This article first appeared in Entertainment Weekly.
THIS MONTH MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE Stonewall riots, which are widely considered to be the birth of the modern gay rights movement. Fed up with discrimination and repeated raids on their bar, patrons of the Stonewall Inn confronted police officers and took to the streets in downtown New York City, supported by their neighbors. The hope was that LGBTQ Americans could publicly express their identity without being harassed or even arrested.
So what does that have to do with Entertainment Weekly?
Since its founding in 1990, EW has been a champion of the LGBTQ movement. During the height of the AIDS epidemic, the magazine published tributes and photos of every entertainer and executive who died from complications related to the disease. Throughout the years, stars such as Arrow’s Colton Haynes and Grey’s Anatomy’s Jake Borelli have used EW as a trusted vehicle to publicly come out and share their stories. In 2015, we started publishing an annual LGBTQ issue. It’s been incredibly well received by you as well as the industry: Our 2017 cover featuring RuPaul won an award from the American Society of Magazine Editors.
What’s inside the issue?
We gathered six LGBTQ trailblazers—Anderson Cooper, Wilson Cruz, Melissa Etheridge, Neil Patrick Harris, Janet Mock, and Ruby Rose—to talk about their coming-out experiences and their trials (and victories!) in Hollywood. Each received his or her own cover (see page 2). Elsewhere, we revisit the fiercest lewks of RuPaul’s Drag Race, talk to the cast and crew of Longtime Companion—the first mainstream movie to address the AIDS crisis—and drink with Schitt’s Creek’s Dan Levy, who chats about the sudden popularity of his ridiculously funny sitcom.
What’s the best lesbian bondage thriller ever?
So glad you asked! That would be Bound. And on page 50, we rewatch the film—the directorial debut of the Wachowskis—with its stars, Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon.
Who should I thank if I enjoyed the issue?
All kudos should be directed toward Patrick Gomez, one of our supremely talented senior editors, who can be reached on Twitter @PatrickGomezLA. His fingerprints and hard work are all over this issue.
Most important, how’s your dog doing?
Great, thanks! Since he moved to L.A. last year, he has come out as a polyamorous bisexual and has taken two lovers (no lie!)—one of whom is a real b—-.
