Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Brianna Titone, Colorado State Treasurer

We are currently living in a frightening time in this country, where we have a right-wing federal government hellbent on rolling back US citizens’ civil rights. At this moment, our president is encouraging Congress to pass the “SAVE America Act”, a law that aims to restrict voting measures for US citizens. But Trump has slipped something else in this bill — conditions to restrict rights to transgender Americans, including preventing gender-affirming care for minors and preventing trans Americans from competing in sport.

At this critical moment, America needs more transgender leaders to show that the trans community will not be cowed, that trans Americans are equal with all other Americans, and they are proud and unafraid to represent the communities where they live. Brianna Titone (she/her), is one such American. Currently a state representative in the Colorado General Assembly, Brianna is running to be the next State Treasurer in Colorado. She has dedicated her life to service, not only as a scientist in multiple disciplines, but also as a volunteer firefighter in her community, and she became the first trans elected official in Colorado’s history in 2019. Brianna cares deeply about protecting the working class from corporations and billionaires, investing in affordable housing, protecting consumers from predatory corporations and unbridled AI, and protecting Colorado’s natural environment from fossil fuel exploration and production.

Darwin Del Fabro and Her One-Woman Play that Honors and Celebrates

Performer Darwin Del Fabro lets her journey navigating the world as a trans woman and immigrant shine in her upcoming one woman play “LILI/DARWIN”. From honoring Lili Elbe to celebrating her own artistic and personal growth, “LILI/DARWIN” is a deeply candor exploration of the strength found in connection, identity, and vulnerability. Join us as Darwin Del Fabro talks inspiration, identity, the entertainment industry, and trans rights.

Sam Lee on the Importance of Transgender Healthcare and Rights

From questions about discrimination and injustices, conservative legislation in not just the U.S. but around the world, and thoughts on fleeing the U.S., to advice, resources, and ways to support the queer community, transgender nurse Sam Lee speaks on the importance of transgender healthcare, rights, and what the future looks like for the community. To learn more about Sam Lee and her thoughts on these topics as a professional in the healthcare field and individual a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, read on.

Where in the World is it Safe to be Transgender?

As the first year of the Trump administration’s second term goes on, it is clear that the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those a part of the transgender community, will continue to be the target of several discriminatory laws, policies, and ideologies. Certain states in the U.S. are becoming increasingly unsafe for transgender individuals to reside in because of their more conservative government officials and the introduction of prejudicial state legislation that allows for discrimination.

In light of the growing hostility U.S. policies have towards the trans community, here is a list of the 5 safest cities in the U.S. and 5 safest cities outside of the U.S. for transgender individuals to live.

Mercury Stardust - Take Repairs Into Your Own Hands

Have you ever found yourself staring at a broken cabinet hinge or a flickering light, completely unsure of where to even start? Meet The Trans Handy Ma’am Mercury Stardust, a DIY expert and advocate who is changing the way we think about home maintenance. With a unique blend of humor, compassion, and hands-on knowledge, Mercury Stardust is proving that fixing things is not just for professionals or homeowners, it’s for everyone. Yet fixing handy projects is not only what Mercury does, but she also has a #1 New York Times bestselling book, Safe and Sound, a hotline offering real-time DIY advice, and a record-breaking fundraiser supporting gender-affirming care. Read on to learn more about Mercury Stardust.

Marie Newman, an Activist from High School to Congress

Marie Newman (she/her), a lifelong progressive activist, is a former US Representative whose office in the Longworth House Office Building was located right across from right-wing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. After Greene insulted Newman’s transgender daughter, Newman flew the transgender pride flag outside of her own office. But advocating for transgender people is just one of many progressive positions Newman has agitated for over the course of her life. She has been a woman’s rights, gun reform, healthcare and income equity champion her entire life. Her prescriptive memoir, A Life Made From Scratch, is due to be released on March 18. Read on to learn more about the tremendous work of Marie Newman!

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa House of Representatives District 80

Well, primary season is officially over, and the candidates are in! This week’s candidate advanced from the Iowa primary on June 4. Aime Wichtendahl (she/her) is the first transgender elected official in the state of Iowa. She is the chair of the city council in Hiawatha, Iowa and has been on the council since 2015. Aime is also a novelist and journalist, and is a dues paying member of American Federation of Musicians local 137. She is passionate about transgender and LGBTQIA+ rights, green energy, and small businesses.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 54, zissue 54.3Andrew FAugust 28, 2024Government, Transgender, Women's rights, vote, democracy, electionComment

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 - 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).

Parvati Kumar - Creating Etherical Art From The Heart

Let Parvati Kumar take you on a surreal and beautiful journey with her music and art. This disabled transgender female artist taps into her Punjabi heritage and her connection with the female spirit when creating. With a background in writing and painting, all forms of creation are at her finger tips. Read on to learn more about Parvati and her art.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 52Jejeune MagazineJanuary 4, 2024Art, digital creator, digital art, trans woman, Transgender, PunjabiComment

Justin Vivian Bond Embodies Marianne Faithfull At Joe's Pub

If you are a fan of Marianne Faithfull, like I am, then you are drawn to her raspy voice and poetic lyrics that resonate from another time, yet are just as relevant today. I grew up listening to her songs with my father, particularly Lucy Jordan – I have a dark father – but over the years have fallen in love with many of her other songs. So, when I saw that the infamous Justin Vivian Bond was going to perform a Marianne Faithfull tribute evening, called Sex With Strangers, it was an easy sell!

Art, Reviewed, zIssue 52Kira BuccaNovember 14, 2023Music, live shows, Transgender, Trangender Talent, Joe's Pub, Marianne Faithfull, tribute, rock and rollComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Taylor Small, Vermont House of Representatives - Chittenden-6-7

This week we are profiling Taylor Small (she/her/hers). Taylor is a millennial member of the Vermont House of Representatives and is the first openly transgender legislator in Vermont, running on the Vermont Progressive Party ticket. She is also the Education Manager at Pride Center of Vermont and has worked in mental health with homeless and runaway youth at Spectrum Youth and Family Services. She promotes youth literacy and local libraries, among other education issues.

Celebrating Life on National Coming Out Day With Ann Thomas, Emmett Preciado, and Zoey Luna

Today, October 11th is National Coming Out Day. It is a day of freedom and light for many LGBTQ+ individuals, encouraging them to talk with family and friends about their sexuality, which is life-changing. Many people also celebrate the liberation spirit through flags and pins, not just in the United States, but also in Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK, where the day is recognized. To tell you a little more about this huge moment in people's lives, how it can change and save a life, Jejune had the pleasure to interview a team of talented and inspiring transgender actors. Starting from Ann Thomas, founder of the first transgender-owned and operated talent management company based in Orange County, followed by Emmett Preciado and Zoey Luna. Please check our interviews below.

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!

Garfield Wilson Leads With Empathy

Actor Garfield Wilson has a lot to look forward to after taking on projects such as the Nickelodeon TV series The Astronauts, TNT’s Snowpiercer and an upcoming Lorne Michaels musical comedy. Wilson’s resilience shines through his career and his relationship with his three children —all built on a foundation of acceptance, love and support. Wilson gets candid with Jejune on acting, his kids and advocacy as a parent to an LGBTQ child, raising awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement from his home in Canada, and how we can follow his example to provide better, more inclusive spaces.

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.

Gwen Hollander & The Transgender Otter We Need

As far as acting goes, ironically, unconventional roles continue to become more commonplace. Today, actress Gwen Hollander can be seen as an anomaly amongst anomaly's, indicative of her role as Sheryl on the hit Showtime series Kidding. Sheryl is a puppeteer of Astronotter, a transgender otter who is also an astronaut. In addition to this being a fascinating character, if you can only knew how perfect Astronotter is for Gwen, with Gwen’s love for otters (more on this in the interview)!

Gwen's work extends beyond the screen. She lost her mother to breast cancer eight years ago and has been singing at the National Breast Cancer Coalitions Deadline 2020 benefit for the past few years. She is an animal lover, volunteers with ASPCA, and also supports Hilarity for Charity. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Gwen Hollander.

Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle Are True Crime Obsessed

What is better than nerding out crime shows? Nerding out on funny crime shows! There is a reason why Drunk History and comedic news shows have become so popular. People want to learn, but why not make it fun! That’s exactly what Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle did with their podcast True Crime Obsessed! And to add a little glitter to the mix, unlike other crime shows, which focus on cis-heterosexual crime, these two cover a lot of LGBTQ+ issues. To learn more about this fascinating podcast, please read our exclusive interview here.

Articles, zIssue 16, zIssue16, Most PopularJejeune MagazineNovember 15, 2019crime, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ rights, radio, Transgender, transgender rights, education, comedy, podcastComment

Rain Valdez Has A Razor Tongue

When I first heard about Rain Valdez, I was like, who is this beautiful woman? Oh, beautiful transgender woman? Oh, she acts and writes? Wait, she is redefining transgender roles in her productions so we actually see transgender people as the people they are.. WHAT?? This woman is awesome! Please read Jejune’s exclusive interview here, to learn more about the multitalented Rain Valdez.

Art, Reviewed, zIssue 15Jejeune MagazineSeptember 23, 2019actress, women, women's rights, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ rights, lgbtq, Transgender, transgender rights, activistComment

Your Eyes, Poetry by Brennan O’Rourke

Check out the femme, queer, trans/gnc artist, Brennan O’Rourke’s, poetry!

Art, Reviewed, zIssue 2Kira BuccaJuly 19, 2018poetry, queer, lgbtq, Nasty Women Unite Fest, Transgender, transgender rights, pride