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.

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.

Getting protected has never been easier. Telehealth has eliminated the need for nervous doctor’s visits and scary wait times. Platforms like Mistr make it possible to get tested, have all your questions answered, and receive a prescription for medicine, all from the comfort of your own home. It starts with just a click. 

PrEPing for PrEP

First, head to heymistr.com, where you will be prompted to create an account. Then answer a few simple health questions and customize your profile. This process is entirely confidential. Next, Mistr will send you your at-home testing kit. No needles, no doctor’s visit. Just some simple routine testing to get you set up to get your prescriptions. 

Seeing a Doctor, Without the Stress

Next, Mistr will pair you with a licensed physician who will review your lab results and make the right decision about your prescription for you. You can ask your physician questions about the medication, any side effects you are experiencing, or any concerns you might have about your new health journey. 

PrEP At Your Doorstep

Now you can have your PrEP delivered to your door! Mistr’s pharmacy network can have your medication delivered in discreet packaging and automatically refill each month. Mistr will work directly with your insurance company and patient assistance programs to ensure you have no out-of-pocket costs. 

Care After Day One

After your preselection, Mistr will initiate a renewal process every three months. Routine testing and more opportunities times to chat with your licensed physician about your prevention journey. The team at Mistr will make sure that your medication is right for you, not just on day one but the entire time you are using the platform.

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-to Guide: Get PrEP to Your Doorstep appeared first on LBS.

Today, lovebscott.com announces the LBS 100 List. The list includes 100 plus honorees across media, academics, culture, music, public service, and more. The honorees were selected by our editorial team based on their impact on LGBTQIA+ people and how they define their industry by excelling at their craft. Several honorees will be announced every week, each with an individual piece featuring their career and their commitments to progress. 

The first honoree of the list is the iconic media maven and founder of LBS (lovebscott.com), B. Scott themself. 

LBS 100 #1: B. Scott

B. Scott is a trailblazing media maven, a beloved icon within the LGBTQIA+ community, and the founder of one of the world’s largest LGBTQIA+ media brands, LBS (lovebscott.com). As an early pioneer of the digital age and one of the first YouTube celebrities, B. Scott helped build the foundation for the inclusivity, authentic self-expression, and centering of queer voices of color that are now widely celebrated.

With a historic series of firsts across every medium they entered, B. Scott made history as the first trans non-binary person to helm a major media platform. They are the first trans non-binary person to appear on Extra, TV One Access, and BET’s 106 & Park; the first to host their own radio show on Sirius XM’s The Foxxhole; the first to write an advice column for Ebony Magazine (“Ask B. Scott”); and the first to host the Style Stage Red Carpet at the BET Awards. Every door B. Scott walked through, they left open behind them.

In a landmark moment for representation, B. Scott became the first trans non-binary person to host and executive-produce a show at BET with the launch of the Twenties After-Show with B. Scott, the companion series to Lena Waithe’s GLAAD-nominated hit Twenties. The show created exactly the kind of space B. Scott has always championed: one where queer voices of color are not merely included, but centered.

More than 20 years ago, B. Scott founded LBS (lovebscott.com), now one of the largest LGBTQIA+ media brands worldwide. The platform champions bold narratives that educate, energize, and celebrate one’s true self. Reaching millions every day, LBS has earned recognition from Variety, People, US Weekly, and Essence, and has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, The Breakfast Club, TMZ, and The Real, standing as one of the most trusted voices in digital culture.

Today, B. Scott continues this mission through the Happy to Have You initiative—a community-driven effort focused on inclusion, celebration, and belonging, attracting thousands of attendees to wellness retreats, holiday parties, Pride celebrations, and community mixers. In June, B. Scott will be recognized by the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus as a 2026 Pride Month Honoree at the California Legislative LGBTQ+ Pride Ceremony for their enduring impact on representation and commitment to progress.

B. Scott is not simply a media maven. They are proof of what happens when someone refuses to shrink—evidence that culture moves forward when the right people refuse to wait for permission. B. Scott has always done the hard work to make the world a warmer place, ensuring everyone has a space where they are welcomed exactly as they are.

“I have always believed that when you create space for people to be themselves, everything else follows. That has never changed,” said B. Scott.

About LBS 100

LBS 100 is a list of 100 plus changemakers, advocates, and allies. The list features industry leaders in media, academics, culture, music, public service, and more. Each honoree will be featured in an individual profile piece on lovebscott.com, which captures their story and their commitments to excellence, inclusion, and progress. LBS 100 is powered by Mistr and Jack’d.

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.

About Jack’d

Jack’d is the premier social app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, with over 15 million members worldwide. Use code BSCOTTPRIDE for one month of Jack’d Pro for free! Claim your free month now! Download Jack’d here!

The post Introducing LBS 100, Honorees That Define Excellence, Inclusion, and Progress appeared first on LBS.

On Sunday, May 10, University of Washington student Juniper Blessing was stabbed to death in off-campus housing. The transgender sophomore atmospheric and climate science major was identified by a statement made by Blessing’s family, obtained by the Santa Fe New Mexican. Blessing’s murder is part of a larger, and terrifying, trend of violence experienced by trans people in America in 2026. 

Blessing’s Story

Blessing was just 19. Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, but most recently based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she was a bright young person who was deeply loved by her community. 

“Juniper was simply the most amazing human being we have ever known — highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive to the needs of others,” Blessing’s family said.

Blessing was brutally stabbed as many as 40 times. Her body was discovered in a laundry room at Nordheim Court, a private apartment building just off the University of Washington’s campus. 

On Wednesday, May 13, Christopher Michael Leahy turned himself in to the Bellevue Police Department for Blessing’s murder. Leahy is currently being held at King County Jail in Seattle, under a $10 million bail pending a homicide investigation. On Thursday, May 14, in front of a judge, Leahy was found to have probable cause for first-degree murder. 

Leahy’s motive has yet to be covered in court proceedings. 

The Greater Body of Violence

Trans people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent crime. Nearly half of trans people in America report being sexually assaulted in their lifetime. 65% report experiencing homelessness. 54% report being victims of intimate partner violence. Blessing’s murder is not an isolated tragedy; it is part of a movement of hate and violence against trans people. 

Blessing’s story must continue to be told, because hers is not the only light we have lost. Trans people deserve to live lives with safe, bright futures where they can thrive and flourish. 

“Juniper’s loss not only devastates us but diminishes the world,” Blessing’s family said. “Perhaps most importantly, Juniper was courageously living their life as who they were until it was cut tragically short.”

This case is ongoing; more information is expected to be released soon regarding Leahy’s motive and court proceedings. 

The post Juniper Blessing, the 19-Year-Old Trans College Student Stabbed Over 40 Times appeared first on LBS.

A lot of queer love stories in the media still feel kind of artificial. Everything is either super dramatic, overly polished, or reduced to the same tired stereotypes we’ve all seen before. That’s part of what makes Jack’d’s “Love Unscripted” feel refreshing. The series doesn’t try to force relationships into a perfect box, it just lets people be themselves.

Creating the Moments Everybody is Talking About

Produced by Chris Parker, “Love Unscripted” is Jack’d’s original digital series focused on real queer relationships in all forms. Some stories are traditional, some are open, some are unexpected, and some completely challenge what people think relationships are supposed to look like. And honestly, that’s what makes it interesting.

The series, streaming on Jack’d’s Instagram, features all kinds of partners including adult film stars, nightlife personalities, entrepreneurs, creatives, lawyers, educators, and beauty moguls, but the focus never feels forced or overly produced. It feels more like sitting in on honest conversations than watching a typical dating series.

The couples talk about real things: communication issues, trust, balancing busy careers, navigating nontraditional dynamics, dealing with public attention, and figuring out what love actually looks like for them. Some relationships are messy. Some are solid. Some people are still learning as they go. That honesty is probably why the show connects with people.

The Depth of Queer Love on Display

The series also reflects how relationships actually work, especially within queer communities. Not everyone wants the same kind of partnership, and the series doesn’t judge that. Some couples are monogamous, some aren’t, and some are still figuring things out in real time. There’s something relatable about seeing people openly admit they don’t have everything perfectly figured out.

Another thing the show gets right is chemistry. Not the staged reality TV version, but the smaller moments. Inside jokes, awkward pauses, supportive conversations, disagreements, and affection. Those little interactions make the relationships feel believable instead of scripted for entertainment.

For Jack’d, the series feels like a smart evolution of the brand. The app has always been connected to queer social connection, but “Love Unscripted” pushes that further by focusing on storytelling and representation in a more genuine way. It’s less about selling an image and more about showing the different ways queer people build relationships and community.

About Jack’d

Jack’d is the premier social app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, with over 15 million members worldwide. Use code BSCOTTPRIDE for one month of Jack’d Pro for free!

Claim your free month now! 

Download Jack’d here!

The post Why “Love Unscripted” Feels Different From Every Other Dating Series appeared first on LBS.

“PrEP belly” has taken over our timelines. If you’ve never heard the term before, it’s basically what some people call the bloating or stomach discomfort some users feel after starting PrEP. For some people early in their prevention journeys or considering taking PrEP, these horror stories might not feel the most encouraging. Long story short, you have nothing to worry about. 

The Side Effects Everyone is Talking About

The thing is, most medications can come with side effects, and PrEP is no different. Some people feel nauseous at first, some feel a little bloated, and some don’t notice anything at all. 

Usually, those symptoms calm down after the first few weeks once your body gets used to it. But social media has a way of making every side effect sound terrifying. One viral TikTok can suddenly make people think everyone on PrEP is dealing with major body changes, which just isn’t true.

In interview with Them, Rona Vail, Associate Medical Director of HIV services at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center said “It is true that a small percent of folks are intolerant to the medications and can have continued side effects, in which case we would switch them to a different form of PrEP, but someone who is taking oral PrEP and not having side effects will not develop physical changes to the appearance of their ‘belly.’”

What doesn’t get talked about enough is how important PrEP still is. It’s one of the best tools we have for HIV prevention, and for a lot of people it provides real peace of mind. That’s why having access to actual medical professionals,  instead of random internet opinions, matters so much.

Making Care Less Stressful

That’s part of why services like Mistr have become so popular. A lot of people don’t want to sit in a waiting room explaining their sex life to a stranger or deal with judgment when they’re just trying to take care of themselves. Mistr makes the process way easier. You can do everything online, talk to licensed providers, get tested, and have your medication shipped directly to you. It feels a lot more private and low-stress than the traditional route.

And if you do experience side effects, you’re not stuck trying to figure it out alone. You can actually ask questions, talk through options, and decide what works best for your body. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking the medication with food or changing your routine a little. Other times, people switch medications. The point is, there are options.

At the end of the day, everyone reacts differently to medication. Some people deal with temporary side effects, some never notice anything, and some feel completely normal after a week or two. But avoiding HIV prevention because of scary internet comments probably isn’t the move.

People are finally having open conversations about sexual health without as much shame attached to it. That’s a good thing. And platforms like Mistr are helping make those conversations, and the healthcare itself, way more accessible for people who might’ve avoided it before.

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 “PrEP Belly” Isn’t Real, The Truth About Using PrEP appeared first on LBS.