Celebrating Pride: Support the Courageous LGBTQ+ Community

Let’s release the rainbow flags and douse ourselves in glitter, it is Pride! One of our favorite times of the year! While we are super excited to see so many big companies selling merchandise to commemorate it, we worry that not all of it is coming from the right place. Instead of going to one of the big companies (who will remain nameless), how about you show your support and influence a positive change to the community by supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses!? Don’t know any LGBTQ+-owned brands? Jejune has you covered. We have compiled a list of some amazing stylish ethical LGBTQ+-owned businesses to to go full pride with. Check them out below!

The 2021 New York Mayoral Race

The race for the office of Mayor of New York City, in the wake of the Trump presidency and the ongoing pandemic, is a litmus test for both the will for meaningful progress and the resiliency of old ideas. New York is a traditionally blue state, and its namesake city is the largest in the United States, with a population of over eight million people, of which three million of which are of foreign birth.

The primaries will be held on June 22nd, followed by an election on November 2nd. For the first time, the primaries will employ a ranked-choice system rather than the traditional plurality vote.

This article is intended to provide a thumbnail guide to the personalities and issues, with quick links to further information, along with some of our opinions.

#MeTooMpls —The Music of the #MeToo Movement

The power of a single story becomes stronger when that story becomes a movement for change. That is what the #MeToo Movement is about: survivors sharing their stories of harassment, assault, and violence in order to promote awareness, change, and empathy. In using music as a catalyst for storytelling, Mischa Suemnig organized the #MeTooMpls project, a songwriting collective of Minnesota Women/Femmes/Trans/Non-Binary Folk. The mission of #MeTooMpls is straight forward: It is aimed at creating songs to raise Minneapolis Women/Femmes/Trans/Non-Binary Folk voices; Supporting sexual assault survivors; And raising funds for Planned Parenthood. All the songwriters involved were asked to write and record an original song on the subject of #MeToo. Without any further guidelines, the artists delivered songs ranging from heartbreaking songs about surviving sexual assault to inspiring songs about feminist icons and their influence on their lives. The album that they created is at once polyvocal and unified —it is a a mixture of lamentation, hope, and demand for change. It is the music of #MeToo.

Pockets Warhol Will Paint His Way Into Your Heart

Ok, to say I’m obsessed with Pockets Warhol might be a little bit of an understatement, but you don’t meet a monkey who does paintings for charity everyday! His style is a bit more Pollock than Warhol, but his abstract pieces of art are colorful and raw. Pockets, who lives in Canada, was once a therapy animal eventually handed over to his current home, the Story Book Primate Sanctuary. Story Book is a beautiful space created to give primates a second chance after being research animals or victims of the exotic animal trade. It is also the only primate sanctuary in Canada. When Pockets came to Story Book they were quick to notice how smart he is. He would constantly be playing with toys to entertain himself, and since his handler was a big fan of primate art, it seemed worth a try on Pockets. It was love at first paint stroke! Now Pockets’s pieces are being used at charity auctions and sold to help support the sanctuary. To learn more about this adorable artist and Story Book Primate Sanctuary, please read our exclusive interview below.

COVER - Sophie Reynolds Honors A Legacy

Sophie Reynolds was forever impacted by her best friend, Cameron Boyce. Losing a best friend at a young age is devastating, but Sophie and Cameron’s family and friends choose to remember Cameron’s legacy in a beautiful way through the Cameron Boyce Foundation. Cameron was a light in people’s lives and a passionate activist, ergo, his foundation was created to continue the positive energy he put out into the world. After all, a legacy is not what you do for yourself, but what you do for others. Sophie joins alongside the Cameron Boyce Foundation to find ways to eliminate Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), raise funds for epilepsy research, fighting gun violence, and so much more. In our interview with Sophie, we catch up on her acting career, life on set, and how she is giving back with the Cameron Boyce Foundation. Please read our exclusive interview with Sophie Reynolds below!

EDITORIAL - Oliver Trevena Is Making Moves

Say hello to Oliver Trevena —the man who is known for his interview and hosting skills. We’re flipping the script and sitting down with this famous British host turned actor (alongside his adorable pup Georgie) to catch up on his latest projects. Here’s what you need to know: Oliver making moves and is working to make the world a better place. Between shooting several movies (Rising Hawk, Embattled, The Reckoning, Out of Death) in the past couple of years and growing his new business Caliwater with his partner Vanessa Hudgens, Oliver is using his talents to help spread awareness of forced child marriage in India. Serving as producer for a docuseries entitled Unmuted, Oliver hopes to produce content to unmute the voices of girls and young women in India who were forced into marriage too young. He also works closely with the Not For Sale Campaign, which provides resources to end human slavery and trafficking. Inspired? We are too. For more on Oliver Trevena, please read our exclusive editorial interview below.

EDITORIAL: Lexy Panterra - Baddie Good

Lexy Panterra dances through life and never says sorry. The singer, rapper, and dancer uses her platform to empower women and girls to be their best, authentic selves. From “TwerkOut” - her online twerking classes to her latest album Baddie Vibez, Panterra leads with an image of confidence, strength, and femininity, encouraging her fans to unapologetically practice self-love. Jejune had the pleasure to get to know more about Lexy Panterra, we got to talk about her music, venturing into rapping, her passion for dancing, and what makes her feel good. To learn more about Panterra, continue reading below.

COVER: Adam Waheed - The King Of Comedy

If you don’t mind, I would like to tell you a little bit about Adam Waheed. This handsome Egyptian from New York City is a lot more than a pretty face. In fact, his good looks are almost an after thought in his comedy. He is known for playing innocent and playful roles where he is typically the ridiculous guy who leaves his ladies, friends, co-workers, or doctors completely flabbergasted. The shocking story behind Adam, and his massive social media following, is that he is a self-made man. He started out as wanting to be an actor, but there were just not enough roles for someone who looks like him. So, he took things into his own hands and started an empire of social media comedy. Cute, short skits that resemble videos one would see on sites like Funny or Die and CollegeHumor, with one small exception — Adam always casts a very diverse group of talent in all his videos. While the rest of the world is waking up to this, this is just natural for all of Adam’s skits. Adam’s skills don’t stop there. He has recently branched out to producing and acting in short films, like Tribes, and opening schools across the world for underprivileged kids. Adam certainly does it all. To learn more, please click here!

rIVerse Is Going Viral - The Future of High Concept Art Pop

rIVerse is the viral, multi-racial, LGBTQ+ and body-positive pop group that is breaking the internet. An independent Canadian pop and R&B group, rIVerse is a band known for making international waves for their high concept art pop and inclusive messaging. The group is comprised of band members Dizz, Monroe, Khadija and Zak. rIVerse recently released their newest music video for “BaeBeeBoo” off their critically acclaimed album, Poison IV. The album has been heralded for its innovative, genre-bending aesthetic and inclusive messaging which tackles themes ranging from body positivity, self love to systemic racism. We couldn’t wait to talk to the members of rIVerse and share the impact of their music and creativity. Please read our exclusive interview with rIVerse below.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 31Forrest JohnsonApril 27, 2021music, musician, inclusivity, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, body positivity, women, womxn, band, singer song writer, k-pop, producer, youtube, viral, content, canadaComment

Re-exploring Photography From The Queer Lens

Art is most enjoyable when it represents us, much like our favorite clothes to wear. There are many labels in society that assign gender to people according to their appearances, especially with how they choose to dress, and the same can be said for art. Binary gender is pervasive in the art industry, and often times queer artists have been systematically excluded. It needs to be changed. And we will change it. There are artists that are challenging the industry standard through their art. Queer, non-binary, Latinx, fashion photographer Daniel Roa is one of them. They created a fashion photographic series on 120mm film where they photographed queer people who were assigned male at birth as representations of themselves so that we can see what Non-binary representation outside of the cis gaze looks like. The concept is embracing the fluidity of one’s gender and it allows us to see non-binary people as they see themselves because Non-binary identity has no single appearance and representation. Thus, at the end of the day, we realize that we can look the way we are and we can be represented as we want through a queer lens. We talked to Daniel Roa about queer photography series, fashion and the definition of being non-binary. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Daniel Roa.

Forever Bloom - Forever Young

In many ways, this pandemic has people reevaluating their priorities, but one thing hasn’t changed — we want to stay young for as long as we can! In fact, with many of us feeling like we lost a year, this is more important than ever. So, what do we do? We eat better, stay active, get more sleep, and try not to stress out too much. All great things, but our skin could always use a little more love. Let me introduce you to Forever Bloom, an eco-friendly, doesn’t test on animals, a beauty company that is diving into the idea of cellular regrowth to help keep our skin young! Why treat a symptom when you can attack the cause!? Please read further to learn more about this amazing company and how Jejune is partnering with them on a giveaway and discounts!

COVER - Victoria Konefal Dreams Of A Green Future

Victoria Konefal brings passion to this world by dreaming of a green future. You may know Victoria from her work on Day of our Lives, where she plays the fierce and independent Ciara Brady, and Victoria’s legacy is continuing to grow off-screen with her tremendous conservation efforts with organizations like Heal the Bay and Thirst Project. Conservation has taken a backseat during the turmoil of the pandemic and it is people like Victoria who are helping to put the spotlight back onto what we can do in our everyday lives to make a real contribution to conservation. In honor of Women’s History Month, we were very excited to talk to Victoria about the impact of a woman’s voice — we discuss her experience in Hollywood as an actress, working with women directors, and being an advocate for a better and brighter future. For more on Victoria Konefal, please read our exclusive editorial interview below.

Ain't I A Woman? Cheri Moon's Anthem of Empowerment For All Women

It is International Women’s Month and Cheri Moon is here to kick it up a notch. Cheri’s new single harkens back to a staple in women’s rights history: Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman” speech. Sharing the same name with the famous speech, Moon’s “Ain’t I A Woman” is a powerful anthem for 2021. The message of her music resonates with soulful celebration with the punchiness of a pop-ballad. Outside of Cheri’s music career, you can also catch her working along side Good + Foundation. In our interview with Cheri, we talk about Sojourner’s influence today for women everywhere and what hopeful emergences we have seen in the past year for feminism. For more on Cheri Moon, please read our exclusive interview below.

Fighting Homelessness & Poverty with HOPE

During one of the largest economic crises our country has ever seen, when cities are forcing landlords not to evict tenants who can’t pay, thousands have lost their jobs, and the number of homeless has yet to be calculated, there is hope. There is hope in Tiny Homes. Hope of the Valley’s Tiny Homes Villages is one of the most beautiful initiatives I have heard about so far in 2021. In one of the cities in the US that has the worst numbers of homelessness, Los Angeles, this organization is just stating the fight, and they are doing it in style. They have set up a transitional micro-village, where people wanting to pull themselves off the streets are given the resources to do so. Hope of the Valley has no only done this smartly, but also sensitively for the people who are moving in. They make sure they are safe, clean, feed, and even have a dog park for those with pets. I’m so excited to share with you our exclusive interview with the CEO of Hope of the Valley, Ken Craft.

EDITORIAL - Jarry Lee Is A Voice In The Silence

Jarry is a NYC-based model/actress, musician, and influencer who did something courageously out of the ordinary — she came out as bisexual on the hit Netflix show, Dating Around. With a social media following rising at astronomical rates, Jarry never chooses silence. Jarry is a bold voice with an extra aesthetic, and she is committed to lending her voice to strengthen the visibility of the LGBTQ+ and Asian community. In our interview with Jarry, we talk about her life in NYC during the pandemic, her coming out moment, and the current wave of violence against Asian Americans. You don’t want to miss this moment with Jarry! Please read our full and exclusive editorial and interview below.

Nikki DeLoach’s Guide to Self Love

Nikki DeLoach is someone to look up to. Since her days on the Mickey Mouse Club , DeLoach has starred in MTV’s hit series Awkward, guest starred in NCIS and Criminal Minds, and taken over Hallmark. But DeLoach’s work does not end when cameras stop rolling —she’s been taking up activism for over a decade. The co-founder of What We Are, DeLoach aims to encourage women to tell their own stories, as she has done. She pursues every cause that is dear to her and inspire others to do the same along the way. DeLoach went in detail with Jejune about these causes, making the most out of the holidays amid COVID-19, and why we should all be activists. For more on Nikki Deloach, read below.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 30, Editor's PickJejune ContributorMarch 12, 2021Actor, Film, christmas, feminism, activist, Humanitarian, voting rights, familyComment

COVER - The Wellness Of Sustainability

In just a month it already feels like a new world. We have a president who wears a mask, recognizes science, and very importantly is making steps in the right direction for our environment. In a lot of ways, I feel that the pandemic has awaken us to what is truly important to us — our loved ones, our health, and our future. While we are navigating this current situation, it is very important to not forget about the other issues on hand. Climate change is hot on our heels! I mean, Texas is frozen over, while ice caps are melting.

We talk about sustainable improvements to our lives, but one of my favorite is fashion. Fashion is notorious for being very wasteful, but it doesn’t have to be! There is an ever increasing array of designers who are eco-friendly and amazing! But while I feel people are starting to notice this, we are not talking as much about one part of fashion that can also be sustainable and vegan, shoes! So, I thought, what would be a better way to show off some amazing sustainable shoe brands than on a contortionist! Side note: Victoria Gibbs doesn’t think she is a contortionist, but if she isn’t she is certainly up there for me. If you can put your feet over your head and put them on the ground, then I’m convinced you are a contortionist!

On addition to showing off amazing shoes in a cool way, Victoria talks with us about health, wellness, being very bendy, and her work with Lupus. To learn more about Victoria, please read our exclusive interview below.

Warriors Amongst Women

Women have been fighting for the same rights as men for centuries. Brave and fearless leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Mary McLeod Bethune, Simone de Beauvoir, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Angela Davis passionately fought for women's rights and helped shape the movement for gender equality.

EDITORIAL - Keith L. Williams Is Out Of This World

Jejune loves to interview the next generation and hear how they are deciphering the current social and political situation, as well as the health crisis. There’s plenty of flack given to Millenials (who are coming on 40 years old on the older end of the generation’s spectrum) and Gen-Z gets a bad wrap for being a technology-dependent generation; however, these groups of individuals are movers and shakers who are not afraid to share their opinions. Gen-Z’s coming of age story is occurring during a pandemic and that’s nothing to shy away from. We were delighted to interview Keith L. Williams and learn more about how he sees his generation making an impact and envisioning a better future, particularly in light of COVID-19 and continuing to seek out philanthropic opportunities. To us, Keith is out of this world for more reasons than one. The 13-year-old actor stars in Nickelodeon’s The Astronauts as the lovable big-brother character, Martin Taylor, and has worked on titles such as The Last Man On Earth and Good Boys. Keith has big dreams of continuing to shoot for the stars in Hollywood while remaining grounded through supporting causes close to his heart, demonstrated by his work with Palace of A.U.T.I.S.M. Please continue reading for our exclusive editorial with Keith L. Williams.

COVER - Marcy Richardson, The Show Must Go On

What is your favorite part of New York City? If you live here, why did you move here or why did you decide to stay? If you just love to visit, why is that? I think almost every single person who loves NYC loves it, at least partly, for the arts. I moved here 10.5 years ago, 100% for the arts. I then fell in love with the grit and the people. My people, artists who make magic happen. These are the people who are being ignored. These people are hard-working and living off their art, now they are not allowed to work at all, and they are given no alternatives. This pandemic has taught us many things about our society, and one of the loudest messages is that “the arts do not matter.” But I ask you this: How will we look back on this pandemic in history? It will be through the photography, the songs, the murals, the books, and who knows what else amazing ideas and creations come from this lockdown. We won’t be all sitting around watching videos of Trump or Cuomo’s daily briefings. We will be looking towards the art. Look back on history. How do we think about the most famous moments? From a painting, a song, or a poem. We need to be supporting the arts more than ever right now! Not only do they mark our history, but they give us the most important gift of all —hope.

Jejune had the pleasure to sit down, chat with, and photograph an amazing hard-working artist in New York City, Marcy Richardson. When the pandemic hit all her venues closed, but like most NYC artists, she is full of passion and grit. She will weather this storm and come back to the stage like a phoenix. Please read further to learn a bit about Marcy’s journey.

Editorials, Cover, Editor's Pick, Most Popular, zIssue 29Kira BuccaJanuary 29, 2021performer, singer, actress, newyorker, aerialists, theatre, newyork, covid, pole, pole dancers, artist, nyc, HustlersComment