Q Minnesota November 2026

ISSUE 02 | NOVEMBER 2026

Q MINNESOTA QUEER. LIFE. COMMUNITY.

I KNOW MY 'WHY' Jana Shortal's commitment to truth, self, and community

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Q Minnesota

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Q Minnesota Editorial Editor-in-Chief Andy Lien

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12 LUSH’S NEXT CHAPTER

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ANIA AND MOLLY NADYBSKA

Barry Leavitt

Cofounders, a.m. photography Ania and Molly Nadybska are the cofounders of a.m. photography, a female-owned business, and photography partners of Q Minnesota. Since 2008 the married couple has photographed corporate and private events, lifestyle campaigns, and headshots for clients including the University of Minnesota Foundation, North Memorial, Mila Wealth Management, and many others. Both are members of the LGBTQ+ community and have photographed LGBTQ+ events, families, and businesses across the Twin Cities for more than 18 years.

Publisher, Cofounder

qminnesota.com

Andy Lien

VP, Operations & General Counsel Dan Becker

ISSUE 02 CONTENTS & CONTRIBUTORS 08 EDITOR’S LETTER

47 Q CONNECTION

10 STAGE & SCENE

12 LUSH’S NEXT CHAPTER

16 COMING OUT TO A LYNX GAME

BRETT BURGER

KRISTIN JOHNSON

30 STAGE LIGHTS & HOLIDAY NIGHTS

SHANE LUECK Shane Lueck (he/him) is a Minneapolis-based writer and communications professional whose award-winning work explores LGBTQ+ culture, books, fashion, arts, and entertainment, and the stories that connect people. A University of Minnesota graduate, Shane holds degrees in journalism, African American and African Studies, and multicultural education. He can most often be found reading, at the theater, volunteering with Rotary, exploring local coffee shops, or spoiling his shih tzu, Armani.

Brett Burger is a Minneapolis-based writer and critic with more than a decade of experience covering arts and entertainment. He double-majored in public relations and theatre arts at Winona State University and has a particular love for theater, movies, TV, and pop culture. He’s always adding something new to his ever-growing list of things to watch, read, and see, and hopes you’ll find something to add to yours along the way.

Kristin F. Johnson has published 10 books for kids and one for adults. Her self-published novel Fearless: a middle grade adventure has won two awards and sold over 15,000 copies. She has won two Minnesota State Arts Board grants. Kristin has been a college writing instructor, elementary media specialist, radio show producer, webmaster, guest speaker, and her current day job is digital marketing strategist. She lives in Minnesota with her wife, stepson, and dog. For more: kfjbooks.com Connect on socials: @kfjbooks.

Photo by Montana Scheff

18 I CAME OUT AT 38. SIX YEARS LATER, I’M STILL SEARCHING FOR MY HAPPY ENDING.

20 JANA SHORTAL’S COMMITMENT TO TRUTH, SELF, AND COMMUNITY

KIKI JOY

KATHLEEN BRADBURY

Kiki Joy is a Minnesota-based queer singer, emcee, trivia host, and community performer. A self-described hopeless romantic and late-blooming lesbian, she uses music, humor, and storytelling to celebrate authenticity, connection, and the joy of being unapologetically yourself.

Kathleen Bradbury loves words and music but not necessarily at the same time. As a storyteller and producer for a national classical music program on public radio stations, she works to share the voices of previously underrepresented communities. She spends her spoons on joyful hobbies where she can fail spectacularly, namely tap dance and flameworking.

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Preservation Hall Jazz Band Creole Christmas TUE DEC 1 7PM The Preservation Hall Jazz Band rolls up to Orchestra Hall to perform their beloved Creole Christmas show with the Minnesota Orchestra, decking out your favorite holiday songs with that unmistakable NOLA swing.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live at the Symphony TUE DEC 8 7PM | WED DEC 9 7PM With actors who bring the iconic characters to life, bigscreen animations and Vince Guaraldi's timeless music performed live by the Minnesota Orchestra, this is a special holiday event that the whole family will enjoy.

Home Alone in Concert FRI DEC 11 7PM | SAT DEC 12 2PM SAT DEC 12 7PM | SUN DEC 13 2PM This beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live-to-picture by the Minnesota Orchestra. © 1990 Twentieth Century Fox.

Handel’s Messiah FRI DEC 18 8PM | SAT DEC 19 7PM Celebrate the holidays with the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Chorale, as Jane Glover conducts Handel’s festive Messiah.

Merry & Bright with Charles Lazarus SUN DEC 20 2PM Bursting with toe-tapping arrangements of seasonal favorites, this joyful concert brings together topnotch local musicians for extra swing, extra sparkle and a distinctly jazzy holiday vibe. The Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this program.

A New Year’s Celebration THU DEC 31 8:30PM | FRI JAN 1 2PM A journey through the sounds, rhythms and colors of Spain as imagined by both Spanish and French composers. This evocative and exhilarating program culminates with Ravel’s hypnotic Boléro, one of classical music’s most recognizable melodies. After the New Year’s Eve concert, dance to vintage jazz from Belle Amour and enjoy a Champagne toast at midnight, on us!

HOLIDAY CONCERTS ARE POPULAR, SO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! CHECK OUT THE FULL HOLIDAY LINEUP AT MINNESOTAORCHESTRA.ORG/HOLIDAY 612-371-5656 |

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#MINNORCH

The 2026–27 Classical Season is presented by

24 AN OFRENDA FOR GABE

ISAAC JOHNSON Isaac Johnson is a true rainbow-blooded Minnesotan. Raised on a farm, he went to school and spent over a decade in the Twin Cities before settling in Duluth with his husband. He loves writing for LGBTQ+ readers, believing that when one of us wins, we all win. He especially loves finding the real emotion in the moments that make us laugh and cry. By day, he works in human resources and teaches at a university. True to his name, Isaac loves to laugh and spend time with family and friends, cook, drink wine, listen to music, and bike wherever the trail takes him.

24 AN OFRENDA FOR GABE (PHOTOGRAPHY)

MONTANA SCHEFF Montana Scheff is an award-winning creative director, photographer, musician, and founder of Saint Paul–based agency Whittier. Relentlessly curious about people, he approaches photography as a kind of photographie vérité—observational, intuitive and searching for fleeting moments that reveal something true. Originally a farm kid from Greater Minnesota, he’s drawn to stories of people and place, from factories to fashion, backroads to big cities, food, travel, art and culture. He lives in Saint Paul’s Cathedral Hill, where he and his partner are restoring one of the neighborhood’s grand historic homes. More at: montanascheff.com

28 DIY HOLIGAY

HARPER STEINBACH Harper Steinbach is an art director, crafter, and visual artist living and working in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They received a degree in art history and museum studies from Seattle Pacific University in 2018. Currently, Harper is the art director for Crafty Queers Club, a local creative hang for queer adults. Harper was the recent recipient of a 2023 Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support for Individuals Grant and writes and illustrates for Q Minnesota.

41 SOCIOLOGY NOTES: THE COST OF BEING UNCOUNTED

DR. AMBER Dr. Amber is a Black queer sociologist, speaker, and content creator who uses their platform to translate complex concepts into sharp political and media analysis for a community of over 100,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. They are an accomplished public speaker and community faculty member in ethnic studies and sociology. Dr. Amber earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from The Ohio State University and a PhD in sociology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Their work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Sociology of Race and Ethnicity as well as in the popular press including Slate and the MIT Technology Review.

42 SKIRTING THE ISSUES: BETRAYAL

ELLEN KRUG Ellen (Ellie) Krug transitioned from male to female in 2009 while practicing law in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later became one of the few attorneys nationally to try jury cases in separate genders. She is the author of Getting to Ellen and Being Ellen, has presented on diversity and inclusion more than one thousand times, and has won the American Bar Association’s Stonewall Award and OutFront Minnesota’s Legacy Award. She hosts The Illegal Trans Woman radio show and, in 2022, was elected to her local school board. Visit elliekrug.com.

They live in Minneapolis with their wife and three adorable (and needy) cats.

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43 TO THE MAN WHO ALMOST MUGGED ME ON BRYN MAWR AVENUE

44 BIG CHRISTMAS ENERGY (IN NOVEMBER)

DENZEL BELIN DANIEL STEINMETZ Daniel Steinmetz is a Duluth-based writer and artist. He earned his MFA in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago in 2024, and his fiction has appeared in Allium, A Journal of Poetry & Prose. When not working on his first novel, he can be found screening B-movies or juggling the care of several dozen houseplants.

Denzel Belin (he/him) is Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2026 and placed second runner up at the International Mister Leather competition. Denzel proudly calls Minnesota his home and currently serves as the president of Twin Cities Spectrum, a BIPOC leather, kink, and fetish club. Denzel is a board member of Minnesota Leather Pride. In addition, he is an associate member of Atons of Minneapolis and Twin Cities Cuttles. He works as a writer and actor for The Brave New Workshop sketch comedy theater, and has been a host and speaker for Twin Cities Quorum, Planned Parenthood NCS, and more. Denzel serves on the boards for Walking Shadow Theater Company and Queer Gaze. He flags navy blue, light blue, and hunter green all on the left side.

46 VINTAGE WHINE: GETTING OLDER

BILL LUND Bill Lund is a teacher and writer who has lived over five decades in the Twin Cities. He is currently enjoying a blissful retirement with his husband and their six-year-old shih tzu/bichon, Archie, both of whom are fierce. Bill spends his time reading, traveling, attending theater, and curating his ever-expanding collection of neuroses. To this day, he has successfully avoided pickleball.

46 VINTAGE WHINE: GETTING OLDER (COMIC)

NOËL YOUNG Noël Young is an oil painter, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Los Angeles. Born in California and raised in North Carolina and Florida, she draws inspiration from everyday life, nostalgia, and art history. Her background includes biology, graphic design, and commercial painting. Alongside her own creative practice, she founded Studio Services Co., helping artists organize, document, and preserve their work. Noël is part of the LGBTQ+ community and contributes illustrations to Q Minnesota. Find her on Instagram at @noelyoungart.

48 EMBRACING THE HOLIDAY SUCK

JON HARTMAN Jon Hartman, MBA, MA, LADC, is the manager of clinical services at Hazelden St. Paul, the largest of Hazelden Betty Ford’s outpatient sites. He brings to the behavioral health field nearly twenty years of experience in the advertising and marketing fields, as well as an undergraduate degree in government from The College of William and Mary, an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business, and an MA in addiction studies from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Andy Lien, she/her, editor-in-chief. Photo by a.m. photography

The holidays are coming, and this is the time of year when every magazine, ours included, turns to gratitude. Fair enough. Here’s ours. None of us expected to be starting a media company. Not one of us could have predicted it, and if you had told me a few months ago that I’d spend this fall wrestling with InDesign through the wee hours of many mornings, I would have laughed. We also couldn’t have predicted the support you’ve given us. We’ve been out and about, on photo shoots and at fundraisers, and people have been generous with us in ways we’re still wrapping our heads around. So, yes. We’re ramping up to the holidays with much to give thanks for: something we never knew we’d have, and something we never knew we’d get. The holidays are a mixed bag, though. They hold so much to look forward to and, for a lot of us, more than a bit of a challenge. Both are true at once, which brings me to one of my favorite topics: dialectics. “Dialectics” is a fancy word for a simple idea: two things that seem to contradict each other can both be true at the same time. You can be thrilled and exhausted. You can love your family and still need to step out of the room. You can be fighting for your existence every damn day, and you can still find joy. Neither truth cancels the other out. The work is making room for both. That’s this whole issue. Start with what’s worth looking forward to. We’ve got a rundown of the season’s stages, from queer ballet to queer choirs to drag shows to queer meat raffles . . . I made that one up. Plus, we’ve got cheap handmade gifts for the exes, difficult relatives, and polycule members on your list. There’s a leather shirt won at a holiday fundraiser that led to a leather title, and a nightlife landmark that could become the country’s first community-owned, nonprofit LGBTQ+ bar and theater. We find community in a beloved basketball team and its fans, and we show support for a beloved television news mainstay. Then there’s the harder side, and we’re here for it. There are the reasons why we’re showing support for a beloved television news mainstay. A behavioral health professional explains why the holidays weigh so heavily and offers a plan for getting through them. One writer takes on coming out late, what it gave her, and what it cost. Another examines what happens to our economic reality when surveys don’t count queer people and the impact discrimination has on affordability, and another writes about betrayal from those who turned their backs on the trans community. A prose poem about a stranger on a quiet street comes with a content note and grittily earns it. And friends and family build an ofrenda for a dear loved one who was murdered earlier this year, so he’ll be remembered as colorfully as he lived. Dialectics are hard. And, still, we persevere. Since this issue is coming out just as the midterms are happening, I hope I have much, much more to be thankful for. Thank you to our writers, photographers, and advertisers, who keep making this possible. And thank you, reader, for being here for the second issue of something none of us saw coming. —Andy

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duluthart.org Contemporary art gallery | Duluth, MN

ASI’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE Lily Smith, “Playtime,” oil and glitter on canvas, 2025, 21” x 30”

NOV. 7, 2026JAN. 24, 2027

Visit asimn.org to learn more

THE ONE & ONLY! November 2026

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Left to right: Six Chick Flicks, photo by Lauren Silberman; Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue, photo courtesy of Murray & Peter Present. Opposite: Maybe Happy Ending, photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.

November

Stage & Scene Words by Shane Lueck Twelve Kinds of Ice Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Through Nov. 22 www.childrenstheatre.org Get in line for this world premiere musical based on the book by Ellen Bryan Obed. Meet Ellen as she recalls childhood memories of icy adventures with her loving father: spotting the first glaze of ice, building an ice rink, and hosting skating shows, hockey games, and moonlit solos. “Twelve Kinds of Ice trusts young audiences with emotional depth in a way that feels both rare and necessary,” said director Rick Dildine. “It’s a story about grief, friendship, and the quiet ways we find our way back to one another. At CTC, we believe young people deserve work that meets them with honesty and artistry, and this piece is a powerful example of how intimate, human storytelling can resonate on a national stage.” Six Chick Flicks Dudley Riggs Theatre, Minneapolis Nov. 6–8 www.hennepinarts.org Get ready for a whirlwind of comedy, song, and dance coming to Minneapolis fresh off a fifty-city UK tour! Two actors transform into over thirty characters, parodying six films billed as “a Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced on the Beaches while writing The Notebook on the Titanic”. What must surely be exhausting for the two performers on stage results in uproarious moments for the audience. 10

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Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center, Mankato Nov. 11 www.mayoclinichealthsystemeventcenter.com It’s The Golden Girls like you’ve never seen them before! Get ready for a laugh-out-loud parody imagining what the Miami gals would be up to if they were alive today, as only four men in drag can do. Picture it: Mankato, 2026. Sophia is out on bail after a DEA bust for running a drug ring at Shady Pines. Blanche and Rose launch “CreakN,” a dating and hookup app for seniors, while Dorothy attempts to manage everything alongside a much younger, enthusiastic love interest. If that description didn’t make it obvious, audiences should note that this show contains adult-themed humor, with an 18+ age restriction. Full Moon Puppet Show Open Eye Theatre, Minneapolis Nov. 12–14 www.openeyetheatre.org “Adult, rowdy puppet slam” has a certain je ne sais quoi, doesn’t it? Twin Cities puppeteers take the stage for ten-minute original puppet shows with live music between acts for a truly one-of-akind evening. Maybe Happy Ending Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis Nov. 17–22 www.hennepinarts.org What does it mean to be human, even if you’re not? Six-time Tony Award winner Maybe Happy Ending makes a national tour stop in Minneapolis and brings a futuristic love story to the Orpheum

Eastside Food Co-Op’s

Theatre. Set in Seoul, the musical follows two retired Helperbots whose chance encounter develops into an unexpected friendship . . . and maybe even love. With a unique blend of romance, humor, and sci-fi, this is a Broadway musical with a decidedly different kind of heart. Beyond the Rainbow History Theatre, St. Paul Nov. 21–Dec. 20 www.historytheatre.com This fan-favorite production by William Randall Beard is back with a stirring musical tribute to one of America’s most beloved singers and entertainers (and one of Minnesota’s own). Follow the rise of actress Judy Garland from her start in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to her iconic Hollywood performances that we know and love, culminating in the 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. The show features Garland’s greatest hits, including “Get Happy,” “That’s Entertainment,” “The Trolley Song,” and, of course, “Over the Rainbow.”

FOR AT EASTSIDE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! Scan the QR code to learn more.

How to Train Your Dragon in Concert Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis Nov. 28–29 www.minnesotaorchestra.org Your favorite dragon-riding Viking adventure is getting the full orchestral treatment. Revisit the adventure on the big screen while the Minnesota Orchestra performs John Powell’s epic, emotional score live. 

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LUSH’s Next Chapter

LUSH was his first gay bar; now it could become the nation’s first nonprofit LGBTQ+ bar and theater

Words by Brett Burger Photos by a.m. photography 12

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Above: Post-show drag queens serving: Priscilla Es Yuicy, Iman Iman, Dramatica, and Mercedes Iman Diamond Opposite: LUSH Legacy Fund Board members Cam Pederson, Jennifer Lueck, Terral Ewing, Jem Karst (sitting), and Grant Backes (back)

I had just graduated from college when I walked into LUSH for the first time. I remember sitting with a group of friends at a table on the side of the stage. I was so excited because, although I was a huge drag fan, it was only my second drag show and my first gay bar experience. (I went to school in Winona, and there weren’t many gay bar opportunities down there.) There was just something in the air. It’s truly an indescribable feeling when you’re a queer person in a room full of other queer people for the first time. It’s a warm sense of belonging, like everything is going to be all right. Over the years, I’d continue to go to LUSH for drag, drinks with friends, or to celebrate Pride. It has become a staple in the lives of many queer people who live in the Twin Cities and the surrounding area. Since opening in 2008, LUSH has gone through several chapters of its own, weaving itself into the history of LGBTQ+ nightlife in Minneapolis. In 2015, Ken Darling purchased the business from the estate of former owner Kelly Phillips and planned a major expansion. A few years later, the COVID-19 pandemic forced LUSH to close its doors, prompting another period of change for its patrons and staff. LUSH was now looking to change as it reconsidered its leadership and future. That process eventually led Jennifer Lueck, Andy Rausch, and Jared Lawrence to acquire the business in 2021.

The idea came about in 2021, when the three co-owners were in the process of formally acquiring LUSH after it had closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the beginning, what they really wanted was to involve the community as much as possible, Lueck said.

Now, a decade after my first visit, LUSH is preparing for what could be its most significant chapter yet. Could LUSH become the nation’s first nonprofit LGBTQ+ bar and theater? Owners Lueck, Rausch, and Lawrence are hoping to make that vision a reality, alongside Bruce Thompson, president of the LUSH Legacy Fund, the separate nonprofit organization working to bring LUSH under community ownership.

The team started working with a nonprofit expert and accountant who helped them with the filing and paperwork. Despite some warnings that it could be up to a year before they achieved nonprofit status, they were blown away when, roughly a week after they acquired LUSH, they received notice from the IRS that the LUSH Legacy Fund had been granted official nonprofit 501(c)(3) status.

They spoke with several community members, including Rebecca Waggoner of Quorum, Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce. It was at that point that the suggestion of a nonprofit was presented to them.

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Above: Brunch and bingo with Mercedes Iman Diamond and Priscilla Es Yuicy

With their newfound status secured, it was full steam ahead, but it also brought countless more questions. For example, if the theater at LUSH was the nonprofit and guests purchased drinks inside it while attending a show, where would the revenue go? Thankfully, their accountant offered a solution that they hadn’t even considered: LUSH itself could be a nonprofit.

Their first capital campaign, “Buy a Brick, Build a Legacy,” is now underway. This is the first opportunity for the community to have a tangible part in LUSH’s future. Community members, loved ones, and businesses can purchase a brick featuring their name or a message, which will eventually become part of a wall inside LUSH.

“We were like, ‘How is that possible with a liquor license?’” Lueck said. “And that’s when [our accountant] said a VFW is a nonprofit. That was for us kind of the light bulb of, ‘Oh my gosh, LUSH could be the first LGBTQ+ bar and theater in the nation that could be a nonprofit.’”

A nonprofit structure could also provide LUSH with opportunities to expand its presence and role in the community. They can apply for grants, develop new programming, and partner with other nonprofits and community-based organizations. Lueck even envisions the possibility of future programs they can offer. With a community-owned LUSH, the space could become not only a place to build relationships and gather, but one in which to learn, create, and perform.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a membership-based organization that supports veterans and their families, with many operating as a bar as well to serve as a gathering place for members and their communities. While the VFW and LUSH would operate under slightly different nonprofit structures, the comparison helped Lueck see that having a bar and maintaining nonprofit status weren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. With that realization it seemed like all the pieces were finally starting to fall into place; however, turning that idea into a reality would require more than just filing paperwork. LUSH would operate and remain a separate, privately owned business while the LUSH Legacy Fund would work toward eventually bringing the business under nonprofit ownership. As happens, as one goal is achieved, many more take its place. Operating a bar while also building up a nonprofit is certainly not easy, but the LUSH Legacy Fund was ready to start the next part of their mission. What started as a small group a few years ago has grown into an experienced seventeen-member board. That board is made up of people who want to help shape the future of the space and have helped develop its mission, vision, strategy, and fundraising plans, Thompson said. However, becoming a nonprofit is about more than just changing the ownership of LUSH. Those behind the Legacy Fund want the community to have a greater role in determining what the space can become in the future. 14

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“I’d love to be offering mentor and mentee programs because we have such a unique space, a fully dedicated theater, bar, and restaurant,” Lueck said. What I find extremely exciting about this new venture is not just what it can do for Minneapolis, but what it can do for other queer bars. Lueck said that the VFW-inspired nonprofit model could eventually serve as the blueprint for other queer bars across the country looking for ways to preserve their businesses and keep them rooted in the communities they serve. It’s such a unique idea that it makes you think, “It’s just wild enough to work.” And I think it truly will because queer spaces like LUSH are more than just bars; they’re where generations of queer people gather, celebrate, and find community. Now the next step is to help solidify these spaces for the next generation. For me, LUSH will always be tied to that first experience I had of walking into a gay bar and realizing just how powerful a queer space could be. The idea that it could be the nation’s first nonprofit LGBTQ+ bar and theater feels like a pretty incredible next chapter to me. 

Dramatica, Iman Iman, Mercedes Iman Diamond, and Priscilla Es Yuicy

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Coming Out to a Lynx Game

A near-canceled season, a record-setting team, and one fan’s long road to finding her people and herself

Words by Kristin Johnson Photos by Sophia Hantzes

Photos taken across the season by Sophia Hantzes; above: Natasha Howard, forward.

The growl came from afar. The beast was coming. We stood frozen in anticipation, waiting for the fearsome Lynx to appear. What charged in was the best of the best, led by the best of the best in a pale pink pantsuit, ready to fight for a win. Their tufted mascot Prowl whisked an oversized flag down the middle of the shiny court, reminding us that making noise was the best way to encourage the players. As fans, we would be immovable, standing in community until the first basket was made and our team put points on the board. When we lost the tip-off, the crowd of 15,221 fell silent. After turnovers from both teams, the Minnesota Lynx had the ball again. Courtney Williams threw a bullet pass to Maya Caldwell, who shot a three-pointer from the left side of the arc. Cheers erupted. Now that we had points on the board, the crowd relaxed into their seats. We were at Target Center watching the final regular-season game of 2026: Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever. The Lynx dominated three quarters of the game. The Fever never caught up, a total reversal from the previous week’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. Maybe home-court advantage did matter. Lynx starters rested in the second half, and the bench carried the team to a handy win, ending the game eighty-six to sixty-six, solidifying the Lynx as the number-one seed in the playoffs for the second year in a row. Their 2026 record finished with thirty-three wins and eleven losses. With their tufted hairdos, these cats could play. This would be their seventeenth appearance in the playoffs. The Lynx had won WNBA championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017.

Buzzer-Beater

Oddly, the 2026 season almost didn’t happen, with contract negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) seesawing back and forth between Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and representatives from the players’ union, including Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) President Nneka Ogwumike. When negotiations stalled, my wife and I panicked. What would we do if there wasn’t basketball? It is our favorite sport to watch. 16

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Being at a Lynx game felt like being part of a team where everyone is accepted. Basketball makes hot Minnesota summers more tolerable. It has grown into a community for us, texting with friends during games or meeting at A Bar of Their Own in Minneapolis to watch them together. We showed our pride in what we wore. Our wardrobe also connected us to the community as uniforms, making us recognizable in public as part of the team. We needed that agreement signed, or we would lose part of what had become our identity. And the agreement should be signed. In 1999, the average player salary for the first season was $55,000. By 2025, that number had grown to $150,000, but the “W” salaries were still only a tiny fraction of what the men were making over in the NBA. A successful CBA could change all that and bring a long-overdue bump in pay for the women. Negotiations were a buzzer-beater, racing right up to March 18, when a verbal handshake acknowledged the new seven-year contract. Now, with the new agreement signed, the average player salary would exceed $583,000, a win for women’s sports. My wife and I breathed a sigh of relief for us and for the basketball community. Our summer was saved. We could look forward to basketball.

A Season Worth Saving

The 2026 season did not disappoint. The prescription-goggled Olivia Miles took the stage and earned Rookie of the Year, along with continued strong performances by Lynx starters and their bench. But the Lynx story is bigger than that. It goes way back. Farther than Kayla “McBuckets” McBride, the pink-haired Courtney “Court” Williams and Natisha “T” Hiedeman—the “StudBudz,” as they call themselves—and Napheesa “Phee” Collier, who was also a Rookie of the Year. The Lynx have become a staple in entertainment for uniting the LGBTQ+ community, families, friends, and any sports fans who enjoy basketball. The Lynx also had a secret weapon: the all-time winningest coach in WNBA history, Cheryl Reeve. Reeve joined the Lynx in 2009 and has now been named WNBA Coach of the Year a record five

Left to right: Olivia Miles, guard; Courtney Williams, guard, with head coach Cheryl Reeve; Kayla McBride, guard, with WNBA referee Gina Cross.

times. She confidently accepted this year’s award at a ceremony in September.

Sitting on the Bench

When the Lynx were born into the expansion league back in 1999, I still hadn’t come out. I was trying to fit into my old team, the hegemonistic ideal of a hetero couple and a family. But the hardest thing to be is something you’re not, and the stress was getting to me. Was that really my team if they didn’t know who I was at my core? I remember talking with my coworker Missy about an upcoming casual day, but I didn’t say, “casual day.” I said, “casual gay.” My face burned as I quickly corrected myself. I felt like Ellen DeGeneres in one of the sitcom episodes where she thought her gayness was written all over her as she walked through the grocery store. When you carry a secret, it holds power over you. My secret—and my genes from my dad—put me on blood pressure meds in my thirties. I never came out to my dad. I was afraid I’d give him a heart attack. In the end, it was lack of oxygen that took him, but his dying didn’t give me the room to breathe that I thought it would. It just made me miss him more. The day I turned thirty-three, I called my mom and came out— because no one can get mad at you on your birthday. She had always been my biggest fan, and I desperately wanted her acceptance. As I cried, her voice and coos of “Shhh . . . shhhhh” comforted me through the phone as if she were cradling me in her arms and rocking me to sleep. It wasn’t the response I had expected. But people sometimes surprise you when given the chance. She was still my fan. In fact, because of my lack of confidence, I told myself I would never have kids, though I’d always wanted them. I worried about having a rainbow family. It felt too daunting, like I would open my child up to bullying.

Switching Teams

change. I now have a family made up of a wife, a stepson, and a rambunctious dog. My world expanded when I was willing to embrace myself. I also have an extended family with whom we celebrate holidays. All this change wasn’t easy. My father-in-law bears an uncanny resemblance to Robert De Niro’s character from Meet the Parents, sans lie detector. My in-laws eventually recovered from the shock of their daughter coming out in her forties, and they have embraced me as one of their own. Now, they are my biggest fans. I looked forward to the first tip-off of the season and grieved when the last game was over. I am a Minnesota native and Gustavus Adolphus College graduate, but I married an Iowa Hawkeye, which meant watching the rise of number 22, Caitlin Clark, and occasional trips to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Then, two young friends whose wedding we presided over in 2025 invited us to enjoy their season tickets for the Lynx with them. Our center-court seats in Target Center that June were amazing as the Lynx trounced the Valkyries.

Banners in the Rafters

Back at Target Center, I looked around, anxious but glad I wasn’t alone. I squeezed my wife’s hand almost as tightly as she had squeezed mine twelve years earlier while standing in front of the pastor when we married. We weren’t hiding then, and we wouldn’t back down now. When I looked up into the rafters, retired jersey numbers lined the ceiling: Maya Moore (23), Sylvia Fowles (34), Seimone Augustus (33), Rebekkah Brunson (32), and Lindsay Whalen (13), the latter now an assistant coach for the team and also a Minnesota Gopher legend. This team had been around longer than I had been out. For myself, I was once someone who was afraid to come out, but I had grown into someone who could star in a Progressive commercial alongside Dr. Rick, the company’s fictional “selfhelp” coach. Maybe it’s just age, or maybe it’s maturity, but my self-acceptance had given me a community, and the Lynx are a part of that story. 

But when you meet the right person, your perspective and your whole life can change. The things you are willing to do can

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I Came Out at Thirty-Eight. Six Years Later, I’m Still Searching for My Happy Ending. Words by Kiki Joy I was thirty-eight years old when I finally said yes to a part of myself I’d spent most of my life trying to silence. But my coming-out story didn’t begin at thirty-eight. It began when I was eight years old, sitting in front of a television, flipping through cable channels. I stumbled across a late-night program called Emmanuelle. On the screen was a beautiful woman with brown curls, and I remember being absolutely mesmerized by her. I didn’t have the vocabulary to explain what I was feeling. I just knew that I thought she was stunning. I also knew that, growing up in my Black community, being attracted to women wasn’t something I felt safe celebrating. So I kept it to myself. When I was around fourteen, I attended Cooper High School, where I met a beautiful blind girl in choir. She had brown curls and braces, and she made my heart feel things I didn’t yet understand. I remember telling her, “Hey, I’m Black. I hope that’s okay.” She told me she didn’t care what color I was. She would sing to me and gently place her hands on my face. We would sneak into the locker room to kiss. I didn’t know whether what I felt was love, but I knew being near her made me happy. Then one day I was called in to the principal’s office. She was already there, apologizing to me. I didn’t understand why until I walked in and saw her parents. They made it clear, using a hateful racial slur, that they didn’t want me anywhere near their daughter. At fourteen, I had experienced something devastating. The first girl who made my heart flutter was suddenly someone I wasn’t allowed to love. So, once again, I buried that part of myself. At seventeen, I had another brief experience with a girl I worked with at a gas station. We kissed in the bathroom, and I remember being so excited, hoping it would happen again. It never did. I began to believe that maybe loving women simply wasn’t meant for me.

TWENTY YEARS OF TRYING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE

From approximately eighteen to thirty-eight, the church became my entire world. I was part of a strict, fire-andbrimstone religious community where 18

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homosexuality was not something I could openly discuss, much less embrace. I was taught that God had a man waiting for me. That I would become someone’s wife. That this was the future I was supposed to want. At one point, I was even promised to a prophet in the church. I believed he was meant for me, and I invested my heart in that possibility. Then he got another woman in the church pregnant. I was devastated. Still, I remained in that religious environment for years. I sang, participated in ministry, and tried to live the life I had been taught was right. But around thirty-five, something began changing. I started questioning what I had been taught. I began moving in and out of the church, developing my own opinions, and recognizing that something about the environment wasn’t healthy for me. Years later, a therapist would describe that church as a cult. Looking back, I understand why.

A STRIP CLUB, A CREDIT CARD, AND A VERY CONFUSED KIKI

At thirty-five, I did something I never imagined I’d do. I went to a strip club. And, honey, I was not prepared! There was this absolutely gorgeous, thick woman with long black hair, and I could barely take my eyes off her. I kept tipping her because I was so excited to be in an environment where I could admire a beautiful woman without feeling ashamed. Eventually, she approached me and asked whether I wanted a lap dance. I thought, “Well, I don’t have a penis, so I don’t know what this is going to do for me, but let’s find out!” What I didn’t realize was that a lap dance lasted only about three minutes. Three minutes! I was disappointed when it ended. She offered me additional time in a private room, and I happily agreed. I was spending money I probably shouldn’t have been spending, but I was discovering a part of myself that I’d kept hidden for decades. Eventually, when she offered more time, I asked her something unexpected. “Can we just snuggle?” I wanted to hold her. I wanted to talk. I wanted to tell her about my life, my church, and the confusion I felt about my sexuality.

At the time, I didn’t understand that I was demisexual. I didn’t have the words to explain why emotional connection and tenderness mattered so much to me. I just knew I wanted more than physical attraction. Afterward, we spent time talking outside the club. I bought her dinner and helped her get home. She gave me a phone number, and I went to work the next day practically floating. Unfortunately, the number wasn’t real. I felt foolish and embarrassed. Today, I look back on that younger version of myself with much more compassion. She wasn’t stupid. She was curious, inexperienced, and desperate to understand a part of herself that she’d never been allowed to explore. But that disappointment sent me right back into hiding.

THE PANDEMIC CHANGED EVERYTHING

When COVID-19 arrived, I was thirty-eight. I was isolated in my apartment, lonely, crying frequently, and struggling emotionally. My chosen parents encouraged me to find a therapist. I’d never had one before. During one of our earliest conversations, my therapist asked me to tell her about myself. I talked about my childhood, my church, my relationships, and the experiences I’d spent years trying to understand. Then she asked me a question. “Kiki, do you think you might be queer?” I burst into tears. It was as though someone had finally opened a door I’d spent my entire life standing outside of. My therapist encouraged me to explore queer community spaces, including a group called Bi Plus Friends. At the time, I was still holding on to the possibility that I might be bisexual. Part of that came from my relationship with my mother. Things between us were already strained, and I wondered whether having a child someday might bring us closer. I was still trying to imagine a future that would make other people happy. But then I met a woman.

BATMAN PAJAMAS AND THE KISS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

She was around my age, and we connected through Bi Plus Friends. I thought

she was sweet, and because I had absolutely no idea how to date women, I asked her a very serious question. “Could you teach me how to talk to women?” She agreed to come over. I was prepared, Sunshine! I had my notebook. I had my pen. I was wearing my Batman pajamas. I was ready for a lesson! Then she walked through my door wearing a beautiful short dress, with brown curls, glasses, and a fragrance that made my head spin. She was stunning. She sat down, and I immediately sat on the opposite end of the couch from her. I wanted to respect her space and avoid making assumptions. I sat there, waiting for my lesson. Instead, she looked at me and said, “Kiki, I’m not here to teach you how to talk to women. I’m here because I like you.” I was speechless. YOU LIKE ME? ME?! I couldn’t believe it. Then she asked if I wanted to kiss her. Of course I did. What followed became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I remember kissing her lips and then asking whether I could kiss her neck. Her shoulder. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable with every step. Consent has always been deeply important to me, especially because of the abuse I’ve survived. I wanted her to feel safe, respected, and wanted. That tenderness eventually led us into the bedroom. For years, my experiences with men had left me feeling miserable. I would sometimes cry afterward, unable to explain why intimacy felt so wrong for me. But with her? Oh, my goodness. It felt as though the entire universe had opened up. The stars. The planets. The Milky Way. Everything. When we finished, I lay there smiling. I had never experienced that kind of joy through intimacy. For the first time, I understood. I wasn’t bisexual. I was a lesbian. And I was finally home in my own body.

FREEDOM CAME WITH A PRICE

Coming out didn’t mean everyone celebrated with me. When I told my church, I lost the community that had been central to my life for approximately two decades. I was no longer allowed to sing or perform in the same ways. I couldn’t continue working with the children. The place where I’d invested so much of my life no longer welcomed all of who I was. My relationship with my mother, already strained, became even more difficult as I began making changes to my appearance, my hair, my chest, and my name. I was finally becoming the person I wanted to be. But becoming that person also meant losing people and places I’d

once believed would always be there. And although coming out brought me freedom, it didn’t magically bring me the love and stability I’d been searching for.

THE PART OF COMING OUT WE DON’T TALK ABOUT ENOUGH

Recently, I attended a luncheon where people shared their coming-out stories. Speaker after speaker talked about finding love, acceptance, community, and their happy endings. I listened. And eventually, I had to leave. I found myself crying in the bathroom. Not because I wasn’t happy for them. I was. But because I kept wondering: Am I the only one who’s still struggling? I’m forty-four years old now. I’ve been out for approximately six years, and I’m proud to be a Black, queer, demisexual lesbian. But I’m also lonely. Every woman I’ve dated has also been married to a man at the time. I’ve experienced affection, intimacy, romance, and heartbreak, but I’ve never had the experience of being in a relationship with a woman who was fully available to build something with me. I’ve never had that simple joy of knowing that the woman I’m dating isn’t already committed to someone else. And that hurts. I want to know what it’s like to be someone’s girlfriend without feeling like I’m on the sidelines of another relationship. I want the dates, the hand-holding, the cuddling on the couch, the good-morning messages, and the everyday tenderness. I want someone who wants to know my stories, laugh at my ridiculous jokes, watch movies with me, and learn all the little things that make me who I am. I want to give that same love in return. I believe I have so much affection, tenderness, and devotion to offer. I’ve learned how important communication, consent, patience, and emotional intimacy are to me. And I want to share those things with someone who is genuinely available to share them back. I’m tired of being on the side. I’m ready for a love where neither of us has to hide.

MY STORY ISN’T FINISHED

I think sometimes, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, we feel pressure to tell coming-out stories that end triumphantly. We came out. We found our people. We fell in love. Everything worked out. And for some people, that really is their story. But what about the rest of us? What about the late bloomers who come out in their thirties, forties, fifties, or beyond, and discover that freedom doesn’t automatically erase loneliness? What about those of us still trying to build chosen families, find healthy relationships, recover from

religious trauma, or learn what it means to be loved without conditions? What about the people who are proud of their identities but still cry in bathrooms because they feel like everyone else has found something they haven’t? We deserve to have our stories told, too. I’m a singer, performer, emcee, and someone who loves making people laugh. I love being onstage and bringing joy to a room, but behind the performances is a human being who still longs for connection, safety, and belonging. Some days I’m confident and joyful. Other days I’m frightened of being abandoned, exhausted from trying to find my place, and wondering whether the kind of love I dream about will ever happen for me. Both versions of me are real. And neither makes me any less proud to be queer. I don’t regret coming out. I don’t regret discovering that I love women. I don’t regret cutting my hair, changing my name, exploring my gender expression, or finally allowing myself to live authentically. I only wish I could tell that little eightyear-old watching television that there was never anything wrong with the feelings she had. I wish I could tell that fourteen-year-old girl in the principal’s office that she deserved tenderness, not hatred. I wish I could tell that thirty-five-year-old woman in the strip club that wanting to be held wasn’t something to be embarrassed about. And I wish I could tell that thirtyeight-year-old woman in Batman pajamas that her life was about to change in ways she couldn’t possibly imagine. At forty-four, I don’t have the picture-perfect ending. I don’t have the girlfriend waiting at home. I don’t have every member of my chosen family figured out. I’m still healing. Still learning. Still hoping. But I have something I spent decades believing I wasn’t allowed to have. I have myself. And although I still dream of the day when I can hold a woman’s hand and know that we’re choosing each other, I refuse to believe my story matters any less because that day hasn’t arrived. I’m not a coming-out success story because I found the perfect relationship. I’m a coming-out success story because I finally stopped hiding from myself. My happy ending hasn’t happened yet. But for the first time in my life, I get to write it.  Kiki Joy is a Minnesota-based queer singer, emcee, trivia host, and community performer. A self-described hopeless romantic and late-blooming lesbian, she uses music, humor, and storytelling to celebrate authenticity, connection, and the joy of being unapologetically yourself.

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I Know My “Why” Jana Shortal’s commitment to truth, self, and community Words by Kathleen Bradbury Photos by a.m. photography Since 2016, Minnesotans have been able to flip on their televisions for a bit of evening news and see a familiar face: Jana Shortal, of KARE 11’s Breaking the News. Shortal and her program are anything but traditional—and that’s the point. She cares deeply about seeking the truth and sharing it with the people of Minnesota. The program provides deeper context and analysis of the biggest headlines alongside Shortal’s political commentary, and it highlights the humanity behind the news. Through her work, Shortal has embedded herself into Minnesota, not just as an Emmy-winning journalist, but also as a community connector who builds relationships with viewers across the state. This past June, a viewer named Fred McMillan reached out to Shortal with a request. He’d nearly died after heart surgery and wanted to meet her, in what he humorously described as his own “Make-A-Wish” request. Shortal was more than willing to meet Fred at his rehabilitation center, and as they talked, Shortal was drawn in by McMillan’s humor, kindness, and warmth. She was devastated, days later, when Fred’s husband posted on social media that Fred had passed away. Shortal decided to tell Fred’s story on television, letting other viewers know how much this human interaction meant to her. The clip went viral and thousands of people commented on how Fred had touched them. Just one minute of Shortal’s show spread ripples of kindness. This special connection to the viewers is what fuels Shortal’s work. Shortal says that, over time, it’s become increasingly important to her to highlight kindness and humanity in her reporting. This stylistic approach is reflective of her coming into her own. “Let’s face it: I was never going to be chosen to be a traditional news anchor. As I evolved over time and looked more and more like who I am, that path was going to get narrower and narrower. So, at some point, I just gained enough courage to be myself.”

Being her authentic self on live television didn’t happen overnight. Shortal began reporting in traditionally feminine clothes, with styled hair and makeup. “I was basically in the truth-telling business, but yet not telling the truth about myself,” she reflects. “Even when I had come out, I was still kind of coming to work in drag, basically. Like, here’s my work clothes, and then my friends were like, ‘Why do you look like that?’” When Shortal became the anchor of Breaking the News in 2016, she ditched the standard outfit and showed up as herself: tailored blazers, natural curly hair cut short, and no makeup. Her job became easier and more rewarding as she developed a deeper sense of confidence. “Now, it’s so much easier to . . . truly listen with two ears and one mouth, to absorb what a person’s saying, to take criticism, to take different points of view, because [I’m] standing ten toes down.” Though her queerness is an important part of her identity, she notes that how she shows up in her gender has become the more significant flashpoint for viewers due to a lack of broader media representation. “I think if I were a femme-presenting queer woman, this would be less of an issue,” Shortal says. “Because if you go to my social media pages, it doesn’t take long to see what people attack me for.” But even though her gender presentation has put her on the receiving end of online vitriol, Shortal doesn’t get worked up about the negative comments. “I’m proud of who I am,” Shortal says. “I’m not going to hide it. We’ve had to do that for too long, either by choice for our safety, [or] by choice because we feared losing a job. But I’m also a damn good journalist, and that’s why my ass is in that chair.” As Minnesota has dealt with insurmountable tragedies over the past few years, Shortal has been a trusted news source walking alongside the community in its grief and pain. Shortly after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, Shortal delivered a devastating reflection on how

helpless it feels to be a parent in a country without meaningful gun reform. She has continually called out the administration when President Trump unfairly targets the Minnesota Somali population. And she responded, like so many Minnesotans did, in the bitterness of winter, to the devastating events of Operation Metro Surge. “It was just like reporting naked. I’m by myself. I had my phone. I had my credentials. Like you just had to go so fast because you didn’t know what was going to happen,” Shortal recalls of the days Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal agents. While reporting from the scene shortly after Pretti was killed, Shortal was physically confronted by a masked Border Patrol agent, despite being behind the press line and being clearly marked as press. She was shoved down and sprayed directly in the eye with a chemical agent. Attempts to flush it out froze the chemical and broken glass in her eye. The injury was a particular shock after spending so much time scanning the faces of bundled up neighbors and masked agents, assessing safety and looking for familiar people. “I made so much eye contact during Operation Metro Surge. That’s what I remember the most,” she says, “and I didn’t know if my eye was going to work anymore.” Her eye has since recovered, but she holds on to the trauma that she witnessed. The pain and loss from the time she spent at Columbia Heights School District covering stories of the children caught up in the surge. The continued fear of Shortal’s neighbor, who was violently pulled out of her car and taken to Whipple. And, at the same time, she was buoyed by the resolute hope of Minnesotans coming together. “We became that song: ‘These Are the People in Your Neighborhood,’” Shortal reflects. “I think about that all the time.” Experiencing the surge as a journalist and a citizen renewed Shortal’s sense of purpose—she does her work for the Minnesota communi-

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ty: “It’s this place that I’m not from, but that is my home.”

month before midterm elections felt intentional and targeted.

This care and connection are why journalists like Jana matter— not just to the queer community, but to Minnesotaas a whole. Jana Shortal is one of us.

My questions to KARE 11 and TEGNA about additional factors behind the decision were directed back to the press release, which simply cites the opportunities to meet streaming demands and to provide Shortal’s team with a longer show each day. Shortal also directed questions about the decision to her managers and referred people to her public statement on social media. We will most likely never know all the reasons why this decision was made. But whatever KARE 11’s intent was, their decision to remove Shortal’s voice from an accessible platform has an impact that can’t be overlooked.

So it was a shock when, in late September, KARE 11 announced that Shortal’s beloved program would be removed from broadcast television and transition to free streaming platforms only. In a press release, KARE 11 stated the move reflects their broader strategy of offering more live local content on connected devices and streaming apps. Doug Wieder, president and general manager, said, “We saw a 104% increase in streaming minutes watched in 2025, and we’re on track to beat that this year.” KARE 11’s embrace of the streaming sector reflects broader industry changes. At the same time, there are many questions left unanswered by KARE 11’s decision to change the show’s format. Why, despite Shortal’s excellence in her field and commitment to Minnesota, was Breaking the News chosen as the program to be reassigned? Why couldn’t the show have existed on broadcast TV and streaming? Many viewers have been demanding answers from KARE 11 and parent company TEGNA for why Shortal’s beloved program was the one to go. For some, the decision to remove an openly queer person from broadcast TV a

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The reduction in platforms seems to me to be a stark reminder of the climate in which Shortal grew up. She remembers growing up when there were no out queer people on television, no one who bucked gender norms. She recalls the backlash Ellen received when she came out on TV and notes there were no signals that being out was acceptable or safe. But for years now, on Breaking the News, Shortal has been the person in the spotlight, being her full authentic self and being seen by others. Her last story on broadcast TV was a testament to Shortal’s visibility, connection to community, and finding hope. Shortal used her final minute on air to talk about her pen pal. Several years ago, Shortal and her

wife made an Instagram post on National Coming Out Day. Shortal included her email address for anyone who needed to talk or wanted a pen pal, just as a friend. A young person in greater Minnesota replied with a deeply personal letter describing their situation and asking for guidance. Since Shortal knew what it was like to grow up in a less-than-welcoming world, Shortal wanted to “reverse course” and change that pattern for this viewer. They wrote back and forth for several years, and Shortal arranged for them to meet at the KARE 11 studio. As time went on, communication tapered off. And then, when Shortal announced the show would be leaving linear TV, she received another email from her old pen pal. It was a heartfelt thank you, expressing what it meant to have someone that looked like them on television, and to have connected personally during a tough time. For Shortal, those firsthand experiences with people were the hard part of losing broadcast television. “Really, how do you articulate that to an employer? Like, I want you to keep me here against perhaps your business interests because it’s important. But it doesn’t mean I can’t find another way, because we found each other on social media. So onward we go.” I have to wonder about all the other kids who had seen Shortal on the family television after dinner. Maybe some were dreaming

about becoming news anchors themselves and saw it didn’t matter what they wore, but what they said. Perhaps another teen in greater Minnesota could see themselves in Shortal’s presentation or in her story, just like that pen pal did. Shortal’s absence on broadcast television leaves a void and makes an impact regardless of the intent behind the change.

Minnesota’s longest running holiday market returns for it’s 48th year!

When asked about the significance of queer representation in the newsroom, Shortal is quick to emphasize that the trans and nonbinary communities are the ones predominantly under attack and need more representation. She adds, “I know there’s a very targeted attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion for whatever reason is being given, but having a newsroom and having any workplace that’s representative of the society around you makes it a better place because you understand all communities, and you’re not siloed.” A different person might have thrown in the towel when faced with significant change. Not Shortal. Though she says she initially went through a period of feeling scared and frustrated, she’s committed to sticking with viewers and keeping her focus on the people of Minnesota. “I knew that, no matter my frustration, it was: Who do I work for? And yes, I work for an organization,” she says. “But also I have changed my perspectives really in the last seven years because of the people that I speak to in the world and that approach me in the world and that reach out to me on Instagram. . . . I work for them, and so how am I going to get to them? And so, I pivot, and for as long as I can, I will work for them.”

December 4 th-6 th Fri: 10am-7pm Sat & Sun: 10am-5pm

The journalists and production team for Breaking the News have joined Shortal in the new streaming effort because of their commitment to viewers as well. One of the true benefits they hope to provide in the new format is even deeper dives into stories that matter most, thanks to the show’s extended length. Shortal adds that the team is continuing to develop new possibilities for the show in this new era: “It’s a little bit unbothered and a little bit unleashed. And if that’s the last thing I do in this iteration of my life, I’m okay with that. Because at the end of the day, I know who I’m doing it for, and I know my ‘why.’ And I know that there’s never been a more important time for accountability, and that is for everybody: for the city council, for this mayor, for that school district, for this administration.”

$5 admission | 12 & under free landmarkcenter.org/holiday-bazaar

Shortal doesn’t consider herself the underdog in this situation, but she’s aware that there are challenges to moving to a new platform. One of the bigger concerns is viewership: Will old audiences stick with the show, and will enough new viewers discover it? “I think that we say we like the hard work,” she says. “We say that we love the story where, like, good prevails. And so I think that we have to just be honest about what does that [hard work] look like in real time with everybody. . . . Can I do it on streaming? I will do all I fucking can.”  Breaking The News can now be live streamed each weekday at 5:30 p.m. on KARE 11+ and streaming platforms. Each episode will also be available on demand.

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AN OFRENDA FOR GABE

Words by Isaac Johnson Photos by Montana Scheff

Remembering Gabriel Arrazola Pérez through friendship, art, and Día de Muertos

Our thanks go to Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center, at 788 E. Seventh St. on St. Paul’s East Side, for hosting our photo shoot. The center is a community space for Indigenous peoples and communities of color, where artists and cultural groups gather to practice and share art, culture, tradition, and food and drinks at the cafe. It is also where Gabe, an Aztec dancer, spent so many hours dancing, and where his vigil and fundraiser were held. To watch our interviews with Alejo, Lourdes, and Sonia, visit qminnesota.com.

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“We don’t believe that his soul is dead,” reflects Sonia Ortega, a friend of Gabriel Arrazola Pérez. “We believe that he lives on.”

Upper: Alejo Gamiño and Gabe’s sister, Lourdes Arrazola. Lower: Photos of Gabe courtesy of Danielle Robinson Briand

Gabriel Arrazola Pérez was forty-four years old, a popular barber in Uptown, Minneapolis, and a lover and supporter of art and artists. Gabe was murdered over Memorial Day weekend earlier this year. A criminal case is pending for the man charged with his murder, who has admitted to stabbing him repeatedly. He alleges that Gabe made unwanted sexual advances toward him and claims he felt he had to defend himself. “These are not reasonable, justified bases for violent acts against individuals,” says Kat Rohn, the Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota, the state’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ Minnesotans. Minnesota is among twenty US states that have banned the “gay and trans panic defense.” More than being indefensible, when someone’s LGBTQ+ identity is weaponized into excuses and justification for violence, it distracts from the horrific acts suffered, from the need for accountability, and from honoring the victim’s memory as loved ones try to heal.

HE STILL HAS HIS OWN SPACE IN THIS WORLD Sudden, tragic losses remind us how dramatically our lives can change in an instant, leaving us to carry an emotional burden we were never prepared for. When those losses are minimized to a single facet of an individual’s identity, it can affect a community in many ways. By memorializing Gabe through the tradition of building an ofrenda for Día de Muertos, his family and friends aren’t allowing him to be reduced to his sexuality, but to be seen as colorfully as he lived his life. Preparing an ofrenda for Gabe wasn’t something anyone close to him imagined they would be doing this year. In Mexico, Día de Muertos isn’t a day of mourning. It’s a homecoming. Tradition holds that each year, on November 1 and 2, the souls of the departed return to visit the living. Families and friends build ofrendas, or altars, adorned with photographs, food, and meaningful offerings to honor, remember, and keep loved ones close.

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Sonia Ortega, Lourdes Arrazola, and Alejo Gamiño spoke of their sadness and frustrations. His absence is a profound loss to everyone who knew him.

Gabe’s close friend Alejo Gamiño plans to set up a barber’s chair for the ofrenda, recreating the space where Gabe spent so much of his life. “Like he was there,” Alejo says. He wants Gabe to feel “like he still has his own space in this world,” bringing together his workplace, his art, and his culture. Alejo describes Gabe as a grounding confidant who helped him corral his thoughts. “I think he was the only one that could help my brain stop from going multiple places at once. He was able to just grab my ideas, or my brain, and say, ‘Okay, here we are. Let’s focus this on this instead,’” says Alejo. “And I think I was the same to him.” They shared what they called “therapy time,” speaking for hours at the end of almost every day to debrief and listen to each other. Gabe was also there to offer tough love and encouragement in a way only he could. Alejo laughs as he recalls Gabe telling him when he was feeling down, “You’re being weaker, my friend!” Sonia Ortega and Gabe shared Oaxacan heritage, a connection that helped build their friendship. Last year, they traveled to Oaxaca together for Día de Muertos, visiting cemeteries, enjoying traditional parades, and sharing a meal of Oaxacan food with their families. Gabe proudly wore embroidered clothing from the region, and during their trip, Sonia recalls asking him about one of his outfits. “I told him, ‘I’ve never seen a shirt like the one you were wearing.’ And he said, ‘It’s not a shirt. It’s a blouse.’” For Sonia, that confidence

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was simply who Gabe was. “He did not have a hidden side,” she says. “He behaved the same way everywhere.” “He was my best man in my wedding,” says Sonia. She and her wife were planning to get married quietly, but Gabe and Alejo found out and “helped us plan a wedding in three days.” THE GABE THEY DIDN’T GET TO SEE A space is being prepared at the California Building in Minneapolis this November. In addition to a large ofrenda for all those who have passed, Alejo has done a lot of work in collaboration with Gabe’s artist friends Gustavo Lira and Ken Rivera to create a special ofrenda for Gabe. Art was incredibly important to Gabe, as were these friends. Sonia recalls how he acted as a sort of art broker to artists by purchasing their work and introducing it to people who might not otherwise have encountered it. “He really enjoyed that. He was very outgoing, and he was very knowledgeable. The things that he picked are beautiful,” says Sonia. That passion for art will be captured on his ofrenda by filling it with alebrijes. Alejo describes alebrijes as colorful animal-like creatures believed to help guide or accompany someone in the afterlife. Their different animal forms carry distinct cultural meanings and symbols. He plans to place several alebrijes of different shapes

and heights on Gabe’s ofrenda because their beauty and variety remind him of how imaginative and beautiful Gabe’s mind was.

cause he was family to me. He was not my friend. I didn’t see him so much as a friend. I saw him more like a brother.”

Mezcal will also have a place on the ofrenda. When asked what she would offer Gabe, Sonia chose the traditional Oaxacan spirit she began drinking with him. A bottle was also present at his memorial, another reminder of the traditions, friendships, and celebrations that were important to him.

A LIFE WHERE HE COULD LIVE OPENLY During Operation Metro Surge, Gabe volunteered to deliver meals to families who couldn’t leave their homes, sometimes closing his business early to help those in need. “He was a very kind person. He cared about other people,” says Sonia. He was also a major source of support for his family, particularly his mother. It’s clear by the heartfelt posts left in memory of Gabe in the Facebook group “Celebrating the Life & Memory of Gabriel (Gabe) Arrazola” that he had great capacity for creating relationships with people, whether they were in his shop, in a studio, or in Oaxaca. He built his life that way.

“Not everybody got to see every aspect of his life, so it’s just a way of showing a little more to the rest of the communities that he was involved with,” says Alejo. “I want them to also get to know the Gabe that they didn’t get to see.” Among the artwork, photographs, and offerings will be the undeniable presence of the empty barber’s chair. It’s a poignant reminder that Gabe was multifaceted and more than just a victim of a hate crime. Since his passing, there has been an outpouring of love and support in which connections and acquaintances have shared the impact Gabe had on their lives. Remembering Gabe for who he really was—all parts of him, not just what he was publicly reduced to—will hopefully bring healing for friends and family and for our community. Sonia says, “I have never lost a close friend in my life, and I have never lost a brother or a sister. And that’s kind of how it feels, be-

In a speech at Gabe’s funeral, his sister Lourdes Arrazola recalled his determination to have a life where he could live openly and pursue his dreams. She had encouraged him to move to another country in search of those opportunities. “Seeing the life he was able to build was one of the greatest gifts I could have received as his sister,” she said.  To honor Gabe and his memory, those who want to visit the ofrenda for Gabe can find it in Studio #118 of the California Building at 2205 California St NE, Minneapolis through November 3, 2026. The murder case is ongoing.

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DIY HOLIGAY Gift instructions for the complicated people in your life, suggested by an artist Words & Illustrations by Harper Steinbach “Gift giving must be really easy for you because you’re an artist!” said one of my very well-intentioned former coworkers, as well as every person I’ve ever met. A myth that, I must admit, has some merit when December rolls around. This season, let your favorite queer with an arts degree (Harper Steinbach) make your life easier. I’m taking the stress out of the holigays because we are combining financial accessibility and making things with our hands. One of the main focuses in my career has been to break down fear surrounding art-making while empowering people to create a financially accessible approach to arts. With this in mind, I have come up with several creative gift ideas for even the most complicated of situations in your life.

THE EX WHO STILL COMES TO YO U R H O L I D AY G AT H E R I N G S :

A MONOGRAMMED HANDKERCHIEF

QUEER BESTIE:

PERSONALIZED FAVORITE DRINK Getting queer friends gifts is one of my favorite life experiences because you truly can highlight all of their favorite things in one gift. This is meant as more of an “add-on” as I assume that we all spend a lot of money on our friends each holiday season. Start by getting sealed glass bottle of their favorite drink (can be NA) and soak the label in dish soap overnight. Once the label is peeled off, collage photos and other materials onto the bottle using a mixture of white glue and water (Mod Podge). Let it dry for twenty-four hours and now you have a very personal gift for your friend.

A N U N S U P P O R T I V E FA M I LY M E M B E R W H O S E N A M E YO U D R E W FO R T H E G I F T E XC H A N G E :

A JUNK JOURNAL KIT

There’s no judgment from me if you’re still communicating with a family member who treats you less than ideally. But now you’ve drawn Starting off strong and leaning into the saptheir name for the gift exchange (I assume this phic* nature of your ex coming to a family gathis not a unique experience). My gift idea does ering, I have gone with something practical, yet not negate the difficult feelings you may have, sweet. Get a small handkerchief, napkin, or and it is not your job to make someone feel cloth bandana from the thrift store and lightly better about your identity; this is my suggesdraw their initials on the edge with pencil on tion on how to think the least amount possible one corner. Using a straight stitch or running while gifting gracefully. Notebooks are easy stitch, embroider with a complementary coland relatively affordable to come by, as is color of thread over the pencil lines. This will take lage material. Collect a smattering of textures, fifteen to twenty minutes and is a great intro to images, and items to put into said junk journal. quick mending that will give you confidence to Junk journaling can be an excellent way to deapproach another project in the future. Lowcompress and have time to think about your risk, high-reward. life and actions while creating art. Additional *The idea of an ex that still comes to your family gath- items to include are pens and other art superings feels rather sapphic and yearning to me, but plies. Feel free to write prompts in a note on the my sister did this several times with multiple ex-boy- first page. Might I suggest: “Self-Image” or “A friends (sorry, Kylie), so perhaps my data is flawed. New Chapter” are two of my favorite prompts. 28

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T H E M E M B E R S O F YO U R P O LYC U L E :

INDIVIDUALIZED STATIONERY I’ve heard from several friends that having multiple partners can make gift giving fun yet expensive, as well as exhausting. I’ve got you. Albeit not the hottest gift you could make—it’s all perspective and positioning. Using Styrofoam (think take-out container) you can create a handmade stamp by carving into the Styrofoam, pressing it into an ink pad, and transferring this to paper. You can reclaim entire notepads, notebooks, and sticky pads with company branding doomed to be thrown out with this method by cutting off logos and adding the new stamps. This makes scheduling, sending love notes, and setting reminders cuter and less stressful.

Happy art-making and happy holidays!

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Stage Lights & Holiday Nights From dueling Nutcrackers and drag-queen chaos to a meat raffle in Anoka, here are thirty shows bringing holiday cheer to Twin Cities stages this season Words by Shane Lueck

Nutcracker in Wonderland: Departure to Wonderland (description on page 37) Photo by Alexis Lund Photography 30 qminnesota.com

A Christmas Carol, Guthrie Theater Photo by Dan Norman

Through Feb. 27

Annie

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Chanhassen www.chanhassendt.com

a plan to steal Christmas from the cheerful Whos of Whoville. But, as we know, one small voice helps the Grinch discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Nov. 12–Jan. 16

The Little Bummer Boy

Is Annie a holiday show? Much like the annual debate over whether Die Hard counts as a Christmas movie, the answer may depend on whom you ask. The musical takes place during the holiday season, after all, when the young redhead escapes her orphanage and finds an unexpected home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Given the guarantee that “Tomorrow” will get stuck in your head for days (or weeks) to come, the reminder that even in the toughest times, brighter days may be just around the corner is very much needed in today’s world.

Dudley Riggs Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org

Need a little comic relief to get through the holidays? The Little Bummer Boy gives audiences the gift of laughter as Brave New Workshop puts its irreverent spin on the season. The longest-running comedy theater in America returns with a new holiday tradition packed with sketches and songs, plus its own gloriously ridiculous take on “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It’s the perfect antidote to overly earnest holiday cheer.

Nov. 3–Jan. 3

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis www.childrenstheatre.org

Audiences young and old make their way to the Children’s Theatre Company for this holiday classic—and for good reason! CTC has a long history of stellar productions, and this show adds to that legacy. This stage adaptation had its world premiere at CTC in 1994 before eventually making its landmark run on Broadway in 2006 at the Hilton Theatre. The Grinch is understandably bitter. Wouldn’t you be if your life were marked by constant bullying? In a moment of extreme frustration and lack of foresight as to the consequences of his actions, he hatches

owe each other, this play is an urgent reminder that we need one another—to foster community, to create positive change, and to be the best versions of ourselves.”

Nov. 20–Dec. 13

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Photo by Glen Stubbe Photography

Nov. 11–Dec. 27

A Christmas Carol Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis www.guthrietheater.org

No holiday season is complete without the Guthrie’s rendition of A Christmas Carol. As always, it’s the holiday tale you know and love. “A Christmas Carol has never been out of fashion because it always has something to say,” shares director Addie Gorlin-Han. “In a time when our country is very divided and we’re all wondering what exactly we’re responsible for and what we

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Hanifl Performing Arts Center, White Bear Lake www.lakeshoreplayers.org

What better way to celebrate the season than with a beloved holiday classic? Lakeshore Players Theatre takes on Irving Berlin’s timeless story of two World War II veterans-turned-entertainers traveling to Vermont with a sister act to perform for the holidays. Can they successfully stage a massive holiday show to bring in guests and save a bankrupted inn? With favorites including “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” and the title song, this is a festive dose of nostalgia and old-school musical theater charm.

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Santa’s Magic Meat Raffle Photo courtesy of Lyric Arts Nov. 20–Dec. 20

Santa’s Magic Meat Raffle Lyric Arts, Anoka www.lyricarts.org

Enjoy a night out packed with hometown humor and offbeat holiday spirit. It’s the type of original comedy that only Minnesota can create, and nothing sums it up better than the show’s promo: “Snow is falling, the fire is crackling, and the stakes have never been higher—because in Anoka, the holidays aren’t complete without a little friendly competition and the chance to win a pork loin.” You’ve never experienced a holiday night out like this.

Dolly Parton’s Smokey Mountain Christmas Carol Photo by Adam Paris, AP Imagery

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Nov. 20–Dec. 27

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins www.stagestheatre.org

Because nothing says holiday magic like an electric-nosed animal with a theme song! Based on the stop-motion television special, it’s the holiday classic you know and love, featuring the beloved reindeer and the misfits of Christmastown. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the catchy songs and holiday cheer.

Photo by Amy Rondeau Photography

Nov. 22

Slay Bells Ring Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis www.tcgmc.org

Forget the usual holiday concert—Slay Bells Ring invites you to celebrate the season exactly as you are. The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus fills the stage with more than 160 voices, joined by the shimmering sound of the Bells of the Lakes handbell ensemble for a holiday experience that honors tradition while giving it a trademark queer twist. The mix of tender moments and campy surprises is the kind of festive celebration that feels made for gathering your chosen family. Nov. 24

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol State Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org

Dolly Parton’s take on the Dickens classic feels especially poignant this holiday season following the country icon’s passing. Set in the 1930s Smoky Mountains, this musical reimagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the miserly owner of a mining company town. Parton’s original music gives the familiar story an Appalachian flavor, making the production a celebration of her songwriting and storytelling legacy.

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Nov. 24–Dec. 27

All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Ritz Theater, Minneapolis www.latteda.org

Theater Latté Da brings the cherished Twin Cities tradition back to the stage. This moving piece recreates the moment in World War I history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together by trading carols, sharing food and drink, playing soccer, and burying the dead. Created by Peter Rothstein with vocal arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach, the show weaves together actual letters, diary entries, poetry, official war documents, and traditional European carols.

Photo by Dan Norman

Nov. 27–Dec. 27

Dec. 1–24

Dec. 4

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

Black Nativity

Hot Sardines: Holiday Stomp

Yellow Tree Theatre, Osseo www.yellowtreetheatre.com

As is to be expected when you’re a terrible human, Jacob Marley is chained and shackled, condemned to a hellish eternity. And what tale would be complete without a fun sidekick? With his own private tormentor (a malicious little hell-sprite), Marley has one chance to free himself from his fate by redeeming Scrooge. In this fastpaced one-person comedy, find out what happens to Ebenezer Scrooge’s mean, old business partner after the original story ends. Dec. 1

Preservation Hall Jazz Band Creole Christmas Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis www.minnesotaorchestra.org

Put a little New Orleans flavor into your holiday season! The legendary ensemble brings the sounds of the French Quarter to Orchestra Hall, blending traditional New Orleans jazz with beloved holiday favorites for a festive celebration with plenty of soul.

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Penumbra Theatre, St. Paul www.penumbracenter.org

Experience the Christmas story through a distinctly Black cultural lens. Based on Langston Hughes’ celebrated retelling, this longtime Twin Cities holiday tradition brings the Nativity story to the stage through gospel music, dance, and spoken word, with a vibrant cast carrying audiences from the Annunciation to the birth of Jesus. Expect a joyful, uplifting production that blends biblical storytelling with the power and traditions of the African American church. Dec. 3–27

The Wunderbar Open Eye Theatre, Minneapolis www.openeyetheatre.org

Holiday cheer takes a decidedly cheeky turn in this musical comedy set at a Christmas market in Berlin. As the night unfolds, a group of revelers finds their festive gathering becoming increasingly unruly, with unexpected romantic entanglements and plenty of German cabaret flair along the way. It’s a boozy take on the holiday season for anyone whose ideal Christmas comes with a little more “Prost!” than “Silent Night.”

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul www.ordway.org Holiday favorites get a swinging makeover in this festive concert from the Brooklyn-based band known for its exuberant take on vintage jazz. Fronted by singer Elizabeth Bougerol, the Hot Sardines draw on early jazz and cabaret while bringing a playful, contemporary energy to the stage. Their holiday show turns the Ordway’s Concert Hall into something closer to a roaring jazz club, inviting audiences to celebrate the season with a little more rhythm and a lot more swing. Hot Sardines Photo by Shervin Lainez

Dec. 4–5

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

Trunk Show Nov 20–21

Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org

The holiday classic gets a lavish makeover in this touring production that brings Tchaikovsky’s score to life through grand ballet staging and elaborate costumes. Follow Clara into her dreamlike Christmas Eve adventure as she encounters the Nutcracker Prince and enters a magical world filled with larger-than-life characters. This production is billed as North America’s largest Nutcracker, with international dancers, acrobatics, and puppets. The result is a dazzling holiday spectacle that invites you to see the familiar Christmas story through a fresh, fantastical lens.

NOW PLAYING!

Dec. 4–20

Miss Richfield 1981: You Can’t Have Ice Cream When You’re Dead! For the Holidays Illusion Theater, Minneapolis www.illusiontheater.org

Minnesota’s favorite small-town pageant queen is back to deliver a holiday message that’s equal parts life-affirming and delightfully unhinged. In what can only be described as a holiday “experience,” Miss Richfield 1981 returns to the Illusion Theater to celebrate the joys of living in the moment and enjoying your ice cream while you still can.

“One of the best musicals ever!” – Chicago Tribune

PICTURED: EVE SCHARBACK

The beloved drag character has made a career out of poking fun at Minnesota nice, suburban respectability, and the wonderfully messy business of being human, all while keeping her perfectly coiffed hair in place. Expect new songs and hilarious videos, and don’t be surprised if you get turned into part of the show—Miss Richfield is known for audience participation. And it’s all delivered with signature Midwestern charm and razor-sharp wit. For queer audiences who appreciate a drag queen with impeccable comic timing and absolutely no interest in behaving herself, this is a holiday tradition worth celebrating. After all, nobody does holiday cheer quite like a pageant queen with opinions about everyone in the room.

952.934.1525 ChanhassenDT.com November 2026

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Lucy Darling Photo by James Murphy

Dec. 5

Hygge: Songs of Comfort and Joy

Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville www.onevoicemn.org Find warmth in togetherness at this concert from One Voice Mixed Chorus inspired by the Danish tradition of hygge. Through tender, uplifting music, the concert celebrates chosen family, shared moments, and the simple rituals that bring people closer. It’s a cozy reminder that comfort is something we create together. Dec. 8

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org

Drag superstars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme return for their much-anticipated holiday tradition. The long-standing holiday spectacular brings the two queens together for another round of enough seasonal chaos to make even the Grinch clutch his pearls. Jinkx and DeLa have built a reputation on turning the traditional holiday show on its 36

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head, mixing original numbers and twisted takes on Christmas classics into a production that feels part drag show, part musical comedy, and part delightfully unhinged holiday pageant. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to the usual family-friendly Christmas fare or simply want to spend an evening surrounded by fabulous people behaving badly, this is one holiday tradition worth keeping. Dec. 8–9

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live at the Symphony Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis www.minnesotaorchestra.org

The Peanuts come to life for a holiday favorite that has been warming hearts for generations. This unique production combines live actors portraying Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang with big-screen animation, while the Minnesota Orchestra performs Vince Guaraldi’s instantly recognizable score live. The result is a fresh, immersive take on the beloved television special that lets audiences experience its music and story in a whole new way.

Dec. 10

Carols by Candlelight Landmark Center, St. Paul www.tcgmc.org

Spend an intimate holiday evening with Borealis, the chamber ensemble of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. Set against the glow of the historic Landmark Center, the twenty-member ensemble brings beloved carols together with contemporary choral works, creating a warm celebration of the season. Expect exquisite harmonies and plenty of opportunities to sing along.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live at the Symphony

Dec. 11–13

Lucy Darling of the Holidays

Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org Clips from Lucy Darling shows have taken on a life of their own on social media, and it’s no wonder! Created and performed by Chicago-based theatrical illusionist Carisa Hendrix, Lucy is a larger-than-life character whose seemingly effortless charm conceals a wickedly funny sense of mischief, all wrapped in a unique mid-Atlantic accent. Her holiday show combines sophisticated magic with cabaret-style comedy, creating an experience that feels like being personally invited into Lucy’s very strange Christmas world. Expect plenty of audience interaction, unexpected twists, and the kind of theatrical absurdity that makes you wonder whether Lucy is actually pulling off a trick or simply getting away with something. For queer audiences in search of a holiday show that sits comfortably outside the usual Christmas mold, Lucy Darling is a particularly delicious detour. Dec. 11–13

ers. The real draw is Houlton’s choreography, which gives the production a more expansive, dance-centered feel than many traditional versions. A live orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s score, while dancers from across the Twin Cities bring this beloved local tradition to life.

Dec. 18–19 Dec. 14–15

The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org

If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie and thought, “I could write this,” this musical is ready to prove you right. The parody uses the familiar movie formula: a city-dwelling career woman heads home to her small town, where a conveniently timed snowstorm and a handsome former flame change her plans. Expect plenty of laughs as the production lovingly skewers the tropes we know by heart because, let’s be honest, sometimes the most wonderful time of the year is also the most predictable.

Home Alone in Concert

The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical Dec. 16–20

Dec. 12–20

Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy

Handel’s Messiah Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis www.minnesotaorchestra.org

Few holiday traditions arrive with the grandeur of Handel’s Messiah. The Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Chorale welcome renowned British conductor Dame Jane Glover, whose lifelong connection to the oratorio includes more than 120 performances around the world. Glover leads a cast of acclaimed vocal soloists, including soprano Lauren Snouffer, whose radiant voice has made her a standout in Baroque repertoire. Expect the soaring voices and unmistakable Hallelujah chorus that have made Handel’s masterpiece a holiday season favorite. Dec. 18–20

Nutcracker in Wonderland

Ted Mann Concert Hall, Minneapolis www.balletcolaboratory.org

Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis www.minnesotaorchestra.org Kevin McCallister is home alone—and this time, his holiday adventure comes with a live orchestral soundtrack. This is your chance to watch the timeless comedy on the big screen while the Minnesota Orchestra performs John Williams’ score live. Follow eight-year-old Kevin as he turns his family’s empty house into an elaborate fortress against two bumbling burglars, making for a holiday screening that is as nostalgic as it is fun.

mas Eve encounter gets a comedic shakeup, turning a well-worn holiday tradition into something delightfully unpredictable. It’s a good choice for anyone who knows the Dickens story by heart and would enjoy seeing it go a little off script.

A Very Good Christmas Carol

State Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org

Zephyr Theatre The Grand Banquet Hall, Stillwater www.stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org

Not all Nutcrackers are created equal. This one puts a distinctly Minnesota stamp on Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic and continues a long history of showcasing young dancers alongside professional perform-

This show is what happens when A Christmas Carol is handed over to a cast that is willing to play fast and loose with the source material. The familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s supernatural Christ-

What happens when the world of The Nutcracker tumbles down the rabbit hole? Nutcracker in Wonderland offers a kaleidoscopic mashup of Tchaikovsky’s ballet and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, creating a curious new adventure for the holiday season. The production uses the familiar music against the backdrop of a dreamlike world inspired by Wonderland. Here, the magic of Clara’s Christmas Eve meets the wonderfully strange characters and landscapes of Alice’s imagination. Intertwining these stories gave choreographer Zoé Henrot two important opportunities: to rid the second act of harmful cultural stereotypes, and to create the first full-length classical ballet in the Midwest to feature a queer love story. “There is something fitting about Clara and Alice finding each other in their parallel adventures,” Henrot shares. “Growing up as a queer artist, it was unheard of to see my love story presented on stage. It is important to me to create this representation for others through my art form.” Henrot hopes

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that Clara and Alice’s budding love story will inspire audiences to see the beauty of human connection, whether they identify as queer or not. The production comes from St. Paulbased Ballet Co.Laboratory, a professional ballet company known for challenging traditions that have historically excluded people from ballet. Its work embraces dancers across body types, gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds, making this Nutcracker as interested in reimagining who gets to see themselves onstage as it is in creating holiday spectacle.

Dec. 22–24

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis www.hennepinarts.org The holidays take flight in this high-flying spectacle that turns seasonal celebration into a dazzling circus. Acrobats, aerialists, and other performers bring gravity-defying feats to the stage alongside festive music and elaborate production numbers. It’s a holiday show for anyone who likes their Christmas cheer served with a little more adrenaline.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze Photo courtesy of Hennepin Arts

Dec. 31–Jan. 1

A New Year’s Celebration

Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis www.minnesotaorchestra.org Ring in the new year with a concert that puts the spotlight on the Minnesota Orchestra’s own musicians. Principal Harp Cheryl Losey Feder makes her solo debut in Debussy’s elegant dances, showcasing the remarkable instrument’s shimmering range. After intermission, Ravel’s iconic Boléro builds from a quiet, hypnotic rhythm into a thrilling orchestral crescendo. The orchestra gives you an exhilarating (and unexpected) way to welcome the year ahead. 

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New Year’s Eve Celebration Photo by Darrell Owens

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WE THINK LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES DESERVE BETTER. LGBTQ+ Communities

Everyone Else

For every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations in 2024, only 16 cents specifically supported LGBTQ+ communities and issues in the United States. This was a decrease from 20 cents for every $100 awarded in 2023.*

With PFund Foundation, you’re building equity for LGBTQ+ communities. Make a gift, today. 40

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Words by Dr. Amber

Sociology Notes The Cost of Being Uncounted American polling sucks at measuring queer identity; here’s why that matters In this monthly column, Dr. Amber examines a social and/or political topic through a sociological lens, providing context and identifying potential solutions. There is one word defining the political moment: affordability. It’s been on the tip of every politician’s tongue all year in response to a growing economic crisis in the United States that has resulted in staggering job losses and soaring fuel prices. The economic crisis, much of which is blamed on the calamitous war in Iran, is weighing down the Republican Party. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is sensing victory and making plans for the party’s congressional majority. Recognizing these political headwinds, journalists and writers have penned heartbreaking profiles of individuals caught up in the economic crisis, highlighting the impact of rising grocery prices on seniors and the soaring healthcare costs on folks in the middle of the country. However, the unique and profound impacts queer folks are facing during this economic moment have been left out of these discussions. And as a bit of housekeeping—my usage of the term “queer” in this column is meant as an umbrella term to encompass the wide variety of identities that constitute queerness across sexuality, gender, and expression. Queer people are often missing from political and economic discourse largely because of how statisticians and survey makers present queer identity in their work. In large-scale political surveys, queer identity is often treated as a less salient identity than others, meaning that queer folks are often represented, if at all, through the other categories that they represent—identities like race, household income, and gender (and, of course, I’m sure that many folks are hesitant to identify themselves as queer in their responses under this regime). So when we think about who is impacted by social and public policies, we often see people as distinct categories—Black, college-educated, middle-class, LGBTQIA2S+—rather than the overlap of those identities and

the unique and specific ways that folks are left vulnerable at specific intersections. As such, we are denied the opportunity to truly understand the experience of queer folks in our society. In omitting these intersections from study, we miss how queer identity plays an integral part of a person’s economic life, as demonstrated by a 2023 survey from the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, which revealed that 47% of LGBTQIA2S+ employees have reported experiencing employment discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity at some point in their life. And the impacts are worse for queer folks of color. Data from the same survey showed that queer people of color reported higher rates of “covering behaviors” at work to avoid discrimination, including behaviors such as changing physical appearances and mannerisms. A 2025 analysis from the Williams Institute found persistent and widespread employment discrimination against Black LGBTQIA2S+ employees and that more than half of Black LGBTQIA2S+ people reported experiencing discrimination or harassment at work. Given what we know about the racial wealth gaps in the United States, it is reasonable to assume that Black queer people routinely experience profound economic marginalization, a problem that is magnified during an economic crisis like the one we are currently experiencing. This employment discrimination has material impacts on the earning potential of queer people. The analysis of Bureau of Labor and Statistics data by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation found that white LGBTQIA2S+ workers earn ninety-seven cents for every dollar the typical worker earns. The figures are worse for Latine LGBTQIA2S+ workers, who earn ninety cents, and Black LGBTQIA2S+ workers, who earn eighty cents.

Taken together, this data on employment discrimination and wage gaps among queer people exemplifies how missing the unique and particular impact of queer identity ignores the central and historical ways that queer people are economically vulnerable, an issue that compounds in concert with other axes of marginalization like race, class, and ability. When we fail to examine the economic impact of discrimination due to one’s queer identity, we miss understanding how that discrimination has denied queer folks opportunities to accumulate employment tenure, retirement benefits, and stable access to affordable healthcare. We miss how our queer elders—many of whom were at the vanguard in the fight for queer rights—continue to suffer from the long-term impacts of that marginalization. They must live with thinner retirement savings and the inability to receive survivor benefits from partners they weren’t able to marry before Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. When institutions neglect to capture the fullness of queer identity, political category, and identity, we lose the opportunity to understand the extent to which queerness impacts people’s lived experiences. This is particularly true as we approach political conversations that are centered in people’s economic lives, where the impact of missing queer identity is magnified. It is imperative that, as we engage politically, we point ourselves and our elected leaders toward solutions that address the intersecting identities that we hold, ensuring that the long tail of discrimination that queer people face is centered and heard. 

November 2026

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Words by Ellie Krug

Skirting the Issues Betrayal The deepest cut this election cycle may come from an unlikely source: Democrats who turn their backs on the trans community By the time you read this, the 2026 midterms will be over. And while I desperately hope November 3 turns out favorably, as I pen this, I can’t be certain about the outcome. However, what I’m most definitely sure of is that come November 4, my community—transgender folks and those who identify as gender variant or nonbinary— will be dealing with deep trauma. That’s right: trauma. Not from the harm that Trump has wrought (he’s been terrorizing us since his first administration), not from the prejudices of Supreme Court justices (who now annually diminish our rights), and not from hatred spawned by conservative fascists like the Heritage Foundation (which has been gunning for us since even before releasing Project 2025). No, instead, this trauma—and a more apt phrase might be “slice-my-heart-open betrayal”—will be from an unlikely source: the plethora of Democrats who turned their backs on the trans community this election cycle. We’re talking about leaders in whom we placed trust to do the right thing, and most of all, to protect us from harm. The 2024 elections unleashed a wave of culture-war political ads attacking transgender people and the Democrats who supported them. Estimates are that those ads cost more than $200 million, and by many accounts the ads worked: Kamala Harris was famously painted as a “they/ them” candidate, which no doubt added to her defeat. Subsequently, many of us trans folks naively hoped that the anti-trans ploys would fade away. How many times can you simply do the same old thing and expect to get the same results? Apparently, a lot of times. Thus, this election cycle brought more anti-trans ads and 42

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sound bites. Unfortunately, what was totally unexpected was the source—Democrats running in red states trying to distance themselves from my community. Thus, we had Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton saying she didn’t support “boys playing in girls’ sports.” That phraseology was particularly painful—to equate a trans girl with a boy was either woefully ignorant or just plain transphobic.

since, more than almost anything, voters hate flip-floppers. We know it can happen. Look at Roe v. Wade.

Other Dems joined in on banning trans athletes—James Talarico (although he later lamely tried to walk back his position), Iowa’s Rob Sand (candidate for governor), Josh Turek (vying for the Senate), and Mary Peltola (US Senate candidate in Alaska).

This is what trauma is all about—the emotional toll one experiences by being reduced to a political commodity to score points, and in the process being dehumanized as unworthy of the same rights as everyone else. It’s not a far slide to go from nationally banning us from sports to banning us from bathrooms, and then to banning us from public life. Hell, two months ago, Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville idiotically proclaimed that being trans is a mental illness and pushed the idea that transgender Americans should be institutionalized.

Then we had Ohio representative Marcy Kaptur touting how she voted with Republicans “to keep transgender ideology out of our schools,” a talking point right out of the MAGA playbook. Even Talarico voiced support for a national ban on rarely occurring gender-affirming surgery (e.g., top surgery) for trans people younger than eighteen.

There’s also this: Let’s assume that a blue wave has materialized, and that the Democrats have taken both the House and Senate. Now Trump knows that he’s in deep trouble. Given this, I expect him to go after trans people even more to distract from what the Dems seek to accomplish. What then? Would the anti-trans Dems really do anything to protect us?

Additionally, there were dozens of down-ballot state candidates parroting similar anti-trans positions.

I don’t know. It’s anyone’s guess. But for sure, the uncertainty is spirit-sapping.

Some may think that this is just politicians saying things simply to get elected. Postelection, they’ll go back to supporting the trans community, right? Not necessarily. What if all those newly elected Dems feel the need to stick to their positions? After all, no doubt they will want to keep their seats for the next election cycle. And what if, postelection, congressional Republicans introduce legislation to ban trans athletes nationally? It’s not inconceivable that the Democrats at hand will feel obligated to support the legislation

One final note: My community is well accustomed to trauma. The twentieth of this month will be Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we and our allies annually remember transgender and gender-variant humans who have been lost to violence or suicide across the world. Of course, each of those losses is a tragedy, and knowing about them can easily lead to secondary trauma. My grave concern is that, going forward, we’ll lose more trans folks because political leaders we trusted will continue to betray us. That, too, would be a real tragedy. 

To the man who almost mugged me on Bryn Mawr Avenue A prose poem after Steve Scafidi Content warning: This poem includes an anti-gay slur, threats of violence, and an imagined violent retaliation. Creative writing comes from lived fear, rage, and survival, and it isn’t always gentle.

I saw you several days later as I struggled with my full cart through the automatic doors into the biting February morning and tugged my N95 down past my chin, already struggling to breathe, you: brief eye contact devoid of recognition before you continued on, jogging to cross the street before the light turned, ignorant of the way my feet stuck lead-like to the sidewalk, numb hands nearly spilling my hoard of paper towels into the street. You walked more upright the other day, and in a straight line, instead of the stumbling, weaving path you took that afternoon, first ahead of me as we turned off Broadway onto the quiet tree-lined avenue where we were alone and then, after you noticed me, you stilled and pretended to fumble in your pockets for a moment as I continued walking, only following several moments later, after you had deemed the distance long enough to be inconspicuous. It wasn’t inconspicuous, my friend, because you dragged your boots against the concrete and also because it was still the bright gold of late afternoon as we walked west, and I calculated how far I could run while weighed down with my bag—an alluring target, though you never learned its only contents were a used DVD and an empty pitcher I was returning from Thanksgiving. My friends were always slow to buzz open the locked front door. So, knowing I was stuck, I turned toward you, wanting you to meet the eye of the man you planned to attack, who you thought would be an easy target, to let you know clearly that you had been seen, but you refused, spinning on your heel and turning into the alley to pretend you had business with the rats, and my eyes met instead the shape of something as you stuck your hand into your coat pocket as you disappeared behind the line of open dumpsters.

You didn’t follow me around the corner, where I repeatedly jammed the buzzer with my finger, and you don’t know how I raved and spat as I paced, scaring my friends’ cat, and that when I called my parents that night I said I was leaving this shithole city even if I had to leave behind everything I owned, and that if it weren’t for the prescription drugs piled on my dresser I would have told my Uber driver to forget my apartment and take me to the airport instead. So when I saw you on the sidewalk and you walked past me, no memory of the man you planned to attack several days before, you had no way of knowing how lucky you were, because if I had seen the slightest spark of recognition in your eyes, my friend, I would have thrown my groceries to the street and tackled you, you coward, and I might not have had a weapon but I did have my fists, and I would have pounded them into your face over and over until the pearls of your teeth rattled loose and your skin was as swollen and purple as the plums in my bag and when the witnesses won against their shocked stupor and pulled me off of your limp body— I would have laughed, shaking, for having finally beaten back the specter that threatens me every day, because you are the man at my old place who beat in the bars of my window as he hollered, you are the drunk across from me on the train who upon waking shattered his open bottle at my feet and slurred that he would kill me, you are every man who’s ever called me a faggot from the open window of a moving car, and you, you lucky bastard, came so close to being the thing that finally shattered my brittle self-control, but you crossed the street and left me there shocked and stupid with no choice but to go home and put away my groceries and seethe with impotent rage while you, ignorant, walked away.  —Daniel Steinmetz

November 2026

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Big Christmas Energy (in November)

Words by Denzel Belin Photo by Coit Photography 44

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A holiday meet-cute with an olive-green leather shirt and the community fundraiser that made it happen November 2024 was a landmark month for me. Toward the beginning of it, I had accomplished a huge dream of mine in buying a condo in Minneapolis. Fortunately, I had till the end of the month to move out of my apartment, but a lot of my life was dominated by packing boxes and work—it was officially holiday season at The Brave New Workshop, the longest-running sketch and improvisational comedy theater in the US, and we were bringing Big Christmas Energy. Literally. That was the name of the show that year. Looking back on my schedule during that time, it is amazing I had any time to breathe, let alone help set up and attend the Atons of Minneapolis & Minnesota Leather Pride Holiday Fundraiser, an annual event coproduced by two of the big leather organizations in Minnesota. Founded in 1972, the Atons of Minneapolis are one of the oldest continuously active leather/Levi social fraternities in the world. They orchestrate various events, including monthly meetings and social gatherings. Minnesota Leather Pride (MNLP) is a Minnesota-based organization dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and nurturing leather/kink/BDSM culture and history by facilitating communication and building alliances among individuals and groups within communities, as well as offering opportunities for education, social interaction, visibility, activism, and community service. The fundraiser was hosted at The Saloon, another storied queer Minnesota institution, which shares a wall with The Brave New Workshop, so my twenty-step commute from one to the next would only be slowed down if I slipped on some snow. As a board member of Minnesota Leather Pride, this was an especially easy event to get behind because the benefiting group is The Aliveness Project, an organization that links people living with HIV to resources for leading healthy, self-directed lives. I signed up to help with setup before my two-show workday and made sure I got a good amount of sleep before my marathon began. I arrived at The Saloon at 2 p.m. on the day of the event to help set up, arranging what seemed like an impossible number of lots of leather, art, and other fun items that people could bid on through both raffle and silent auction. I knew my way around a silent auction, but the raffle worked in a way I hadn’t seen before. You buy tickets at the door, but rather than having all tickets in one large bag to pull from for the prizes, each lot had its own bag, so you could affect your odds for the specific items you were intrigued by. Art lovers could look to widen their collection, and those looking to add adult toys to their adult toy chest could increase the odds of taking home something sharp or thuddy to share with their partners. After setting up and opening the doors, I had thirty minutes before work, so I made the most of it. I said hi to folks who came on the earlier side, took pictures with friends, and put on my shopping hat to see which of the auction lots were speaking to me and, maybe even more importantly, what could possibly fit me. Leather sizing is kind of everywhere and, outside of gloves and vests, I hadn’t really found anything yet that fit me the way I wanted it to. Then, it happened. One item caught my eye and, like a rom-com, I slowly walked over to it, quivering with anticipation. I stood face-to-face with an olive-colored short-sleeve leather shirt. Snap buttons. Black accents. It looked roughly my size. As I held it, I tried my best not to fall in love with it. It was too early to say “I love you.” Heck, I hadn’t even been in it yet. So, carefully, one arm in. Then another.

I was going to find out if I was Cinderella or a stepsister. It was on. My back didn’t feel like it was being crushed. A good start. I snapped one button, then another, then another. Closed. And now, one final test—could I breathe in it? Breathing is very important, so they tell me. An inhale. An exhale. It felt good against my skin and as I breathed, it breathed with me. We were becoming one, in both a sexy, erotic way, but also in a similar way that left Jane Fonda stuck in her LACMA dress overnight. With the help of a few extra hands—and I wasn’t mad at having a few extra hands on my body—I got it off and set it down. The anticipation officially hit me. All of this drama and I hadn’t even won it yet. So, I took the majority of my tickets and threw them in, then checked the time, realizing in the excitement that I needed to go to work. Stealing one more clandestine glance at the object of my affection, I handed my ticket responsibilities over to a trusted friend to spread holiday cheer the old-fashioned way—satirical comedy and our famed “The Twelve Days of Christmas” sketch (which you can see this holiday season—end of shameless plug). I told my coworkers of my meet-cute and they wished me good luck, but also reminded me to get my head in the game. There were people from second-ring suburbs to entertain, and they had dinner plans after this 4:30 p.m. matinee. The steaks couldn’t be higher. During our first intermission, I checked my phone, and it was a Christmas miracle. I. Won. THE. Shirt. Christmas bells were ringing, but then I realized that was just the show starting back up again. After my first show of the night, during our precious dinner break, I marched those slick twenty steps back over to The Saloon and picked up the very shirt I would wear to win the Twin Cities Leather 2026 title and for my interview at International Mister Leather. An item donated by a member of our leather community brought me joy, and I literally have carried that joy through some of the most important leather events of my life. The event brought our communities, our organizations, and me so much Big Christmas Energy. Now, almost two years later, it is joined by other amazing pieces of leather—each with its own story and place in my heart. Leather becomes sentimental—it carries stories. It has a strength to it and people transform into special versions of themselves when they don it. Leather is also special because it holds these memories as you pass it on from one person to another. Leatherfolk across the cities right now are going through their closets and seeing what stories and memories they want to pass along as donations for this year’s fundraiser. For as much as we get out of it, the heart of leather is completing the circle and giving back to the very communities that become an integral part of our lives. Last year, the fundraiser brought in over $3,500 for The Aliveness Project. With the loss of federal funding, we know that every dollar donated has a powerful impact in supporting their mission of advancing HIV health equity through community, care, and connection. This year, the Atons of Minneapolis & Minnesota Leather Pride Holiday Fundraiser is Saturday, November 21, from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Saloon. Come join in on the community fun, and may the odds be ever in your favor.  For more information about Minnesota Leather Pride, visit https://www.mnleatherpride.org/ For more information about Atons of Minneapolis, visit https://www.atons.net/

November 2026

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Vintage Whine

Getting Older Words by Bill Lund Comic by Noël Young I never intended to get this old. Don’t get me wrong—I certainly didn’t intend to die. I just assumed there would be an alternative to becoming a senior citizen. Not sure what that was supposed to be—cryogenics? Suspended animation? An indefinite telephone hold waiting for the pharmacist? Certainly the designation of “old queen” was nothing I could imagine; I look terrible in hats! However, like black mold and fascism, certain unpleasant things can creep up on you when you’re not looking. Suddenly, I find myself in my seventies. (Well, I guess “suddenly” is inaccurate. I’m now seventy-two—it’s not like senectitude sneaked up on me with a Jason mask and a machete.) I guess there must be benefits, but a cheaper movie ticket or the knowledge that at least I’m aging better than Donald Trump is hardly a good basis for a robust dotage. Recently I came across some videos of a group calling themselves—unironically—“Old Gays.” (Friends were quick to inform me that these videos had been around for six or seven years, so perhaps they are now rebranded as “Ancient Gays.”) One of these videos is from a Drag Race episode, in which these three men of about my age sit in bathrobes while wide-eyed gay fetuses ask them questions about sex and belonging, like Margaret Mead’s

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interviewing the patrons of the only remaining piano bar in Samoa. These young drag queens then talked about how much they loved the old gays, referring to them as “cute” and “sweet.” I was outraged! “Cute” and “sweet” are appropriate to certain things—a teacup poodle or a Hostess Cupcake—but they are also likely to lead to unfortunate consequences, like shit on a carpet or cavities. As an old gay man, I want to be worshipped and feared, much like God almighty or Anna Wintour. If your ball lands in my yard, you know you’re not getting it back! These young queens went on condescendingly to advocate that young, obviously more relevant gays must “make space” for the doddering old gay elders. Make space!? Make way! This cranky old barge is coming through, whether you like it or not! In American culture, some indignities of senior status seem inevitable. Once you’ve reached AARP age, viewing yourself on television can be disheartening. Back in the day, we had The Golden Girls to make us feel that “old age” was sassy and sophisticated. (It’s painful to think that, when the series started, Bea Arthur was nine years younger than I am!) Now that Betty White’s gone, we seem to be virtually invisible. Although individuals sixty-five to seventy-four have the highest per capita net worth in the country, somehow we’re the target market only for adult diapers and reverse

Q CONNECTION QUEER-FRIENDLY NONPROFIT DIRECTORY Q Connection is a paid advertising section for LGBTQ+-friendly nonprofits. For more information about advertising in Q Connection, email barry@qminnesota.com.

ANIMALS

EVENT VENUE

PHILANTHROPY & ADVOCACY

MACC Pack

Landmark Center

Gender Justice

Nonprofit partner of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control. Adopt animals at this address:

A classic venue, with a grand cortile and beautiful courtrooms, it accommodates celebrations of all sizes.

Dismantling legal, political, and structural barriers to gender equity through impact litigation, policy advocacy, movement building, and narrative change.

212 17th Ave N • Minneapolis, MN 55411 www.maccpack.org

Second Chance Animal Rescue A nonprofit 501(c)(3), all-volunteer dog and cat rescue organization incorporated in 1994 to save lives. We do not have a shelter so all animals live in volunteer foster homes until adopted. P.O. Box 10533 • White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 771-5662 • secondchancerescue.org

ARTS & CULTURE American Swedish Institute A vibrant arts and cultural organization that inspires curiosity, creativity, and community. Välkommen! 2600 Park Ave. • Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 871-4907 • www.asimn.org

Minnesota Orchestra Led by Music Director Thomas Søndergård, the Minnesota Orchestra is one of America’s leading symphony orchestras. 1111 Nicollet Mall • Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 371-5656, (800) 292-4141 www.minnesotaorchestra.org

75 W. 5th St. • St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 292-3228 • www.landmarkcenter.org

HEALTH, AGING & CAREGIVING Aliveness Project Community Center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS – on-site meals, food shelf, and supportive service. 3808 Nicollet Ave. S • Minneapolis, MN 55409 (612) 824-LIFE (5433) • www.aliveness.org

Let’s Do Coffee & Let’s Do Lunch hosted by Friends & Co

663 University Ave. W., Suite 200 St. Paul, MN 55104 • (651) 789-2090 genderjustice.us

OutFront Minnesota Building power within Minnesota’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and addressing inequities through intersectional organizing, advocacy, education, and direct support services. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste 112 St. Paul, MN 55114 • (612) 822-0127 www.outfront.org

Free, drop-in gatherings for LGBTQ+ adults 62+. Coffee, pastries, or lunch—no RSVP needed. Visit FriendsCo.org for upcoming dates and locations.

PFund Foundation

2550 University Ave. W., Ste. 260-2 St. Paul, MN 55114 • 612-721-1400 FriendsCo.org

PO Box 3640 • Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 870-1806 • www.pfundfoundation.org

Thrive Clinic LGBTQ+ centered healthcare providing affirming PrEP, gender care, STI testing and treatment, and comprehensive HIV care. 3808 Nicollet Ave. S • Minneapolis, MN 55409 (612) 369-7494 • thriveclinicmn.org

mortgages. I want someone to assume that I can be convinced to spend irresponsibly! Sell me fast motorcycles, Red Bull, vodka, and Taco Bell—anything designed to make my doctor question my will to live. Of course, the words I most hate to hear at this point in my life—short of “Lyndale Avenue is going to have an exciting new look”—is “for your age.” You look good—for your age. You’re an amazing athlete—for your age. The moldering cadaver that is your ancient body smells relatively fresh—for your age. Gone are the days of compliments without qualifiers. Unbelievable as it may seem, there was a time when “hot” occasionally referred to something about me other than the casserole I’m bringing to the potluck. (I realize that just my use of the nouns “casserole” and “potluck” position me one step closer to the yawning abyss.) I’m sure someone is about to bring up the undeniable appeal of the “daddy.” (According to my AI search, there are those within the lesbian community who also refer to themselves as “daddies,” which seems both rebellious and delicious. “Mommy” brings up images of diapers and bonnets appropriate to an entirely different

PFund is the LGBTQ+ community foundation that provides grants to students and nonprofits in the community.

Quorum Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce working to build, connect, and strengthen for a diverse business community. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste 112 St. Paul, MN 55114 • (612) 460-8153 www.twincitiesquorum.com

demographic.) Now, that’s all well and good, until you start looking at the statistics. To most gay men, “daddy” starts at forty. Anything past sixty-five moves into the grandpa or possibly even Gandalf category. I suppose there could be a certain appeal to being fetishized, but it puts one into the same playing field as rubber, leather, and a Joan Crawford ankle strap. I’m sure there will come a time when I’ll be happy to hear “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” but it will likely be the expiring gasp of my organ donor. Without a doubt, I will come to embrace the inevitability of my “Golden Age” status, assuming the gold is more that of an Oscar statuette and less that of a Trumpian knickknack. After all, LGBTQ+ boomers grew up at a time when personal honesty automatically sequestered you into a marginalized group. I just want the marginalization to have the revolutionary defiance that piercing your ear or marching down the street holding the hand of your lover felt like in 1976. LGBTQ+ elders must demand our right to be recalcitrant, crotchety leaders of the community. We must unite under a banner that combines both lavender and grey—a smoky shade of light purple about the color of my varicose veins. 

November 2026

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Embracing the Holiday Suck Words by Jon Hartman, MBA, MA, LADC When the most wonderful time of the year feels anything but, here’s permission to say so, and a plan for getting through it Isn’t it exciting? The holidays are almost here! I’m sure we’re all looking forward to setting aside our worries and frustrations in favor of lots of cheerful parties, time-honored meaningful traditions with family, and reminders galore of the goodness of our fellow man. I’m kidding. Let’s be real. For a lot of us, the holidays aren’t always Hallmark. Many of us have been programmed to imagine everything gets more sparkly during this magical time of the year: office politics disappear, our budgets suddenly expand to meet our gift-giving impulses, our families set aside years of conflict, and our loved ones become even more loving, all at the same time. The promise (fantasy?) of the holidays is big. But when that’s not the case, we’re left with all sorts of uncomfortable feelings: dread, ambivalence, anxiety, even shame. What happens when we admit we’re not feeling it? Well, there’s an actual personification of people like us. He lives just north of Whoville.

Aside from naming it, here are some suggestions to get through the next couple of months: • Think about your best hangs: the people around whom you can let your guard down, share inside jokes, and talk about your day-to-day irritants without their trying to problem-solve everything. That’s your chosen family. •

They tend to share your values and appreciate you at your authentic best. Make sure you’re spending time with them this season. Consider planning a special meal or outing with them near the holidays, just to celebrate each other.

•

Plan your boundaries around your family of origin ahead of time. What occasions aren’t healthy or fulfilling for you to attend? Any specific people you want to avoid? Would setting time limits or having an escape plan for some gatherings be helpful? Are there people with unreasonable holiday expectations you could be talking to now? Here’s the thing about boundaries: they’re yours and you have the right to set them, even if the other parties don’t like them. Planning them ahead of time will allow you to have the uncomfortable conversations before the actual holidays arrive and emotions are amped up. Look at it as self-care, and invest in yourself.

We know that: • 64% of individuals say the holidays make their preexisting mental health conditions worse (NAMI), and 43% report holiday stress interferes with their ability to enjoy the holidays (APA). •

73% of people with a history of substance use problems report increased urges to use substances during the holidays (Freeman Recovery).

•

Set yourself a holiday budget, whether that means for travel, gift giving, decorating, restaurants, or even self-gifting or impulse buys.

•

December and January are the deadliest months for alcohol and drug overdoses (CDC).

•

Don’t let up on the healthy things you’re already doing year-round: exercise, good sleep, lots of water, diet and nutrition. It’s natural to break your good habits a few times during the holidays, but it’s gonna be really hard to turn things around if you throw your hands up and say, “I’ll start again in January!”

A large body of US research shows that LGBTQIA+ folx experience higher rates of substance use disorders and suicidal thoughts than heterosexual and cisgender populations. LGBTQIA+ people are more than twice as likely to experience any mental health disorder, and are about two and a half times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, or substance misuse (APA). So, if much of the general population is already struggling through the holidays, chances are many of us are really struggling. Let’s talk about that. First, let’s normalize that holidays can be rough. Quite often, the challenges outweigh the joy. That doesn’t mean we’re not doing the holidays right or that something is wrong with us. It just means that a lot of the factors that are hard for us year-round (family, finances, social FOMO) are given a spotlight over the holidays. Second, let’s normalize admitting the holidays are rough. You know what’s not helpful when I’m just hoping to make it to January without killing my family? Having everyone around me gushing about their holiday gratitude. I know, I know . . . I’m the Grinch. But this year, try telling a few people the season is tough for you; I promise it’ll help—both you and them. 48

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If problematic substance use is part of your story, consider doubling down on these suggestions. Because guess what? It’s not just holiday parties causing overdose rates and substance use-related ER visits to skyrocket in December and January—it’s all of those underlying uncomfortable feelings that the holidays bring to the surface. Interpersonal issues, self-esteem issues, anxiety, guilt, and shame . . . it’s the mother lode of triggers all hitting all at the same time. Here’s to celebrating the good things amidst the tough things, and maybe even finding ways to embrace the suck. You got this. We got this.  Jon Hartman, MBA, MA, LADC, is the manager of clinical services at Hazelden St. Paul, the largest of Hazelden Betty Ford’s outpatient sites. He can think of exactly three holidays that turned out the way he wanted them to.

Q THURSDAYS THE TWIN CITIES LGBTQ+ HAPPY HOUR Join us on the first Thursday of each month for an evening of community, conversation, and cocktails, each one featuring a different location, theme, and vibe.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7

The Big Launch

Jingle & Mingle

Happy New Queer

Park Tavern

LUSH Lounge & Theater

Location details coming soon

3401 LOUISIANA AVE. S.

990 CENTRAL AVE NE

ST LOUIS PARK

MINNEAPOLIS

DETAILS FOR EACH MONTH

Free to attend

DRESS UP OR DRESS DOWN. JUST COME DRESSED.

Cash bar Complimentary light appetizers Prize drawings

ALL THE INFO IS AT QMINNESOTA.COM/QTHURSDAYS