Photographer, multimedia artist and creative director, Emily Eizen gracefully photographed the fashionably-dressed attendees of our 8th annual Best of LGBTQ LA Awards. She brought the glitz and the glamour, just as much as those who attended.

Here are a few of her best shots.

(All photos credit and courtesy of Emily Eizen)

LA Blade Publisher, Alexander Rodriguez poses next to LA Blade Editor, Gisselle Palomera.

Attendees mix and mingle, some eagerly awaiting to see if they won a Best of LGBTQ LA award and others casually hanging out in support of the nominees.

Mayor of West Hollywood Chelsea Lee Byers poses next to Tristan Schukraft, owner of The Abbey. Schukraft flew in for the awards show along with his crew.

Victoria “DJ Vic Jagger” Valenzuela and Francisco “DJ Frandisco” Aviles-Pino pose together for a photo. DJ Vic Jagger was a finalist for the Best of LGBTQ LA Award for Best DJ.

Everyone was feeling the vibes here, from the fashion fits, to the fire moves.

Famous influencer, comedian and Kamala Harris impersonator, performed at the show, bringing her dyke vibes to the function. Journalist, Joel Medina assisted us with interviews of some of the nominees and performers.

Pickle the Drag Queen received recognition from the office of Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur.

Read more about the nominees and the awards in an article written by Rob Solerno.

Healing and uplifting communities through music and unity is the foundation of this event space created by Zacil “DJ Sizzle Fantastic” Pech and Norma “Normz La Oaxaqueña” Fajardo. 

For nearly a decade DJ Sizzle has built a reputation in the queer POC and Spanish-speaking undocumented communities for making the space for them to come together to celebrate their culture and partake in the ultimate act of resistance — joy. 

Couples, companions, comadres all dance together on the dancefloor at Cumbiatón. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).

Cumbiatón was created during the first Trump administration as a direct response to the erasure, racism, homophobia and xenophobia that was engrained into the administration’s mission for those first four years. Now that the second Trump administration is upon us, the racism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia are tenfold.

This event space is a ‘party for the hood, by the hood.’ It is led by women, queer and trans people of color in every aspect of the production process.

The recent fires that burned through Altadena and Pacific Palisades made DJ Sizzle decide to step back from marketing the event in Los Angeles, an area where people had just lost their businesses, homes and where their lives were completely thrown for a loop. 

Now they’re back, doubling-down on their mission to bring cumbias, corridos and all the music many of us grew up listening to, to places that are accessible and safe for our communities. 

“I started Cumbiatón back in 2016, right after the election — which was weirdly similar because we’re going through it again. And a lot of us come from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) movement. We were the ones to really push for that to happen along with the DREAM Act.”

DJ Sizzle says that she wanted to create a space out on the streets to celebrate life and come together, because of how mentally and physically taxing it is to be a part of the marginalized communities that were and still are, a major target for ongoing political attacks.

Edwin Soto and Julio Salgado pose for a photo at a Cumbiaton event in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).

“We need these spaces so that we can kind of refuel and rejoice in each other’s existence,” said DJ Sizzle. “Because we saw each other out on the street a lot, but never did we really have time to sit down, have a drink, talk, laugh. So I found that music was the way to bring people together and that’s how Cumbiatón got started. It was honestly like a movement of political resistance through music.”

DJ Sizzle is an undocumented community organizer who aims to not only bring awareness to the issues that her communities face, but also to make space to celebrate the wins and bond over the music that brings people in Latin America, East L.A., Boyle Heights and the Bay area together.  

Julio Salgado, a queer, visionary artist and migrant rights activist from Ensenada, Baja California with roots in Long Beach and the Bay Area, connected with DJ Sizzle over their shared passion in advocating for immigrant rights. 

“Cumbiatón was created during the first [Trump] administration, where you know, a lot of people were really bummed out and so what Sizzle wanted to create was a place where people could come together and celebrate ourselves,” said Salgado. “Fast-forward to the second [Trump] administration and we’re here and feel a little bit more like: ‘oh shit, things are bad again.’ But, things have always been bad.”

Salgado is involved with Cumbiatón through his art. He is a mixed-media artist who creates cartoons using his lived experience with his sobriety journey, undocumented status and queer identity.

With a background in journalism from California State University, Long Beach, Salgado documents what activists do in the undocumented spaces he has been a part of throughout his life. 

In 2017, Salgado moved back to Long Beach from the Bay Area, and at the time he started doing political artwork and posters for protests against the first Trump administration, but because the nature of that work can be very tiring, he says that he turned to a more uplifting version of his art where he also draws the joy and unity in his communities. 

When he and Sizzle linked up to collaborate during that time, he thought he could use his skills to help uplift this brand and bring it to the forefront of the many events that saturate the party landscape. 

DJ Sizzle doing her thing on stage, giving the crowd the music they went looking for. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).

“We are familiar with using the dance floor as a way to kind of put the trauma a little bit away just for one night, get together and completely forget,” said Salgado. 

Coming from an undocumented background, Salgado and Sizzle say that their experience with their legal status has made them very aware of how to go about the ID-check process at the door for their events. 

“When you’re undocumented, you have something called a [High Security Consular Registration (HSCR)] and it’s kind of like your ID and many of these heterosexual clubs would see that and say it was fake,” said Salgado. “But at the gay club, they didn’t care.” 

Just being conscious of what that form of ID looks like and knowing that it’s not fake, helps many of the hundreds of people who come through for Cumbiatón, feel just slightly more at ease. 

Edwin Soto, who is another community activist and leader in the undocu-queer community, is also involved in the planning and organizing of the event. 

In the long journey of making Cumbiatón what it is now, they say that they have all been very intentional about who they bring in, making sure that whoever they are, they also understand the experience of being undocumented and accepted anyway. 

“Something that Sizzle and the team have been very intentional about is making sure that [the security at the door] knows that someone might be using their consulate card,” said Soto. 

Bringing together this event space is no easy task, considering the fact that their events are deeply thought out, intentional and inclusive of not just people of color, but also people with differing abilities and people who do not reflect the norm in West Hollywood clubs. 

“We created the space that we were longing for that we did not see in West Hollywood,” he said. “[Cumbiatón] is what life could really be like. Where women are not harassed by men. Where people are not body-shamed for what they’re wearing.” 

When it comes to their lives outside of Cumbiatón and partying, Sizzle says that it does get exhausting and planning the event gets overwhelming. 

“It is really difficult, I’m not going to lie,” said DJ Sizzle. “We are at a disadvantage being queer and being undocumented because this administration triggers us to a point that, anyone who is not a part of those identities or marginalized communities would ever be able to understand,” said Sizzle. “There are times where I’m just like: ‘I’m going to cocoon for a little bit’ and then that affects the marketing and the communication.” 

Usually, the events bring in hundreds of people who are looking for community, safety and inclusion. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).

That’s a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes — which really shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone who is out there fighting for basic human rights, while also making the space to party and enjoy themselves.

“I’m really trying to find balance and honestly my life raft are my friends and my community,” she said. “Like, being able to share, being able to have this plática, and be like ‘bitch, I see you and I know its fucked up, but we got each other.’”

Cumbiatón was made with the purpose of making space to include and invite the many different people in these communities who are otherwise sidelined in broader conversations and in party scenes where they are not as inclusive or thoughtful about their attendees. 

“How beautiful is it to be queer and listen to rancheras and to norteñas and cumbia, and to just own it,” said Soto. 

To join Cumbiatón at their next party, visit their Instagram page.

Hello my magical beauties!

June is here and it brings the heat, passion and a little bit of mischief with it. How does this play into our lives? What magic can we throw at a situation to smooth out the bumps? Where do we need to put on our show girl smile and enjoy the glitz and glamour? Lets ask the cards and find out.

Coming in on the heels of a chaotic May, June is telling us to take a moment to find or zen and rebalance.

Get back to your gym routine and let the endorphin rush chill you out, have your next outing with your coven or spiritual family be to a sound bath, or simply make time in your schedule for some basic guided meditation videos. Whatever you need to do to find some peace and stillness, do it babes. A lot of folks are feeling depleted from the last few weeks (or months in many people’s cases) and if you don’t take a second to slow down, you will inevitably find the mythical bottom of the bottomless mimosa and it’s not pretty.

When the Universe says, “girl, slow down!” We must heed this warning before it forces us to slow down and I will be the first to say that the universe has jokes that nobody thinks are funny. I know the timing of this call for calm is awkward. Who wants a quiet night in during Pride?

I’m not saying to sit this one out, I’m saying be sure to find precious moments of seclusion and calm between the bursts of celebrations, shows, parades, and anything else you have on the agenda. If you are someone that is always on the go and has no chill, try rocking some Fluorite or Jasper (preferably Kambaba Jasper,) crystals to help you embrace some refreshing and relieving energy. 

Speaking of Pride and celebrations, the cards are showing a lot of good fortune, celebration, and elevation during this time. Throughout June many of you will not only be celebrating with the masses but the masses will be celebrating you.

And my dear, you have much to be proud of.  Strut your stuff and boldly bask in the limelight. This means take advantage of moments to insert yourself (respectively) into important conversations, go on auditions even if you feel like the role is out of your scope, or finally proposition that cutie you’ve been too shy to talk to.  Lady Luck is smiling at you and wants you to shine. You will also see recognition for the what you have been putting into work, projects and relationships. This is a good opportunity for those of you that struggle with accepting compliments and fear of success to work on it. 

Welcome in the praise and good energy, babe. 

People want to celebrate and elevate you. Roll with it. If you need some spiritual help in this department, try dabbing a bit of Sudanese Frankincense oil on the crown of your head or wrist before leaving the house or wearing tiger’s eye jewelry. 

While this month is setting a good tone for us to  recenter and get ahead in our current endeavors, some of you may be feeling stuck. The energies around you are saying that in order to get the good things that are being dangled in front of you, a sacrifice must be made. It’s a good time to remember that every good thing comes with the closing of something else.  Mysterious and terrifying sounding? Yes. Does it  have to be that way? Not at all.  I have a relatively simple and effective ritual that will help you get life back on the right track.

Take yourself out into nature to decompress and ponder what your sacrifice might be. Grab a coffee and stroll through Griffith Park or around Echo Park Lake — wherever it may be, just make sure it’s close to home because we will be revisiting this spot to wrap up this ceremony in a few days. Take your time, think about what you want and why you’re feeling stuck. What is there that may directly or indirectly be standing in your way? Let your mind flow easily and see if you arrive at an answer. If nothing comes to mind, ask yourself and spirit (whoever your higher power may be: ancestors, spirits guides, god, a plethora of pagan deities…or simply yourself), what isn’t serving you in life anymore.

Keep walking or settle under a tree until you arrive at your answer. And trust me, you will, nature spirits have a way of guiding us to clarity. Go home and prepare a cleansing bath* of sea salt, rosemary, bay leaf, lemon peel, and green tea (chamomile for those of you that are sensitive to caffeine.) Settle into your tub and while you soak, think about what it is you have been called to sacrifice- a bad habit, a toxic ex (not literally even if it does sound tempting!), staying in your comfort zone…the list goes on and on. Acknowledge where this thing once held value in your life and embrace the reason you are letting it go now.

Let the bath water wash over you from head to toe. As the water runs over you it begins to remove the energy of your sacrifice, detaching it from your body and soul. Visualize this energy it floating in the water. When you are bathing, gather the ingredients from the bath and set them aside, you will be disposing of them tomorrow. Stay in for the night, nurturing and grounding yourself. The next day, collect your bath ingredients and  go back to the place in nature where you were given the inspiration or confirmation of your sacrifice. Place the ingredients at the base of a tree or crossroads, along with an offering of fresh bread or tea. As you place them on the ground, say thank you and walk away without looking back. 

If you have the time, commitment and basic magical ingredients that are probably laying around long forgotten in your kitchen, you can work this ritual. Which means that you can get yourself unstuck and get energy flowing back into the pathways that make up your life. 

Note: If you don’t have a bath you can prepare the ingredients by wrapping them in cheesecloth and using them as a scrub in a hot shower.

June leaves us feeling empowered but probably also tired because it sounds like everyone has a lot of inner work that is coming into play. The cards assure us that the hard work not only pays off but does so quickly. There is a lot of emotional healing for those of you that decide to really put the work in this month and also promises of new emotional horizons that bring us confident new lovers, companionship and a safe space to let our hair down and just exist exquisitely…as we were meant to! 

The Los Angeles Blade celebrated its eighth annual Best of LGBTQ+ LA Awards with a spectacular show at The Abbey in West Hollywood on May 22, honoring the community’s best and brightest as selected by you, our readers.

The Awards honored our favorite bars, businesses, artists, organizations, and leaders and featured performances by drag queen Cake Moss, musicians Prince Joshua – who took home the awards for Local Musical Artist of the Year and Go-Go of the Year – and Robert Rene, comedian Allison Reese, and West Hollywood poet laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace. Drag artist Billy Francesca and LA Blade publisher Alexander Rodriguez emceed the event.

“We here in LA are excited to reflect our community, so tonight we’re honoring politicians, business owners, nightlife, entertainment, social media, and Billy,” Rodriguez said, opening the show.

One of the biggest winners of the night was queer mogul and “CEO of Everything Gay” Tristan Schukraft, who won LGBTQ Professional of the Year, while the bar he now owns, The Abbey, took Best LGBTQ Bar, and his pharmaceutical-delivery company MISTR took Best LGBTQ-owned business. 

“I’m motivated by making change. We have a purpose, and queer entrepreneurs are building a community that makes a difference,” Schukraft said. 

Drag artist and activist Pickle, who runs the LA chapter of Drag Story Hour and is West Hollywood’s first drag laureate, gave a moving speech after she was awarded the Local Hero Award, in which she encouraged anyone who’s facing distress to persevere through the darkness.

“Sometimes, just holding on for one more day is all you can do, but that is strength, and you are loved,” she said.

Transgender rights activist, model, and Blade contributor Rose Montoya was honored as Activist of the Year and Influencer of the Year, although she was unable to attend the ceremony. 

“This recognition means more than she can express,” said her brother, Prince Joshua, accepting the award on her behalf. “Activism has never been a choice for her. It’s been a necessity. As a trans person, as a person who exists at the intersection of multiple identities, she’s had to fight not just for visibility, but for dignity, safety, and the right to exist. This work is personal. And in a time where hatred is getting louder, in our laws, in our schools, and in our streets, we don’t have the luxury of staying silent.”

Weho Pride notched two wins during the ceremony, including Best Regional Pride and Best LGBTQ Event for its OutLoud Music Festival, which kick off next week.

“We have a big week ahead and hopefully we’ll see you there because Pride starts here, and Pride starts now,” said Jeff Consoletti, Producer of Weho Pride, accepting the award.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles won the award for Best LGBTQ Social Group,

“The Gay Men’s Chorus of LA has been lifting our spirits through song and fighting for community and singing for all our causes since 1979,” said GMCLA Executive Director Lou Spisto, accepting the award. He also noted that the Chorus will honor Schukraft with its Voice Award at its upcoming Dancing Queens Gala June 21 at the Saban Theatre.

Trans Lifeline was awarded Non-Profit of the Year, likely a recognition of the organization’s importance as trans people have come under increasing attack across the country.

“They’ve received an increase in calls to the tune of 300%, so support your trans brothers and sisters,” Rodriguez said, announcing the award.

DJ Cazwell took home the award for best DJ, although a little mix-up had his award read Best Cannabis Retailer, a distinction that actually went to Green Qween. Cazwell spoke about how much he appreciates the community he found after moving to LA from New York. 

“I moved here from New York nine years ago and I found a community of DJs who actually support each other here, so I want to shout out the other nominees,” Cazwell said.

That’s a sentiment that was echoed by Best Bartender winner Sumner Mormeneo from Beaches, who moved to LA from Florida.

“My first six months living here was rough. It wasn’t until I got a job at a bar in Weho that it started feeling like home, so thank you,” Mormeneo said.

More than 40 awards were given out in this year’s Best of LGBTQ+ LA. See the complete list of winners.

In the new HBO two-part documentary, “Pee-wee as Himself,” director Matt Wolf gives viewers a never-before-seen look into the personal life of Paul Reubens, the comedic actor behind the much loved television persona, Pee-wee Herman. 

Filmed before Reubens passed away in 2023 from cancer, Wolf and his creative team created the riveting documentary, interspersing several interviews, more than 1,000 hours of archival footage, and tens of thousands of personal photos.

Determined to set the record straight about what really happened, Reubens discussed his diverse influences, growing up in the circus town of Sarasota, Fla., and his avant-garde theater training at the California Institute of the Arts. 

Ruebens joined the Groundlings improv group, where he created the charismatic Pee-wee Herman. He played the quirky character during the Saturday morning show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” and in numerous movies, like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee.” He also brought Pee-wee to Broadway, with “The Pee-wee Herman Show.”

To get an enigma such as Reubens to open up was no easy task for Wolf.

“I felt determined to get Paul to open up and to be his authentic self,” acknowledged Wolf at a recent press conference. “And I was being tested and I wanted to meet my match in a way so I didn’t feel frustrated or exhausted, I felt determined but I also, it was thrilling to go this deep. I’ve never been able, or I don’t know if I ever will, go this deep with another human being to interview them in an intimate way for over 40 hours.”

Wolf described the collaborative interview experience as a dream, “like we were in a bubble where time didn’t matter.” he also felt a deep connection to the material, having come of age watching “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to put words to it at the time, but I think it was my first encounter with art that I felt emotionally involved in,” noted Wolf.

“He continued: “I recognize that that show created a space for a certain kind of radical acceptance where creativity thrives. And as a gay filmmaker, I also recognize things like Pee-wee Herman marrying a bowl of fruit salad at a slumber party or dancing in high heels to the song, ‘Fever.’ That stuff spoke to me. So that was my connection to it.”

During the documentary, Reubens comes out as a gay man.

“Paul went into this process wanting to come out,” said Wolf. “That was a decision he had made. He was aware that I was a gay filmmaker and had made portraits of other gay artists. That was the work of mine he was attracted to, as I understood. And I wanted, as a younger person, to support him in that process, but he also was intensely sensitive that the film would overly emphasize that; or, focused entirely from the lens of sexuality when looking at his story.”

Their complicated dynamic had an aspect of “push and pull” between them. 

“I think that generational difference was both a source of connection and affinity and tension. And I do think that the level to which Paul discusses his relationships and intimacy and vulnerability and the poignant decision he made to go back into the closet. I do have to believe to some extent he shared that because of our connection.”   

Wolf hopes that the “Pee-wee as Himself” positions Reubens as one of the most “groundbreaking” performance artists of his generation who in a singular way broke through into mainstream pop culture.

“I know he transformed me. He transformed how I see the world and where I went as a creative person. And it’s so clear that I am not alone in that feeling. For me, it was fairly abstract. I couldn’t necessarily put words to it. I think people who grew up on Pee-wee or were big fans of Pee-wee, seeing the film, I hope, will help them tap into intangible and specific ways how transformative his work was for them. It really is a gift to revisit early seminal experiences you had and to see how they reverberate in you.” 

He added: “So, to me, this isn’t so much about saying Paul Reubens is a genius. I mean, that’s overly idealizing and I don’t like hero worship. It’s more about understanding why many of us have connected to his work and understanding where he lives within a legacy of performance art, television, and also, broader pop culture.”

Among other queer and ally big names like Lizzo, Alyssa Edwards, Kim Petras and Frankie Grande will be taking center stage on Saturday, May 31, at this year’s OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride. In the wake of the queer community’s current political strife, Grande is taking the spotlight, unapologetically and ready to bring the party, celebrating activism and sexuality unabashedly.

Hot off the heels of his recent two hit singles, “Rhythm of Love” and “Boys,” Grande is gearing up for the release of his new album, Hotel Rock Bottom, hitting platforms on June 27. The album is bringing queer aesthetic to the pop genre and is a retelling of Grande’s life as he has gone from party boy to stage, screen, and reality TV personality, to getting married and living a sober family life (dog and all).

We sat for a chat with Grande as he prepares for his WeHo Pride extravaganza. With everything socially and politically considered, Grande is not holding anything back this Pride season.

Pride is recharging and gearing up for battle. I feel like we’re in a place where our community is under attack, and this is the time where we get the microphone so recharge and get ready to be loud and be prouder than we ever have before. We need to show the world that we are not to be fucked with. We got the mic, so let’s use it.

No stranger to taking the stage, Grande promises a spectacle for his Outloud appearance.

I’m so excited. I’ve put so much effort into crafting a very beautiful show, a very gay show, a very hot show. I’ve selected some really fun songs from my album that people are going to get to hear for the first time because the album won’t be out. I’m also doing some fun and clever covers of songs that have inspired me. I’m excited that I’ve mixed it up and it’s going to be really fun and really gay.

This Pride, Frankie’s call to the gay community is clear.

Support our trans siblings. It is more important than ever. Go to your trans friends and be like, “Hey, what do you need? And how can I help?” Because they’re the ones who are directly being scapegoated at this moment. To think that it’s happening to them means it’s not happening to you is crazy. We are all part of the same community. We’re all under the rainbow umbrella, so let’s go support the community that is directly under attack right now.

Grande’s album comes at a time when queer folk could use a little levity and party attitude. He has been a long-time spokesperson for the LGBTQ community. He has used his platform from reality TV to his role as GLAAD board member to incite activism. He knows full well the fatigue that many of the queer community face as we continue to resist a brutal Presidential administration.

You have to find moments of joy. Honestly, that’s a lot of what this album is to me. It’s like, let’s dance around and bop and be silly to boys tonight so that we can hit the ground running tomorrow and go get some legislation overturned. My whole life, I’ve turned to the dance floor during times of stress, and I think we do need to do that. We have to go celebrate. We have to remember why it is so fun to be a huge homosexual and what we’re fighting for. But then we need to go fight. Don’t get so fucked up that you have to be in bed for three days because we actually do need to go to work.

Grande has also become the poster boy for sober party gays. Celebrating 8 years of sobriety, he has been very open about his journey and how it fits into gay culture. Being openly sober has gained momentum in the queer community and many Prides now include dry events. Grande knows the triggers that Pride can include and has some advice to his fellow sober folk.

First of all, sober gays are fun gays, let’s just say that. If you’re triggered, get the fuck out. You know? There are a lot of drugs, there’s a lot of drinking, there’s a lot of partying, and sometimes you’re just not fully ready to be in those environments. And if that is true, then just leave. The people who are drinking and using will have no idea that you left.

Also go find some sober friends to go with. I did everything in sobriety, like linked with my sober BFFs, Salina EsTitties and stylist Mandoh Melendez. They were my bodyguards and they were my shield, and they had more sobriety than I did. They showed me the ropes, and to this day, they’re still sober and my best friends. So, get a sober buddy and GTFO when you’re triggered, just leave.

Grande is being very vulnerable in his upcoming album Hotel Rock Bottom. Not only is he leaving himself to be compared to other family members in the business, but he is also telling his story on his own terms with music. What is his intent with his album?

 My mission with this album is to inspire others to be themselves by being so open and honest. If you just want to listen to the surface value of my album, then you’re going to have a great fun dance time being like, this is so much fun. But if you want to actually go and listen to the lyrics and dissect it, you’ll see that there’s a lot of darkness and a lot of light on both sides of this album. I organized this album into side A and side B, or top and bottom, as we’re calling it on the vinyl. There’s sobriety and using days, there’s good and bad, and highs and lows on both. So, no judgment, it’s all about just be yourself, live your life, live authentically, and you’re going to get through whatever you’re dealing with.

And his message to the queer LA community this Weho Pride?

We’re very privileged and we’re very blessed because we’re in a very liberal and very blue state, so we need to have the best time and show up. But let’s make sure that we’re constantly beaming our love, light, and energy, and thinking about how we can help people in red states who are not going to have a governmentally and a community-supported Pride, because that is a reality these days. Let’s try to figure out how we’re going to help the country while we’re in the most liberal, most protected state in the world, which is fabulous.

Catch Grande onstage at Outloud on Saturday, May 31^st. Hotel Rock Bottom will be released June 27^th, available wherever you stream your music.

There’s a strange feeling of irony about a spring movie season stacked with queer romcoms – a genre that has felt conspicuously absent on the big screen since the disappointing reception met by the much-hyped “Bros” in 2022 – at a time when pushback against LGBTQ visibility is stronger than it’s been for 40 years.

Sure, part of the reason is the extended timeline required for filmmaking, which tells us, logically, that the numerous queer love stories hitting theaters this year – including the latest, the Manhattan-set indie “Things Like This,” which opened in limited theaters last weekend – began production long before the rapid cultural shift that has taken place in America since a certain convicted fraudster’s return to the White House. 

That does not, however, make them any less welcome; on the contrary, they’re a refreshing assertion of queer existence that serves to counter-balance the hateful, politicized rhetoric that continues to bombard our community every day. In fact, the word “refreshing” is an apt description of “Things Like This,” which not only celebrates the validity – and joy – of queer love but does so in a story that disregards “Hollywood” convention in favor of a more authentic form of inclusion than we’re ever likely to see in a mainstream film

Written, starring, and directed by Max Talisman and set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, it’s the story of two gay men named Zack – Zack #1 (Talisman) is a plus-sized hopeful fantasy author with a plus-sized personality and a promising-but-unpublished first novel, and Zack #2 (Joey Pollari) an aspiring talent agent dead-ended as an assistant to his exploitative “queen-bee” boss (Cara Buono) – who meet at an event and are immediately attracted to each other. Though Zack #2 is resigned to his unsatisfying relationship with longtime partner Eric (Taylor Trensch), he impulsively agrees to a date the following night, beginning an on-again/off-again entanglement that causes both Zacks to re-examine the trajectories of their respective lives – and a lot of other heavy baggage – even as their tentative and unlikely romance feels more and more like the workings of fate.

Like most romcoms, it relies heavily on familiar tropes – adjusted for queerness, of course – and tends to balance its witty banter and starry-eyed sentiment with heart-tugging setbacks and crossed-wire conflicts, just to raise the stakes. The Zacks’ attempts at getting together are a series of “meet-cutes” that could almost be described as fractal, yet each of them seems to go painfully awry – mostly due to the very insecurities and self-doubts which make them perfect for each other. The main obstacle to their couplehood, however, doesn’t spring from these mishaps; it’s their own struggles with self-worth that stand in the way, somehow making theirs more of a quintessentially queer love story than the fact that both of them are men.

All that introspection – relatable as it may be – can be a downer without active energy to stir things up, but fortunately for “Things Like This,” there are the inevitable BFFs and extended circle of friends and family that can help to get the fun back on track. Each Zack has his own support team backing him up, from a feisty “work wife” (Jackie Cruz, “Orange is the New Black”) to a straight best friend (Charlie Tahan, “Ozark”) to a wise and loving grandma (veteran scene-stealer Barbara Barrie, “Breaking Away” and countless vintage TV shows) – that fuels the story throughout, providing the necessary catalysts to prod its two neurotic protagonists into taking action when they can’t quite get there themselves.

To be sure, Talisman’s movie – his feature film debut as a writer and director – doesn’t escape the usual pitfalls of the romcom genre. There’s an overall sense of “wish fulfillment fantasy” that makes some of its biggest moments seem a bit too good to be true, and there are probably two or three complications too many as it approaches its presumed happy ending; in addition, while it helps to drive the inner conflict for Zack #2’s character arc, throwing a homophobic and unsupportive dad (Eric Roberts) into the mix feels a bit tired, though it’s hard to deny that such family relationships continue to create dysfunction for queer people no matter how many times they’re called out in the movies – which means that it’s still necessary, regrettably, to include them in our stories.

And in truth, “calling out” toxic tropes – the ones that reflect society’s negative assumptions and perpetuate through imitation – is part of Talisman’s agenda in “Things Like This,” which devotes its very first scene to shutting down any objections from “fat shamers” who might decry the movie’s “opposites attract” scenario as unbelievable. Indeed, he has revealed in interviews that he developed the movie for himself because of the scarcity of meaningful roles for plus-sized actors, and his desire to erase such conventional prejudices extends in every direction within his big-hearted final product.

Even so, there’s no chip-on-the-shoulder attitude to sour the movie’s spirit; what helps us get over its sometimes excessive flourishes of idealized positivity is that it’s genuinely funny. The dialogue is loaded with zingers that keep the mood light, and even the tensest scenes are laced with humor, none of which feels forced. For this, kudos go to Talisman’s screenplay, of course, but also to the acting – including his own. He’s eminently likable onscreen, with wisecracks that land every time and an underlying good cheer that makes his appeal even more visible; crucially, his chemistry with Pollari – who also manages to maintain a lightness of being at his core no matter how far his Zack descends into uncertainty – isn’t just convincing; it’s enviable.

Cruz is the movie’s “ace in the hole” MVP as Zack #2’s under-appreciated but fiercely loyal bestie, and Buono’s hilariously icy turn as his “boss from hell” makes for some of the film’s most memorable scenes. Likewise, Tahan, along with Margaret Berkowitz and Danny Chavarriaga, flesh out Zack #1’s friend group with a real sense of camaraderie that should be recognizable to anyone who’s ever been part of an eclectic crew of misfits. Trensch’s comedic “ickiness” as Zack #2’s soon-to-be-ex makes his scenes a standout; and besides bigger-name “ringers” Roberts and Barrie (whose single scene is the emotional climax of the movie), there’s also a spotlight-grabbing turn by Diane Salinger (iconic as Francophile dreamer Simone in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”) as the owner of a queer bar where the Zacks go on one of their dates.

With all that enthusiasm and a momentum driven by a sense of DIY empowerment, it’s hard to be anything but appreciative of “Things Like This,” no matter how much some of us might cringe at its more unbelievable romcom devices. After all, it’s as much a “feel-good” movie as it is a love story, and the fact that we actually do feel good when the final credits role is more than enough to earn it our hearty recommendation.

Our readers have spoken! After a two-week open voting process, the Los Angeles Community has chosen who their Best of LGBTQ LA movers and shakers are. 

This year included an expanded array of categories, representing politics, nightlife, art, business, theater, social media, activism, music, podcasts, tattoo artists and beyond. 

Winners are being announced at this year's Best of Awards show at The Abbey, featuring live performances by Cake Moss, Robert Rene, Allison Reese, Prince Joshua, and Brian Sonia-Wallace.

And now, without further ado... check out the list of winners and Editor's Choice runner-ups. Congrats to everyone!  

Best Drag Performer 

Winner: Salina EsTitties
Editor’s Choice: Cake Moss

Best Drag Show

Winner: Beaches Drag Brunch
Editor’s Choice: Fat Slut at Precinct LA

Local Influencer of the Year

Winner: Rose Montoya
Editor’s Choice: Tony Moore

Best Musical Queer Artist

Winner: Doechii
Editor’s Choice: Chappell Roan

Best LGBTQ Bar

Winner: The Abbey
Editor’s Choice: Precinct

Best Happy Hour

Winner: Fiesta Cantina
Editor’s Choice: Hi Tops

Go-Go of the Year

Winner: Prince Joshua
Editor’s Choice: Victoria Shaw

Best Restaurant

Winner: Bottega Louie
Editor’s Choice: Ysabel

Best Radio or TV Station

Winner: Out TV
Editor’s Choice: CHANNEL Q

Best Cannabis Retailer/Lounge

Winner: Green Qween
Editor’s Choice: The Woods WeHo

Best LGBTQ Owned Business       

Winner MISTR
Editor’s Choice Underdog Bookstore

Best LGBTQ Social Group

Winner: Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Editor’s Choice: WeHo Dodgeball

Best Cannabis Retailer/Lounge 

Winner: Green Queen
Editor’s Choice: The Woods

"Best House of Worship  "

Winner: Hollywood United Methodist
Editor’s Choice: Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles

Activist of the Year

Winner: Rose Montoya
Editor’s Choice: Bamby Salcedo

Public Official of the Year

Co-Winner: Ysabel Jurado
Editor’s Choice: Lindsey Horvath

Best Local Pro Sports Team

Winner: LA Dodgers
Editor’s Choice: LA Lakers

"Local Ally of the Year "

Winner: Natalie Sanchez
Editor’s Choice: Chelsea Byers

"Best Doctor/Medical Provider   "

Winner: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Editor’s Choice: Los Angeles LGBT Center

"Most LGBTQ-Friendly Workplace  "

Winner: Los Angeles LGBT Center
Editor’s Choice: City of West Hollywood

Non-Profit of the Year

Winner: Trans Lifeline
Editor’s Choice: GLAAD

Best Local Actor

Winner: Rain Valdez
Editor’s Choice: Lena Waithe

Best Queer Art Space

Winner: Circus of Books
Editor’s Choice: Tom of Finland House

"Best Local Theatre "

Winner: LA Opera
Editor’s Choice: Pasadena Playhouse

Local Musical Artist of the Year

Winner: Prince Joshua
Editor’s Choice: Jordy

Best LGBTQ Event

Winner: Outloud Music Festival at Weho Pride
Editor’s Choice: LA Opera Pride Night

"Best Regional Pride    "

Winner: WeHo Pride
Editor’s Choice: Long Beach Pride

Best News Source Ally

Winner: KTLA News
Editor’s Choice: Los Angeles Times – De Los

Athlete of the Year        

Winner: Tom Daley
Editor’s Choice: Freddie Freeman

Best Promoter of the Year

Winner: Beau Byron
Editor’s Choice: Tony Moore

"LGBTQ Professional of the Year "

Winner: Tristan Schukraft
Editor’s Choice: Queen Victoria Ortega

"Best Bartender "

Winner: Sumner Mormeneo – Beaches
Editor’s Choice: Matt Stratman – Motherlode

"Best DJ    "

Winner: Cazwell
Editor’s Choice: Paulo Ramirez

"Best Local LGBTQ Podcast   "

Winner: Today in Gay
Editor’s Choice: Very Delta

"Best Salon/Spa "

Winner: Project Q
Editor’s Choice: Shorty’s Barber Shop

"Best Music Venue   "

Winner: The Hollywood Bowl
Editor’s Choice: The Roxy Theatre

"Best Fitness/Workout Spot  "

Winner: Barry’s
Editor’s Choice: LA Fitness, Hollywood

Best Hotel

Winner: Hotel Ziggy
Editor’s Choice: SoHo House

Best Tattoo Shop/Artist

Winner: Plant Daddy Tattoos
Editor’s Choice: Cindy Ortega Tattoos

Local Hero Award

Pickel

Stay tuned for coverage of our Best of LA Awards party!

David Dean Bottrell is no stranger to shape-shifting — whether he’s embodying eccentric characters on screen or pouring himself into authentically intimate self-portrayal on the stage. With a career encompassing television, film, writing and teaching: does he ever sleep?

Bottrell has carved out his own space where vulnerability and comedy intersect. His most recent project, “Teenage Wasteland: Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,” is currently touring the country and will soon land in Los Angeles, inviting folks into the honest, funny and often cringey reality of adolescence.

In this interview, Bottrell opens up about the awkward photo that sparked the show, the shock and joy of his first standing ovation and the significance of queer storytelling in today’s cultural climate. Bottrell brings both heart and humor to every story he tells. Whether you grew up a theater girlie, an outcast, or just someone who grew up feeling like they never had the right answers, “Teenage Wasteland” is sure to feel like a long overdue conversation with younger you.

Your new show is currently touring the country and is soon to hit Los Angeles. What was the spark that inspired the creation of “Teenage Wasteland?” Was there a particular memory, milestone, or meltdown that motivated you?

I was looking through some old photos and found this truly hideous picture of myself when I was thirteen.  I’m not kidding.  It was mortifying.  I remembered the day it was taken.  I remembered the shirt I was wearing, so I instantly knew I wanted to write not just about adolescence, but early adolescence — when you go from being a cute child to this ugly little rodent with bad skin who suddenly needs to wear deodorant. 

It’s such a tough time, probably one of the hardest chapters of life.  So much is happening and it doesn’t feel safe to even ask the most basic questions.  You usually just have to take your best guess and sometimes you guess horribly wrong.  

“Teenage Wasteland,” is subtitled “Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen.” What did those three years mean to you? Any stories from that time in your life you’d like to share with the class?

Absolutely!  As anybody who’s seen shows can attest, I’m nothing if not a “sharer.”  Something I often say at the top of the show is: ‘if you had a happy early adolescence, you should probably just leave now.  This show isn’t for you.  It’s for the rest of us.’  When I think about that time, the word “survival” comes to mind.  The stories are mostly about all the big scary discoveries that keep coming at you. 

The show opens with me talking about my first orgasm — which was totally spontaneous and terrifying — and happened in a very awkward and bizarre location.  My family was super religious and very uptight about sex, so I’d been told nothing.  Not a word about what was happening to my body.  I almost asked to be taken to the hospital.  Oh, and that hideous picture I found — It’s now on the poster for this show.

You’ve performed your shows on both the east and the west coasts. What’s the biggest difference between an east coast audience and a west coast audience? Do you have a preference? I can keep a secret…

Christ, I hope not.  I’m counting on you to blab this to everybody. Surprisingly, the differences are pretty subtle.  My shows aren’t stand-up. They’re each a collection of these weird funny stories that all weave into each other.  I sometimes describe them as sort of like National Public Radio (NPR), but with a lot more swearing.  L.A. audiences like to ride the rollercoaster.

The nuttier the story, the more they love it.  New Yorkers love to see how far down the elevator shaft I’ll go. They seem impressed when I download some really uncomfortable shit and still manage to make it funny.  I’ve spent my adult life bouncing back and forth between the coasts and I honestly love both groups of people equally — and that’s not me dodging the question. 

That’s actually true.  

You’ve shared the screen with folks like James Spader, Angela Bassett and Dolly Parton.  Tell us, who would’ve been your high school bestie and who would have been your arch frenemy?

Oh man, Dolly would have been my best buddy for sure. She’s a Tennessee gal and I’m from Kentucky, so there’s a strong chance that we’re distantly related.  I’ve seen great pictures of her in high school.  I’d have happily stolen a can of my mom’s White Rain hairspray and helped Dolly put a few extra stories on those skyscraper beehives she used to wear.  I’d have been way too scared of Angela.  When I worked with her she was fresh out of Yale, but she already seemed like royalty.  I don’t mean she was snooty.  Quite the opposite!  She was lovely, but she had this beautiful confidence even back then — something I did not have in my high school days.  So, I imagine James would’ve been the frenemy.  He’s such a brilliant guy and very kind.  But he plays his cards close to his chest and he can be a little hard to read.  I would never want to compete with him for anything like Prom King.  I’m pretty sure he’d have devised some brilliant way to wipe the floor with me.   

You wrote the screenplay for Kingdom Come, you’ve directed, you teach and you wrote a book. What haven’t you done yet? Any frontiers you’re looking to cross next?

Other than two years of acting class, I have almost no education, and I bluffed my way into most of those jobs.  Primarily because I needed the money.  Lately, I’ve been thinking that I might try pole dancing next.  I hear the tips are fantastic.   

From lawyers to killers and even a blood-thirsty vamp on HBO’s “True Blood,” you have portrayed quite the array of characters throughout your career. In “Teenage Wasteland” you will be sharing part of your own story. What made now the right moment to embrace vulnerability and go autobiographical?

Prior to doing these shows not many people knew my backstory.  I tended to hide it.  The first time I performed “David Dean Bottrell Makes Love: A One-Man Show” at the Comedy Central Stage in L.A., I had a panic attack ten minutes before the show.  I suddenly thought, ‘what the fuck are you doing?  You can’t say this stuff?’ 

But it was too late and the place didn’t have a back door.  I was really sweating when I walked out on that stage, but as soon as I said the first line, they started  laughing and for the next hour they didn’t stop.  I love acting because — at its best, I get to disappear into some odd character that was written by someone else.  It’s wonderfully safe in there.  But in storytelling, the goal is the opposite.  You certainly want people to be entertained; you want to make them laugh, but if you’re not transparent — if you’re not willing to tell a little more truth than you probably should be telling — you won’t be able to hold them.  They didn’t come to this show to listen to you say something ‘easy’ and there is nothing funnier than the truth.  

You also appeared on “Modern Family,” a show that not only helped normalize queer families for a mainstream audience but also portrayed them with humor and heart. What are some messages that you think the show got right that many politicians today still do not grasp?

I was honored to have been on “Modern Family.”  The thing about being queer in a primarily straight world is you have to come out like once a week — to the new person at work.  To the dry cleaner.  To the doctor.  Your new neighbor.  It feels endless.  Sometimes you feel like you have be a perfect gay Barbie and educate everyone that, for the most part — life is life.  We all want respect.  We all want a family of some kind.  We all want to understand how our iPhones work. 

Shows like “Modern Family” just presented these wonderful queer characters with real jobs, real kids, real families and I think it made a big impact.  It demystified our existence. 

Unfortunately, politicians since the beginning of time, win by creating fear and that sometimes means appealing to the most basic gross instinct of humanity that the ‘others’ are not to be trusted and that they’re up to no good.  

You grew up in Kentucky before Ellen was out and RuPaul had a budget. When you look at today’s state of queer storytelling, what makes you hopeful? What still feels hollow to you?

There’s been an incredible, big happy tsunami of change since I was a kid.  I remember how important the queer film festivals used to be because we got to come together and see our lives depicted honestly on screen.  Now our lives are on streaming services. When I saw “Fellow Travelers” which, granted, was a period piece — some of it was so raw, I felt I should get up and close the curtains.  It was thrilling. 

I’m really optimistic about what’s possible now, especially with all the super-popular queer stars who can hopefully continue to keep pushing us forward.  I feel bad saying this, but I didn’t love “Mid-Century Modern” because (despite being unapologetically gay, which I liked) it still felt a little like “The Golden Girls” in drag.  It seemed like the show could’ve been less jokey and maybe taken a fresher look at a group of men walking nervously into a new, possibly less sexual chapter of their lives.  

Let’s say a teenage version of yourself sneaks into your show. How do you think they would walk out feeling? What do you hope they walk out feeling?

Wow.  Good question.  Well, I hope they’d walk out the door excited about their life and a little proud of themself.  I never thought of myself as being particularly brave when I was kid.  But writing this show made me realize I was much stronger than I thought.  I came from a family that wasn’t exactly what you’d call ‘lucky,’ but somehow  I instinctively knew how to take my lemons and make lemonade.  I had a lot of cousins — and some peers — who took their lemons and planted a lemon grove.  

What is something the audience might not expect from “Teenage Wasteland?” Is there a moment that reverberates to your core when you perform it live?

Yes! There are several of them.  I think the biggest thing that rings true in the stories is that growing up different; being on the edge of things, can sometimes make you feel lonely or angry or scared.  But it also teaches you how to navigate, how to walk yourself home, how to laugh really hard, how to earn love.  Most importantly, how to forgive everybody including yourself.  

It’s that time of year again, when everyone’s ranting about getting their perfect summer body ready for beaches and pool parties. While working out to feel good is great, let’s be honest – the societal standard for a hot summer body leans heavily toward being thin and having a lack of body hair.

Singer-songwriter Tom Goss counters this narrative through his new single “Bear Soup,” featuring Brooklyn-based rapper Chris Conde. Instead of dropping the usual skinny, twink summer anthem, Goss is serving a body-positive bop that centers bears – the big, hairy, rugged guys who hold a reputation for knowing how to party.

“Bear Soup” marks the fourth and most ambitious entry in his bear song anthology series following the three iconic tracks “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places” and “Nerdy Bear.” 

“Well, simply put, I love bears,” exclaimed Goss. “To me, it feels important to make something bear-centered every couple years.”

It would be unfair to solely attribute Goss’ bear series to his personal love for bears, so he also emphasizes an important message regarding body positivity.

“If these songs, videos, and messages can help someone see themselves in a more positive light, and have a happier life as a result of that, I have done more than I could ever have dreamed of in this world.”

Taking inspiration from bold, confident artists like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Ice Spice and Flo Milli, Goss set out to create a track that would be right at home on the dance floor. From the very first listen, it is evident that he wanted to make a song that anyone — regardless of body type — could party to. The accompanying music video brings that vision to life, overflowing with fun, freedom and unapologetic self-love.

“As a bear guy myself, I understand the trepidations a chubby gay guy might have if [or] when invited to a pool party. In a culture fraught with rigorous body conscious expectation, the opportunity to create visuals for a song like “Bear Soup” are both freeing and exciting for me,” said Michale Serrato, director of the song’s music video.

The music video is exactly how Serrato describes it: It follows Goss at a lively pool party being completely enamored with the sea of bears around him. From playful swimming scenes to a marmalade wrestling match — with plenty of skin on display — it’s a celebration of body confidence and queer joy.

Conde delivers a powerful, high-intensity verse that balances the song’s playful pop vibe with raw energy. Goss describes Conde as being “unapologetic in who he is” with Conde’s feature elevating the track to the next level. 

For Goss, making these videos is more than just fun — it is about creating a space where people can show up as their full selves.

“These videos provide an environment that allows everyone to exude joy, fully and completely loving themselves in the process,” he said.

He even recalls background extras opening up about lifelong insecurities right before filming. But in the affirming, body-positive space Goss fosters, those fears quickly melted away.

“As soon as people arrive and are embraced so warmly, they shine brightly, take off their clothes, and accept themselves freely and effortlessly,” said Goss.

Goss understands the impact his work has had on others, yet he remains humble and never makes it about himself. He’s quick to clarify that he doesn’t take credit for anyone’s coming out or self-discovery, but he acknowledges the meaningful responses he’s received.

“I’ve had countless people tell me they discovered their sexuality or expanded their sense of attraction after watching my videos,” he said. “I’m not taking credit for their sexuality, but I do believe these videos give people permission to see the world and themselves in ways they might not have considered before.”

Although “Bear Soup” has been made and is set to release, Goss has even more in store.

“I have another song and video coming out soon, called “Gay Stuff,” followed by a full album,” he shared. Above all, Goss’s mission is clear: to spread positivity, joy, and encourage everyone to fully embrace who they are. And with a smile, he reminds us to “keep that bear love flowing.”