GAY TIMES Magazine

29 May 2020

This is certainly not the summer issue we'd initially planned, but the newly-named Solidarity Issue is built up of people, organisations, and creativity that aims to make queer people feel less alone in the world right now. In his cover story for this issue, How COVID-19 Has Changed Our Community Forever, Alim Kheraj has been speaking to LGBTQ+ people from across society on both the negative and unexpected positive impact this pandemic has had on queer people and our future as a community. He’s spoken with queer healthcare workers, business owners, DJs, and historians about how lockdown has shaped our experiences, derailed our Pride parades, affected LGBTQ+ issues, and what the future could look like once we return to some semblance of normality again. No stranger to a summer anthem, Anne-Marie is on the cusp of releasing new music. The singer opens up to us in her cover story about her honesty policy when it comes to mental health, how she likes to blur gender boundaries when it comes to fashion, and why it’s important she sings her inclusive lyric “my love is gender-free” in spaces where it needs to be heard. This summer, Love, Victor finally makes its way to our screens. A television spin-off of the hugely popular gay romcom Love, Simon (and the Becky Albertelli novels they are based on), we speak with leading man Michael Cimino and showrunner Brian Tanen about one of the most anticipated LGBTQ+ series of the year. If that wasn’t enough, we also chat with the hosts of HBO’s new Ballroom competition series Legendary, catch up with Josef Salvat about his career-defining new album, and talk to queer hitmaker to the stars, Justin Tranter. Now, more than ever, is a time for us to come together and remind each other that - even without our physical Pride spaces this year - we are stronger united. Stay safe and we hope you enjoy The Solidarity Issue.