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Postgender Pride: Pride Houston Town Hall to Discuss Non-binary Grand Marshals

Posted on February 19, 2019

A photo of Pride Houston's non-binary Grand Marshal category.

This year, Pride Houston is expanding its mission of inclusivity ahead of its celebration, themed “Summer of ’69,” by adding a “Gender Non-binary” Grand Marshal category alongside its traditional “Male” and “Female” classifications. Lo Roberts, board president of Pride Houston, notes that this change marks the beginning of an ongoing dialogue to move away from gender-related options. “We’re trying to take the organization back to the people, back into the community,” Roberts says.…

OUTsider Fest to ‘Unlock the Cabinet of QUEERIOSITIES’ in Austin

Posted on February 15, 2019

A photo of Felix and the Future at OUTsider Fest.

Given the current state of our country, it is more important than ever that we embrace our queerness with ferocity. We must continue to challenge conformity and be as visible as possible. On February 20–24, OUTsider Fest, Austin’s annual queer transmedia festival, returns with this motive in mind. This year’s festival is appropriately themed “Unlock the Cabinet of QUEERIOSITIES,” and promises to be “a queer take on the cabinet of curiosities and its peculiar oddities.” Through this lens, OUTsider calls on…

When ‘The One’ Becomes Two: Top 5 Myths About Polyamory

Posted on February 14, 2019

Polyamory, like many relationship expressions that fall outside the societal “norm” of monogamy, is largely misunderstood, often dismissed, and rarely validated as a natural way for humans to connect with one another. This dynamic is not as provocative or alluring as the media depicts, nor is it fraught with more complications that the traditional two-party relationship system. In fact, almost no mammal on earth is truly monogamous (yes, even those that “mate for life”). As queer people, our relationships are…

Acts of Rebellion: Experimental Action Centers Queer Performance Artists

Posted on February 13, 2019

A photo of Antonius Bui at Experimental Action.

If you truly know Houston, you know there’s no denying our ranking as a national contender in the competitive visual arts dominion. The city is continuously abuzz with new and up-and-coming gallery openings, exhibitions, and alternative art collectives. What often gets left out of the picture, however, is the avant-garde, activist-inspired, trailblazing, and authentic performance art scene. This repertoire is the city’s best-kept secret—one that deserves to be exposed and given some long-overdue recognition. At the heart of this scene is…

Ending the HIV Epidemic by 2030: The Federal Government Has It All Wrong

Posted on February 8, 2019

A photo of red carnations representing the HIV epidemic.

After the nation’s longest government shutdown in history, the president of the United States was finally able to give his State of the Union address. The purpose of this address, as prescribed by the US Constitution, is to give the United States Congress information on the state of our nation and to “recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary.” Essentially, this is the president’s chance to state where we are currently as a country, as well as…

Growing Up Black and Queer: The Catastrophic Theatre Presents Robert O’Hara’s ‘Bootycandy’

Posted on February 5, 2019

Recent years have seen a rise in mainstream discussions centered on queer Black masculinity. Frank Ocean’s lyrics hinted at his queerness before the rapper opened up about the subject. Actress and writer Issa Rae’s Insecure questioned how women view Black men who have had sexual experiences with other men. Jaden Smith disrupted traditional notions of masculinity by playing with gender presentation before ultimately coming out as queer in 2018. And, perhaps the most landmark cultural production about the subject, director…

Rise and Grind: Top Queer Southern Entrepreneurs of 2019

Posted on January 31, 2019

A photo of queer southern entrepreneurs.

Creating a business is no joke. Between articles of incorporation and business bank accounts to mission statements and target audiences, it’s enough to make your head spin and send you down that dreaded rabbit hole of self-doubt and insecurity, only to spit you out the other end questioning your entire purpose in life. Dramatic? Maybe a smidge. But I think we can all agree that self-doubt is evil and has no business in business—we don’t know her. Here’s what we do…

Keep Questioning: The Restrictive Nature of Labels Within the LGBTQ Community

Posted on January 28, 2019

Finding your identity within the LGBTQ community can be confusing to say the least. When I started to question my own identity in college, I anticipated finding guidance and opportunities for growth. Instead, I wound up exhausted. What began as an exciting journey to self-discovery soon became a downward spiral that resulted in feelings of doubt and a sense that I didn’t belong.…

Figures in the Shadows: Finding Queer Representation in Film Noir with Artist Jade Yumang

Posted on January 24, 2019

Jade Yumang grew up as free a spirit as they come. Bouncing around his mother’s beauty salon in the Philippines while his father worked overseas, Yumang was allowed to be as openly himself as he wanted. The majority of his mother’s friends and salon coworkers were queer and, for a young boy and budding artist discovering himself, this environment was more than favorable for his personal growth.…

Working Out with Erica Nix: Making Fitness Queer Again

Posted on January 22, 2019

I’m an artist, and Workout! With Erica Nix started out as performance art. I used to dance for a punk rock band and, instead of go-go dancing or dancing in this cute, sexy way, I would do aerobics and act crazy on stage. I’d weigh myself afterwards, get pissed off, and throw a huge fit and hump food, spray Cheez Whiz on people, and throw donuts. It was a lot of fun! A lot of people would come for the…

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