The Goodnewspaper The 2025 Pride Edition

Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States in 2025 is a paradoxical experience — one I struggle to summarize in just a few words. Elected leaders unabashedly promote policies and rhetoric that attempt to erase queer and trans people from societal, recorded, or literal existence, often seemingly without consequences. Meanwhile, our LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors, and loved ones remain right there beside us — flesh and bones we can hold, embody, and witness in this tangible reality. I find myself repeatedly asking: How can LGBTQ+ existence be erased when the people we love are right here, radiating miraculous and boundless joy? LGBTQ+ author and activist Dan Savage has written extensively about the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community amid social oppression. One of his most notable quotes is…

In January 2025, Thailand legalized same-sex marriage, one of three Asian countries to ever do so. The country is famously open and accepting of LGBTQ+ people, but it took decades for that acceptance to become the law of the land. “We were not accepted, by our own families and by society,” Ann “Waaddao” Chumaporn told the BBC. “There were times when we did not think marriage equality would ever happen, but we never gave up.” Following the decision, an estimated 1,000 LGBTQ+ couples got married in one day. The country came out in bold, unapologetic support, hosting a parade to congratulate newlywed LGBTQ+ couples. Restaurants also offered free meals to newlyweds, and joyful couples shared their stories on social media. “Today is a historical and remarkable day that we are…

In March 2025, Utah's state government passed a law banning the display of certain flags in schools and other “government property.” While the bill itself does not name specific types of flags that would be banned, one of its sponsors, Republican State Rep. Trevor Lee, posted on social media that the bill would “ban Pride flags” from Utah schools. Once the law is in effect, state or local government buildings will be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than those approved by lawmakers, per The Associated Press. The bill became law without the governor's signature just two days before Transgender Day of Visibility. So, to celebrate Utah's trans residents — and defy the new bill — activists unfurled what was called the “world's largest transgender flag.” Flying…

It's no secret that homosexual behavior is natural in the animal kingdom. For example, male zebra finches form lifelong monogamous relationships with each other, which include courtship dances and sex. Roughly 10% of all male sheep exhibit homosexual tendencies, too. On a farm, however, rams who don't mate with female sheep are considered useless and often end up in slaughterhouses. For shepherd Michael Stücke, this fact became a calling. On his farm in Germany, Stücke has created a sanctuary for gay sheep, saving them from nearcertain death and helping LGBTQ+ humans in the process. In partnership with creative agency Serviceplan, Stücke rescues the sheep and sources their wool in a sustainable and labor-intensive process to create yarn for a line of products called Rainbow Wool. All products, including hats, shoelaces,…

GOOD Display your allyship and pride! Whether it's a sign, pin, flag, or even a subtle nod to LGBTQ+ culture, it signals to people that they are in a safe space. Get a Pride flag that gives back at flagsforgood.com. BETTER Intentionally introduce yourself using your name and pronouns. What feels like a simple gesture for cisgender people normalizes the practice and welcomes people to a space with care. ggg.news/tags/gender-pronouns BEST Do not tolerate harassment or bullying. At work, school, or in social settings, we must stand up against hate and discrimination. Right To Be offers free bystander intervention trainings to help you gain confidence. righttobe.org…

Although many countries across the globe do not protect LGBTQ+ rights and may even be implementing regressive policies, progress is still happening worldwide. Today, same-sex relationships are legal in two-thirds of countries. The freedom to choose one's intimate partners has become increasingly protected since the second half of the 20th century, according to Our World In Data. In the late 18th century, same-sex relationships were only legal in around two dozen countries. By 2020, same-sex intimacy was legal in 133 countries out of those studied by researchers. That said, until the 1990s, no countries formally protected LGBTQ+ rights outside of same-sex sexual acts. But since then, progress has been made every year. Estonia was the first country to allow a gender marker change without restrictions in 1992, prompting a few…