Here’s the T: “[LGBT] Pride was not born of a need to celebrate being [LGBT], but our right to exist without persecution [and prosecution]. So instead of wondering why there isn’t a Straight Pride, be thankful that you don’t need one.”
“‘We can disagree and still be friends’ doesn’t apply to racism, sexism, homophobia or transphobia.” And: “Remember before you make homophobic comments via your computer that you have to thank Alan Turing, a gay man, for your computer.”
- ‘Pose’: The groundbreaking, aspirational and uplifting series that showcased a Black and Afro-Latin queer and transgender cast recently ended its three-season run. Standouts: Pray Tell (Billy Porter) had his Annalise Keating Moment (slow removal of makeup in close-up), the AIDS Memorial Quilt, paying homage and throwing shade at Sex and the City, Blanca (Emmy nomination? she deserves), and Pray lip syncing to Diana Ross’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and ACT UP and the women and lesbians who fought medical racism and inequity. The Filipino connection? Leyna Bloom as Pretentia and Jiggly Caliente aka Bianca Castro as Veronica of the House of Ferocity.
- Jiggly Caliente: The self-proclaimed Pinay plus-sized Barbie from New York is competing at RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 after a dismal time at Season 4. “Second chances are paramount, and I’m ready to rise to the runway! This is for every lil brown specially the brown Asian kids that are taught your skin tone isn’t beautiful. To my juicy kids that are told your weight isn’t attractive. You are beautiful and more than. I’m standing here proud of my skin ‘n weight. Stand tall in all your glory.”
- Bretman Rock: “Strength has no gender! It’s measured from within. I’m so excited to announce that I’m one of @nike faces for their #betrue campaign this year, truly such an honor to be seen and heard from Nike, it’s so surreal. You will accept us—actually idgaf if u do but you will respect us and most importantly you will tip the Drag Queens.”
- Etcetera Etcetera: Drag Race Down Under is another level of campy spectacle. This brash “nonbinary finery” contender, exiting at seventh place, is not only “the future of drag” but also “the future of the human race.” She talked openly about about gender in the show to www.nine.com.au: “Especially in Australia, we have a culture of toxic masculinity, but also toxic femininity…just toxic gender culture! I’m glad to be someone with an Australian accent coming out saying, ‘Hey, even though we’re all tough and rough Down Under and drinking VB, it doesn’t make you any less powerful to admit you exist in a liminal space of gender identity.’ It doesn’t mean weakness, and you can be Australian and question your gender identity.” (See also Inti, the nonbinary indigenous stunner at Drag Race España.)
- #laropanotienegenero: Math teacher Jose Piñas wore a skirt to school to support 15-year-old student Mikel Gómez, who was punished by his school for wearing the clothing in October last year. The teen explained (in a Tiktok video, of course) that he wore the skirt to challenge gender norms and support women’s liberation. This sparked a movement across Spain, called Clothes Have No Gender (#laropanotienegenero). “Twenty years ago I suffered persecution and insults for my sexual orientation in the institute where I am now a teacher,” Piñas tweeted. “Many teachers, they looked the other way. I want to join the cause of the student, Mikel, who has been expelled and sent to the psychologist for going to class with a skirt.”
- ‘In Between’: Before his boys love (BL) series premiered on YouTube last year, Genesis Redido, a rough and raw Aga Muhlach proudly declared: “I was born in a society in which one’s gender identity defines worth and power—a long-standing issue
- that affects us all, but not many of us are even aware that it exists. It is never too late to make a change; it won’t be easy, but it can be done. This is your chance to take a stand and to have a voice in our society. I am an ally.”
- ‘Elite’s’ Omar Ayuso. The Gossip Girl reboot, Mare of Easttown, Euphoria, Sex Education and Normal People have striking queer teen characters. The Spanish series Elite has the steamiest couple: Ander (Arón Piper) and Omar (Omar Ayuso). The openly gay Ayuso was tapped by Calvin Klein for its latest #proudinmycalvins campaign. He wrote of his coming out in 2013: “When I told my mother…I thought she would be shocked and make some big scene. She said, ‘Ok, I’ll get some tickets for The Sound of Music.’”
- Spice Girls: Posh Spice Victoria Beckham shared the Girls’s Pride and Wannabe Your Lover T-shirt, which benefits the @aktcharity, which works to combat LGBQT+ youth homelessness in the UK. “Pride to me is a celebration of being completely yourself and this year’s T-shirt is a reminder of that. The Spice Girls really championed accepting yourself and others, being kind, having fun and just living your best life! The LGBTQ+ community is so close to my heart and I’m so proud to be supporting Pride 2021 with the girls and akt again this year.”