10 Things to Make LGBTQ People Smile
| 07/22/19
1. I’m OK, Are You?
Queer television streamer Dekkoo released the third (and final) season of its popular series I'm Fine, which tackles themes of identity, monogamy, shame, and the gay generational divide. Creator Brandon Kirby says, "This series began over a break-up.... I used my heartbreak as a creative outlet to create Nate, a fictionalized version of myself brought to life by Perry Powell, who imbued the character with so much unexpected depth that I soon realized this character and this story would go quickly go beyond any real life touch points." @mydekkoo
2. Hot Shots
Geena Rocero became the first transgender, Asian-Pacific Islander Playmate in Playboy history. The beauty queen-turned-model looked majestic in a beachy pictorial in Playboy's gender and sexuality issue (which is on newsstands through September). @geenarocero
3. The Smallest Pride Parade Ever
Who knew a Pride parade could be so small? To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester, New York, recreated the parade (floats, flags, banners, and all) in a tiny Times Square. @LEGO
5. Queer Shoppers
In June, IKEA partnered with HRC to gay-up shopping with their $4 limited-edition rainbow Kavanting shopping bag (though they're fetching 10 times that on eBay now). All profits went to programs that help LGBTQ youth. @IKEA
6. Gayboy Playmate
Playboy teamed up with Italian luxury brand Moschino to create edgy unisex sportswear with eight limited edition items, transforming the brand's trademark from "Playboy" to "Gayboy." In another Pride is Good collaboration, Playboy also commissioned seven queer artists to reimagine the iconic bunny ears for the first official collection of ears ever sold by the company (money goes to support Trevor Project). @playboy
7. Blood Brother
Artist Jordan Eagles printed WWII propaganda posters using the blood of an active trans pansexual U.S. service member. Our Blood Can Save Them -- here displayed in New York's LGBT Center's historic Keith Haring bathroom (with Haring's mural in the background) -- calls out FDA's ban on gay and bi donors whose blood could save up to a million lives annually. @eaglesjordan
8. Trans Excellence
Sean Dorsey, the most acclaimed out transgender modern dance choreographer in the U.S., was awarded a Dance/USA Artist Fellowship, an honor given to artists recognized for using dance as a tool for social change. His renowned dance company, Sean Dorsey Dance, also won its sixth Isadora Duncan "Izzie" Award for Men in Trouble, a show about gender and toxic masculinity. @seandorseydance
9. Stop the Presses
Artist Rinaldo Hopf presented his life-sized mural "Stonewall Riots 1969" at Los Angeles Pride, as part of a series dedicated to the historic riots. The work was done with watercolor, acrylics, and ink on vintage copies of The Advocate from the late '60s and early '70s. @rinaldohopf
10. Funny Folks
Now in its third year, Portland Queer Comedy Festival is a multi-day, multi-venue comedy festival in Oregon. A collaboration between Andy Barrett, owner of Funhouse Lounge, and Belinda Carroll, a long-time queer activist, writer, actress, and stand-up comedian, the fest features over 40 queer performers including The Kids in the Hall's amazing Scott Thompson, Sandra Valls, D'Lo, and former Advocate cover star Nico Santos. @portlandqueercomedyfestival
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