a&e features
Hope amid the holidays
Locals talk about escaping homelessness, overcoming family estrangement and surviving a major health scare
Reevs O’Neal says he was skeptical upon arriving at Casa Ruby but he now credits the center with helping him become self-sufficient. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
As the streets get darker and colder, there is a ray of warmth and light nestled in D.C. in the form of Casa Ruby, a local shelter and transitional housing center for LGBT youth.
Washington Blade staff was invited into Casa Ruby’s transitional housing center and ushered off the dimly lit street into the bright, warm entrance. In mid-December, the home was still waiting to receive its Christmas tree. But even without a tree, the cozy feeling of holiday cheer was present in the jokes and laughter echoing in the hallway between staff and residents and the comforting smiles passed along to one another. Holiday dinners are planned this year with help from the community including those who offer to cook meals and even those who offer to pay for catering.
The center feels like home and that’s because it is one. The staff’s warm and welcoming attitude has created a safe haven for its residents proving that traditional family roles aren’t the only way to create a family.
Casa Ruby, founded in 2012 by Ruby Corado, provides services for LGBT-identifying youth ages 18-24. Their services include a hypothermia center with 16 beds, an emergency shelter with 10 beds and transitional housing with 10 beds. More than 95 percent of the staff identify as transgender or gender non-conforming people of color. They work to provide housing and comfort to those in need with the goal of transitioning them back into jobs and apartments of their own.
Reevs O’Neal, 26, was kicked out of his home in North Carolina. The lack of resources for trans people in his area and his connection to friends in D.C. led him to the District where he connected with Casa Ruby. At first, O’Neal had reservations about the shelter.
“I was very skeptical of it because the continuing theme in my story has been finding somewhere that I thought was safe and it not actually being safe,” O’Neal says. “I sat down with Ruby and we had a really good one on one and it was the first time I had even met her. I was reassured instantly.”
After staying at Casa Ruby for six months, Corado was able to connect O’Neal with low-cost housing. O’Neal was also able to get a job as a house monitor in the emergency shelter. O’Neal says he loves his job because of the family atmosphere.
“We’re a very tight-knit, but open group,” O’Neal says. “I can come into work and it’s like I’m surrounded by people who I love and who I know love me like all the clients. We’re just all very accepting of each other. It’s just like the family aspect of it; it’s amazing.”
Interim Director Lourdes Ashely Hunter has a similar success story. Hunter arrived to D.C. homeless and unemployed with a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University. Despite her education, Hunter says her identity prevented her from succeeding.
“As a black, trans, indigenous woman, gender non-conforming person, it’s so challenging to find gainful employment that also affirms my identities and allows me to show up to work whole,” Hunter says. “What’s so magical about this place is that it’s run by the people that it serves. Everyone here has experienced something that our communities are living right now.”
Last Thanksgiving, Hunter joined the dinner as a client of Casa Ruby. This year, Hunter was present at the dinner as the interim director (Corado is taking extended leave in 2016 for health reasons). Hunter says she felt inspired by Corado’s position and understands the power her own leadership can have.
“So for me to now be in this role is so powerful … When I was homeless and didn’t have a job it took for me to see someone in a leadership role like Ruby Corado to say it’s possible,” Hunter says.
Current resident Chris, 22, has high hopes for his own success story. Chris arrived in D.C. seven months ago from Lincoln, Neb., after being kicked out of his home. He worked with the governor of Nebraska as a teenager and is interested in politics, particularly issues surrounding homelessness.
“Since living here, homelessness and youth homelessness is a big issue for me because without Casa Ruby, I wouldn’t be here and I’d probably be who knows where right now,” Chris says.
Chris is currently working on his GED. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with friends and lobbying on Capitol Hill. In the future, he hopes to run for elected office in D.C. The passion he has for his work is supported by Casa Ruby, something other housing programs may not be able to say.
“It takes a lot of compassion and understanding and passion. A lot of times for the shelters that are city run that’s not a requirement of the staff. That’s just the narrative that we’re trying to shift,” Hunter says.
Chris (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
An uphill journey
By Joey DiGuglielmo
Much has been written about the employment challenges facing trans people, income inequality, the exorbitant cost of living in an increasingly gentrified Washington, strained family relations for out folks and more. Benny Rodriguez has lived it all.
Rodriguez, a 24-year-old Virginia native who “hopped around a lot” between New York and Virginia, is 24 and has been out as a trans man for about two years.
He’s down to three part-time jobs now — a few days a week at an art store, part-time at an Indian restaurant and an on-call bartender at Phase 1. At one point he had four jobs and also worked at Busboys and Poets but gave it up because he says it wasn’t financially worthwhile. Combined he makes about $1,600 a month — enough to rent a room in a house with a family with two small children in Columbia Heights.
“There’s been no issue with me being trans and I preface that with the fact that I am two years now on hormones so I pass almost all the time,” Rodriguez says. “That makes it easier … and I can be more stealth than I used to be. When I first started (transitioning), I had to sort of convince people that I was really trans. I had to conceal a lot.”
Rodriguez formerly performed with the D.C. Kings but since that group folded earlier this year, he now does occasional shows with the D.C. Gurly Show “pretty regularly.”
In many ways, Rodriguez says, 2015 was a tough year.
“It’s definitely been up and down,” he says. “Certainly not the worst year I’ve ever had, but it was a year of growing.”
Family life is tough. He’s “definitely grateful my Mom still talks to me.” Other relatives are “kind of estranged.”
“I had to cut ties with them,” he says. “They were toxic and it was to the point where it was more harmful than helpful to be with them so I don’t really say much to many of them, my father especially. I want to say that my situation is unique, but I really don’t think it is. I think it’s pretty common for trans people in general to lose touch with their families. … It’s so hard for many people to wrap their head around.”
Rodriguez will spend Christmas with a friend’s mother whom he says is “kind of like a second mother who helped raise me.” He’s not a big Christmas or holidays person in general but does say he “quite enjoys” this time of year.
He’s excited about the top surgery he’s having in late February. Through decent D.C. health insurance and the services of Whitman-Walker, he won’t have to pay for it. He wishes his mom could be there with him but says he has a good network of friends who will help him recover.
Despite depression and constant reminders of life’s challenges, Rodriguez says he senses he’s been dealt this hand for a reason.
“Things get very hard to get through sometime but I feel very strongly that I have some sense of purpose,” he says. “Whether it’s just to talk to people or change lives or achieve some sort of human greatness, I’m not sure but I feel like I have a job to do and that job is not fulfilled. Knowing that kind of keeps me going.”
Benson Rodriguez say the holidays are tough when family relations are strained. (Photo courtesy Rodriguez)
A second chance
Robby Dean (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
By Joey DiGuglielmo
Robby Dean collapsed in the cafeteria at his job as a department specialist for Safeway in Lanham, Md., on Aug. 7.
It was a scary episode in which he recalls not being able to see, hear or breathe, yet still being conscious. His blood pressure plummeted and he was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center where it was discovered that he had a “very large” saddlebag pulmonary embolism — essentially a blood clot of the lungs that was “saddle bagged” on both sides of his pulmonary artery.
It was difficult finding a place to have the clot removed but it was quickly deemed an emergency case. A doctor who’d seen his chart and tests said the life-threatening condition could not be delayed even a few hours.
His boyfriend of three years met him at the hospital. Doctors were able to go in through his neck, remove part of the clot and dissolve the rest through blood thinners.
“I had no idea what a pulmonary embolism was until after the surgery when I looked it up,” says the 48-year-old Gainesville, Ga., native. “The first statement said these are usually found during an autopsy.”
The only warning signs had been a few episodes of dizziness in the weeks prior. Except for some weight issues following a car accident a few years ago, Dean was in good health. Despite only being in the hospital for the weekend, it took him a month to recover sufficiently to return to work full time.
Singing the Sondheim song “Being Alive” in “The S Show” — he sings tenor in the Gay Men’s Chorus — took on added poignancy at their recent Home Cooked Cabaret events.
“It’s very emotional and hard to get through without crying,” Dean says. “It taught me to listen to my body more and not avoid the doctor and take better care of myself.”
He’s spending Christmas at home with his family in Georgia for the first time since he came to the Washington area six years ago. He says his health scare made him look at life differently.
“You have to cherish every moment you have with the ones you love,” he says. “You never know when it might be your last time seeing them. Going through something like this really reminds you how short life can be.”
a&e features
MISTR’s Tristan Schukraft on evolution of HIV prevention
From ACT UP to apps, embracing stigma-free care
It was not too long ago that an HIV diagnosis was read as a death sentence. In its earlier decades, the HIV/AIDS crisis was synonymous with fear and loss, steeped in stigma. Over recent years, open conversation and science have come together to combat this stigma while proactively paving the way for life-saving treatments and preventive measures like PrEP. Now, in 2026, with discreet and modern platforms that meet people where they’re at in their lives, HIV prevention has evolved from hushed words of warning into something far more sex-positive and accessible. Game-changing services like MISTR are a testament to this shift, showing our community that healthcare doesn’t have to feel clinical or shaming to work. It can be empowering and, dare I say, celebratory.
Few people embody this evolution quite like Tristan Schukraft, founder of MISTR. With one hand in healthcare and the other high-fiving through queer nightlife, Schukraft gets that, from the bar to the bedroom and beyond, prevention happens in person and in real life. His approach has helped turn PrEP, DoxyPEP, and testing into normalized parts of our daily queer life, reaching hundreds of thousands of people across the US.
In our conversation, Schukraft shares candidly about stigma, policy, and why the future of sexual health depends on keeping it real.
BLADE: You have one hand in healthcare and the other in nightlife and queer spaces. Can you share with us how these two spheres impact and inform each other? How do they impact and inform you?
SCHUKRAFT: Honestly, for me, they’ve never been separate. Nightlife and queer spaces are where people meet, date, hook up, fall in love, and make friends. That’s real life. Being in queer spaces all the time keeps me grounded and reminds me who we’re building MISTR for.
BLADE: MISTR markets sexual health in a sex-positive, stigma-free fashion. Can you share with us how you measure the impact of this approach?
SCHUKRAFT: This year, we held the first-ever National PrEP Day. Dua Lipa performed, and Cardi B was there. After the event, Cardi B went on her Instagram live to encourage people to sign up for PrEP.
When you make sexual health stigma-free and sex positive, people talk about it. We see it in how people use the platform. When 700,000 people are willing to sign up, get tested, start PrEP, and add things like DoxyPEP, that tells us we’ve made it feel safe and normal instead of scary or awkward. And then we see it in the results. Since we expanded DoxyPEP, STI positivity among our patients dropped by half.
BLADE: How have you seen the conversation of sexual health in our LGBTQ+ community change in mainstream culture in recent years?
SCHUKRAFT: Ten years ago, nobody was casually talking about PrEP, and if they did, it likely referenced one being a Truvada whore. Now it’s part of the culture. Popstars like Troye Sivan post pictures of their daily PrEP pill on social media. Cardi B goes on Instagram Live telling people to get on PrEP.
For many sexually active gay men, taking PrEP is simply part of the gay experience. For people in more remote areas, it might not be as talked about. Particularly in rural or more conservative places, MISTR can be a life-changing option. No awkward visits to the family doctor or the local pharmacy where everybody knows your business. It’s all done discreetly online and shipped straight to your door.
BLADE: You have publicly argued that cuts to government HIV prevention funding are of high risk. Would you please elaborate for us on what those budget decisions mean on an individual level?
SCHUKRAFT: It means real people fall through the cracks. Someone doesn’t get tested. Someone waits too long to start PrEP. Someone finds out they’re HIV-positive later than they should have. Community clinics will be the hardest hit, especially those in underserved communities. The good news is that MISTR is ready to help people who might lose their access to care. All you need to do is sign up at mistr.com, and it’s totally free with or without insurance.
BLADE: From your (and MISTR’s) perspective, how do these funding cuts threaten ongoing efforts to end the HIV epidemic?
SCHUKRAFT: For the first time, we have all the tools to end HIV. If everybody who is HIV negative is taking PrEP and everyone HIV+ is virally suppressed, we can end all new HIV transmissions in the United States. We have everything we need today. All we need is to get more people on PrEP. Cutting funding risks losing that momentum. Ending HIV requires scale and consistency. Every time funding gets cut, you lose momentum, trust, and infrastructure, and rebuilding that takes years.
HIV transmissions don’t pause because budgets change.
BLADE: In our current climate of decreased federal investment, what role do you feel private healthcare and business should play in sexual health?
SCHUKRAFT: With reports that the current administration is considering cuts to HIV and prevention funding, we face a moment of reckoning. At the same time, some employers are seeking to exclude PrEP and HIV prevention from their coverage on religious freedom grounds. If these challenges succeed, and if federal funding is slashed, the consequences for public health will be devastating. But this is where the private sector must step up to fill the gap, bridge divides, and deliver results.
Businesses have the power and platform to normalize HIV prevention and drive measurable outcomes. At MISTR, we see firsthand what’s possible: since introducing DoxyPEP, STI positivity rates among our patients have been cut in half. But it’s not just about medication. It’s about messaging.
Our sex-positive, stigma-free marketing speaks directly to our community, making sexual health part of everyday life. No awkward doctor visits, no needles, no paperwork — just free online PrEP and STI testing, prescribed by real physicians and delivered to your door. That kind of impact could grow exponentially if more employers embraced this approach and made HIV prevention part of their employee wellness programs.
Employers, this is your call to action. Start by making sure your health plans cover PrEP and DoxyPEP. Partner with platforms like MISTR to give employees private, stigma-free access to care. Offer on-site testing. Talk openly about sexual health, not just during Pride, but every day of the year. This is not political — this is about protecting lives, strengthening communities, and building a healthier, more productive workforce. Because healthy employees aren’t just good for public health — they’re good for business.
When the private sector steps up, outcomes improve. And when businesses align with platforms like MISTR, scaling impact isn’t just possible — it’s happening.
BLADE: Has MISTR experienced any direct effects from these recent shifts in public health funding?
SCHUKRAFT: MISTR’s unique model is totally free for patients with or without insurance, and we don’t cost the government or taxpayers a penny. We are scaling up our efforts to reach people who might be losing their access or care.
BLADE: What would be your message to policymakers who are considering further cuts to HIV/AIDS programs?
SCHUKRAFT: During his first term, President Donald Trump committed unprecedented resources to the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative here at home. Bipartisan support has shown what’s possible when bold leadership meets smart strategy. To policymakers: I urge you to reconsider any cuts to HIV prevention funding. This is not the time to pull back. It’s the time to push forward. Ending HIV is within reach — but only if government, private industry, and community organizations stand together.
BLADE: What is one perhaps overlooked win from last year that impacted you on a personal level?
SCHUKRAFT: Seeing our STI positivity rate drop by half after expanding DoxyPEP.
BLADE: Looking at the year ahead, what are MISTR’s most significant priorities for sexual health in 2026?
SCHUKRAFT: Expanding access, especially in the South and in communities that still get left out. Rolling out injectable PrEP. And just continuing to make sexual healthcare easier and more normal.
a&e features
Visible and unapologetic: MAL brings the kink this weekend
Busy lineup includes dances, pups, super heroes, and more
MLK Weekend in D.C. brings the annual Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL) Weekend. Just a short walk from where Congress has been attacking queer Americans this year, MAL takes place at the Hyatt Regency Washington for several days of intrigue, excitement, leather, and kink.
The Centaur Motorcycle Club — one of several similar groups dedicated to leather in the country — has been hosting MAL in its current form for more than 40 years. Originally a small gathering of like-minded people interested in the leather lifestyle, MAL has grown to include a full four days of events, taking place onsite at the Hyatt Regency Washington (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.). Select partner happenings take place each night, and many more non-affiliated events are scattered across the DMV in honor of and inspired by MAL.
MAL Weekend has become an internationally renowned event that celebrates fetish culture, yet it also raises funds for LGBTQ organizations, “reinforcing its legacy as both a cultural and philanthropic cornerstone of the global leather community,” according to MAL organizers.
During the day, MAL events at the Hyatt include workshops, social gatherings, shopping, and other in-person engagements for the community.
“The Hyatt underwent an extensive top to bottom renovation after last year’s event,” says Jeffrey LeGrand-Douglass, the event chair. The lobby, meeting spaces, guest rooms, and other areas have been updated, he notes, “so I am very excited for our guests to experience the new design and layout for the first time. And of course as with every year, we look forward to the contest on Sunday afternoon and seeing who will become our new Mr. MAL.”
In the evening, MAL hands the reins to partner KINETIC Presents, the D.C.-based nightlife production company. KINETIC will host four consecutive nights of high-production events that fuse cutting-edge music, immersive environments, and performance. This year, KINETIC is popping open doors to new-to-MAL venues, international collabs, play zones, and a diverse lineup.
According to KINETIC managing partner Zach Renovátes, 2026 is the most extensive MAL production to date. “The talent lineup is unreal: an all-star roster of international DJs, plus drag superstar performances at the Saturday main event,” he says.
Renovátes added that he’s “most excited about the collaborations happening all weekend — from bringing in MACHO from WE Party Madrid, to teaming up with local leather groups, to nonprofit partners, and Masc Diva [a queer nightlife collective].”
Official MAL events begin on Thursday with the Full Package/Three Day Pass Pick-Up from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Hyatt.
Thursday night is also the KINETIC kickoff party, called LUST. Running 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., it’s being held at District Eagle. DJ Jay Garcia holds it down on the first floor, while DJ Mitch Ferrino spins in the expansive upstairs. LUST features special performances from the performers including Serg Shepard, Arrow, Chase, and Masterpiece.
Renovátes notes that the LUST opening party at District Eagle coincides with the bar’s grand re-opening weekend. The bar will unveil its new permanent home on the renovated second floor. “it felt like the perfect place to start Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend — right in D.C.’s only dedicated home for kink communities,” he says.
After Thursday night, Friday is when daytime events begin at the Hyatt. The Exhibit Hall, on the ballroom level below the lobby, hosts upwards of 30 vendors, exhibitors, and booths with leather goods, fetish wear, clothes, toys, other accessories, providing hours of time to shop and connect with attendees and business owners. The Exhibit Hall will be open on Friday from 4-10 p.m., as well as on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
DC Health is once again back at MAL, to provide preventative health services. In the past, DC Health has provided MPox vaccines, Doxy PEP, HIV testing, Narcan kits, and fentanyl test strips. This booth will be open on Friday 4-10 p.m.
Later, at 6 p.m., the Centaur MC is holding its welcome reception on the ballroom floor. After the Centaur’s Welcome Reception, the MIR Rubber Social is 8-11 p.m. A Recovery Meeting is scheduled at 10 p.m.
Many attendees enjoy visiting the guest room levels of the hotel. Note that to get in an elevator up to a hotel room, a staff member will check for a hotel room wristband. Non-registered guests can only access host hotel rooms if they are escorted by a registered guest with a valid wristband. Registered guests are permitted to escort only one non-registered guest at a time. Non-registered guests with a wristband who are already in the hotel before 10 p.m. may remain until midnight. However, non-registered guests without a wristband will not be admitted after registration closes.
Friday night, for the first time, KINETIC Presents is joining forces with WE Party to bring MACHO to Washington, D.C. This official MAL Friday event delivers two stages and two genres. On the UNCUT XXL stage, international Brazilian circuit superstars Erik Vilar and Anne Louise bring their signature high-energy sound. On the MACHO stage, Madrid’s Charly is joined by Chicago’s tech-house force, Karsten Sollors, for a blend of techno and tech house. UNCUT also features the XL Play Zone, a massive, immersive space exclusive to this event. The party takes place at the Berhta space from 10 p.m.-4 a.m..
“This year we’re bringing back the two-room format we debuted at WorldPride for both Friday and Saturday, so attendees can really tailor their experience — whether they’re in the mood for circuit or tech house.” says Renovátes.
Directly after Friday’s UNCUT XXL, UNDERWORLD Afters takes over District Eagle, from 3:30-8 a.m. International DJ Eliad Cohen commands the music.
Saturday, the Exhibit Hall opens earlier, at 11 a.m.. DC Health will also be back from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday is also time for one of the most anticipated events, the Puppy Mosh, running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the event, pup culture comes to life, when pups, handlers, and friends can enjoy an inclusive, safe pup zone. There is also a Recovery Meeting at 11 a.m., and the IML Judges Announcement takes place at noon.
The popular Super Hero Meet Up will be held 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., sponsored by One Magical Weekend, for cosplayers, comic enthusiasts, and their friends.
From 2-6 p.m., the Onyx Fashion Show will take place to showcase and highlight people of color in leather.
Finally, the Leather Cocktail Party – the original event of MAL – will be held 7-9 p.m. in the Ballroom. While this requires special tickets to attend, at 9 p.m. is the MAL cocktail party, which is open to wider attendees.
The last event of Saturday leaves the hotel, again a partnership with KINETIC. Kicking off at 10 p.m. and running until 4 a.m., it’s just the second time that KINETIC’s Saturday night party is an official MAL event and serves as the main weekend engagement.
Saturday night’s centerpiece is called KINK: Double Trouble. The night will feature a first-ever back-to-back set from international electronic music icons Nina Flowers and Alex Acosta on the Circuit/Tribal Stage. The other room – the Tech House Stage – curated by The Carry Nation and Rose, provides a darker, underground counterpoint, reinforcing the event’s musical depth and edge.
Beyond the DJs, KINETIC has called in the big shots for this party: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” legends Nymphia Wind and Plastique Tiara are set to headline. The party also takes place at Berhta.
Sunday, back at the hotel, there will be another Recovery Meeting at 10 a.m., and the Exhibit Hall opens again from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
At 1 p.m., the anticipated and prestigious Mr. MAL Contest that celebrates the achievements of the leather community will be held in the Ballroom. This highly sought after title gives one man the power to become the Mid-Atlantic Leather man of the year. Sash and title winners must be (1) male, (2), a resident of North America, (3) At least 21 years of age; and (4) self-identify as gay. The first Mr. MAL was crowned in 1985. The Winner of Mr. MAL has the privilege of later competing in International Mr. Leather (IML) in Chicago on Memorial Day Weekend 2025.
From 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., MAL will hold its Game Night for the gaymers in attendance. There will also be a special screening of A24’s new film, “Pillion,” about a man who is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.
Sunday closes with a community partner event produced by Masc Diva, featuring Horse Meat Disco with support from Coach Chris, at A.I. Warehouse in the Union Market district. It’s the same team that produced HMD during WorldPride at A.I. Warehouse.
Note that there are several types of passes for attendance to the hotel and parties. KINK VIP Weekend Passes include express entry, VIP areas, and enhanced amenities throughout the weekend, while MAL Full Weekend Package holders receive access to the official Sunday closing event.
At last year’s MAL events, KINETIC Presents raised more $150,000 for LGBTQ charities, and expects to match or exceed that impact in 2026.
Renovátes stated that “now more than ever, it’s important to create safe, affirming spaces for our community — but it’s just as important to be visible and unapologetic. We want to make it clear that the LGBTQ+ and leather communities aren’t going anywhere. We’ve fought too long and too hard to ever feel like we have to shrink ourselves again, no matter what the political climate looks like.”
In addition to the KINETIC events, various LGBTQ bars will hold parties celebrating the theme of the weekend. For example, Kiki, located on U Street NW, is hosting a party called KINKI, hosted by DJ Dez, on Saturday night. Sister bar Shakiki, on 9th Street NW, is hosting a party called Railed Out, a fetish-inspired party that features a play zone, on Thursday night. Flash, on U Street NW, will hold its infamous Flashy Sunday party to close out the weekend.
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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.
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