By Jake Naylor

As we turn the page to PRIDE Month, this issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine is rooted in a simple yet powerful idea: community is not just something we belong to; it is something we build, protect, and carry forward together.

PRIDE has always been about visibility, but visibility alone is not enough. It must be paired with connection, care, and a commitment to showing up for one another in both big and small ways. The stories in this issue reflect the many ways our community continues to evolve, expand, and deepen those connections across generations, identities, and experiences.

We begin outdoors, quite literally, with the continued growth of PRIDE OUTside Hikes. What started as a request for something inclusive, accessible, and alcohol-free has blossomed into a ten-year tradition of connection under the desert sky. The featured First Creek Canyon Trail reminds us that community doesn’t always need a stage or spotlight, sometimes it’s built step by step, side by side, in shared moments of movement, conversation, and fresh air.

From there, we are asked to look ahead and inward with Eric Peterson’s powerful reflection on aging in our community. “The Second Closet” is not just a concept; it’s a call to action. As we celebrate how far we’ve come, we must also ask how we care for those who paved the way. True PRIDE means ensuring our elders are not only remembered but also supported, honored, and able to live fully and authentically at every stage of life.

That same spirit of building and bridging community shines through in our spotlight on Miss Las Vegas Latin PRIDE 2026. Her vision is clear: unity through collaboration, visibility through action, and strength through shared purpose. Her leadership reminds us that our power multiplies when we uplift one another across cultures and communities.

Art, too, plays a vital role in shaping connection, as seen in our feature on Liezl Siojo. Through her work and her space at Art Box, she has created more than a gallery; she has cultivated a living, breathing hub for artists, dreamers, and collaborators. Her story is a testament to the idea that creativity is not just self-expression; it is community-building in its most colorful and tangible form.

And then there is the night; electric, expressive, and unapologetically alive. Liquid Gold at Oddyssey Noir transforms nightlife into a shared canvas, where identity, performance, and celebration collide. Especially during PRIDE Month, these themed nights become more than events; they are immersive reflections of the many layers of our community, from joy and liberation to culture and connection.

Karen Brain’s “Exclusively Inclusive” challenges us to expand our definition of community even further. Her perspective reminds us that allyship, accessibility, and intentional inclusion are not optional; they are essential. Whether through chosen family, adaptive innovation, or simply showing up as a “helper,” community is strongest when no one is left behind.

We also take a moment to honor legacy with our look at Liberace, a figure whose brilliance and boldness helped shape the very essence of Las Vegas entertainment. His story is a reminder that even in times when authenticity wasn’t fully embraced, expression still found a way to shine, and in doing so, lit the path for future generations.

We also turn our focus to the next generation of changemakers with a look at student organizations at UNLV. From the early days of the Gay Academic Union to today’s diverse and thriving groups, these students are not only creating safe spaces, they are actively shaping the future of queer identity in Nevada. Their work reminds us that community is a living legacy, constantly redefined by those brave enough to build it from the ground up.

In this issue’s stunning fashion spread, the story of Miss International Queen USA 2026 unfolds not just through imagery but through emotion, resilience, and authenticity. Captured through the lens of Daniel Travis, each frame reflects the power of visibility and the beauty of living one’s truth. These moments go beyond aesthetics; they are a celebration of identity and a reminder that representation in all its forms is a cornerstone of community.

We are also introduced to Eduardo Celis, Mr. Las Vegas Latin PRIDE 2026, whose journey is rooted in heritage, perseverance, and a deep commitment to advocacy. His voice speaks to the intersection of culture and queerness, highlighting both the challenges and the strengths found within the Latinx LGBTQIA+ community. Through his passion for education, visibility, and service, he exemplifies how leadership can inspire meaningful change and uplift those who need it most.

Equally powerful is the story of Lukas Serrano, Mr. Las Vegas Trans PRIDE, whose work centers on visibility, access, and dignity for the trans community. His journey is one of courage and transformation, shaped by lived experience and fueled by a desire to create safer, more inclusive spaces for others. Lukas reminds us that representation is not just about being seen, it’s about opening doors, shifting systems, and ensuring that no one has to navigate their path alone.

The inspiring journey of Lo Colby, whose path to Miss International Queen USA 2026 is as profound as it is empowering, is one of self-discovery, cultural pride, and unwavering determination. Beyond the crown, she carries a mission to create real opportunities for transgender women, proving that true impact lies not just in visibility, but in building pathways for others to rise.

Finally, voices like Loki Disturbing remind us that identity is ever-evolving, playful, and deeply personal. Through creativity, risk-taking, and a refusal to conform, new forms of visibility continue to emerge, expanding what PRIDE can look like for the next generation.

Together, these stories form a mosaic of what community truly means: connection across difference, care across time, and celebration across every expression of self.

This PRIDE Month, may we not only celebrate who we are, but recommit to how we show up for one another. Because at its heart, PRIDE is not just a moment, it is a movement sustained by community.

With PRIDE & gratitude,

Jake Naylor
Editor-in-Chief
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

This article was originally published in the 2026 PRIDE Month & Community Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.