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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 5h

Houston’s rainbow crosswalks were built for safety and remembrance, not politics. Now, Gov. Abbott’s order to remove them has sparked outrage and renewed calls for LGBTQ visibility and belonging in Texas. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/hous...

Erasing Color, Erasing Community: Houston’s Rainbow Crosswalks and the Fight for Visibility

Houston’s rainbow crosswalks were created to honor a life lost, not to make a political statement. Now, after Governor Abbott ordered their removal, community leaders say the move represents a deeper ...

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 2d

Houston Art Weeks (Oct. 10–19) brings 30+ artists, galleries, and studios together citywide. Meet creators, explore exhibits, and support LGBTQ mental health services at the Montrose Center through this inaugural fundraiser. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/hous...

Houston Art Weeks Debuts with Artists, Galleries, and a Lot of Heart

Houston Art Weeks launches October 10–19, spotlighting local galleries and artists while raising funds for the Montrose Center, Houston’s leading LGBTQ social services provider.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 3d

OutSmart magazine is thrilled to announce the winners and finalists of our 28th Annual Gayest & Greatest Awards.

This year’s winners—extraordinary local individuals, organizations, and businesses—rose to the top thanks to your support. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/outs...

OutSmart’s Magazine 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners

Celebrating those who make Houston shine.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 3d

Harris County’s Fab Five judges are held to higher standards—and exceed them with fairness, leadership, and innovation. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/exce...

Excellence Under Pressure: Harris County’s "Fab Five" Judges

Harris County’s “Fab Five” LGBTQ judges face constant scrutiny and higher expectations. Their record of fairness, reform, and leadership shows how representation and excellence go hand in hand.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 7d

As the sun travels through Libra and enters Scorpio later in the month, balance and reflection give way to intensity and focus. Planetary shifts bring both supportive and busy days. Check out what’s in store this October. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/horo...

October Horoscope: Libra Season Boosts Balance

With the sun in Libra shifting to Scorpio on the 22nd, relationships and self-care take focus. Venus, Mercury and Mars move, shaping smoother midmonth energy and busier dates.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 10d

With nine states urging the Supreme Court to revisit marriage equality, Clarence Thomas says precedent doesn’t carry sacred weight. In his 2022 Dobbs opinion, he called for the court to reconsider rulings on same-sex marriage and private sexual conduct. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/thom...

Thomas Casts Doubt on Precedent Amid Calls to Revisit Marriage Equality

Justice Clarence Thomas said precedent isn’t “the gospel,” raising fresh concerns about marriage equality as conservative states and activists push the court to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 11d

The Montrose Center’s Out for Good gala is back with a Leather and Lace theme. Honorees Atlantis Narcisse and Brad Pritchett will be celebrated for their leadership, resilience, and dedication to Houston’s LGBTQ community. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/mont...

Leather, Lace and Legacy: Montrose Center Gala Honors Community Leaders

The Montrose Center’s 2025 Out for Good gala honors Atlantis Narcisse and Brad Pritchett for their leadership in advancing Houston’s LGBTQ community.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 11d

Texas Tech ordered faculty to restrict classroom discussions of transgender identities. Faculty and students fear censorship, while critics say the vague directive violates academic freedom and further marginalizes LGBTQ students. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/texa...

Texas Tech Orders Faculty to Restrict Transgender Identity Discussions

The Texas Tech University System directed faculty to restrict classroom discussion of transgender and nonbinary identities, sparking backlash from free speech groups, legal experts, and LGBTQ advocate...

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 14d

The former Eagle Houston space is getting a new life as Varsity Bar. Owner Jeff Harmon says the venue will blend sports, music, and community while keeping Montrose’s LGBTQ legacy alive. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/vars...

Varsity Bar Honors Montrose Legacy at Former Eagle Houston Site

Jeff Harmon’s Varsity Bar opens at the former Eagle Houston site, honoring Montrose’s LGBTQ legacy while adding a fresh mix of sports, music, and entertainment.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 17d

The Invisible Histories Project made it possible, and JD Doyle made it happen: OutSmart’s 30-year archive is now digitized, offering a vital record of Houston’s LGBTQ history. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/outs...

Preserving Houston’s LGBTQ History: OutSmart Archives Go Digital

With support from the Invisible Histories Project, historian JD Doyle has digitized OutSmart’s archives, preserving more than 30 years of Houston’s LGBTQ history in one accessible online collection.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 18d

Gov. Abbott signed SB 8 into law, requiring people in Texas public buildings to use restrooms matching the sex on their birth certificate. LGBTQ advocates call it discriminatory and harmful. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/texa...

Abbott Signs Texas Bathroom Bill into Law

Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8, prohibiting transgender Texans from using restrooms that align with their gender identity in public buildings. Advocates call it discriminatory and harmful.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 18d

Ryan Williams, a corps de ballet dancer with Houston Ballet, performs in the mixed rep Rock, Roll & Tutus. This Friday, September 26, LGBTQ audiences and friends are invited to Out at the Ballet, a special community reception before the performance. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/ryan...

Houston Ballet’s Ryan Williams Brings Passion to Rock, Roll & Tutus

Ryan Williams, a corps de ballet dancer with Houston Ballet, shines in Rock, Roll & Tutus, a program mixing classical elegance with Rolling Stones-inspired contemporary flair.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 18d

OUT at the Ballet is back on Friday, September 26th at 7:30 PM with Houston Ballet’s production of Rock, Roll & Tutus! Use promo code OUTBALLET to save 25% off tickets to Friday’s special performance. Get your tickets now at Houstonballet.org! 🎟️

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 21d

The rainbow crosswalks at Westheimer and Taft were removed during repaving, leaving Montrose without one of its most visible LGBTQ landmarks. METRO says reinstating them depends on a city review of new federal roadway guidelines. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/mont...

Montrose Rainbow Crosswalks Removed During Repaving, Future in Question

Houston’s rainbow crosswalks at Westheimer and Taft were removed during repaving. Their return depends on a city review of new federal rules restricting roadway art.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 23d

After LGBTQ crisis support was removed from the 988 hotline by the Trump administration, a new bill co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin and Lisa Murkowski would require those lifesaving services be reinstated. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/lgbt...

Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Restore LGBTQ Youth Crisis Hotline Services

Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Lisa Murkowski introduced a bill to reinstate LGBTQ crisis support through the 988 suicide hotline, following a rollback under the Trump administration.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 23d

Houston’s bearded beauty, Blackberri, returns to Dragula: Titans with sharper looks and bigger bite. Expect cult horror vibes, anime glam, and plenty of queer chaos. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/blac...

Houston’s Blackberri Joins Dragula: Titans Season 2

Houston’s own Blackberri makes a fierce return in Dragula: Titans Season 2, bringing horror, humor, and unapologetic artistry to the spotlight starting October 7 on Shudder.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 24d

After nearly a year, Texas quietly ended its case against Dr. Hector Granados. The state says it found no legal violations related to care for transgender youth. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/texa...

Texas Drops Lawsuit Against Doctor in Trans Youth Care Case

Texas quietly ended its lawsuit against Dr. Hector Granados, finding no violations of the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth after a full review.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 25d

Rita Cordero and Juan Perez found healing and purpose through FLAS. Their journeys—sobriety, recovery, and leadership—show how community support can transform lives and create lasting impact. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/flas...

Volunteers at the Forefront of FLAS Pride

FLAS’s parade presence and ambassador program frame two powerful volunteer journeys. Rita Cordero found sobriety and stability; Juan Perez turned grief into service and leadership within the community...

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 25d

Born from the AIDS crisis, FLAS has grown into a 10,000-square-foot hub of health, recovery, and community support. Founder Elia Chino leads with dignity, compassion, and cultural pride for Houston’s LGBTQ Latino community. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/flas...

FLAS and Elia Chino Lift Houston’s LGBTQ Latino Community

For 31 years, FLAS—founded by Elia Chino—has supported Houston’s LGBTQ Latino community with free, bilingual services, from HIV testing and mental health care to housing and wellness programs.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · 28d

Semifinalist Clayton Reeves says just showing up on American Ninja Warrior is a win for his community. Meet the out trans athlete turning competition into activism. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/clay...

How This Transgender American Ninja Warrior Athlete Finds Strength in Sports

Clayton Jay Reeves, one of the first out trans men to reach the American Ninja Warrior semifinals, confirmed a Season 18 callback and says visibility is its own resistance.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · Sep 10

Charlie Kirk, 31, was killed after being shot during a Utah Valley University event. The Turning Point USA co-founder and vocal anti-LGBTQ activist was on the first stop of his American Comeback Tour. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/char...

Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Dies at 31 After Utah Campus Shooting

Charlie Kirk, 31, a conservative activist and vocal opponent of LGBTQ rights, was killed after being shot at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · Sep 9

Onegin is one of ballet’s most iconic works, celebrated for its emotional depth, sweeping Tchaikovsky score, and groundbreaking choreography by John Cranko.

Experience this dramatic production onstage at the Wortham Theater Center from Sept 5–14. Tickets on sale now at houstonballet.org🎟️

outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · Sep 9

More than 1,000 LGBTQ Catholics gathered in Rome for a historic pilgrimage, marking a shift from decades of exclusion to visibility and acceptance. Pilgrims hope Pope Leo will build on Francis’ legacy of compassion and welcome. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/lgbt...

LGBTQ Catholics Look to Pope Leo for Greater Acceptance

Around 1,000 LGBTQ Catholics joined a first official Rome pilgrimage, processing through the Holy Door as many hope Pope Leo XIV will build on Pope Francis’ legacy of welcome.

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · Sep 8

Sabrina Carpenter used her MTV VMAs stage to blend pop and protest. With drag performers, dancers in police uniforms, and signs like “Protect Trans Rights,” her performance of “Tears” was as political as it was powerful. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/sabr...

Sabrina Carpenter Brings Trans Rights Protest to MTV VMAs

At the MTV VMAs, Sabrina Carpenter performed “Tears” with drag performers and dancers dressed as police, as onstage signs read “In Trans We Trust” and “Protect Trans Rights.”

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outsmartmagazine.bsky.social @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social · Sep 5

Balloons aren’t just for clowns and kids’ parties. Houston artist DJ Morrow turns them into fine art and protest pieces that demand attention, from somber memorials to biting political critiques. www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/09/dj-m...

DJ Morrow Turns Balloons Into Bold Protest and Fine Art

DJ Morrow uses balloons to create fine art with a political edge, from immersive installations to protest pieces, challenging viewers to respond and rethink their world.

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