By Johnny Trlica Commentary: Without a doubt, the biggest story of the year was the insurrection that occurred on January 6. Never has our nation seen a defeated presidential candidate not only refuse to concede but also incite a mob of his supporters to attempt a coup by preventing the election results from being certified

By Johnny Trlica Commentary: Many experts talk about the benefits of having an attitude of gratitude. There are numerous studies on the positive effects of having a mindset of being grateful. People who practice being thankful for what they have been found to have higher levels of positive emotions, a stronger immune system, feel less

By Johnny Trlica Commentary: No matter how you identify, be proud of who you are.  “Coming out — whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer — STILL MATTERS. When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. Beyond that, our stories can be

By Johnny Trlica Commentary: As summer winds down, our attention turns to ideations of cooler weather, men in skin-tight uniforms on the gridiron, and pumpkin spice. (Too soon?) Dunkin’ Donuts rolled out its fall menu on August 18, a full day earlier than last year. A new pumpkin cream cold brew topped with cold foam

By Johnny Trlica If “that which does not kill us makes us stronger,” there is a drag performer across the Galveston causeway who should have the strength of Superman and Wonder Woman combined. Chachie Pedraza Van Wales works and performs at Robert’s Lafitte where, depending on the day, one may find him bartending and hosting

By Johnny Trlica  Commentary: There was pride long before the first Pride parades. It showed up wherever LGBTQ+ people had the courage to gather as a group, most notably in bars and pubs. The taverns were like our church, and not just because some patrons spent a lot of time on their knees there. (There, I said it

Stay focused and united By Johnny Trlica Commentary: Parts of the past year have felt like living in an episode of Survivor. We’ve been isolated and had to provide food, fire, and shelter for ourselves. We have been tested both physically and mentally and have been progressively eliminated — too many of us did not

Bars and restaurants running short-staffed   By Johnny Trlica Commentary: No industry was hit harder by the pandemic than the hospitality industry. Bars and restaurants were forcibly closed. Then allowed to open. Then forced to close again.  Business owners were left without any source of income for months at a time. Millions of service industry employees were laid

By Johnny Trlica Commentary: All too often people stay in their own little bubble, rarely venturing out to see what’s happening beyond their own comfort zone. Fox News viewers never change the channel to get a different opinion, Whataburger lovers won’t be caught dead at an In-N-Out and gay men will not frequent a bar

By Johnny Trlica Commentary: They knew it would happen sooner or later. They were betting on later. They lost and Texans paid with their lives. Back when George W. Bush was governor and drag queens did more than twirl their wigs and jump off stages landing in a split, the Texas power grid was deregulated