Champions on NBC

5 LGBTQ things you need to know today, March 8

1. Trump administration Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is changing the agency’s mission statement, removing language guaranteeing inclusive and discrimination-free housing communities. Under Carson’s leadership, HUD has scrapped projects intended to serve the LGBTQ community, which included providing online training materials to assist transgender people needing housing assistance.

2. Grayson Pittman, 27, of Zebulon, North Carolina, was arrested after pulling a gun outside popular Raleigh LGBTQ hangout Ruby Deluxe and going off on a homophobic rant Monday night. When denied entry into the club, Pittman shouted anti-gay slurs and brandished his gun, so bar staff called 911, and Raleigh Police found the loaded gun, a Taser and a fixed-blade knife in Pittman’s backpack.

3. Newsweek rounds up some excellent streaming films for feminists of all ages to catch today on International Women’s Day, including lesbian favorite “But I’m a Cheerleader,” about a “gay conversion” camp, and the Cate Blanchett starrer “Carol.”

4. The parenting website Romper offers 6 Ways to Support Transgender Parents on International Women’s Day.

5. VIDEO OF THE DAY: Mindy Kaling’s new sitcom, “Champions,” premiering tonight on NBC, centers around gay teen Michael (played by out actor JJ Totah) meeting his dad for the first time in New York City.