Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Pride.

Randy Shilts
Rаndy Shilts : Rаndy Shilts wаs а jоurnаlist аnd аuthоr whо соvered issues imроrtаnt tо the LGBT соmmunity, inсluding the start оf the АIDS eрidemiс in the United Stаtes.
By Muhammad Shoaib5 years ago in Pride
Coming Out Trans: The Not So "Ah Hah" Moment
It was a Thursday at 1:57 P.M. in early June. The heat would beg to quarrel with the assessment that it was not yet even technically summer yet as would I. Several times a week I’d find myself in my “office-on-wheels” and drowning in only the kind of oppressive heat that a black car with leather interior could provide. Yet, the dealings that typically occur in my car welcomed the hot with welcome, sweat-dampened arms. Living in a 900 square foot apartment with four other adults and a child meant that I had to go seeking less-than traditional methods for phone calls or matters of privacy and my 2012 Ford Focus had become an unlikely oasis. It had become a place that shelters me as I make giant, yet cautious leaps into building my future and the life that I had only dreamed possible for myself. Yet, it had also become a place which housed me in my most vulnerable and terrified. All too often did I find myself climbing into that sun-baked heat box and nervously shivering myself into doing things that almost froze me in fear. Unlike many in the midst of deep anxiety, I find my body temperature drops to near extremity. Like a fat, old house cat seeking a good window to nap under, I am forced to seek conditions in which mere mortals cannot even breathe in to coax myself down from chattering molars.
By G.K. Wolf5 years ago in Pride
On God in The Bathtub
I have this bad habit of draining the water in the bath right as it finishes filling up. It's as if I can pat myself on the back for for a job well done, the bath got filled, and I can go home now.
By MG5 years ago in Pride
Tether
Basha’s stall smelled the way it always had: comfort and dust, soiled straw and the particular low-grade dread of a daily chore. Trina let her gaze wander the barn, letting each familiar stall and tool settle her. She noticed, with some satisfaction, that though the barn had been recently repainted, the painter had skipped the spot on the stall door that marked a succession of years and heights. Some people measured their kids in the house. Trina’s parents marked the passing of ages and inches in the place she felt most at home.
By Dane BH5 years ago in Pride
The Undecided
Life sucks but then gets better and then it sucks. Let me tell you my story on why life is a funny thing. I was born and raised into a Christian Non-denominational church. I definitely felt like home here but things drastically changed for "The Undecided." As I grew old, my decision making matured and outgrew my childish mindset. I learned and became mindful about many things in life; from breath, to the taste of food. I became more aware of everyday tasks that you wouldn't focus on and it bothered me that people aren't mindfully present or aware of what's truly going on in your mind, body, and spirit. I can say I have lived a difficult life with many hardships, sorrows, anguish, and despair. I was angry and upset with myself and I never felt like I deserved the love I'm worthy of. I was becoming mentally unstable to the point I even thought "Am I even truly alive?" It became fearful and it was a scary point in my life but then I decided, "Am I going to live for others or am I truly going to live for myself?" Things slowly started changing and these abrasive, painful thoughts started transforming into magnificent mental butterflies sweeping through the horizon of the mind. Things changed, but let me tell you why I became so frightful of life.
By The Captive Dreamer5 years ago in Pride
So What are you Really Saying?
Last week, we officially launched our podcast, Soul in Love! We have so many stories we want to share with the world! From our struggles to our experiences to our ups and downs, but mostly all of the things that have kept us Soul in Love for nearly a decade! Black and LGBTQ+ love is so important, and we decided to share our love story while also highlighting other Black and LGBTQ+ couples.
By Bryce and Val Marie Henderson5 years ago in Pride
Looking
His profile picture drew me in. He was ruggedly good-looking, wearing an old camo hat. He had beautiful blue eyes and a scruffy beard, and His plain t-shirt highlighted his broad shoulders and toned chest. His jeans fit just right and looked dingy as if he had been working outside in a dirt pile. His work boots were well used. You could see the veins on his hairy arms, and it was evident from his picture that he was a blue-collar guy.
By J. Delaney-Howe5 years ago in Pride
Understanding Faith
I would like to give a small disclaimer at the beginning of this article for those of different faiths. I am not Muslim, or Christian, or Jewish, I would more closely associate with Paganism or other forms of polytheism, but I was raised in a Christian tradition. This article is to express some of my specific experiences as a young gay man in my faith tradition, as well as some of the preconceptions I was raised on towards other religions. This has been what I have found in my own exploration of other faiths, not a "catch-all" of what others believe. If you disagree with any of my thoughts or finding, I totally accept that and accept you and you right to pursue your own path.
By Rhett Martens5 years ago in Pride
Minimum Effort
SPOILERS FOR THE LOKI SERIES UP TO EPISODE 4! Just a few weeks ago, I wrote an article about searching for queer representation while I was growing up and how difficult it was to find LGBTQA+ characters to look up to. I added some examples, both good and bad, but there was someone that didn’t make the cut because their story was too complex to be restricted to a passing mention. Now, with the Loki series only two episodes from ending, I think it’s time to talk about them.
By Amanda Fernandes5 years ago in Pride
Despite Creating Entire Fantasy World in Her Head, Author Cannot Wrap her Mind around the Idea that Trans Women Are Women
J.K. Rowling, known primarily for her authorship of the wildly popular Harry Potter series, is reportedly continuing to defend trans-exclusionary feminist perspectives in recent posts and interviews. Despite backlash from various organizations and individuals citing concerns for trans youth who might be impacted by her commentary, the author (ironically also sometimes known as Robert Galbraith), has decided to stick to her guns.
By Katie Alafdal5 years ago in Pride
Lonesome Paradise
There is a shiny thing floating in the community pool. Sydney spies it from the balcony of her third-floor luxury apartment building.
By stelladonna5 years ago in Pride
“We Are All Born Naked and the Rest is Drag” in Tony Kushner’s "Angels in America"
Katya Zamolodchikova, colloquially known as Katya, is a fabulous drag queen and RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars II runner up, declares in a “reading is fundamental” challenge: “Miss Fame, you are such a talented makeup artist. I have never met anybody who’s able to shove their own head so far up their own ass without smudging their eyeliner” (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”). Now, in this specific reading, Miss Fame did laugh, finding humor in Katya’s comment, however, that is not always the case. The technique “reading,” performed in this anecdote by Katya, is the art of ritual insult, used by drag queens in RuPaul’s drag race, however, it also dates back to the ‘80s, which is shown in films like Paris is Burning. “Reading” is one form of empowerment for queer individuals and drag performers, allowing them to speak their minds quickly and confidently. In Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, we see the characters Belize and Prior using techniques like “reading” as well as their interpretation of drag. Throughout the play, they are able to overcome hardships and tragedies. Drag empowers the queer individuals in Angels in America, pointing to the ways all sexual identities are wrapped in performance, this is true of both Prior and Belize in the play, though most powerfully illustrated by Belize as a queer individual of color.
By Kaitlyn Cope5 years ago in Pride