Arts & Entertainment
Best of LGBT LA 2019
Your picks for the city’s best in nightlife, food, activism and more
Readers of the Los Angeles Blade began nominating their picks for our 2nd annual Best Of LGBT LA awards in early fall. And after more than 15,000 votes over 40 categories, we can finally reveal the winners, some incredible choices and very special people among them.
The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to salute them and wants to give special thanks for Sean Loeffel of Spoonfed LA and Bar Joe for hosting our winners and helping make our Best Of LGBT LA Awards truly a magnificent honor.
BEST DRAG QUEEN
Shangela (Courtesy of Shangela)
The only contestant to compete on three separate seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Los Angeles Blade fan favorite Shangela is eternally enshrined in global pop culture amber, as creator of the versatile interjection, “Halleloo.” In music video and solo stage performance, Shangela continues to impress, and is still earning new fans, for her work alongside Lady Gaga, in “A Star Is Born.” Although her name was unjustly absent from the Best Supporting Actress nods during this week’s Academy Award nominations, it’s comforting to note that Shangela has further cemented her status as an eternal All-Star, by slaying her peers and emerging as the winner in this fiercely competitive category.
Jackie Beat (Photo courtesy of Jackie Beat)
Being the target of an acidic quip from Jackie Beat is like getting a hickey from Kenickie — it leaves a shameful mark, but can also be worn as a badge of honor. Tell that to our Best Drag Queen winner, Shangela, of whom Beat remarked, “The only thing better than actually winning this award is being named Runner-Up to someone half my age, who is most famous for popping out of a box and yelling, ‘Halleloo!’ What a fucking honor. Just kidding! I love you, Shangela… CONDRAGULATIONS!” When not insulting winners, Beat can be found on stage, in “Golden Girlz Live!” and touring with Sherry Vine, in their “Battle of the Bitches” show.
BEST REAL ESTATE FIRM (Tie)
(Photo courtesy of The Collective Realty)
This hip, 100 percent LGBT-owned boutique real estate firm hosts charity events through the year, whose past beneficiaries have included The Trevor Project. At their West Hollywood and Silver Lake/Echo park offices, buyer and seller expectations are exceeded by a team of fierce negotiators, representing everything from estates to condos. Owner Anthony Vulin assures that all of his mortgage brokers and appraisers are vetted as LGBT friendly, so you can invite them into your home with confidence. The Collective Realty also advocates for LGBT home ownership and nondiscrimination, by lobbying statewide, and in D.C.
(Photo courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Winner: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Taking you through the home buying or selling experience, and being by your side during life’s greatest moments: That’s the mission and the reward, of those who work at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. “As Realtors, we have the obligation to be culturally competent, to understand the needs of our clients, and to guide them toward wise decisions in their real estate choices,” says president and CEO Mary Lee Blaylock, who also notes, “Working with the LGBT community is a privilege. Our sales associates take pride in their ability to represent the interests of their clients, and to help them navigate the diverse array of communities throughout the Southern California area. We are grateful to have earned your readers’ trust and it is our pleasure to continue to serve all.”
BEST MUSEUM OR ART GALLERY
Modern design, beautiful gardens, open spaces, and spectacular views of Los Angeles make Getty Museum a cherished institution. (Image from Getty Museum website)
Winner: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Cultivating a curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts is the J. Paul Getty Museum’s mission, one achieved by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of outstanding quality and historical importance. The Museum is also continually producing exhibitions, publications, scholarly research, public education, and programming in the visual arts. These elements are enhanced by the uniquely evocative architectural and garden settings at the Getty Villa in Malibu, and the Getty Center in Los Angeles, which houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts and photography.
Since 1965, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography, mirroring Los Angeles’s rich cultural heritage and uniquely diverse population. Today, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of more than 135,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of art history, from new and unexpected points of view.
BEST FITNESS OR WORKOUT SPOT
(Photo courtesy of Equinox West Hollywood)
Winner: Equinox West Hollywood
With a design reminiscent of classic local nightclubs of the 1950s and ’60s, high energy meets high drama, at this 35,000-square-foot fitness club. Offering a full complement of classes, trainers, equipment, and amenities that facilitate high-performance living, the iconic West Hollywood location features one of the largest and most luxurious spas Equinox has to offer, along with a Kids’ Club, and rooftop sundeck. “If it’s not fitness,” they say, “It’s not life.”
(Photo courtesy of Barry’s Bootcamp)
Known for a workout that’s military-level tough, but administered by instructors more likely to inspire cries of victory than tears of regret, Barry’s is a true local success story. Founded in West Hollywood in 1998, its strength and cardio interval fitness experience provides an immersive, high-intensity, one-hour workout that’s fun and effective.
BEST GROCERY STORE
Trader Joe’s (Photo courtesy of Trader Joe’s)
Fast service and friendly faces at the checkout make those long lines at Trader Joe’s well worth the wait — but it’s the tempting free samples and addictive signature products that explain the chain’s loyal following. As for their win in this category, certain elements of the Los Angeles Blade staff wholeheartedly agree with our readers, having succumbed on many occasions to the sweet siren call of those Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut Laceys Cookies. Not a cookie person? They’ve got a cake or a pie for that.
(Photo courtesty of Gelson’s Market)
Our readers’ love for Gelson’s is real, although it’s worth noting that Martin Sheen, as fictional character Robert, gives a shout out to the superiority of their rotisserie chicken, in the latest season of “Grace and Frankie.” Granted, he shops in San Diego — but whether it’s the meat, seafood, wine, or deli selections, consistency is a hallmark of this national chain. So, Los Angeles, the compliment applies.
BEST LGBT SPORTS LEAGUE
(Photo courtesy of Gay Varsity League)
California’s largest LGBT Recreational Sports league welcomes and unites all, regardless of sexuality, gender identity or athletic ability. There are no try-outs, and attendance at practices, although certainly encouraged, is not mandatory. Even the dress code is casual. Yes, you’ll look good in VGL Apparel, but rocking your favorite comfortable clothes is not a scandal. Just dress to express, park your offensive language on the sidelines, and leave the nudity where it belongs: at home, or in the lobby of your very liberal workplace. Finally, a sports league that not only gets you moving, it totally gets you!
Members of WeHo Dodgeball. (Photo courtesy of WeHo Dodgeball)
Take your gym class trauma and consign it to history. From prom queens to drag queens, you never know who will be on the business end of those soft rubber “no sting” balls that are the humane hallmark of WeHo Dodgeball. Their membership, which numbers in the thousands, is united by a desire to make elimination-based competition fun, party down at GYM Sportsbar after each match-up, and participate in fundraising efforts that benefit local charities.
MOST LGBT-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE
Winner: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS Healthcare Foundation was started 31 years ago by a handful of friends, who sought to provide AIDS hospice care to predominantly gay men who were being shunned by their employers, landlords, and families. Today, AHF is a $1.5 billion organization serving more than 1 million, 60 thousand patients in 43 countries. “A respect for diversity has been embedded in our DNA since our inception,” says Senior Director of Communications Ged Kenslea, “and that’s reflective in the number of affinity groups we work with, including Impulse United, LOUD, BLACC, FLUX, In The Meantime Men’s Group, and SPARK. In our overseas clinics, we do not import doctors or staff from the U.S. We hire local professionals to manage our sites and facilities, and to treat our patients. So both inside AHF and in our external relations, we listen to, and participate in, the diversity of conversations and life experiences.”
(Photo courtesy of City of West Hollywood)
Runner-Up: City of West Hollywood
BEST HAIR SALON
(Photo courtesy of Shorty’s Barber Shop)
Founded by Chris Bair in 1999, with only four chairs, Shorty’s Barber Shop now boasts 26, along with a staff whose diversity mirrors that of the community they love. “When you walk in,” Bair notes, “there’s always somebody you can connect with, who will make you feel comfortable.” And when you walk out with some merch (the styling putty and soy paste are customer favorites), you can feel good about that, too. All of their products are ethically created, and never tested on animals. Besides the perfect cut, Shorty’s also puts a premium on giving back, by working with the likes of Concrete Hero, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
(Photo courtesy of Chaz Dean Studio)
Chaz Dean Studio prides itself on capturing the essence of its clients, by helping them create a look that feels authentic, yet also reveals a side of them that they have never seen. The stylists, all experts at cut and color, are able to achieve your goal without heat or chemical damage. Best of all, the look you walk out the door with will be easily maintained at home.
BEST DANCE PARTY
Winner: Salvation Saturdays at The Abbey
Whether you’re at The Abbey for a liquid pick-me-up, going there to pick somebody up, or just getting picked up (it’s a massively popular Uber and Lyft drop-off/pick-up point), Salvation Saturdays is a must, for anyone cruising their way through Boystown. Dance floor bottle service, go-go dancers who identify as male, female, or somewhere in-between, and beat-keepers hand-picked by resident DJ Dawna Montell whip the welcoming crowd into a fabulous frenzy. A team dedicated to maintaining the multimillion-dollar lighting and sound system make sure the gyrating guest next to you isn’t the only source of quality stimulation.
(Photo courtesy of DTLA Proud)
DTLA Proud’s mission is to strengthen and empower the local LGBTQ and ally community in Downtown Los Angeles through visibility, volunteerism, partnerships and events — and what better way to be visible than by getting your groove on, at the festival’s popular pop-up water park? Nightlife promoters were part of the team that founded DTLA Proud, and have worked hard to ensure their DJs are drawn from a diverse lineup of musical styles and identity spectrums.
BEST BARTENDER
Tyler Booth (Photo courtesy of Booth)
Winner: Tyler Booth
There’s nothing down low about the moves Tyler Booth busts, when he two-steps from behind the bar to entertain the crowd, in full-on “do-si-do” mode. Self-described, and confirmed by our voters, as “an awesome dude,” Booth is an actor whose charm and skills are definitely not the stuff of some fictional role. Buoyed by Flaming Saddles owners Chris Barnes and Jacqui Squatriglia to up country western’s queer quotient, this buff bartender is a tall drink of water, who knows how to authoritatively snap the cap off a brewsky, or mix a cocktail with tender loving care.
Kimber Bering (Photo courtesy of Bering)
Runner-Up: Kimber Bering
Known for spiking the drinks she serves at The Abbey with words of encouragement that deliver a sense of intoxication all their own, Kimber Bering created some of the menu’s signature cocktails — including, as a tribute to Prince, The Paisley Peach. As local winner of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, she represented LA in 2016, and has gone on to judge that competition. Bering performs around town, and can be found on Spotify, as “Kimber Chronic.”
BEST STRAIGHT ALLY
Ariadne Getty (Photo courtesy of Getty)
Winner: Ariadne Getty
Ariadne Getty has described herself as an “introvert” — but her public work paints a different picture, one of a determined, tireless, and engaged activist working to make a better world for her two gay adult children and LGBTQ youth all over the globe. As President and Executive Director of the Ariadne Getty Foundation, last year she pledged $15 million to launch the GLAAD Media Institute, which brings advocacy trainings to national and international LGBTQ organizations. She also pledged $2 million to help build the LA LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus, which will host more than 100 new beds and apartments for LGBTQ youth and seniors. Earlier this week, she made sure LGBTQ issues were center stage, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an annual meeting of world leaders. The Ariadne Getty Foundation hosted LGBTQ-focused events showcasing global CEOs and LGBTQ activists calling for positive change. She also appeared on several panels, speaking about the urgent need for LGBTQ acceptance. She is a recent addition to the Gay Men’s Chorus of LA board of directors, the recipient of the Los Angeles LGBT Center Vanguard Award, and the namesake of GLAAD’s newly launched Ariadne Getty Ally Award. Getty’s recognition by the Los Angeles Blade as “Best Straight Ally” is proof our readers are anything but reserved, in their appreciation of this introvert’s empowering words and deeds.
Joely Fisher (Photo courtesy of Fisher)
Runner-Up: Joely Fisher
With great comedic timing and a glint in her eye that makes even the most lavender-leaning guy think fondly of the road not taken, LGBTQs, and anyone high up on the human decency spectrum, admire this awesome ally’s longtime labors on behalf of the community, whether through public declarations of support, personal friendships, or the roles she chooses to accept.
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
(Photo courtesy of Revolver Video Bar)
Gay-owned and operated, Revolver Video Bar has been a West Hollywood staple worth stampeding to for more than 30 years — and not just because of the buzz created by their $2 tequila and vodka drinks, 3-9 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively. Karaoke and drag shows cast their spell on customers, while live DJs and go-go dancers turn up the heat on already smoking-hot cruisers and boozers.
(Photo courtesy of Hamburger Mary’s)
There’s no beef to be had with Hamburger Mary’s WeHo, whose generous menu of drag entertainment makes everything between the buns all more fun to gobble up. And you can feel good about losing your shirt at Drag Queen Bingo: Besides basking in the glory of rotating hosts Roxy Wood, Willam, and Calpernia Addams, all proceeds go to charity.
BEST NON-PROFIT
(Photo courtesy of Project Angel Food)
Man cannot live by bread alone — but for those impacted by life-threatening illnesses, the more than 11,000 free meals cooked and delivered every week by Project Angel Food feeds their nutritional needs, while bringing comfort and hope into their homes. In addition to this service, Project Angel Food provides nutritional counseling, to ensure those in Los Angeles County struggling with illness will not be burdened by hunger and malnutrition. “A world where every sick person is fed, nourished, and loved” is their vision, backed by the core values of empathy, integrity, inclusiveness, and joy.
(Photo courtesy of Los Angeles LGBT Center)
Runner-Up: The Los Angeles LGBT Center
Every year, more than half a million people representing the full diversity of the community access their free or low-cost programs, in the areas of Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, and Leadership and Advocacy. Looking fit and feeling fierce at age 50, the Center is steadfast in its mission to fight against bigotry, while building a better world, and is always ready to welcome new guests and volunteers — or have you help spread their message of love, by scoring some sweet swag from their online store.
BEST DJ
DJ Morningstar (Photo courtesy of DJ Morningstar)
You get back what you give, as demonstrated by the winner in our Best DJ category. Describing the vibe at the LGBT clubs he plays as consistently “fun, freeing, energetic, friendly, and loving,” DJ Morningstar (Kian Amiri) says the gay community “essentially saved my life,” by making him feel valued, and supporting the liberal ideology he embraces. Pride events are among DJ Morningstar’s favorite gigs, and a chance to deliver what the people want: “A big, booming, female voice; powerful soul on top of an energetic dance beat.” The gay community, “is always on the right side of history, no matter the cause,” he says, which allows him to be “unapologetically outspoken” without “worrying about repercussions, as you would at straight, corporate clubs.”
DJ Asha (Photo courtesy of DJ Asha)
“I think these are very special places to DJ,” says DJ Asha, of her work at LGBT venues, including Micky’s and Beaches. “People need a safe space, a place,” she noted, “where they can be free to express themselves, make friends, look for love, hook up, or whatever.” The open-format DJ, who hosted LA Pride six times, is not locked down to a specific genre — so you’ll always hear a variety of sounds, within one set, no matter what crowd she’s playing to.
BEST LGBT RED CARPET EVENT
The world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, every year at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles holds a dynamic red carpet that draws some of Hollywood’s most iconic celebrities in support of equality. One reader posted, “it rivals the Golden Globes and it’s held in the same room.” J- Lo, Leo, Taylor, Mary J., Britney, Cher, Madonna, just to drop a few names, have posed and mingled with our community, joining with GLAAD to protect all that has been accomplished and to creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
(Photo courtesy of OUTFEST)
Over the past three decades, OUTFEST has showcased thousands of films from around the world, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected more than 20,000 LGBTQ films and videos. The red carpet rocks with glam poses, celebs and future celebs. OUTFEST has become one of Hollywood’s most important film marketplaces.
BEST ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
(Logo courtesy of Lyft)
We all love a good pick-up app. How about a Lyft? The more politically correct of the two major ride-sharing services, Lyft has 100 percent, 24-hour coverage of Los Angeles and you can be on your way to anywhere in just a few minutes. Just open the app and you’re almost there, whether you need a luxury ride or one to carry the whole gang. Lyft is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars but Los Angeles Blade readers give it 5 stars.
(Logo courtesy of Uber)
Runner-Up: UBER
Uber is everywhere too and when it was first launched it had the feel of a truly luxurious chauffeur service. The shine is still there and many people still prefer it.
BEST PET BUSINESS OR VET
(Photo courtesy of West Hollywood Animal Hospital)
Winner: West Hollywood Animal Hospital
The go-to vet practice of many people in West Hollywood because it offers modern full-service Veterinary services every day. It has a hometown feel; it’s founder Dr. Monica Revel, DVM, was born and raised within one mile of its location and it shows. Pet lovers come from around SOCAL like a return home: “I wouldn’t take Max anywhere else unless it’s an emergency and we live in Laguna where we relocated 4 years ago from Beverly Hills. (9000 N Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
(Photo courtesy of VCA-Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital )
Runner-Up: VCA-Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital
Home to Dr. Mark Nunez, last year’s winner in this category. Full disclosure: Dr. Nunez is the primary care doctor for our publisher’s senior dog, Lilly. “Mark is always fully engaged and he listens without judgment and corrects without scorn,” said one commenter. (8807 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069)
BEST LGBT SOCIAL GROUP (TIE)
Winner: PRIDE RECOVERY LA
Provides addiction treatment for the LGBT community, through LGBT-affirmative therapy, group and individual therapy, and psychiatric care, but it’s their after care and support program that one reader cited as the reason they are a winner: “They are my family,” the reader posted, “I can always go home and know I will be OK.” (8300 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90048)
(Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce)
Winner: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
LAGLCC describes itself as “the premier advocate of the Los Angeles Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender business community, representing hundreds of businesses, advancing common business interests, economic growth, and equality in the workplace and society for its LGBTQ members, businesses, and allies by providing educational, networking, and community building opportunities.” The group’s monthly mixer functions are must-attend features of the local social scene.
(Photo courtesy of AIDS Lifecycle)
Runner-Up: AIDS LIFECYCLE
For many people the fundraising marketing that precedes the 545-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles bike ride is about much more than AIDS; it’s about family and community at its very best. Not only do you get to pedal forward in life, you get to ask people to pay it forward. AIDS Life Cycle represents our community at its very best.
BEST PLACE TO LIVE
There’s just no place like it. What can we say? A lot, actually. The little town of 39,000 residents remains Los Angeles’ hottest destination for the entertainment industry with its boutique hotels, celebrity-owned restaurants, unparalleled nightlife and shopping and world-renowned events like the HBO Emmy Party, Sir Elton John’s Annual Oscar Party, LA PRIDE and the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, the largest Halloween street party in the world. West Hollywood continues to set the standard for progressive, creative individuals on the cutting edge of trends and new ideas, working together as a community in one of the most exciting destinations in the country. And it is home to one of the largest concentrations of LGBT people in the world.
At the other end of the rainbow is Beverly Hills, pot of gold included. It’s an aspirational town for sure and there are more Mazarattis, Rolls Royces and Bentleys sold here than anywhere in the world. It’s quiet, sequestered, manicured and intensely beautiful and the perfect place for wealthy LGBT families. And there are many. It’s where West Hollywood gets its water supply as they are always reminding.
BEST HOTEL
(Photo courtesy of W Hollywood)
Winner: W Hollywood
It seems Los Angeles Blade readers know a thing or two when it comes to family and friends from out of town: they all want to experience Hollywood. It’s perfectly located, giving easy access to Universal, DTLA, Pasadena, all points west. And while you’re family is visiting, you and your friends can visit one of the best pools in town as a bonus. (6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028)
(Photo courtesy of Kimpton La Peer)
Runner-Up: Kimpton La Peer
“Imagine a space where art, music, fashion, poetry, film and architecture intertwine to a cacophony of spatial harmony,” says Icelandic-born, Los Angeles-based cutting edge designer Gulla Jónsdóttir, of the new Kimpton La Peer. Consider it for a weekend staycation for you and your honey. (627 N La Peer Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
BEST DOCTOR/MEDICAL PROVIDER
(Photo courtesy of Cedars Sinai)
Winner: Cedars Sinai Urgent Care
One of the world’s best hospitals, not surprisingly, also runs the best Urgent Care locations in the nation. Cedars-Sinai’s urgent care facility in Beverly Hills keeps extended hours seven days a week, providing immediate healthcare needs that are not life-threatening. You’ll walk in and find expedited service from some of the world’s best doctors. (8501 Wilshire Blvd #150, Beverly Hills, CA 90211)
Dr. David Alajajian. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Oaks Medical Group)
Runner-Up: Pacific Oaks Medical Group
One of the earliest responders during the AIDS crisis, Pacific Oaks Medical Group is a leading community provider of medical care to our diverse community. And the group’s recent addition of Dr. David Alajajian is apparently a big hit with our readers. (150 N Robertson Blvd #300, Beverly Hills, CA 90211)
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP
(Photo courtesy of Beverly Hills BMW)
Winner: Beverly Hills BMW
This dealership is located on Wilshire just east of La Brea, displaced from Beverly Hills during construction of the Purple line, but it remains the go-to BMW dealership for many of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills’ BMW owners. The immaculate shop runs like clockwork and there’s never a wait. Last year at SUR, they delivered $200,000 worth of cars and leather jackets to our Best Of awards. Our readers apparently have not forgotten. (5070 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
Runner-Up: Mercedes Beverly Hills
Mercedes is the most popular luxury brand in the several zip codes surrounding West Hollywood and 9 out of 10 local owners work with Mercedes of Beverly Hills to keep their cars current and in top condition. (9250 Beverly Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210)
BEST PRO LOCAL ATHLETE
LeBron James. (Photo courtesy of James)
Winner: LeBron James
LeBron and the Lakers are both reader favorites. Our readers were over the moon about his decision to join the ranks of prominent Angeleno sports stars when he moved west from Cleveland. One reader wrote: “LeBron is almost as magic as Magic and I admire him for taking a pioneering stand for people of color and justice.” His solidarity with Colin Kaepernick resonated with our readers as a fitting addition to the ever progressive Lakers, just after the team’s first ever LGBT night.
Gus Kenworthy. (Photo courtesy of Kenworthy)
Runner-Up: Gus Kenworthy
Since the Seoul winter games everyone has been in love with Gus and his sexy Instagram and love of dogs. Who wouldn’t want to be loved by Gus? Sorry Adam, we love you too but, hey.
BEST PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Adam Schiff (Photo courtesy of Schiff)
Winner: Adam Schiff
No congressman has been more consistent in his criticism of Donald Trump than congressman Adam Schiff, the U.S. Representative for California’s 28th congressional district since 2013. With the Dems now in majority control of the House, Shiff wields significant power over the fate of Trump as House Intelligence Committee chairman. On LGBT issues he bats 1,000 and in our estimation he’s a smart man, an avid reader of the Los Angeles Blade’s Karen Ocamb.
(Photo courtesy of West Hollywood City Council)
Runner-Up: West Hollywood City Council
A uniformly progressive city council comprised of longtime gay rights activists, advocates and allies of the LGBT community. Mayor John Duran, Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico and Council members Lindsey Horvath, Lauren Meister and John Heilman are known for fast-acting government responsiveness and well attended, well-run meetings. The city ranks among the best-run local governments in America.
BEST HOUSE OF WORSHIP
(Photo by Annie Wells/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. Courtesy of Kol Ami)
Winner: Congregation Kol Ami
Since its founding in 1992, Kol Ami has become an important leader in the Jewish, LGBTQ and West Hollywood communities. Kol Ami’s commitment to progressive spirituality, diversity, inclusion and social justice is celebrated nationwide. It is known for being innovative while remaining rooted in Jewish tradition and practice. Rabi Denise L. Egers broke barriers to create a more inclusive Reform movement that has resulted in more LGBTQ inclusion at Synagogues worldwide. (1200 N La Brea Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90038)
(Photo courtesy of InVision Church)
Runner-Up: InVision Church
Since MCC left West Hollywood about a decade ago, there has been no LGBT specific Christian Church service in the area but that changed when pastor Josh Johnson brought his spirited Invision Church to WeHo. In services held every Sunday at the Sunset Strip’s famed Viper Room, Invision gives the LGBTQ community its own down home, rollicking and near evangelical place of worship. (8852 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
BEST LGBT BUSINESS
(Photo courtesy of My 12 Step Store)
Winner: My 12 Step Store
RJ is widely considered to be one of the hardest working people in the sobriety community, not above working the register, helping customers select gifts for their loved ones, or packing items he ships out to customers around the world. My 12 Step Store is an exceptional and rare model of service to the LGBTQ community, part community center and part business, selling inspirational and motivational sobriety themed gifts. My 12 Step Stores sober mixers are one of the most popular events on the mix and mingle calendar. (8730 Santa Monica Blvd B, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
(Photo courtesy of Chi Chi LaRue’s)
From the bright pink exterior to the exclusive state-of-the-art merchandise and apparel inside, Chi Chi LaRue’s stands out, loud and proud, as West Hollywood’s only gay-owned and operated adult boutique. (8861 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
BEST COFFEE SHOP
(Photo courtesy of Alfred’s Coffee Melrose Place)
Winner: Alfred’s Coffee Melrose Place
It’s like a very intentional selfie. It’s a little embarrassing how indulgent and fun it is, this coffee shop where everyone is drop dead gorgeous but somehow it’s still all about the coffee. You’ll find it in the heart of LA’s trendiest retail destination, proudly brewing Stumptown Coffee Roasters. (8428 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069)
(Photo courtesy of Blue Bottle Coffee)
Runner-Up: Blue Bottle Coffee
They seem to be popping up everywhere, this one part Oakland, one part LA coffee house is not cheap but it is certainly delicious. (8301 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048)
BEST LOCAL BREWERY
(Photo courtesy of Arts District Brewing Company)
Winner: Arts District Brewing Company
One of Los Angeles’ few craft brewpubs, opened December 2015 in Downtown LA’s historic Arts District. With an on-site, 15-barrel brewhouse capable of producing 3,300 barrels of beer each year, Arts District Brewing Company debuted with nine original beers and now offers 30+ all brewed on-site. Enjoy an entertainment area with a photo booth and multiple classic bar games available, including pinball and Skeeball machines. (828 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013)
Runner-Up: Santa Monica Brew Works
Just a group of guys who share a mad love for great beer and the City Of Santa Monica. The brewery’s “Beach Brewed” philosophy is said to embody “the spirit of the world-renowned Santa Monica lifestyle. (1920 Colorado Ave C, Santa Monica, CA 90404)
BEST RESTAURANT
(Photo courtesy of Tortilla Republic)
Winner: Tortilla Republic
It’s Viva Mexico at its very finest. Every bite will have you saying “F*uck Trump and his crazy wall” because the best food in the world comes from our neighbor to the south. It’s a Los Angeles Blade favorite. (616 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
(Photo courtesy of Bottega Louie)
Runner-Up: Bottega Louie
Get ready WeHo! The Gourmet Market, Patisserie & Café located in downtown Los Angeles will soon open on Santa Monica Boulevard and life will never be the same. (700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017)
BEST CHEF
Susan Feniger (Photo courtesy of Feniger)
Winner: Susan Feniger, Border Grill
Iconic culinarian, author, and entrepreneur Feniger has been helping to define the culinary landscape of Los Angeles since 1981. She’s opened a host of successful restaurants, but Border Grill remains her crowning achievement. Opened with co-chef and business partner Mary Sue Milliken in 1985, its modern, street-food-inspired Mexican cuisine has been defining the city’s culinary landscape ever since. As if having an iconic LA eatery and being a celebrity chef weren’t enough to make us love her, Susan is also an out and proud member of the community, currently sitting on the board of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Jon Rollo (Photo courtesy of Rollo)
Runner-up: Jon Rollo, Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop
Revolutionizing the gourmet fast-casual dining experience the “Commander-in-Leaf” of Greenleaf has always had an appetite for fresh ingredients and living a healthy life – something he embodies with the farm-to-face concept of his restaurant, where he uses local, fresh, natural, organic ingredients to create dishes that are both delicious and wholesome. In his free time, you can find Jon working out at Barry’s Bootcamp, training for a triathlon, and raising his daughter and son with husband, Joey Gonzalez.
BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY
James Corden. (Photo courtesy of Corden)
Winner: James Corden
This Tony-winning actor may be from the other side of the Atlantic, but as the host of “The Late, Late Show,” he’s been regularly taking over the streets of Hollywood to film celebrity flash mobs, musical numbers, and the spectacularly popular “Carpool Karaoke” since 2015 – and that makes him as much an Angeleno as anyone. It’s no wonder we’re proud to lay claim to him; smart, funny, and talented, he’s got a pure love of “show business” that makes his late-night talk show a must-see event for millions. He’s also a strong LGBT ally who uses his public platform to promote LGBT equality – for instance, by performing a song in protest of Trump’s intended trans military ban in 2017.
Alexander Rodriguez. (Photo courtesy of Rodriquez)
Runner-up: Alexander Rodriguez
The iHeart radio personality is one-third of the all-gay Latinx panel on “Glitterbomb,” LATV’s explosive pop-culture talk show that offers a queer Latinx perspective on entertainment news. Along with fellow hosts (actor Enrique Sapene and EW senior editor Patrick Gomez), he brings wit, humor, and first-hand experience into the show’s look at Hollywood A-lister life.
BEST MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
(Logo courtesy of MedMen)
Winner: MedMen
Founded in 2010 by Adam Bierman and Andrew Modlin (who are also CEO and president, respectively), this Culver City-based company has grown up to be one of the leaders in the burgeoning legal cannabis industry, dedicated to “writing the book on the modern cannabis industry, from how facilities are designed and constructed to setting the bar on quality and excellence.” They’re also the single largest financial supporter of progressive marijuana laws at local, state, and federal levels. But what’s probably most important to the many satisfied consumers at their elegant boutiques in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills (as well as four other locations in the Los Angeles area) is their philosophy that standards, practices and reputation matter – and the high quality of the product that results from it.
(Photo courtesy of Zen Healing West Hollywood)
Runner-up: Zen Healing West Hollywood
With two locations, this longtime (since 2003) local-fave dispensary scores high Yelp ratings for its outstanding customer service and wide selection. As they say on their website, “Whether you vape, rollup, or use a piece, Zen Healing has a strain for you.”
MOST COMMITTED ACTIVIST
Madonna Cacciatore. (Photo courtesy of Cacciatore)
Winner: Madonna Cacciatore
She moved to LA as an actress, after a regular role on a short-lived TV reboot of “The Fugitive” gave her a taste of Hollywood; but it’s her dedication to another calling that has brought her true prominence in our local community. A longtime LGBT activist, she made a splash in the headlines when the LA Times featured a photo of her holding hands with then-partner (now wife) Robin McWilliams in their cover story on June 26, 2015, when the Obergefell victory made marriage equality the law of the land – but she had already been building her leadership role in the community for years as the director of special events at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. In 2018, she was chosen as the new executive director of Christopher Street West – giving her the opportunity to bring her years of experience to the table as she shepherds the non-profit, which has faced challenges in the last few years, toward the 50th anniversary of LA Pride in 2020.
Ari Gutiérrez Arambula. (Photo courtesy of Arambula)
Runner-up: Ari Gutiérrez Arambula
A tireless community leader, Ari is dedicated to increasing support and quality of life for the LGBTQ and gender non-conforming members of the Latinx community and their families – a community for which she has been an advocate for 30 years. She is the founding Advisory Board President of the Latino Equality Alliance, and the co-founder of HONOR PAC, a non-profit organization providing advocacy, leadership development and public education that honors cultural traditions and is accessible to youth and their parents.
BEST LOCAL PRO SPORTS TEAM
Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
They may have lost the 2018 World Series to the Boston Red Sox, but LA’s “Boys In Blue” will never lose the hearts of the city they’ve called home since 1958. Part of the reason is the team’s determination to connect with the community by embracing diversity. In the words of Erik Braverman, the Dodgers’ vice president for marketing, communications and broadcasting who spoke to the Los Angeles Blade for a 2017 article, “LGBT people are as important to the organization as any other community.” For six consecutive years, the Dodgers have hosted an official LGBT night, and for the past two have made it an official kickoff party for LA Pride.
(Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Lakers)
Runner-up: Los Angeles Lakers
Just as it is with the Dodgers, love for the Lakers is part of our city’s DNA. In 2018, the basketball organization hosted its own first-ever LGBTQ Pride night, honoring first active openly gay NBA player Jason Collins with the Laces of Unity Award (recognizing individuals in sports who have significantly contributed to the LGBTQ community) and featuring Amanda Palmer, the first female and first openly lesbian referee in NBA history, as the night’s honorary team captain.
BEST HOME FURNISHINGS
(Photo courtesy of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams)
Winner: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Started in North Carolina back in 1989, this elegant furniture company began with the simple idea of providing “comfort for all,” and nearly 30 years later, its signature store in Beverly Hills is a must-visit for any Angeleno with an eye toward decorating their home with stylish and modern home furnishings. In addition, its founders are activists and advocates for the LGBT community – Gold is co-founder of Faith in America, a nonprofit that educates people about the harm religious bigotry causes LGBT Americans that recently merged with the Tyler Clementi Foundation, and has served on the board of HRC for the past seven years, and Williams is known for his philanthropic work for equal rights; together, the men received a Groundbreakers Award from NYC’s Housing Works, dedicated to ending AIDS and homelessness.
(Photo courtesy of Josh Johnson Home)
Runner-up: Josh Johnson Home
A Tennessee native who became known as “Sparkle Josh” during his stint in HGTV’s “Design Stars,” this flamboyant celebrity interior designer has a design philosophy of “Livable Luxe,” which he describes as the pairing of affordable elegance with functional practicality, and his status as a celebrity designer has made him a designer to celebrities — or anyone who wants to live like one.
BEST PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
Winner: Walt Disney Concert Hall
This downtown landmark, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and opened in 2003, is not just part of the Los Angeles Music Center – with its sleek, shining, non-linear design, it’s an icon of urban architecture and a signature LA building, and with its hear-a-pin-drop acoustics, it’s a world-class performance hall. Intended as a gift to the people of Los Angeles by Lillian Disney (widow of Walt), who in 1987 donated $50 million to fund a venue that could serve as a tribute to her late husband’s devotion to the arts and to the city, today it fulfills that purpose by providing a home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, as well as by hosting variety of artists and events from around the world.
(Photo courtesy of Geffen Playhouse)
Runner-up: Geffen Playhouse
Founded by Gilbert Cates in 1995, and named for its donor, music executive David Geffen, this not-for-profit theater company is housed within a historic 1929 building – one of the first 12 structures built in Westwood Village – that was once the Masonic Affiliates’ Club for students and alumni of UCLA. In its two venues there, the Geffen mounts eight top-quality theatrical productions per season, showcasing both new works and time-honored classics, often performed by familiar actors from film and television – one of the definite perks of living in a movie town.
BEST DAY TRIP
(Photo courtesy of Palm Springs)
Los Angeles’ relationship with its neighbor in the desert goes back to the 1920s, when the town’s growing status as a getaway spot made it appealing to Hollywood’s rich and famous as a quick and easy escape from the rigors of their glamorous everyday lives. It serves much the same purpose today, but it’s grown into an internationally recognized resort destination – which means world-class entertainment, luxurious hotels, and glittering casinos await any Angeleno ready to make the 90-minute drive (OK, only if there’s no traffic) to get there. It’s not just about pampering yourself, though that’s part of the allure; there is also a thriving cultural scene, lots of nightlife, magnificent restaurants, a weekly street festival, and an annual week-long celebration of the Modernist architecture long embraced as a definitive part of the city’s identity. Of course, Palm Springs is something of an LGBT Mecca, too – but odds are good that, if you’re reading this, you already knew that.
(Photo courtesy of Avalon, Catalina Island)
Runner-up: Avalon, Catalina Island
Located on the southeast end of Santa Catalina Island, Avalon has been a popular destination for visitors since the early 1900s. Like Palm Springs, it has always attracted the glitterati crowd, from film stars to presidents, and is known today for its resorts and casinos – along with the numerous other attractions offered by a picturesque seaside community. Only a short ferry ride away, it’s one of the best opportunities for Angelenos to have a sun-soaked mini-vacation and still be home in time to feed the pets before bedtime.
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Winner: Arclight Hollywood
In a city built by the movies (and those who love them) it’s no surprise that the favorite pick is this landmark multiplex on Sunset, which is home to 15 screens (including the historic Cinerama Dome) that feature state-of-the-art projection and sound technology, and amenities like a gourmet snack bar, no commercials before the show, and – a favorite flourish for convenience-hungry Angelenos – reserved seating that eliminates the need for standing in a long line. On top of all that, Arclight offers an impressive selection of movie offerings, from the biggest entertainment blockbusters to the edgiest indie art films, all in the name of catering to the sophisticated interests of its cinema-loving clientele. As a bonus, moviegoers stand a good chance of seeing some of their favorite stars off the screen as well as on – it’s a popular location for the people who make movies to go and sit in the audience for a change.
(Photo courtesy of Pacific Theaters at the Grove)
Runner-up: Pacific Theaters at the Grove
Offering its own kind of Hollywood appeal, this elegantly designed multiplex in the heart of one of the city’s most popular malls (adjacent to the historic Farmer’s Market). It’s a haven for film lovers, with its own state-of-the-art auditoriums that feature large screens, surround sound, and luxury stadium seating – and if you want to pair your moviegoing experience with a meal, the Grove location ensures a wide selection of nearby eateries that will be perfect for discussing what you’ve just seen over lunch or dinner.
BEST LIVE MUSIC
(Photo courtesy of Hollywood Bowl)
Steeped in history — it’s seen the likes of everyone from Billie Holiday to Billy Joel — the Hollywood Bowl reigns, as Southern California’s premier destination for live music. Its iconic concentric-arched band shell is recognized the world over, just as sure as the venue itself is recognized by our readers as the best of the best.
(Photo courtesy of The Greek Theatre)
Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment destinations. This iconic venue has also served as a site for numerous high school graduations, community events, and backdrops for television shows and motion pictures.
Theater
‘Incitation to the Dance’ asks what happens to love when a younger man cuts in
This dark, sexy comedy, premiering at Theatre West, looks at lust and aging in gay romance.
“It takes two to tango. What happens when a third cuts in?” That’s the provocative tagline of the latest dark comedy from writer/director Michael Van Duzer, Incitation to the Dance, running at Theatre West from Feb 13 to Mar 15.
The play follows an older gay couple – Malcolm is a disabled film historian who teaches a course on queer representation in film noir, while his partner Asher is a depressed and out-of-work dance instructor.
Their relationship is thrown off course when Finn, a younger dancer, stripper, and escort, crashes into their lives, exposing desires, regrets, and jealousies that had long been buried.
Van Duzer, as an older gay man with a disability himself, says he was inspired to write the show because of the relative lack of stories about older gay couples on stage and screen. Incitation provided an opportunity to explore the unique circumstances and challenges facing older queer couples.
“The fact that it’s gay men makes it somewhat different. Because of their age, getting actually legally married was not something that was available to them at the beginning of their actual relationship. Malcolm had been married to a woman at one point,” Van Duzer says.
Age and sex play out across multiple dimensions of the drama, with Malcolm jealous of the bond Asher and Finn share over dance, while Asher resents Finn’s status as an up-and-comer while he’s at the twilight of his career.
“They have several layers of rivalry that they explore throughout the play,” Van Duzer says. “They do dance with each other in these stylized dance sequences, eventually dancing out their fury.”
Van Duzer says his play’s use of heightened language and highly stylized dance sequences will intrigue audiences.
“The second dance is a tango Apache, which is a style that was done in the 20s and 30s that came from France and included slapping, hair-pulling, dragging people around, and tearing their shirts open.”
The show got its start nine years ago as part of Theatre West’s writing program as a short play presented as part of the company’s “West Fest,” and Van Duzer has been developing it since.
“The response from the audience was very good, and I saw that there was more to mine in these characters now, maybe because I’m older. I don’t know, maybe because I was no longer in a relationship,” Van Duzer admits.
As he developed the show into a full-length piece, Van Duzer brought more dance elements into it, which naturally also brought to the fore the characters’ relationships to aging and disability.
“Malcolm is reticent to discuss it in any detail, but while his Cane doesn’t slow him down, it is always there. With all of the dance, with his appreciation of it, with him being on stage not dancing, there is this natural chasm that one sees, and I think that the audience will actually relate to that much more deeply than they would to a long monologue about what happened.”
For Van Duzer, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis all his life and had eight surgeries to treat it, it was less important to tell a tale about Malcolm’s disability than to just see it represented in how it affects his relationship.
“I don’t feel it’s a part of this story to offer explanations, but to just see the difference in not only able-bodied people but people who are dancer-athletes.”
The rawness of the sexuality and dialogue in the show presented some difficulties in casting, Van Duzor says, as some actors were reluctant to take on the piece.
Longtime collaborator David Mingrino has played Asher since the show’s earliest workshops, but Van Duzor tapped stage and screen veteran Michael Gabiano to play Malcolm, and rising star Casey Alcoser as Finn.
“They all have a terrific sense of humor and a couple of them have tried out lines that I absolutely said, ‘Hey, that’s funnier than what I wrote, so let’s go with it,’” Van Duzer says.
That humor helps carry the themes of the play, which Van Duzer says is about understanding how a relationship evolves over time.
“I want audiences to have a better understanding of what happens to a relationship, what really is important in the end.
“People can be very happy as a single person. But if your choice is to be with somebody and really work on that relationship and make it a lasting ‘til-death-do-us-part relationship, I want to share with people that, with a little kindness, with a little humor, with a little attention all at the right time, you can make this thing happen and you can still be your own person pursuing your interests.”
For Theatre West, this play also makes queer history for this long-running venue. Producer Dina Morrone shares with the Blade, “I am thrilled to be a part of this production because Michael Van Duzer’s play is the very first MainStage play/production at Theatre West in its 64-year history that presents a story about an older gay couple. In mainstream theatre, it is not common to see a story with gay characters, let alone an older gay couple featured. In this day and age, it is vital that everyone is represented on our theatrical stages. We need to show that, although it is a gay story, it is a universal one, and that, in the end, we can all relate. We are all one. One love.”
Incitation to the Dance plays at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, Feb 13-Mar 15, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. Tickets at theatrewest.org.
Italy
Olympics Pride House ‘really important for the community’
Italy lags behind other European countries in terms of LGBTQ rights
The four Italian advocacy groups behind the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics’ Pride House hope to use the games to highlight the lack of LGBTQ+ rights in their country.
Arcigay, CIG Arcigay Milano, Milano Pride, and Pride Sport Milano organized the Pride House that is located in Milan’s MEET Digital Culture Center. The Los Angeles Blade on Feb. 5 interviewed Pride House Project Manager Joseph Naklé.
Naklé in 2020 founded Peacox Basket Milano, Italy’s only LGBTQ+ basketball team. He also carried the Olympic torch through Milan shortly before he spoke with the Blade. (“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie last month participated in the torch relay in Feltre, a town in Italy’s Veneto region.)
Naklé said the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights in Italy is “actually our main objective.”
ILGA-Europe in its Rainbow Map 2025 notes same-sex couples lack full marriage rights in Italy, and the country’s hate crimes law does not include sexual orientation or gender identity. Italy does ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, but the country’s nondiscrimination laws do not include gender identity.
ILGA-Europe has made the following recommendations “in order to improve the legal and policy situation of LGBTI people in Italy.”
• Marriage equality for same-sex couples
• Depathologization of trans identities
• Automatic co-parent recognition available for all couples
“We are not really known to be the most openly LGBT-friendly country,” Naklé told the Blade. “That’s why it (Pride House) was really important for the community.”
“We want to use the Olympic games — because there is a big media attention — and we want to use this media attention to raise the voice,” he added.
Naklé noted Pride House will host “talks and roundtables every night” during the games that will focus on a variety of topics that include transgender and nonbinary people in sports and AI. Another will focus on what Naklé described to the Blade as “the importance of political movements now to fight for our rights, especially in places such as Italy or the U.S. where we are going backwards, and not forwards.”
Seven LGBTQ+ Olympians — Italian swimmer Alex Di Giorgio, Canadian ice dancers Paul Poirier and Kaitlyn Weaver, Canadian figure skater Eric Radford, Spanish figure skater Javier Raya, Scottish ice dancer Lewis Gibson, and Irish field hockey and cricket player Nikki Symmons — are scheduled to participate in Pride House’s Out and Proud event on Feb. 14.
Pride House Los Angeles – West Hollywood representatives are expected to speak at Pride House on Feb. 21.
The event will include a screening of Mariano Furlani’s documentary about Pride House and LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. The MiX International LGBTQ+ Film and Queer Culture Festival will screen later this year in Milan. Pride House Los Angeles – West Hollywood is also planning to show the film during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Naklé also noted Pride House has launched an initiative that allows LGBTQ+ sports teams to partner with teams whose members are either migrants from African and Islamic countries or people with disabilities.
“The objective is to show that sports is the bridge between these communities,” he said.
Bisexual US skier wins gold
Naklé spoke with the Blade a day before the games opened. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will close on Feb. 22.
More than 40 openly LGBTQ+ athletes are competing in the games.
Breezy Johnson, an American alpine skier who identifies as bisexual, on Sunday won a gold medal in the women’s downhill. Amber Glenn, who identifies as bisexual and pansexual, on the same day helped the U.S. win a gold medal in team figure skating.
Glenn said she received threats on social media after she told reporters during a pre-Olympics press conference that LGBTQ+ Americans are having a “hard time” with the Trump-Vance administration in the White House. The Associated Press notes Glenn wore a Pride pin on her jacket during Sunday’s medal ceremony.
“I was disappointed because I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking about being decent — human rights and decency,” said Glenn, according to the AP. “So that was really disappointing, and I do think it kind of lowered that excitement for this.”
Bars & Parties
SoCal queer singles come together as we celebrate LA’s Top Eligible LGBTQ Singles at the Abbey this Thursday!
Join us Thursday, February 12th at 7 pm, as we honor LA’s Top Eligible LGBTQ Singles as nominated by you!
Join us Thursday, February 12th at 7 pm, as we honor LA’s Top Eligible LGBTQ Singles as nominated by you!
Mix and mingle with other singles for this fun and casual event hosted by Salina EsTitties with a live performance by LA Blade’s Best of LA Best Local Musician and Go-Go Boy 2025, Prince Joshua. The evening will also feature an appearance by the MISTR men with Matchmaker Daniel Cooley from Best Man Matchmaking on hand. Will you find your Valentine? This event is free and open to everyone!
The Top Most Eligible LGBTQ Singles has been a long-standing event with our sister paper, the Washington Blade. In celebration of the Los Angeles Blade’s continued growth in the community, we decided to bring it to LA! Last month, we opened nominations, and the community came through, suggesting a wide variety of LGBTQ singles who are bringing some light and love to SoCal.
Let’s meet Los Angeles Blade’s Top Eligible Singles for 2026:
Jason De Puy aka Salina EsTitties
This self-described “most single drag queen on Earth,” Jason, is also known as Salina EsTitties and became a national sensation for her appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15. California-born and raised, he has spent the past decade as a leader not only in the Los Angeles drag community and sober community, but as a “booked and blessed diva” in the entertainment industry at large. Committed to social justice activism, she partners annually with with the AIDS Life Cycle x LGBT Center of Los Angeles, the Alliance of Housing and Healing through an annual Best in Drag Show, and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.
Age: 35 Occupation: Artist/Performer, Entrepreneur, Producer
How do you identify?: Gay…He/Him
What are you looking for in a mate?
I’m looking for a partner who’s secure in themselves and understands the ride of being an artist. Financial stability matters, but more so, I want someone who respects the vision—someone who’s excited to invest in our growth, not threatened by it. I value compassion, a shared understanding of the entertainment world, and a mutual push toward staying active and adventurous. Emotional awareness and spiritual curiosity are huge, too—conversations that go deeper. And, of course, someone who has their own passions—separate from mine—so we can both grow as individuals while being each other’s biggest supporters. And, you know, someone who can get sexy when the moment calls for it! And trust…there will be many moments, so stamina is important. ;)
Biggest turn off:
My biggest turnoff is a lack of kindness, especially toward service workers or anyone in a vulnerable role. If someone can’t treat others with respect, it’s an immediate no. I’m also turned off by someone who’s not willing to grow or self-reflect—emotional immaturity is a big no-no for me.
Biggest turn on:
I love playful flirtation and a partner who’s not shy about initiating—whether that’s a text or making the first move. Great communication, being touchy-feely, and making me feel wanted are all key. I’m in a place where I want to be pursued, not doing all the chasing. Oh, and big hands, someone bigger in stature than me, cause I’m a big girl.
Hobbies:
I’ve structured my life so that a lot of my passions are tied to my work—creativity, performing, and crafting immersive experiences. Outside of that, I crochet in the evenings to unwind. Lately, I’ve reconnected with bowling, something I did with my dad, and I’m now in my second bowling league season—new ball and all! I also love cinema; I’m a wannabe cinephile in the making, always up for film discussions and trips to the movies. Right now, I’m on a Marilyn Monroe kick and diving into Stella Adler interviews—I love watching conversations about the craft of acting and how movies/music/productions are made.
What is your biggest goal for 2026?
My biggest goal for 2026 is to become truly secure in myself—owning the confidence in the success I’ve built. I have exciting projects on the horizon that will expand my creativity—whether that’s music, events, or other expressions of who I am. But beyond the work, I want to feel grounded, fully in my body, and passionate about everything I’m creating. Ultimately, my goal is to feel that solid sense of inner security, while being respected, celebrated, and—yes—paid accordingly for the work I love.
Pets, Kids or Neither?
I absolutely love dogs—especially big, loyal, friendly protectors, like a sweet pit bull—but I’m open to even the little yappers charming their way into my heart. As for kids, it’s something I’d only consider if my partner and I were truly aligned. Right now, I’m not personally focused on having children myself, but if I’m in love and my partner is in a place where they’re ready and able to fully support that journey—both emotionally and financially—I’d be open. But for now, kids aren’t on my immediate horizon.
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours?
I’ve been in a relationship before where our political views didn’t align, and I realized it’s a dealbreaker for me. For something long-term, I need us to share core values. So, no, I wouldn’t be able to date someone whose political views strongly conflict with mine—especially when it comes to fundamental issues of human rights and equality.
Celebrity crush:
I’m not huge on celebrity crushes, but let’s be honest—Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans—any superhero named Chris is totally a vibe. But truly, I’m more about real-life connection, so I save my real crush energy for someone who steps into my reality!
Name one obscure fact about yourself:
I have 14 years sober, oh, and I was actually eliminated on the Steps of Knowledge on the adult reboot of Legends of the Hidden Temple. Turns out, the 12 steps won’t save ya on the steps of knowledge!
Stan Zimmerman
Stan has two WGA noms for Best Comedy Writing: The Golden Girls, Roseanne. Stan also wrote and produced Gilmore Girls, co-created the Lifetime sitcom Rita Rocks, and wrote both Brady Bunch movies. He was Host/Showrunner on Sean Hayes’ Bravo reality show Situation: Comedy. TRWshows publishes and licenses Stan’s work — Yes, Virginia, Silver Foxes, and right before I go. Stan’s book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore, was released by Indigo River Publishing. This past September, he made his Off-Broadway acting and playwrighting debut with his suicide awareness play, right before I go, after touring with it across America.
Age:66 Occupation: Writer/Director/Producer
How do you identify?: Gay
What are you looking for in a mate? Smart, funny, curious, stylish, empathetic
Biggest turn off: Selfish, closed minded, insensitive
Biggest turn on: Fun and flirty
Hobbies: Running, swimming, music, theatre, travel
What is your biggest goal for 2026?
Keeping my heart open and challenging myself creatively and emotionally
Pets, Kids or Neither? Maybe a cat one day
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours?
Probably not. Right now, it’s more than just politics; it’s about one’s moral core.
Celebrity crush: Still Brad Pitt or Derek Hough. Okay, Shawn Mendes
Name one obscure fact about yourself: I used to study ballet.
Joshua Marin-Mora
Joshua works throughout the Westside as a government office field representative. He also serves as the Political Vice President for Stonewall Young Democrats. As a proud Latino and LGBTQ+ young person, Joshua is committed to furthering SYD’s mission and engagement throughout the greater LA area. When not at community events, you can find him out with friends in West Hollywood or recharging at home, getting lost in a new book.
Age: 26 Occupation: Field Representative
How do you identify: he/him
What are you looking for in a mate?
I’m looking for a mix of adventure and stability. Emotional maturity is a must. Looking for someone who knows how to communicate and be consistent.
Biggest turn off:
Someone with no plans. If you don’t have plans, whether personal or professional, it’s probably not going to work out.
Biggest turn on: Someone who is decisive. And bonus points if you can dance.
Hobbies: Love traveling, reading, volunteering, and going out with friends.
Biggest goal for 2026: I’m going to focus more on my health and fitness.
Kids, Pets or neither? Yes, pets…maybe kids.
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours? No.
Celebrity crush: Jonathan Bailey
Name one obscure fact about yourself: I like to eat the fries first.
Liliana Perez
Liliana T. Pérez serves as the Cultural Affairs Director for the Los Angeles Chargers and is responsible for building strategic partnerships within California’s dynamic and versatile economic, cultural, and social sectors. Prior to joining the Chargers, Pérez had made a career in public service, holding senior leadership roles in the office of six Speakers of the California Assembly.
Pérez has been recognized for her advocacy work on behalf of marginalized populations, including the LGBTQ community, immigrants, and women. Pérez remains passionate about social justice and civil rights causes and is active with numerous organizations. Her volunteer and philanthropic work includes serving on the Commission on the Status of Women for the City of Los Angeles and on the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Redistricting Commission.
Age: 55 Occupation: Sr. Director of Cultural Affairs, LA Chargers
How do you identify?: Bisexual
What are you looking for in a mate?
Beautiful, passionate, work hard & play hard…successful, community advocate, honest, loves to dance bachata, merengue, and Rock en Espanol!
Biggest turn off: Cheaters, liars, half ass everything
Biggest turn on:
Hell Yes Energy! Loves live theatre, live entertainment, stand-up comedy, enjoys volunteering & raising money for worthy causes; enjoys cooking and eating… so I can share my love language by also cooking.
Hobbies: I don’t have any.
What is your biggest goal for 2026? Buy a vacation/ retirement home in Puerto Vallarta
Pets, Kids or Neither? None.
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours? No!
Celebrity crush: Big time crazy crush is Paola Ramos… dreamy!
Name one obscure fact about yourself: I love Neil Diamond.
Prince Joshua
Prince Joshua is a natural-born performer driven by movement, fashion, and unapologetic self-expression. From nightlife stages to Pride festivals, he brings high energy, bold charisma, and a signature presence that blends dance, music, and style. He performs as a dancer, rapper, and MC, known for electrifying shows, fearless flair, and a radiant edge. His work has been featured on OUTtv and on major stages across the country, and in 2025, he was honored as Go-Go of the Year and Local Music Artist of the Year. He is also the creator and host of EDYN, an EDM dance party at The Abbey WeHo, where music, movement, and energy collide.
Age: 28 Occupation: Party Promoter and Go-go
How do you identify?: Gay
What are you looking for in a mate? Passion, success, drive, loyalty, and connection.
Biggest turn off: Seeing someone treat others poorly.
Biggest turn on:
Knowing someone is putting effort into wanting to understand and take care of me as a person and not just focus on the physical attraction.
Hobbies: Weightlifting, yoga, and making music.
What is your biggest goal for 2026? To make my party EDYN a staple in West Hollywood.
Pets, Kids or Neither? Neither
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours?
I don’t think I could if the foundation of our views differs. If there are slight differences that aren’t affecting the rights of others, then I could potentially.
Celebrity crush: Bad Bunny
Name one obscure fact about yourself: I can do the splits all 3 ways
Cecilio Asuncion
Cece Asuncion (he/him) is an out and proud gay Filipino producer, director, and advocate based in Los Angeles, CA. He is the founder of Slay Model Management, the world’s first transgender-exclusive modeling agency, and a GLAAD Media Award-winning producer of STRUT on the Oxygen Network, co-produced with Whoopi Goldberg. His groundbreaking documentary What’s The T?, which follows the lives of five transgender women, received global acclaim, screening at festivals like the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award, and Rio Gay de Cinema in Brazil. As a sought-after speaker on transgender advocacy, he has presented at NYU, Stanford, and the University of Colorado, using his platform to educate and inspire.
Most recently, he founded and serves as Executive Director for the CinePride Film Festival, fostering the next generation of LGBTQIA+ filmmakers, ensuring they have the resources and support to bring their visions to life.
Age: 49 Occupation: TV Producer
How do you identify?: Gay
What are you looking for in a mate?
Chemistry, obviously—but chemistry that holds up on a random Tuesday. Someone smart, warm, and grounded, who can laugh at dumb shit, communicate honestly, and isn’t afraid of real intimacy. I’m attracted to people who are passionate about what they do and generous in how they show up. Bonus points if they’re emotionally fluent and can keep up in both a deep conversation and a ridiculous one.
Biggest turn off:
Arrogance and inconsistency. If someone is charming but unreliable, that’s an immediate buzzkill.
Biggest turn on:
Competence. Watching someone be really good at what they do—and still be kind about it.
Hobbies:
Exploring new food spots, cooking for friends, avoiding hiking, traveling, and building creative projects that probably should count as hobbies at this point.
What is your biggest goal for 2026? World domination.
Pets, Kids or Neither? Pets 100%!
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours?
Not in this climate, or ever, no.
Celebrity crush: Seth Rogen
Name one obscure fact about yourself: I hate long walks on the beach.
Brynn Allen
Brynn was born in Seattle, Washington, and was raised on Occupied Duwamish Territory. She graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Puget Sound. Although she focused on theatre making and acting in college, she also pursued studies in other fields such as criminal justice, filmmaking, gender/queer studies, politics, interpersonal communication, and communication through technology. Social justice and advocacy are always a priority in her artistic work and everyday life.
Age: 27 Occupation: Actor
How do you identify? Sapphic Queer
What are you looking for in a mate?
I am looking for a partner who is a classic Dyke. Someone who knows how to build a fire, appreciates the arts, is emotionally mature, able to take initiative romantically, used to play softball, has a strong sense of self, confident in their individuality, ideally able to lift me, has Socialist values, is community-oriented, able to riff, and embraces whimsy.
Biggest turn off: Cockiness or being mean, because why are you acting like that?
Biggest turn on: When someone has a well-curated closet, or they’re a good dancer.
Hobbies:
Sitting in a park and reading, going to the beach, going to see live music, short hikes or long walks in nature, supporting my friends’ creative projects, shopping at an antique mall, and watching movies at the nearest AMC.
What is your biggest goal for 2026? To prioritize my creative endeavors and take more risks
Pets, Kids or Neither? Neither
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours? No ❤️
Celebrity crush: All members of MUNA
Name one obscure fact about yourself: I used to be an Alpine Ski racer.
Patrick Murray
Patrick is a Los Angeles–based entrepreneur, former opera singer, and certified triple-threat conversationalist, fluent in three languages, making him perfect for dinner date banter. After years onstage, he traded songs for sausages and founded Franzl’s Franks, an Austrian-inspired food brand that mixes European flair, queer joy, and serious culinary chops. Equal parts creative and ambitious, Patrick is tall, personable, and unapologetically himself. He’s proof that the most eligible single in LA can sing, sell, and serve.
Age: 40 Occupation: Entrepreneur
How do you identify? Gay
What are you looking for in a mate?
Someone ambitious, so we inspire each other to be better, patient, and kind through life’s chaos, with the wit to match mine as we laugh our way through adventures.
Biggest turn off:
A lack of curiosity about the world. Someone who doesn’t strive for more or isn’t interested in personal growth probably wouldn’t be the best match. Also, chewing with your mouth open is instant no.
Biggest turn on:
Big brown puppy dog eyes and a kind smile make me melt. A man who initiates and knows what he wants, because I can get shy sometimes.
Hobbies:
Interior design and fantasy house hunting, baking cakes no one asked for, taking walks to unlock my daydreams, going out dancing or going to the opera, Unsolved Mysteries marathons
What is your biggest goal for 2026?
To grow my business, fall in love, and swan dive from the top of a building into a tiny cup of water
Pets, Kids or Neither? Love pets! Kids are wonderful via FaceTime.
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours?
I mean, I could probably date a moderate democrat. That’s about as far right as I’d go.
Celebrity crush: Cooper Koch, Francois Arnaud, Hasan Minhaj (and Piker!)
Name one obscure fact about yourself:
My parents named me my name so it would look good in the newspapers when I scored touchdowns…but now I’m in the paper for being gay and single, so the joke’s on you, Mom!
Hera Anderson
Hera Anderson is an award-winning transgender actor, film producer, and writer raised in Europe and settled down in the USA a few years ago, pursuing her career in the entertainment industry. She’s been in the industry for more than 15 years, proudly creating her own history. She’s been performing in drag queen shows, developing her own film projects, and writing her new stories to share.
Known for her confidence, warmth, and bold presence, she brings authenticity and charisma to every space she enters. Hera is passionate about storytelling, connection, and building meaningful relationships both on and offstage.
Age: 40 Occupation: Actress/Writer/Producer
How do you identify? Transgender Woman
What are you looking for in a mate?
Peace and passion. Someone emotionally mature, consistent, and kind, with a playful side. I’m building a big creative life, so I’m into a partner who’s self-sufficient, communicative, and genuinely excited to grow together.
Biggest turn off:
Bad hygiene, flakiness, cruelty, and negative energy. If you’re disrespectful to people “below” you, I’m out.
Biggest turn on:
Warm eyes, a great smile, confidence without ego, emotional intelligence, and someone who’s generous with affection. I love a creative mind and a person who plans dates instead of just texting “wyd.”
Hobbies:
Trying new restaurants, dancing, movies, writing/creating, live shows, beach walks, exploring LA, and traveling whenever I can. Also, I’m a sucker for a cute coffee spot.
What is your biggest goal for 2026?
To fall in love with someone ready for commitment and a shared future.
Pets, Kids or Neither?
Puppy mom, and yes, I’m open to having kids in the future with the right person
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours?
We can disagree on opinions, not on human rights. Respect, empathy, and basic decency are non-negotiable.
Celebrity crush: Jason Statham, Chris Pratt, Matthew McConaughey, Mark Wahlberg
Name one obscure fact about yourself:
I’ll go out “for one coffee” and somehow leave with a full day’s plan and three new ideas.
Kevin Peter Berg
Kevin is a West Hollywood–based entertainment legal and business leader with a long career in film and television. Known for his thoughtful leadership and commitment to inclusive storytelling, Kevin brings both heart and intellect to everything he does. Deeply connected to his community, he proudly supports Project Angel Food, GLAAD, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Off the clock, Kevin’s vibrant life in SoCal reflects his love of culture, authenticity, and living boldly at every stage. Grounded yet adventurous, he values authenticity, good conversation, and relationships built on curiosity, respect, and shared joy.
Age: 57 Occupation: General Counsel
How do you identify? Gay male
What are you looking for in a mate?
A true partner—someone with a great sense of humor, a spirit of adventure, and a love of travel. I’m drawn to men who are emotionally intuitive, secure, and confident, yet still playful and open-hearted. Bonus points if you enjoy musical theatre and a good romantic comedy as much as a holiday getaway. Ultimately, I’m looking for a connection built on laughter, curiosity, and the joy of discovering life together.
Biggest turn off: Lack of communication and connection – physically and verbally
Biggest turn on: Confidence
Hobbies:
Travel & exploration, fitness, social connections with friends (movie, live theatre, brunch, trivia nights)
What is your biggest goal for 2026? Focus on new career opportunities
Pets, Kids or Neither? Pets (one cat)
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours?
No, as that would create too many opportunities for conflict
Celebrity crush: Ryan Reynolds
Name one obscure fact about yourself: I lip-synch songs in front of the bathroom mirror
Let’s hear it for our inaugural Top LGBTQ Eligible Singles! Join us this Thursday, February 12th, at 7 pm at The Abbey to celebrate.
Puerto Rico
Bad Bunny shares Super Bowl stage with Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga
Puerto Rican activist celebrates half time show
Bad Bunny on Sunday shared the stage with Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga at the Super Bowl halftime show in Santa Clara, Calif.
Martin came out as gay in 2010. Gaga, who headlined the 2017 Super Bowl halftime show, is bisexual. Bad Bunny has championed LGBTQ+ rights in his native Puerto Rico and elsewhere.
“Not only was a sophisticated political statement, but it was a celebration of who we are as Puerto Ricans,” Pedro Julio Serrano, president of the LGBTQ+ Federation of Puerto Rico, told the Washington Blade on Monday. “That includes us as LGBTQ+ people by including a ground-breaking superstar and legend, Ricky Martin singing an anti-colonial anthem and showcasing Young Miko, an up-and-coming star at La Casita. And, of course, having queer icon Lady Gaga sing salsa was the cherry on the top.”
La Casita is a house that Bad Bunny included in his residency in San Juan, the Puerto Rican capital, last year. He recreated it during the halftime show.
“His performance brought us together as Puerto Ricans, as Latin Americans, as Americans (from the Americas) and as human beings,” said Serrano. “He embraced his own words by showcasing, through his performance, that the ‘only thing more powerful than hate is love.’”
Books
New book explores homosexuality in ancient cultures
‘The Queer Thing About Sin’
By Harry Tanner
c.2025, Bloomsbury
$28/259 pages
Nobody likes you very much.
That’s how it seems sometimes, doesn’t it? Nobody wants to see you around, they don’t want to hear your voice, they can’t stand the thought of your existence and they’d really rather you just go away. It’s infuriating, and in the new book “The Queer Thing About Sin” by Harry Tanner, you’ll see how we got to this point.
When he was a teenager, Harry Tanner says that he thought he “was going to hell.”
For years, he’d been attracted to men and he prayed that it would stop. He asked for help from a lay minister who offered Tanner websites meant to repress his urges, but they weren’t the panacea Tanner hoped for. It wasn’t until he went to college that he found the answers he needed and “stopped fearing God’s retribution.”
Being gay wasn’t a sin. Not ever, but he “still wanted to know why Western culture believed it was for so long.”
Historically, many believe that older men were sexual “mentors” for teenage boys, but Tanner says that in ancient Greece and Rome, same-sex relationships were common between male partners of equal age and between differently-aged pairs, alike. Clarity comes by understanding relationships between husbands and wives then, and careful translation of the word “boy,” to show that age wasn’t a factor, but superiority and inferiority were.
In ancient Athens, queer love was considered to be “noble” but after the Persians sacked Athens, sex between men instead became an acceptable act of aggression aimed at conquered enemies. Raping a male prisoner was encouraged but, “Gay men became symbols of a depraved lack of self-control and abstinence.”
Later Greeks believed that men could turn into women “if they weren’t sufficiently virile.” Biblical interpretations point to more conflict; Leviticus specifically bans queer sex but “the Sumerians actively encouraged it.” The Egyptians hated it, but “there are sporadic clues that same-sex partners lived together in ancient Egypt.”
Says Tanner, “all is not what it seems.”
So you say you’re not really into ancient history. If it’s not your thing, then “The Queer Thing About Sin” won’t be, either.
Just know that if you skip this book, you’re missing out on the kind of excitement you get from reading mythology, but what’s here is true, and a much wider view than mere folklore. Author Harry Tanner invites readers to go deep inside philosophy, religion, and ancient culture, but the information he brings is not dry. No, there are major battles brought to life here, vanquished enemies and death – but also love, acceptance, even encouragement that the citizens of yore in many societies embraced and enjoyed. Tanner explains carefully how religious credo tied in with homosexuality (or didn’t) and he brings readers up to speed through recent times.
While this is not a breezy vacation read or a curl-up-with-a-blanket kind of book, “The Queer Thing About Sin” is absolutely worth spending time with. If you’re a thinking person and can give yourself a chance to ponder, you’ll like it very much.
Sports
Michael Ferrera is paving a path of safety and liberation for queer athletes
The Blade interviewed the C.E.O. of Out Athlete Fund, which has sponsored six out athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics and is creating the first U.S. Olympic Pride House in 2028.
Michael Ferrera was 10 when he first watched U.S. figure skating duo Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner cascade like currents across the ice, their arms forming delicate shapes in sync as they jumped, spun, and dominated national and world competitions in the late 1970’s.
As a young closeted kid, Ferrera’s admiration for the skaters and the sport was a source of comfort: a place where he could see men embody the nuances of gender. “I saw this mixture of masculinity and grace and expression, and that they were fully themselves as men,” Ferrera told the Blade.
Today, after decades of LGBTQ+ non profit work and leadership in Los Angeles, Ferrera is directing his passion for advocacy and queer affirmation towards that initial childhood love: sports. He leads Out Athlete Fund, an organization that supports and uplifts queer athletes, championing their visibility in public arenas. Recently, Out Athlete Fund announced its sponsorship of six U.S. athletes competing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics, which began today.
Out Athlete Fund is also producing Pride House L.A./West Hollywood, their most ambitious undertaking yet. With over $1 million in funding support from L.A. County and the City of West Hollywood, the organization will take over West Hollywood Park for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Pride House L.A./West Hollywood will be the first-ever U.S. LGBTQ+ hospitality house for the Olympic Games, joining a burgeoning fight for queer representation in professional sports.
The first Pride House was created in 2010 during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, forming a foundation that Ferrera hopes to build upon. “We’re trying to lift the movement [and] create a through line,” Ferrera said, who is weaving stronger connective roots between the various Pride Houses that come before him, and the ones that will follow.
The Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade announced today that it will serve as the exclusive queer media sponsor for Pride House, and will cover the organization’s plans, interview queer athletes, and report on upcoming events.
We sat down with Ferrera for the first of these exclusive interviews. In this conversation, Ferrera tells us about the growth of Out Athlete Fund, what people can expect from Pride House L.A./West Hollywood at the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, as well as the importance of LGBTQ+ safety, representation, and celebration in professional sports.
How did your journey with Out Athlete Fund begin?
This [opportunity] with Out Athlete Fund came out of the pandemic. That was a tough time. L.A. Pride got shut down in 2020. For those of us in the nonprofit world, there weren’t new jobs. That became quite a journey, trying to consult and be creative about how to get through that time.
And then, when [lockdown] was over, my friend Erik Braverman, who’s also on the board for Out Athlete Fund, came to me and said, “Michael, there’s this great thing going on. My friend Cyd Ziegler from OutSports and Les Johnson from Gay Games are involved. I think you should meet them, because they need somebody to run their nonprofit, and you have that experience.”
He knew that I love sports. I was born into a Boston, New England family, and you don’t have any choice. So I met Cyd, [who] really is one of the preeminent voices in this world of out athletes, and it just seemed like a good fit. Honestly, the first two years, working with Out Athlete Fund, we didn’t have money to pay staff. Everybody was volunteering, including me.
We’re really excited because we haven’t been doing this very long. Our first real event was last year. At the end of the summer, we [screened] A League of Their Own at the Autry Museum. [For today’s] Milan opening ceremony watch party, we have almost 600 RSVP’s.
We’re focused on our visibility mission and raising money to support athletes. We have six at Milan. When we started the year, our goal was to sponsor two, so this is growing so fast. I’m just so excited.
When it comes to the Winter Games in Milan, they’re happening under a government that is similar to ours in its anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes. How does that affect your mission of supporting athletes on world stages in places that aren’t accepting of their queerness?
Our sponsorship of these athletes is much more than just writing them a check. It’s letting them know that they have a community behind them. That’s really what Pride House does. It’s bringing together fans and allies so that these athletes feel like they have a community. And the fans know that there are people like them who are excelling in these sports and don’t have the artificial ceilings that are placed upon them.
Now I think there’s 44, at the moment, out athletes at Milan, and that’s a record for the Winter Olympics. That’s so important: that they know that they have the support of fans in their community, financially, emotionally, in a country that is right now pretty hostile to them, and to have Pride House there.
So that’s what we’ve got to do. We have to stake a claim, right? And with Pride House L.A./West Hollywood, we want to do that here. We’ll be the first Olympics Pride House in the United States, and we want to grow that [and send the message]: We are here. Our athletes are here. We’ve got their backs. You should, too. I think that’s how we make slow change.
What will be unique about Pride House L.A. and what will programming look like?
We want to [translate] the power of Los Angeles. We have the entertainment community here. We have a lot of business here, and it’s an exciting city, and it’s got a lot of flash.
When we take over West Hollywood Park, we will have the whole park. We have 17 days, 12 hours a day to program things. We’ll have a concert stage. We’ve had meetings in the last couple of weeks about A-list celebrities who will come and do a tribute concert to athletes. And we’ll have a smaller stage too that’ll have community performances, meet and greets with athletes. [There will be] panel discussions inside an exhibition hall, where there’ll be a million TV screens so that people can watch every single competition that’s going on.
[There will also be] big screens outside and on the concert stage. We’re going to have Paralympic sports exhibitions, a history museum about our athletes, where a lot of art will be involved. We’ll have a restaurant. We’ll have food trucks. We’ll have bars. Almost everything will be free of charge to the public. Competitions are expensive to go to — now, you can come watch with your community and have fun.
We’re still figuring it all out, because our imaginations are the only things that limit what we can do in all those days and with all those hours: everything from a gay employee group having an afternoon together, to having the youth at the Laurel Foundation come for a camp day, to a seniors day.
I want my community to be up front. I want them to see Pride House reflect them, because if it doesn’t reflect them, it doesn’t reflect all the athletes that are potentially out there too. So that’s a big part of the job. It’s making sure this community has a voice and has the opportunity to contribute and help us make it the best it can be.
There’s so much community activation in the works. What can athletes expect at the hospitality house?
One of my proudest things that we’ve established for Pride House L.A./West Hollywood is that we’re going to have a dedicated athlete area. We’ll have shuttles that go between UCLA, where the Olympic athlete village will be, and this second athlete village. This is already sanctioned by the Athlete Relations Director for LA 28.
[Queer athletes will] know that there’s a space that they can go to outside of the [general] athlete village, outside of the politics and the limitations that are there. They can come to this place that’s really for them, and they’ll have their own entrance. The dream of that is that if an athlete comes from Egypt or Iran or Russia — some place where they feel like they can’t be themselves, [where] laws are against them — they can come here and see what experiences they can have being in a place that’s safe and inclusive and celebratory.
That feels liberatory. Pride House can offer, even for a moment, a space where queer people can live openly as themselves when they might have to conceal themselves in the places they spend most of their time in.
When I worked at the LA LGBT Center, we had a program with Chinese activists. [They] came to the Center and were able to go through all the departments, learn about the different kinds of services, how they were provided, how we raised money, how we worked within the community, and [try to figure out how] to tailor the knowledge that we were providing to the reality that they had.
On the ground, they were getting called into the police station [for] trying to show LGBTQ+ films at a film festival. You couldn’t really say it was a film festival. You had to say it was an HIV/AIDS prevention thing, and they got found out.
I became friends with these Chinese activists, and that’s when I say: having a conversation with another human being, [it’s] not [about] the borders and the politics. You’re just two humans facing different circumstances, [questioning]: How can we make it better for each other?
How do those borders show up in sports?
What I hope is that people understand: sports is one of the last bastions of historical hostility toward our community. There are a lot of stereotypes that people still speak about every day, just to keep those walls up and those ceilings up. If you can introduce us and start to normalize that, and have more visibility, and have more athletes feeling safe and supported, it has the power to change in an incredible way. So many people get exposed to these [larger] issues because they’re exposed to sports.
It’s really powerful. Sports crosses lines: it crosses racial lines, cultural lines, national lines. The power of the Olympics is that athletes come from countries all over the world, and when you’re with somebody [in person], there’s no border there. There are the borders of maybe language or human borders, but there’s no ICE. There’s no hostility or laws or whatever coming between you. There’s just this incredible opportunity to speak to each other as two human beings and get to know each other without all of that stuff getting in the way.
In April, Out Athlete Fund plans to host a 25th annual anniversary screening of Greg Berlanti’s West Hollywood-centered film Broken Hearts Club. The organization will also host four days of festivities at Beaches Tropicana WeHo for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Blade will continue to provide exclusive updates on these events, as well as the six Winter Games athletes sponsored by the organization.
Kristie Song is a California Local News Fellow placed with the Los Angeles Blade. The California Local News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting. Learn more about it at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows.
Arts & Entertainment
2026 Best of LGBTQ LA Readers’ Choice Award Nominations
Nominations for the Best of LGBTQ LA Awards are open from until February 15th!
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 until February 15th, giving you the chance to highlight your favorite local legends, hotspots, performers, and change-makers. Then, from February 23rd to March 6th, cast your vote for the finalists and help decide who truly represents the best of LGBTQ LA. The Best of LGBTQ LA Awards Party will be held on March 26th at The Abbey!
Use the form below or click the link HERE to nominate!
Sports
Blade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
Media sponsorship to amplify stories of LGBTQ athletes
The Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade on Friday announced a media partnership with the Out Athlete Fund, which will produce Pride House LA for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Pride House is the home for LGBTQ+ fans and athletes that will become a destination during the L.A. Summer Games in West Hollywood in partnership with the City of WeHo. This 17-day celebration for LGBTQ+ athletes and fans will include medal ceremonies for out athletes, interactive installations, speakers, concerts, and more.
The Los Angeles Blade will serve as the exclusive L.A.-area queer media sponsor for Pride House LA and the Washington Blade will support the efforts and amplify coverage of the 2028 Games.
The Blade will provide exclusive coverage of Pride House plans, including interviews with queer athletes and more. The parties will share content and social media posts raising awareness of the Blade and Out Athlete Fund. The Blade will have media credentials and VIP access for related events.
“We are excited to partner with the Washington Blade, the oldest LGBTQ newspaper in the United States and the Los Angeles Blade, already a strong supporter of Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA/West Hollywood,” said Michael Ferrera, CEO of Pride House LA. “Our mission is about increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes and fans to challenge the historical hostility toward our community in the sports world. Visibility is what publications like the Washington and Los Angeles publications are all about. We know they will play a key part in our success.”
“LGBTQ visibility has never been more important and we are thrilled to work with Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA to tell the stories of queer athletes and ensure the 2028 Summer Games are inclusive and affirming for everyone,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.
Out Athlete Fund is a 501(c)3 designed to raise money to offset the training cost of out LGBTQ+ athletes in need of funding for training. The Washington Blade is the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ news outlet; the Los Angeles Blade is its sister publication founded nine years ago.
a&e features
Angel McCoughtry, “Renaissance Woman”
Angel McCoughtry is a professional athlete. A two-time gold medalist, 5-time WNBA all-star, philanthropist, and now filmmaker.
“Renaissance Woman” is a term fit for a queen. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but we’re in luck because Angel McCoughtry is a professional athlete. A two-time gold medalist, 5-time WNBA all-star, philanthropist, and now filmmaker, Angel has built career(s) defined by reinvention and an insistence on excellence at every turn.
Her move to take charge behind the camera comes at a time that feels anything but divine. In a time where stories like Heated Rivalry bring the heat (pun intended) one moment, while nearly half of all queer characters and stories are vanishing from TV the next, McCoughtry’s leadership behind the camera signals something hopeful: A refusal to let anyone or any story get left behind.
A WNBA legend, McCoughtry played ten years without pause, splitting her time between the W and overseas leagues. In college, she led the Big East Conference in scoring, rebounds, and steals, obliterating records, even the ones she herself set. The number one draft pick and Rookie of the year in ‘09, McCoughtry quickly became one of the best players the W has ever seen. Though she never officially retired, Angel hasn’t played in the W since 2022, when she was sidelined for an injury that she has since healed. (Ya hear that WNBA? Our girl is ready to come back!)
Being forced to step away from the game brought about a reckoning that is all too familiar to elite athletes everywhere: “Who are you when your body won’t let you perform?” Through detangling this identity crisis, McCoughtry found a new appreciation for storytelling, the stories we tell ourselves as well as the stories we tell the world. Angel’s innovative storytelling and directing style are inspired by basketball, as she likens herself to the Dawn Staley of film, adding, “When you allow your players to be free, they can play at their highest level, and that’s what I allow my actors to do.”
Inspired by her grandmother’s stories of playing ball in a time when women were not allowed to cross half court and had to wear skirts, Angel wants to empower resilient perspectives. “I can’t keep their stories hidden,” She says, “The women who paved the way.” Laser focused on bringing scripted sports films to the mainstream, McCoughtry says, “I’m looking for stories that resonate with the people, and I want to be the one to bridge the gap and bring women’s sports scripted content to the forefront.”
Through McCoughtry Entertainment, Angel wants to bring women’s sports to the forefront as well as genre-driven films, particularly sports-thrillers led by women. Her short film Bygones is now available to stream on Prime Video, with more projects in the barrel. Her feature-length directorial debut, Bolted, is on deck as her next project. I personally would love to see the gay women’s version of Heated Rivalry in McCoughtry’s hands, who says, “There’s a realness to it,” about the show, “That happens often, and it’s not talked about [..] that’s all over women’s sports.”
“I am obsessed with stories about overcoming adversity,” says McCoughtry, an apt throughline in Angel’s work that reflects the spirit of creativity and athleticism.
Movies
50 years later, it’s still worth a return trip to ‘Grey Gardens’
Documentary remains entertaining despite its darkness
If we were forced to declare why “Grey Gardens” became a cult classic among gay men, it would be all the juicy quotes that have become part of the queer lexicon.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its theatrical release this month, the landmark documentary profiles two eccentrics: Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Edith Bouvier Beale (known as “Big” and “Little” Edie, respectively), the aunt and cousin of former first lady Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis and socialite Lee Radziwell. Once moving within an elite circle of American aristocrats, they had fallen into poverty and were living in isolation at their run-down estate (the Grey Gardens of the title) in East Hampton, Long Island; they re-entered the public eye in 1972 after local authorities threatened eviction and demolition of their mansion over health code violations, prompting their famous relatives to swoop in and pay for the necessary repairs to avoid further family scandal.
At the time, Radziwell had enlisted filmmaking brothers David and Albert Maysles to take footage for a later-abandoned project of her own, bringing them along when she went to put in an appearance at the Grey Gardens clean-up efforts. It was their first encounter with the Beales; the second came two years later, when they returned with their cameras (but without Radziwell) and proceeded to make documentary history, turning the two Edies into unlikely cultural icons in the process.
On paper, it reads like something painful: two embittered former socialites, a mother and daughter living among a legion of cats and raccoons in the literal ruins of their former life, where they dwell on old memories, rehash old conflicts, and take out their resentments on each other, attempting to keep up appearances while surviving on a diet that may or may not include cat food. Truthfully, it is sometimes difficult to watch, which is why it’s easier to approach from surface level, focusing on the “wacky” eccentricities and seeing the Beales as objects for ridicule.
Yet to do so is to miss the true brilliance of a movie that is irresistible, unforgettable, and fascinating to the point of being hypnotic, and that’s because of the Beales themselves, who are far too richly human to be dismissed on the basis of conventional judgments.
First is Little Edie, in her endless array of headscarves (to cover her hair loss from alopecia) and her ever-changing wardrobe of DIY “revolutionary costumes,” a one-time model and might-have-been showgirl who is obviously thrilled at having an audience and rises giddily to the occasion like a pro. Flamboyant, candid, and smarter than we think, she’s also fearlessly vulnerable; she gives us access to an emotional landscape shaped by the heartbreaks of a past that’s gradually revealed as the movie goes on, and it’s her ability to pull herself together and come back fighting that wins us over. By the time she launches into her monologue about being a “S-T-A-U-N-C-H” woman, we have no doubt that it’s true.
Then there’s Big Edie, who comes across as an odd mix of imperious dowager and down-to-earth grandma. She gets her own chance to shine for the camera, especially in the scenes where she reminisces about her early days as a “successful” amateur vocalist, singing along to records of songs she used to perform as glimpses emerge of the beauty and talent she commanded in her prime. She’s more than capable of taking on her daughter in their endless squabbles, and savvy enough to score serious points in the conflict, like stirring up jealousy with her attentions to beefy young handyman Jerry – whom the younger Edie has dubbed “the Marble Faun” – when he comes around to share a feast of boiled corn-on-the-cob with them. “Jerry likes the way I do my corn,” she deadpans to the camera, even though we know it’s meant for Little Edie.
It’s not just that their eccentricities verge on camp; that’s certainly an undeniable part of the appeal, but it falls away quickly as you begin to recognize that even if these women are putting on a show for the camera, they’re still being completely themselves – and they are spectacular.
Yes, their verbal sparring is often shrill and palpably toxic – in particular, Big Edie has no qualms about belittling and shaming her daughter in an obviously calculated effort to undermine her self-esteem and discourage her from making good on her repeated threats to leave Grey Gardens. We know she is acting from fear of abandonment, but it’s cruel, all the same.
These are the moments that disturb us more than any of the dereliction we see in their physical existence; fed by nostalgia and forged in a deep codependence that neither wants to acknowledge, their dynamic reflects years of social isolation that has made them into living ghosts, going through the habitual motions of a long-lost life, ruminating on ancient resentments, and mulling endlessly over memories of the things that led them to their outcast state. As Little Edie says early on, “It’s very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present. Do you know what I mean?”
That pithy observation, spoken conspiratorially to the Maysles’ camera, sets the tone for the entirety of “Grey Gardens,” perhaps even suggesting an appropriate point of meditation through which to contemplate everything that follows. It’s a prime example of the quotability that has helped this odd little movie endure as a fixture in queer culture; for many LGBTQ people, both Edies – born headstrong, ambitious, and independent into a social strata that only wanted its women to be well-behaved – became touchstones of frustrated longing, of living out one’s own fabulousness in isolated secrecy. Add to that shared inner experience Little Edie’s knack for turning scraps into kitschy fashion (and the goofy-but-joyous flag dance she performs as a sort of climactic topper near the end), and it should be obvious why the Maysles Brothers’ little project still resonates with the community five decades later.
Indeed, watching it in today’s cultural climate, it strikes chords that resonate through an even wider spectrum, touching on feminist themes through these two “problematic” women who have been effectively banished for refusing to fit into a mold, and on the larger issue of social and economic inequality that keeps them trapped, ultimately turning them against each other in their powerlessness.
With that in mind, it’s clear these women were never filmed to be objects of ridicule. They’re survivors in a world in which even their unimaginably wealthy relatives would rather look away, offering a bare minimum of help only when their plight becomes a matter of public family embarrassment, and the resilience they show in the face of tremendous adversity makes them worthy of celebration, instead.
That’s why “Grey Gardens” still hits close to home, why it entertains despite its darkness, and why we remember it as something bittersweet but beautiful. By the end of it, we recognize that the two Edies could be any of us, which means they are ALL of us – and if they can face their challenges with that much “revolutionary” spirit, then maybe we can be “staunch” against our adversities, too.
‘Incitation to the Dance’ asks what happens to love when a younger man cuts in
Olympics Pride House ‘really important for the community’
SoCal queer singles come together as we celebrate LA’s Top Eligible LGBTQ Singles at the Abbey this Thursday!
Bad Bunny shares Super Bowl stage with Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga
From the Desk of AJSOCAL: How the QTAPI community celebrates Lunar New Year
SoCal queer singles come together as we celebrate LA’s Top Eligible LGBTQ Singles at the Abbey this Thursday!
Project Angel Food is now able to feed 10,000 people daily with expanded building
Angel McCoughtry, “Renaissance Woman”
50 years later, it’s still worth a return trip to ‘Grey Gardens’
Michael Ferrera is paving a path of safety and liberation for queer athletes
-
Bars & Parties20 hours agoSoCal queer singles come together as we celebrate LA’s Top Eligible LGBTQ Singles at the Abbey this Thursday!
-
Los Angeles3 days agoProject Angel Food is now able to feed 10,000 people daily with expanded building
-
a&e features5 days agoAngel McCoughtry, “Renaissance Woman”
-
Movies5 days ago50 years later, it’s still worth a return trip to ‘Grey Gardens’
-
Sports4 days agoMichael Ferrera is paving a path of safety and liberation for queer athletes
-
Arts & Entertainment4 days ago2026 Best of LGBTQ LA Readers’ Choice Award Nominations
-
AIDS and HIV3 days agoCongresswoman Maxine Waters introduces new resolution for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
-
Sports4 days agoBlade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
-
Commentary2 days agoAre we done with ‘Drag Race?’
-
Books2 days agoNew book explores homosexuality in ancient cultures