the pride
Crumbl Co-Founder Sawyer Hemsley Comes
Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful
Out as Gay After Intense Online Speculation
Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias
Cookie Brand’s CoFounder Broke His Silence Monday After Weeks of Growing Online Chatter
Mayor Konstantine Anthony Defends Actions Amid Controversy Over Video
By Dolores Quintana
Sawyer Hemsley, co-founder and chief branding officer of Crumbl Cookies, announced Monday that he is gay, addressing a wave of speculation about his personal life that had intensified on social media in recent days.
Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony is facing criticism from conservatives following the circulation of a video showing him being spanked by a drag queen during an event on the weekend of September 10. Anthony has responded that some of his critics are motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias and that the incident was harmless.
A company spokesperson confirmed Hemsley’s statement to The Salt Lake Tribune but said he declined to provide additional comment. Hemsley did not say whether a specific event prompted his decision to speak out. The digital outlet The Cut reported that discussion about his sexuality escalated last week after
In the video, posted by the Wisenuts podcast, Mayor Anthony is seen being spanked by a drag artist, backed by the Village People’s “Macho Man.” Anthony described the events as “shenanigans” and emphasized that it was
an influencer’s post drew more than 17 million views.
all in good fun. He went on to reveal that a secretly recorded video was made during the event and subsequently shared with a prominent hate group.
Hemsley, who has helped build Crumbl into a social media powerhouse with more than 6 million Instagram followers and over 10 million on TikTok, received an outpouring of support following his post.
In a post on his Instagram account, Anthony stated, “For several days, extremist right-wing organizations, including Fox News, have spread misleading information to fuel fear, discrimination, and hate. I will always be a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers.”
The Instagram post reads, “Over the past little while, there have been people online trying to define me, twist things, and share conversations in ways that feel harmful. Instead of letting others write my story, I want to share it in my own words.
He added, “On a busy Saturday filled with various independent gatherings, I attended the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats’ private fundraiser for their organization. Notably, there were no officially endorsed candidates or state and federal political figures present. The event was open to young adults ages 15 and above. However, there were no attendees below 18. Additionally, no children were present.”
The truth is, over the past few years, I’ve come to understand and accept that I’m gay. It’s taken me a long time to really process this part of myself and even longer to feel comfortable enough to say it out loud. For most of my life, I didn’t have the clarity to answer the questions or respond to the rumors. Coming to terms with it has been overwhelming and, at times, scary — but it has also brought me peace, joy, and authenticity that I wouldn’t trade for
While not specifying the particular hate group in question, it is possible that Anthony was referring to the Twitter account, now known as X, called “Libs of TikTok,” which
anything.
I grew up with values and beliefs that I still deeply love and respect, which made this journey more complicated. But I remain grateful for my foundation, even as I’ve worked to embrace this truth about myself.
reposted the video and garnered over 8 million views.
In response to the video, the Libs of TikTok account claimed that children were present at the event. Mayor Anthony disputed this assertion, stating that “actually, there weren’t any children at this private 21+ event. But of course, lying is totally on brand for you.”
I know some people may have questions or even judgments, but my hope is that kindness, empathy, and love will lead the way. I’ve learned so much through this process — about strength, compassion, and the importance of living authentically.
While the account correctly pointed out that individuals aged 15 and older were permitted to attend, the event’s organizer, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, released a statement clarifying that no individuals under the age of 18 were in attendance.
At the end of the day, I’m deeply thankful: for the opportunities I’ve had, for the people who support me, and for the chance to live and share my story. It’s a journey of growth and honesty, and one I’ll never stop being grateful for.”
Mayor Anthony reiterated this point during a City Council meeting and expressed his concern that the video’s circulation had led to city officials receiving “some of the most vile hate speech that I have ever seen.”
Crumbl, founded in Utah in 2017, has grown rapidly into a national brand with hundreds of locations and a menu anchored by its rotating lineup of oversized cookies.
Anthony encouraged those with concerns about his actions to communicate with him directly via email at kanthony@burbankca. gov. He stated, “If you want to talk to me about what happened over the weekend, send me an email. Send me an email. I will talk to
you about it. There is no reason to involve all of the other people who were not at a public event, not at a government-sponsored event. It
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats voiced their support for Mayor Anthony and strongly denounced the sensationalized and inaccurate portrayal of their event for political purposes that promoted fear, homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry. The Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers, refusing to engage with what they referred to as “fake outrage.”
Lil Nas X Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Charges After Alleged Studio City Confrontation
Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF
Rapper Faces Years in Prison After Being Charged With Assaulting Police Officers
World Premiere of Documentary Was Screened After 20-Minute Delay
By Dolores Quintana
Rapper Lil Nas X, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, has been charged with four felony counts after allegedly assaulting Los Angeles police officers who responded to a disturbance in Studio City last week, according to a press release from the Los Angeles District Attorney. Hill, 26, of Van Nuys, faces three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Van Nuys Superior Court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
The incident occurred around 5:40 a.m. on August 21, when officers responded to reports of a naked man walking along
The premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) faced a momentary setback on Saturday night due to a bomb threat. Judy Lung, TIFF’s Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, confirmed to CTV News Toronto via a written statement that the festival was alerted to an investigation “in the vicinity of the red carpet” at Roy
Thomson Hall, where the documentary was set to be screened.
Ventura Boulevard. Police said Hill charged at them when they attempted to detain him, injuring at least three officers in the process. He was taken to a hospital out of concern for a possible overdose, then booked into jail after several hours of observation.
Lung stated, “Our standard security measures remained in place during this time, and the screening commenced with a slight delay. To our knowledge, this was a general threat and not directed at the film or the artist.”
Hill spent three days in custody before posting $75,000 bail, with conditions requiring him to participate in drug treatment. One of his attorneys, Christy O'Connor, told the court, "This was just an aberrant episode in an otherwise productive life." She added, "There's nothing in the record that drugs were even a part of this.”, as quoted by NBC Los Angeles.
The charges are more severe than initial reports, suggesting only misdemeanor allegations. If convicted on all counts, Hill faces up to five years in state prison.
The case is being prosecuted by the Van Nuys Branch of the District Attorney’s Office following an investigation by the LAPD’s North Hollywood Division.
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:
Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.
ABOUT BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.
BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.
Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:
dofetilide
rifampin
any other medicines to treat HIV-1 BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.
Have any other health problems.
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.
Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks of breastfeeding during treatment with BIKTARVY.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:
Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:
Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.
Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.
Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.
Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.
The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).
These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
You are encouraged to report negative side e ects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY
Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
GET MORE INFORMATION
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.
Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.
If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
From TV Spotlight to Firing: Marayah Osumanu Speaks Out Against Chiara Ferragni
Transgender Woman Alleges High-Profile Job Offer Ended in Mistreatment
A transgender woman whose life briefly intersected with Italy’s fashion elite is speaking out about her journey from survival to heartbreak after a high-profile job opportunity ended in dismissal and despair.
Marayah Osumanu, a Ghanaian woman in Italy, first captured public attention during a 2022 episode of The Ferragnez, the reality series starring fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni. In an emotional televised moment, Ferragni offered her a job on the spot, providing what seemed like the first real opportunity for stability after a difficult childhood.
She recounted her story in a recent interview with Grazia Sambruna for MowMag. She said her early life was shaped by discrimination and conflict at home, culminating in what she described as a devastating betrayal: being tricked into returning to Ghana, where she was confined to a so-called “corrective” boarding school.
The job Ferragni offered Marayah was as a receptionist that paid €1,300 a month, which felt like the start of a new chapter. She dreamed of breaking into the fashion world and building a life she had never thought possible.
But the dream soured. She alleges that she was told to clean tables in the cafeteria
and the dirty toilets. A brief highlight came when she was asked to pose for Diesel, a moment she thought might open doors. Instead, she said, tensions worsened and the opportunity didn’t come to pass.
Similar allegations against Ferragni first came to light from the reporting of Louis Pisano, an American journalist in Europe.
In November 2024, Marayah was laid off along with five others after the Pandorogate scandal. Italy enacted the Ferragni Law after the scandal to regulate social media influencers. Ferragni is expected in court in September to answer for charges related to Ferragni’s alleged profiting from charitable donations.
Marayah says she has not heard from Ferragni since her dismissal, despite the very public nature of their initial meeting.
Since losing her job, Marayah has struggled to find other work. The rejection and instability have taken a profound toll on her mental health, she said, leading to deep depression, isolation, and even a suicide attempt.
Ferragni’s company, Fenice Srl, issued a statement which said, “Regarding the recent statement made by Ms. Marayah Osumanu, Fenice Srl categorically denies the entire reconstruction of the incident and warns anyone against using it for any purpose.
Chiara Ferragni also informs that she has already, for some time, instructed her lawyers to take action against Ms. Marayah Osumanu for the crimes of defamation and threats and for the clearly illegal behavior she has committed.”
Pope Leo XIV Signals Support for LGBTQ Catholics During Holy Year
Pontiff Held Private Audience With Advocate Rev. James Martin
Pope Leo XIV gave his clearest indication yet that he intends to continue Pope Francis’ legacy of outreach to LGBTQ Catholics, meeting privately Monday with U.S. Jesuit priest and author the Reverend James Martin.
The 30-minute audience, held in the apostolic palace, was part of the new pontiff’s official schedule, which also included meetings with two cardinals and several bishops. Martin, who leads a ministry to LGBTQ Catholics and has often drawn criticism from conservative church members, said the pope confirmed his desire to welcome LGBTQ parishioners during the Church’s 2025 Holy Year.
Francis, who died earlier this year, made headlines in 2013 by refusing to condemn a gay priest and later allowing priests to
Sheriff’s
bless same-sex couples. While he stopped short of altering the Church’s teaching that homosexual acts are “disordered,” his gestures of inclusion were seen as a turning point for the Vatican.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope and a fellow Jesuit, has not previously addressed LGBTQ Catholics directly and has yet to comment on Francis’ controversial 2023 decree on same-sex blessings. His meeting with Martin, a longtime advocate and author of Building a Bridge, was interpreted by many as a symbolic endorsement of Francis’ pastoral approach.
"It was very consoling and very encouraging. I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis about welcoming LGBTQ people.", said Reverend James Martin after the meeting, according to Reuters.
Several LGBTQ Catholic groups are in Rome this week for a pilgrimage tied to the Holy Year, which is expected to draw more than 30 million visitors to the city. For the first time, the Vatican included one of its events on its official jubilee calendar, a move celebrated by advocates.
Deputies Search for Suspect in West Hollywood Sexual Assault
Man Accused of Attacking a Woman
Early on August 13
Remains at Large
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies are searching for a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman while she was walking along North Sweetzer
Avenue early Wednesday.
The attack was reported around 12:06 a.m. on August 13 in the 1200 block of North Sweetzer, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s crime bulletin. The victim told deputies she was assaulted by a man who then fled the area.
Authorities described the suspect as a Hispanic man between 18 and 30 years old, about 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a thin build. He was last seen
wearing a dark long-sleeved sweater, dark shorts with a light-colored stripe, and a dark driving cap. Investigators released photographs taken the night of the assault.
The Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau, which investigates sexual assaults involving children and adults, is handling the case.
Anyone with information is urged to call the bureau’s toll-free tip line at (877) 710-5273 or email specialvictimsbureau@ lasd.org. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), via the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or online at lacrimestoppers. org
‘Rocky Horror’ at 50: New Book Reveals Legendary Photographer Mick Rock’s BTS Photos
Book Features
Rare Images, Cast Interviews, and Reflections From Cultural Icons
As The Rocky Horror Picture Show approaches its 50th anniversary this fall, a new book will pull back the curtain on the cult phenomenon with never-before-seen images from the late rock photographer Mick Rock.
Rocky Horror: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic, published by Harper Pop, to be released on September 30, gathers 256 pages of rare photographs, production materials and personal notes from Rock, who was the only photographer granted full access to the 1975 film set. The volume, priced at $50, pairs his images with cast interviews and reflections from a lineup of cultural figures who credit the film as a source of inspiration.
You can preorder the book here.
Rock, dubbed “the man who shot the
seventies” for his portraits of David Bowie, Lou Reed, Queen, and Iggy Pop, spent six weeks at Bray Studios documenting the making of Rocky Horror. His camera captured Tim Curry’s metamorphosis into Frank-N-Furter, Susan Sarandon’s early ingénue role, and the creative chaos that later fueled one of the most enduring midnight movie traditions in history.
Although the film flopped when it debuted, Rocky Horror has since grossed nearly $225 million and remains the longest-running theatrical release,
thanks to decades of interactive midnight screenings. Beyond the box office, it became a movement, one that embraced queerness, camp, and nonconformity, influencing fashion, music, and nightlife from Vivienne Westwood to RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Contributors to the book include Joan Jett, Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, Juliette Lewis, Jinkx Monsoon, Trixie Mattel, Peaches, Norman Reedus, Cassandra
Peterson (Elvira), and others. Together with Rock’s images, described as part glitter, part punk, and part prophecy, the material offers what publishers call a definitive portrait of a cultural touchstone.
The collection is billed as both a visual time capsule and a tribute to Rock’s legacy, as well as a celebration of how a film once dismissed at the box office grew into a global symbol of self-expression.
