Queer

Palm Springs City Council to Address Grand Jury Findings on Grant Oversight Amid Queer Works CEO Fraud Case

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Palm Springs, California, is facing scrutiny over its grant management practices as the City Council prepares to discuss a grand jury report linked to the indictment of Queer Works CEO Jacob Joseph Aaron Rostovsky. The Riverside County civil grand jury released its findings on June 23, highlighting deficiencies in the city’s procedures for processing and monitoring grants and contracts after a thorough investigation. The report revealed that Rostovsky, 35, allegedly misappropriated over $90,000 intended for mental health services supporting the transgender and nonbinary community. He was indicted on Oct. 16, 2024, facing 53 counts of … Read more

Cannes Spotlight: “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo” Shines as Top Film in Un Certain Regard, Celebrating Queer Narratives and Emerging Talent

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CANNES, France — Diego Céspedes’ film, “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” has been awarded the top honor in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, as announced by the jury on Friday. The film tells the story of an 11-year-old girl navigating life in a queer family set against the backdrop of a small Chilean mining town during the early 1980s. The narrative unfolds amid rising anxiety over a perplexing disease alleged to spread through looks exchanged between men. In addition to Céspedes’ triumph, the Jury Prize was awarded to Simón … Read more

Marathi Queer Drama ‘Sabar Bonda’ Shines at Sundance, Clinching the Grand Jury Prize

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Pune, India – The Marathi film “Sabar Bonda” (Cactus Pears), directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, clinched the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema: Dramatic category at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film stood out as the singular Indian entry competing, highlighting a significant achievement for the nation’s cinematic presence on the global stage. “Sabar Bonda” delves into the complexities of queer relationships set against the rustic backdrop of a Maharashtrian village. The narrative follows Anand, a man in his thirties, who revisits his ancestral village to fulfill mourning rituals for his deceased father. … Read more

Nicola Dinan’s ‘Bellies’ Triumphs at Polari Debut Prize, Celebrating Trans Narratives in Queer Literature

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London, UK – Emerging writer Nicola Dinan achieved significant recognition by winning the Polari Debut Prize for her novel “Bellies,” a narrative centered on the youthful entanglements of Tom and Ming, who find their relationship challenged as they navigate adulthood and personal truth in London. Dinan’s portrayal of Ming’s transition has struck a chord within the queer literary community, elevating trans experiences through her narrative. Dinan’s literary journey benefited greatly from her time at the Faber Academy, where she embraced the identity of a writer and shed any inhibitions about taking her craft seriously. Her … Read more