Queer Culture Catch-Up

Queer-affirming observances, Broadway online and new Aiyana-Lee

Plus other recommendations for what’s up and what’s on, beginning April 14

By S. Bear Bergman

Music

Mal Blum talks new EP, trans masc music and who’s gonna win ‘Drag Race’

The musician’s new EP “Ain’t It Nice” is a rough and tumble tribute to loneliness

By Mel Woods

Speed Date

Speed Date with musician and songwriter Mal Blum

The folk-punk singer embraces alt-rock and country in their new album

By Lito Howse, Mel Woods

Monthly Tune-Up

Dance, cry and sing your way into spring with these 7 new tracks

From British pop darling Charli XCX and NYC’s vibrant MICHELLE to Vancouver’s punk Kitty Prozac

By Jordan Currie

Speed Date with queer, Danish pop star Asbjørn

The musician says he’s looking forward to touring his new album “Boyology”

By Lito Howse

TV & Film

The 5 queerest moments from a wild 2022 Oscars ceremony

Ariana DeBose, Lady Gaga and Elliot Page all stood out on a memorable night

By Mel Woods

Music

Claud’s evolution into a rocking, exhilarating headliner

The shy purveyor of “bedroom pop” blossoms onstage with a beguiling mix of vulnerability and verve

By Sergio Lopez

Playlist Q

R&B singer Lendryx’s journey to authenticity

After coming out as bisexual in 2019, the singer-songwriter just wants to make music that feels real

By Daria Lynn Cottingham

Music

The long lost musical project of ‘The Kids in the Hall’ alums Scott Thompson and Paul Bellini finally gets its due

Their 1980s art punk band Mouth Congress is making up for lost time

By Jesse Locke

Culture

Do celebrities—especially queer ones—deserve to be role models?

In an age where fans know a little bit too much of what’s in the dark corners of the minds of famous people, maybe we should look for other role models

By Paul Gallant

The Buzz

Disney exec touts ‘inspiring’ content despite company funding ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Florida politicians

Don’t focus on the money we give to homophobes, Disney says, focus instead on the few gays we put on screen

By Mel Woods

Nightlife

‘It’s our church.’ DIY rave scenes are safe spaces for marginalized folks

From Toronto to Miami, queer nightlife is seeing a resurgence—set to the beat of inclusive DJs

By Rhea Singh

Music

The ferocious beauty of Tanya Tagaq

Filmmaker Thirza Cuthand talks with the Inuk musician about her latest album, Indigenous resistance and the intersection of rage and love

By Thirza Cuthand

Monthly Tune-Up

What is the best new queer music, you ask?

Music writer Jordan Currie has picked 7 of the best singles released over the last month. Check out the first instalment of “Monthly Tune-Up”

By Jordan Currie

Music

A very chaotic yet realistic soundtrack to my life

These songs by Black artists shaped music journalist Daric L. Cottingham’s taste through the years

By Daria Lynn Cottingham

The Buzz

‘The Sims 4’ wedding pack will be left at the altar—and off store shelves—in Russia

The game’s new expansion pack will not launch in Russia due to an anti-gay propaganda law

By Mel Woods

Music

Lavender Country, the self-proclaimed ‘screaming Marxist bitch’ of country music, is back

After 50 years, Patrick Haggerty returns with songs of timeless sorrow and outrage

By Jesse Locke

Playlist Q

Mexican alt-rock band Trends is no passing fad

Lead by Marina Paiz, the Los Angeles-based outfit is slowly but surely making a name for themselves

By Daria Lynn Cottingham