The awe-inspiring "actorvist" Ianne Fields Stewart arrives in the Gayborhood just in time for the holiday season to discuss her brand new Netflix show Dash & Lily! Ianne shares all about how the last year hasn't just accelerated her acting career - including memorable roles in Freeform's The Bold Type and the Emmy-winning Pose - but how it's catapulted her landmark non-profit The Okra Project to the forefront of the current civil rights movement. Focused on bringing food and unity to the Black Trans community worldwide, The Okra Project has now raised more than $100,000 and you can find out how you can support and donate to this remarkable initiative at theokraproject.com. Follow Ianne on Instagram at @thefreeactorvist and @theokraproject, and go learn everything you can about the figures highlighted by Ianne in this week's Gayborhood Watch: Peaches, Janet Mock, Asanni York of For The Gworls, Devin Michael Lowe, Jordan J, Mojo Disco, Gia Love, Morticia Godiva, Aaryn Lang, Fatima Jamal, Ceyenne Doroshow, and of course the Black Trans folx in your own life. And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates, including Roger's upcoming tribute online via The Fire This Time Festival (which will feature Ianne!), on 11/24 at 8 pm EST.

The extraordinary and inspiring Jacob Candelaria, the Democratic State Senator for New Mexico's 26th District, arrives in the Gayborhood to join Roger and Lovell for a special episode commemorating Election Week 2020. What we couldn't have known when we first scheduled Jacob's interview a month in advance was that - a week before recording this conversation - he and his family would receive credible death threats for political statements that Jacob had made regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. What ensues is a powerful, challenging, and intimate conversation about race, hate crimes, law enforcement, body image, and political agency for the queer and POC communities within contemporary America. We at the Gayborhood could not be more grateful to Jacob for his honesty and candor in sharing his life with us - he's officially our resident "civic freedom artist." Follow @jacobcandelaria on Instagram and go learn everything you can about the figures highlighted by Jacob in this week's Gayborhood Watch: land activist Miguel Tijerina, artist Georgia O'Keeffe, and the Pueblo of Acoma. Also a special shout-out to the queer folx elected to public office this week, including but not limited to: Christy Holstege, David Ortiz, Tiara Mack, Brittney Barreras, Roger Montoya, Sarah McBride, Ritchie Torres, Mondaire Jones, Charmaine McGuffey, Stephanie Byers, Mauree Turner, Torrey Harris, Eddie Mannis, Susan Eggman, and Jessica Benham -- plus the State of Nevada, for becoming the first state to protect same-sex marriage in its constitution! And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!

What better way to ring in election week than with some pure joy? We are so grateful to welcome ONCH, the founder and designer of the legendary jewelry house, ONCH. Fusing pop art, celebrity, and fun into whimsical, delicious, dramatic gems, ONCH has famously been showcased at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, collaborated with signature brands (think Dreamworks, Forever 21, Sanrio's "Hello, Kitty!"), and united with such pop icons as Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, Kate Moss, and his own longtime reality TV BFF Paris Hilton. Join Roger and Lovell to hear all about the "invention of ONCH," and be prepared to meet one of the kindest, most creative souls ever. Follow @onch for all updates and visit www.onch.us to learn how to get these singular looks for yourself! Plus, go learn everything you can about the people highlighted by ONCH in this week's Gayborhood Watch: cartoon classic Captain Planet, street artist Keith Haring, and media maven Perez Hilton. And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!

Heather Rae Martin, director at Sinios Health, joins the Gayborhood to provide a window into her life of strategic management consulting in the "Pharma Corridor," working with biotech, life sciences, and medical device companies. Heather's insights into how to provide possibility models for young queer people of color in corporate America could not be more important to hear - and get ready for some priceless memories of Heather and Roger's time swapping clothes as college kids! After you listen to the episode, follow Heather on Instagram at @hrae013, and go learn everything you can about the people highlighted in this week's Gayborhood Watch: Blendoor founder Stephanie Lampkin, "It's About Damn Time" author Arlan Hamilton, LinkedIn exec Rosanna Durruthy, and rising star MBA student Kneisha McClinton. And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!

The Gayborhood is thrilled to welcome the incredible Alex Bisignano to speak to us about the world of genetic testing. Co-Founder and CEO of Phosphorus, Alex tells Roger and Lovell all about how his company has revolutionized preventative genetics in addition to democratizing coronavirus testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, get ready to hear all about the best anime out there - and how Alex once tried to save Lovell's life on a ski trip gone awry! After you listen to the episode, follow Alex on Instagram at @alexbiz and his company at phosphorus.com, and go learn everything you can about the people highlighted in this week's Gayborhood Watch: Alan Turing and Kakashi Sensei in the manga Naruto. And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!

Acclaimed essayist and non-fiction writer Jordan Kisner (the recently released book Thin Places: Essays from In Between) reunites with her college classmates Roger and Lovell to discuss how she crossed the threshold from the world of acting to carve out a thriving and vibrant writing career. Published in The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, The Paris Review, and The Guardian, Jordan opens up in detail about her writing process, and her insights into creativity are something no one in the Gayborhood should miss. Visit jordankisner.com and her Instagram @jordan.kisner to learn more about her breathtaking book, and don't miss her amazing podcast Thresholds for more of her powerful and brilliant thoughts. After you listen to the episode, go learn everything you can about the people highlighted in this week's Gayborhood Watch: poet Natalie Diaz, author Melissa Febos, and musician Dua Saleh. And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!

Yin Chang (founder of the charity Heart of Dinner, host of acclaimed literary podcast 88 Cups of Tea, and of course the unforgettable "Nelly Yuki" on Gossip Girl) and Moonlynn Tsai (restauranteur, most recently opening Manhattan's James Beard-nominated Malaysian culinary destination Kopitiam) visit the Gayborhood to share all about their #LovingChinatown initiative, which has brought more than 25,000 free meals to the elderly Asian-American community in New York since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Plus, you won't want to miss one of the best Burning Man stories you'll ever hear! Visit @heartofdinner on Instagram to learn how you too can get involved no matter where you live in the Gayborhood, and follow @yin.i.am and @moonlynntsai to learn more about all their many endeavors across the culinary, philanthropic, and entertainment worlds. After you listen to the episode, go learn everything you can about the people highlighted in this week's Gayborhood Watch: Moonlynn's tributes to Angela Dimayuga, Anita Lo, and Mulan, plus Yin's "two for one special" of iconic couples... Elizabeth Gilbert & Rayya Elias, Maria Bello & Dominique Crenn, and Abby Wambach & Glennon Doyle . And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!

Actor-singer-dancer-producer extraordinaire Garrett Clayton (star of everything from Disney's Teen Beach Movie series to NBC's Hairspray Live! to the iconic queer drama King Cobra) sits down with Roger and Lovell to talk about his Detroit roots, a virtual life of cabaret, and how he's striving to redefine the "diva"! Stay up to date with all of Garrett's performances and activism work on Instagram and Twitter at @garrettclayton1, on TikTok at @garrettclayton91, and don't miss his fantastic new YouTube series "A Gay in the Life." After you listen to the episode, go learn everything you can about the people highlighted in this week's Gayborhood Watch: Queen, Tracy Chapman, and Tim Curry. And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!

Best friends and long-time collaborators Roger Q. Mason (the Kilroy Listed play Lavender Men, The White Dress) and Lovell Holder (feature films Working Man, Some Freaks) are here to introduce you to some of their favorite and most influential LGBT folx from across industries and identities. Get ready to meet the self-proclaimed "showgirl who writes" and "holder of love" as they begin their tour through the Gayborhood to learn how their guests' queer identities and connections to community have informed and guided their careers, goals, and professional lives. After you listen to the episode, go learn everything you can about the people highlighted in this week's Gayborhood Watch: Keyon Monte, Julius Powell, Nico Fife, E.M. Forster, Erika Jayne Girardi, and the late Chi Chi Devayne. And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason and @lovell.holder on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates!