A Jingle for Singles Spending the Holidays Alone Country music crooner Brian Falduto is bringing a fresh and uplifting perspective to holiday music this season with his first original jingle, “Christmas Solo.” This playful, country-pop tune shines a spotlight on those who find themselves alone during the holidays, reframing solo time as an opportunity for self-love and celebration. Inspired by his own single years, Falduto wrote “Christmas Solo” as a remedy to the seasonal bl

By Gregg Shapiro Dehd and Friko Photo By Pooneh-Ghana Compared to other big cities, Chicago arrived late to the punk rock scene, but when it did, it was first embraced in gay bars such The Greenleaf (which later became Oz) and La Mere Vipere. It was in these venues that bands such as the Effigies and Verböten first got their starts. Praised by the late, great musician and audio engineer Steve Albini, the Effigies return with “Burned” (BFD), the band’s first new album in 17 ye

By Tim Blakenship Once again, Mike Ruiz is combining his love for human and animal beauty with a calendar that’s as compassionate as it is captivating. Mutts and Muscles features an array of top fitness icons alongside 14 irresistibly adorable rescue dogs, presenting images that are both heartwarming and inspiring. Gracing the cover of this year’s calendar is fitness legend Sergi Constance, known for his chiseled physique, social media influence, and his role as Zeus in Zack

By Gregg Shapiro I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing comedy legend Kathy Griffin a few times over the years, but I think our December 2024 interview might be my favorite. Griffin, the very definition of a survivor (much like her dear friend and mentor Joan Rivers), is in the midst of one of the most impressive returns in the history of modern comedy. Her admirably indomitable spirit has allowed her to survive multiple losses (including her beloved mother Maggie), a sec

By Bill Malcom Photo Courtesy of Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the Gordie Howe International Bridge project The rebound of the Motor City continues unabated. The once downtrodden area has transformed itself. A vibrant downtown, a stunning new bridge to Canada, a new food hall in Midtown Detroit, a new hotel in Cork Town, and fun suburbs like Ferndale, Clawson, and Royal Oak are full of things to do. WHAT TO DO Run or walk with Frontrunners on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Th

By Tim Blankenship Born in the industrial UK city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, Smashby’s journey as a music artist has been shaped by the challenges he faced growing up queer in a conservative environment. While bullying was tough in Bradford, things didn't improve much when his family moved to the Yorkshire Dales countryside. Despite the struggles, Smashby found solace in the support of his mother, who he describes as more like a big sister, and his grandparents, who have be

By Gregg Shapiro It must be a testament to the commitment of the members of the B-52s that each of its remaining long-term members, Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, and Cindy Wilson, have only released two albums apiece under their own names over the course of the band’s 45-year recording career. Pierson’s latest album, “Radio & Rainbows” (Long Meadow Music/Crush Music/SongVest Records), arrives 9½ years after 2015’s “Guitars and Microphones” (anyone else see a pattern here?). D

By Gregg Shapiro When I did the tally, I realized that, including this one, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Cyndi Lauper nine times since 1997. Of course, that doesn’t match the number of times I’ve been fortunate to see her perform live – that would be 12, beginning in 1984. And now, as I prepare to see her for a 13th time, it’s with a touch of sadness as Lauper is embarking on her farewell tour. One of the best friends the LGBTQ+ community has ever had, Lauper’s multi

By Jamie Booth The Miss International Queen pageant celebrates the beauty and tenacity of transgender women with contestants showcasing their stories of transformation, resilience, and incredible talent. Kataluna Enriquez is the reigning Miss International Queen – USA. She made history in 2021 when she became the first openly transgender woman to win the Miss Nevada USA pageant, ultimately competing in Miss USA. She recently competed in the Miss International Queen pageant in

By Gregg Shapiro I’m just going to say this, James Magruder is the funniest person alive, and he’s not even a stand-up comic. It’s something I learned about him when we first met, and it’s something that comes through in his writing, be it his fiction or his plays. You’ll get a sense of it when you read this interview with him where we discuss his new book “The Play’s The Thing” (Yale University Press, 2024). Subtitled “Fifty Years of Yale Repertory Theatre (1966-2016),” it’s

By Gregg Shapiro A new album by a band you love, especially one that takes its time between releases is cause for celebration. For me, that celebration takes on special meaning when it comes to BETTY, an all-female trio I have been following since the mid-1980s, during the band’s early years. Since that time, BETTY has amassed a sizeable following via its connection to “The L Word,” performing on the HBO/CTW series “Encyclopedia,” appearing in an original off-Broadway musical

By Rick Karlin On a beautiful fall day, with the summer heat finally behind you, the last thing you are thinking of is escaping to the middle of the desert where it’s currently 112°, but trust me, come February, when those cold winds start freezing those nether regions, you’ll be thinking differently. Start planning now to get the best prices (and availability) in Palm Springs most popular resorts. There are so many facets to Palm Springs you could visit it a dozen time

By Paul Hutnick Adult film star Carter Collins may look like the guy-next-door jock type, but there's a naughty side to him that he is exploring in his latest films on KinkMen.com . The young stud with the captivating smile and devilish twinkle in his eyes grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago near Lake Michigan. His was a typical childhood with two parents who are still happily together, three siblings (one brother and two sisters) and lots of time spent battling for su

By Gregg Shapiro When it comes to comedy, everyone has their own ideas about what is or isn’t funny. Things that make you laugh might have the opposite effect on someone else. In the ongoing evolution of stand-up comedy, the presence of LGBTQ+ comics continues to increase at a fast pace. While lesbian comedians have long dominated, gay male comics are making their presence felt, with Matteo Lane being, far and away, the best. Lane, who combines Midwestern and European influen

By Shane Gallagher "Do I Have Your Attention" is more than just an infectious dance track; it’s a declaration of unapologetic confidence. Inspired by the artist’s own experiences with social media and the way it often favors superficiality over substance, the song taps into feelings of being overlooked. “I remember feeling so frustrated that my half-naked picture was gaining more attention than my music,” CERANDA, who is opening for Katy Perry this Fall, recalls. “This song i

By Gregg Shapiro What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of gay singer/songwriter turned fashion designer Steve Grand? Some folks will undoubtedly answer his breakout hit single, “All American Boy,” and the accompanying video. Both were significant in that the song was an unabashedly queer country tune with visuals to match. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Grand was model-handsome and had a flawless body on display. So far, we have his singing voice, songwriti

By Gregg Shapiro Young adult (aka Y/A) fiction has come a long way since many of us were, well, young adults. I’m not just talking about maniacal TERF J.K. Rowling’s inexplicably popular fantasy novel series either. The presence and representation of queer characters in books, including Alice Oseman’s “Heartstopper” series, is central and necessary. This is something of which gay journalist and Lambda Literary Award-winning novelist Jim Provenzano is keenly aware in his debut

By Rick Karlin We all know the Florida we’ve seen on TV and in the movies. From Tampa to Orlando to Fort Lauderdale, Miami to Key West, it’s non-stop partying. Everything’s fabulous: drag queens rolling around in the streets, glitter falling from the ceiling, disco balls spinning, strobe lights flashing, “Yaaaaasss Queeeeeeen!” It’s exhausting. Next time you plan a trip to Florida, add a couple of extra days to your trip and schedule a few days at the Parkway Motel & Marina o

By Gregg Shapiro For the longest time, queer country and folk music fans didn’t have much good music by queer artists from which to choose. Sure, country music provided them with plenty of divas, including Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, to worship. Willie Nelson was the closest thing to a leftie as could be found in the genre. Whereas folk music was a bit more welcoming to both queer followers and performers. Much has changed with more country artists coming out, from Lavend

PrettiBoiRoq Takes Fans on a Wild Spin in New Single, “In My Ride” By Jamie Booth After the success of “Bad Bitch Alert”, his single with trans rapper Chanel Jole, PrettiBoiRoq is gearing up to show a different side of his music and aesthetic. “I’m out to prove that I have more to say than ‘shake your ass and f*ck’,” he says. His latest track, “In My Ride”, is lighthearted, pop-oriented fun. “I don’t feel like we have enough representation of love in gay hip hop,” he continue