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@mr.steven.petrow

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Brother, uncle, writer, dog dad🐶
Author of “The Joy You Make" and “Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old." Find me on Substack.

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Since my beloved sister Julie Petrow-Cohen died three years ago today, I’ve been writing about us as a way to keep her close, to keep her memory and smile alive. It’s becoming a book, and so on this anniversary, I wanted to share an excerpt on my Substack. If you're so inclined, please read, share, and subscribe. Link in bio. #stevenpetrow #inmemory #siblings #substack by @mr.steven.petrow

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4 months ago

The FDA is expected to approve a new kind of blood test that may allow earlier diagnosis and less invasive, more effective treatment. But doctors warn of drawbacks. Link to my latest for @washingtonpost in my stories. #cancer #bloodtest #health by @mr.steven.petrow

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15 hours ago

Look at that face. Not so cute the morning of my planned colonoscopy, let me tell you. What made up for it, though, was the kindness my community showed me. Read more about what went down in my latest on Substack. Please consider subscribing to read my latest articles - and to follow along in the many adventures of Binx. Link in bio. #community #colonoscopy #dogs by @mr.steven.petrow

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17 hours ago

I have fallen in love with this highly unconventional and deeply moving memoir that @allisonsweetgrant has given us. Grateful for her words, her heart, and her recovery. LUMP: a memoir in ineloquent reflections. @gid_ @adamgrant #cancer #cancermemoirs #breastcancer by @mr.steven.petrow

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taken in Hillsborough, North Carolina by @mr.steven.petrow

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3 days ago

Repost from @lattergaystories
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The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has restored its “Press 3” option for LGBTQ+ young people, more than a year after the Trump administration eliminated the specialized crisis service.

“Press 3” launched in 2022 to connect LGBTQ+ callers with counselors trained to understand the specific crises they may face, including family rejection, bullying, coming out and questions around sexual orientation or gender identity. By the time the program was shut down in July 2025, it had been used more than 1.5 million times.

The Trump administration said the dedicated funding had been exhausted and argued that LGBTQ+ youth should no longer be “siloed” into a separate service. But the administration also tied the decision to its broader rejection of LGBTQ+ and DEI programs. The White House budget office accused the program of promoting “radical gender ideology,” while federal agencies were being directed to eliminate programs associated with DEI and what Trump officials call “gender ideology.”

Congress heard “loud and clear” from their constituents and forced the administration to put the service back into operation. A bipartisan group of lawmakers pushed for its return, and federal spending legislation included $33.1 million to fund the specialized LGBTQ+ service—requiring HHS to restore Press 3. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. later committed to complying with the law.

The service officially returned on September 30, 2026, the last day of the federal fiscal year and 14 months after it had been shut down.

There has been no indication that the Trump administration has changed its position on LGBTQ+ policy. HHS has said it remains aligned with Trump’s executive orders regarding “gender ideology,” even as it complies with Congress and operates the restored service.

For an LGBTQ+ young person in crisis, Press 3 is once again available by calling or texting 988. The service is secure, confidential and effective. by @mr.steven.petrow

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4 days ago

Do you have a plan for voting? If not, make one. And then do it. #vote #vote2026 by @mr.steven.petrow

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4 days ago

It’s official. My new favorite cocktail is the Paper Plane! This must have been why I went to Texas. @hotelotto and Stewart’s. taken in Fort Worth, Texas by @mr.steven.petrow

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6 days ago

Repost from @gayety
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On October 12, 1998, Matthew Shepard died at just 21 years old, five days after being brutally beaten, tied to a fence, and left for dead outside Laramie, Wyoming.

His murder shocked the nation and exposed the deadly consequences of anti-LGBTQ+ hatred.

During the trial, lawyers for one of his killers attempted to use what became known as the “gay panic defense,” arguing that an alleged sexual advance from Shepard had provoked a violent reaction. The judge rejected the strategy, which sought to reduce the severity of the charges.

In the years that followed, Matthew’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, turned their grief into advocacy. They founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation, helping push for the 2009 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded federal protections to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity.

Today, the Foundation continues that work through education, community outreach, and hate crime prevention training for law enforcement.

Twenty-eight years later, Matthew’s story remains a reminder of both how far we’ve come and how much work remains.

Rest in peace, Matthew. You deserved so much more. ❤️

Photo by Steve Lisa/Getty Images
Sources: Matthew Shepard Foundation, Associated Press, U.S. Department of Justice. by @mr.steven.petrow

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6 days ago

Very pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Petrow family LGBTQ+ fellowships. Congratulations @_javi__fuentes and @divinebyrd

@jessiepetrowco @lambdaliterary @vacenterforthecreativearts @nlgjaofficial

Repost from @vacenterforthecreativearts
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We're so pleased to announce two recipients of VCCA’s Steven Petrow and Julie Petrow-Cohen LGBTQ+ Fellowship this fall: Javier Fuentes and Divine Byrd. Both are first-time #VCCAFellows at work on novels that aim to reverse queer erasure.

The fellowship recognizes and supports outstanding LGBTQ+ writers, providing them with time and space to pursue their creative projects within the supportive community of VCCA’s renowned artist residency program at Mt. San Angelo in Virginia.

With more than 175 applicants to the 2026 award and so many deserving writers, VCCA Board member and award funder @mr.steven.petrow felt compelled to sponsor a second fellowship this year. That means, Mt. San Angelo will be home to two Petrow Family Fellows over the course of VCCA’s current fall residency season, spanning September through December.

“At a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack, I appreciated that VCCA had an unprecedented number of applicants for our family’s fellowship, and that these two outstanding writers could benefit from the magical gifts of the Mt. San Angelo campus. The act of writing is a form of resistance, and I know my sister Julie, an activist, would have agreed whole heartedly,” said Steven Petrow.

The fellowship is awarded annually and will next be available for VCCA’s Fall 2027 residency season at Mt. San Angelo. Online applications opened October 1, 2026, with a deadline of January 15, 2027.

Learn more at vcca.com 🧡🧡 by @mr.steven.petrow

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7 days ago

by @mr.steven.petrow

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7 days ago

The joy of the Fort Worth Botanic gardens. Enjoy! #fortworthbotanicgarden #fortworth taken in Fort Worth, Texas by @mr.steven.petrow

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8 days ago