Happy Pride Month! June is, without a doubt, the most colorful and unapologetic time of the year. Pride amplifies the LGBTQIA + community’s voice and uplifts the message of “loud and proud” queerness. Why cant it be pride every month?

Speaking of amplifying voices, TikTok has become an important vehicle for the LGBTQIA + community to express themselves. Many gay, non-binary, and gender varying influencers have built meaningful platforms on TikTok; proving it remains a safe place for LGBTQIA + youth and allies.

Such influencers include the members of Pride House LA. Pride House LA members include Mollee Gray, her husband Jeka Jane, Garrett Clayton, and Kent Boyd. The inclusive TikTok house was founded by a group of friends at a time when TikTok lacked radical inclusivity. You may know Mollee, Garrett, and Kent from the Disney ‘Teen Beach’ franchise. Jeka Jane is a choreographer and dancer whose dancing has been at the forefront of his trans journey. Mollee and Jeka have also already graced our pages here.

As you can see, so much talent is pouring of out Pride House LA and they are more than willing to share it with us! Pride House LA surpasses its goal of creating a safe space, educating, and mentoring queer youth on social media. Jejune is ecstatic to unveil our Pride House LA cover and each member’s journey to a more accepting and knowledgeable version of themselves. For this rainbow-filled interview with Pride House LA, continue reading below.

Where is Pride House LA based?
We are located in North Hollywood, CA.

We know the Pride House founders are very close friends, how and when did Pride House begin?
We have all been friends for over ten years. Mollee and Kent knew each other from So You Think You Can Dance, Jeka and Mollee have been together eight years and married for four. Kent, Mollee, and Garrett worked together on Disney’s Teen Beach Movie franchise. We are a little family!

Why did you feel it was important to create Pride House LA?
Pride House LA started naturally as a group of people who downloaded TikTok over quarantine. We did, however, notice there were a ton of “houses” but none that seemed inclusive. Our mission then became to create a safe space for queer youth to feel seen!

You are known for creating a safe and inclusive platform for LGBTQIA+ youth specifically, but everyone in general, how are you able to achieve that?
We want to be who we wish we had growing up. There wasn’t a lot of queer representation in the media, TV, or movies when we were young. If there was, they usually weren’t shown in the best light. For us to be able to share our stories and lives freely and with creativity is how we can attract love!

Coming out is a monumental experience for many queer people, can you share a snippet of your own experience.
Kent: My experience was all-in-one. My whole family was under one roof and I got to tell them. I was embraced by my father and everyone was supportive! It was wonderful, and I know not everyone has that experience. I’m super grateful.

What inspired you to be a mentor, inspiration, or idol to the youth?
We’re inspired by our mentors and always being around creators and new energy!

Are there any criteria for new members of Pride House LA?
We love confidence, passion, and great energy!

How has Pride House LA grown from the start of its origin? How did it evolve?
It has evolved from a group of friends messing around making content, to a big community spreading knowledge, inclusivity, and the message to be proud of who you are.

Do you have any advice for those who wish to identify with the LGBTQIA+ community?
The best advice we can give is to take your time. There’s no rush! Speak your truth when you feel comfortable and safe. Life is fluid and change is natural, so love yourself first.

How did you first know you were a part of the LGBTQIA+ community?
Jeka: I first questioned if I was part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the third grade. We were in gym class doing butterfly stretches, and I noticed my knees didn’t go down like the girls. I clearly remember thinking “I’m a boy, I knew it.” And I know physicality has nothing to do with being gay or trans, but I knew I was in the wrong body.

How has coming together to create Pride House LA positively impact your life?
We are our chosen family. The crazy thing is we have all known each other for 10 years, and the ups and downs of the last year have really brought us closer as a team and family. They say to surround yourself with people who lift you up!

What does ”inclusivity” mean to you?
Inclusivity is understanding and empathy. We know that everyone is a fighting battle or struggle that no one will understand. As humans, it’s our duty to spread light.

Garrett, in the past everyone assumed or pressured you to reveal your sexuality, how did this affect you and your coming out journey?
I had to come out twice actually. The first time was when I was a teenager, but the second was after I moved to Hollywood and was told “no one wants to **** the gay guy, they want to shop with him.” So I was pressured to stay in the closet while also dealing with the pressures of other people wanting me to come out. I felt very caught in the middle and like there was no right answer. Honestly, there is no one right path to coming out and that thought has been reinforced in my mind through my journey. I believe it is not our job to pressure people into their truth. It is important that we support people on their path, no matter how fast or slow they’re moving through that path.

Jeka, dancing was a big part of your transgender journey. It made you comfortable with your truth. What is one thing you wish you could say to your past self? Any message of support?
Keep dancing! It has always been an escape for me, and being accepted as one of the guys helped me feel like I was home.

Mollee, you are a renowned dancer, actress, and activist. What message do you hope to send to your audience?
I want to tell my audience that being a good role model is much more rewarding than seeking distasteful attention for a quicker relevance in the media. I truly pride myself on having a brand and career that’s respectable and shows that hard work really does pay off!

Mollee, at the beginning of Jeka’s Journey, how did you face his truth? Do you have any tips for those who have loved ones who are going through a transformation as well? How can they be as supportive as possible?
I faced Jeka’s truth by honoring what he was telling me rather than questioning it. I asked questions to educate myself, I also was very vocal about my emotions and made sure that we both had great communication. If you have a loved one going through a transition, I would say be patient with not only yourself but them… don’t force them to have answers to questions you have. Let’s grow in the journey together and allow yourself to enjoy the process of your partner becoming the person they were always meant to be.

Kent, how did you know choreography and dancing were your callings?
I knew when I was in kindergarten! I always enjoyed doing physical work, it gets me out of my head and into a beautiful focus. I also love entertainment and what’s more entertaining than someone with the beat! The designing aspect of dance is also fun.

You all are dancers, how much is dance a part of Pride House LA?
Life is a party and celebration. The best way to celebrate is to dance! Having a group of professional dancers to look clean in the routine definitely has its perks, but also the dance world is so tight-knit. We are constantly working with and bringing in dancers to collaborate with.

Do you feel coming out is easier in 2021? If yes, how so? If not, why do you believe that?
Two words: GEN Z. Believe it or not, TikTok has created such a safe space for the next generation to create a world/community and live/feel safe in it. They have this “I Don’t Care What You Think attitude,” but also a progressive attitude about the world.

TikTok by far is one of the most addicting apps in this day and age. Who is obsessed with TikTok the most?
Kent! We will get shared videos at 3:00 in the morning from him, and he’s constantly thinking of the next big thing the house should do.

Jojo Siwa has collaborated and made an appearance on your group TikTok, many are wondering if there is any chance Siwa would become a recurring feature or potentially a permanent member?
I guess you’ll have to wait and see!

The pandemic has been hard for everyone. How has the pandemic affected you? And how do you stay positive?
Like everyone, the pandemic has affected us financially and emotionally, but on the flip side, we have learned to look up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. We learned to get creative. We learned to slow down. Being forced inside helped Mollee and Jeka connect on a deeper level. All of our lives have always been go go go, so stopping to smell the roses has helped us all stay positive.

What would we see from Pride House LA in the near and distant future? Goals? Hopes?
We want to spread more love and light around the LGBTQ community. We want to pave a way for queer youth to continue to grow and feel safe. Kent likes to say he wants to start a YMCA! We hope to show the world that you can be queer and successful and PrideHouse has your back.

What do you say to the haters?
Jeka: I learned that people who leave nasty comments usually tend to have their own internal struggles and their hate is just projected. The best way to “stop” a hater is to talk to them. I like to give them energy and love. I ask how they are doing and try to understand why they feel the way they do. Most of the time, the conversation will end with a mutual understanding. You can’t fight fire with fire.

What is your motto in life?
“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” You can always find the positive in any situation. Make the best of anything and you will find more joy!

To learn more about Pride House LA, please visit the links below.
TikTok: @PrideHouseLA @garrettclayton91 @molleegray @kentboyd_ @jekajane
Instagram: @PrideHouseLA @garrettclayton1 @molleegray @kent_boyd @jekajane
YouTube: PrideHouseLA