Arts & Entertainment
Being gay might just save Andy Cohen’s career
He could shoot a twink in the middle of Ninth Avenue and not get arrested
The only person getting sued more than Donald Trump these days is Andy Cohen. Yes, the gay executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise and host of Bravo’s late night talk show “Watch What Happens Live” is facing a litany of litigation that could make the orange one come somewhere close to a blush. And, just like with Trump, he might be the only person to face a handful of inappropriate workplace behavior allegations and still hold onto his job. What’s Andy’s secret? It might be that he’s gay.
First, former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Brandi Glanville accused him of sexual harassment, claiming that Cohen sent her a sexually explicit video in which he said he was about to have sex with another Bravolebrity and wanted Glanville to watch. (Andy said on the artist formerly known as Twitter that it was a joke and Brandi seemed to acknowledge that at the time.)
Next up is Leah McSweeney, a former “Real Housewives of New York” cast member, who accused Cohen of contributing to a “rotted workplace culture.” She also alleges that he routinely does cocaine with some of the Housewives and the ones who enjoy a bit of the booger sugar with him get preferential treatment, including kinder edits on the show. (Andy dismissed this lawsuit as a “shakedown.”)
The day after McSweeney’s suit, Rachel Leviss, the former “Vanderpump Rules” star who was a lynchpin of a huge scandal last winter, sued her former castmates for potentially distributing an adult video of her. Cohen was not named in that suit because he’s not an executive producer of that show — nor in one by former Real Housewife of New Jersey, Caroline Manzo, accusing the aforementioned Brandi of sexual harassment.
These bombshell revelations — especially the sexual harassment and the cocaine use — were met by fans with disinterested shrugs. “This Andy Cohen slander is ridiculous. Why are people up in arms that he allegedly did cocaine and gossiped with the Housewives? Like pretty sure that’s his job,” one Twitter user says.
There are plenty of those sentiments on Twitter and many statements of support from the Housewives who say he never offered them coke. (But since when are we believing anything the Housewives say?) So how is it that, like Trump, Andy Cohen could shoot a twink in the middle of Ninth Avenue and not get arrested?
It’s because he’s always been totally honest about who he is. Andy was an openly gay TV exec way back in the early aughts, when it wasn’t cool and he faced potential repercussions both personally and career-wise by being open. But it wasn’t that he was just telling the truth about being gay, he made it part of his brand that he likes a drink (or seven) and that he likes to unwind by smoking weed, which he was vocal about before it was legal in New York.
Andy made his millions not just getting rich women to yell at each other on television, but also by being America’s slightly naughty but mostly fun gay BFF. The gossip, the drugs, the sexy jokes, they were all a part of the mystique that everyone bought into and it has served as Andy’s impenetrable force field for his entire career. On New Year’s Eve 2022, he was hosting CNN’s broadcast with his gay bestie Anderson Cooper and “overserved” himself, which led him to go on what the press would call a drunken rant making fun of fellow host Ryan Seacrest and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. Did CNN fire him or fans turn against him? No. CNN did ban alcohol from the next year’s broadcast, but after Andy pleaded with them for his tipples they allowed him and Anderson to do shots at midnight.
A similar thing happened this past June when a video taken secretly in a gay club showed Andy getting handsy with a game stripper and tweaking his nipples. Instead of demanding his resignation, fans demanded the social media account that posted it to give Andy a break. He is a single working father of two who has never been quiet about the fact that he enjoys sleeping around. He was just blowing off some steam at Pride; in the words of Bethenny Frankel, get off his jock.
Speaking of Bethenny, could she be the one behind all of this litigation? Several of the people suing Andy and Bravo are using the same lawyers that Bethenny used to kick off the “reality reckoning” in which she is trying to get better workplace conditions and fair treatment for reality stars. That is surely a noble aim, but the way to do it is not by launching weak-sauce attacks at Andy, especially since Andy seems to have a learned a lesson that most members of the LGBTQ community learn early on: If you’re truthful about who you are, no one can use it as a weapon against you.
No one ever thought less of Andy because he was gay because he was always up front about it — same about the booze, the drug use, and tweaking a stripper’s nipples during Pride. While a court of law will definitely rule on whether or not any of these cases has any weight, the court of public opinion doesn’t seem to care — well, at least about these specifics. Andy has hired a crisis PR team, but it doesn’t seem like he really needs it. Everything he needs to know he learned by being gay, that once you open that closet door and show the public what is really inside, no matter what it is, they can never use that against you.
Sports
Blade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
Media sponsorship to amplify stories of LGBTQ athletes
The Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade on Friday announced a media partnership with the Out Athlete Fund, which will produce Pride House LA for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Pride House is the home for LGBTQ fans and athletes that will become a destination during the L.A. Summer Games in West Hollywood in partnership with the City of WeHo. This 17-day celebration for LGBTQ athletes and fans will include medal ceremonies for out athletes, interactive installations, speakers, concerts, and more.
The Los Angeles Blade will serve as the exclusive L.A.-area queer media sponsor for Pride House LA and the Washington Blade will support the efforts and amplify coverage of the 2028 Games.
The Blade will provide exclusive coverage of Pride House plans, including interviews with queer athletes and more. The parties will share content and social media posts raising awareness of the Blade and Out Athlete Fund. The Blade will have media credentials and VIP access for related events.
“We are excited to partner with the Washington Blade, the oldest LGBTQ newspaper in the United States and the Los Angeles Blade, already a strong supporter of Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA/West Hollywood,” said Michael Ferrera, CEO of Pride House LA. “Our mission is about increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes and fans to challenge the historical hostility toward our community in the sports world. Visibility is what publications like the Washington and Los Angeles publications are all about. We know they will play a key part in our success.”
“LGBTQ visibility has never been more important and we are thrilled to work with Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA to tell the stories of queer athletes and ensure the 2028 Summer Games are inclusive and affirming for everyone,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.
Out Athlete Fund is a 501(c)3 designed to raise money to offset the training cost of out LGBTQ athletes in need of funding for training. The Washington Blade is the nation’s oldest LGBTQ news outlet; the Los Angeles Blade is its sister publication founded nine years ago.
In honor of Black History Month, the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a series of events uplifting the histories, artistry, and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ communities through dialogue, film, and intentional gathering.
The series begins with “Ballroom Culture: Rhythms of Resilience,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. Artists, activists, and leaders from the ballroom community will explore ballroom’s historical, cultural, and political significance as a site of resistance, kinship, creative expression, and social justice within Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities.
On Friday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m., the Center will host a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning,” which chronicles New York City’s ballroom scene and house culture while examining themes of race, class, identity, and survival through the voices of legendary performers including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.
The month will conclude with “Soul Centered: A Black LGBTQ+ Gathering” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. This free, RSVP-required event invites Black LGBTQ+ community members into a space of rest, connection, and reflection centered on love in all its forms. The gathering will feature a panel conversation with Black LGBTQ+ creatives, healers, and community members, followed by intentional speed connections and a closing social mixer.
For more details and to RSVP, visit the Center’s website.
Friday, February 6
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Party S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. Drag Entertainers TrevHER and Grey provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party takes place on our heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, February 7
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, February 8
DMV Gay Dog Moms will host “Puppy Love” at 1 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This a Valentine’s pawty and market for dog lovers. Get gifts for your loved ones – both human & canine at this event. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 9
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, February 10
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 11
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, February 12
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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Spanberger signs bill that paves way for marriage amendment repeal referendum
Blade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
D.C. non-profits find creative ways to aid the unhoused amid funding cuts
Celebrate Black History Month
D.C. Council urged to improve ‘weakened’ PrEP insurance bill
LGBTQ Minnesotans speak out amid ICE crackdowns
Dan Cox files for governor, seeking rematch with Moore
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