‘Bring it to Brunch’ returns to WeHo
Bring it to Brunch, helmed by local drag maven Cake Moss, will make its return to West Hollywood at Rocco’s on April 19 at noon. The show has become a mainstay in the local queer community, starting at Flaming Saddles, then moving to Micky’s.
The show focuses on putting the spotlight on local talent and audiences continue to return as each show is filled with laughs and ‘lewks.’
Hailing from Cleveland, Moss has been serving it up with the drag community for over 14 years. She is a consummate performer and has hosted her own show on Outat. TV, released some sassy bops and performed around the nation.
We chatted with Moss about her WeHo legacy, the return of Bring It To Brunch, queer nightlife and more!
BLADE: How would you describe your drag?
MOSS: I always have a hard time describing my drag. You’ll see through a show of mine. I always start out in a gown and huge hair, and the end of the show we are all shakin’ ass!
BLADE: What do you love most about the queer club scene in West Hollywood?
MOSS: What I love most about the queer scene in WeHo is just that—we have a whole neighborhood of queer spaces, for queer people of all walks of like! You can go watch sports, go to a dive bar, go to a big club, go be ‘bougie,’ or just live your best fantasy.
BLADE: What sets Bring it to Brunchapart from other drag shows?
MOSS: What I personally think sets my show apart is the casting process I have in place and the fact that I have a different cast every week!
BLADE: Bring It To Brunch is getting a reboot at Rocco’s. What can audiences look forward to in the new venue?
MOSS: I’m so excited and honored to get to my baby back at Rocco’s. The new owners and management are so supportive and excited it makes me even more lit to start! We are gonna have new drink options. I changed the format a little bit, but it will still be doing what we usually did! Prize giveaways, sponsors and special celebrity guests! It’s always a gag at brunch!
BLADE: What is most important to you in putting together each week’s cast?
MOSS: Diversity! There are sooo many drag entertainers here in SoCal (I also book people from all around the world), so it’s important for me to give a stage to people that normally don’t have the chance to show their art off in West Hollywood.
BLADE: Who is kicking off your first show at Rocco’s and what do you love most about this cast?
MOSS: My [drag] sister Melissa BeFierce. She is always supportive of me and looking out for each other she’s been one of my longest friendships here in L.A! My [drag] daughter Jenna Talls is beautiful and also very supportive of me and our community. I have my [drag] sister Kyra Jete, she is the weekly host of Fierce Fridays at Rocco’s and is also one of the Rocc-ettes! So I thought, ‘why not show the crowd some house talent to show what Rocco’s has to offer entertainment-wise?’
And rounding off the cast is Thierry Miesel! She’s a very talented gem. We go way back and she is coming out of her hiatus. I wanted to show her that WeHo is still kickin’!
BLADE: What are the biggest challenges facing local
drag queens in this political and social climate?
MOSS: I’d say forms here in Los Angeles we are very privileged to be in a place so open and accepting? I’d say that we need to use our voices to help support our fellow sisters in places where legislation is attacking them personally. All of our voices count and never forget that they can always be heard!
BLADE: How can we best support our drag community?
MOSS: Support is very easy. If you can come to the show and support, cheer and love—those are free. If you can’t come to the show, that’s OK. Share the flier in your story for a friend or tell a friend who also enjoys drag. Also free! But if you can, make it rain on a b-tch and buy some drinks.
Bring it to Brunch kicks off every Saturday, starting on April 19 at Rocco’s in West Hollywood. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ
LA Opera brings back Pride night
LA Opera is bringing back its Pride Night on Wednesday May 7, in partnership with the Opera League of Los Angeles.
LGBTQ members and allies will come together for Pride Night to indulge in a performance of “Ainadamar,” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. The discounted tickets for Pride Night include access to a complimentary postshow party at Vespaio hosted by the Opera League of Los Angeles, featuring Cal-Italian bites from Chef Agostino Sciandri.
“Ainadamar” is a tribute to Spanish poet and queer icon, Federico García Lorca.
“This season, we celebrate with ‘Ainadamar,’ a powerful tribute to Spanish poet and queer icon Federico García Lorca. These pairings matter. They highlight that opera is a living, evolving art form—one that speaks to all people and reflects the diversity of the world we live in,” said Christopher Koelsch, president and CEO of LA Opera.
The central plot of “Ainadamar,” which is the Arabic meaning for ‘fountain of tears,’ follows Ana María
Martínez as Margarita Xirgu, an actress who spent half of her career portraying Mariana Pineda, who was a 19th-century Spanish liberalist heroine, in Lorca’s play. Pineda was a political martyr who was executed for embroidering a flag with the slogan “Equality, Freedom and Law,” in protest of the absolutist Spanish regime.
The production, running at approximately one hour and 20 minutes, sets the stage with a throwback, recounting Lorca’s life and his last days in the Spanish Civil War.
“At the heart of our Pride Night celebration is the belief that everyone should feel seen onstage and off. Opera is a space for community and belonging, where our audiences can recognize themselves not only among fellow attendees, but also in our artists, our music and the stories we tell,” said Koelsch.
This major company premiere, led by resident conductor Lina Gonzáles-Granados, is sung in Spanish, with English and Spanish subtitles. Grammy-winning composer Osvaldo Golijov produces the dramatic, flamenco-inspired score that meets the poignant libretto by David
Henry Hwang.
During the COVID-19 shutdowns, live performances at the LA Opera were put on hold and the journey to bring back Pride Night, among many other in-person performances, was a struggle filled with many moving parts.
“COVID-19 suspended live performances across the board and during our return season we were navigating the different timelines for audiences returning to live theater. It was very much a matter of listening to our community and learning what had changed for them as well as us: some opted for livestream options, others preferred only outdoor events, and so on,” said Koelsch.
“Once we found our stride, we were excited to bring back Pride Night the following season during ‘The Marriage of Figaro.’”
This year the LA Opera is celebrating its 40th anniversary by launching the 40th Anniversary Campaign to raise resources needed to continue funding the organization. The show opens on Saturday.
GISSELLE PALOMERA
CAKE MOSS
Finding love in queer Los Angeles with matchmaker Daniel Cooley
Is it hard to date in queer Los Angeles? We do a deep dive into finding love with one of the community’s most in-demand matchmaker.
By ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ
For those of us gay singles in Los Angeles, we know that dating can be difficult. In addition to all the usual dating issues, the queer community also has to deal with body issues, open relationships and hookup apps. Even with a large population of queer folk, trying to find love in Los Angeles can often seem futile. Is it possible to find love in today’s tech age?
Enter professional matchmaker Daniel Cooley, co-owner of Best Man Matchmaking, on a mission to help LGBTQ+ folks find real love and long-term commitment. You may have seen him see him pop up on TV, or may have heard about his packed singles mixers.
He and his full team (which even includes an astrologer and stylist) have a system that is tried and true. He is fully in tune with the challenges that queer singles face. We sat and chatted about it all—dating apps, monogamy, red flags, first dates, and more! How did you get into the world of matchmaking?
A decade ago I appeared on the reality show “Millionaire Matchmaker” as a match for underwear designer Andrew Christian. I remember looking up to Patti Stanger’s ability to help singles understand the reasons why they might be single—she was so fierce and fabulous. Around that same time, I had also started a nonprofit focused on HIV-related needs. Within that non-profit, I helped build a large social network and club—made up mostly of gay, bi, or queer men. People would constantly ask me if I knew anyone in the group who was single.
I became known as the “divine connector,” always linking people to opportunities—whether it was a job, a new friend, or a date. I curated tons of long-term relationships, marriages, and lasting friendships. Years later, when I began to sell real estate, my single clients would often ask if I knew anyone they could potentially share their new home with.
That’s when I reached out to the only gay matchmaker I knew at the time, Mason Glenn, who used to run The Gay Matchmaking Club in Los Angeles. He introduced me to Anthony Canapi, who was working for a local matchmaker and eventually founded “Best Man Matchmaking”—working with
him as a recruiter and matchmaker. Now I am the co-owner and CEO of “Best Man Matchmaking.”
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges today in dating in the LA queer community?
One of the biggest challenges with dating in the queer community is that many people haven’t done the inner work. Instead of connecting over shared morals, values, interests, and genuine connection, a lot of guys—especially those struggling with low self-esteem—are constantly chasing the next best or hottest thing.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to help men be more realistic with their expectations, but the response is often, “Well, he hooked up with me on Grindr, so why wouldn’t he date me?” The truth is, just because someone hooks up with you doesn’t mean they want to build a relationship with you. Swipe culture, hookup apps and social media have made dating more difficult—not just in the queer community, but across the board. Add to that the trauma and insecurities many gay men are still working through, and it becomes even harder. Rejection from society is one thing, but rejection from within our own LGBTQ community—whether in dating or just trying to make friends—can be deeply painful. I hear horror stories all the time from gay men who feel consistently shut out by the very people they’re trying to connect with.
At what point should people turn to matchmaking to find a possible match?
There’s really no right or wrong time to turn to a matchmaker—but we recommend you begin the process before you think you’re ready. Some men wait until they are completely frustrated and exhausted dating on their own and that’s usually too late. You want fresh eyes and an open heart getting the process started with your matchmaker, not a jaded outlook.
Most of the clients we represent hire us because they value privacy and have a clear idea of who they seem themselves with, coupled with the ongoing inner work of understanding what they have to offer their partner. And I’m not talking about physically or financially – the clients we
place in relationships the fastest are the ones who know themselves really well. Did you know that recent studies show people are spending an average of 27 to 45 hours a month on dating apps? That seems unhealthy to me.
I love when my clients tell me that working with us feels like meeting someone “the organic way.” Like they are being introduced to a great match through a trusted friend. Hiring a matchmaker is like having a close friend who knows you really well and has access to a network of high-quality, relationship minded men. It’s that simple.
What are the biggest factors that you consider in matching people up?
Our matchmaking is based on 4 core concepts:
Morals & Values:
We look at core beliefs—how someone lives their life, what they stand for, and how they treat others. Shared values create long-term compatibility.
Interests & Lifestyle:
Do they enjoy the same things? Travel style, social life, routines—these everyday details matter when building a life together.
Sexual Compatibility:
This is especially important for gay men. Desire, preferences, and position in the bedroom. You can’t leave this out because it can make or break a connection.
Relationship Intentions:
We match people based on where they are emotionally and what kind of relationship they’re ready for—not just who they’re attracted to.
What are some red flags that someone should never ignore?
There are two main red flags we screen for in matching our clients. Unclear communication is a major red flag. It’s one thing to be busy, but if they’re taking days to reply or you’re always the one initiating plans, that shows a lack of effort. Don’t expect that to magically change—poor communication doesn’t improve unless the person is actively working on it.
If someone says they are not sure what they want out of a relationship or connection, this is another red flag for us. For example, if they say they’re open to a relation-
ship “if it happens,” but aren’t clear about wanting something long-term—believe them. Take their words seriously and move on. It’s better to invest your time in someone who knows what they’re looking for. In your opinion, what would be a good first date?
A great first date involves doing something you genuinely enjoy—whether it’s trying out a new restaurant, hiking a trail you’ve been meaning to explore, or visiting a museum you’ve had your eye on. If your date enjoys it with you, there’s a good chance you’ll naturally connect. We’ll curate a first date for our clients that reflects their lifestyle, hobbies, and life stage.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when going on a date?
There’s one that we look out for.
The biggest mistake is not staying present. People often talk too much about themselves out of nervousness, instead of asking questions and getting to know their date. A common slip-up is bringing up an ex or sharing recent drama in their life. Leave the drama at the door and focus on enjoying the person in front of you.
It seems that monogamy has become less popular in relationships. Is this true?
Monogamy is still very popular. Over 80% of the people who reach out to us are looking for a monogamous relationship. The rest may be open to something more flexible, like “monoga-mish”—meaning they’re in a committed relationship but open to exploring non-monogamy down the line—or they’re simply open-minded about different dynamics.
Our clients are men who are looking for the same kind of companionship many people want: a long-lasting relationship, emotional connection, and a true partner to build a life with.
DANIEL COOLEY
Expert warns Trump’s cuts to HHS will have far-reaching consequences
‘I don’t know why they hate public health so much’
By CHRISTOPHER KANE | ckane@washblade.com
Ten years ago, as the opioid epidemic ripped through communities across the United States, the recreational use of oxymorphone with contaminated needles led to an explosion of new HIV infections in southern Indiana’s Scott County.
In places like Austin, a city with about 4,000 residents, the rate of diagnoses quickly ballooned to levels seen in some of the hardest-hit nations of sub-Saharan Africa, more than 50 times higher than the national average.
Thankfully, by 2020, NPR reported that the area was rebounding from what was the most devastating drug-fueled HIV epidemic that rural America had ever experienced, with three-quarters of patients managing the disease so well with antiretroviral therapies that their viral loads were undetectable.
Five years after officials called a public health emergency over the outbreak in Scott County, Austin had opened new addiction treatment centers, support groups, and syringe exchanges.
Initially, Indiana’s response was sluggish. The state’s governor at the time, Mike Pence, opposed clean needle exchanges for 29 days before ultimately signing an executive order allowing for a state-supervised program.
The administration in which he would go on to serve as vice president, however, launched an ambitious initiative designed around the objective of ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. by the end of the decade, using proven public health strategies including syringe exchanges.
NPR further noted “the administration’s HIV goals were championed” by Pence along with Trump’s U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome Adamsthe, who was Indiana’s health commissioner during the outbreak in Austin.
Still, the news service warned, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that 220 U.S. counties were vulnerable to outbreaks of HIV and other blood borne infectious diseases like hepatitis C.
“When you have these outbreaks, they affect other states and counties. It’s a domino effect,” Dr. Rupa Patel, an HIV prevention researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, told NPR. “We have to learn from them. Once you fall behind, you can’t catch up.”
Trump’s approach to public health, including efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate, and treat outbreaks of infectious diseases, looks radically different in his second term.
The Washington Blade spoke with Matthew Rose, senior public policy advocate for the Human Rights Campaign, during a recent interview about the the administration’s dramatic cuts and mass layoffs that will totally reshape the way America’s health agencies are run under Trump’s secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“They’re dismantling all the things around” the first Trump administration’s Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. effort, he said, eliminating key positions and offices within America’s health agencies that support this effort, including by track-
ing progress toward — or movement away from — the 2030 goalposts.
Rose said there is no evidence to suggest the initiatives combatting HIV that were begun when Trump was in office the first time were ineffective, either in terms of whether their long term cost-savings justified the investment of government resources to administer them or with respect to data showing measurable progress toward ending the epidemic within the decade.
Therefore and in the absence of an alternative explanation,, Rose said he is left with the impression that the TrumpVance administration does not care about Americans’ public health, especially when it comes to efforts focused on disfavored populations, such as programs supporting access to PrEP to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through sex.
The outbreak in Scott County “can happen over and over again, if we don’t have CDC surveillance,” he warned. “We’re still having a fentanyl crisis in the country that we don’t seem to really want to deal with, but you end up with outbreaks that bloom and bloom very quick and very fast.”
Rose added, “The really crazy thing is that they got rid of disease intervention and branch and response,” referring to the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, specifically its Division of HIV Prevention, and the various branches within that division that are responsible for different aspects of HIV prevention, care, and research. They include HIV Research, Behavioral and Clinical Surveillance, and Detection and Response.
“These are literally the disease detectives that chase down outbreaks,” Rose added. “When there’s a syphilis outbreak in an area, when COVID came along and we had to trace COVID outbreaks, like, those folks are the folks who do this.”
If (or perhaps when) communities experience an outbreak, “We wouldn’t truly know what’s going on until probably 10 years later, when those folks’ CD4 counts finally crash to an AIDS diagnosis level,” he said, at which point “they’re very, very sick.”
“They’ll start looking like we haven’t seen people look since probably 30, 40 years ago,” Rose said, a time well before the advent of highly effective medicines that from the perspective of many patients turned HIV from a death sentence to a manageable disease.
Additionally, “every person that we lose to follow up and care, if they don’t know their status, that’s where the majority of new diagnoses come from,” he said, noting that without the CDC’s work “bringing people back into care,” there is “no way
of tracking that.” HIV positive people will continue to potentially transmit the disease to others as “their own health deteriorates at levels that it doesn’t need to deteriorate at,” Rose said, “so, we make it worse.”
Along with the breakthroughs in drug discovery that led to the introduction of highly efficacious and well tolerated antiretrovirals, the use of PrEP by those who are HIV-negative to drastically reduce the risk that they may contract the virus through sex has put the goal of eliminating the epidemic within reach.
“One of the things we learned from things like the PROUD study,” Rose said, referring to randomized placebo-controlled HIV trials conducted in the U.K. in 2016 “ is that if you can get to the highest impacted folks, the most vulnerable folks, for every one person you get on PrEP, you’re getting anywhere from 16 to 23 infections averted.”
Rose noted that “we’re finally starting to stabilize” the disproportionately high rate of new infections among gay and bisexual Black men who have sex with men thanks in large part to the federal government’s work by employees and divisions that were cut by Kennedy’s restructuring of HHS, initiatives like culturally competent public health messaging campaigns for vulnerable populations, addressing subjects like PrEP, other prevention methods, the importance of regular HIV/STI screenings, and the availability of treatments for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
There is no way of knowing if any intervention was effective in the absence of “surveillance units” to monitor the disease’s spread through communities and track mitigation efforts, he said, adding that the gutting of these positions comes as “Latin men have actually been catching [up to] Black men in terms of new diagnoses” while rates among Black and Latina trans women remain high.
Along with NCHHSTP’s Prevention Communication Branch, the health secretary’s near 20 percent cut to CDC staff also eliminated the center’s Division of Behavioral & Clinical Surveillance Branch, its Capacity Development Branch, its Quantitative Sciences Branch, and its HIV Research Branch.
As a result, Rose said “You’re going to see these populations get hit hardest again,” communities that have long suffered disproportionately from the HIV epidemic due to factors like racial or income-based disparities in access to testing and treatment.
Broadly, the CDC is distinguished from other agencies because the Atlanta-based agency’s remit is focused to a significant extent on the population level implementation of public health interventions, endeavoring to change health outcomes, he explained. With respect to PrEP, for example, once the drug was shown safe and effective in clinical research and the evidence supported its use as a critical tool in the federal government’s effort to stop the epidemic, the CDC is responsible for work like making sure at-risk populations who are disinclined to use condoms can stick with (or are sticking with) the medication regimen.
HHS Secretary ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
House Republicans advance two anti-trans bills
Republican members of the House Education and Workforce Committee advanced two anti-transgender bills last week, one that would forcibly out students in public elementary and middle schools to their parents and a second covering grades K-12 that critics have dubbed a “don’t say trans” bill.
More specifically, under the PROTECT Kids Act, changes to “a minor’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms” could not be made without parental consent, while the Say No to Indoctrination Act would prohibit schools from teaching or advancing “gender ideology” as defined by President Donald Trump’s anti-trans Jan. 20 executive order, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), who was named national teacher of the year before her election to Congress, rose to speak out against the bills during the committee’s convening on Wednesday.
“Curriculum does not include teaching students to be something else. Curriculum does not include indoctrinating students to identify as gay or LGBTQ or other or anything. But federal law mandates that all students have civil rights protections,” she said.
The congresswoman continued, “I don’t really understand what the members of this committee think happens in schools, but my question is, what do we do with these
children? The children who you are saying, on this committee, don’t exist, the children who are struggling with their identity and often times confide in their teachers and ask for support and help.”
“What we’re doing in this committee is focusing on a small population of students who are at a point in their life where they are struggling and school may, for many of them, feel like the only safe place or the only place where they can get support, or the only place where they can speak to a counselor,” Hayes said.
“And as a teacher, I don’t care if it was just one student that I had to reassure that they were important and they were valued and they belonged here,” she said. “I’m going to do it, and anyone who has dedicated their life to this profession will do the same. So the idea that you all feel okay with arbitrarily erasing, disappearing people, making them think that they they don’t exist, or they don’t have a place in schools, or the curriculum should not include them, or whatever they’re feeling should not be valued, considered, Incorporated, is just wrong.”
“So I will not be supporting this piece of legislation, as if that was not already evident, and I will be using all of my time, my agency, my energy, my advocacy, to ensure that every student,” Hayes said, “feels valued, respected, important and included in the work that I engage in on this committee.”
The congresswoman concluded, “when you are in a classroom and you are a teacher, and that door closes and a student falls in your arms and says to you, I am struggling, and I can’t go home with this information, and I need Help, you have a moral responsibility to help that child or you are in the wrong profession. I yield back.”
The Congressional Equality Caucus slammed the bills in an emailed statement from the chair, U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who noted that the legislation comes as
“Donald Trump is illegally trying to dismantle the Department of Education and pass tax cuts for billionaires.”
“Extreme Republicans in Congress are trying to distract Americans by advancing cruel, anti-trans legislation,” said the congressman, who is gay. “School districts, teachers, and staff best understand how to draft age-appropriate, inclusive curriculums and craft policies that both respect the important role parents play in children’s education and the importance of students’ safety.”
“Yet, Republicans’ Don’t Say Trans Act would cut critical funding for schools if their teachers teach lessons or include materials that simply acknowledge the reality of trans peoples’ existence,” Takano added. “Republicans’ forced outing bill would put kids in danger by requiring schools that want to take certain steps to affirm a transgender student’s identity to forcibly out them to their parents — even if the school knows this will put the student’s safety at risk.”
The Human Rights Campaign also issued a statement on Wednesday by the organization’s communications director, Laurel Powell:
“Instead of putting our dangerous President in check and tackling the American economy’s free fall, House Republicans showed where their priorities lie — giving airtime to junk science and trying to pass more anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
“Forcing teachers to ‘out’ trans youth rather than supporting them in coming out to their families and demanding that schools ignore the trans students who sit in their classrooms is a craven attempt to distract people from economic disaster by vilifying children.
“Even as they fire people whose jobs were to make sure schools have the resources they need, the Trump administration and their allies in Congress continue to attack vulnerable young people to score points with the far right.”
CHRISTOPHER KANE
Trump’s battle with Maine over trans policies escalates
A months-long standoff between between President Donald Trump and Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) continued to escalate last week with a lawsuit targeting the administration on Monday and cuts to federal grants to the state on Tuesday.
The conflict kicked off on Feb. 21 at the White House, where the president threatened Mills with retaliation after she declined to say that her state would not comply with his executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in school sports. The governor and other officials have said the policy is in conflict with provisions of the Maine Human Rights Act, while the president argued his executive action supersedes state law.
While the heated exchange between the two concluded with each party vowing to see the other in court, developments in the time since suggest that Trump and Mills are likely to square off over legal questions far broader than whether the White House can prohibit trans girls in a blue state from joining the field hockey team.
In a complaint filed on Monday, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey argued U.S. Department of Agriculture
Secretary Brooke Rollins had unlawfully frozen funding for “certain administrative and technological functions” in schools in his state after concluding, in the absence of a formal investigation, that some of their programs violated Title IX rules. A letter last week from Rollins notifying Mills of the USDA’s decision warned that it was “only the beginning.”
Then on Tuesday, the Maine Department of Corrections said the Justice Department had cancelled several grants, which according to the Maine Morning Star would have supported “drug treatment for adults in reentry, programs that foster engagement between incarcerated parents and their children, and resources for corrections agencies to improve post-release supervision in order to prevent recidivism and reduce crime.” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said during an interview that the move came in response to the state’s incarceration of a transwoman in a women’s prison.
One of Trump’s day-one executive actions targeting trans rights included a provision directing the AG and the Homeland Security secretary to ensure that women’s
prisons and detention centers do not detain or house “males” or trans women, though here and elsewhere the administration deliberately does not make the distinction — and in Section 2 of the order, establishes that the policy of the federal government will be to treat gender as a binary that is fixed at birth, a narrow definition that denies the biological reality that people can be intersex (meaning their sex characteristics cannot be clearly distinguished as male or female) while others, like trans individuals, may experience incongruity between their gender and birth sex.
CHRISTOPHER KANE
U.S. Rep. TIM WALBERG (R-Mich.) chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee (Photo public domain)
President DONALD TRUMP (Blade photo by Michael Key)
KEVIN NAFF
is editor of the Washington Blade. Reach him at knaff@washblade.com
Fired. Depressed. Moved to Canada: Tales from Trump
2.0 We must not normalize what’s happening to our country
It’s been diffi cult to keep up with the news since Jan. 20, as the attacks on our community keep coming. The same president who nominated the highest-ranking openly gay government offi cial ever (Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary) is the same president who is killing transgender Americans via his incessantly cruel attacks on their humanity. (When you deny someone access to the bathroom, you deny their humanity.)
I have struggled to organize my thoughts about Trump 2.0. Instead, I am sharing anonymized anecdotes from people I know and love who have been adversely impacted by his cruelty. This is just a sampling of what Trump has wrought in barely three months.
• A close friend with a transgender child abruptly packed up and left the country, driving to Canada. I had no idea until a cryptic social media post prompted me to call. Their trans child no longer felt safe in our country. My friend sold the family home, packed the car, and drove to Canada. My heart breaks for their beautiful family, now geographically separated because of Trump’s attacks.
• Another friend in a high-ranking job was singled out by the MAGA social media mob. She was derided as a “DEI hire” simply because she’s a lesbian. The FBI came to her home and advised building a panic room. She now travels with armed security, something she never had to do before Trump.
• A friend was off ered a job by a major news outlet. The off er was rescinded after their boss discovered a nearly 10-year-old blog post they wrote that was critical of Trump. Yes, the mainstream media are caving to Trump’s threats.
• Yet another friend in a senior civilian government post has been forced to fi re longtime employees and remove any mention of the LGBTQ community (to which he belongs) from a government website. This includes important studies on LGBTQ health and wellness.
• And another friend who was fi red from her federal government job is struggling with depression, unable so far to fi nd a new job after a career in public service that ended with a dismissal for no reason.
Welcome to MAGA’s America, where public servants are ridiculed, threatened, and fi red. Where mothers and fathers of transgender children are fl eeing the country because their child fears being killed here. Where hard-working business leaders who happen to be LGBTQ or women or Black are targeted and doxed by Trump’s brainwashed, bigoted followers. Where one-time corporate “allies” are running like cowards
from their DEI programming and support for the LGBTQ community.
At the Blade, I have fi elded multiple requests from sources asking that their names be removed from past news articles because they fear government retaliation merely for being publicly identifi ed as LGBTQ. We’ve never needed a formal policy for such requests until Trump returned to power. After consulting with experts in journalism ethics, we have decided to take such requests on a case-by-case basis. We have a unique contract with our readers, very diff erent from mainstream outlets like the Washington Post, and will fi nd a workable solution as these questions arise.
So now what? Those of us in a position to resist must do so. We must not normalize what’s happening to our country. Firebombing a governor’s residence; storming the U.S. Capitol; plotting to kidnap Democratic governors — none of this is normal or “OK,” as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a major understatement last weekend.
Join the growing protest movement around the country. Call and write to your elected representatives urging them to oppose Trump’s agenda, from his stupidly reckless tariff policies to his anti-trans attacks. Attend local town halls with elected offi cials and denounce the mass fi rings of federal workers. Read and donate to your local media outlets doing their best to cover all of these attacks on democracy.
And, perhaps most crucially, do what you can to support Democratic candidates running in the 2026 midterms. Our only hope of saving American democracy and the Constitution may be for Democrats to retake one or both houses of Congress next year. The Republicans have a narrow 220-213 majority. Last week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee highlighted 35 GOP-held districts it is targeting in 2026; they only need to fl ip seven of those. The Senate will be a bigger challenge, though not impossible, as Democrats would need to fl ip four seats to take control. They have a good shot in Maine and North Carolina. With Trump’s plummeting approval ratings and an economy headed for recession, the Alaska and Ohio Senate races could also be competitive.
Stay engaged and informed. Reach out to friends who’ve lost their jobs to Elon Musk’s craven chainsaw approach to gutting the federal government. Do what you can to support and reassure the trans community that we have their backs. We know better than anyone that silence equals death. So fi nd your voice and speak out.
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Science must not be a weapon against trans people HHS directive would fund studies on ‘detransition’ among children
A concerning research directive is quietly circulating through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The directive, issued in response to presidential Executive Order 14187, calls for the National Institutes of Health to fund studies focused on “regret” and “detransition” among children who have accessed gender-affirming care. It explicitly demands that researchers avoid “subsidizing or incentivizing” such care – language that is both vague and deeply ideological.
President Trump’s executive order, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” was signed in January 2025 and frames all gender-affirming care for minors as inherently dangerous. It calls for an investigation into the “long-term side effects” of such care and restricts federal funding to any institution providing it. In effect, it lays the groundwork for a federally sanctioned research agenda that aims not to understand transgender health but to discredit it.
Behind the recent HHS memo lies a dangerous truth: The federal government is attempting to repurpose science as a tool for political ideology. If this directive proceeds, it will not only erode the credibility of public health research, but it will also put transgender lives at risk.
This warning is not hyperbole. The memo uses inflammatory language like “chemical and surgical mutilation” to describe standard gender-affirming treatments such as hormone therapy and surgery. These terms are not neutral. They are the rhetorical weapons of anti-trans movements, now embedded in federal policy language. Their use signals a chilling shift: science is no longer being asked to explore, understand, or improve lives. It is being asked to justify harm.
Let’s be clear: Regret following gender-affirming care is exceedingly rare. Evidence suggests that the regret rate among individuals who have had gender-affirming surgery is less than 1%, compared to a surgical regret prevalence of about 14% among the general population. Moreover, studies have found that when transgender people report regret following gender-affirming surgery, it is often related to external factors like lack of support from family and peers.
The evidence is consistent and overwhelming: gender-affirming care, including gender-affirming surgery, improves mental health, reduces suicidality, decreases substance use, and affirms a person’s identity and autonomy. That’s why the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association, and every major medical organization in the United States recognize the safety, efficacy, and medical necessity of gender-affirming care when provided in accordance with established guidelines
And yet, this new directive demands the opposite. It explicitly instructs researchers to avoid using methods that “subsidize” or “incentivize” transition – a vague prohibition that could limit recruitment, constrain study design, and exclude institutions that provide care. It also bars federal funding to any site offering gender-affirming care to minors, ensuring that the very institutions with the clinical expertise and trust of transgender communities are excluded from the research altogether.
This is not how science works. It is how propaganda works.
There is no scientific integrity in a process that defines its conclusions in advance. There is no public benefit in research that singles out one of the most vulnerable populations – transgender youth – as the sole subject of scrutiny while erasing their overwhelmingly positive outcomes. There is no ethical justification for using federal funds to stigmatize identities and restrict medical freedom.
All aspects of transgender health – positive, negative, and complex – deserve rigorous scientific study. That is what good research does. It seeks truth through comprehensive, community-engaged inquiry. But this directive does not aim for understanding; it fixates exclusively on harm. By selectively funding studies on regret and detransition and explicitly discouraging research that might affirm or support transition, it transforms science from a tool of discovery into an instrument of ideological control.
The consequences of this directive are real. It will erode trust in health research, particularly among transgender people who already face systemic discrimination in medicine. It will chill academic inquiry, pushing researchers away from transgender health for fear of political reprisal. And it will feed a wave of state-level legislation banning gender-affirming care – legislation that increasingly cites distorted or misrepresented science as justification.
This directive is not just an attack on trans rights. It is an attack on science itself.
We must respond with urgency.
First, institutions that receive NIH funding must speak out. Silence enables political interference to become normalized. Deans, department chairs, and ethics boards must draw a
lives.
experiences that fit a political narrative.
should demand transparency around how and why this directive
clear line: public health research cannot be allowed to serve discriminatory ends. Second, scientific societies and journals must reaffirm their commitment to ethical, community-engaged, and evidence-based research on transgender health. This means actively promoting rigorous work that reflects the full complexity of transgender people’s lives. Not just those experiences that fit a political narrative.
Third, Congress must exercise its oversight powers. Lawmakers should demand transparency around how and why this directive was issued and ensure that federally funded research respects both scientific standards and human rights.
human rights.
community must organize. Transgender health repartners
the autonomy of science and the dignity of research
And finally, the research community must organize. Transgender health researchers, bioethicists, and community partners need to work together to defend the autonomy of science and the dignity of research participants. This is not a moment for neutrality. It is a moment for moral clarity.
is a moment for moral transgender people are being targeted and erased from textbooks. Now, of science are being turned against them. If this weaponthe damage on transgender communities;
equity, and truth.
We are living through a time when transgender people are being targeted by laws, banned from public life, and erased from textbooks. Now, the very tools of science are being turned against them. If we don’t stop this weaponization now, the damage won’t just fall on transgender communities; it will fall on all of us who believe in evidence, equity, and truth.
HARRY BARBEE
Ph.D., is an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Their work focuses on LGBTQ+ health equity and public policy.
Peppermint thrives in the spotlight
In exclusive interview, she talks Netflix show — and the need to resist Trump’s attacks
As an entertainer, there’s not much that Peppermint hasn’t done. She’s a singer, actor, songwriter, reality TV personality, drag queen, podcaster and the list goes on. Most importantly, as an activist she has been an invaluable role model for the trans, queer, and Black communities.
She’s a trailblazer who boasts an impressive list of ‘firsts.’ She is the first out trans contestant to be cast on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (Season 9). She is the first trans woman to originate a principal musical role for Broadway’s “Head Over Heels.” She was also the first trans woman to compete in the runaway hit series “Traitors,” on Peacock, and she is the ACLU’s first-ever Artist Ambassador for Trans Justice. Her accolades are a true testament of the courage it took for Peppermint to live her authentic self.
We caught up with Peppermint to chat about her activism, taking on bigger roles on screen, our current political and social climate and life beyond the lens. For Peppermint, coming out as trans was not just a moment of strength—it was a necessity.
“It unfolded exactly as I had imagined it in terms of just feeling good and secure about who I am. I was in so much pain and sort of misery and anguish because I wasn’t able to live as free as I wanted to and that I knew that other people do when they just wake up. They get dressed, they walk out the door and they live their lives. Being able to live as your authentic self without fear of being persecuted by other people or by the government is essential to being healthy,” Peppermint tells the Blade in an exclusive interview.
“I was not able to imagine any other life. I remember saying to myself, ‘If I can’t imagine a life where I’m out and free and feeling secure and confident and left alone, then I don’t even want to imagine any kind of a life in the future,’” says Peppermint.
Recently, Peppermint returned for season 2 of Netflix’s comedy “Survival of the Thickest.” She added some spice and kick to the first season in her role as a drag bar owner. This time around, her character moves center stage, as her engagement and wedding become a major plot line in the show. Her expanded role and high-profile trans representation come at just the right time.
“It’s the largest acting role I’ve ever had in a television show, which my acting degree thanks me. It feels right on time, in a day where they’re rolling back trans rights and wanting to reduce DEI and make sure that we are limited from encouraging companies, corporations, industries, and institutions from not only featuring us, but supporting us, or even talking about us, or even referencing us.
“It feels great to have something that we can offer up as resistance. You can try to moralize, but it’s tougher to legislate art. So it feels like this is right on time and I’m just really grateful that they gave me a chance and that they gave my character a chance to tell a greater story.
Peppermint’s expanded role also accompanies a boom in queer representation in Black-powered media. Networks like BET and Starz and producers like Tyler Perry, are now regularly showcasing queer Black folks in main story lines. What does Peppermint think is fueling this increased inclusion?
By ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ
“Queer folks are not new and queer Black folks are not new and Black folks know that. Every Black person knows at least one person who is queer. We are everywhere. We have not always been at the forefront in a lot of storytelling, that’s true, and that’s the part that’s new. It’s Hollywood taking us from the place where they usually have held us Black, queer folks in the makeup room, or as the prostitute, as an extra— not that there’s anything wrong with sex work or playing a background performer. I’ve played the best of the hookers! But those [roles] are very limiting.
“Hollywood has not historically done and still does not do a very good job of, including the voices of the stories that they make money [on]. And I think they’re realizing [the need] to be inclusive of our stories and our experiences, because for a long time it was just our stories without our actual experiences. It’s also exciting. It’s dramatic. It makes money. And they’re seeing that. So I think they’re just dipping their toes in. I think that they’re going to realize that balance means having us there in the room.”
Peppermint’s activism is tireless. She has raised more than six figures for prominent LGBTQ rights groups, she continues to speak around the nation, appears regularly on major media outlets addressing trans and LGBTQ issues and has been honored by GLAAD, World of Wonder, Out magazine, Variety, Condé Nast and more—all while appearing on screen and onstage in a long list of credits.
Now, under the Trump administration, she doesn’t have time to take a breath.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it if it weren’t second nature for me. Of course, there are ups and downs with being involved with any social issue or conversation and politics. But I am, for now, energized by it. It’s not like I’m energized by like, ‘Ooh, I just love this subject!’ right? It’s like, ‘Oh, we’re still being discriminated against, we gotta go and fight.’
“That’s just what it is. I get energy because I feel like we are quite literally fighting for our lives. I know that is hyperbole in some regards, but they are limiting access to things like housing, healthcare, job security and not having identification. Passport regulations are being put in a blender.”
Peppermint also mentions her thoughts on the unfair mandates to remove trans service members and revoke the rights and resources from the veterans who worked their whole lives to fight for this country.
“When you strip all these things away, it makes it really difficult for people to have a life and I know that that is what they’re doing. When I look around and see that that is what is at stake, I certainly feel like I’m fighting for my life. And that’s energizing.
“The only thing that would be the most rewarding besides waking up in a utopia and suddenly we’re all equal and we’re not discriminating against each other—which probably is not happening this year—is to be able to be involved in a project like this, where we can create that world. It’s also being built by people who are a part of that story in real life and care about it in real life.”
Peppermint is clear on her point that now is the time for all of the letters of the LGBTQ community to come together. Everyone who is trans and queer should be joining the fight against the issues that affect us all.
“Just trust us and understand that our experiences are tied together. That is how and why we are discriminated against in the way[s] that we are. The people who discriminate—just like how they can’t really distinguish between somebody who’s Dominican and somebody who’s African American — you’re Black when you’re getting pulled over. We are discriminated against in much the same way. It’s the same with being trans or queer or gender non-conforming or bi, we all have our own experiences and they should be honored.
“When laws are being created to harm us, we need to band together, because none of y’all asses is gonna be able to stop them from getting rid of marriage equality—which is next. If you roll the tape back to three years ago when somebody was trying to ask me about drag queen bans on readings in school, I was saying they’re coming for trans rights, which comes for bodily autonomy and abortion rights, which comes for gay marriage rights. Those three things will be wiped out.
Peppermint doesn’t take a pause to get fired up and call gay folk out in their obligation to return the favor to the Black trans community.
She shares with us her final thoughts.
“You cis-gender homosexuals need to stand the fuck up and understand that we are standing in front of you. It’s very difficult to understand this and know this, but so many of the rights that we have were hard fought and won by protest and by people fighting very hard for them. And many of those people in every single instance from the suffrage movement, obviously Civil Rights, queer rights, the AIDS and HIV movement—Black queer people have been there the entire time. Trans people have always been a part of that story, including Stonewall. Yes, we are using different terminology. Yes, we have different lenses to view things through, but let me tell you, if you allow us to be sacrificed before you see us go off the side, you will realize that your foot is shackled to our left foot. So, you better stand the fuck up!”
Peppermint for president!
‘You cis-gender homosexuals need to stand the fuck up,’ says PEPPERMINT (Photo by Davide Laffe)
One of “12 Plays and Musicals to Brighten the Spring”
By Keiko Green
Take your seat for a comic, irreverent celebration of life! Since Greg’s terminal diagnosis, he’s felt a deep connection to the Earth—and to save himself, he’ll need to save the planet. Viv desperately wants to savor every last minute with her husband. Meanwhile M, our emcee, searches desperately to find meaning in the chaos of their final year with Dad. A heartfelt family story and joyful theatrical event, as magical as the world itself. Ages 16+
Directed by Zi Alikhan
Heartfelt ‘Wedding Banquet’ remake a romcom
worth seeing Mishaps, crossed wires, conflicts are all part of the fun
By JOHN PAUL KING
Creating a worthy remake can be a tricky proposition, especially when the movie being remade is a beloved classic – but that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible one.
Consider Andrew Ahn’s new version of 1993’s “The Wedding Banquet,” a film that put future “Brokeback Mountain” director Ang Lee on the proverbial map in America, which opens in theaters this weekend after a debut at Sundance earlier this year. The original, an American/Taiwanese production which became a surprise hit in the U.S., broke ground with its story — a culture-clash comedy of manners about a queer romantic triangle attempting to stage a sham wedding, it was quickly embraced by LGBTQ audiences thrilled to see representation on the big screen and positive representation, at that, in an era when it was even scarcer than it is today. To undertake a remake of such a film is a bold move, to say the least.
Yet gay Korean American writer/director Ahn (“Spa Night,” “Fire Island”) – has built his blossoming career on films about queer relationships among Asian American characters, with as much (or more) emphasis on family, both biological and chosen, as on romantic partnership; It seems natural, perhaps, for him to reinterpret this influential classic through his own lens, and he’s already proven himself as a filmmaker whose strengths line up perfectly with the material.
Even so, Ahn hedges his bets, perhaps, by collaborating on the new screenplay with James Schamus, who also co-wrote the original (along with Lee and Neil Peng), and the result is a movie that – although it recrafts the original romcom for a newer age and reconfigures its central relationships a bit to “up the ante” on its complications – stays relatively faithful to the broad strokes of its plot.
In this iteration, the New York setting is transposed to Seattle, and the plot revolves around not just one queer romance, but two: Chris and Min (Bowen Yang and Han Gi-Chan), a stalled grad student and his South Korean boyfriend, and their lesbian friends-and-landladies Lee and Angela (Lily Gladstone and Kelly Marie Tran), who are struggling to become parents through expensive IVF treatments. Min, an artist whose temporary visa is about to expire, wants to stay with Chris and build a life in America, but his grandmother (Youn Yuh-jung) – currently running the vast family business empire to which he is heir – wants him to come home and claim his place in the organization. A wedding to Chris would secure him the green card he needs to defy his grandmother’s demands, but it would also mean outing himself as gay and potentially being cut off from his inheritance. As a solution, he offers to pay for Lee and Angela’s fertilization procedure in exchange for a “green card wedding” with the latter, ensuring that he can remain in the U.S. while also remaining in the closet to his family.
Of course it’s an idea as bad as it sounds, but despite some reticence, the couples agree to the plan; but when grandmother decides to come to America and meet the bride in person, the four of them must attempt to pull off a masquerade that esca-
lates far beyond their expectations after she insists on putting on a traditional – and elaborate – Korean wedding worthy of her grandson’s exalted status, all while wrestling with the ambivalence and doubts that begin to encroach on their relationships as the scheme begins to fray at the edges.
Those who’ve seen the original already know that things don’t play out exactly as planned – and anyone who hasn’t won’t be surprised when it doesn’t, anyway. We already told you it was a bad idea.
That, of course, is the charm of the romcom, a genre in which mishaps, crossed wires and conflicts are all part of the fun, and in any case it gives Ahn’s film the opportunity to explore – as Lee did with the original – the more serious and relatable challenges of reconciling our queerness with the deeply ingrained traditions of our cultural background; he does so with gentle wit and an equal measure of respect, but he’s not above getting laughs by pointing up the sheer absurdity that sometimes goes along with the process. Neither does he hesitate to delve into the messiness of queer relationships, even (and perhaps especially) with lifelong friends, or the deep insecurities and self-criticisms which get in the way of sorting them out.
To these ends, “Wedding Banquet” relies heavily on its cast, who embrace and clearly relish the chance to flesh out these characters. Yang brings his inevitable “SNL” star power to the table but downplays the wackiness in favor of a more nuanced tone, and Gi-Chan shines as his pragmatically idealistic partner; Gladstone’s intelligence and authenticity is a grounding force, while Tran counterpoints her with an eminently likable turn as her spunky-but-anxious misfit of a girlfriend – and the resonance they each bring to the prospect of motherhood highlights the longing for family and legacy that so many queer couples carry as they build their lives together.
It’s not all about the couples, though. Veteran Chinese American actress Joan Chen (“Tai Pan,” “Twin Peaks”) is a scene stealer as Angela’s hyper-supportive mom, whose participation in her
daughter’s “lavender wedding” requires her to go against her deepest instincts as a proud ally, and Bobo Le provides a further connection to the theme of family with a charming performance as Yang’s tomboy-ish little sister. The anchoring performance, however, comes from acclaimed Korean star Yuh-jong, whose shrewd, savvy, and staunch portrayal of Gi-Chan’s power player grandma adds a much-needed dose of level-headed wisdom into the midst of the whirlwind.
In the end, Ahn’s update of Lee’s classic comedy scores big points for honoring the original’s message of acceptance and embracing the notion of reimagining our ideas of traditional family structures to meet the needs of an ever-changing world; it also succeeds in maintaining a heartfelt sense of empathy for each of its characters, all of whom appeal to us precisely because of their imperfections and their hangups. None of them are perfect, but all of them are perfectly human, which goes a long way toward making Ahn’s remake feel like more than just the slickly-made feel-good romcom it resembles.
And yet, given the screwball potential and the endless possibilities for farcical developments in the convoluted deception attempted by its sets of lovers, Ahn’s “Wedding Banquet” could have been funnier. Leaning into an idealized and sentimental perspective as it gracefully brings its characters’ lives into place, it occasionally feels a bit “precious,” too “Hollywood” to be believed.
Again, however, this is part of the charm of the romcom: if generations of straight audiences have gotten the chance to buy into idealized big screen fantasies about life and love, then why shouldn’t we enjoy the same privilege?
With that in mind, “The Wedding Banquet” makes for a perfect opportunity to entertain and validate ourselves – and even if it doesn’t tickle your funny bone, it’s a generous enough feast for your queer soul that it deserves you to see it.
Just make sure you bring somebody special to share your popcorn with.
LILY GLADSTONE and KELLY MARIE TRAN in ‘Wedding Banquet.’
(Photo courtesy Bleeker Street)
No longer just a go-go dancer, Prince Joshua debuts ‘Crowned’ EP
This WeHo go-go dancer and socialite shares his life beyond the dancing box
By ROSE MONTOYA
In this new “Meet Your Locals” column, we highlight the journey of a talented local dancer and emerging musical artist as part of Los Angeles Blade’s mission to get to know our community, we continue to do a deep dive into the personalities who make up the queer culture of Los Angeles.
Across queer bars along the West Coast, audiences and nightlife enthusiasts have come to appreciate Prince Joshua’s electrifying dance performances during his go-go sets. While renowned for his impressive dance skills, Prince took a career pivot last year by reintroducing himself as a musical artist with the release of “Coochie” by Baddie Gang.
In January of this year, Prince released his debut EP, “Crowned.” The project offers a deep dive into his personal experiences within nightlife culture, touching on themes such as navigating catcalling, dating, celebrating life and more.
We sat with Prince Joshua to get the exclusive insight on his new music.
Tell us your story of moving to LA: I had always dreamed of moving to Hollywood and being on stages entertaining people. It’s amazing to fast-forward to living that exact lifestyle with dancing at bars like the world famous Abbey [bar] every weekend and entertaining my community as my job. Growing up in a small conservative town I never felt like the world was made for someone like me, the world I grew up in was made for heterosexual people who live ordinary lives. As I grew into the eccentric and charismatic homosexual that I am, I realized I needed to live somewhere where the things I was bullied for, would be celebrated. West Hollywood was made for people like me, people who dress up to express themselves, who aren’t afraid to be unapologetically themselves, and most importantly genuinely be who they are.
What do you love most about life in LA? I love being surrounded by people with as much ambition and dreams as I have. There’s so much room in the sky for every star to shine and it makes me so excited when I hear that my friends are working on something new to achieve their goals and dreams. We’re all out here putting in hard work to make our art stand out and be seen, being around so much creativity and creatives helps push my-
self to chase my own dreams and hustle to achieve them.
Many people know you for your dancing, What got you into making music?
I’ve always had a love for poetry and have written songs and poems before, but my friend Tokeyo really pushed me into making music when he asked me to feature a verse on his song “Coochie.” I have such strong love for hip-hop and rap that once I learned the process of making my own verse, I wanted to continue making more. I began finding beats and writing songs which lead me to release my first EP with six songs and three music videos.
Who is your favorite artist?
None other than the queen of rap herself – Nicki Minaj. From her undisputed discography of hits, iconic visuals and unique delivery, she has inspired all of today’s current rappers from her use of voice animation, flow switching, metaphors and punch lines all in a perfectly constructed way.
Who is your favorite queer artist?
Kim Petras has been one of my favorite pop girls since 2018. When I heard heart to break I instantly loved the artist. “Turn Off The Light” projects volumes one and two are some of my favorite works of hers. Spooky horror inspired pop music & she’s queer – it can’t get any better than that!
What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
I hope to give anyone who listens to my music the confidence to unapologetically be themselves and bust a move. I want people to dance, be themselves and not be ashamed by doing so. I used to get insecure when others would hear what music I listened to or saw me dancing or singing along, but I’ve learned something that has really reshaped my thoughts on that; no one’s opinion matters but your own, if it brings you joy and doesn’t harm anyone in the process, then go for it!
What do you love most about performing in the queer LA nightlife?
I just love the energy and fashion from my community. Seeing the incredible outfits of each individual expressing themselves their way with their own aesthetic is such a beautiful sight. When people see how hard you hustle and how much work you put into your art it’s an amazing feeling to see a crowd sing along, dance, or even stand shocked at what
I’m doing on the stage. Just like Lady Gaga’s iconic, “I Live For The Applause.”
What are some misconceptions people have performers in LA?
A lot of people mistake dancers for porn stars and while they both have some similarities, not every dancer is a porn star and vice versa. Coming from a cheer background I put so many elements into my dancing and rap performances, such as kicks, splits, toe touches, etc. It’s so much more work than just having a nice body. While I respect and appreciate what porn actors do, I wish people wouldn’t put go-go dancers and porn actors in the same categories as they usually do. We entertain in very different ways, both taking a lot of hard work, but still very different worlds.
What are your favorite places to perform and why?
I love performing for music festivals. OutLoud’s WeHo Pride is one of my favorite events where I’ve not only had the opportunity to go-go dance but also perform my own music on stage. Seeing so many people in the crowd, being part of a sickening line up and getting to go all out in my ‘Princely’ way brings me a feeling of accomplishment and adrenaline like none other.
SUMMERTRAMP is another queer festival I’ve had the chance to perform at which I’m so grateful for. Every time I get to share my music to my community if I inspire just one person in the crowd to smile, dance, or embrace their inner selves then I know I’ve done my job.
How does being queer inform your music?
As I’ve stated before, this world was made for heterosexual, ordinary people. My music is made to take you out of that pouring world and into my eccentric queer and royal fantasy. Not many queer people can relate to the regular top 40 songs because they are all from a heterosexual lens. With my music, I hope that people can relate to my experiences or at least my experience as a queer person and be able to embrace their sexuality by giving them music that is made for them.
How do you balance your personal life with your professional life?
When you are chasing a dream while hustling as an entertainer your entire life is consumed with said dream. In my free time I am often stretching, working out, writing new
music, or planning my next music video or photo shoot. My passion is my job so I never feel like my personal life is suffering when I’m consumed with working on what I love to do, but making sure I give myself time to rest and recharge is a vital key to ensuring I don’t burn out. I try to always give myself one day a week where I don’t focus on work or projects and allow myself to rest and recharge.
Any advice to people who want to start making music or dancing?
Just go for it! You’re always gonna be your own worst critic, but at the end of the day, you will see so much growth when you just allow yourself to put out the art that you’ve created and continue making new art. Find a support group that can help you level up whatever it is. You’re passionate about and continue pushing yourself to be better than you were the day before.
What’s next for your music career?
Right now im working on my next EP and I’m so thrilled because I know it’s better than my first. Being able to see my own growth inspires me so much to keep creating. You can also expect some collaborations with other up and coming queer artists!
What message do you have for the queer community?
Every day you wake up, you have the chance to genuinely be yourself and encourage others to do the same. While there’s so much in this world working against us, there are so many of us in the community to lean on and look for support when you feel alone. Be unapologetically yourself, stand strong with your friends and family within the community and take up as much space as you can by using your voice, sharing your art and being yourself.
Rose Montoya is a renowned, award-winning, Trans, Latina, writer, advocate, educator, model, actor and viral content creator.
Fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi brings performances to the West Coast
The legendary fashion designer and entertainment icon Isaac Mizrahi to perform in California
By AJ SLOAN
Isaac Mizrahi’s talents are many, equally at home in the worlds of fashion, entertainment and theatre. As a designer, he redefined elegance and innovation, making his mark with iconic collections and runway shows. But Mizrahi’s artistry doesn’t stop there. He’s captivated audiences as a Broadway star, a beloved television personality and a multifaceted performer with a gift for storytelling and humor. His unique ability to seamlessly blend wit, charm and deep creative expression, has earned him fans across every medium he touches.
Now he’s taking his talents back to the stage with an exciting new cabaret tour.
Ahead of his anticipated tour, we sat with Mizrahi to talk about his artistic process, stepping back into the spotlight and what to expect from his upcoming performances.
Can you give us a taste of your conception process? Share with us some of the inspiration for your upcoming show.
Though I think my act plays as well on a larger stage as it does in a cabaret, I think about the show I do as something that changes a lot the way a cabaret show does. My process starts with collecting ideas and writing monologues which I internalize, and which are always evolving. The music rehearsals are really important, in terms of coming up with arrangements that sound fresh. Also there’s a chemistry I have with the musicians that motivates me to express myself, to entertain them, make them laugh. When did you first get the itch to step into the spotlight and how did it feel to step onto the stage for the first time?
You might know I was a trained performer before I was a clothing designer. I went to Performing Arts High School in NYC and I had every intention of continuing my ambition in show business but I got scared because I was a fat kid, not attractive, in a class full of gorgeous people whom I thought were much more cast-able than me. So I did the grown-up thing and subverted into the clothing business which was not a terrible idea. I’m pretty good at that too. But now I’m focusing my efforts in show business and when I step on stage and do well, the rewards are huge. It’s a dream come true, to use a very cliche phrase that in this case really nails the feeling.
you share one story with us about a reality tv appearance of yours that will make our readers gasp? Between RuPauls Drag Race, Project Runway and The Apprentice, which host called on the most foundation?
I will say in retrospect, having been on The Apprentice makes me gasp! And it wasn’t once I was on that show as a judge – twice. And though there’s no need to apologize, it does bear saying that even when I got the booking, I was furious at my manager for accepting it! Even before he was president, he was distasteful. But who knew?
What are some of your thoughts on today’s politics and their impact on the arts and the lives of the artists creating it?
I’m feeling devastated and exhausted not just about the policies on the arts but on every policy. And not just the obvious ones. The crazy trade wars that are being waged. This is only going to mean that everything is going to get even harder. And not just that t-shits and jeans are going to get more expensive. Tickets will be harder to sell. Food will be triple the price. What a disaster.
Fashion design, cabaret performer, actor, seems like you know how to keep yourself busy from one project to the next. That said, there’s no denying the importance of self care. What are some things you do to disconnect and reset on your downtime (assuming that you have downtime)?
I have a small place in Bridgehampton where I stay when I’m not working. I have two dogs and a husband. I love being there together with them. I love cooking. I love reading. And when I’m in the city I love going to the theatre and museums. I guess this sounds really boring.
With all that you do, I’m sure there have been some unexpected hiccups over the years. Can you share with us an experience of a time when things did not go to plan?
Million Dollar Question: what are the most undeniable differences between performing for East and West Coast audiences?
Especially now in this crazy world we are living in, I feel very little difference between the West and East coast. I did a few shows last month in Florida and Arizona where I was treading lightly. When I started those shows I was a little scared they might not react in the way I expected but it was incredible because they were with me the entire time. But I will say those shows I did have to temper slightly. This kind of entertainment is inherently political. The minute a performer takes the stage they show who they are, it’s political whether it’s cabaret or concert. An audience knows who they are looking at. In the West [or] East coast of it right now, I’m really looking forward to being in California, a state that I feel very at home in.
You’re no stranger to reality television. Here’s a two-parter, brace yourself: Can
I feel like life is one long hiccup. When it seems obvious to the world that I’m experiencing a hiccup, as in 1998 when I closed my couture business or 2013 when I closed it for the second time, those times were weirdly freeing. Right now I feel very threatened by the current economy, by the instability of all industries and in the chaos being sown around the world. Right now, I would say, is a huge hiccup time.
Would you rather: grab brunch with Stephen Sondheim or have a spa day with Heidi Klum?
Sondheim and I were great friends. I wish he were alive to have lunch, though he wasn’t much for lunch, I suspect we would have dinner and then go see a show or play bridge… we played bridge together. I like Heidi too!
In one elaborately phrased sentence, can you tell us what to expect when we come to see your upcoming cabaret show?
In one sentence – when you come see my show you will be surprised and hopefully you will laugh and hear stories and music you did not expect to hear.
For tour information and tickets, head to his website: helloisaac.com
ISAAC MIZRAHI
FORTY YEARS of pride