LGBTQ Breaking News Service

Intentionalist.com is a fantastic resource for you to “Spend Like It Matters” – because it does. They compile information on small, local businesses throughout the country so you can make more informed decisions about where you eat, shop, get your hair done, and generally spend your money.

We used their amazing resources to compile and amplify these LGBTQ-owned businesses in the Seattle area. You can also find businesses on their site (for the Seattle area and nationally) that are Black-Owned, Asian-Owned, Disability-Owned, Family-Owned, Latino-Owned, Native-Owned, Veteran-Owned and Woman-Owned. Thank you, Intentionalist.

If you know of an LGBTQ-owned business that isn’t on this list, please email us at hello@seattlerefined.com and we’ll add ASAP. Similarly, if you’d like your business’ description or information updated, email us as well. Thank you!

Restaurants

Heartbeet Organic Superhoods Cafe (West Seattle, Queen Anne)
6032 California Ave SW Seattle, Washington 98136
1635 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Have dietary restrictions or simply want to shake up your lunch routine? Drop by Monika Kinsman’s HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Cafe for a healthy, hearty bite. The café, which moved to Queen Anne in 2018 after a decade in Roosevelt, specializes in raw, plant-based foods, ranging from vegan smoothies and fresh juices to soups and warm grain bowls.

La Josie’s (Capitol Hill)
514 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
Capitol Hill’s beloved Mexican restaurant, Fogón Cocina Mexicana finally got a sibling in 2020! Owned by Noel Cortez and Amparo Ambriz, La Josie’s has a relaxed vibe much like its sibling and focuses on upscale casual Mexican dishes.

Biang Biang Noodles (Capitol Hill)
601 E Pike St Unit 100, Seattle, WA 98122
At Biang Biang Noodles in Capitol Hill, owners Alison Deng, Sia Zhang, and Yuming Xu are infusing these traditional noodles with lots of different flavors, proteins, and veggies.

Frelard Tamales (Greenlake)
6412 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
At their walk-up window, Frelard Tamales serve up tamales that are handmade from scratch, using a family recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation in the Hernandez family. They are always working to make their food, hand crafted by Osbaldo’s mother, taste even better by using high-quality, fresh ingredients.
Featured in: “Frelard Tamales is giving back with tamales, flowers and a whole lot of love”

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Rhein Haus (Capitol Hill)
912 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
In 2013, Deming Maclise, James Weimann, Rich Fox, and Dustin Watson debuted a fresh concept on Capitol Hill: beer and bocce. Ready to try something a little different for your next get-together? Bring your pals to sip beers and cheer each other on at bocce ball at Rhein Haus.

Saint John’s Bar & Eatery (Capitol Hill)
719 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
Michael Lee had a vision: a queer, dinosaur themed bar and restaurant. It’s the type of absurdity he was going for in the whimsical local hangout that he co-owns with William Gould and Valeri Kissovski.

Bar Cotto (Capitol Hill)
1546 15th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
New owner Brandon Barnato took the reigns in 2018, and he maintains the restaurant’s reputation for delicious food, authenticity, and service. He has also expanded the wine list to include a broader local selection.

Mala & Satay (South Lake Union)
224 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
In 2019, the team behind Meekong Bar and Mekong Village are serving up fast-casual Vietnamese food at Mala & Satay. Owned by Di Chuc and Raymond Ta, Mala & Satay serves customizable pho, rice, and noodle bowls, banh me, satay skewers, and more.

Harry’s Fine Foods (Capitol Hill)
601 Bellevue Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Julian Hagood always knew he wanted to be a chef. Through his teens, Julian always felt comfortable being queer in the restaurant industry. Now, at his first restaurant, Harry’s Fine Foods, he relies on a heavily LGBTQ staff, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Fat’s Chicken and Waffles (Central District)
2726 E Cherry St, Seattle, WA 98122
Fat’s Chicken & Waffles opened in 2015 in the space previously occupied by Central District landmark, Catfish Corner. Thanks to the community-forward leadership of owners Erika White and Marcus Lalario. Fat’s has quickly become a neighborhood gem, known for its delicious Southern fare and casual vibe.
Featured in: “5 of Seattle’s sweet and savory Chicken and Waffle spots“

Taqueria Cantina (Belltown)
2630 1st Ave Seattle, WA 98121
It was Daniel Ceballos’ childhood dream to open a restaurant, and after many years of hard work, he achieved it with the help of his business partners Brian Brandell and Sal Munoz. At Taqueria Cantina, the trio serve authentic Mexican fare and many different styles of margaritas!

Little Chengdu (Mount Baker)
2815 S Hanford St, Seattle, WA 98144
Owned by Sia Zhang and Allison Deng, Little Chengdu offers a menu of traditional Szechuan street food. Known for its Chongqing noodles and Szechuan small plates, Little Chengdu serves up just the right amount of flavorful spice and heat.

Marination (6th & Virginia, Ma Kai, Super Six)
2000 6th Avenue Seattle, WA 98121
1660 Harbor Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126
3714 S Hudson St, Seattle, WA 98118
Since 2009, Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison have been serving their Hawaiian-Korean fusion cuisine with the motto “Everyday Aloha.”
Featured in: “Food Truck to Empire: Marination’s decade-long journey bringing ‘everyday aloha’ to PNW”

Good Bar (Pioneer Square)
240 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Nancy and Josh Kelly dreamed of owning a bar with classic cocktails and simple comfort food. The couple’s dream became reality when they partnered with Roz Edison and Kamala Saxton and opened Good Bar in a beautiful space built in 1900.

Tutta Bella (Columbia City, Wallingford)
4918 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
4411 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
Brian and Joseph Fugere’s Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria is the first pizzeria in the Northwest to receive an official certification for authentic Neapolitan pizza. They use imported ingredients and traditional techniques to bring patrons wood-fired pizzas straight out of Naples.

Wildrose (Capitol Hill)
1021 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
Founded in 1985, The Wildrose Bar is one of the country’s longest-running lesbian bars, and the only dedicated lesbian bar in Seattle. Current owners Shelley Brothers and Martha Manning maintain the Rose as a fun and safe space for Seattle’s lesbian community.

Two Doors Down (Capitol Hill)
2332 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112
Erin Nestor and Rebecca Denk’s burger joint, Two Doors Down, is in fact two-doors-down from their bar, Bottleneck Lounge. The restaurant is casual and family friendly, but also caters to adults, serving a variety of less well-known beers from Northwestern breweries.

The Tin Table (Capitol Hill)
915 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
Hallie Kuperman’s restaurant and bar, the Tin Table sits across from Century Ballroom, a social dance hall born from Kuperman’s desire to teach the gay community to swing dance. At the Tin Table, Northwestern cuisine is served amidst modern décor and a welcoming atmosphere.

The Seattle Eagle (Capitol Hill)
314 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
Owned by Keith Christensen, the Seattle Eagle is a gay leather dive bar with chain-link-fence décor and a huge deck in the back. It opened in 1981, and is one of the longest-surviving gay bars in Seattle.

The Bottleneck Lounge (Capitol Hill)
2328 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98138
Owners Erin Nestor, Rebecca Denk, and Craig Higgins aim for The Bottleneck Lounge to be the best neighborhood bar in all of Seattle. They offer four rotating local beers and ciders on tap, regional spirits, and serve up panini sandwiches.

Terra Plata (Capitol Hill)
1501 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Terra Plata owners Tamara Murphy and Linda Di Lello Morton are passionate about “earth to plate” dining, inspired by seasonal, locally produced food. On a nice evening, patrons enjoy beautiful rooftop dining, surrounded by an edible garden.

Queer Bar (Capitol Hill)
1518 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Queer Bar’s name is intentionally to the point. Joey Burgess opened it to provide a safe space where people of all identities to feel welcome. The bar hosts drag performances on the weekends and features DJs during the week.

Poquitos (Capitol Hill)
1000 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
Owned by friends, Rich and Courtney Fox and Matt Fundingsland and Dustin Watson, Poquitos serves upscale Mexican cuisine from a variety of regions throughout Mexico. The restaurant design reflects the creative work of JWD4 design, featuring more than 15,000 handmade Talavera tiles from Puebla.

Pony (Capitol Hill)
1221 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122
Seattle architect, Mark Stoner’s gay bar, Pony unapologetically celebrates gay culture. Built in a 1930s gas station building, the bar includes a small dance floor and an outdoor patio with a fire pit.

Percy’s & Co. (Ballard)
5233 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Owned by longtime duo Wade Weigel and Jeff Ofelt, Percy’s & Co. serves apothecary-inspired cocktails alongside a Southern menu.

Madison Pub (Capitol Hill)
1315 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122
Roland Hyre started working as a bartender at the Madison Pub after he left the navy in 1991, and worked his way up, taking over ownership in 2011. The neighborhood gay bar prides itself on its longevity amidst a changing Capitol Hill landscape and customers return for its casual vibe and the friendliness of the staff.

Julia’s on Broadway (Capitol Hill)
300 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
Karsten Betd and Eladio J. Preciado’s restaurant Julia’s on Broadway hosts Seattle’s longest-running continuous drag show by Le Faux Productions. Patrons who dine at Julia’s get preferred seating at the shows, and their weekend brunch show is especially fabulous.

Glo’s Cafe (Capitol Hill)
1621 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98102
Gloreen Raineri opened Glo’s in 1987, and it has since become a veritable Capitol Hill institution for breakfast fare. Current owners Julie Reisman and Steve Frias have maintained Glo’s legendary status. Patrons line up for their classic offerings, especially their signature benedicts.

Diesel Bar (Capitol Hill)
1413 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Mike Reis and Mark Hurst’s Diesel Bar is for “Bears, Bikers, Buddies, Bubbas, Blue Collars & Bad Asses.” Seattle’s premier Bear Bar serves as a home for this sub-group of the queer community, but is inclusive and welcoming to all.

The Octopus Bar (Wallingford)
2121 N 45th St. Seattle, WA
“The Octopus Bar is a Seattle landmark known for our massive collection of curiosities, celebration of Seattle Maritime history, and unparalleled hospitality delivering unique and memorable cocktails. Our sister kitchen, The Salty Shack serves up fresh sandwiches, fried favorites, street style hot dogs, and good eats every night 4pm to 10pm.”

Coffee, Tea & Juice

The Flora Bakehouse (Beacon Hill) and Cafe Flora (Madison Valley)
1511 S. Lucile St. Seattle, WA 98108
In 2021 Nat Stratton-Clarke expanded the Cafe Flora family to Beacon Hill, opening The Flora Bakehouse. Nat is serving up his beloved freshly baked sweet and savory pastries, croissants, muffins, pies, quiches, brownies, cookies and many gluten-free and vegan options, such as Cafe Flora’s famous vegan cinnamon rolls.
Featured in: “Unconditional Acceptance: That’s restauranteur Nat Stratton-Clarke’s motto”

Friday Afternoon Tea (Wallingford)
4228 Stone Way N Seattle, WA 98103
At Friday Afternoon, you can find loose leaf tea, custom blends, tea wares and accessories, and educational tastings. Friday Elliott uses her background in herbal remedies, culinary arts, and education paired with her unique take on tea blending to share her “Tea Wizardry” with people all over the world.

Seeking Kombucha (South Lake Union)
1091 Thomas St Suite A, Seattle, WA 98109
After years of success at local farmer’s markets, in February 2021 Jeanette Macias and Lyz Bartolome opened the brick and mortar for their small batch kombucha business, Seeking Kombucha.
Featured in: “Popular farmer’s market kombucha company opens permanent taproom in South Lake Union”

Distant Worlds Coffeehouse (Roosevelt)
6417 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Rebecca Servoss started Distant Worlds Coffeehouse in 2019 as a meeting place for, as she puts it, “geeks of all stripes.” In addition to serving up coffee and treats with a side of sass, Rebecca has created a comfortably nerdy spot for Roosevelt residents to gather for a game of Dungeons and Dragons, book club, or a discussion about the latest episode of Doctor Who.

Union Coffee (Central District)
2407 E Union St Suite B, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
Geetu Vailoor bought Union Coffee in March 2020 with the goal to make it a welcoming and accessible space for Seattle’s Central District community. The coffee shop enthusiastically supports ethically and equity-minded roasters like Mother Tongue and Olympia Coffee Roasters.

Fulcrum Cafe (Belltown)
590 Bell St, Seattle, WA 98121
Fifth-generation Costa Rican coffee farmer Blas Alfaro builds lasting relationships with farmers around the world and hand-selects the coffee for Fulcrum Coffee. At Fulcrum Cafe, together with founding partners Lee Falck and Brian Jurus, he delivers responsibly sourced, high quality coffee in a modern space that features contemporary art and design.
Featured in: “Seattle coffee roaster puts the city’s history, culture straight into your coffee cup”

Broadcast Coffee (Roosevelt)
6515 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
In 2008, Barry Faught opened his independent coffee shop, Broadcast Coffee, which he named in honor of his father, a longtime radio DJ. Now with three locations across Seattle, the goal has remained the same – to spread love and acceptance through hospitality and delicious drinks.
Featured in: “Broadcast Coffee puts the focus on community & new culinary creations”

Queen Anne Coffee Co.
1811 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Queen Anne Coffee Co. takes pride not only in being a gay-owned coffee shop and cafe, but also in the creativity and artistry that they bring to everything they do. Brianne Ryan showcases custom roasted coffee blends and house-made baked goods as part of her broader mission to serve the community and advance equality.

The Conservatory (Georgetown)
5813 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98108
The Conservatory, Carlos Paradinha, Maria Paradinha, and Chris Close’s cafe, is a multipurpose space offering endless possibilities. Enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee to start off the morning, and then add interest to your evening with a life drawing workshop or burlesque show!

The Station (Beacon Hill)
1600 S Roberto Maestas Festival St, Seattle, WA 98144
The Station is both a coffee shop and vital community hub. Owners Luis Rodriguez and Leona Moore-Rodriguez have created a space that is safe and welcoming for all, and that celebrates the diverse voices and faces of the community.
Featured in: “Beacon Hill’s ‘Hip Hop Coffee Shop’ embraces the true idea of community”

Cone & Steiner (Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill)
135 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104
532 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98104
At Cone & Steiner, Dani Cone puts a modern twist on her great-grandfather’s general store from 1915. Her neighborhood stores are one stop shops for local and specialty goods, as well as spaces for people to gather and connect whether over coffee, a made-to-order sandwich, or happy hour.

Cafe Argento (Capitol Hill)
1125 E Olive St, Seattle, WA 98122
In the rapidly changing neighborhood of Capitol Hill, Café Argento proudly stands for coffee, conversation, and community service. Since 2004, owner Faizel Khan has partnered with a variety of local nonprofits infusing his coffee shop with a special sense of community.

Squirrel Chops (Central District)
2201 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
Next time you need a coffee, why not get a haircut too? At Sharon Blyth-Moss and Shirley Henderson’s Squirrel Chops, grab a delicious cup of coffee and a yummy snack from Shirley followed by a great cut from Sharon. Squirrel Chops opened in 2016 and has since become a beloved community space where anyone can feel at home.

Bakeries & Desserts

Shikorina Pastries (Madrona)
2418 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
Hana Yohannes has always loved pastry making and wanted to use her passion as a way to uplift and support her community. In 2020, Hana opened Shikorina Pastries to bring people together and spread a little happiness through cookies, cakes, tarts, and more!

Tres Lecheria (Wallingford)
2315 N 45th St Seattle, WA 98103
At the end of 2019, the bakeshop rebranded as Tres Lecheria to focus on the Tres Leches cake offerings that had quickly become customer favorites. Fun Fact: Kevin was the winner of the Food Network competition “Winner Cake All” and has been known to create RuPaul’s Drag Race-inspired cakes.
Featured in: “Two-time baking show winner serves up tres leches cakes in Wallingford”

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Intrigue Chocolate (Pioneer Square)
157 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98104
When Aaron Barthel made his first chocolate truffle, he knew he had found his passion. So, he and his partner Karl Mueller founded Intrigue Chocolate, an artisanal chocolate company that brings people together over their craft chocolate marvels.

Cupcake Royale (Downtown, West Seattle, Madrona, Capitol Hill, Ballard)
108 PINE STREET SEATTLE, WA 98101
4556 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
1101 34th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
2052 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
Do you believe that cupcakes can change the world? Jody Hall does. Her bakery, Cupcake Royale, first opened in 2003 and has since taken Seattle by storm! From the flour to the eggs, Jody’s scratch-made flavors are made using ingredients from local purveyors.

A La Mode Pies (West Seattle, Phinney Ridge)
4225 SW Alaska St Seattle, WA 98116
5821 Phinney Ave N Seattle, WA 98103
Chris Porter’s love for pie comes from the frosted fruit pies his Mom would pack in his lunch as a kid. At A la Mode Pies, Chris has creatively reimagined his Mom’s recipes for exceptional pie using the highest quality ingredients. It’s no surprise that A la Mode Pies has a passionate and loyal following!
Featured in: “Celebrating Pi Day the Best Darn Way We Know How”

Honest Biscuits (Downtown)
1901 Western Ave Suite E, Seattle, WA 98101
Art Stone made his first biscuit with his grandmother as a child in North Carolina. After shifting career paths a number of times, Art came back to the biscuits of his youth. At his shop, Honest Biscuits, he pays tribute to his grandmother’s legacy.

R&M Dessert Bar (Capitol Hill)
601 E Pike Street 101, Seattle, WA 98122
Desserts until 2 AM? Rod Gambassi and Marc Adams’ R&M Dessert Bar serves visually stunning sweet creations inspired by their grandmothers’ recipes. R&M also offers a full-service café with savory options, and a walk-up window for treats to-go.

Seattle Home Economics
Started by two local Seattle Pastry Chefs (one of whom is a food network baking championship winner!), we opened in 2020, amidst a global pandemic. We are proud to be a Women & LGBTQ+ owned small business. We specialize in hand decorated sugar cookies, custom cakes & wholesale bakery items.
Featured in: “Seattle pastry chef’s team wins second season of Food Network’s ‘Holiday Wars'”

Moon Village Bakery (Skyway)
7418 S. 126th street 98178 B1 Seattle, WA 98118
“South Seattle Artisan Bakery crafting All Natural bread. We deliver all over King County!”

Coping Cookies
“Long story short, we’re partners in life and in Coping Cookies! Ashley Hernandez (she/her) works in mental health as a mental health specialist and Sam Padilla (she/her) works in physical health (rehabilitative exercise). We began Coping Cookies in the thick of COVID-19 to advocate and bring awareness to societal injustice and mental health.”
Featured in: “Coping Cookies advocates for mental health – through baked goods”

Ice on Mars
Selling vegan popsicles (aka Frozen Confectionary) out of a cooler mounted bicycle! They sell along routes through parks, beaches and the city.

Wine, Beer & Spirits

Flight Wine + Chocolate (Madison Valley)
1300 East Pike Street, Suite 103, Seattle WA 98122
David Wildman and Kevin Morton’s trip to explore the best of Washington’s vineyards without ever leaving Seattle is now boarding at Flight Wine +Chocolate. They offer two different “flights” of small pours, curated to provide a window into Washington’s wine making culture. Their handmade in-house dark chocolates are exquisitely crafted to take you to a happy place, no boarding pass required.

The Velvet Elk (Mt. Baker)
3605 S McClellan St, Seattle, WA 98144
Owned by Kim Beecroft, The Velvet Elk (formerly The Saloon) is a Seattle speakeasy that serves classic cocktails and upscale bar food. Friendly bartenders and live music make this bar a cozy spot to catch up with friends and family.

Footprint Wine Tap (Capitol Hill)
1222 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
Owned by Kenneth Dillon, Footprint Wine Tap is Seattle’s first and only sustainable keg wine on-tap bar. Sourcing fine wines from the Pacific Northwest, they specialize in biodynamic and organic wines.
Featured in: “Keg wine? On tap? Thinking outside the bottle at Footprint Wine”

Stoup Brewing (Ballard)
1108 NW 52nd St, Seattle, WA 98107
Stoup Brewing is a beer-geek collaboration between husband and wife Brad Benson and Lara Zahaba, and biology teacher-turned brewer Robyn Schumacher. Their delicious brews combine their exacting love of science with their love of beer and the community it fosters.

Aluel Cellars (Capitol Hill)
801A E Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98102
Samuel Hilbert and Alex Oh worked in the wine industry for years before channeling their passion into the production of their own wine, handcrafted in the old-world style with Washington grapes. Stop by their tasting room to sample their selection.

Catering

City Catering (South Lake Union)
City Catering offers a variety of catering services from hors d’oeuvres to family style meals with robust and elegant menus. Owned by Lendy Hensley, City Catering sources quality farm ingredients, offers one-on-one planning services, and has special venue partnerships including the Frye Art Museum and Fremont Studios.

Baking Project Seattle
Mark DiGiambattista grew up fascinated by his mother’s recipes, always asking to experiment in the kitchen. After pursuing a career in environmental science, Mark still felt a pull towards baking, so he founded his own wholesale and catering company, Baking Project Seattle.

Herban Feast Catering
4136 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
BJ Duft’s renowned Herban Feast Catering helps customers craft their own unique menu and bar service using seasonal ingredients from regional farmers and producers. Herban Feast award-winning catering, exceptional service and distinctive presentations ensure that customers will have a wonderful, personalized event experience.

Clothing

Doll Parts Collective (Delridge)
4448 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Started amidst COVID-19 in 2020 by Becky Bacsik-Booker and Alyssa Kaliszewski, DOLL PARTS is a sustainability-focused collective based in Seattle, Washington.

Shopping

Bauformat Seattle (Belltown)
2605 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
Dave Giltner, John Nesbitt, and Cameron Boldin, owners of Bauformat Seattle, want to provide the finest options for your projects when you’re looking for quality, high-end performance, and beauty in your home. Their Seattle showroom displays beautiful kitchens, baths, and closet spaces of innovative yet timeless products with a modern aesthetic.

Orcas Paley (Hillman City)
5709 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Partners Peter Gaucys and Patrick Angus own Hillman City’s destination for vintage housewares, apothecary, stationary and more: Orcas Paley. Peter and Patrick are thoughtful and generous in every aspect of how they run their business, including hosting Window, an art show highlighting local artists.

Nomadia Creatives (Capitol Hill)
Inside Cupcake Royale, 1111 E Pike St Unit B, Seattle, WA 98122
A self-ascribed, “nature curio dark art shoppe,” Nomadia Creatives provides both an online and a brick and mortar space for local artists to sell their products that include jewelry, prints, clothing, accessories, and more.

Virago Gallery (West Seattle)
4537 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Independent curator Tracy Cilona wanted to showcase and sell art and jewelry made by women and LGBTQ artists and designers. So, in 2013, Tracy opened Virago Galley. The gallery gets its name from the Latin word for a female warrior that demonstrates heroic qualities.
Featured in: “Virago Art Gallery is a much needed home for women & LGBTQ+ artists“

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Saltstone Ceramics (Wallingford)
2206 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
Owner Sarah Steininger Leroux originally started Saltstone Ceramics in a tiny Northwest Seattle garage in 2015, eventually growing into their renovated, sunny storefront in Wallingford in 2018. The ceramic and pottery studio sells handmade goods for everyday use, like bowls, dinnerware, and vases, with an emphasis on supporting local working artists.

Timothy De Clue Collection (Downtown)
1124 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, WA
Timothy De Clue is a firm believer that a luxurious home shouldn’t have to be expensive. In 2008, he opened his store, Timothy De Clue Collection, eager to offer decor-hunters an alternative to large department stores.

Hawaii General Store & Travel (Wallingford)
258 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105
For 21 years, Hawai’i General Store & Travel has been the primary source of all things Hawaii. Whether you’re in the market for fresh flower leis, traditional snacks, or even travel planning, Hawai’i General Store & Travel is ready to help.

Aide-Memoire Jewelry (Wallingford)
If you’re looking for an ethically-made, eco-conscious heirloom that you’ll treasure forever, Aide-mémoire Jewelry will match you to the perfect piece. Whether you want to browse their collection or customize something special, owner and jewelry-expert Aran Galligan crafts her pieces with 100% recycled precious metals.

Phantom Quartz (Mount Baker)
2805 Mt Rainier Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144, USA
Growing up, Phantom Quartz owner Sofia McKee thought that everyone’s grandma had a deck of tarot cards. When she realized that not everyone had access to this kind of personal magick, she wanted to create a space for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community to experience the mystical and metaphysical.

Station 7 (Capitol Hill)
400 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
Housed in a retired 1920s firehouse, this shop was previously active with the Seattle Fire Department until 1970! Today, Station 7 is a home and dry goods shop that sources local, handmade goods — often from woman-owned businesses. Station 7 owner Lauren Tilden curates a wide variety of goods and gifts ranging from home goods to jewelry to books and stationery, and more.

Sugarpill (Capitol Hill)
900 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
SugarPill is herbalist and homeopath Karyn Schwartz’s modern apothecary. Her passion for natural medicine is evidenced by her large selection of medicinal house blends and herbs, which she dispenses with warmth and expertise. SugarPill also carries artisanal foods, rare chocolates, and an impressive collection of gourmet salts.

Petrikor (Everett)
“Petrikor is a general store for the modern dweller, rooted in time honored traditions and design, with a focus on thoughtfully made and sustainable products. Our curated collection of goods evoke a simpler time, reminding us to slow down, and reconnect with the space and environment around us.”

Corazon Candles
Small batch, hand poured, locally sourced beeswax candles. Corazon Candles offers quality locally sourced beeswax candles in a variety of fragrances using essential oils and synthetic blends. My goal is to collaborate with other artists to create unique vessels & donate a portion of sales back to community. Corazon Candles launched April 2021 in honor of the my late Abuelo Marcos. Owned and operated by Melissa, an Indigenous (Wuksachi)/Chicana Queer WOC based in Unceded Coast Salish Territory (Seattle). Sales & Inquiries available online through Etsy. In person sales available Saturday June 26th 12-4pm at Bakers & Makers Against Racism Pop Up, Ballard, Sloop Tavern (2830 NW Market St)

Little Tin Goods & Apothecary Cabinet (Ballard)
5335 BALLARD AVE NW SEATTLE, WA 98107
We love to celebrate the delicious simplicities that come from home cooking, our Grandmother’s favorite herbs from the garden made into infamous botanical concoctions. Aunties’ passed-down-through-generations recipes. Treasured sisterhood. S’oulful music that makes you laugh and move. Sincere company, and honored, sacred family traditions.”

Pine & Sprout (Tacoma)
“We’re a brother sister duo in the Pacific Northwest who love to create things to bring beauty and function to your home and outdoor spaces. Our journey with creating started young ( any other K’nex fans here?) and it’s evolved over time as we’ve grown a love for plants and the outdoors. We’re so glad you stopped by our shop!”

Gyms & Yoga

Kirchoff Fitness (Wallingford)
4414 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Chris Kirchoff dreamed of cultivating a fitness community where women could connect, support each other, and boost emotional and spiritual health. In 2009, Kirchoff Fitness was born.

Move2Center Studio (West Seattle)
3618 SW Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98126
Alyssa Aimette, Melanie McFarland, and Juliann Taube founded the studio in 2018 to create a space where everyone is welcome to join their holistic dance fitness and healing movement classes. You’ll learn the Nia Technique, a dance-based movement practice that incorporates martial arts and healing techniques, awareness through movement, gentle yoga, and meditation to get your body moving.

Foundation Crossfit
1415 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Andrew Bueno and Tony Lau started working out at a Greenlake park in the summer of 2007. After building a engaged following using only kettlebells, rings, and bodyweight exercise, they opened Foundation CrossFit, a community space where everyone, from any background or walk of life, is supported in living a fit and healthy life.

The Ride (Eastlake)
112 E Lynn St, Seattle, WA 98102
The Ride is an indoor cycling studio owned by Aina Williams and Carrie Stengel. The Ride emphasizes the mental and physical transformation of cycling, and the experience is enhanced by stadium seating, state of the art sound technology, and quality bikes.

Crossfit Loft (West Seattle)
4142 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Crossfit LOFT is owned by Bethany Pappas and Brandon Wicks, a playful trainer from a large family and a trainer who was formerly a sushi chef. Crossfit LOFT welcomes a diverse population of adults, kids, and teens and offers classes crossfit, mobility, yoga, nutrition, competition and strongman.

Arcaro Boxing (Central District)
1208 E Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98122
Tricia Arcaro Turton is a former professional boxer, who began her career as an amateur boxer in the Central District. She founded Arcaro Boxing in 2013 with the mission of helping people achieve individual growth in an inclusive, community-focused setting.

Tribe Fitness (Capitol Hill)
606 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
Alan Brown had always been an avid gym user, but grew tired of the solitary nature of his gym routine. He joined TRIBE Fitness looking for a community-driven experience, and was instantly hooked. Now, as the gym’s owner, Brown takes pride in its community, all-inclusive culture.

Indigo Movement
Indigo Movement’s founder and owner, Tiana Duncan, realized her enthusiasm and passion for movement as a competitive swimmer. Constantly in water, Duncan learned how interconnected the mind, body, and spirit are and later found that she wanted to share her knowledge and experience with others.

Tiger Lily Yoga (Columbia City)
4405 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
At Tiger Lily Yoga, Emily Iverson and Daphne Aberle combined Emily’s extensive study of yoga and movement therapy with Daphne’s training as a nurse and massage therapist to create a safe space for a diverse community to practice yoga.

Sweatbox Yoga (Capitol Hill)
1417 10th Ave, Ste B, Seattle, WA 98122
Laura Culberg’s previous career was as a social worker with adolescent girls, and she believes strongly in the benefits yoga offers children and people of all ages. At SweatBox Yoga, Laura builds community by teaching yoga in a supportive environment that welcomes yogis of all abilities.

Strive & Uplift (Ballard)
1404 NW 49th St, Seattle, WA 98107
Woman-owned and operated by Ren Caldwell and her team, the Strive & Uplift gym is a place where athletes of all stripes can channel their inner bad-ass, receive strength and performance coaching, and be a part of a supportive inclusive community.

Row House West Seattle
4203 SW Oregon Street Seattle, WA 98116
“Row House, a boutique fitness concept is revolutionizing the way people view indoor rowing. Co-founders and husband/wife team, Eric Von Frohlich and Debra Strougo took the rowing machine out of the corner, and put it front in center. Born of the couple’s search for a workout that two individuals with varying fitness levels could do together, they created a workout that gives people of all different shapes, sizes, and abilities an efficient and effective workout.”

Beauty, Spa & Salons

Rebel Rebel Hair Studio (Ballard)
1417 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107
Natalie Federoff opened Rebel Rebel Hair Studio in 2019 to provide one-on-one hair appointments in a relaxed environment. With over 10 years of experience in the hair industry, Natalie doesn’t define hair in terms of gender, and is focused on creating styles that make people feel good about themselves.

Ricky Styles Studio (Madrona)
3312 E Spring St, Seattle, WA 98122
Ricky Barragan had been a hair stylist for 13 years and always dreamed of owning his own salon. In 2019, with the help of his husband and co-owner Jose Zerpa, Ricky’s dreams came true!

19th Avenue Salon – An Aveda Salon & Store (Capitol Hill)
542 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
Owner Jaime De Maria, has been immersed in all things hair dating back to 1999. He studied and graduated (with honors!) from Vidal Sassoon, and then went on to study at the Aveda Institute in London.

Raven (Capitol Hill)
1213 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
As the Capitol Hill neighborhood was shaped by grunge and Pride parades, Raven Myrick was shaping the community’s hairstyles. Over the years, the neighborhood has gentrified and tastes have changed — but Raven has remained.

Exurbia Salon (Madison Valley)
2311 E Madison St #5416, Seattle, WA 98112, USA

Glow Medispa (West Seattle)
4409 California Ave SW STE 100, Seattle, WA 98116
After 13 years working as a physician and breast cancer specialist, Kate Dee took interest in aesthetic medicine and anti-aging techniques. In 2016, Kate opened Glow Medispa, and offers services including skincare, laser resurfacing, hair loss treatment, skin tightening, injectables and body sculpting.

Andro (Pioneer Square)
219 James St, Seattle, WA 98104
Owned by Kelli Wimbley-Dinh, Andro is “everyone’s barbershop” – a space for queer folks and women to get a comfortable, traditional barbershop haircut.

Eyebrowbaby Microblading + Beauty (Ballard)
5308 Ballard Ave NW Suite C, Seattle, WA 98107
Eyebrowbaby Microblading + Beauty is owned by microblading expert Liesl Alice Gatcheco who long worked in hair, makeup, and costumes for Seattle Opera before opening her own studio.

Arctic Glow Cryospa (Downtown)
509 Olive Way Ste 807 Seattle, WA 98101
Kimberly Daugherty is an alternative medicine advocate, whose Arctic Glow Cryospa is Seattle’s first whole body cyrotherapy spa. Cyrotherapy, which involves brief exposure to freezing or near-freezing cold, is effective for sports/injury recovery, pain management, boosting metabolism, and promoting skin health.

Lilith Tattoo (Fremont)
513 N 36th Ave, Suite F Seattle WA 98103
Jude le Tronik (Jude Vesvarut) has worked as a tattooist, concept artist, muralist, and illustrator all over the world. At Lilith Tattoo, Jude offers a tattoo experience that is safe and empowering, and invites clients to participate in a personal and collaborative design process.

Florists

Sal Floral Design (Downtown)
1219 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Owner Sal Amezquita founded Sal Floral Design in 2009 after establishing himself as an esteemed designer through hard work and dedication. Sal has done it all — from designing opulent weddings in Mexico to having his work featured at the Oscars, Grammy’s, and celebrity weddings in Los Angeles.

Seattle Bloom
“I’m Tara, florist and owner of Seattle Bloom. For over a decade I’ve been working with couples to create a floral vision that reflects their style. I get excited about over-sized blooms, lush greenery, seasonal varieties and garden inspired florals. I love organic flow with just enough structure to not feel messy. I care about the details that make your theme feel cohesive and thoughtful.”

Photography

AshleyKay Photography
Ashley Kay Smith channels her passion for photography and storytelling to help people capture important moments they can pass down from generation to generation. She opened AshleyKay Photography in 2019 because she knows how important it is to be able to look back at photos of loved ones and instantly feel a connection to them.

Jenny GG Photography
Known for her playfulness, Jenny puts her clients at ease and has captured over 500 weddings, as well as many portraits, engagement sessions, and boudoir pictures in her 10 years as a professional photographer.

Sabel Roizen Photography
Sabel Roizen Photography specializes in portrait, real estate and architecture, nature, visual art, and 360 photography. With a special knack for portraits, Sabel Roizen wants folks of all bodies and identities to celebrate their appearance and works with clients to carry out their vision.

Aya Tiffany Sato
Aya Tiffany Sato is a professional wedding photographer and published children’s book illustrator residing in the Seattle area. She has been photographing weddings since 2009, and her photography has been featured in publications such as The New York Times and NPR.

Venues

Century Ballroom (Capitol Hill)
915 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
Hallie Kuperman opened Century Ballroom in 1997 inspired by her love for social dance and the way that it connects and brings people together. An inclusive space, Century Ballroom welcomes a truly diverse community of people, and teaches a range of dance styles for social dancers of all levels of experience.

The Foundry (Industrial District)
4130 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
BJ Duft’s full service event venue, The Foundry, is housed in a repurposed copper and steel manufacturing and fabrication plant. The Foundry complements its sister venue, Sodo Park, with its unique, customizable layout and five distinct rooms.

Sodo Park (Industrial Park)
3200 1st Avenue South, Seattle, 98134
BJ Duft’s full service event space, Sodo Park, is housed in a beautiful century-old factory with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and reclaimed lighting. The space fuses modern and rustic elements making it ideal for both elegant and casual events.

The Baltic Room (Capitol Hill)
1207 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
Jason Brotman and Rachel Fine’s Baltic Club is a nightclub showcasing live DJs, ranging from relatively unknown locals to internationally recognized figures, six days a week. The dancefloor is surrounded by three bars, booth seating and a VIP balcony.

R Place Bar & Grill (Capitol Hill)
619 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
Richard Elander and Vernon Timmons’s R Place Bar & Grill’s three levels ascend from bar to lounge to dance floor. This popular Seattle gay bar hosts many special events, including karaoke.

Auto

Mose Auto (Georgetown)
719 S Myrtle St, Seattle, WA 98108
Owned by Mariajosé “Mose” Barrera, Mose Auto not only offers a three month or 12,000 mile guarantee on all auto repair, but also specializes in providing training and information sessions to women in the community for maintaining their vehicle and entering automotive careers.

Repair Revolution (Industrial District)
2437 6th Ave South Seattle, WA 98134
Eli Allison is revolutionizing the auto repair industry. At Repair Revolution, Eli and his team of trustworthy automotive mechanics strive to empower customers to take care of their own vehicles in a safe space by making the auto repair experience educational and community driven.

Health Services

Stride Physio (Wallingford)
100 NE Northlake Way Suite 200B Seattle, WA 98105
As a lifelong runner herself, Susanne Michaud is eager to ensure that her patients can sustain and continue joyful movement for the duration of their lives. She opened Stride Physio in 2015 to collaborate with associates and to provide consistent, expert care to clients in the Seattle area.

Coopers Optique (Queen Anne)
315 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Once you’ve been fitted by Zac Cooper at Coopers Optique, you become family. Zac opened his Queen Anne boutique in 2019 after years of battling stage-four kidney failure. After a successful kidney transplant from his husband, Kevin, Zac fulfilled his dream of opening his optical shop with his love of personal aesthetics and a new lease on life.
Featured in: “Zac Cooper has 20/20 vision, when it comes to style & creating community”

Evolve Physical Therapy (Capitol Hill)
Foundation Gym, 1415 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
Evolve is owned and operated by Stacey Schwartz, PT, DPT, who has a particular passion for working with orthopedic and athletic patients with knee and shoulder injuries. Stacey is passionate about helping her patients see improved strength, mobility, and biomechanics.

Therapy Decolonized
4501 15th Ave S #102, Seattle, WA 98108
Bryanna Boyd at Therapy Decolonized believes it can be life-changing to find a therapist who understands your trauma, upbringing, or current circumstances more deeply. As a Black, queer therapist, Bryanna seeks to support patients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and other struggles related to cultural identities and queer identities.

Have Heart Wellness (Capitol Hill)
1820 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, USA

Seattle Pregnancy Massage (Ballard)
1417 NW 54th St #464, Seattle, WA 98107
This LGBTQ+ owned business is an inclusive space to receive massage, reflexology, doula services, and also offers online classes! Both as a licensed massage therapist and certified doula, Emma Christensen is eager to relieve your tension, pain, and fears and cultivate a confident and comfortable pregnancy for you!

The Well on Beacon Hill
3001 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Services offered at The Well on Beacon include somatics, acupuncture, reiki, massage, psychotherapy, and more. Together, co-founders Stacy Torres, Mariko Fujita, Norma Timbang, and Alex Payan uphold values of interdependence, liberation, self-determination, and being of and for the community.

Mend Seattle (Lower Queen Anne)
200 1st Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119
If you’re looking for a socially-conscious, feminist counseling program, MEND Seattle has created a welcoming space for healing. By providing low-cost, flexible services especially developed for cis-women, trans women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming clients, owner Jacquie Gallaway hopes to cultivate growth and compassion.

Protea Wellness
4219 SW Juneau St., Seattle, WA 98136
Jennifer Creson’s Protea Wellness works with clients of all ages and identities. Working from an anti-oppression, LGBTQ+ inclusive lens, the therapists at Protea Wellness aim to be as adaptable as possible.

Pet Services

House of Ruff (Atlantic)
2603 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
Owned by sisters CJ Tomlinson and Crystal Jacobson, House of Ruff is an indoor canine social club that offers an indoor dog park, as well as services like daycare, boarding, self-wash dog washing, and boarding.

West Seattle Wonder Dogs
2414 SW Andover St E-115, Seattle, WA 98106
Laurie Cox’s West Seattle Wonder Dogs has a one-of-a-kind day care program where dogs are sorted into small groups by size to play, rest, and socialize. Alternatively, your dog can be enrolled in the Play and Train program and will be worked with throughout the day on behaviors of your choice.

Urban Animal (Capitol Hill)
909 E Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98102
After graduating from veterinary school, Cherri Trusheim’s career path meandered a bit before she ultimately founded Urban Animal veterinary clinic. Urban Animal offers a pioneering new model of veterinary care, providing economically priced services with the flexibility of a walk-in/drop-in care clinic.

Jet City Animal Clinic (Central District)
822 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Walla Walla native Dr. Erica Anderson traveled the world as a child because of her father’s career as a botanist. Originally hoping to become a wildlife veterinarian, she discovered instead that she is happiest helping cats, dogs, and their people.

Dogwood Play Park (Lake City)
12568 33rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
Dogwood Play Park is Seattle’s original indoor/outdoor off-leash dog park and bar. For a $12 drop-in fee (per dog) your pupper can come play while you enjoy a cider, beer or wine.

Other Services

Downtown House Cleaning (Capitol Hill)
126 Harvard Avenue East Seattle, WA 98102
Since 2008, owner Christian Snell has worked hard to build his loyal customer base by providing reliable, high-quality cleaning services with his dedicated and friendly team of people. What started out as Christian single-handedly cleaning homes in Capitol Hill has grown into a successful cleaning business servicing hundreds of long-time clients in the Downtown Seattle area.

Board & Vellum (Capitol Hill)
115 15th Ave E #100, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
Whether you’re looking to construct your dream home or remodel a fixer-upper, Board & Vellum is a multidisciplinary architecture, interior design, and site design firm that’s up for the challenge.

The Dazzle Cleaning Company (Georgetown)
5700 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
The Dazzle Cleaning Company is an eco-friendly cleaning service and self-proclaimed gayest cleaning company in America. Owner Logan Jay Tyler started Dazzle in 2015 out of his love for cleaning and turned his favorite hobby into a business.

Perfect Copy & Print (Capitol Hill)
1807 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
Owner Amanda Powter and her creative employees provide reputably spectacular customer service and are happy to help with personalized products including calendars, t-shirts, mouse pads, greeting cards, and more.

Susan Palmer’s Guitar Studio (First Hill)
911 E Pike St #219, Seattle, WA 98122
Susan Palmer’s Guitar Studio offers guitar lessons to instrumentalists of all skill levels. Palmer teaches fundamental acoustic and electric guitar skills in genres including jazz, blues, and rock. Private lessons are conducted in-person and over webcam.

Wezee’s Plumbing (Atlantic)
912 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
After witnessing too many plumbers taking advantage of general contractors and clients, Louise Hansen knew she had to create a new kind of ethical plumbing operation. So, with her extensive plumbing experience from her general contracting work, Hansen founded Weezee’s Plumbing in 2007.

BAHTOH (Chinatown/International District)
672 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
Bobbie Yanoupeth and Michael Sing collaborate to produce the magic that is BAHTOH. Bobbie’s hair and cosmetology talents come together with Michael’s floral and design skills to create the wedding and lifestyle designs that dreams are made of.

Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth (Federal Way)
500 S. 336th St. Suite 214 Federal Way, WA 98003
Founded by Brent Williams-Ruth, Brent is a fourth generation Washingtonian, living between Pierce and King Counties his entire life, except for a couple short-term stints in Washington, D.C, who decided to start his own concierge-based estate planning and administration firm after years of working for firms that discriminated against him for being gay. His philosophy is that every person deserves top notch legal service from a lawyer who puts them first.

Dwadlings Art
Dwadlings Art contains the musings and creations of a non-binary human who is ruled by many basement cats. Currently creating ceramics and stickers for other humanoid creatures. Come find them at the monthly market at Sloop Tavern!

This June marks the 51st Pride Month, a time to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex community that spans races, ages and geographical lines.

The first LGBTQ pride march took place in New York on June 28, 1970. It was a two-fold occasion, marking the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, protests that spurred the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

While some will return to pride parades in person this year, there are plenty of brilliant LGBTQ films and TV shows to stay in with. CNET staff has rounded up a bunch of options that portray a range of stories and experiences.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

This compelling documentary investigates the mysterious 1992 death of Marsha P. Johnson — a black, trans and gay rights activist and veteran of the Stonewall uprising of 1969. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson uses archival interviews with Johnson, as well as new interviews with Johnson’s family, friends and fellow activists. This is a must-see movie for those who want to learn more about gay, trans and black history, but also for those who believe Johnson was murdered and want justice.

— Bonnie Burton

A Single Man 

Colin Firth is George Falconer, a middle-aged English college professor (who’s also English) living in 1962 Los Angeles in this 2009 movie based on Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 novel of the same name. When the film opens, it’s been eight months since his longtime partner Jim (played in flashbacks by Matthew Goode) died in a car wreck. Still deeply in mourning, George goes about his day on autopilot while connecting with his best friend Charley (Julianne Moore) and meeting Kenny, an attractive student (Nicholas Hoult). 

It’s a moving story that doesn’t shy away from the cruel homophobia of the time (we learn Jim’s family did not allow George to attend his funeral). Directed by fashion designer Tom Ford, the sets, costumes and music are stunningly gorgeous.

— Kent German 

Pose 

Pose, created by American Horror Story’s Ryan Murphy, is a TV drama about New York City’s African-American and Latinx LGBTQI ballroom culture scene during its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s. Pose was inspired by the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning. The series, which has completed its third and final season, also tackles the HIV/AIDS crisis. It features the largest cast of trans actors as series regulars on a scripted show, including Our Lady J, MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Angelica Ross and Hailie Sahar. Pose also stars the one and only Billy Porter as the ballroom grandfather Pray Tell. Janet Mock also writes, produces and directs Pose episodes.

— Bonnie Burton

God’s Own Country 

The title of this 2017 British film refers to a popular nickname for the English county of Yorkshire. But as you’ll soon learn after the opening credits, the Yorkshire you see on screen looks like anything but glorious. Johnny Saxby (Josh O’Connor of The Crown) lives a bleak, hardscrabble existence running his family farm after his gruff father has a stroke. When he’s not tending sheep under perpetually somber skies or suppressing his emotions, he’s binge drinking in local pubs and having rough, secret sex with other men.

But that all changes when he’s forced to hire Romanian migrant worker Gheorghe Ionescu (Alec Secăreanu) for extra help. Johnny is hardly welcoming at first — his use of a racial slur provokes an all-out fight between them — but something deeper soon grows. You’ll notice similarities between this movie and 2005’s Brokeback Mountain, but God’s Own Country stands on its own by telling a spellbinding story with outstanding performances.

— Kent German

Schitt’s Creek

One of the remarkable aspects of the amazing Schitt’s Creek is that it’s no big deal one of its main characters is openly gay. David Rose’s sexuality is written into the script as completely normative. David doesn’t need to come out of the closet. He’s just out. And everyone is fine with it.

This shouldn’t be remarkable, but it is. Because his sexuality isn’t an issue, his search for love is funny, quirky and complicated — like it is for the rest of the cast. The award-winning Schitt’s Creek is aspirational, hilarious and wonderful, just like David.

— Natalie Weinstein 

Milk 

This 2008 biopic tells the story of Harvey Milk, the gay rights activist and first out elected official in California who was assassinated in 1978 shortly after being elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Sean Penn, who won an Academy Award for the role, is tremendous, and he’s backed by equally strong performances from his co-stars and a brilliant (and Academy Award-winning) script. 

Harvey’s political awakening, his advocacy for San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood and his transformative effect on the LGBTQI rights movement are the film’s heart, but it also truthfully shows the cruel legal threats facing gay people in the 1970s and how they fought back. Three decades after his death, Milk’s inspirational lessons on organizing, advocacy and fighting for quality are just as important. “You gotta give them hope,” Harvey said. Milk shows just how we did it.

— Kent German 

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay

Neurotic gay 20-something Nicholas, played by Australian comedian Josh Thomas, becomes the guardian to his two younger teenage sisters after their father passes away from cancer. One sister is on the autism spectrum and the other sister has anger issues, which often means plenty of cringe-worthy but honest socially awkward moments that make Everything’s Gonna Be Okay so much fun to watch.

— Bonnie Burton

Happiest Season 

If you like your Christmas movies with a dash of substance, Happiest Season is one of the best new gems to slide onto your holiday viewing shelf. Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star as loving couple Abby and Harper, who encounter a single spanner in their relationship: Harper hasn’t come out to her conservative family yet. Delivering all the warmth of a Hallmark card with none of the cheesiness, and bolstered by a stellar supporting cast including Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie and Dan Levy, Happiest Season is a smart, modern Christmas movie with emotional punch.

— Jennifer Bisset

Pride 

This 2014 British film tells the true story of a group of gay and lesbian activists who raised money for the National Union of Mineworkers as they faced Margaret Thatcher’s government during a miner’s contentious strike from 1984 to 1985. There’s a culture clash between the activists and the working-class residents of a small Welsh town, but the two communities come to understand one another. Funny, sad and touching, the film shows the importance of building alliances in the struggle for rights and equality.

— Kent German 

Derry Girls 

Riotous comedy Derry Girls takes us back to 1990s Derry, Ireland, where the teenage woes of Erin and her friends play out on a backdrop of the Northern Ireland conflict. In the final episode of season 1, Clare comes out to Erin as a lesbian, which produces one of the best lines of the show — “Your gayness is staggering!” After a couple of rocky moments, the gang make a sweet statement of love and support to Clare via a brilliantly awkward dance routine. The entire show draws from the same well of sweet, feel-good charm.

— Jennifer Bisset

Boys Don’t Cry 

Just as relevant now as when it came out in 1999, Boys Don’t Cry is a brilliant film about the painful struggles of Brandon Teena, a young transgender man looking for acceptance in rural America.

— Sarah Tew 

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Set in France in the late 18th century, Portrait of a Lady on Fire tells the story of a forbidden affair between a female aristocrat named Héloïse and the female painter Marianne commissioned to paint her portrait. But there’s a catch: Marianne must paint Héloïse without her knowing. She observes Héloïse by day as her companion so she can paint her portrait in secret. Eventually, a romance between the two blossoms in this breathtakingly beautiful tale.

— Bonnie Burton

Blue is the Warmest Color

French teenager Adele seems to be boy-crazy, but when a mysterious blue-haired university student named Emma enters her life, everything changes. The film is notorious for its graphic lesbian sex scenes, but Blue is the Warmest Color is more than that. It’s a romance between two girls with very different views on their own sexual identities. Emma is out as a lesbian, whereas Adele prefers to keep her sexuality a secret.

— Bonnie Burton

Homecoming season 2

Season 1 of this Amazon Prime Video original series has Julia Roberts playing a conflicted counselor who falls for a soldier she’s helping to forget his painful past. But it’s season 2 of Homecoming that shows its queer side. Janelle Monáe plays the lead as a woman who temporarily loses her memory and spends the entire season trying to remember why she woke up on a boat floating in the middle of a lake. She eventually discovers that she has a long-term relationship with another woman who may or may not be the cause of her memory loss.

— Bonnie Burton

Moonlight

Moonlight chronicles the life of Chiron, who grows up poor, black and gay in a rough neighborhood in Miami. The film shows the three defining chapters in Chiron’s life, including his neglected childhood; his ongoing struggles with his sexuality, unstable family life during adolescence and finally his ultimate fulfillment as an adult. To say this movie is emotional and moving is an understatement.

— Bonnie Burton

Sense8

Imagine waking up one day to discover your consciousness is suddenly linked to other strangers around the world. That’s the fate of eight individuals in the sci-fi series Sense8. The characters — who span from straight, gay, lesbian, poly and trans — can see and feel each other’s thoughts, emotions and experiences. Sense8’s showrunners are also Matrix movie creators Lana and Lilly Wachowski, both trans women. It isn’t just the impressive representation of LGBTQI characters and storylines that makes this show remarkable. Its sci-fi premise is also original and unexpected.

— Bonnie Burton

All in My Family

US-based gay filmmaker Hao Wu documents his traditional Chinese family’s process accepting his decision to have kids via surrogates. All in My Family is an interesting glimpse into Chinese culture and how it views homosexuality. It’s also a touching look at how Wu comes to terms with his chosen life in America as opposed to the life he was born into in China.

— Bonnie Burton

Gentleman Jack

Set in 1832 Yorkshire, Gentleman Jack is inspired by the true story of charismatic landowner Anne Lister, who attempts to revitalize her inherited home and marry a wealthy heiress. This lesbian romance is also full of drama involving Anne’s day-to-day encounters with servants, tenants and various industrial rivals.

— Bonnie Burton

Everything Sucks

The teen drama Everything Sucks tells the story of Kate Messner, a high school sophomore who’s coming to terms with her sexuality as a lesbian. Set way before social media and cellphones, Kate’s journey is an accurate view at how hard it was to be a lesbian teen during the mid-1990s.

— Bonnie Burton

Into the Dark: Midnight Kiss

When five friends meet up for New Year’s Eve in Palm Springs, booze, drugs and sex are on their minds. But as this LGBTQI thriller reveals, relationships can get tricky when friends and lovers don’t tell the truth. Midnight Kiss is a stylized horror film full of revenge, regret and blood.

— Bonnie Burton

Feel Good

Feel Good features Canadian stand-up comedian Mae Martin, who reflects on life, love and sobriety in this semi-fictitious drama. We see her struggle with addiction, as well as her romance with a woman named George who has never been with another woman before.

— Bonnie Burton

I Am Not Okay With This

Teen girl Syd not only has to come to terms with the recent loss of her father, but also deal with her budding sexual identity. That’s not even the biggest issue in I Am Not Okay With This. Syd suddenly has superpowers and isn’t sure how to use them.

— Bonnie Burton

Queer Eye

Queer Eye features loveable gay experts Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk and Karamo Brown, who travel to different US cities (and sometimes Japan) to help people get their lives together. The Fab Five provide help to people from all walks of life who could use some advice about fashion, home decor, food and life in general. But it’s not really about the makeover on the outside, but the transformations in people’s hearts and minds that truly make this a gem of a series.

— Bonnie Burton

Sex Education

Sex Education is about virgin Otis (the son of a sex therapist), who teams up with his friend Maeve to run a secret sex therapy business at their high school. It doesn’t matter if you’re a misfit, a popular kid or even a bully — you need sex advice. One of the more touching storylines involves Otis’ best friend Eric, who must deal with the expectations of his family about his own sexuality and gender identity. The show is painfully awkward at times, but overall pretty accurate.

— Bonnie Burton

The Half of It

When smart but cash-strapped teen Ellie Chu agrees to write a love letter for an inarticulate jock at her high school, she doesn’t expect to also fall for the object of his affection — another girl. The Half of It feels like a lesbian Cyrano de Bergerac tale with heart-wrenching moments and a dash of teen comedy.

— Bonnie Burton

Laerte-Se

After living as a man for almost 60 years (and having  three kids and three marriages), Brazil’s most brilliant cartoonist Laerte Coutinho finally introduces herself to the world as a woman. The documentary Laerte-Se gives a candid look into Laerte’s everyday life, as well as her transformation.

— Bonnie Burton

Last Ferry

In the thriller Last Ferry, a young, inexperienced gay lawyer travels to Fire Island in the off-season looking for romance and friendship, but instead finds himself in trouble after witnessing a murder. This intriguing thriller has plenty of twists and turns all the way to the surprising end.

— Bonnie Burton

Legendary

This reality show on HBO Max attempts to portray modern-day LGBTQI ballroom culture, in which “houses” of dancers compete for prizes and the ultimate title of a reigning house. While New York City’s traditional ballroom scene once was primarily dominated by African-American and Latinx members, the new show also includes cisgender women, white and Asian-American voguing masters. Legendary feels more like an introduction to ballroom culture for those who have never seen voguing outside of the series Pose and Madonna’s famous Vogue music video.

Legendary hasn’t been without some controversy. When actor Jameela Jamil was announced as the show’s host and one of the judges many wondered why a cisgender woman with zero background in ballroom culture was hired over a well-known trans woman and mother of a ballroom house Trace Lysette. Controversy aside, the show is a fun introduction to the drama and excitement of ballroom. If you want learn more about ballroom history, watch the documentaries Paris is Burning and Kiki.

— Bonnie Burton

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Drag queen royalty RuPaul makes wearing wigs, false eyelashes, sequined gowns and high heels into an extreme sport with popular reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Watch new and legendary drag queens from all backgrounds battle it out for the crown as they compete in costume, acting, dancing and performing challenges, which always end in them lip syncing for their lives. The series is more than drama and dance trauma, however. It also celebrates friendship, as well as some very moving moments of self-discovery and hard work it takes to be a successful drag queen.

— Bonnie Burton

Reuters

N.Korea’s ruling party sets up new post under leader Kim -Yonhap

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea’s ruling party has amended its rules to create a de facto second-in-command under leader Kim Jong Un as he looks to revamp domestic politics, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said on Tuesday. Citing an unidentified source familiar with North Korea, the agency said the holder of the new post of “first secretary” would chair meetings on behalf of Kim Jong Un. Kim cemented his power at a congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in January, when he was elected its general secretary, taking a title last held by his late father, Kim Jong Il.