Consumed

In the closet, I lost my voice. Queen gave it back to me

As a kid, I felt I had to tamp myself down. Freddie Mercury proved I didn’t have to

By KC Hoard

Love Like Mine

I was married to my work—until I met him

I could only find purpose in my job. It took meeting a special man to pull me out of this cycle

By Kyle Elliott

Love Like Mine

My mother is pounding on my closet door. I don’t want to answer

I’m left to wonder: ¿Cómo se dice, ‘Mom, I’m queer’ en español?

By Cynthia Jimenez

Consumed

Richard Linklater showed me how to love

During a honeymoon phase with a new partner, I clung to Linklater’s “Before” trilogy. His new film, “Blue Moon,” helped me carve a new path forward

By KC Hoard

Love Like Mine

I had a threesome with my monogamous partner, and it couldn’t have been better

There’s more than one route into opening a relationship—waiting for the perfect moment is a good way to start

By Denys Johnson

Love Like Mine

What my trans son taught me about freedom

I thought I had to fight every day just to exist. Then my son showed me that sometimes freedom is quiet

By Jen Wilson

E•MO•TEN

Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘EMOTION’ showed me the dark secret about true love

On her classic album, Jepsen basks in the sunny glow of a crush. But she’s equally interested in the cold and black night that follows

By KC Hoard

E•MO•TEN

Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘EMOTION’ is all about the fantasy—and I’m swimming in it

Having a crush hurts so good. Jepsen understands that better than anyone

By Oliver Haug

E•MO•TEN

Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘EMOTION’ taught me that cringe love can be cool

Jepsen’s masterpiece has been with me through my most important moments. Soon it will play as I walk down the aisle

By Mel Woods

Love Like Mine

I chose to become a single dad at 49—and I’d do it again

I traded partying on Fire Island and lunches with celebrities to be a dad in the suburbs. I don’t regret my decision

By Kevin Zoback

Proud Lives

Andrea Gibson helped me see life in the good light

Gibson’s poetry about queerness and mortality taught thousands of people how to reject apathy and embrace life

By Lindsay Lee Wallace

Taking Space

We need queer gathering spaces more than ever

The 11-part series “Taking Space” explores where we go next as the lights of gay bars dim

By Tara-Michelle Ziniuk

Love Like Mine

After my breakup, I fucked straight married men in the bushes

In the dark, in the dirt, where all identities dissolve, I stumbled upon a new life

By Martin Cloutier

Music

Lorde’s “Man of the Year” and the permission to want

Even before I could bring myself to want to be a man, I suddenly found myself as one

By Mel Woods

Music

Sufjan Stevens’s best album broke me—and brought me peace

“Carrie and Lowell” turns ten this year. It got me through the worst time of my life

By KC Hoard

Music

With ‘Mayhem,’ Lady Gaga brings popstar flair to her disability

On “Abracadabra” and “Disease,” Gaga struggles with a doubled version of herself. As a disabled person, I feel seen

By Ray Stoeve

Sports

Bodybuilding has helped me build a defiant love of my trans body

Thanks to my trainer’s soft care, I’ve fallen in love with a sport that forces me to connect with my own body

By Jules Sherred

Queer View Mirror

How ‘Enchanted’ hit a high note in spurring my gender awakening

Becoming more like Princess Giselle helped me become more like myself

By Lisa Laman