It’s no wonder the camera caught actress Michele Yeoh crying after watching queer singer Cynthia Erivo (nominated for best actress) and Ariana Grande (nominated for best supporting actress) perform one of the much-loved songs from “Wicked,” as they were simply magnificent. 

Grande opened with Judy Garland’s  “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and Erivo sang “Home” from “The Wiz.” That was one of the many bright spots in the 97th annual Academy Awards, which took place Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

While the duo sadly didn’t take away any awards, the magical film did — gay costume designer Paul Tazewell won the Oscar for Best Costume Design.

“This is absolutely astounding,” Tazewell enthused onstage, in his acceptance speech. “Thank you Academy for this very significant honor. I’m the first Black man to receive a costume design award for my work on ‘Wicked.’ I’m so proud of this.” 

In the pressroom, Tazewell elaborated on his well deserved win.

“This is the pinnacle of my career. I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years,” he said. “Much has been on Broadway and now into film, and the whole way through there was never a Black male designer that I saw that I could follow, that I could see as inspiration. And to realize that that’s actually me, it becomes a ‘Wizard of Oz’ moment, you know, it’s like no place like home. So to come back to the inspiration being inside of me was — is really remarkable.”

Tazewell said he achieved the award with the help of a lot of really amazing and talented costume artisans of all types and an amazing staff and assistants and crew.

“Because, you know, there’s no way for me to do it alone! And that also is my greatest joy — to be collaborating with other very talented artists, so I respect what that artistry is, and I share this with them because I value what their input is.”

The veteran costume designer knew the movie was going to be pretty spectacular, but he was “absolutely blown away,” because of their approach. 

“We were working on two films at the same time. It wasn’t until I actually saw a pretty complete cut that I actually experienced the journey that we have created for audiences. And so, to experience that –I was beside myself. And it defined why I do costume design, why I am a costume designer.”

“Wicked” also won the Oscar for Best Production Design.

“Emilia Pérez,” Netflix’s mesmerizing Spanish language, trans crime musical, had a whopping 13 nominations, with first-time nominee Karla Sofia Gascón making history as the first trans woman to be nominated for best actress. This would have been the most nominated foreign film in the history of the Academy Awards.

Unfortunately, after the controversy surrounding her past tweets, the film only won two awards: for best supporting actress (Zoe Saldaña) and best original song (“El Mal”).

While the U.S. is in an era of anti-trans political maneuvering, Sunday night’s broadcast included no mention of trans people.

In the pressroom, during an interview with “Emilia” composers Clément Ducol, Camille, and director Jacques Audiard, a journalist asked if anyone wanted to address what was happening. 

Speaking in French via a translator, Audiard said, “Since I didn’t win Best Film or Best Director, I didn’t have the opportunity to speak, but had I had that opportunity, I would have spoken up.”

Saldaña, who starred as Rita, a lawyer who gets enmeshed with the trans cartel leader’s transition, was thrilled to win.

“I am floored by this honor. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita. And talking about powerful women, my fellow nominees, the love and community that you have offered me is a true gift, and I will pay it forward. Thank you so much Jacques Audiard, you are forever a beloved character in my life. Thank you for taking the interest, thank you for being so curious about these women to tell this story to my cast and my crew of ‘Emilia Pérez.’”

Saldaña’s nephew is trans; a few weeks ago, while winning the best supporting actress at the BAFTAs, she told journalists that she was dedicating the award to him.

“I’m dedicating all of these awards and the film ‘Emilia Pérez’ to my nephew, Eli. He is the reason — they are the reason — I signed up to do this film in the first place,” she said. “So as the proud aunt of a trans life, I will always stand with my community of trans people.”

President Donald Trump’s latest executive order, restricting transgender individuals from serving openly in the military, has sparked a surge in activity on Famm Connect, a new professional networking app designed for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has a 30-day deadline for submitting a plan to execute the order. Until then, many have been turning to the invite-only platform, created in Dec. 2024, to find support, resources and career connections in the face of increasing change.

Its California-based co-founders and married couple, Marianna Di Regolo and Cat Perez, said their app has grown more than 70% within the last weeks. Di Regolo noted that the app provides a safe digital space for members fleeing those opposing their community.

“Famm Connect is our response to Trump and really anyone else who creates barriers for or discriminates against LGBTQ+ folks. So with Trump signing executive orders against our community and major organizations cutting DE&I programs and platforms like Meta removing protections for LGBTQ folks, spaces like Fam Connect are more important than ever,” Di Regolo told the Los Angeles Blade.  

The LGBTQ+ community, according to Di Regolo, feels unprotected on other professional apps where hateful comments aren’t filtered, so her app serves as a haven for those looking for new jobs.

“Just in general, as a lot of us have seen, quite a few LGBTQ+ folks don’t feel safe on a lot of the other platforms, and they might be growing in their career or looking for a job or just looking to connect with other folks professionally,” she said, adding: “They’re on our platform letting folks know, ‘Hey, I’m looking for X, Y, and Z job,’… and they feel safer and more comfortable doing it in a secure space.”

As attacks on LGBTQ+ rights intensify—from political figures rolling back protections, advocates are doubling down on support for their communities, according to a spokesperson at GLAAD, a non-profit committed to LGBTQ+ advocacy and cultural change.

“Now more than ever, LGBTQ+ people are stepping up to take care of and support each other and our families. No matter what rhetoric is spewed [by] government officials or anti-LGBTQ+ extremists, our community and allies will persevere. Building community, finding and giving support, and making connections in spaces where we all can feel safe will be a critical part of surviving and thriving, no matter what we are up against.”

Trump said in his latest executive order against Trans troops that “For the sake of our Nation and the patriotic Americans who volunteer to serve it, military service must be reserved for those mentally and physically fit for duty.” This message didn’t resonate with Perez, who said Trump’s executive order is fear-mongering, among other things.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous. There’s no basis [on] which that decision was made. It is absolutely transphobia and a fear tactic that they are using and a general strategic tactic that Trump and his administration are using to distract the American people from real issues that they should be focused on for this country,” she said.

Perez also argues that his stance not only dehumanizes trans people but also ignores the reality that: “Trans people are humans. They’re human beings. “They’re absolutely capable of serving in the military, and they have, and it’s just disgusting that that is the message that he is putting out there.”

JaRel Clay, the vice president of the Board of Directors at SpeakOut, a non-profit that aims to create safe spaces across LGBTQ+ communities of color, says Famm Connect is a critical employment resource for “the trans community in the midst of attacks coming from the Trump administration.”

“We know that there is power in community, and especially for this community facing heightened risks, both in their areas and federally. An app like Famm Connect is more than a tool. It’s a lifeline,” Clay added.

Clay asserts that Trump’s rhetoric regarding the lack of mental fitness of trans-serving troops is “woefully uninformed.”

“How do you suggest that their military readiness and public service are at a disadvantage simply because they are trans? It’s, again, just woefully uninformed and ignorant,” Clay said. “It’s un-American. It is the fabric of our being that we address and assess the readiness of any individual who wants to serve our country based on the merit of how they perform.”  

Perez said that she sees the LGBTQ+ community coming together and showing up for one another on the app since other platforms have censored terms like “lesbian” or other words about their community.

The Human Rights Campaign claims that Meta’s new social media policies “endanger LGBTQ+ communities.” Perez says censoring their communities is incredibly problematic, so they are building up Famm Connect. 

“I think for folks who are struggling right now in the community, within their careers, I think seeking out the queer community and seeking out safe and intentional spaces and really making those connections is going to be the thing that helps get you through these turbulent times,” she noted.

Contributing writer, Eden Harris is a D.C. native with a passion for uplifting marginalized voices on a global, national and local level. She has experience covering the White House, Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court and federal agencies. She covers mainly all things Africa and is committed to doing so with the highest standards that drive true equity for the continent and its U.S. diaspora.

Ever dreamed of an exclusive digital space where you can find the community you are actually on the search for? Freddie: Your Queer Space, a dyke-centered phone application, was created just for that. 

In an effort to create a digital space that would only welcome members of the queer, sapphically-inclined and trans communities, queer couple Carmen Hernandez and Sarah Panzer, put their collective skills to work and launched Freddie. This app comes at a time when it feels unsafe to exist in many other realms of the internet and social media apps like X and Meta, which have both scaled back protections for LGBTQ+ people and rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 

“The main goal for Freddie has always been to be that kind of third space that is unlike everything else we are experiencing right now on the internet,” said Hernandez in an interview with L.A. Blade. “There’s this fear that a lot of companies are using data security tools on social media platforms to track information about individuals.” 

Hernandez realized that they had a unique opportunity to create something vastly different than what already exists on the app market. They not only wanted to create this digital space exclusively for the queer community, but also make sure that the information shared on the app was not being sold to data collecting companies. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission, cookies and other data collection tools are meant to collect information from users such as interests, demographics and activity in order to ‘remember you.’ This means that user information is then sold to companies that collect and harvest that data to sell products and services to users through curated and personalized experiences. Research shows that this is a harmful practice because these curated and personalized experiences target users and make them vulnerable to scams and other dangers. 

This app is an oasis in a desiccated digital landscape. 

“We started thinking about how we could make Freddie really secure for the people that are there,” said Hernandez. 

Hernandez and Panzer wear many hats in order to make this app not only function, but also evolve over time to include more helpful features – like personals – which they recently launched in an effort to unite people with common interests, goals and plans. 

The ‘personals’ space is to post about their needs and find other like-minded community members who meet those needs. 

“We’re a small team and we want to make an app that people are going to be able to use really easily, that they want to use and that has all the right features,” said Panzer. “We wanted to make a space where lesbians, trans people and queer people could have a space away from the cis-male gaze to just be horny, look for love, and just be themselves.” 

Upon making a profile on Freddie, users are welcomed to choose up to six options for what they are looking for on the app. There are dozens of options – everything from music and book recs, to the meaning of life, and even options if you happen to be on the search for bottoms, tops and anything in between. 

In comparison to apps that are not for or by the queer community, Freddie also has an extensive list of options for gender and sexual orientation. 

Hernandez founded Freddie back in July of 2023, after they say they became exhausted with sifting through the other LGBTQ+ apps and realizing that there were a lot of issues with the interface and with people from outside of the community taking up space on the apps. 

According to Hernandez, not only were they taking up space, but also being openly homophobic in spaces specifically meant to gather people from QTBIPOC communities.  

“I started noticing that the people who were showing up, were sometimes not queer and then even worse yet, were straight and homophobic,” said Hernandez. “That all really got us thinking.”

This is when Hernandez decided to invest some of their own time, energy and financial resources to bring the concept of Freddie to fruition. Then, with the marketing help from their partner Panzer, they have now launched the newest and latest version of Freddie. 

This isn’t Freddie’s final form, according to the creative couple. 

Freddie will also soon have an even more exclusive membership option that operates like a digital club users can join in an effort to be a part of an even more exclusive space for the QTBIPOC communities. 

“We are going to turn Freddie into a club and that’s going to make it a lot easier for us to monitor who comes in and ensure that everyone who comes into that space is able to engage with the community in a respectful way,” said Hernandez. 

Reflecting on a year in queer entertainment is never one dimensional. You get stories of joy, hate, and everything in between.

And 2024 was no different. For every Chappell Roan, you get a J.K. Rowling. But looking back on this year is vital in recognizing what progress was made in LGBTQ spaces, and which areas need more attention to make a better 2025.

Though there are no 10 stories that are truly “the most important,” here are some events that represented the good, the bad, and the gloriously gay this year.

#10: Joaquin Phoenix abruptly exits gay film: “Joker” star Joaquin Phoenix reportedly exited a gay romance film days before production was set to begin, stirring up a controversial storm in Hollywood.

Sets were built and distribution deals were already made, which left many owed compensation. 

Described as a detective love story featuring two men in the 1930s, the film was allegedly made to receive an NC-17 rating and to feature authentic and graphic sex scenes.

#9: Adele snaps back at homophobic fan:What better way to kick off Pride month this year than Adele publicly humiliating a fan who shouted a homophobic comment?

The singer was performing her Las Vegas residency show when an audience member shouted, “Pride sucks.” Her response was appropriately filled with profanities. 

“Did you come to my fucking show to say Pride sucks? Are you fucking stupid?” Adele said. “Don’t be so fucking ridiculous. If you have nothing nice to say, shut up, alright?”

A video of the interaction went viral online, and fans rallied on social media to show their support of the singer.

#8: Oprah receives GLAAD recognition: Oprah Winfrey received the GLAAD Lifetime Achievement Award in March. It was a culmination of her strong history of support for the LGBTQ community.

Winfrey used her platform on her self-titled show to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ bias and hold open discussions to challenge stereotypes and promote acceptance.

“Winfrey’s unique blend of empathy, wisdom, and storytelling resonated with audiences, making her one of the most beloved and influential figures in media history,” Los Angeles Blade publisher Troy Masters wrote.

#7: A new ‘Voice’:NBC’s hit singing competition, ‘The Voice,’ crowned its first LGBTQ winner after 25 seasons.

Asher HaVon, who performed on team Reba McEntire, became a staple on the show for his hypnotic and rich tone. From Selma, Ala., HaVon also represents the fight for equality. 

When former President Barack Obama visited Selma in 2015, HaVon sang for him and 200,000 other people at the historic Selma Bridge crossing.

“For the rest of us, in the LGBTQ community, in the dance clubs, and in the hearts of ones needing a new diva to love, Asher has arrived,” Los Angeles Blade reporter Rob Watson wrote in May.

#6: Out and proud: Many notable celebrities came out this year, including country singer Maren Morris, track star Trey Cunningham, actor Julia Fox and former “Saturday Night Live” star Sasheer Zamata. From sports stars to country idols, these icons are paving the way for LGBTQ visibility in underrepresented entertainment spaces.

#5: Defying box office charts: Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” is ‘Popular’ with audiences, to say the least.

Roughly one week into its box office run, it became the biggest-grossing movie based on a Broadway musical in North America. It beat previous smashes like “Grease” and “Mamma Mia!” Beyond providing audiences with a faithful yet unique adaptation of the popular book and play, it also gave us numerous viral interviews between its two leading ladies, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, as well as a plethora of fan cams gushing over out actor Jonathan Bailey.

Your move, “Wicked: Part Two.”

#4: Emmys and Grammys and Tonys, oh my!: It was a historic year for queer representation at the biggest nights in entertainment. Jodie Foster collected her first Emmy for her role in “True Detective: Night Country,” while Jonathan Groff accepted his first Tony for his role in “Merrily We Roll Along.”

The Grammys were huge for women and queer artists, recognizing performers like Billie Eilish, SZA, Miley Cyrus, and Victoria Monet. It was a much different story than in 2018, when Grammy organizers responded to a lack of female recognition by telling women to “step up.” 

#3: Misinformation fuels hate at Olympics: Olympic boxer Imane Khelif was the center of right-wing rage during this summer’s Paris games after many prominent celebrities and personalities said she is transgender. Khelif has differences of sex development (DSD), which is a group of rare conditions that causes one’s sex development to differ from most others. Women with DSD can have both an X and Y chromosome, which is typically only found in men, but it doesn’t make one transgender or intersex.

The facts didn’t matter to public figures like J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk, who were mentioned in a cyber harassment lawsuit after spreading misinformation online about Khelif’s identity. Rowling labeled Khelif a “male” on X, while others called for Khelif to be banned from competing. This outcry over false claims about her identity overshadowed her gold medal win.

#2: The rise, not fall, of a Midwest princess: It was a stellar year for women and queer performers, headlined by Chappell Roan’s rapid ascension to fame. The singer drew global recognition with notable hits like “HOT TO GO!” and “Good Luck, Babe!”. 

More importantly, as a member of the community herself, fame never got in the way of her pro-LGBTQ messaging. She dedicated her Best New Artist VMA win to the “queer youth in the Midwest.” Roan, who’s from Missouri, also used her platform to support the art of drag. She enlisted local drag queens to open her shows this year, and gained instant approval when paraphrasing Sasha Colby’s famous saying: “I’m your favorite drag queen’s favorite drag queen.”

#1 Ryan Murphy strikes controversial gold again: The ethical implications of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” were hotly debated when it debuted on Netflix in September.

Some loved the show’s aesthetic and its gripping portrayal of the two brothers who killed their parents in 1989. Others criticized it for its flimsy factual representation and glorification of murder through its two overly attractive leads. Whatever your opinion, there’s no denying the show’s impact, which sparked a national debate over releasing the brothers from prison early. With LA electing a new district attorney in November, the push for an early release remains in the headlines and a strong possibility.

Regardless of your opinion of the show, there’s no denying the cultural impact it sparked. Out creator Ryan Murphy isn’t new to producing shows that divide people while generating ratings. The first installment of the “Monster” anthology, centered on Jeffrey Dahmer, was a huge hit despite facing intense scrutiny for similar creative decisions.

It’s been a rough year for many, and yet it is so important to find things to be grateful for. Hopefully, you and your LGBTQ loved ones have enjoyed the plethora of presents being offered throughout this festive season. 

But if you’re stumped on what to buy, here’s our list of thoughtful gifts for him, her, and them. And with such a stressful world, always remember that gift giving doesn’t need to be reserved for holidays and birthdays — you can acknowledge your friend, family member, coworker or romantic partner at any time of the year.

Gender Fluid/He/She/They

Virtue is an intimates brand with a mission: create garments for anyone and everyone. Founded and designed by sustainable fashion designer Yotam Solomon, the brand fosters a diverse, sex-positive community of individuals. It’s no wonder the company has been nominated for Best Lingerie/Apparel Line for 2025– they make the first genderless jockstrap. Kristen Stewart was photographed earlier this year for the Rolling Stone cover, wearing the athleisure brand.

Virtue creates its products with what it calls a “True Unisex Fit,” meaning “sex is irrelevant when it comes to fit.” The Strap Briefs, for example, are sold both with and without a pouch. Sizes currently run from XXS to 4X, with the intention of introducing a wider range in the future.

Maurice Gattis is an outstanding LGBQT designer who has created gorgeous looks for men and women. He just launched his new line–FortMose1738, named for the first black community in the USA in St Augustine, Florida.  The collection is made in Ghana from Kente and 100% cotton in a bold array of colors and patterns. The concept shines a light on Africa’s textile artisans. He goes to South Africa to work with homeless young people ostracized for their choice to be LGBTQ and is considered a leader in bringing awareness of the socio-economic factors driving LGBTQ homelessness. Prices start at $50 for a Kente clutch – up to $650 for a Kente suit, cotton dresses are in the $200 range and shirts for men start under $100. 

Revive is a female owned and operated jewelry brand based in Southern California that is all about giving back. Their creator/designer, Nikki, offers some wonderful collections, each of which helps support a different cause. Revive is the only brand out there that incorporates cellular images into the creation of their stones, making them not only beautiful, but truly unique and impactful too.

Self Care

For the person who wants to take extra good care of themselves, check out More Longevity & Wellbeing, the lesbian-owned mushroom superfood blends/capsules company. Lower stress, elevate mood, and boost energy. Refresh. Restore. This blend was created to help your body adapt to life’s challenges with ingredients that calm the nerves and support relaxation. Mix a scoop in hot water to kick start your day! I love the mocha and banana coconut flavors!

Let’s face it, somehow we have to get through the next four years. For your favorite Democrats, how about the gift of cannabis to ease their discomfort?! Golden State is California’s #1 premium cannabis brand, known as the crème of the crop for luxury flower and pre-rolls. Minority-owned and the first carbon neutral certified cannabis brand, the below sets are perfect gifts for anyone – from the “canna-ser” to the “cannaicrious!”

Curated Cannabis Set – A unique set curated by A Golden State’s Head Cultivator himself, the set includes three delectable eighths that are consumer favorites. $145.00

• MOUNTAIN SHADOWS — a boldly nostalgic and terpene-heavy hybrid.

• ALPINE SUNRISE — the perfect sativa for any occasion.

•EMPANADAS DIEZ — the latest indica, first featured and revered at the 2023 California Zalympix Competition.

Connoisseur’s Choice SOIRÉE Set – The perfect set for sharing or unwinding solo, customers can select their two eighth strains and preferred mini pre-roll pack from A Golden State’s line of products. $118.00

For The Smoothest Skin

Sara and Ben Jensen are the founders of Hugh & Grace, a brand of hormone-supportive skin, health, and home care products that help men and women lead healthier lives and be aware of hormone disruptors that can impact physical health and infertility. They experienced unexplained infertility for 14 years before having two babies via surrogacy. Check out their body oil–great for after shaving and to remove makeup!

Burke Williams Skincare, renowned for its commitment to delivering top-tier, spa-quality products, is unveiling H2V—a pioneering line that promises to redefine how we approach hydration and skin vitality. The H2V collection is a meticulously crafted solution that integrates advanced hydration technology with the brand’s signature rejuvenating ingredients. burkewilliams.com

Auro Wellness

Auro Wellness is a cutting-edge LA-based wellness brand that combines revolutionary ingredients, advanced patented sub-nano absorption technology, and a straightforward system for healthy living – all crafted from the heart. Their star product is their Glutaryl Spray that optimizes antioxidant absorption and efficacy and delivers Glutathione to the body more potently than ever before. It aids in detoxifying the body of existing free radicals and improving one’s health in both the short-term and the long-term. aurowellness.com

Oxygenetix

Oxygenetix is a breakthrough foundation to cover, help heal and minimize – even eliminate – procedural scars.  Designed for doctors, Breathable foundation covers and treats a wide variety of skin problems: skin injuries, wounds, rashes, cracked, dry skin, acne scars, rosacea and other skin conditions. On post-surgical scars, patients are re-assured and impressed that after care includes safely camouflaging any evidence of surgery. oxygenetix.com

SISH Beauty

SISH Beauty is not just another skincare brand; it’s a philosophy. Their mission is to pare away the noise and focus on what truly matters in skincare—effectiveness, mindfulness, and intentionality. The SISH Beauty Team understands that in the cluttered landscape of beauty products, simplicity and purpose are not just desirable but essential.The SISH Beauty In-Shower Facial Treatment is designed with your well-being in mind, incorporating sustainable practices. The SISH Beauty team strives to create a positive impact on both your skin and the environment, promoting a holistic sense of beauty and wellness. sishbeauty.com

For the One Who Loves Super Heroes

Filmland Spirits was born from an enthusiasm for whiskey, a passion for movies and a dedication to storytelling. They believes that every whiskey has a story, and every story deserves a whiskey. The result is a wildly creative pairing of an original retro B-Movie concept – complete with monsters, robot sand over-the-top plots – with a delicious and unique whiskey – each of which has already won a Gold Medal or higher. Even the bottles tell part of the story as they are custom-designed to reflect movie houses of the 1950s and feature movie posters as labels. 

Their latest release — just in time for holidays is QUADRAFORCE, a blend of four straight bourbons, from four different states, each aged a minimum of four years. QUADRAFORCE tells the story of a parallel universe which exists during WWII. The forces of evil are winning, and following an atomic test gone bad, 4 average Americans emerge as heroes — each with superpowers. Can this fearsome foursome join together to defeat evil? Only time will tell. Watch the trailer here.

Great Books/Films to Inspire

If you’re looking for an LGBTQ holiday film worthy of a second cup of cocoa, Tello Films has the most lesbian holiday films available anywhere and truly knows how to make the season gay. Premiering this year is The Holiday Club (available now/subscription not required).

Romance proves elusive for a lonely, holiday-hating newcomer to a small, Ohio town in this dramedy written and directed by Alexandra Swarens (Looking for Her, Spring, City of Trees, LA Web Series), who also co-stars with Mak Shealy (Chronicle of a Serial Killer, Sarah Q). 

Rent more yuletide fun from Tello in a special movie seven-pack for just $12.99 (30 days) that includes, in addition to A Holiday I Do, the acclaimed LGBTQ+ Tello holiday romcoms Christmas at the Ranch, Merry & Gay, I Hate New Year’s and Season of Love and two other holiday films from Swarens, City of Trees and Looking for Her.

Fuel your wanderlust with Lisa Niver’s inspiring travel memoir Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. This award-winning book takes readers on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery, resilience, and adventure. Whether you’re lgbtq friends are dreaming of their next destination or need a nudge to embrace the unknown, Brave-ish is the perfect companion to ignite their travel dreams.

For those ready to turn their passion for travel into a creative pursuit, Lisa’s Udemy course, Travel Writer 101, is a great gift suggestion. Learn how to capture your adventures and share them with the world from a seasoned expert who has visited over 100 countries and built a successful career as a travel writer and TV host. Discover more of Lisa’s adventures on WeSaidGoTravel.com, catch her podcast Make Your Own Map, and follow her on social media @LisaNiver.

Whether it’s “Hocus Pocus” or “Sabrina” or “Agatha All Along,” gay men have always had an affinity for witches, and comedian Tim Murray’s one-man show “Witches” dissects our love of powerful female outcasts while telling his own hilarious stories about growing up gay in the Midwest.

“Witches,” which Murray describes as part stand-up, part drag, part musical comedy, debuted at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it got rave reviews, and now Murray’s taking it on his biggest tour yet, with 26 dates across the United States, Canada, and the UK. The show plays at Los Angeles’ Elysian Theatre Oct. 15 and Washington, D.C.’s Comedy Loft Oct. 24.

“I think there’s something special about all queer people that just feels like we are not part of the norm,” Murray says. “I was like literally the only boy in my whole junior high school who wasn’t on the football team. So, we look for the stuff that we think is unique and special on the outside, and usually those are villains in movies or TV shows. Or witches.” 

Murray says there are close parallels between the gay experience and the classical presentation of witches who have to hide their supernatural nature or withdraw from society.

“They need to hide, and actually that thing they think they need to hide is what makes them special. And they figure that out when they find their other witches, their coven,” he says. 

“But I think in an even simpler way, we love women. We love women with long hair and fierce nails. Gay men are so attracted to powerful women because they saved us growing up. You know, the girls on the playground who would like play with us when we didn’t want to do the ‘masc’ stuff.”

Murray grew up in Sandusky, Ohio, where he says, “It felt like being gay was like the worst thing you could be.”

“I love Sandusky. It was an amazing place to grow up and it’s an amazing place to live. I love going back there. The community is so supportive of me. But growing up in a small town in the Midwest in the 90s was, for a gay person, like what you’d think it would be like. I didn’t know any gay people.”

“I definitely learned how to code-switch and try to pass as straight, which is kind of a big theme of the show. You want to hide what makes you special and hide your powers because people don’t understand it. That is something I’ve had to unlearn and honestly doing this show helps me heal from that.” 

But code-switching and passing aren’t Murray’s only gay superpowers.

“There’s a whole universe that we get to unlock with our gay friends. Our sexuality is different than it is in straight culture,” Murray says. “We do kind of have this extra power. We have like a pop culture knowledge that most straight people don’t have. And I think there’s like a resilience factor that you get. There’s a way to relate to other gay people that is like a communal coven that not everybody gets.

“I used to think, ‘Oh God, I would give anything to not be this way,’ as a kid. Like I would give anything to not be gay. But now I really do feel like there’s a whole cavalcade of things I can do and talk about as a stand-up comedian because I’m gay.”

His gay coven has come in handy as Murray has taken off on his rocket ride to success over the past couple of years. Aside from witches, he’s co-headlined a comedy tour with YouTube sensation Michael Henry, appeared on the HBO comedy The Other Two, racked up hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, and next year, he’ll be starring in a new queer sketch comedy TV show with Henry and produced by Trixie Mattel called Wish You Were Queer.

“I lived in New York for a long time, and I cut my teeth well there, but there’s always kind of a bit of a part of me that has this idea myself as, you know, a theater artist… and through hanging out with other successful people and through therapy I just have really gotten over my block around that and just been like, ‘okay, just keep putting stuff out there until it touches fire.’” 

“When Michael Henry and I first started doing our stand up together, I did have this like imposter syndrome, and then I just started to really lean in. If a video did well, I would just use that same format and just try to write new jokes for it.

 “Like it’s okay to have a brand. It’s okay to have this like Los Angeles marketing side of your brain and of your career work like use what’s working. Don’t fight it.”

As he brings Witches across the country, Murray says he’s discovering that now he’s become thee powerful witch that queer audiences are craving.

“People are very much like, ‘Thank you so much for coming here. We don’t get this kind of thing that often,’ which is so cool. You know, it’s awesome to go to a city like Denver or Vancouver or Louisville. It just feels really special to see these queer people and these towns.”

“The people who really love with witches just feel so attached to it, which is amazing. In Chicago, a girl made buttons with my face on them and handed them out to everyone in the audience. The response has been crazy.”

“Witches” plays at the Elysian Theatre in Los Angeles Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Witches also plays at the Comedy Loft in Washington, D.C. Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. 

In 2017, Jon Paul was suicidal. In nearly every place Paul encountered, there were signs that consistently reminded the transgender community that their presence in America by the far right is unwelcomed.

Former President Donald Trump’s anti-trans rhetoric is “partly” responsible for Paul’s suicidal contemplation. 

“I’m driving out of work, and I’m seeing all of these Trump flags that are telling me that I could potentially lose my life over just being me and wanting to be who I am,” Paul said. “So, were they explicitly the issue? No, but did they add to it? I highly would say yes.”

During Trump’s time as president, he often disapproved of those who identified as transgender in America; the former president imposed a ban on transgender individuals who wanted to join the U.S. military.

“If the world keeps telling me that I don’t have a reason for me to be here and the world is going to keep shaming me for being here. Then why live?” Paul added. 

The rhetoric hasn’t slowed and has been a messaging tool Trump uses to galvanize his base by saying that Democrats like Vice President Kamala Harris “want to do transgender operations on illegal aliens that are in prison.” Trump made that claim at the presidential debate against Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.  

Not only do Trump’s actions hurt Paul, but they also affect 17-year-old Jacie Michelleé, a transgender person at Friendly Senior High School.

“When former President Donald J. Trump speaks on transgender [individuals] in a negative light, it saddens my heart and makes me wonder what he thinks his personal gain is from making these comments will be,” Michelleé said.

“When these comments are made toward trans immigrants or the transgender community, it baffles me because it shows me that the times are changing and not for the better,” Michelleé added. 

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation responded to Trump’s rhetoric that opposes the transgender community and how it affects democracy through programming at its Annual Legislative Conference in Washington.

“Our agendas are not set by what other groups are saying we should or shouldn’t do. It is set by our communities and what we know the needs and the most pressing needs are for the Black community, and we know that our global LGBTQAI+ communities have needs; they are a part of our community,” said Nicole Austin-Hillery, president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

One pressing need is suicide prevention, which the National Institute of Health deems necessary, as 82% of transgender individuals have reported having suicidal thoughts, while 40% have attempted suicide. This research applies to individuals like Paul, who reported contemplating suicide.

But instead of choosing to self-harm, Paul met Latrice Royale, a fourth-season contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” who was awarded the title of Miss Congeniality while on the show. Paul said that meeting brought meaning when there was barely any left.

“It was like I met them at a time where I really, truly, not only needed to see them, but I needed to be able to actively know ‘girl’ you can live and you can have a really a good life, right? And Latrice was that for me,” Paul said.

Though Trump is representative of a lot of movements that are clashing with society, the Democratic Party is actively pushing back against anti-transgender movements and says there is “still much work to be done.”

Not only did Royale model success for Paul, but they also share the same appearance. Paul proudly identifies as “fat” and uses this descriptor as a political vehicle to empower others in the book “Black Fat Femme, Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices in the Media and Learning to Love Yourself.”

“My book, my work as a Black, fat femme, is inherently political. I say this at the very front of my book,” Paul said. “All three of those monikers are all three things in this world that the world hates and is working overtime to get rid of.”

“They’re trying to kill me as a Black person; they’re trying to get rid of me as a fat person. They are trying to get rid of me as a queer person,” Paul added.

Besides Paul’s political statements, the book’s mission is to give those without resources a blueprint to make it across the finish line.

“I want them to look at all the stories that I share in this and be able to say, ‘wow,’ not only do I see myself, but now I have a roadmap and how I can navigate all of these things that life throws at me that I never had, and I think that’s why I was so passionate about selling and writing the book,” Paul said.

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Jussie Smollett, the actor and musician who was convicted of lying to the police about being the victim of a homophobic and racist hate crime that he staged in 2019, attended a screening of his latest film “The Lost Holliday” in a packed auditorium of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Aug. 28. 

In an interview with the Blade that took place before the screening, he continued to assert his innocence and responded to concerns within the LGBTQ community that his case has discouraged real victims from reporting hate crimes. 

The former “Empire” star wrote, produced, and directed “The Lost Holliday,” his second feature film to direct following 2021’s “B-Boy Blues.” Produced through Smollett’s company, SuperMassive Movies, he stars in the film alongside Vivica A. Fox, who also served as a producer and attended the library screening with other cast members.

In the film, Smollett plays Jason Holliday, a man grappling with the sudden death of his husband Damien (Jabari Redd). Things are complicated when Damien’s estranged mother, Cassandra Marshall (Fox), arrives in Los Angeles from Detroit for the funeral, unaware of Damien’s marriage to Jason or of their adopted daughter. Initially, Jason and Cassandra clash — Cassandra’s subtle homophobia and Jason’s lingering resentment over her treatment of Damien fuel their tension –– but they begin to bond as they navigate their grief together. 

Smollett, Fox, Redd, and Brittany S. Hall, who plays Jason’s sister Cheyenne, discussed the film in an interview with the Washington Blade. Highlighting the wide representation of queer identities in the film and among the cast, they stressed that the story is fundamentally about family and love.

“What we really want people to get from this movie is love,” Smollett said. “It’s beneficial for people to see other people that are not like themselves, living the life that they can identify with. Because somehow, what it does is that it opens up the world a little bit.”

Smollett drew from personal experiences with familial estrangement and grief during the making of the film, which delves into themes of parenthood, reconciliation, and the complexities of family relationships.

“I grew up with a father who was not necessarily the most accepting of gay people, and I grew up with a mother who was rather the opposite. I had a safe space in my home to go to, but I also had a not-so-safe space in my home, which was my father,” he said.

“The moment that he actually heard the words that his son was gay, as disconnected and estranged as we were, he instantly changed. He called me, after not speaking to him for years, and apologized for how difficult it must have been all of those years of me growing up. And then a couple years later, he passed away.”

Smollett began working on “The Lost Holliday” eight years ago, with Fox in mind for the role of Cassandra from the outset. He said that he had started collaborating on the project with one of the biggest producers in Hollywood when “‘2019’ happened.”

In January 2019, Smollett told Chicago police that he had been physically attacked in a homophobic and racist hate crime. He initially received an outpouring of support, in particular from the LGBTQ and Black communities. However, police soon charged him with filing a false police report, alleging that he had staged the attack. 

After prosecutors controversially dismissed the initial charges in exchange for community service and the forfeiture of his $10,000 bond, Smollett was recharged with the same offenses in 2020. Meanwhile, his character in “Empire” was written out of the show. 

In 2021, a Cook County jury found him guilty on five of the six charges of disorderly conduct for lying to police, and he was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation, along with a $120,000 restitution payment to the city of Chicago for the overtime costs incurred by police investigating his initial hate crime claim.

LGBTQ people are nine times more likely than non-LGBTQ people to be victims of violent hate crimes, according to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Upon Smollett’s conviction, some in the LGBTQ community felt that the case would discredit victims of hate crimes and make it more difficult to report future such crimes. 

Smollett seemed to acknowledge these concerns, but denied that he staged the attack. 

“I know what happened and soon you all will too,” he told the Blade. “If someone reported a crime and it wasn’t the truth, that would actually make it more difficult [to report future crimes], but I didn’t. Any belief that they have about the person that I’ve been played out to be, sure, but that person is not me, never has been,” he said. “So I stand with my community. I love my community and I protect and defend my community until I’m bloody in my fist.” 

“And for all the people who, in fact, have been assaulted or attacked and then have been lied upon and made it to seem like they made it up, I’m sorry that you have to constantly prove your trauma, and I wish that it wasn’t that way, and I completely identify with you,” he added.

An Illinois Appellate Court upheld his guilty verdict last year, but Smollett has since appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which in March agreed to hear the case. He has served six days in jail so far, as his sentence has been put on hold pending the results of his appeals. 

The screening at the MLK Jr. Library concluded with a conversation between Smollett, Fox, and David J. Johns, CEO and executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. Smollett discussed his current mindset and his plans for the future, revealing he is working on a third movie and will be releasing new music soon. 

“I’m in a space where life is being kind,” he said. 

“The Lost Holliday” recently secured a distribution deal for a limited release with AMC Theatres and will be out in theaters on Sept. 27. 

As summer winds down and back-to-school season approaches, families are gearing up for the annual shopping spree that brings fresh notebooks and sharpened pencils. However, this excitement can be overshadowed by realities of our current economy, including rising costs and inflation, impacting budgets that make essential items more difficult to afford. 

According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics, the second-highest amount in the survey’s history. For Los Angeles families, specifically, tighter budgets and cuts among school systems may equate to fewer school-supplied tools and further add to the back-to-school shopping list, putting a significant strain on family budgets.  

Here are some tips to help families manage back-to-school costs effectively:

Create a budget and stick to it. Whether your child is headed to elementary or high school, having a plan and prioritizing the essential items is a crucial first step in the back-to-school process. Determine how much you have to spend and then categorize the items on your list. For instance, focus on the necessary academic supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils and backpacks, then consider secondary items like clothes, shoes and technology. If there is excess money, you can add fun items like stickers, fancy colored pens, or the latest and greatest electronics. For high school students, look into the school’s laptop or technology program. Working with a financial adviser can help you create a comprehensive budget that covers not only back-to-school necessities but also supports effective financial planning throughout the year. They can provide insights on cost-cutting, how to make the most of your resources and identify areas where you can save, leading to a more efficient and stress-free shopping experience.  It’s important to create strategies that last all year long, as there are always going to be surprises out of our control, including rising prices. 

Include your children in the planning. It’s never too early to discuss finances with your children. Involving them in the budgeting process can be a valuable, educational experience, as it not only teaches them about financial planning but also helps them understand the value of money. This is also a great opportunity to discuss needs versus wants and encourage them to prioritize their needs and to understand the concept of trade-offs. For example, they might have to choose between getting a new backpack or lunchbox and reuse the one they already have from last year. These small decisions can add up and have a big impact on the overall family budget.

Take an inventory check. Before heading to the store, take stock of what you already have. Go through last year’s supplies to see what can be reused – any leftover pencils, folders, etc. Items like backpacks, binders and even clothing may still be in good condition. This simple step can significantly reduce the number of new items you need to purchase, saving money and reducing waste. 

Shop strategically. Look for discounts and sales that can help stretch your budget further, such as:

Cast a broad net when you’re seeking discounts. Utilize websites, apps and browser extensions that offer coupons or cash back.

Take advantage of back-to-school sales. Plan your shopping around these dates to maximize your budget. Waiting until the last minute typically means you pay full price.

Look for generic or less expensive brands of supplies.

Buy school supplies in bulk with items used frequently like notebooks and pens. 

Search for local community organizations and libraries for back-to-school supply drives.

Prepare for unexpected expenses. It’s crucial to plan for unexpected expenses that can arise throughout the school year. These might include costs for school trips, extracurricular activities or last-minute supplies, such as project materials or replacement items. Setting aside a small emergency fund dedicated to these unforeseen expenses can go a long way and teaches your children a valuable lesson in financial preparedness.

Thinking Beyond the School Year: Allocating Funds for Future Education

Saving money allows you to ultimately invest that money into your future objectives or long-term strategies. While the goal here is to manage costs of supplies that will last the duration of your student’s calendar school year, by employing strategies to save money on that shopping, you can allocate more funds toward long-term education savings plans, such as a 529 account. These savings can significantly impact your child’s future educational opportunities. Working with a financial adviser can help you create and manage these savings plans effectively.

Nikki Macdonald, CFP, is a financial adviser at Northwestern Mutual.

(StatePoint) — The excitement of a new school year unfolds each year when families flood the superstore aisles to buy classroom supplies, tape after-school schedules on the fridge and organize carpools with friends.

Common to each family is a desire for children to remain healthy, active, and ready to learn.

To prepare children and teens to be at their best – physically, mentally, socially and emotionally – the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends regular visits with the pediatrician, as well as immunizations that help keep all family members healthy. Recent outbreaks of measles, a highly contagious disease, have shown how quickly some infectious diseases can spread within a community.

“The best way to strengthen a child’s immune system and keep them healthy is by getting them vaccinated,” said pediatrician, Dr. David M. Higgins. “An illness like measles can keep children home and away from school and activities for days. Immunizations allow children to enjoy learning, playing and getting together with friends and family.”

As of June 13, 2024, a total of 151 U.S. measles cases were reported this year-to-date in 21 different states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These recent measles outbreaks have affected unvaccinated people. Choosing to not vaccinate your children not only leaves them susceptible to measles, but also exposes other children to this potentially serious disease. This includes infants who are too young to be vaccinated and those who are unable to be vaccinated due to other health conditions.

“Everyone in our community deserves to be healthy, and part of being healthy means getting immunized for all illnesses, including influenza and COVID-19 and, if eligible, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It benefits all of us if every child in our community is vaccinated, because it means that all of us are more likely to be healthy,” says Dr. Higgins.

Families can also stop the spread of infection by encouraging hand washing with children throughout the day. Help or remind them to wash their hands:

• Before eating (including snacks)

• After a trip to the bathroom

• Whenever they come in from playing outdoors

• After touching an animal, like a family pet

• After sneezing or coughing if they cover their mouth

• When someone in the household is ill

The AAP calls for the immunization of all children and adolescents according to its policy, Recommended Immunization Schedules for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger, United States. More information can be found at healthychildren.org.

“Your pediatrician can answer any questions about recommended vaccines and when your child needs them,” Dr. Higgins said. “There is a schedule for their recommended timing because that is when research has shown they are most effective during a child’s development.”