Photo by Sam Waxman
Artists
Ty Sunderland
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Ty Sunderland is a DJ, event producer, and entrepreneur who, as Kim Petras told BuzzFeed this year, “throws the best parties in New York.” As he describes his work, “I’m grateful to produce events and spaces for the LGBTQ community to come and feel that they [have] a space to be themselves and meet other people like themselves. I also get to make music and give people a moment to let go and dance.”
Sunderland has had some big music moments in 2023. In a career milestone, “I remixed for Kelly Clarkson, and it’s included on her deluxe album, which is truly insane for me to even type,” notes Sunderland, referring to “Mine” on Clarkson’s Chemistry. He’s also served as a bartender on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.
Sunderland is busier than ever spinning for events, which range from Coachella to Planet Pride, the largest event in New York City's Pride season. He throws a regular Sunday party in Brooklyn, Ty Tea, and is on call for celebs like Janet Jackson for late-night fetes. The broader gay internet world will know his Gayflower boat parties; Sunderland went viral in 2021 for revealing a “demon twink” wreaked havoc at one outing.
It’s been so busy this year, “I think my biggest obstacle was learning how to play for so many different crowds,” he says. “It’s been a great learning experience and has made me a better DJ.”
At present, Sunderland is working on his debut EP, which “I’m really excited to share with everyone.” As a gay artist, he also stresses the need for the LGBTQ+ movement to mobilize in the face of attacks.
“Equality for the LGBTQ community didn’t and doesn’t stop at marriage equality,” Sunderland stresses. “There’s still a lot [of] work to be done, we just have to continue to stay organized. Especially now more than ever.” @tysunderland
Artists
Troye Sivan
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Photo by Stuart Winecoff
It’s been five years since Troye Sivan’s second studio album, Bloom, was released to much acclaim. And Something to Give Each Other, which came out this October, was well worth the wait.
Sivan and his art routinely spark conversation in pop and LGBTQ+ culture. “Rush,” the album’s lead single that dropped in July, is no exception. It became (along with Kylie Minogue’s “Padam Padam”) the queer song of the summer. The steamy music video, an explosion of dancing, abs, and hedonism, unleashed its own rush of think pieces about popper use and body diversity in queer spaces.
Sivan, who as an actor had a role this year on The Idol — Max’s much-skewered scripted show on pop stardom— also made headlines for his candor this year. He revealed on the High Low podcast that, despite the reputation he received from 2018’s “Bloom,” which was widely received as a bottom anthem, he is, in fact, not a “power bottom.”
Whatever his preferences, Sivan has proven himself a versatile artist. The release of Something to Give Each Other was Troye’s proudest accomplishment of 2023 — along with the launch of Tsu Lange Yor. The Australian lifestyle and homeware brand, for which Sivan serves as creative director, sells candles and scents as well as home objects. “My brother and I started it together, had to trust our guts, find incredible people to work with, and have learnt so much along the way,” the 28-year-old says.
In art and in life, Sivan remains inspired by his community. “Through so much adversity, the LGBTQ+ community pushes to be a safe space for all — pulled together by pillars of love, support, chosen family, and freedom,” he says. “Queer people everywhere need to be protected and be able to celebrate themselves as loudly as they want.” @troyesivan