Six LGBTQIA+ artists are set to release a single in tribute to The Vivienne.

Bentley Robles, Bimini, Eden Hunter, Janethan and Tia Kofi have joined forces on ‘Your Light Will Shine’, with all proceeds benefiting Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ support line that recently marked its 50th anniversary.

Due for release on 17 September, the song was written by The Vivienne’s close friend and manager, Simon Jones, who said he wanted to honour the late Drag Race UK winner’s “lasting legacy” while also raising “vital funds for a charity that does so much for our community”.

“Viv was a trailblazer and a one off, and in this song we celebrate their life but also remind everyone that right now we need to be united as a community and fight for our love more than ever,” he said in a statement.

“I’m so grateful to the amazing music artists who have given their time and talent to create this beautiful pop song.”

The Vivienne — born James Lee Williams — tragically passed away in January 2025 after suffering a cardiac arrest associated with a ketamine overdose.

Last month, World of Wonder released a documentary titled Dear Viv, celebrating her trailblazing legacy within the Drag Race franchise — from her historic win as the first UK champion to her return as the first international queen to compete on a U.S. season, All Stars 7.

BBC

Directed by Pete Williams, the film includes interviews with the star’s loved ones, including the following Drag Race stars: Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea, Cheryl Hole, Crystal, Danny Beard, Michael Marouli, Monét X Change, Raja, Tia Kofi and Trinity the Tuck.

Dear Viv also addresses the circumstances surrounding her death, particularly in light of her sister Chanel Williams becoming an outspoken advocate against ketamine use in the months since.

In a statement, World of Wonder co-founder Fenton Bailey said: “I think it’s really important not to shy away from that, not only because there wasn’t anyone more full of life than The Viv… but I think it’s important for people to know that the dangers of drugs. There’s no judgment here at all.

“But I think there is no harm in telling the truth, and I also believe Viv would really want that. Viv would not want us to hide anything.”

Dear Viv is now streaming in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, and internationally on WOW Presents Plus.

The post Queer artists unite for charity single honouring Drag Race UK icon The Vivienne appeared first on GAY TIMES.

After more than a million people took to the streets to celebrate Pride in London this year, organisers have confirmed when the event will be taking place in 2024.

Despite it usually happening in July, next year Pride in London will be held on Saturday 29 June.

“Our capital’s Pride celebrations were a huge success and I can’t wait to see what the Pride in London team have planned for 2024,” Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said.

“Our city has many thriving and vibrant LGBTQI+ communities, and it’s vital that we celebrate this diversity, while continuing to champion LGBTQI+ rights through events like Pride.

“The march of solidarity and celebration is one of the reasons that London is renowned across the globe as a beacon of inclusion and diversity, and by continuing to work together, will help us to build a better London for all.”

READ MORE: Sadiq Khan: ‘We must stand together to celebrate our differences at Pride’

This year, Pride in London launched its ‘Never March Alone’ campaign, which emphasised the importance of supporting the trans+ community as it faces increasing persecution from both the media and politicians.

Queer Britain, the UK’s first museum dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, will continue showing portraits and video from the campaign throughout the summer.

Looking ahead to 2024, Christopher Joell-Deshields, CEO of Pride in London, said: “Following a momentous display of trans allyship with our 2023 campaign and the recent parade, we are excited to continue fostering unity and advocating for equality across the capital.”

READ MORE: More than 1 million people turn out to celebrate Pride in London

More than 30,000 participants from around 600 organisations got involved in 2023’s Parade, which began at Hyde Park Corner and ended at Whitehall.

The day featured headline performances from Adam Lambert, Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall, with other stars such as Eden Hunter, Rita Ora and Jack Hawitt each delivering show-stopping sets.

The post Pride in London announces date of 2024 celebration, protest and march appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Emily Thornberry, the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, has spoken about the importance of standing “united” in the fight for global equality.

Speaking to GAY TIMES at Pride in London on 1 July, the Shadow Attorney for England and Wales emphasised why Pride protests and celebrations continue to be essential.

“I come every year that I can, I absolutely love it,” she explained. “That’s the truth, bottom line. I really enjoy it, it’s a great party. However, it’s also really important in terms of the politics of it. It’s really important to be here in support and making it clear that we stand united. It always seems as though they’re coming for some of us and we’ve got to make sure that we stand solid and strong and that’s why I’m here.”

In recent years, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has been on the rise in both the UK and US, with the latter also seeing reversals in the rights of other groups in the form of things like the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Thornberry said she believes such things are “absolutely” linked and that the fight for equality is “constantly a battle”.

READ MORE: Emily Thornberry MP: ‘UK government wasted golden opportunity to improve LGBTQ+ rights’

“I do think we’re winning, but I think we have to be very careful we don’t slip back and we have to remain vigilant,” she said. “I think people cannot take this for granted.”

She noted that the younger generation may have “never seen this before” and are likely “afraid”.

“We’ve seen it before,” Thornberry continued. “We’ve just got to make sure that we don’t let it get too bad. We’ve got to make sure it doesn’t fall back too much.”

More than one million people celebrated Pride in London this year

Huge crowds took to the streets of London on to take part in this year’s Pride celebrations.

More than 30,000 participants from around 600 organisations got involved in this year’s Parade, which began at Hyde Park Corner and ended at Whitehall.

Organisers estimated that more than one million people took part in this year’s Pride festivities more generally, which coincided with the 51st anniversary of the UK’s first Pride march.

Robby Dee Photography

The day featured headline performances from Adam Lambert, Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall, with other stars such as Eden Hunter, Rita Ora and Jack Hawitt each delivering show-stopping sets.

Pride in London’s ‘Never March Alone’ campaign was featured prominently throughout the day, which emphasised the importance of supporting the trans community.

RELATED STORIES:

• More than 1 million people turn out to celebrate Pride in London
• Sadiq Khan: “The trans community should not be stigmatised, demonised or weaponised”
• London Trans+ Pride in pictures: 25,000 people turn out in love and solidarity

The post Emily Thornberry MP says we must “stand united” in fight for equality appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has spoken out against transgender people being “stigmatised, demonised or weaponised” in so-called ‘culture wars’.

Speaking to GAY TIMES at Pride in London on 1 July, Khan emphasised the importance of keeping the community at the forefront of this year’s event and due to the ongoing stigma they face in both politics and the media.

“Listen, one of the things that’s the worst of all in politics is people being caught up in the crossfire of a ‘culture war’,” he said.

“And we see every day, not just so-called ‘jokes’ made by the Prime Minister behind closed doors, [but also] things in the mainstream media, clickbait from certain people where the trans community are used as clickbait or as pawns.”

Khan further explained that the trans community “should not be stigmatised, demonised or weaponised” and instead called for “recognition that this community is a vulnerable community that needs our support”.

READ MORE: Sadiq Khan: ‘We must stand together to celebrate our differences at Pride’

“I’m quite clear, an attack on one minority is an attack on all minorities and an attack on all of us,” he added.

Discussing the importance of Pride more generally, Khan said it continues to be essential as it serves as a chance to “recognise things aren’t perfect” and that “we’ve still got to campaign and protest”.

© Greater London Authority

He called on the government to make sure “there are laws in place to protect all minorities, particularly the trans community” and urged it to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for all.

“But listen, as long as I’m the Mayor, London is going to carry on being a beacon to the rest of the world when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, but also this community, that sense of belonging, that you’re free to be who you want to be and you’re free to love you want to love,” he continued.

More than one million people celebrated Pride in London this year

Huge crowds took to the streets of London on to take part in this year’s Pride celebrations.

More than 30,000 participants from around 600 organisations got involved in this year’s Parade, which began at Hyde Park Corner and ended at Whitehall.

Organisers estimated that more than one million people took part in this year’s Pride festivities more generally, which coincided with the 51st anniversary of the UK’s first Pride march.

Robby Dee Photography

The day featured headline performances from Adam Lambert, Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall, with other stars such as Eden Hunter, Rita Ora and Jack Hawitt each delivering show-stopping sets.

Pride in London’s ‘Never March Alone’ campaign was featured prominently throughout the day, which emphasised the importance of supporting the trans community.

RELATED STORIES: 

• UK Black Pride announces theme of this year’s protest and celebration
• Bristol Pride bans political parties “until more is done” for LGBTQ+ rights
• Night Czar Amy Lamé: ‘We must protect our cherished queer venues from closure’

The post Sadiq Khan: “The trans community should not be stigmatised, demonised or weaponised” appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Huge crowds took to the streets of London on 1 July to take part in this year’s Pride celebrations.

More than 30,000 participants from around 600 organisations got involved in this year’s Parade, which began at Hyde Park Corner and ended at Whitehall.

Organisers estimated that more than one million people took part in this year’s Pride festivities more generally, which coincided with the 51st anniversary of the UK’s first Pride march.

The day featured headline performances from Adam Lambert, Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall, with other stars such as Eden Hunter, Rita Ora and Jack Hawitt each delivering show-stopping sets.

Pride in London’s ‘Never March Alone’ campaign was featured prominently throughout the day, which emphasised the importance of supporting the trans+ community as it faces increasing persecution from both the media and politicians.

“We’ve got to make sure that we stand solid and strong”

Speaking to GAY TIMES ahead of taking part in the march, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, emphasised the importance of celebrating Pride while also taking it as an opportunity to “recognise things aren’t perfect” yet.

“This community still faces prejudice, discrimination, hatred, violence,” he continued.

“We know in particular, the trans community is a community that is being stigmatised, demonised and weaponised and we are going to provide allyship.

“Whether it’s me providing allyship to this community or whether its members of the LGBTQI+ community providing allyship to each other.

“I’m quite clear, an attack on one minority is an attack on all minorities and an attack on all of us.”

“Have a wonderful, wonderful Pride!”

We’re kicking off @PrideInLondon with @MayorofLondon Sadiq Khan! 🌈 #PrideInLondon pic.twitter.com/cjS2ojt6xm

— GAY TIMES (@gaytimes) July 1, 2023

Emily Thornberry, a Labour MP also serving as the Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales, marched alongside LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.

“So I come every year that I can, I absolutely love it. That’s the truth, bottom line. I really enjoy it, it’s a great party,” she told GAY TIMES on the day. “However, it’s also really important in terms of the politics of it. It’s really important to be here in support and making it clear that we stand united. It always seems as though they’re coming for some of us and we’ve got to make sure that we stand solid and strong and that’s why I’m here.”

Leading sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust was among the organisations marching at Pride.

Richard Angell, its CEO, said the day showed the amount of support there is for ending new cases of HIV by 2030.

“And when the politicians are watching in, it isn’t just about the pretty flags, it’s about the important message that we’re sharing as well and they need to know this can be their legacy,” he explained.

“We’ve got one more parliament to go if we want to end this epidemic by 2030. They can be the difference we need to see and we could be the first country in the world to do it.”

RELATED STORIES

• Sadiq Khan: ‘We must stand together to celebrate our differences at Pride’
• Pride in London unveils powerful new ‘Never March Alone’ campaign
• Night Czar Amy Lamé: ‘We must protect our cherished queer venues from closure’

The post More than 1 million people turn out to celebrate Pride in London appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Eden Hunter caught up with GAY TIMES about her rise to pop stardom and what made her “feel comfortable” speaking about her queerness.

Her career has been going from strength to strength, with Eden’s recent performance at Mighty Hoopla being her biggest to date.

“It was surreal because I’ve never performed on a stage that big before,” she explained on the day, jokingly adding: “I think I’d like to do it again.”

She performed latest release, Twenty, for the first time at the festival after finding out it was her first song to be featured on an editorial playlist.

“I loved doing my new single, Twenty, because that’s fresh out so it’s nice to do that live for the first time because there were a few of my friends that had come, so it was nice because they obviously knew it,” she shared.

Other favourites to play to a crowd are Chance My Heart and All My Love: “I feel like this is the ultimate festival for All My Love because it’s quite hooky, so people get to know it quickly. It’s a nice one because it’s so simple, most people obviously wouldn’t have known who I was, but they picked it up quite easily.”

Eden’s first four singles have surpassed more than 50,000 streams on Spotify alone and, in November, she will headline her own show at Colours Hoxton.

Reflecting on her time in the industry so far, Eden said Twenty is a track she “wrote about coming to terms with it being alright to evolve” as “you have to be so certain of your image and who you are.”

She then explained that All My Love is “special” to her because it made her “feel comfortable speaking openly about [her] own queerness”.

The song’s music video, which premiered exclusively on GAY TIMES, stars a diverse cast including Drag Race UK’s River Medway, Sophia Stardust, Coco Couture and Aura Fiss as they serve up choreography alongside a campy storyline.

Discussing LGBTQ+ representation in music, the Weightless singer said: “It’s so important because there’s so many people that you meet who just don’t get it.”

Eden explained that “a lot” of her team are queer and that it is “really important” to have people around you who “understand” why representation matters.

Tickets for Eden’s show at Colours Hoxton on 8 November are available here.

You can stream the video for Twenty below or by clicking here.

The post Eden Hunter: ‘So many people don’t get the importance of representation in music’ appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Choriza May has released the highly anticipated follow up to My Pussy is Like a Peach and it features none other than her Drag Race UK sister, River Medway.

The song keeps the “fruity theme” going, with the artwork and lyrics subtly referencing the pair’s infamous double elimination on the show.

“We could be miserable about it but really, there is a beautiful silver lining, we gained a sister for life,” Choriza tells GAY TIMES after joking that it was “absolutely dreadful” to work with River again after the show.

“We are strangely bonded and it really feels like we have been friends for years!

“Sometimes when life gives you lemons you have to make a gin and lemonade and we really did that!

“And if I’m honest I think that’s exactly what Mama Ru would want us to do, take the platform she gave us and make the most of all the highs but also the lows. We both see that double elimination as a gift.”

The video shows animated versions of the two queens alongside their season three sisters Vanity Milan, Kitty Scott-Claus, Ella Vaday and Scarlett Harlett, who can all be seen wearing fruity lewks.

Choriza explains that doing the video this way meant she could achieve her “dream” to have them all appear – something which is harder than ever to do as the queens stay booked and busy after their season.

She adds that the track is an upbeat bop which “transports you to Choriza’s fun, hot, spicy and camp world!”

“When I started working on the song with Kaity Rae and Eden Hunter, I basically briefed them with the characteristics of what in my head is the perfect summer song,” Choriza states. “A song you can play in a pool party with a mojito in hand and have a dance with your friends. Catchy, memorable and with fun lyrics.”

Fans of the star can expect more music from her in the future, as her “goal is to release an album with all fruit related songs.”

You can watch the music video for Feeling Fruity below or by clicking here.

The post Drag Race UK stars Choriza May and River Medway release “perfect summer song” Feeling Fruity appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Eden Hunter’s iconic new music video for All My Love is an ode to an over the top 1980s call centre, complete with an array of drag legends.

The song is an infectious synthpop track which sees the 20-year-old declare that she is ready to embrace her queerness and be confident about giving her love away.

All My Love’s music video, which premieres exclusively on GAY TIMES, is proof that Eden is ready for pop staredom as she ropes in Drag Race UK’s River Medway, Sophia Stardust, Coco Couture and Aura Fiss to serve up choreography alongside a campy storyline.

The five are all eagerly trying to find out if they have won Employee of the Month from their boss, a five-year-old boy, before they dance around the office with choreography by Six the Musical’s Freya Sands after all winning the award.

Their pastel-coloured power suits, old school desk fans and ancient phones are something straight out of the ‘80s, but it works in perfect harmony with the upbeat song’s positive message.

Eden tells GAY TIMES that she wrote the track at a time when she was feeling “really uncertain” about who she was.

“Therefore, the song is a message I’ve written to myself reminding me that when I don’t meet the standards set by people or society, and when I feel like I don’t belong and no one ‘gets it’, I will still continue to give people all my love because that’s who I am and I will always stay true to myself,” she adds.

The video for All My Love was shot over two nights all the way back in June 2021 and was the first time Eden had ever filmed a music video.

She explains: “The song is about self-acceptance and trust even when others aren’t that way towards you so I knew I had to involve my friends who really encourage that within me and pioneer that to the world… so we created an ‘80s themed office party with myself, a five-year-old CEO and four drag queens!”

It marks Eden’s third official single following Chance My Heart and Weightless.

You can watch the All My Love music video below or by clicking here.

The post Premiere: Eden Hunter has ‘80s themed office party with River Medway in All My Love music video appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Disney+ have announced the brand new line-up for Star.

The sixth brand to launch on the service, Star will double the amount of content available on Disney+ with productions from Disney’s creative studios, such as Disney Television Studios, FX, 20th Century Studios and 20th Television.

Over 75 television series will be added including LGBTQ+ favourites such as American Dad, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Desperate Housewives, Family Guy, Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, Scandal, Scream Queens, Ugly Betty and The X-Files.

Star have also announced an original thriller-drama from Big Little Lies alum David E. Kelly called Big Sky, which will follow two private detectives as they search for sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver.

It stars Katheryn Winnick, Kylie Bunbury, Brian Geraghty, Dedee Pfeiffer, Natalie Alyn Lind, Jade Pettyjohn, Jesse James Keitel, John Carroll Lynch and Ryan Phillippe.

More original titles include Solar Opposites, an animated sitcom from Rick and Morty’s Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan. Love, Simon spin-off series Love Victor will also be available to stream in its entirety, as well as Hulu’s short-lived Marvel drama Helstrom.

Subscribers can also expect films such as Boys Don’t Cry, Cleopatra, Deadpool 2, The Devil Wears Prada, Evita, The Fault In Our Stars, The Favourite, Jennifer’s Body, John Tucker Must Die, Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet.

Joe Koeppen from The Walt Disney Company said Star will be “an integral part of Disney+, making it bigger, bolder and more exciting.”

“The arrival of hundreds of TV series and movies including our exclusive Star Originals will make Disney+ the premier destination for high quality entertainment with something for everyone,” he said in a statement.

“Needless to say, all this comes with parental controls to give parents that peace of mind.”

Star will be available on Disney+ in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland plus Australia, New Zealand, and Canada on 23 February.

Here’s the full list of films and shows being added in the UK:

TV SHOWS

• According to Jim
• Alias
• American Dad
• Animal Fight Night
• Apocalypse World War War I
• Apocalypse: The Second World War
• Atlanta
• Big Sky
• Black-Ish
• Bloody Tales of Europe
• Bloody Tales of the Tower
• Bones
• Brothers & Sisters
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Buried Secrets of WWII
• Burn Notice
• Castle
• Code Black
• Cougar Town
• Desperate Housewives
• Devious Maids
• Drugs, Inc
• Family Guy
• Feud: Bette and Joan
• Firefly
• Flashforward
• The Fosters
• The Gifted
• Glee
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Helstrom
• The Hot Zone
• How I Met Your Mother
• Inside North Korea’s Dynasty
• The Killing
• LA 92
• Lance
• Lie to Me
• Lost
• Love, Victor
• Mafia Confidential
• Maradona Confidential
• Mars
• Modern Family
• OJ: Made in America
• Perception
• Prison Break
• Raising Hope
• Resurrection
• Revenge
• Rosewood
• Scandal
• Scream Queens
• Scrubs
• Sleepy Hollow
• Snowfall
• Solar Opposites
• Sons of Anarchy
• The Strain
• Terra Nova
• Terriers
• Trust
• Ugly Betty
• Ultimate Survival WWII
• Valley of the Boom
• Witness to Disaster
• WWII Bomb Hunters
• The X-Files
• The 2000s: The Decade We Saw It All
• 24
• 24: Legacy
• The 80s: The Decade That Made Us
• 9/11 Firehouse
• The 90s: The Last Great Decade?
• 9-1-1

FILMS

• The 13th Warrior
• 42 to 1
• 9 to 5
• Adam (2009)
• The Air Up There
• The Alamo
• Anna and the King
• Annapolis
• Another Earth
• Another Stakeout
• Anywhere But Here
• Arachnophobia
• Australia
• Bachelor Party
• Bad Ass
• Bad Company (2002)
• Bad Company (AKA: Tool Shed)
• Bad Girls (1994)
• Bad Times at the El Royale
• Baggage Claim
• The Banger Sisters
• Be Water
• Beaches
• Before and After (1996)
• Belle
• Beloved (1998)
• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
• Best Laid Plans
• Big Trouble
• Billy Bathgate
• Black Nativity
• Borat
• Boys Don’t Cry
• Braveheart
• Breaking and Entering
• Bringing Out the Dead
• Broadcast News
• Brokedown Palace
• Broken Lizard’s Club Dread
• Brothers in Exile
• Brown Sugar
• Bubble Boy
• Bulworth
• Bushwhacked
• Can’t Buy Me Love
• Casanova (2005)
• Catch That Kid
• Cedar Rapids
• Chain Reaction
• Chasing Tyson
• Choke
• The Clearing
• Cleopatra (1963)
• Cocktail
• Cocoon: The Return
• Cold Creek Manor
• The Color of Money
• Come See The Paradise
• The Comebacks
• Commando (1985)
• Con Air
• Conan the Barbarian
• Confetti
• Consenting Adults
• A Cool Dry Place
• Cousin Bette
• Crazy/Beautiful
• Crimson Tide
• The Crucible
• Cyrus
• Damien – Omen II
• The Darjeeling Unlimited
• Dark Water
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
• The Day the Series Stopped
• Day Watch
• Deadpool 2
• Dead Presidents
• Deep Rising
• Deion’s Double Play
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Devil’s Due
• Die Hard 2
• Die Hard with a Vengeance
• Double Take
• Down and Out in Beverly Hills
• Down Periscope
• Dragonball: Evolution
• Dreaming of Joseph Lees
• Drive Me Crazy
• The Drop
• Duets
• The East
• Ed Wood
• The Edge
• Encino Man
• Enemy of the State
• Enough Said
• Evita
• Exodus: Gods and Kings
• The Fab Five (2011)
• Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)
• The Fault in Our Stars
• The Favourite
• The Final Conflict
• Firestorm (1998)
• The Fly (1986)
• For the Boys
• Four Falls of Buffalo
• French Connection II
• The French Connection
• From Hell
• Gentlemen Broncos
• A Good Day to Die Hard
• Good Morning, Vietnam
• The Good Son (1993)
• A Good Year
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Great White Hype
• Grosse Pointe Blank
• Guilty As Sin
• Gun Shy
• The Happening
• Here on Earth
• High Fidelity
• High Hells and Low Lifes
• Hitchcock
• Hoffa
• Holy Man
• Hope Springs (2003)
• I Heart Huckabees
• I Love You, Beth Cooper
• I Origins
• I Think I Love My Wife
• Idiocracy
• In America
• In Her Shoes
• Independence Day
• Independence Day: Resurgence
• Inventing the Abbotts
• Jennifer’s Body
• The Jewel of the Nile
• John Tucker Must Die
• Johnson Family Vacation
• Jordan Rides the Bus
• Joshua
• Just Married
• Just Wright
• Kingdom Come
• Kissing Jessica Stein
• Kung Pow: Enter the Fist
• Ladyhawke
• The Ladykillers (2004)
• Last Dance (1996)
• Le Divorce
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
• Live Free or Die Hard
• Looking for Richard
• Mad Love (1995)
• The Man From Snowy River
• Margaret
• Martha Marchy May Marlene
• MASH
• Max Payne
• The Maze Runner
• Medicine Man
• Melinda and Melinda
• Metro
• Miami Rhapsody
• Miller’s Crossing
• Moulin Rouge (2001)
• My Father the Hero
• Mystery, Alaska
• The Namesake
• Nature Boy
• Never Die Alone
• The Newton Boys
• Night Watch (2006)
• No Mas
• Nothing to Lose
• Notorious
• Office Space
• One Hour Photo
• Oscar and Lucinda
• The Other Woman (2014)
• Our Family Wedding
• Out to Sea
• Pathfinder (2007)
• Phat Girlz
• Phone Booth
• Planet of the Apes (1968)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• Pony Excess
• The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
• Post Grad
• Powder
• The Preacher’s Wife
• Pretty Woman
• Primeval
• The Puppet Masters
• The Pyramid
• Quills
• Quiz Show
• Ravenous
• Rebound
• Renaissance Man
• Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
• The Ringer
• The Rocker
• Romancing the Stone
• Ruby Sparks
• Runaway Bride
• Rushmore
• Ruthless People
• The Savages
• Say it Isn’t So
• The Scarlet Letter
• Sea of Shadows
• The Secret Life of Bees
• Separate Lies
• The Sessions
• Shadow Conspiracy
• Shallow Hal
• Shining Through
• The Siege
• Signs
• Simon Birch
• A Simple Twist of Fate
• The Sitter (2011)
• Six Days, Seven Nights
• Sleeping with the Enemy
• Solaris
• Someone Like You
• Soul Food
• Spy Hard
• Stakeout
• Starship Troopers
• Stoker
• Super Troopers (2002)
• Surrogates
• Swing Kids
• Taxi (2004)
• Terminal Velocity
• Thank You for Smoking
• There’s Something About Mary
• The Thin Red Line (1999)
• Three Fugitives
• The Three Stooges (2012)
• Titan AE
• Tombstone
• Toys
• Trapped in Paradise
• Tristan & Isolde
• Up Close & Personal
• VI Warshawski
• Veronica Guerin
• The Village (2004)
• Von Ryan’s Express
• Waiting to Exhale
• Waitress
• Waking Life
• The War of the Roses
• The Watch (2012)
• The Waterboy
• The Way Way Back
• What’s Love Got to Do With It
• When a Man Loves a Woman
• White Men Can’t Jump
• William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet
• Win Win
• Woman on Top
• Working Girl (1988)
• The X-Files
• The X-Files: I Want to Believe

The post Here’s all the LGBTQ+ friendly TV shows coming to Disney+ in the UK appeared first on GAY TIMES.

“Media portrays us as hookers, but we have a lot more to say, and this type of female empowerment will be something to inspire others,” says Love Bailey.

That’s why the cultural visionary, performer and designer decided to bring together a group of heavenly trans women. All seven of the women featured in this editorial challenge the status quo, living their lives authentically and inspiring generations of trans and cisgender people to embrace their truth.

So who makes up our group of Trans Goddesses? Love Bailey has worked with everyone from Britney Spears to Naomi Campbell, becoming a creative force in the fashion and entertainment industry. Zackary Drucker is an actress and television producer, having worked on the TV series Transparent. Mz Neon is a musician on the LA scene brimming with punk energy and performing live regularly.

Gracie Cartier, meanwhile, is an Emmy-nominated celebrity hairstylist who works with Hollywood talent including Jada Pinkett Smith and Pose’s Angelica Ross. Arisce Wanzer is a supermodel and comedian with an ever-growing social media following. Daphne is a model and dancer who recently hosted the first inclusive lineup of strippers at the iconic Cheetahs Strip Club. And lastly we have Luna Lovebad; a music artist on the rise who recently released their new EP, Lit Up.

Here, these seven inspirational women are interviewed by Rosa Costanza about the challenges they’ve faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and their experiences as trans women in 2019.

How did you establish yourself in your industry? What was your turning point or tipping point?

Zackary Drucker: Established is an interesting word. You know, I think that getting a foothold in any industry requires tenacity, hard work, and believing in one’s self.

Mz Neon: Performance arts was a way I could validate my existence growing up after being bullied and teased, and I just felt like being on stage was the only place where I could feel normal, safe, and contextualised, I suppose. Performing allowed me to be feminine, wear makeup, and do the things I wasn’t allowed to do at school or at home, and it was a way for people to see me and my authenticity.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth or did you struggle a lot along the way? How much do you attribute your struggles to being transgender?

Arisce Wanzer: It was definitely a struggle along the way. I came out as trans when I was 19 in 2006 and was already modeling at 17, and though moving onto the women’s modeling boards was pretty seamless, I couldn’t really disclose that I was trans at every job, so I wasn’t able to get a lot of opportunities other regular cisgender models could get. People didn’t see me as marketable. The trans movement was not popular, was still the butt of the joke, and was seen as a mental illness. I could model, but couldn’t let anyone know what the tea was.

Gracie Cartier: At the end of the day, we’re all in transition. We’re all transforming. I think that this has been one of the most difficult transitions and transformations for me because it has been one of deep profound healing. Had I not transitioned into the woman that I am, I wouldn’t have gone to the next level of spirituality and understanding of who I am first and foremost.

Mz Neon: I’ve considered my identity and my performances to be more of an evolution than a difficult transition. I always felt like I never was born in the wrong body and I always just wanted to evolve with my gender. Eventually at a certain age I started taking hormones and it felt great. My body took to it pretty quickly and I started to feminise at a faster rate than I was expecting. I was so much happier. It did so many positive things for me mentally that I wasn’t even anticipating, so it’s been life-changing.

What business advice helped you the most to occupy the role you are in?

Zackary Drucker: I think ‘dream big and work hard.’ [Working] is like swimming upstream to dream and see outside of the parameters of what you and society thinks is possible. If you’re able to dream beyond those limits and pair action with those dreams, anything is possible.

Love Bailey: I learned from John Waters and a quote he said saying, ‘Success is not having a single asshole around you,’ and I think along with my transition I was able to transition the people in my life that I’m working with. I’m a lot happier with the angels that I have that are helping me along the way.

Gracie Cartier: To be true to myself, my art, my craft, and my gifts. We live in a time where so many people are always seeking validation. For me, it would always be to follow your inner light and that inner guide within you. Sometimes you may be misunderstood and others won’t get you, but as long as you stay your course and find your tribe, people that see you, will see you.

Any mentors or credit you want to give to anyone outstanding who helped your career? 

Love Bailey: My showgirl grandmother bestowed this idea of your life being your stage, and the meaning behind ‘show time.’ That’s why I came up with this idea of bringing all these trans goddesses to Los Angeles, because we’re all doing the hustle and have our own career path. Media portrays us as hookers, but we have a lot more to say, and this type of female empowerment will be something to inspire others. That’s why I’m here.

Mz Neon: I was very lucky to have spent my formative adult years in New York City and met so many strong powerful women there. A lot of whom I’ve looked up to growing up and came to know or meet later in life and have given me resources to get where I am today. People like Lydia Lunch, Courtney Love, Kembra Pfahler, and Flawless Sabrina are performative strong women I’ve looked up to. I was also nurtured by the ball culture and the House of Fields, and I really appreciate all the guidance that was given to me by those women.

Daphne: Well I just started the first trans-inclusive strip club night at Cheetah’s, and two people that were really instrumental in this process were two of my mentors, which were Jordan Kensley and Bella Bathory, who are very involved with the Sex Worker’s Outreach Project (SWOP). As for women in my profession, Indya Moore is doing amazing things and speaking up for marginalised people and expanding everyone’s concept of the gender spectrum.

How has the presence of transwomen (or cis-women) working in your industry changed during your career? 

Arisce Wanzer: The presence of trans women working in the modeling industry has changed… hugely. We got girls representing our community like Teddy Quinlivan and Hunter Schafer, shows like Euphoria, Pose, and I’m the first trans woman to ever be on a national pharmaceutical campaign for Truvada. [Trans women] were not allowed on TV unless it was Maury Povich or Jerry Springer just 10 years ago. I very much remember how the media presented us, and it was not as accepting or anything desired.

Daphne: I joined a pole studio and Jordan Kensley ended up becoming my mentor, and since we’ve met, she’s been so embracing by speaking out for sex workers and just being an open-minded and queer friendly individual that inspires a lot of my dancing. Bella Bathory has also inspired me to be a community leader, utilise transformative justice, and set an example for other girls whenever possible.

What growth for transwomen (or cis-women) in your industry is needed?

Gracie Cartier: There’s always room for growth. The growth for trans women is to understand the many different types and facets of a trans person. We all have different dreams and goals, whether it’s aesthetically, mentally, spiritually, or physically, and we’re all here for a specific path, so I’d say to embrace your own trans jeuge, honey. Whatever that is for you!

Luna Lovebad: I feel like now in this day and age, there’s so much room for growth. Especially because there’s a lot of us out there that are trying to do the damn thing in so many different areas. There’s so many different voices, stories, and experiences to be heard, and I am really excited about that. No one’s trans experience is the same. There are similarities, but the differences are important.

Are there advantages to being a transwoman in 2019? What new opportunities do you have?

Zackary Drucker: I think it’s the best of times and the worst of times, right now. The conversation about trans bodies has gone from the fringes to mainstream politics and needs to be expanded on towards people who are ignorant of gender diversity. I also think we can’t separate the struggle for trans liberation from racial justice because I think the combination of racism and trans-misogyny created an impossible situation for trans women of colour to survive.

Arisce Wanzer: The advantages of being trans in 2019 are there, and they are growing. There are more and more parts to out there for television, commercial, and movie roles that are developing. Nobody used to write any roles for us, and we’re finally being normalised to the point where girls can get more opportunities to work. Job placement unfortunately is still a problem for the trans community and has the highest unemployment rate for any demographic, but I’m proud to see the progress that’s been made to change that.

How do you effectively use social networking?

Daphne: Oh god. That’s a tough one. I definitely learned that it’s important to listen to my body and take a break whenever I feel like I’m burning out from social networking. In our society, it gages everyone’s worth and forces everyone to constantly be on the go, constantly be posting, constantly be like ‘look I’m doing this, and this, and this.’ It’s okay to enjoy nature and go explore reality. For Pride this year, I was part of a retreat to Joshua Tree, and it was so beautiful to sit under the stars, be surrounded by queer sex workers, and just have a moment to be present and feel empowered by each other’s presence.

Luna Lovebad: Being a child of the internet definitely helped me in the sense where I was able to use social networking to meet other trans girlfriends in the industry and in Los Angeles. It really made me realise that there are a lot of people that don’t have the courage or platform to share their trans experience, and me having that platform made me learn to use my following for good and to help other people. I really try to use social networking to help others that are marginalised, whether they be queer, immigrants, and or people of colour. Being the daughter of two parents who are from Mexico and immigrated here, it’s really important for me to share that experience and help others.

Do you have any anecdotes for mentorship and apprenticeship? How do you pay it forward for trans people in your community?

Zackary Drucker: I think you just pay it forward. I think that’s it. You should seek out people and start your day with the intention of finding people you can easily help, and it’s an intention you have to set.

Gracie Cartier: You can pay it forward by just showing up. You never know who’s watching you, who’s going through the same internal struggles and battles of acceptance. Think what work could you give? What encouragement can you give? What clothes can you give to a girl? You can do so much by helping a woman become someone better.

Love Bailey: I like this ‘trojan horse’ idea. The idea of that we come in as a shiny bright package, but we come into infiltrate and change the system. If you’re able to find how that package works for you and what that package looks like so you can infiltrate the system, go for it.

Creative Direction Love Bailey
Photography Easton Schirra
Cinematography Spencer Byam-Taylor
Fashion Star Burleigh
Hair Eden Walton, Tiago Goya
Makeup Sean Harris for The Only.Agency using M.A.C. Cosmetics, Beatrice Sandoval, Amber Amos
Nails Gina ‘Gigi’ Lira
Transcriptions Dani Espinosa
Studio Evan Duning

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