Brendan Fraser laid it all out in the open regarding his career, especially that one scene with Matt Damon in School Ties.
Stunning New Portraits Capture Queer Beauty & Strength
What comes to your mind when you think about LGBTQ+ people? For some, we are their safe place. We are their home and their community. Needless to say, there are some who think of us as deviants, and perverts. Weak and helpless, hiding behind a misappropriated boogieman called “wokeness”. When I think of queer people I think of strength. I think of beauty and resilience. Even now as trans and gender non-conforming folks feel the walls closing in around us, there is an absolute certainty and defiance. We are here and we will not succumb. Thankfully, I’m not alone in that sentiment.
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Meet Barry Brandon
“We are pearls,” says queer and non-conforming digital creator Barry Brandon. You may recognize Brandon from their viral appearances on queer TikTok. I distinctly recall the “MOVE OUT OF OUR WAY” video leaving me breathless. Now ze is back to take my breath all over again with a new series of portraits and videos that celebrate queer resilience. The portraits also feature icons like Beltrán, Sister Trish, Tom Pipol Escobar, Joe Paquette, Calogero Cammilleri, Darling Peter, and Ovidiu Popescu. The stunning images were taken by Franco Dlp with the help of Sandra Quintero. If you ever needed a reminder of the beauty and strength of femininity in AMAB folks, this is it.
“I associate queer identity and expression with pearls,” writes Barry on Instagram. “We are sprinkled around the world, sometimes feeling as though we are alone […] We are strong and resilient beyond measure, contrary to popular perceptions.” The metaphor is so elegant and perfect, I truly hope it catches on. “We, like pearls, are rare, both delicate and strong, beautiful and unique, each maintaining our individuality.” We got the chance to connect with Barry about this project, including what the significance of the pearls meant to her. We also asked him for his thoughts on how AMAB folks can find the confidence to express their femininity without shame. If you’re not already following them, check out Barry’s work on Instagram and TikTok and support them in any way you can. Show a pearl some love.
Gayety: What inspired you to create this project? What is the significance of the pearls?
Barry: Pearls are so unique. They are something like 1 in 10 000 and even rarer than that in other mollusks. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colours and yet they grow and develop naturally all over the world. It’s like queer people. We are essentially pearls, potentially feeling as though no one around us understands us. Yet we are birthed with an intuitive understanding of how important our individual identity and expression are. We come from different spaces and places, and yet we are here.
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Gayety: What advice would you give to AMAB folks who want to explore their femininity?
Barry: Give yourself permission to be. To express how you feel and, so long as you are in a space enough place to do so, give yourself permission to explore. Not everyone wants to wear heels, Not everyone wants to wear jeans. But the truth is until you give yourself permission to explore your expression, you are abiding by someone else’s rule book for how you live your life. Give yourself permission to be. That is when life begins.
Before You Go
I want to thank Barry for her thoughtful responses to my questions and the much-needed reminder. We are so much more than the sum of our parts. We are pearls. Unique, resilient, and even more beautiful when we join together. Remember to follow Barry, and everyone involved in this project, and share their work. Pearls like us have to stick together.
‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Introduces First Trans Character to Harry Potter Universe
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Olympic Diver Matthew Mitcham’s OnlyFans Is Officially Live
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Australian Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham OnlyFans is officially live.
Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham launched his OnlyFans account today. According to its description, Mitcham created his OnlyFans “For everything that would be banned on Instagram and TikTok.” But he warned fans not to expect anything too risqué.
Mitcham seemingly launched OnlyFans on November 4, 2022, but he had not posted about it publicly on social media. Mitcham captioned his first OnlyFans post, saying, “A lot of people have asked very politely for me to start my own OnlyFans, and how could I refuse such good manners?!”
Since then, he’s shared 45 pieces of content to his account.
To check out his account for yourself, head over to his Twitter.
Who Is Matthew Mitcham?
Matthew Mitcham is a retired Australian Olympic diver who made a big splash in the diving world with his performances at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He was born on August 2, 1988, in Brisbane, Australia, and began diving at 10. Over the years, he quickly established himself as a talented and daring diver with a repertoire of complicated and intricate dives.
Mitcham’s breakthrough came at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where he competed in the men’s 10-meter platform event. He wowed the crowd with his daring and skillful dives and ultimately won the gold medal, becoming the first Australian to win a gold medal in diving. With this win, he made history and captured the hearts of the Australian public and earned widespread recognition as one of the world’s top divers.
Did Matthew Mitcham Retire?
After his Olympic success, Mitcham continued to compete at the highest level, winning several Commonwealth Games and World Championship medals. He also became a popular public figure, appearing on numerous television shows and receiving many accolades for his achievements. Despite struggling with mental health issues and injury throughout his career, he never lost his passion for diving and continued to inspire others with his bravery and determination.
Mitcham retired from competitive diving but remains a beloved and respected figure in the sports world. He is renowned as one of Australia’s greatest divers. Mitcham continues to inspire others with his story of resilience and success. In addition to his diving achievements, he is also an advocate for LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness, using his platform to raise awareness and support for these important issues.
Mitcham is an icon in Australian sports. He represents a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. He has left an indelible mark on the diving world and continues to inspire new generations of divers and athletes.
Velma and Daphne Kissed in the Live-Action ‘Scooby Doo’ Movie … But It Was Cut
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Salma Hayek Asks Channing Tatum to Give Her a Lap Dance
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‘Quantum Leap’ Director Shakina Says Transgender Youth Episode is About Liberation
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‘Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls’ is the Sapphic Coming-Of-Age Story You Need to See
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Tom Brady Takes the Internet by Storm with Underwear Thirst Trap
Tom Brady just scored a touchdown with his underwear thirst trap, giving new meaning to the phrase ‘taking it to the end zone’.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Recently retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady set the internet ablaze with a shirtless selfie from his bed on February 6th. The selfie showed off his Brady Brand underwear and was posted as part of a challenge he promised to fulfill over the summer. The challenge was set by the Brady Brand, which said in a tweet to the athlete, “Hey @TomBrady, we haven’t forgotten about this.” The challenge was to recreate underwear photos from a Brady Brand campaign if the post received over 40,000 likes.
Brady posted the selfie with his hand strategically placed over his underwear, cheekily asking his former NFL teammates Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, “Did I do it right?” in the caption.
He made headlines with his announcement of his retirement from professional football on February 1st. In a social media post, he said, “I’m retiring for good. I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first.”
Brady, who played his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, thanked his family, friends, teammates, and competitors for supporting him throughout his career. He shared memorable photos of his family, including ex-wife Gisele Bündchen and their children.
Following his’s announcement, Gisele, who split from Brady in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage, showed her support for his new chapter. The former supermodel commented on his post, saying, “Wishing you only wonderful things in this new chapter of your life.”
Brady’s future endeavors include modeling for his Brady Brand and acting.
Who Is Tom Brady?
Tom Brady is a former American football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. Brady played primarily for the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2019 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and 2021. Many consider him one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He won numerous awards and accolades, including seven Super Bowl championships and five NFL Most Valuable Player Awards.
What is Brady Brand?
Brady Brand is a technical apparel brand. It was founded by Tom Brady, Jens Grede, and Dao-Yi Chow. The brand aims to create clothing that performs well in all activities. They use two decades of professional sports innovation and engineering to achieve this. The brand’s products use natural materials and cutting-edge technology. They are designed to move, breathe, and sweat with the body. The brand’s philosophy, Lifeletics, encourages people to be their best in life. They view life as a sport.
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Kim Petras Becomes First Out Trans Woman to Win Grammy in the Pop Group/Duo Performance
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Grammy Glory for Kim Petras and Sam Smith!
Kim Petras and Sam Smith made history at the Grammy Awards as they took home the Best Pop Group/Duo Performance award for their hit “Unholy” from Smith’s album “Gloria.”
Smith graciously allowed Petras to accept the award on their behalf, and in her speech, Petras expressed gratitude for Smith’s support and recognition of the trans women in music who paved the way for her. She specifically honored the late, legendary Grammy-nominated producer and electronic artist SOPHIE, who passed away in 2021.
Petras, who is the first out trans woman to win the award, began her speech by acknowledging Smith’s unwavering support and expressed that they wanted her to accept the award.
Related | Sam Smith and Kim Petras Make LGBTQ+ History
Petras also expressed her appreciation for Madonna’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, saying, “I don’t think I could be here without Madonna.”
Petras closed her heartfelt speech by giving credit to her mother, saying, “Growing up near a highway in rural Germany, my mother believed in me as a girl, and I wouldn’t be here without her support and everyone who believed in me up until this point.”
Smith was a multiple Grammy nominee in 2015, picking up four awards, including Best New Artist, Record, and Song of the Year.
Who Is Kim Petras?
Petras is a German pop singer and songwriter who first gained recognition for her pop music in the 2010s. She is known for her catchy dance-pop tracks and has released several critically acclaimed EPs and albums. Petras has collaborated with a number of high-profile musicians and producers and has built a dedicated fanbase.
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