A New Golden era of Queer Community

From parties and pelotons to the ballroom and the pool, a new generation of leaders are transforming LGBTQ+ spaces— and firing up the culture.

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There was a time when queer life was clandestine; before secretive pubs and bars opened up in big cities. Slowly, those spaces grew into more visible gay villages ("gay" back then being a catch-all term for LGBTQ+). As the community has grown and stepped more fully into the light-although in too many countries, this remains far from the case-so has the need for a greater range of spaces to cater for a broader array of tastes, hobbies, and desires. To reflect this kaleidoscope of queerdoms, GQ has assembled a collective of activists and innovators from around the world who are working to shape the new age of LGBTQ+ spaces. From encouraging trans women to face their fears at swimming pools in Berlin to revitalizing Madrid's ballroom scene, there are Usher-soundtracked, women-only events in bougie Parisian nightclubs and podcasts starting difficult conversations around the trans community in Italy. Some are pushing the global fashion industry into giving greater opportunities to queer designers, and others are fighting for marriage equality in Japan. It's not always easy-everyone here is grappling with complex intersectional issues, fast-moving identity shifts, and sometimes staunchly prejudiced and discriminatory institutions. But, as we learn, they're doing it with passion, sensitivity, and grit.

A DESIGNER OPENING FASHION'S DOORS
EMMAN DEBATTISTA
London

A creative consultant for fashion brands, including GmbH and Trussardi, Debattista is using her position and Indo-Fijian and Mediterranean background to create greater opportunities for other queer brown people.