Hi friends,
As we head into the holidays, here’s a look at some of the biggest LGBTQIA+ stories from November 2025 — the tough ones we need to know about, and the bright spots worth celebrating.
At a Glance
• EU court backs recognition of same-sex marriages across Europe
https://www.them.us/story/european-union-same-sex-marriage-recognize-poland-court-ruling Them
• U.S. Supreme Court protects marriage equality by refusing to revisit Obergefell
https://www.lambdalegal.org/protecting-lgbtq-families-couples-marriage-equality-obergefell Lambda Legal
• First openly gay Miss England is crowned
https://www.them.us/story/miss-england-pageant-gay-winner-grace-richardson Them
• Castro Theatre, an iconic queer landmark, announces reopening after major renovation
https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/castro-theatre-2026-lineup-21138421.php San Francisco Chronicle
• At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV plans a first-of-its-kind lunch with four trans women
https://www.them.us/story/pope-leo-xiv-lunch-trans-activists-alesia-nobile Them
• Hard news: SCOTUS lets a discriminatory U.S. passport policy take effect for now
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/supreme-court-allows-trump-administration-to-enforce-discriminatory-passport-policy American Civil Liberties Union+1
• Trans Day of Remembrance 2025 honors 58 known trans lives lost since last November
https://transequality.org/news/a4te-releases-2025-trans-day-remembrance-report A4TE+1
Big Wins & Bright Spots
🇪🇺 EU Court: “Victory for Love”
The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that member states must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other EU countries, even if they don’t allow marriage equality at home. This protects freedom of movement and family life for couples living in or moving between countries like Poland and Germany.
Read more:
https://www.them.us/story/european-union-same-sex-marriage-recognize-poland-court-ruling Them
🇺🇸 Marriage Equality Still Stands in the U.S.
On November 10, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take a case that tried to undercut Obergefell v. Hodges and allow broad “religious exemption” refusals by government employees. That means the landmark 2015 marriage-equality ruling remains intact.
Details from Lambda Legal:
https://www.lambdalegal.org/protecting-lgbtq-families-couples-marriage-equality-obergefell Lambda Legal
👑 Miss England’s First Out Gay Winner
20-year-old Grace Richardson became the first openly gay Miss England, talking openly about bullying she faced and why queer visibility in pageants matters for young people watching at home.
Story:
https://www.them.us/story/miss-england-pageant-gay-winner-grace-richardson Them
🎭 Castro Theatre Set to Reopen
San Francisco’s historic Castro Theatre, in the heart of a world-famous queer neighborhood, will reopen in early 2026 after a $41 million renovation and is slated to host the 50th Frameline LGBTQ+ Film Festival. The first lineup, announced in November, includes Sam Smith and queer-beloved artists.
Coverage:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/castro-theatre-2026-lineup-21138421.php San Francisco Chronicle
⛪ An “Unprecedented” Lunch With Trans Women at the Vatican
As part of the Vatican’s Jubilee of the Poor, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to have lunch with four transgender women, including Italian Catholic activist Alesia Nobile — a meeting described as “unprecedented” and a chance for direct dialogue about trans Catholics’ lives and dignity.
Read more:
https://www.them.us/story/pope-leo-xiv-lunch-trans-activists-alesia-nobile Them
Harder News We’re Watching
🛂 U.S. Passport Policy Rollback
The Supreme Court allowed the administration to enforce a rule that blocks many trans and nonbinary people from having accurate gender markers on passports while a case called Orr v. Trump continues. Advocacy groups warn this increases travel risks and forced “outing” at borders.
ACLU press release:
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/supreme-court-allows-trump-administration-to-enforce-discriminatory-passport-policy American Civil Liberties Union+1
If you’re planning international travel, check the latest guidance before applying or renewing.
🕯️ Transgender Day of Remembrance 2025
This year’s Trans Day of Remembrance (Nov 20) honored 58 known trans people who died since last November — most from violence or suicide. The 2025 report from Advocates for Trans Equality, plus GLAAD’s TDOR resources, are sobering reminders of the work still ahead.
Remembrance report: https://transequality.org/news/a4te-releases-2025-trans-day-remembrance-report A4TE
TDOR overview: https://glaad.org/tdor/ GLAAD
What You Can Do This Month
- Stay informed & share good news too. When you post about attacks on our rights, balance it with wins like the EU marriage ruling or Obergefell staying intact so people remember progress is still happening.
• EU ruling: https://www.them.us/story/european-union-same-sex-marriage-recognize-poland-court-ruling Them
• Obergefell update: https://www.lambdalegal.org/protecting-lgbtq-families-couples-marriage-equality-obergefell Lambda Legal - Honor TDOR with action. Read the remembrance report, check in on your trans friends, and support local trans-led groups.
• TDOR report: https://transequality.org/news/a4te-releases-2025-trans-day-remembrance-report A4TE - Support queer arts and spaces. From local holiday drag shows in Georgia to landmarks like the Castro Theatre, buying tickets and boosting events keeps queer culture thriving.
• Castro reopening: https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/castro-theatre-2026-lineup-21138421.phpSan Francisco Chronicle - Stay connected locally.
• Discord community & volunteer hub: https://discord.gg/WDFKvw4xTy
Support Heart of North Georgia Pride
Your support keeps this work going — from community education and holiday events to mental-health referrals and youth resources.
💖 Donate: https://givebutter.com/M6clY8
🌐 Website: https://heartofnorthgapride.org
📱 Insta & Facebook: @heartofnorthgapride
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