Comedian, songwriter, and unicorn lobbyist Shawn Hollenbach is crowned Dazzler of the Day on the eve of tomorrow’s performance at Rocks in Albany, NY as part of their Happy Place Comedy show. As a practiced host and storyteller, Hollenbach uses wit and a way with words to captivate audiences and put on a scintillating show. Check out his website here for the full story.
NOTE: Michael Breyette was an artist who left behind a powerful visual legacy, a legion of fanatically-devoted appreciators of his art, and a world in dire need of his particular beauty – the images of hope, of lust, of summer, of love – and always, even after his departing, of life.
It’s been a few months since we lost him, and I finally decided to post a letter I wrote to him after his death – my own way of grieving and hoping to heal, and trying to convey to his husband, and the world, how much he is missed. Artists may live on in their artwork, and there is some solid bit of solace in that, but when you know the artist, when you adore the person, that doesn’t diminish the great pain of missing them.
Dear Michael –
Once again I find myself writing to a friend who left this world too early, and once again I feel at a loss of how best to say something that meets the sorrowful moment at hand. Despite a couple of decades of correspondence, I’d only ever met you once – at a gallery show in Provincetown. In person you were just as kind and friendly as your messages – a happy and increasingly rare circumstance of a favorite artist living up to the image and idea of a favorite artist. You were one of the first artists to immortalize me, seeing some bit of beauty in the raw assemblage of bones and flesh that once comprised my physical being. It came at a point in time when I wasn’t sure who I was – and you saw something that was somehow worthy of your artistic pursuit.
I’ve always fancied myself an artistic spirit, but never a great artist. You saw beauty in my words, and suddenly I could begin to see beauty in what I created. The fact that an artist I’d so admired might share a similar appreciation of beauty in me did more for my ravaged self-esteem than just about anything else.
Your talent didn’t always seem wholly of this world. It was fantasy and hope and the embodiment of carnal desire. It was both pure and naughty – a celebration of sex, eroticism and lust. Above all else, it was the expression of beauty and love – and beauty would always be your gift to the world. It remains your lasting, immortal legacy – the physical creation of a body of work that makes living in our world so worthwhile – which is why your sudden absence is so keenly felt by all whom you touched.
Whenever I needed a jolt of inspiration, whenever I wanted a reminder that there was passion and artistically-brilliant execution in motion, and whenever I just needed some reassurance when times felt dark or sad, a visit to your website and a perusal of your work was all I needed to right myself.
It wasn’t talent alone that drew me to your creations, it was the heart of the man behind them. Only one who truly loved others would ever be able to so magnificently render fellow human beings in such a splendid manner. That became evident in our correspondence and shared admiration. When you asked me to write a foreword to your book ‘Summer Moved On’, it was an honor, a privilege, and a humble gift that would never quite do your exquisite work justice.
In that work, and in so much subsequent work that would come in the years that followed, your spirit and love for life would shine through. It was a thrill to watch as you gained rightful recognition and success in such a harsh and competitive industry. Throughout it all, you retained your uncompromising vision – portraying us in unabashed scenes of love and beauty and idealism. You put the best versions of ourselves forward, committing them to paper and canvass for all time, in scenes that inspired, moved, intimated, teased, celebrated, and lived in the way that the best artwork does. You did it so well, and with such remarkable consistency, that perhaps we took your gifts for granted, the way humans tend to do when the greatest artists live among us. I hope you knew how much your work mattered, how much it resonated and touched so many of us lucky enough to view it. I hope you understood how much you meant to me, and to so many people who had the honor of being in your presence or the presence of your work. In so many ways, you remain the living sentiment that beauty never dies, that art always matters, and that good people remain in our hearts even after they are gone.
Actress, activist and model Hunter Schafer has made a name for herself by fighting for trans rights – a fight more important than ever as this country seems hellbent on denying basic human dignity to all of its denizens. Schafer studied painting and design before working as a model and making her way into acting, where she has since been mesmerizing audiences in ‘Euphoria’. She earns this Dazzler of the Day for refusing to be anything other than her authentic self, and doing it with beauty and grace.
A breathtaking gust of fiercely fashionable fabulosity, Robert Hartwell is a force of joy and hope and promise packaged in the prettiest wardrobe you may ever see. With an impressive Broadway background in shows from ‘Memphis’ and ‘Motown’ to ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Hello, Dolly!’, Hartwell has the theatrical experience and rich knowledge to share with others looking to break into musical theater, hence his running of The Broadway Collective. His reality renovation show ‘Breaking New Ground’ revealed a bit of the man behind the myth while pushing the idea that being unabashedly ourselves is always the best form of progress. With a commitment to beauty, joy, and fashion, and a bedrock of family and friends to populate his wonderfully whimsical rooms, Hartwell earns this Dazzler of the Day crowning as if to the manner born.
Walking the walk I talked about in this post declaring this the spring of rejoining the real world and taking physically-present part in the action, I made a Sunday stop at the recent holding of A Big Gay Market hey in Troy, NY. The ride over the Hudson River is not as far as it once felt, and as long as you veer clear of rush hours, it’s not usually backed up, especially on the rainy, early afternoon I made the trip to the Mount Ida Preservation Hall.
Once inside, a warm and inviting environment filled with a bustling crowd beaming with happiness at being there greeted me, along with tables of enchanting materials – from cuddly crocheted cuties to scrumptious candles that filled the space with their delicious fragrance. Stickers and artwork were on hand, as were homemade jewelry and knitwear, and all sorts of goodies.
I’m already looking forward to their next event on April 26, 2026 at Washington Park in Albany.
Check out their website here for more event information.
It wasn’t long, long ago
I fooled the guards, but someone tipped them off
But all my cards aside, the bells still rang
No charms, no claims
No good for goodness sake
During the Lavender Scare of the 1950’s, people had to hide their sexuality to keep their jobs, to keep themselves safe, to keep themselves alive. What does that do to someone? What if all the stereotypical maladies that once affected gay people were symptoms of being treated in such a way?
White asparagus is not just some variant form of the green spikes most of us know so well; it’s just green asparagus that has been completely starved and deprived of light during its growing season. That doesn’t mean it is less; in fact, it contains much the same levels of fiber and nutrients and all the good things that asparagus supplies. But it looks different. It’s been through more.
Oh, I don’t wanna run and hide
I don’t wanna live a lie
I?need the spotlight
Like a bird inside a cage
Exotic, but covered up with lace
If what they say is true
There’s no place for me and you
But when I walk my walk
When I put my makeup on
Look at me, look at me
Don’t you see your queen?
During this Lilac Scare, we turn the tables on the world – boldly and defiantly and beautiful proclaiming our existence, our importance, our indelible and irrefutable presence.
Unabashed queerness on full, glorious, marvelous display.
Pride and worth and integrity.
Primal humanity in unapologetic, flamboyant poise.
When mother left, the halls did cry
As for the world, it went on like before
But time passed, and the band began to play
First, there was light, then there was sound
Then all the stars came out
Some have warned that this is not the time to speak out and attract notice. Some have said it’s better to be silent, to take no side, to make no noise. Some have never even more wrong. This moment in history calls upon us to be more ourselves than we’ve ever been before. To boldly proclaim our right to exist, to live, to love – and to defy anyone standing in our way. Live and let live, or perish trying to prevent us from doing the same.
Oh, I don’t wanna run and hide
I don’t wanna live a lie
I need a spotlight
Like a bird inside a cage
Bright-eyed and longing for the stage
If what they say is true
There’s no place for me and you
But when I walk my walk (But you better give up before you die)
When I put my makeup on (Doesn’t matter who you are)
Look at me, look at me
Don’t you see a queen?
Too often we diminish ourselves, making our existence smaller to please others, dimming our own light as not to over shine anyone else. Fuck that. Fuck all of that in the most fucking heinous way possible. Skull-fuck it through the goddamn eye sockets of anyone who sees it that way.
There’s an empty seat
That’s where you’ll find me
There’s a broken heel
That’s where you’ll find me
If the sun doesn’t shine on you
Break your glass and cause a scene
And tell the world, just wait, you’ll see
There’s no more time to cry when the crowd’s right there
While the Lavender Scare gave no reasonable or sane reason to fear gay people, the Lilac Scare is here to turn that on its head – because people should be scared, very much scared, very much afraid and very much in terror about what we will do when attacked. But do not worry too much – it will be done beautifully, it will be done fabulously, it will be done gorgeously – and you won’t even feel the prick of metal slicing through skin until it’s too late.
When I walk my walk
And when I put my makeup on
Look at me, look at me
Don’t you see your goddamn queen?
Talismans of protection, coils of crystals, and ropes of intoxicating intent line my wrists – pretty purpose and reiki-infused meaning, these bracelets from the Wicked Fabulous company are my new obsession. With every conceivable color and design, they offer infinite styling possibilities, along with a deeper and more profound manifestation, as each comes with its own reiki-infused intention – a reminder that we are all connected – to spirit, to humanity, to love, and to each other.
Having already espoused the wonders of the Wicked Fabulous company here, this is just a reminder of all that they have to offer. Their recent visit to Puerto Vallarta resulted in the glowing Corazon collection – a line of bracelets in vivid colors, crafted by an artisan named Alma.
Delivery is quick, packaging is vibrant, and their ‘Love Forward’ bonus bracelets have already brightened over 1769 orders – each order comes with a reiki-infused bracelet intended to be given away to a friend or stranger in a random act of kindness for a world where that’s needed more than ever.
Sharing love and propagating kindness are tenets that founders David and Marc have implemented at every step and stage of their retail experience, leading their products something deeper and more profound than the average supplier. With their penchant for giving back to various communities, and propensity for sending love forward, it’s an enterprise you can feel good about supporting, while decking yourself out in the most fabulous creations. Art, beauty, mindfulness and love – the very best of all possible worlds. Check out all things Wicked Fabulous on their website here.
Another wonderful person of many hats, Matt Ortile is editor, writer, host, and educator. He gained early experience as the global publishing lead for BuzzFeed International and was the founding editor of BuzzFeed Philippines. His writing has been published by Vogue, Esquire, Afar, TripAdvisor, BuzzFeed News, Into, Self, and Out, and he has written a book of essays entitled ‘The Groom Will Keep His Name’. A more comprehensive list of accomplishments may be found at his website here, and he can add Dazzler of the Day to the ever-growing list of honors.
Currently on ‘The Red Tour’ (with an upcoming ‘Blue Stop’ at Boston’s City Winery in September 19, 2025) Corey O’Brien adds comedic fuel to the fire we so badly need right now. Today he earns his first crowning as Dazzler of the Day. Designed to bring people together over laughter and the absurdity of life going on at the moment, O’Brien’s Red Tour brings comedy, dance, and a thrilling amalgamation of entertainment to stages and places that need such light. Check out his website here for upcoming show information.
Multi-talented, multi-faceted, and multi-dimensional performer Jinkx Monsoon earns her first, and long-overdue, Dazzler of the Day honor thanks to a spectacular career trajectory that saw her triumphing on RuPaul’s Drag Race and currently treading the boards as the new lead in ‘Oh, Mary!’ With show-stopping turns in ‘Chicago’ and ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, along with a memorable appearance in the recent incarnation of ‘Dr. Who’, Jinkx has solidified her place in the performing arts stratosphere. Check out her website here.
Writer Justinian Huang earns his first Dazzler of the Day crowning thanks to two books that have mesmerized readers for the past couple of years, especially those of us interested in intersectional LGBTQ+ themes and characters: ‘Lucky Seed’ and ‘The Emperor and the Endless Palace’ (the latter of which was recently named as a Stonewall Honor Book in Literature). Check out Justinian’s enchanting website here for further evidence of his brilliance.
My friend Chris – straight, white, cis male friend Chris – wished me a Happy Pride yesterday, and without thinking I snapped/texted back, ‘Pride is dead.’ (In my defense it had also just started raining a-fucking-gain and my mood was decidedly homocidal in a fabulously homosexual way.) I followed it up with a more lengthy explanation of how, after 49 years of fighting (because when you’re gay every day can be a fight when you are being raised in a hetero-centric social world construction and always out of your element) I was simply worn out and exhausted. In the face of the regression that this country seems to be embracing, I am genuinely too disheartened to do any sort of pride stuff.
I realize this is exactly what oppression is, and what it wants, and why it works – I just don’t care at the moment. Someone else will have to take up that mantle – for my own mental health, and my own happiness and well-being, I can’t do much more than try to live this pretty little life with Andy and my friends and family, and hope that the bulk of America does something to make things better. (Voting for Republicans, or not voting at all, is clearly destroying this country.)
But as these pictures will attest, just because my pride isn’t blatantly apparent or on parade all the time doesn’t mean it’s not there. It’s in me always, in every single way I live my life – openly and unabashedly, defiantly or acceptingly, loudly or quietly. I don’t need a sanctioned month of token allyship or corporate posing to make me feel worthy or whole. That said, Pride month still matters, perhaps now more than ever, so keep celebrating, keep parading, keep doing what we’ve been doing for decades in the hope of something better happening. My denim-clad rainbow ass will always have your back. On with the weekly blog recap (and one more subtle pride pic below…)
In the name of comfort, a pink doughnut.
For those who need a little pump and bump.
Four male celebrities in white briefs.
Three decades ago I met my tribe.
A brief pubic pause in the name of divinity.
A scent on the verge of summer – this is Tilia.
A midnight post to share with you.
Our Ogunquit Adventures began in the rain…
… and ended quite happily in the sun.
Dazzlers of the Day included Chris Colfer, Vincent Chong, and Ricky A. Schroeder.
Pride season is upon us, and with it comes the need for entertaining t-shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry and LGBTQ+ flair. Producing all of that and more is the Wicked Fabulous! company. Founded by David and Marc, a Massachusetts-based couple who have been together for 24 years, this small business managed to take hold during the COVID epidemic in 2020. Offering a wide array of witty apparel and an extensive jewelry selection that is perfect for Pride season and beyond, they also just revamped their website here – same great spirit, with even more sparkle and pizzazz, and a super-easy shopping experience.
There is an extensive selection of shirts and slogans that gets updated regularly, and an equally-impressive line of jewelry that incorporates gemstones and crystals for a Zen-centered bonus.
Best of all, this is a small homegrown company that courageously supports inclusivity and equality at a time when the current administration is dead-set against our basic rights. I will always give my support (and money) to a business that stands behind decency no matter the cost (we still see you, Target). It matters, and it makes a difference. It helps that I also happen to love so much of what they have on offer.
If you’re looking for some Pride gear, a fun and witty statement shirt, or a few pieces of exquisite jewelry, consider everything at Wicked Fabulous!
(I found the ‘Openly Gray’ t-shirt I’m wearing in the bottom of this post at Wicked Fabulous! It remains a favorite.)
You can find the new website for Wicked Fabulous! here.
See also their social media links:
Artists make the best Dazzlers of the Day, thanks to their largely compassionate view of humanity, and a desire to share the human experience with the world. Vincent Chong is no exception, hence this Dazzler of the Day honor, and they have turned their life into one magnificent and expansive work of art. Check out Vincent’s website here, and the long list of work, exhibits, and artistic magic they have created over the years – it’s absolutely enthralling.
“I’m Vincent Ge-Ming Lia Chong aka Crystal Monkey. I am a Queer mixed-race Chinese-American artist, Chinese calligrapher, seal engraver, and performance artist. I am based in Brooklyn, New York. I am a student of Taipei-based calligrapher Wu Wensheng. My work explores the intersection of my experience as a contemporary Queer person with traditional art practice. I make paintings of members of my Queer and Trans chosen family and create performances combining the traditional practice of live calligraphy performance with Queer nightlife, drag, gogoboy, and gymnastics.”
In honor of his birthday, as well as an impressive body of work that runs the gamut from television to literature, Chris Colfer earns his first Dazzler of the Day here. Rocketing into pop culture orbit on ‘Glee’, Colfer has gone on to write several best-selling books with his ‘Land of Stories’ series while being a powerful and vocal advocate for equality and justice. Happy birthday Chris!
