OutSmart Magazine

OutSmart Magazine OutSmart magazine: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future – 32 Years of Award-Winning LGBTQ News in Houston.
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For advertising or subscription information, call 713/520-7237 ext. 10 or email: [email protected] Established in 1994, OutSmart is an award-winning monthly publication that has delivered local and national news to Houston’s LGBT audience for over 23 years. Published in print and online, we reach 200,000+ readers each month and have a loyal fan base spanning from Houston to Los Angele

s. The magazine even has an international following in Canada, Mexico, The United Kingdom, Australia, and various other locations across the globe. OutSmart has proudly received recognition on both local and national levels. The magazine was voted “Nation’s Best Local Magazine” by the Vice Versa Gay Press Awards and has been named “Best Local Publication in Houston” by the Houston Press for four consecutive years (2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009). Pick up a free copy of OutSmart at any of our 375+ locations in and around Houston. The magazine is also distributed at select sites in Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, and San Antonio.

The Ninth Circuit has issued a significant decision in C.P. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, a class action challe...
11/17/2025

The Ninth Circuit has issued a significant decision in C.P. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, a class action challenging categorical exclusions for gender affirming care in employer-provided ERISA plans. The court affirmed that when an insurer accepts federal funding, all of its operations are subject to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, including when it acts as a third-party administrator. It also confirmed that ERISA fiduciary duties do not excuse violations of federal anti-discrimination law. The case now returns to the district court to revisit its s*x discrimination analysis in light of United States v. Skrmetti. Link in comments.

Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker is a holiday tradition that never loses its sparkle. Now in its ninth year, Stanton Welch’s ...
11/17/2025

Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker is a holiday tradition that never loses its sparkle. Now in its ninth year, Stanton Welch’s glittering production delights audiences of all ages. Dancer Gretel Batista, who plays multiple roles including Clara, says performing the ballet remains a magical experience every season. Surrounded by young students taking the stage for the first time, she’s reminded that for every dancer and audience member, The Nutcracker is a story of dreams taking flight. Link in comments.

Equality Texas has officially named Brad Pritchett as its permanent CEO! A longtime organizer and advocate, Brad has hel...
11/16/2025

Equality Texas has officially named Brad Pritchett as its permanent CEO! A longtime organizer and advocate, Brad has helped lead some of the state’s most impactful LGBTQIA+ victories—including defeating the vast majority of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills this year. His leadership comes at a crucial moment as q***r and trans Texans face growing challenges. Link in comments.

Avenue 360 Health & Wellness and Omega House hosted Voices for Hope: Rhythm & Roots R***e on November 7 at River Oaks Co...
11/16/2025

Avenue 360 Health & Wellness and Omega House hosted Voices for Hope: Rhythm & Roots R***e on November 7 at River Oaks Country Club, uniting community leaders and supporters to honor Houston’s HIV-care legacy with tributes, performances, and a renewed commitment to compassionate, community-driven health services. For full photo gallery, visit our site. Link in comments.

Midlife can bring financial wake-up calls, especially when retirement starts to feel more real. But the truth is, you st...
11/15/2025

Midlife can bring financial wake-up calls, especially when retirement starts to feel more real. But the truth is, you still have time to make progress. Whether you’re starting small or increasing your 401(k) contributions, consistency and planning can change everything. This guide offers practical, compassionate advice for regaining control of your finances and building peace of mind, one intentional step at a time.

Houston’s astrology community is mourning the loss of one of its brightest stars. Lilly Roddy, beloved OutSmart columnis...
11/14/2025

Houston’s astrology community is mourning the loss of one of its brightest stars. Lilly Roddy, beloved OutSmart columnist and renowned astrologer, passed away last month at age 73. For more than three decades, her monthly horoscopes guided readers through life’s mysteries with warmth, wisdom, and humor. Those who knew her remember not only her extraordinary insight but also her kindness, courage, and fierce authenticity. Lilly’s legacy continues in the countless lives she touched, both in Houston and around the world. Link in comments.

The inaugural Revolution of Joy Festival brought q***r artistry and community to the Rothko Chapel, highlighting trans a...
11/13/2025

The inaugural Revolution of Joy Festival brought q***r artistry and community to the Rothko Chapel, highlighting trans and gender-expansive performers, community leaders, and local organizations. With poetry, music, fashion, and resources, the event celebrated joy as both resistance and connection. Link in comments.

Two of China’s most widely used gay dating apps have suddenly vanished from app stores, leaving millions of LGBTQ users ...
11/13/2025

Two of China’s most widely used gay dating apps have suddenly vanished from app stores, leaving millions of LGBTQ users without spaces they depended on for connection and community. The removal of Blued and Finka arrives as censorship continues to intensify across the country. For many q***r people who already lack physical gathering places, this loss feels especially painful. Their online world keeps narrowing, and the impact is being felt in real time. Link in comments.

Lyn Sullivan’s story bridges art, business, and advocacy with grace. As a photographer, she captures emotion and meaning...
11/13/2025

Lyn Sullivan’s story bridges art, business, and advocacy with grace. As a photographer, she captures emotion and meaning through her lens. As a business leader, she mentors with purpose and empathy. Whether preserving memories in Paris or supporting breast cancer research at home, Sullivan proves that creativity and compassion can share the same canvas. Link in comments.

Our November issue is out now. This month we cover the removal of Houston’s rainbow crosswalk at Taft and Westheimer and...
11/12/2025

Our November issue is out now. This month we cover the removal of Houston’s rainbow crosswalk at Taft and Westheimer and the community response, including artist Nicky Davis’ new mural at Korny Vibes Vegan Café. We mark World AIDS Day with a profile of Dr. Gordon Crofoot and his decades of work on HIV care and Lenacapavir research, spotlight Tony Kushner’s Angels in America at Rec Room and Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, and feature Gayest & Greatest honorees State Senator Molly Cook, photographer Lyn Sullivan, and Houston Chronicle culture reporter Gwen Howerton. We also remember beloved astrologer Lilly Roddy and introduce Kevin Casey as the new voice of our Sign Out column. Link in comments.

For Gwen Howerton, Texas isn’t just home; it’s where she found her voice. Now a culture reporter for Chron, she’s tellin...
11/12/2025

For Gwen Howerton, Texas isn’t just home; it’s where she found her voice. Now a culture reporter for Chron, she’s telling stories that capture the humanity of q***r and trans communities across the state. Through her reporting, Howerton is redefining what it means to be visible in a time when representation matters more than ever. Link in comments.

It’s been more than three decades since Houston saw a professional staging of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. Now, the...
11/11/2025

It’s been more than three decades since Houston saw a professional staging of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. Now, the Rec Room’s Matt Hune and Sophia Watt are taking on the challenge of bringing the Pulitzer-winning epic to a 60-seat stage. Their stripped-down approach turns the monumental into something personal, asking how we hold on to hope when the world feels unsteady. Link in comments.

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