American pair figure skater Colin Grafton has also done some modeling, which makes his crowning as Dazzler of the Day a sure thing. He made a splash on ‘Dancing on Ice’ as well, lending some additional sparkle to his dazzle.
Category Archives: LGBTQ+
06
March
2024
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March
2024
27
February
2024
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February
2024
Dazzler of the Day: Daniel W. Green
As the problematic world of AI artwork swirls around us, it’s good to re-enforce the idea that I and so many others hold, which is that the artwork produced by human hands and our greatest living artists will never be successfully duplicated by any program, no matter how advanced. Human passion cannot and will not be reproduced by artificial intelligence; it will always ring hollow, because humans innately recognize and resonate with the work of another human. That brings us to this Dazzler of the Day, which goes to Daniel W. Green, an artist whose work bleeds with the fiery passion and exuberance that can only be produced by a real person invigorated and inspired by real life. Green specializes in oil paintings, many of which focus on the male form. Witness his work progress as seen in one example below (there are many, as Green is wondrously prolific). Check out more on the Dan Green Male Art page as well as his eBay page to purchase his work.
06
February
2024
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February
2024
Dazzler of the Day: Anthony Nerada
Today is publication day for Anthony Nerada’s new LGBTQ+ Young Adult novel ‘Skater Boy’ and as such Nerada earns his first crowning as Dazzler of the Day. Most writers are dazzlers in their own way, and many will have their own dazzling write-up somewhere on their website. Here is Anthony’s:
Anthony Nerada became a writer after his fifth-grade teacher told him it was his destiny. Since then, he’s read too many books (if there is such a thing) and explored worlds far outside the reaches of his own. Anthony holds a BA in psychology and two diplomas (one in public relations, the other in publishing), which allow him to write the day away while simultaneously psychoanalyzing his friends. Anthony lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish Peoples. Skater Boy is his debut novel.
Check out more dazzling merriment on Anthony’s website here, where you can also order his new book.
{Photographs by Jordan Doak Photography.}
25
January
2024
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January
2024
Dazzler of the Day: R. K. Russell
I love a Dazzler of the Day who has so many accomplishments that they’ve already been encapsulated on another website, which is the case with today’s Dazzler R. K. Russell. As they used to say on ‘Reading Rainbow‘, you don’t have to take my word for it. The following is from Russell’s website here:
R. K. Russell is a former NFL football player, a social justice advocate, published poet, essayist, and artist. In August of 2019, Russell made history by becoming the first out active NFL player to identify as bisexual. A decorated defensive end who has played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he has sacked Hall of Famers and gone up against the fiercest competitors at the height of their game.
Since coming out, he has written about his experience as a Black queer man in sports for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Los Angeles Times, Out Magazine, and Queer Majority, among others. Russell has been advocating for the LGBTQ+ community in professional sports, spearheading multiple NFL Pride initiatives such as the NFL Pride panel and the NFL’s National Coming Out Day PSA. He has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) by GAY TIMES (U.K.) as Sportsperson of the Year, and he was selected to the prestigious OUT 100 List in 2019. His short documentary, Finding Free, was nominated for best short documentary at the 43rd Annual Sports Emmys and won awards at the 2022 Webby Awards, the 60th New York Film Festival, and the 43rd Annual Telly Awards. His new memoir, The Yards Between Us, is available everywhere books are sold. He lives in Los Angeles.
24
January
2024
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January
2024
Gay Art Then, Gay Art Now
From the magnificent artwork of J.C. Leyendecker through to the gay pastiche of Ariana Grande’s latest song and video for ‘…yes, and?’ (with references and knowing nods to Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ and Paula Abdul‘s ‘Cold Hearted’) these not-so-hallowed electronic portals have been providing gay artistic fodder at all levels of such content. It may feel like blasphemy to place Grande aside such an artist as Leyendecker, but there is room for all styles and situations here, and I have no tolerance for anyone being snobby about it.
The world wants to put everything and everyone into their own category and label. I’m all for the obliteration of such dividers, and the elimination of the hierarchical organization of art, and the way it’s critically received and graded. Too often we deny something value if it becomes incredibly popular, as if being wildly popular somehow detracts from its worth. Stuff and nonsense, and silly at its very heart.
Like what you like and love what you love. You do you.
04
January
2024
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January
2024
Dazzler of the Day: Antoni Porowski
Continuing our celebration of the upcoming return of ‘Queer Eye’, Antoni Porowski earns his first Dazzler of the Day, thanks to a career spanning all forms of infotainment. Check out Antoni’s website here for a more comprehensive view of his accomplishments, and read the literature found there:
Antoni Porowski is a New York Times Bestselling author, host and executive producer of Netflix’s Easy-Bake Battle culinary competition series and the upcoming docuseries No Taste Like Home from Studio Ramsay Global for National Geographic, and star of Netflix’s award-winning hit Queer Eye. Coming up, Antoni is developing a feature film, entitled Girls and Boys, for Netflix with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris. The film is loosely based on Antoni’s real-life dating experiences as a sexually fluid man.
A self-taught cook, Antoni is a four-time Emmy nominee for his role as Queer Eye’s resident food & wine expert. The hit series has won the Emmy Award for “Outstanding Structured Reality Program” for five consecutive years, breaking the current category record for most wins.
Antoni brings his lifelong passion for food to Yummers, his pet food brand cofounded alongside Queer Eye castmate Jonathan Van Ness and pet industry veteran Rebecca Frechette Rudisch.
Born in Canada to European emigrants, Antoni is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights everywhere, especially his family’s native Poland where he serves on the board of the Equaversity Foundation, which was established to organize international fundraising to support the LGBTQ+ community there.
03
January
2024
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January
2024
Dazzler of the Day: Karamo Brown
The new season of ‘Queer Eye’ debuts on Netflix January 24, and with it the return of Karamo Brown as their “culture expert” – a coveted position indeed, and one that solidified Brown’s place on the pop-culture map (following a turn on MTV’s ‘The Real World: Philadelphia’ back when MTV mattered). Today he earns his first Dazzler of the Day crowning for those pioneering efforts, as well as an appearance in Taylor Swift‘s ‘You Need to Calm Down’ video, and his memoir ‘Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope’.
26
December
2023
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December
2023
Dazzler of the Day: Emerson Collins
Anyone who lists ‘Dandy’ as part of their social media profile is a Dazzler of the Day in my book. Coupled with Actor, Director and Producer, Emerson Collins checks all the requisite boxes and then some, filling out a career of Renaissance-scope accomplishments as well as he fills out the Speedos, jockstraps and underwear on his Instagram feed. His witty way with words and social media magnificence handily earns him this crowning, and his camera-ready persona and production expertise backs it all up with substance and style. Visit his website here for a more comprehensive look at his long list of accomplishments.
06
December
2023
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December
2023
Dazzler of the Day: Michael DiMartino
Designer and owner of the charmingly sexy Pillow Top shop in Provincetown, MA, Michael DiMartino has been creating designs for the self-proclaimed ‘Queer Pop Home-O Shop’ in an effort to bring art into our everyday lives and objects. Currently the shop is offering some fantastical wrapping paper, which everyone needs right now, and the designs are delightfully queer-friendly. DiMartino earns this Dazzler of the Day thanks to inspiring whimsical designs with a sexy edge – the ideal juxtaposition for good-hearted holiday fun. Visit The Pillow Top website here for more information, and some dazzling home goods.
21
November
2023
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November
2023
Billy Porter’s Masterpiece
Billy Porter’s latest album ‘Black Mona Lisa’ is giving me some much-needed life right now, and his ferocity will need to be enough for the two of us. With its dance-vibe brilliance, and the hefty power of Porter’s own historical journey in the entertainment world, ‘Black Mona Lisa’ is a testament to his own past – informed by the halls of dance from the past five decades – with a gorgeous and defiant charge into the future.
Check out Billy Porter’s crowning as Dazzler of the Day here, and then visit his enchanting website here.
03
November
2023
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November
2023
Dazzler of the Day: Stewart Taylor
A Renaissance man who has moved deftly between modeling and music, Stewart Taylor is also an actor and song-writer who earns his first Dazzler of the Day feature with this post. He recently released a new song ‘Favorite Ex’ which can be heard and seen on his website here (along with much more magic).
23
October
2023
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October
2023
Dazzler of the Day: Matthew Mitcham
Australian Olympic gold-medal diver Matthew Mitcham has parlayed his sporting career into multiple career paths, spinning from acting roles to underwear model to dancer to this current crowning as Dazzler of the Day. A true Renaissance man, Mitcham thrills wherever his interests take him, including an OnlyFans account that thus far serves to titillate and stimulate without going too far – the perfect blend of coquettish tease and gratuitous please. Check out his website here for a comprehensive view of his accomplishments.
20
September
2023
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September
2023
Dazzler of the Day: Kit Connor
It wouldn’t be right crowning Joe Locke as Dazzler of the Day without also bestowing the honor upon Kit Connor, and so today marks the latter’s official coronation, as ‘Heartstopper’ wouldn’t be ‘Heartstopper’ with the incomparable Connor forming the other half of the show’s adorable central couple. Besides, anyone with Connor’s fashion sense, as seen in magazines and at fashion shows (and shirtless at the gym, which may be the most fashionable look of all) instantly deserves recognition as a Dazzler.
19
September
2023
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September
2023
Dazzler of the Day: Joe Locke
The only thing that has given me any pause about not having Netflix (yes, I know, I know…) is the fact that I haven’t had the opportunity to watch any of ‘Heartstopper’, which is, I’m told, one of the greatest series for anyone who grew up as part of the LGBTQ+ world. Joe Locke forms one half of the central couple whose hearts beat for each other, and his charming turn handily earns him this Dazzler of the Day, where he joined the likes of Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine as part of same-sex couple idolatry.
15
September
2023
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September
2023
Jim Verraros Gives Us A Show and a Bow
Coming back to the music scene in splendid, scintillating fashion after a dozen years, Jim Verraros releases a magnificent return to sexy form with ‘Take My Bow’ today. He was recently crowned a Dazzler of the Day here, and upon listening to the new track it is apparent that Verraros still dazzles. ‘Take My Bow’ picks up where his last album ‘Do Not Disturb’ left off, then charts new territory by obliterating the boundaries of modern dance-pop. With its skittering beats and deliciously-sinister bass-line, ‘Take My Bow’ is the sultry slice of exuberant inspiration that Verraros has been providing since 2005; in many unheralded ways he paved the road for the likes of Sam Smith and Troye Sivan. ‘Take My Bow’ ranks right up there with the most striking releases of unabashedly queer music this year.
Based on the single, and some of the promotional artwork for this venture (see below), Verraros still knows how to put on a show. (Check out ‘Take My Bow’ on Spotify here.)
