him out for the rest of the season, a source told ESPN.

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President Trump has promised to bring the killer to justice while using the moment to blame the left and only the left more broadly.

The diplomat will consult with Israeli officials about their coming military offensive in Gaza City, as President Trumps efforts to end the Gaza war appear stalled.

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2025-09-13T15:26:21Z WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polish and allied aircraft were deployed in a preventive operation in Polands airspace Saturday because of a threat of drone strikes in neighboring areas of Ukraine, and the airport in the eastern Polish city of Lublin was closed, authorities said.The alert lasted around two hours. It came after multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland on Wednesday, prompting NATO to send fighter jets to shoot them down and underlining long-held concerns about the expansion of Russias more than three-year war in Ukraine. The Polish militarys operational command posted on X on Saturday afternoon that ground-based air defense and reconnaissance systems were on high alert. It stressed that these actions are preventive in nature, and were aimed at securing Polands airspace and protecting the countrys citizens. It cited a threat of drone strikes in regions of Ukraine bordering Poland, but didnt give further details. Prime Minister Donald Tusk also posted that preventive air operations had begun in Polish airspace because of the threat posed by Russian drones operating over nearby areas of Ukraine. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency said that Lublin Airport was closed to air traffic due to military aviation activities, and the government security center warned of a threat of air attack for several border counties in the region. Later Saturday, the militarys operational command wrote on X that the operation has been completed and that ground-based defense and reconnaissance systems had returned to normal. Russia has said it didnt target Poland on Wednesday, and Moscows ally, Belarus, said that the drones went astray because they were jammed. But European leaders have expressed certainty that the incursions were a deliberate provocation by Russia.Polish aircraft have been scrambled repeatedly in recent months to patrol the countrys airspace in connection with Russian airstrikes in Ukraine, but those strikes have usually occurred overnight or in the early morning.

Overturning marriage equality is now a present threat.Many of the issues both people of color and LGBTQI+ Americans confront in Trumps first term health care, unemployment, housing, immigration, voting rights, among others are front and center, again, and on the chopping block. And the fear is palpable.I think its going to go away. I dont know whats going to happen to those already married, but there are a lot of benefits,Pat of West Palm Beach, Florida, told me.What would that be? she asked of the result. A forced divorce? Related Republicans say time is ripe to overturn same-sex marriage rights nationwide Put a ring on itWith this threat looming large, many LGBTQ+ couples are dashing to the altar.The thought of many moreformer Kentucky county clerks like KimDavis becomes a nightmare.Davis is infamously known for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2015.This August, she formally petitioned the Supreme Court to overturnObergefell v. Hodges, the landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Itold a nephew whos gay, young, 22, to get married last year because we dont know, Pat said. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clintonechoed the same sentiment. In an August installment ofthe Raging Moderates podcast, Clinton strongly advised couples to get married before SCOTUS overturns marriage equality altogether.Anybody in a committed relationship out there, in the LGBTQ community, you ought to consider getting married, she said, because I dont think theyll undo existing marriages, but I fear they will undo the national right. Clarence Thomass goalClarence Thomas | Screen capture via C-SPANIn a Trumped-up Supreme Court, SCOTUS has been the enabler of anti-marriage activists.Justice Clarence Thomas faulted the Supreme Court for refusing to blockmarriage equality in Alabama twice in 2015 and in 2022.Targeting marriage equality has been his goal ever since it became national law. Shortly after the SCOTUSoverturnedRoe v. Wadein the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization caseof 2022, Thomas seized the moment to insert his opinion, stating,[W]e have a duty to correct the error established in those precedents.The irony here is that many of the civil rights advancements that helped Thomas ascend to the highest court in the land are the ones he now wants to dismantle.Clarence further stated that the landmark decision should reconsider the courts past rulings codifying the rights to contraception, same-gender intimacy, and marriage equality. Surely, he jests, I thought, because of Thomass interracial marriage, which marriage equality is built upon. Moreover, the slippery slope is one that he, too, could confront, once SCOTUSeliminates federal protection for loving the person you choose.The irony here is that many of the civil rights advancements that helped Thomas ascend to the highest court in the land are the ones he now wants to dismantle.Last year, the country celebrated nine years since theObergefell decision, allowing us LGBTQ+ Americans the fundamental right to marry nationwide. However, whileJustices Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented in the 2015Obergefell ruling,the broad public support for same-sex marriage that both parties once embraced has now waned among Republicans. According to the Gallup Poll, in 2025, support for marriage equality among Democrats rose to 88%. Republicans support, which peaked at 55% in 2021 and 2022, has dropped to 41%, the lowest point since 2016, following theObergefell decision.With Republicans dominating all branches of government, there is concern thatformer President Joe Bidens 2022 Respect for Marriage Act would be upheld, instead of marriage equality being thrown back to the states.Four out of 10 judges Trump chose during his first term are unabashedly anti-LGBTQ+. He appointed over 54 conservative judges nationwide, and they will remain on the bench long after hes gone.LGBTQ+ Americans in red states especially have concerns about their marriage and other civil rights being upheld. Benefits up in the air | ShutterstockThere are 1,138 federal benefits and hundreds of state-specific benefits that heterosexual couples take for granted. Denying these benefits to same-sex couples will cause financial instability and immense stress. Being a widow, all the federal benefits have benefited me, Pat stated. Im on spousal Social Security and not paying taxes on our joint money is that going to go away?Jim Obergefell, not an activist of any sort, never expected to be a cause clbre.But when he sued his home state of Ohio for refusing to recognize him as the widower of his deceased spouse, the lawsuit made its way to the highest court. Jim Obergefell, then 48, the lead plaintiff in the four marriage equality cases collectively known as Obergefell v. Hodge, now has his legacy hanging in the balance once again. Withvictory comes backlashRatifying marriage equality was the right thing to do and it should not be repealed.Obergefells victory expanded the nations understanding of marriage as a fundamental right awarded to all people.However, if Roe v. Wade can be overturned after 50 years, so too can marriage equality, highlighting that no ones rights can be taken for granted.Sherry, a married lesbian tired professor of nursing, stated, Im aware now that what we take as a right is always conditional.Sadly, thats true.I have married over 250 LGBTQ+ couples since it was legalized in Massachusetts in 2004 to the present day. Each one was an honor to officiate.When interviewed for Massachusetts 20th anniversary ofmarriage equality, a newsman asked to see my photos. I have hundreds of them. I had to sort them into three piles: deceased, divorced, and still together. However, I never imagined the day would come when I would have to stop collecting such pictures at all.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Saints are trading for Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, a source confirmed to ESPN.

The film studio, which some say has turned rightward under its new owner, said it disagreed with thousands of Hollywood professionals pledging to boycott Israeli film institutions.