a&e features
‘Unique’-ly Alex
Out singer on ‘Glee,’ Pride, Beyonce and more
Alex Newell of ‘Glee’ fame says Pride is important because it gives the LGBT community a place to celebrate its accomplishments. (Photo by Brian Ziff)
Singer/actor Alex Newell, best known for playing Unique on “Glee,” is one of this year’s headliners on the Capitol Concert Stage at Capital Pride this weekend.
Look for him in the 2 p.m. slot where he’ll showcase his soaring, buttery vocals. We caught up with the soft-spoken, yet outspoken, 23-year-old performer by phone from Los Angeles.
BLADE: You have a new song out?
NEWELL: Well right now I’m kind of doing the Pride circuit. It’s Pride month, Pride season. I also have a new song out today called “Need Somebody.” It just came out. This first week, we’re donating a portion of the sales to the Trevor Project.
BLADE: Who produced it?
NEWELL: Cutfather. He’s amazing.
BLADE: You had an EP (“Power”) out earlier this year. Do you plan more?
NEWELL: It depends. We’re just trying to see. There’s no set plan. I think we’re going to do another, but this is just its own thing. We’re focusing on making new music and making good songs. The EP was so good and everyone enjoyed it and it was successful so now we’re just trying to match that or go above and beyond it.
BLADE: How many Prides are you doing?
NEWELL: I don’t know. Maybe four, five or six. I don’t like to count them because then it starts to feel overwhelming.
BLADE: Why is Pride important?
NEWELL: It’s a time to celebrate each other and the accomplishments in our community. Because that’s where it starts. It always starts at home. If we don’t celebrate each other and where we are, it just gets kind of superfluous after a while.
BLADE: You toured with Adam Lambert earlier this year and played Washington in March. How was it?
NEWELL: It was amazing. I went on tour with one of my good friends. I had fun. I couldn’t have asked for a better time. We played D.C. right after New York. The audience was warm and responsive and welcoming. It was a good time.
BLADE: What was it like on the “Glee” set? Fun and hanging out or nerve-wracking and hard? All of the above?
NEWELL: It was very friendly like a giant family. It’s basically like a household. It’s dysfunctional, it’s functional. And at the same time you’re working 16-hour days a lot of the time and you’re with each other five days out of the week and sometimes more than that because we’re friends at the end of the day. And you’re trying to make the best product you can whether you’re singing, dancing, acting or having dance rehearsals and makeup tests and filming scenes or filming a music number or having a fitting or going to pre-record the song. There’s so many variables to it so it was just as crazy as anyone would think it was. But at the end of the day, we were all there together and we were just working at a well-oiled machine.
BLADE: Which “Glee” episode was your favorite?
NEWELL: I don’t know. They started to blur together after a while. Like sometimes I’ll forget what I did in each episode. I think one of my favorites would have to be my second-to-last one where I sang “I Know Where I’ve Been” with the trans chorus. It was just a good moment to have everyone rally. I also really liked the “Grease” episode. I felt that one has so much heart.
BLADE: Was (creator/executive producer) Ryan Murphy around a lot?
NEWELL: Yeah, we saw him all the time. He was there as much as someone who has three shows on TV is there. It’s not like he’d be there everyday all the time because he had “Glee” and “American Horror Story,” and then one year he had “Glee,” “American Horror Story” and “The New Normal” on TV at the same time. Then “The New Normal” got canceled and he had “American Horror Story,” “Glee” and he was developing “Scream Queens” and “American Crime Story.” So I feel like the show runner doesn’t always have to be there but his ear was to the ground. He knew what was going on the entire time.
BLADE: Was he approachable?
NEWELL: Oh yeah. He was amazing. He’s so sweet and kind. He’s very intelligent. He’s smart and every time he greeted me, he gave me a warm hug. He’s known me since I was like 17, 18. He’s watched me grow, not just as an actor but as a performer. He’s always very welcoming and warm.
BLADE: Were you and Chris Colfer (Kurt) especially friendly?
NEWELL: I love him dearly. I don’t want to judge it based on other friendships I may have, but we were very friendly.
BLADE: You got really famous really fast at something really specific. How hard has it been trying to funnel that momentum into other things you want to do?
NEWELL: Well, it’s always hard and difficult when you’re coming off playing a specific thing and a role on such a large scale because after a while, that’s all people can see you for. You kind of have to prove yourself on another scale. A lot of people say, “Well, they pre-recorded on ‘Glee,’ none of them are really singers,” but in actuality, the majority of us were actual wingers and we’ve honed our craft and all. But there’s always that thing of trying to prove myself even more than just being a TV actor or a TV personality. That I’m actually talented and that I can do other things than play that specific role. But this is not exactly news to anyone. It happened to lots of child stars. When they grew up, it was always hard for them to be seen as anything other than the role they’d been playing.
BLADE: I know you can’t quantify this exactly, but how much of what you’ve achieved has been talent vs. perspiration?
NEWELL: I feel like it’s an even balance. I work extremely hard for everything that I have and everything that I’ve gotten. Where I’ve been, I’ve fought tooth and nail and just as much as anyone else if not harder. You have to know that you’re amazing and not get complacent. You have to remind yourself that you’re the best at what you do and it’s always good to know that no one else can do exactly what you do. They can do it like you, but they can never do it exactly like you do it. You bring something special to the table.
BLADE: You’ve said you’re a big Beyonce fan. How do you like “Lemonade”?
NEWELL: Oh, it’s amazing. It’s honest, it’s truthful and something we haven’t seen. I hear some people wishing the old Beyonce was back but after a while, you have to evolve. You have to go places and I mean, old Beyonce, new Beyonce, Beyonce is Beyonce. I live for her.
BLADE: How do you feel she stands up to classic divas like Donna Summer or Diana Ross? Like when Miss Ross was at her commercial peak with “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out” and all that, is Beyonce’s stuff in that league?
NEWELL: I think it’s like a whole other thing. It’s completely different. It’s apples and oranges or like comparing the Civil War to the Cold War. They happened in completely different times. I think too often people want to compare people to the past when they did it on their own and made something their own out of nothing. So I’m not a huge person about comparing things. And with all the changes that have happened in the industry since then, I feel sometimes we have to fight more now because there’s so much that goes on with pirating and not selling, so you end up working even harder. It was easier back in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s because the only way you got it back then was if you went to the store and physically picked it up. The game has changed so much, it’s hard to even start to compare.
BLADE: Name someone who you’d just be beside yourself if she put out a new record.
NEWELL: Chaka Khan. She hasn’t done anything in so long. I feel like everyone’s kind of reinventing themselves. Barbra’s going back on tour. Cher went back. It’s like everyone’s kind of reinventing themselves saying, “I’m still here, I can still kick your ass.” I’d be shocked if one of them came out with something new, honestly.
BLADE: What do you have planned for your Pride set?
NEWELL: I’m going to do some new things, I’m going to do some old things, I’m going to do some “Glee” things. I think it’s going to be like 30-40 minutes. It’s just gonna be fun. When I do a show I like to reflect. I feel like reflection’s always really nice and just to the obvious of what people expect you to do.
BLADE: I know they’re totally different from your role on “Glee,” but do you feel any connection with shows like “Transparent” or “I Am Cait” or keep up with them?
NEWELL: I do. I’m always for representation because for the longest of time, there weren’t many people on TV who looked like me. Obviously I’m African American, and for the longest time after the ‘90s, after shows like “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Family Matters” and “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper” went off the air, it felt like everything got very whitewashed. So not only was my race not represented, my sexual orientation wasn’t either. I imagine millions of other people felt the same way. So I will always stand up for the trans community because I know what it feels like to be that person who has no representation. Laverne (Cox) is one of my good friends. We have lunch and talk and text. We’re good. I’m always there for it.
BLADE: How do you feel about this North Carolina stuff with House Bill 2?
NEWELL: It’s just people trying to control others. It’s basically a dumbed-down version of segregation like having a blacks-only entrance and a whites-only entrance. People are trying to get rid of something they don’t like just because they don’t understand it. I feel like it’s just too much. Like when Stacey Dash said they should just go pee in the bushes. I’m like, “I’m pretty sure your ancestors were being hung from trees just like the rest of us, so why would you say something as inhumane as that?”
BLADE: Is this the tipping point for the transgender movement?
NEWELL: I can’t really speak to that. I think it’s a catapulting movement where this could really put the limelight on things, but is this the start of the avalanche going down? I just don’t know. I don’t know if this is the last straw, but it’s poking at that bear.
BLADE: You identify as gay but you’re so heavily identified with a transgender role. Does that ever get weird or are you OK with it?
NEWELL: I get mistaken as trans all the time and it’s something I’m fine with and welcome it only because it means my role was so important in helping or it means I did a good job with it at the end of the day. It’s something I stand for and something I represent and I want to be a voice with, so it’s fine. I mean, I’ll correct someone, but ti’s OK. When I’m back in Boston with my mom and we go out to dinner, they’ll often say, “And how are you ladies doing?” My mom’s like, “I don’t see a lady,” and I’m like, “I don’t either,” but most people do. I have a very effeminate face and I have long hair and I’m extremely gay, so it happens. I haven’t really heard anything negative, like somebody saying I’m pretending to be something I’m not. I haven’t experienced that.
BLADE: Is there any song you remember from growing up singing in church that has stayed with you?
NEWELL: I used to sing a song called “Give Me a Clean Heart.” Sometimes I hum it and when I go back to church, it’s always the song they want to hear. So that’s kind of followed me my entire career.
Out actor Alex Newell says he doesn’t mind getting mistaken for being transgender. (Photo by Brian Ziff)
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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.
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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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