Matthew Salacuse
Storytellers
Taylor Tomlinson
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Taylor Tomlinson is a groundbreaking bisexual comedian known for her sharp wit and relatable humor. As a stand-up, Tomlinson blends laughter with comfort. In the past year, Tomlinson hit major career milestones, releasing her third Netflix special and stepping into the role of a late-night CBS host on After Midnight.
Despite her success, Tomlinson’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Losing her mother at a young age deeply affected her, a topic she bravely explores in her second special, Look at You. Overcoming the stigma around mental health and seeking therapy in her 20s was a pivotal step, shaping her into the person she is today. Currently, she’s back on the road with her Save Me Tour and working on the second season of After Midnight.
“First and foremost, I’m a stand-up comedian,” she says. “It’s the foundation of my career, and any other opportunities I’m lucky enough to get are the result of that. I hope that my comedy helps people feel seen. I want it to be funny and comforting.” @taylortomlinson
Gabriella Angelina
Charlotte Drury
Mey RudeMey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Laurie Hernandez
Meet some of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Charlotte Drury
The nation rooted for Laurie Hernandez as a part of the “Final Five” USA gymnastics team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she won the team gold and silver in balance beam. That was when she was a teen. Now the next stage of her life has begun.
Hernandez, who has been dating her partner Charlotte Drury since 2020, is currently a full-time NYU student. This summer, she provided commentary for NBC’s coverage of women’s gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she quickly became a fan-favorite announcer. She even dropped a clever “and they were roommates…” Sapphic reference!
The future is bright for Hernandez, who next plans on acting and writing (both novels and screenplays) and is looking forward to graduation, after which she hopes to continue to make the world a better place. “In a world often weighted with shame and judgment, be the person that makes a space welcoming for all,” she says. “It’s a conscious thought, but a worthy one.” @lauriehernandez