Much has been written this year about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and much has been written during the past few decades, including full biographies, about the queer (at least, queer-adjacent) lives of three who served in George Washington’s Continental Army: Deborah Sampson, Casimir Pulaski, and Baron von Steuben. This piece provides…
30-year-old Hezekiah Williams III is an influencer and a life coach for those newly diagnosed with HIV, and his words have reached millions. He’s the project coordinator at Project THRIVE, a culturally affirming health program. In partnership with Southampton Healthcare, Project THRIVE provides mental health services, HIV/STI testing and prevention, and community-based support, all in…
Neon artist and glass blower Jeffrey Dunn is at the height of his craft, with work featured in the Missouri History Museum’s Route 66 centennial exhibit and prominent commissions across the region, from the magnificent restored marquee at Wildey Theatre to a large-scale neon installation at the National Building Arts Center in Sauget that will…
I first blew into St. Louis from Oklahoma in 1997, at age 22. I remember hearing about this city’s larger-than-life household names as I was learning the ropes. There was nightclub owner Howard Meyer, who would entertain in his opulent West End mansion. There were entertainers everyone flocked to see, like Dieta Pepsi, Petrina Marie,…
The other day, as I drove down Manchester Road toward Maplewood, I remembered there was a partially queer-owned coffee shop called The Living Room. I made a mental note to stop in and support them. I love how, these days, my straight friends are often the ones telling me about queer-owned businesses. It…
Emboldened by the current Christian nationalist administration, MAGA supporters have been more belligerent than ever during this Pride Month. At 1:19 a.m. Sunday, security cameras at Parkway United Church of Christ captured an individual laughing while tearing down eight Pride sails displayed on church property. Greg Schmelig, who serves the church in several capacities, shared…
No other road has captured the American imagination quite like Route 66, the iconic 2,400-mile corridor stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles and running directly through our region. “Growing up in St. Louis, we heard as much about Route 66 as we did the Mississippi — the lore of both is embedded. Both promise adventure…
Just a few weeks ago, Missouri lawmakers met in Jefferson City to discuss the passing of a recent bill that places significant limitations on transgender individuals. Around that same time in St. Louis, another conversation was happening as a result of that bill: How do we maintain the safety of our transgender youth? This conversation…
I often look back on my younger lesbian days and think about the spaces we so desperately needed — places for sober living, genuine connection and simple relaxation. Spaces where there was no pressure to perform or be anything other than your authentic self. When I reflect on those times, one place immediately comes to…
Joan Lipkin with That Uppity Theatre Company and the Missouri History Museum announce the return of Queer Writes: An Evening of Selections by LGBTQ+ Writers in St. Louis for its fourth consecutive year on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Missouri History Museum. The event is part of the Museum’s Thursday Nights at the Museum…
