Category Archives: LGBTQ+

Body positivity within the LGBTQ+ community can too often feel like an oxymoron, and that’s always infuriated me. Of all people, we should know what it’s like to be unfairly and unjustly ostracized or judged, yet we do that to ourselves on a daily basis, establishing socially-constructed hierarchies among ourselves as soon as we are given the chance. We would do better to celebrate each other and lift our fellow human beings up rather than comparing or judging. Remember, comparison is the thief of joy. 

To that greater end, Chris Conde brings a welcome breath of confident and justified self-assurance to our world, boldly and bravely defying the boxes in which society would contain and limit us. Check out his glorious EP ‘Conde Digital’ available here and bombastic lead track ‘Year of the Queer’. We will not be kept silent, and when the music goes this hard, why would anyone want us to be? Conde rightfully earns this Dazzler of the Day for unapologetically being nothing but himself, and sometimes there’s nothing braver than that. 

A staunch and valiant advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Mufseen Miah also knows how to make a scintillating podcast come to life, as evidenced by his ‘Queer Talk’ series which is currently in its third season. More importantly, he has been giving a face and voice to the Muslim LGBTQ+ community, navigating what can often be a difficult intersectional crux of identity with hopeful and engaging idealism. To be brave and to celebrate one’s authentic self is the primary component of the Dazzler of the Day, and Miah easily earns his first crowning. Visit his website here for a more comprehensive collection of his many accomplishments and projects.

Back when I was managing the Romaine Brooks Gallery at the Capital Pride Center, I met a young volunteer named Lauren Ford who had just started working at the center. She would join us for the 1st Friday art events and we would share stories. A few weeks ago, I was attending the inaugural LGBTQ+ Convening by the Governor’s office, and Lauren was one of the presenters at the session I was in. It was a happy moment seeing someone I met so many years ago doing so well, and I’m honored to name her as the Dazzler of the Day. Here’s a bit more about her:

Lauren Ford is a Licensed Master Social Worker and the External Contracts Training Manager for the Sydney Albert Training and Research Institute (SATRI) within Northern Rivers Family of Services. As a Training Manager, Lauren coordinates, designs, and delivers professional development and continuing education curriculum for nonprofits, schools, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. Lauren pairs her background in psychotherapy and case management with her training in adult learning theory and curriculum design to build interactive courses that reflect evidence-based mental health approaches and techniques. With over a decade of experience as a mental health professional, Lauren has developed a wide and dynamic skillset through experiences working with local community centers, large nonprofits and statewide advocacy organizations. Her areas of expertise include trauma-informed care and resiliency building, verbal de-escalation, affirming care for LGBTQ people and families, and public welfare policy.

Lauren earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work at the University at Albany. In 2012, Lauren joined the Big Brother’s Big Sister’s program and has enjoyed a 10 year long friendship with her “little brother.” She was a 2014 fellow with the Capital District chapter of the New Leaders Council and went on to serve on the chapter’s board in roles such as Selections and Alumni Chair for 6 years. Since 2018, she has also served as a mentor for the Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Accelerator (ENLA) program through the Institute of Nonprofit Leadership Development at the University at Albany. Currently, Lauren lives in the city of Albany with her partner and enjoys going to the movies – especially super hero and horror films, exploring museums and nature, and volunteering as a cake baker for “Jazzy Sun Birthday’s” a program that supports children and families experiencing homelessness served by St. Catherine’s Center for Children.

Charismatic, gregarious, and commanding on any microphone, Ron Zacchi knows how to get an agenda done while working through it with charm and seemingly-effortless panache. He currently serves as the Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for Governor Kathy Hochul at the NYS Executive Chamber, where he oversees the state’s LGBTQ+ efforts, and if you’ve been to any of the state’s Pride events this past summer you may have seen him working the mainstage. Prior to his position at the Chamber, he was the Director of External Affairs at the NYS Division of Human Rights. His impressive resume includes his role as Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York, where he played a pivotal role in bringing about the Marriage Equality Act. Since that time, Zacchi has worked on every major piece of LGBTQ+ legislation that has passed in New York State. Earlier this year he was named as part of the City and State NY 2022 Power of Diversity: Pride 100. Tomorrow he will help helm the Fall 2022 LGBTQIA+ Convening in Albany, which will present sessions on LGBTQ+ health and community issues. For now, he earns his first Dazzler of the Day thanks to an accomplished career of social advocacy and serving the state of New York to continually effect positive change. 

Forging fabulous body positive and gender neutral products sounds like a challenging and exciting quest, and Jodyann Morgan is making a go of it with her ever-expanding selection of handmade candles found at her website here. She earns her first Dazzler of the Day feature because of all the reasons listed in her official bio below (and for those absolutely exquisite candles she creates). 

“Jodyann Morgan is a plus size, queer, Black woman who sits at the intersection of race, size, and sexuality. Pride and representation are personal. She creates lovingly hand poured, gender-free candles that allow people to see their bodies, and the bodies of people they love, in accessible art. Morgan started CTOAN on Instagram, but before all of that, she was just a foodie on a mission to document her meals in photos and videos which she continues to indulge in occasionally.”

Actress, dancer, activist and ‘Sports Illustrated’ swimsuit model Leyna Bloom brings back the Dazzler of the Day feature thanks to her beauty, talent, and power. All of that is on luminescent display in her turn as Wye in ‘Port Authority’, as well as in her extensive modeling work. Trailblazing, groundbreaking, and a superstar-in-the-making ~ watch her shine.