Photo Credit: The Orchard Film

1) We the Animals, a coming-of-age story about three brothers, premieres today in New York and Los Angeles. The film centers on the youngest brother, Jonah, as he narrates his own tale of growing up in upstate New York while questioning his sense of masculinity and identity. We the Animals shows growing up from a queer Latinx perspective, which is all too rare in film today. Click here for showtimes and watch the trailer below.

2) This Wednesday saw the premiere of Crazy Rich Asians, a romantic comedy about a woman who discovers that her serious boyfriend is extremely wealthy and must face the obstacles that come with his extravagant way of life and family. The first studio film in 25 years with an all-Asian ensemble, Crazy Rich Asians features gay character Oliver T’Sien, a fashion designer who becomes a supportive friend to the lead, and is played by out Filipino actor Nico Santos. Click here to buy tickets and watch the trailer below.

3) In more film news, out Olympian diver Tom Daley and his husband, Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, have announced that they are creating a documentary about their journey of surrogacy which allowed them to become fathers to their newborn son. Surrogacy is legal in the United States, yet the practice is still controversial throughout the world. With their documentary, the couple hopes to erase the stigma which can sometimes be associated with surrogacy and highlight the joys that it can bring to aspiring parents. 

 

Welcome to the world little Robbie Ray. Thank you for bringing so much love and light with you. And thank you to those who helped turn our dream of having a family into this wonderful reality. #AFamily #HappyBirthday

A post shared by Dustin Lance Black (@dlanceblack) on Jun 30, 2018 at 5:40am PDT

4) A premiere date has been set for the second season of Marvel’s Runaways, which features queer characters Nico and Karolina. Premiering December 21 on Hulu, the series will continue to follow the band of superhero teens, as the upcoming season picks up with the Runaways hiding out in an underground hostel. In more television news, Netflix has renewed Anne With An E, their series based on the famous novel Anne of Green Gables, for a third season. Set to premiere in 2019, the series features several queer characters.

5) Out comedian Wanda Sykes is producing a new documentary series for Epix, titled Unprotected Sets, which spotlights aspiring comedians. In casting news, out actor Max Jenkins has been cast as a series regular in Netflix’s new dark comedy, Dead to Me. He will play a gay and religious real estate partner of the main character, Jen. Bisexual actor Paul Fitzgerald is set to star in USA’s upcoming show, Dare Me, a series about competitive high school cheerleading in a small town.

6) Pose star Mj Rodriguez has a new video to accompany her cover the song “Home” from hit musical The Wiz. Along with out co-star Billy Porter, Rodriguez (who is transgender) previously performed the cover on Pose. Watch the live and stripped down performance below. Additionally, out singer Mark Tennyson has released the single “Sacrifice” off his upcoming EP Boy Untitled. In the song, Tennyson encourages the journey for self-acceptance in the LGBTQ community. Click here to listen to the song.

7) In more music news, queer actor Ezra Miller and musician Oliver Ignatius have released a new single titled, “sadtown.” The actor is known for his roles in Fantastic Beasts, Justice League (in which he plays The Flash), and The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Ignatius wrote the track as a break-up song with a twist. Click here to listen. Out singer Ben Hazelwood has released a new video for his song “Save Your Sorries.” The emotional track is about Hazelwood’s journey searching for his identity and an event in his past that involved sexual abuse. Hazelwood has upcoming performances in Los Angeles and Nashville. Click here for more information and watch the video below.

8) Out singer Andrew Rudy and Kitzer have released their new EP, Cycles of the Heart, which features tracks representing seperate stages of the heart cycle. The EP tackles themes from summer love to self-empowerment, accompanied by catchy electronic beats. Click here to download the EP and listen to their song “End of Time” below. Rudy will also be performing in Los Angeles this Sunday. Click here for tickets and here for more information.

9) The 2018 Teen Choice Awards were held on Sunday, and the winners include LGBTQ-inclusive works Love, Simon, Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments, and Riverdale as well as bisexual singer Lauren Jauregui. Love, Simon won the Choice Comedy Movie award while Riverdale took home the Choice Drama TV Show, and Shadowhunters was crowned with Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show. Jauregui received two awards, Choice Electric Dance Song for her track “All Night” with Steve Aoki and Choice Female Hottie. Click here for the full list of winners.

10) The Sundance Ignite 2019 program is seeking submissions from narrative and documentary filmmakers ages 18-24. The program includes a free trip to the 2019 Sundance Festival. Recipients of the year-long fellowship will work with industry professionals, gain access to Sundance Institute programs, be considered for internships, and more. To apply, send in an eight-minute short documentary or narrative film that displays a creative vison, voice, and passion for storytelling. Click here for more information.

11) Trans musician Brody Ray is seeking funding for the production of his upcoming EP. Ray has recently been a contestant on America’s Got Talent, receiving four “Yes’s” from the judges and making history as the first trans musician to ever be featured on the show. Click here to support Ray and listen to his previously released song “Can’t Love You” below.