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Best of LGBT LA 2019

Your picks for the city’s best in nightlife, food, activism and more

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Readers of the Los Angeles Blade began nominating their picks for our 2nd annual Best Of LGBT LA awards in early fall. And after more than 15,000 votes over 40 categories, we can finally reveal the winners, some incredible choices and very special people among them.  

The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to salute them and wants to give special thanks for Sean Loeffel of Spoonfed LA and Bar Joe for hosting our winners and helping make our Best Of LGBT LA Awards truly a magnificent honor.

BEST DRAG QUEEN

Shangela (Courtesy of Shangela)

Winner: Shangela

The only contestant to compete on three separate seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Los Angeles Blade fan favorite Shangela is eternally enshrined in global pop culture amber, as creator of the versatile interjection, “Halleloo.” In music video and solo stage performance, Shangela continues to impress, and is still earning new fans, for her work alongside Lady Gaga, in “A Star Is Born.” Although her name was unjustly absent from the Best Supporting Actress nods during this week’s Academy Award nominations, it’s comforting to note that Shangela has further cemented her status as an eternal All-Star, by slaying her peers and emerging as the winner in this fiercely competitive category.

Jackie Beat (Photo courtesy of Jackie Beat)

Runner-Up: Jackie Beat

Being the target of an acidic quip from Jackie Beat is like getting a hickey from Kenickie — it leaves a shameful mark, but can also be worn as a badge of honor. Tell that to our Best Drag Queen winner, Shangela, of whom Beat remarked, “The only thing better than actually winning this award is being named Runner-Up to someone half my age, who is most famous for popping out of a box and yelling, ‘Halleloo!’ What a fucking honor. Just kidding! I love you, Shangela… CONDRAGULATIONS!” When not insulting winners, Beat can be found on stage, in “Golden Girlz Live!” and touring with Sherry Vine, in their “Battle of the Bitches” show.

BEST REAL ESTATE FIRM (Tie)

(Photo courtesy of The Collective Realty)

Winner: The Collective Realty

This hip, 100 percent LGBT-owned boutique real estate firm hosts charity events through the year, whose past beneficiaries have included The Trevor Project. At their West Hollywood and Silver Lake/Echo park offices, buyer and seller expectations are exceeded by a team of fierce negotiators, representing everything from estates to condos. Owner Anthony Vulin assures that all of his mortgage brokers and appraisers are vetted as LGBT friendly, so you can invite them into your home with confidence. The Collective Realty also advocates for LGBT home ownership and nondiscrimination, by lobbying statewide, and in D.C.

(Photo courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)

Winner: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

Taking you through the home buying or selling experience, and being by your side during life’s greatest moments: That’s the mission and the reward, of those who work at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. “As Realtors, we have the obligation to be culturally competent, to understand the needs of our clients, and to guide them toward wise decisions in their real estate choices,” says president and CEO Mary Lee Blaylock, who also notes, “Working with the LGBT community is a privilege. Our sales associates take pride in their ability to represent the interests of their clients, and to help them navigate the diverse array of communities throughout the Southern California area. We are grateful to have earned your readers’ trust and it is our pleasure to continue to serve all.”

BEST MUSEUM OR ART GALLERY

Modern design, beautiful gardens, open spaces, and spectacular views of Los Angeles make Getty Museum a cherished institution. (Image from Getty Museum website)

Winner: The J. Paul Getty Museum

Cultivating a curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts is the J. Paul Getty Museum’s mission, one achieved by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of outstanding quality and historical importance. The Museum is also continually producing exhibitions, publications, scholarly research, public education, and programming in the visual arts. These elements are enhanced by the uniquely evocative architectural and garden settings at the Getty Villa in Malibu, and the Getty Center in Los Angeles, which houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts and photography.

Runner-Up: LACMA

Since 1965, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography, mirroring Los Angeles’s rich cultural heritage and uniquely diverse population. Today, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of more than 135,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of art history, from new and unexpected points of view.

BEST FITNESS OR WORKOUT SPOT

(Photo courtesy of Equinox West Hollywood)

Winner: Equinox West Hollywood

With a design reminiscent of classic local nightclubs of the 1950s and ’60s, high energy meets high drama, at this 35,000-square-foot fitness club. Offering a full complement of classes, trainers, equipment, and amenities that facilitate high-performance living, the iconic West Hollywood location features one of the largest and most luxurious spas Equinox has to offer, along with a Kids’ Club, and rooftop sundeck. “If it’s not fitness,” they say, “It’s not life.”

(Photo courtesy of Barry’s Bootcamp)

Runner-Up: Barry’s Bootcamp

Known for a workout that’s military-level tough, but administered by instructors more likely to inspire cries of victory than tears of regret, Barry’s is a true local success story. Founded in West Hollywood in 1998, its strength and cardio interval fitness experience provides an immersive, high-intensity, one-hour workout that’s fun and effective.

BEST GROCERY STORE

Trader Joe’s (Photo courtesy of Trader Joe’s)

Winner: Trader Joe’s

Fast service and friendly faces at the checkout make those long lines at Trader Joe’s well worth the wait — but it’s the tempting free samples and addictive signature products that explain the chain’s loyal following. As for their win in this category, certain elements of the Los Angeles Blade staff wholeheartedly agree with our readers, having succumbed on many occasions to the sweet siren call of those Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut Laceys Cookies. Not a cookie person? They’ve got a cake or a pie for that.

(Photo courtesty of Gelson’s Market)

Runner-Up: Gelson’s Market

Our readers’ love for Gelson’s is real, although it’s worth noting that Martin Sheen, as fictional character Robert, gives a shout out to the superiority of their rotisserie chicken, in the latest season of “Grace and Frankie.” Granted, he shops in San Diego — but whether it’s the meat, seafood, wine, or deli selections, consistency is a hallmark of this national chain. So, Los Angeles, the compliment applies.

BEST LGBT SPORTS LEAGUE

(Photo courtesy of Gay Varsity League)

Winner: Gay Varsity League

California’s largest LGBT Recreational Sports league welcomes and unites all, regardless of sexuality, gender identity or athletic ability. There are no try-outs, and attendance at practices, although certainly encouraged, is not mandatory. Even the dress code is casual. Yes, you’ll look good in VGL Apparel, but rocking your favorite comfortable clothes is not a scandal. Just dress to express, park your offensive language on the sidelines, and leave the nudity where it belongs: at home, or in the lobby of your very liberal workplace. Finally, a sports league that not only gets you moving, it totally gets you!

Members of WeHo Dodgeball. (Photo courtesy of WeHo Dodgeball)

Runner-Up: WeHo Dodgeball

Take your gym class trauma and consign it to history. From prom queens to drag queens, you never know who will be on the business end of those soft rubber “no sting” balls that are the humane hallmark of WeHo Dodgeball. Their membership, which numbers in the thousands, is united by a desire to make elimination-based competition fun, party down at GYM Sportsbar after each match-up, and participate in fundraising efforts that benefit local charities.

MOST LGBT-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE

Winner: AIDS Healthcare Foundation

AIDS Healthcare Foundation was started 31 years ago by a handful of friends, who sought to provide AIDS hospice care to predominantly gay men who were being shunned by their employers, landlords, and families. Today, AHF is a $1.5 billion organization serving more than 1 million, 60 thousand patients in 43 countries. “A respect for diversity has been embedded in our DNA since our inception,” says Senior Director of Communications Ged Kenslea, “and that’s reflective in the number of affinity groups we work with, including Impulse United, LOUD, BLACC, FLUX, In The Meantime Men’s Group, and SPARK. In our overseas clinics, we do not import doctors or staff from the U.S. We hire local professionals to manage our sites and facilities, and to treat our patients. So both inside AHF and in our external relations, we listen to, and participate in, the diversity of conversations and life experiences.”

(Photo courtesy of City of West Hollywood)

Runner-Up: City of West Hollywood

BEST HAIR SALON

(Photo courtesy of Shorty’s Barber Shop)

Winner: Shorty’s Barber Shop

Founded by Chris Bair in 1999, with only four chairs, Shorty’s Barber Shop now boasts 26, along with a staff whose diversity mirrors that of the community they love. “When you walk in,” Bair notes, “there’s always somebody you can connect with, who will make you feel comfortable.” And when you walk out with some merch (the styling putty and soy paste are customer favorites), you can feel good about that, too. All of their products are ethically created, and never tested on animals. Besides the perfect cut, Shorty’s also puts a premium on giving back, by working with the likes of Concrete Hero, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

(Photo courtesy of Chaz Dean Studio)

Runner-Up: Chaz Dean Studio

Chaz Dean Studio prides itself on capturing the essence of its clients, by helping them create a look that feels authentic, yet also reveals a side of them that they have never seen. The stylists, all experts at cut and color, are able to achieve your goal without heat or chemical damage. Best of all, the look you walk out the door with will be easily maintained at home.

BEST DANCE PARTY

Winner: Salvation Saturdays at The Abbey

Whether you’re at The Abbey for a liquid pick-me-up, going there to pick somebody up, or just getting picked up (it’s a massively popular Uber and Lyft drop-off/pick-up point), Salvation Saturdays is a must, for anyone cruising their way through Boystown. Dance floor bottle service, go-go dancers who identify as male, female, or somewhere in-between, and beat-keepers hand-picked by resident DJ Dawna Montell whip the welcoming crowd into a fabulous frenzy. A team dedicated to maintaining the multimillion-dollar lighting and sound system make sure the gyrating guest next to you isn’t the only source of quality stimulation.

(Photo courtesy of DTLA Proud)

Runner–Up: DTLA Proud

DTLA Proud’s mission is to strengthen and empower the local LGBTQ and ally community in Downtown Los Angeles through visibility, volunteerism, partnerships and events — and what better way to be visible than by getting your groove on, at the festival’s popular pop-up water park? Nightlife promoters were part of the team that founded DTLA Proud, and have worked hard to ensure their DJs are drawn from a diverse lineup of musical styles and identity spectrums.

BEST BARTENDER

Tyler Booth (Photo courtesy of Booth)

Winner: Tyler Booth

There’s nothing down low about the moves Tyler Booth busts, when he two-steps from behind the bar to entertain the crowd, in full-on “do-si-do” mode. Self-described, and confirmed by our voters, as “an awesome dude,” Booth is an actor whose charm and skills are definitely not the stuff of some fictional role. Buoyed by Flaming Saddles owners Chris Barnes and Jacqui Squatriglia to up country western’s queer quotient, this buff bartender is a tall drink of water, who knows how to authoritatively snap the cap off a brewsky, or mix a cocktail with tender loving care.

Kimber Bering (Photo courtesy of Bering)

Runner-Up: Kimber Bering

Known for spiking the drinks she serves at The Abbey with words of encouragement that deliver a sense of intoxication all their own, Kimber Bering created some of the menu’s signature cocktails — including, as a tribute to Prince, The Paisley Peach. As local winner of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, she represented LA in 2016, and has gone on to judge that competition. Bering performs around town, and can be found on Spotify, as “Kimber Chronic.”

BEST STRAIGHT ALLY

Ariadne Getty (Photo courtesy of Getty)

Winner: Ariadne Getty

Ariadne Getty has described herself as an “introvert” — but her public work paints a different picture, one of a determined, tireless, and engaged activist working to make a better world for her two gay adult children and LGBTQ youth all over the globe. As President and Executive Director of the Ariadne Getty Foundation, last year she pledged $15 million to launch the GLAAD Media Institute, which brings advocacy trainings to national and international LGBTQ organizations. She also pledged $2 million to help build the LA LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus, which will host more than 100 new beds and apartments for LGBTQ youth and seniors. Earlier this week, she made sure LGBTQ issues were center stage, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an annual meeting of world leaders. The Ariadne Getty Foundation hosted LGBTQ-focused events showcasing global CEOs and LGBTQ activists calling for positive change. She also appeared on several panels, speaking about the urgent need for LGBTQ acceptance. She is a recent addition to the Gay Men’s Chorus of LA board of directors, the recipient of the Los Angeles LGBT Center Vanguard Award, and the namesake of GLAAD’s newly launched Ariadne Getty Ally Award. Getty’s recognition by the Los Angeles Blade as “Best Straight Ally” is proof our readers are anything but reserved, in their appreciation of this introvert’s empowering words and deeds.

Joely Fisher (Photo courtesy of Fisher)

Runner-Up: Joely Fisher

With great comedic timing and a glint in her eye that makes even the most lavender-leaning guy think fondly of the road not taken, LGBTQs, and anyone high up on the human decency spectrum, admire this awesome ally’s longtime labors on behalf of the community, whether through public declarations of support, personal friendships, or the roles she chooses to accept.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

(Photo courtesy of Revolver Video Bar)

Winner: Revolver Video Bar

Gay-owned and operated, Revolver Video Bar has been a West Hollywood staple worth stampeding to for more than 30 years — and not just because of the buzz created by their $2 tequila and vodka drinks, 3-9 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively. Karaoke and drag shows cast their spell on customers, while live DJs and go-go dancers turn up the heat on already smoking-hot cruisers and boozers.

(Photo courtesy of Hamburger Mary’s)

Runner-Up: Hamburger Mary’s

There’s no beef to be had with Hamburger Mary’s WeHo, whose generous menu of drag entertainment makes everything between the buns all more fun to gobble up. And you can feel good about losing your shirt at Drag Queen Bingo: Besides basking in the glory of rotating hosts Roxy Wood, Willam, and Calpernia Addams, all proceeds go to charity.

BEST NON-PROFIT

(Photo courtesy of Project Angel Food)

Winner: Project Angel Food

Man cannot live by bread alone — but for those impacted by life-threatening illnesses, the more than 11,000 free meals cooked and delivered every week by Project Angel Food feeds their nutritional needs, while bringing comfort and hope into their homes. In addition to this service, Project Angel Food provides nutritional counseling, to ensure those in Los Angeles County struggling with illness will not be burdened by hunger and malnutrition. “A world where every sick person is fed, nourished, and loved” is their vision, backed by the core values of empathy, integrity, inclusiveness, and joy.

(Photo courtesy of Los Angeles LGBT Center)

Runner-Up: The Los Angeles LGBT Center

Every year, more than half a million people representing the full diversity of the community access their free or low-cost programs, in the areas of Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, and Leadership and Advocacy. Looking fit and feeling fierce at age 50, the Center is steadfast in its mission to fight against bigotry, while building a better world, and is always ready to welcome new guests and volunteers — or have you help spread their message of love, by scoring some sweet swag from their online store.

BEST DJ

DJ Morningstar (Photo courtesy of DJ Morningstar)

Winner: DJ Morningstar

You get back what you give, as demonstrated by the winner in our Best DJ category. Describing the vibe at the LGBT clubs he plays as consistently “fun, freeing, energetic, friendly, and loving,” DJ Morningstar (Kian Amiri) says the gay community “essentially saved my life,” by making him feel valued, and supporting the liberal ideology he embraces. Pride events are among DJ Morningstar’s favorite gigs, and a chance to deliver what the people want: “A big, booming, female voice; powerful soul on top of an energetic dance beat.” The gay community, “is always on the right side of history, no matter the cause,” he says, which allows him to be “unapologetically outspoken” without “worrying about repercussions, as you would at straight, corporate clubs.”

DJ Asha (Photo courtesy of DJ Asha)

Runner-Up: DJ Asha

“I think these are very special places to DJ,” says DJ Asha, of her work at LGBT venues, including Micky’s and Beaches. “People need a safe space, a place,” she noted, “where they can be free to express themselves, make friends, look for love, hook up, or whatever.” The open-format DJ, who hosted LA Pride six times, is not locked down to a specific genre — so you’ll always hear a variety of sounds, within one set, no matter what crowd she’s playing to.

BEST LGBT RED CARPET EVENT

Winner: GLAAD

The world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, every year at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles holds a dynamic red carpet that draws some of Hollywood’s most iconic celebrities in support of equality. One reader posted, “it rivals the Golden Globes and it’s held in the same room.” J- Lo, Leo, Taylor, Mary J., Britney, Cher, Madonna, just to drop a few names, have posed and mingled with our community, joining with GLAAD to protect all that has been accomplished and to creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.

(Photo courtesy of OUTFEST)

Runner-Up: OUTFEST

Over the past three decades, OUTFEST has showcased thousands of films from around the world, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected more than 20,000 LGBTQ films and videos. The red carpet rocks with glam poses, celebs and future celebs. OUTFEST has become one of Hollywood’s most important film marketplaces.

BEST ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

(Logo courtesy of Lyft)

Winner: LYFT

We all love a good pick-up app. How about a Lyft? The more politically correct of the two major ride-sharing services, Lyft has 100 percent, 24-hour coverage of Los Angeles and you can be on your way to anywhere in just a few minutes. Just open the app and you’re almost there, whether you need a luxury ride or one to carry the whole gang. Lyft is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars but Los Angeles Blade readers give it 5 stars.

(Logo courtesy of Uber)

Runner-Up:  UBER
Uber is everywhere too and when it was first launched it had the feel of a truly luxurious chauffeur service. The shine is still there and many people still prefer it.

BEST PET BUSINESS OR VET

(Photo courtesy of West Hollywood Animal Hospital)

Winner: West Hollywood Animal Hospital
The go-to vet practice of many people in West Hollywood because it offers modern full-service Veterinary services every day.  It has a hometown feel; it’s founder Dr. Monica Revel, DVM, was born and raised within one mile of its location and it shows. Pet lovers come from around SOCAL like a return home: “I wouldn’t take Max anywhere else unless it’s an emergency and we live in Laguna where we relocated 4 years ago from Beverly Hills. (
9000 N Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)

(Photo courtesy of VCA-Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital
)

Runner-Up:  VCA-Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital
Home to Dr. Mark Nunez, last year’s winner in this category. Full disclosure: Dr. Nunez is the primary care doctor for our publisher’s senior dog, Lilly. “Mark is always fully engaged and he listens without judgment and corrects without scorn,” said one commenter. (
8807 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069)

BEST LGBT SOCIAL GROUP (TIE)

Winner: PRIDE RECOVERY LA
Provides addiction treatment for the LGBT community, through LGBT-affirmative therapy, group and individual therapy, and psychiatric care, but it’s their after care and support program that one reader cited as the reason they are a winner: “They are my family,” the reader posted, “I can always go home and know I will be OK.” (
8300 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90048)

(Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce)

Winner: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
LAGLCC describes itself as “the premier advocate of the Los Angeles Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender business community, representing hundreds of businesses, advancing common business interests, economic growth, and equality in the workplace and society for its LGBTQ members, businesses, and allies by providing educational, networking, and community building opportunities.” The group’s monthly mixer functions are must-attend features of the local social scene.

(Photo courtesy of AIDS Lifecycle)

Runner-Up: AIDS LIFECYCLE
For many people the fundraising marketing that precedes the 545-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles bike ride is about much more than AIDS; it’s about family and community at its very best. Not only do you get to pedal forward in life, you get to ask people to pay it forward. AIDS Life Cycle represents our community at its very best.

BEST PLACE TO LIVE

Winner: West Hollywood

There’s just no place like it. What can we say? A lot, actually. The little town of 39,000 residents remains Los Angeles’ hottest destination for the entertainment industry with its boutique hotels, celebrity-owned restaurants, unparalleled nightlife and shopping and world-renowned events like the HBO Emmy Party, Sir Elton John’s Annual Oscar Party, LA PRIDE and the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, the largest Halloween street party in the world. West Hollywood continues to set the standard for progressive, creative individuals on the cutting edge of trends and new ideas, working together as a community in one of the most exciting destinations in the country. And it is home to one of the largest concentrations of LGBT people in the world.

Runner-Up: Beverly Hills

At the other end of the rainbow is Beverly Hills, pot of gold included. It’s an aspirational town for sure and there are more Mazarattis, Rolls Royces and Bentleys sold here than anywhere in the world. It’s quiet, sequestered, manicured and intensely beautiful and the perfect place for wealthy LGBT families. And there are many. It’s where West Hollywood gets its water supply as they are always reminding.

BEST HOTEL

(Photo courtesy of W Hollywood)

Winner: W Hollywood
It seems Los Angeles Blade readers know a thing or two when it comes to family and friends from out of town: they all want to experience Hollywood. It’s perfectly located, giving easy access to Universal, DTLA, Pasadena, all points west. And while you’re family is visiting, you and your friends can visit one of the best pools in town as a bonus. (
6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028)

(Photo courtesy of Kimpton La Peer)

Runner-Up: Kimpton La Peer
“Imagine a space where art, music, fashion, poetry, film and architecture intertwine to a cacophony of spatial harmony,” says Icelandic-born, Los Angeles-based cutting edge designer Gulla Jónsdóttir, of the new Kimpton La Peer. Consider it for a weekend staycation for you and your honey. (
627 N La Peer Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069)

BEST DOCTOR/MEDICAL PROVIDER

(Photo courtesy of Cedars Sinai)

Winner: Cedars Sinai Urgent Care
One of the world’s best hospitals, not surprisingly, also runs the best Urgent Care locations in the nation. Cedars-Sinai’s urgent care facility in Beverly Hills keeps extended hours seven days a week, providing immediate healthcare needs that are not life-threatening. You’ll walk in and find expedited service from some of the world’s best doctors. (
8501 Wilshire Blvd #150, Beverly Hills, CA 90211)

Dr. David Alajajian. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Oaks Medical Group)

Runner-Up: Pacific Oaks Medical Group
One of the earliest responders during the AIDS crisis, Pacific Oaks Medical Group is a leading community provider of medical care to our diverse community. And the group’s recent addition of Dr. David Alajajian is apparently a big hit with our readers. (
150 N Robertson Blvd #300, Beverly Hills, CA 90211)

BEST CAR DEALERSHIP

(Photo courtesy of Beverly Hills BMW)

Winner: Beverly Hills BMW
This dealership is located on Wilshire just east of La Brea, displaced from Beverly Hills during construction of the Purple line, but it remains the go-to BMW dealership for many of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills’ BMW owners. The immaculate shop runs like clockwork and there’s never a wait. Last year at SUR, they delivered $200,000 worth of cars and leather jackets to our Best Of awards. Our readers apparently have not forgotten. (
5070 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036)

Runner-Up: Mercedes Beverly Hills
Mercedes is the most popular luxury brand in the several zip codes surrounding West Hollywood and 9 out of 10 local owners work with Mercedes of Beverly Hills to keep their cars current and in top condition. (
9250 Beverly Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210)

BEST PRO LOCAL ATHLETE

LeBron James. (Photo courtesy of James)

Winner: LeBron James
LeBron and the Lakers are both reader favorites. Our readers were over the moon about his decision to join the ranks of prominent Angeleno sports stars when he moved west from Cleveland. One reader wrote: “LeBron is almost as magic as Magic and I admire him for taking a pioneering stand for people of color and justice.” His solidarity with Colin Kaepernick resonated with our readers as a fitting addition to the ever progressive Lakers, just after the team’s first ever LGBT night.

Gus Kenworthy. (Photo courtesy of Kenworthy)

Runner-Up:  Gus Kenworthy
Since the Seoul winter games everyone has been in love with Gus and his sexy Instagram and love of dogs. Who wouldn’t want to be loved by Gus? Sorry Adam, we love you too but, hey.

BEST PUBLIC OFFICIAL

Adam Schiff (Photo courtesy of Schiff)

Winner: Adam Schiff
No congressman has been more consistent in his criticism of Donald Trump than congressman Adam Schiff, the U.S. Representative for California’s 28th congressional district since 2013. With the Dems now in majority control of the House, Shiff wields significant power over the fate of Trump as House Intelligence Committee chairman. On LGBT issues he bats 1,000 and in our estimation he’s a smart man, an avid reader of the Los Angeles Blade’s Karen Ocamb.

(Photo courtesy of West Hollywood City Council)

Runner-Up: West Hollywood City Council
A uniformly progressive city council comprised of longtime gay rights activists, advocates and allies of the LGBT community. Mayor John Duran, Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico and Council members Lindsey Horvath, Lauren Meister and John Heilman are known for fast-acting government responsiveness and well attended, well-run meetings. The city ranks among the best-run local governments in America.

BEST HOUSE OF WORSHIP

(Photo by Annie Wells/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. Courtesy of Kol Ami)

Winner: Congregation Kol Ami
Since its founding in 1992, Kol Ami has become an important leader in the Jewish, LGBTQ and West Hollywood communities. Kol Ami’s commitment to progressive spirituality, diversity, inclusion and social justice is celebrated nationwide. It is known for being innovative while remaining rooted in Jewish tradition and practice. Rabi Denise L. Egers broke barriers to create a more inclusive Reform movement that has resulted in more LGBTQ inclusion at Synagogues worldwide. (
1200 N La Brea Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90038)

(Photo courtesy of InVision Church)

Runner-Up: InVision Church
Since MCC left West Hollywood about a decade ago, there has been no LGBT specific Christian Church service in the area but that changed when pastor Josh Johnson brought his spirited Invision Church to WeHo. In services held every Sunday at the Sunset Strip’s famed Viper Room, Invision gives the LGBTQ community its own down home, rollicking and near evangelical place of worship. (
8852 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)

BEST LGBT BUSINESS

(Photo courtesy of My 12 Step Store)

Winner: My 12 Step Store
RJ is widely considered to be one of the hardest working people in the sobriety community, not above working the register, helping customers select gifts for their loved ones, or packing items he ships out to customers around the world. My 12 Step Store is an exceptional and rare model of service to the LGBTQ community, part community center and part business, selling inspirational and motivational sobriety themed gifts. My 12 Step Stores sober mixers are one of the most popular events on the mix and mingle calendar. (
8730 Santa Monica Blvd B, West Hollywood, CA 90069)

(Photo courtesy of Chi Chi LaRue’s)

Runner-Up: Chi Chi LaRue’s

From the bright pink exterior to the exclusive state-of-the-art merchandise and apparel inside, Chi Chi LaRue’s stands out, loud and proud, as West Hollywood’s only gay-owned and operated adult boutique. (8861 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)

BEST COFFEE SHOP

(Photo courtesy of Alfred’s Coffee Melrose Place)

Winner: Alfred’s Coffee Melrose Place
It’s like a very intentional selfie. It’s a little embarrassing how indulgent and fun it is, this coffee shop where everyone is drop dead gorgeous but somehow it’s still all about the coffee. You’ll find it in the heart of LA’s trendiest retail destination, proudly brewing Stumptown Coffee Roasters. (
8428 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069)

(Photo courtesy of Blue Bottle Coffee)

Runner-Up: Blue Bottle Coffee
They seem to be popping up everywhere, this one part Oakland, one part LA coffee house is not cheap but it is certainly delicious. (
8301 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048)

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

(Photo courtesy of Arts District Brewing Company)

Winner: Arts District Brewing Company
One of Los Angeles’ few craft brewpubs, opened December 2015 in Downtown LA’s historic Arts District. With an on-site, 15-barrel brewhouse capable of producing 3,300 barrels of beer each year, Arts District Brewing Company debuted with nine original beers and now offers 30+ all brewed on-site. Enjoy an entertainment area with a photo booth and multiple classic bar games available, including pinball and Skeeball machines. (
828 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013)

Runner-Up: Santa Monica Brew Works
Just a group of guys who share a mad love for great beer and the City Of Santa Monica. The brewery’s “Beach Brewed” philosophy is said to embody “the spirit of the world-renowned Santa Monica lifestyle. (1920 Colorado Ave C, Santa Monica, CA 90404)

BEST RESTAURANT

(Photo courtesy of Tortilla Republic)

Winner: Tortilla Republic
It’s Viva Mexico at its very finest. Every bite will have you saying “F*uck Trump and his crazy wall” because the best food in the world comes from our neighbor to the south. It’s a Los Angeles Blade favorite. (616 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)

(Photo courtesy of Bottega Louie)

Runner-Up: Bottega Louie
Get ready WeHo! The
Gourmet Market, Patisserie & Café located in downtown Los Angeles will soon open on Santa Monica Boulevard and life will never be the same. (700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017)

BEST CHEF

Susan Feniger (Photo courtesy of Feniger)

Winner: Susan Feniger, Border Grill
Iconic culinarian, author, and entrepreneur Feniger has been helping to define the culinary landscape of Los Angeles since 1981. She’s opened a host of successful restaurants, but Border Grill remains her crowning achievement. Opened with co-chef and business partner Mary Sue Milliken in 1985, its modern, street-food-inspired Mexican cuisine has been defining the city’s culinary landscape ever since. As if having an iconic LA eatery and being a celebrity chef weren’t enough to make us love her, Susan is also an out and proud member of the community, currently sitting on the board of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Jon Rollo (Photo courtesy of Rollo)

Runner-up: Jon Rollo, Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop
Revolutionizing the gourmet fast-casual dining experience the “Commander-in-Leaf” of Greenleaf has always had an appetite for fresh ingredients and living a healthy life – something he embodies with the farm-to-face concept of his restaurant, where he uses local, fresh, natural, organic ingredients to create dishes that are both delicious and wholesome. In his free time, you can find Jon working out at Barry’s Bootcamp, training for a triathlon, and raising his daughter and son with husband, Joey Gonzalez.

BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

James Corden. (Photo courtesy of Corden)

Winner: James Corden
This Tony-winning actor may be from the other side of the Atlantic, but as the host of “The Late, Late Show,” he’s been regularly taking over the streets of Hollywood to film celebrity flash mobs, musical numbers, and the spectacularly popular “Carpool Karaoke” since 2015 – and that makes him as much an Angeleno as anyone. It’s no wonder we’re proud to lay claim to him; smart, funny, and talented, he’s got a pure love of “show business” that makes his late-night talk show a must-see event for millions.  He’s also a strong LGBT ally who uses his public platform to promote LGBT equality – for instance, by performing a song in protest of Trump’s intended trans military ban in 2017.

Alexander Rodriguez. (Photo courtesy of Rodriquez)

Runner-up: Alexander Rodriguez
The iHeart radio personality is one-third of the all-gay Latinx panel on “Glitterbomb,” LATV’s explosive pop-culture talk show that offers a queer Latinx perspective on entertainment news. Along with fellow hosts (actor Enrique Sapene and EW senior editor Patrick Gomez), he brings wit, humor, and first-hand experience into the show’s look at Hollywood A-lister life.

BEST MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

(Logo courtesy of MedMen)

Winner: MedMen
Founded in 2010 by Adam Bierman and Andrew Modlin (who are also CEO and president, respectively), this Culver City-based company has grown up to be one of the leaders in the burgeoning legal cannabis industry, dedicated to “writing the book on the modern cannabis industry, from how facilities are designed and constructed to setting the bar on quality and excellence.” They’re also the single largest financial supporter of progressive marijuana laws at local, state, and federal levels. But what’s probably most important to the many satisfied consumers at their elegant boutiques in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills (as well as four other locations in the Los Angeles area) is their philosophy that standards, practices and reputation matter – and the high quality of the product that results from it.

(Photo courtesy of Zen Healing West Hollywood)

Runner-up: Zen Healing West Hollywood
With two locations, this longtime (since 2003) local-fave dispensary scores high Yelp ratings for its outstanding customer service and wide selection. As they say on their website, “Whether you vape, rollup, or use a piece, Zen Healing has a strain for you.”

MOST COMMITTED ACTIVIST

Madonna Cacciatore. (Photo courtesy of Cacciatore)

Winner: Madonna Cacciatore
She moved to LA as an actress, after a regular role on a short-lived TV reboot of “The Fugitive” gave her a taste of Hollywood; but it’s her dedication to another calling that has brought her true prominence in our local community. A longtime LGBT activist, she made a splash in the headlines when the LA Times featured a photo of her holding hands with then-partner (now wife) Robin McWilliams in their cover story on June 26, 2015, when the Obergefell victory made marriage equality the law of the land – but she had already been building her leadership role in the community for years as the director of special events at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. In 2018, she was chosen as the new executive director of Christopher Street West – giving her the opportunity to bring her years of experience to the table as she shepherds the non-profit, which has faced challenges in the last few years, toward the 50
th anniversary of LA Pride in 2020.

Ari Gutiérrez Arambula. (Photo courtesy of Arambula)

Runner-up: Ari Gutiérrez Arambula
A tireless community leader, Ari is dedicated to increasing support and quality of life for the LGBTQ and gender non-conforming members of the Latinx community and their families – a community for which she has been an advocate for 30 years. She is the founding Advisory Board President of the Latino Equality Alliance, and the co-founder of HONOR PAC, a non-profit organization providing advocacy, leadership development and public education that honors cultural traditions and is accessible to youth and their parents.

BEST LOCAL PRO SPORTS TEAM

Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
They may have lost the 2018 World Series to the Boston Red Sox, but LA’s “Boys In Blue” will never lose the hearts of the city they’ve called home since 1958. Part of the reason is the team’s determination to connect with the community by embracing diversity. In the words of Erik Braverman, the Dodgers’ vice president for marketing, communications and broadcasting who spoke to the Los Angeles Blade for a 2017 article, “LGBT people are as important to the organization as any other community.” For six consecutive years, the Dodgers have hosted an official LGBT night, and for the past two have made it an official kickoff party for LA Pride.

(Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Lakers)

Runner-up: Los Angeles Lakers
Just as it is with the Dodgers, love for the Lakers is part of our city’s DNA. In 2018, the basketball organization hosted its own first-ever LGBTQ Pride night, honoring first active openly gay NBA player Jason Collins with the Laces of Unity Award (recognizing individuals in sports who have significantly contributed to the LGBTQ community) and featuring Amanda Palmer, the first female and first openly lesbian referee in NBA history, as the night’s honorary team captain.

BEST HOME FURNISHINGS

(Photo courtesy of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams)

Winner: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Started in North Carolina back in 1989, this elegant furniture company began with the simple idea of providing “comfort for all,” and nearly 30 years later, its signature store in Beverly Hills is a must-visit for any Angeleno with an eye toward decorating their home with stylish and modern home furnishings. In addition, its founders are activists and advocates for the LGBT community – Gold is co-founder of Faith in America, a nonprofit that educates people about the harm religious bigotry causes LGBT Americans that recently merged with the Tyler Clementi Foundation, and has served on the board of HRC for the past seven years, and Williams is known for his philanthropic work for equal rights; together, the men received a Groundbreakers Award from NYC’s Housing Works, dedicated to ending AIDS and homelessness.

(Photo courtesy of Josh Johnson Home)

Runner-up: Josh Johnson Home
A Tennessee native who became known as “Sparkle Josh” during his stint in HGTV’s “Design Stars,” this flamboyant celebrity interior designer has a design philosophy of “Livable Luxe,” which he describes as the pairing of affordable elegance with functional practicality, and his status as a celebrity designer has made him a designer to celebrities — or anyone who wants to live like one.

BEST PERFORMING ARTS VENUE

Winner: Walt Disney Concert Hall
This downtown landmark, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and opened in 2003, is not just part of the Los Angeles Music Center – with its sleek, shining, non-linear design, it’s an icon of urban architecture and a signature LA building, and with its hear-a-pin-drop acoustics, it’s a world-class performance hall. Intended as a gift to the people of Los Angeles by Lillian Disney (widow of Walt), who in 1987 donated $50 million to fund a venue that could serve as a tribute to her late husband’s devotion to the arts and to the city, today it fulfills that purpose by providing a home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, as well as by hosting variety of artists and events from around the world.

(Photo courtesy of Geffen Playhouse)

Runner-up: Geffen Playhouse
Founded by Gilbert Cates in 1995, and named for its donor, music executive David Geffen, this not-for-profit theater company is housed within a historic 1929 building – one of the first 12 structures built in Westwood Village – that was once the Masonic Affiliates’ Club for students and alumni of UCLA. In its two venues there, the Geffen mounts eight top-quality theatrical productions per season, showcasing both new works and time-honored classics, often performed by familiar actors from film and television – one of the definite perks of living in a movie town.

BEST DAY TRIP

(Photo courtesy of Palm Springs)

Winner: Palm Springs

Los Angeles’ relationship with its neighbor in the desert goes back to the 1920s, when the town’s growing status as a getaway spot made it appealing to Hollywood’s rich and famous as a quick and easy escape from the rigors of their glamorous everyday lives.  It serves much the same purpose today, but it’s grown into an internationally recognized resort destination – which means world-class entertainment, luxurious hotels, and glittering casinos await any Angeleno ready to make the 90-minute drive (OK, only if there’s no traffic) to get there. It’s not just about pampering yourself, though that’s part of the allure; there is also a thriving cultural scene, lots of nightlife, magnificent restaurants, a weekly street festival, and an annual week-long celebration of the Modernist architecture long embraced as a definitive part of the city’s identity. Of course, Palm Springs is something of an LGBT Mecca, too – but odds are good that, if you’re reading this, you already knew that.

(Photo courtesy of Avalon, Catalina Island)

Runner-up: Avalon, Catalina Island
Located on the southeast end of Santa Catalina Island, Avalon has been a popular destination for visitors since the early 1900s. Like Palm Springs, it has always attracted the glitterati crowd, from film stars to presidents, and is known today for its resorts and casinos – along with the numerous other attractions offered by a picturesque seaside community. Only a short ferry ride away, it’s one of the best opportunities for Angelenos to have a sun-soaked mini-vacation and still be home in time to feed the pets before bedtime.

BEST MOVIE THEATER

Winner: Arclight Hollywood
In a city built by the movies (and those who love them) it’s no surprise that the favorite pick is this landmark multiplex on Sunset, which is home to 15 screens (including the historic Cinerama Dome) that feature state-of-the-art projection and sound technology, and amenities like a gourmet snack bar, no commercials before the show, and – a favorite flourish for convenience-hungry Angelenos – reserved seating that eliminates the need for standing in a long line. On top of all that, Arclight offers an impressive selection of movie offerings, from the biggest entertainment blockbusters to the edgiest indie art films, all in the name of catering to the sophisticated interests of its cinema-loving clientele. As a bonus, moviegoers stand a good chance of seeing some of their favorite stars off the screen as well as on – it’s a popular location for the people who make movies to go and sit in the audience for a change.

(Photo courtesy of Pacific Theaters at the Grove)

Runner-up: Pacific Theaters at the Grove
Offering its own kind of Hollywood appeal, this elegantly designed multiplex in the heart of one of the city’s most popular malls (adjacent to the historic Farmer’s Market). It’s a haven for film lovers, with its own state-of-the-art auditoriums that feature large screens, surround sound, and luxury stadium seating – and if you want to pair your moviegoing experience with a meal, the Grove location ensures a wide selection of nearby eateries that will be perfect for discussing what you’ve just seen over lunch or dinner.

BEST LIVE MUSIC

(Photo courtesy of Hollywood Bowl)

Winner: The Hollywood Bowl

Steeped in history — it’s seen the likes of everyone from Billie Holiday to Billy Joel — the Hollywood Bowl reigns, as Southern California’s premier destination for live music. Its iconic concentric-arched band shell is recognized the world over, just as sure as the venue itself is recognized by our readers as the best of the best.

(Photo courtesy of The Greek Theatre)

Runner-Up: The Greek Theatre

Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment destinations. This iconic venue has also served as a site for numerous high school graduations, community events, and backdrops for television shows and motion pictures.

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Travel

Pacific Grove gets its first LGBTQ+ boutique hotel, The Charles, and ocean visiting just got a bit more glamorous

After 30 years away, internationally renowned designer Charles Gruwell returned to his hometown to create his most personal property to date

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The Charles Pacific Grove

This last Pride month, The Charles, an exquisitely stylish bed and breakfast, opened its doors, making it Pacific Grove’s first LGBTQ+ boutique hotel. It isn’t just a place to stay; it is a place to belong, boasting an environment of inclusivity. This is a welcome sanctuary of coastal beauty and classic design that is both stylish and warm. Bringing over four decades of global influence and experience to the creation of the property is internationally celebrated designer Charles Gruwell, who, after 30 years away, returned home to Pacific Grove to establish this most personal location.

Gruwell has over 45 years of experience in design. He has designed acclaimed properties that span from the Monterey Peninsula, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Indonesia, and the list goes on. He has earned a name as one of the top names in outstanding design and innovation.

His work ranges from designing over 40 one-of-a-kind boutique hotels and resorts to exclusive residential properties, restaurants, country clubs, and retail spaces – all boasting his signature flair and aesthetic. Gruwell has been featured in a long list of top industry publications that include Architectural Digest, Interior Design Magazine, and Metropolitan Home.

Charles Gruwell / Photo courtesy of Charles Gruwell Design Studio

Gruwell was born and raised in Pacific Grove, which is located on the southern edge of Monterey Bay, and has become a popular tourist location because of its charm and location. His journey to become one of the industry’s leading names started off with a unique twist. After attending Fresno State College, he came back to Pacific Grove to work as a high school teacher for four years. It was during his teaching that we would meet his lifelong friend, interior designer Johna Ball. He would shadow her on her residential projects in Pebble Beach, and his passion for design came full force.

He went on to work for Hirsch Bedner, the largest hotel design firm in the world, at their location in Santa Monica. From then on, he spent his career away from Pacific Grove, starting his own business and traveling the globe, earning his place in the design world. His hometown was always close to his heart, and he fondly told the Blade about his first-ever professional gig – designing his niece’s hair salon in Pacific Grove.

Gruwell shared with the Blade what he thinks sets his work apart, “Every (designer) has their own talents and they all are in their own lane doing whatever they’re doing. But I have a really diverse background.” Gruwell’s first mentor was Marlene Grant, who had a very classical approach to interior design. He then worked for Michael Bedner, namesake of Hirsch Bedner, who trained him in hospitality design. His really big break came when he went to work with Anita Brooks, and together, they would design the Four Seasons and Mandalay Bay Resorts as well as the multi-million dollar residences of the casino owners. They also received a commission for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Gruwell continues, “All of those add up to life experiences that some designers never get. I have really diverse influences from different high-end design professionals in both the residential and hospitality marketplaces. I think what makes me a little more special.”

After years of travel and design, Gruwell’s mother fell ill and eventually passed away at 103. His friends encouraged him to come home, to leave the rat race and enjoy his time where he grew up. He returned to Pacific Grove and turned his mother’s lot into his new, customized home, close to the Ocean.

“I came back here because I wanted to be back to my roots. When I was growing up, I didn’t realize that I lived in the most beautiful place in the world. Now, at 73 years old, I know.”

Don’t think Gruwell is retiring or taking it easy. Since returning home, he has designed major hotels and a number of residences in Pebble Beach. But it was a call from a client that really spoke to him.

“Don (and Jay) Desai gave me the opportunity to design The Charles Pacific Grove. He said, ‘Let’s give you a namesake property, and let’s have you design it any way you want to. And let’s invite the LGBTQ community to a stylish and inclusive hotel.’ And so that brought me full circle.”

Though all of Gruwell’s properties have his signature style, The Charles is completely his, from start to finish. The building itself is part of his life; it is a Victorian-style home built by Frank Buck in 1904.  Gruwell remembers being fascinated by the building as early as he can remember, passing by it constantly growing up. It turned into a boarding home, back to a residence, and then to a bed and breakfast. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The house itself is what spoke to me. The actual architecture of the Victorian House spoke to me and said, ‘Make me a beautiful, luxury, London-inspired residence.’ So, because of the architecture and all the woodworking on the inside, it just had this whole feeling of a grand home; the building is what guided me to do the design.”

Making The Charles truly his own also meant making it inclusive.

“In all my travels, I’ve gone to different hotels and no one ever really talks about them being inclusive, inviting the LGBTQ community to be seen and welcomed, and celebrated. They nod to it, but no one ever really makes a declaration about it. So, don’t we create a stylish, elegant interior and invite the LGBTQ+ community so they know they can come to Pacific Grove and stay in a stylish and inclusive hotel environment where they don’t have to make any explanations about who they are or what their preferences are. They can just come and feel welcome, they can be celebrated, and they can be the individuals that they are in our hotel.”

With queer travel on the decline because of changes and uncertainty in safety and being welcomed, The Charles is a stylish breath of fresh air that is at the center of an oceanside oasis where you can walk the from Lover’s Point into Monterey to Cannery Row. Cannery Row is home to the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. Restaurants, shopping, kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding, wine tasting, art galleries, and beachside rest are all must-dos when visiting. Carmel By the Sea, just five miles away, boasts one of the most beautiful white sand beaches around. Or you can just spend your time in any one of The Charles’ 16 luxury rooms.

And Gruwell’s message to the LGBTQ community this Pride season?

“Stand tall in your individuality, your diversity, and your equality, and know that you matter and you are relevant. Be true to yourself, and don’t let anyone bring you down.”

Visit The Charles Pacific Grove / 581 Pine St, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950

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a&e features

Youth Poet Laureate Samantha Rios lends her voice to The Ford’s multimedia tribute to L.A

Get Lit – Words Ignite turns youth poetry into a citywide celebration

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If I Awaken in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is loud and crowded – it is a city overflowing with sound and stories. Yet amid all the noise, it can be surprisingly hard to truly hear one voice. But Samantha “Sammy” Rios, poet and performer, cuts through the noise with unmistakable clarity. On August 1st, Rios will take the spotlight at The Ford as part of If I Awaken in Los Angeles, a one-night-only multimedia production that brings the city into sharp, luminous focus.

Presented by youth poetry powerhouse Get Lit – Words Ignite, in partnership with the LA Philharmonic and directed by Gina Belafonte, the show blends spoken word, music, dance, and immersive film to trace Los Angeles’s cultural geography. The show goes in-depth with the communities that define Los Angeles: from its Indigenous origins to Koreatown.

For Rios – a queer, Chicana poet and the current Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate – the opportunity to be part of If I Awaken felt deeply personal. “I’ve been working with Get Lit for about three years now, and I’ve cherished every moment,” she says. “Being able to share the city, my family, and all the parts of L.A. that I hold so dear to my heart has been an unforgettable experience.”

Youth Poet Samantha Rios / Photo credit: Samantha “Sammy” Rios

While the show’s vignettes stretch across the city – from Chinatown to South Central to the Canyons, Rios brings a different part of L.A. with her on stage. “I feel especially responsible for bringing the stories of East. L.A. and Boyle Heights to life,” she says.” This is particularly meaningful to her because her family was featured in the videos that will be presented when the show discusses East L.A. While working with Get Lit, one moment in particular made Rios emotional: bringing the crew to El Tepeyac, her favorite local restaurant. “It was something I never pictured happening – being able to share my family and show people just how special everyone in my little corner of life really is.”

The multimedia format of the show – film, live performance, music, and so on – challenges each poet to think in an interdisciplinary manner. For Rios, that means being mindful of the camera as much as the crowd. “When I’m on film, I try to think about how my performance looks on the other side of the camera,” she says, “but my writing remains rooted in my own voice.” Whether the world is overbearing or comfortable, Rios cannot stop writing.

In many ways, her work embodies what Get Lit teaches: that poetry is not just an artform, is civic engagement. It is a form of activism that teaches others about how to embrace the differences in other people. And for Rios, that connection between the political and personal is not theoretical – it is lived. “As a Chicana poet, a lot of what’s going on in politics is personal to me,” she says. 

If I Awaken In Los Angeles reimagines the city as a vibrant, creative canvas, where Rios is the artist. “This show allowed me to go into different communities and meet people personally.” She leaves the Blade with an endearing note: “We’re all united in our own special way.” And in a city too often reduced to freeways and noise that cannot be quieted, that kind of unity is revolutionary.

Event Details:
If I Awaken In Los Angeles
Presented by Get Lit – Words Ignite in partnership with the LA Phil
Venue: The Ford | 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Date: August 1, 2025
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm/ Show starts at 8pm
Location: The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Tickets:
https://www.theford.com/events/performances/4068/2025-08-01/if-i-awaken-in-los-angeles

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Events

Los Angeles Blade to take special part in NLGJA Los Angeles inaugural journalism awards

Three inaugural journalism awards will honor those who championed LGBTQ+ stories in 2024, including the Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media, in honor and memory of our founding publisher.

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Press Pride Promo 2025 graphic

On July 26, 2025, at the Grand Central Air Terminal, the Los Angeles chapter of the NLGJA, the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, will host Press Pride Prom, a benefit and awards ceremony honoring Southern California journalists and newsrooms. Three inaugural journalism awards will honor those who championed LGBTQ+ stories in 2024.

The Los Angeles Blade, in collaboration with the NLGJA, will present the Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media, honoring a journalist or news media professional whose work reflects a dedication to the craft of journalism and a commitment to setting the stage for the next generation of LGBTQ+ industry leaders. Troy Masters was a veteran, queer journalist, and founding publisher of the Los Angeles Blade who passed away unexpectedly last year.

The inaugural nominees are nominees include Mariah Castañeda, co-founder of LA Public Press; veteran journalist LZ Granderson, who currently serves as an OpEd columnist for the Los Angeles Times and an ABC News contributor; and John Griffiths, founder of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics and Dorian Awards.

The Los Angeles Blade is honored to be given this opportunity by the NLGJA to pay homage in such a profound way to Masters and the legacy he created, and that the Blade continues to cultivate, for the queer community.

NLGJA LA co-president Hansen Bursic shared, “We are honored to present an award this year in honor of beloved Los Angeles publisher and journalist Troy Masters. These nominees embody Masters’ dedication to LGBTQ+ journalism and his passion for community building in Southern California and beyond.”

The Los Angeles Blade is further honored to be listed as a nominee for the event’s Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting Newsroom Award, honoring a news outlet whose coverage of the queer and trans community is well-informed, complex, varied and intersectional, with a track record of promoting The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists’ mission to advance fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ+ communities and issues. We are nominated alongside LAist and Variety.

The evening will also include the presentation of the Queer Beat Award for Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting, honoring a single story or series that demonstrates care, skill, and a commitment to fair and accurate reporting of LGBTQ+ themes, issues, and people. The nominees include A Night They Can’t Remember, at One of the Country’s Most Popular LGBTQ+ Bars by Kate Sosin and Steven Blum for The 19th; Banned Rainbows and ‘Forced Outing.’ Will Elections Reshape This Relentless School Board? by Jaweed Kaleem for the Los Angeles Times; and She Was Supposed to Be at Pulse Nightclub — And Club Q. Now She’s Fighting To Keep LGBTQ+ People Safe by Lil Kalish for HuffPost.

NLGJA LA co-president Katie Karl remarked, “These nominees represent the diverse and passionate spirit of Southern California’s LGBTQ+ journalism community. At a time when queer and trans stories and journalists are under attack, we are proud to uplift a few of the incredibly talented journalists who are speaking truth to power and helping tell our community’s stories.”

The awards, presented by ABC7, will be hosted by veteran LA-based journalist and GLAAD award winner, Tracy Gilchrist. The ceremony will be held on July 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Glendale at the historic Grand Central Air Terminal. The evening will be prom-themed, giving attendees the opportunity to relive high school memories as their authentic selves.

Early bird tickets are on sale now until June 20. Tables and regular tickets will also be available
to purchase through July 18. You can learn more and get tickets here.

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Arts & Entertainment

2025 Emmy nominations: ‘Hacks’ and ‘The Last of Us’ bring queer excellence to the table

‘Hacks’ and ‘The Last of Us’ are two of the most notable LGBTQ+ shows nominated at this year’s Primetime Emmys.

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The Last of Us promo pic

Earlier today, the 2025 Primetime Emmy nominations were announced, and a few of this year’s key frontrunners have particularly resonated with the LGBTQ+ community during a politically turbulent year.

Coming off Season 3’s win for outstanding comedy series, Hacks Season 4 was nominated for 14 awards, with Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Julianne Nicholson, and Robby Hoffman being recognized for their performances. Since the show premiered in 2021, each season has explored the comedy and entertainment industry through the lens of generational differences between queer writer Ava (Einbinder) and the old-school Deborah (Smart).

While Smart has won outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for all three seasons, this year could be the chance for Einbinder, who identifies as bisexual, to finally take home a prize of her own in supporting actress. And if Season 4 nabs the outstanding comedy series crown yet again, it’ll be another huge moment for bisexual representation. But it will have to fend off the industry satire The Studio, which received a staggering 23 nominations for its breakout first season.

Another one of this year’s most high-profile contenders, The Last of Us, received 16 nominations for its second season, including non-binary actor Bella Ramsey, lead actor Pedro Pascal, and supporting/guest actors Kaitlyn Dever, Jeffrey Wright, Joe Pantoliano, and Catherine O’Hara.

Notably, though, Season 2 has been hit by much more backlash, much of which has been fueled by homophobic anger at the love story between Ellie (Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced). Merced, who identifies as queer, was widely praised for her turn as Dina, but was not nominated for supporting actress. And while Season 1 received 24 nominations, Season 2 lost out on a few, bringing The Last of Us down a notch in its overall standing.

There were other snubs as well. Mid-Century Modern, the gay sitcom starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham, and Linda Lavin, did not see any of its actors nominated. It also missed out on the Best Comedy Series category, for which it was considered a contender, although it did still receive four below-the-line nominations.

However, other openly queer actors were nominated, even for roles or shows not explicitly exploring queer issues or characters. Those include Colman Domingo for The Four Seasons, Cynthia Erivo for Poker Face, Michael Urie for Shrinking, Cooper Koch for Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story, and Bowen Yang for Saturday Night Live.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Emmys without RuPaul, who became the most-nominated reality host in Emmys history after landing his 10th nomination for RuPaul’s Drag Race. He’s also nominated alongside Alan Cumming of The Traitors fame. And in the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction special category, the critically acclaimed Will & Harper and Pee-wee as Himself were nominated, and are both considered strong contenders to win.

TV fans can find out which of their favorite queer actors or shows take home top prizes on Sunday, Sept. 14, with Nate Bargatze hosting the 77th annual awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

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Movies

‘Superman’ is here to to save us, despite MAGA backlash

Man of Steel was always a flashpoint for controversy

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David Corenswet as Superman. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.)

Anyone who argues that Superman should never be politicized clearly knows nothing about Superman.

The “Man of Steel” has been a flashpoint for controversy almost from the beginning, when he was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster – two Jewish Americans born of immigrant parents, who conceived the character in a world where the economic disparities of the Great Depression, the rise of global fascism, and the threat of impending war were looming large across American life. Theirs was a hero for the time, who used his strength to help the weak instead of to subjugate them, who stood up against the forces of greed, corruption, and insatiable power to prioritize human life above all other considerations. Is it any wonder that his values would become objectionable to conservatives when the moral complacency of postwar prosperity kicked in? In the hawkish American ideology that dominated the Cold War era, such notions became inconvenient.

To be fair, there has been liberal backlash against the character, too; Superman has often been framed as an icon of American “exceptionalism” that served as a jingoistic mask for the deeper ambitions of the capitalist elite. Indeed, the success of the 1978 “Superman: The Movie” (starring Christopher Reeve in arguably the most beloved big screen iteration of the character) largely hinged on its refutation of jaded disillusionment at a time when America had become too “hip” for wish-fulfillment fantasies about an invincible hero who could save the world.

Since then, of course, Superman has undergone further evolution, mirroring a cultural return to cynicism with a parallel transformation of Krypton’s last son – in the movies, at least – into a morally conflicted figure with deep doubts about his mission and crippling regrets over the collateral damage he’s caused in the pursuit of “truth, justice, and the American Way.” Fans were divided, and this new-and-darker version of “Supe” – despite the fan appeal of Henry Cavill, who donned the red cape for three films under director Zack Snyder – failed to generate the kind of enthusiasm that would elevate DC (and parent company Warner Brothers) to the popularity level of Marvel’s rival cinematic universe.

Now, with James Gunn’s “Superman” – the latest reboot of the comic book hero’s big screen franchise, which serves as the starting point for a new “DC Cinematic Universe” (DCU) after the last one was tanked by mediocre reviews and disappointing box office receipts – the tables have been turned once again. In Gunn’s “reset,” the character (played with infectious and unassuming charm by David Corenswet) is a true idealist, embracing a presumed role as protector of Earth without a sense of being burdened, and motivated to make a difference even through the journalistic efforts of alter-ego Clark Kent. For him, it’s simple: if innocent people are in danger, he is there to be their champion.

That said, he’s still something of a mess. In his imperative to protect mankind, he is at odds with the protocols of the human world order, which don’t always line up with his goals. In fact, when the story begins, Superman is already under fire from the media for his disregard of political procedure and international law, having unilaterally prevented a Central European dictator from invading a neighboring country only weeks before. This diplomatic faux pas has led billionaire tech genius and corporate giant Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) to focus his vast resources on a public smear campaign against him.

Needless to say, Luthor has his own secret agenda, a push for global power that depends on ensuring that Superman is eliminated from the equation. Fortunately for the caped Kryptonian, he has the help of Clark Kent’s Daily Planet associates – girlfriend Lois Lane (a perfectly cast Rachel Brosnahan, best known as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo, “The Righteous Gemstones”) – and an assortment of fellow “meta humans” (i.e. superheroes) to keep him on track. 

We won’t spoil the outcome, though it’s a safe bet that the good guys will triumph in the end. More important is that Gunn’s ambitious reconfiguration of the classic mythos makes the choice to go all-in on the qualities that once made Superman the epitome of an archetype.

Corenswet brings an everyman likability to his larger-than-life character, within which all his nods to ethical purity feel like a triumph instead of a capitulation to comfortable sentiment. He inhabits the role, even in the guise of Clark Kent (who, as we are reminded by recall to a long-forgotten canonical flourish, gets away with his disguise via “hypno-glasses” which mask his obvious resemblance to Superman in the eyes of all who see him), and taps into something that transcends the formulaic conventions of the superhero genre. While he may not bring the effortless charm that Reeve carried into the role, he delivers something equally engaging – a real sense of trying to do better – which makes it possible for us, as viewers, to identify with him. Brosnahan’s Lane is revelatory, a modern incarnation that emphasizes her integrity as a journalist to make her an equal to her superhuman paramour; their chemistry, highlighted through a classic “screwball comedy” dynamic in their banter and informed by the active role she plays in the heroics that drive the film, is not only refreshingly equitable but honest.

As for Hoult’s palpably Musk-ish Luthor, he delivers all the smug arrogance we need from a supervillain while also leaving room for a sliver of compassion. In smaller roles, Gisondo’s Olsen is a presence to be taken much more seriously than many of its earlier iterations, while an over-the-top turn from Nathan Fillion as a bro-ishly tacky Green Lantern and the underplayed solidity of Edi Gathegi’s no-nonsense Mr. Fantastic effectively contrast Corenswet’s optimistic Kal-El.

Yes, it’s a little too “busy,” and it admittedly suffers from the contemporary genre’s rapid-fire flow of information, action, and peripheral characters. There’s also the gratuitously irresistible presence of Krypto, a “superdog” under the temporary care of our hero. Even so, these elements somehow give Gunn’s movie a heartwarmingly goofy quality. It’s just that kind of film.

Which brings us to the question of why anyone could see it as anything but a validation of what makes this character so uniquely American. Taken without contemporary real-world context, it’s hard to object to Gunn’s new vision of Superman unless one has a fundamental problem with the idea that compassion, kindness, and equity are goals worth fighting for.

In the context of Trump’s America, however, the movie’s insistence on highlighting these values, along with its emphasis on Superman’s status as an “alien” immigrant and a general sense of inclusiveness among its ensemble cast, feels like a radical notion.

That says more about “them” than it does about “us,” frankly, and for our part we’re grateful for a movie that not only breaks the “superhero fatigue” that has developed for moviegoers over the last few oversaturated years, but dares to refute MAGA-driven talking points about “toxic empathy” and the equality of immigrants (after all, Superman has always been an alien) to reinforce a vision of America that feels worth fighting for.

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Sports

Hololive and Dodgers create a home for queer fandom

More than just a baseball game, Hololive Night became a joyful convergence of fandom, self-expression, and community, drawing fans from across the globe.

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On July 5, 2025, Dodger Stadium transformed into a vibrant cultural celebration as hololive production returned for its second Hololive Night in collaboration with the Los Angeles Dodgers. More than just a baseball game, the event became a joyful convergence of fandom, self-expression, and community, drawing fans from across the globe.

Over two hours before the first pitch, fans packed the dedicated hololive queue, eager to collect exclusive Dodgers x hololive trading cards featuring Ninomae Ina’nis, IRyS, and Koseki Bijou. Some fans braved the summer heat for hours, while others traveled from as far as Japan for the event. Dodger Stadium became a colorful showcase of anime-inspired fashion, VTuber cosplay, and unmistakable fan pride.

For Tama, a bisexual streamer, the connection to hololive is personal. “I don’t know if I qualify as a VTuber, but I have a little PNG,” she shared with a laugh. Fully decked out in Ina’nis gear—wig, plushie, and merch—Tama has been a dedicated fan since Ina’s debut in 2020. “It’s because she’s an artist and also because she’s really calm and funny. She streams on YouTube, so I kind of just connect with her a lot. She’s relatable, comforting, and inspiring.”

Tama was especially excited to attend her first-ever baseball game and see Motoaki Tanigo—known affectionately to fans as “Yagoo,” the CEO of COVER Corporation—throw the ceremonial first pitch. “He is the most involved CEO you’ve ever seen in a company,” she said.

Yagoo’s leadership has become part of hololive’s charm. Fans admire how visible and engaged he is, and the company’s approach to events like Hololive Night shows that the fan experience is a priority. This year’s collaboration marked a milestone as the first-ever VTuber livestream both to and from Dodger Stadium. Hololive talents not only cheered on the Dodgers but also led the crowd in a sing-along of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and hosted post-game activities on the field, including an interactive dance segment called “WHO’S got the MOVES?!?!”

Fans explored hololive-themed photo ops, enjoyed special stadium snacks in event-exclusive packaging, and had better access to merchandise this year thanks to improved in-stadium sales. Last year, many fans missed most of the game due to long lines at a single merch tent. This time, the experience felt smoother and more celebratory.

Owen, a bi-curious fan who is exploring his gender, shared why VTubers resonate so deeply with him. “I like a lot of feminine things—clothing, colors, jewelry, accessories—a lot of stuff that they don’t give male characters in games. You can’t be a feminine male character in games a lot. It’s really nice to get to just pick the female characters because it feels like me even more than the male characters.”

Owen has been a hololive fan since 2020 and attended last year’s Dodgers event as well. “I like being a fan of stuff. I like music, gaming, stuff like that.” He feels especially connected to Ina’nis through her music. “She has a collaboration with a producer I really like, Camellia. One of the things that drew me to her originally was from her debut stream. She mentioned being a fan of Camellia. That was cool to me because he’s a sort of niche producer and it was cool to see someone like Ina be into him.”

For many fans like Owen and Tama, VTubing isn’t just entertainment, it’s a safe space to explore identity and express emotions without judgment. “People can see it as a mask, but I almost view it as being able to be your true self because you don’t have to have your appearance be the first thing that people see,” one fan explained.

When I asked Yagoo why VTubing has become such a meaningful and emotionally safe space, he reflected that this was something he realized early on. “The ability to step away from physical labels—things like appearance, race, gender—and to let someone’s creativity stand on its own, whether as an artist or as a performer, is what makes VTubers such a powerful tool.”
He shared that hololive’s global community includes LGBT fans who find a deep connection through female characters. “In the initial stages of the business, the idea that it would be a great way for people to express their true selves—their preferences and identities—became clear pretty quickly.”

As hololive continues to grow, especially in the U.S. and cities like Los Angeles, Yagoo said the company is exploring new ways to reach broader audiences. “Originally, we started by focusing on anime fans and VTubers were quickly embraced by that community. Now, we are trying to create more opportunities through gaming and music as an entry point for people to engage with VTubers.”

The possibilities are exciting. Fans have already built vibrant, diverse communities, and there is potential for hololive to grow even further—through partnerships with Pride events, collaborations with queer creators, and deeper connections with LGBTQ+ fans who already see themselves reflected in this world.

As Ina’nis playfully joked during the event, “Just think: all of our fans outside their houses! In the real world! In Dodger Stadium! You did it! You went outside and touched grass!”

For many, Hololive Night was about more than the game. It was about showing up, being seen, and finding joy together, in real life, and across the virtual worlds we continue to build.

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The art of controlled chaos: Patrick Bristow brings the Puppets to life

As co-creator and host of Puppet Up! Uncensored, a wild, “adults-only” improv puppet show developed with Brian Henson of the Jim Henson Company, he combines razor-sharp comedy with next-level puppetry in a way that’s as unpredictable as it is funny.

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Patrick Bistrow in Puppet Up

Whether he’s elbow-deep in puppets or stealing scenes on screen, Patrick Bristow knows how to keep things unapologetically unpredictable and rich with comedy. With decades of improv under his belt and a knack for the unexpected, he proves that comedy and puppetry are best when it’s uncensored.

For over three decades, actor, director, and improv vet Patrick Bristow has been a familiar face across television and film, from his memorable portrayal of Peter on the groundbreaking sitcom Ellen to scene-stealing appearances on Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and more. But Bristow’s creative energy doesn’t stop in front of the camera. As co-creator and host of Puppet Up! Uncensored, a wild, “adults-only” improv puppet show developed with Brian Henson of the Jim Henson Company, he combines razor-sharp comedy with next-level puppetry in a way that’s as unpredictable as it is funny. We chatted with Bristow from his home in Joshua Tree to talk about the show’s origins, the lasting lessons of improv, his unique take on fame, and the true essence of Nellydom.

For our readers who are not yet familiar with the excellence that is Patrick Bristow, could you introduce yourself?

Sure! I’m Patrick Bristow. For most of my 30-some odd years career, I’ve worked as an actor in TV and film, lots of small but memorable roles. But today, I’m here to talk about a show I co-created with Brian Henson of the Jim Henson Company called Puppet Up! Uncensored. It combines brilliant Henson puppeteering with improv comedy. I was in the main company at The Groundlings years ago and have been teaching improv ever since. So this show is a perfect blend of those worlds—kind of a chocolate and peanut butter situation. And we’ve been doing it, on and off, for nearly 20 years.

What’s it like collaborating with Brian Henson?

Brian is incredibly talented, legendary in his own right. Working with him is a dream. We’re both focused on creating the most fun experience possible, both for our audiences and our performers. When we disagree, we figure it out quickly or try both options and go with what works best. There’s no ego involved, just a shared goal.

How did Puppet Up! Uncensored come to life?

Originally, Brian brought me in to teach improv workshops for his puppeteers. He wanted them to gain some of the benefits of improv training—spontaneity, specificity, making bold, immediate choices. We had a group of high-level puppeteers—people whose work you’d definitely recognize, even if you don’t know their names. Some had improv experience already, some didn’t, but they were all great.

After the trial period, Brian asked, “Do you want to keep doing this?” And I said, “Absolutely.” It was really exciting for me to teach improv in a new way because puppeteering requires such a different approach. It wasn’t the same as teaching “fleshies,” as we call human performers in the puppet world.

“Fleshies”?

(Laughs…) Yeah, it sounds a little derogatory, and maybe it is, but I’m standing by it.

If you could create a puppet of any celebrity to add to the show, who would it be?

Oh, that changes weekly! But right now? A Pedro Pascal puppet. If the Henson team could make one as hot as the real Pedro, I’d be thrilled.

Puppet Up! is described as improv meets puppetry… but for adults. How do you balance the humor?

We definitely bring the snark and satire. We try not to get political, because we want a wide spectrum of audiences to enjoy the show. But yes, it can get spicy. And sometimes a little too spicy, at which point I’ll step in as the “schoolmarm” and redirect. The audience often gives us wild suggestions, and we run with it, within reason!

Let’s rewind for a moment back to the ‘90s. You were on Ellen, a show that was way ahead of its time. What was that experience like?

It was thrilling and, at times, scary. There was a bomb threat on set while we were filming the infamous “Puppy Episode” when Ellen came out. I wasn’t there that day, thankfully, but it was intense.

Later that season, when her coming out was being teased, I’d get recognized and even grabbed by strangers in public with questions. That visibility gave me a little taste of what fame feels like, and I realized it wasn’t for me. I liked being the guy who dodged in and out of scenes without the chaos that comes with full-blown celebrity.

So you’d take the work, not the fame?

Exactly. The 18-year-old me wanted to be a TV star. But the 30-something me, and now older, gray-haired me, is content making a living doing what I love. Fame sounds exhausting. I’ll take the bank accounts, though! (laughs)

Speaking of things you love: improv. What’s one thing from improv that people can apply to their everyday lives?

Listening without pre-planning. Really tuning in to what someone is saying, absorbing it emotionally and imaginatively, and then responding authentically. Improv teaches you to focus, to be present, and to let go of control, especially if, like me, you’re a hyperactive overthinker. It’s been a lifesaver for me.

Between performing, teaching, and directing, what role do you connect with most now?

Teaching. And hosting Puppet Up! Hands down. Both involve spontaneous interaction, deep listening, and applying everything I’ve learned. If teaching paid as well as TV work and came with insurance, I’d do it full time.

How have you seen representation in entertainment evolve over the years?

It’s come a long way. We’ve moved beyond the old stereotypes: the “straight-passing gay character” being a compliment to a much richer, more diverse portrayal of identities. I think of people like Titus Burgess, bold, bright, and unapologetically original. When I played Peter on Ellen, my husband said I was “striking a blow for Nellydom,” which I was proud of. That’s me! I’m into Jane Austen, I (try to) play the harp, and I once played Queen Elizabeth I at The Groundlings. If I repped for the Nells, I’m honored.

For readers unfamiliar with the term “Nellydom,” can you enlighten?

It’s the kingdom of femme expression, and unapologetically so. A little swish in your walk, pearls at dinner. Not in-your-face, just not hiding. There’s strength in that. The Nellys were at the frontlines of Stonewall. So yes, I’ll proudly reclaim Nellydom.

Puppet Up! Uncensored runs July 16 – 27th, 2025 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre: Tickets here

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Television

ICYMI: ‘Overcompensating’ a surprisingly sweet queer treat

A sweet, savvy show about breaking free to embrace your true self

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Holmes, Benito Skinner and Wally Baram in ‘Overcompensating.’ (Photo courtesy of MGM Amazon)

Pride month 2025 is now behind us, and while it’s safe to say that this year’s celebrations had a darker edge than usual, it’s also true that they came with a particularly rich bounty of new queer movies and shows to entertain us – so many, in fact, that even if we are facing a lull until the fall for another harvest of fresh content, there are still plenty of titles – which, for whatever reason, were off your radar – for you to catch up on in the meantime.

One of the most notable of these –  the bingeworthy series “Overcompensating” (now streaming on Amazon Prime) – will most definitely have been on the radar for the plentiful fans of creator and star Benito Skinner, the actor/comedian who rose to viral fame through his content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok; for anyone else, it might have easily slipped through the cracks.

Created and written by Skinner as a loosely autobiographical collegiate comedy, it aims for the kind of raucous, explicitly sexed-up tone one expects from that genre as it centers on Benny (Skinner), newly arrived as a freshman at prestigious Yates University. A former football jock and “golden boy” at his midwestern high school, he’s the picture of idealized youthful masculinity; he’s also deep in the closet, struggling to keep his sexuality hidden and maintain his macho “bro” image under the intense scrutiny of the college’s social scene – and under the resentful eye of his older sister Grace (Mary Beth Barone), who has already secured her own place at the top of the pecking order.

In the first episode, Benny’s difficulties are eased when he meets Carmen (Wally Baram), another freshman trying to navigate the politics of college life; a gamer from a home disrupted by tragedy, she’s an outsider who feels like she’s putting on an act, too, and they click – giving him the convenient cover of female companionship while providing them both with much-needed support and encouragement. He’s also befriended by a handsome film major from England (Rish Shah), who has already caught his eye, stirring up other kinds of feelings faster than you can say “no homo.” Meanwhile, he’s being courted by the school’s “exclusive secret society” – headed by his sister’s aggressively “alpha” boyfriend Pete (Adam DiMarco) – and trying to stay interested in his studies, despite a growing realization that a career in business doesn’t actually appeal to him all that much.

That’s a lot to juggle for anybody, even an overachiever like Benny – whose “lucky” life so far has largely been the result of playing a role he is finding increasingly hard to maintain; but as the series goes on through its eight-episode arc, it becomes clear that he’s not the only one who is “keeping up appearances,” and he is just one of many confused and damaged young people in his orbit, all facing the painful (but often hilarious) process of evolution that is required in order to become truly oneself.

Tailored for appeal to a youthful demographic, “Overcompensating” is the kind of show that requires a few episodes worth of invested time to make an impression that feels like substance. Full of the bawdy farcical antics that go hand in hand with stories about hormonally charged college kids, it’s not above leaning into the formulas and tropes that have always driven these kinds of comedies. At first, while its broadly comedic strokes and frequently explicit sexual hijinks might elicit plenty of chuckles, the show might easily feel tiresome for more mature audiences; there’s a nostalgic fun to it, made even more appealing, somehow, by the “political incorrectness” of its frequently sexist and homophobic humor, but for a while things may feel like an unnecessary attempt to reinvent “Animal House” for the Gen Z crowd.

By the time the season reaches its halfway point, however, things have started to get real. The antics of these horny almost-adults take on a more pointed absurdity, informed by the increasingly tangled web of defensive deceit they weave among themselves – and, as things draw toward a cliffhanger climax, the consequences of maintaining it – until it achieves a sense of empathy toward them all. There’s a wisdom that smacks of lived authenticity underlying the whole affair, transforming it from the “sexploitative” teen comedy of its surface into something deeper. Sure, things stay expectedly wacky, and the soap-operatic melodrama of its twists and reversals continue to maintain the show’s “mature YA” appeal; but beneath those trappings, by the end of the season a truer identity has begun to emerge, just as its characters have begun to find their own levels of self-actualization for themselves.

As creator, primary writer, and star, it’s obviously Skinner who deserves much of the credit. While it might be tempting, early on, to dismiss the show as an “ego project,” the internet-spawned sensation proves his talents quickly enough to get past such judgy skepticism, delivering a pitch-perfect blend of sauciness and sensitivity that extends its appeal toward both ends of the taste spectrum; just as crucially, he brings the same aforementioned “lived authenticity” to his winning performance – after all, he’s essentially playing himself in a fictionalized version of his own life – while also making sure that equal time (and compassion) is afforded all the other characters around him, each of whom are pushing at the boundaries of their own respective “closets,” too. It’s unavoidable to notice that – like most of his co-stars – he’s plainly a decade too old to be playing a college student; but by the time we reach that crucial halfway turning point, we’ve become too engaged by him to care.

The show is full of excellent performances, in fact. Relative newcomers Baram and Barone offer layers of complex nuance, while the more familiar DiMarco (“White Lotus”) is close to heartbreaking as the toxic BMOC clinging to the illusion of power as his life begins to unravel around him. Other standouts include the mononymic Holmes as Carmen’s “wild girl” roommate, solidly likable turns as Benny’s parents from mature veterans Connie Britten and Kyle MacLachlan (whose presence, along with stylish elements in several key scenes, hints at an homage-ish nod to the late David Lynch), and podcaster Owen Thiele as an openly gay fellow student who has Benny “clocked” from the moment they meet. Finally, Lukas Gage makes a deep and tender impression as a former high school teammate at the heart of Benny’s most haunting memory.

There’s no official word yet on whether “Overcompensating” will be renewed for a second season, despite the multiple loose ends left dangling at the end of its first; it has proven to be popular, and Skinner’s large fanbase makes it likely that the story will continue. Even if it doesn’t, the place of uncertainty in which it has left its characters rings true enough to serve as a satisfying endpoint.

As for us, we hope that won’t happen. For all its sophomoric humor, generic plot twists, and purposefully gratuitous sexual titillation, it’s one of the sweetest, kindest, and most savvy shows we’ve seen about breaking free from conformity to embrace your true self – and that’s a message that applies whether you’re queer, straight, or anywhere in between.

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a&e features

How this Texas drag king reclaimed their identity through Chicano-inspired drag

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Three out of ten drag kings who were cast for this first season of King of Drag self-identified as Latinx and after episode two, only one Latinx king remains in the running for the competition. 

Buck Wylde, a king from Dallas, Texas delivered a performance that took inspiration from their Catholic upbringing and Catholic school days to put together this persona. During the episode, they shared that they like to “play with religion.” 

Murray Hill responded by adding, “sometimes we can’t afford to go to therapy for the Catholic guilt, so we do drag.” Buck Wylde says their therapy and their church is drag. 

Buck Wylde, cancer sign, goes by Trigger Mortis when they are outside of drag and present more on the femme side. Along with Big D—another drag king on the series—they are the only two who are more femme outside of their drag persona. 

During this episode, Buck Wylde also spoke about the difficulty of performing drag in a red state. They live in conservative Dallas, so they still struggle to find large-scale acceptance and support in the midst of statewide legislation targeting the LGBTQ community in Texas. 

“Sometimes it doesn’t feel [as] safe as [I] would like it to be. There’s protesters all the time and we don’t have as many spaces to perform as kings there,” they said in the interview. 

Buck Wylde says that for them, the most important thing about drag, is that it is and always has been a protest. 

Living in a conservative state is a challenge to them as a drag king, but they say that it’s important for them to stand their ground and not only bring that representation to these areas, but also intentionally keep it there. 

“So many people leave Texas for their safety and mental health to go to Portland, LA, or Colorado Springs or you know, anywhere but here.” 

During the episode, Buck Wylde also opened up about how their religious background and cultural heritage added an extra layer to their identity issues growing up where they did. Their family wanted them to assimilate and even prevented them from speaking Spanish and they say that through Buck, they are able to re-examine what it means to be a part of that culture. 

Buck Wylde is a third generation Mexican-American and they say that though their Spanish is not fluent, they say they do prefer their horchata without (ICE). 

“I kind of straddled different worlds there, because I was sort of assimilated but I still had my Mexican culture. I always felt like I wasn’t connected enough because of the assimilation and it was through drag that I was able to reclaim my culture.” 

In the first round of competitions for the second episode, the kings broke up into three teams of three for an improv skit where they would have to mansplain a topic and whichever team did it the best—won the group Weenie Challenge.

The winning team included Buck Wylde, Alexander the Great and Henlo Bullfrog. Together they improvised a skit where they mansplained the Amelia Earhart story.  

For the solo show, they dressed up as ‘The Devil’ for the improv solo challenge, cracking a joke about how they are dressed like the person currently living in The White House. 

Dressed as the Devil, sporting a Zoot Suit for the final competition, Buck Wylde improvised a skit with food. 

Buck Wylde says they felt the pressure to perform because along with the other nine kings who were cast, they are the first ten kings to make it to the mainstream and represent king culture. 

“We call ourselves the first ten because whatever happens, we’re responsible for how the kings are viewed and how we move forward together, being the blueprint for what’s to come,” said Buck Wylde in an exclusive interview with Los Angeles Blade. 

Back stage before the solo improv competition, Buck Wylde says they felt their drag persona “crumbling” away. 

They felt like Buck had abandoned them prior to their big moments to prove to the judges that they should stay in the running for the competition. They went up against Perka $exxx, who gave a king-based Dave Chappell performance. 

In the end, it was Perka $exxx who received a 4-1 vote from the judges. 

Buck Wylde left the show with some advice for the kings and the audience: “No matter what life throws at you, always remember who the Buck you are.”

King of Drag is now available to stream on RevryTV, an LGBTQ streaming platform for queer movies, TV shows, music and more — all for free. New King of Drag episodes will premiere weekly on Sundays. 

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Arts & Entertainment

Mary Lambert Returns With a Battle Cry in new single, “The Tempest”

It’s been nearly a decade since Lambert first broke through the mainstream

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Mary Lambert has always worn her heart on her sleeve. From the vulnerable hooks on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Same Love to her own deeply personal solo work, Lambert’s music has long been a home for tenderness, queerness, and healing. But with her new single, “The Tempest,” she’s stepping into something sharper. This isn’t just about healing. It’s about fighting.

“It’s incredibly empowering,” Lambert told the Blade in a recent interview. “I love writing sensitive sapphic ballads, but it’s been really exciting and personally cathartic to write a song that is so direct. For much of my life, I’ve been uncomfortable with anger, but as my desire for collective liberation deepens, I realize that anger is how love shows up on a hard day.”

Produced entirely by Lambert herself, “The Tempest” is a fierce, unapologetic anthem that channels righteous rage. The track is deeply personal, not just in its lyrics about bodily autonomy, abortion rights, and trans resilience, but in its very production. Lambert taught herself audio engineering during the pandemic after being turned down by multiple labels, producers, and writers.

“To be fully transparent, producing it myself was more of an economic choice out of necessity,” she said. “But ultimately, it resulted in a song that I have never been more proud of. The production might not be perfect, but from where I stand now, I feel that it’s perfect for the song.”

For Lambert, creative control is tied to the larger fight for autonomy in queer and marginalized communities. “When I was on a major label, self-producing music was out of the question, and I think that’s incredibly unfortunate because there are a lot of singer-songwriters like myself who do have an interesting sonic vision. As artists, we should be encouraged to be curious about it.”

Lambert explained that this song is deeply connected to the version of herself who needed it most. “I wanted to write a song that would have inspired my 18-year-old self. [“The Tempest”] is about hope and the belief that a revolution is not just possible, but imminent, and it’s up to us to rise to the occasion,” she said. “Ultimately, this song is about liberation. Shakespeare’s The Tempest ends with the tyrannical former duke, Prospero, learning lessons of mercy and forgiveness, but what if the people in positions of power in our world never learn those lessons? My version of The Tempest is one where we organize and demand more for our communities.”

It’s been nearly a decade since Lambert first broke through the mainstream, and in that time, her vision of queer liberation has evolved.

“‘Same Love’ was pretty clear about its messaging for marriage equality, but I think for many years, queer liberation has centered around the rights of cis gay people,” she reflected. “Sometimes I worry that actually translates to ‘hey, we can participate in the same hierarchical caste system too.’ We’re seeing the effect of what exclusionary politics look like in our community, with the rise of anti-trans legislation and figureheads like J.K. Rowling hijacking feminist movements.”

Lambert makes it clear that Pride can’t just be about rainbow parades when systemic harm continues. “What is Pride when ICE is stealing people from the street, when Gaza is bombed with impunity, when disabled people don’t have access to vital resources, when women in half of the country are forced to give birth if there’s an unwanted pregnancy? I just hope we are asking questions in our circles of ‘who is missing, why, and what are we doing about it?’”

And yet, amidst all this, Lambert insists joy and queer pleasure remain essential to the resistance. “The resistance needs us to be awake and alive, and that doesn’t happen through shame and suffering,” she said. “We have to find ways to connect. While many of us do have shared trauma, it should not be a prerequisite for connecting.”

When asked what community care looks like for her right now, Lambert points to something simple but revolutionary: vulnerability. “I started asking for help when I needed it,” she shared. “I read about interdependence, and it changed my life in a lot of ways. I find that my friends are far more comfortable asking me for favors now, and that’s what I think we need, people being truly vulnerable with one another.”

Looking forward, Lambert imagines a liberated future where queer and trans people have access to rest, good food, affordable housing, bodily autonomy, and vacations, where joy isn’t the exception but the expectation.“The Tempest” is available now on all streaming platforms. It marks the first single from Lambert’s upcoming third studio album, expected later this year.

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