Skip to Main Content
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

NYU’s LGBTQ+ Center and Global Spiritual Life hosted Black trans activist and award-winning writer Raquel Willis for a panel discussing excellence in the Black trans community. During the panel, Willis spoke about her recent projects that aimed to humanize trans victims of violence and discrimination. (Image via nyu.edu)

Black trans activist Raquel Willis talks resistance and remembrance

NYU’s LGBTQ+ Center began Trans Awareness Week with a panel featuring Raquel Willis, an award-winning writer and activist.
Kristian Burt and Suhail Gharaibeh November 16, 2021

Activist and writer Raquel Willis joined NYU’s LGBTQ+ and Global Spiritual Life centers Monday evening for a panel discussion about her views on activism and spirituality as...

Greenwich Village is home to many historic queer bars and restaurants, such as The Stonewall Inn in the West Village. Although the neighborhood’s history draws LGBTQ+ applicants to NYU every year, the university still needs to make improvements for its LGBTQ+ students. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

The complexities of being LGBTQ+ at NYU

The vibrant queer culture at NYU and in Greenwich Village is often a draw for prospective LGBTQ+ students. However, the reality of being queer at NYU remains complex.
Aria Young, Contributing Writer November 4, 2021

Located in Greenwich Village, a historic hub of queer culture, NYU portrays its environment as diverse and accepting of LGBTQ+ students. Although the neighborhood’s history draws...

As a musician with a growing TikTok fanbase, Stella Smyth has been gaining attention for her unique songwriting and production style. (Photo by Rhianydd Hylton)

Stella Smyth is the electro-pop artist you need to watch

After a somewhat rocky start on TikTok, this Clive Davis student is making a name for herself through her exquisite and introspective hyperpop.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor October 22, 2021

Singer-songwriter-producer Stella Smyth blew up on TikTok — not because people loved her music, but because they hated it. In fall 2020, the NYU student posted teaser clips...

(Photo by Carlos Hernandez)

LGBTQ+ photographers in NYC decolonize the lens

Young LGBTQ+ photographers in NYC are using unconventional photography as a means of decolonial resistance and self-exploration.
Ava Emilione, Contributing Writer October 22, 2021

My photography journey began in fifth grade with an iPhone 4 and a very open-minded group of friends. I forced them to model in front of my rudimentary lens at the local park,...

NYU students, faculty and staff can now have their university ID cards reprinted to reflect chosen names and gender-affirming photos. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU offers free new ID cards to reflect chosen names, updated photos

The university’s Card Center will now help students, faculty and staff better reflect their gender identities with updated ID cards.
Alex Tey and Vinith Yedidi October 22, 2021

To better support the gender expression of students, faculty and staff, NYU community members can now have their university identification cards reprinted for free with a chosen...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to this: FLETCHER reimagines Katy Perry’s ‘I Kissed A Girl’

Read about the most notable singles this week by James Blake, Arca and more.
Yas Akdag and Holden Lay October 14, 2021

This week we review two songs by NYU alumni. The Venezuelan producer Arca and New Jersey native FLETCHER both attended the Clive Davis Institute at NYU. Arca pushes the boundaries...

The statue of Marsha P. Johnson, decorated in a wreath and flowers, stands in Christopher Park. This monument honoring the gay liberation pioneer was installed by a local artist without city authorization. (Staff Photo by Sirui Wu)

Guerrilla memorial is NYC’s first statue of a trans person

The unauthorized statue of gay liberation activist Marsha P. Johnson in Christopher Park amplifies the silenced Black transgender voices of the LGBTQ+ movement.
Rachel Cohen, Deputy News Editor September 20, 2021

In 2019, New York City announced plans to install a monument honoring gay liberation pioneer and Black transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson down the street from the Stonewall...

Coming to University and Into Their Own

Coming to University and Into Their Own

A lot can happen in four years of college. These three students have been on the journey of coming out as transgender, and socially or medically transitioning in order to become their most authentic selves.
Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Deputy Managing Editor May 7, 2020

Dear reader, here you will find three stories of transgender and genderqueer students from NYU. All of them embarked on separate journeys of self-discovery and self-acceptance...

In quarantine, Kelly Drake has managed to keep her creative outlet of radio shows afloat. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Drake)

Kelly Drake, Community in Crisis and Support on the Airwaves

Amid the mass setbacks in artistic endeavors among the student body, Kelly Drake has managed to keep her creative outlet of radio shows afloat.
Ethan Zack, Arts Editor, Arts Editor April 23, 2020

Kelly Drake was on top of it all. Prior to NYU’s closure of its facilities, the Steinhardt junior was pursuing a major and three minors, all while holding the position of...


“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is now playing in cinemas. The film explores the blossoming relationship between two women in the 18th century. (Staff Photo by Kaylee DeFreitas)

‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’: A Masterful Exploration of Love

The Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay Winner is a stunning portrayal of love through the gaze of an artist.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor February 18, 2020

The Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay Winner is a stunning portrayal of love through the gaze of an artist. A group of women hum different notes around a fire....

Attorney and activist Mia Yamamoto speaks to an audience at Furman Hall. Yamamoto is a Japanese-American transgender woman, and she led a conversation about the 2017 U.S. ban on transgender military service members. (Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Attorney Speaks on President Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

Transgender lawyer Mia Yamamoto spoke to law students at NYU about the policy and implications of the transgender military ban.
Shelly Lin, Contributing Writer February 12, 2020

Japanese-American transgender lawyer Mia Yamamoto spoke to a room full of aspiring lawyers about President Trump’s 2019 ban on transgender individuals’ military service at...

Sex Education is back for a second season, and continues to address traditionally taboo issues of sexuality. (Staff photo by Chelsea Li)

‘Sex Education’ Season Two Explores the Serious Side of Sexuality

The new season deftly tackles issues like sexual assault, but still fosters toxicity in its portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships.
Ashley Wu, Deputy Arts Editor January 31, 2020

Content warning: This article contains spoilers. An awkward, sexually inexperienced high school boy charging his classmates for his (unqualified) sex advice — to call the...