Ryland James (bottom) and his boo (screen capture) Out artist Ryland James titled his new single, “3 Purple Hearts,” after an interaction on his social media led to love. “Early last year, my boyfriend-to-be commented three purple heart emojis on one of my Instagram pictures. I noticed it and somehow immediately knew he was someone special. We fell in love quickly and spent the summer together. “When he had to move back home due to the pandemic, we had to do long-distance. It was one of the most difficult growth periods of my life, but through that growth I learned more than I ever have about myself, and most importantly learned to be proud of who I am.
James says the relationship led to his decision to come out publicly. “I’d never shared that part of myself with my fans or even a lot of my family before,” says the artist. “It was the most honest I’d ever been with myself and the people in my life.” “That time was scary for me, but that was the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made,” adds James. The tender guitar-drive track is James’s musical interpretation of that emotional time in his life: “It’s about my first love and the freedom to be myself that I continue to feel from it every day.” Hit play and make sure you follow him on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CQg5yKxnkF9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Out singer/songwriter Sylas Dean (photo: Bryce Studios) Out singer/songwriter Sylas Dean drops his new single, “Real,” following the debut of his EP American Dreeming. “Real” explores the halfway point between fantasy and reality as a relationship falls apart and one questions sincerity. A combination of synth-wave and cyberpunk, the electro-pop track alternates between urgent, vibrant baseline beats and airy, ethereal soundscapes. Originally from a small town on the east coast, Dean drove across the country with hundreds of songs written to reinvent himself as “Sylas Dean.” Armed with a dance driven sound accompanied with colorful club kid imagery, Sylas is fully ingrained in the fantasy of a cyberpunk heartthrob in all of the electric vibrancy we could ask for. Hit play and bop along. You can follow Dean on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6hozIjLuq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Out singer/songwriter KENTÖ Some news items you might have missed: • Nevada Independent: After receiving a cancer diagnosis in March 2020, Shawn Dixon decided she would organize the first-ever Pride parade in her small town of less than 8,000 residents. Her dream of “years and years” will become a reality in Winnemucca, Nevada, on July 16 & 17. • Reuters: Respect LGBT rights or leave the European Union, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told his Hungarian counterpart as the bloc’s leaders confronted Viktor Orban over a law that bans schools from using materials seen as promoting homosexuality. • Instinct Magazine: The valedictorian of a New Jersey high school was almost censored and silenced during his graduation speech by his principal when he began to touch on mental health and his sexuality. But thankfully, the student’s memorization skills saved the day.
• New York Times: The Manhattan district attorney’s office has informed Donald Trump’s lawyers that criminal charges against his family business, the Trump Organization, in connection with fringe benefits the company awarded its chief financial officer, Allen H. Weisselberg, could be announced as soon as next week. • Justice Dept: Michael Atkinson, 28, Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, 21, and Daryl Henry, 24, were sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in targeting gay men for violent crimes. The sentences ranged from 11-22 years for luring five men (using the Grindr dating app) to a vacant apartment in Dallas where they held the men at gunpoint, kidnapped, carjacked, and assaulted them. • Out Music: I recently shared the latest from out singer/songwriter Kentö, and today the artist (top photo) drops the official music video for the single, “Silhouette.” “Silhouette” is the first single from Kentö’s upcoming album release, Strangers, slated for release later this year. Kentö shares, “I feel like I’m finally making music that is really expressing the sounds that have been in my head all along.” https://youtu.be/fVUuXa2UHGw
Madame Gandhi (photo: Naz Massaro) Out indie electronic musician and activist Madame Gandhi shares joyous her docu-style music video “Freedom,” that celebrates Gandhi’s definition of freedom and her state of well-being coming out of the pandemic via reggae vibes and a healing message. The video for “Freedom” (directed by Madame Gandhi and Jared Bishop) showcases how Gandhi brings her philosophy to life on a personal level in Southern California, reconnecting with people she loves while taking care of herself. Gandhi is not only an artist, but an activist whose mission is to celebrate gender liberation. Among her numerous achievements, she has earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, been listed as a Forbes 30 Under 30 member and is a 2020 TED Fellow. Her uplifting music and talks have been critically acclaimed by The New York Times, Billboard, NPR and more. #BOOM Follow Madame Gandhi on Instagram here.
I’m certain the emotionally raw new music video from Grammy winners A Great Big World for “Boys In The Street” will strike a chord deep within LGBTQ audiences. Directed by Se Oh and choreographed by Emmy Award winning choreographer Travis Wall (So You Think You Can Dance), the video chronicles the story of a father’s journey to accepting his son for who he is. Through Wall’s richly layered choreography, we follow a young gay man (alternately played by Aydin Eyikan and Wall) who fights to save his fractured relationship with a homophobic father (Colin Cunliffe). Kudos to director Oh for using light and darkness as a metaphor for the father’s inability to truly ‘see’ his son. The song and video delicately crystallizes both the pain and hope that LGBTQ young people experience in their search for affirmation from their parents. Chad King, vocalist for A Great Big World, shared his thoughts on the video with HuffPost: “I would love for people to connect with the honesty and authenticity of the story behind the song and video, and to maybe have an awareness and appreciation for someone else’s struggles and differences in a way they haven’t had before. I am so proud of the video and how it captures the feeling the song gives me. I hope others will connect to it in a similar way!” Chad King (left) and Ian Axel of A Great Big World (photo: Se Oh) “The dance world has always embraced our music, really since we started making music together and we can’t think of a better way to visually tell the stories of our songs,” Ian Axel, pianist and vocalist for A Great Big World added. “We’ve been fans of Travis’ for a while now and have always wanted to work with him. There are few choreographers who make our hearts burst like Travis does. We’re so honored and thrilled that he was open to be a part of this!”
“Boys In The Street” follows A Great Big World’s “Fall On Me” with Christina Aguilera, both of which will be featured on their third full-length album due out this August. The latter has generated more than 30 million streams worldwide and reunited A Great Big World with Aguilera following their seven-times-platinum GRAMMY award-winning hit “Say Something.” Follow the band on Instagram here and Travis Wall here.
Make sure to check in for year two of It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience today beginning at 11 a.m. PT. This year’s live stream extravaganza includes Pose star Mj Rodriguez, Emmy nominee Laverne Cox, celebrity fashion designer Christian Cowan, international superstars Pabllo Vittar and Calle y Poché, pop duo Aly & AJ, dance and fitness stars Caleb Marshall and Mark Kanemura, and so many more. Plus, you won’t want to miss a special It Gets Better message from President Joe Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Hosted by YouTuber/comedian Kalen Allen featuring Monique Heart in an epic drag transformation, come celebrate Pride in style and help us uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.
Click here to watch along and view the full schedule and lineup. And tell your friends and family to come join the Pride celebration!
Out singer/songwriter/producer Kentö (promo photo) Lots of new music to unpack for your Pride Month listening pleasure and there’s something for everyone here – synth-pop, dance music, rock and more. First up, singer, songwriter and producer, Kentö, is authentically himself with the release of “Silhouette” this week. Kentö’s warm, languid vocals are a perfect match for the shimmering synth-pop production as he sings, “Make it good, make it last so they never forget your silhouette.” The artist, a cancer survivor who identifies as being LGBTQI+ and on the autism spectrum, says those aspects help make up his “superpowers.” “I think pop music tends to have trends that all sound like one thing, and then someone comes along and shakes things up with a timeless sound,” says Kentö. “That’s the kind of music I want to make.”
Shea Diamond (promo photo) Soul chanteuse Shea Diamond throws down serious dance beats with her new single, “Smile.” With a funky bass line, bright sassy horns and Diamond’s signature groovy vocal goodness, this track is a winner. Set in a roller rink littered with glitter and disco balls everywhere, the boys twirl for life on the floor (or find some private time in the men’s room). “This song reminds me that I’m not the victim society deemed me; I’m a survivor,” Shea said. “I wanted a song that captured the roller coaster of emotions and experiences we go through in life.” “With the pandemic mostly over I wanted a song of triumph and celebration, one that encourages you to get up, get out, and dance!” Follow the diva on Instagram here.
Since its debut earlier this month, the latest track from Cade Bittner has seen his new single, “Dancing In My Own Light,” run up the charts in the UK and hit #3 on the iTunes Dance Chart. The vibrant dance-pop track has a buoyant bounce that definitely brings a taste of the Pride rainbow. “I wanted to write a song that made people feel happy and dance,” says Bittner. “It has been a hard year for so many… and although the message is universal, I wrote this as an anthem for my LGBT+ community. It’s about loving who you were born to be.” Bounce down to that play button and enjoy. You can follow the Minneapolis-based artist on Instagram here.
Las Vegas-based singer/songwriter Harrison Barnes serves up his latest sexy pop bop, “Call My Name,” about a ex coming back for another round. The moody, intoxicating electro-pop soundscape is matched with a shadowy, abs-out, wet and wild dance video that reminds us how fun music videos can be. “Call My Name” in an infectious track made for summer pool parties. Follow Barnes on Instagram here.
Singer/songwriter Sarah Barrios penned her latest track, “IH8EVERY1,” as part of her “You Ask, I Write” series on TikTok with a short snippet initially shared on May 3rd of this year. After its viral response on TikTok with over 3 million plays and over 650k likes, she knew she had to release the full version. The rock-tinged single is full of sass and cheeky unfiltered fun as Barrios delivers an authentic, audacious turn reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper. “Fairytales are hard to believe sometimes, especially if your prince or princess charming doesn’t turn out to be who you hoped them to be,” shares Barrios. “It’s easy to give up on love and hope altogether and can make you feel like it’s you against the world. But every once in a while, you meet someone you don’t mind being around, and you start to feel that small sliver of hope. That’s what this song is about.” “HAPPY PRIDE FROM UR FAVE MESSY BISEXUAL!” wrote Sarah Barrios on her Instagram at the beginning of the month. “Took a few years but I finally made it!!! This is my first pride out of the closet and my god does it feel good.”
Norm Lewis (screen capture) Some news items you might have missed: • YouTube: Music theater fans – somehow I missed (but caught up on) this terrific virtual gala concert benefiting the Lyric Opera of Chicago starring Broadway stars including Gavin Creel, Nikki Renée Daniels, Norm Lewis (above) and more. Click on the link, watch and enjoy 🙂 • Instinct Magazine: Fashion designer Michael Costello (a Project Runway alumn), added fuel to the Chrissy Teigen fire this week when he alleged the model and TV personality cyber bullied him with hate speech and had him blackballed in the industry. And then, folks came out with their own accusations about Costello. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Make sure you click over to Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications like Get Out Magazine: • NBC News: LGBTQ civil servants and service members were systematically fired or forced to resign due to their sexual orientation or gender identity over the past seven decades, and a proposed bill is seeking to have the federal government issue an official apology acknowledging its past discriminatory policies. • Media Matters: Nearly a dozen of the Fox News guests the network has presented as concerned parents or educators who oppose the teaching of so-called “critical race theory” in schools also have day jobs as Republican strategists, conservative think-tankers, or right-wing media personalities. • Out Music: Out singer/songwriter Paul Bellantoni, drops his first solo release since 2013, “Illusions.” “’Illusions’ is about how what we perceive out of life and the people in our life aren’t always what they seem; they’re false realities. I began writing the song because I was hurt by someone close to me. It was a situation that made me feel insignificant, while around me the entire world was grasping for straws to see which way is up or down. It became my therapy.” “It’s a lesson in learning how to be present in your own heart and forgive yourself, the ones that hurt you, and the circumstances that weigh you down.”
Scenes from POSE and WandaVision (Eric Liebowitz/FX; Marvel Studios) Take pride, Hollywood: GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, comprised of over 300 entertainment journalists in the U.S. and abroad, has announced its 2021 Dorian TV Award nominations. “And I’m so proud,” says the Society’s newly-elected president, Monika Estrella Negra. “Our group’s nominations are diverse and fresh, signaling the overhaul of invisibility of marginalized communities and the heralding of a new generation of entertainment journalists.” Disclaimer: I am a proud voting member of GALECA. The final season of Pose, FX’s dazzling and powerful found-family drama, holds sway with six nods, starting with Best TV Drama. Disney+’s amusing (and TV-spoofing) Marvel fantasy WandaVision keeps an eye out with five nominations. And following closely with four nominations each: HBO’s grim Kate Winslet-lead murder mystery Mare of Easttown and vividly frank trauma tale I May Destroy You, as well as the heartrending AIDS crisis drama It’s a Sin on spinoff network HBO Max. Spurred by passionate pleas in trade publication editorials by non-binary activists, as well as non-binary journalists and others in GALECA’s own ranks, the group’s membership recently voted to make all Dorian performance categories gender-neutral (as they were in the group’s first three years of existence, beginning in 2009). Aiming to alleviate concerns that the elimination of gendered acting categories would cut the number of nomination-worthy roles by half—and leave out artists that might otherwise be recognized—the Society moved to note 10 nominees, rather than the usual five, for Best TV Performance and Best Supporting TV Performance. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQRwfvCpJwf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link In the chief performance category, venerable stars like Winslett (for Easttown), Jean Smart (Hacks) and past Dorian Award winner Billy Porter (Pose) are up against rising talents like I May Destroy You’s creator Michaela Coel and Thuso Mbedu (The Underground Railroad). In the supporting race, Dorian final-ballot voters will choose from the likes of The Crown’s Gillian Anderson, John Boyega of auteur director Steve McQueen’s anthology drama Small Axe, Saturday Night Live’s latest breakout Bowen Yang and Easttown standout Julianne Nicholson.Showing the medium is still thriving amid a pandemic, GALECA’s short-list picks include lots of first-season shows, including the electric dramas Bridgerton, Lovecraft Country and P-Valley, the over-the-top showbiz satires Girls5eva (produced by Tina Fey) and Hacks, and Best Current Affairs Show contenders Ziwe and The Amber Ruffin Show.And holding court in the group’s trademark Campiest TV Show arena: The annual flashy and drama-filled live music performance battle Eurovision Song Contest, the nasty nurse rehash that was Ratched, the ultra-irreverent WandaVision, and more.Dorian TV Award winners will be revealed Sunday, August 29. Last fall’s Dorians TV Toast 2020 special, a mix of comedy, original music and meaningful tributes to winners, featured appearances by Janelle Monáe, Regina King, Hugh Jackman, Dan Levy, Josh Thomas, Laverne Cox, John Oliver, Damon Lindelof, Margaret Cho, Chad Michaels and the exuberant Porter. The program, hosted by groundbreaking gay activist and broadcasting veteran Karel, can be viewed for free on demand on Revry.TV.Viewers who missed GALECA’s more recent special, Dorians Film Toast 2021 can tune to Free Speech TV (FSTV) on June 27, 4pm EST, 1pm PST. The three-hour show, also hosted by Karel, will be repeated on the channel over July 4 weekend as well.COMPLETE LIST OF DORIAN TV AWARD NOMINEES: BEST TV DRAMA
Bridgerton
The Crown
Lovecraft Country
P-Valley
Pose
BEST TV COMEDY
The Flight Attendant
Girls5eva
Hacks
PEN15
Ted Lasso
BEST LGBTQ SHOW
I May Destroy You
It’s A Sin
Love, Victor
Pose
Veneno
BEST TV MOVIE OR MINISERIES
I May Destroy You
It’s a Sin
Mare of Easttown
Small Axe
The Queen’s Gambit
BEST UNSUNG SHOW
A Black Lady Sketch
Show Girls5eva
Love, Victor
Search Party
Veneno
We Are Who We Are
BEST TV PERFORMANCE Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Thuso Mbedu, The Underground Railroad Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision Billy Porter, Pose
MJ Rodriguez, Pose Jean Smart, Hacks Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit
Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown
BEST SUPPORTING TV PERFORMANCE
Gillian Anderson, The Crown
John Boyega, Small Axe
Pappa Essiedu, I May Destroy You
Kathryn Hahn, WandaVision
Marielle Heller, The Queen’s Gambit
Callum Scott Howells, It’s a Sin
Dominique Jackson, Pose
Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown
Jean Smart, Mare of Easttown
Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live
BEST TV MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Lady Gaga, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Biden-Harris Inauguration
Jonathan Groff, “You’ll Be Back,” Hamilton
Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along,” WandaVision
Elton John & Years & Years, “It’s a Sin,” BRIT Awards 2021
Punkie Johnson, Anya-Taylor Joy, Lil Nas X, Kate McKinnon, Bowen Yang, “Pride Month Song,” Saturday Night Live
Bowen Yang (as The Iceberg That Sank the Titanic), “Loverboy,” Saturday Night Live
BEST TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Framing Britney Spears
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
Pretend It’s a City
Pride
Tina
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Amber Ruffin Show
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Ziwe
BEST ANIMATED SHOW
Big Mouth
Bob’s Burgers
Harley Quinn
Invincible
South Park: The Pandemic Special
BEST REALITY SHOW
Legendary
Nailed It
Queer Eye
RuPaul’s Drag Race
The Great British Bake Off
MOST VISUALLY STRIKING SHOW
Bridgerton
The Crown
Lovecraft Country
Pose
Small Axe
The Mandalorian
WandaVision
CAMPIEST TV SHOW
At Home with Amy Sedaris
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square
Eurovision Song Contest
Ratched
WandaVision
WILDE WIT AWARD
( To a performer, writer or commentator whose observations both challenge and amuse)
Michaela Coel
Kathryn Hahn
Fran Lebowitz
Randy Rainbow
Bowen Yang
THE INAUGURAL “YOU DESERVE AN AWARD!” AWARD
(To a uniquely talented TV icon we adore)
Winner TBA
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics’ Dorian Awards, formed in 2009, go to all of film and TV, mainstream to LGBTQ, reminding bigots, bullies and at-risk youth that the world looks to the queer eye for leads on great and unique entertainment.
The Society currently includes approximately 300 active journalists, and 20 culturally influential Advisory Board members, based in the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K. and beyond.
Make sure to check in for year two of It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience today beginning at 11 a.m. PT. This year’s live stream extravaganza includes Pose star Mj Rodriguez, Emmy nominee Laverne Cox, celebrity fashion designer Christian Cowan, international superstars Pabllo Vittar and Calle y Poché, pop duo Aly & AJ, dance and fitness stars Caleb Marshall and Mark Kanemura, and so many more. Plus, you won’t want to miss a special It Gets Better message from President Joe Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Hosted by YouTuber/comedian Kalen Allen featuring Monique Heart in an epic drag transformation, come celebrate Pride in style and help us uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe. 
Since its debut earlier this month, the latest track from 
Las Vegas-based singer/songwriter 
Singer/songwriter 
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