Las Vegas may be known for dazzling lights, bold personalities, and a “what-happens-here” spirit, but few local icons embody that energy with as much purpose and pride as the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Part spiritual satire, part community lifeline, the Sisters have served the Las Vegas LGBTQ+ community for over two decades, wielding compassion, drag, and activism like sacred tools.

It gives me immense pleasure to summon you to an evening filled with primal sin and seduction. An evening unlike any other you have ever experienced; I present and invite all to attend ABSOLUTION on the 11th day of the 10th month of October in the year 2025.

“Don’t be afraid to be who you truly are.” For Meliton, these are not just words of encouragement but a lived truth that defines his journey from a closeted teenager in Hungary to standing proudly today as Mr. Las Vegas PRIDE. His story is one of resilience, courage, and love; a reminder that embracing authenticity can transform not only your life but also the lives of those around you.

Some would say the drama, stress, and cohabitation of an Emperor, Empress, Drag Queen, and an old married couple would be enough to make anyone go crazy, but not for our Mr. and Mrs. Las Vegas PRIDE 2024-2025, Derek Guerrero and Norma Llyaman (Jim McCoy). These two were already crazy before they began their reign as community representatives! For them, it was a cake walk!

Las Vegas PRIDE is raising the bar for celebration and community connection with the 2025 PRIDE Community Festival, taking place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 3–10 PM at the brand-new Desert Breeze Events Center. This year promises more entertainment, more heart, and more ways to connect, with hundreds of vendors and exhibitors and, best of all, a lower ticket price so more people can join in on the fun.

As I mentioned in my Spring 2023 article, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 1½. I spent a third of my childhood in the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, starting at age 3. We called it going to Rehab. The impact of arthritis on my education, both positive and negative, started in preschool.

When we last spoke with Angelo Gomez in 2023, the decorated police officer and proud gay Latino trailblazer shared his inspiring path of public service, advocacy, and resilience. Now, Angelo has added another powerful title to his résumé: author. With his debut children’s book, Hero Inside, Gomez turns his lifelong passion for service into a heartfelt and empowering story for the next generation, especially those who feel like they don’t quite fit in.

You’ve stood in front of the mirror and thought: “I have nothing to wear.” But here’s the truth: it’s rarely about the clothes. What you’re really saying is: “Nothing in this closet feels like me.” The closet is one of the most personal spaces we own, yet for so many, it’s also a battlefield.

Las Vegas PRIDE is set to shine even brighter this year with the addition of acclaimed comedian Roz Hernandez as a stage emcee and entertainer. Known for her sharp wit, paranormal curiosity, and unapologetically queer perspective, Roz is a force on the comedy scene; one who brings equal parts laughter and empowerment to every stage she graces.

Las Vegas’ most anticipated night of fashion, entertainment, and philanthropy is back. On Saturday, September 20, Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) hosts its 39th Annual Black & White Party at the iconic KAOS Nightclub inside Palms Casino Resort, promising a “Wild West” showdown like no other—all in the name of supporting Southern Nevadans living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Former American Idol finalist and acclaimed pop-soul vocalist David Hernandez has always worn his heart on his sleeve through his music, but his latest single, “feel it all” (out September 12, 2025), is his most vulnerable work yet; a deeply personal anthem of healing, sobriety, and shared connection.

The Las Vegas PRIDE team was invited to be special guests at the VIP Media / Influencers Kickoff for the Wizard of OZ Experience at the Venetian on August 2. The display is a promotional tie-in for the “Wizard of OZ Experience” at the Sphere, which opened on August 28.

As summer fades and autumn arrives, the cosmos brings balance, grounding, and transformation. September offers clarity around routines and relationships, while October’s eclipse season invites breakthroughs and bold shifts. It’s a time of harvest; reaping the lessons of the year so far and stepping into the next chapter of your queer journey with strength and authenticity.

As we start to wrap up Summer and head into the last quarter of 2025 (and into Las Vegas PRIDE season), we have so much to be thankful for, to look forward to, and so very much work ahead of us. While our community faces so much adversity, we also see so much help, love, and support. All marginalized groups know that we have more in common with our neighbors than our differences.

When international drag icon Sasha Colby announced her 30-city “Stripped II” tour, the press release read like a beacon in turbulent times. Produced by Live Nation, the trek opens September 16, 2025, at Seattle’s Moore Theatre and winds through North America—Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, Las Vegas, and beyond—before the grand finale in Honolulu on November 15. Tickets are available on TheSashaColby.com.

The heat is on, and so is your cosmic glow-up. July and August 2025 bring fiery self-expression, bold emotional moves, and plenty of queer magic under the summer sun. Whether you’re dancing with PRIDE, deepening connections, or rewriting the rules of your life, this is a season to live out loud and love without limits.

Cocktail Coalition Bars help to support Las Vegas PRIDE’s programs with financial contributions, event space and participation. Please join us in thanking them for their generous support of our community!

In the heart of New York City, where the hustle and clamor of urban life often drown out the cries of the unseen, the Ali Forney Center (AFC) stands as a sanctuary and a lifeline for LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth experiencing homelessness. Founded in 2002 by Carl Siciliano in memory of gender-nonconforming youth Ali Forney, the center has grown from six beds in a church basement to become the largest organization of its kind in the nation. Today, it serves over 2,000 young people annually with dignity, empathy, and a mission rooted in empowerment.

Nick San Pedro’s musically inspired figurative paintings have led him to share his works with everyone from Madonna, Steven Spielberg, Celine Dion, & Elton John, among many others. The artist’s oversized painted faces were propelled into the spotlight after a commission to create paintings for the Grammy Awards.

Brian “Paco” Alvarez is not your regular “Art Aficionado!” He is more! Much, much more! He is a living, breathing, walking, and talking art curator, Anthropologist, activist, and creative polymath! Paco knows art. He lives art. He sleeps art. He is the epitome of the Las Vegas Art scene and that is why we are honored to call him our very own Queer MASTERPIECE!

In a kaleidoscope of sequins, heels, and fierce personas, drag queen entertainment continues to captivate audiences across the globe. Far more than mere spectacle, drag is a powerful art form rooted in centuries of performance tradition, social commentary, and self-expression. Today, amid both adoration and controversy, drag remains an enduring symbol of creativity, resilience, and pride.