WATCH: Queer non-binary makeup artist gives lesbian activist makeover for LGBTQ+ History Month
Carolyn Weathers has fought on the front lines of the LGBTQ rights movement since the 1970s, helping to get homosexuality removed from the DSM’s list of mental illnesses, working tirelessly with the Los Angeles Gay Liberation Front, creating one of the earliest lesbian-feminist publishing houses in Southern California, and so much more.
She helped pave the way for queer people to live with the unprecedented freedoms we now enjoy, so when the It Gets Better Project decided to pair an LGBTQ activist with a makeup artist for a video project, Weathers was a perfect choice.
J is a non-binary queer makeup artist who gave Weathers a new look while hearing about her incredible work, and it’s really never a bad time to learn some vital queer history or a few sensible makeup pointers.
Hollywood’s Entertainment Media Mixer collaborative celebrates Spirit Day
Entertainment Media Mixer
The Entertainment Media Mixer (EMM), a collaborative project spearheaded by Sony Pictures, Disney, and CBS to encourage a semi-annual gathering of LGBTQ leaders of Hollywood studios, got together to celebrate Spirit Day on October 17th. The EMM group gathers regularly to network and raise awareness of important community causes. And this fall’s causes included GLAAD and AIDS Walk Los Angeles amongst its guests of honor.
A representative from GLAAD spoke about the importance of standing up for LGBTQ youth and helping to end bullying. The event also encouraged attendees to enroll and march with their respective studios’ AIDS Walk teams on Sunday, October 19th.
The event, which took place at the Sofitel Hotel Beverly Hills, was a complete megahit, attracting 315 LGBTQ attendees from Viacom, Lionsgate, Fox, Nielsen, Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, Disney and CBS. Check out some more of the great pictures from the night, below.
People decried, “Red Hot!” Elle took the bait on some wordplay, calling it “steamy.” Who cares if that’s a dry sauna and not a steam room? It’s the thought that counts.
News.com.au, however, took a more investigative approach.
“A phallic-shaped detail on his white shorts drew eyes crotch-ward,” the site reported, “with many pointing out that from afar – it looked like an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.”
A close analysis determined it was just the drawstring of Zac’s shorts poking up.
Karamo Brown Says He Planted Seeds in Sean Spicer’s Hurtful Heart: ‘I Think He’s Exceptional’
Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown spoke out again about his relationship with Sean Spicer after his elimination from Dancing with the Stars on Monday and according to Brown, his friendship with the former Trump Press Secretary has blossomed.
Brown deleted his Twitter account in August after joining the show in response to backlash he received for remarks that he was “excited to sit down w/ [Dancing with the Stars co-star and former Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer] and engage in a respectful conversation.”
Before deleting his Twitter, Brown had tried to clarify his remarks, but that didn’t go tell well either: “A trained social worker and my first instinct is always to sit down and have a conversation. But I understand how my comments could lead people to believe that I don’t understand the gravity of the situation. The personal is political… I’m reminded of it daily as a gayman of color. I know that representation matters–that it can affect change. I see you & I hear you. I’m bringing my personal message of love, equity & inclusion to the dance floor. I want it to eclipse & triumph over divisiveness & hatred.”
Now Brown says he has succeeded at something. He told People: “Through this process, Sean’s trailer has been next to mine and I have literally every day been planting seeds in his heart. ‘When you made this comment, it hurt me as a man. When you made this comment, it hurt me as a person of color. When you made this comment, it hurt me as a gayman.’ And literally, I could see each week those seeds … blossoming and that’s why he got emotional [when I was sent home].”
“Sean is literally someone who I would’ve never thought I could be friends with, and I’m going to walk away from here calling him a friend,” Brown added. “I’m going to continue the conversation that we’ve had outside of this. And I don’t think Sean’s going to make it to the end [of the competition], but I’m proud of him. I really am proud of him, because he’s had fun every week and I think he’s exceptional.”
Said Spicer of Brown: “It just speaks to what a great person he is, that he’s trying to bridge divides.”
Raif Derrazi responded to his HIV diagnosis by hitting the gym, hard
“I’m sorry to objectify you,” I said sheepishly to bodybuilder Raif Derrazi. For our videotaped interview, Raif was naked down to the nether regions of his sculpted abs, at my request.
“Not at all!” Raif happily responded. “There’s a time and place for everything, and this is it.”
Raif’s sunny disposition is disarming because as an aging queen who used to be All That, I was ready to resent him terribly. Alas, that is quite impossible. He is aware of his allure – he owns a mirror, after all – but he handles the trappings of hotness with humble aplomb.
Raif is also living with HIV, for seven years now, and he responded to his diagnosis in a fascinating way. He took his “not skinny, not overweight, just average” body and transformed it into a competition-level work of bodybuilding art. He did it as an act of reclaiming his body.
The results of Raif’s transformation have made him an Instagay hottie with a purpose. He uses his platform as a way to educate people about HIV treatment and prevention, physical fitness, and what it means to be undetectable (U=U). Meanwhile, Raif keeps raising the bar on his own personal fitness goals. In two weeks, he competes in his first professional bodybuilding competition.
Today is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Well here you go! Be aware that I can live and be healthy like this with #HIV #AIDS . Bench press was the 3rd or 4th exercise I did for this chest day workout. Notice that I’m allowing the bar to come all the way down until it touches my chest for full range of motion. And the bar is right at about the nipple line…too much higher and the shoulders will start doing more of the work. I’m also pushing the bar all the way up until my arms are straight. 10-12 reps is solid for an emphasis on muscle growth! . Quit making excuses and get after it ??? . #NGMHAAD#HIVbodybuilder
