Events
LGBTQ asylum seekers: Journey complicated by restrictive policies
The event, to be held at HEART WeHo on December 22 at 8 PM, will feature an outstanding panel of affected people from the Latino community
LOS ANGELES – The mere fact that LGBTQ people can claim refugee status and seek safe haven in this country based on dangers they face in their home country by anti-LGBTQ forces and laws was a hard fought, massive victory for LGBTQ refugees and one that has only been recently enacted.
In about 70 countries same-sex relations are criminalized and, in six countries, punishable by death. Many LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers have endured years of exclusion, discrimination, and even violence by family, community, and authorities before being forced to flee home.
Many LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers experience trauma inflicted by circumstances which led to them fleeing their nations of origin. That can have long-lasting mental health effects, including a range of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Obtaining asylum status or permanent residency in the United States can also be a traumatizing experience as the process can take years of uncertainty.
Pew Research recently noted that since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, his administration has acted on a number of fronts to reverse Trump Administration-era restrictions on immigration to the United States.
The steps included plans to boost refugee admissions, preserving deportation relief for unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and not enforcing the “public charge” rule that denies green cards to immigrants who might use public benefits like Medicaid.
Scripps News journalist John Mone reported that the United Nations World Refugee Agency that by the end of 2022, close to 110 million people were forcibly displaced around the globe due to violence, persecution or human rights violations.
The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, in its June 2022 report noted:
Only 37 countries formally grant asylum to individuals due to a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI).
Studies show that a main obstacle to seeking asylum appears to be lack of awareness that sexual orientation and gender identity constitute viable grounds for an asylum claim.
- Research shows that the process of applying for asylum can itself have deleterious effects on LGBTQI+ persons. One recent study found that asylum applicants experience negative mental
and physical health outcomes and economic insecurity as they wait in a precarious state of uncertainty. - A number of studies show how the requirements for a successful asylum claim require that LGBTQI+ migrants “come out” to present themselves as a sexual or gender minority, but do so in a way that is “credible” and “legible” to asylum adjudicators. One study attributed the cause of most denied SOGI claims to “disbelief of sexual orientation” or “lack of credibility,” which are typically predicated on heteronormative and Western conceptions of sexuality and expectations of queer lifestyles often rooted in stereotypes or prejudice.
- A number of studies point to the challenge posed by adjudicators who may conflate sex with sexuality to the extent that sexual behavior forms a key part of the claimant’s narrative about
their sexual orientation. Applicants without sexual or romantic histories are therefore routinely discredited. - “Proving” one’s identity is particularly challenging for transgender asylum seekers. Adjudicators often rely on outdated medicalized notions of what it means to be transgender in which, to be deemed “valid” and “real,” transgender people must desire and seek out medical intervention.
- Bisexual claimants are often denied asylum due to understandings of bisexuality based on stereotypes, that is, the notion that bisexual migrants can simply choose partners of the opposite sex.
- Documentation of country conditions is critical evidence to demonstrate a fear of persecution.
- The experience of “coming out under the gun” in the course of applying for asylum can be actively retraumatizing for vulnerable migrants.
The changes reportedly under discussion by the Biden administration include placing a cap on asylum seekers, expanding detention and deportation of asylum seekers, creating a Title 42-like policy that would expel those entering the U.S. without the chance to ask for asylum, raising the bar for asylum seekers to prove the danger they are facing, codifying aspects of the asylum ban such as a third-country transit ban for those seeking protection at the border, and restricting asylum based on how asylum seekers enter the country.
These policies will result in many people who could otherwise be eligible for asylum being returned to the very danger they are trying to escape — in direct contradiction of federal and international law.
Then there is also the fiscal reality for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers. To work legally in the country based on a Pending Asylum Application, asylum seekers are allowed apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) known as a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
However, this can only be done in the time frame of 150 days after the asylum application has been filed. Many asylum seekers arrive with extremely limited funds and in many cases outside of charitable assistance by organizations, churches or private individuals, find themselves supporting themselves illegally, and in the cases of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers, this can include sex work which has the potential to lead to human trafficking.
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The Los Angeles Blade teamed up with The Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD) to host a Holiday Party celebrating the journey’s of LGBTQ Asylum Seekers, DACA recipients and undocumented folks.
The event, to be held at HEART WeHo on December 22 at 8 PM, will feature an outstanding panel of affected people from the Latino community who will share their stories.
Gretta Soto Moreno, a Mexican trans woman who is an asylum seeker, seeking safety from the persecution she experienced there. Jesus Paizano is a 22-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker who is deeply passionate about immigration equality and justice. Hans Vompakerth an undocumented 23-year-old gay man determined to find his American dream. Laura Morales Garcia, a DACA recipient who arrived in this country at 2-years-old and who is fighting to strengthen the rights of people in her category.
The panel will be moderated by Edwin Millan, a native of Lima-Peru. Edwin is the International President of The Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD), an affinity group of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which addresses the social and health disparities that threaten the Latino Community.
By organizing events like the holiday party, LOUD, an affinity group of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, establishes a worldwide reach and earns recognition as one of the most influential Latino advocacy organizations.
Gretta Soto Moreno’s journey is a testament to the hardships faced by asylum seekers and the struggles within the U.S. detention system. A transgender woman fleeing years of torment—enduring assaults and threats in Mexico, her home country —sadly found herself suffering similar abuses upon reaching the U.S.
Mexico was not only violent, it was isolating and traumatizing. It’s a hard place to be your authentic self.
But there were happy moments, like the office Christmas party where she bravely presented herself as Gretta, stunning a Catholic colleague who Moreno says had no idea. “She was shocked because she noticed this ‘pretty woman’ managing the party; I was shocked too because when she realized it was me, she was ecstatic,” Moreno said. “Her reaction was so unexpected and it made me feel special.”
She suffered the passing of her biggest champion when her grandmother passed away. She had been the most protective and supportive force in her life.. “When she died, I felt so alone and lost.. She always knew I was different that the rest of the kids but to her that made me very special.”
Realizing she was alone and that her life would never improve in Mexico, she chose to seek asylum in the U.S.. But, navigating immigration was full of challenges.
Moreno’s alcohol-related arrest and conviction compounded her plea for asylum. And as a trans person having to address past incarceration, things became very complicated, a story echoing the plight of many trans individuals in similar circumstances. “My alcohol convictions made it very hard to convince the immigration judge that my asylum claim was legitimate; and that is really hard because as a trans person, being believed or having your truth questioned is really traumatizing,” she said.
Jesus Paizano is a quick study who rarely misses a detail so, when he sets his sights on something, he confidently goes for it and there’s nothing or no one in his path who can stop him.
“My dad worked with the government of Hugo Chavez, and later president Nicolas Maduro. But he had a dispute with Diosdado Cabello, who is also one of Venezuela’s highest diplomats. My father refused to follow arbitrary orders and in response to that he was politically ruined and removed from office.”
Paizano witnessed first hand the impact that had on his father and his entire family, as the norms of privilege, peace, position, possessions and their sense of safety were taken from them.
Venezuela since 2013, when Jesus was only 12-years-old, has slowly descended into extreme political violence and economic disaster that resulted in a humanitarian crisis and unprecedented exodus: more than 7 million people have fled.
In his teenage years, Paizano realized that his chances of success were very limited and the realization that being gay in a very closeted, macho culture was another strike against him. In fact he knows many young gay men who were victims of antigay violence, some of whom took their lives or who simply disappeared.
Determined to save himself, he became one of the more than 1 million Venezuelan asylum seekers. But the promise of a brighter future outweighed the pain of separation. And, besides, he was young and “never thought of it as goodbye.”
The journey to the U.S. border near San Diego was not as scary as actually crossing into the U.S.. Ever pragmatic, when he saw the police he decided to immediately surrender and begin to make his asylum plea. For the next six months he was routed from detention facility to detention facility.
“Detention was scary at times and I got very sick and also had Covid, but there was something about it that was rewarding,” he said. “There were other gay people there and some trans people and we watched out for one another.”
Eventually, he was connected to a sponsor in Los Angeles who sent him a ticket to LAX. “They picked me up and the first thing we did was go to The Abbey and then to the house. I had never felt such relief in my life.”
Paizano encountered a landscape starkly different from his homeland. The open embrace of his LGBTQ identity stands in stark contrast to the limitations he faced back home.
He says there is a dangerous gap in an immigrant’s ability to get justice through the ordinary court system. He noted “the difference between the rights an immigrant has and those of an American citizen has sets up a gap that can be used to control or manipulate and even exploit people.”
“I love this country and when I become a U.S. citizen, I will honor that as a privilege bestowed by one of the few countries where democracy still survives. But it has to do better to protect the rights of immigrants who are already here,” Paizano said.
Hans Vompakerth is a 23-year-old gay man from Medellin, Colombia and despite being undocumented, he says he has no fear telling his story.
“There are thousands of people like me and they do not have bad things happen to them, so why would I have to keep it a secret?”
“There were two occasions in which I entered the US near Tijuana. The first time they returned me to the Mexican side of the border,” he says. A year passed and he tried again.
”They captured me and processed me like before, but this time, instead of returning me to the Mexican side, they took me and a group of people in a white government car and left us in the middle of nowhere on the American side! We were left to set about looking for civilization.”
Vompakerth’s determination to come to the U.S. seems to come from his abiding respect and admiration he has for his hard working mother. They are so close that the only person who knew he was going to leave Colombia was her.
“I did it for her. She worked so hard to hold the family together and I guess, as the oldest son, I wanted to make life easier for her and provide for her, my 3 sisters and my younger brother,” he says.
Last March, however, the family suffered tragedy. His younger brother, 20, left home unannounced. After a few days of constant search and worry, the family was informed that his body had washed ashore on a nearby island.
“I felt powerless. I wasn’t able to return or do anything except help with all the expenses,” he said with heartache. “I had to take some comfort knowing that my sisters were there to take care of her while she grieved.”
Despite family pressures, in the U.S., Vompakerth says he has a newfound sense of life that contrasts starkly with the dark challenges he faced back home.
“I feel I am much more respected and accepted by everyone. I feel much more resilient and happy and that has made it possible for me to get through everything. When my brother died, I grieved by working harder and using the money to cover funeral expenses. Everyday, I spent hours on WhatsApp with my mom and I still do.”
So, it wasn’t violence and homophobia that motivated Hans to leave Colombia. “I was never a victim of discrimination or violence in Colombia,” he says. “I fled a situation where there was a scarcity of everything, no resources in general- not even enough food. I lived in constant economic turmoil, even my own health was affected. There were no jobs.
“I didn’t experience violence or homophobia until I set foot in Mexico and had contact with immigration authorities from the U.S.,” he said. “They were awful to me.”
But since arriving in Los Angeles, Hans says he hasn’t experienced discrimination or violence.
“Moving to this country,” he declares, “has changed my life. “Living in the US has helped me pull myself up, to be disciplined, to be sensitive, to learn more, to care more about myself and to help everyone I care about.”
Laura Morales Garcia was born in Durango, Mexico and found her way to Los Angeles, CA at the young age of 2 years old, arriving with her undocumented family.
She has spent a lifetime advocating for DACA recipients and is one of the leading experts on the issue and a noted advocate. She graduated from Los Angeles High School and was the first in her family to attend college, obtaining her degree in Clinical-Psychology.
Garcia is devoted to public service and works to educate high school students on the LGBTQ+ community.
She is an AHF Ambassador and AHF Pharmacy Representative & Community Liaison for prevention and care of HIV.
Events
Founder Mariah Hanson’s final Dinah Shore Weekend gets all-star lineup
Reflecting decades of growth and change, this year’s lineup bridges generations, honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking toward a future of love and inclusion.
Dinah Shore founder Mariah Hanson is ending her run with the most iconic queer women’s festival with a star-studded lineup that is pulling out all the stops. Past guests, rising stars, queer icons, and aspiring queer talent will take the stage for a once-in-a-generation celebration of queer culture, music, and legacy. Dinah Shore takes place from September 24th to the 28th at the Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA.
Leading the charge are L Word icons Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, gender-nonconforming queer NY Rapper Princess Nokia, dance music icon Crystal Waters, fast-rising, compelling voice in alternative pop SkyDxddy, boundary-pushing artist Only1 Theory, and returning fan favorites Xana and Mariah Counts— all prepared to set the stage ablaze in this historic closing act.
Returning as the longtime host of The Dinah pool parties is Rose Garcia, joined this year by Kaycee Clark, star of CBS’s Big Brother and MTV’s The Challenge. Some of the hottest DJs in the queer scene — DJ P. Nasty, DJ Les Ortiz, DJ Lotus Banks, DJ KG Fresh, DJ Tatiana, and DJ Alex D. — will be behind the decks, delivering pulse-pounding sets that will keep the crowd dancing, connecting, and living for every moment.
The Dinah 2025 is an invitation to join Mariah in a powerful tribute to the legacy she created and to experience the unparalleled magic that only The Dinah can deliver. This year’s Dinah isn’t just Hanson’s last—it’s her most meaningful. With the Dinah, Hanson didn’t just
build a festival, she built a family.
Tickets and full event details are available now at www.thedinah.com
Events
The Blade wins Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting Newsroom Award at NLGJA Los Angeles Press Pride event
The Los Angeles Blade, HuffPost’s Lil Kalish, and GALECA’s John Griffiths took home top awards at Press Pride Prom, a benefit and awards ceremony held at Grand Central Air Terminal on July 26, 2025.
Members of the journalism industry gathered together this last weekend to celebrate the nominees and winners for three inaugural journalism awards for Southern California journalists and newsrooms who championed LGBTQ+ stories in 2024. The Los Angeles Chapter of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists presented this Press Pride Prom inaugural event.
Over 200 attendees gathered in Glendale at the historic Grand Central Air Terminal to celebrate. The evening was presented by ABC7 and hosted by award-winning journalist Tracy Gilchrist. The ceremony also included a moving performance by the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles and a hilarious appearance by drag king Charles Galin King.
The Los Angeles Blade took home the first award of the evening, the Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting Newsroom Award. The award recognizes 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. The other nominees were LAist and Variety. Team members of the Blade took to the stage, including publisher Alexander Rodriguez, writers Rose Montoya, Rob Salerno, and Joel Medina, and former editor Gisselle Palomera to accept the award.
The evening also included 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. This year’s winner was “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.
Another special moment for the Blade took place in the presentation of The Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media, presented in collaboration with the Blade and LA NLGJA, 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. The award is named in honor of Troy Masters, veteran queer journalist and former publisher of the Los Angeles Blade, who passed away last year.
This year’s winner was John Griffiths, founder of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ
Entertainment Critics and Dorian Awards.
The final presentation was presented by the office of State Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, for District 51. Joshua Marin-Mora gave a moving speech and delivered proclamations to each of the winners.
We are honored by our win and extend our congratulations to the LA NLGJA for a successful and important evening. A big thank you to our readers, who continue to support our efforts.
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.
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.
Arts & Entertainment
L.A. Black Pride honors Noah’s Arc TV series with Community Legacy Award
As the show marks its 20th anniversary, it’s returning with a highly anticipated new chapter
Two decades after Noah’s Arc changed the game for queer, Black storytelling in Hollywood, Patrik-Ian Polk returns to Los Angeles Black Pride for a legacy celebration honoring the sparkling new chapter in the show’s story.
Grab your popcorn…
During LABP’s finale event on Sunday, July 6 at The Abbey, the festival will present its Community Legacy Award to director, producer and trailblazing storyteller Patrik-Ian Polk. Polk is known for creating Noah’s Arc, a show that premiered 20 years ago on Logo TV — the first queer-centered commercial cable network. It’s a more-than-appropriate tribute as Polk’s iconic series helped define Black queer media and its influence remains undeniable today.
“The idea for Noah’s Arc was born over 20 years ago at the opening night party for Black gay Pride in Los Angeles,” recalled Polk. “I was struck with the idea to create a Black gay Sex and the City-type series. I literally declared to myself at that party that I was going to make it happen. I vowed that within one year the show would be a reality. And it was.”
A Polk announced that Noah’s Arc: The Movie, will debut this summer. The reunion is a nostalgic and formidable reminder of how vital Black queer storytelling remains today.
This year, LABP’s programming reflects that vision more than ever. With community panels, wellness activations, art installations and nightlife events curated specifically for Black LGBTQ audiences, the weekend is about visibility and shaping our future.
Part of this future means honoring and celebrating those pioneers who laid the groundwork.
Each summer, thousands of Black LGBTQ folks join together in Los Angeles to celebrate who we are, reclaim space, share our joy and continue to write our communal story. Over the years, LABP has evolved from a weekend of parties, into a powerful cultural movement. It serves up a dynamic blend of celebration, storytelling, wellness and activism that honors every aspect of Black queer life.
LABP is a pulsing and vibrant archive where history is not just remembered but made, where our chosen family comes together and where new generations of creatives, organizers and leaders emerge. Under the guidance of cultural producer Brandon Anthony, LABP has come to be a platform for expression and impact, holding a mic to Black and brown queer voices that are far too often left on the margins of mainstream Pride narratives.
Originally premiering in 2005, Noah’s Arc was the first scripted television series to center the lives of Black, gay men. It was groundbreaking in its portrayal of love, intimacy, vulnerability and friendship. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, Noah’s Arc gave us characters who felt real to those watching. For so many, it was the first time seeing themselves fully reflected in television.
“LA has always been a hub for Black queer creativity and culture,” said Polk. “But there are fewer and fewer spaces like that today and fewer events that spotlight our stories in full color. So I’m truly honored to be recognized, and I’m glad to see LA Black Pride and innovators like Brandon Anthony continuing to center and celebrate our community in meaningful ways. It is sorely needed.”
LABP’s commitment to centering and uplifting BIPOC queer narratives is genuine and intentional. As corporate Pride celebrations more often than not lose sight of grassroots needs and at times, reality, LABP’s undertaking is both critical and necessary. Here, heritage and foresight go hand in hand. Through its awards, art-centric events and community programming, LABP celebrates and sustains Black queer voices. For Brandon Anthony, who has reimagined LABP with a focus on accessibility and authenticity — the mission is clear.
“We’re creating the space we’ve always deserved. That means programming that reflects our culture, leadership that reflects our lived experiences, and events that pour back into the community.”
As Black queer youth, elders, artists, and allies come together for this year’s festivities, they do so in celebration, more importantly, in solidarity. LABP is a sanctuary, yes, but it is also a statement.
We are here. We have always been here. And our stories matter.
Polk’s recognition at LABP is a full flex in Black queer history. A show idea that started at a Pride party two decades ago is now being celebrated by the very community that inspired it. And with a new generation of storytellers ready to make their mark. Los Angeles Black Pride continues to champion voices like Polk’s while creating space for the next wave of storytellers to rise by honoring, sharing and supporting their stories. There will be music, mimosas and maybe a few tears of joy along the way.
To purchase tickets or for more information, head to http://losangelesblackpride.org/
Arts & Entertainment
Dances with Films Provide Much-Needed Representation of Queer Films at 28th Annual Festival
The 2025 outing of DWF will play a total of 254 films, with the theme “Find Your Truth,” making this is one of Los Angeles’ largest independent film festivals
Jackie Tepper, Producing Partner and Documentary Programming Chair for the 28th annual Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles, is thrilled to have an array of LGBTQIA+ movies and series at this year’s festival.
“We feel that it’s important for the LGBTQIA+ community to be heard, especially now given our political climate,” acknowledged Tepper. “We have always championed these projects, but even more so now. We are proud to shine a spotlight on these amazing films.”
This year, three features, eight shorts, and four pilots will play at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre from Thursday, June 19 through Sunday, June 29. The 2025 outing of DWF will play a total of 254 films, with the theme “Find Your Truth,” making it Los Angeles’ largest independent film festival. A complete list of films and events, the festival schedule, passes and tickets, and more are available online here.
The features slate begins with the World Premiere of Lane Michael Stanley’s “T” on Friday, June 20 at 7:15PM. Filmed over lead actor Mel Glickman’s real-life first year taking Testosterone, “T” is a fictionalized, never-before-seen journey of nuanced transmasculine discovery, authentically portraying the moving struggles and joys encountered in friendships, family, and romantic relationships.
“We are incredibly honored to present such a diverse queer slate each year, added DWF co-founder Michael Trent. “Pride Month is a time of celebration and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community, and we are so proud to shine a spotlight on these exceptional filmmakers who use their voice and art to promote acceptance and understanding.”
One of the highlights of the festival is the queer comedy TV pilot, “Gasbag,” which had its World Premiere at Dances With Films NYC last December. It screens in Pilots Block 6, Saturday June 28 at 3:30PM.
“Gasbag is the epitome of the scrappy ‘can do’ spirit that Dances With Films celebrates,” said writer and producer Lynn Rosen. “I often write about subjects that mystify me as a way to understand them, and overtalkers like George Nordstrom, my lovable protagonist, fit that bill. So when Covid lockdown struck, I wrote Season 1 for a few theatre friends, including fabulous character actor and co-EP, Chad Kessler, as a way to stay connected and keep our spirits up. We shared this DIY inaugural season with friends as a way to spread the joy we felt making it. People loved George and his band of merry misfits so much we felt we had to make Season 2.”
One notable film in the feature documentary category is Chris Coats’ “FLAMINGO CAMP,” where a group of young queer and trans anarchists create a thriving safe space for themselves in the squatter town of Slab City, known as Flamingo Camp.
The shorts programming kicked off on Friday, June 20 at 4:45 PM in the Documentary Shorts Block 1 with DWF alumna Cheri Gaulke’s LA premiere of the documentary, “Old Girl In a Tutu: Susan Rennie Disrupts Art History,” in which feminist scholar Susan Rennie seizes her iPhone and sneaks her queer, octogenarian body into master works of art, disrupting the narrative of the male gaze.
Head of Narrative Short Film Programming Lindsey Smith-Sands loves the brief glimpse that short films give viewers into other people’s lives.
“One thread throughout the short films this year is finding your true self and LGBTQIA+ stories work well with those themes,” Smith-Sands noted. “The exciting shift is seeing how LGBTQIA+ characters are portrayed in many of these narratives as the confident, assured ones, whereas the other characters are still struggling with who they are.”
a&e features
Los Angeles Black Pride raises community consciousness uplifting Black, queer talent
Here is a slice of Pride rooted in ownership, not optics
When most people think of Pride they more often than not relate it to parades parties. Far too many often forget that it is also a platform. Los Angeles Black Pride (LABP) isn’t just raising the flag. They are raising community consciousness at a time when white, mainstream aesthetic often enjoys borrowing from Black, queer culture without acknowledging the appropriation at hand. LABP does the work to flip the script.
This year, the celebration takes a bold economic stance. Visibility is cute, but viability pays the bills.
BLQ+MKT: Not Your Average Pop-Up
Enter BLQ+MKT, LABP’s unapologetically Black, queer vendor marketplace that’s one part business expo, one part cultural homecoming and all of the parts hustle. It’s not just about selling candles and tees, no matter how hard those candles do slap. It’s about building an ecosystem where Black LGBTQ entrepreneurs are seen and supported. This marketplace is not a low-key side attraction — it’s the main stage for economic empowerment.
By centering queer-owned brands, LABP is addressing a long-overdue market correction. Black LGBTQ folks represent a whopping $113 billion in spending power. That’s not just an audience, it’s a full-on economy. And yet, less than 10% of advertising content reflects this reality. BLQ+MKT says what the mainstream won’t — put some respect and revenue on our names.
Lakeyah: Headliner meets head-turner
Speaking of showstoppers, LABP will feature none other than Lakeyah – rapper, baddie, and blueprint for how queer-centered entertainment can drive community dollars. Her presence isn’t just a vibe, it’s part of a larger economic strategy. When you book talent that reflects the community, you do more than just fill seats. You circulate wealth, amplify voices, and make it very clear who this party is really for. She opens for Saucy Santana at this year’s Saturday night main event.
The Business of being seen
LABP is turning Pride into praxis. By shaping spaces where artistry and ownership meet, they’re shifting the focus from being seen to being paid — and paying it forward. This is about building power without waiting around for permission. Applause is adorable. Ownership changes everything.
Come for the music, the joy, the lewks that will leave zero crumbs. And while partaking in all of the Pride, take a closer look. Every booth at BLQ+MKT, every track Lakeyah drops, carries the architecture of a future rooted in Black queer autonomy. In LABP’s world, Pride isn’t solely a performance. It’s a goddamn power move.
To purchase tickets or for more information, head to http://losangelesblackpride.org/
Events
Join us for Diálogo – “Pride, Power & Progress”
LA Blade partners with CALÓ News and Latino Media Collaborative to present a free Latinx Pride panel on Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m. at The Abbey in WeHo
You’re invited to Diálogo – Pride, Power & Progress, an intimate evening dinner and conversation taking place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, 6 p.m., at The Abbey in West Hollywood.
An intimate in-person gathering that brings together powerful voices at the intersection of journalism, identity, and social impact.
This monthly Diálogo series is presented by the Latino Media Collaborative (LMC) and hosted by CALÓ News. This month, the Los Angeles Blade joins LMC and CALÓ News to host this event on Pride, power and progress at the intersection of LGBTQ and Latinx issues. The ongoing collaboration between the CALÓ News and LA Blade newsrooms bridges a gap between some of the largest communities across Los Angeles County with the goal of covering issues and highlighting the stories that matter to us.
This special evening will feature a welcome cocktail reception, appetizers and an informal but intentional conversation among local and national leaders in journalism, philanthropy and civic engagement.
Together, we’ll explore the evolving landscape of Latinx journalism and its critical role in advancing equity, representation and lasting social change.
Speakers include Salina EsTitties from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Andrés Palencia, CEO & Co-Founder, LatiNation, Liliana T. Pérez, Sr. Director of Cultural Affairs, L.A. Chargers, Bamby Salcedo, CEO & President, TransLatin@ Coalition and Jorge Reyes Salinas, Communications Director, Equality California.
The panel will be moderated by Los Angeles Blade Editor, Gisselle Palomera, with opening remarks by Los Angeles Publisher, Alexander Rodriguez and Managing Director of Latino Media Collaborative, Esperanza Guevera.
The event is free, RSVP here and follow CALÓ News and Los Angeles Blade on Instagram.
The Abbey: 692 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Arts & Entertainment
IN PHOTOS: Emily Eizen captures the glam at OUTLOUD
‘This year felt different because we are different. We are more empowered, galvanized and out, louder than ever’
All photos are credited to Emily Eizen for Los Angeles Blade.
WeHo’s Pride last weekend hit off Pride month for everyone across L.A., bringing major headlining acts to our backyard through the OUTLOUD Concert. Conveniently located a few blocks away from my West Hollywood apartment, every year I would hear performances booming from a distance. This year brought a lighthearted revelry of queer music performed by artists who are a part of or allied to the LGBTQ community. However, having inside access thanks to Los Angeles Blade and my dear friend Laganja Estranja (love you sis), I tapped right into the beating heart of West Hollywood, the queer music scene and a deeper sense of community — during a time when our joy and celebration are being banned and demonized. This year felt different because we are different. We are more empowered, galvanized and out, louder than ever.
Kim Petras reaches out to fans during her Saturday night set.
Between musical acts and hurried backstage commotion, I found myself dressed in my best finery, with freshly dyed eyebrows and bleached roots to really set it off. While I had my usual pre-show jitters, I actually felt calmer than ever before because I was surrounded by family waiting to be met and connections to be made. Sure enough, with each person I met and asked to capture, a sense of belonging and creativity washed over me.
DJ Hannah Rad pumps up the crowd between sets.
Friday Night, During the Kickoff, Laganja and I kiki’d with lesbian queen Kori King, the “Legs of New York” Lana Ja’rae, and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 star Acid Betty. Not to mention the ever present SLAY of the masters of ceremonies Ryan Mitchell and Arisce Wanzer, who flawlessly ushered us throughout the whole weekend, generously offering an introduction or a quick sesh between acts. Qveen Herby closed out the night, reminding the crowd — and myself — that the world needs our art.
Qveen Herby lights up Friday Night.
Saturday was a whirlwind, starting with me meeting pop-rock girlie pop Chrissy Chlapecka, who I captured on my fisheye lens. That session something clicked, I decided I was going to get as many fisheye portraits as I could. Not in a “can I take your photo k-thx-bye” kind of way, but in a “I would love to capture your unique and beautiful slay because I see you” kind of way.
Hip Hop duo FLYANABOSS pose wearing @ColtyLeather.
I linked up with the hiphop powerhouses FLYANABOSS, whose charisma practically shattered my camera. During their set I spotted Veondre Mitchell and I snapped a gorgeous photo of her being a barricade baddie as we exchanged compliments. In the artist area, which started to feel like a mini gay Coachella, I met the electrifying Frankie Grande, and met up with one of my best friends, Luna Lovebad, who happens to be the genius behind my new look.
Frankie Grande poses at OUTLOUD festival before performing.
As we hung out by the trailers, Pabllo Vitar emerged in an anime inspired pink butterfly look, with a dozen dancers all dressed in matching pink outfits. She graced me with the opportunity to snap a quick fisheye photo as her team shone the perfect warm lighting for us. Goals.
Luna Lovebad stuns in pink with Labubus to match.
Lastly, the generous king Ryan Mitchell was talking to the one and only Kim Petras and introduced me. Petras was the sweetest and told me I looked cool. I internally screamed, but played it cool and shot some photos of her that may or may not be my current screensaver. After her performance, I floated home on a cloud to prepare for Sunday.
Kim Petras performed new song “Freak It” at OUTLOUD.
I didn’t know how it could get any better, but Sunday proved to be a culmination of the weekend that I never expected. As I mingled by the trailers and sipped my millionth free Red Bull, talent started walking around filming content for the day. I met Corook by the steps, needing to lens their fun personality and style.
Corook was all smiles backstage before their Sunday set.
Then the world shifted and the ground vibrated with only the energy a mother could bring. Before my very eyes, the queen mother herself, Sasha Colby. I introduced myself and congratulated her on her new cannabis venture, being somewhat of an expert myself. We then talked about my journey from budtender to photographer, and I thanked her for her service (and for existing in our timeline.) Never did I think I’d actually burn one with her. Still processing that. Her performance drew A Listers including the likes of supermodel and activist Cara Delevingne.
Cara Delevingne at Sasha Colby’s performance.
Then I hung out with Kyra Jete, who I met at the OUTLOUD pride kickoff event a few weeks before. Before her “Club Shy” set, I was lucky enough to capture Shygirl, as I felt a tap on my shoulder. I was asked what I was doing tonight, or if I was free to photograph Remi Wolf. The headliner of WeHo Pride’s OUTLOUD concert.
Remi Wolf headlined OUTLOUD on Sunday, June 1st, ending the night with electrifying glitz and glamour.
Did I just get asked to shoot the headliner of the festival? Well, yes! I met with Wolf for some pre-show portraits and then shot her set, which perfectly wrapped up the weekend with rock and roll that touched the spirit of everyone in attendance.
As I looked through the who’s who of queer musical and drag royalty I had the privilege of capturing during WeHo Pride weekend, it dawned on me that this joy is an act of resistance in itself and I am but an archivist capturing the time I live in.
Yes, Pride started as and always will be a protest and a riot. It is also our art that lives on beyond our time, shining a light for future generations to see how we celebrated our existence in a world that condemns us for it. My hope is that these photos showcase our beauty when we come together as a community filled with talent, love, and beautiful resistance.
Follow Emily Eizen on Instagram for more content.
District of Columbia
Creators on the Frontlines: Inside D.C.’s influencer conference
The conference empowers creators to drive political awareness and action, particularly among young voters whose turnout in recent elections has been alarmingly low
The Trending Up Conference brought together influential digital voices, lawmakers, advocacy organizations and movement leaders to discuss how creators are redefining the political landscape. Last month, over 200 content creators gathered in the nation’s capital, not to chase likes or algorithmic trends, but to take meaningful action in shaping policy.
Through collaborative sessions on topics ranging from the economy and climate change to LGBTQ rights, immigration, reproductive rights, education and disability justice, the conference showcased the powerful role creators play in shaping public discourse. It also provided dedicated spaces for creators and policymakers to work side by side, building connections and strategizing for impactful change.
“The more we collaborate and work together, the more successful we will be in advocating for human rights for everyone,” said Barrett Pall, a life coach and influencer in the queer community.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL) the youngest member of Congress, discussed innovative strategies for civic engagement. He emphasized the importance of meeting young voters where they are — through culture, music, and storytelling — to combat political disengagement. Frost, a former organizer and musician himself, has long championed the use of creative platforms to mobilize underrepresented communities and inspire a new generation to participate in the democratic process.
His remarks aligned with a central goal of the conference: to empower creators to drive political awareness and action, particularly among young voters whose turnout in recent elections has been alarmingly low.
Warren emphasized the importance of creators in driving meaningful change.
“You are the people making America’s national conversation. What we’re trying to do here matters, and you’re part of that fight,” urged Sen. Warren, adding that they should recognize their power and responsibility. “If enough of us tell enough stories, we’ve got a real chance to build a country where every kid has a fighting chance.”
She continued by reinforcing the value of our voices.
“This moment is up to you to make the decision,” she said. Warren then asked the audience, “what are you going to do when your country is in real trouble?” Warren’s message was clear: creators are essential in this moment and our voices must be uplifted and leveraged in the fight to reshape the nation for the better.
“We need to find ways to talk to each other across this nation and that conversation starts with all of you,” she said.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also emphasized the importance of reaching audiences across all platforms.
“Whether it’s going on Fox or going on Flagrant, how can I blame somebody for not embracing the message that I believe in if they haven’t heard it? We’ve gotta be cross-cutting these platforms [or else] no one is persuading anybody,” said Buttigieg.
He believes in meeting people where they are, spreading progressive messaging in language that resonates, and ensuring that those who might not typically hear his message have access to it.
“Democrats used to think that they were the ones who were digitally savvy,” he added. “The algorithm is not neutral.” A recent study revealed that TikTok’s algorithm during the 2024 presidential race disproportionately recommended conservative content — Republican posts received 11.8% more recommendations than Democratic content. This highlights how platforms themselves can skew the political narrative, further underscoring the necessity for creators to actively push back against these digital biases.
“What we build next has to be different from what we inherited,” Buttigieg said. “You are at the very heart of that — that’s why I’m here today.”
While Buttigieg advocates for engaging across platforms, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approach has raised concerns. Instead of using his platform to meet a broad spectrum of voters, Newsom has recently chosen to amplify far-right voices. His decision to invite extremist figures like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon onto his podcast under the guise of creating a “middle ground” is deeply troubling. At the same time, Newsom — who once championed California as a sanctuary for transgender youth and a defender of inclusive education—has taken a stance against transgender women and girls competing in female sports, calling it “deeply unfair.”
“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness, it’s deeply unfair. We’ve got to own that. We’ve got to acknowledge it,” he told Kirk. This capitulation to conservative talking points doesn’t just undermine his past work—it emboldens those who are trying to dismantle hard-won rights.
At Trending Up, creators pushed back against this political drift by meeting directly with California representatives to discuss urgent social issues — including threats to Medicaid, the pink tax, disability rights and the disproportionate impact of billionaire tax breaks. Across these conversations, one thing was clear: creators are not just influencers. We are educators, mobilizers and trusted voices in out communities, capable of translating policy into stories people care about.
Tiffany Yu reflected that Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove’s presence alone spoke volumes: “Her showing up to create content with us meant that she understood we as creators are more than just influencers — we’re mobilizers and educators.” Ashley Nicole echoed this sentiment after meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“When people know, they will resist — but they have to know about it,” said Nicole. That quote stuck with me because it highlights how important it is to get information in front of people in a way they can connect with.”
Loren Piretra emphasized the urgency of economic justice: “We talked about the billionaire tax breaks…and how most people don’t realize they’re closer to being unhoused than to being billionaires.” Meanwhile, Nikki Sapiro Vinckier described her conversation with Rep. Ami Bera as a rare moment of digital fluency from an elected official.
“His willingness to engage on camera signals that he sees value in creator-led political communication, which isn’t always the case.”
These interactions underscore the evolving role of content creators as vital conduits between policymakers and the public. By translating political complexity into accessible, engaging content, creators aren’t just informing their audiences — they’re mobilizing them toward meaningful civic engagement.
In a media landscape dominated by far-right outrage and rampant disinformation, creators using their platforms for good are a powerful counterforce—reclaiming truth and championing the issues that matter most. While extremist voices often dominate the conversation, the majority of Americans stand with the progressive causes creators at Trending Up are fighting for: reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, and climate action. It’s time for elected officials to stop pandering to the far-right and start amplifying the voices of the people driving change.
This moment demands more than political compromise — it calls for bold leadership that empowers creators who are already shaping a better future. Uplifting these voices is not just strategic; it is crucial for protecting democracy and ensuring that progress, not division, is at the heart of our nation’s political discourse.
Arts & Entertainment
Grace Jones: The Voice of Queer Revolution
Deity of disco, gender outlaw and living myth, Grace Jones to headline Blue Note Jazz Festival on Sunday, June 15 at The Hollywood Bowl
If queer culture itself had a Mount Rushmore, Grace Jones would be carved in obsidian, glowing like a disco ball, with cheekbones sharp enough to slice through time. She is no mere performer — she is a provocation, a movement, a fierce force to be reckoned with. This June 15, at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Miss Jones takes the stage once more — not as a nostalgia act, but as a living, breathing beacon of artistry, abounding soul and queer defiance.
It’s only appropriate that Jones headlines the Blue Note Jazz Festival, a space known for legends and nonconformists alike. Because that’s what she’s always done: bend genre, bend gender and bend the very idea of identity. Long before the mainstream caught up with conversations about fluidity and expression, Jones was already there, prowling through Studio 54 in Issey Miyake couture, turning disco into performance art, queering fashion and queering music simply by refusing to be anything but herself.
In the late 70s, New York nightlife was church and Jones was its high priestess that the disciples of disco and dance bowed down to. Her early hits like I Need a Man and La Vie en Rose weren’t just dance floor anthems to get down to — they were declarations of an unapologetic presence. She became the face of a new sect of glamour — androgynous, untamed and transcendent. With her sleek flat-top and surreal persona, she turned herself into a living sculpture — black, bold and utterly uncategorizable. While others played roles, Jones crafted her own mythos.
Without a doubt, the queer community took notice of her magnetism. Not just because she radiated. Not just because she could command a stage in heels taller than their dreams. They took notice because she embodied the purest form of liberation. She was dangerous, defiant, and divine. The kind of icon you didn’t just admire but you emulated. To be queer in the shadow of Jones was to know that defiance could be not just sexy but sacred, that identity could be art.
Her influence transcends both decades and genres. Nightclubbing, Warm Leatherette and Living My Life didn’t just experiment — they shattered expectations. She sang Joy Division like a glistening goddess and made Sting’s Demolition Man sound like a god damned prophecy. Songs like Pull Up to the Bumper weren’t just hits, but cultural cataclysms. Even now, Beyoncé’s invitation to Grace on Renaissance resonated less like a feature and more as a coronation.
The most inspiring aspect about Jones is that she’s never been part of the machine. She is the machine. A postmodern construct of fashion and fearlessness in the funkiest of forms. Her 2008 album, Hurricane and her 2014 memoir, I’ll Never Write My Memoirs, unearthed a soul as deep as her basslines. She told the world how she turned religious repression into self-made divinity. Jones danced with Leary, painted with Warhol and eviscerated the boundaries of possibility.
And now with her show at the Hollywood Bowl, Jones arrives not as a relic, but as a reckoning. For queer folks, especially our Black queer queens, kings and all of that royalty in between, Jones represents more than just music. She is the liberation incarnate. She is proof that our futures can be as extravagantly ungovernable and as radiant as we want to make it. Jones is not the past nor the future. She exists beyond our mere three dimensions and linear concept of time. She is pure unfiltered prophecy.
When she steps onto that stage lit like the Phoenix that she is, we won’t just be witnessing a performance. We’ll be honoring Queer legacy. And, if we are lucky, we will get a taste of whatever the next version of Jones is evolving into. She evolves, reinvents, reclaims — and in doing so, reminds us that we can, too.
Grace Jones will headline The Blue Note Jazz Festival on Sunday, June 15 at The Hollywood Bowl. Click here for tickets.
Founder Mariah Hanson’s final Dinah Shore Weekend gets all-star lineup
Bear World TV at long last debuts: A new screen experience for the global bears far and wide
TikTok star Clayton Farris talks queer representation and his new horror movie, ‘Weapons’
And the winner of this year’s Project Drag is…LØRELEI
‘King of Drag’ fan favorites Perka $exxx and Big D sound off
‘King of Drag’ fan favorites Perka $exxx and Big D sound off
Honoring the whole woman: Remembering Wallis Huberta Annenberg
‘Sunset Boulevard’ at 75: ‘It was all very queer’
And the winner of this year’s Project Drag is…LØRELEI
Founder Mariah Hanson’s final Dinah Shore Weekend gets all-star lineup
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a&e features3 days ago‘King of Drag’ fan favorites Perka $exxx and Big D sound off
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Obituary4 days agoHonoring the whole woman: Remembering Wallis Huberta Annenberg
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Movies5 days ago‘Sunset Boulevard’ at 75: ‘It was all very queer’
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Miscellaneous3 days agoAnd the winner of this year’s Project Drag is…LØRELEI
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Events7 hours agoFounder Mariah Hanson’s final Dinah Shore Weekend gets all-star lineup
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a&e features8 hours agoTikTok star Clayton Farris talks queer representation and his new horror movie, ‘Weapons’
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Television8 hours agoBear World TV at long last debuts: A new screen experience for the global bears far and wide