A gay couple from Chicago, Zafar Padamsee Mawani and Guillermo Jaffet Hidalgo Ortiz, have been found dead outside of Mexico City. The two moved to Mexico City in October of last year and have been missing since May 20th of this year. Their bodies were located on June 17 in a wooded area on the outskirts of Mexico City. 

Local authorities had been searching for the couple after making several arrests related to the case. Suspects informed authorities where to find the bodies, leading local prosecutors to uncover four bodies near La Marquesa National Park, two of which were Mawani and Ortiz.

All the Names Not Found

Unfortunately, the couple’s case is not unique in Mexico. More than 135,000 people are missing across Mexico related to criminal violence; 977 people were reported missing during May alone. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to address these missing people cases. About 22,000 missing people were found alive last year, while homicides have also dropped nearly 40% under President Sheinbaum’s tenure.

Hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ in Mexico remain on the rise. Local organizations have tracked hundreds of murders of LGBTQIA+ people over the past several years, with trans people being especially vulnerable to violence across the country. 

Remembering What We Lost

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Mawani’s family expressed their love and mourning. 

“Zafar was authentic in a way that made others feel more grounded and seen…He believed in abundance when it came to building genuine connections and creating spaces where people could flourish,” the statement read. 

GLAAD also released a statement paying tribute to the couple’s lives. 

“Our hearts are with everyone who loved Guillermo Ortiz and Zafar Mawani, a Chicago couple who were found killed in Mexico after they were missing for several weeks. May Guillermo and Zafar rest in peace,” GLAAD wrote in an Instagram post. 

The family of the couple has started a GoFundMe, where people can donate to a memorial bench to be placed near their relatives in Oak Park, IL. 

The post Gay Couple Discovered Dead in Mass Grave Near Mexico City  appeared first on LBS.

This year, Pride organizers across the country reported historic lows in fundraising and corporate sponsorship. Several celebrations were even canceled for the first time ever, including Pride events in Tampa, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; and Arlington, Texas. In the face of significant political backlash, queer people still showed up across the country this month in parades, parties, and protests. Here are the companies and organizations who stood by Pride this year, and made it all happen. 

Skyy Vodka

The liquor company has been sponsoring Pride celebrations for years, and 2026 was no different. As a key sponsor of NYC Pride, Skyy stood by their commitments to inclusion. They also were the Official Vodka Partner for the SO.GAY Pride House, a pride event earlier in June. The brand has supported LGBTQIA+ events since it started in 1992, including serving as the official alcohol partner of NYC’s 2019 World Pride Celebration. 

Delta Airlines

Delta has been a supporter of Pride celebrations for decades. This year, the airline sponsored Seattle Pridefest, Miami Beach Pride, Twin Cities Pride, and more.  On a culture level, the company has a history of supporting LGBTQIA+ employees. In 2016 and 2017, Delta was named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality, attaining a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Red Bull

The beverage company has been vocal about their support of LGBTQIA+ people both on their social channels and in the way they support Pride celebrations. This year, RedBull is a sponsor of San Francisco Pride, and hosted a Ballroom show at the celebration. The energy drink company has regularly supported queer athletes, and continues to be at the center of many Pride celebrations around the world.  

Kaiser Permanente

The health care coverage company has been a substantial sponsor of Pride celebrations this year. Kaiser was a significant sponsor for San Francisco Pride, Denver Pride, Portland Pride, and more.  

Mistr

The LGBTQIA+owned  telehealth company was a key sponsor of DC’s Black Pride this year. Mistr has a reputation for supporting LGBTQIA+ people both in funding community events and directly serving the community’s needs. Mistr provides sexual health services including PrEP for no cost to users, handling all of the heavy lifting on working with insurance and patient assistance programs. The company is owned and operated by LGBTQIA+ people and remains committed to supporting queer events across the country. 

In addition to these companies countless local organizations, LGBTQIA+ media outlets, and nonprofits supported Pride both behind the scenes and in front of the spotlight. Pride celebrations take countless hours of work, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and real dedication to inclusion. 2026 was a year full of challenges, but also full of hard work to create bright moments of visibility.

About Mistr

Mistr is a gay-owned and operated online platform that brings together doctors, pharmacists, and industry minds to provide resources and PrEP to folks in need. Instead of relying on insurance providers to approve the purchase of PrEP, Mistr cuts out the middleman to help people get their prescriptions covered.

The post The Companies that Actually Showed Up for Pride this Year appeared first on LBS.

According to a new report from the United Nations, HIV prevention uptake has dropped significantly under Trump’s cuts to aid. The number of people who received PrEP medication has declined by 38% between 2024 and 2025. Meaning more than a million fewer people took the life-saving drug than previously.

Cutting Progress and Prevention

This concerning decline comes after significant cuts to foreign aid by the United States under Trump. These cuts are also deeper than just one program. The White House’s budget proposal for 2027 would decimate HIV prevention funding from just over $1 billion to $220 million.

“Once again, Donald Trump is putting political retribution above Americans’ health, taking away needed tools that prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases like HIV, cutting off investment in our health care workforce, and stopping Americans from getting the care they need. Donald Trump and RFK, Jr. are putting Americans’ lives and health on the line just to play petty politics and punish those who’ve spoken out against him,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin after the Trump administration announced a round of $600 million in cuts to public health funding.

The Costs of these Cuts

In some regions, this reduced funding affects community-based organizations that offer services when hospitals are too far away. A 2026 survey that involved 79 of those organizations found that delivery of PrEP by community-led organizations was reduced by 50%, and services to support people living with HIV were also down by 50%, including a reduction of more than 80% of services to men who have sex with men and sex workers.

Last year, 1.2 million people acquired HIV, and 570,000 people lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses. While the Trump administration makes cuts to critical resources, the incredible progress that has been made on prevention threatens to be undone. 

If you are interested in getting on PrEP and you are based in the United States, there are ways to get covered right away. Mistr is a telehealth platform built to provide care for anyone who wants it in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The site connects you with at-home testing, a licensed physician, and medication delivered right to your door. This model increases accessibility for the life-saving drug at a time when it is under direct attack. 

About Mistr

Mistr is a gay-owned and operated online platform that brings together doctors, pharmacists, and industry minds to provide resources and PrEP to folks in need. Instead of relying on insurance providers to approve the purchase of PrEP, Mistr cuts out the middleman to help people get their prescriptions covered.

The post Trump’s Public Health Cuts Have Led to a Dangerous Drop in Global HIV Prevention appeared first on LBS.

Over the past several years, the Trump administration has cut critical funding for HIV research and has sought to limit access to life-saving sexual health medication. As the White House looks to defund prevention efforts, local governments are taking the lead to protect and expand access to PrEP and other medications. 

New York

In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that requires insurance companies to cover PrEP to help prevent HIV infection across the state. New York State continues to have the highest PrEP coverage in the nation, and has more people receiving it than almost any other jurisdiction. 

Rhode Island

In 2024, the Rhode Island legislature passed a law that expanded how accessible PrEP is across the state. This new law prohibits health insurance companies from requiring patients to make co-pays or meet a deductible in order to receive PrEP or any HIV prevention drug. 

Maine

In 2021, Governor Janet Mills signed “An Act to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Medications,” which expanded access to PrEP. The new law authorizes pharmacists to dispense PrEP without a prescription on a short-term basis. The law also reduces barriers to accessing PrEP by requiring carriers to cover at least one HIV prevention drug without prior authorization or step therapy, and by codifying in Maine law the federal regulatory requirement that PrEP be provided by private insurers without copays. 

Georgia

This year, Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 195, which authorizes local pharmacists to prescribe PrEP for the first time. The effort also includes a program called “Rx for Change,” a community-centered strategy that will train pharmacy teams and strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations to expand access to PrEP and other HIV prevention services.

Washington DC

Earlier this year, Washington DC’s City Council passed the “PrEP DC Act of 2025.” The legislation maximizes access to HIV prevention drugs and ensures health insurance protections. It prohibits insurers from penalizing, restricting, or charging out-of-pocket costs to individuals utilizing PrEP medications. 

Utah

In 2021, Utah passed HB0178, which altered state law to allow pharmacists to independently prescribe and dispense PrEP in addition to other sexual health medications. 

Whether you live in one of these states or not, you can still get covered by PrEP. Mistr is a telehealth platform that handles all of the details from testing to working with patient assistance programs. You can speak to a licensed physician and can get covered by PrEP without ever leaving your house. 

About Mistr

Mistr is a gay-owned and operated online platform that brings together doctors, pharmacists, and industry minds to provide resources and PrEP to folks in need. Instead of relying on insurance providers to approve the purchase of PrEP, Mistr cuts out the middleman to help people get their prescriptions covered.

The post The States Who Are Protecting PrEP Against All Odds appeared first on LBS.

Nebraska, Indiana, and Tennessee are among several states rebranding Pride month around religious conservative values. Conservative anti-LGBTQIA+ Governors are leading the erasure of queer celebrations by replacing them with their own religious bias. 

In Nebraska, June is now “Marriage and Family Month.” In Indiana and Tennessee, June is now “Nuclear Family Month.” In Alabama, June is “Strong Families Month.” In Utah and Arkansas, June is “Fidelity Month.” Notice a pattern? These bright red states are attempting to rebrand Pride under a moral high ground related to family unity and traditional Christian values. 

What Advocates Are Saying

LGBTQIA+ communities in these states are rightfully not enthusiastic about these changes. 

“The governor has been very clear that he’s got one particular view on what an acceptable family is. And families with two moms and two dads don’t fit that picture,” said Sam Petto, communications director for the ACLU of Nebraska in an interview with Nebraska Public Radio. “I’d say none of this comes as a surprise to queer Nebraskans and their loved ones.”

“Resolutions like this do more to reveal the cluelessness of elected officials whose own families and those of their constituents have various family dynamics and structures,” a spokesperson for GLAAD said in a statement to The Advocate in reference to Tennessee’s proclamation. “The strongest families are grounded by love. Lawmakers trying to exclude and intentionally harm some families should be recognized as actively harming all by not focusing their time working for an inclusive Tennessee where all are welcome and can succeed.”

Pride Will Power On

There are tens of thousands of LGBTQIA+ people who live in these states. Communities that are being erased just because it makes a few far-right Christians more comfortable. 

These proclamations follow new polling indicating that support for LGBTQIA+ people is falling across the country, most significantly with Republicans. Just 35% of Republicans believe same sex relationships are moral, and just 5% believe transitioning one’s gender is moral. 

“It’s not lost upon LGBTQ people when elected leaders don’t recognize or value the visibility of the community,” Josh Coleman, president of Central Alabama Pride said in an interview with The Guardian. “That’s why Pride started in the first place – to make sure the community had a community.”

Pride celebrations will still continue in communities across these red states, however, they need support now more than ever. If you are in or around any of these states with new June designations, attending, supporting, and volunteering for Pride organizations will be critical for these events to continue in the years to come.

The post Red States are Rebranding Pride Month as “Marriage and Family Month” appeared first on LBS.

There is a piece of legislation moving through Congress that could dramatically change how easy it is to get the lifesaving HIV prevention medication, PrEP. In March, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff, Tina Smith, and Representative Mark Takano reintroduced the PrEP Access and Coverage Act. 

Changing the Way Communities Get Covered

The bill would expand the availability of HIV prevention medications and care to communities that either can not afford care or don’t have access to care. It would ensure PrEP, screenings, diagnostic procedures, administrative fees, and clinical follow-ups are covered by patients’ health insurance, without the out-of-pocket costs that deter users from seeking care.

The bill comes on the heels of actions from the Trump administration that have threatened who can get care and how that care can be covered. In April, Trump released a budget that maintains funding for existing domestic HIV care, treatment, and PrEP programs but proposes to cut over $1.5 billion in HIV prevention, substance use, housing, and other programs. Additionally, Trump has cut CDC grants that support HIV prevention programs and several states have limited funding for those receiving federally funded HIV treatment.  The White House is trying to make it harder to access PrEP, this legislation is a response that could offer expanded protections if passed. 

“At a moment when protections for preventive care are being actively undermined, this legislation would safeguard and strengthen a national vision for PrEP access that aligns with our shared goal of ending HIV as an epidemic,” said Jeremiah Johnson, Executive Director, PrEP4All. 

The Potential Impacts

The PrEP Access and Coverage Act would specifically:

• Eliminate out-of-pocket costs for the medications and associated costs for individuals who are enrolled in federally regulated private and public health insurance. 
• Prohibit prior authorization requirements for HIV prevention drugs under private and public health insurance plans. 
• Prohibit denying coverage or increasing premiums for disability insurance, long-term care insurance, or life insurance policies based on a person using medication for HIV prevention. 
• Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish public health education campaigns to increase utilization of HIV prevention drugs.
• Establish a grant program for states and health care facilities to expand access to HIV prevention drugs for uninsured individuals and underserved communities. 
• Direct federal agencies to monitor compliance with HIV prevention drugs coverage requirements among private insurers and take appropriate enforcement actions. 

How You Can Get Care Right Now

While the legislation is still moving through the legislature, users can still get care through telehealth platforms that have revolutionized how HIV prevention can reach the people who need it. Mistr handles all of the collaboration needed with insurance companies and patient assistance programs to guarantee that users can get covered by PrEP. With everything happening entirely online, users don’t have to worry about complicated doctor’s visits, especially if they don’t have access to a reliable provider. 

About Mistr

Mistr is a gay-owned and operated online platform that brings together doctors, pharmacists, and industry minds to provide resources and PrEP to folks in need. Instead of relying on insurance providers to approve the purchase of PrEP, Mistr cuts out the middleman to help people get their prescriptions covered.

The post How The PrEP Access and Coverage Act Could Change HIV Prevention appeared first on LBS.

A new poll from Gallup reveals fewer Americans support queer relationships, queer marriages, and trans people than in recent years. The new data walks in tandem with a growing list of political attacks aimed at LGBTQIA+ people.

The Data Behind Discrimination

According to the data, 65% of the U.S. now believes that same-sex marriages are valid, down from 71% in 2023. 62% of the U.S. now believes that gay/lesbian relationships are morally acceptable, down from 71% in 2022. 38% of the U.S. now believes that hanging one’s gender is morally acceptable, down from 46% in 2021.  

The most considerable drop in support was among Republican voters. Now, only 35% of Republicans believe that gay/lesbian relationships are morally acceptable, and just 5% belive that changing one’s gender is morally acceptable. For those same questions, Democrats are at 81% and 60%, respectively. 

In another recent poll from Gallup, 9% of Americans identified as something other than straight/heterosexual. A small 0.3% decrease from the previous year. 

The Real Risks

This new data points to a sobering reality. America is a less accepting, less affirming, and less safe place for LGBTQIA+ people. There are well over 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills moving in statehouses across the country. Trans people are having thier ID’s revoked by state governments. States are forcing out anyone in leadership who supports LGBTQIA+ initiatives. Queer people are both systemically and directly under attack. 

In March, The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security released a third Red Flag Alert for the U.S. related to the Trump Administration’s anti-trans initiatives. As part of the Alert, The Institute mentioned the erasure of Trans people in public spaces, attacks on healthcare equality, and a disinformation campaign organized by political forces that is aiming to vilify and marginalize trans people even further. 

In recent years, countries including Canada, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Australia, and the Netherlands have issued warnings for queer travelers considering taking a trip to the U.S. 

The new study sends a clear message: the U.S. is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for LGBTQIA+ people. There are fewer places that queer people can get the care they need, the support they need, and the protections they need. If polls continue to indicate a decline in support, politicians will continue to be empowered to act with violence toward queer communities. 

The post New Poll Shows Fewer Americans Support LGBTQIA+ Equality appeared first on LBS.

UPDATE: On June 8, 2026, a jury in Brooklyn, NY convicted Dmitriy Popov of manslaughter as a hate crime for the murder of O’Shae Sibley. The jury also found Popov guilty for second-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, but acquitted him of a more serious charge of murder as a hate crime, which carried the potential of a life sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2026.

O’Shae Sibley’s killer now claims that he acted out of fear in a new testimony, in an attempt to justify the murder of a young queer Black person. 

The Case Against Popov

In July of 2023, a 17-year-old named Dmitriy Popov stabbed Sibley to death outside a gas station in Brooklyn. Sibley was a queer dancer, ballroom performer, and artist enjoying time with several friends after a day at the beach when Popov approached with a group of men using “derogatory names,” “homophobic slurs,” and “anti-Black statements.” After demanding that Sibley stop voguing, Popov plunged a knife into his heart. The tragic killing was quickly identified as a hate crime, and Popov was charged with murder in the second degree as a hate crime and manslaughter. 

On May 27th, in a courtroom in Brooklyn, Popov claimed he did not want to use the knife. He denied using slurs, contrary to several first-person witness accounts. He claimed he acted out of fear, not of hate. 

For the District Attorney to convict Popov of a hate crime, they will need to convince a jury that he used force against Sibley in part because of his race or sexual orientation. 

On the stand, Popov claimed to be “outnumbered” and “frightened.” Saying that he has no other choice but to act in self-defense. Popov claimed that Sibley rushed at him and attacked him. Eye witness testimony did not support these claims. 

A Greater Picture of Harm

Sibley’s murder is a tragedy that shares its story with acts of hate-fueled violence across the country. It is no secret that Black LGBTQIA+ people experience discrimination, hate crimes, violence, and trauma at significantly higher rates. 

In 2025, GLAAD tracked 1,042 anti-LGBTQ incidents across the country, indicating an increase from 2024. Including 128 acts of hateful vandalism, 76 violent assaults, 22 threats of mass violence, and 15 arson attempts. 

“O’Shae Sibley’s shocking murder follows a disturbing rise in violence and harassment against LGBTQ people across the U.S. This cannot continue. No one should have to fear for their safety just for being themselves. Politicians spewing lies and proposing policies filled with disinformation, and media repeating their false and dangerous rhetoric unchallenged, are creating an incredibly hostile environment that endangers all LGBTQ people and all queer people of color,” said Darian Aaron, GLAAD Director of Local News, in a statement after Sibley’s death. 

Sibley was stabbed while dancing to Beyoncé’s Renaissance. That night was also Beyoncé’s show at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. After Sibley’s murder became public, Beyoncé dedicated her homepage to him. 

The trial is still underway. If convicted, Popov faces up to life in prison.

The post Man Who Killed O’Shae Sibley Now Claims Self-Defense, Attempting to Drop Hate Crime Charges appeared first on LBS.

This month, millions of LGBTQIA+ people will attend events, parades, and parties all over the world. As you start on your Pride plans, make sure you have all the essentials packed. From condoms to PrEP to sunscreen, protecting yourself this Pride has to come in all forms. Here is our packing guide as you get ready for all your June adventures. 

SPF, SPF, SPF

This summer is going to be one of the hottest ever, no pun intended. Whether you are enduring the 100+ degree days in Las Vegas or the constant sunshine in Miami, protecting your skin from damage starts with sunscreen. 

Condoms and Doxy-PEP

Packing contraceptives is essential to protecting your sexual health in the immediate future. Doxy-PEP is an antibiotic that you take after a hookup to cut your risk of getting bacterial STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Packing prevention essentials is key to a smooth and healthy Pride. 

Hangover Cures

For a lot of Pride attendees, events might include consuming a few extra drinks. Ensuring you are staying hydrated is key to keeping the party going. Throwing a few extra electrolyte packets into your carry-on is not a bad idea. 

PrEP

Routine care does not stop during June. PrEP is a daily pill that prevents HIV by about 99%. You can even get PrEP delivered through a service like Mistr. Mistr handles all the details from testing to consultations with a licensed physician. Getting started now will mean protection by Pride. 

ID/Passport

There is nothing worse than getting to an airport and realizing you left your passport at home. If you are headed off anywhere this month, don’t forget the essential documents you need. 

Tips/Singles/Emergency Cash

If you are attending any local drag shows, bring singles to tip your performers! If you are headed to any local LGBTQIA+ bars, bring cash to tip your bartenders! And just in case of emergency it does not hurt to put away a little bit of cash.

Whether you are going on a world tour this June or just headed down the street, being prepared for anything that comes your way starts here. Protect yourself, protect others, and Happy Pride! 

About Mistr

Mistr is a gay-owned and operated online platform that brings together doctors, pharmacists, and industry minds to provide resources and PrEP to folks in need. Instead of relying on insurance providers to approve the purchase of PrEP, Mistr cuts out the middleman to help people get their prescriptions covered.

The post A Packing Guide for Pride: SPF, Sexual Health, and Everything in Between appeared first on LBS.

According to a new study from UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, less than 3% of California community pharmacies are offering PrEP. 

“PrEP uptake remains limited by inequities in healthcare access and other barriers such as low awareness, stigma, and medical mistrust,” the authors of the study wrote. 

PrEP is Essential to Prevention

PrEP is one of the most effective prevention tools for HIV. When taken correctly, it reduces the risk of HIV by up to 99%. If pharmacies are not offering these services, they are limiting the impact that this lifesaving drug can have on communities. 

The study identifies reimbursement as a key issue for pharmacies as they consider offering PrEP. Most pharmacists indicated that they are not actually able to be reimbursed for PrEP services, even though they are entitled to reimbursement per California law. The lack of uptake is a real barrier for public health, according to the study. 

“Almost 5,000 people in California are newly diagnosed with HIV each year with a disproportionate burden of new infections among men who have sex with men and Black and Latine people. Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been available in the U.S. since 2012, only 36% of people with indications for PrEP were prescribed it in 2022,” the study reads. 

Telehealth Taking the Lead

This reality makes telehealth all the more critical. Last year, a study in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” found that MISTR is now providing PrEP to nearly one in five users in the United States. People who need PrEP are getting it online. Not only because it is easier, but also because Mistr works with insurance and patient assistance programs so that users don’t have to worry about unexpected costs or wait times. 

If pharmacies don’t provide the care that communities need, people will have to get prevention tools from somewhere. Telehealth can work around traditional barriers faced by in-person providers. While PrEP should be offered in more places, with fewer obstacles, users can trust telehealth platforms to continue delivering care for communities in safe and convenient ways. 

About Mistr

Mistr is a gay-owned and operated online platform that brings together doctors, pharmacists, and industry minds to provide resources and PrEP to folks in need. Instead of relying on insurance providers to approve the purchase of PrEP, Mistr cuts out the middleman to help people get their prescriptions covered.

The post New Study Finds that Pharmacies Are Not Offering PrEP, Telehealth Fills the Gaps appeared first on LBS.