Some journeys begin with a destination in mind. Others begin with the people you choose to travel with. Eric and I recently experienced a bit of both as we joined our dear friends Matthew and Phillip for a week in St. Barth’s before slipping away for a few days in St. Thomas. What followed was a beautiful blend of friendship, food, memory, and discovery—exactly the kind of travel that reminds you why leaving home every once in a while is so important.

It’s a good thing that there are queer comedians today who can make people laugh without using low hanging fruit. They write jokes and scripts that are funny and thought-provoking without the homophobia. Below are some LGBTQ+ comedy rule breakers get laughs by being relatable rather than bigoted.
 
Hannah Gadsby 

Good stories can’t be told without a little humor, and Hannah Gadsby has perfected the art of storytelling. Her “Nanette” Netflix special is Pulitzer-worthy and if you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out on one of the most intelligent stand-up acts ever made. Her journey in life has been a hard one, but they infuse some deeply profound philosophies within their act which are both ironic and hilarious. As a genderqueer artist, Gadsby is also giving voice and insight to a community often vaguely defined. 

“My whole life I’ve been thinking about my gender,” Gadsby told Diva . “I’m an idiosyncratic individual. So what’s happened to me – sudden onset fame six years ago, and intense public scrutiny, and all of a sudden I’m a leader, when actually I’m just a shmuck who accidentally hit a nerve – I’ve got a lot to consider. My gender is all wrapped up in that. Basically, I’m a skin sack full of chaos!”



Bowen Yang 

Gay men tropes are always going to be a part of comedy. Hopefully queer artists are the ones writing them, and although Bowen Yang is guilty of playing the nelly queen from time to time on Saturday Night Live, he’s also allowed to. Yang is sort of the gay version of the Everyman. From his hope-less romantic role in “Fire Island” to his conflicted character Chris in the remake of “The Wedding Banquet,” Yang has made a career for himself that at one time might have seemed impossible. He has talked about his experience in conversion therapy, a treatment that hopes to “cure” homosexuality. 

He says that he went there to appease his parents, and wondering what it would be like. In an interview with “Sunday Today With Willie Geist” he said the experience was very “painful and detrimental.” But, “There was a lot of healing after it. Identity is a really fickle thing, like, it’s not something you arrive at until much later in life. I don’t think I really got a grasp on who I was until, like, two years ago.”



Joel Kim Booster 

Writer, actor, stand-up comedian, Joel Kim Booster never lets a funny observation go to waste. He writes about it and then puts it in his act whether it’s a screenplay or a stand-up bit. He gained quite a bit of fame for writing “Fire Island,” a gay romantic comedy that was inspired by Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice.” The movie hits upon a lot of things such as classism, promiscuity and self-acceptance; topics that are prominent within the LGBTQ community. 

Booster is steadily becoming more and more famous, his voice was used in the hit film “KPop Demon Hunters” and he’s cast member of the 2026 “Scrubs” reboot, playing Dr. Kevin Park. He is a rising star. 

“The goal was never fame,” Booster told Vice . “I always wanted to just be a working comedian, but now that I’m a working comedian, I don’t really know what the next step is because saying ‘I want to be famous’ is so gross.”



Wanda Sykes  

Whether she’s in a romantic comedy as a supporting actor or solo on the stage, Wanda Sykes’ brand of comedy pulls no punches. She doesn’t sugar coat the details which makes her punchlines funny not just because they’re true but because the thrust of her delivery is so boisterous. 

Sykes came out later in life. It was at a same-sex marriage rally in Las Vegas in 2008, she was 44. She married Alex Niedbalski that same year and they have twins which Sykes often refers to anecdotally in her act. Like when she told People about her 16-year-old meaning to drive. 

"Alex has been in the car with them — I'm not doing that," she said . "I want to hire somebody. That's what I'm doing. I'm hiring somebody who has a brake on their side, you know, on the passenger side."



Margaret Cho  

Margaret Cho has been a gay icon for decades; she identifies as bisexual. Cho’s always been an advocate for gay rights and never misses a chance to make examples of that in her act. In the ‘90s, she was so successful Hollywood came knocking, offering her a sitcom which explored Asian American family life. 

But Cho’s show never made it to a second season, the network didn’t know how to handle her blue comedy stand up and how that would reflect on the show which aired during family hour. All of that and then execs started focusing on her weight. It was a very insensitive time in Hollywood history. 

Today Cho gives zero Fs about what Hollywood thinks. Her stand up is irreverent but responsible. When asked what advice she’d give to a young budding comedian who might want to express their outrage with the world doing stand-up, she said :

“That they’ve gotta go do it, and don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Just do it, just do it, just do it. Keep doing it. Keep going, keep working. We need you.”

Brazilian Martine Souza falls into that same category, and we’re glad he is doing it for our enjoyment. 



And what is it with Brazil? Do they have some perpetually working gorgeous man machine that just pumps out hotties 24/7? 



Reading some of his posts, he seems down to earth. He’s fun and young and doesn’t mind giving us as many thirst traps he can. 



There’s even a video of him messing around with a young shirtless friend. We don’t know his orientation, but we get the feeling he might be up for anything.  



Before you get too excited, we haven’t found anything online about an OnlyFans or adult subscription service yet. 



For now, we get to enjoy this Latin lad without going into incognito mode. 

 

The LGBTQ+ journalists and editors below are influencing the tone and direction of modern reporting. Let’s explore several of these men and women and their impact on network television and social media platforms. 

Anderson Cooper 

Talk about influential gay people in the media. Anderson Cooper might be the most recognized. His ability to deliver hard hitting news about current events then loosen up and show us his other side away from the anchor desk is masterclass. Who can forget his deadpan drunken antics with Andy Cohen every New Year’s Eve or his hilarious cameos on Saturday Night Live? Cooper can deliver the worst stories about the world one day but makes us feel a little better with some humor the next. 



Rachel Maddow 

Don’t mess with Rachel Maddow, she’s not one to back down. Her political commentary on both Trump administrations cut through all the hyperbole to focus on what’s really going on. Although her opinions are divisive, a political analyst must weigh both sides, calling out the system’s inequities, and her commentary reshaped cable news discourse.

In her personal life, she’s in a relationship with photographer Susan Mikula. Maddow was outed by her school newspaper when she was a freshman edited she had a chance to tell her parents. “They would have had a hard time with me coming out anyway, but this was a particularly nasty way for them to find out,” she told Time . 



Jonathan Capehart  

Popular MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart actually got his start in print journalism at New York Daily in 1993. He might be best known for his work at The Washington Post. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for an article he contributed to in New York Daily News. 

He married Nick Schmit in 2017; former U.S. attorney general Eric Holder officiated their wedding ceremony.

Schmit often discusses inequalities prevalent in society when it comes to race and sexuality. In The Advocate , he said just before starting his stint on his Sunday morning political talk show,  “I'm an African-American, openly gay married man, and those qualities alone bring a different perspective than the other folks who are sitting in those Sunday morning show chairs."



Nico Lang 

Nico Lang has been reporting on LGBTQ issues, especially trans rights and their societal inequalities, for over a decade. At that time, trans men and women were gaining recognition on a world scale. Lang was at the forefront of that movement 

“I've been working with families of trans youth since about 2016. When I saw the rising anti-trans hatred at a legislative level circa 2020-2021, I recognized that a deeper kind of storytelling was needed,” they told The Tucson Sentinel when they asked them about their book “American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era.” 



Tre’vell Anderson  

Tre’vell Anderson is a culture writer who has won awards for their coverage which has been extensive. They wrote for Out Magazine then went on to became editor-at-large for Xtra Magazine. With their many studies and observations of society as it pertains to trans folks, they wrote the book, “We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film” “‘We See Each Other’ is an effort to share the story of how I came to be who I am in part through the images that I saw on screen,” Anderson told Publishers Weekly .

Parker's team shared details of the medical emergency through a handwritten note distributed by World of Wonder, the production company behind RuPaul's Drag Race. According to the statement, Parker was transported to the hospital by ambulance and admitted for approximately one week, during which medical professionals administered antibiotics and conducted multiple diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause of the illness.

During hospitalization, physicians diagnosed Parker with four significant health conditions stemming from the severe infection and dehydration: atrial fibrillation , acute kidney injury, hyponatremia linked to an intestinal infection, and hypertension. Despite the severity of these diagnoses, medical professionals have indicated that Parker is expected to make a full recovery.

Following discharge, Parker faces a recovery period of 14 to 21 days during which he will remain largely bed-bound and receive support from visiting nurses and physical therapists. To support Parker's recovery and improve his quality of life during this vulnerable period, World of Wonder and Parker's team have identified immediate needs including a motorized scooter for mobility assistance and 24-hour personal security support.

The drag community has responded swiftly with financial support through a GoFundMe fundraiser established to assist with Parker's recovery-related expenses. The campaign, which seeks $6,000 in donations, has garnered contributions from fellow Drag Race alumni including season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio and season 18 contestant DD Fuego, as well as a $1,500 donation from World of Wonder itself.

Parker's significance within the Drag Race franchise extends far beyond his historic elimination, as he has remained a recognizable and beloved figure throughout the show's 13+ seasons. Season 13 introduced the "PorkChop Loading Dock," a competition element named in tribute to Parker's foundational role in the franchise's history. Beyond television, Parker has appeared in the 2021 comedy film "The Bitch Who Stole Christmas" alongside RuPaul and other Drag Race alumni.

The outpouring of support reflects the deep bonds within the LGBTQ+ entertainment community and recognition of Parker's enduring contributions to drag culture and the broader visibility of queer performers in mainstream media.

The production, which opened at the Dominion Theatre in December 2024, will now continue through February 6, 2027, significantly extending its originally planned run. The extension comes in response to sustained box-office success and overwhelming demand from audiences.

Vanessa Williams, known for her roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, confirmed the extension during the series premiere of The Claudia Winkleman Show on BBC One. Williams will continue in the role of Miranda Priestly, the formidable editor-in-chief of the fictional Runway magazine, through October 17, 2026. She was originally scheduled to depart in April 2026, making this a six-month extension to her commitment.

Matt Henry, an Olivier Award winner, will also remain with the production alongside Williams through October 17, 2026, reprising his role as Nigel, the creative fashion director at Runway magazine. The chemistry between Williams and Henry has been widely cited as a highlight of the production.

The current ensemble cast includes Stevie Doc as Andy Sachs, the aspiring journalist at the heart of the story, and Taila Halford as Emily, her fellow assistant. The production has welcomed more than one million audience members since its West End premiere and has become the fastest-selling production in the Dominion Theatre's history.

The musical features an original score by Sir Elton John, with lyrics by Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick, and a book by Kate Wetherhead. Direction and choreography are by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell. The production premiered at Theatre Royal Plymouth in July 2024 before transferring to the West End.

Based on Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel and the 2006 film adaptation starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, the musical follows Andy Sachs as she navigates the high-pressure world of fashion journalism.

Following Williams and Henry's departures in October, casting for the roles of Miranda Priestly and Nigel from October 19, 2026, onward will be announced in the coming months.

The controversy surfaced over the weekend when screenshots began circulating that appeared to show the official Bruno Mars Instagram account liking a reel that disparaged Swift’s talent and questioned how she achieved fame. The post reportedly described Swift as “talentless” and referenced “white privilege” while criticizing her success, prompting swift backlash from her fan base.

In response, Mars took to X on Sunday to deny any intention of insulting Swift and to clarify his stance. “Taylor has always been supportive and kind to me,” he wrote in one post, adding, “Only love over here.” He followed up with another message urging users to “Spread Love on these apps!” signaling that he wanted to steer the conversation away from hostility.

Reports from outlets including People, Pakistan Today, and International Business Times Australia indicate that the Instagram like was later removed. Some coverage identified the original reel as having been posted by the account @bopbase, which appeared to be deactivated or altered after the controversy intensified.

Mars has not provided a detailed explanation of how or why his account interacted with the post, leaving open the possibility of an accidental like or other technical mishap. Representatives for Mars did not immediately respond to media requests for additional comment at the time of the initial reports.

Taylor Swift has not publicly commented on the situation as of the most recent coverage. There have been no recent reports of direct conflict between the two artists, who have shared stages at awards shows and events during their parallel careers in mainstream pop.

Both Mars and Swift have long been subject to intense scrutiny from fans and online commentators, including in discussions that intersect with race, gender, and privilege within the music industry. While the disputed reel specifically invoked “white privilege” when criticizing Swift, mainstream coverage of this incident has so far focused more on the alleged personal slight and on Mars’s response than on wider systemic analysis.

The episode underscores how a single like, share, or comment from a celebrity account can quickly ignite controversy in an environment shaped by stan culture and constant social media monitoring. Swift’s fan community, known as Swifties, is particularly active in defending her against perceived insults and often mobilizes rapidly to document and respond to such incidents.

For LGBTQ+ fans and other marginalized listeners, the dispute highlights broader questions about how online spaces handle criticism that references identity and structural privilege while also avoiding personal attacks. Advocates have frequently encouraged public figures and fan communities to engage in dialogue that considers race, gender, and sexuality without resorting to demeaning language about any individual person.

Mars’s call to “Spread Love” aligns with ongoing efforts by many artists and LGBTQ+ advocates to promote safer, more respectful digital environments, including for LGBTQ+ people and other communities who often face harassment online. As attention shifts back to both performers’ music and tours, the incident serves as another example of how quickly narratives about celebrity relationships can form—and dissipate—in a social media landscape where every interaction is visible and often politicized.

The NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships are being held at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama, with McCall qualifying in the men’s weight throw for Kansas State.

Kansas State University reported that McCall placed eighth in the men’s weight throw at the national meet, securing First Team All-America recognition in his final collegiate competition.

In that NCAA final, McCall threw 22.70 meters , surpassing his previous personal best to record a new lifetime mark in the event.

The university’s recap noted that head coach Travis Geopfert praised McCall for delivering his best performance at the last opportunity and highlighted that this was McCall’s first NCAA postseason accolade of his five-year career.

Geopfert described McCall as a senior whose NCAA indoor appearance would be his final meet in a Kansas State uniform because he no longer has outdoor eligibility.

In an interview with LGBTQ+ sports outlet Outsports published ahead of the championships, McCall spoke on the record about competing as an out gay athlete at a Power Five program and heading into his last NCAA meet with the goal of contending for a national title.

Outsports reported that McCall publicly identifies as gay and has been out in his athletic environment, describing him as an openly gay thrower for Kansas State’s track and field team.

The feature piece framed his NCAA appearance as a “final shot” at an indoor national title in the weight throw, noting that he entered the meet after a strong conference season and consistent marks above 22 meters.

During the 2026 indoor season, McCall established himself among the top collegiate throwers in the country, with performance databases such as TFRRS and Athletic.net listing a season-best distance of 22.63 meters at both the DeLoss Dodds Invitational and the Big 12 Indoor Championships.

Kansas State’s season preview and conference coverage similarly highlighted that McCall won the men’s weight throw at the 2026 Big 12 Indoor Championships with a mark of 22.63 meters, matching his personal best at that time.

That Big 12 title came in a year when the Kansas State men’s team finished as conference runner-up overall at the indoor championships, underscoring the contribution of the throws group to the Wildcats’ team success.

According to his official Kansas State athletics biography, McCall has been a consistent national-level performer throughout his career, earning Second Team All-America honors in the hammer throw at previous NCAA Outdoor Championships and winning at least one Big 12 hammer throw title.

His college record shows multiple seasons of podium finishes at Big 12 Championships in both the hammer and weight throw, as well as several invitational wins for Kansas State.

The NIL and profile platform Opendorse lists McCall as a Kansas State graduate student in nutrition and dietetics, noting that he previously completed undergraduate degrees in kinesiology and integrated physiology at the same institution.

Outsports placed McCall’s story in the broader context of LGBTQ+ representation in college sports, indicating that he is among a growing number of openly gay athletes competing at high levels in NCAA track and field programs.

The article emphasized that McCall’s decision to be open about his sexual orientation within his team community offered visibility for other LGBTQ+ students and athletes navigating similar environments in the Big 12 and across college athletics.

While the piece focused primarily on McCall’s personal journey and competitive goals, it also reflected a broader trend in which more athletes in men’s collegiate sports, including track and field, are speaking publicly about being gay or queer.

Kansas State’s official communications about the NCAA Indoor Championships did not foreground McCall’s sexual orientation, instead centering on competitive results, All-America honors, and team scoring, which is typical of institutional athletics reporting.

From an LGBTQ+ perspective, the combination of an institutionally recognized First Team All-America performance and an openly gay identity makes McCall’s final meet notable for both competitive and representation reasons within collegiate track and field.

McCall’s career-ending performance at the NCAA indoor meet offers a visible example of a gay athlete competing at the top level of college track and field, contributing to ongoing conversations about inclusion and belonging in men’s NCAA sports.

Roach appeared alongside model and television host Heidi Klum as she was being interviewed by “Extra” correspondent Terri Seymour outside the Dolby Theatre on Oscars night. Seymour referenced comments Roach made at the 2026 Actor Awards, where he reportedly suggested that Zendaya and Holland had wed, and asked if he wanted to clarify those statements.

In response, Roach smiled and replied, “No, I said what I said,” indicating he would not soften or retract his earlier remarks. In the video shared by “Extra” and discussed in subsequent coverage, others on the carpet react by paraphrasing Roach’s implication that Zendaya is married, but Roach does not provide further context or details about any ceremony or date.

Zendaya and Tom Holland, who met while working on the “Spider-Man: Homecoming” set and whose relationship became public several years later, have been the subject of frequent engagement and marriage rumors, none of which the pair have confirmed. The two actors have generally kept their relationship private, occasionally acknowledging each other in interviews and on social media but declining to offer detailed commentary on their future plans.

During the red carpet conversation, Roach also briefly discussed Zendaya’s look for the night, noting that she was wearing a custom Louis Vuitton design by creative director Nicolas Ghesquière. The stylist did not link his wedding remark to her fashion choices or to any broader narrative about the couple beyond his short, emphatic response.

People Magazine, summarizing the “Extra” clip, reported that Roach “dodged” the direct question about whether he wanted to clarify the wedding comment, instead doubling down on his earlier statement without elaboration. Entertainment outlets including Entertainment Tonight and E! News similarly highlighted the interaction, framing it as an example of Roach leaning into the speculation while providing no verifiable confirmation.

As of the latest reports, neither Zendaya nor Holland has issued a public statement addressing Roach’s remarks or confirming a marriage. No marriage certificate, public record, or official announcement has been cited by major news organizations in connection with Roach’s comments. Given the lack of independent documentation, most coverage has treated the wedding claim as unverified commentary rather than a confirmed fact.

Roach, a prominent figure in fashion and a self-described “image architect,” has long collaborated with Zendaya on red carpet and editorial looks that many fans and critics have praised as innovative and risk‑taking. His styling work has helped shape Zendaya’s public image as a boundary‑pushing, genre‑defying performer, with outfits that often play with gender expression, silhouettes, and references to fashion history. This visibility has made Roach’s comments about her personal life especially newsworthy, even when they are not accompanied by corroborating details.

From an LGBTQ+–affirming perspective, Roach’s presence as an openly gay, gender‑nonconforming figure in mainstream fashion and awards‑show culture underscores the role of queer and gender‑expansive creatives in shaping red carpet narratives. His work with clients, including Zendaya, has contributed to wider conversations about inclusivity, style, and the ways clothing can challenge traditional expectations around gender and presentation.

At the same time, coverage of Roach’s comments illustrates ongoing tensions around celebrity privacy and speculation about relationships, including those involving LGBTQ+ and heterosexual couples alike. Media‑literacy advocates and LGBTQ+ organizations frequently emphasize the importance of respecting individuals’ autonomy to share or withhold information about their relationships, families, and identities on their own terms, rather than having details disclosed indirectly or without clear consent. While Roach’s “I said what I said” remark has generated significant online discussion, major outlets have been careful to note that any account of a Zendaya–Holland wedding remains unconfirmed without direct statements from the couple or documented evidence.