Earlier this year Gallup published some incredible statistics, showing that gen Z is our queerest generation yet, with nearly 20 percent identifying somewhere under the broad LGBTQIA+ umbrella. (Some two-thirds of this group—13 percent of gen Z—identify as bisexual; about 2 percent of zoomers identify as trans.) When I was first coming out in the early 1990s, by contrast, “1 in 10” was a common gay slogan. How did we get here, with such wide differences in identification between generations? Are there actually more queer people now, or just more out queer people? Or are those the wrong questions to ask? Conservatives have been pushing two related theories to explain this uptick. First, there’s the “social contagion” theory, which holds that in a world drowning in representations of heterosexuality and cisgenderness, meeting a single trans person, reading a book with a bisexual character in it, or encountering nonbinary pronouns on TikTok can totally destabilize the identity of an otherwise “normal” child. It’s amazing how fragile heterosexuality and cisness are in this formulation—almost like they’re socially manufactured identities, backed by huge amounts of ideological infrastructure, peer pressure, media recruitment, and social policing. Well, I guess conservatives aren’t wrong about everything. Another theory, sometimes offered in tandem with the contagion idea and sometimes in slight opposition to it, is the “snowflake” theory: the idea that zoomers are confused, or pretending, or signaling solidarity, or just want attention, and thus their “identities”—pansexual, ace (as in asexual), genderflux, enby, and so on—aren’t even “real.” In part, this is just another version of the contagion fear. But there’s something else going on, something a little more interesting, which—in a roundabout way—can help to explain why I think we are asking some of the wrong questions about this uptick in queer identification. This particular queerphobic explanation adds additional requirements to clear the bar of “queerness”: it has to last this long or you have to be attracted to this many people of the same sex, or you have to felt this way from birth. In other words, this is an argument about what it means to be queer: what factors matter in terms of defining sexuality and gender, and who gets to decide. In some ways, this is a discussion humanity is always having, and these ideas are constantly shifting over time.

Humanity may be in the throes of another breakthrough that's every bit as impactful as the invention of the transistor and the advent (and eventual vindication) of quantum computing. LK-99, as it's been named, is a new compound that researchers believe will enable the fabrication of room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductors. Initially published by a Korean team last Friday, frantic work is underway throughout the research world to validate the paper's claims. For now, two separate sources have already provided preliminary confirmations that this might actually be the real thing — Chinese researchers have even posted video proof. Strap in; this is a maglev-powered, superconducting ride.

The Chesterfield County police department is withholding nearly all of its police officers names from public view, arguing a novel interpretation of Virginia’s FOIA law and frustrating a local police oversight group.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the United States government’s credit rating, citing rising debt at the federal, state, and local levels and a “steady deterioration in standards of governance” over the past two decades.

The Story County Attorney's Office has filed a criminal complaint against Iowa State University quarterback Hunter Dekkers, charging him with tampering with records related to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s probe into sports gambling. Dekkers is accused of placing 26 wagers on Iowa State sporting events, including the 2021 football game against Oklahoma State when he was a sophomore backup quarterback, according to the complaint, filed in Iowa District Court for Story County. Dekkers did not play in that game. The complaint alleges the DraftKings account controlled by Dekkers completed approximately 366 mobile/online sports wagers totaling “over $2,799.” Dekkers, who started all 12 of the Cyclones' games last season, would face permanent loss of eligibility under NCAA guidelines that prohibit athletes from wagering on their own games or other sports at their own schools. Dekkers will not participate in Iowa State's fall preseason camp practices in order to "focus on his studies and on the defense of this criminal charge," according to a statement released by his attorneys. All told, three current and one former Iowa State athlete were charged Tuesday with tampering with records in an attempt to disguise their identities while placing sports wagers. All are accused of manipulating transactions to create the appearance that their bets were placed by other people.

The business model depends on "triggering" liberals — but they're running out of progressives to bait

A Boston police officer, in full uniform, was caught on camera coming down a children’s slide at the newly renovated playground at City Hall Plaza. It appears the officer got a faster ride than he bargained for when he tried out the slide. The video, showing the officer tumbling out of the slide in his uniform, went viral on social media sites. It got millions of views on Tik Tok. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said she had not seen the video when reporters asked her about it Tuesday afternoon, but she praised the upgraded play space.

The Christian crowdfunding site that helped raise $8.7 million for the anti-vax “freedom convoy” in Canada was hacked on Sunday night, and the names and personal details of over 92,000 donors were leaked online.

The Lehman-like collapse of a(nother) private equity–owned ER operator has physicians calling louder than ever for a strike.

Removing endangered species protections would put the species on a path toward extinction.

Fans of the popular YouTuber have described the Mr. Beast-branded meals as ‘disgusting’

A Dallas zoologist describes what it's like to make massive, macabre ice treats for big cats in the sweltering heat.

From Pee-wee Herman (of course) to Buffy to Murphy Brown (and much more), a look back at Paul Reubens' legacy of laughter

Luann de Lesseps, Lisa Rinna, and Mary Bonnet are among those weighing in on Bethenny Frankel's reality union plan

The people that got and sick, disabled, or died -- No mention

Uber Technologies Inc. is headed to court to defend itself against a bicyclist “doored” by a driver’s vehicle on a busy street in bike-friendly San Francisco — the first such case to go to trial in California on claims that the company usually settles privately. Edgard Velarde, 64, refused to settle out of court for injuries he alleges he sustained after being hit by the door of passenger exiting an Uber vehicle, turning down a $1 million offer from Uber in exchange for keeping quiet about the incident. Instead, he’s intent on bringing the case to a trial that’s set to start Thursday. Uber tends to settle personal injury claims against its drivers out of court and public view. Velarde is seeking “many millions” in damages from Uber and promises to expose lies he says the rideshare company told him and details of the lack of training it provides to its drivers. “Uber has told us they will not settle with us unless it’s a confidential settlement, so Velarde and I would have to give up our right to ever talk to anybody about what happened,” said Michael Stephenson, Velarde’s lawyer. “We aren’t willing to do that.” Uber declined to comment on the lawsuit and cases like these can end up settling even after the trial begins. In court filings, it has argued that “Uber does not belong in this case.” Velarde is asking a jury to hold the company liable for injuries that are “completely untethered” from Uber or its app, the company said.

Tricia Cotham, a Democrat who supported abortion rights, was encouraged to run for a state House seat by powerful Republicans. After she was elected, she joined them and delivered a G.O.P. supermajority.

O’Shae Sibley, 28, was vogueing when men attacked him with gay slurs and told him to stop. A hate crimes task force is investigating.

Agents with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force have arrested four people after a large-scale drug trafficking operation, possibly the largest in West Tennessee, was discovered inside a former Humboldt, Tennessee, Walmart.

The large X sign hastily installed atop the Market Street headquarters of Elon Musk’s rebranded Twitter disappeared Monday morning following neighborhood controversy and at least two thwarted inspection attempts.