Editor in Chief ’s Letter

’ll take any glimmer of hope going during

Attitude LOVES

‘STONE VENEER’ BY BENTLEY A luxury car interior

The Rules

…for  being  a fashion  queen  on  a budget

LAND OF THE FREE?

With Joe Biden’s feet now firmly under the desk in the Oval Office, journalist and reporter Jordan Mazza looks at the challenges facing the new president

big in wig

BBC/WORLD OF WONDER/RAY BURMISTON Tia Kofi Giving us razor-sharp

It’s official: style is dead

#INSTAMAN @ccervoni CALVIN CERVONI IS A FITNESS TRAINER.

Gott Save the Queens

RuPaul’s Drag Race marked another moment in herstory when Kade Gottlieb, aka Gottmik joined season 13 as the series’ first trans male contestant. He talks to Cliff Joannou about coming out to a religious family in Arizona, being welcomed by the drag community, and how they handle Drag Race drama…

DESIGN OF THE TIMES

At the forefront of fashion, British designer Daniel w. Fletcher puts a pin in how the industry must move forward, spicing things up with Victoria Beckham and when he first realised he could lead a happy life as a gay man

The Princess Diaries

When Bimini Bon Boulash paid homage to Princess Julia as their gay icon on Drag Race UK, it brought the counter-culture queen to mainstream attention. Cliff Joannou meets the “first lady of London’s fashion scene” to discover a history of queerness that spans countless nights out across six monumental decades… oh, and two gay husbands

Mind, body and Saul

Get the lowdown on British fashion designer and dancer Saul Nash – we’re, ahem, sew excited about this rising LGBTQ+ star

School of thought

Thomas Wiltshire, 29, an English teacher at Saint Gabriel’s College, a secondary school in Lambeth, south London, shares his thoughts on teaching during lockdown and how the closure of schools has disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ children

PLUCK OF THE IRISH

has spent the past five years meeting local LGBTQ people in cities around the world, photographing them and gathering their stories to publish in Elska, the magazine he founded. Here he recalls his most recent journey to Belfast — where lingering antigay prejudice means its queer community still struggles to shake off the shackles of the past, as they look to the future

Author provocateur

Turning heads with the title of her debut

Soft Lights and Sweet Music

Stephen Bourne remembers Elisabeth Welch, the legendary cabaret diva who, with her beauty, elegance and style, won the hearts of the LGBTQ community, as well as the likes of Cole Porter and Derek Jarman

Rory Hutton

Founder & creative director of Rory Hutton

Selling Sunset

A destination longrenowned for its picture-postcard beauty, the Aegean island of Santorini has more to offer than just soul-stirring sunsets – though it’s a good place to start

HOLDING COURT

American  tennis  player  Lendale  Johnson  is the sport’s  first out  gay professional

Blurred lines

Challenging gender  stereotypes (and  looking fierce while  doing so) Wesley Spencer, 25, opens up  about toxicity within  the gay community — and why it is rear-ly  important to love the  skin you’re in

A PROBLEM SHARED

Got a problem? Dr Ranj Singh is here to offer his advice

Act against anxiety

Psychotherapist Owen O’ Kane on keeping calm during the pandemic

WFH: WORKING (OUT) FROM HOME

Switch up your regime with these fitness essentials

PICTURE THIS

The UK’s most impressive celebration of queer cinema, BFI Flare, is boldly back and going fully digital. Here, the festival’s programmers Michael Blyth, Zorian Clayton and Brian Robinson share just a few of their favourites…

MICHAEL PERRY (AKA MR PLANT GEEK)

Gardener & TV presenter

No business like no-show business!

IT WAS THE YEAR WHEN OUR ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE GREAT, THE GAY AND THE GOOD WENT BIG AND WENT HOME. WE GIVE YOU… THE NINTH ANNUAL VIRGIN ATLANTIC ATTITUDE AWARDS, POWERED BY JAGUAR

Books

Order books online at gaystheword.co.uk BOOK OF THE

Music

Rina Sawayama ONE TO WATCH Playing our tune

APPLES

4 / 5 Aris Servetalis, Sofia Georgovassili, Anna

Extreme life makeover

What happens when a Korean-American family leaves California to set up home on a farm in rural Arkansas

Fashionlista

LANVIN Houndstooth trousers, £90, Tommy Jeans Blue co

Crush

LET’S GET TECHNICAL Utility is at the forefront

Model Behaviour

The fashion world has always been a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. But while many top designers and creative directors are gay, on the modelling side representation is still lacking.We spoke to models Billy, Marcus and Reece about being out and queer in the industry, and how things are changing for the better

Reece wears Daniel w. Fletcher

Models Marcus Hodson at Select Model Managment London

Beauty

Get set to slay this Spring/Summer with our  handpicked hero products – from skincare and makeup to perfumes

Jawara Alleyne

Fashion designer