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Unraveling the Binary: Exploring Society, Identity, and Culture in a World of Norms and Labels
In today's fast-paced world, the discussion about binary constructs—especially regarding gender and sexuality—is more important than...

Eric James Martinez
Mar 12, 20254 min read


OUR SAFE SPACES
Nightclubs, friend groups, Gayborhoods, Pride shows, chosen families, these are just a few of the places in which LGBT+ have made a home. The world can be an unforgiving place yet filled with the beauty of diversity and opportunity to try anything, for an LGBT+ person, it can be an even more unforgiving place filled with hate, sadness, and shame. COMMUNITY To be LGBT+ is to be human, the very term L G B T + is but a term, a term meant to bring is closer together, a term mean

Eric James Martinez
Apr 23 min read


LGBTQ+ hate in 2026: Where We Are, What’s Happening, and How to Move Forward
In 2026, LGBTQ+ identity and rights remain very much in public debate , shaped by social progress, persistent bias, rising conflict, and serious human impacts. While many people and laws support LGBTQ+ equality, discrimination, violence, and systemic barriers still affect communities worldwide and in the United States. Where Things Stand in 2026 Public Opinion and Politics In the U.S., broad majorities still support nondiscrimination protections and same‑sex marriage, but acc

Eric James Martinez
Mar 314 min read


Slavery & Queer Identity: The Origins of Drag Culture
Jack Brown born in March 5, 1885, Petersburg, Virgina, was an African American actor and drag queen. James Gardiner | https://robertjonesjr.substack.com/p/blaqueerblackerstories The history of LGBTQ+ people in the United States is deeply connected to larger struggles for freedom, identity, and cultural expression. While historical documentation of queer identities during slavery is limited, historians widely recognize that LGBTQ+ people existed in every society, including ens

Eric James Martinez
Mar 153 min read


LGBTQ+ Families: Scope, Experiences, and Research Evidence
How Many LGBTQ+ Families Are There Today? LGBTQ+ families are a significant and diverse segment of the global population, though precise worldwide numbers are hard to determine due to varying legal and cultural contexts across countries. In the United States—the most comprehensively studied setting—research from the Williams Institute at UCLA estimates that about 18% of LGBTQ+ adults (roughly 2.57 million people) are parents of children under age 18 living in their homes. T

Eric James Martinez
Mar 34 min read


How Drag’s Mainstream Rise Transformed Culture and Society
Shea Coulee, The Vivienne, Rupaul, Trinity the Tuck, Jinkx Monsoon, Monet X Change, and Raja at LA DragCon 2022 May 13 2022 | Flickr.com/photos/dvross/52073483084 Drag has come a long way from its origins in underground queer spaces to becoming a globally recognized cultural force. What was once marginalized and misunderstood has reshaped language, fashion, entertainment, and even concepts of identity — challenging societal norms and inspiring millions. From Underground Ballr

Eric James Martinez
Feb 243 min read


Intertwined: Black and LGBTQ+ Liberation
When people look at the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States, one of the most enduring myths is that Stonewall (1969) created the movement out of thin air. The truth — supported by decades of research and archival evidence — is that LGBTQ+ activism did not emerge in a vacuum . It drew directly from the strategies, culture, and organizational models of the Black Freedom Movement and the broader struggles for racial justice. Even before Stonewall, leaders

Eric James Martinez
Feb 114 min read


Environment, Sexuality, and Identity: Born, Built, or Both?
Few topics spark as much debate—or misunderstanding—as the question of where sexuality and gender identity come from . Are people born gay, bisexual, or trans? Are these identities shaped by environment, culture, or media? Or can both be true at the same time? In recent years, arguments have circulated suggesting that exposure to pornography, queer visibility, or so‑called “taboo” content can make someone gay or trans. Others counter this by pointing to LGBTQ+ people who exi

Eric James Martinez
Jan 206 min read


LGBT+ Then and Now
A Global Reflection as We Enter 2026 The story of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and additional identities (LGBT+) is one of resilience, resistance, community, progress and painful regression. As we move into 2026, it’s time to reflect on where LGBT+ people have been, what freedoms we have now, where we are losing ground, and what determines our quality of life and social integration. Where LGBT+ People Started: A History of Persecution and Resistance Ac

Eric James Martinez
Dec 29, 20255 min read


Dating Young and Innocent vs. Dating Older and Experienced
Dating isn’t a static thing — it evolves as we evolve. When we're young, there’s a kind of raw, magical energy in meeting someone for the first time. As we grow older or more experienced, the way we connect shifts. That early spark can change, but what replaces it can be just as deep — even if it doesn’t feel like “first love” anymore. Here’s what that journey can look like, why things feel different, and how to navigate it with intention — no matter your age or identity. The

Eric James Martinez
Nov 24, 20255 min read


Racism, Ageism, and Classism Within the LGBTQ+ Community
The LGBTQ+ movement is often celebrated as a symbol of progress, inclusion, and equality — but beneath the rainbow lies a complicated truth. Many queer spaces, from apps to nightclubs, still mirror the same hierarchies of race, age, and class that exist in the wider world. Despite being a community born from rebellion and unity, divisions persist — and for many, they’ve become impossible to ignore. When These Problems Began The digital age — especially the rise of dating apps

Eric James Martinez
Nov 6, 20254 min read


Prayers for a “Cure”: the human cost of conversion therapy
They promise change in whispers from pulpits, in offices behind closed doors, in summer camps and church basements. They promise a “cure”...

Eric James Martinez
Sep 22, 20254 min read


Kinks, Fetishes, and the Human Condition
Kinks and fetishes are not just about sex. They are about human imagination, risk, health, and—at a deeper level—what it means to be...

Eric James Martinez
Sep 18, 20254 min read


Civil Classroom: How School Culture Shapes Us—And What We Can Do About It
The classroom is like a second home to many students—elementary and college students alike. You spend a huge chunk of your childhood...

Eric James Martinez
Sep 8, 20253 min read


Dating as a Gay Man: From Then to Now
If you ask gay men what dating feels like today, you’ll hear a familiar refrain: swipe, small talk, hookup, repeat. The fear beneath it...

Eric James Martinez
Sep 1, 20254 min read


The Muxes of Oaxaca
Mario Patinho / 1 July 2017 / Lukas Avendano, Muxhe Performance Artist. Zapotc Tehuanttepec, Mexico In the quiet southern valleys of...

Eric James Martinez
Aug 2, 20254 min read


Exploring the Complexities of Gay Dating in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community: The Impact of Masculine/Feminine Constructs, Fetishization, and Substance Abuse
Dating has never been a simple road for anyone, but for gay men within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, it’s often a winding path shaped by...

Eric James Martinez
Apr 14, 20254 min read


How Would Society Express Itself Without Material Things? Exploring the Essence of Being Human in a Materialistic World
Imagine a world where material possessions no longer define who we are. In a society today, objects often shape our identities and social...

Eric James Martinez
Apr 14, 20254 min read


Born Naked, Dressed in Meaning
"We're all born naked, and the rest is drag." — RuPaul What does it mean to be human if even our skin is considered a blank slate? At...

Eric James Martinez
Apr 14, 20253 min read


Want your article featured on our blog? Here's how to apply and get your voice heard
At Pride Press, we believe in the power of voices and ideas. Our blog serves as a platform for a wide range of opinions and...

Eric James Martinez
Mar 12, 20253 min read
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