We’ll say this right away – Machinal is not an easy watch. In fact, it’s one of the most unnerving plays we’ve seen. Ever. This is largely due to the subject matter: it’s loosely based on the trial of Ruth Snyder, who murdered her husband and was sentenced to death. A photo of her in the electric chair was published on front pages across the USA the morning after her execution, making her a household name at the time. Playwright Sophie Treadwell attended the trial in 1927 although did not report on it; instead she wrote Machinal as a response, positioning Ruth as having been pushed to breakin ..read more

Just Like Us ambassador Phoebe Scholefield reflects on social media’s “dangerous” fixation of questioning celebrities’ sexual orientations.  Words by Phoebe ScholefieldHeader by Yosef Phelan The media places a lot of emphasis on celebrities coming out, whether that’s Kit Connor being forced to out himself due to relentless online criticism, or Billie Eilish being put on the spot on the red carpet, or “Gaylor Swift” fan theories. There seems to be a new trend of speculation about celebrities’ sexualities or identities, as if it is information we’re owed. This fascination with labelling p ..read more

For the GAY TIMES’ justice column, “Let’s Create Some Good In The World”: learn about activists past and present using this method called “birdogging.”  WORDS BY ELIEL CRUZ In 1992, ACT UP NY activist Bob Rafsky interrupted then-Presidential candidate Bill Clinton live on cable news at a campaign event in Midtown.  “We’re not dying of AIDS as much as we are dying of 11 years of government neglect,” Rafsky shouts. A visibly angry Clinton scolds him for being discourteous in a heated exchange. Two days later, the Clinton campaign met with ..read more

The legendary musician and synth pioneer combines personal, philosophical and natural worlds in his intricate compositions. He reflects on love, queer legacy and inspiring the next generation. WORDS BY CHRISTINE KAKAIRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYNNE NEILLY Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s biography up to 2020 reads like the epic journey of an artist-hero. Born in Philadelphia, United States, at the tail end of WWII to music-loving Quaker parents, he grew into a musically precocious child then came of age in 1960s Montreal, Canada, with a scholarship to study classical music at McGill University. Glenn-Copela ..read more

Who reigns supreme? Angelo, Connor, Timmy, Henry or George? WORDS BY SAM DAMSHENASHEADER BY YOSEF PHELAN The maths are in: 31.25% of Nicholas Galtizine’s roles are of the limp-wrist nature. With five out of 16 of his characters (not including his trailblazing role as “barista” in After Louise) identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the British actor has become one of the most notable faces in queer storytelling over the past decade. (That number increases to 37.5% with the inclusion of Bottoms, the lesbian comedy in which he stars as a straight himbo jock.) In an interview wi ..read more

Important news: Andrew Scott is, once again, gushing about his All of Us Strangers co-star Paul Mescal. In an interview with The Sunday Times, the actor reflected on the “wonderful” friendship that has formed between the duo as a result of their time on the lauded LGBTQIA+ fantasy drama. “I adore Paul. Obviously it’s been a tough time recently and he just continues to be a wonderful friend. It’s everything,” said Scott, whose mother tragically passed away in March following a “sudden illness”. “The more I work in the industry, I realise, you make some stuff that people love and ..read more

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Dawn has clarified her actions during last week’s Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown. Ahead of the season 16 finale, the eliminated contestants returned to the competition to duke it out in nine lip-syncs for the title of ‘Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses’ and a cash prize of $50,000. For a majority of the lip-syncs, the queens were chosen at random and tasked with selecting their opponent, who then had the privilege of deciding the song. In round one, Dawn made the decision to battle her bestie Amanda Tori Meating, shocking their fellow contestants (and socia ..read more

Grindr is releasing a brand new feature in their mission to deliver a “gayborhood in your pocket”. To mark their 15th anniversary, the app has launched Roam, a new core travel feature that allows users to “temporarily place your profile in a new location ahead of a trip”. Users will be able to change their geographic region for up to one hour, allowing the traveler to socialise with members of that community. This differs from Grindr’s current Explore feature, which allows users to check out other profiles in different regions without appearing on the grid or lists. In a statement, Grindr CEO ..read more

Kit Connor is set to make his Broadway debut in a modern day version of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.  Directed by Sam Gold with music from Jack Antonoff, the Heartstopper star will be the Romeo to Rachel Zegler‘s Juliet. The official synopsis reads: “The youth are fucked. Left to their own devices in their parents’ world of violent ends, an impulsive pair of star-crossed lovers hurtle towards their inescapable fate. “The intoxicating high of passion quickly descends into a brutal chaos that can only end one way.” A press release also added: “Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy now b ..read more

For the world-touring ballroom titan and Beyoncé-anointed star, a “new era” is inviting fashion, entertainment, and more. WORDS BY MIKELLE STREETPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BFA “I’m not your average model,” Honey Gonzales says, perched on a stool with a printed kimono wrapped around her shoulders, exposing her décolletage. “I’m cunt!” she emphasizes. There’s a pause before she looks at me again. “Can I say that in GAY TIMES?” Well, we’ll find out.  Though it’s a dreary Thursday afternoon, Honey’s mug is anything but. Her makeup is being carefully applied (by Tiffany the Artist) for The Cent ..read more