GAY TIMES speaks with The Wedding Banquet director Andrew Ahn and stars Kelly Marie Tran, Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Han Gi-chan and Joan Chen about the queer rom-com’s relevance in an era of rising conservatism.

WORDS BY SAM DAMSHENAS

The stars of The Wedding Banquet have reflected on the film’s significance for LGBTQIA+, Asian and Indigenous-American representation, particularly in the era of Trump 2.0.

A remake of the 1993 classic of the same name, the queer rom-com follows lesbian couple Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) and Lee (Lily Gladstone), who are trying to have a baby via IVF but can’t afford a third round of treatment. They live with their friends: Min (Han Gi-chan), the closeted heir to a multinational empire, and his commitment-averse boyfriend, Chris (Bowen Yang).

When Chris turns down Min’s marriage proposal, Min decides to arrange a green-card marriage with Angela, offering to fund Lee’s IVF in exchange. Their plan is thrown into chaos when Min’s grandmother (Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung) arrives from Korea to meet her future granddaughter-in-law, and insists on throwing an extravagant wedding bash.

Directed by Andrew Ahn (Fire Island), The Wedding Banquet received rave reviews for Ahn’s direction and the cast’s performances, as well its homage to the original film as the refreshing dynamic between a gay and lesbian couple.

In an interview with GAY TIMES, Ahn reveals that he wanted to “reimagine” The Wedding Banquet for modern audiences, especially given the LGBTQIA+ community’s recent strides in marriage equality and parenthood.

“I wondered, ‘Now that we can [get married], do we actually want to? Should we?’ With my boyfriend, now that we have the option, it becomes a responsibility, a choice. I think there’s a lot of millennial indecision that we have,” explains Ahn. “And with children, I had this conversation with my boyfriend early on in our dating and he said, ‘If it happens it happens.’ I was like, ‘No! That doesn’t work that way for gay people.’”

“I realised in that moment, as a gay person, we have to be extremely intentional about having children and any sort of small hesitation actually becomes a big obstacle,” he continues. “I kind of split up my relationship with my boyfriend into these two couples – Chris and Min and Angela and Lee – to tackle these two ideas of how queer families can grow.”

Gi-chan, who makes his English-language debut in The Wedding Banquet, says he was drawn to Min as a “three-dimensional, complicated character” caught between living authentically as a gay man and fulfilling the expectations of his Korean family, a tension that reflects the complex intersection of queerness and cultural tradition.

“He’s still in the closet. And when I look at Min, he has a very child-like innocence, which I was really attracted to,” he says. “I think that everyone has a little child-like moment in the corner of their hearts, but we try to hide those moments when we grow up. That was similar to me, so it was the most charming [aspect of Min that] I was trying to make natural on the screen.”

For Yang, he was interested in exploring why Chris is “paralysed by what’s possible”, how he’s sabotaging a happy future with Min because he’s still “dejected” by what’s no longer possible in other areas of his life. “I’ve been saying that this is about a gay couple and a lesbian couple, and there’s a lot of overlap in that Venn diagram,” the Las Culturistas star continues. “But, marriage and parenthood aren’t necessarily living in that overlap. So, what makes this movie very interesting and compelling is that these are two couples that have to grapple with two things they are not normally faced with understanding or really moving through in normal circumstances.”

The inclusion of both queer men and women as lead characters in The Wedding Banquet is one of many reasons the film is groundbreaking. While authentic queer narratives have become more visible in recent years, from All of Us Strangers and Fellow Travelers to Love Lies Bleeding and Bottoms, it’s still rare to see queer characters of different genders sharing the spotlight equally. Ahn quips that “gay men are so annoying sometimes” – a sentiment Yang immediately agrees with – before adding that there’s much to learn from other members of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly when it comes to “showing solidarity and the organic friendships that can happen.”

Unlike his experience on Fire Island, which featured a predominantly male cast to reflect the setting, Ahn envisioned The Wedding Banquet as more representative of his own “friend group”. “That’s something I really valued in the experience of making this film,” he says. “And honestly, getting to work with Kelly Marie Tran and Lily Gladstone? What a cast. I was very happy to show this mixed queer family.”

Tran, best known for her role as Rose Tico in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, emphasises the importance of visibility for viewers with little exposure to East Asian, Indigenous-American or queer communities. “These are also human beings who are full of hopes and dreams, who want to be loved and accepted,” she says. In light of the current political climate, where LGBTQIA+ rights are under threat and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are being rolled back, Tran underscores that “legislation doesn’t change until the culture does.” With that in mind, she adds, “Hopefully we get to change culture, change legislation, and make change. That is the dream.”

In light of content honouring Navajo Code Talkers being removed from various U.S. government websites, Gladstone emphasises just how timely a film like The Wedding Banquet is amid what she describes as a “slow rise in fascism”: “We’re rhyming with a very significant part of history again. I feel like, because our characters come from strong, identifiable cultural backgrounds that shape their queerness, it shaped how our characters interact with each other and is making a statement about the great DEI experiment of our time: America.”

Gladstone shares that the script for The Wedding Banquet didn’t explicitly identify Lee as Indigenous, but she approaches every role through the lens of her own identity. To illustrate, she cites a quote from Danny DeVito: “No matter what character I play, they’re all going to be short!” Gladstone, who memorably became the first Indigenous-American to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress and to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar, for her role as an Osage woman in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), saw The Wedding Banquet as an opportunity to continue honouring her heritage. She named her character after Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Seattle, leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples.

Building on that, Gladstone made a conscious choice to root Lee’s motivations and relationships in a deeply Indigenous worldview, one that pushes back against colonial ideas of land, family, and identity. “I had to decide why, in this day and age, it’s important for Lee to have a child of her own. It’s set up that we found a Taiwanese sperm, so the child would look, at least, like its mom, and it’s clearly Lee’s own egg. So, why would that be important to her?” For Gladstone, the idea of “keeping Duwamish land in Duwamish hands” became central to Lee’s story, especially considering that the Duwamish people, the original inhabitants of Seattle, are still not federally recognised and have repeatedly had their attempts at recognition blocked. Making Lee a Duwamish woman allowed both the character and the film to explore themes of land sovereignty and generational continuity.

Decolonising the concept of family was equally important. Gladstone notes that “it’s been only fairly recently in our history where the idea of the nuclear family has been introduced through colonisation,” along with homophobia, transphobia, and genderphobia. “There’s always traditionally been a space for multiple genders, multiple sexualities. The two have been delineated by our language and cultural practice. A lot of what seems like ‘new knowledge now,’ you can find roots in Indigenous knowledge.” For her, it was crucial that Lee be an explicitly Indigenous character who is “decolonising all of those things by being a community leader, by housing unhoused trans and queer youth, by creating a home for queer families on her ancestral land.”

@gaytimes Lily Gladstone reflects on the importance of indigenous representation in The Wedding Banquet ❤️ #interview #indigenous #indigenoustiktok #newmovie #nativeamerican #representation #queertiktok #dannydevito ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

The Wedding Banquet also stars Joan Chen as May Chen, Angela’s mother who, after previously rejecting her for her sexuality, has now become an unwavering LGBTQIA+ ally (and a “mother,” if you will), leading their local PFLAG chapter (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Chen previously played Hwei-Lan Gao in Saving Face (2004), one of the first-ever films to centre an LGBTQIA+ Chinese character. It has since been hailed as one of the greatest queer films of all time. Despite May’s consistent efforts to be supportive, Angela sees her activism as performative, and that tension drives a wedge between them.

Whether it’s performative or not, May is trying – and that effort to do better is something many parents of LGBTQIA+ children can learn from. “This is the only way to love your children,” Chen tells GAY TIMES. “I have other lesbian friends who were in that generation, like the Saving Face director [Alice Wu], her generation, everybody has that tragedy, especially for East Asian families, how to tell your family [that you are queer]. Where I come from, it’s still not allowed in mainstream media. You think you’re a failure if your children are not straight. It’s like, ‘No, you cannot be gay because I’m not a bad mother’. That kind of attitude.”

Chen explains that May has overcome many of the prejudices and societal expectations placed on her as an East Asian mother of a queer child, and is now doing her best to “make up for it”: “You love her, not knowing that she has, in the beginning, hurt her child so deeply, traumatised [her]. But she’s not unique, it happens in most Asian cultures. [Wu] came out to her mom and, for two years, they didn’t speak, until the mother turned around. Somehow, you know, there is no other way to love your children.”

The Wedding Banquet is out in UK cinemas now.

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Fresh off her well-deserved Drag Race victory, Onya Nurve is ready for a starring role.

In an interview with GAY TIMES, the season 17 champion revealed that her dream is to achieve the coveted EGOT — and to star in a film alongside acclaimed Black actors like Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Denzel Washington, and Lupita Nyong’o.

She added: “All in one movie, all in one space, is how I see it.”

Throughout the season, Onya memorably showed off her comedic chops — from the campy chaos of Ross Matthews vs The Ducks to her Snatch Game win in front of Abbott Elementary star Quinta Brunson.

Given how much she gushed about the Emmy-winning comedy, we told her a guest appearance felt inevitable.

Excited at the prospect, Onya responded: “Oh, it’s going to happen! That’s already stamped in stone in my brain. It is. That’s not even a dream. That’s going to happen…”

And it might not be far off. Brunson clearly took notice — on the panel, she expressed interest in seeing Onya “host Saturday Night Live one day,” adding that she’s a “fan” and that she “loves her”.

Across its acclaimed four-season run (so far), Abbott Elementary has welcomed a slew of iconic guest stars — including Taraji P. Henson, Bradley Cooper, Keegan-Michael Key, Leslie Odom Jr., Ayo Edebiri, and Jalen Hurts — and even featured a crossover with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

In other words: there’s plenty of room for Onya Nurve to sashay through the Abbott halls. (Manifest it with us now…)

Onya memorably triumphed over Jewels Sparkles in the Drag Race season 17 finale after the two powerhouses lip-synced to Lady Gaga’s iconic banger, ‘Abracadabra’.

With four maxi-challenge wins, multiple additional top placements and just one appearance in the lip-sync for your life, Onya cemented her status as one of the most formidable contestants in Drag Race herstory.

Onya also won praise from fans for her unwavering commitment to celebrating and uplifting Black culture on the runway.

As she told GAY TIMES: “There are so many entertainers in the world that look just like me and feel just like me, that they’re not good enough and have to work twice as hard as their white counterparts to get even half of what they have.

“I just want to be a reminder that, if you keep working hard and following your dreams, baby, you can also be a RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar.”

You can read our full interview with Onya Nurve here. While you’re at it, revisit her fierce lip-sync against Jewels to ‘Abracadabra’ below.

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In an exclusive interview with GAY TIMES, Onya Nurve opens up about her Drag Race victory, the intentional choice behind skipping reveals in the final lip-sync, and her plans to secure an EGOT.

WORDS BY SAM DAMSHENAS

With a gargantuan 700k+ likes on her #TEAM post, Onya Nurve had already made herstory as the finalist with the most online support heading into a RuPaul’s Drag Race finale. It wasn’t a surprise, though — the theatre buff racked up four maxi-challenge wins over the season, including the coveted Snatch Game, all while consistently serving Black excellence with her unwavering celebration and homage to Black culture. Then, on 18 April, Onya dominated! the finale — showcasing her powerful vocals on the original track ‘It Do Take Nurve’, before abracadabra, amor-ooh-na-na’ing her way to glory in the final lip-sync smackdown against Jewels Sparkles.

While Onya has “barely had time to eat” or sleep since her win — thanks to a whirlwind of media and club appearances, including a guest stint on Good Morning America (major) — she’s already laser-focused on her next dream: conquering the EGOT. “I want to get my Emmy. I want to get my Grammy. I want to get my Tony. And I want to get my Oscar,” Onya tells GAY TIMES, adding that she also envisions buying her own home and, of course, continuing to be “the bad bitch that I am.”

Here, Onya Nurve reflects on her triumphant Drag Race season 17 journey — from the episode she’s most proud of, to her undeniable impact on future Black queens, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. She also opens up about why she skipped a reveal during her ‘Abracadabra’ lip-sync, and spills which iconic show she’s destined to appear on. In the words of Onya herself: “It do take Nurve!”

Onya Nurve! America’s Next Drag Superstar! How are you feeling? Has it sunk in yet?

I don’t think so! I don’t think so. You can imagine how fast everything is moving. I’ve barely had time to eat, honey! So, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I am over the moon, girl.

You appeared on Good Morning America, too. I mean, how many hours of sleep have you had since being crowned?

I had zero hours of sleep before going on Good Morning America because I knew if I would’ve slept even a bit, I would’ve been a wreck. So I’m just like, ‘Girl, stay up and you’ll get your sleep after.’

Your lovely mum Nina was there to support you and, of course, your father appeared on Drag Race for the makeover. How do they feel knowing their child is America’s Next Drag Superstar?

I think they just stopped crying yesterday! They’re so excited, overwhelmed and overjoyed with emotion. I was so happy to make them proud.

You’ve made so many people proud and, Onya, you demolished that final lip-sync.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

What was it like stepping into that final moment on the stage to do the final lip-sync, with the pressure to secure the crown, but also the added challenge of doing justice to this iconic Lady Gaga banger?

My goal going into that lip-sync was just to be true to who I am as an entertainer. I know what I’ve always brought to the table, and it hasn’t failed me yet. So, I needed to trust that and really bet on myself just one more time.

You certainly gave Little Monster and did justice to the line, “Dance or Die”.

[Laughs] I understood the category!

Queens and Drag Race fans historically love a lip-sync reveal, but you opted not to. Not that you needed it. Was that intentional on your part, to show audiences that Onya Nurve can command a stage without a reveal moment?

It was intentional. Of course, I had other options, but at the end of the day… I mean, to be honest, I didn’t practice those options with nails, and I was definitely going on the stage with nails! But, I just told myself, ‘You are not a reveal queen. You’ve never done goops and gags. You are the goop and gag. So, you just go out there, give it your all and be yourself.’

You were “the Lady in Red”, anyway.

I absolutely was! That was the only thing that was pretty intentional as far as the presence of the song. I just knew I wanted to be in all red, and I felt like I would pull attention in that way. It obviously paid off!

It was queer joy at its finest. Ahead of the finale, you received more likes on a #Team post than any other finalist in Drag Race herstory…

Oh my god…

What was that like, to be met with so much love and support from fans?

Amazing. I’m not a social media girl, but getting on Drag Race helped me understand that social media is a very powerful source when it comes to being a queen and how the world sees you. So, it was very heartwarming to see that America – the world! – was riding for your girl!

Let’s talk about your standout moments this season. With four maxi-challenge wins and various top placements, there’s a lot; from your hilarious rendition of Laganja Estranja’s ‘Put Your Lighters Up’ to your Snatch Game-winning impersonation of Eddie Murphy and your interpretative dance with Lexi Love. And, of course, Ross Matthews vs The Ducks, comedy perfection and my personal favourite. Is there a moment you’re particularly proud of?

I think my proudest moment would probably be the RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! challenge. Hosting is the role that I really wanted to do, and I am a host outside of Drag Race a lot, so I felt really at home in that moment. I felt proud doing it. Also, doing Snatch Game as Eddie Murphy was amazing because I knew that doing an actor and comedian that was such an icon like he is wasn’t going to be easy. I’m glad I took the chance, and doing it while Quinta Brunson was there was incredible!

Throughout the season, you expressed how important it was for you to celebrate and uplift Black culture through your drag. Have you noticed this have an impact on viewers at home who share the same experiences as you?

Absolutely. There are so many entertainers in the world that look just like me and feel just like me, that they’re not good enough and have to work twice as hard as their white counterparts to get even half of what they have. I just want to be a reminder that, if you keep working hard and following your dreams, baby, you can also be a RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar.

When fans look back at season 17, what do you hope they say about the legacy of Onya Nurve?

I just hope they understand that drag is so much more than the things that we put on our body, that it’s an extension of what you are. But, what really matters is what’s inside all of that glitter and glam, which is you as a person, and that should always stand at the forefront of your drag.

Over the years, we’ve seen queens becoming moguls with brands, starring in movies and writing books, etc. So what’s the empire you’re hoping to build?

I hope to continue travelling the world, being the bad bitch that I am. I obviously want to be on Broadway. It’s one of my dreams, along with getting on Drag Race. I always told my mom that I want to get my EGOT! I want to get my Emmy. I want to get my Grammy. I want to get my Tony. And, I want to get my Oscar. Some way, somehow, I also want to buy a house. Those are the things that I really want to see.

‘Onya Nurve makes history as the first Drag Race contestant to become an EGOT winner’ is a headline I expect to see and will see.

I see it now!

Besides Broadway and the EGOT, if you could star in a dream project, a movie, show or music related, what would it be?

I would love to be in a movie with some powerful actors that consist of Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Denzel Washington, Lupita Nyong’o. All in one movie, all in one space, is how I see it.

Also, there is absolutely a future where we see you show up in some capacity on Abbott Elementary. Manifest it with me now, Onya!

Oh, it’s going to happen! That’s already stamped in stone in my brain. It is. That’s not even a dream. That’s going to happen…

RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 is streaming in the UK on WOW Presents Plus. 

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Just Like Us ambassador Jenna Athi reflects on her journey from shame to self-love, celebrating the pride and joy of being a lesbian today.

WORDS BY JENNA ATHI

I love being a lesbian. I love exploring my queerness, pushing myself out of my gender comfort zone, and loudly loving my girlfriend with my entire being. However, as with most things that we learn to love about ourselves, there was once a time we didn’t.

Growing up the signs were blindingly obvious, but somehow no one was able to see it, least of all me. I can laugh about it all now, an amusing list of anecdotes: being in awe when I learnt you could make two girls on The Sims 2 kiss, marrying my Bratz dolls, rewatching ‘Sk8r Boi’ by Avril Lavigne to see a girl in boys’ clothes, being immensely jealous of whoever played Dad when playing house at school because I wanted the wife and children.

Then, adolescence struck and suddenly my little curiosities blinked in the gaydar of other students. Like a drop of blood around sharks, they zeroed in on my queerness and once the word got out I “thought” I was gay, it was only the beginning of my battle with my identity.

My entire teenage years were spent repressing any lesbian thoughts that dared to cross my mind. The “L” word was attached to my name like a hook in a fish’s mouth, painful and present, and the more I tried to swim away the deeper it cut. My peers called me a lesbian like it was a slur, always followed with a humiliating laugh or an uncomfortable avoidance. All I knew was that it made me different, weird, and unacceptable.

I blocked it out. I didn’t get into any relationships, I lied about finding boys attractive, I deflected my love for femininity by idolising feminine men. While it made me numb and set me back a good few years in developing my sense of self, it at least stopped me being laughed at.

Luckily, university turned out to be my damsel in shining armour. I made beautifully queer friends that were proud, unapologetic, and welcoming. I started to unwind the damage around my little heart and let my lesbianism break free, like a caged animal released back into the wild.

However, the cherry on top was meeting my beautiful girlfriend in my second year of uni. Being with her just made everything click into place in my scrambled brain and now I feel safe finding out new things about myself. What I should have been exploring as a teenager, I now can discover in my 20s: what makes me feel loved, how I love others, how I want the world to perceive me.

When I began volunteering for Just Like Us, I had the most beautiful experience of meeting queer people across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Hearing other young LGBTQIA+ people’s stories made me realise that what we have all been through at school was not, and should never have been viewed as, normal. Thankfully, with the support of Just Like Us, I’m able to reach school pupils who are questioning themselves just like I did, and show them that being LGBTQIA+ isn’t wrong or something to be ashamed of.

Consequently, I’ve learnt to take pride in my identity and show myself some compassion. While my inner teenager still reacts with caution sometimes, my inner child gets to watch ‘Sk8r Boi’ as many times as she wants without feeling embarrassed – it’s a learning curve.

This Lesbian Visibility Week, I’ll be reflecting on what makes me a proud and blossoming lesbian today, while also remembering what came before this version of me. It’s so important to lift others up, offer a safe space, and remind the lesbians in your life that they’re seen, loved and perfect exactly as they are.

Jenna is an ambassador for Just Like Us, the LGBTQIA+ young people’s charity. Just Like Us needs LGBTQIA+ ambassadors aged 18-25 to speak in schools – sign up now.

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Philip Baldwin speaks with Nancy Kelley about the urgent need for visibility, solidarity, and justice for LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people during Lesbian Visibility Week.

WORDS BY PHILIP BALDWIN

Nancy Kelley is the Executive Director at DIVA and a Director of the Trans Solidarity Alliance. She is an award-winning LGBTQIA+ and human rights campaigner. From 2020 to 2023, Nancy was the CEO of Stonewall and prior to that, the Deputy Chief Executive at the National Centre for Social Research.

Lesbian Visibility Week runs from 21 to 27 April, with Lesbian Visibility Day on 26 April. It was great chatting to Nancy about the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ women.

I began by asking Nancy why Lesbian Visibility Week is important?

Lesbian Visibility Week is important, because it’s an opportunity to really focus on the experiences, the needs, the talents of LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people. It’s still the case that our experiences, needs and talents are not recognised, seen or attended to even within the LGBTQIA+ community. This year is particularly exciting because we’re focusing on celebrating rainbow families, in all the forms they take – from our chosen family to LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people having children, or looking after parents.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people’s families and also fight for equity. One of the things we’re doing this year is focusing on removing discrimination in family formation, in areas like access to IVF. It’s still the case that in England and Wales we can be forced to pay for thousands of pounds of private healthcare to access IVF, that a straight couple could access without private care. It’s great to be focusing on our families and the place they have in this world.

Are the rights of LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people being rolled back in the UK?

It is definitely the case that the rights of trans women and trans people generally are under threat. For example, access to healthcare for trans and non-binary children and young people, which has been almost completely blocked in the UK, but also access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans adults where there is a huge waiting list. There’s enormous pressure around trans inclusion. There are court cases all the time trying to limit trans and non-binary people’s ability to access spaces that feel comfortable for them, or to participate fully in society. We should all care about this because trans and non-binary people deserve our solidarity and also because we know the LGBTQIA+ community stands and falls together.

How have disabled queer women been impacted?

The starting point is that LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people are more likely to be disabled than their peers. Around a third of us have a disability and many of us have disabilities that have a significant impact on our day-to-day lives. The government is bringing forward policies that implement enormous cuts in disability benefits, cuts for people whether they work or not. Those cuts are going to impact hundreds of thousands of people, including huge numbers of people in our community, and we know that they are going to push many people into poverty.

It’s really important for all of us to fight back, to be talking to our MPs and to be talking publicly about our opposition to those cuts. Sometimes we can think of LGBTQIA+ justice and disability justice as separate, but they’re not. Disability rights and LGBTQIA+ rights are deeply interwoven. As a disabled queer woman myself, I feel passionately about the need for us to be vocal in our opposition about balancing the Budget on the backs of disabled people.

What are you looking forward to most this Lesbian Visibility Week?

This Lesbian Visibility Week, I look forward to seeing LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people talking about their families in all the forms they take. Our ability to build a family and have that family respected has always been such a huge and often painful part of our stories. Being able to see and hear LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people talking about and celebrating our families and talking about the families that we have will always bring a smile to my face. It lifts me, to see LGBTQIA+ and non-binary women talking about the beautiful lives they have been able to build.

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At the weekend we made our way down to the Southbank to check out new LGBTQ+ feature film Departures at the BFI Flare film festival. It’s the debut full-length feature film from directing duo Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan and follows the success of their short film S.A.M. at last year’s BFI Flare. Departures features Eyre-Morgan in the lead role and also stars David Tag (Hollyoaks), Liam Boyle (Coronation Street), Kerry Howard (Him & Her) and Lorraine Stanley (EastEnders). So what’s it all about?

Well, Departures tells a serious story which is all too familiar within the queer community. We’re introduced to Benji (Eyre-Morgan) who is struggling to move on from a toxic relationship that has now ended; the film starts at the end, as we witness the final argument between Benji and his ex-partner Jake (Tag) and then we see the events leading up to that moment. It explores numerous key themes along the way – alcohol, hook ups, destructive behaviour – which will resonate with an LGBTQ+ audience.

It is, unsurprisingly, not a happy story, and some moments are quite difficult to watch – we witness Benji unnecessarily putting himself into some quite dangerous situations, which made us a little uncomfortable, although we’re aware that’s because we’ve also been in his shoes. However, Departures manages to do this with a real charm and sense of humour – there are numerous laugh-out-loud moments. There’s also a genuine authenticity in the writing here, with some cutting remarks – Benji’s mum (Stanley) quipping that she “wanted a happy gay” for a son is both hilarious and tragic.

We enjoyed our 90 minutes with Departures – we immediately bought into our central pair and it’s difficult not to warm to them, as we’ve all either been in their shoes or know people just like them; it’s a hugely relatable story. Queer people in a relationship – is it even really that? Perhaps it’s more of a situationship – who are looking for different things and not being completely open and up front with each other about that; who are both independently wrestling with various demons we have to fight with, because of how society expects gay men to be… it makes for a compelling and hugely enjoyable watch.

GAY TIMES gives Departures – 4/5

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From its breathtaking coral reefs to the lively outdoor markets, Mauritius is your next must-see destination.

WORDS BY PHEBE BARNUM-BOBB
SPECIAL THANKS TO CHRISTOPHER GANNON, FINN PARTNERS AND SUNLIFE

Mauritius, a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean, is known for its white sand beaches, luxury resorts and vibrant culture. While many visit for its natural beauty, it’s increasingly becoming a haven for queer travellers seeking relaxation.

In October 2023, the Supreme Court of Mauritius ruled that the country’s ban on same-sex intimacy was unconstitutional, marking a significant step forward for LGBTQIA+ rights. This landmark decision highlighted Mauritius as a democratic state, affirming that personal privacy should be respected. Although same-sex marriage is yet to be recognised, queer people are loosely protected from discrimination in areas such as employment and the provision of goods and services.

Mauritius is also one of 96 countries to have signed the “Joint Statement on Ending Acts of Violence Related to Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” at the United Nations, which condemns violence and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people.

Though safety is undoubtedly a concern for queer travellers, Mauritius proves to be a welcoming destination. From the moment we arrived, soaking in the warmth of the Indian Ocean sun, we felt the island’s inviting and transformative energy – enter Belinda from The White Lotus.

Before our flight, we enjoyed a relaxing stop at Gatwick’s Plaza Premium Lounge, offering unlimited food and drinks, with free entry for children – a perfect pre-flight treat and ideal for the boujee queers!

Upon arrival, we were whisked away to Long Beach Resort, a Sunlife property. While there are plenty of resorts across the island, few match the luxury of this 5-star retreat. Located on the island’s east coast, it offers a mix of modern elegance and peaceful surroundings, making it ideal for queer travellers looking for both comfort and inclusivity.

The stunning contemporary suites are filled with light, vibrant decor, and plenty of space. Each room has its own private outdoor area overlooking either the gardens, pool or the renowned Belle Mare Beach.

There’s an abundance of amenities, too. For dinner, guests can enjoy dining options from one of the resort’s five restaurants, offering everything from world-class Asian cuisine to pure Italian indulgence.

And it doesn’t end there. Sunlife has four splendid resorts on the island, all “full of life and wonderfully one-of-a-kind”. For the luxury lovers and honeymooners, Sugar Beach is the place to be; La Pirogue is perfect for culture vultures; and Ambre caters to the escape chasers. Each has its own unique personality, atmosphere, and picturesque scenery.

If, like many of us, holiday is a time to lean into your type-B self – letting the adventure fall at your feet and not travelling too far – there’s a range of activities you can take part in right on your doorstep. Sunlife’s latest “Come Alive Collection” offers experiences ranging from thrills to relaxation, allowing you to experience the country without even leaving the resort.

Sapphics, forget the playlist for your lover – come home with a sustainable (yes!) handmade souvenir from the Glass Studio. Transform recycled glass bottles from the hotel into a personalised handmade gift – c’mon DIY dykes! Whether it’s a keyring, bracelet, necklace, or ring, connect with your artistic side and take home a one-of-a-kind piece.

Calling all the London Lime bikers – it’s time to take your skills to the other side of the pond! Swap East London for the East Coast of Mauritius on an electric bike adventure. Pick your own path: the Flacq market, gliding through a must-see village with “local charm” on an 18km route, or delve into the island’s heart on a 22km route where you’ll travel through Bras d’Eau National Park until you arrive at the Sagar Shiv Hindu Temple.

Would it be a 5-star resort holiday without a massage? GLOW is Sunlife’s new spa and wellness offering that provides an authentic Mauritian experience. Based on three pillars of wellbeing – elemental energy, nurturing energy and creative energy – GLOW offers guests the opportunity to “rediscover your inner radiance”. Need we say more? If you’re tired of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, get an authentic Mauritian massage for a purely indulgent experience.

Many escape to Mauritius for complete relaxation, but of course, exploration is a must!

Mauritius is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world. From the powdery white sands of Belle Mare Beach to the crystal-clear waters of Le Morne, the island offers an idyllic backdrop for any holiday. Few compare to the enchanting views of Île aux Cerfs. Just off the mainland, this untouched island, only reachable by boat or helicopter, boasts glistening white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. For golfing gays (you do exist, right?), there’s an 18-hole championship golf course. And if you simply want to soak in your surroundings, there are three authentic Mauritian restaurants.

If you’re searching for more hustle and bustle, head to the Central Flacq Market for a taste of the culture. It’s the largest outdoor market on the island, located in the northeast. You’ll find fresh produce, an array of spices, freshly cooked street food and a number of stalls offering souvenirs. Don’t forget to grab that extra-special fridge magnet for your mum or the 103rd extra-baggy pyjama top that will inevitably be stolen by that one-night stand.

Now, it’s completely understandable that sending yourself off to a country that doesn’t recognise same-sex marriage might be, well, far from ideal if you’re not straight or cis-passing. Our key takeaway is that Mauritius is a welcoming, inviting and kind country, filled with culture and diversity. If you want to live your The White Lotus fantasy (minus the death, incest, and drama), this could just be the place for you.

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This Mother’s Day, Just Like Us ambassador Teddy Ramplin reflects on the impact of coming out as trans on his relationship with his mum, and why “a leopard really can change its spots”.

WORDS BY TEDDY RAMPLIN

Coming out is a rite of passage for many LGBTQIA+ people. Some don’t feel the need to make a big song and dance of it – it can be as simple as saying two words in passing – or even come out at all, but most of us will do it at least once.

When I came out as queer, it was very nonchalant, and completely unplanned. It was the 24th of January 2022 – the day I started dating my then-partner. I simply got into the car after school and, when my mum asked about my day, I told her: “I’m gay.” She smiled, looking back at me in the mirror, and replied: “I don’t care what you are, as long as you’re happy”.

That moment had me feeling like I could do anything. Like I could be anything. Because with her by my side, I was unstoppable.

Fast-forward to the 28th of April, 2023. The day I got my deed poll signed. As I emerged that day with a new name, I felt like a new me. At 17, I was legally allowed to do it on my own, but my mum wasn’t happy. She knew I was trans – it’s not like I had tried to hide it – but apparently changing my name was the last straw.

As far as I knew, she didn’t have a deep connection to my deadname, but still I was faced with cold glances, short, flat conversations, awkward silences. After about a week, I brought it up again, and received only a pursed lip, and a bemused “mm-hm”, before she went about getting ready for work. Suddenly, I felt small again. Like without my mum, I was nothing. It seemed like I had to make a choice: be myself, or have my mum’s approval.

I’m not alone. In fact, research from Just Like Us found that only 57% of transgender and non-binary young adults thought that their parents or carers would accept their identities, and that they were the least confident of all LGBTQIA+ identities that they would be accepted.

My situation was not ideal, but I knew I was more fortunate than some. Though she’d made her dislike of my actions clear, my mum still put a roof over my head and food on the table. I still had a place to call home. Sadly, many young trans people can’t say the same.

In mid 2024, I spent a few days with a friend to celebrate a mutual friend’s birthday. Both of them also happen to be trans.

Going out and enjoying my first taste of the nightlife with a group of out-and-proud queer people, it was liberating. Though overwhelming at times, the club atmosphere was electric, and it brought out a new side of me that I didn’t even know existed.

Revitalised by a couple of nights away from the usual humdrum of my life, I came home with a new attitude. I started to be more assertive – I am who I am, and I’m not hiding that for another second.

A few weeks later, my trans friend came up in conversation with my mum, and her partner asked what sex my friend was assigned at birth. Not only was the question invasive, but for trans and non-binary people, asking about their assigned sex can be incredibly damaging, and even invalidate their identity. It implies that they’ll always be what they were born as, and not how they identify.

But, before I even had a chance to glance at my mum, she replied, matter-of-factly, “it doesn’t matter what he was born as; we call him a boy, because that’s what he is”.

My heart immediately started to swell with pride – it felt like I was watching a child take their first steps. It was at that moment that I knew it wasn’t too late for things to change.

Now, another six months or so later, my relationship with my mum is the strongest it’s ever been. We’ve had frank conversations about my transition plans, and she’ll refer to me correctly even when talking to total strangers. There’s still the occasional slip-up – using my deadname or the wrong pronouns – but we move past it because it’s still early days, and what matters is that she’s trying.

So, for those who think their parents or carers cannot change, or will never accept their LGBTQIA+ identity, take my advice: it’s never too late to get someone out of their box, and the old adage certainly proves untrue: a leopard really can change its spots.

Teddy is an ambassador for Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity. Just Like Us’ LGBT+ Guide for Parents is out now.

The post “How my mum learned to accept me as a young trans person” appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Zolita has continued to expand her “Lesbian Cinematic Universe”.

This week, the singer-songwriter dropped the instantly iconic music video for her rousing pop-rock anthem ‘Hypocrite’, which is included on the deluxe edition of her second studio album Queen of Hearts.

In the song, Zolita confesses her hypocrisy with the following brutally honest lyrics: “I’ve been getting intimate with hot girls on the internet / Got no regrets / But I confess / If you’re doing half the shit that I’ve been doing in my bed / I’d want you dead.”

Featuring aforementioned “iconic hot girls” such as Tatiana Ringsby from her viral ‘Somebody I Fucked Once’ trilogy, Madeline Ford, Kyra Green, Vanessa Papa, Scarlett Leithold, Paige Mcgarvin and Caroline Iaffaldano, the video is – in her words – “sapphic chaos”.

Zolita even nods to the teen classic Cruel Intentions, channeling Sarah Michelle Gellar’s iconic villain Kathryn Merteuil as she tenderly brushes Ford’s hair during a picnic, before the two share a passionate kiss.

The video, directed, written, produced and edited by Zolita, highlights just how “messy – but also steamy! – lesbian breakups can get” when Zolita and Tatiana have a sexually-charged showdown, questioning each other on their post-romance sex lives and “boundaries”.

The main takeaway? It was “informative” for Tatiana to sleep with Caroline and Zolita thinks her current fuck-buddy Jenny is “funny”.

(I think I speak for everyone when I say I am living for the drama and need a two-hour feature film out of this, pronto.)

Ultimately, the clip culminates with Zolita and Tatiana each kissing other women – presumably the infamous Caroline and Jenny! – before sneaking off to passionately lock lips with each other. Plot twist!

“When I broke up with my long term partner, we argued about who would be the scarier person in the breakup; me, because I enjoy casual sex, or her, because she’s a serial monogamist,” Zolita tells GAY TIMES. 

“My new music video puts that question to the test.”

In an Instagram post, Zolita also described the ‘Hypocrite’ as her “steamiest, messiest sapphic vid yet” – watch the music video below to see why.

The post Zolita serves “sapphic chaos” in Cruel Intentions-inspired video appeared first on GAY TIMES.

As The Wheel of Time‘s long-awaited third season finally hits Prime Video, Taylor Napier speaks with GAY TIMES about Maksim’s journey of growth and the fantasy series’ groundbreaking portrayal of polyamory and bisexuality.

WORDS SAM DAMSHENAS
PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID REISS
STYLIST PRUE FISHER
GROOMING LIZ DAXAUER

As Maksim, the fierce, dependable and multifaceted Warder with succulent golden locks (which feels vital to mention) on The Wheel of Time, Taylor Napier is bringing much-needed polyamory and bisexual male visibility to the high fantasy genre.

In Prime Video’s beloved blockbuster series, the buff warrior is in a committed relationship with Alanna (Priyanka Bose), an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, and Ihvon (Emmanuel Imani/Anthony Kaye), a fellow Warder, a romance that has been lauded for its refreshing and normalised portrayal of non-traditional love.

“The thing that really makes it stand out for me, especially in a fantasy world like The Wheel of Time, is that we’re treated just the same,” Taylor tells GAY TIMES. “What we’ve done here is pretty cool: we’ve incorporated queer and polyamorous characters without making it a big deal. It’s just who they are, and I think that’s wonderful in a fantasy space.”

On 13 March, Prime Video released the first three episodes of The Wheel of Time’s highly-anticipated third season, which Taylor describes as “messier and darker” with a “pretty big journey of growth for Maksim”.

In this interview, we speak with Taylor about all of the above, from the trailblazing depiction of his character’s queerness to why the fantasy genre should be more inclusive of LGBTQIA+ stories. He also talks Chappell Roan, the sci-fi icon that would be an “incredible” fit on The Wheel of Time and the three f’s: “feasting, f**king and fighting.” So important.

Taylor, I saw you were at Elton John’s Oscars party?

I was. Yeah, it was an amazing concert. Elton John and Chappell Roan doing ‘Pink Pony Club’ together as a duet was pretty awesome, I’ve got to be honest. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, it was a fun party for sure. [I] definitely had a little bit of a recovery day yesterday!

That was queer history right there.

It felt like I was witnessing something that was epic and should be in the history books at some point.

Alright then, while we’re here, which of Chappell’s songs makes you lose your absolute shit?

I mean, ‘Pink Pony Club’ is pretty good. What’s the other one that I really like? I like ‘California’ a lot. I’m from Tennessee originally, so all of the references to Tennessee, moving to LA to be an actor, and being queer, it all resonates with me fairly deep inside, so I like all of them.

Congratulations on the release of The Wheel of Time. This might just be me, but I feel like season three is always a great season for any show.

It’s because everything starts to click together. The first season, everyone’s just figuring things out. You know your characters and you’ve got the role, but you’re still figuring out how the world works. By the time you’re in season three, especially for this show because we’ve been filming for five years at this point, you sort of know everyone. It feels like a family, and it’s incredibly easy. That comes across with the writing, acting, cinematography, everything feels like it’s firing on all cylinders this year.

What does life usually look like for you ahead of the release of a season? Besides dancing to Chappell Roan?

Except for all of that! For me at least, because I play this character that’s a warder who’s essentially a knight or bodyguard, there’s a lot of training and going to the gym. There’s a lot of eating only grilled chicken and rice and being super disciplined, as well as training in sword fighting and stunts. So, there’s a lot of prep there, and that takes up a lot of your day. The other stuff for me is just rewatching the show and remembering the accent I use! We have such a long gap, sometimes, between filming [that I can’t really remember my accent].

With all of this training, are you ready for battle? If the apocalypse comes, should I get behind you?

You should. Yeah, one hundred per cent. Well, I’m ready for battle in a sense. The thing about The Wheel of Time for my character is, I’m in great shape – if I do say so myself – and do all the sword fighting, but in the show it’s all pretty useless if I’m honest. I shouldn’t say that, but [it’s] because I’m trying to protect this fabulous woman who can shoot fire out of her hands. So, I’m not sure how effective I am in protecting her, but it’s nice to have a companion once in a while when you’re traveling!

You say that, but in all of the fantasy and sci-fi shows and films I watch, I’m always drawn to the characters who keep up with the superpowered beings with just hand-to-hand combat. For example, Black Widow is my favourite Avenger.

In a world where so many people can do magic, have powers and all these crazy things, seeing someone who’s normal and able to kick ass is refreshing. They just have to get by as a human. That’s one of the things that is interesting about playing the character. Ultimately, how do you deal with being powerless in a world filled by all these people who are super powerful and have extra special abilities? You can swing the sword around pretty well! You have to use other skills to navigate those combat situations.

Fine, if there’s a zombie apocalypse I’ll come to you.

Come to me! Then we’ll find someone who can do magic, and then I’ll be behind them and you can be behind me.

Alright, let’s get into The Wheel of Time season three. What can you tease about Maksim and the journey he goes on this season? Spoiler free, of course, because the fans will hire an assassin and kill us, probably.

Yeah, we’ll be dead! It gets messier and darker for and, ultimately, Maksim goes on a pretty big journey of growth. He goes from this boy who fell into the world because he was following and chasing someone he loved, then he has to figure out how to accept his place and responsibilities in that world, and own it by the end of the season. We will see if he gets there or not.

We must discuss the fact that Maksim is one of The Wheel of Time’s polyamorous icons…

“Polyamorous icon”, I like that.

And a bi-con, too. So, what can you tell me about how his relationship with Alanna and Ihvon develops over the course of season three?

I can talk a little bit about how the relationship kind of came together. We hint at it in the first and second seasons, but essentially, Ihvon is the linchpin of this whole trio in the polyamorous relationship. Ihvon was Alanna’s warder first. They fell in love, and then I come in, doing something somewhere on the streets of Tar Valon, and we fall in love. He then brings me in as her second warder.

By the time we reach season three, our relationship is really solid. I actually think it’s one of the most solid on the show. It’s interesting to see this non-traditional relationship, especially on a fantasy show, portrayed as something that actually works. And it works because we all communicate with each other so effectively, and we balance each other out. Ihvon, as a character, is grounded, steadfast and even-keeled, whereas Alanna and I are a bit more fiery. We’re emotional at times, we explode, and then we cool down. But we also drive Ihvon forward, and we act as the fuel that moves things along. That balance is critical and really important, and I think it works really well.

Now, what’s beginning to happen at the end of season two is that the world is starting to get a little darker. The characters are realising that this sort of utopia they’ve created—where they just feast, fight, and have fun—is maybe crumbling a little bit around them. It’s not necessarily because of anything they’ve done, but they’re going to have to deal with it. As they head into season three, they’ll be tested a bit, and things are going to get rocky. How will that relationship hold up? Will it continue to be harmonious, or will cracks start to form? We’ll see.

“Feast, fuck and fight.”

The three f’s! They’re the most important things.

When you signed on for The Wheel of Time, were you aware of how groundbreaking and subversive this relationship would be? It’s extremely rare to witness polyamory in any show, let alone one set in a high fantasy world.

When I came on board, I was excited to do this because I haven’t seen this type of relationship in fantasy before. I mean, this was 2019 when I joined the show, so it had been a while. There had been some little hints at it in other places, but nothing quite as explicit and intentional as what we’re doing here. The thing that really makes it stand out for me, especially in a fantasy world like The Wheel of Time, is that we’re treated just the same. It’s not just with our characters, but with other queer characters on the show as well.

What’s interesting is that there’s no baggage placed on these non-traditional lifestyle relationships. In Wheel of Time, there’s no societal pressure to be anything or any judgment on sexual preference or relationships. As an actor coming into this world, it’s fascinating because we’re not carrying the same societal expectations that we experience in our world. There’s no prism of ‘this is what society tells us we should or shouldn’t be’ to look through. The characters don’t have that, so they don’t see the world in that way.

Ultimately, I think this is groundbreaking for fantasy. High fantasy, in particular, has a poor track record with queer characters—especially queer men. They’re often disregarded or portrayed in extreme ways, sometimes with their entire families being murdered because of their sexuality. What we’ve done here is pretty cool: we’ve incorporated queer and polyamorous characters without making it a big deal. It’s just who they are, and I think that’s wonderful in a fantasy space.

Like you said, there’s an erasure of homophobia in this world, which makes sense because all the characters are too busy feasting, fucking and fighting.

There’s too much feasting, fucking and fighting to be concerned about homophobia!

Even in season one when they’re thruple status is revealed, there’s shock, but it’s not in the context of homophobia…

You’re seeing it through the eyes of Nynaeve, who’s from a very small, almost puritanical town. It’s not the shock that they’re gay or that two men are in a relationship, it’s the shock that they’re so open about sex. [Nynaeve] is almost portrayed as the one who’s out of touch with what’s happening, and not aware.

It’s baffling that we don’t see more queerness in high fantasy, because in that world, heteronormativity shouldn’t make sense.

There are some things that are obviously based on history, and so I don’t have a problem with using it as a plot device, but it feels like there’s either queer erasure or it’s all negative. Or, like I said earlier, people are murdered, killed, whatever, because of it. And so, I think it’s nice to see so many queer characters in high fantasy in this show. At least from my experience with the fandom, there are a lot of queer people who love these books and love these stories, and they relate to them in so many ways. And so, I’m happy that we get to kind of represent that.

I’ve been to Comic-Con a few times in my life and, without generalising, there are a lot of people in those spaces that are queer.

It feels like something queer fans relate to. Queer people relate to what’s in these novels, in these books and [it brings them] joy. And so, it feels weird that [queerness] is not reflected as much, but hopefully we’re changing that a little bit.

Outside of The Wheel of Time, are you a sci-fi and fantasy fan?

I’m a fan of the genre. I’ll be honest, I haven’t read all of the Wheel of Time books just yet! I always try to read up to where we’re shooting. I want to be kind of in the world the character is in, so I’m like four or five [books] in. I’ve read the Game of Thrones books, or the Song of Fire and Ice books, I should say. I’ve done some of the Mistborn series. I’m often hesitant to start a series because of how look these books [typically] are, so I feel like I have to be on vacation where I have time to read because I like to finish things. So, I don’t want to get three fourth’s of the way through and then toss it, spending that much time on something if I don’t like it.

This is the fantasy and sci-fi geek in me: if you had to bring one iconic character from the genre into The Wheel of Time, who would it be?

I think Sigourney Weaver, Ripley from the original Alien films. She would be an incredible Aes Sadai. Probably is already, if she existed in that world!

Sci-fi and fantasy fans are extremely passionate, and you’re representing two rather marginalised communities in mainstream media with a bisexual male character and polyamorous romance. What has the response been like from viewers?

I would say overwhelmingly positive, except for a few cases of it being overwhelmingly negative. I think it’s been like 90% positive. A lot of the fans have been really lovely, wonderful and kind. I think any time you go into a sci-fi or fantasy space, you do find a segment of fans who are lovely, but they are very close-minded about the type of characters that should be represented in fantasy. So, there has been a little hate in that regard, but 90% of people have been absolutely warm and enthusiastic about these characters and the expanded role they have, and the expanded polyamory, for lack of a better way of putting it.

How do you combat the negative? Do you and try and block it out?

Yeah, you just block it out. It’s one of those things where, if you give any fuel to that fire, you only make it worse. It’s hard not to look at it, and hard sometimes not to internalise it as it is not to internalise any criticism you get, but ultimately it’s not about you. It’s about the way they view the world and what they think is right and wrong and should be portrayed on their show; what they think is their show. The best way is to say nothing. Move on with your life.

I understand you’re also passionate about writing, having written the screenplay and starred in your own short film Atacama…

Yeah, it’s a short film I did in the Chilean desert. It’s a bit of a thriller. I wrote it and produced with my friend, who’s also starring in it, Clara Larrain, who is a wonderful Chilean actress but lives in Spain now. It’s a cool little piece, weird and sci-fi-y and out there. It’s very different from The Wheel of Time. There are no women who can do magic other than the normal, everyday kind! It’s a fun 15 minutes, and we were successful in some film festivals in Latin America. We went to Sanfic, which is the biggest film festival in Chile. I love writing, I love getting to create a world. Selfishly, as an actor, it allowed me to play every character while I’m putting it on the page, and getting into all of their heads.

Can we expect more writing from you?

I hope so! I’ve got a lot of things that I’ve written, a lot of things that are out there that we’re trying to get made and funding for. So, hopefully in a bit you’ll see something coming out!

Thank you so much for chatting with me, Taylor. I can’t wait to watch the rest of season three.

It’s good. I’m not actually bullshitting! It’s a great season. It only gets better.

More feasting, fucking and fighting?

Feasting, fucking, fighting. The three things that are the most important for all of us.

The first three episodes of The Wheel of Time season 3 are now streaming worldwide on Prime Video. 

The post The Wheel of Time star Taylor Napier on polyamory, bisexual visibility and Maksim’s season 3 journey appeared first on GAY TIMES.