A powerful new documentary titled I Am is gaining attention not only for its emotional storytelling but for the remarkable journey it captures—one of survival, resilience, and human connection in the face of unspeakable trauma and anti-LGBTQ+ bias. The 2025 film, produced by 17-year-old twin brothers Ethan and Aidan Sinconis of Arizona, tells the…
Wellness
Saint Louis Anti-Violence Project Celebrates 10 Years of Advocacy and Impact
This year marks an important milestone for the Saint Louis Anti-Violence Project (STLAVP) as the agency celebrates 10 years of incorporation and commitment to uplifting LGBTQIA+ survivors of relational violence. STLAVP’s mission is to bring awareness of relational violence within and to the LGBTQIA+ community. Over the past decade, STLAVP has: Conducted field research of…
Why Wear Purple? October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Many people envision October as cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes, scary movies, and ghoulish good times. However, this month you may also notice neighborhoods, landmarks, and businesses glowing purple. That’s because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Throughout the St. Louis region, advocates, organizations, and businesses are coming together to create spaces of support…
Narcissistic Injury: The Hidden Trigger Behind Vindictive Behavior
A narcissistic injury is a term rooted in psychoanalytic theory, referring to a perceived threat or insult to a narcissist’s self-image. It’s not necessarily a dramatic public humiliation—often, it can be a subtle slight, a disagreement, or a challenge to their authority, competence, or specialness. To most people, such experiences may sting momentarily but are…
Tai Davis Joins Out In STL Board, Authors New Columns
Stepping into a new chapter with Out In STL feels like coming home — but with a louder soundtrack and a much bigger dinner table and I’m thrilled to introduce myself. I am Tai Davis, a proud creative, culinary enthusiast, and champion of vibrant, authentic voices. As a new member of the Out In STL…
What My Father’s Death Taught Me About Love Too Late
When my father died, I didn’t know how to feel. We weren’t close. We hadn’t spoken in years. There was no big dramatic fallout just a slow, quiet fade. Phone calls that stopped coming. Texts were never answered. Time stretched the distance wider until we were strangers who shared a last name. Then came the…
Eron Mazza: Queer Joy is Magic!
Let me be clear: Queer joy isn’t just a vibe—it’s a full-blown magical working. A spell. A hex against hopelessness. It is a monkey wrench tossed into the gears of A system that says we aren’t allowed to exist, let alone find joy in this life. We live in a system of oppression that would…
The spell begins the moment you decide
Picture it, a stretch of I-40 at night. I’m one of only a few cars on the road. I am driving to my hometown from Oklahoma City to feed the animals at my mother’s house. Inside the car I am coming to a decision. Do I live as myself? Or do I continue to live…
When Rejection Hits Hard: Understanding and Protecting Yourself from Severe Responses
Rejection is a universal experience—whether romantic, social, or professional, most people can recall a time when they were passed over, turned down, or excluded. But for some, rejection doesn’t just sting—it detonates. Their reaction is disproportionate and can create fallout that affects everyone around them, including friends, family, and even innocent bystanders. Understanding these intense…
Eron Vito Mazza: You’re Not Blocked. You’re Burnt Out
Let’s clear something up. Your aura isn’t blocked because you forgot to charge your water under a full moon or skipped affirmations last Tuesday. You’re not hexed because you didn’t buy that $88 citrine wand from a spiritual influencer who’s never worked a retail shift in their life. You’re burnt out, baby—not broken. You’re just…