Chris Azzopardi
Safe Space, Sacred Trust: The Incredible 53-Year Legacy of Grand Rapids' Apartment Lounge
On a nervous 21st birthday venture into what would become his future, Bobby Johnson walked into The Apartment Lounge's previous location in Grand Rapids. The bar was filled with patrons in their 30s and 40s — “old” to his young eyes [...]
Remembering Jody Valley: The Pride Source Columnist Who Gave LGBTQ+ Readers a Lifeline
Jody Amelia-Ann Valley, who passed away on Dec. 28, 2024, just shy of her 83rd birthday, left behind more than just an advice column — she created a lifeline for LGBTQ+ folks when they needed it most. Her "Dear Jody" column in Between The Lines [...]
Fortune Feimster on Being the Representation She Once Needed as a Gay Southerner
Fortune Feimster may not wear a cape or leap tall buildings, but she might just be a superhero. Her superpower? Making us laugh until we forget why we needed saving in the first place.In an America that often feels like a punchline without the [...]
‘Be the Example’: Melissa Etheridge on Touring with the Indigo Girls, Activism and Her No 'Fs to Give' Mentality
To quote Melissa Etheridge, ain’t it heavy? For some perspective on recent assaults on LGBTQ+ rights brought by the Trump administration, turning to a gay icon with decades of experience in resilience and unity is always worthwhile. Enter [...]
Rebirth in Action: How Renowned Opera Futurist Yuval Sharon Is Transforming the Art Form for Detroit Audiences
If, as Detroit Opera artistic director Yuval Sharon writes, “rebirth is opera’s true power,” then he embodies that potential, continually reshaping the art form to be more inclusive, innovative and dynamic. At the helm of Detroit [...]
Nemo’s Big Year: How the Eurovision Winner Is Championing Visibility for the Nonbinary Community
When Eurovision Song Contest 2024, the high-camp international singing competition, crowned Nemo as its winner earlier this year, it signified more than a musical triumph — it was a groundbreaking moment for representation. Since then, the [...]
A Conversation with Robbie Williams: The Straight Pop Star Who Made Space for My Queer Identity
I had already agreed to an interview with Robbie Williams before realizing he wasn’t queer at all. That’s on me. As a teenager who was fond of his anthemic ballad “Angel” and then saw him strip down to his briefs (and much [...]
Jonathan Bennett on Queering Hallmark, Dancing at Michigan's Necto and His Christmas Movie Pitch to Lindsay Lohan
Fortunately, queer representation on the Hallmark Channel is no longer a rare Christmas miracle, and much of that progress can be attributed to Jonathan Bennett. The actor, producer and proud Midwesterner is breaking barriers and challenging norms as [...]
We Are Here for You: The Vital Work of Journalists in LGBTQ+ Media Post-Election
The days following this election have been filled with raw emotion — frustration, sadness, uncertainty and fear for the future. For many in our LGBTQ+ community, including the Pride Source staff, this recent election left us reeling. Navigating [...]
The Horror Behind the Music: Tegan and Sara’s Unbelievable Real-Life Catfishing Saga
“Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara” makes some horror films look like Disney fare. That’s because something is especially scary when it could happen to you. Or in this case, a lesbian Canadian indie-turned-pop duo beloved [...]
Why Cyndi Lauper's Farewell Tour in Detroit Felt Like, Well, a Suitcase of Memories
I spent 15 years attending the Catholic church (and over 15 years more attending pop concerts), so I can confidently say that pop music shows are a form of congregational worship in their own right. They serve as sermons for the soul, and sometimes [...]
Lukas Gage Talks 'Fear of Being Boring,' Queer Sex Representation and His Reaction to Fans Thirsting Over His 'Smile 2' Role
On hit shows such as “Euphoria” and “You,” Lukas Gage has perfected the art of being captivatingly chaotic. Though experiencing a golden shower during the latter series' fourth season might not have been on the actor's bucket [...]