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…
Scott Lokitz is the OG Community Photographer
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,…
Morally Bankrupt MAGA Delighted Over Pride Sail Vandalism at West County Church
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…
Finding Q-mmunity Along Route 66
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…
Leading the Way: Dale Wrigley on His Career Journey and Novus Health’s Transformative New Facility
St. Louis has maintained an uncommonly robust LGBTQ healthcare ecosystem for decades. Nationally, much of HIV care has been relegated to large, impersonal university hospitals or federally qualified health clinics. In St. Louis, however, LGBTQ practitioners stepped up long ago to create community-centered practices such as Southampton Healthcare, University Club Medical, and Central West Health…
Lawn Care Owner Apologizes, Blames Alcohol After Sending Vulgar, Homophobic Texts to West County Woman
Tori, who requested that only her first name be used, says a simple text message to her landscaper sparked an unexpected and vulgar response. The West St. Louis County resident texted her landscaper to ask that her lawn be mowed every other week instead of weekly. The request prompted a barrage of hostile text messages…
Joan Lipkin Receives National Award at Sunday Evening Event
Theatre artist and activist Joan Lipkin was honored Sunday evening with the 2026 Margo Jones Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in American theatre. The award, which had never previously been awarded to a St. Louis resident, celebrates a lifetime of achievement, honoring individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact on the…
La Voûte’s Flag Rises
Standing on the podium at the 2025 Winter Guard International World Championships, bronze medal dangling from his neck, tears running down his face, and confetti falling all around, La Voûte founder Brandon Fink looked at his young team (ages ranging from 18-27) and was filled with pride that he’d helped facilitate the next generation reaching…
From The Little Bevo to the Belles of the Bevo to their Drag Embassy, the Fruends’ empire thrives
When Nick Fruend, 36 (Janessa Highland when in drag), travels the region, the Miss Gay Missouri America naturally scouts talent, especially in smaller cities like his native Springfield, Missouri. He’s proved to be an effective recruiter. “When I was traveling and performing frequently, I did a ton of shows all over,” Fruend says. “I’d talk…
“Mayor of Gay OKC” Floyd Martin to Celebrate His 60th on Saturday
He eats terribly. He drinks like a fish. He never has any money—if an employer won’t give him time off for an event, he simply quits. He’s tumbled through a second-story plate glass window at The District Hotel. He’s been run over by a car. He’s been struck by lightning—twice. It’s almost incomprehensible that “Mayor…