If you were to ask Ken Schneck about the one thing he is certain of, hell most likely answer that question with the confidence he exudes once hes behind a microphone. Queer and trans news, reported by queer and trans people, is essential and deserves to be heard. Since July, the award-winning journalist and editor [...]The post Queer Voices Reporting Queer Stories: How This News Is So Gay Podcast Informs and Entertains first appeared on GLAAD.

Pro football is becoming more inclusive of male players in the LGBTQ+ community!When Kansas State offensive tackle and NFL hopeful Scott Frantz came out to the nation as gay, he shared that his teammates (to whom he'd come out earlier) had warmly received the news, a sign the most alpha of locker rooms may finally be ready for equality. That's a quick shift considering retired NFL player Ryan O'Callaghan (who came out shortly before Frantz) shared that as recently as 2011 he'd contemplated taking his own life as a better option than letting his sexuality be disclosed while he still played ball. So, with more and more football stars coming out and authentically living in their truths, has the future finally charged onto the turf?Here's a list of players in college and pro football who have proved you can be gay or bi and still run the gauntlet.Dave KopayRunning back Dave Kopay, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1964, would play for five teams before hanging up his jersey in 1972. He would become the first major professional athlete to come out in any sport, telling his story to the Washington Star in 1975 -- three years after his retirement. He graced the cover of The Advocate a few months later. Kopay released a best-selling autobiography a couple years after that, but find himself an outcast in the football world for decades, denied a chance to coach because of his sexuality even in the late 1990s. He eventually revealed he'd had a short relationship with a closeted Jerry Smith.Jerry SmithLess than two months before his 1986 death, legendary Washington Redskins tight end Jerry Smith disclosed to The Washington Post that he was dying of an AIDS-related illness. But even in that final interview, he declined to "elaborate on his life style," as the Post put it. In ensuing years, the player's homsexuality would be documented posthumously, notably in a short NFL documentary. Coach Vince Lombardi had apparently confided in Smith that he knew of his sexuality but would never let it impact him negatively; Lombardi's brother was also gay. Smith was part of a star Redskins lineup during the late 1960s. His career 60 touchdowns would set a record among tight ends that would stand for 26 years. Yet he conspicuously has never been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.Roy SimmonsRoy "Sugar Bear" Simmons, an offensive lineman for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, became the second NFL player ever to publicly reveal he was gay. Six years after playing his last game, a Super Bowl, he came out on Donahue in 1992. He would publish a memoir, Out of Bounds: Coming Out of Sexual Abuse, Addiction and My Life of Lies in the NFL in 2006. Simmons, who was HIV-positive, died of complications from pneumonia in 2014.Ray McDonaldIn 1968, Washington Redskins running back Ray McDonald was arrested for having sex with a man in public, just a year after the Redskins had drafted him in the first round. So Coach Vince Lombardi knew McDonald was gay when he took over leadership of the team in 1969, but made clear there would be no discrimination in his locker room, those close to the legend say. However, Lombardi would eventually fire McDonald for showing up late to a meeting, and the back would never play pro ball again. In 1986, after being hospitalized when a lover stabbed him, McDonald learned he had contracted HIV, and he would die of AIDS-related causes in 1993.Esera TuaoloA defensive tackle, journeyman Esera Tualo would play for five teams over nine seasons, with his longest run on the Minnesota Vikings. He would come out to HBO Sports in 2002, where he discussed laughing off gay jokes and slurs for years while he played ball.Wade DavisCornerback Wade Davis, who played preseason with the Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins and spent two seasons with NFL Europe teams Berlin Thunder and Barcelona Dragons, came out as gay in 2012, nearly a decade after his retirement. Davis said he concealed his sexuality from teammates while he played. He would later join the staff of the Hetrick-Martin Institute in New York, working with LGBT youth.Ryan O'CallaghanRyan O'Callaghan, an offensive tackle with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, came out to OutSports in June of 2017, revealing that he had long contemplated suicide should he lose the chance to hide his sexuality with the mask of a macho sport. After a career-ending injury in 2011, he battled painkiller abuse and even wrote a suicide note, but after counseling decided to come out first to his family and then to the general public.Kwame HarrisKwame Harris played five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and one with Oakland Raiders before retiring from the sport after the 2008 season. The offensive tackle would be outed publicly in 2013 after a domestic dispute with a boyfriend landed him in jail. He would later confirm his sexuality on CNN and sit down with ESPN to discuss the challenges of growing up gay in Jamaica and playing football while closeted.Michael SamThe world took notice in 2014 when All-American defensive end Michael Sam came out as gay to ESPN while still in college. But he said that had been an known fact in the Missouri Tigers locker room. He famously kissed his boyfriend on camera when he got drafted by the St. Louis Rams and became the first openly gay player ever to get drafted by an NFL team. However, he would be cut before getting an official place on the roster. He did end up playing two years with the Montreal Alouettes, making him the first openly gay player in the history of the Canadian Football League.Dorien BryantA Purdue alum who gained more yards than any other non-Heisman Trophy winner in Big Ten history, Dorien Bryant failed to get drafted in 2008. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers later but got cut. He later declined to sign with the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys before coming out as gay at 24, he told Philadelphia Magazine in 2013. He revealed to the magazine that he'd dated a male cheerleader at Purdue who had threatened to out him then.Brad ThorsonA center for Wisconsin when the team finished number 5 in the country, Brad Thorson would go undrafted in 2011, then sign as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals, only to end up on an injured reserve list before leaving the league without playing a regular season game. He would later move to San Francisco and join the Fog, a gay rugby team, and pen a coming-out blog post in 2015.Ed GallagherA University of Pittsburgh offensive lineman from 1977 through 1979, Ed Gallagher repressed his sexuality until 1985, when he had his first sexual encounter with a man, then attempted to kill himself 12 days later. Left paralyzed, he would go on to publish a book and to found Alive to Thrive, becoming a spokesman for the disabled and advocate for human rights. He died in 2005.Eric LueshenA kicker for the Nebraska Cornhuskers who played from 2003 through 2005, Eric Lueshen told OutSports he was open about being gay and suffered relentless bullying from a handful of teammates. While he said he never kept his sexuality a secret, a "conspiracy of silence" left the matter unspoken in the media.Alan GendreauA kicker for four seasons with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Alan Gendreau, openly gay from age 16 on, would end his college career as the lead scorer in Sun Belt conference history. But he failed to get drafted or signed to an NFL team.Conner MertensConner Mertens, a placekicker at Willamette University in Oregon, publicly came out as bisexual in 2014, the first Division III college football player to do so. His baseball-playing boyfriend would come out the next week. Mertens today is active with the You Can Play Project, encouraging LGBT youth to stay active in sports.Mitchell EbyChapman University defensive end Mitchell Eby in 2014 would come out to teammates in a speech that resulted in applause, he told OutSports. He made the decision to announce he was gay, the first active Division III player to do so, after connecting with Conner Mertens through You Can Play, he said.Chip SarafinArizona State lineman Chris Sarafin in 2014 came out as gay to local LGBT publication Compete, making him the first Division I player out of the closet. The move quickly brought messages of support from the athletic department and university officials, and the writer for Compete told The Arizona Republic that the school in fact approached him about breaking the story.Brian SimsBrian Sims in 2000 was named co-captain for the Bloomsberg University football team in Pennsylvania, making him the first openly gay college football captain in NCAA history, according to OutSports. Sims, post-football, entered politics and in 2012 became the first openly gay politician ever elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Mason DarrowAn offensive lineman for Princeton, Mason Darrow came out in 2015. Last fall, he helped Princeton capture an Ivy League title, the second during his college career. He's now pursuing a front-office job in professional sports.My-King JohnsonIn 2017, My-King Johnson, a graduate of Tempe High School in Arizona, was the first openly gay scholarship player recruited to play major college football, taking the field with the University of Arizona.Scott FrantzKansas State offensive tackle Scott Frantz came out during a July 2017 interview on ESPN. He revealed he came out to teammates the previous year during a team-building exercise before he even told his family, and had kept his sexuality secret during recruiting because he feared it might be an issue (though coaches say it would have made no difference). Frantz started all 13 games last year as a freshman and already enjoys attention from NFL scouts. He and My-King Johnson are expected to be the only out players taking the field for Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (previously Division I-A) teams this year -- at least so far.Kyle KurziolekLinebacker Kyle Kurziolek came out in February of 2017, his senior year playing for the University of St. Francis, and may be the first active player to come out after receiving an athletic scholarship, according to OutSports.Darrion McAlisterMarian University center Darrion McAlister came out to The Indianapolis Star in February of 2017. He said he wanted to enter his final season of college ball living openly and honestly, and emailed the newspaper shortly after Kurdziolek, a friend and opponent on the field, came out publicly.Wyatt PertusetWyatt Pertuset, a special teams player and receiver for Capital University, will be a sophomore this season. He came out to OutSports in May of 2017, where he announced hopes to be among the first out players to score a touchdown and to receive an All-Conference honor.Scott CooperDuring his senior year, Augsburg College linebacker Scott Cooper gave a speech at the school's chapel on National Coming Out Day in 2013, and at his last game would be introduced on the field alongside his partner, he wrote in OutSports.Theodore LisoskiDefensive back Theodore Lisoski was out when he tried out doe and made the Portland Pit Bulls (formerly the Portland Monarchs), a semi-pro team, in 2014. Lisoski now plays with the Cowlitz Cobras.Ryan RussellIn a heartfelt essay published by ESPN in the fall of 2019, the NFL free agent came out as a "talented football player, a damn good writer, a loving son, an overbearing brother, a caring friend, a loyal lover, and a bisexual man.""Today, I have two goals: returning to the NFL, and living my life openly," he wrote at the time. "I want to live my dream of playing the game I've worked my whole life to play, and being open about the person I've always been."Since then, he has urged the NFL to become more diverse and inclusive of out, LGBTQ+ players. "I am proud to be an out bisexual Black man, and it's time the NFL was proud to have me and others like me as an active part of their family," he wrote in an essay he penned for Out last year after participating in the NFL's Coming Out Day PSA. "I appeared in this month's PSA alongside my brothers to make sure that our message is clear. Football is for everyone and since I came out in August of 2019, I have dedicated myself to ensuring that is the case."Colton UnderwoodThe Bachelor star and former football player (who was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent and was on the practice squad of the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles) came out as gay in April of 2021, saying he had finally come to terms with his sexuality and the "next step in all of this was sort of letting people know."He wanted everyone to know he was "still the same Colton everybody met on TV" and is "proud to be gay."Carl NassibThe Raiders lineman made NFL history during Pride Month 2021 when he came out as gay in a heartfelt Instagram post, becoming the first active NFL player to come out as member of the LGBTQ+ community. "What's up people," Nassib said in his Instagram video. "I'm at my house in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay. I've been meaning to do this for a while now but finally feel comfortable getting it off my chest. I really have the best life, the best family, friends and job a guy can ask for."He continued: "I'm a pretty private person so I hope you guys know that I'm not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are not necessary, but until then I will do my best and my part to cultivate a culture that's accepting and compassionate and I'm going to start by donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project. They're an incredible organization, they're the number one suicide-prevention service for LGBTQ youth in America and they're truly doing incredible things. I'm very excited to be a part of it and help in any way that I can and I'm really pumped to see what the future holds."In September of 2023, just before the start of the NFL season, Nassib took to Instagram to announce his retirement from the league, saying the decision to retire was a difficult but important one. "This would have been my 23rd football season," he wrote. "I've been playing football since I was eight years old, and I'm really excited to move on to the next chapter of my life."Byron PerkinsThe Hampton University player made history in October of 2022 when he came out as gay in an Instagram Story post, becoming the first out gay football player at a Historically Black College or University. "I have come to understand that life is precious and I could be gone at any moment, therefore, I will no longer be living a lie," Perkins wrote in his Insta post. "No one should have to live a life crippled by what society thinks."Speaking to OutSports, he continued: "Especially at an HBCU, young Black gay men need an outlet. They need a support system. There hasn't been an out gay football athlete at an HBCU. I want to end the stigma of what people think. I want people to know they can be themselves."Kevin MaxenIn July of 2023, Kevin Maxen, the assistant strength coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, publicly came out in an interview with Outsports, making history as the first male coach in a US professional league to come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community.Before joining the Jaguars organization, Maxen worked for the Baylor Bears and the Vanderbilt Commodores. He also played football himself during his college years when he was a linebacker for Western Connecticut State University. "I dont want to feel like I have to think about it anymore," Maxen, who also revealed he had been in a relationship with another man for two years, told Outsports. "I dont want to feel like I have to lie about who I am seeing, or why I am living with someone else. I want to be vocal in support of people living how they want to live, but I also want to just live and not feel fear about how people will react."Kennedy McDowellKennedy McDowell came out as gay in the eighth grade and went on to have a successful career in football over the years, despite the obvious setbacks in a sport that can still be very homophobic.Some colleges really didnt want a gay football player, and I understand that, McDowell told The Athletic in a profile published in September of 2023. Its a tough sport. Everybody has to be quote-unquote tough. But I was like, I want to be who I am, and I want to inspire other people to be who they are, too.As of this writing, the 63 defensive lineman plays in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for the Colorado State Rams.Mitch BrownMitch Brown came out as bisexual in an interview from August 2025, which turned him into the first-ever male athlete in the history of the Australian Football League to identify as an out queer man.After coming out in an interview, Brown shared an Instagram story that read, "Very weird feeling knowing this is out in the world but I feel confident in who I am and have amazing support around me. If this helps even one person it will have been worth it.""This isn't about me," the AFL alum added. "The world needs more positive male role models, and I hope I can step up and be one."

December marks 24 years since The Fellowship of the Ring first hit theaters and turned the cast of The Lord of the Rings into instant fantasy heartthrobs.Among the most iconic were Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Dominic Monaghan (Merry), and Billy Boyd (Pippin). Each was a heartthrob in their own right. Bloom had his bow and flowing blond hair, while Monaghan and Boyd were the pint-sized twink chaos agents we wanted to protect and corrupt.Over the weekend, Monaghan posted a throwback pic of the three of them captioned, Longgggg nighttssss in sydneyyyy with the boys. So tired we missed the first act of Madame butterfly at the Sydney opera house. Shameful.While the caption was cute in its own right, the pic of the three of them lying shirtless in bed together, with Monaghan sandwiched between Bloom and Boyd, has some people saying Legolas took the hobbits to Isenhard.See on InstagramWe cant say we disagree.In the comments, the gays, as usual, united and sounded off.Some people wrote in about fantasies theyd had like this before.Others wondered why this scene hadnt been included in the extended edition of the films.Some asked questions we all have, like whos the bottom.While others noted the pic made first, second, and third breakfast look good.As usual, meme warriors came through with screenshots from the film, like this one of Frodo drooling:Or this one of Merry smoking:Some made jokes about jealousy from the other actors and hobbits:And others reminded us that whatever happens in Lothlorien stays there:All we know is, we are here for the 18 and over edition of Lord of the Rings, and were definitely willing to pay the premium cost.If, for some reason, you have yet to see the masterpiece that is The Lord of the Rings, you can stream all the movies (theatrical and extended) on HBO Max.

Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday urged compassion and unity after a shooter opened fire at Annunciation School during a morning back-to-school mass, killing two children and wounding 17 others. Frey praised the heroic actions of teachers who shielded students and warned that the tragedy should not be twisted into an excuse to vilify marginalized people.I have heard about a whole lot of hate thats being directed at our trans community, Frey said at an afternoon press conference. Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity. Kids died. This needs to be about them.Authorities identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, the child of a former parish employee. FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency is investigating the assault as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics. (@) According to court documents reviewed by local NBC affiliate KARE, Westman applied to change her name when she was 17. That request was granted in January 2020, the station reports.Related: No, transgender and nonbinary people are not frequently mass shootersThe Human Rights Campaign echoed that warning, stressing that compassion must not give way to scapegoating. HRC National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf, who survived the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, said the tragedy was both devastating and preventable. He pointed to the nearly 60 shootings at K-12 schools in 2025 alone and argued that lawmakers have consistently blocked lifesaving gun reforms.While we still dont know all the facts about what happened in Minneapolis, we must be clear on one key element: to scapegoat an entire marginalized community in a moment of such intense national grief is wrong, dangerous, and dehumanizing, Wolf said. He added that the undeniable crisis is the broader epidemic of gun violence that continues to claim lives across the country.Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara, who told reporters that he could not confirm Westmans name change, said the attack began just before 8:30 a.m., when Westman allegedly approached the side of Annunciation Roman Catholic Church and fired a rifle through stained-glass windows into pews filled with children and families. Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed where they sat. Fourteen other children and three adults were wounded, at least two critically.The shooter, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, also appeared to barricade some of the churchs doors from the outside. A smoke device was recovered, but no explosives were found. OHara said the gunfire was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and worshipers and described the attack as absolutely incomprehensible.Police said Westman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the church parking lot.Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, called the massacre evil and horror and death, saying it had shattered what should have been joy and curiosity at the start of the school year. He ordered flags flown at half-staff and said President Donald Trump had offered federal support. Pope Leo XIV also conveyed condolences from the Vatican.A GLAAD spokesperson expressed grief for the victims and warned against spreading misinformation. "Families and an entire community are in shock and pain. Our focus must be on them and on taking steps to comfort them and prevent another tragedy," the spokesperson told The Advocate. "Focusing on the shooter or on misinformation before facts are confirmed does a severe injustice to all impacted. We do know this: gun violence is an epidemic, and the number one killer of children in the U.S."The spokesperson added, "This marks the fifth school shooting of 2025, according to NBC News. Shootings in Tennessee, Texas, Florida, and California, and countless more in every possible venue. The common thread in all mass shootings is guns and access to guns."KARE reports that Westman grew up in Richfield, where her mother worked at Annunciation until her retirement in 2021. Investigators are reviewing a manifesto-style video posted on YouTube after the attack that referenced suicide, school shootings, and the parish itself. Even as officials continue to investigate a motive, advocates emphasized that tragedies like this should not be weaponized to stigmatize transgender people. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows transgender people are responsible for fewer than 0.2 percent of mass shootings since 2014, while LGBTQ+ people are far more often the victims of such violence.This story is developing...

A Black queer person on the move, Benjamin Coy is constantly navigating. Airports, algorithms, advocacy strategy, and identity he moves through all with precision and style. At 27, he serves as communications marketing campaign manager for the National LGBTQ Task Force, where his work straddles legacy organizing and digital culture.I manage our social media content, content strategy with brand development, and brand cohesion, he says. Its a fancy way of saying I do a little bit of everything.His latest focus is influencer marketing. These influencers have a dedicated audience of folks that are trusting of their opinions and experiences, Coy says. Theyre looking at them to have a lens into someone elses world. And that is honestly super powerful.Its about more than communication: Its coalition-building.It was important for us to tap into that just to find those new audiences, a new base as we go into building power and building queer power in this year and beyond, Coy says.I dont have to show up in a queer space and just be queer, he says. I dont have to show up in the Black space and just be Black. I am me 24/7. The actuality of intersectionality is what I think is missing in a lot of these movement spaces. He points to Mauree Turner, the first out nonbinary state legislator in the U.S. and the first Muslim state lawmaker in Oklahoma; Florida U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress; Raquel Willis, a Black transgender author and activist and a former editor of Out; and Hope Giselle, a nationally known Black trans activist, author, and founder of the nonprofit AllowMe, as models of people at the full intersections of their identities.The folks are saying the things, Coy says. They just need more platforms to help amplify their work.Outside his day job, Coy, who is based in Washington, D.C., is a content creator, fashion analyst, and podcast host. His show, Cocktails and Culture, is in its fourth season.Its been a fun outlet, he says. My day-to-day is very inundated with the negatives, so I live for those moments where I changed one persons life just by one post.His advice for young activists? Use your voice. Or raise funds. Or share stories. Whatever youre comfortable doing, do that, he says. Its all about confidence, baby. Cocktails & Culture Podcast This article is part of The Advocate's July/Aug 2025 issue, on newsstands now. Support queer media and subscribe or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.

It's time to subscribe!Franek Skywalker is just one of the many celebrities that have joined OnlyFans in the last few years. Many Disney Channel fans may recognize Skywalker as a child star who portrayed Sebastian "Seba" on Do dzwonka, the Polish version of As the Bell Rings.Shortly after his time on the family show, the star decided to focus his career on modeling and he began showing plenty of skin in his provocative pics.Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Skywalker decided to finally join OnlyFans and upload sexy photos that fans are obsessed with."It's really classy stuff! It started with outtakes from my photoshoots. You couldn't post much without getting blocked and banned [on Instagram]. I started posting more racy stuff. I'm taking care of my followers," Skywalker tells PRIDE. See on Instagram As of now, Skywalker is mainly focusing spicy photos on his OnlyFans and hasn't posted too many steamy videos just yet. However, the star isn't completely ruling them out in the future."I don't know if I'm ready to do a full video. Sometimes I cringe watching myself! I'm not ready because I don't have the skill. I'm willing to try and do my best. If I'm getting any opportunities, I'm going to take them."For anyone hoping to join OnlyFans in the future, the model has some key pieces of advice for aspiring influencers on the platform."First, do some research! It's important for them to have support from their families, if it's that important for them. I talked with my family before. I needed the support, but if you don't need it, just really think about what you're doing. It stays on the internet forever!"Fans can follow Franek Skywalker on Instagram here. To see the full interview, check out the video at the top of the page.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, one of the nations most visible public health leaders and a longtime trusted voice for LGBTQ+ communities, has resigned from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He denounced what he describes as a wholesale dismantling of science under President Donald Trumps Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Daskalakis posted his blistering resignation letter on X on Wednesday evening. In it, he said he would step down as director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases on Thursday, citing irreconcilable ethical and scientific concerns.I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the publics health, Daskalakis wrote. "I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough."Related: How the CDCs Dr. Demetre Daskalakis Stood on the Frontlines in 2021Daskalakis condemned Kennedys HHS for sidelining career scientists, withholding data, and dictating immunization schedules that he said threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.The resignation is the most dramatic rupture yet between career scientists and the Kennedy administration, which has upended decades of vaccine policy, often announcing sweeping shifts through social media posts or opinion pieces. Daskalakis warned that radical non-transparency and unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end risks returning the country to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive.A gay infectious-disease physician known for his blunt candor and visible tattoos, Daskalakis rose to prominence as deputy health commissioner in New York City during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he led aggressive outreach in queer communities. He later became director of the CDCs Division of HIV and AIDS Prevention and was tapped by the Biden administration as deputy coordinator of the national mpox response in 2022, a role that brought him into the national spotlight.Related: Why Are Conservatives Tearing Their Hair Out Over This Gay Doctor?For years, Daskalakis has long been on the front lines of epidemics that disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people. During the 2021 summer mpox outbreak in Provincetown, Massachusetts, he helped guide the CDCs pandemic messaging. A year later, he became the White Houses go-to official on mpox, where he insisted on culturally competent outreach and equitable vaccine access. That work made him a target of right-wing media, which fixated on his sexuality, tattoos, and social media presence. Daskalakis shrugged off the attacks and continued to press for destigmatizing public health crises. (@) The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines, favoring natural infection and unproven remedies, will bring us to a pre-vaccine era, he wrote in his resignation letter. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.Daskalakiss decision came as part of a cascade of exits that have shaken the countrys top public health agency. Senate-confirmed CDC Director Susan Monarez was abruptly ousted after less than a month in the role, with her lawyers saying she had been targeted for refusing to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives from Kennedy. Within hours, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry and National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Daniel Jernigan also announced their resignations.Related: Monkeypox: 1-on-1 With the White House's Response Deputy CoordinatorThe Washington Post reports that Monarez had faced days of pressure from Kennedy and senior aides to support sweeping changes to the coronavirus vaccine policy and to dismiss her senior staff. When she refused, Kennedy demanded her resignation; she resisted, enlisting the support of Senate Health Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, a Republican who had backed Kennedys nomination in part on assurances about protecting vaccines. HHS later announced on social media that Monarez is no longer director, though her lawyers insist she was neither fired nor resigned.In one of the most searing passages of his letter, Daskalakis highlighted his work with the queer community.For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics, he wrote. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.He added that public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nations health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.At the CDC, subject-matter experts had not been permitted a single substantive briefing with the Secretary in the Trump administrations first seven months, Daskalakis wrote. Instead, major policy changes have been rolled out in what he called poorly scripted videos or page-long X posts, leaving scientists scrambling to retrofit data to match political dictates.He also linked his decision to the administrations broader culture war agenda, saying Kennedy and his allies have created an environment where violence like this can occur a reference to a recent shooting at CDC headquarters.Daskalakis credited his resignation to his grandfather, who was killed resisting fascism in Greece. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud, he wrote.The CDC and HHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Advocate has also reached out to Daskalakis.

Republicans have been making headlines for decades every time one is caught having a gay affair despite their family values platforms, but now affluent gay conservative men are part of Donald Trumps inner circle and the A-List of MAGA-friendly circles in Washington, D.C.Dubbed Trumps A-Gays, these powerful conservatives are the new power tribe in the capital, according to a recent profile by the New York Times. They wheel and deal on Capitol Hill and hold positions with the Trump administration while they turn their backs on their own community. But who are these A-Gays who are willing to sell out the LGBTQ+ community for proximity to power?Who and what are the A-Gays?The A-Gays are wealthy, white power gays who support Trump and the MAGA agenda and work closely with the president. They have even taken over the Log Cabin Republicans and turned the gay Republican organization toward MAGA politics. John Casey of The Advocate described the A-Gays as a grotesque display of hypocrisy, delusion, and self-importance. These poor excuses for gay men have chosen to bow before the very administration that is taking a knife to the LGBTQ+ community.Instead of using the power of being in community with other gay men as a way to create meaningful change for LGBTQ+ people, the A-Gays are busy using their privilege to further the MAGA agenda. I love having this community as a resource. Back in the day, these groups had to be closed off and hidden, but now we use it as a tool, high-ranking Trump official Charles Moran told the NYT.The A-Gays seem to latch on to the few pro-gay things Trump has done in the past, like allowing gay people to join Mar-a-Lago when other clubs in Palm Beach would have turned them away, being accepting of gay contestant Clay Lee on The Apprentice, and saying he loves the gays because they pay the most for the weddings. They are somehow able to sidestep the cognitive dissonance of supporting MAGA's anti-gay agenda while being gay. So instead, they worship Melania Trump and either ignore or directly support Trump as he defunds queer youth suicide hotlines, cuts the budget of HIV programs in the U.S. and abroad, destroys trans rights and bans trans people from the military, and erases LGBTQ+ history from official White House sources.They argue that the battle for gay rights has basically been won, and that there has never been a Republican as friendly to the gays as Donald J. Trump, NYT reporter Shawn McCreesh wrote, who says that powerful gay men like Peter Thiel, Charles Moran, Tony Fabrizio, Trent Morse, Richard Grenell, Jacob Helberg, and Scott Bessent are all A-Gays.Meet the A-GaysCharles MoranSee on InstagramCharles Moran took over the Log Cabin Republicans in 2019, and drove the gay Republican group further to the right, aligning it with the MAGA movement.He stepped down in January and was gifted a position with the Trump administration. He is now the associate administrator for external affairs for the National Nuclear Security Administration.Peter ThielTech billionaire and venture capitalist Peter Thiel helped to finance Trumps 2016 run for president. He also spoke at 2016 Republican National Convention, where he said I am proud to be gay. I am proud to be a Republican. But most of all I am proud to be an American. Since 2000, he has contributed $50 million to various candidates, including to Vice President JD Vances 2022 run for the U.S. Senate, and has been a powerful fixture in Republican politics ever since.Tony FabrizioTony Fabrizio is a political strategist and Trumps longtime pollster, serving as Chief pollster on the presidents 2016 and 2024 campaigns. Hes been working in Republican politics for decades, including working on Bob Doles 1996 presidential bid.Trent MorseTrent Morse is a former deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the Office of Personnel, who became a prominent aide to Trump this year. Now, Morse is leaving the administration to become a lobbyist with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, one of the largest firms on K Street, where he will be a senior strategic adviser.Richard GrenellSee on InstagramRichard Grenell is a diplomat and former public relations consultant who served as acting director of national intelligence in 2020 under Trump. He is frequently cited as the first openly gay acting Caninet-level official in U.S. history.Grenell has served as special presidential envoy for special missions since earlier this year, and then in February he was made the interim Kennedy Center President by Trump.Jacob HelbergJacob Helberg donated $1 million to Trumps 2024 campaign, and then Trump nominated him as the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment by Trump, and now serves as a commissioner for the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission.Scott BessentScott Bessent is former hedge fund manager who has been serving at the United States Secretary of the Treasury under Trump. He used to work as a partner at Soros Fund Management and founded Key Square Group, a global macro investment firm.

Several LGBTQ+ experiences are shared in these documentaries.Netflix has no shortage of documentaries to watch!Netflix has always featured a wide range of documentaries and docuseries in its catalog, and some have focused on queer people. However, in recent years, Netflix has upped its documentary output. Now, documentaries are one of Netflix's hallmarks.The streamer features films and series about sports, arts, pop culture, true crime, mysteries, and history. Plenty of them are about LGBTQ+ subjects.Check out these eleven Netflix documentaries and docuseries that tell stories about LGBTQ+ people.'The Truth About Jussie Smollett?'This documentary about embattled actor Jussie Smollett focuses on a hate crime he says two white men committed against him in 2019 and the whirlwind controversy that followed. The documentary examines the incident from both Smollett's and the Chicago Police's perspectives and features Smollett discussing the case openly for the first time since 2019.Watch now.'Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser'This docuseries examines weight-loss reality show The Biggest Loser. The series ran for 17 seasons, with most starring gay trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. This series interviews former contestants, as well as people who worked on the show, to discuss the good and the bad of the show.Watch now.'Amy Bradley Is Missing'This three-part true crime docuseries looks at the 1998 disappearance of 23-year-old Amy Bradley, who went missing from a cruise ship while with her family. The series explores Bradley's lesbianism and her family's struggle with her sexuality, and features interviews with her ex-girlfriends.Watch now.'I'm Your Venus'I'm Your Venus features the ballroom and biological families of Paris Is Burning subject Venus Xtravaganza, who come together to celebrate her legacy and seek answers to her unsolved murder at the age of 23.Watch now.'Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness'Tiger King was one of the biggest documentary series of 2020. It follows Joe Exotic, a former private zookeeper and convicted felon. The series takes a look at the world of big cat breeding and conservation and private zoos. After another conservationist, Carole Baskin, accused Exotic of animal abuse, he hired a hitman to murder her.Watch now.'Disclosure'This documentary features trans leaders in the world of TV and Film, such as Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Chaz Bono, Alexandra Billings, Jen Richards, Brian Michael Smith, Candis Cayne, and more. They talk about Hollywood's depiction of trans people throughout history and the real-life impacts it has.Watch now.'Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer'This true crime docuseries focuses on the online manhunt for Canadian gay porn actor, animal abuser, and murderer Luka Magnotta.Watch now.'Will & Harper'Josh Greenbaum directed this road-trip documentary about longtime friends Will Ferrell and Harper Steele. The two met while working on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s and became fast friends. After Steele came out as transgender in 2021, the two decided to go on a road trip across America to get reacquainted with each other and their country.Watch now.'Circus of Books'Circus of Books documents the titular bookstore and gay porn shop in West Hollywood. The bookstore was originally founded in the 1960s, but in 1982, it was acquired by Barry and Karon Mason. In the 80s, the bookstore was caught in an FBI sting operation, cracking down on pornography.Watch now.'Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution'This is the first documentary to explore the history of LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy and examine its place in the world. It features comedians like Judy Gold, Guy Branum, Rosie O'Donnell, Fortune Feimster, Bruce Vilanch, and Margaret Cho.Watch now.'Tig'This 2015 documentary follows comedian Tig Notaro after she was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her mother died. The film follows the next year in her life, as she begins a relationship with actor Stephanie Allynne.Watch now.

The late, great The Vivienne the first-ever crowned winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK who competed in the all-winners edition of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars years later has had her origin story, drag evolution, and joyous message encapsulated in a new documentary, Dear Viv, being released today on the WOW Presents Plus streaming service.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!In the lead-up to this moving and heartwarming documentary feature which was entirely filmed, assembled, and released in the span of eight months Out spoke with World of Wonder cofounder Fenton Bailey. Throughout our conversation, Bailey recalled fond memories of getting to know The Vivienne and her family, discussed the process of making Dear Viv, and shared a message of joy and resistance that he hopes can inspire the LGBTQ+ community during challenging times.Out: You're from Portsmouth, England. Do you feel a special connection to the U.K. queens, and The Vivienne specifically, being from England as well?Fenton Bailey: The Vivienne was that sort of preeminent star of British drag, which is so different to U.S. drag. So, in that sense, there was a kinship; I've always understood British drag. But it was interesting how that didn't really apply to The Vivienne. She was this incredible artist of perfection.Fans often talk about this big aesthetic difference among the queens competing in seasons 1 and 2 of Drag Race UK, and how people like The Vivienne, and Blu Hydrangea, really pushed the U.K. queens in future seasons to look more polished.That is one part of The Vivienne's legacy for sure, in terms of upping the game. The Vivienne was the ambassador of Drag Race UK before the show was even commissioned. A cable channel in the U.K. was showing the U.S. show and wanted to find someone to represent the brand. And, of course, that was The Vivienne.The Vivienne was incredible on Drag Race UK season 1, as well as in the all-winners season even going toe-to-toe with Jinkx Monsoon. And then, in the West End, we started to see her making these pretty big moves. She was involved in a few productions in the West End while the queens in the U.S. were also taking over Broadway. It felt like she was on track to so much more success. And then, from a production standpoint, DragCon in the U.K. was happening right after she passed. What was it like, on your end, to receive the news and adjust to it?I was just thinking that you mentioned Jinkx on Broadway. I'm going to go see Jinkx in Oh, Mary!, and just to think about The Vivienne, too, playing the Wicked Witch of the West in [a West End theater production of The Wizard of Oz], it felt like there was this whole Not another career, but this extension and continuation of a career that was on this sort of rocket path. So it's just so sudden, and shocking. She was so young. It was also just five days before DragCon [in the U.K.], and everybody was like, 'What do we do?'DragCon is a big celebration. It just felt so weird. The idea of having a booth and letting people express their feelings by signing a book and writing on the wall That was such a great idea, in hindsight. I don't think we anticipated the outpouring of grief and sentiment, which then led us to say, 'Well, we should document this for other people to experience it; people who aren't going to DragCon.' In the course of that, Randy [Barbato] had the idea of actually, 'You know what? We should make a film about The Viv.' It was a great idea, and it was sort of a therapeutic thing to do, because it was very recent, very raw, and very fresh.At the same time, it was great that we could all just get on board and do the documentary. It didn't feel sentimental; it didn't feel moribund. It felt like we were also responding, and doing something useful, and contributing. Everybody at World of Wonder worked on the film. Pete Williams, and many of the people at World of Wonder We've all been together for years, but he's also produced Trixie and Katya for many years. He's in the family, and he stepped up to direct this. It was emotional, but it was also really good. It felt like we were spending time with Viv, especially going through all the archives, and all the interviews, and all the videos that we do when we shoot Drag Race. A lot of them don't get used in the final show just because there isn't enough time and space, so it was great to be able to find that material, and use it, and put it in the documentary, so people can get to know Viv.See on InstagramWatching the documentary, it felt like a 'group therapy' session for The Vivienne's loved ones, and for the other queens who knew her well. Did you feel similarly, as a producer?It did. It did for me and for Randy, too, and for everyone at World of Wonder. For the family, though, it must have been incredibly hard because it was so A loss like that is not something you get over quickly, or even ever get over. For them to let us in, and give their support, and say, 'Tell this story.' It's such an honor; it really is. And they've seen the film, and I'm just relieved that they love it as much as we love it.What incredible parents, they are. How great to have a mum, and dad, and a sister like that. Many in our community are not so lucky, and that was another reason I found it really heartwarming.World of Wonder has done plenty of documentaries, but this project was still a very quick turnaround. What was that experience like, to put together something so delicate in such a short period of time?It was possible because we didn't hang around. And it was intense, but I actually think that it speaks to something else that's happening in our industry. We're seeing how linear and cable TV are giving way to other models, and other ways of doing things. We're so lucky that we have a service like WOW Presents Plus because you don't have to spend weeks and months writing a treatment, going out, and pitching this. We can just do it. We can just pull the trigger and do it. Being able to do that is so important today.In Viv's particular case, it was really crucial. It's always challenging to have to go out and convince someone else that something is worth making. We were just like, 'Nope. We know what we're doing. We know what we've got to do, and this will be a good thing.' And it's great. The BBC came on board as partners later in the process But in the meantime, before that, we were able just to get on with it, and do it, and oh my goodness. It just makes a difference. It really does.While watching Dear Viv, I thought to myself how in just this one platform WOW Presents Plus a fan could watch the documentary, and then see her season of Drag Race UK, and also see her Morning T&T series with Baga Chipz. That is a pretty unique, and interesting, user experience.It feels really good. And I think, by the way, that the Morning T&T series with Baga and The Viv is so priceless, and funny, but also really pointed and telling. It's the kind of humor that strikes at the very core of the self-important, self-appointed, repressive forces. It does so in a really charming and funny way, but it is no less deadly and incisive. And that was The Viv all the way.So even though this film is kind of a memorial, it doesn't feel Oh, I don't know. I think everybody was happy when we were making it. It feels very much like the film that she would've wanted to make. The only thing I could say is that she might make a better film [laughs], but I still think it's pretty good considering she wasn't around to guide us.We're at this weird point of supposedly a regime that would want to silence us. But we've all been so invisible, for so long, that there's actually no going back now. We all just have to stick with it and have the courage of our convictions. Whatever's happening now It doesn't really reflect who people are and how they think. It is undoubtedly a regressive step, and it's appalling to see massive media empires bending the knee and accommodating this nonsense. But I'm confident that it won't last.I'm also excited that we today have a culture of not just World of Wonder, but I think very much inspired by drag queens and drag that's about getting out there, and doing it, and making it yourself, and just putting it. It's kind of a punk aesthetic. And whether it's Ru or many other queens, it's always been about, 'Just do it. It doesn't matter how small the stage is It doesn't matter what the network is. You just do it.' There's no real substitute for that. It's really important to stick with that right now, and to not give up.I love watching the Night Fever episodes where you and James St. James discuss queer culture and nightlife in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. But it's interesting to me how, suddenly, these stories and concerns of other eras started to sound quite familiar. As someone who's lived through those moments and discussed those periods of time at length, what's your advice to younger people who are going through something like that for the first time?Oh my god, that's a great question. It's funny, I hadn't really thought of it until you put it this way; that we're actually seeing a repeat of something that we went through. Because even Reagan and AIDS, as awful as it was, it didn't feel to me quite as extensive or potentially terminal. But I look at Ru's TikTok, and he's doing these fabulous videos. [We both start giggling.] You know, Ru's on set! He just goes out and does this. There's no budget. There's no crew. He just does it.And I think that is the message: That we should not lose our sense of humor. We should not lose our joy or our ability to entertain people. Those things, perhaps more than anything else, will change hearts and minds to the extent that they can be changed. The best defiance, and the best resistance, to me, is creativity. So I'd say, 'Just don't stop. Don't become invisible. Don't fall silent. Fuck them.'Dear Viv premieres Thursday, August 28 on WOW Presents Plus.

The second that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Tuesday in a post uploaded to Instagram, phones were flooded with push notifications from news outlets breaking the news, screams were heard from Swifties in every office, and social media was set ablaze. One of those social media platforms was Reddit and more specifically, the Gaylor Swift subreddit, which went private shortly after the announcement. See on Instagram The niche community online is comprised of Swift's fans who believe that the pop star is secretly queer. The official subreddit, which boasted over 50,000 members before it closed itself off to the public, advertised itself as an online space "for thoughtful discussion and examination of Taylor Swift, including queer readings, themes and motifs in her work and public persona. After the page went private, any Reddit user who is not a part of the community is locked out with a message saying that only accepted members can view and contribute to the subreddit.This conspiracy theory stemmed from her friendship with model Karlie Kloss in the mid 2010s following her split with DJ Calvin Harris. In 2014, what became known as Kissgate took place. At a concert for The 1975, a fan claimed to have seen Kloss and Swift kissingbut the video captured was too grainy to tell and a rep for Swift told Entertainment Tonight that the claim was "crap." Fans also romantically linked Swift and former Glee star, Diana Agron.Throughout the years, there have been a few times when Swift was vocal about her support of the LGBTQ+ communitywhich was taken to a much further extent by her queer fans. At the TIME 100 Gala in 2019, she performed her song "New Years Day" and changed the lyrics from "I want your midnights" to "I want her midnights." Later that same year, she put out "You Need to Calm Down," a song in support of the queer community and featured prominent LGBTQ+ icons in the music video. In 2023, she seemed to have hint at the media's speculation of her sexuality given her close friendships to womennamely her "squad" that appeared in both the "Bad Blood" and whose names appeared as easter eggs in the "Look What You Made Me Do" video, which Kloss was a part of. In the liner notes for her album 1989 (Taylor's Version1989 (Taylor's Version), she wrote: I swore off dating and decided to focus only on myself, my music, my growth, and my female friendships. If I only hung out with my female friends, people couldnt sensationalize or sexualize that right? I would learn later on that people could and people would.The general public's reaction almost immediately after Swift and Kelce posted their engagement photos was a mix of excitement and disappointment, but the latter mainly came from the Gaylor community. People were sharing screenshots of users' posts on the subreddit to X. "Not to be dramatic but my breathing has been near-panic attack levels for two hours," one post read. "I know all the logistical reasons why this is fine, whether she's bi and really loves him or doing performance art or whatever. But ugh, it's just knocked me on my ass a little today." (@) Another screenshot someone shared showed a Reddit user questioning the whole basis of their conspiracy theory. "I'm genuinely scared watching how serious Taylor and Travis are becoming. Sometimes I wonder, what if they actually got married?? What if she's really not queer at all??" another post reads. (@) Some made jokes about the situation and the subreddit's reaction to the news. (@) But it seems like Kloss and Swift are on somewhat good terms as the supermodel (who is married to Joshua Kushner) was spotted in the crowd at the Eras Tour back in 2023, singing and dancing along to "You Need to Calm Down." (@) Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, but there's a fervent subset of her fan base that still believes in this conspiracy theory and will find any way to push their agenda. They will have the chance to continue the conversation when Swift releases her newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, on Oct. 3.

Netflix announced the third season of Ryan Murphy's popular anthology series, Monsters, and revealed that the subject will be Ed Gein. This comes after two successful seasons the first centered on Jeffrey Dahmer and the second on the Menendez Brothers. Now, Murphy and his creative partner Ian Brennan are focusing on one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. So much so that his murders went on to inspire three classic movies: The Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. (@) Premiering October3, the story is set to follow the serial killer known as "Butcher of Plainfield" or the "Plainfield Ghoul. Gein grew up in rural Wisconsin in the 1950s and lived on a poorly-managed farm that became the scene for some of his most gruesome murders. Here's more from the show's official logline: "Driven by isolation, psychosis, and an all-consuming obsession with his mother, Geins perverse crimes birthed a new kind of monster that would haunt Hollywood for decades. From Psycho to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to The Silence of the Lambs, Geins macabre legacy gave birth to fictional monsters born in his image and ignited a cultural obsession with the criminally deviant. Ed Gein didnt just influence a genre he became the blueprint for modern horror.The show's central figure will be portrayed by Charlie Hunnam, who was announced to be at the helm of the show back in September. He's known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy, Pacific Rim, and Crimson Peakbut one of his earliest roles was in the original UK version of Queer As Folk back in 1999. But he's not the only notable actor working this season, Murphy's got a few tricks up his sleeve.In addition to the British heartthrob, the cast includes The White Lotus' Tom Hollander, Laurie Metcalf from Lady Bird, Love, Simon's Joey Pollari, Phantom Thread star Lesley Manville, and Suzanna Son from Fear Street: Prom Queen. Charlie Hunnam on Monster season 3.Netflix

Betty Who recently came under fire for comments that she made on a podcast that were deemed "lesbophobic," and on Wednesday, the Australian singer issued an apology. The 33-year-old pop star, who identifies as "queer bisexual," found herself in the middle of controversy after discussing the sexuality of JoJo Siwa and Fletchertwo queer artists who came out as lesbians and then revealed they were dating menand Rene Rapp, who said she would never date a man, but Who said she "held space" for Rapp if she ended up with a man 10 years down the line. (@) In a post uploaded to her Instagram stories, Who started the statement by acknowledging that her words were not chosen carefully. "I recognize that the language I used poorly articulated my experience and unintentionally reinforced ideas that were harmful or dismissive, particularly toward the lesbian community," she wrote. "That was never my intention, and Im truly sorry. Everyones journey is deeply personal, and I shouldnt have spoken in ways that generalized or spoke for others.Who continued the statement by saying that she went on the show with intentions of talking about her own journey with her sexuality and gender identity, specifically with how they realized they identified as bisexual and non-binary. "I understand there is so much nuance in this conversation, and in other peoples lived experiences, that my comments did not reflect," the singer wrote. "I also recognise that Im coming from a place of privilege, and I never meant to contribute to prejudice against the community."She ended her statement saying, The LGBTQ+ community is my home; its where I came alive, found my people, and learned more about love, acceptance, and tolerance on a deeper human level. I will do better.

Damn, Orville Peck Back at it again with the thirst traps that get the gays losing their minds! And these new thirst-inducing photos are dedicated to all the gaymers out there keeping up with updates of the upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!The out singer has been cast as the character of Vega in a brand-new Street Fighter movie developed by the parent company of the video game series, Capcom, alongside Legendary Pictures."Blonde boy things [woman tipping hand emoji]," Peck wrote in the caption of a new Instagram carousel that shows him serving body-ody-ody already in-character as Vega.Needless to say, the gays are losing their minds not only over Peck showing skin, but also with these first-look images of how Vega will look like in the new Street Fighter film. (@) (@) (@) There are also pictures of Callina Liang (playing the gay icon Chun-Li in this new film) and Noah Centineo whose body is already looking Ken Masters-appropriate in new images of him embodying the character.The girls, gays, and theys will be watching For the plot, too, certainly! (@) (@) You can see Orville Peck's original post below.Street Fighter is coming soon.See on Instagram

Antoni Porowski has a new man!The Emmy-winning host of Queer Eye is enjoying his summer by hitting the countryside with his handsome new boyfriend, 33-year-old personal trainer Zacharias Niedzwiecki.Porowski's latest Instagram post shows off his new beau and the pair's recent trip to Traverse City, Michigan. The wholesome post includes the caption "pro-tip: find a local to show u around Traverse City " See on Instagram This isn't the first time that the two have popped up on each other's Instagram pages. Niedzwiecki has posted quite a few pics with Porowski throughout the summer.The duo have explored many destinations including Aspen, Colorado, New York, and even went on a yachting vacation in the Mediterranean Sea.Check out all of the adorable photos in Niedzwiecki's posts below!See on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on Instagram

The U.S. Debut of the renowned HIV Unwrapped, presented by PlusLife with support from GLAAD will make its U.S. debut during New York Fashion Week with an electrifying runway event at the Nexus Club New York on Saturday, September 13! Presented by +Life, a multi-media brand dedicated to eliminating HIV stigma, with support from Gilead [...]The post +Lifes HIV Unwrapped to Debut at New York Fashion Week 2025: Turning Science into Style, Smashing Stigma with Couture first appeared on GLAAD.

A clip of Grammy-nominated rapper iLoveMakonnen working in a restaurant has gone viral.In the video shared on social media, the rapper can be seen in an apron, moving around a restaurant kitchen, while people mingle in front of the counter he's behind."At work type shit," said iLoveMakonnen in the clip. "We're working and getting this money. You know what Im saying? If you need me to come guest chef at your motherfucking spot, holla at me. Let me know what city. I'm coming through, hookin' up." See on Instagram The 36-year-old musician, whose legal name is Makonnen Kamali Sheran, originally rose to fame in 2014 after his single "Tuesday" went viral. Hip-hop icon Drake hopped on the remix, which pushed the track to become a club classic and landed it at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It later landed the duo a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and iLoveMakonnen was signed to Drake's OVO Sound label.The relationship didn't last long, as Makonnen left the label in 2016 over "creative differences." That was just the beginning of his industry troubles. The rapper came out as gay in 2017, and later said that it caused some people in the music industry to distance themselves from him. In September 2024, he said that he was retiring the "iLoveMakonnen" name, according to HypeFresh. "Thank you all for ur support and interests over the years. It's time I move on and go live my life," he reportedly wrote in a post.He continued to make music but, even with that, he faced roadblocks. Earlier this month, iLoveMakonnen shared that his home base studio in Portland burned down."Can't believe I'm even typing this. Burn Money studios, where the whole crew makes music, has burned down," he wrote on Instagram. "They lost almost everything. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the pain is still real. Myself and so many friends have spent countless hours here making songs and memories."Even still, he plans to rebuild the studio and reawaken his artistry. "The universe doesn't always play by the rules. Things go up in flames, friends become strangers, and nothing's set in stone. But I won't give up," he wrote in a later post. "New Double Album coming February 2026!"A GoFundMe to rebuild the studio has raised over $6,000 so far. - YouTube www.youtube.com

Is Antoni single? No, not anymore!See on InstagramAntoni Porowski, the food and wine expert of Netflix's Queer Eye and host of NatGeo's No Taste Like Home, has reportedly hard-launched his new boyfriend, Zacharias Niedzwiecki, on social media. And that means he's taken, gents!Porowski became an overnight sensation alongside costars Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, and Tan France when Netflix launched its Queer Eye reboot in 2018. But things change over time and changes did happen with Porowski's past relationship, the Fab Five casting update to add Jeremiah Brent following Berk's exit, and the new series hosted by Porowski on the National Geographic cable network.Earlier this year, Porowski was an Out digital cover star while promoting No Taste Like Home, where he got to discuss the idea of nostalgia, places that feel like home to him, and his overall relationship to style and fashion. Porowski is sharing quite a few thirst traps on social media (sometimes with the assistance of his Queer Eye BFFs).One thing about Antoni's Single Boy Body era: the body is body-ing harder than ever before.Scroll through to see pictures of Antoni Porowski including recent ones with his Zacharias Niedzwiecki and make sure to follow the food expert at @antoni on Instagram. Queer Eye is streaming on Netflix. No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.See on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on Instagram

Broadway darling, two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner, and Doctor Who actress Jinkx Monsoon has her eyes set on one particular character for when the official X-Men reboot finally takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and her is pretty damn good.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!"Can I manifest something?" Monsoon asks in a clip from her interview on the Good One podcast hosted by Jesse David Fox. "Marvel now has regained the rights to the X-Men. I think it would be a really cool idea to have a trans woman be Mystique."Monsoon adds, "She's my favorite Marvel character of all time, and I relate to her so much. I think a lot of trans people do. Think about how nice it would be: To be able to just blend in and not have everyone pay attention to us if we don't want.""We also relate to the fact that like she's not accepted in her original form. So she has to transition to even walk around people," Monsoon argues. "I texted my agent and I was like, 'I don't know what's going on there, but start please start dropping my name.'"See on InstagramThe Vulture caption for this clip, "LET @thejinkx PLAY MYSTIQUE IN THE MCU WHEN @marvel," says a lot, too.Mystique, a shapeshifting mutant otherwise known as Raven Darkhlme, made her first comic-book appearance in the late 1970s disguised as Sherlock Holmes in issue No. 1 of Marvel Preview. Since then, Mystique has become one of biggest and most popular characters in the X-Men franchise of movies, TV shows, animated series, comic books, and video games.On the big screen, there have only been two live-action characterizations of Mystique. The first was introduced in 2000's X-Men, which led to a trilogy of films in which actress Rebecca Romjin played the shapeshifting mutant. The second live-action portrayal of Mystique was introduced in 2011's X-Men: First Class this time with Jennifer Lawrence playing the character.Even though it's already been confirmed that Romijn is reprising her role as Mystique in the upcoming 2026 film Avengers: Doomsday, many MCU fans theorize that the movie will serve as an overall reset button for the franchise along with its 2027 sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars and will make way for new actors to embody these beloved characters.Monsoon as Mystique? We'll be seated.The Good One podcast is on all podcast streaming platforms, and on YouTube.

As Summer draws to a close, we bid farewell to another Pride month. But, while some celebrations are over for now, the call to care for ourselves and our communities continues year-round.Staying proactive about our health and wellbeing is part of the LGBTQ+ experience and legacy. It is an act of self-care to stay informed and to support one another. These are also acts of resistance and resilience. As a community, we must remain vigilant. Why? Because, in this community, the stakes are higher.This includes staying informed about our health and wellness, including testing, screening and staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines that can help protect at-risk individuals against infectious diseases that disproportionately impact the LGTBQ+ community.Among these infectious diseases is mpox, a viral disease that is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact.1,2,3 Recent outbreaks of mpox globally have disproportionately impacted men who have sex with men (MSM), highlighting the need for vaccination to help protect against the spread of the disease.1 In fact, mpox was declared a public health emergency first in 2022 and again in 2024 according to the World Health Organization, or WHO.3While anyone can contract mpox, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those at higher risk include gay, bisexual, and other MSM, a person who has sex with gay, bisexual, or other MSM, who in the past six months have had any of the following:1A new diagnosis of 1 sexually transmitted disease.More than one sex partner.Sex at a commercial sex venue.Sex in association with a large public event in a geographic area where mpox transmission is occurring.Sexual partners of persons with the aforementioned risks.Persons who anticipate experiencing any of the aforementioned.Thankfully, there are ways that we can help contain the spread of mpox. While having open conversations with partners, avoiding close contact with people that may have mpox and washing hands are often effective strategies, the best way to help prevent mpox infection is through vaccination.1,4,5 Bavarian Nordics mpox vaccine, JYNNEOS (Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine, Live, Nonreplicating), is approved by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of smallpox and mpox disease in adults 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk for smallpox or mpox infection.6,7 The CDC recommends that those at higher risk of contracting mpox receive two doses of JYNNEOS, ideally 28 days apart.1 With full vaccination, studies have found that the effectiveness of JYNNEOS ranges from 66%-89%.8Despite the fact that mpox continues to spread globally, including in the U.S., vaccination rates in the U.S. are low overall, with more than half of those at risk still unvaccinated.3,9 Its important we do our part in helping reduce the spread by protect ourselves and others by getting vaccinated.1Vaccination remains one of the best tools we have to help protect against the spread of mpox, said Brian Hujdich, National Coalition for LGBTQ Health. By raising awareness among our community and getting our mpox vaccinations if we havent already, we remain proud and healthy in caring for ourselves and each other.If you feel you may be at risk of mpox, ask your healthcare provider if vaccination is appropriate for you. You can receive the vaccine at your local pharmacy, doctors office or neighborhood health clinic. You can also visit JYNNEOS.com for more information.So, as we continue reflecting on another Pride month, lets stay committed to caring for ourselves and one anotherbecause tending to our health is not just self-love, its an expression of Pride itself.JYNNEOS Indication and Usage6What is JYNNEOS?JYNNEOS is a vaccine to help prevent smallpox and mpox disease in adults 18 years of age and older who are at high risk for smallpox or monkeypox infection.What is the most important information I should know about taking JYNNEOS?Severe allergic reactions are possible. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to JYNNEOS in the past. You may be at increased risk for having a severe allergic reaction to JYNNEOS. You and your doctor will decide if you should receive another dose of JYNNEOS. Fainting has been reported following vaccination with JYNNEOS. JYNNEOS may not protect everyone who receives the vaccine.What information should I tell my healthcare provider?Tell your healthcare provider if you have a condition or are on medicine that lowers your immune system response. This may affect how well JYNNEOS will work for youTell your healthcare provider if you may become pregnant or are breastfeeding.How is JYNNEOS given?Your healthcare provider will give you two doses of JYNNEOS, under your skin (subcutaneous injection), 4 weeks apart. It is important that you receive both doses. What are the most common side effects of JYNNEOS?The most common injection site side effects include pain, redness, swelling, hardening of the skin, and itching. Other common side effects include muscle pain, headache, tiredness, nausea, and chills. These are not all the possible side effects of JYNNEOS. Patients should always ask their healthcare professionals for medical advice about the appropriate use of vaccines and adverse events. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bavarian Nordic at 1-833-365-9596 or the US Department of Health and Human Services by either visiting https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html or calling 1-800-822-7967.Please see full Prescribing Information.The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health partnered with Bavarian Nordic to share these important health messages. Visit https://healthlgbtq.org/mpox for additional mpox resources, including the mpox awareness campaign assets.1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, July 30). Mpox Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mpox/vaccines/index.html 2Mpox. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, August 19). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mpox3World Health Organization. (n.d.). MPOX outbreak. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/mpox-ou...4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, December 11). Preventing Mpox. Retrieved August 20, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/mpox/prevention/index.html.5Cleveland Clinic. Mpox (Monkeypox): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention. Cleveland Clinic, retrieved Aug. 20, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22371-monkeypox.6JYNNEOS Prescribing Information. https://bavariannordic.io/uploads/jynneos-pi.pdf7Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). FDA approves first live, non-replicating vaccine to prevent smallpox and Monkeypox. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcement...8Deputy, N. P., Deckert, J., Chard, A. N., Sandberg, N., Moulia, D. L., Barkley, E., Dalton, A. F., Sweet, C., Cohn, A. C., Little, D. R., Cohen, A. L., Sandmann, D., Payne, D. C., Gerhart, J. L., & Feldstein, L. R. (2023). Vaccine effectiveness of JYNNEOS against Mpox disease in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 388(26), 24342443. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa22152019Mpox vaccine administration in the U.S. | mpox | poxvirus | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/response/2022/va... US-JYN-2500011

When photographer Jen Graylock pitched a "drag to riches" documentary to RonMar Productions, she didn't realize the much more expansive story that the idea would become. Yet, it didn't take long for that project to become an urgent documentary chronicling the lives and careers of drag artists fighting against a wave of anti-drag legislation in the United States. And just like that, a new project titled Save the Queen was born.At the center of this story is Bella DuBalle, a drag queen and activist in Memphis, Tennessee whose career and life story is both personal and universal serving as a vessel for drag artists across the country.The production company behind Save the Queen, RonMar, was co-founded by Marcie Mule and Roni Selig with a mission to create "content that matters." Thus, Graylock's "drag to riches" idea made perfect sense and Mule, who's an out lesbian herself, immediately understood and was drawn to the concept.For years, Graylock watched drag's influence on high-fashion runways, collections, and creations. "Marc Jacobs was in the clubs. Jean Paul Gaultier was in the clubs. [Domenico] Dolce and [Stefano] Gabbana were in the clubs. They were there with the drag queens," Graylock tells Out, adding that she never saw drag queens as "gritty street people," but as "beautiful entitieswhich we see today on RuPaul's Drag Race."But drag bans came into effect, and nothing was the same.DuBalle, who's done drag for 12 years and calls Memphis her home, never planned to become a national figure. But that's what happened when she spoke out against a drag ban introduced in Tennessee. "I went viral for speaking out against Tennessee's anti-drag ban, and that's when Jen and I fell in together, and I met Marcie," the queen says.DuBalle argues that drag isn't just meant for entertainment, but is also an effective tool for social change, highlighting a "through line of how much we [drag artists] have contributed to the political movement, and liberation."DuBalle, who had been making a living as a full-time drag performer, was hit hard by the drag bans. "It wasn't just my creative outlet; it was my full-time job. Suddenly, I'm destitute," she recalls. Mule was struck by the image of DuBalle having to put "all of [her] beautiful gowns and wigs into storage," remarking on the psychological impact that this experience must've felt like.The drag bans, tragically, also happened around the time when DuBalle's father died. "I put him in the ground, and her [DuBalle] in the closet, in the same week," she says.Between the drag bans and anti-drag rhetoric being pushed by conservative forces, DuBalle didn't back down. She continued her all-ages drag brunches and essentially dared authorities to stop her. The ban was overturned for a little while after a dispute in the courts, but it didn't take long for new anti-drag legislature to return, though DuBalle insisted on "not paying any attention to it."Some of the biggest Pride Month events in the country banned drag performers altogether, or moved drag performances into private, ticketed tents. "There wouldn't even be Pride without drag queens," DuBalle recalls feeling at the time.This relentless anti-drag narrative struck DuBalle as deeply hypocritical. As someone who had worked as a professional Shakespearean actor for many years, DuBalle just couldn't shake this irrational contrast between two art forms she was attached to. "Right now, you're telling me I cannot put on a dress and go read in front of children," DuBalle recalls telling Republican Governor Bill Lee. "But last year your government paid me thousands and thousands of dollars to go into schools and play the nurse in Romeo and Juliet."DuBalle subsequently called out Governor Lee's reported history of dressing in drag for a high school powderpuff football fundraiser. "Now sir, you are out here in full drag in front of children. Is this not what you're saying is illegal?" DuBalle questioned.Selig says that drag is "an art form; it's a performance art," and notes the dangers of denying drag performers from their right to make a living essentially threatening all artists. DuBalle agrees that these vague laws "open the door for us to start shutting down creativity and pure artistic performances."Through it all, the Save the Queen project has not only been documenting DuBalle's hurdles, but also her comeback. After a year and a half away from the stage, DuBalle is now ready to come back with a drag brunch performance at Bao Toan in Memphis that's set for Sunday, August 31. And she's putting in the werk, okay?! DuBalle says she's even doing "housework in the heels" to get her muscle memory back.DuBalle's grand return to the stage is a performance with "four of my closest girls," she teases, including two of her "drag kids." When asked which song she's doing for such a memorable number, DuBalle says she's still figuring that out, explaining that she wants to find a balance between telling her story and giving people the upbeat energy they'd expect at drag brunch. Maybe some Dolly Parton will make it in there, though.As a production company, RonMar wants to sell this Save the Queen project to a major streamer like HBO Max or Netflix in order to keep following DuBalle's journey. For Selig, this project is urgent and significant because the world is at "a time when we need to bring some joy to the world." She adds that joy is an essential part of people's mental, physical, and spiritual health.DuBalle not only agrees, but sums it up perfectly: "Queer joy is resistance."

The next James Bond should be queer, and Hollywood is out of excuses.Daniel Craig has retired his role as James Bond for a few years now. As the 007 film franchise searches for a new actor to fill in the role, it becomes evident that the casting choice isn't just about acting, but about the direction that will save this iconic character from drowning in obscurity for having outdated personality traits of what it means to be a man.To be clear, there are dozens of great directions for the next Bond movie to explore. One of the best ideas and, frankly, what often seems like the easiest path for this character to look similar to what traditionalists want but slowly open them up to a new side of this man is for the next James Bond to be queer.Here are 13 out queer actors that fit the age range and birthplace criteria for getting cast as the new James Bond, and who could absolutely bring a new energy to this cinematic archetype of a man currently unfit for the modern world.Luke EvansCasting Luke Evans as the next James Bond is such an obvious choice that it is actually bonkers for any publication to compile a list of potential actors and somehow not include him in it. Even straight fans of the franchise have been shouting out his name for several years now. And, when asked if he'd still be interested in playing James Bond, the Out cover star at the time said yes, he would absolutely take on the role.Richard ArmitageRichard Armitage, best known for playing Thorin in the trilogy of The Hobbit films, would be a pitch-perfect James Bond. He already has the appeal of straight audiences, but is also unapologetically queer in his own way since coming out to the public. That suave energy is quite Bond-coded, if you ask us!Jonathan BaileyJonathan Bailey was a significant player in launching the massive hit Bridgerton franchise for Netflix, turned Fiyero into the most interesting version of the character fans have ever seen, explored his full queer self on Fellow Travelers, and then smashed box office records with his role in Jurassic World Rebirth. Hollywood knows that it could count on Bailey to bring to life a queer James Bond.Wentworth MillerWentworth Miller's complex relationship with the Prison Break TV series makes us wonder if he'd sign up for another huge commitment such as joining a multi-film contract to play James Bond for a few years. Nonetheless, this is an actor who can expertly carry both danger and tenderness in his performances, which would be a huge asset for the role of 007.Ncuti GatwaEven though Ncuti Gatwa is one of the youngest actors on this list, you would be sorely mistaken to dismiss this top-tier actor due to his age. In just a few years, Gatwa has steamrolled every single project he's starred in: From Netflix's Sex Education to the Barbie movie to playing a new iteration of the Doctor himself on the BBC's Doctor Who.Russell ToveyIs Russell Tovey a very talented actor whose performances in Looking, Plainclothes, Feud, Years and Years, American Horror Story, The Good Liar, and even an early-days role in The Pass made us actually believe that he was all of those characters in each of those projects? Yes. Is he also a very good looking man who, as seen in the attached photo, looks like he might as well already be the next James Bond? Yes. Many things can be true at the same time.Andrew ScottThe same actor who played C in 2015's Spectre has given us the "Hot Priest" of Fleabag, the universally beloved Adam in All of Us Strangers, and even an eerie performance as the titular character of Netflix's Ripley. I mean, it's Andrew Scott an actor who's been truly terrific in everything he's ever done.Ben AldridgeSince breaking out as the "Arsehole Guy" on Fleabag, Ben Aldridge has been on a hot streak of fantastic performances in projects like Pennyworth, Spoiler Alert, and Knock at the Cabin. He has the looks and the charm of a traditional James Bond, but can certainly bring out a warmer energy that the character desperately needs.Richard GaddEven though it's still hard to divorce Richard Gadd's image from Baby Reindeer, this is an incredibly skilled actor who had been in the game for a long time before he created the hit Netflix series. Gadd could lead an interesting new direction for Bond not only for being an out queer man, but for bringing a very different energy to this set-in-stone archetype of a man.Luke FetherstonBetween his roles in The Wheel of Time, Picture This, Still Up, and Big Mood, Luke Fetherston has shown that he's a pretty dynamic actor who could bring something new to a character like Bond. Within the context of this list, he would also be a less obvious name than others, which can be utilized as an advantage for a 007 reboot.Joel Harper-JacksonBest known for projects like The Devil's Hour and Daddy Issues as well as his work in theater and as a live performer Joel Harper-Jackson would be a great choice for a queer James Bond. Given that he's still building up his on-screen credits, moviegoers around the world would also be introduced to Harper-Jackson perhaps for the very first time, which is often very valuable when attempting to reintroduce such a well-known character.Max ParkerMax Parker is having a career-boosting 2025 as one of the out actors starring in the Netflix series Boots. However, it is very likely that British audiences are already familiar with him due to his memorable portrayal of Luke Posner in the long-running series Emmerdale Farm. Parker is certainly another up-and-coming actor in the U.K. who should be considered for a queer version of 007.Alexander LincolnAlexander Lincoln was a breakout star from the 2022 queer indie In from the Side. Since then, he's starred in films like The Fence, A Night Like This, and in The Groomsmen series of movies from the Hallmark Channel. Lincoln is also on the right track of making a name for himself in this industry, and Bond could be an even bigger breakout for the actor.

It can be challenging when a drag family, house, or girl group ends up having one person who still hasn't gotten to compete on RuPaul's Drag Race. Though Shontelle Sparkles comes a legendary legend lineage Trinity The Tuck is drag grandmother; Jewels Sparkles is her drag mother she's also carving out her own path in the drag scene.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!Today, Shontelle Sparkles released her debut EP, Butterfly Effect, which features five tracks: "Glow Up," "Beauty School Dropout," "Diamond Dust," Butterfly Effect," and "Happy Ending."Shontelle told The Advocate, "I'm so ecstatic for her. I'm so proud of her. Before she got on Drag Race, me and Trin [Trinity The Tuck] took her under [our wing] and were gonna help her build her name. We didn't have this goal for her to audition for Drag Race. We just wanted to genuinely take her under our wing because she had potential.""She auditioned for the show, and she got on, and we helped her with everything we could," Shontelle added. "Every sweat, every blood, every tear to get her where she needed to be. And she did amazing; it's so nice to see someone represent the legacy and the family in its fullest potential, because she got so close to win!"See on InstagramWhen address Drag Race as a topic of her own self, Shontelle gets candid:"In this industry, Drag Race is obviously the pinnacle, and I would love to be on it. It takes your career to the next level," she noted. "But I'm a big believer [that] Drag Race is not a career. It's a stepping-stone to making a career for yourself. It's a platform that is given to you. But at the end of the day, you shouldn't have a goal to get on Drag Race [as] the end goal."That's all lovely, but fans do want to see Shontelle entering Mama Ru's queendom. Hopefully, very soon!Shontelle Sparkles's debut EP, Butterfly Effect, is available on all music streaming platforms.

The majority of Kiss of the Spider Woman, an upcoming musical film featuring our cover stars Jennifer Lopez and Tonatiuh, takes place in a jail cell albeit one with flights of fancy. In it, cellmates Molina (Tonatiuh) and Valentin (Diego Luna) must learn to live in very close quarters with one another while also fearing prison guards who may descend at any moment with various violent surprises. Other than the dire circumstances, its a classic Odd Couple scenario: Molina is a queer window dresser who was jailed for public indecency, while Valentin is a political resistance fighter against an authoritarian state. While they seemingly have nothing in common, they form a bond due to their shared captivity and oppression. While Valentin initially demands silence from his chatty fellow captive, he eventually becomes entranced by the storytelling of Molina, who regales him with the fantastical plot of a film starring his favorite movie star, Ingrid Luna (Lopez).Kiss of the Spider Woman traces its origin to a 1976 novel by Argentinian writer Manuel Puig. (The new film is based on the 1993 Tony-winning stage musical.) Its depressing that an authoritorian story nearly 50 years old can chime with headlines from the United States today, such as the queer makeup artist and asylum seeker, Andry Hernndez Romero, who found himself detained and deported to a hellish prison in El Salvador. (Thankfully, as of press time, he was released.)I live in Los Angeles, where relentless ICE raids have stoked very real fears among the residents, particularly in immigrant communities. As Tonatiuh tells me in our interview on page 38, Especially [for] first-generation people like myself, its activating a sense of fear that we are next. And so I hope that this [film] gives people a space for some catharsis and a little escape and a win.Spider Woman offers a few lessons between inhumane conditions and musical numbers: Love can blossom in unlikely places, and theres joy to be found even in the most dreadful experiences, provided theyre weathered with someone who cares. In many ways, the film is also an ode to the movies and their stars, which have the power to lighten our hearts and even help us with a little escape from the inescapable. Fortunately, great escapes abound in this issue. In Television, the gay actor Hunter Doohan discusses his return to Netflixs Wednesday, in which Tim Burtons revival of the Addams Family franchise has opened the door to many fantastic distractions, among them Doohans suddenly musclebound baddie and a guest star in Lady Gaga (page 16). In Theater, Operation Mincemeat brings the real-life story of an Allied plan to trick the Nazis to Broadway all from a cast of gender-bending performers (page 18). In Film, self-described Daddy Russell Tovey reckons with a ruse from an undercover cop played by Tom Blyth, who may have fallen for his target in the new thriller Plainclothes (page 14). This is also the Fashion issue. And what better way to celebrate than with a documentary honoring costume designer Bob Mackie, whose influence, from Cher to Miley Cyrus, is still sparkling on Hollywoods red carpets (page 23). Get gussied up yourself in our Suiting spread, where models show how to rock a patterned look this fall (page 26). And check out the hottest runway trends in Out Picks as well as our editorial staffs favorite tech gadgets (page 10).Theres been much hand-wringing lately about how technology is going to destroy the world. But in Last Call, columnist Alexander Cheves highlights how AI chatbots could actually provide helpful therapy to the LGBTQ+ community (page 58). Trust, well need it. In Finance, a few professionals discuss why they ditched white-collar work for OnlyFans and whether or not it was worth it (page 20). Out Health profiles the subject of a trial for a biannual injectable PrEP drug, which could turn the tide in the fight against HIV (page 33). And the new doc Body Electric highlights the prevalence of body dysmorphia among LGBTQ+ people and offers hope in the fight ahead (page 36). Need a trip after this year? Dont we all. The Travel section reviews some much-needed winter escapes (page 50).Ill leave you with the words of Jennifer Lopez, whose stunning spread in these pages also, hopefully, offers a little escape. Come play with me. Well sing, well dance. Well forget about the troubles of the world for a little while, she says in our cover story. So leave your worries at the door, dear reader. Here, youre in good company. Sincerely,Daniel ReynoldsEditor in Chief, Out magazine@dnlreynolds This article is part of Out's Sept-Oct issue, now on newsstands. Support queer media and subscribe or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.

Nicole Pacent's character on Criminal Minds, Rebecca Wilson, recently got engaged to her partner, Dr. Tara Lewis, played by Aisha Tyler. In response to that iconic moment on the hit CBS series, Pacent shares an exclusive statement with Out.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!"After nearly 20 years acting in and self-generating indie queer media, it's hard to put into words just how much it means to me to be part of the queer love story on a mainstream juggernaut like Criminal Minds," Pacent tells Out. "In the show's 18-season run, my character, Rebecca Wilson, is the first recurring LGBTQ+ character who is neither victim, nor villain. The relationship between Tara (Aisha Tyler's character) and Rebecca is written in a way that reflects the real-life highs and lows of a normal queer couple."Pacent continues, "Despite the extraordinary personal and professional circumstances they find themselves in as colleagues at the FBI, Tara and Rebecca so clearly love, respect, and fight for each other, and their chosen family so clearly loves, respects, and fights for them right from the jump. The result, I have found, is what I have been fighting for all these years: Queer people and queer love normalized for a mainstream audience, and written in a way that makes our community feel seen, supported, and included in shows that mean so much to them."See on InstagramPacent also acknowledges the intensified anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric taking place in 2025. She writes:"Especially now, when LGBTQ+ rights are so glaringly under attack, and many networks and streamers are, as a very prominent queer writer/producer put it to me recently, 'allergic to identity-based content,' I feel all the more grateful to be part of the wonderful creative team at Criminal Minds who continue to prioritize characters and storylines that reflect the diversity of the world as it is, not as the current administration wishes it would be.And, I mean, what can I say? As a lifelong actor, as a human struggling through this time in our country's history, every day that I get to tell this story with the brilliant firecracker that is Aisha Tyler every day that I get to work with this ensemble of stellar humans and absolute legends on Criminal Minds That's a day when I'm reminded that there's still so much good, and still so much worth fighting for."We love a great sapphic moment in mainstream media and really appreciate allies like Pacent.Criminal Minds airs on CBS and is streaming on Paramount+.

Sabrina Carpenter is no stranger to pop cultural references in her music videos, and the latest one for her new single, "Tears," is no different. The playful new visualizer is an obvious reference to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo playing the lead role in drag. In the video, which pays homage to the timeless cult classic (which is celebrating it's 50th anniversary in September), audiences see Carpenter waking up in the middle of nowhere and wander over to a random house, very Janet-coded. She's welcomed in by Domingo as he portrays a Dr. Frank-N-Furter-esque character.Then, as she makes her way through the house, she is taunted by this new version's take on the movie's characers: Columbia, Magenta, and the Transylvanians. Throughout the video, there are moments where Carpenter does her best Janet impression and the character in this video mirrors the cult-classic's character. There is also a synchronized dance break towards the end, which also happens in Rocky Horror when the cast does the "Time Warp."The video then ends with her waking up outside and the boyfriend she left starts walking towards the house, dressed in an Eddie-inspired outfit, but instead of a saxophone, he has a guitar. Carpenter seems annoyed that the boyfriend is still alive and says, "No, it's a thing, someone has to die in every music video," right as she throws her stiletto heel that pierces the man's heart, and adds, "He was a nice one too but you have to give the people what they want."The music video was directed by Bardia Zeinali, who also worked with the burgeoning pop princess on the music video for "Please Please Please," featuring her seemingly ex-boyfriend Barry Keoghan.

There are two things you notice when you first meet Eric Sedeo: his smile and his laugh. It has become a part of his online brand because almost all the videos he posts on TikTok, where he has over 1.2 million followers, feature him smiling or laughing at himself while doing something ridiculous, like playing dress-up with wigs, or making hilarious jokes.Sedeo became known online first for his craftiness with DIY projectsand a fan-favorite tie-dye eraand then increasingly for his comedic skits. But after capturing the attention (and hearts) of his ever-growing fan base, the New York-based content creator has decided it's time to expand his brand with a new venture: his very own podcast. See on Instagram On September 4, Sedeo, a Texas native, will release the first episode of that podcast, Wild Wild Web, via the LGBTQ+ pop culture podcast network Confetti Cannon. In the official press release for the project, the show is described as "his very own digital rodeo." And each week, he will be wrangling his famous internet friends into sit-down conversations on a Western-themed set, where they'll discuss their rise to social media stardom and delve deeper into their most significant online moments. In the first episode, he'll talk to burgeoning TikTok star Vanilla Mace, and he says that he has a few additional episodes recorded already. But he doesn't want to spoil the fun by revealing who else he'll have on. He can say, though, that he's hoping to get some big names, and that Brittany Broski, Trixie Mattel, Quinta Brunson, and Amy Poehler are just some of his dream guests. But at the top of his list? Ariana Grande.The 28-year-old influencer sat down with Out to talk about this new(ish) media venture and what he sees for his career going forward. Eric SedeoBrendan Wixted When asked about how the idea for the podcast came about, Sedeo explained that the name and the conceptto give audiences a peek behind the curtain of how their favorite creators rose to famejust came to him during a conversation he was having with his manager over coffee. "If you really think about it, you don't really know everyone's internet origin storylike when they fell in love with the internet, how they got started, or what their first big video was," Sedeo tells Out. "So I thought it'd be cool to sit down and ask them." That segment of the show will be called "origin trail," a pun that Sedeo can't help but giggle at and then ask, "It's good, right?" After I agree with him, he goes on to say that the rest of the segments have fun names and that the biggest takeaway he hopes listeners get is a new understanding of their favorite creators.Sedeo is getting back in the saddle of podcasting after his first attempt at the medium dissolved. Back in 2023, his podcast Gay & Afraid ran for 29 episodes before it was met with substantial obstacles that ultimately led to its cancellation. One of those obstacles was that the podcast was filmed in Los Angeles, which meant he was travelling to California every six to eight weeks to record multiple episodes at once and then flying back to New York, only to repeat the process. "If I had done it week to week, I think the podcast would have grown so much more, or had more opportunity for me to learn, evolve, and change with it," Sedeo says.But on top of the grueling schedule, the production company he worked with, BRAT, let go of his producer and brought in a new person whom Sedeo felt didn't believe in the show. Eventually, Sedeo says, he felt it got to a point where no one could manage the show anymore, so it just stopped. "I was really sad about it," he says. "I felt like I failed. But more so, I felt like I couldn't manage that experience." With his new podcast, Sedeo is in full creative control. And it shows. Eric SedeoBrendan Wixted The promotional videos for Wild Wild Web are highly stylized and feature Sedeo's silly, quirky humor juxtaposed against a dusty, gritty Western backdrop. So even from the start, his passion, creativity, and experience working as an art director in advertising before he became a TikTok star really shine through. "I came up with a concept, I've done all the graphic design, and I hired my old, original producer," Sedeo says, referring to his collaborator on Gay & Afraid. "This is like a new version that's bigger, better, and much more well done. Plus, it's based in New York."Sedeo's optimism is infectious. Even when speaking about one of the tougher moments in his career, he's still gracious with himself. As he sees it, his first podcast was "a stepping stone" to get to where he is today, and he looks at what he's done as a content creatorespecially in the early days, when video ideas didn't always pan out the way he wanted them toin the same way. "You have to flop to fly," Sedeo says, adding that every day he repeats the motto, "I'm lucky that good things happen to me often."As a content creator, one thing Sedeo is always thinking about is expansion, and last month, he signed with United Talent Agency in an effort to build his career into other sectors of entertainment. The 28-year-old says he's open to new opportunities as they come and is pursuing various means of diversifying his rsum. For now, Wild Wild Web, which he calls "a labor of love," is his baby. Though, he's also hoping it will give him a pathway to pursuing other creative endeavors, like creating longer-form content, working in TV, hosting a red carpet, or even doing stand-up."I think it will open doors because I feel like it shows a different side of me," he says of Wild Wild Web. "I want to be more of a multi-hyphenatenot just an online creator, but someone who can make entertainment in all forms."

Lauren Gunderson, one of the writers for the 2022 animated feature Lightyear from Pixar Animation Studios, has spoken out about her process creating the lesbian couple seen in the film a reaction that follows the headline-making homophobic remarks from Snoop Dogg after seeing the film with his grandson.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!In a few Threads posts, Gunderson not only identified herself as the creator of the lesbian couple that appears for a few seconds in Lightyear, but also shared details about her process working on the Pixar movie centered around the Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear."So. I created the LIGHTYEAR lesbians.In 2018, I was a writer at Pixar such a cool place, grateful to work there, learned a ton from kind and impressive creatives.As we wrote early versions of what became LIGHTYEAR, a key character needed a partner, and it was so natural to write 'she' instead of 'he.' As small as that detail is in the film, I knew the representational effect it could have. Small line, big deal. I was elated that they kept it.""I'm proud of it. To infinity," Gunderson added. "Love is love."Gunderson also shared a follow-up post that read:"I was one of a few writers they had on it over the years, which is very common for screenwriting of course.I had very little to do with the final script. But I was proud to see a happy queer couple (even for a few seconds) onscreen. I know they got a lot of shit for this inclusion, but stuff like this matters because beautiful love like this exists. It's *not* fiction.What IS fiction is Zurg and lightspeed space travel and murderous aliens and a talking robot cat (long live Sox)."The writer didn't end there, either. A few hours later, Gunderson re-shared a post from the Human Rights Campaign that included the lesbian couple of Lightyear with the sentence, "Our stories are not 'scary.'"Gunderson added, "I wrote the LIGHTYEAR lesbians! So proud!"As of this writing, Gunderson's Threads posts are not showing for some users.This story is still developingLightyear is streaming on Disney+.

It's time to watch Peacemaker on HBO Max!In the latest episode of the hit show, Freddie Stroma strips down to just his tight white briefs and gets drenched in champagne. Naturally, the clip went viral on social media the next day, and fans began thirsting over the actor's sexy physique.In the series, Stroma plays Adrian Chase, aka Vigilante, Peacemaker's hilarious if a bit psychopathic sidekick and wannabe best friend. The second episode sees the gang gathering for a rooftop reunion, where they end up getting drunk and pouring drinks all over a nearly naked Vigilante. One thing you've got to love about series creator James Gunn whether it's bisexual orgies, cameltoes, and plenty of Jon Cena's skin, he really does know what the girlies and the gays are here for!Check out some of the feral reactions below, and don't forget to stream new episodes of Peacemaker on Thursday nights on HBO Max. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

All week the whole internet has been abuzz about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce getting engaged, but the celebration is tainted by another darker celebration underneath the surface one cheering on the death of "Gaylorism."Over the years, more and more fans have wondered whether Swift might be queer. There are endless blogs and social media accounts dedicated to queer interpretations of her lyrics, speculation about her relationships with certain gal pals, and communal discussion of potential queer flagging.As those numbers have grown, so have the number of people who are not just incredulous, but actively furious, at the idea that anyone might think this way, let alone dare to voice it out loud. And with the announcement of Swift's engagement, some of those anti-Gaylor fans (often dubbed Hetlors for their refusal to consider anything outside of a heteronormative lens) have declared any discussion on the matter over and done."GAYLORS ARE OFFICIALLY DEAD," one X account dramatically proclaimed. The comment has racked up over 37,000 likes, and it's hardly the only one of its ilk. Since Swift and Kelce announced their engagement, celebrations of the news have walked side-by-side with celebrations of a more sinister type ones mocking fans who found solace and community in queer readings of Swift's lyrics and who, in some instances, have now turned to their peers and friends to wonder whether they were wrong. Even publications have latched onto the opportunity to mine Gaylor reactions for content, focusing on the popular subreddit going private after other Swifties circulated screenshots in a derogatory fashion.It's not the first time this has happened. Hetlors have declared their counterparts dead time and time again, like when she's gotten into a new relationship or when she's dropped a song explicitly referencing a man. In addition to being wildly dismissive of the existence of bisexuality, there's something almost comically villainous about a cackling celebratory dance on the metaphorical grave of a whole group of people over the triumph of heteronormativity.Hetlors will line up with a thousand reasons as to why this is perfectly acceptable behavior, actually. They will claim speculating about celebrities' sexualities and their love lives is intrusive behavior (only when the speculation is queer, of course). They will disparage Gaylors for wild conspiracy theories and looking for hidden clues in her music and videos (nevermind that being a Taylor Swift fan has always revolved heavily around Easter eggs and secret messages)."We don't love & support Tay because of her sexuality. We love her music, personality & kindness," one anti-Gaylor account said earlier this month. Meanwhile, her sexuality becomes all-important when it gives Hetlors a chance to curb stomp fans who have the audacity to interpret anything she does through a queer lens.First of all, let's be clear on one thing Gaylors are doing just fine. Yes, it's true some weren't thrilled with the news. But combing through any Gaylor space over the last few days has mostly provided jokes and memes and "Bejeweled"-themed conspiracy theories. Because, again, this ultimately isn't new. For now, Gaylors are thriving. Because for the majority of them, it isn't about whether a singer marries a football player. It's about community, goofy theories (no matter how seriously they're taken), and finding things in Swift's music that resonate with their own experience. In other words, it's not that different from being any other kind of Swifty. (@) But for those who are experiencing a certain level of grief, well, there's plenty for queer Swift fans to mourn in this Travis Kelce-centric era. It wasn't that long ago that Swift was hanging out with and promoting queer artists, and declaring her intention to be more vocal about her politics and social justice. Those things have disappeared. Now, her world is made up of MAGA WAGs and public silence unless the family a friend of mine likes to call "the wannabe Kardashians of the midwest" have something that needs a little publicity boost.It's been a disappointing shift, and one a number of fans have struggled to reckon with. To continue having to do so while the rest of the world is having a celebration so big that it seems to eclipse the impact of everything else she's accomplished over the years could certainly add a layer of frustration. Not just because it's the antithesis of everything Swift herself has become, but also because of the broader context of what's been happening in queer pop music lately.Despite some people's insistence that Gaylors don't engage with "actual" queer music, the reality is that many, if not most, of them do. And the last few months have been an obnoxious whirlwind of events. As JoJo Siwa and Fletcher have announced their relationships with men, queer fans have had to watch endless streams of comments telling them how much happier and freer they both seem. Siwa insisted she was pressured into calling herself a lesbian and rebranded her tour into something notably less gay. Fletcher has been extremely measured and thoughtful with her fans, but anyone who expressed disappointment at possibly losing sapphic songs was branded biphobic by other fans. Then you've got Betty Who jumping into the fray to suggest Rene Rapp, a lesbian who has declared she will never date a man, could fall in love with a dude some day, which Who said was the best thing that ever happened to her, personally.It's just been a full mess of a summer. And one where sapphic fans have repeatedly been sent the same message hetero-presenting relationships are the pinnacle of achievement. They warrant celebration that sapphic relationships never could. It is only in the joining of man and woman that true happiness can be found.Obviously, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce getting engaged is not a slight against queer fans. But there's a culmination here. Swift has struggled with public validation her entire career. She didn't find it until her queer friends and brief foray into political outspokenness were replaced by a football player and the hope of a ring. Throw that into the mix of everything previously stated, the ongoing decline of queer representation in media, and the current administration threatening LGBTQ+ rights at every turn, and it's just been a really bleak landscape as of late.And that's why fans and publications gleefully mocking Gaylors and pronouncing them "dead" is so unequivocally fucked up. On the surface, it's just fandom drama. But underneath, the subtext is that queer fans should be put in their place, that queer readings of media are deserving of mockery, and that this is all, somehow, a battle to be acted out until heteronormativity triumphs in the end.People will balk at this conclusion, but you simply cannot divorce something happening within a singular fandom from the greater societal context, and the current context is that LGBTQ+ acceptance and visibility is on the precipice of regression, if not arguably already there. We can sit here and debate whether or not it's appropriate to speculate about celebrities' sexualities until Swift has dropped another 1300 vinyl variants, but that doesn't change the fact that this is about a much bigger picture than one singer's personal life."i became a gaylor because of taylor's homophobic fans," one person tweeted earlier this year, "and every time i want to distance myself from gaylorism i remember that gaylortwit is the safest place on the internet i've ever been."That some Swifties certainly no fewer than 37,000 of them seem to find joy in trampling a safe queer space just because people within it are debating whether songs might be about Dianna or Karlie rather than Joe or Matty is seriously dark.I've personally gone on at length about how damaging it is to actual queer people to insist that queerness must be loudly proclaimed in order to be seen as valid, so I won't do that again here, just like I won't spend as much time as I would like to harping on the double standards at play, as relevant as they are. But what I will do is point out that there's a difference between disagreeing with the way some people engage with fandom or celebrity and acting as if cheering on the destruction of a place within fandom where queerness is normalized is somehow morally commendable.If people want to pretend that all of this isn't rooted in homophobia, so be it. But for anyone on the fence, or wondering why they might feel uncomfortable with how this is playing out without fully grasping why, it's be worth remembering that there are always people watching. And right now, the narrative playing out is one that says queer community only deserves to exist on terms that heteronormative society is comfortable with. We've seen that film before and we didn't let it end that way for a reason.

Its never too late to learn something new! Whether it's expanding your intellectual horizons, picking up a new life skill, or honing your technique for sucking face, theres really no end to the opportunities for growth. And while the other two are certainly important, its the latter thats the most funand what were here doing today.Now, maybe right now youre thinking: How could my kissing skills get any better? Well, thats why we turned to the experts for their advice and best practices when it comes to making out.PRIDE reached out to sexologists and pleasure specialists: Stella Harris, certified intimacy educator and author of Tongue Tied: Untangling Communication in Sex, Kink, and Relationships, and The Ultimate Guide to Threesomes; Sofie Roos, a bisexual licensed sexologist, relationship therapist and author at relationship magazine Passionerad and Tara Jones, LGBTQ+ sex educator Founder, executive director at The Youth Sexpert Program along with adult entertainers Michael Boston, Guy Spencer, Max Lorde, and Jkab Ethan Dale for their biggest dos and donts when it comes to locking lips.Heres what they had to say.Consent is always sexy The number one thing you can do to be a better kisser is to get consent! You might think that asking ruins the mood, but if thats the case the mood was already ruined. Asking, May I kiss you? in a sexy voice is a flirtatious turn on when its welcome. Stella HarrisBig bold moves like abruptly shoving your tongue in someone's mouth, slamming your face into theirs, or biting down hard on their lip, can be a real turn-off if your partner doesnt enjoy lots of spit or pain. Its always best to ask first. Tara JonesUnless its discussed as something they enjoy, never ever suck on someones tongue! Ive had guys try to slurp mine down their throat and its incredibly painful. Guy Spencer, adult performerMaster Tongue TechniqueThe tongue is a powerful tool use it wisely. When you start to make out, gently test the waters with it. Slide it into the other persons mouth just enough to make contact with their tongue. After a little while, you can ramp up the tongue action, but always be mindful of how much they use their tongue, and try to match that. Guy SpencerDont overdue the tongue. Tongue is sexy, but there is a line. Jkab Ethan DalePlay nicely with your partners tongue. Its not a competition to see who can knock out the other. Guy SpencerThe top things to avoid while kissing someone is having a hard stabby tongue or doing your own thing in someone elses mouth. Michael BostonSo many people, especially beginners to kissing, are using way too much tongue while going for the wet kisses, where they stick it in their partners mouth, whisks around and almost suffocates them, something that for ten out of ten people is a turn off. Sofie RoosDo not lick the other persons teeth. You dont know whats happening behind those pearly whites you might find a snaggletooth, or a retainer wire. Also, its weird. Guy SpencerPerfect that puckerTry to relax your lips and your tongue, it. that makes the kisses hotter and feel more natural and soft - perfect if you want to give slow, passionate and romantic kisses! Sofie RoosMoisturize! Make sure lips are soft and smooth. Jkab Ethan DaleI really enjoy lightly biting/gripping my partners bottom lip but do it gently to start and see where it goes. Guy SpencerDont tense your lips or be too passive. Relax, and enjoy each other. Jkab Ethan DaleRhythm is a (tongue) dancerBe attentive as possible. It's human nature that our minds wander, but as much as you can be in the moment, it will keep you from being overly sloppy, increases your own enjoyment, helps you consider what you want to do next, and allows you to gauge whether the intensity of your kissing should slow down or speed up. Tara JonesTheres a time and place for intense, passionate kisses. But early on, try slowing down. Dont use too much pressure, tongue, or saliva! Leave the other person wanting more. Start with soft, dry kisses. Wait for the other person to lean in, press their body against yours, and ask for more.Slowing down also gives you a chance to learn the other persons style. Are they opening their mouth? Using tongue? Using teeth? Like dancing, if youre always in the lead, you might miss information from the other persons body language. Stella HarrisTry to match the rhythm of your lips to your partners. There is nothing more awkward than one person going faster with their mouth than the other. Try to keep their face dry. You dont want to have someone have to wipe off their face like they were bobbing for apples. Guy SpencerRhythm and staying present. Start slow, with soft, gentle kisses, working up to adding tongue feel the other person, then go at it! Jkab Ethan DaleI would say the top three things that would make someone a better kisser would be passion, to not overthink it, and that it takes two to tango. When you kiss, its like a dance. Find the rhythm. Max Lorde, adult performerTry to listen to what your partner is doing and let things flow. Michael BostonDont go too hard too fast. Work up to it! Jkab Ethan DaleHygiene is EVERYTHING No one wants to kiss dry lips, so make sure you keep them soft by using a lip balm when needed, especially during the winter! Sofie RoosAim for clean teeth and fresh breath when youre putting the moves on someone. But dont go overboard. You dont want your minty freshness so strong that their eyes water. Stella HarrisDon't skip floss. Hygiene is generally of the utmost importance when it comes to being a good kisser, but flossing is the step folks are more likely to forget. If youve ever gone days without flossing and noticed a smell on your floss when you finally get around to it, you know that plaque between your teeth can be subtle but strong. Clearing it out not only makes you more pleasant to kiss but also boosts your confidence. Tara JonesFresh breath. Make sure your breath is something Id want to taste. Jkab Ethan DaleBeyond the puckerVariety matters. If youve been focused on their bottom lip, move to the top; if you havent used your tongue yet, add it in; break things up by kissing their neck or nibbling their ears. Tara JonesA kiss not only happens between your lips - it should be a full body experience, where you involve all of the body! So hug your partner, touch them gently, for example on their neck and cheeks, hold them around the hips or caress their thighs or back. Sofie RoosKiss their neck, and move up to their ear. Lick along the outside of their ear to make it slightly wet. Then slowly inhale air just above their skin and watch them go wild. (Works every time!) Guy SpencerPlease, dont Avoid trying too hard. Remember you and the other person are meeting halfway, so it should be invigorating. Also, dont be cocky! Just because you think youre a great kisser doesnt mean everyone does. Be humble! Lastly, dont rush it. Art takes time to perfect! Max LordeAvoid making the assumption that kissing means your partner is necessarily looking to do anything more. The only thing you can be sure of is what theyve actually communicated. And honestly, it seems to me like these days we've lost the simple joy of a good makeout sesh. Tara Jones

Dear Out readers, the time has come for you to help choose the 2025 Out100 and cast your vote for Readers' Choice!This is Bernardo Sim, deputy editor of Out.com, filling in for Mey Rude.Every year since 1994, Out has compiled a prestigious list of the year's most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people. And you, our readers, have an important role to play.We've collected your nominations for the 2025 Out100, and our team of editors have narrowed down the list to 10 finalists. Help us choose who should land on our list of the biggest changemakers by casting your vote. Remember to cast your vote in the poll before 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, September 1, 2025.Read up on the finalists below!Arun Sethuraman"Dr. S is an educator, geneticist, and importantly, a mentor who has trained over 60 undergraduate and graduate students in his lab at San Diego State University, a majority of whom are openly out LGBTQIA+ scientists now themselves. As an openly gay immigrant geneticist of color, he continues to advocate for minority identities and representation in the sciences." (via nomination form)Ben O'Keefe"Ben is an award-winning producer, activist, and cultural commentator whose career has been defined by breaking barriers and reshaping culture. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for Hollywood & Entertainment and shortlisted for an Academy Award, O'Keefe has consistently amplified stories and voices too often left out of the mainstream... O'Keefe also created and co-hosts the hit podcast High Key! on iHeart's Outspoken Network, where he and his co-hosts bring unapologetically queer perspectives to pop culture and politics." (via nomination form)Ben Stokes"Ben Stokes should be nominated for the Out100 because he's redefining what leadership looks like in venture capital. As the Founding Partner of Chasing Rainbows, one of the first funds built to back LGBTQ+ founders, he's turning capital into opportunity for a community that's been overlooked for too long. Under his leadership, Chasing Rainbows has proven that queer entrepreneurs don't just deserve a seat at the tablethey drive outsized innovation, jobs, and exits." (via nomination form)Brooke EdenAfter trying out for American Idol, Brooke Eden began a career in country music. She has released 5 EPs to date, and in 2021, she came out as queer and announced her engagement to Hilary Hoover. This summer, she released a Pride anthem, "Giddy Up," and taught LGBTQ+ folks how to line-dance in order to create more inclusive spaces in music and the real world. (from Out.com)Cesar Toledo"Cesar is the Executive Director of the Wanda Alston Foundation (WAF). WAF is one of the most vital organizations serving homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth in Washington, D.C. by providing transitional housing, support services, and pathways to economic mobility. Since leading WAF, Cesar has dramatically raised the organization's profile, launched numerous new initiatives, and significantly increased fundraising. Cesar is a national LGBTQ+ trailblazer, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and first-gen Latino with a history of building LGBTQ+ power." (via nomination form)Dana Goldberg"Dana has raised over $70 million for the LGBTQ community in her advocacy work. She fights tirelessly for the trans youth community as well and utilizes her daily platform, The Daily Beans podcast and her social media to ensure we are educated and aware of how to not only give back but also to remain positive in a dark time. She is a comedic light and all around kind human being trying to make the place a safer and better place for ALL." (via nomination form)Evan Low"Evan Low has emerged as one of the most influential leaders in American politics and LGBTQ+ representation as President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. He previously was the youngest openly gay mayor in the nation in 2009 in Campbell, California. He was also the youngest openly gay and asian state legislator in the California State Assembly. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its reach, influence, and impact, cementing itself as the premier national organization dedicated to electing openly LGBTQ+ candidates to every level of government." (via nomination form)KhalidThe Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter performed at his first-ever Pride this summer -- and he cried "happy tears" on stage. The "Better" singer got emotional on stage while performing at the WorldPride DC 2025. The 26-year-old was outed online last November via a bitter exchange with a former romantic partner. Khalid responded by posting a rainbow flag alongside exclamation points on social media site X/Twitter, followed by, "There y'all go. Next topic please lol." (from Out.com)Ryan Basham"Ryan is the Director of Political Programming at Channel Q, the nation's first, most listened to LGBTQ+ talk and music radio network, reaching queer audiences. He's a political analyst, comedian, and LGBTQ+ advocate who blends humor and commentary to challenge injustice and amplify queer voices. He is also the founder of Stonewall Network, a hub supporting grassroots, volunteer-driven LGBTQ+ advocacy across the country. He is also the creator of Still In Service, a career coaching and support platform for 200k+ laid-off federal workers and staffers, urgently needed in today's climate." (via nomination form)Shannon "SJ" Joslin"This National Park Service employee was fired for hanging a trans pride flag on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Their advocacy and activism in these troubling times is necessary and sheds light on the existence and perils of simply existing for trans folks in this country... even in California." (from nomination form)Keep reading to catch up on the latest stories and exclusives from Out.com! Bernardo SimJinkx Monsoon wants to play this X-Men and her reason is perfect13 out actors who could embody a queer James BondNicole Pacent on Criminal Minds sapphic engagement: 'Still so much worth fighting for' (EXCLUSIVE)Colman Domingo is feeling the fantasy in Sabrina Carpenter's new video'Lightyear' lesbians writer claps back at Snoop Dogg's antigay remarksEric Sedeo announces his new podcast, 'Wild Wild Web' (EXCLUSIVE)Freddie Stroma goes viral in his wet tighty whities & gays are having a field dayGet print issues of Out magazine and The Advocate in the mail for just $9.95 a year!

Dear Out readers,We'd love you to help us choose our Readers' Choice honorees, but our last email about the 2025 Out100 didn't include the link to cast your vote!The good news: We're fixing that immediately. Below, you will find the correct link to vote on our Readers' Choice finalists.Help choose the 2025 Out100: Cast your vote for Readers' Choice!

Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino is frequently in conversation with other artists in his works from 2015's A Bigger Splash, which took inspiration from Jacques Deray and Roberto Rossellini, to his 2018 remake of Dario Argento's Suspiria and films throughout his oeuvre. But his latest dialogue with disgraced director Woody Allen feels a bit too intimate of a conversation for some. Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!Guadagnino's newest feature, After the Hunt, which follows last year's Challengers and Queer, stars Julia Roberts as a Yale philosophy professor who becomes embroiled in scandal when her star pupil (Ayo Edebiri) accuses a fellow professor and longtime friend (Andrew Garfield) of sexual assault. But the film isn't the straightforward #MeToo-inspired work of cinema that its plot seems to implyas hinted at out of the gate, in the drama's opening credits.Those credits, which are styled in Windsor typeface with white text against a black screen and run in alphabetical order, are a direct nod to the signature style Allen has used since his early days as a director. And attendees at the Venice Film Festival, where the feature premiered on Friday, immediately made the connection which wasnt exactly difficult to figure out given the content of After the Hunt. See on Instagram In a press conference Friday morning, critics were eager to know what Guadagnino and his stars had to say about about the nod to Allen, who was accused of sexual misconduct by his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, more than two decades ago."The crass answer would be, why not?" Guadagnino said in response to a question from IndieWire about the styling the credits after an Allen film. "There is a canon that I grew up with, and why I started thinking about this movie with my collaborators, in front of the camera and behind the camera, we couldn't stop thinking of Crimes and Misdemeanors or Another Woman or even Hannah and Her Sisters, and there was an infrastructure to the story that felt linked to the great oeuvre of Woody Allen between 1985 and 1991."Guadagnino, slightly deflecting by the end, added, "I played with that a few times before this, a couple of times used that kind of graphic and font, and I felt it was also interesting thinking of an artist who has been, in a way, facing some sort of problems about his being and what is our responsibility in looking at the work of an artist that we love, like Woody Allen. And by the way, it's a classic font, that kind of font. It goes beyond Woody."According to The Hollywood Reporter, earlier in the press conference, the director made another telling remark when speaking to why he was drawn to the script for the film, which was penned by first-time feature writer Nora Garrett. "Everyone has their own truths. It's not that one truth is more important than the other. It's how we see the clash of truths and what is the boundary of these truths together."Joining in the dialogue, Roberts, whose lead character finds herself in dangerous territory in the wake of her student's accusation, addressed the fact that the film has already stirred up controversy with both its approach to the subject matter and its invocation of Allen."It's not so much that we're making a statement. We're just sharing these lives for this moment, and then we want everyone to go away and talk to each other. That, to me, is the most exciting bit because we're kind of losing the art of conversation in humanity right now. If making this movie does anything, getting everybody to talk to each other is the most exciting thing that I feel we could accomplish," the veteran actor said, according toTHR.After the Hunt opens on October 17 in theaters.

Caught stealing the gays' attention all over again.Austin Butler is best known for playing Elvis Presley in Elvis, Tex Watson in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Sebastian Kydd on The Carrie Diaries, Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two, and Wil Ohmsford on The Shannara Chronicles.While some argue that Butler's breakout performance was in the Elvis biopic, the actor had already been gaining a loyal audience for many years as he expanded his career and kept landing bigger roles with each new project he was cast in. In 2025 alone, Butler starred in Eddington as Vernon Jefferson Peak and Caught Stealing as Hank Thompson.Scroll through to see thirst traps, portraits, and sexy pics of Austin Butler and make sure to see his latest film, Caught Stealing, now playing in theaters.See on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on Instagram (@) See on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on Instagram

It's New Music Friday!Summer might be coming to end, but our favorite LGBTQ+ (and adjacent) musicians are still releasing new bangers to add to your playlists! R&B star Destin Conrad just dropped a beautiful surprise jazz album, Blood Orange's long-awaited album Essex Honey has arrived, and it turns out Sabrina Carpenter enlisted Oscar-nominee Colman Domingo for a Rocky Horror Picture Show-inspired music video.In other notable music moments from the week, Dizzy Fae blushes over a crush, ETHAN brings pop star energy to the screen, MARIS dons drag to understand how hard it is to be a man, and Alabama Shakes reunite for a new single entitled "Another Life." Scroll through to listen to this week's best new bops, and follow this writer's New Music Friday playlist on Spotify."Blush" - Dizzy FaeDizzy Fae is blushing over a new romance in our favorite new song of the week. "Do It 'Til I'm Dead" - ETHANAustralian singer ETHAN brings the energy (and the abs) to his latest, "Do It 'Til I'm Dead.""Tears" - Sabrina CarpenterSabrina Carpenter's new album Manchild has already blessed us with a glitzy Rocky Horror Picture Show homage. "The W" - Destin Conrad, James Fauntleroy, Astyn TurrDestin Conrad channels his Mr. E persona for his lush new jazz album, wHIMSY. "Sticky Fingers" - AshnikkoAshnikko doesn't need a man or woman on "Sticky Fingers," but she might want to play with your heart a little. "Vivid Light" - Blood OrangeBlood Orange's long-awaited new album has finally arrived, and it boasts features from Caroline Polachek, Lorde, Mustafa, Charlotte Dos Santos, and more. "Another Life" - Alabama ShakesGrammy-winning rock group Alabama Shakes is back for a chance at "Another Life" with their groovy new single. "New Song" - Bentley RoblesBentley Robles wants to replay you like a "New Song" on his latest dance track."Never My Love" - Belinda CarlisleWill we grow tired of Belinda Carlisle? "Never My Love." "IT'S HARD (to be a Man)" - MARISMARIS knows just how hard it is to be a man according to her gender-swapped pop-rock commentary on sex work.Here's the playlist!Embed: Taylor Henderson is a music contributor to Out magazine. Be sure to follow 'the alphabet mafia' playlist on Spotify!

For the past four years, I've been engaging in conversations with families, parents, and members of the LGBTQ+ community about how to heal queerphobia within ourselves and prevent it from occurring in future generations. I felt, though, that to be more effective in my advocacy, I would need to strengthen my spiritual practice and heal any "blind spots": areas in my life I haven't fully explored that are still a source of trauma and shame.A principle I learned that has completely changed the way I approach my advocacy is, "You can't take anyone further than you have gone yourself." This simple yet profound statement made me realize that I can only be as effective outwardly as the work I do on myself inwardly. This includes the specific practices and habits that shape my day-to-day life.As I've worked on my own healing, I've seen how many queer people have created spaces outside traditional religious settings to gather, celebrate, and connect with one another. While these places provide community and safety, they can also reflect the pain we haven't named. I've worked in environments where external beauty and confidence were celebrated, but no one asked what was happening internally.I've also worked with people who are learning to build something more honest from within.As a therapist, I hear what people often keep to themselves, and this is a far too common sentimentmembers of the LGBTQ+ community who walk into gay bars expecting connection and leave feeling more alone than when they arrived. Chris TompkinsOnTay JohnsonThe problem isn't with bars or parties themselves. Many of us never learned how to stay with our own pain, how to face it instead of running away, or how to see our worth without needing it to be proven by others.One of the deepest wounds is being taught from a very early age that a higher power is against us. The message doesn't disappear when we leave religious spaces. It remains with us in our collective psyche, shaping how we perceive ourselves and how we interact with one another.Recognizing ourselves as part of something greater reveals our connection to all creation. It frees us from fear and guilt, opening a way to more profound peace and an inner sense of love.With greater freedom comes greater responsibility. Our visibility and legal protections have expanded, but the work continues. Many of us still carry shame from early wounds: religious trauma, conditional love, and a culture that expected us to prove our worth. Pride flags and representation can't erase what was missing. Still, they're steps toward reclaiming the most essential journey any person can take. These symbols help us learn to accept and love ourselves fully, from the inside out.Where there's been rupture, there's also a chance for repair. We were wounded in a relationship, and it is through a relationship that healing begins. This isn't just a social or political issue; it's a spiritual oneand it calls for a spiritual solution.We don't have to wait for systems to change to begin our own work. I've met queer people who've reclaimed spirituality in ways that feel honest and self-directed. For some, it's prayer. For others, it's time alone, time in nature, or quiet reflection. What matters most is that whatever we do, it's something that helps us get closer to who we are. Not further away.We don't get to choose the messages we grew up with, but we do get to decide whether we continue to carry them. Some of the messages were handed down through family, religion, or culture without much thought. Still, they leave a lasting mark. This is especially true when it comes to the intersection of identity and faith. For many of us, being told we were sinful, broken, or unworthy created shame and left invisible scars that can take years to heal.But healing is possible. While healing is a messy and personal process, every step we take toward loving ourselves deepens our spiritual connection and changes the world around us.Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Out.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of Out or our parent company, equalpride.

Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4Contrary to popular belief, I think more people should be DJs especially queers (we already have great taste in music). What started as me giggling to myself in my bedroom over chaotic song mixes progressed to DJing house parties and beach days, and even a professional gig or two. This two-deck DDJ-FLX4 controller is a sleek and stylish beginner-friendly board. Its tools easily scale up if you ever progress to professional club settings, but its small enough to fit in a Trader Joes bag. Yes, I know that from experience. ($329) pioneerdj.com Taylor HendersonBose Ultra Open Air EarbudsMy Bose Ultra Open Air Earbuds are so comfortable and unobtrusive that its easy to forget Im wearing them while blasting Lady Gagas Mayhem on a walk around my West Los Angeles neighborhood or listening to mood music in the massage chair while getting a mani/pedi. The flexible cuff-like design on my sandstone-hued (very sleek) wireless buds makes listening a breeze (as opposed to competitor products that feel like hard plastic earplugs). The open-air design allows me to vanish into Mother Monster while remaining aware of vehicles and runners whooshing past me during rush hour. The buds afford seven hours of playtime and are equipped with a matching charging case. Buttons on the top of the buds allow me to start, stop, and switch from stereo to immersive mode with the touch of a finger. If sandstone is not your look, there are 10 lush colors to choose from. ($299) bose.com Tracy E. GilchristBlueair InvisibleMist Humidifier H35iIm about to move to a larger apartment with my wife, and were looking for a new humidifier. This may be the model of our dreams! This mist-free evaporative humidifier has a top-fill 3.5-liter tank, which can keep a large room comfortable for 48 hours. It also features app control and tracking, making it even easier to use from any room in the place. One of my favorite features is that the tank is dishwasher-safe. To clean it, you pop it in for a cycle, wash it, and wipe it dry before putting it back in! ($150) blueair.com Mey RudeIvation Electric Wine Gift SetLets raise a glass to electric wine openers the ultimate sidekick for wine lovers everywhere! This little gadget has transformed my wine-opening experience from a wrestling match into a smooth, effortless affair. With the Ivation Electric Wine Gift Set, Ive found my go-to, last-minute gift that never fails to impress. It comes with a foil cutter goodbye, nail injuries! Just a simple push of a button, and voil, the cork is off, and the good times are flowing in seconds. This set also includes a preserver and stoppers, perfect for those rare occasions when you dont finish the bottle (though lets be real, thats a challenge!). It all sits on a charming charging platform that keeps everything powered up. In short, its a 10/10 across the board. Theres a plethora of electric wine openers available online, but this one has truly served me well. More wine, please! ($60) ivationproducts.com Jade DelgadoMagdigiteh Magnetic Phone Holder for Laptop; MagSafe for iPhoneThis magnetic phone holder is a MacBook accessory, which can attach an iPhone to a laptop using the devices MagSafe technology. Its especially convenient for someone like me who works from home and needs to keep an eye on my phone to monitor notifications. There are many versions of this type of gadget, but I purchased this one from the brand Magdigiteh, which works well. The iPhone can be rotated 180 degrees while it is mounted on the laptop. ($15.99) amazon.com Bernardo SimAura Carver HD Digital Picture FrameIve never taken so many photographs of my life and simultaneously, so many of my favorite photos get lost in my phones ever-expanding camera roll. Enter the Aura Carver. With a simple upload from an app, this 10-inch digital frame rescues my favorite moments from the cloud and beams them into my living room onto a crisp, high-definition display. Its a lovely way to keep my cherished memories top of mind. The frame also provides a conversation starter for guests, who are treated to a rotating roster of life milestones (birthdays! graduation!) and trips to Africa and Puerto Vallarta throughout a visit. The app works with both iOS and Android, and its easy to use; I gave a frame to my parents, who love it and had no problem setting it up. The Aura Carver even allowed me to upload family pictures in advance of the delivery, making this a nice personalized gift for loved ones (as well as oneself!). ($149) auraframes.com Daniel ReynoldsThis article is part of Out's Sept-Oct issue, now on newsstands. Support queer media and subscribe or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.

Lil Nas X's father, Robert Stafford, shared gut-wrenching details about the out rapper's recent hospitalization and arrest acknowledging the financial pressures, family matters, andSign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!"I went to visit him in jail, and as soon as I walked through that door, I couldn't do anything but cry," Stafford, who is 56, told The Times. "To see my baby boy on the other side of that glass. We shed tears with each other for a minute. I had to tell him that 'what you're going through is normal. We all have breakdowns every now and then, but the difference is, yours get played out in the public eye.'"56-year-old Stafford reflected, "For a 26-year-old to have to deal with what he's dealing with to be a breadwinner for a lot of people, the inability to change his mother's situation, and the pressure he puts on himselfThat can weigh heavily on your heart."For instance, Nas X has been trying to help his mother for many years, but Stafford revealed that she's refused all of her son's attempts thus far. (Nas X's mother, Tameka Hill, has reportedly struggled with substance abuse, homelessness, and financial insecurity for many years, Rap-Up reports.)Elsewhere in the interview, Stafford recalled watching the leaked videos of Nas X's arrest and feeling like he didn't recognize his son. "That's not even him," Stafford reflected."When I went to visit, [Nas X] asked me to say, 'Tell everybody I'm sorry they saw me like that,'" Stafford told the publication. "Even in that moment, he was apologizing to people for something he was going through."Looking ahead, Stafford is hopeful that "this is a turning point in [Nas X's] mental stability."Lil Nas X's complicated relationship with his parents over the years.In the immediate aftermath of spending a record-breaking 19 weeks in the No. 1 spot of the Billboard Hot 100 charts with "Old Town Road," Nas X discussed his coming-out journey in an interview from September 2019 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show."Last year I was at my sister's house. I was sleeping on my sister's floor, promoting my music" Nas X told DeGeneres in that interview. "I couldn't go back home. My parents would be like, 'You're out of school for music? What are you doing?' Which, you know, it's understandable."DeGeneres remarked on Nas X's record-breaking stint on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, and expressed her admiration for the rapper. "Here you are, at the height of your brand-new career, and you decide to come out," DeGeneres said, as a celebrity whose own coming-out story wasn't well received in show business.Nas X explained how he told his father and his sister in advance, but not too much in advance, saying: "I guess I gave them like a heads-upa little earlier in the month."At the time, Nas X's mention of his father and sister but not his mother didn't necessarily stand out. In hindsight, however, it was a clue that their relationship was more complicated, perhaps, and he just wasn't ready to talk about it yet.In 2021, Lil Nas X's father defended his son during the 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)' music video controversy.Nas X released the controversial "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" music video in March 26, 2021, for which he immediately received a flood of attacks and criticism.On April 15, 2021 just a few weeks after that music video dropped Stafford shared a rare image of the rapper with both of his parents.Stafford wrote in the caption, "Despite what people say @lilnasx is the greatest kid a parent can be BLESSED with. Although his mom is in a struggle with an addiction, she's STILL a QUEEN and he goes through great lengths to make sure we're taking care of. Those who have family members and friends dealing with addiction understands that there ain't enough money you can throw at this situation to make it right."See on Instagram"I don't usually address personal issues publicly but felt like this need to be," Stafford concluded. "Please join us in keeping her in your PRAYERS. And to those out there trying to create a false story you won't prosper."Nas X spent three days in jail after a series of events that unfolded last weekend. He was released Monday, August 25 on $75,000 bail, and entered a plea of not guilty to four felony charges following an alleged altercation with police officers.On Tuesday, August 26, Nas X shared a new video via Instagram Story trying to reassure his fans that he will be all right."Your girl is gonna be OK, y'all. OK? She's going to be all right; she's gonna be all right," Nas X said in the video. "Shit. That was fucking terrifying. That was terrifying. That was a terrifying last four days. But your girl is gonna be all right."

Congratulations to the new Mr Continental winner!See on InstagramIsaiah Sanchez Hilton has been crowned Mr Continental 2026 this Saturday, August 30 at the pageant's final night competition, which featured this year's top 10 contestants. This top 3 podium also included Exotic Lord as first runner-up and Michael LaMasters as second runner-up.The men of Mr Continental 2026 delivered an exciting competition this evening as they went through runway categories like swimwear and formal wear, showcased their talents through solo performances, and had to quickly connect with the judges and the audience in the pageant's question and answer (Q&A) segment the last hurdle before a winner was crowned.This year's Mr Continental pageant had 13 contestants in its preliminary night on Friday, August 29: Charlie Vega Sinclair, Exotic Lord, Isaiah Sanchez Hilton, Jacob Holland, Jose Vega, Kendall G Andrews, Kristofer Cass, Marcel Lamont, Michael LaMasters, Riccardo LaReese, Roman Black, Samuel St Juste, and Stefan St James.Three contestants Kendall G Andrews, Marcel Lamont, and Samuel St Juste did not advance to the final night of Mr Continental 2026 this Saturday, August 30, narrowing this year's competition to a top 10.Keep scrolling to learn more about the top 10 contestants of Mr Continental 2026, and follow along to see how the competition unfolded.Charlie Vega (Top 10)Contestant No. 7Placement: Top 10Instagram: @carlospineda9803Jacob Holland (Top 10)Contestant No. 5Placement: Top 10Instagram: @j_as_in_jaycupJose Vega (Top 10)Contestant No. 6Placement: Top 10Instagram: @jomave79Kristofer Cass (Top 10)Contestant No. 10Placement: Top 10Instagram: @kristofercassofficialRiccardo LaReese (Top 10)Contestant No. 11Placement: Top 10Representing: Mr. Wisconsin ContinentalInstagram: @riccardohindsStefan St JamesContestant No. 1Representing: Atlantic Coast ContinentalPlacement: Top 5Instagram: @sbarr912Roman Black (Top 5)Contestant No. 13Representing: Heart of America ContinentalPlacement: Top 5Instagram: @thatssoromanMichael LaMasters (3rd place / 2nd runner-up)Contestant No. 8Representing: Mr. Supreme ContinentalPlacement: Second runner-upInstagram: @mycoolhazeExotic Lord a.k.a. Andre Hilton (2nd place / 1st runner-up)Contestant No. 3Representing: Southern California ContinentalPlacement: First runner-upInstagram: @the_hiltonIsaiah Sanchez Hilton (Mr Continental 2026 winner)Contestant No. 2Representing: North Carolina ContinentalPlacement: Winner of Mr Continental 2026Instagram: @thelorenzogilbertMr Continental 2025 winner Raul shares a special congratulations to Isaiah Sanchez Hilton.Raul, the crowned winner of Mr Continental 2025 who appeared at tonight's ceremony for his step-down performance, shared a special congratulations to the newly-crowned winner, Isaiah Sanchez Hilton."Isaiah is one of the most resilient, respected, and accomplished entertainers in the male lead industry," Raul tells Out. "I am elated for him, and his win brings so much joy to the community, because we know how much this means to him. Isaiah has finally reached his dream, he is Continental!"Under the direction and leadership of Jim Flint founder/owner of The Continental Pageantry System and hosted by Nikki Adams, Mr Continental 2026 was a night to remember. The attention now turns to Miss Continental 2026, which will have a preliminary night this Sunday, August 31, and its final night crowning a new winner on Monday, September 1.

When I was younger, I posed for Playgirl magazine, but the magazine ceased publication the month before my pictorial was scheduled to appear. When the pictures were published on an Australian site, it brought some attention to my Instagram. Having done the shoot years ago and seeing the reaction, I decided to focus on my personal journey of health and wellness.I live on Maui with my husband, Brian, and we run our personal training business together. As I have aged into my fifties, I approach my own training differently than I did in my 30s and 20s. Finding the energy and time can be a challenge, especially as our schedules get filled with responsibilities for work, family, children, and pets. It's key to book YOU time. It's essential to be strategic in creating a schedule that accounts for your personal needs, so that we don't neglect the responsibilities we have to our physical and mental well-being. We'd like to suggest that our clients first allow you time, and then proceed from there. While reprioritizing your needs can be challenging at first (as change often is), once you commit to making your health a priority, the benefits of feeling better become a driver.Consider how you physically feel as you start your fitness journey: your strength, endurance, and flexibility. We often don't realize how much 10 pounds weighs us down or how hard balance can be as we age. Reminding yourself how much better you feel when you take care of yourself can create an energy that motivates you to continue.Waking up with the first morning breath, as my eyes gain focus, I feel every muscle and joint discomfort from the day before. As we age, the body takes longer to get going and recover, and it becomes harder to gain and maintain strength. Restoring our memories of a younger self can be a roadmap for our journey to a healthier experience. Remember how you felt when you learned to ride a bike without training wheels. Or attacking that big hill in your neighborhood with your skateboard. Or whatever personal memories, joy, and accomplishment trigger positive motivations.Bring back the memories that made us feel invincible.Building strength in words is just as important as building muscle strength. Words become like a muscle, stronger when you exercise them. In addition to focusing on our physical health, it is also important to consider our mental health and the impact that certain words have on our attitudes. We can use words to elevate the training and reach our goals, and likewise avoid the doubts and excuses that limit us.Gratitude can rewire our thoughts away from the negatives that hold us back. Everyone has looked in the mirror and seen things they don't like about themselves. Those thoughts can either dominate our narratives, holding us back, or we can flip the script and apply the word workout, focusing on the positives. Those positives will become drivers for health and motivations.For example, the word "fat" has mostly had negative connotations. However, it also has its strengths, as anyone who has seen the advantages in football can attest. So, if you look in the mirror and see fat you want to lose, instead, see the strength underneath that will push you to lose it, and the fat as fuel for the change. Our bodies can navigate many scenarios we put in front of them. We can have more control over the levers than we realize.Often, past injuries can hold us back, both from continuing physical pain and/or fear of reinjury. However, one of the primary benefits of fitness is reducing pain and preventing injury. It is vital to acknowledge our limitations and heed our doctors' advice. Still, it is also crucial to continue challenging our bodies.To get the most out of training, consider the muscle you are targeting. Connecting the mind and the muscle not only makes us aware of how our bodies work, but also focuses the muscle you are working, which builds greater strength. The focus also allows us to clear our heads of all the other stresses and bring our thoughts to the present.You have the power. Remember to start with three simple words: "Just show up."Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit out.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of Out or our parent company, equalpride.

Hot off the spring/summer 2026 runways, these bold new looks are sure to inspire you shake up your fashion status quo.THE MICRO-SHORTIf you were getting all hot and bothered about the baggy shorts trend of this summer, well, fear not, because the mini micro-short is here to give those stems of yours a breather. This runway season, Prada set the tone with its first look (among many), displaying thigh-revealing utilitarian khaki shorts that began below the navel and ended just inches away at the inner, inner thigh almost resembling bloomers. On the Paris runway, Saint Laurent followed up the trend with a more formal, pleated version of short-shorts. Designers such as Dries Van Noten, Feng Chen Wang, and Wooyoungmi followed suit with barely there options for the even hotter summers to come.SARONG-A-THONSpeaking of Dries Van Noten, if you havent heard about the fashion brands new creative director, Julian Klausner, and the stylistic chokehold he currently holds over the fashion set, then you have been living under quite an unfashionable rock. Having already ushered in a new it sneaker, Klausners mastery of styling and mixing fabrics (like his predecessor) has taken menswear to new heights. Remember that famous street style photo of David and Victoria Beckham on vacation and David is wearing a sarong? Well, that must have been on this seasons moodboard because there were several suit looks that were paired with tropical print sarongs at Dries Van Notens SS26 show. There were also sarong-adjacent accessories at Junya Watanabe (with denim) and Louis Gabriel Nouchi (again, paired with suiting). Even Prada showcased shawl-like accessories covering up the tiny bits of its micro shorts!NURSE RATCHED GREENAnother spring season, another fantastical shade of green thats sprouting. This time, though, its getting a little medical! This shade of hyper-mint green found its way onto the runways of several buzzworthy designers, including one of our favorites, Willy Chavarria. The Mexican-American designer sent down a replica of his outfit for the Met Gala as the opening number: a green zoot suit with a pink tie and purple shirt. A risky color palette, but it paid off! Jonathan Andersons new Dior line also showcased the blush version of this color in suiting. Acne Studios used the tone in outerwear and shirts, whereas Doublet showed off another suiting option in the shade. Last but not least, Saint Laurent sent a medic-green, sheer, collarless blouse down the runway, and the model looked like the chicest 1960s surgeon I have ever laid eyes upon.SUPERSIZE ITExtra-large hats are back on the rise and theyre only getting bigger. This season, Comme des Garons sent down a plethora of oversized hats trucker caps, newsboy caps, berets! The oversized newsboy cap has been making quite a resurgence on the celebrity and social influencer route. Vivienne Westwood, famous for extra-large hats by Prudence Millinery (obsessively worn by Pharrell in the early 2000s), debuted a new straw fedora in the designers SS26 show, and Im obsessed with it! Willy Chavarria capped his models with ultra-wide-brim black fedoras tilted ever so seductively, while Prada gave a Devo-like nod with conical-shaped oversized straw and cotton sunhats. SNEAKER OF THE SEASONThis flat, ballet slipper-like sneaker from Dries Van Noten made its debut last season with a splash and was sold out almost immediately in all the basic colors. Luckily, the kind folks there have decided to not only continue this line of sneakers; theyve extended it into other playful universes. Hot pink satins and dark exotic snake-like leathers, as low tops or as high-tops these shoes have cool (and comfort, maybe?) written all over them.

23 competitors, but only one winner can join the Continental Court.See on InstagramMiss Continental, the most prestigious drag queen pageant in the world, takes place every year during Labor Day weekend and the time has come for this star-making pageantry system to crown a new winner who'll enter the Continental Court.The Miss Continental 2026 edition will be held on two separate nights. First, a "Preliminary Competition" with 23 contestants on Sunday, August 31. Then, a "Final Night" competition for the qualifying finalists on Monday, September 1. The actual pageant takes place in Chicago, Illinois, but it's worth noting that fans can watch the entire thing from home.The Continental system has propelled winners like Candis Cayne, Jazell Barbie Royale, Mimi Marks, Tandi, Erica Andrews, Tandi Andrews, and Cherine Alexander to name a few into superstardom. This pageant system is also responsible for the legendary careers that queens like Sasha Colby, Brooke Lynn Hytes, and Naysha Lopez had prior to even competing on RuPaul's Drag Race. Over the years, those three queens have credited Continental for taking their careers to new heights which prepared them to level-up yet again after Drag Race.Zhan Dawlingz (2024) and Raquell Cuffee (2025) are the two most recent Miss Continental titleholders. On September 1, Cuffee will officially step down from her reign as a new winner is crowned.Fans can buy a ticket that gives them access to watch the online streaming of Miss Continental 2026, but be mindful that there are separate tickets for each evening:The Miss Continental Pageant 2026 "Preliminary Competition" event, happening Sunday, August 31, can be watched online with a virtual-access ticket that costs $21.54 at PromoTix.The Miss Continental Pageant 2026 "Final Night" event, happening Monday, September 1, can be watched online with a virtual-access ticket that costs $41.89 at PromoTix.Meet the queens competing on Miss Continental 2026 and how to follow them on Instagram below. For tickets and more information about the event, visit ContinentalPageantry.com.The CountessSee on InstagramInstagram: @thecountess.officialCyannie LopezSee on InstagramInstagram: @the_puertorican_princess85Dani KaySee on InstagramInstagram: @miss_danikayGadfrie ArbuluSee on InstagramInstagram: @gadfrieGracie Lou FreebushSee on InstagramInstagram: @graciewhogracielouJasmine BonetSee on InstagramInstagram: @jblueprintJoey YoungSee on InstagramInstagram: @itsjoeyyoungLana LuxxSee on InstagramInstagram: @landonpattersonLila StarrSee on InstagramInstagram: @lilastarescadaMaxine WildSee on InstagramInstagram: @maxinewildmuaMiss IcySee on InstagramInstagram: @its.miss.icyNa'Jee DelveySee on InstagramInstagram: @queennajeedelveyNicki Sweets McCallFacebook: @jayjay2017Princess ProzacSee on InstagramInstagram: @theprincessprozacRachel MeredithSee on InstagramInstagram: @rachel_meredith.theeRoxy RossSee on InstagramInstagram: @roxyross1983Sasha AndrewsSee on InstagramInstagram: @sashamoruaSerenity Lopez LordSee on InstagramSofia AndrewsSee on InstagramInstagram: @sofiaandrewsTina TwirlerSee on InstagramInstagram: @tina_twirlerVeronica S HalstonSee on InstagramInstagram: @veronicasalthalstonVida FantabisherSee on InstagramInstagram: @vidafantabisherViolet S'ArbleuSee on InstagramInstagram: @violetwithav

Chloe Malle has been chosen by Anna Wintour to become the next Vogue editor-in-chief though the actual job title has also been renamed to "head of editorial content" according to the latest reports.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!"Anna Wintour is clear-eyed, determined, and optimistic, but rarely daring," Lauren Sherman writes for Puck News. "Her tenure in the Cond Nast corporate suite has been defined by choosing editorial leaders whose visions would largely fit within hers. And this balance influenced her search for the next editor of American Vogue now called the head of editorial content."Chloe Malle has been chosen by Anna Wintour to become the next Vogue editor-in-chief though the actual job title has also been renamed to "head of editorial content" according to the latest report.Who is Chloe Malle?Malle, born and raised in New York City, is 39 years old and has worked for Vogue since 2011. She first started as "editor of Vogue.com and the co-host of The Run-Through with Vogue podcast" alongside Chioma Nnadi, Malle's official author page on the publication reads.Malle worked "as an editor in the features department, then as a Contributing Editor" over the years. She eventually "edited the Flash section covering weddings, homes, parties and travel, the Met Gala special issues, and a number of Vogue books including Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers, and Vogue Living: Country, City, Coast."Of note, Malle herself wrote the recent profile of Lauren Snchez Bezos during her wedding day to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in June 2025. Moreover, she's contributed to other publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Digest, to name a few.In June 2015, The New York Times wrote a story about "Chloe Franoise Malle, the daughter of Candice Bergen of New York and the late Louis Malle," getting married to Graham McGrath Albert in a reception held in Cahors, France. Malle, who was 29 years old at the time, was referred to by the Times as the then-social editor of Vogue.Why was the Vogue editor in chief role renamed to head of editorial content?Wintour appears to have told everyone in the running to become the new Vogue editor-in-chief that she was searching for a successor who could "transform the brand into a live-action content machine while [Wintour] spent more time abroad mentoring regional editorial leaders who were struggling to attract both advertisers and audiences in their respective markets," Puck News reports. In the end, Malle was seemingly picked for being "practical, reasonable, rational.""Wintour doesn't aim to provoke. She seeks solutions, and Malle is the path of least resistance," Sherman writes in the Puck report. "Wintour is slated to make the announcement as early as Tuesday [September 2]."Sara Moonves and Nicole Phelps were reportedly also in the running to become the new editor-in-chief of Vogue.Puck reports that Sara Moonves the editor-in-chief of W magazine and Nicole Phelps who has run verticals like Vogue Runway and Vogue Business were the other two names that Wintour considered before selecting Malle as her official successor.This story is still developing

Chloe Malle has been chosen by Anna Wintour to become the next Vogue editor-in-chief though the actual job title has also been renamed to "head of editorial content" according to the latest reports.Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!"Anna Wintour is clear-eyed, determined, and optimistic, but rarely daring," Lauren Sherman writes for Puck News. "Her tenure in the Cond Nast corporate suite has been defined by choosing editorial leaders whose visions would largely fit within hers. And this balance influenced her search for the next editor of American Vogue now called the head of editorial content."Who is Chloe Malle? Chloe Malle at the 2023 Met Gala, celebrating 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty' at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesMalle, born and raised in New York City, is 39 years old and has worked for Vogue since 2011. She first started as "editor of Vogue.com and the co-host of The Run-Through with Vogue podcast" alongside Chioma Nnadi, Malle's official author page on the publication reads.Malle worked "as an editor in the features department, then as a Contributing Editor" over the years. She eventually "edited the Flash section covering weddings, homes, parties and travel, the Met Gala special issues, and a number of Vogue books" which include Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers and Vogue Living: Country, City, Coast.Of note, Malle herself wrote the recent profile of Lauren Snchez Bezos during her wedding day to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in June 2025. Moreover, she's contributed to other publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Digest, to name a few.In June 2015, The New York Times wrote a story about "Chloe Franoise Malle, the daughter of Candice Bergen of New York and the late Louis Malle," getting married to Graham McGrath Albert in a reception held in Cahors, France. Malle, who was 29 years old at the time, was referred to by the Times as the then-social editor of Vogue.Sara Moonves and Nicole Phelps were also in the running to become the new editor-in-chief of Vogue.Puck reports that Sara Moonves the editor-in-chief of W magazine and Nicole Phelps who has run verticals like Vogue Runway and Vogue Business were the other two names that Wintour considered before selecting Malle as her official successor.What is Anna Wintour doing next after leaving Vogue? Anna Wintour at the 2025 U.S. Open Tennis Championships in August 2025.Jean Catuffe/GC ImagesThe news of Wintour stepping away from being editor-in-chief at Vogue has largely missed out on a very important detail: In a way, she's not really going anywhere."She is not 'stepping down' (as many headlines have mistakenly said), but instead shifting focus to her two global roles," a Cond Nast representative told the Daily Mail back in June, noting that Wintour is still the global chief content officer and global editorial director of Cond Nast overall. "She will still be at shows, doing Met and Vogue World, etc. I imagine she will also be traveling to other markets more frequently now that she will have a bit more time to do so."In blunt terms, Wintour's choice to leave her lowest-ranking job (of all three positions she's held at Cond Nast) has been described as "God stepping down from being God."Why was the Vogue editor-in-chief role renamed to head of editorial content?Wintour appears to have told everyone in the running to become the new Vogue editor-in-chief that she was searching for a successor who could "transform the brand into a live-action content machine while [Wintour] spent more time abroad mentoring regional editorial leaders who were struggling to attract both advertisers and audiences in their respective markets," Puck News reports. In the end, Malle was seemingly picked for being "practical, reasonable, rational.""Wintour doesn't aim to provoke. She seeks solutions, and Malle is the path of least resistance," Sherman writes in the Puck report. "Wintour is slated to make the announcement as early as Tuesday [September 2]."Are other Cond Nast publications also rebranding editor-in-chief roles? Cond NastRobert Way/ShutterstockYes, this has been the case for quite a few top-ranking individuals at different verticals operating under Cond Nast.For instance, Katie Drummond (who runs WIRED) and Mark Guiducci (who runs Vanity Fair) are both only referred to as global editorial directors of those brands not as editors-in-chief. Meanwhile, Samantha Barry (who runs Glamour), and Amy Astley (who runs Architectural Digest), and Will Welch (who runs GQ) have all added this "global editorial director" label to their existing roles as editors-in-chief.This rebranding hasn't been consistent across the board, however, as Versha Sharma is still editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue and Fran Tirado is still editor-in-chief of Them. David Remnick, who runs The New Yorker, is still simply referred to as "editor" as well.

This holiday weekend just gave sapphics another reason to celebrate: Chlo Grace Moretz and Kate Harrison have officially gotten married!Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment delivered three times a week straight (well) to your inbox!After dating for seven years, the couple finally tied the knot in a private ceremony over Labor Day weekend, as reported by Vogue.While official photos of the event have yet to be released, the couple shared a preview of their nuptial style in an interview with Vogue. Moretz was set to wear a light blue wedding dress and matching gloves designed by Nicolas Ghesquire and Louis Vuitton who also designed looks for Harrison. Moretz's afterparty look (again by Nicolas Ghesquire and Louis Vuitton) was a white custom jacket and trousers paired with a cowboy hat.Before the wedding, Moretz recalled the lead-up to the couple's engagement and their plan to have two rings designed. "I had worked with Elizabeth Potts at Moon Stone for years, resetting vintage jewelry into new custom settings, and that's what I knew I wanted to do with our rings," Moretz told the publication. "Both of our diamonds are Victorian diamonds, and we wanted to reset them in a Victorian sense. I was excited to do something like that, that felt like it could become our future family heirloom."The two opted to stay separate on the day of the ceremony so each could see the other in their dresses for the first time. "The thing I'm the most excited for other than being married is that first look moment," said Harrison. "Having no idea of what we look like in our dresses, it's going to be so special. This dress just kind of makes you feel ready. This design is perfect. I'm ready!"This moment has been a long time coming for the two, who were first rumored to be an item in 2018 when they were spotted kissing outside Nobu by the paparazzi. They frequently shared their adventures together, including attending a Taylor Swift concert and going on vacations. Speculation that they were engaged began after they were spotted at Disneyland wearing matching rings in April 2024. Congratulations are in order to the newlyweds!

The Miss Continental Court welcomes a new crowned winner.Gadfrie Arbulu was crowned the winner of Miss Continental 2026 this Monday, September 1, joining the Continental Court of champions during a landmark year that was all about celebrating the 45th anniversary of the most prestigious drag pageant system in the world. Lana Luxx finished the competition as first runner-up (second place overall), and Lila Starr finished as second runner-up (third place overall).This year's Miss Continental featured an initial lineup of 23 contestants not only from across the United States, but also from different places in the world. Following the preliminary round, 11 competitors did not qualify for the top 12 of the pageant: Cyannie Lopez, Jasmine Bonet, Miss Icy, Na'Jee Delvey, Nicki Sweets McCall, Rachel Merideth, Sofia Andrews, Tina Twirler Ross, Veronica S Halston, Vida Fantabisher, and Violet S'Arbleu.In turn, 12 contestants were able to showcase their beauty and talents on both nights of Miss Continental 2026, which was then narrowed down to a top 5 for the Interview segment of the competition.Scroll through to check out the 12 contestants who qualified for the final night of Miss Continental 2026, and keep following the timeline below to discover how the competition unfolded.The Countess Top 12Instagram: @thecountess.officialDani Kay Top 12Instagram: @miss_danikayGracie Lou Freebush Top 12Instagram: @graciewhogracielouMaxine Wild Top 12Instagram: @maxinewildmuaRoxy Ross Top 12Instagram: @roxyross1983Sasha Andrews Top 12Instagram: @sashamoruaSerenity Lopez Lord Top 12Instagram: @serenitynicolelopezJoey Young Top 5Instagram: @itsjoeyyoungPrincess Prozac Top 5Instagram: @theprincessprozacLila Starr second runner-up; third place overallInstagram: @lilastarescadaLana Luxx first runner-up; second place overallInstagram: @landonpattersonGadfrie Arbulu winner of Miss Continental 2026Instagram: @gadfrie

Everyone's favorite 30 Rock star, Jane Krakowski, will be taking the stage at the Lyceum Theatre for a limited engagement to play the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in Cole Escola's hit Broadway show, Oh, Mary! The news was announced on the show's official social media pages with the actress in full Mary garb and the famous bratty pin curls. See on Instagram "Beginning October 14, Tony, Olivier, and Critics' Choice Award-winning actress Jane Krakowski (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) will take over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln for a limited eight-week engagement through December 7, 2025," the caption reads.The gays could barely keep their heads straight in the comments section as the news reverberated through social media. "I just fell to my knees," Evan Ross Katz commented on the official announcement post on Instagram. "How is every Mary casting so perfect," someone else wrote.Currently, the pin curls are donned by Broadway breakout and RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon, who started in August and is set to play the role until the end of the month with her fellow newcomersKumail Nanjiani and Michael Urie. When she exits stage left, one of the company members named Hannah Solow will take over from September 30 through Sunday, October 12 and then Krakowski will take the stage.

Audiences have seen the Crawley family of Downton Abbey through the sinking of the Titanic, through WWI, marriage, death, relatively hard times, the roaring 20s, and plenty of high-brow barbs. Now, after 5 seasons, three movies (including the upcoming one), and 15 years in real time, the Crawleys will take their final bow with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.In this last chapter, Thomas (Rob James-Collier), the Crawley familys gay footman turned butler, who departed Downton in Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022), to follow a dashing American actor and love interest, Guy Dexter (Dominic West), rubs elbows with the glitterati of Londons West End, including playwright Noel Coward. Throughout Julian Fellowes's Downton Abbey, from its beginnings in 1912 through to the 1930s in the final film, Michelle Dockerys Lady Mary has pushed the boundaries of a womans place in society. She became the manager of the estate, engaged in dalliances outside of marriage, and supported Thomas as he came to terms with his gay identity. In The Grand Finale, she's the subject of tabloid journalism and an outsider due to her divorce from adventurer Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode).Out has the exclusive clip of Lady Mary sipping her martini while taunting Coward (Arty Froushan) with the details of her failed marriage.We fought like cats. He wanted to be kingpin, but I was the heiress, and he was just the husband. He hated that, Mary tells Coward when he unceremoniously asks about the divorce.How intriguing, Coward replies as the wheels appear to turn in his mind. Mary has already questioned his curiosity about her private life as research for his next play. The gay playwright of plays including Blithe Spirit, Private Lives, and Design for Living, Cowards biting wit and scandalous subject matter led him to become the toast of the West End in the 20s and 30s.Watch the exclusive clip of Lady Mary, Noel Coward, and Guy Dexter above. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is in theaters Sept. 12.

A new video of August Alsina and his then-assumed boyfriend attending Atlanta Pride 2025 went viral over the weekend. While Alsina had already come out, the R&B singer still kept a low profile about this relationship being forced to address it as the videos exposing them went viral.Zu shared a statement via Instagram Story on Monday, September 1 that reads:"This my first and only time addressing this, I don't give a fuck about any external validation whatsoever. I don't need anyone's likeness, But I'm a grown ass man, with his own mind and free will...if I ever do anything it's because I want to do it. l met August when I was already of age, an adult. Aug didn't even know me when I was 16 or 17 not sure where that came from yea there's a slight age difference but y'all pick and chooses who to judge when it comes to that. We will have known each other for 5 years toward the end of the year, so he's speaking in future terms because that's where we plan to make it.""I know I'm not an internet person and prioritize my peace before anything, and protect my relationship, because the media at times can seep in and tarnish beautiful dynamics. August is my boyfriend, and we're happy with each other, simple But I can see how being quiet, and trying to protect something of value to you, can allow some people to spin the narrative and create a bunch of different scenarios which aren't true.""Aug gives me a GREAT life, & I'm thankful," Zu concludes. "What y'all don't know is, that I run this relationship I call the shots, August just shows up and supports me in whatever I want to do. He supports my dream, he IS A DREAM! Nothing is ever forced on either end, hope this clears up any confusion Stay fly."Instead of writing a brand-new statement to address this situation, Alsina re-shared Zu's post from Instagram Story and wrote a short sentence over it:"My bul be chillin, all myserious n sht [laughing emojis] but I loveeee when the Yung God speaks!!"One of the main viral videos that prompted Alsina and Zu to disclose their relationship was shared by the TikTok page @ceomrmunter."August Alsina and his lil man friend cut or whatever. I think. Lol," the caption reads.This video alone (as seen below) garnered 3.3 million views and more than 293,000 likes as of this writing.@ceomrhunter#augustalsina and his lil man friend cut or whatever. I think. Lol . 3rd. Unlike fellow R&B singer Khalid who was outed on social media and felt forced to come out as a result Alsina had already acknowledged his sexuality. Nonetheless, Alsina clearly didn't intend to go public with Zu up until this viral video, which means that his privacy was still sort of violated.This story is still developing