Los Angeles Blade

Los Angeles Blade LGBTQ news, politics, opinion, arts & entertainment & int’l coverage. Pub: Alexander Rodriguez,
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Southern California's LGBTQ News Source

California Men Enjoying Naturism (CMEN) is an international social organization for gay and bisexual men who enjoy natur...
10/09/2025

California Men Enjoying Naturism (CMEN) is an international social organization for gay and bisexual men who enjoy naturism. West Coast Gatherings were first held in Malibu in 1999 and have grown to draw over 500 male naturists from throughout North America, the Pacific Islands, and Europe. CMEN has been holding a Mr. CMEN Leather contest each year since 2000, and in 2003 it became an official International Mr. Leather (IML) Pre-Event.

The Mr. CMEN Leather title honors a member who embodies leadership, community spirit, and a commitment to bridging naturist and leather values.

Winning Mr. CMEN Leather 2025 isn’t just about strutting your stuff in a corset and boots – though this year’s titleholder rocked this look effortlessly. Equal parts storyteller, naturist, and leather-clad Babe with a capital B, Paul Gosselin brings poise and panache to everything he takes on, whether he’s producing a melodramatic dramedy, baring it all in the name of authenticity, or bridging communities that are often stigmatized or misconceived. With sharp wit, an XXL heart, and just enough fringe to keep things interesting, he’s proving that vulnerability, visibility, and a bulldog harness can go a long way.

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On Friday night, rainbow-dyed cloth, butterflies, balloons, and flowers surrounded drag queen Lushious Massacr as she fl...
10/08/2025

On Friday night, rainbow-dyed cloth, butterflies, balloons, and flowers surrounded drag queen Lushious Massacr as she fluttered across a stage, her bedazzled, princess-like dress cascading behind her in hot-pink waves. The crowd stood enchanted as she lip-synched along to her baile de sorpresa: a surprise dance performed by a young girl for loved ones attending her 15th birthday celebration.

It is Lushious’s birthday — but she is turning 37. Nearly two decades later, she is celebrating the quinceañera she never got to have. “When I was a little boy, I never could have imagined a world where I would be allowed to celebrate my quinceañera. The majority of people were still very allergic to q***rness,” Lushious told the crowd. “Tonight, we will celebrate the little girl inside of us. She wasn’t allowed, and she wasn’t given permission. The little girl will be given permission tonight.”

This reclamation and q***ring of tradition was a recurring theme at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Q***rceañera, also known as Q***rce. The event provides a space for q***r Latine community members to dance, be connected to resources and support, and embrace themselves in the company of loved ones, chosen family, friends, and fellow q***r strangers alike. This year’s Q***rce, themed “Mariposas Sin Fronteras,” or Butterflies without Borders, forged a cocoon that allowed guests to steep in the comfort of acceptance and liberation. This respite, though lasting only a few hours, is for many q***r people a necessary safe haven in an increasingly tumultuous political and social landscape.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, join the 2nd annual Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day during . From the very first gay publicat...
10/08/2025

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, join the 2nd annual Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day during . From the very first gay publication in 1924 to today’s leading outlets, our community’s stories have always mattered.

Now, you can help keep them strong. With one tax-deductible donation, you’ll support the journalists at Bay Area Reporter, The Buckeye Flame, Dallas Voice, Lookout, Los Angeles Blade, Out SFL, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg Magazine, Washington Blade, Windy City Times, and News Is Out.

🔗 Donate today! LINK IN STORIES

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This year, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), a leading legal and civil rights organizatio...
10/08/2025

This year, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), a leading legal and civil rights organization that fights for policies defending Asian American and Pacific Islander community members, is hosting its annual gala at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on Thursday, October 16th. The Los Angeles Blade serves as the organization’s 2025 Gala Media Partner, spotlighting feature issues on two LGBTQ+ policy advocates who have spearheaded the organization’s AAPI Q***r Joy coalition as well as one of the event’s honorees, first-time Los Angeles City councilmember Ysabel Jurado.

A special edition run of these features, as well as other Los Angeles Blade stories, will be available at the gala. Other honorees and special guests at this year’s event include Bird Marella’s managing partner, Paul Chan, Pasadena Fire Department fire engineer Chien Yu, former Biden cabinet secretary Julie Su, and others. The gala will be hosted by anchor and broadcast journalist David Ono and will feature a performance by local band Kokoro.

L.A. City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado will be presented with the 2025 Trailblazer in Justice Award, celebrating those who break barriers, open doors, and pave new paths, by the Los Angeles Blade and AJSOCAL.

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The Supreme Court’s new term begins this week, with multiple cases on the docket that could have serious consequences fo...
10/08/2025

The Supreme Court’s new term begins this week, with multiple cases on the docket that could have serious consequences for the civil rights of the LGBTQ community.

Many issues are being debated this term, including the scope of civil rights protections under the Equal Protection Clause, Title IX, and the Voting Rights Act—all of which could leave LGBTQ Americans less protected.

This Supreme Court is different from years past. Its right-wing supermajority is utilizing a more activist approach to legal interpretation—siding more often with President Trump’s preferred interpretation of laws rather than a more constitutional evaluation. One Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, even went so far as to publicly state he has a problem with the way judges are restricted by past decisions, saying he is against the concept of stare decisis (or sticking to prior judges’ decisions) and that they are “not the gospel.”

There are three major cases that in some way impact—or have the possibility of impacting—the rights of LGBTQ Americans: West Virginia v. B.P.J., Little v. Hecox, and Chiles v. Salazar. The first two deal with the rights of transgender girls participating in sports. The last one, Chiles v. Salazar, centers around the legality of banning conversion therapy.

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On Saturday evening, nearly 700 people packed the lower-level ballroom of the lavish Fairmont Century Plaza hotel for LG...
10/06/2025

On Saturday evening, nearly 700 people packed the lower-level ballroom of the lavish Fairmont Century Plaza hotel for LGBTQ+ civil rights organization Equality California’s annual awards ceremony. Throughout the night, several speakers took passionate stands on the urgent and unequivocal need, now more than ever, to support q***r communities and the organizations working to protect their rights and liberties. Senator Lena Gonzalez and Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, two of the event’s co-chairs, encouraged attendees to create a direct impact by making donations. The goal for the evening was $125,000.

As soft pink light and the clinking of cutlery at dinnertime enveloped the room, host Bob the Drag Queen wove lightness and humor in between speeches with his signature biting humor and commanding stage presence. “I do a lot of galas, so sometimes they kind of bleed together,” he told the Blade. “But it’s never lost to me: the work that is being done at these things and the people whose lives are being helped. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the rigmarole of, ‘Oh, another gala. More rich people giving money.’ But then that money does end up going somewhere and doing something really substantial.”

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APLA Health, a nonprofit providing HIV care, prevention, and sexual health services, announced the return of AIDS Walk L...
10/06/2025

APLA Health, a nonprofit providing HIV care, prevention, and sexual health services, announced the return of AIDS Walk Los Angeles on Sunday, October 12, 2025, starting from West Hollywood Park. This year’s theme, “Community Is the Cure,” emphasizes the role of unity in advancing progress against HIV/AIDS and supporting those affected.

Walk day will feature a live performance from RuPaul’s Drag Race star Heidi N Closet, DJ sets, and community booths. Following the celebration, walkers will make their way through the streets of West Hollywood.

“This event was born out of urgency, and it’s just as relevant today,” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “We’ve made incredible progress in the fight against HIV, but that progress is under direct threat from funding cuts and political attacks. Now is the time to show that we won’t be silenced or set back.”

Since its inception forty years ago, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has grown into one of the largest HIV/AIDS fundraising events in the world, raising nearly $100 million. Proceeds fund APLA Health’s services, including HIV specialty care, sexual health services, food and nutrition support, and housing assistance.

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In a world and at a point where LGBTQI+ rights are under increasing threat, organizations like Rainbow Railroad are deli...
10/06/2025

In a world and at a point where LGBTQI+ rights are under increasing threat, organizations like Rainbow Railroad are delivering life-saving action and offering hope as they do. Founded in 2006 as a grassroots response to the grave needs of LGBTQI+ individuals facing persecution, Rainbow Railroad has evolved into a global leader in q***r humanitarian response. Their mission is clear and critical – to help LGBTQI+ people escape life-threatening situations and access the safety and freedom they deserve.

The Blade was honored to speak with Latoya Nugent, Head of Engagement at Rainbow Railroad, a determined advocate and strategist who brings lived experience, passion, and vision to this work. In our conversation, Latoya sheds much-needed light on the evolution of the LGBTQI+ refugee crisis, the organization’s global impact, and how everyday people can get proactive in supporting LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and those displaced.

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10/02/2025

gives her words of encouragement to the LGBTQ community. LA Blade reporter was on the scene for Christmas in September at benefiting Children’s Hospital LA.

Before accepting the top honor at this year’s Project Angel Food’s Angel Awards, Oscar-nominated and GLAAD award-winning...
10/02/2025

Before accepting the top honor at this year’s Project Angel Food’s Angel Awards, Oscar-nominated and GLAAD award-winning actor Jennifer Tilly (Bullets Over Broadway) reflected on the lasting influence of the 1996 q***r neo-noir Bound, which she starred in alongside Gina Gershon (Showgirls).

“When we went in, they said to us, ‘You will not believe the actresses who refused to come in and read’ because it was considered detrimental to your career to play a le***an character,” Tilly told The Blade on the Sept. 27 red carpet at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. “But I was astonished because I thought, ‘This is the best script that I’ve read in such a long time with one of the best roles for women.’”

Tilly and Gershon co-starred as two women who fall in love and concoct a scheme to steal millions of dollars in mob money, and the film was directed by the Wachowski Sisters before they became household names. “They were first-time directors — nobody knew anything about them,” Tilly said. “But it’s one of my favorite performances of all time, and I’m really happy the new generation is beginning to discover it. It’s been on a lot of lists of the best film noir, the best le***an movies.”

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Few things in this world are as powerful as a song. For centuries, marginalized communities have used music as a way to ...
10/02/2025

Few things in this world are as powerful as a song.

For centuries, marginalized communities have used music as a way to come together, as a rallying cry to remember the power they hold against those who’d oppress them. And in a Los Angeles filled with music, few groups resound as loudly as Mariachi Arcoiris.

Composed of passionate violins, bellowing trumpets, and amazingly flamboyant uniforms, mariachi encapsulates the complexities of Latine music and the strength of this community. It unfortunately hasn’t always been welcoming to q***r performers, but recent years have seen artists merge their identities to create a beautifully intersectional sound. Arcoiris is one of these; this group made history 11 years ago when it was formed as the world’s first all-q***r mariachi band. In the time since they’ve inspired thousands, not only gaining fame through their endlessly viral performances but soothing generational wounds with their sound…and it’s been devastating to watch them struggle, along with all of LA’s Latine community, amidst violent ICE Raids and national discrimination.

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It’s October, which means it’s officially spooky season! The spirit of Halloween and our ancestors will be all around us...
10/01/2025

It’s October, which means it’s officially spooky season! The spirit of Halloween and our ancestors will be all around us this month as we indulge in our macabre senses by attending a seance, getting a reading to communicate with our ancestors, or party it up in WeHo in your costume (what little there may or may not be of it). We’re in LA, so we don’t get the luxury of sweater weather or beautiful fall leaves, but we do get to be in a city full of art and magic nonetheless.

Spirit is speaking to us, and it’s not just our ancestors; it’s our own spirit, and it’s asking us to look at what has made us feel good and accomplished and asking how we are planning to bring more of that energy in. In the last few weeks, we have had a realization of what we’re good at, what we enjoy doing, and in some cases, we even got a taste of the spotlight, and we’re feeling pretty good. These insights and experiences are Spirit’s way of guiding us down a more beneficial path; it’s just up to us to decide to take it and navigate it from here. For those of you who are looking at this as an opportunity to create new game plans or life changes, I caution you to remember that the changes you ponder and put into effect now will be challenged as the rest of the year plays out. Don’t get discouraged, stick to your dreams and your plans. If you commit to this, you will see these things have a long shelf life and will be a big part of your life for the next few years.

Some of you may be feeling the spooky vibes in the October air and want to get more in touch with your spiritual side. You don’t have to look that far. First of all, we’re in LA, everybody is discovering their witchy side – crystals, spell candles, readings…whatever occult-esque things you can think of, I can almost guarantee there is someone you know that’s doing it…like me! But you don’t need to limit yourself to a visit to your favorite witch; you already have a little bit of magic in you.

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Los Angeles’ LGBT weekly newspaper

The Los Angeles Blade is the most frequently and widely distributed LGBT media serving Los Angeles and Southern California. Every week in print and daily online we provide you with the most important and insightful local and national journalism from our award winning team of seasoned LGBT reporters.

We provide news, politics, opinion, arts and entertainment and events coverage.

Karen Ocamb, the newspaper’s News Editor, has been reporting on the LGBT community of Los Angeles since the early days of the AIDS crisis and has one of the most impressive bodies of work of any LGBT journalist in the United States. The newspaper’s publisher, Troy Masters, is a veteran publisher of LGBT newspapers, having founded NYC’s Gay City News and several other LGBT titles over the past 35 years.

The Los Angeles Blade also publishes the Washington Blade in DC, a 50 year old LGBT newspaper the New York Times has called “America’s newspaper of record for the LGBT community.”