Blythe del Kuzio

Shutterstock When her husband passed away, White was quoted as saying that she'd never remarry because "Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?" In White, we too, had the best. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/ever-charming-beloved-betty-white-died-99/

Shutterstock These five ideas will help you make next year a little more queer-centric... and could even benefit others in the process. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/5-queer-new-years-resolutions-make-2022-merry-bright/

Provided Some people don't feel able to come out until their thirties, for various reasons. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/finding-joy-fulfilment-coming-thirties/

Shutterstock She also looks AB-SO-LUTE-LY miserable standing next to her family in Ted Cruz's 2021 Christmas card. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/blowhard-senator-ted-cruzs-daughter-disagrees-views/

YouTube screencapture "lord help us if Biden gets elected," Jojo Siwa's girlfriend retweeted last year. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/jojo-siwas-new-girlfriend-trump-fan-asked-trans-women-actually-women/

Screenshot From CarGurus to Doritos, when it came to commercials, 2021 was pretty gay. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/lgbtq-commercials-2021-will-melt-heart/

Shutterstock In an era where LGBTQ hate crimes remain rampant, many trans people experience internalized transphobia. Click through to learn more about what it is and how to treat it.  source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/overcome-internalized-transphobia/

YouTube screenshot "Hate to break it to you, but you've already failed as a man," one commenter responded. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/ufc-fighter-sean-strickland-massively-trolled-saying-hed-hate-weak-gay-son/

Shutterstock No one ever accused right-wingers of understanding sarcasm and irony. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/right-wingers-melting-person-joking-transphobic-baby/

Vlad Zorin He and his photo subjects risk arrest, fines and possible imprisonment. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/photographer-defies-russias-hateful-propaganda-law-portraits-gay-countrymen/

Shutterstock The bill would force teachers to out queer students to their parents and harm trans youth by denying them life-saving care. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/arizona-doctors-face-fines-prison-time-providing-therapeutic-care-trans-youth/

Instagram screenshot Parts of Boystown have been called racist, misogynist and transphobic. A new bar, Nobody's Darling, is trying to strike a new, more inclusive tone. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/two-black-women-opened-queer-bar-thats-challenging-racism-misogyny-chicagos-boystown/

Screenshot, WishTV Ke'Yahonna Stone was known for providing safe spaces for trans people inside her own home. The LGBTQ community is now grieving her passing. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/trans-woman-dies-injuries-trying-break-fight-nightclub/

Shutterstock A man is still forced to register as a sex offender due to a 2001 sodomy charge, even though SCOTUS overturned such laws in 2003. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/sodomy-laws-still-used-persecute-queer-people/

Shutterstock Grimm's epilepsy has left him unable to work, and he is struggling to afford basic living expenses. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/trans-icon-gavin-grimm-risk-homelessness-community-rallying-help/

Screenshot 2021 presented many challenges for the LGBTQ community, but there were also many moments of love and acceptance if you knew where to look. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/9-years-feel-good-stories-will-make-smile/

Shutterstock A member of the group was misgendered and threatened, yet somehow was considered a perpetrator. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/trans-group-harassed-alabama-hotel-got-kicked-reporting/

Screenshot/MTV From kicking a Republican governor with Satanic shoes to kissing a dancer at a Black music awards show, Lil Nas X's skill, sarcasm, and pure queer joy took 2021 by storm. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/pure-queer-joy-7-moments-lil-nas-x-outshined-haters-2021/

Shutterstock A transphobic author accused the teachers of "indoctrinating" students and lying to parents, but state law supported their actions. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/teachers-threatened-put-leave-hater-shared-talk-helping-lgbtq-students/

Center for American Progress Reid happily used his political muscle to push through landmark legislation, including the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/former-senate-majority-leader-powerful-lgbtq-ally-harry-reid-dead-82/

Shutterstock “Her life and existence never should have been up for political debate," her mom said. The obituary she wrote for her daughter has since gone viral. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/mom-heartbroken-daughters-suicide-blames-transphobic-republicans-health-insurers/

Screenshot Alex Jones is a horrible person, but the spouse abuse he survived is genuinely disturbing. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/alex-jones-worried-hed-die-wife-beat-bloody-front-kid-christmas-eve/

Shutterstock Anti-LGBTQ Christians have been sending him offensive messages urging him to be straight or saying he's not actually gay. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/coming-colton-star-colton-underwood-blasts-christians-condemn-sexuality/

Shutterstock The bill would entitle parents to seek a minimum of $10,000 per day for each day that the book remains on the shelves. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/oklahoma-bill-says-parents-can-ban-lgbtq-books-schools-sue-staff-wont-listen/

Shutterstock Russia's nasty 2013 law banning "gay propaganda" has found a clever way to prosecute and silence LGBTQ organizations. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/russia-using-dirty-trick-block-lgbtq-websites-appearing-online/

Provided The importance of a safe household and parents who will support you no matter your journey cannot be underestimated. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/meet-mothers-absolutely-awesome-allies-lgbtq-kids/

Screenshot/Jeopardy! As of last Friday, she has won 18 consecutive victories, bringing her total winnings to $706,800. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/amy-schneider-makes-jeopardy-history-becoming-highest-earning-woman-time/

Shutterstock The iconic anti-apartheid leader said he felt as strongly about anti-LGBTQ discrimination as he did about fighting institutionalized racism. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/freedom-fighter-desmond-tutu-said-hed-rather-burn-hell-worship-anti-gay-god/

Shutterstock The Swiss will soon be able to change their gender by self-declaration, but critics say it leaves queer teens worse off. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/switzerland-just-passed-major-law-affirm-trans-peoples-identities-theres-catch/

Shutterstock The administration claims the move is meant to protect students, but experts worry some queer kids will be seriously hurt. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/school-district-bans-books-gender-identity-students-chosen-pronouns/

Dozens of LGBTQ candidates are already slated to run for both state and federal offices, but here are five who could break through the rainbow ceiling and make queer history. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/5-trailblazing-lgbtq-politicians-running-make-history-2022/

Shutterstock Out celebrities often get all the attention, but these lesser-known folks fought to make life better for the #LGBTQ community. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/7-everyday-people-made-difference-lgbtq-folks-2021/

YouTube screenshot When they saw the sign, they didn't just get mad — they got even. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/trans-wrestler-nyla-rose-wife-tag-teamed-jerk-holding-hateful-sign/

NYPD The attacker asked a 22-year-old if he could borrow his cell phone. Things turned ugly when he saw the stranger's background photo. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/homophobe-attacked-stranger-tried-help-now-nypd-want/

YouTube screenshot Jones has said the trans rights movement wants civil rights for cyborg humanoids and would result in people having sex with their cars. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/police-arrested-hateful-conspiracy-monger-alex-jones-wife-just-time-christmas/

Shutterstock In two letters to New Ways Ministry, a group persecuted for decades for its outreach to LGBTQ Catholics, the pontiff praised its "neighborly approach." source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/pope-francis-sends-another-signal-us-catholic-bishops-lay-off-anti-lgbtq-attacks/

Provided Not even a global pandemic can stand in the way of queer romance. 2021 was a year of love stories like no other. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/sweetest-queer-love-stories-2021/

White House/Jeffrey Breall via Wiki From Jen Psaki to Lauren Boebert, Chick-fil-A's money funding hate to LGBTQ youth standing up for themselves, here's what you were interested in this year. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/10-stories-readers-clicked-2021/

Shutterstock It has certainly been a challenging year for LGBTQ rights, but it's important to take a moment to recognize the wins. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/5-good-things-happened-lgbtq-community-year/

Shutterstock For many transgender people, one’s voice can bring a lot of stress and dysphoria. Thankfully, there are more and more resources for trans voice training both on and offline.  source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/transgender-voice-training-make-voice-higher/

Holiday cards designed for LGBTQ people are unfortunately still difficult to come by, but that never stops determined card buyers. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/7-amazing-lgbtq-holiday-cards-found-twitter-year/

Screenshot She is making the Yuletide G-A-Y. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/jennifer-coolidge-reading-night-christmas-present-need-year/

Shutterstock Even Jen Psaki is impressed with Donald Trump. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/donald-trump-rejects-candace-owens-absurd-anti-vaccine-arguments-interview/

Screenshot The country music star told Jimmy Fallon how it happened. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/heres-dolly-parton-says-boobs-got-big/

Shutterstock Who knew that the Liberty Counsel would promote so many businesses offering items that help LGBTQ people announce, "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!"? source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/last-minute-gift-ideas-will-piss-off-anti-lgbtq-hate-group/

Shutterstock A judge told the Indiana school that it can't block students from forming an LGBTQ-positive club. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/students-sued-school-right-form-gay-straight-alliance-just-won/

Shutterstock And what if Santa was a woman? source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/idea-gay-santa-claus-acceptable-now-heres-people-said/

Shutterstock Brigitte Macron's supposed deadname was trending on French Twitter for days. Now she's taking legal action. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/frances-first-lady-sues-conspiracy-theory-shes-secretly-transgender/

Official White House Photo by Erin Scott "I would doubt he's a withering flower on the side of the road." source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/jen-psaki-mocks-fox-reporter-accused-joe-biden-bullying-joe-manchin/

Shutterstock While not everyone's coming out stories are all sunshine and rainbows, these are extra special. source https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/positive-coming-stories-will-restore-faith-humanity/