GLAAD’s Spanish-Language & Latine Media created and produced the first Latine Honors, nearly blowing the roof off of Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, with a more-than-packed house full of stars. 

The Latine Honors were created to celebrate the best in queer, Latine visibility and representation in entertainment media, advocacy and journalism. This event happened back-to-back-to-back with the GLAAD Black and Brown Honors and the 36th GLAAD Media Awards. 

The Latine Honors were hosted by the hilarious stand-up comedian Roz Hernandez, who continues to make waves in the Los Angeles comedy scene and beyond. 

“Every single time [GLAAD] calls, I answer,” said Hernandez on the carpet. 

Hernandez says she is very lucky to be acknowledged by GLAAD and to join forces with them in the work they do for the LGBTQ+ community. 

The Spanish-Language Special Recognition Awards were presented on stage by Harvey Guillén to “The Q Agenda,” a TV series on Latin Nation and “La Verdrag,” a news show on Canal Once, for their incomparable contributions to queer, Latine representation in media. 

LA Blade had the chance to interview some of the Latine stars that graced the carpet to offer their two cents on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including Harvey Guillén, Vico Ortíz, David Archuleta and members of “The Q Agenda.” 

“I think now more than ever, it’s important for us to remember that we can’t be numb to the things happening around us,” said Guillén. “People are becoming less empathetic toward our community and other communities being attacked, so we have to remember to not lose focus. Do not lose focus and do not lose empathy.” 

We also had a chance to catch up with Ortíz on the carpet. They are currently hosting a daily LGBTQ+ news podcast with Nay Bever, where together, they tactfully deliver the news that is relevant to our communities. 

“I am co-hosting a daily news podcast called ‘Today in Gay,’ where we wake up everyday, we read the news and then report them to our queer community,” said Ortíz. “It’s quite a responsibility, but I’m also really honored to deliver [the news] with care and tenderness and tact.”

Ortíz was an honoree at the Latine Honors for their outstanding contributions to the media and entertainment industries as a Puerto Rican, non-binary, multi-hyphenated artist. 

Archuleta spoke to us about his latest single Créme Bruleé, which incorporates a Latin flare to a pop tune. 

“I’m so excited because I just released a new song, Creme Bruleé” said Archuleta. “I was really inspired by the pop girlies – Chapelle, Sabrina, Charlie [XCX], Billie [Eilish], and I just thought I wanted to channel that and I want to feel that confidence and that sexiness that I feel when I listen to their music, but I wanted to add a Latin flare to it.” 

Keynote remarks were delivered by GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis; welcome remarks were shared by Monica Tresandes, Senior Director of Spanish Language & Latine Media and Representation; and Gabe Gonzalez, host of GLAAD’s original ¡DÍMELO!, shared remarks about the attendees representing the Latine creators and media from across the industry.

It’s time to celebrate the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community of Los Angeles! Nominations for the Best of LGBTQ LA Awards are open from March 31st to April 6th, giving you the chance to highlight your favorite local legends, hotspots, performers, and change-makers. Then, from April 14th to April 27th, cast your vote for the finalists and help decide who truly represents the best of LGBTQ LA.

Use the form below or click the link HERE to nominate!

GLAAD celebrated its 40th anniversary with a star-studded gala in Beverly Hills, honoring achievements in LGBTQ+ media and entertainment, while pushing back at efforts nationwide to turn back civil rights protections, restrict and erase transgender identities.

Doechii accepted a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding music artist, Harper Steele won for outstanding documentary for Will & Harper and Nava Mau was honored with the outstanding series – limited anthology award for Baby Reindeer.

Those in attendance rose for a long and enthusiastic standing ovation as the prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award was presented to Cynthia Erivo.

“It isn’t easy. None of it is, waking up and choosing to be yourself, proclaiming a space belongs to you when you don’t feel welcomed,” said Erivo.

The 38-year-old queer Oscar nominee and Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner delivered a moving acceptance speech, in which she thanked GLAAD but also called on the audience to do more to help those in the community who have not yet come out. Video of her remarks has gone viral on Instagram.

“Here in this room, we have all been the recipients of the gift that is the opportunity to be more. I doubt that it has come easy to any of us, but more, for some, the road has not been one paved with yellow bricks, but instead paved with bumps and potholes. Whichever road you have traveled, how beautiful it is that you’ve had a road to travel on at all. There are the invisible ones who have had no road at all. For those who have not
yet even begun to find the road, be encouraged and be patient with yourself, it will show itself,” Erivo said. Then she paused from reading the speech that was in the teleprompter, and ad libbed a poetic, closing message.

“We use the phrase ‘out and proud,’ and though you might not have the strength or capacity to do that now, know that I am proud of your quiet and solitary want to be just that,” she said, and then addressed the community ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility. “We are all visible. We can be seen. We see each other. I see you, you see me. But think of those who have not been seen, think of those who sit in the dark and wait their turn, hoping and waiting for a light to light their path. I ask every single one of you in this room, with the spaces that you’re in, and the lights that you hold, to point it in the direction of someone who just needs a little guidance.”

Broadway legend Patti LuPone offered guidance from queer icons, past and present, when she took the stage to recite inspiring quotes that brought the house down.

“I can no longer accept the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept,” LuPone quoted lesbian, feminist, activist Angela Davis. “Coming out is the most political thing you can do,” she said, quoting Harvey Milk.

Then LuPone cited some of the stars of Drag Race, including Valentina, Kennedy Davenport, Alyssa Edwards, Trixie Mattel, Plane Jane, and Latrice Royale. But it was the words of OG Drag Race alumna Bianca Del Rio that got the crowd on its feet: “Not today, Satan. Not today!”

“Right now, LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, but what they take from us, they take from you too,” said Brian Michael Smith, upon winning the award for outstanding drama series for 911: Lone Star. “These aren’t isolated rollbacks; they’re attacks on all of our civil rights. This kind of representation is more than visibility, it’s resistance.”

When Doechii accepted the trophy for outstanding music artist at the ceremony, the “Denial Is a River” rapper commented on this politically charged moment for the LGBTQ community, as she praised GLAAD for its principles of “acceptance, inclusiveness and empowerment.”

“Those are the same things I strongly believe in and advocate for and that continue to propel me forward, especially now that hard-won cultural change and rights for transgender people and the LGBTQ community have been threatened,” said Doechii. “And I am disgusted. Disgusted. But I want to say that we are here and we are not going anywhere.”

“These kinds of events help me to feel support, to feel like we’re a team working together to make ourselves feel more seen, make others feel more seen, and there’s so much still to celebrate,” said singer songwriter David Archuleta, the American Idol alum who made headlines in 2021 when he came out and quit the Mormon Church. On the red carpet before the gala, he shared with the Los Angeles Blade his advice to fans who want to find joy amid the gloom: “I love to go dance. Dance is so therapeutic. It’s a place where you can just shake it off, feel hot, go out, and that’s a therapeutic way.”

“This is where I find joy,” Michaela Jaé Rodriguez told the Blade. “But the best times where I find even more joy is learning what state we’re in. Learning how I can fire myself, put a fire behind me, and stay as vigilant as possible and be in the forefront and never disappear. And I want to encourage that to a lot of my young individuals out there. Don’t disappear. Stand out, be proud, and don’t be scared. I’m not scared!”

“It feels amazing, being surrounded by basically my own people is always like a big warm hug, so I love it,” Harper Steele told the Blade.

The writer, who took home a GLAAD trophy for her award-winning documentary with her friend and fellow SNL alum Will Ferrell, noted that despite the joy of the evening, she was “very sad” about political moves targeting the transgender community in Washington, D.C. as well where she grew up in Iowa.

“My own home state, who gave me trans protections and rights, just took them away,” Steele told the Blade. “We’re the first group that’s ever had those rights taken away from us, so we’re in a weird time. I’m going to keep doing the best I can to convince people that they’re wrong. Not only are they wrong, but they’re being stupid.”

The Washington Blade was nominated for its coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics Games, ”Paris Olympics: More queer athletes, more medals, more Pride, less Grindr,” in the category of outstanding print article. The winner was “‘Changing The Narrative’: Advocates Fight HIV Stigma in Dallas’ Latino Community” by Abraham Nudelstejer of The Dallas Morning News. The Advocate won for outstanding magazine overall coverage, and Jo Yurcaba of NBC Out won for “Friends Remember Nex Benedict, Oklahoma Student Who Died After School Fight, as ‘Fiery Kid.’”

The Blade also spoke to GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis on the red carpet.

Ellis and the organization survived a difficult challenge in 2024 when Ellis herself came under fire from The New York Times for what it called “lavish” spending. It should be noted that in a one-on-one conversation with Variety in October, Ellis pointed out that The Times report omitted mention of GLAAD’s multi-year campaign that called attention to the newspaper’s unbalanced coverage of issues related to transgender Americans and gender-affirming care, and that any spending issues raised by the report — seen by many as a hit piece in retaliation for GLAAD’s campaign — had already been addressed “two years ago.”

Ellis told the Blade she remains focused on GLAAD’s mission to advance acceptance of the LGBTQ community in media.

“I think tonight for me is about getting everybody together to talk about our stories, how important they are, and make sure that we are plastering the airwaves with our stories. And I think it’s about moving forward and having a plan. We have a plan at GLAAD. We understand what’s happened to this media ecosystem and we’re forging forward.”

Ellis spoke passionately about the challenge the nonprofit faces in 2025 and beyond.

“I think the media ecosystem has changed so dramatically and tectonically in a short period of time, “ she said. “We’re seeing that right-wing media gets about 100 million people a week. Progressive media reaches 30 million people a week. So, we have a 70 million person gap, and that gap is why we’re losing presidential campaigns, why we’re losing the narrative, why our community is under siege. We have to close that gap.”

Read the full list of nominees and winners of this year’s GLAAD Media Awards here.

Equality California will hold a rally at the State Capitol’s West Steps in response to rising anti-LGBTQ+ political attacks on Wednesday, March 26 at 11:00 AM PT.

This rally will also serve as an opportunity to discuss the release of the 2024 Legislative Scorecard, which is a report of politicians and sponsored legislation that further and cement the protections of LGBTQ+ rights. The scorecard also analyzes voting methods and results, gathering an overall score that reflects legislators’ votes on EQCA-sponsored legislation.

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide civil rights organization working towards bringing justice to LGBTQ+ issues by rallying against legislative issues that attack LGBTQ+ rights.

This call to action will serve as part of the organization’s annual  LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day, held each year to bring together constituents with lawmakers in support of pro-LGBTQ+ legislation.

EQCA has a line-up of featured political speakers to include Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur, Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Chris Ward, Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Vice Chair and Senator Caroline Menjivar, among others.

This event is meant to bring attention to the rise in political attacks, unite in community and mobilize efforts toward preserving LGBTQ+ rights for the state of California and beyond.

On Feb. 7, Linda Becerra Moran contacted the Los Angeles Police Department in a phone call where she reported that she was being held against her will in a San Fernando Motel. 

At around 9:40AM, Moran called the Foothill Division of the LAPD, and was recorded stating that she was not only being held at the motel against her will, but that she was being forced to bring men into her motel room. In the audio call recording, she is heard crying as she answers the questions regarding her safety. 

When the officers found her in the hotel room they stated that she didn’t remember how she got there, while speaking in Spanish to the officers. 

The statement released regarding the officer-involved shooting says that ‘when officers arrived, they entered the motel room and met with Moran. During their investigation, Moran became agitated, armed herself with a knife and held it to her neck.’ 

The officers responded by drawing their guns, further agitating her. The attorney representing the family of Moran says the released video proves that the shooting was unlawful and unjust. 

Now, the TransLatin@ Coalition is looking for justice for Moran and her family, especially considering that she was someone who received services directly from them. They hosted the first vigil for her on Friday, March 14, in front of the LAPD headquarters. 

“Linda Becerra Moran, a trans immigrant who received services from our organization, was brutally shot and murdered by the Los Angeles Police Department. We held a vigil and we invited the community to join us in solidarity as we demand justice and honor Linda’s life,” said the TransLatin@ Coalition in a statement. 

The police officer who shot and killed Moran was Jacob Sanchez, 24, who was hired in 2021. 

Moran was pronounced dead after three weeks on life support in late February.

Somos Familia Valle, is hosting a poster-making event today from 2PM to 8PM where they will be preparing for a call to action. The call to action is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at the Foothill Division Police Department, at 1PM. The organization posted a list of demands, along with their statement on Moran’s death. 

“At a time where our trans siblings are being attacked politically and socially, now more than ever is the time for us to be loud and seek accountability,” reads the statement. “The murder of Linda Becerra Moran by the Los Angeles Foothill Division Police Department was unwarranted and speaks to the disregard for trans lives, but also the lack of de-escalation tactics.”

The Open Space Therapy Collective will be hosting a community building experience featuring dozens of LA-based professionals from across different industries. This community-building event was planned in response to the sweeping political attacks against the queer, trans and BIPOC communities. The event hosted by Queerly Connected is fittingly titled We Got Us, and it will be free and open to the public. 

Wellness providers will be there to provide art therapy, movement therapy, grief counseling, sound baths, yoga and other creative and healing arts. 

“As political pressure on our communities intensifies, it’s increasingly more important for us to come together and create a space where our healing and joy can intersect,” said Renea Johnson, founder of Open Space Therapy Collective and host of Queerly Connected. “Historically, in times like these, it’s important for us to expand our community and nurture collaboration. That’s why I’m so grateful for everyone who steps out to build community with us at Queerly Connected. 

Another aim of the event is to learn and experience the modalities of the queer, trans and BIPOC communities. Attendees can deepen their understanding and learn more about a queer-informed approach. 

Some of the experiential workshops and other offerings will include grief counseling by Studio DDLA, sound baths by TSage and DG Sound Healing, full-spectrum support from The Gender Doula, artist collaborations by Secret Spot, nails by Little Brother Nails and more. 

The event will take place at Studio DDLA. This event is meant to encourage people to come as they are, with a rolling entry from 4PM until 7PM on Sunday, March 16. 

To learn more about the event or the collaborators, visit their website.

The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (WHCC) announced the launch of WeHo Gives Back, a new initiative that is committed to supporting small businesses in West Hollywood that have been impacted by the Los Angeles fires.

“The small businesses of West Hollywood are resilient, but they need our community’s support
now more than ever,” said Genevieve Morrill, WHCC president and CEO. “WeHo Gives Back is
our way of ensuring these establishments receive the support they need to recover and thrive.”

West Hollywood is home to a diverse number of locally owned businesses. From the nightlife and restaurant industries to service providers like dry cleaners and salons, there’s a business for every one of the community’s needs. According to the WeHo Chamber of Commerce, businesses have been experiencing revenue declines between 25 percent to 50 percent with retail, hotels, restaurants, and bars being hit the hardest. In some cases, businesses have reported over 70 percent in loss of revenue, leading to a reduction in staff and operating hours.

About 26 percent of West Hollywood’s workforce is made up of hospitality workers, primarily employed by small businesses. These businesses, including the hotel industry, contribute to an estimated 70 percent of the city’s revenue. Tax revenue is used to support social services, community safety, and infrastructure improvements.

WHCC is calling on the community to support through WeHo Gives Back with a goal to restore the loss in foot traffic and to raise much needed funds. The public is encouraged to venture out to West Hollywood to shop, dine, and play.

The initiative kicked off on March 1st and West Hollywood go-ers will start to see QR codes on signs, napkins and websites in order to contribute to the recovery fund.

For more information about WeHo Gives Back or where to donate, visit wehochamber.com/wehogivesback.

The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement Thursday criticizing Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said this week that allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports was “deeply unfair.”

HRC President Kelley Robinson said, “When LGBTQ+ lives are under attack, real leaders don’t hedge — they fight. Across this country, extremists are stripping away rights, banning books, and targeting trans kids just for being who they are. This is not the time for political calculations or playing it safe — it’s time to be bold, to stand up, and to say unequivocally: We will protect LGBTQ+ people with everything we’ve got.”

She continued, “The fight for equality has never been easy, but history doesn’t remember those who waver — it remembers those who refuse to back down. Our message to Gov. Newsom and all leaders across the country is simple: The path to 2028 isn’t paved with the betrayal of vulnerable communities — it’s built on the courage to stand up for what’s right and do the hard work to actually help the American people.”

A longtime ally to the LGBTQ+ community, Newsom was one of the first public officials to officiate same-sex marriages in the early 2000s, which at the time drew criticism from leaders in his own party.

His remarks on trans athletes came during an interview with right-wing pundit and provocateur Charlie Kirk, on the inaugural episode of the governor’s podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom.”

The move signals a possible shift in how Democratic leaders are positioning themselves on issues concerning trans rights, especially provided the speculation about Newsom’s plans to run for president in 2028.

On Tuesday, the former Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department fought for her job to be reinstated through an appeal process that did not go in her favor. She will not get her job back, though she is expected to continue working for the department. 

At the meeting, Crowley pushed back for the first time against the arguments Bass used to justify her termination. Crowley argued that she was facing retaliation for publicly highlighting a lack of resources at the department. 

Going into the special meeting on Tuesday, she had to count on the support of at least 10 of the 15 councilmembers, or two-thirds. The appeal was almost certain to fail because she only counted on the support from Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Traci Park.

The main justification for her removal comes from Mayor Karen Bass, who claims Crowley allegedly made decisions that ultimately caused the Palisades fires to burn out of control. 

”A thousand firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke, were instead sent home,” said Bass in a previous press conference. 

Crowley responded to her accusation. 

“As for the 1,000 firefighters who were allegedly sent home prior to the fires, we did not have enough apparatus to put them on,” Crowley said. “Because of budget cuts and lack of investments in our fleet maintenance, over 100 of our fire engines, fire trucks and ambulances sat broken down in our maintenance yards unable to be used to help during the worst wildfire events in our history.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Bass doubled-down on her claims, adding that Crowley allegedly refused to conduct an after-action report following the Palisades fire. 

A claim that Crowley says is false. 

“I did not refuse to conduct an after-action report,” said Crowley to the council. “And let me be clear, this is a false accusation.”

“During our discussions about an after-action report, I advised the fire commissioners about my opinion that was best in regard to how to use LAFD resources,” continued Crowley. 

“I said that the LAFD is not capable, nor do we have the proper resources to adequately conduct an after-action report for the Palisades Fire.” 

Bass was in Ghana when the Palisades fire broke out, leaving council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson as acting mayor. When Bass returned, she blamed Crowley for not warning her of the powerful Santa Ana winds that put Los Angeles at high-risk of fires before she left. 

Back in January, Crowley took to the news media to talk about the lack of resources the fire department struggled with and that Crowley says ultimately caused the lack of response to the fires. 

Councilmember Imelda Padilla, who represents the central San Fernando Valley, also publicly criticized Crowley for making the public announcement while the fires were still raging through Pacific Palisades. 

The former fire chief also counted on the support of many LAFD firefighters who spoke in favor of her leadership skills and decisions.

Former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva is currently serving as interim Fire Chief, as the search for someone to fill the position begins.

If you frequent Beaches in West Hollywood towards the later end of the week, you know and adore bartender Sumner Mormeneo. While he is an artist behind the bar, he is also a consummate artist with a list of credits who can create a variety of art with a paintbrush or typed words. Like many, he is making his way in the Los Angeles art and entertainment scene, after packing up his life and driving across the nation to follow his dreams.

We sat down to get to know your local bartender to discuss queer nightlife, his love of horror, life beyond the bar, his sober journey and his first group show now exhibiting at Circus of Books.

Hometown: I consider Orlando my hometown but was born and raised in South Florida.

Tell us about your journey to LA:

I have visited here a handful of times but specifically, it was a vacation with my dad when I was 12 when I knew I would end up here one day. It was a Santa Monica Beach sunset that did. Ever since I was a child, I was always creating, invested in art and the arts. Whether it was forcing my neighborhood friends to be in my camcorder horror movies or to star in my poolside rendition of Jaws: Live! featuring a green and purple inflatable Bruce the Shark.

If it wasn’t some sort of show, I was painting, drawing, makeup, music, anything and everything at some point. I reached a point, living in Orlando, where I felt like I did everything I wanted to do there. I love the city, the parks, and the community Orlando has, but I felt myself repeating the same work with nothing to push me out of my comfort zone. I was on a waitlist for the art Grad program at USC, ready to get my master’s and be an art professor. Los Angeles was always on the horizon for me because of what it has to offer in terms of entertainment and the arts. I can’t imagine moving here straight out of college and trying to figure myself out. I am very grateful that I allowed myself the experience to become a fully realized and recognized artist in another city before moving here.

How would you describe your art?

I’m a multimedia or interdisciplinary artist. The work itself I would describe as surreal. Haunting. Honest. And most importantly, Gay. My paintings and performance art take place in some sort of void.

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What do you love most about being part of the queer nightlife scene in L.A?

Working specifically in West Hollywood, it’s hearing people’s stories. I’m fortunate to have a family and come from a place that’s not only accepting but loving. That’s not the same for everyone. Working in West Hollywood, you meet so many queer people from all over the world with so many different stories. Once in a while, you’re the first person a queer person on the run meets. Giving my advice on how to navigate this city or sometimes just a genuine smile and “Welcome to Los Angeles” is enough to make me cry on my drive home from work. And yes, I usually listen to “Pink Pony Club” on those drives.

What do you love most about living in L.A?

There was a tweet (is that what they’re still called?) that was going around on socials during the aftermath of the fires. It says “…Los Angeles is a proud blue-collar city with people from all walks of life. And then the creative black sheep from every family in America comes here to create art together. Do you realize how beautiful that is?” Every time I read it, I get emotional. I was the weird one my whole life, still am! But even more than that, being a creative is hard to explain to people. Most people don’t understand it. It’s beautiful, intimidating, and magical to live in a place filled with others like me.

What is your signature drink to pour?

It doesn’t have a name, but I make a version of a drink I had in Miami when I was 16. It was a blueberry mojito. I’ve recreated my version of it. I like to think that being half Cuban has something to do with being able to make a good mojito.

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How do you balance your art with your nightlife?

It used to be very unbalanced! I still question if I’m doing it right. Not even the nightlife part, just balancing art with life. I find comfort in knowing many artists and creatives struggle with this. I sometimes get into a groove of a schedule and then it falls off. My ADHD brain likes to pick up new things and get over them quickly, too. Thankfully, I’ve learned to filter out which ones (projects) are worth keeping. In recent months, I’ve cleared a couple of days out of the week before working at night to make sure I always have at least 2 full days a week to invest in whatever I’m working on.

You celebrate the sober life. How does that work with you being a bartender?

I hear this question a lot and it’s the same response every time. It is so much easier for me than you think. I work the late hours of West Hollywood when people just want to get fucked up and party. A lot of them are fun and even more of them are messy (ha ha). Seeing the messy people is an instant reminder of what I do not want to be.

You also have a love for horror. What is it about horror that attracts you so much?

I wish I had a straight answer for this. There are full-length documentaries and studies on why people are attracted to it. I used to say that when I was young, I couldn’t handle it at all. The hard rated-R movies gave me nightmares for years and I’m still convinced Pennywise will tickle my feet in the shower. However, recently, I’ve realized I was actually always attracted to it. Maybe in a conquer my fears way, or maybe attracted to it in an “otherness” sort of way. I was the Wicked Witch of the West for Halloween when I was maybe 5 and Phantom of the Opera when I was 7. I insisted on renting Hocus Pocus every Blockbuster visit. The first VHS I bought with my allowance was Beetlejuice.

Oh, and the “Behind the Scenes” VHS that came with the Jaws 25th Anniversary Release was monumental in shaping my poolside production. My mother always loved horror and would show me the Classic Universal Monsters when I was little. I still have an affinity for Frankenstein. Eventually, her love for John Carpenter’s Halloween is what bled out onto me and I embraced it. I remember cowering in the theater when I was 12 during the Texas Chainsaw remake, but by 14, I was stupidly excited about going to Halloween Horror Nights.

So I’m guessing turning 13 has something to do with it? There’s a humor in some horror that allows you to laugh at life and then there’s other horror that allows you to look at life’s experiences profoundly. I think both are equally important.

How do the horror and queer worlds complement each other?

Nothing is more queer than a final girl. Under attack, stressed, trying to survive. Sounds pretty relevant to me! The queer coding of villains is something that’s come up a lot recently and that one probably has the deepest hook in me. It’s almost common knowledge now that the drag queen Divine inspired Ursula. Ursula is a drag queen. Scar is that one catty gay everyone knows and Jafar is the pretentious one. I love how the genre is being turned around from what was once considered trash to moving its way into the Oscars.

And of course, there’s that whole 14-acre expansion coming to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando celebrating the villains. The genre has so many sub-genres that can explore queerness and complement each other. I mentioned slashers and Disney villains, but even just to quickly apply it to something like a paranormal story- it could easily be translated into an “unknown” haunting relating to someone’s coming out story or someone’s identity being suppressed. Horror is the one genre that allows you to say whatever you, however you want.

What are you currently working on in the art/entertainment world?

My heart breaks a little when I tell people I don’t paint anymore or don’t plan on bringing my show The Infinite Conversation here. I would still love to paint some murals out here if given the opportunity. I think I hinted towards it earlier, but L.A. has more to offer than what I would have been able to do just on my own in Orlando. And that’s film and music. They are my first two loves and the mediums that always seemed so impossible. I realized on my U-Haul drive over here that writing scary movies was the one thing I’ve always really wanted to do, it just seemed out of reach or impractical living elsewhere. So that’s what I’m working on! I’m about to get started on my third draft of a queer paranormal feature that I’m in love with. I started writing and rehearsing with a band late last year, too. It didn’t work out with them, but I’ve been working on some stuff with another band more recently. We’ll be meeting up next week to see if we’re a good fit for each other. So, instead of sitting in a theater and watching me perform, you might get to dance in a mosh pit and watch me perform soon instead (haha). I’m showing a couple of pieces in my first group show here in L.A. at Circus of Books. The show is called Dark Hearts and was curated by Sküt. It’s up until March 17.

What do you want most out of your career in LA?

My dream is to one day focus solely on my creative work. I love bartending, but I didn’t move here to do it forever. To be pushed more, out of my comfort zone, to be able to create new things, tell new stories, experiment with and learn from new mediums, and eventually be able to make a living out it. That’s what I want out of L.A. That’s the Hollywood dream, right? To keep it simple, I just want to make scary movies and heavy metal (haha).

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What is one thing in LA that you haven’t done yet that is on your list?

Go to a premiere for a movie I wrote? (ha ha) I think this bleeds into the last question and what I’m really here for. I get hard on myself sometimes, thinking I should be working harder and longer. But realistically, I know things take time and I’m still young and learning. Eventually, getting my movie made would be nice. I already know the next couple of stories I want to write. And maybe in the next year, I will play my first show as a frontman in a metal band. Both are possible! I know you asked for one, but I’ve been focused on two things as of late.

There have been many changes in queer nightlife over the last few years, and now we are under political attack. What do you think the future of queer nightlife looks like?

It’s weird. I had a close experience with the Pulse Shooting in Orlando. I’ve seen a community come together and stronger than ever, and I’ve seen it change into something I don’t recognize. I’ve noticed far less drinking with this newer generation, too. I appreciate the growing popularity of experiential events, pop-ups, and venues. I look at things like Meow Wolf or smaller-scale events created by promoters with creative and community-driven intent. There’s always going to be bars and clubs, but I’ve noticed a slow progressive lean into experiencing things with friends, others, or a community. I think that’s beautiful. And as a sober person, more fun. Whatever political agenda is taking place in Office, and however fucked it is, we as queer people have always been here and are always going to be here. Nothing can change that.

 What is your message to the queer community?

Your voice is important. In this city and media moving forward, especially. I’m sure others can relate, but growing up queer in a straight world, I was taught to let things go, to turn a blind eye to things that didn’t sit right with me, and ultimately, as a millennial, was taught that there was only one type of gay man. Plot twist, there isn’t. Speak up, and share your story, because your story can help someone else’s perspective or even save a life.