Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and the rest of the UCLA seniors secured the first NCAA women's basketball national championship in school history — a goal that was set after losing in the first Final Four last season.

Jaquez scored 21 points, Betts added 16 and UCLA routed South Carolina 79-51 Sunday in the title game.

“I knew we were going to do it. Coming to UCLA we all set out for a goal, and I imagined this moment,” Jaquez said. "I imagined it so many times, and I am just so, so proud. ... Crying a lot, the confetti, all of the fans being here to support us, my family being here, it just means everything. Celebrating with this group, like ... I’m so happy.”

The near-record lopsided victory completed the Bruins’ journey through this year’s March Madness. The Bruins ran through their opponents this season with their only loss coming in November, to Texas in a Thanksgiving tournament.

“It’s immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”

UCLA (37-1) was led by Betts and her fellow seniors and graduate students, like Jaquez — who played all four years with the Bruins. She also had 10 rebounds and five assists in front of her brother Jaime, who plays for the Miami Heat and flew in to attend the game to watch his alma mater win.

The group that coach Close put together through a combination of high school commitments and transfer portal players capped off their stellar careers with a championship, scoring all the points in the title game.

“Connectivity. Attention to detail. You know I looked them in the eyes before in the locker room, before the game, and I said, ‘I’m so proud to be able to say this,” Close said. "Because all year we’ve been saying the talent is our floor, but our character will determine our ceiling.’”

The title is UCLA’s first since winning the 1978 AIAW championship, which was the postseason tournament for women’s basketball before the NCAA took over in 1982.

The championship game loss was the second straight for the Gamecocks, who won the title in 2024. Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks (36-4) will be favored to return to the game’s biggest stage with a talented group of expected returnees, led by Joyce Edwards and Agot Makeer.

Like their 51-44 semifinal win over Texas, the Bruins were locked in defensively, anchored by Betts. She finished with 11 rebounds and exited the game with 3:45 left, giving Close a huge hug. The 6-foot-7 senior earned Most Outstanding Player honors of the Final Four.

“UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the Final Four last year, and you make adjustments,” South Carolina's Staley said. "From last year to this year -- they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year because they were so close.”

Offensively, the Bruins had a much easier time than in the semifinal game that saw the team score only 20 points in the first half. The Bruins surpassed that total in the opening 10 minutes against South Carolina. Kiki’s Rice 3-pointer just before the first-quarter buzzer made it 21-10 as the Bruins got off to a strong start and South Carolina struggled with 17% shooting, it’s poorest quarter of the season.

The Bruins extended the lead to 15 points in the second quarter by clogging up the paint on defense and working the ball inside on offense for a 36-23 lead at the half.

UCLA put the game away in the third quarter, opening the period with a 12-3 run. Jaquez had five points during the spurt. South Carolina never threatened again as the Bruins outscored them 25-9 in the period.

“We just didn’t have it today. We tried, but we just didn’t have it today,” Staley said. "They were the better team.”

South Carolina avoided the most lopsided loss in championship history of 33 points, set in 2013 when UConn defeated Louisville. The Gamecocks also surpassed the title game record low of 44 points by Louisiana Tech in 1987 against Tennessee.

The Gamecocks were trying to cement their name as the premiere program in the sport with a fourth championship and third in the past five seasons. It just wasn’t meant to be Sunday as they had their worst shooting game of the season against a talented UCLA team.

“This is not the ending we wanted, but we got here. No one thought we would, and we did it,” said Tessa Johnson, who led South Carolina with 14 points.

Makeer added 11 for the Gamecocks.

“The score speaks for itself.” said Gamecocks senior Raven Johnson, who played in five Final Fours in her career.

Close has been at UCLA for 15 seasons, but her connections go deeper with the school as she was mentored by the legendary Bruins men’s coach John Wooden, who won 10 national championships at the school.

Their bond began when she was 22 years old and he was 83. She shares the same first name with one of his great-granddaughters. Close visited Wooden bi-weekly, adopting his “Pyramid of Success” and focus on character and its paid off with her team.

“Coach Wooden always said, ‘You got to do it the way you’re wired to do it, not the way anyone else did.’ And I just tried imperfectly to stay true to that," Close said.

Ryswyk made the announcement during an interview on GayFL, a radio show on Australia's LGBTQIA+ broadcaster JOY 94.9. He revealed that he has been out to close friends for the past five years.

His AFL career was brief, consisting of a single game for the Brisbane Lions in 2005 against Fremantle, during which he suffered a quad strain injury. Ryswyk was delisted after that match but went on to have a distinguished career in the South Australian National Football League with North Adelaide, where he played 226 games between 2006 and 2018.

Ryswyk is the second former AFL player to come out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, following West Coast Eagles defender Mitch Brown, who revealed he is bisexual in August 2025. No active AFL player has publicly come out as LGBTQ+ to date.

In the GayFL interview, Ryswyk expressed confidence in the AFL community's response to any future coming out by an active player. "I think the AFL, and the community, will wrap their arms around that player," he said.

This milestone comes amid growing visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals in Australian sports, particularly in AFL, a sport deeply embedded in the nation's culture. JOY 94.9, the platform hosting the interview, is recognized as Australia's leading LGBTQIA+ broadcaster, providing a supportive space for such personal disclosures.

Ryswyk's announcement has been widely covered by mainstream and LGBTQ+ media, highlighting its significance for gay men and broader LGBTQ+ communities in sports. For transgender people and other LGBTQ+ identities, such visibility in male-dominated team sports like AFL underscores ongoing progress toward inclusion, though challenges persist for active players.

The event aligns with broader conversations in Australian sports about diversity, where AFL has implemented inclusion initiatives, yet personal stories like Ryswyk's remain rare. Community responses, as reflected in media coverage, emphasize support and the potential for Ryswyk's step to inspire others.

Ryswyk's SANFL achievements, including his extensive games record, add weight to his voice within football circles. His coming out on a dedicated LGBTQIA+ platform like GayFL on JOY 94.9 signals a welcoming environment for gay athletes.

This development is particularly resonant for LGBTQ+ sports enthusiasts globally, as AFL's international fanbase grows, potentially paving the way for more openness in similar codes. Ryswyk's optimism about community embrace reflects perspectives from LGBTQ+ advocates who note increasing allyship in Australian football.

Here are some queer people who live the van life on the regular and don’t mind how far the grid is in their rear-view windows. 

Wander Free and Queer  

These queer wives are finding adventure outside of their backyard— way beyond their backyard. What makes them stand out is how much they immerse themselves in the van lifestyle. From handmade goods to storytelling about queer identity on the road, their page isn’t a travelogue, but about making personal space and being peace within it. 



Tylerandtodd

There’s no denying that Tyler and Todd are a cute couple. They are definitely outdoorsy types and love to go on adventures in their converted Ford Transit Van. You can see some of those road trips on their YouTube channel. But this dynamic duo isn’t just living in close quarters on the road, they’ve also made a beautiful container home. Tyler and Todd represent a newer wave of queer creators who aren’t just chasing adventure—they’re building it right under their feet.



The Forester Boys 

For RV-ers Brendon and Benji, or The Forestar Boys, living in a moving house is more of an exploration of nature than a necessity. The couple seem deeply tied to the community and queer joy could be their spirit name. Their content often centers around camping culture, road trips, and gatherings at LGBTQ+ campgrounds. They blend the scenery with moments of connection to people and nature.  Almost like the Renaissance Faire they want to have social gatherings that are playful but rooted in chosen family. They haven’t posted anything in a while, but it’s worth scrolling through their history to see where they’ve been. 



James & Paul’s RV Adventures

Longtime couple and caravan members James and Paul have miles of experience behind them both on the road and in their relationship; 29 years to be exact. It’s a long-term love story that evolved into a life on the road. Together for decades, they’ve spent years traveling cross-country (often with their dog in tow), returning again and again to places they love—especially the desert Southwest.  There are no straight lines in a true adventure and maybe they’ve been together for so long because together they can bend with the road. 



Homos on Wheels  

Unpretentious and self-aware this intrepid RV couple, Kirsten and Jenna, are humorous and don’t take themselves too seriously (just read the name of their Instagram page). They aren’t trying to hard sell anything, their domestically is what makes them relatable and that says it all. Homos on Wheels makes you feel like a houseguest. Their relationship is front and center—not in a performative way, but in a way that highlights partnership, communication, and shared adventure. It’s queer life in a perpetual road trip where love exists in everyone’s personal space. And maybe they’ve world could use more of that.


 

Alex Consani

One of fashion’s biggest rising stars, Alex Consani blends high-fashion credibility with chaotic, funny social media energy. With major runway appearances and a massive TikTok following, she represents a new kind of model—equal parts influencer and industry insider.



Valentina Sampaio

She may wear a blazer on the runway, but she’s also a trailblazer in the real world. Valentina Sampaio made history as one of the first openly trans models to work with Victoria’s Secret. She’s polished, beautiful and can sell the hell out of lingerie. Her aura may read classic supermodel, but she’s opening the doors for future generations who want to fly high after taxiing on the runway. 



Hunter Schafer

From screen to sheen, Hunter Schafer has gone from “Euphoria” to editorial and we can’t decide where we want to watch her more. She brings an artistic, cerebral edge to modeling that resonates strongly with younger audiences whether through a spicy HBO series or a Prada original. 



Emira D’Spain

Reality TV hasn’t done much documenting how the real world operates, but at the least it’s a platform for progressive thinkers. Trans Model Emira D’Spain was featured on Bravo’s “Next Gen NYC,” and her name got out there. She’s a beauty influencer turned fashion figure, and has built a strong social media following while continuing to break barriers in the industry. She blends luxury with lifestyle, making her one of the most visible trans creators in history. 



Laith Ashley

When you hear the name Laith Ashley you most likely think of major labels and fashion houses. He is one of the most prominent trans male models in the industry. Ashley challenges traditional norms of masculinity while maintaining a broad and mainstream appeal. His campaign for Diesel was groundbreaking, fueling a prolific career in the industry.



Willa Devereux

Turning the fashion world into a young and fresh industry once again, Willa Devereux is an emerging force who’s drawing a lot of attention. With a cool, understated presence, she represents the next wave of trans models shaping the industry from within. Her talent is what people are focused on and that’s the best part.

At least that’s what his Instagram feed feels like. His content often feels like a travel diary but with a fashion twist. 



You’ll see some sexy moments in Panama, seaside shoots, and collaborations with other models and photographers. 



Rather than relying on shock or overt provocation, his appeal comes from atmosphere; he’s got a boy next door charm that reads like virtue and naivety. 



That being said, it’s also the kind of profile that wreaks of sexual energy. He looks guiltless, but that doesn’t mean he is. 



He creates dopamine hits through shots of his pristine physique and mysterious magnetism. 



There’s a quiet pull there, the kind that makes you curious in ways you don’t fully understand, but you stew in the fantasy. 

Throughout his career, Claybourne has received nominations from award bodies including the Grammy, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk, and Lucille Lortel. Recently, Elder is widely known for playing John Adams on HBO’s hit series The Gilded Age and for his recent turn on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company. His extensive stage career includes Bonnie and Clyde, Sunday in the Park with George, Torch Song, Wild Party, and Sondheim on Sondheim, among many others. 

Beyond the stage and screen, Elder is the founder of City of Strangers, an initiative that provides free Broadway tickets to people who might otherwise not have access. The program has given away more than 3,500 tickets and has received national attention from This American Life, CBS This Morning, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. 

With If The Stars Were Mine, Elder steps fully into his own voice—and sat down with us to talk about the stories, memories, and moments that shaped the album.

EDGE: This is your first solo album. Why did this feel like the right moment to step out on your own?

CE: That’s a great question—it’s really a few different things. Several years ago, I started doing this concert: an evening of music woven together with storytelling. Over time, I kept shaping it and writing it, and it eventually turned into this kind of stand-up show—almost like my own TED Talk, but with music. As I built it, it became filled with my favorite songs.

When I became a parent, I started thinking a lot about time—about the things we hold onto, the things we pass down, and what we leave behind. I had created something I was incredibly proud of, and someone said to me, “I’d love to see this as an album. I’d love to own it and listen to it.” And I thought, I’m going to do it.

As an actor, it can be very easy to be someone else’s paint on their canvas—to wait for the call and step into someone else’s vision. There’s creativity in that, of course, but deciding to make something that’s truly, authentically me was both terrifying and thrilling. I kept thinking about my son having this forever, maybe even playing it for his kids someday. And honestly, that was enough for me to say, all right, I really want to do this.

EDGE: With this being your first solo record, how intentional were you about defining what a “Claybourne Elder album” should sound and feel like?

CE: Yeah—and I think that can be a little strange sometimes. People ask me what the album is like, and I always say it doesn’t really sound like a jazz album, and it’s not strictly a musical theater album either. There are definitely musical theater references throughout, but hopefully they’re arranged in ways that feel interesting and different.

That was something I cared deeply about from the very beginning. Even when I was choosing the songs, I sat down with my music director and one of the producers to really talk through it: These are the words I want to say, this is the music—but what is the experience going to feel like?

There’s a song on the album, “Till There Was You,” which is not only a great jazz tune but also a musical theater song. I’ve always felt that it’s incredibly beautiful—but also very sad. It’s full of longing, and there’s a kind of heartbreak woven through it. Funny enough, it wasn’t even supposed to be on the album. One day in the studio, we had about fifteen minutes left, and I said, “Wait—there’s a song.” I pulled up the chords on my phone and ran it. I was so lucky to be working with an incredible band. I basically put it in front of them and said, “Great—the guitar will take the intro, you’ll take a verse, and then we’ll sing it again.” We did it in one take, and it ended up on the album.

All of the songs are ones I’ve either been singing my whole life or thinking about my whole life.

Casey McQuiston

The craze that Casey McQuiston created with their work “Red, White and Royal Blue” is still palpable. The film adaptation brought queer awareness to the literary space and added to the ever-growing gay romantic comedy genre which thanks to their book has become a prominent theme in mainstream cinema. When asked how it felt writing a bi character, Casey — who is bisexual herself — said : 

“It feels amazing! I love being bi. There are so many layers and shades of it to explore, I think it has really forced me to spend more time with my own feelings and get to know myself better. There are so few bisexual leading characters in media.”



Torrey Peters

Torrey Peters burst onto the literary scene with her deeply personal novel, “Detransition, Baby,” it’s culturally important because one the problem with mainstream society regarding trans issues is the lack of education. Her writing explores gender, relationships, and identity, making her one of the most talked-about and important voices in contemporary fiction.



Akwaeke Emezi

A genre-defying storyteller, Emezi brings a distinct voice to queer fiction through novels like “Freshwater.” That profound work challenges traditional narrative structures by narrating from different points of view, and it gets into exploring identity, and spirituality. It’s a journey from birth to self-realization. Emezi has this to say about her experience writing it. “Oh, it was terribly difficult to write. There was a lot of trauma revisited, and doing so through the lens of Igbo ontology was unfamiliar and terrifying, especially at first.”



Ocean Vuong

Modern queer writers who explore multiple genres allow many eyes to experience their works and therefore many markets. While mostly known as a poet, Ocean Vuong’s fiction has captured wide attention for its emotional depth and lyrical style.  His “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” introduces readers to a relaxed and introspective form of queer storytelling that explores social hardships and cultural dynamics. It might be tough to read in some parts, but the story isn’t unique.



Kacen Callender

Kacen Callender is a prolific and versatile writer, whose stories span genres—from contemporary to queer and trans characters. Mostly aimed at Young Adults, Callender explores perspectives not readily available in mainstream fiction. Their work, “Felix Ever After” speaks directly to younger audiences who might be navigating their own identity and working toward self-acceptance. Reading their books might be a rite of passage for some young bookworms. 



Carmen Maria Machado

Horror and fantasy are popular genres among queer people and Carmen Maria Machado provides perspectives in that genre not often written about in the contemporary world. Her works are geared toward YA readers but center around gay and trans characters. “Her Body and Other Parties” is a collection of short stories that should be read because of its inventive narratives and untapped sexually dynamic storytelling. 

The couple shared the pregnancy announcement through an Instagram post with the caption "Something exciting coming October 2026," accompanied by a video showing Brown and Keck smiling together in a photobooth before holding up a positive pregnancy test. In the video, Keck stands while Brown kisses her stomach, with the couple visibly unable to contain their excitement about the impending arrival.

Brown announced the pregnancy to his more than 31,000 Instagram followers, and the news was met with congratulatory comments from friends and supporters. While this will be the first child for Brown and Keck together, Brown is already a father of two sons, Bowie and Rudy, whom he co-parents with his ex-wife Shae Bolton-Brown, a former Australian netball player. Brown and Bolton-Brown separated after 16 years of marriage.

The pregnancy announcement comes approximately seven months after Brown made international headlines by becoming the first current or former AFL player to publicly come out as LGBTQ+. In August 2025, Brown revealed to The Daily Aus: "I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I'm a bisexual man." At that time, Brown expressed his hope that his public disclosure would inspire broader cultural change, stating he wanted to demonstrate that "you can be anyone and be safe in any environment."

Bolton-Brown publicly supported Brown when he came out, demonstrating solidarity with her ex-husband's decision to live openly. Brown's visibility as an openly bisexual man in professional sports has been significant for LGBTQ+ representation in Australian football, a sport historically dominated by heteronormative culture.

The announcement of Brown's growing family marks a personal milestone for the athlete and his partner as they prepare for parenthood together later this year.

Following an NHL-record 14 seasons of futility, during which the team finished no better than 19th in the league, the Sabres clinched a berth on Saturday when the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings in regulation. Buffalo's playoff drought was among the four North American major sports’ longest active streaks, ranking second behind the NFL's New York Jets, who last qualified in 2010.

The Sabres clinched with six games left in their season, before being beat 6-2 at Washington on Saturday night, and are in contention to earn the Eastern Conference's top seed. At 46-23-8, Buffalo is riding a 35-9-4 surge that has vaulted the team after sitting last in the East in early December.

The turnaround has been remarkable for a franchise that through Saturday has gone 5,458 days since the Lindy Ruff-coached team lost Game 7 of a first-round series to Philadelphia on April 26, 2011.

“Obviously unbelievable. I’m happy for the city, I’m happy for all the guys that have been grinding here for years, like the equipment managers, trainers, my teammates ... wow, it’s going to be special, that’s for sure,” captain Rasmus Dahlin said.

In the ensuing years, the Sabres have finished last overall four times and are on their seventh coach, with Ruff back for a second stint, and their fourth general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen.

Buffalo’s run up the standings coincided with Kekalainen being promoted from his position as senior adviser on Dec. 15, replacing Kevyn Adams, who was fired after five-plus seasons.

The Sabres already had won three straight when the change occurred and proceeded to go on a franchise record-matching 10-0 run. They’ve not looked back since. Buffalo is 14-4-2 since returning from the Olympic break, and the team’s worst stretch since December has been a 0-1-2 skid.

“The guys have worked so hard to get to this point,” Ruff said. “Every month has been pretty darn consistent, and we played a good brand of hockey. We’ve gotten rewarded for how hard we’ve played.”

Though Adams’ firing played a role in spurring the team, so did Buffalo getting healthier.

The Sabres’ top two lines were replenished with the return of Josh Norris and Jason Zucker, and their goaltending got a boost with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shaking off an early season injury to resume sharing the starting duties with Alex Lyon. After opening the season 4-5-1, Luukkonen has gone 15-4-2 since Dec. 21.

“I find that we deserve to be where we’re at. ... From where we were at the start of December to where we got, asked a lot of the players and got a lot back,” Ruff said.

Kekalainen also added depth at the trade deadline last month by acquiring center Sam Carrick, forward Tanner Pearson and defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn.

The team is led by two of its longest-tenured players: Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, and forward Tage Thompson, who was acquired in a trade that sent Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis in the summer of 2018.

Dahlin ranks sixth among NHL defensemen with 69 points, while Thompson is tied for 11th among all skaters with 38 goals.

The next test for Buffalo is winning a playoff series, something the team hasn’t done since beating the Rangers in six games in the second round in 2007.

The turnaround has revived a fanbase that had grown weary with losing, various rebuilding plans that failed to generate a winner and a revolving door of talent being shuffled in and out of Buffalo — from O’Reilly’s departure to Jack Eichel being dealt to Vegas in November 2021 following a lengthy standoff over how to repair a neck injury. Each went on to win the Stanley Cup with his new team.

The Sabres have not hoisted the Cup through their first 54 seasons of existence.

“It’s something that we’ve worked hard for for a long time to be able to get into the postseason,” Thompson said. “It felt good.”

“I’m really proud of the group,” Alex Tuch added. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Buffalo has had 21 home sellouts this season, including 15 in a row, a year after selling out just five games.

This season, the Sabres have shown resolve in rallying back from deficits. Buffalo entered Saturday with 19 come-from-behind wins, tied for seventh in the NHL. That included defeating Tampa Bay 8-7 last month after trailing 7-5 with nine minutes left in regulation.

The Lightning also clinched Saturday, before beating the Bruins, for their ninth consecutive appearance and 12th in 13 years.