The internet is a great tool for LGBTQ+ youth to explore their identities, but it can also be a source of harm. Whether it’s due to being targeted for bullying or exposure to negative messaging on social media, it’s important that LGBTQ+ youth have safe, affirming online spaces where they can feel confident in their identity.
The Advocate
The Advocate, from writer/director Leslie Magahey, tackles a wide range of issues in a smart and entertaining manner. It also raises serious questions about the nature of justice and intolerance.
The story begins with a lawyer who takes up residence in a small French village and decides to practice his trade there. He’s convinced that his legal knowledge will help him find clients.
The lawyer doesn’t realize, of course, that his new inn is actually a whorehouse. He also doesn’t know that the dark-skinned gypsy serving him dinner is a prostitute.
Queerty
Queerty is a site that covers a variety of different news topics for the LGBT community. This includes slice of life and entertainment stories, as well as political stories.
Queerty also publishes a lot of articles about celebrities. These include stories about drag queens and famous singers.
The site has a large audience and is a great resource for people who are interested in learning more about the LGBTQ community. The site also offers a wide range of articles and a blog.
BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed is a media company that is known for online quizzes, listicles, and fun pop-culture articles. It also delves into politics, business, beauty tips, and animals.
The site is popular among the LGBT community for its content and for refusing to shy away from uncomfortable conversations. Their articles have been widely translated and are seen around the world.
In 2022, BuzzFeed decided to close down its news division due to the economic pressures that digital publishing has placed on it. The decision marks the end of a pioneering era for the company.
Outsports
Founded in 1999, Outsports is the world’s leading online LGBTQ-sports publication. Now owned by Vox Media and connected to SB Nation, an independent sports media brand with more than 300 fan communities, it showcases a rainbow lens on sports news through its well-curated articles, photos and videos.
Powered by respected web-native sports journalists, it gives fans a platform to engage with their favorite teams and players. It also has a large section of fan-generated photos and stories.
Washington Blade
Since 1969, the Washington Blade has served as a resource for the LGBT community in the metro area. It is the oldest LGBTQ publication still in print.
Founded as a one-sheet newsletter that was distributed in local bars, the Blade has evolved into a full-service news outlet for the LGBT community. It is a credentialed member of the White House press pool and the only LGBTQ newspaper in the White House Correspondents Association.
In September 2009, The Blade’s owner Window Media filed for bankruptcy. Within a year, the staff members of the Blade bought the rights to its name and assets. Now the newspaper is published under a new name, DC Agenda, by Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia Inc.
Bay Area Reporter
Since 1971, the Bay Area Reporter has been America’s longest continuously published and highest-circulation LGBT newspaper. It’s renowned for practicing advocacy journalism, and producing original reporting on news and culture from an LGBTQ perspective.
Its editors have included Dennis Conkin, Matthew Bajko (until 2006), Zak Szymanski and Mark Mardon. Assistant editors have included Jim Provenzano, who also wrote a sports column from 1996 to 2006.
In March 2020, the paper faced a severe drop in advertising due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite two staff layoffs, it continued to publish.
Towleroad
Founded in 2003, Towleroad is a site that provides cultural and timely content across an array of interests. It covers gay culture, politics, media, entertainment, and travel.
Andy Towle is the site’s founder and editor-in-chief. Towle launched Towleroad in October 2003 as gay blogs were gaining popularity and the internet was growing as a news source for queer readers.
The gay blog industry has been a hotbed of controversy lately, with many sites for the LGBTQ community struggling to stay afloat. Sites like 365Gay and The Backlot shut down in 2011, while AfterEllen, BuzzFeed, and HuffPost have all announced major layoffs.