November 4, 2020 :: Boldly Going Where No Mag Has Gone Before

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Boldly Going Where No Magazine has Gone Before!

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 4, 2020 VOL44 NO15

STREAMING REWATCH: THE LEGEND OF KORRA AND 2020’S COLLECTIVE, UNITED STATES TRAUMA

8

DRAWN TOGETHER: TEN OF THE BEST REPRESENTATIONS OF QUEER PEOPLE IN AN ANIMATED SERIES

11

AMERICAN QUEER LIFE: HOW CULTURE SAVED A LITTLE, GAY BOOMER BOY PART 4: LITERATURE

14

WILSON CRUZ CONTINUES THE STAR TREK LEGACY OF QUEER, DIVERSE REPRESENTATION

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Adira, the first nonbinary character on Star Trek: Discovery Art by Lonnie MF Allen

PINK INK: QUEER COMIC CHARACTERS TO KNOW

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NOVEMBER 9-12, 2020

EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontmagazine.com ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER Editor VERONICA L. HOLYFIELD Creative Director KEEGAN WILLIAMS Copy Editor BRENT HEINZE Senior Columnist DENNY PATTERSON Celebrity Interviewer INTERNS Arianna Balderrama, Danny Bradley, Izzy Yellin, Justine Johnson, Ray Manzari WRITER Rick Kitzman ART art@outfrontmagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Design2Pro and Lonnie MF Allen COVER DESIGN Lonnie MF Allen COVER ART by Lonnie MF Allen MARKETING + SALES marketing@outfrontmagazine.com QUINCEY ROISUM Senior Marketing Executive KELSEY ELGIE DOMIER Busines Developement Executive KAYTE DEMONT Digital Sales Executive

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O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 5

INTO THE WORLD OF QUEER FANDOM

FROM THE EDITOR

L

ast issue, the Boulet Brothers talked to us about how horror has always resonated with queer people because we’ve always been marginalized, so we can relate to the monsters in the movies.

That same line of reasoning makes a lot of sense for why LGBTQ people are drawn to comic and fandom culture.

The comparison manifests in a lot of ways. Many times, queer folks are the villains in comics and fiction stories, leaving us to wonder why we side with the “bad guys.” But other times, it’s the heroes who are mutants, outcasts, and freaks, yet still celebrated, which definitely resonates. Not to mention, many queer folks felt like outcasts in high school, and thus gravitated towards various forms of “nerd” culture.

This November, bravery and strength in the face of evil and opposition is needed more than ever. As our cover story proves, many times, these stories offer us strength rather than an escape or a place to hide, and they often parallel the real world. Star Trek has been breaking down cultural and racial boundaries for decades, and the stories it tells are anything but escapism.

So, whether your aim is to curl up with a good story or get educated about how to become the hero you wish to see in the world, read on for some insight into the world of queer fandoms.

Gray, the first transgender character on Star Trek: Discovery Art by Lonnie MF Allen

-Addison Herron-Wheeler

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O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 7

STREAMING REWATCH: THE LEGEND OF KORRA AND 2020’S COLLECTIVE UNITED STATES TRAUMA

by Keegan Williams Art courtesy of Neflix

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I

f you are anything like me, you pay for a Netflix subscription, among other streaming services, and this socially-distant year, you’re getting your money’s worth.

In a slow-burn marketing plot to garner hype for the upcoming, live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series by the streaming giant, or maybe just a treat for quarantined millennials, Netflix released the original Nickelodeon series earlier this year.

I was one of many 2000s kids who religiously watched new ATLA episodes, like a Game of Thrones for young teenagers with an enthralling universe, characters, and lore. The premise, for those who have yet to see (umm, also where have you been?), takes place in a world where people have the ability to “bend” or control the elements of water, earth, fire, or air, with the Avatar as a figure who can bend all four elements.

The spin-off series, The Legend of Korra, popped onto Netflix in August a few months later. Far less people watched this series when it aired.

Not only did it end it’s four-season run on Nick. com, and the network notoriously neglected to promote the series, but I, for one, was 14 when ATLA ended and 21 as Korra concluded in 2014.

I watched it all as the initial run wrapped; I bought the series and watched it last year, and with the show streaming, I decided, “Screw it,” and watched it again during the hellscape that is 2020.

As fun and nostalgic it is to revisit Avatar as an adult, diving into Korra, it’s easy to forget that this was a show on a network for children. Even more so, watching as a leftist, queer person during a pandemic, election year fully fumbled by a fascist and oppressive administration, I found myself viewing the universe a little differently, as I re-entered during such a tumultuous period.

Note: Minor spoilers ahead By nature, the Avatar universe is political.

The first series establishes the main aim of taking down Fire Lord Ozai, a corrupt, powerhungry imperialist. The heroes assist refugees, purposely get captured by their enemy to free war prisoners, and grapple with the genocide of

a whole nation of people (and this is all in the first handful of episodes of the series).

Korra takes the political concepts a step further.

Set 79 years after the original, the story takes place in more “modern” setting, alarmingly industrialized—almost steampunk, covertly corrupt under the shiny surfaces.

What feels unique about some of the villains of Korra is how you do not innately think they are bad. Some it’s easier to sympathize with than you might want to admit. In fact, it’s only after the show allows you to look more intimately at their past and their motives until you realize some of the initially pleasant characters are far more sinister than initial impressions let on, or that some of the most evil characters were warped by their circumstances and the opportunities given in their life.

Two early examples in the show are of the Water Tribe, a mostly benevolent group in the initial series. The figures are political and spiritual leaders who ultimately end up using their knowledge and ties for personal gain, with no regard to the harm done to those they were initially supposed to be serving.

In the third season, a militant, anarchist organization called The Red Lotus takes center stage. As I watched this go-around, I had a lot more compassion for this group on screen, a group which the main city capitol, Republic City, deems a terrorist group.

The merciless, violent actions against the protagonists make it easy to root against the Red Lotus, though I empathize with their intentions the more the show dives into their background. The group is initially formed to help open portals to the Spirit World to fully “bring balance” to the world (a theme often explored in both series) and to do away with the corrupt power structures in place among the nations, which, by this point in the series, have already been shown in full form.

Now, following this introduction, you witness the group violently lash out to support their aims, but you learn how heavily the few, free members of the group got to this point, feeling as if there were no other option to try to bring about substantial change to the world and others like them, exploited, and left behind.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 9

It’s even something the heroes of the story recognize, how members of the Red Lotus were driven to this point, becoming aggressive, violent, forceful as the only way left to overcome the destruction and violence they faced from the power structures that developed between the events of the first series and Korra.

Not to mention, one of the harder-hitting villains of the series for me personally during my 2020 watch begins with an aim to rebuild her kingdom, which quickly turns into a quest for domination and conquest, the initially personable character shifting into a straight-up fascist as the arc progresses.

Sometimes, as a viewer, you don’t even realize how little you and the characters were paying attention to the details until it’s too late, and you’re watching an untouchable tyrant on screen.

It was a unique experience to watch this show alone, in my apartment, during a divisive and pivotal time for politics in the country. The series had a rocky initial run on Nickelodeon, often considered too risky for a children’s network and significantly darker than the predecessor (I haven’t even mentioned the multiple, on-screen deaths).

Don’t get me wrong; it’s not a flawless follow-up.

In fact, compared to the near-perfection of Avatar: The Last Airbender, it is far from it.

The setting is very Americanized in comparison to that of the first show. It can at once feel like

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a warped embrace of colonial, white, industrialized ideas in comparison to prominent East Asian traditions of the first series, but it also fits into Korra’s ongoing conversation around power structures, corruption, and class struggle surrounding rapid societal shifts amidst the multiple villains who are less often plainly evil and more so swimming in a morally grey area.

Korra as a main character, along with the side characters, are often not seen in the high regard that the original Team Avatar is. And yes, the mech suits were a strange choice, and I didn’t care for them. There are arcs that dwindle and take more time to get “into” than others.

Regardless, it’s a mistake to dismiss Korra, especially in today’s world.

As someone who grew up with ATLA, I’ll admit I’m borderline defensive over the much-needed follow-up that at once embraces and expands on the original concepts of the Avatar universe and how time, power, and politics can warp, for the better and far worse, something so enchanting, like the world I first witnessed on Nickelodeon through the mid-2000s.

Personally, the third was the charm, and The Legend of Korra hits harder than ever this year. It’s easy to find some solace seeing a group of other young people, even in this fictional, fantastical, animated universe, navigating the hardships of their circumstances, as I and millions of others wade in the general, dischoradant trauma that is the United States in 2020.

by Ray Manzari

Images courtesy of press kits

Seeing queer people represented in media is crucial for the LGBTQ community, and animation is no exception. We did the work for you and ranked animated series by representations of queer folks, perfect for your winter comfort binge.

Shows were rated using a five-point system (five being the most possible points) within three categories: representation, entertainment, and animation. Since this is a list covering queer representation, that category was weighted for half the overall score.

This is hardly a comprehensive list; there are a multitude of gay, lesbian, and genderqueer characters throughout animation, especially within Japanese anime. However, this is a list of what I consider the most exemplary representation of queer people in animated series.

Without further ado, I present to you the 10 best examples of LGBTQ representation in animated series, in descending order.

10

9

ADVENTURE TIME (2.1)

THE LEGEND OF KORRA (2.6)

REPRESENTATION: 1 ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5 ANIMATION: 3 Adventure Time earned its position at the bottom of the list due to the fact that the only queer characters seen throughout the show (Princess Bubblegum and Marceline) share a singular kiss during the show’s finale. Despite there being an implied, romantic relationship between the two throughout the series’ 10 seasons, showrunners and Cartoon Network chose not to confirm nor deny this until their program was already set to end.

REPRESENTATION: 1 ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5 ANIMATION: 5 Much like the show above, Korra finds itself ranking lower for the same reasons. While there was never a deeper relationship hinted at between the show’s star and her female friend Asami, the show ended with the two walking into the sunset hand-in-hand, and the creators confirmed both were canonically queer after airing. What saved Legend of Korra from receiving the bottom spot? Its unique and absolutely breath-taking animation style, not to mention its gripping plot and exemplary character development.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 1

8

7

SAILOR MOON (3.3)

SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESS OF POWER (3.5)

REPRESENTATION: 3 ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5 ANIMATION: 4

REPRESENTATION: 4 ENTERTAINMENT: 2 ANIMATION: 4

I honestly expected Sailor Moon to be a lot gayer, considering everyone likes to point to it as an example of LGBTQ representation. Queer people, however, can be found in both the original and the remake titled Sailor Moon Crystal. It’s no secret that Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus are lovers, despite the English dub’s attempt to label the two as cousins. Not to mention the steamy romance between the Dark Kingdom’s Zoisite and Malachite, who are both male.

Unlike Sailor Moon, the original She-Ra: Princess of Power did not contain queer characters (to my knowledge). However, the recent Netflix adaptation of He-Man’s female counterpart is chock full of queerness. It scores so high in the representation category because main character Adora is queer herself. Not only is she queer, but her relationship to Catra is integral to the story. She-Ra and the Princess of Power has a cast of colorful and gender-nonconforming characters and is genuinely entertaining.

4

3

STEVEN UNIVERSE (4.1)

REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA (4.3)

REPRESENTATION: 4.5 ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5 ANIMATION: 4 Overall, many of the characters in Steven Universe can be categorized as LGBTQ because most of the characters are aliens who come from a world entirely made up of female-identifying beings of light. If that’s not enough to get you on board with this one, I don’t know what is. Besides an entire alien race of lesbians, Steven Universe features several gender-nonconforming human characters as well. Many people like to credit this show with the first animated, same-gender wedding, when that honor actually goes to '90s kid’s show Arthur.

REPRESENTATION: 5 ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5 ANIMATION: 4 Although the characters in this series are never explicitly outed as queer, nor do they directly express their feelings for one another, the romantic undertones and heavily gay-coded characters lands Utena the number-three spot. Most fans, myself included, count main characters Utena and Anthy as bisexual. Both girls engage in deeply romantic behaviors with each other as well as male characters. Beyond that, the series shatters gender norms with Utena acting as the literal knight in shining armor on more than one occasion.

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6

5

ATTACK ON TITAN (3.7)

BOJACK HORSEMAN (4.0)

REPRESENTATION: 3.5 ENTERTAINMENT: 4 ANIMATION: 4 OK, stick with me for this one. I have never seen Attack on Titan make a listicle regarding LGBTQ representation, but I’m here to put a stop to that right now. In one of the latest seasons, the highly suggested relationship between Christa and Ymir was finally confirmed. Throughout the series, there are a multitude of casual intimacies between the two women, and Ymir often expressed a desire to marry Christa. While it’s unlikely that the two will see a happy ending during the show’s final season premiering this fall, that has less to do with the fact that they’re lesbians and more to do with the show’s dark and violent plot.

REPRESENTATION: 2.5 ENTERTAINMENT: 4 ANIMATION: 3.5 What’s refreshing about this example is that it’s not another lesbian couple (which this list is almost completely comprised of).

In fact, the character I’m talking about isn’t even in a same-gender relationship. Side character Todd Chavez is asexual, and not only that, he’s proud of it. This type of representation is so seldomly seen, I would be hard-pressed to find another asexual character in animation, besides Todd’s girlfriend, Yolanda, who is also ace.

2

1

CASTLEVANIA (4.4)

YURI!!! ON ICE (4.7)

REPRESENTATION: 4 ENTERTAINMENT: 5 ANIMATION: 4.5 Netflix’s adaptation of the popular video game series Castlevania scored massive points in all three categories. The show features some of the best voice acting I’ve heard in an animated series.

In their latest season, we’re introduced to a vampire coven of powerful female characters, two of which are romantically involved. Also, in Season Three, main character Alucard gets a steamy sex scene with both a man and a woman. Confirming Alucard’s bisexuality shouldn’t have shocked anyone, as the show often hints at a possible throuple consisting of the three main characters, Sypha, Trevor, and, of course, Alucard himself.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Warren Ellis, original creator of Netflix's Castlevania, has been accused of sexual harassment and abuse.

REPRESENTATION: 5 ENTERTAINMENT: 4 ANIMATION: 5 This 12-episode anime follows Katsuki Yuri, a technically proficient men’s figure skater who lacks the confidence needed to score gold, that is, until he’s joined by his coach and world-record breaking skater Victor. But, what makes this story special is the intertwining of love for their sport, as well as each other. Unlike most other anime featuring a gay couple, at no point in this show do characters stress over their ‘atypical’ sexual orientation.

Showrunners have said in the past that this show actually takes place in a parallel universe where sexual orientation just isn’t a big deal. Yuri!!! On Ice earns its number-one spot for its cast of queer characters, charming plot, and breath-taking animation which viewers will be surprised to find was not done with CGI.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 3

American Queer Life: How Culture Saved a Little Gay Boomer Boy Part 4: Literature W

by Rick Kitzman

hen I was 16, I read my first porn. Barry Luce sneaked me a dog-eared paperback during study hall in my high school auditorium. I was most “moved” by the descriptions of male-on-male action, but I felt dirty and guilty … and defiant and exhilarated, and, suddenly, informed. How could that possibly … ohhh ...

of movie-musical Cabaret) and A Single Man (1964) by Christopher Isherwood exposed me to stories of my kind written in exquisite prose. John Rechy seduced me with his seedy tales of L.A.’s queer castaways in City of Night (1963). Mary Renault resurrected Alexander the Great and the ancient world in her novels Fire From Heaven (1969) and The Persian Boy (1972).

Part four of my exploration of how culture saved this little gay Boomer boy living in Podunk, CO examines literature. Ignoble as that porn book was, it aided my search for a queer identity. What can I say? Sources were scarce, and in hindsight, surprising.

Patricia Nell Warren’s The Front Runner (1974) generated gobs of sobs, then gossip when Paul Newman allegedly optioned the love story between an athlete and his coach for a film starring himself. Interview with a Vampire (1976) by Anne Rice made an eternally damned life homoerotic and tempting. The triple-whammy in 1978 of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, Larry Kramer’s Faggots, and Andrew Holleran’s Dancer from the Dance was required queer reading. These trailblazers led me to James Baldwin, Truman Capote, Gore Vidal, Edmund White, Virginia Woolf.

For a dime, comic books fed my juvenile fantasies with the astonishing adventures of heroic, handsome he-men in skintight costumes—some with capes. Though Superman, Batman, and other justice crusaders taught me about courage, morality, and duty, I would get sidetracked ogling Superman’s wayward curl of blueblack hair crossing his forehead, or fabricating a bold and blissful life being Batman’s Robin.

College and my early New York days led me to the canon of queer classics. The Berlin Stories (1945, source

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The romance novel The Lord Won’t Mind by Gordon Merrick was a landmark publication. The story of two men falling in love had a happy ending; it was a New York Times bestseller for 16 weeks, and both achievements occurred in 1970.

A few non-fiction titles added to my education. Gay American History— Lesbians and Gay Men in the U.S.A. by Jonathan Ned Katz was published in the year of America’s 200th anniversary.

This revolutionary work chronicled the little-known history of LGBTQ Indigenous natives, explorers, colonists, and citizens since the 1500s. Sitting on my bookshelf with its red cover and wide spine, the title seemed to scream GAY in a 50 point font. More than once, when straights visited, I’d put the book in the closet, myself with it.

Reporting from cosmopolitan cities worldwide, the magazine After Dark (1968-1983), a precursor to Entertainment Weekly, promoted celebrities, theater, movies, clubs, music—an exotic milieu I dreamed of living.

The Boys of Boise (1966) by John Gerassi detailed the 1955 scandal and twoyear investigation of a homosexual underground and prostitution ring.

From Idaho’s capital with a population of 40,000, 1,500 people were questioned.

In this travesty of justice, 16 men convicted on rigged charges faced jail time ranging from probation to life in prison.

Referenced in Gerasssi’s book was Dr. Evelyn Hooker, an American psychologist. I kept coming across

her in other books, so I went to the library and dug deeper. Her 1957 paper “The Adjustment of the Male Overt Homosexual” and scientific studies in the 50s and 60s led to the “normalization” of homosexuality and its eventual removal from lists of mental diseases.

I loved two poets: Walt Whitman and Alan Ginsberg. Whitman’s Leaves of Grass (1855) is part American history, part homoerotica. A hundred years after Whitman, Ginsberg’s Howl still resonates with rage and despair over existential issues unresolved today.

Notable books with AIDS motifs include: memoirs by National Book Award winner Paul Monette; AIDS and Its Metaphors (1989) by MacArthur Fellowship grant winner Susan Sontag, The Hours (1998) by Pulitzer winner Michael Cunningham, and The Line of Beauty (2004) by the Man Booker Prize winner Alan Hollinghurst.

How did all these stories help me discover my identity? I learned queers were decadent, lonely, shallow, vindictive, rich and ugly, poor and beautiful; that queer life meant potential prostitution, police harassment, betrayal, death by disease, murder, suicide, assassination, or vampiric bite.

But, I also learned about integrity, loyalty, passion, honesty, creativity, family, love—which has nothing to do with being a gay man and all to do with being a decent human—and that gay men have fun. “Life is a cabaret, ol’ chum!” And to the cabarets I bee-lined—bars, dance clubs, baths, after-hours sex joints—meeting many chums along the way.

And what of the porn my high school buddy sneaked me so long ago? I’ve since learned about what I call immoral pornography. It’s like sexual pornography: hostile, deceitful, violent, abusive, void of social ethics, where a person’s humanity is nil.

But unlike sexual pornography, this rancor—embodied most noisily from the White House, Christian pulpits, patriotic websites, and alt-right news shows—comes without orgasm; no doubt there are exceptions.

And there are battles ahead. LGBTQ writers fought for our justice, for the justice of everyone. In discovering their sexual identity, they found their humanity. We will have need of our queer justice league. May their capes forever wave, and their words forever sing.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 5

photo courtesy of CBS All Access

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Photos courtesy of James Dimmock and Michael Gibson

CONTINUES THE STAR TREK LEGACY OF QUEER, DIVERSE REPRESENTATION

by Denny Patterson

S

ince Wilson Cruz first appeared as openly gay teenager Rickie Vasquez in the 90s hit show My So-Called Life, he has become a trailblazer for LGBTQ representation in film and media.

The Brooklyn-raised, Puerto Rican actor has given voice to a new generation of storytellers, and his characters have reflected the struggle and success of the LGBTQ community. Some of his notable roles include Angel in Broadway’s Rent, Junito in Noah’s Arc, Victor in Party of Five, and Dennis in 13 Reasons Why. Currently, Cruz is playing Dr. Hugh Culber in Star Trek: Discovery on CBS All Access. Along with co-star and personal friend Anthony Rapp who plays Lt. Paul Stamets, they represent the series’ first openly gay couple.

According to Cruz, this has been a long time coming.

Cruz took some time to chat with OUT FRONT about the new season of Star Trek, in addition to his political and social advocacy for LGBTQ youth, and how television helped start a conversation and change the public’s perception on the LGBTQ community.

Hi, Wilson! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me. How are you doing during these unprecedented times?

We finished Season Three of Star Trek right at the end of February, and then I had to go on the Star Trek cruise. So, I was on a cruise ship until March 8. I literally finished the cruise and then flew to Los Angeles just in time to close the door behind me. You know, I am single and childless, and my entire, immediate family lives on the East Coast. Here I am in Los Angeles by myself, and I’m not going to lie, it was a test of my mental health.

I think the way that I got through it was making concerted efforts to reach out. I even started an Instagram Live story where I checked in with folks and had them check in with me. I did it bi-weekly and brought in friends like Billy Porter and Kristen Chenowith to come in and talk. I hope it helped people get through those difficult weeks. I do have to say, between that and great books and getting caught up on all the television that people who make television never get to watch, I made the best of it.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 7

Good! I am glad you are doing well. Now, the new season of Star Trek: Discovery just premiered last month. What’s in store for audiences?

For those people who have been paying attention, at the end of season two, we went 930 years into the future. So, at the beginning of Season Three, we are in the year 3188, and it is a whole new world for our series because we are no longer bound by Kamran, and we get to create the future that we want to see. What comes with that is all the effort that it takes to create this idealistic future that we would all like to see.

As far as my character is concerned, he’s been through a lot. Most of Season two was about him coming back into the world and trying to figure out who he is now and what his relationship with Paul Stamets is. In Season Three, we see that he is really taking advantage of the fact that we are in this new future. It allows him to create a second chance for himself and to create the life that he always wished that he led. You see him take on new responsibilities on the ship and take on people’s mental health as they embark on this new future where they have left behind everything and everyone that they have ever known.

He steps up, and I am excited for people to see just how genius he is.

What makes Star Trek: Discovery unique and worthwhile? Why should we watch it?

So many reasons! I think more so than ever in Season Three, we are presenting the inhabitants of the world as it is. So much is being made of Hollywood and the media’s attempt to diversify, to have a more diverse representation in their cast. My thing is, I think it takes more effort not to include everyone, so we are just presenting the world as it is.

When you turn on Star Trek: Discovery, you are going to find someone who you can relate to because there is bound to be somebody who represents you in the show. It is exciting to see them work together to save the world. What’s exciting for me personally is that young people can turn on this show and see people of color, see LGBTQ people who are masters of their own fate and geniuses in their own right.

1 8 \\ N O V E M B E R 4 , 2 0 2 0

We are all capable of being superheroes, and that is what’s amazing about Star Trek. These people don’t have otherworldly abilities. They are not superheroes in that way, but they are superheroes in the sense that they use science and math to change the world. I think that is important for people to see.

We are all capable of being superheroes, and that is what’s amazing about Star Trek. These people don’t have otherworldly abilities.

They are not superheroes in that way, but they are superheroes in the sense that they use science and math to change the world. I think that is important for people to see.

What do you enjoy the most about playing your character, Medical Officer Hugh Culber?

So many things [laughs]. What I love about him is his ability to be authentic and vulnerable. Not only does he allow himself to go there to be present and vulnerable, but he allows other people to do it as well. People open up to him and allow themselves to trust him because of the fact that people believe that he is there to help and understand them. I am excited that people are going to see a new side to Hugh. So much is happening in this season with him. He is finally fully accepting this new body and new life. I am so excited for people to meet him.

You have said portraying the first openly gay couple in Star Trek was a long time coming. How so?

Like I was saying earlier, we want to show the world as it is, and in that world, LGBTQ people exist. When you are creating a show that is depicting a future, an idealistic future, I think it is hurtful not to include LGBTQ people in that vision.

It has been a long time coming when

photo courtesy of CBS All Access you think about the fact that it took 52 years for LGBTQ series regulars on Star Trek to show up. I am glad we are getting to carry the flag. In this season, we get to expand on representation of LGBTQ people with our two new cast members, Ian Alexander and Blu del Barrio.

We want to show the world as it is, and in that world, LGBTQ people exist. When you are creating a show that is depicting a future, an idealistic future, I think it is hurtful not to include LGBTQ people in that vision.

I wouldn’t classify myself as a Trekkie, but I was definitely a big fan. I think you have to earn the title of Trekkie.

If you could travel anywhere in space, where would you go?

Hm, I want to go to Saturn. I want to see the rings, and I also want to go and sing the Stevie Wonder song while I’m there!

What other sci-fi/ superhero/comic book stories are you a fan of?

I am excited to see where the next Green Lantern goes. I also had the chance to recently voice Superman for the Creative Coalition for the DC fandom, and that was so much fun. It was for the radio show, and that kind of radio style really asked for us to really go for it. It was fun to step into that cape for a second, even if it was just vocally.

It is very exciting that Star Trek is bringing in these new LGBTQ characters. Do you believe the sci-fi genre is getting better when it comes to LGBTQ representation?

I think there is definitely an effort on behalf of creators. LGBTQ rights are at the forefront, and it is a conversation that our culture is having. I think sci-fi helps us have that conversation in a comfortable way, perhaps presents an analogy or parallel that invites people to consider these issues. I think that it is getting better, and we are for sure, definitely taking up the mantle.

Hugh’s lover interest is Paul Stamets, who is played

by Anthony Rapp. You two performed in Rent together.

I assume the chemistry was already there?

[Laughs] Yes. Anthony and I actually talk about it a lot. I think when you are hired to play somebody’s longtime partner, you have to kind of go out of your way to get to know them and see where you can create a relationship to extrapolate from. Our relationship, we had 22 years of friendship to build on. So, we just took our friendship and based our characters’ relationship on that relationship between us for decades. It helps that I have such respect for him as an actor, a person, an activist, and an advocate. Going to work with one of your friends is the bestpossible scenario.

Have you always been a Trekkie?

I was a big Next Generation person.

Obviously, I was familiar with the original, but I didn’t really start watching Star Trek until Next Generation. After that, I was obsessed and started going back and watching some of the originals.

I am a huge fan of sci-fi and fantasy. I grew up watching it. I am a big Spider-Man fan, especially after the last animated series where they made Spider-Man half Puerto Rican, half African American, and a young man.

My whole family and I went to watch it.

Besides acting, you are wellknown for your advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ youth, especially youth of color. Why is this such a big passion of yours?

Growing up in the 80s and 90s as a young, gay man was difficult, just given the circumstances that we were living under with that pandemic and all the discrimination that was present because of it. I was lucky enough at 19 to play the first openly gay teenager on network television. I think because of that, I felt a deep responsibility to be able to give voice to a generation of LGBTQ people who were growing up and insisting on the recognition of their humanity.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 9

Even though I am not a young person anymore, I do sit on the board of GLSEN, and I am very aware of how difficult it still is to be a young, LGBTQ person right now. I think it is important for people in my generation to reach back and stand up for them. We have the right to vote; we have the financial means to donate; we have the ability to make their lives better. So, why don’t we? When I think about young, LGBTQ people, I think about the fact that I don’t have kids of my own, but I want to leave the world a better and easier place for them to live in.

Was playing Rickie Vasquez in My So-Called Life your very first role?

No, but it was my very first series regular role. I got my SAG card by doing an episode of Unsolved Mysteries, then the very next season, I did a recurring role on a short-lived Fox series starring Tobey Maguire called Great Scott! Then, because of that, the very next year, I got My So-Called Life.

Did you have reservations about accepting the part of Rickie?

Were you ever afraid that playing an openly gay character could prevent you from being cast in future roles?

No, I didn’t. Let’s be honest. I was a 19-year-old, Puerto Rican boy fresh out of high school, still in college, and there was nothing in my story to lead me to believe that I would ever be as successful as I ended up being as an actor.

Everything pointed toward never making it, struggling, and not getting the same opportunities as my white counterparts.

I didn’t expect to get a series so quickly, so I didn’t hesitate at all. If anything, I felt that I was being gifted an opportunity to not only play this role, but to represent my community, give voice to a generation, and speak to LGBTQ rights on a national stage. So, I was very excited. I wasn’t nervous. I was excited. The one thing I was nervous about was the fact that I still had to come out to my parents.

And this show encouraged you to come out?

I came out because of the show. I came out to my parents because I was about to start the show, and I knew that I was going to talk about myself and LGBTQ

2 0 \\ N O V E M B E R 4 , 2 0 2 0

rights publicly. So, I should probably tell them.

After you came out, you and your mom were OK, but your relationship with your dad became rocky. Are you two OK now?

Oh, yes. We are great. I am very proud of my mother because she was so supportive right away. I feel like I don’t give her enough praise because she didn’t have to get over as much as my father did, but my dad really stepped up. He had to really let go of all the ignorance he had been taught in the Catholic Church and the machismo culture in Puerto Rico. He did it because he loves me, and that’s what fatherhood calls for. He’s amazing.

That is great to hear.

How big of an impact do you think Rickie made on LGBTQ youth at that time?

photo courtesy of CBS All Access I don’t know if that’s for me to We start in the 1950s, from the inception say, but I can say, and this is of TV to present day. Almost every single the honest-to-goodness truth, every single person you could possibly think of is day, I get a message from somebody on in the film, and this is my love letter to social media or somewhere thanking television and to the people who risked me for playing that role and everything everything in order to tell our story. It that role did to them. In my view, it was is a five-episode series; each episode is a milestone for a lot of people to see an hour, and it has been incredibly wellyourself in that way, but I will leave it received. It is critically acclaimed across to other people to say. the board, and I could not be prouder Earlier this year, you produced of the fact that this is my first executive a docu-series with Wanda Skyes producer credit. I think that says a lot called Visible: Out on Television. about who I am and the kind of material For those who are not familiar, that I want to put out in the world.

can you tell us more about it and how it has been received?

This was seven years of my life. David Bender created the concept and had been working on it for years. He brought me on because he wanted to interview me; then I came on as a producer because I knew so many of the people that he needed to interview. Visible is about the history of LGBTQ images on television and how those depictions changed our culture, but also how those depictions changed TV and the way TV was used to have a conversation about LGBTQ rights.

It is truly amazing to see how important TV has become in changing the public’s perception of the LGBTQ community.

Yes. I think when you have a medium as intimate as television that lives in people’s living rooms, bedrooms, and the most intimate places in their homes, it became this tool in which we could present ourselves, tell our own stories, and tell the truth about who we are.

Many of us understood that there was so much disinformation about LGBTQ

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What is your opinion on straight actors playing LGBTQ roles?

It’s not that I have a problem with straight actors playing LGBTQ roles. My only preference is that when an LGBTQ person plays an LGBTQ role, there is something that is inherent and genuinely felt and authentic in that performance. There is something about being LGBTQ that I don’t know if you can act. I think it is something that you are, and I think that is true for a lot of things. So, my own preference is to see LGBTQ people play these roles, but because there is such a lack of opportunity for LGBTQ artists, we should at least be able to tell our own stories.

What more do you hope to accomplish with your platform?

I want to continue to tell great stories on Star Trek, but I am also looking to develop my own material. When I think about the kind of story I want to tell, I want to produce content that looks like us. That actually looks like us, and I want to give voice to the marginalized and invisible people in our culture.

Those are the kind of projects that I want to be involved with.

To stay up-to-date with Cruz, follow him on Instagram and Twitter @wcruz73. Star Trek: Discovery is available on CBS All Access with new episodes of Season Three dropping every Thursday.

Visible: Out on Television is available on Apple TV+.

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PIN K IN K

by Danny Bradley

Images courtesy of press kits

QUEER COMIC CHARACTERS TO KNOW

T HERE O N C E WAS A TIME IN W HIC H YO U WO U LD N OT FIN D A C HARAC TER IN A C OMIC B O O K W HO PU B LIC LY ID E N TIFIE D AS LG BTQ. A LOT O F T HAT C AN B E AT TRIB UTE D TO S O C IA L N O R MS O F T HE TIMES. MU C H O F T HE C U LTU RA L S HIFTS WE S E E IN A MERIC AN AN D PO P C U LTU RE T HAT E N C O U RAG E D IVERS E REP RES E N TATIO N O F AC TU A L, RE A L PO PU LATIO N S AN D D EMO G RAP HICS HAVE P ROMOTE D T HE US AG E O F LG BTQ C U LTU RE AN D STO RIES W IT HIN C OMIC B O O K ME D IA .

FO R T HIS ISS U E, I G E E KE D O UT AN D RES E ARC HE D S OME O F T HE MO ST P ROMIN E N T AN D O B S C U RE LG BTQ C HARAC TERS W HO EXIST W IT HIN DC C OMICS AN D MARVE L MY T HO LO GIES.

HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY BISEXUAL NON-MONOGAMOUS DC COMICS

Har l ey Q uin n an d T h e Jo ker’s b rea k- u p en ded a noto rio u s ly toxic an d ab u sive relatio n s hip.

T h e w riters of t h e DC U nivers e u s ed t h e s plit to ex pl o re a ro m an tic pairing b et ween Har l ey Q uin n an d Pois o n Ivy. Har l ey an d Ivy’s ro m an ce ar c ex pl o res t h e im po rtan ce of m en ta l h ea lt h an d s el f -im p rovem en t. Ivy s u p po rts Har l ey as s h e es capes Jo ker’s ab u s e, an d Har l ey h el p s Ivy ex pl o re h er s en s e of h u m anity.

In DC C o mics: Bombshell #45, t h e pair s h are t h eir first kiss in a DC p u b licatio n, b u t 2 0 17 was t h e ear ly depictio n of Har l ey an d Ivy’s ro m an ce, w h en in Har l ey Q uin n #25, t h e t wo ladies s h are t h eir first kiss in officia l DC c o n tin uity. T h ey are in a no n-mo noga mo u s partn ers hip.

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AQUALAD

GAY GAYOR ORBISEXUAL? BISEXUAL? DC DC COMICS COMICS

We do not know t h e s pecifics of Aq u a lad ’s ro m an ce an d s exu a lity, b u t in t h e S eas o n T h ree Young Justice epis o de, “Q uiet C o n versatio n s, ” K a l d u r’ah m, a k a K a l d u r, kiss es anot h er m a l e c h ar a cter . T his s cen e c o nfir m ed r u mo rs of K a l d u r b eing gay, o r at l east bis exu a l. At t his poin t in his sto ry, h e h as b een s een in relatio n s hip s wit h f em a l e c h ar a cters.

Fo r a w hil e, t his iter atio n of Aq u a lad, w ho h as now ta ken t h e m an tl e of Aq u a m an, o n ly existed in t h e Young Justice s pin-off, b u t his ap pear an ce in DC C o mics’ 2 0 1 0 p u b licatio n Brightest Day #4, part of t h e Rebirt h cano n, c o nfir m ed cano n existen ce of anot h er q u eer, DC U nivers e c h ar a cter .

LOKI

ICEMAN

GAY MARVEL COMICS

GENDERFLUID & BISEXUAL MARVEL COMICS Lo ki is t h e c u n ning an d m anip u lative an tag o nist w ho is t h e swo rn en emy to T ho r sin ce 1962. Des pite b eing a vil lain, Lo ki rem ain s a fan-favo rite in t h e Marvel U nivers e. Lo ki was officia l ly c o nfir m ed bis exu a l an d g en der f l uid in 2 0 1 4 b y w riter A l E wing d u ring Marvel’s O rigina l Sin sto ry ar c.

T his s h ape- s hifting s pel l caster s pen d s l o ng perio d s as m a l e an d ot h ers as f em a l e. Lo ki’s p ro no u n s are u s ed ap p ro p riately, m atc hing t h e g en der Lo ki is c u rren tly ap pearing as.

Lo ki’s q u eern ess paired wit h his vil laino u s ro l e h ave b een ana lyz ed as an exa m pl e of Am erican m edia’s histo ry of c o dif ying vil lain s as q u eer .

T h e c h ar ming an d h an d s o m e B o b b y D r a ke, a k a Icem an, is an O m ega- l evel m u tan t w ho can m anip u late ice. T his c h ar a cter’s s exu a lity ar c is l o ng an d, liter a l ly, t r an s cen d s tim e an d s pa ce. Yo u ng er Icem an w ho h el p s an O l der Icem an c o m e to ter ms wit h his s exu a lity. Icem an was o u ted b y Jean G rey in All-New X-Men #40 (2 0 15) wit h h er p syc hic abilities. B u t, ho n estly, did we n eed p syc hic ability to c o nfir m B o b b y b eing gay?

First, rem em b er t h e m u tan t c o mingo u t s cen e in X-Men 2 wit h B o b b y an d his paren ts? O b vio u s ly an a l l eg o ry fo r LG BTQ c o ming o u t. T h en, rem em b er, B o b b y dated a c h ar a cter na m ed C l o u d, w ho m h e u ltim ately en ded t hing s wit h b eca u s e C l o u d s pen t tim e ap pearing b ot h as a f em a l e an d m a l e. B o b b y f elt u n c o m fo rtab l e b eing wit h Ma l e C l o u d.

It is s pec u lated t h at Icem an’s desire to c over u p his s exu a lity l ed to him en ding his relatio n s hip wit h C l o u d.

NORTHSTAR

GAY MARVEL COMICS

N o r t h s ta r , (r ea l n a m e Jean- Pa u l B ea u bier) h o l d s t h r ee h o n o r s , f o u r i f yo u c o n sider s ex wit h Her c u l es as an ho no r . T h e first is N o rt h star b eing o n e of t h e first o pen ly gay s u perh ero es in an Am erican c o mic.

N ext, N o rt h star’s c o ming o u t Alpha Flight # 1 06 (1992) m ade him t h e first o pen ly gay c h ar a cter to c o m e o u t in an officia l Marvel p u b licatio n. Fina l ly, N o rt h star’s 2 0 12 m arriag e to Kyl e Jinad u in Astonishing X-Men # 51 m ar ked t h e ear ly depictio n of a sa m e-g en der wed ding in a m ain st rea m c o mic. T h at iss u e noto rio u s ly b eca m e t h e fo c u s fo r t h e rig h t-wing g ro u p, O n e Mil lio n Mo ms.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 3

COAGULA

HULKLING AND WICCAN

TRANSGENDER DC COMICS

GAY MARVEL COMICS

Hu l k ling, a s u perst ro ng a lien, an d Wic can, wit h powers c o m par ab l e to t h e S car l et Witc h , ca m e o u t of t h eir c l o s ets l o ng b efo re t h ey b eca m e a t hing.

Hu l k ling an d Wic can b eca m e officia l in Young Avengers Presents #3, w h en t h e b o ys officia l ly lab el ed t h ems elves b o yf rien d s. T h ere h ave b een depictio n s of t h e pair enjo ying everyday q u eer lif e—a c h ar a cterizatio n t h at in c l u des a s cen e wit h Wic can atten ding a d r ag b r u n c h wit h g en der f l uid Lo ki. Hu l k ling an d Wic can are depicted b y q u eer m em e c u ltu re as t h e u ltim ate, gay power c o mic c o u pl e. T h e st rengt h in t h eir relatio n s hip l ed to t h e c o u pl e g etting m arried.

KAROLINA DEAN & NICO MINORU (LESBIAN) (BISEXUAL) MARVEL COMICS

K aro lina Dean h arn ess es s o lar an d lig h t en er gy, an d h er c o dena m e is Lu cy in t h e S ky Wit h Dia mo n d s. S h e ca m e o u t wit h h er s exu a lity ear ly in The Runaways s eries w h en s h e admitted att r a ctio n to t h e witc h Nic o Mino r u . Initia l ly, Nic o was u nab l e to a c cep t h er own bis exu a lity.

T h e t wo wen t in to a l o ng “ wil l t h ey en d u p tog et h er” sto rylin e t h at c u rren tly h as t h em in a fir m partn ers hip as of t h e 2 0 1 8 rela u n c h of The Runaways s eries.

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WONDER WOMAN

SEXUALLY FLUID/QUEER DC COMICS

G rowing u p, Wo n der Wo m an s eem ed to natu r a l ly b e c o ded as q u eer, s o it was to my delig h t to fin d c o nfir m atio n of Diana P rin ce’s q u eern ess f ro m G reg R u c k a , a u t ho r of DC C o mic’s c u rren t Wonder Woman: Year One s eries. Wit h t h e knowl edg e t h at Wo n der Wo m an h as an exten sive, ro m an tic histo ry wit h vario u s m en, t h e revelatio n of h er q u eern ess m a kes Wo n der Wo m an bis exu a l o r, at t h e very l east, pan s exu a l. R u c k a h as ex plain ed t h at “an Am az o n do es n’ t l oo k at anot h er Am az o n an d say, ‘Yo u ’ re gay. ’ T h ey do n’ t. T h e c o n cep t do es n’ t exist. ”

C oag u la (rea l na m e is K ate G o d win ) is a fo r m er Doo m Pat ro l m em b er . T his c h ar a cter was estab lis h ed in 1993. S h e can s o lidif y liq uid s an d diss o lve s o lid s.

C oag u la gain ed h er abilities w hil e wo r king as a s ex wo r ker, t h ro u g h s ex wit h a r adioa ctive, in ters ex pers o n. A fter res ear c hing, I f eel t h at DC C o mics n eed s to wo r k o n t h eir t r an s rep res en tatio n, as m an y t hing s ab o u t C oag u la f eel cringy an d stereoty ped. DC C o mics mig h t b e t rying to sweep t h eir la c k of rep res en tatio n of a t r an s wo m an u n der t h e r u g, as c o mics created d u ring R a c h el Po l la c k’s r u n h ave n ever g o n e t h ro u g h rep rin t.

BATWOMAN LESBIAN DC COMICS

K ate K an e, a k a Bat wo m an, is not t h e o n ly l es bian DC c h ar a cter, an d definitely is not t h e o n ly q u eer c h ar a cter, to ap pear in a Batm an c o mic. Stil l , Bat wo m an h as b y far t h e hig h estp rofil e, q u eer c h ar a cter in t h e DC U nivers e. T h e c o n tem po r ary iter atio n of Bat wo m an is w ritten as b eing of Jew is h des cen t a n d a l es b ia n. T h e c o u sin of B r u ce Wayn e, Bat wo m an first ap peared in t h e s u m m er of 2 006 an d h as h er q u eern ess directly w ritten in to h er c h ar a cter biog r ap h y. T h e c h ar a cter is dis miss ed f ro m a U.S. Military A cademy a fter en c o u n tering a c c u satio n s of ho mo s exu a l a ctivity.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 5

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N I !

E N I V !

I E R N I V D I E R G V D A I R R G D D A R D G D A A R R D R AD D RA STARRING:

Yvie Oddly EVELYN EVERMOORE AND OTHER LOCAL QUEENS (TO BE ANNOUNCED)

BAR TAB | THE HOTTEST COLORADO NIGHTLIFE

BLUSH & BLU

1526 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 484-8548 blushbludenver.com

BOYZTOWN

MILLERS & ROSSI

Contemporary Art Speakeasy 3542 Walnut St, Denver 720-257-5342 Mention OUT FRONT for $2 off all specialty cocktails

PRIDE & SWAGGER 450 E.17th Ave. #110 Denver (720) 476-6360

R&R LOUNGE

117 Broadway St. Denver (303) 722-7373 boyztowndenver.com

4958 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 320-9337

CHARLIE'S® NIGHTCLUB

3500 Walnut St. Denver (303) 863-7326 tracksdenver.com

CLUB Q

475 Santa Fe Dr. Denver (720) 627-5905

900 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 839-8890 charliesdenver.com 3430 N. Academy Blvd.

Colo. Springs (719) 570-1429 clubqonline.com

DENVER SWEET

776 N. Lincoln St. Denver (720) 598-5648 www.denversweet.com

EL POTRERO

CLOCKTOWER 16 T

AL

L

COLFAX AVE.

PA R

K

17TH AVE. PRIDE & SWAGGER

.

ST

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O AH AP

AV E

TRIANGLE

.W

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ES

T.

31ST AVE.

T

HAMBURGER MARY’S

STONEY'S XBAR

OGDEN ST.

LI’L DEVILS

CLARKSON ST.

1ST AVE.

WASHINGTON ST.

COMPOUND BOYZTOWN

PENNSYLVANIA

#VYBE BENNY’S 8TH AVE. DENVER 6TH AVE. SWEET

GLADYS TRADE

WILD CORGI PUB

11TH AVE.

BLUSH & BLU

R+R DENVER

CHARLIE’S

BROADWAY

*Bars highlighted in red are open! If you see a discrepancy, please let us know at marketing@outfrontmagazine.com

ST .M

.

5660 W. Colfax Ave. Denver (720) 669-3470SSI

H

VD BL

1027 N. Broadway St. Denver (720) 573-8886 303Vybe.com

AL

T.

R

#VYBE

ES

AR

X BAR

629 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 832-2687 xbardenver.com

LIPSTICK DISCOTHEQUE

2 8 \\ N O V E M B E R 4 , 2 0 2 0

W

WILD CORGI PUB

1223 E. 13th Ave., Denver (303) 832-7636 wildcorgipub.com

K LA

EE

LI'L DEVILS

255 S. Broadway St. Denver (303) 733-1156 lildevilslounge.com

1035 E. 17th Ave. Denver (720) 485-5503 Stoneysuptown.com

SP

1336 E. 17th Ave. Denver (303) 993-5812 hamburgermarys.com/denver

B

SANTA FE DR. KALAMATH ST.

HAMBURGER MARY’S

STONEY'S UPTOWN JOINT

MILLERS & ROSSI

TRACKS

YORK ST.

500 Santa Fe Dr. Denver (303) 893-6112

THE TRIANGLE BAR

2036 N. Broadway St. , Denver (303) 658-0913 triangledenver.com

COLORADO BLVD.

GLADYS: THE NOSY NEIGHBOR

TRADE

BROADWAY

4501 E. Virginia Ave. Glendale (303) 388-8889 Facebook - Elpotrero.180

TRACKS

DOWNING ST.

BENNY'S

301 E. 7th Ave. Denver (303) 894-0788 bennysmexican.com Happy Hours:

NOW OPEN !

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 9

3 0 \\ N O V E M B E R 4 , 2 0 2 0

Cookies make everything better Order cookies and help us support neighbors who are ill Here’s a sweet, pandemic-friendly way to help Coloradans who are ill and isolated due to preexisting, life-threatening health conditions.

Order a fall-themed cookie set and help Project Angel Heart make and deliver delicious, medically tailored meals for neighbors in need!

Order or Donate by Nov 16!

PieInTheSkyColorado.org Sponsored by

The Pacheco Agency 303-788-0777 antonio@allstate.com

MONARCH PROPERTIES

HIGH LEVEL H E A LT H

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1620 Market St. Denver, CO (303) 953-0884

970 Lincoln St. Denver, CO (303) 839-9333

1221 County Rd 308 Dumont, CO (720) 242-8692

2028 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO (303) 355-9333 Find Our Full Awards List @ HIGHLEVELHEALTH.COM