The removal of LGBTQ+ public displays is, apparently, still a priority as we head into the new year – what’s the latest on rainbow crosswalks in Texas and Florida? What are some stories from 2025 our roundtable is carrying into 2026? And of course, where is our roundtable finding queer joy right now? This week’s roundtable: Publisher and President of Dallas Voice and OUT North Texas, and co-chair of the National LGBT Media Association, Leo Cusimano Editor-in-Chief of Watermark Out News, Ryan Williams Jent LGBTQ+ Beat reporter at The 19th, Kate Sosin Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

2025 was quite the year! What are some stories that we’re carrying with us as we leave the year behind? Where is the latest round of book banning in the United States taking place? And how is HIV stigma affecting online dating? Joining us for these stories and more: Investigative journalist and lead designer at Uncloseted Media, Sam Donndelinger Senior Director of local news for the U.S. South for GLAAD, Darian Aaron. Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

We’re exploring the place of blogs in the LGBTQ+ journalism landscape this week! What space do blogs occupy now as we report the news – and how have they evolved? What are the barriers that come up in blogging, including relationships with “legacy” newsrooms? And what kind of impact can blogs have? Joining us to answer these questions and many more: Creator of Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, one of The Advocate’s People of the Year and member of the OUT100, Sue Kerr (Instagram: @pghlesbian) Creator of the blog My Fabulous Disease, Outstanding Blog Award winner from GLAAD and member of the OUT100, Mark S. King (Instagram: @mark.s.king) Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

The intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and military – we know it’s a tricky space, so what is the latest for our LGBTQ+ siblings serving in the armed forces? From the military to the classrooms, what are the latest LGBTQ+ stories you need to know in the educational sector? And it is, of course, the holiday season – what holiday LGBTQ+ stories do you need to know about? Joining us for these stories and more: Reporter for HuffPost covering LGBTQ+ rights, Levi Kalish Founder and Editor in Chief of Uncloseted Media, Spencer Macnaughton Senior national reporter for The Advocate, Christopher Wiggins Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

Last week we mentioned the Trump administration’s cancellation of the recognition of World AIDS Day, but didn’t really dive into implications. What effects did we actually see? What are some of the intersections between technology and LGBTQ+ issues that have us talking? And falling birthrates: how concerned should we be and how queer of an issue is this? Joining us for these stories and more: Senior staff writer for The Buckeye Flame, H.L. Comeriato Managing editor for The Sero Project and Communications Lead for the US People Living with HIV Caucus, Juan Michael Porter II Data and Technology reporter for The 19th, Jasmine Mithani Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

The Trump administration has canceled recognition of World AIDS Day. Is there anything the administration could do at this point that would actually surprise us? While the 2025 election is over, there are a slew of LGBTQ+ political stories happening across the country. And gender-affirming care and services continue to be a source of drama in the news – what’s the latest? Joining us for these stories and more: Editor-in-chief of The Advocate, Alex Cooper Executive Director of Queer Kentucky, Missy Spears Host of The Gaily Show, airing every weekday on AM950 in Minneapolis, John Parker. Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

This week, we’re covering threats to SNAP benefits. How gay of an issue is this, and who is stepping up to help? It is, of course, never too early for Pride news, so we’ll talk a bit about some developments in both Tucson, Arizona and in Ohio. And as always – where is our roundtable finding queer joy in the news this week? Joining us this week for these stories and more: Editor-in-chief and founder of LOOKOUT, Joseph Darius Jaafari Staff writer for The Buckeye Flame, and a corps member of Report for America, Ben Jodway Pulitzer-Prize-winning enterprise reporter for The Washington Post, Marissa J. Lang Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

Extra, Extra is an opportunity to hear more from the LGBTQ+ journalists who have helped define  the field and continue to shape opportunities for LGBTQ+ journalists. Mark Segal founded the Philadelphia Gay News, created and served as president of the National LGBT Newspaper Guild, pioneered in the radio space as an out gay radio host, and is a member of the LGBT Journalist Hall of Fame. Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

Ohio’s gone through some redistricting – and Susan Tebben is here to update us and share why this is an LGBTQ+ issue. LGBTQ+ organizations across the country are struggling to keep themselves afloat – just how bad is it getting? There are several efforts to restrict names and pronouns across the country, but we want to highlight one initiative that’s actually validating individuals. Oh, and the Supreme Court declined to revisit their decision on same-sex marriage.  Joining us for these stories and more: Reporter for The Ohio Capital Journal, Susan Tebben Training Director at Investigative Reporters and Editors, Adam Rhodes. Digital editor for Indiana Public Broadcasting, Lauren Chapman. Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

Many local municipalities are taking matters into their own hands to achieve the LGBTQ+ equality that is just not happening nationally. We cover how it’s working in Pennsylvania, look at Illinois’ Equality for Every Family Act, and answer if LGBTQ+ advocates should fully pivot to local approaches in states, like Ohio, with plenty of gerrymandering. And of course, we have to talk about marriage equality. How worried should we be as the Supreme Court decides whether to take Kim Davis’ case this week? Joining us for these stories and more: Editor-in-chief of the Ohio Capital Journal, David DeWitt Managing Editor for The Windy City Times, Jake Wittich Freelance editor and writer, and former editor of the Philadelphia Gay News, Jason Villemez Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

NBC News has fired a ton of journalists, including NBC OUT, their LGBTQ+ news vertical. What does that mean for our media ecosystem? And we dive into the experiences of LGBTQ+ elders, a topic far too infrequently discussed in the media.   Joining us for these stories and more: Senior Staff writer for The Buckeye Flame, H.L. Comeriato Managing editor for The Sero Project and Communications Lead for the US PLHIV Caucus, Juan Micheal Porter II Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

New research has been released on what the LGBTQ+ community thinks about the issues affecting our lives. Anti-trans policies continue to abound across the country – with consequences that you may not have considered. And despite attacks, there are folks creating safe spaces for our LGBTQ+ siblings – and we’ll be discussing their efforts. Joining us for these stories and more: Data and Technology reporter for the 19th, Jasmine Mithani Investigative Journalist at Uncloseted Media, Hope Pisoni Freelance journalist who has written for everyone from LGBTQ Nation to Pride Source Media and to the Detroit Free Press, Ellen Knoppow Hear some interesting loopholes about Kim Davis’ case in our Sept. 24th episode Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

This week, we’re setting aside dialogue on healthcare bans, conversion therapy, and cuts to crisis resources to talk about queer culture. How do we know it when we see it? How are we doing with representation – and where do we need more than a bit of work? Joining us for this discussion: Membership Director at GALECA and Coordinator of Out On Film, Jim Farmer Interviewer, film journalist, and radio host for POC Culture, Jorgie Rodriguez Professor and James Beard nominated writer, Rax Will Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

The cuts to gender-affirming care continue to leave families stranded amid growing uncertainty across the country – including Ohio’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital ending gender affirming care for all patients, including adults. There is so much LGBTQ+ news coming at journalists from every angle. How do they pick the stories they are going to cover? And, of course, where is our roundtable finding queer joy in this news lately? Joining us this week for these stories and more: LGBTQ+ Reporter for The 19th, Orion Rummler Religion and culture reporter at Fresnoland and corps member for Report for America, Gisselle Medina Investigative journalist and lead designer at Uncloseted Media, Sam Donndelinger Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

Anna DeShawn is a media visionary who creates unique spaces and places for black and indigenous people of color and for queer and trans people of color. In 2009, Anna founded E3 Radio, an online radio station that plays queer music and reports on queer news with a focus on intersectionality. In 2020, Anna co-founded The Qube, a podcast production company and curated platform to discover the best music and podcasts by BIPOC, queer, and trans creatives. Extra, Extra is an opportunity to hear more from the LGBTQ+ journalists who have helped define the field and continue to shape opportunities for LGBTQ+ journalists. Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

We’re seeing the effects of cutting LGBTQ+ specific services for callers to 988, the crisis hotline for queer youth. The absolute horror-show of issues faced by incarcerated trans folks are still getting coverage, but likely not as much as it should. Amidst this, there are stories of resilience and joy in small towns across the country. Plus, we’re somehow already talking about Pride 2026! Joining us for these stories and more: LGBTQ+ Beat Reporter at the 19th, Kate Sosin Training Director at Investigative Reporters and Editors, Adam Rhodes Digital editor for Indiana Public Broadcasting, Lauren Chapman.  Find “Indiana’s Legislative Trail” at https://ipbs.org/projects/civicallyindiana/gov.html  Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

It’s been an absolutely wild and dizzying news week. With LGBTQ-related  details around Charlie Kirk’s murder being proven and debunked and referenced again over and over and the LGBTQ+ community getting thrown into the mix – how do we manage the deluge? There is so much happening across the country, and today we’re going to dive into some of the latest. And in the midst of the chaos – where is our roundtable finding queer joy this week? Joining us this week for these stories and more: News and Rapid Response Coordinator for GLAAD, Jacob Reyes Managing Director for News is Out, Dana Piccoli Founder and Editor in Chief of Uncloseted Media, Spencer Macnaughton Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

The Supreme Court case around conversion therapy is coming up fast. What’s at stake for LGBTQ+ communities across the country? Black Gay Pride celebrations are coming up in cities all across the country. Why are those celebrations so very important? And where’s our roundtable finding queer joy lately? Joining us this week for these stories and more: Staff writer for The Buckeye Flame, a corps member of Report for America, Ben Jodway Executive Director of Queer Kentucky, Missy Spears Award-winning journalist, writer, preacher, co-host of the B4Nine podcast, Mashaun D. Simon Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

Extra, Extra is an opportunity to hear more from the LGBTQ+ journalists who have helped define  the field and continue to shape opportunities for LGBTQ+ journalists. Tracy Baim co-founded the Windy City Times in 1985. She’s the author of 14 books, including Gay Press, Gay Power: The Growth of LGBT Newspapers in America and has worked 41 years in local LGBTQ media, and has been inducted into the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame as well as the Hall of Fame for the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.  Tracy currently serves as the executive director of Press Forward Chicago and helped spearhead the LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project. Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.

The Trump administration executive order on homelessness, “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets”,  is causing immense concern in the LGBTQ+ community. What are the latest restrictions surrounding queer public life in the United States? And tune in to hear where today’s panelists are finding queer joy in the world this week! Joining us to discuss these stories and more: Reporter for The 19th, Candice Norwood Director of local news for the U.S. South for GLAAD, Darian Aaron Freelance editor and writer and editor of Philadelphia Gay News, Jason Villemez Keep up with The Buckeye Flame online: Website: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuckeyeflame/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thebuckeyeflame.com Support for This News is So Gay comes from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, leveraging philanthropy to empower LGBTQ+ communities.