How this comedian-actress turned podcaster finds joy in the hustle

Scroll To Top

Jonny Marlow

How this comedian-actress turned podcaster finds joy in the hustle

Laci Mosley on finding her authentic self and telling stories of some of history's infamous scammers.

30 Years, 30 Stories: join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Out100 with our Voices essays, featuring powerful personal narratives from past honorees that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community. Unlock the Out100 Vault to explore additional stories and reflect on three decades of progress and resilience.

Laci Mosley is a force to be reckoned with.

Whether she's making us laugh on television, spinning tales on her podcast Scam Goddess, or bringing her unapologetic self to the screen, Laci embodies the essence of joy. But like so many others in the entertainment industry, her journey has been one of self-discovery, persistence, and, of course, a little bit of 'scamming' along the way.

When I sat down virtually with Laci, she was in the midst of a very relatable moment—deep conditioning her hair. Her candidness set the tone for our conversation.

"I'm doing really well, which is not the norm," she began, explaining how she's made the active choice to prioritize her well-being. "Y'all are not gonna kill me. Y'all are not gonna kill your favorite bitch," she laughs.

Born and raised in Dallas, Laci moved to Los Angeles to pursue a comedy career. After gaining attention for her roles in shows like The Wedding Year,Florida Girls, and iCarly, she hit it big with her podcast Scam Goddess, where she humorously dissects scams throughout history. Her sharp wit and engaging storytelling quickly made her a favorite in the podcasting world. But behind the scenes, Laci was navigating her journey, especially when it came to embracing her queer identity.

But being named an Out100 honoree in 2022 changed her trajectory.

"The Out100 impacted my personal life more than my career," Laci admits. "I struggled with my own queer identity before that." The recognition helped her feel more secure in who she is, allowing her to embrace her queerness without fitting into any specific box. "I date women, I date men, I just date people I'm attracted to," she says confidently. It's a sentiment that resonates with other queer individuals who grapple with the complexities of identity in a world that often demands labels.

And like any journey, Laci's hasn't been without its challenges.

"As soon as I started to feel like I was creating healthy boundaries, it's like the universe tests you," she explains. For Laci, this meant learning to prioritize her health and well-being, something she hasn't always been good at. "I'm a workaholic," she admits, but she is learning to find balance and take care of herself first. Laci's visibility as a Black queer woman in the media is inspiring and impactful. She wishes for a time when queer folks, especially those marginalized within the community, can "enjoy a moment of being without having to be othered." It's a powerful statement that speaks to the heart of representation and visibility.

And speaking of visibility, Laci has set eyes on bigger dreams. "My dream is to guest host on Drag Race," she confesses with a laugh. But it's not just about the glitz and glamour; Laci is deeply committed to her community. "I'm showing up for my queer communities, I'm showing up for my Black communities, and being a cis woman as well."

She's currently working on the fifth anniversary of the Scam Goddess podcast, including a new television show based on the podcast and her upcoming book, releasing in September. "I met a lot of people who were exploited by scammers, and it completely changed the way I looked at these stories." But her passion off-screen and off-air is boxing. "It's just a great release of stress for me," she shares, adding that it's one of the few places where she can be herself.

Imparting advice on younger queer people aspiring to enter the industry, Laci's response is both practical and empowering. "Don't say no to yourself before someone says no to you," she advises. In an industry rife with rejection, Laci encourages resoluteness and a bit of creativity.

"There's always a way to get what you want."

Reflecting on the impact the Out100 recognition had on her journey, Laci admitted it's been a "true honor." Being added to the prestigious list isn't just a milestone for her but a responsibility to uplift others, to be a "big cousin" to younger queer folks, and to continue creating spaces where everyone can feel seen and celebrated.

From deep conditioning her hair while discussing queer visibility to sharing her journey of self-acceptance, Laci Mosley's story is one of the relentless pursuit of creating new rules against a world clutching to its old ones. It's a story many queer individuals understand at some point in their life, if not daily.

And, yet, we persevere. With love, laughter, and a deep sense of purpose.

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People

Artists

Disruptors

Educators

Groundbreakers

Innovators

Storytellers

Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Bob Korn/Shutterstock

Brian Sims PA LGBTQ pride parade loveislove shirts queer people dancing

Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Bob Korn/Shutterstock

Out100 | Voices

Out and loud, Brian Sims makes waves in LGBTQ+ advocacy

The legislator turned political consultant shares his story during and after his time in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, championing the next wave of LGBTQ+ politicians and activists.

This month's Democratic National Convention featured electrifying, inspiring, and engaging speakers. But the third day was the most impactful to me—when LGBTQ+ rights were front and center on that stage, with Human Rights Campaign's Kelley Robinson affirming at the podium, "Equality without exception. Joy without exception. And when we fight, we win."

It's a fight Brian Sims knows too well. As the first out gay Pennsylvania state legislator, Brian has never shied away from advocating for others.

"It's busy times," Brian says with a chuckle, a life that includes spending time with his dog and fiancé. But being busy is nothing new for Brian. As the first openly gay man elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Sims has always been at the forefront of the fight for equality. "When I joined the legislature, I knew I wanted to pursue advancing LGBTQ+ rights and civil through allyship," he reflects. And this wasn't just a vague concept for him – it was a strategy rooted in action.

Brian's approach to allyship was about more than just standing in solidarity but actively taking on the fights of others as his own. "I wasn't going to wait for the women in the House to stand up every time sexist legislation was introduced. I could stand up and say something," he explains. "And I wasn't going to wait for my colleagues of color to have to use their political capital talking about their experiences. I could do that." This early commitment to being a vocal ally defined his first term and set the tone for how he would approach his role as a legislator.

This dedication and historic win in Pennsylvania led to Brian being recognized as an Out100 honoree in 2013. However, for Brian, this recognition was more than just a personal achievement; it was a reminder of the broader impact of his work. "Being nominated and receiving the recognition reminded me that this work is critically important and that it needed to be happy in other places," he says.

But with the visibility and recognition came challenges.

Brian talks candidly about the backlash he faced, particularly from his conservative colleagues, who saw him as an easy target. "I was often the scapegoat for equality, the scapegoat for civil rights," he recalls. The public pressure was so intense that Brian wore a bulletproof vest to and from his office in his final years as a legislator. "It was terrifying, going online, trying to figure out where to get one," he recalls.

The vest, a stark symbol of the threats he faced, now sits in his fiancé's parents' attic – a haunting reminder of the risks of being a visible advocate for change.

Brian's commitment to representation and visibility has only deepened despite these challenges. Over the years, he's learned that being an out legislator wasn't enough.

It's about being out in all aspects of life.

"People needed to see me being out. They needed to see me with my partners," he says. He recalled the importance of attending Pride events and including his partner in campaign ads, even when advised against it. "I knew I could push that boundary."

Today, Brian continues to fight for LGBTQ+ rights, though his focus has shifted to national advocacy. He now works as a consultant with companies, candidates, and politicians. Sims also does work with Agenda PAC, which targets the anti-LGBTQ+ legislators in America. "We're working across the country to highlight these people's terrible agendas," he says. He's also involved with Drag PAC, an initiative where some of the U.S.'s most famous drag artists use their platforms to mobilize voters against anti-trans and anti-drag legislation.

Brian's journey from state legislator to national advocate has been marked by personal growth and professional milestones. But I couldn't help myself and asked if there were considerations for a run for Congress.

"My energies are best spent trying to find, train, and help fund those that are running for Congress," he said with a smile.

As Out100 marks its 30th anniversary, Brian reflects on what it means to be part of this group of LGBTQ+ changemakers. "It is a poignant reminder that the community that I most align with, that I most identify with, is a massively diverse community," he says.

For Brian, this diversity is the community's greatest strength and the key to achieving full equality.

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People

Artists

Disruptors

Educators

Groundbreakers

Innovators

Storytellers

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A first-generation Haitian-American trans woman with a robust history of independent work as a communications and social media expert, she has tirelessly championed LGBTQ+ artists and performers, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each project with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @ageofadelina.

Search form

visible & vibrant

How this comedian-actress turned podcaster finds joy in the hustle

Laci Mosley on finding her authentic self and telling stories of some of history's infamous scammers.

The legislator turned political consultant shares his story during and after his time in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, championing the next wave of LGBTQ+ politicians and activists.

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière