Brooke Sopelsa

New York

Editorial Director at NBC News

Editorial Director at NBC Out

@NBCNews journalist + @NYUStern MBA + Cancer survivor trying not to sweat the small stuff

Articles

LGBTQ Catholics hope Pope Leo XIV continues Francis' legacy of acceptance

4 days ago | nbcnews.com | Brooke Sopelsa |Kaitlyn Schwanemann

In the eyes of many LGBTQ Catholics, the late Pope Francis created a “seismic shift” toward acceptance. Now, as the world welcomes the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, these lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer faithful say they hope he will continue to move in the same direction.
Gay Virginia GOP nominee accuses governor's team of extortion, says lewd photos not his

2 weeks ago | nbcnews.com | Julie Carey |Andrea Swalec |Brooke Sopelsa

By Virginia’s Republican nominee for lieutenant governor is accusing Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s political advisers of extortion and says they’re trying to force him to end his campaign. John Reid is the first openly gay man to run on a Republican or Democratic statewide ticket. In two videos he posted online, he went public with details of what he called Youngkin’s efforts to get him to leave the race.
Former California police officer awarded $10 million in harassment suit

1 month ago | nbcnews.com | Omari Fleming |Brooke Sopelsa

A San Diego jury awarded a female former police officer $10 million in damages after she won a harassment and discrimination case against her former employer.
California lawmakers reject bills to ban trans athletes’ participation in girls sports

1 month ago | nbcnews.com | Brooke Sopelsa

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers won’t change state policies allowing transgender kids and teens to play on sports teams consistent with their gender identities amid heated nationwide debates over the participation of trans youth in athletics. Democratic lawmakers on the state Assembly’s Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism rejected two proposals by Republican lawmakers on Tuesday after hours of impassioned debate and commentary.
Popular Sacramento LGBTQ club bans all MAGA gear

1 month ago | gaysonoma.com | Brooke Sopelsa

News/ State An LGBTQ club in Sacramento, California, is banning all “MAGA-related attire”after a patron wore a “Make America Great Again” hat to the popular venue. The phrase and its acronym — especially when emblazoned on red baseball caps — have been popular among Donald Trump’s supporters since the president’s first term. Badlands owner TJ Bruce announced the new policy on the club’s Instagram page this week, saying the hat “led to discomfort among some patrons.” “We initially decided to...
Women's sports bars expected to quadruple across the US in 2025

1 month ago | nbclosangeles.com | Jo Yurcaba |Brooke Sopelsa

The number of bars in the United States dedicated to showing women's sports is expected to quadruple this year, from six at the start of 2025 to about two dozen by the end of the year. Three women's sports bars have opened so far this year, and 14 more are expected to join them in the coming months, according to an NBC News analysis.
City Council declares Boston a ‘sanctuary city’ for transgender community

1 month ago | gaysonoma.com | Matt Prichard |Brooke Sopelsa

Features/ Top Stories/ Transgender / Transsexual City Council members voted 12-1 Wednesday to make Boston a sanctuary cityfor members of the transgender community. Councilor-at-Large Julia Mejia and District 9 Councilor Liz Breadon called on Boston to adopt the measure supporting transgender people, pointing to what they see as harmful rhetoric coming from President Donald Trump and the White House. “Boston is not going to back down,” Mejia said Wednesday. “We’re seeing attacks on our trans...
Women's sports bars expected to quadruple across the U.S. in 2025

1 month ago | nbcnews.com | Jo Yurcaba |Brooke Sopelsa

The number of bars in the United States dedicated to showing women’s sports is expected to quadruple this year, from six at the start of 2025 to about two dozen by the end of the year. Three women’s sports bars have opened so far this year, and 14 more are expected to join them in the coming months, according to an NBC News analysis.
Club LGBTQ de Sacramento prohíbe la vestimenta relacionada con el movimiento MAGA

1 month ago | telemundo33.com | Brooke Sopelsa

Un club LGBTQ en Sacramento prohíbe toda vestimenta relacionada con el movimiento conservador MAGA, después de que un cliente usara una gorra con el lema "Make America Great Again" en el popular local. La frase y su acrónimo, especialmente cuando aparece en gorras de béisbol rojas, han sido populares entre los partidarios del presidente Donald Trump desde su primer mandato.
Popular Sacramento LGBTQ club bans all MAGA gear

1 month ago | nbcnews.com | Brooke Sopelsa

An LGBTQ club in Sacramento, California, is banning all “MAGA-related attire” after a patron wore a “Make America Great Again” hat to the popular venue. The phrase and its acronym — especially when emblazoned on red baseball caps — have been popular among Donald Trump’s supporters since the president’s first term.