Arts & Entertainment
Trials and tribulations
No other medium absorbs LGBT angst quite like the printed page

How’s that for eye-catching art? ‘Gorgeous Gallery,’ a coffee table book featuring the work of contemporary gay artists, is out this fall from Bruno Gmuender. The lavish, 160-page book was compiled by David Leddick. (Photo courtesy Bruno Gmuender)
There’s a lot less money on the line with a book than with a movie or TV show. Which is why the printed page is always one of the best places to find LGBT content. This fall is no exception.
If the summer saw you with new bling-er on your finger, then you’ll want to grab “From the Closet to the Altar: Courts, Backlash and the Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage” by Michael J. Klarman.
As a legal expert, Klarman has excellent insight into litigation and the fight for same-sex marriage. In this book, he looks at the politics, legal wrangling, personal stories, fallout and triumphs in the movement toward equality in marriage.
Speaking of marriage, you might also like “My Husband and My Wives: A Gay Man’s Odyssey” by Charles Rowan Beye. On one hand, this is the story of one man’s realization that he’s attracted to men. On the other hand, it’s about his marriages to women — not once, but twice — and then his marriage to the love of his life.
Look for Cyndi Lauper’s autobiography “Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir” Tuesday from Simon & Schuster.
For something a little more somber, look for “October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard” by Leslea Newman. Written as a novel in verse form, this work of fiction allows voices from various points of view to come forth in remembrance of the day Shepard died so violently. This is a quick book to read, which is good: you’ll have time to read it again and again. Also look for “Letters to My Bully” written and/or edited by Azaan Kamau, Ifalade Ta-Shia Asanti, Kergan Edwards-Stout and Robert LaSardo. It’s a book that lets victims of bullying speak up and be heard, written by a host of contributors who are mad and won’t sit down and shut up anymore.
On a lighter note, what makes you gay? In “Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay” by Paul Vitagliano, you’ll get a look at personal stories, memories and childhood pictures of real people who’ve embraced their LGBT lives, who’ve known it since they were kids and who celebrate it with pride. Yes, this book is based on the blog of the same name and yes, the book is equally fun to read.
“How to Be Gay” by David M. Halperin could also be fun but it could incite argument, too, because it’s filled with thought-provoking ideas and hypotheses. Halperin doesn’t shy away from controversy here, nor does he bow to stereotypes, which means that this is a book you might finish and then share with your straight friends.
Discuss.
Lesbian writer (and Lambda Literary Award winner) Emma Donoghue is back with “Astray,” a new collection of short stories that’s slated for Oct. 30.
Of course, maybe you’ve got a busy fall, a jam-packed schedule and you’re overloaded with things to do and when you’re busy, who has time to read, right?
Well surely you’ve got time for some eye-popping art like “Gorgeous Gallery” by David Leddick. This huge collection of erotic artwork features some old favorite artists and lots of new talent that could quickly become your new fave. This book is from Bruno Gmüender, as is “Bel Ami Rebels” by photographer Joan Crisal, a look at European porn stars who are willing to show their naughty and nice sides.
Bruno Gmuender, by the way, also has a new Tom of Findland book due this fall, as well as a new superhero comic art book by Iceman Blue.
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)










a&e features
Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

























