Unleashed LGBTQ is Coming Out of the Virtual Closet for the First National LGBTQ+ Business & Entertainment Festival!
After a successful pandemic virtual launch, Unleashed LGBTQ hosts its first in-person LGBTQ conference and festival for LGBTQ+ professionals in Dallas, September 2023.
Gilley’s Dallas 1135 Botham Jean Blvd Dallas, TX 75215
LOS ANGELES, CA (February 13th, 2023) - Wesley Smoot, in partnership with iHeart Radio, equalpride (Out, The Advocate, Advocate Channel, Pride, Plus, Out Traveler), Dallas Voice, and Kelly Ann Winget announce their Unleashed LGBTQ conference and festival in Dallas, Texas, on September 22nd - 24th, 2023. This trailblazing event will bring LGBTQ+ professionals from across the country to connect in a fun and interactive environment with top talent, brands, and industry leaders across Business, Entertainment, Fashion, Travel, and Technology sectors. Attendees will be introduced to the latest products, services, and campaigns entering the LGBTQ market through keynotes, panels, workshops, screenings, and live performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ culture. For announcements about speakers and entertainers, visit the link here.
“You’ll love what these guys are doing... They’re basically creating a “gay SXSW.” – Matt Skallerud of Pink Media
Following a successful virtual launch during the pandemic, this three-day in-person event arrives at Gilley’s Dallas – one of the most sought-after and beautiful conference venues in Texas, with 92,000 square feet across seven unique rooms, multiple stages, and rooftop views of the Dallas skyline – and the neighboring Cedars Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, an upscale theater and dining complex where film and television screenings and panels from popular streaming services, studios, and networks will take place.
Each day begins with educational topics (e.g., Effective Advertising, Financial Planning, Entrepreneurship, DEI, LGBTQ+ Representation in Media & Politics) and high-tech and experiential brand marketing installments and transitions to entertainment (e.g., music, drag, and comedy performances, panels from film and television). There will be ample opportunities for professional networking using the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized events and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.
Speakers and Entertainers for LGBTQ Unleashed 2023 will be announced in groups leading up to the event date. Last year’s virtual events included a diverse slate of speakers and performers, including Comedian Matteo Lane (Netflix, Comedy Central), drag diva Carmen Carrera (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Victoria’s Secret fashion show), Brian Sims (Pennsylvania State Representative), Stacey Chosed (CEO, League at AT&T), Michael Sam (first openly gay NFL draftee), Gravity Balmain (HBO Max’s Legendary), comedian Daniel Webb (Apple TV, Comedy Central), and trans activist Celia Sandhya Daniels (Trans Can Work nonprofit), to name a few.
Unleashed LGBTQ is currently taking submissions for additional speakers, panelists, artists, brands, and project premiers. For more information about registration, participation, or ticket sales, visit: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com/
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Unleashed LGBTQ will have designated areas for press to connect with talent and other industry professionals. Bloggers, journalists, and influencers can request information about press credentials by emailing press@unleashedlgbtq.com.
Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to receive support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).
Media Contact
Amanda Samoyloff│Samoyloff PR amanda@samoyloffpr.com
Alamo Drafthouse Cedars—Dallas, Texas
Unleashed LGBTQ Founder/CEO, Wesley Smoot
Queerty Announces Nominees for The 11th Annual Queerties Award Show
Los Angeles, CA – January 25, 2023: Queerty, the LGBTQ+ entertainment news site, is announcing its nominees for The 11th anniversary Queerties awards, taking place February 28th in Los Angeles. The Queerties is a celebration of entertainment and pop culture moments that defined the past year in the LGBTQ+ community. It is designed to uplift and spotlight LGBTQ+ creators, tastemakers, and storytellers who are not often recognized at other award shows.
“The Queerties gives voice to the LGBTQ+ community,” Scott Gatz of Q.Digital, the parent company of Queerty, explains. “It is the only pop culture awards show where queer people vote for the talent and creatives they feel will have the most lasting impact on the next generation of queer youth.”
Bianca Del Rio will host this year’s ceremony. “Grab your sequins, grab your feathers, grab your leather harnesses, and let's be merry, Marys," she says.
Nominees for The Queerties were selected by the editorial team at Queerty. Winners will be voted on by Queerty readers from now through February 21. Categories range from the “Badass” award, honoring the top LGBTQ+ newsmakers, to “Drag Royalty,” and “Closet Door Bustdown”, an award recognizing brave notables who shook up mainstream America with their coming out stories.
Nominees in the “Bad Ass” category include Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island, Loot), Jim Parsons (Spoiler Alert), and Ryan O’Connell (Queer as Folk), among others. Willow Pill will compete against Alaska, Raja, Eureka! and more for the “Drag Royalty” crown. Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Rebel Wilson, Noah Schnapp (Stranger Things) and Aunjanue Ellis (upcoming The Color Purple) are among the stars competing in the “Closet Door Bustdown” category.
Billy Eichner (Bros), Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery) and Troye Sivan (Three Months) are among those competing in “Best Performance Film”. Indie artists being recognized include influencers Chris Olsen and Megan Mitchell, vying for “Favorite TikTok-er”; Omar Rudberg and Chappell Roan, both named in the “Breakout Musical Artist” category; and Cole Escola and Jeffery Self, whose popular comedy show, Breakfast Buffet, is competing for “Top LGBTQ+ Podcast”.
This year’s event honors Dylan Mulvaney, an actress who documented her gender transition to her ten million followers on TikTok, and musician Rufus Wainwright. Gay music artist VINCINT will perform at the ceremony.
And what is a queer award show without at least a little shade? The 11th anniversary ceremony will also award its renowned “Girl, Bye” prize, the category that execrates the individual most scorned by the LGBTQ+ community. Nominees for 2023 include Candace Cameron Bure, Kanye West, Elon Musk and Ginni Thomas, among others.
For more information on The 11th Annual Queerties Award Show and to vote for your favorite nominees, visit www.queerty.com/Queerties.
Here are the nominees:
BADASS
Rosie O'Donnell
Joel Kim Booster
Jim Parsons
Yasmin Finney
Ryan O'Connell
Keke Palmer
Jinkx Monsoon
Jerrod Carmichael
Ts Madison
David Archuleta
DRAG ROYALTY
Victoria E. Black
Alaska 5000
Militia Scunt
Honey Mahogany
Raja
Victoria Scone
Hot Chocolate/Larry Edwards
Tenderoni
Eureka O’Hara
Willow Pill
FUTURE ALL-STAR
Kerri Colby
Jasmine Kennedie
Miss Fiercalicious
Angeria Paris VanMicheals
Tempest DuJour
Kornbread
Thirsty Von Trapp a.k.a Mark Indelicato
Plastique Tiara
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
Jorgeous
PODCAST
Sibling Rivalry
Hall and Closet
Still Processing
Breakfast Buffet
Hi Jinkx!
Vibe Check
MLVC: The Madonna Podcast
Las Culturistas
FANTI
Lez Hang Out
CLOSET DOOR BUSTDOWN
Aunjanue Ellis
Ellia Green
Queens of Drag Race Season 14 (Kerri Colby, Bosco, Jasmine Kennedy, Kornbread, & Willow Pill)
Noah Schnapp
TJ House
Kit Connor
Maybelle Blair
Rebel Wilson
Sanjaya Malakar
Tevin Campbell
FAVORITE INSTA-FOLLOW
Jonathan Bennett
Jazz Jennings
TonyTalks
Renee Rapp
George Takei
Laith Ashley
Dominique R Jackson
GFlip
Matt Bernstein
Benito Skinner
FAVORITE TIK-TOKER
Juwan Gutierrez
Chris Olsen
Kelon
Garret Clayton
Henry Jiménez Kerbox
Emira D’Spain
Austin Cho
Boman Martinez-Reid
Megan Mitchell
Ebony and Denise (@Team2Moms)
BREAKOUT MUSICAL ARTIST
Madison Rose
Gia Woods
Omar Rudberg
Lagoona Bloo
Ocean Kelly
Sam Williams
Omar Apollo
Zee Machine
Chappell Roan
Doechii
COMIC
Fortune Feimster
Matt Rogers
Sherry Cola
Matteo Lane
Dewayne Perkins
Jerrod Carmichael
Mae Martin
Meg Stalter
Rob Anderson
Nicole Byer
LIVE THEATER
& Juliet
Titanique
A Strange Loop
Melissa Etheridge: A Journey Through Life
Take Me Out
Drag: The Musical
The Collaboration
Fat Ham
Merrily We Roll Along
Best of Enemies
MUSIC VIDEO
"C'mon Loretta" by Trixie Mattel
"Let Go & Your Name" by Shea Coulee
"The Loneliest Time" by Carly Rae Jepsen ft. Rufus Wainwright
"Becky's So Hot" by Fletcher
"Black" by Bob the Drag Queen, Basit, & Ocean Kelly
"i get high" by Jordy
"This Hell" by Rina Sawayama
"The Curse of the Blackened Eye" by Orville Peck
"AMEIANOITE" by Pabllo Vittar & Gloria Groove
"Away From You" by Zach Campbell
ANTHEM
"Unholy" by Sam Smith ft. Kim Petras
"You and Me On The Rock" by Brandi Carlile ft. Lucius
"What I Want" by MUNA
"Everybody's Gay" by Lizzo
"Hold Me Closer" by Elton John & Britney Spears
"Booty" by Santana & Latto
"COZY" by Beyonce ft. Honey Dijon & Ts Madison
"Boys Don't Cry (Live)" by Anitta ft. Miley Cyrus
"Bad Habit" by Steve Lacy
"Boyfriend" by Dove Cameron
STUDIO MOVIE
Anything's Possible
Bodies Bodies Bodies
Bros
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Fire Island
Better Nate Than Ever
My Policeman
Spoiler Alert
Tár
The Inspection
TV COMEDY
A League Of Their Own
Hacks
Heartstopper
I Love That For You
Reservation Dogs
Smiley
Sort Of
The White Lotus: Sicily
Uncoupled
What We Do In The Shadows
TV DRAMA
American Horror Story: NYC
Elite
Euphoria
Interview With The Vampire
P Valley
Queer As Folk
Severance
The L Word: Generation Q
Welcome To Chippendales
Young Royals
REALITY/DOCU-SERIES
Trixie Motel
Bargain Block
Legendary
The Andy Warhol Diaries
The Book of Queer
The Big Brunch
The Boulet Brothers' Dragula: Titans
Lesbian Bar Project
Queer for Fear
We're Here
PERFORMANCE - TV
Abbi Jacobson - A League Of Their Own
Bilal Baig - Sort Of
Devery Jacobs - Reservation Dogs
Harvey Guillén - What We Do In The Shadows
Jeff Hiller - Somebody, Somewhere
Joe Locke - Heartstopper
Michaela Jae Rodriguez - Loot
Murray Bartlett - Welcome To Chippendales
Nicco Annan - P Valley
Vico Ortiz - Our Flag Means Death
Emma D'arcy - House Of The Dragon
Johnny Sibilly - Queer As Folk
PERFORMANCE - FILM
Amandla Stenberg - Bodies Bodies Bodies
Ben Aldridge - Spoiler Alert
Billy Eichner - Bros
Eva Reign - Anything's Possible
Conrad Ricamora - Fire Island
Jamie Clayton - Hellraiser
Janelle Monáe - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Jeremy Pope - The Inspection
Stephanie Hsu - Everything Everywhere All At Once
Troye Sivan - Three Months
INDIE MOVIE
Benediction
Close
Firebird
Girl Picture
Joyland
Please Baby Please
The Swimmer
Three Months
We're All Going To The World's Fair
Wildhood
DOCUMENTARY
A Sexplanation
All Man: The International Male Story
All The Beauty And The Bloodshed
Framing Agnes
George Michael: Freedom Uncut
God Forbid
Mama's Boy
Access All Areas: The AAA Girls Tour
Holding Moses
Stay On Board: The Leo Baker Story
WEBSERIES
Interested In
Avocado Toast
Adam In Fragments
The Michael Henry Cinematic Universe
WeHost with Zach Noe Towers & Darren Bluestone
IMHO: The Show
The Walk In with Mo Heart
Moonie
Translation
I Need Space
BEST READ
Just By Looking At Him by Ryan O'Connell
You Gotta Be You by Brandon Kyle Goodman
The One You Want To Marry by Sophie Santos
Let's Not Do That Again by Grant Ginder
Working Girls by Trixie and Katya
Daughters of the New Year by E.M. Tran
The You Kind of Kind by Nina West
This Time For Me by Alexandra Billings
Miss Memory Lane by Colton Haynes
My Government Means To Kill Me by Rasheed Newsom
NEXT BIG THING
The Little Mermaid
Nyad
Fellow Travelers
Legally Blonde 3
The Color Purple
Yellowjackets
Oppenheimer
Barbie
Rustin
They Both Die At The End
GIRL, BYE
Ron DeSantis
Candace Cameron Bure
Ginni Thomas
Elon Musk
George Santos
Kevin Sorbo
Laura Ingraham
Kanye West
Kevin McCarthy
JK Rowling
Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual Line-Up Expands with PA Rep. Brian Sims, Carmen Carrera, Matteo Lane, & Michael Sam
BY WESLEY SMOOT
Announcing Democratic Pennsylvania Rep. and activist Brian Sims- along with more featured speakers across entertainment, culture, and business for Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual, a premier digital experience March 25-27, 2021.
“I’ve always loved State Rep Brian Sims. He always brings a fresh and fearless take, it’s evident especially, in his Twitter posts. (Follow him!) He is vocal about issues he cares about, I applaud him for speaking openly about Planned Parenthood, I can’t wait to hear him at Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual.”
-Joseph Wayne Henry Love, Director of Operations- Unleashed LGBTQ
Congressman Brian Sims will discuss with Pink Media, LGBTQ marketing expert and host of #ILoveGayToday, Matt Skallerud how the LGBTQ community has effectively used their voice and their vote to change history for the better in the 2020 presidential election..
“Big change looks A lot like smaller efforts, performed consistently, with history and morality on their side.”
-Congressman Brian Sims
PA Representative Brian Sims
Other speakers, performers, and brands confirmed for Unleashed LGBTQ ViRtual include activist, actresses, model- Carmen Carrera, who will be discussing her latest business venture CC3 Entertainment, a talent agency where Carmen aims to change the entertainment industry one booking at a time.
“I’m excited to support and work with all the iconic talent within CC3 Entertainment. We are a family. I want all of our talent to use their minds and their voices to go after all their dreams and goals. I believe in all of our talent and we will change the world in a great way.”
-Carmen Carrera Founder of CC3 Entertainment
Carmen Carrera
Matteo Lane will seduce our virtual attendees with a sultry yet hilarious rendition of Barbara Steisand’s famous jazz set at Bon Soir with his own updated stylings. Award winning director and composer Henry Koperski Accompanies Matteo on piano, together flooding Audiences with musical magic from the 1960’s.
“She was wacky, brilliant, and beautiful. She had a musical sensibility that was far too advanced for someone her age. Thankfully one of her shows was recorded and lives on as Barbara Streisand, Live at the Bon Soir.”
-Matteo Lane
Matteo Lane
Additional line-up confirmed for Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual includes:
LGBTQ Sports Icon Michael Sam
Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker Wadooah Wali
League at AT&T CEO Stacey Chosed
Find current line-up at www.unleashedlgbtq.com/lineup
Registry is open to public at no cost until January 29, 2021. Prior to closing registration, access code will be required and provided exclusively to individuals working in specific industries.
Unleashed LGBTQ creates a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ professionals to connect. Attendees can see the latest products, services, and campaigns, entering the LGBTQ market including apps, fashions, non-profits, travel/destination, and more. Unleashed LGBTQ will host keynotes, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ film, television, and music.
Unleashed LGBTQ Virtual