News is Good: Wayne Brady comes out, a “Royal Blue” weekend and more

Our weekly column, News is Good, features positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are a few things we’re excited about this week.

@waynebrady

As someone who gets to bring joy to others daily on tv, it’s been ironic that I don’t experience it as much as I’d like. I advocate mental health for all and a part of that is self transparency. In doing my work, I’ve come to see a few truths, one of them being that I want to be free to love whomever I want. This truth makes me Pan and part of the lgbtq+ family. It’s scary as hell to say out loud but here it is. The people I admire the most are the ones brave enough to be themselves unapologetically. This shouldn’t shake anyone’s world, but if it bothers you at all, that’s your business:) I was so afraid of having my manhood questioned, but screw that. A “real man” in my eyes, isn’t afraid to be honest and happy. From now on, I’ll be over here living my best life! I love you @Mandietaketa @Maile Masako @Jason

♬ original sound – Shannon

Star of stage and screen, Wayne Brady, comes out as pansexual in a viral video. This Tuesday, actor and host Brady surprised fans with a lip sync number to Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” where he posed against a rainbow backdrop and declared his truth. In the post, Brady shared, “In doing my work, I’ve come to see a few truths, one of them being that I want to be free to love whomever I want. This truth makes me Pan and part of the lgbtq+ family. It’s scary as hell to say out loud but here it is.” Welcome to the family, Wayne!

Pickle becomes the inaugural West Hollywood drag laureate. Los Angeles drag performer Pickle has been honored as West Hollywood’s first-ever drag laureate. According to Bay Area Reporter, “Pickle won unanimous approval in June from the West Hollywood City Council to serve as the LGBTQ enclave’s ambassador for all things drag.” As laureate, Pickle will meet with the drag community and work to address their concerns as drag backlash continues across the United States.

“Red, White and Royal Blue” debuts on Prime Video. Based on the contemporary romance novel by Casey McQuiston about the complicated relationships between First Son of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz and Britain’s Prince Henry. The film adaptation follows the two men after a high-profile altercation at a royal wedding and the subsequent faux friendship they are forced into to mend international relations. In true romance style, Alex and Henry soon find themselves falling for each other. Available now on Prime Video.

TikTok star Misha Brown to host new podcast, “The Big Flop.” Brown, whose handle is @dontcrossagayman and has garnered a following of over 2.7 million, will be expanding his talents to the podcast arena. In the “The Big Flop” Brown “will unpack epic cultural fails from Quibi to Crystal Pepsi with the help of guests like Sasheer Zamata, Matt Bellassai and more.” “The Big Flop” launches Aug. 21 on Wondery+ and Aug. 28 on Amazon Music and all other podcast services.