Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Kerene Moore, Michigan 15th District Court

Kerene Moore (she/her) is a queer social justice attorney with over 15 years of legal and public service experience. She is currently the Director of Conviction Integrity at the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. She previously served as a juvenile referee and judicial attorney in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court, and as an administrative law examiner with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. She started her career at Legal Services of South Central Michigan where she provided free representation to over 1,000 under resourced clients. In 2014, she also founded Outreach, a pro bono LGBTQ+ advocacy project with University of Michigan law students. Throughout her career, she has served on the committees and boards of several organizations including the Jim Toy Community Center, Equality Michigan, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission. She has also served as co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Law Section of the Washtenaw County Bar Association and is the incoming chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Law Section. Kerene is passionate about increasing access to justice to people from all walks of life, supporting treatment courts, ensuring that crime victims are receiving support, and actively reducing systemic bias in our courts.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Ailina Carona, Tennessee House of Representatives District 57

Ailina Carona (she/her) is a queer Latina millennial who is a makeup artist in the greater Nashville area. As the mother of a special needs daughter, she has been an advocate for more inclusive education policies and has raised money for school lunches. Ailina has also raised money for women’s shelters and advocates for reproductive freedom for women and stricter gun laws. Ailina lives with her husband and three daughters outside of Nashville.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Dominique Johnson, Connecticut House of Representatives District 143

One thing that we at Jejune are pleased to see is the number of LGBTQ+ candidates who are running this year, and we have profiled quite a few of them! This week we are highlighting Dominique Johnson (she/they), who is the incumbent representative in District 143 in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Dominique is a genderqueer millennial who has gone from humble political beginnings as a community organizer to Assistant Majority Leader. A former professor and punk rock bassist, they are a published author with work appearing in works ranging from Teen Vogue to The Nation. Dominique is passionate advocate for educational equity, the health and well-being of youth, women and LGBTQ+ people, and sustainability.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Katie Causey, Palo Alto, CA City Council

Katie Causey (she/her/hers) is a bisexual millennial community and tenant organizer and political activist who is a lifelong resident of Palo Alto, California currently running for city council. Among other issues in her platform, Katie believes in expanding housing access and protecting tenant rights, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting LGBTQ+ rights in Palo Alto. As someone who is passionate about expanding and promoting public transportation, and reducing car traffic, Katie herself does not own a car, and walks, bikes, and takes public transport to get where she needs to be. Katie also owns over 35 houseplants!

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 54, zissue 54.3Andrew FSeptember 20, 2024lgbt+, LGBTQ Support, LGBTQ, lgbt, LGBTQ rights, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ youth, california, bisexual, election 2024Comment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Liz Sheehan, Lexington, KY Urban County Council District 5

Three months ago, we profiled a candidate running at the local level to be a city councilmember in Louisville, Kentucky (the largest city in the state). Today, we are profiling another candidate running at the local level, who is an incumbent on the city council of Lexington, Kentucky (the second-largest city in the state). Dr. Liz Sheehan (she/her), is a professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky and is the first openly bisexual individual to hold elected office in the state. Having served two terms on the city council, Liz is passionate about creating policy solutions to tackle problems associated with housing and homelessness, environmental sustainability, LGBTQ rights, pedestrian and biker safety, and mental health. Liz lives in Lexington with her husband Dan and daughter Ash.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Analise Ortiz, Arizona State Senate District 24

Analise Ortiz (she/her/hers) is the current state representative for her district, but after one term in the Arizona House of Representatives, she has decided to run for the Arizona State Senate. Analise is a Latina millennial civil rights activist who worked for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on issues like criminal justice reform and federal immigration reform, before running for the Arizona House in 2022, where she is the first openly pansexual member of the Arizona legislature. In the House, she is a leader in the Democratic caucus on criminal justice reform, protecting and expanding reproductive rights, and advocating for affordable housing for Arizonans. Analise is passionate about combatting exclusionary zoning practices through meaningful and equitable zoning reforms.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 54, zissue 54.2Andrew FJune 19, 2024queer, latina, latinx, bisexual, #queer, lgbt, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, #lgbti, Latin, liberal, journalism, JournalistComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Kyra deGruy Kennedy, Colorado House of Representatives, District 30

Today we are profiling Kyra deGruy Kennedy (she/hers), a bisexual millennial community organizer, running for the Colorado House of Representatives. Kyra currently works as a business and political consultant, advising a wide range of organizations. As a former healthcare worker, Kyra has influenced a number of legislative efforts in Colorado pertaining to healthcare, and is most passionate about enacting single-payer healthcare, ensuring that healthcare be treated as a basic human right and not a system that profits off the ill health of patients, including mental health, reproductive health (including legalized abortion), and lower prescription drug costs. Kyra also supports transitioning away from fossil fuels (including in vehicles), reducing access to firearms, and protecting labor, worker, immigrant, tenant, and democratic rights.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Mandi Remington, Board of Supervisors for Johnson County, Iowa

Mandi Remington (she/her) is a queer millennial political activist running for a position on the County Board of Supervisors in Johnson County, Iowa. A single mother of three, including a trans child, Mandi is a lower middle-income wage earner. She is most passionate about advancing platforms that prioritize equity for disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. Mandi recently lost an election in 2023 for a position on the Iowa City Council but is running again on a platform of abortion rights, as well as affordable housing, childcare, food, and transportation.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Sam Bell, Rhode Island Senate District 5

This week we continue our profiles of progressive candidates running for office in 2024! Today we are featuring Sam Bell, who is a Democratic Socialist Rhode Island State Senator. Sam (he/him) is a geologist with a Masters and PhD both from Brown University in Providence, the city of Sam’s district. He is most passionate about healthcare, housing, and fighting poverty. Sam and his wife Samantha are both openly bisexual and are proud parents to their 2-year-old son Jacob.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - DeShanna Neal, Delaware House of Representatives District 13

This week we are profiling DeShanna Neal (she/they), a single mother of four who is an LGBTQ+ rights activist and Democratic Socialist Delaware State Representative. Elected in 2022, they ran on a platform focusing on mental health, the environment, and the legalization of marijuana; this year their focus is on Accessibility for all, Maternal Healthcare for Incarcerated Women, and LGBTQ+ rights. DeShanna is the author of the children’s book My Rainbow, about their transgender daughter, and they are the co-organizer and creator of New Castle County's first ever LGBTQ Youth Pride Festival, as well as, Delaware's first Drag Queen Story Hour. They have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix (UoPX), and just recently graduated with a master’s degree from Wilmington University (WilmU).

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Kim Jackson, Georgia State Senate District 41

This week we are profiling Rev. Kim Jackson (she/her/hers), an ordained Episcopal priest and the first openly LGBT+ state senator in Georgia. A Black millennial lesbian, Jackson works to protect voting rights, reform education and criminal justice, expand Medicaid, and protecting immigrants and refugees. She is the vicar of the Church of the Common Ground, a “church without walls” ministering to the needs of the unhoused in Atlanta, and is very passionate about providing affordable housing to Georgians.

Don’t Fit In With Fab The Duo

Talk about a power couple! Meet Fab The Duo! This interracial power couple based in LA serves Rock music with a side of Philanthropy. Their spunky yet glamorous aesthetic is worthy of admiration this Valentine’s Day! Both Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile are outspoken body positivity, LGBTQ+, and gender expression advocates, and they make that prominent in their musical abilities and fundraising work. Fab The Duo recently released a song called “Weird Year” with artist Lucy and La Mer, which accurately depicts the mood of 2021. “Weird Year” is a flawless send-off for 2021, and we are here for it! Jejune is delighted to share this interview! If you are interested in Fab the Duo’s music, their support for LGBTQ+ organizations, or just sheer curiosity about how they can be so amazing, please continue reading below!

Crys Matthews Makes Us Believe America Again

Due to recent political events, we cannot stop asking ourselves these questions these days: What kind of country do we want to live in, work in? What kind of America do we believe in? There are many social justice issues in the country, but social-justice singer-songwriter Crys Matthews feels like all of these issues are human issues. Even with all that happened in the country, she is hopeful for this country, which is why she made ‘Changemakers’ which is her latest, hope-fueled, love-filled, social justice album. "Call Them In" the second single off of the album and a very powerful song, is meant to honor John Lewis. Crys Matthews reminds us America is going to get a chance to be America again no matter what happened in the past and she makes us believe in a brighter future. We talked to Crys Matthews about her music, politics, and personal life. Check our exclusive interview with Crys Matthews to learn more about her.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 34Başak YirmibeşogluJuly 19, 2021#music, #folkmusic, #politics, #blm, #lgbti, #crysmatthews, #johnlewis, #homage, music, blm, LGBTQ, LGBTQ rights, LGBTQ+, lgbtqComment

EDITORIAL - Glitter & Gold - Yozmit

At the Indian Canyons, the ancestral home to the Agua Caliente Tribe, stands a lone figure clad in glitter and gold. Her artist name is Yozmit and she transcends more than her surroundings as she is surrounded by the elements of California —Yozmit transcends gender, time, and space. She is a transgender music-visual performance artist who is also a costume designer. Her art and performance intend to spread her message of *DoYou* - "a process of becoming fully self-realized and acting upon self-identity. DoYou is [her] artistic mantra to shift power from external conformity to internal realization/” She has collaborated with the likes of Alex Sandar, Susanne Bartsch, The BOX New York, The Box London, Supper Club, Sleep No More, Queen on the Night, and has performed at Burning Man, Coachella, Life Ball, Lincoln Center, and many other notable venues and events. In our interview with Yozmit, we talk about her identity as “Two-Spirit” and the artistic value of SELF. Please enjoy our exclusive editorial with Yozmit below.

Otoja Abit Is A Quadruple Threat

Otoja Abit is best known for his award-winning debut short, Jitters, in which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred. Otoja expands on his short Jitters’ theme with his first-of-its-kind urban-leaning holiday film A New York Christmas Wedding now available on Netflix. The film touches on some of the themes involving the LGBTQIA Community and religion. Check out our exclusive interview with Otoja Abit here.

Art, zIssue 27, Most PopularJejune ContributorDecember 23, 2020Actor, netflix, film, writers, producer, blm, covid-19, story, christmas, holiday, Holidays, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ rights, LGBTQ, love is love, loveislove, writerComment

Black LGBTQ+ Political Analyst Drexel Heard Gives Us A Sane Look On Politics On Election Day

Drexel Heard provides a unique voice as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and the youngest Black Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Drexel formerly worked on President Obama’s Presidential campaign, and throughout the 2020 Presidential Election, he has been sharing commentary as a Political Analyst for NPR, BBC and BBC Radio. His knowledge of the government system, keen sense of domestic and international policy, and love of Washington News naturally created his strong political voice, which he happily utilizes through social media and many other outlets to lead the generation through any political climate. We spoke with Drexel about the current state of United States politics — from Black Lives Matter, to COVID-19, to the 2020 election. Please read our interview with Drexel Heard below. And then, if you haven’t already, please go vote!

Carlton Jordan Is A Stigma-Breaker

In a time where it feels most shows and films are about superheroes, it is refreshing to watch content that just feels real. Writer and producer Carlton Jordan is a self proclaimed, and justifiably so, stigma-breaker. He writes stories that are not only relatable, but are on issues that no one is talking about. This can especially be seen on his YouTube show “POZ ROZ”, which is about a young black woman who contracts HIV. The viewer finds themselves loving Roz through her growth and struggles as she adjusts to her new reality. Warning, there are a few spoilers here, but Carlton made sure not to give away anything for Season 2 (even though I wanted him to)! Please read further to learn more about Carlton Jordan and his creations.

COVER - Corey O'Brien & Ryan Russell Embody Love

In a time when the country feels so divided, Corey O'Brien & Ryan Russell’s love solidifies to me how love can heal all. These two very unique men found each other during a time they didn’t think they were even interested in a relationship, but were so charming that they couldn’t get enough of each other. A year later, they are stronger than ever, supporting each other in the midst of 2020 chaos, celebrating sobriety, going to Black Lives Matter protests, and creating a YouTube Channel to celebrate their love and individuality. To learn about one of 2020’s cutest couples, please read further.

Brandon Ash-Mohammed: A Place For Black Queer Comics

What does it mean to be a comedian in 2020? The etymology of comedy is derived from 14c., it was "narrative with a happy ending; any composition intended for amusement," from Old French comedie (14c.), "a poem" (not in the theatrical sense) and directly from Latin comoedia. Comedic styles have differed throughout the ages, some more performative in execution, some story driven, and others purely satirical.

Comedians have become the layman’s philosopher, they tackle topics, personal, relatable, controversial. They dissect our societal norms and provide a humorous analysis on our values. Brandon Ash-Mohammed is part of a new generation of comedians carving his own lane in stand up. For starters, he is the first ever queer black Canadian comedian to release a comedy album, Capricornication. Brandon is also the creator of The Ethnic Rainbow, Canada’s first and only comedy show for LGBTQ comedians of colour. Please read our exclusive interview to earn more about Brandon Ash-Mohammed.

Art, zIssue 25Jejune ContributorAugust 3, 2020comedy, performers, performing, gay, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ, lgbt, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, black rights, African AmericanComment

Welcome to Polartropica's Queer Celestial Dimension

Dreams Come True, Polartropica's debut album, creates a sonically tangible nexus into her ethereal fantasy dimension. The LA based, Taiwanese born pop star uses a unique combination of futuristic synths and classical string arrangements to generate her signature celestial sound. She remains true to her indie electropop roots, as seen in her 2016 EP Astrodreams.

The 10 track album explores the complexities between the reciprocal elements that make up Polartropica. It is an examination both fleeting, yet crucial. The album dials in on Polartropica's relationships, world news and her experiences as a queer Asian-American living in California.

Polartropica’s beliefs and values can seen through her actions and lifestyle. She embraces her LGBTQ identity and holds fundraisers for the LGBTQ community and the Los Angeles LGBTQ center. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Polartropica.

Art, zIssue 23Jejune ContributorJune 1, 2020music, musician, Asian, #singer, singer, singer song writer, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ, lgbt, #positivity, community, Pride Month, prideComment