The Drag Kings of Taipei
I moved to California from Shanghai at fourteen and threw myself into learning how to be an American. It’s a lot like doing drag.
The Scene
PHOTOESSAY: Women Run the Show at Yola Día 2019
“So many women were able to see their music icons in a lineup where they weren’t the minority. That just doesn’t happen at large scale mainstream festivals.”
Korean-American Bestselling Author R.O. Kwon Is Bisexual, Has Flawless Signature Eyeshadow
Bestselling author of The Incendiaries is out as bisexual, proud, and giving us big feelings about eyeshadow and representation.
Are You Gay or Just Happy to See Me: The Queer Code Trivia Quiz
Do you remember the first non-verbal ~thing~ that made you look at someone and realize they were probably queer? Here’s a quiz about various non-verbal (visual! written! music! etc!) ways we communicate our queerness.
PHOTOESSAY: It’s Your First Time at Dinah Shore
From afar (and also from close-up, let’s be real), Dinah looks like a sea of lesbians whilin’ out getting sunburnt. Now, that’s either your dream or your hell depending on your feelings about sun, pools, and parties.
I Tried To Conduct an Interview with a Vampire and All I Got Was This Vague Sense of Impending Doom
“I can’t pay my rent with being a vampire, Rachel… can I?”
Day in the Life: Lisa Cannistraci, Activist and Lesbian Bar Owner
“When I opened the bar in 1991, we had a jukebox. Yeah that’s about it. Back then folks were not so intent on being in fabulous spaces. They just wanted a safe space to congregate.”
You Should Go: Brush Up Your ’90s Activist History with Lesbians to Watch Out For
The history and art exhibit opens tonight and runs through June 30 at Plummer Park in West Hollywood. Zines! Avengers! Arrests! Street resistance! And a grassroots organizing panel!
PHOTOESSAY: Krave Spring Break with Amber’s Closet
I met up with Amber of Amber’s Closet to experience a couple days in her life as an influencer and YouTuber while raging at Krave Spring Break. Basically, she’s never off the clock, even when the party is off the chain.
PHOTOESSAY: The Dinah, As Told By Dancers
Honestly this year was the wildest I’ve ever seen it. Maybe it’s the political climate but everyone turned out for a good time.
Day in the Life: In the Studio With Artist Madam Muse
“I use my art as a form of activism. I want my art to convey pride and courage, fearlessness through bold color. Creatively, this IS the time for artists to rise and do our part.”
PHOTOESSAY: West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnival Is Really Bonkers
Protip: leave around the time you see clowns passed out on the floor.
Comic: Pride in Portugal
I visited two Pride parades in Portugal and I’m here to tell you all about it!
Team Pick: Celebrate Kaylah’s Face, Queer Art
Kaylah’s face is the official face of a queer art exhibition stacked with badass queer artists including Chelsea Barg, Shannon Lester, and Shelley Penner, among others.
San Francisco Pride Was Really Wild
We eased into the raging with a potluck of queers.
PHOTOESSAY: LA Pride and Vigil
As one speaker said, ‘a federal official suggested that maybe it was best to cancel the festivities – we said back, maybe you don’t know who we are.’ We stand up, fight hate, and spread love.
What’s the Point of Lesbian Parties?
“It sounds like the start of a fairy tale, except The Woods doesn’t lead to witches that boil children. It leads to neo-feminist witches who can read your horoscope, make kombucha and tattoo your pinkie. They’re pretty hot.”
PHOTOESSAY: Dinah Dinah Dinah
This year I decided to DO Dinah (as opposed to last year when I ran away and went camping). It’s basically “how long can I survive in the heat before I die” and then “how long can I stay at this party before I pass out” and repeat.
Laying Down My Bullshit and Dancing at Dawn
“In Berlin people talk about it, expats especially, in hushed, reverent tones. The sound system, which is supposed to be one of the best in the world. The DJ acts you’ve never heard of with names like Fuck Buttons. And that magical moment in the morning when the blinds at Panorama Bar are yanked open and the suddenly-illuminated, all-night revelers start to cheer.”
DAY IN THE LIFE: Lady Cultura, Rapper, Choreographer, Artist
“I’ve loved dance ever since I was convinced I was Sporty Spice and my living room was Madison Square Garden. I started classes at age 12 and haven’t stopped since.”