Nominations for the 2023 Grammy Aawards were livestreamed by the Recording Academy on Tuesday (Nov. 15) and quite a few queer artists made the cut. Here’s a breakdown of the openly LGBTQ+ acts on the list and what they’ve done for our community, along with some honorary ally mentions.
Queer Next Up: KFIR
An irresistible mix of pop, dance, and soul, KFIR (he/him) is a timeless pop ambition and dancefloor gospel that celebrates all things.
Subverting the Queer Coming-of-Age Film: A Review of “When Men Were Men”
“When Men Were Men” follows a young transmasculine person grappling with his existence in his rural Irish Catholic hometown.
In The Mirror: A Review of “Homebody”
“Homebody” is a new film written and directed by Joseph Sackett that follows a young boy, Johnny, when he body swaps with his babysitter, Melanie. Coming in at only an hour and 15 minutes, “Homebody” packs in a storyline ripe with self-discovery.
Remembering Leslie Jordan
Only two weeks ago on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, actor, comedian, writer, singer, and dazzling social media presence Leslie Jordan died in a car accident.
Velma Dinkley Just Came Out Of The Closet!
Still by Warner Bros. Animation “Scooby Doo” has been a long-running, popular children’s franchise since 1969. For around 50 years, Velma Dinkley has been the show’s token genius analyst. Her sexuality was questionable, often being paired with the show’s goofball,…
Queer Next Up: The Pin Prick
Zar (he/him), from The Pin Prick, is an artist whose online shop features inclusive rainbow enamel pins and accessories.
Queer Next Up: Kevin Atwater
Kevin Atwater (he/him) is a singer-songwriter from a small town in Illinois called Downers Grove. He gained a significant following on TikTok, and is known for sharing his personal and confessional songwriting with the world.
Queer Joy: A Soundtrack
Queer yearning and trauma are common themes through many of pop’s greatest hits from “Sofia” by Clairo to “TALK ME DOWN” by Troye Sivan. But, queerness is not just struggle, sacrifice, and heartbreak. Queerness is bold, vibrant, and exciting. And, while it may be cathartic to sob along to songs alone in bed, sometimes we need music to remind us that queer joy exists. Here are ten songs by queer artists about the queer experience that radiate sunshine and serotonin.
Getting to Queer Joy in Media
Throughout the past century, media that portrays and represents queerness and queer relationships have changed for the better. When looking at earlier 20th-century queer works, the tone is rather drab, with an understanding that queerness isn’t allowed to be something that is happy or something that leads to happy ends.
