Robert’s Lafitte’s ‘Cowboy Tom’ By Johnny Trlica Commentary: If a church represents a safe space for family, community and acceptance, then by that definition that is what a gay bar is. If bars are the churches for the gay community, then the bartenders are the priests. Long before the LGBTQ+ community enjoyed the benefits of
By Johnny Trlica Besides big hair and outrageous costumes, drag queens are quite adept at creating their stage names. The MONTROSE STAR’s Star of the Month for November has a name that stands out in a crowd. “Yes, Artemis is a very unique name, but I didn’t pick it for the reasons that everyone thinks!
By Forest Riggs Did you ever hear a Thanksgiving song? Didn’t think so. I often wonder why that is. Years ago, the Texas Troubadour, George Strait, included a song on his Christmas Strait to You album. The song was “It’s Christmas Time in Texas” and with Strait’s honky-tonk voice and good ol’ Texas Swing beat,
2024 in Review, Part 1 By Nancy Ford As I’ve said at this time of every year for the last 36 years (please sing along if you know the words), “What a year, what a year.” And what a year it’s been. If I have any New Year’s resolution for the coming year, it will
My 50th high school reunion By Johnny Trlica Commentary: I hated high school! I did not want to be there, did not feel like I belonged there and had only a few friends. I was a shy, introverted high schooler that was probably seen as a nerd by my classmates, if I was seen at
The gay icon defied time during the chic, heartfelt concert By Chris Azzopardi By Chris Azzopardi 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
Will Ferrell and his longtime friend, who came out as trans in 2021, discuss how their road-trip movie aims to inspire allyship By Chris Azzopardi The influence of softhearted straight male allies for the LGBTQ+ community is gaining momentum in the era of Tim Walz. We can now count universally beloved comic actor Will Ferrell
By Johnny Trlica Next month voters in the United States will decide on what vision they want for the future of the country. One that is focused on the future and the other that is focused on the past. One candidate offers a campaign of grievance and retribution, a vision of darkness, fear, and despair.
By Johnny Trlica On October 20 when the Second Annual PrideFest Parade rolls down the Strand in downtown Galveston, the Grand Marshal will be a fixture on the Island’s LGBTQ+ scene. Chachie Pedraza Van Wales is the parade’s 2024 Grand Marshal. Chachie has been performing at various venues on the Island for several years and
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