New Year’s is a time for celebration, but it also serves as a moment for significant transformation. On January 1, 1965, the queer community hosted a party that would profoundly alter perceptions of gays and lesbians worldwide. Interestingly, this event was supported by some unexpected allies: straight ministers. Jallen Rix’s 2013 documentary, Lewd and Lascivious:…

A tender yet imperfect coming-of-age tale from a first-time director, this film feels more like a love letter to Miami than anything else. Many young filmmakers today strive to capture the uncertainty, restlessness, and disorientation of modern youth through various themes. This film beautifully portrays the grounded reality of reconciling with the city that shaped…

This Thai series, consisting of 8 episodes each lasting about 50 minutes, presents a straightforward love story that feels refreshingly simple and natural without any melodrama. One of my favorite moments comes towards the end when the characters express, “Only if we had talked to each other all those years ago.” This line perfectly encapsulates…

I somehow overlooked the fact that Season 2 of this rockumentary-style show made its return in 2021, and I’ve just now gotten around to checking it out. I remember enjoying the brief 10-minute skits featuring doctors tackling STIs at a Melbourne sexual health clinic, effectively educating the public while keeping things light. It’s quite a…

Love in the Big City is a captivating Korean BL series that delves into the romantic escapades of a gay writer navigating the complexities of love. Spanning 8 episodes, each around 50 minutes long, the show follows our lead character—a single young man on a quest for romance. He encounters various men in bars, clubs,…

This is a snippet from Lucas F.W. Wilson’s latest book, Shame-Sex Attraction, which features narratives from individuals who have survived conversion therapy. Released just last week by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, you can find it at Bookshop.org. The collection includes 17 personal essays, with this section detailing Wilson’s experiences in group conversion therapy at Liberty University. “What…

This Thai mini-series consists of just two episodes, each running about 65 minutes, yet it feels stretched thin with a plot that could easily fit into a short story. Released in 2024, the series suffers from cheesy, cliché dialogue that feels out of place, culminating in a drawn-out climax that shifts abruptly to a happy…

Set against the backdrop of Provincetown’s beaches and streets, this film tells a poignant and heartwarming story about Lourenço, a young undocumented gay Brazilian counting down his last days in town before facing an uncertain future. It captures the melancholic essence of searching for love, grappling with loss, and confronting the unknown. Lourenço arrives in…

Growing Up in a Straight World From the age of twelve, I sensed I was different from my classmates in elementary school—maybe even earlier. When does one truly become aware of their sexuality? Honestly, I’m still trying to figure it out. Living in the Danish countryside taught me that being gay was wrong, disgusting, and…

This is a story from an anonymous reader about their journey with alcohol and drugs from a young age and how they found their way through the darkness with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). “I started drinking and using drugs when I was around 16. At that time, I didn’t fully grasp why; it…

Everyone’s coming out story is unique. For some, it’s as simple as a quick chat with family. For others, it feels like climbing a mountain barefoot. And while some stories may be cocoa-like bitter, they can transform into sweet chocolates when shared. Here are a few first-time coming out experiences: “I was 19.It was a…

DisclaimerExclamation marks represent personal stories within question marks. Alternatively, I could’ve called them “Stories that made us or broke us.” This tale unfolds years ago in a small village in northern Greece. I’ll do my best to stay true to the original and share everything I remember. Let’s start with a cute oneComing out can…