2026 Lineup

Laverne Cox's journey as a trailblazing actress and storyteller highlights her deep commitment to advocating for underrepresented voices. Her bestselling memoir, Transcendent, allows audiences to experience life in Laverne's shoes, from her childhood to making her big break, with behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflection on how we can heal and fight for equality together. Known for her groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black, Laverne continues to use her platform to destigmatize conversations around the unique struggles and triumphs faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and communities of color. A public speaker and four-time Emmy-nominated actress, she is also an Emmy-winning producer on documentaries like Disclosure and The T Word, and the host of the award-winning podcast The Laverne Cox Show.

Digital creator and entrepreneur Chris Olsen joined TikTok in 2020 and has become one of the most celebrated comedic voices on the platform. His vulnerability and witty sense of humor have garnered him over 13 million followers and over 1 billion likes on the platform. This year, Olsen is set to release his debut memoir, I THINK MY THERAPIST HATES ME published by Simon & Schuster on September 1st. The book details his life through the lens of therapy sessions, covering topics like his mother's alcoholism, his own struggles with addiction, coming out, and navigating toxic relationships, all told with his signature humor and vulnerability. Following a successful opening act last year for Meghan Trainor's Timeless Tour, Olsen embarked on his self-titled tour Club Chris where he performed in 11 major cities beginning in March. He was joined by Ryan Trainor throughout the tour. As the New York Times proclaimed, Olsen is a "TikTok wunderkind," and has collaborated with huge celebrities to help launch or announce their own projects. Olsen is a proud member of both the AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities and is an outspoken mental health advocate. He is a classically trained actor and singer, receiving his BFA in Musical Theater from Boston Conservatory. Olsen received a Streamy Award for Short Form Content in 2023 and was named Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024. Raised in the Washington metropolitan area, Olsen resides in Los Angeles and New York.

Frankie Grande is a multi-hyphenate performer, singer, songwriter, actor, Tony-nominated producer, and activist whose work spans music, television, Broadway, and digital media. Known for his vibrant personality, unapologetic authenticity, and deep connection to the LGBTQ+ community, Frankie has built a career rooted in entertainment, advocacy, and self-expression. Most recently, he released his Pride anthem "I Drove All Night" via Casablanca Records while starring in the Tony-nominated hit Titanique. His debut album, Hotel Rock Bottom, marked a major artistic breakthrough, and his upcoming memoir Supergay! further expands his mission of celebrating identity, resilience, and radical self-love.

Named "one of the most creative people in business" by Fast Company and "one of the most influential designers working today" by Graphic Design USA, Debbie Millman has built a remarkable career at the intersection of design, storytelling, and cultural commentary. For the past 22 years, she has hosted the award-winning podcast Design Matters, where she has interviewed more than 700 creative luminaries. Debbie is also the author of eight books. Her most recent book, Love Letter to a Garden, was published in 2025.

Danny Freeman is a pasta maker and cookbook author known for his innovative, vibrant, and fun approach to cooking. He is the author of two cookbooks, Danny Loves Pasta and Italianish, and has appeared on Good Morning America, the Rachael Ray Show, Access Hollywood, the Kelly Clarkson Show, the Sherri Shepherd Show, and more. He has gained attention for his colorful spin on fresh pasta, using vegetables, herbs, and spices to make pasta in every color of the rainbow, and he has been featured by the New York Times, Washington Post, People Magazine, and many others. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his husband and their two daughters.

Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, known collectively as the Brownstone Boys, are a Brooklyn-based couple and award-winning interior designers, authors, and renovation experts. With a shared passion for breathing new life into historic homes, they specialize in creating spaces that honor architectural heritage while seamlessly integrating clean, modern design. The Brownstone Boys have worked with an impressive roster of private clients, including Kerry Washington, Peloton's Anna Greenberg and HBO comic Wyatt Cenac. Their work has been featured in top publications including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Domino, Real Simple, and Apartment Therapy, and they've appeared on HGTV and the Magnolia Network. In June 2024, they released their debut book, For The Love of Renovating.

Roxane Gay's writing appears in Best American Mystery Stories 2014, Best American Short Stories 2012, Best Sex Writing 2012, A Public Space, McSweeney's, Tin House, Oxford American, American Short Fiction, Virginia Quarterly Review, and many others. She is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. She is the author of the books Ayiti, An Untamed State, the New York Times-bestselling Bad Feminist, the nationally bestselling Difficult Women, and the New York Times-bestselling Hunger. She is also the author of World of Wakanda for Marvel. She has several books forthcoming and is also at work on television and film projects. She also has a newsletter, The Audacity, and once had a podcast, The Roxane Gay Agenda.

Joe Nucci is a psychotherapist and writer exploring the space between real psychology and mental health trends. An expert in breaking down how people talk about mental health, he corrects widely misused terms, adds valuable nuance, and explains complex ideas in ways anyone can understand. Joe reached over 10 million people in his first 6 months of posting content. His upcoming book Psychobabble explores why mental health information is so confusing to navigate and how to more easily understand different perspectives about mental health. He also has an upcoming podcast, produced by Luminary Podcasts, taking deeper dives into the mental health topics he explores online.

James Park is a Brooklyn-based cookbook author, culinary producer, and food content creator. Trained at the International Culinary Center, he has worked with brands and platforms including The Kitchn, Eater, Food52, and BuzzFeed. Through his content, James shares his love of Korean cuisine and culture, along with his obsession with fried chicken, chili crisp, and bold, comforting flavors. His debut cookbook, Chili Crisp, was released in August 2023. You can find him eating and cooking his feelings at @jamesyworld on social media.

Roz Hernandez is a rising transgender comedian, writer, and host of the hit podcast Ghosted!, known for blending humor and cultural commentary. Her audio original Peeing in an Empty Bottle: And Other Glamorous Shenanigans of an Almost-Famous Transgender Comedienne on the Road is a comedic memoir documenting her self-produced cross-country tour performing in LGBTQ+ spaces across America. Blending memoir with live stand-up clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes audio, the project creates an immersive, documentary-style listening experience about finding community, safety, and joy. Peeing in an Empty Bottle is available wherever audiobooks are sold, including Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, and Libro.fm.

Raquel Willis is an award-winning activist, writer, and media strategist dedicated to collective liberation. She is the co-founder and strategic director of the Gender Liberation Movement, host of the podcasts Afterlives and Queer Chronicles, and author of The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation. A former national organizer for the Transgender Law Center, Raquel made history as the first openly Black transgender woman in a senior editorial role at a major U.S. magazine (Out). A TIME Woman of the Year and TIME100 honoree, she continues to shape culture through storytelling, strategy, and advocacy for Black trans freedom.

Jeff Hiller is the author of Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty Year Trail to Overnight Success which was a national bestseller. Jeff is also an actor most known for his Emmy winning role as Joel on HBO's "Somebody Somewhere". Other TV credits include: "Widow's Bay", "Pluribus", "Elsbeth", "Stumble", "Ghosts" and many more. Jeff is a regular performer at the UCB Theater and Joe's Pub where he performs solo storytelling shows.

J.M. Hirsch is a James Beard and IACP Award-winning food and travel writer. He is the former editorial director of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street and the national food editor for The Associated Press. He has reported from more than 60 countries and written seven books, including "Freezer Door Cocktails: 75 Cocktails That are Ready When You Are," "Pour Me Another: 250 Ways to Find Your Favorite Drink" and "Shake Strain Done: Craft Cocktails at Home." He lives in New Hampshire with his husband and too many cats.

Jesse James Rose (she/they) is a beautiful transgender actor, writer, and content creator based in New York City. Every president who has attacked her in the media has been shot at. Jesse's debut memoir SORRY I KEEP CRYING DURING SEX was met with rave reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus, and LA Review of Books called it "One of the funniest books I've ever read." The audiobook, which she recorded, debuted at #1 on Amazon's LGBTQ+ Audiobook chart (a statistic she loves, but a company she hates.) Her subsequent international book tour has spanned 15 cities of exclusively queer-owned independent bookstores. She is currently working on a novel and making it everyone's problem.

Adam Eli is a community organizer and author based in NYC.

Julia Turshen is a New York Times bestselling cookbook author. She writes a twice-weekly newsletter, teaches online cooking classes, farms part time at Long Season Farm, and is a competitive powerlifter. The Washington Post called her latest cookbook, What Goes with What, "absolutely genius." Julia lives in the Hudson Valley with her spouse Grace and their many pets.

Arnold Myint, a 2024 James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist, is the chef/owner of International Market in Nashville, TN which his family originally opened in 1975. His culinary approach is cooking Thai food through regional sustainability and actively works with the Tourism Authority of Thailand advocating Thai food in America. His restaurant is recognized by the Royal Thai Ministry of Commerce as a two star Thai Select and in 2025, was recognized by MICHELIN Guide for the American South. An alum and former culinary instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, Arnold competed on "Top Chef" and "Food Network Star." Arnold is also a contributor for Epicurious, Eater, and Saveur and his debut cookbook Family Thai, Bringing the Flavors of Thailand Home, is a New York Times and LA Times best cookbook for 2025. Additionally, Arnold has a drag alter ego, Suzy Wong, and was crowned Miss Gay America in 2017.

Cait Jacobs is the USA Today bestselling author of The Princess Knight. They grew up somewhere between the many farms and beaches of the North Fork of Long Island, NY. There, they found escape through the fictional worlds of books. Their love of literature inspired them to found BookTok and The Bookington Book Club. When they aren't writing or scrolling on social media, they spend their time obsessing over theater, Dungeons and Dragons, and caring for their many dogs and pet snake (known professionally as Jake from Snake Farm). You can find Cait sword fighting in the woods, or on Instagram, TikTok, and all additional platforms at @caitsbooks.

Missy Robbins is a chef, restaurateur, author, and co-founder of Grovehouse Hospitality. She is the chef and owner of Lilia, Misi, and Misipasta, and is recognized as one of the country's foremost authorities on Italian cooking. After beginning her career in Washington, D.C. and New York, Missy spent time cooking throughout Italy before going on to lead the acclaimed kitchens of Spiaggia in Chicago and A Voce in New York, where she earned Michelin stars for five consecutive years. In 2018, she received the James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York State. Missy is the author of Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner… Life and PASTA. She lives and works in New York City.

Vaughn Vreeland is a New York Times Cooking columnist, recipe developer and host of the series Bake Time. He's a loud and proud gay man and longtime West Village resident. His debut book, "Cookies" from the New York Times, is a colorful celebration of the world's greatest treat. He firmly believes you deserve to treat yourself whenever you can — and that there's a cookie in the book for everyone.

Dustin Thao is a Vietnamese American writer based in New York City. He graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Political Science and studied critical media literacy at Northwestern University. His debut novel You've Reached Sam is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. His second book, When Haru Was Here, published in September 2024. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling You've Found Oliver.

Perrin Roosevelt Ireland is an artist and environmentalist. For a decade, she worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), ultimately as deputy to the executive director. Her artwork has been published in Discover, Nature, Scientific American, and The Rumpus. She serves on the board of the Roosevelt Institute, was an inaugural Artist in Residence at the New York Aquarium, and is a Banff Graphic Novel Resident. Perrin lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her cats (and muses) Ursula and Pudge.

Rachel Karp is a writer and producer who has worked across podcasts, TV, film, theater, and digital media. The co-creator and producer of the award-winning documentary podcast Cruising, she has also supported series for LinkedIn News, Paramount+, A&E, and Oxygen. She holds a bachelor's degree in theater and English from Skidmore College. She lives in Brooklyn with her wife, Jen, in their home that has lovingly been dubbed "the home for wayward gays" by the multitude of queer friends and family members who have stayed there over the years.

Eliot Glazer is a writer and comedian best known for his work both on screen and behind the scenes of the Comedy Central series Broad City. He has also written for iCarly, New Girl, The Boys, Billy on the Street and Younger. As a performer, Eliot can be seen opposite Seth Rogen in the film American Pickle, HGTV's House Hunters: Comedians on Couches, and alongside Rachel Bloom on Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin's Netflix special Ladies Night Live. He frequently appears as a guest on The Howard Stern Wrap Up Show and his first book of original essays, published by Simon & Schuster, will be released in 2026.

Edy Massih is a chef, a caterer, and the owner of Edy's Grocer in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Born in Anfeh, Lebanon, Edy moved to the US at the age of ten. In 2016, he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and started a successful catering business, which soon became well known for its signature Brown Paper Boards. In August 2020, Edy opened his first storefront, Edy's Grocer, quickly becoming a neighborhood staple and gathering place serving great food and hosting various pop-ups, cookbook clubs, and dinner parties. His first cookbook, Keep It Zesty: A Celebration of Lebanese Flavors & Culture from Edy's Grocer came out in May 2024.

Haley Jakobson (she/her) is an author and playwright living in Brooklyn, NY. In her work she explores queerness, girlhood, brains, and bodies. Haley's debut novel OLD ENOUGH is a New York Times Editor's Choice, a Lambda Literary Award finalist for best bisexual fiction, and is described by Vogue as being "full of winsome bisexual chaos." Her sophomore novel, CAVEGIRL, about an obsessive compulsive bisexual nanny pining after a she/they lesbian barista, is forthcoming from Penguin Random House x Dutton Books.

J.D. Netto is a multi-genre bestselling author whose debut fantasy series, The Whispers of the Fallen, became an underground sensation upon release. He is the founder of Saved by the Page, a movement that invited readers to share how books changed their lives, later compiled into a published anthology. He is also known for Henderbell: The Shadow of Saint Nicholas, and The Broken Miracle duology, which inspired an original album featuring Paul Cardall, David Archuleta, and Tyler Glenn. In 2022, J.D. launched The Echoes of Fallen Stars, a fallen angel fantasy. USA Today hailed the series as "a creation that every fantasy lover must have in their collection." His latest YA romance, The Other Side of the Ocean, inspired by real events and focused on contemporary U.S. immigration, earned starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Booklist. Coming in 2026, Winterborne follows a bisexual prince raised in our world who uncovers his true heritage in a parallel kingdom cloaked in eternal ice. Beyond fiction, J.D. brings his storytelling into the world of branding through You Are Not for Everybody: An Honest Conversation About Branding, Storytelling, and Narrative. He is the founder of J.D. Netto Creative, a boutique agency specializing in brand strategy, graphic design, and web development. He is represented by Susan Velazquez at JABberwocky Literary.

Jenny Hagel is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and comedy performer in New York City. She is a writer/performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers, where she created the recurring segment "Jokes Seth Can't Tell" – which New York Magazine called "the best segment in late night." Jenny also served as Head Writer/Executive Producer of The Amber Ruffin Show. Other writing credits include the Golden Globe Awards, Impractical Jokers, and Big Gay Sketch Show. Jenny has been nominated for two GLAAD Awards for her work addressing LGBTQ issues on TV. Her debut essay collection "Advice No One Asked For" is available for pre-sale now wherever books are sold.

Spencer Thomas is a New York–based writer and content creator defining commentary for a new queer generation. With over 270K followers across platforms, his work includes reflections on current pop culture, navigating queer nightlife in New York, and documenting the uncertainty of your early twenties. Named one of Into More Magazine's "25 Under 25," Spencer has established himself as a candid voice in contemporary queer storytelling with his bestselling collection of stories, Goodbye to Boyhood.

Mason Deaver is the bestselling and award-winning author of young adult books like I Wish You All the Best, an NPR Concierge pick with a movie adaptation; and The Feeling of Falling in Love, which earned a starred review from BookPage. The Build-a-Boyfriend Project was their adult romance debut. Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, Mason now calls San Francisco home, with three feline roommates.

Rose Dommu is the author of the Substack newsletter Mall Goth and host of the podcast Like a Virgin. Rose previously managed LGBTQ+ social media editorial strategy at Netflix. A former senior staff writer at Out magazine, Dommu also hosted the magazine's podcast, The Outcast. As a journalist, she has written for Paper, Vice, Them, Gay Times, Elite Daily, and other publications. She is the co-founder of the queer art collective The Culture Whore, which staged large-scale art events across the United States and Europe. Dommu lives in Brooklyn with her alarmingly large collection of shoes.

Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez spent almost a decade in gay conversion therapy—all while working behind the scenes at some of the most influential Evangelical Christian megachurches. After embracing his identity as a gay Christian and stepping away from church work, he co-founded Church Clarity, an organization that helps queer people find affirming faith communities. A writer and commentator focused on the intersection of faith, sexuality, and belonging, Tim has contributed to TIME, Oprah Daily, Harper's Bazaar, Religion News Service, and The Advocate, and he was a 2026 GLAAD Media Award nominee for Outstanding Journalism. Born in the Midwest, he now calls New York City home, where he continues his work as a writer, digital strategist, and advocate for queer people of faith.

Page Powars is the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Indie bestselling author of And They Were Roommates, The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, and more coming down the line. He was raised by video game lore that requires stringboard analyses to understand. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner.

Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016; The Editor, named by NPR as one of the Best Books of 2019; The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor; The Celebrants, a TODAY Show Read With Jenna Book Club pick; and the instant USA Today bestsellers The Guncle Abroad and The Dogs of Venice. His fiction has been published in twenty languages. Originally from Portland, Maine, he is a graduate of Emerson College and currently resides in Palm Springs with his husband, the writer Byron Lane, and three rescue dogs.

Alexandria Bellefleur is a bestselling and award-winning author of swoony contemporary romance often featuring lovable grumps and the sunshine characters who bring them to their knees. Her debut novel, Written in the Stars, was a 2021 Lambda Literary Award winner and a 2020 winner of the Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.

Ryan La Sala is a bestselling and award-winning author known for his genre-defying, queer-centered horror and fantasy, including The Dead of Summer, The Honeys, and Beholder. His work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, and more. He writes to you from New York, overseen by his cat, Haunted Little Girl. He can hold his breath for one minute and three seconds. You can ping him on his shell phone at ryanlasala.com.

Andrea Bartz is a journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club pick We Were Never Here, The Spare Room, The Lost Night, The Herd, and The Last Ferry Out. Her thrillers have been optioned by Netflix, Hulu, and other production companies, and more than half a million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Marie Claire, Vogue, and many other outlets, and she's held editorial positions at Glamour, Psychology Today, and Self. She was also a lead plaintiff in the landmark class-action lawsuit Bartz v. Anthropic, which was the first major win for creatives against an AI company as well as the largest copyright recovery in history. She lives with her girlfriend and pets in Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley.

Ella Dawson is a sex and culture critic and the author of But How Are You, Really, a romance novel about college reunions and millennial angst. She is also the host of the Rebel Ever After podcast about progressive romance novels. Follow her on social media as @brosandprose.

Jenna Voris writes books about ambitious girls and galaxy-traversing adventures. She was born and raised in Indiana—where she learned to love roundabouts and the art of college basketball—and now calls Washington, DC, home. When she's not writing, she can be found perfecting her road trip playlists and desperately trying to keep her houseplants alive. She is also the author of Made of Stars and Every Time You Hear That Song.

Edward Schmit is a bestselling author based in New York City. From theatre kid to graphic designer to creative director, he's always exploring new ways to tell stories. A passionate mental health advocate, he's worked in the nonprofit space for over seven years. His debut novel, The Open Era, became an instant USA Today bestseller. Described as "a beautiful romance, full of longing" by The Los Angeles Times and "a glittering triumph" by Teen Vogue, The Open Era combines three things close to his heart: queer love stories, mental health awareness, and the most beautiful sport in the world—tennis.

Zakiya N. Jamal was born in Queens, raised on Long Island, and currently resides in Brooklyn. In other words, she's a New Yorker through and through. She holds a BA in English from Georgetown University and a MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children and Young Adults from The New School. You can find her on social media at @zakiyanjamal.

Maddie Martinez is the USA Today bestselling author of The Maiden and Her Monster and the forthcoming novel The Haunting of Lady Death. She has a bachelor's in political science and a master's in international peace and conflict resolution, which greatly inspires her writing. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, you can now find Maddie in New York City, filling her tiny apartment with an unwieldy number of books.

Grant Ginder is the author of six novels, including the national bestseller So Old, So Young and The People We Hate at the Wedding, which was adapted into a major motion picture starring Allison Janney, Kristen Bell, and Ben Platt. Originally from Southern California, Ginder received his MFA from NYU, where he currently teaches writing. He lives in Brooklyn with his family.

Brian D. Kennedy (he/him) is the award-winning author of A Little Bit Country and My Fair Brady. Born and raised in Minnesota, he now lives in New York City with his husband and their miniature Schnauzer. When not writing, he can be found working at an LGBTQ nonprofit and obsessing over all things Dolly Parton.

John Glynn is the Editorial Director of Hanover Square Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. He is the author of the acclaimed nonfiction debut, Out East: Memoir of a Montauk Summer. His debut novel, The Lost Book of Lancelot, was published by Grand Central Publishing in May 2026. Originally from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, he lives in New York City with his partner and dog.

Camille Perri is the author of The Assistants and When Katie Met Cassidy. She has worked as a books editor for Cosmopolitan and Esquire. She has also been a ghostwriter of young adult novels and a reference librarian. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from New York University, where she majored in English and gender and sexuality studies, and a masters of library science degree from Queens College. She splits her time between New York City and the Hudson Valley with her wife and their Brussels Griffon named Pip.

Kim Narby is a queer writer from Seattle. Her work has been published in Write or Die and People Magazine. She has organized with the New York City Dyke March, and received support from the McCormack Writing Center (formerly the Tin House Summer Workshop). Her debut novel, Saturn Returning, was published with the Sapph-Lit imprint of Bindery Books in May 2026. Kim lives in Brooklyn with her cocker spaniel, Georgia. You can find her on social media at @kimnarby.

Kimm Topping is an artist and writer living in Brooklyn, NY. They're the author of Generation Queer (Lee & Low Books, 2025), editor of Floriography, and the 2026 Artist in Residence at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. Find their work at lavendereducation.com and on Instagram at @floriographystudionyc.

Ashley Woodfolk is the award-winning author of over ten books including the highly acclaimed novels The Beauty That Remains, When You Were Everything, and Nothing Burns As Bright As You. A publishing professional for over a decade, Ashley is now a full-time mom and writer who spends most of her time drinking coffee, running after her children, and making up stories she sometimes writes down. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Amy B. Scher is a bestselling and award-winning author of six books translated into over 20 languages. She is known for her wildly popular How To Heal Yourself series, along with her co-authored queer travel guide, Out In the World, with National Geographic. Her debut YA novel, The Unexpected Afterlife of Salon Rose, is equal parts murder mystery, coming-of-age-while-dead, and afterlife love story (August 2026, Tiny Ghost Press). Amy has been featured in Oprah Daily, The Washington Post, Good Morning America, CBS, Cosmopolitan, and more. She lives with her wife in New York City where they spend most of their time planning their next meals, next adventures, or watching another episode of The Golden Girls.