LGBTQ news and entertainment
Non-binary artist and actor Kat Cunning has released the official music video for their song “Boys” in celebration of Pride 2021. The entire cast and crew of the fun and joy-filled music video identifies as either transgender or non-binary. Continue reading “Out Music: Kat Cunning Celebrates Pride With ‘Boys’”
For several years now, TV audiences in cities across the country have seen the sexy ad spots for personal lubricant Boy Butter during episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Now, Boy Butter is set to launch the first LGBTQ Pride campaign to air on sports networks. Continue reading “Pride Month: Boy Butter Ad Spot To Air On UFC Fight Night”
Guest post by Lawrence Pfeil Jr. What better way to start Pride Weekend 2021 than with a galaxy of stars paying tribute to the iconic, Judy Garland? Even better you don’t have to be in Hollywood, Kansas or in Oz to do it! You can enjoy the event from the comfort of your own home when the ninth annual “Night of A Thousand Judys” – the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center written and hosted by Justin Sayre – will be presented as a streaming online event on Thursday, June 24 at 8:00 PM Eastern.
“A rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert” — The Wall Street Journal
“Night of a Thousand Judys” will honor the iconic Judy Garland with tributes and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer. The virtual event is written and hosted by Justin Sayre, featuring Tracy Stark as music director. Performers will include Alan Cumming (Cabaret, “The Good Wife”), Vivian Reed (two-time Tony nominee), Sam Harris (The Life, Grease), Mary Testa (three-time Tony nominee), Karen Mason (Netflix’s “Halston,” Sunset Boulevard), Nathan Lee Graham (Zoolander, CW’s “Katy Keene”) Jose Llana (The King & I, Here Lies Love), Margo Seibert (Rocky, Octet), Jane Monheit (two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist), Grace McLean (The Great Comet of 1812, Alice by Heart), Kevin Smith Kirkwood (Kinky Boots, The Wiz), Nadia Quinn (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Robber Bridegroom), Duchess Trio (“Vocal Group of the Year” – Jazz Journalists Association), and Gabrielle Stravelli (award-winning vocalist), with others to be added. The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest agency dedicated to helping LGBTQ homeless youth. Watch the concert – which will be broadcast live and then available online for a month after the show – and donate to the cause at ThousandJudys.com “We’re all getting back to normal, but maybe we can make a new normal,” says Sayre. “A normal where LGBTQIA kids don’t experience homelessness at such a larger rate than most.” “Maybe our new normal can be better, for these kids. Maybe we can insist that it is,” Sayre added. “We all had to stay at home this year to be safe. We all deserve a home where they can be safe. That’s what the work, that’s the new normal that the Ali Forney Center is fighting for. We’re all honored to help them creating this new normal.” 
The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths—assisting nearly 1,400 youths per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center which provides over 65,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered site housing program. AFC’s goal is to provide them with the support and services they need to escape the streets and begin to live healthy and independent lives. Support the lifesaving work of the Ali Forney Center by donating HERE Night of a Thousand Judys – Written and Hosted by Justin Sayre, musical direction by Tracy Stark, produced by Dan Fortune and Adam J. Rosen. 
Lawrence Pfeil, Jr., is a freelance writer/playwright who has written for media outlets including The Randy Report, the New York Blade, and Edge Publications. You can follow him at TheOUTfront.com.
Grace Gaustad (photo: Shervin Lainez)
Drew Canan in ‘Bad Actor Boy’ (screen capture)In the latest episode of the Bad Boy web series, screenwriter Scott (played by series creator Artie O’Daly) finds himself sitting in his agent’s office excited by the good news that someone wants to make his movie.
Except…it’s not the awesome prison drama he’s so proud of but another about ‘bad boy’ Jim (Drew Canan) – “a stripper criminal who’s basically a horny puppy who somehow became a human?”
Sounds like a blockbuster – ruff!
Potential producer Vanessa shows up for the meeting and while she’s interested in the script, she stresses the importance of the best possible package deal.
Cue Jim and his tear-away pants putting his “best possible package” right up front.
Much to Scott’s chagrin, part of that “package” involves casting Jim as himself in the film which results in exploring the beefy bad boy’s acting skills. Or lack thereof.
But as Scott may have to go with the flow after his former agent messages him to say a crazy man is threatening to murder Scott if he pursues getting his prison script produced.
Meanwhile, our hero’s new agent Jamila is angling for any script to get optioned as she’s got some Lexus payments that are in arrears.
Along the way horny assistant agent Roderick pops in and out to provide updates on his stalking dating plans with absent bad boy BJ.
Make sense? Nope. But that’s the fun of it all. Everyone except Scott is all into their own visceral wants and needs which pretty much says it all in this Hollywood allegory.
Hit the play button and see who you end up rooting for.
And stick around for the clever end credit graphics by Charlie Branigan which tell the tale of each character’s world view.
You can find my previous coverage of the ‘Bad Boy’ web series here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQEdA5UBIvC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Karla Burns (image via Facebook)
And in 1991, she became the first (!!!) Black woman to win an Olivier Award for her Queenie in the West End production of Show Boat. Over the years, I would run into Karla and she always remembered me, always laughed with me, always had that big, gorgeous smile. This morning I saw in the New York Times she passed away at the age of 66 on June 4. The memory of her joyful, larger-than-life talent makes me smile as I can hear her voice and her laugh in my head even now.
“I‘m here, and I’m from Kansas, and I’m going to go out there and do my best.” https://t.co/eyxjoFA9TA
— Michael Paulson (@MichaelPaulson) June 15, 2021
I think it says something that an artist I worked with 40 years ago continues to live in a warm, wonderful, and happy corner of my mind. It’s important to add that Karla appeared in many, many fantastic roles over the years. She was not a ‘one-hit wonder.’ But the NY Times tells it much better than I. Rest in glory Karla Burns. ❤
‘Her Spirit Was Bright, It Was Happy’: Remembering Wichita Icon Karla Burns https://t.co/1cplIDMTfi pic.twitter.com/8WXOAcgpst
— KMUW (@KMUW) June 10, 2021
“She kept going and going and going, singing opera and all of that and classical music. And eventually it clicked in and thus goes the story. That was her life.”https://t.co/1cplIE4uDS
— KMUW (@KMUW) June 11, 2021
Anthony Ramos (screen captures via Calvin Klein)Uber-charming Anthony Ramos wowed movie audiences over the weekend with his starring role in the film adaptation of the 2008 Broadway musical, In The Heights.
Praising the 29-year-old’s work in the new film, the New York Times gushed, “Ramos’s charisma is perfectly suited to the role. His modesty is as winning and genuine as his bravado, and he’s a strong theatrical singer as well as a subtle film actor.”
The Times adds that he’s not only “the one who keeps the party going” but “the reason it’s happening at all.”
That charisma definitely landed for me so I went in search of more Ramos.
In addition to In The Heights, the actor also debuted last month in the 4th season of HBO’s riveting series, “In Treatment.”
But this spot for Calvin Klein, which dropped back in March, really got my attention.
Ok, yes – Ramos is only wearing the classic CK underwear in the clip, but that’s not the whole picture here.
The video is part of a campaign that features avant-garde talent exploring the questions we ask ourselves, with Calvin Klein as their blank canvas.
As he remembers growing up as part of the ‘high fliers club’ (where members had to jump off of something high or slide down something dangerous), the video quick cuts to Ramos reaching, swinging and hanging from a rope.
“And all of a sudden, it’s like, this freedom. We gotta get back to that. We gotta get back to play.”
Not only is his effervescent joy infectious but his body language is another buoyant layer of childhood happiness.
Check out more from the CK campaign below and don’t miss Ramos and company in In The Heights – now in theaters and streaming on HBO Max.
Plus, the non-stop artist drops his latest album, LOVE AND LIES, on June 25.
Happy Monday!
Felt free (Was dope) runnin around in #mycalvins for a day and being a kid. Mad LOVE. @CalvinKlein @terencenance pic.twitter.com/YTQTStRC91
— Anthony Ramos (@ARamosofficial) March 3, 2021
#MYCALVINS @CalvinKlein Photographed by Mario Sorrenti pic.twitter.com/xlQeT7idOw
— Anthony Ramos (@ARamosofficial) March 3, 2021
“LOVE AND LIES” out June 25th! The craziest shit you ever heard from your boy! “ÉCHALE” out everywhere now. LESSS GOOOO 🔥🔥🔥 Album pre-order link: https://t.co/b6pGxS60CD pic.twitter.com/fRvinNyYJU
— Anthony Ramos (@ARamosofficial) June 4, 2021
New York City cabaret performer and SNL regular Robert Bannon recently released his new original video and single, “I Think He Knew Me,” for Pride Month. This tender video chronicles the relationship between a father and son where the son reveals to his father that..well, you know…
The single and music video are a prelude to the release of Bannon’s debut album, Unfinished Business, on July 2, 2021. The new collection of cover songs includes duets with Grammy Nominee Jane Monheit and Loren Smith (back-up singer for Michael Bublé). If you’re in the New York City area, you can catch Bannon live/in person at Feinsteins/54 Below on July 30 – Ticket info here. And you can follow him on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP-yTR_hrXZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Out artist Lotus Sky releases her new anthem, “Show Your Colors” for Pride Month
The legendary Judy Garland (screen capture)