In 1990, a tabloid called the “Star” published a story identifying Dolly Parton’s chauffeur and assistant as trans. After the very public outing, a newsletter covering trans people published an interview with Parton’s staff member, Jason Pirro. In that interview, Pirro said Parton knew who he was and celebrated him as a member of her team and as a friend. Pirro went on to work for Parton for over 30 years.

This legacy of warmth, acceptance, and solidarity is one that Parton built for a lifetime, not only for Pirro but for every trans and queer person who knew her or saw her. 

In addition to making sure the people around her felt safe and free, Parton also took specific actions to support trans liberation. In 2016, when North Carolina proposed one of the most restrictive anti-trans bills in the country, Parton spoke up. House Bill 2 required transgender people using public agencies, schools, and university restrooms and locker rooms to use facilities matching the sex on their birth certificate rather than their gender identity. In other words, making it impossible for a trans person to use the bathroom safely. Parton joined CNN and commented on the bill, opposing the legislation.  

“I think everybody should be treated with respect,” Parton said. “I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are.”

Parton also contributed to the cultural conversation around trans inclusion. For the 2005 film, “Transamerica,” Parton wrote a song titled “Travelin’ Thru.” The film told the story of a transgender woman who traveled across the country with her son. Parton’s song earned an Academy Award nomination and became one of the first songs about a transgender story to earn mainstream accolades. 

More recently, Parton opposed anti-trans bills in her home state of Tennessee. In 2023, the state legislature pursued bills banning care for transgender minors, Parton responded and doubled down on her defense of all people, especially those under attack. 

“I just want everybody to be treated good,” Parton said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “They cannot help that any more than I can help being Dolly Parton.”

This is not an exhaustive list. Parton was someone who exemplified allyship. To watch one of the most famous people in the world come to the defense of the most vulnerable people in the world is a beautiful thing. Parton lived her life making her empathy and acceptance feel easy, that is the lesson she leaves the world. Being kind is easy, making others feel safe is common sense.

Whether it be by surrounding herself with trans people, or defending trans people against legislative attacks, or supporting more trans stories in mainstream culture, Parton built safe places for trans people in everything she did. Dolly Parton will be remembered for the way she made a place for all people, ensuring that trans and queer joy were at the center of who she was.

The post All the Ways Dolly Parton Made The World a Safer Place for Trans People appeared first on LBS.

We are all online more than ever before, and it doesn’t take more than five swipes to run into an ad or a sponsored post. Most brands and marketing agencies are still trying to keep up with changing audiences, except for the few that saw the power behind “influencer marketing” before it went mainstream. 

In 2020 alone, Fashion Nova partnered with nearly 1,200 creators, producing over 5,700 sponsored posts on Instagram, resulting in over $15 million in earned value. Over the past several years, the brand’s collaboration program has grown into a marketing beast, reaching millions and millions of users every day. 

The fashion retail company has continued to expand its partnerships, even with more traditional celebrities. Public figures like Kylie Jenner and Cardi B have driven the brand’s virality and bolstered the clothing’s mainstream appeal. So what makes this marketing strategy more impactful than traditional plays like magazine, TV, and billboard campaigns? It reaches people where they are, wherever they are. 

There are 3 billion users on Instagram alone, 500 million of whom are active daily. Reaching those consumers is vital to any hope that a brand would have at growing in 2026. Fashion Nova’s ability to reach users by empowering trusted messengers like influencers gives them a leg up. If you have followed a creator for years and trust their taste and opinion, you are going to be increasingly likely to support a business they recommend. 

By 2027, US brands are expected to spend over $13 billion on influencer marketing. This is the future, and while brands like Fashion Nova have been doing it for years, others have to play catch-up or get left in the dust. 

About Fashion Nova

Fashion Nova is more than just a brand; they are a global movement. They make fashion fearless, inclusive, and instant. The brand drops over 1,000 new arrivals weekly, ensuring their community is first to trends, never late to the moment, and unapologetically confident in every ‘fit.

The post How “Influencer Marketing” Has Replaced Traditional Ad Campaigns appeared first on LBS.

At this point, there are all kinds of dating apps for all kinds of people. From hookup apps to friend-finding hubs to long-term romantic connection tools, there is something for everyone. As you navigate what app might be best for you, considering how these places encourage sexual health should be at the top of your considerations. Here is what developers are, and are not, doing to protect the sexual health of users. 

What the Mainstream Apps Cover

Apps like Hinge and Bumble fall short on sexual health disclosures. There is no section to provide information around HIV status, sexual health preferences, testing dates, or anything of the sort. 

While Tinder also does not give the option for users to include sexual health information, they have in the past supported sexual health initiatives. In 2016, they launched an STI Testing Center Locator integrated into their app. This gives users the ability to prioritize their sexual health while swiping on Tinder. 

LGBTQIA+ Spaces Leading the Way

Apps more tailored to LGBTQIA+ users have been more consistent in how they approach sexual health. On Grindr, users can include all sorts of information about their sexual health, including their HIV status, their testing dates, and other preferences. Jack’d also allows users to share information about their HIV status, testing dates, and as a company, they have joined campaigns advocating for increased awareness around sexual health. Sniffies also allows users to share information about their personal sexual health. 

The Way Forward

While most dating apps do not give users that ability to be transparent about their sexual health, some apps model inclusive settings. If you are dating and sexually active, getting protected has never been more important. As you swipe, don’t forget to invest in your own preventive journey. MISTR is a telehealth platform that can get you covered by PrEP right from your couch. The platform handles everything from conversations with a licensed physician to at-home testing to medication shipped right to your door. It is easy to swipe and lose track of protecting yourself first; that’s why sharing your sexual health journey with partners is so critical, and making sure you are protected comes first.  

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 Dating Apps Approach PrEP, HIV Status, and Sexual Health appeared first on LBS.

The 26th International AIDS Conference took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this week with the theme “Rethink. Rebuild, Rise.” Global health leaders and advocates gathered for a week of sharing research and critical progress around HIV prevention, stigma, and intersectionality. 

The Conference looked to address three key questions. 

• What should change in how we approach the HIV response?
• How can we rebuild systems to put people first?
• What does it mean for all of us to rise together?

Included in the programming were presentations about PrEP, the once-daily HIV prevention pill. Experts unpacked the effectiveness of the medication and how it has changed the game for public health.

UNAIDS also released a special report for the AIDS Conference unpacking how global funding cuts have impacted HIV prevention. 

The report reads: “While the world has turned the tide against HIV, the progress is fragile and the ground beneath our feet is still shifting. The international community has entered a period of profound political and financial upheaval that threatens decades of hard-won gains against HIV.”

The conference drew experts from across the world including speakers like Public Health Leader, Francisco Ruiz, Spain’s Secretary of State of Health, Javier Padilla Bernáldez, and Professor Michel Nussenzweig. 

The research and community at the 2026 AIDS Conference is an amplifier for the continued movement to end the HIV epidemic. 

“We convene, enable, advocate and empower for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being,” reads the Conference website. 

If you are interested in getting on PrEP, you can do it right from your home! MISTR is a telehealth company that brings care to you, with licensed physicians and care specialists ready to get you covered. 

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 2026 AIDS Conference Underscores Progress and Prevention appeared first on LBS.

There are plenty of unknowns when starting your HIV prevention journey. What to take, how to get care, what to believe, and everything in between. To help along the way, we put together a cheat sheet for some of the most ridiculous myths about PrEP and preventative care. 

MYTH: PrEP is only meant for gay men. 

PrEP is for EVERYONE. One in five new HIV diagnoses is among women. HIV does not pick and choose, so neither should you when it comes to prevention. Staying safe and protecting your health is not exclusive to a gender or sexuality. 

MYTH: PrEP is expensive, and hard to get. 

It has never been easier to get PrEP. MISTR, a telehealth platform, handles everything from consultations with a licensed physicians to at-home testing to medication delivered right to your door. MISTR works with patient assistance and insurance programs to make sure your PrEP doesn’t cost you a dollar. 

MYTH: PrEP is going to interfere with my other medications. 

PrEP is safe to take with almost all other medications. While you should consult your Doctor with specific questions, the medications that interact with PrEP are limited. 

MYTH: I am not sexually active enough to need PrEP. 

You can contract HIV after a single sexual experience. About 13% of people with HIV don’t know they have it. Getting tested and protected is crucial for everyone. 

MYTH: I don’t have time to get on PrEP. 

Platforms like MISTR make getting covered easier than getting groceries. Everything happens right from your home, and your PrEP lands at your door in discreet packaging exactly when you need it. 

MYTH: You don’t need to use condoms if you are on PrEP.

PrEP ONLY prevents HIV. Other sexually transmitted diseases and infections are still possible while using PrEP. Taking care of your entire sexual health means exploring layers of protections, like condoms and DoxyPEP.

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 Myth-busting PrEP, Answering All Your HIV Prevention Questions appeared first on LBS.

Mistr, the largest provider of free online PrEP serving over 800,000 patients, has expanded its services to provide deeper sexual wellness resources. Today, the company launches an erectile dysfunction (ED) medication called “MISTR Magic.”

“MISTR Magic” combines sildenafil and tadalafil into a single fast-acting dissolvable lozenge. The two prescription medications are designed to work together to deliver lasting results, both for immediate pleasure and for long-term sexual flexibility. The new medication is available online; users can handle everything from consultations with a licensed physician to discreet delivery without leaving their home. The medication also comes at a cost averaging nearly 50% less than other leading online providers, according to MISTR. 

“Sexual health and sexual confidence go hand in hand. You want to know you’ve taken the right steps to protect yourself, and you want to be ready when opportunity knocks,” said Tristan Schukraft, Founder and CEO of MISTR, in a press release shared with lovebscott.com. “MISTR Magic and our other options aren’t a fix; they’re an upgrade.”

Anywhere between 30 and 50 million people in the U.S. experience ED symptoms. MISTR’s expansion into ED treatment will bring the company’s reputation for simple, fast, and accessible care to millions of people who need it. 

MISTR now provides care in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico with free online PrEP, DoxyPEP, STI testing, long-term HIV care, and sexual wellness solutions delivered directly to patients’ doors. The company works directly with insurance and patient assistance programs to make sure people who need care can get it no matter what. 

“We believe sexual healthcare should be stigma-free, sex-positive, and easy to access. Whether it’s PrEP, HIV care, or a little extra confidence, MISTR lets you access it all discreetly online. If you can find a hookup on your phone, you should be able to find sexual healthcare there too,” continued Schukraft. 

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 MISTR Launches a New Era of ED Treatment, MISTR Magic appeared first on LBS.

With the recent release of her new album, Confessions II, Madonna reenters the music game 7 years after her last full project. While the release itself has garnered high remarks from music critics, the strategy behind the release has been even more compelling. The Grammy award winning artist put LGBTQIA+ first, both in her release events and in her promotion of the album. This is not a new desire for the Queen of Pop either, we put together a timeline of some of the most prolific times that Madonna showed up for LGBTQIA+ people. 

The Truth of Dare Dare Documentary

Released in 1991, the Truth or Dare Documentary is the blueprint for tour film projects. The documentary captured Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour and centered the camera on the artist’s queer dancers and tour staff. The film told the story of a tour but it also told the story of queer joy in a way we hadn’t seen before. 

Erotica and Early Advocacy Around AIDS 

In 1992, Madonna released her fifth studio album, Erotica. The album included a track titled “In This Life,” which was a direct address to the friends the artist had lost to AIDS. 

Drag at the VMAS

As part of her performance at the 1999 VMAs, Madonna brought on stage a bunch of Madonna’s. The artist worked drag queens into her set that were impersonating some of her most infamous looks. 

The Boy Scouts and Madonna’s Advocacy

At the 2013 GLAAD Media Awards, Madonna appeared on stage dressed as a Cub Scout. The outfit was intended to advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ young people in Boy Scouts of America. Later that year, the Boy Scouts made the move to make their programs more inclusive of all kids.

Confessions II and HIV Prevention

Madonna launched her new album not on a big stage or at a awards show, but at a gay bar. The night was dubbed “Club Confessions” and was hosted at The Abbey, an iconic gay bar in West Hollywood. This is exactly the sort of reputation that Madonna has built over a generation. Making sure that her LGBTQIA+ fans felt the closest to the music. 

Club Confessions was produced in close partnership with Mistr, a telehealth company that provides PrEP and other sexual health tools to hundreds of thousands of users across the county. 

“Throughout my career, I’ve always supported efforts to fight HIV & AIDS, and that fight begins with education and access,” said Madonna in a post shared on Instagram. 

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 Madonna Has Put LGBTQIA+ People First for Decades appeared first on LBS.

In 2018, Tristan Schukraft began an ambitious feat to change the way that his community found care. In founding Mistr, Schukraft has built one of the most powerful facilitators of HIV prevention in the world. And on National HIV Prevention Day, we remember the impact that Mistr has had on culture, care, and community, while looking toward a future that is even safer for everyone. 

In December, a study out of Emory University found that Mistr provides PrEP for about 1 in 5 users in the United States. Through celebrity-endorsed campaigns, nightlife events, consistent messaging, and advocacy, Mistr has reached thousands and thousands of people who need care. And they continue to expand the way they reach communities every day. 

In addition to providing PrEP, a daily HIV prevention medication, to over 350,000 users, Mistr has advanced positive sexual health trends in general. They also provide long-term HIV care, supporting people living with HIV with care, resources, and medication. Additionally, Mistr provides consultations, care, and prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medication. 

Mistr’s impact is also not just contained to a predominantly male audience. Sistr is Mistr’s partner company that focuses on sexual health and HIV prevention for women and gender-diverse people. Women account for about 1 in 5 new cases of HIV in the United States. Making sure that care is for everyone is critical in the fight to end the HIV epidemic. 

HIV prevention surveillance data from 2024 shows that the annual number of new diagnoses remains around 39,000. We are nowhere near the end of this fight. That is why access and prevention matter more than ever. As policymakers look to make these resources less obtainable and more restrictive, places like Mistr become all the more critical. 

On National HIV Prevention Day, it is crucial to remember the lives that we lost to AIDS. Over 43 million individuals have been taken from us as a result of an AIDS-related illness. 43 million families who lost a loved one. 43 million dreams that never got fulfilled. Prevention is the way we build stronger futures for all of us. 

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 National HIV Prevention Day, Mistr’s Legacy of Prevention and Protection appeared first on LBS.

After the news of the passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Jesse James Rose responded with a post that reminds us of the life that Graham wanted to keep behind closed closet doors. 

The award-winning author, actor, & labor leader’s post has now attracted well over 200,000 likes and tells the story of how the recently deceased Senator violated Rose while preaching anti-LGBTQIA+ hate.

“Just woke up to find out Lindsey Graham is dead?? Lol??? Most of you know him as the homophobic senator from South Carolina but to me he will always be the man who paid a twinky pre-transition college student a fat stack of cash to do unspeakable things to him in a hotel room while he wore red lingerie,” wrote Rose on Instagram. 

“It is a canon trans event to have far right freaks bankrolling you & then turning around and voting against you. People love to judge us for it but I never see them opening their wallets!!! Shoutout to sex workers everywhere forced to humanize their enemies just to make rent,” the author continued in the post. 

Senator Graham was infamous for the way he attacked LGBTQIA+ people both in comments and in legislation, while simultaneously facing allegations of hiring male sex workers. Graham voted against marriage equality, advocated against civil rights protections for LGBTQIA+ people, and fought for trans people to be more isolated and less protected. 

This reference to Graham’s closeted sexuality by Rose is not nearly the first. In 2020, Sean Harding, a sex worker and content creator, posted on Twitter, “There is a homophobic republican senator who is no better than Trump who keeps passing legislation that is damaging to the lgbt and minority communities. Every sex worker I know has been hired by this man. Wondering if enough of us spoke out if that could get him out of office?”

He followed up the initial post by revealing that the Senator he was referring to was Graham. Graham has been outed on multiple occasions for cross-dressing, seeking sexual encounters with other men, and paying for encounters with other men. 

Rose ended her post with a direct address to Graham. 

“Lindsey, rest in hell for what you did to our community. I will continue to love queer and trans people harder than you ever hated us. You loved every second of our time together and now everyone knows,” wrote Rose. 

Instead of ending this coverage on a note about how Graham hated queer people, it is a better use of our time to celebrate the queer people who survived Graham’s hate. Jesse James Rose’s memoir, “sorry I keep crying during sex,” is a must-read. The book follows the heartbreaking, beautiful, and sobering story of Rose’s journey with identity, recovery, grief, survivorship, and transness. The memoir is available for preorder now.

The post Jesse James Rose Reminds Us What’s Really in Lindsey Graham’s Closet appeared first on LBS.

While the Trump administration continues to cut HIV research and access to preventative tools, Massachusetts just set the standard for how states can protect PrEP. Lawmakers just passed landmark legislation that will protect access to HIV prevention medication and strengthen state efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Governor Healey signed An Act to Address Barriers to HIV Prevention Medication into law on July 9. 

The new law requires insurance coverage for all PrEP medications without co-pays, deductibles, or prior authorization. As the Trump administration rolls back protections for PrEP access, this new law is a revolutionary example of how state lawmakers can respond. The law also makes these insurance protections included in all private insurers as well as the state Medicaid plan. 

The law was supported by public health experts, advocacy groups, physicians, and LGBTIQA+ community leaders. 

“We cannot rely on a federal government that has shown hostility to HIV prevention and public health. Massachusetts is stepping up as a national leader to ensure that this lifesaving prevention reaches everyone who needs it,” said Ben Klein, GLAD Law Senior Director of Litigation and HIV Law, in a press release.

Lawmakers involved also underlined how critical these protections are for the future of HIV prevention. 

“PrEP is a life-saving medication that has transformed HIV prevention, and we must do everything in our power to ensure and further expand access,” said Senator Julian Cyr, Senate sponsor of the legislation, in a press release. “I’m proud that Massachusetts will codify the Affordable Care Act’s protections, ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for PrEP without unnecessary utilization barriers. By safeguarding availability to this breakthrough medication, we’re protecting public health and advancing health equity – all while reaffirming Massachusetts’ leadership in the fight against HIV and protecting our most vulnerable.”  

While these protections improve the lives of PrEP users in Massachusetts, they also set a premier example for other state lawmakers. Protecting PrEP should be a priority everywhere. 

If you are interested in starting PrEP, you can do so from home. Mistr is a telehealth platform that handles everything from testing to consultations with a licensed physician to the delivery of your medication. 

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 Massachusetts Becomes the First State to Pass Permanent Protections for PrEP  appeared first on LBS.