In February of this year, I had the pleasure of interviewing Black trans rapper Cuee. We discussed his career, future hopes, and musical and transitional journeys, but one aspect of our interview particularly inspired me: his emphasis on joy. Despite the darkness the transgender community faces, Cuee stated, “I want people to hear my story…and be like, ‘Okay, there’s the joy.’” His music has certainly achieved this goal — joy is present throughout his discography, and he has once again musically embodied trans happiness in his latest single, “Proud Boi.”
Arts & Entertainment
Identities Intertwined: A Review of “lead me to the lilies” at Chinese American Culture Night 2023
On May 6, 2023, UCLA’s Association of Chinese Americans hosted its 34th annual Chinese American Culture Night. The three-hour production featured performances by several Chinese cultural clubs and its main show, “lead me to the lilies.” As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month throughout the month of May and anticipate Pride Month in June, “lead me to the lilies” beautifully portrays certain nuances of the queer, second-generation Asian American experience.
The Queen of Lips and the Beauty of Drag
Have you ever heard the term “dinner and a show?” Now imagine drinking from a fishnet and stiletto adorned leg over 12 inches tall, followed by a three course meal, a stack of dollar bills in your hand. This is the experience of Lips Drag Palace.
Queer Next Up: Evan Collins
Evan Collins (he/him) a trans filmmaker from Ontario, Canada with interests in accessibility, musical theatre and Sign Language. He typically works in horror films and documentaries but loves going outside that comfort zone.
Pigeonholed: Buddy, Robots Can be Gay, Too
I write this on the eve of the launch of “Lightfall,” “Destiny 2”’s (“D2”’s) newest story expansion, although hopefully by the time this article is published I’ll have spent some hours exploring the cyberpunk city environment of Neomuna. I am the most excited I’ve been for any piece of media in years.
How Concrete is Forever?: The Existentialism of Miley Cyrus’ “Endless Summer Vacation”
The world’s favorite openly pansexual pop star is back with new music, as Miley Cyrus’ highly anticipated eighth studio album “Endless Summer Vacation” was released on March 10. Since the record’s official announcement in January, Cyrus has remained fairly elusive, even while her dance-infused self-love anthem “Flowers” reigned atop the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. In her first full-length LP since 2020’s critically acclaimed “Plastic Hearts,” Cyrus exhibits an elevated level of pensiveness and rumination on her latest project’s twelve songs.
Queer Next Up: Atom Fellows
Atom Fellows (they/them) is a musician/filmmaker and YouTuber whose show, The Anarchy Funhouse, tackles the world’s most intractable issues using music, animation and puppets!
Welcome To Myylo’s World, Say “Ahh”
Myylo is the sonic equivalent of someone wrapping you in their arms. An independent artist and songwriter who blends pop, country, and folk, he provides a refreshing, lighthearted take on the ins and outs of falling in love as a queer person. Following a string of EPs and singles, including the playful “Kissing On Your Dad” and notable cuts with Zolita, Dorian Electra, JORDY, and That Kid, Myylo released his debut album, “Ahh,” in December of 2022.
Queer Indie Magic: A Tour Through boygenius’ Debut LP “the record” and “the film”
While we often see bands and musical groups split up to allow for the rise of one member, it’s not as common to see the opposite, where separate, successful, independent artists come together to form a group. However, when this rare occurrence takes place, it can create something amazing. Such is the case with the indie rock group boygenius, stylized in all lowercase. Composed of some of the most famous names in the indie/queer music scene, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus started boygenius in 2018. The three artists came together as friends and decided to make music together before they all set off on tour.
Queer Next Up: Heather Muriel Nguyen
Heather Muriel Nguyen (they/them) is an asexual, non-binary, and Vietnamese-American filmmaker passionate about visceral stories that center queer and trans characters of color grappling with intergenerational trauma and self-love. Their films build a multiverse of unapologetically queer stories with captivating platonic relationships.