LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Read the full @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social feature at www.outsmartmagazine.com/2026/07/chri...
#OutSmartMagazine #Galveston #LGBTQ #Texas #Journalism

Galveston’s LGBTQ Community Builds Support Beyond the Beach

For much of the Houston area, Galveston is synonymous with sunny beach days, Mardi Gras celebrations, hurricane updates, or a stroll through Dickens on The Strand each December. But beyond the ...

www.outsmartmagazine.com

July 14, 2026 at 3:09 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

-UPDTAED-
I'm honored that @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social's coverage of #Houston rainbow crosswalks won the 2026 @nlgjaofficial.bsky.social Excellence in Journalism Award for Excellence in Packaging.
Read: www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/hous...
#NLGJA #LGBTQJournalism #OutSmartMagazine

June 21, 2026 at 8:25 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

I'm honored that @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social's coverage of the #Houston rainbow crosswalks won the 2026 @nlgjaofficial.bsky.social Excellence in Journalism Award for Excellence in Packaging, Print or Online.
Read: www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/hous...
#NLGJA #LGBTQJournalism #OutSmartMagazine

June 19, 2026 at 5:16 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

From volleyball teammates to husbands.

I spoke with Nick Mostaccero & Brian Tighe for
@outsmartmagazine.bsky.social's June 2026 Wedding Guide about their pandemic-era romance, Crater Lake proposal & unforgettable Colorado wedding.

#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQWeddings #Houston #LoveWins

June 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Read the full @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social feature here: www.outsmartmagazine.com/2026/05/mich...

#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQ #QueerLove #Houston #WeddingGuide

A Love That Wouldn’t Wait

Michael Beard and Shane Hutsen’s Houston love story, sparked at pickleball, led to a deeply personal wedding shaped by resilience, family, and a life-threatening health crisis.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

May 22, 2026 at 2:17 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

A pickleball meet-cute, a whirlwind romance, and a deeply emotional Houston wedding story. I loved writing about Shane Hutsen and Michael Beard for @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social.

#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQ #QueerLove #Houston #WeddingGuide

May 22, 2026 at 2:17 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Another @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social feature is live!
I spoke with Mariah Martinez about Hungry Like the Wolf’s new era as a trans-owned #Houston business creating community through food, drag, nightlife &nostalgia.
#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQ #TransVisibility #QueerBusiness

Houston’s Hungry Like the Wolf Keeps ’80s Spirit Alive

Mariah Martinez is redefining Houston’s Hungry Like the Wolf, expanding drag programming, nightlife, and community space while honoring the diner’s ’80s roots and LGBTQ legacy.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

May 15, 2026 at 2:19 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

My feature for @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social featuring Carlos Hernandez of KHOU 11 & @nlgjahtx.bsky.social is live. We spoke about #journalism, #LGBTQ+ visibility in media, and building community for queer journalists in #Houston.
This marks my 5th #OutSmartMagazine cover story of 2026!

Carlos Hernandez Builds LGBTQ Visibility in Houston News

KHOU’s Carlos Hernandez is shaping LGBTQ visibility in Houston through storytelling and leadership, using his platform and role with NLGJA to amplify community voices and foster connection.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

May 11, 2026 at 3:58 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

For #WomensHistoryMonth, I’m proud to share my @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social profile on Maggie Segrich, founder of Sesh Coworking.

She’s building an inclusive, community-driven space in #Houston that actively supports #LGBTQIA+ professionals, women & entrepreneurs.

#Allyship #OutSmartMagazine

Maggie Segrich Builds LGBTQ-Inclusive Coworking Hub in Houston

When Maggie Segrich couldn’t find a welcoming coworking space in Houston, she built one. Today Sesh Coworking serves as an inclusive hub for LGBTQ professionals and entrepreneurs.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

March 19, 2026 at 2:07 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Magazine Design & Layout by @thealexrosa.bsky.social.
Social Media Graphics by me.
#DisabilityAdvocacy #OutSmartMagazine #Houston

March 17, 2026 at 2:20 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

New for @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social’s January Wedding Guide:
Kynderick & Evan share a love story centered on growth, intention & chosen family, from a private Las Vegas ceremony to a joy-filled Houston reception.
#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQWeddings #QueerLove #WeddingGuide #HoustonWeddings

Choosing Each Other, Again and Again

Kynderick Chapel-Fontenot and Evan Fontenot’s relationship reflects patience and purpose, from a college meeting to a private Las Vegas wedding and a joyful Houston reception.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

January 16, 2026 at 4:09 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

I'm honored to share my feature about @jujufaragher.bsky.social for @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social is the Jan. #CoverStory. This #HealthAndWellness piece centers Juju + explores yoga, rest, embodiment & collective care as pathways toward queer wellness.

#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQWellness #QueerMedia

JuJu Faragher Finds Healing in Practice, Not Perfection

For JuJu Faragher, wellness is a lived, imperfect practice. Through yoga, storytelling, and community work, he centers rest, affirmation, and collective care for LGBTQ people.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

January 13, 2026 at 6:38 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

After Montrose’s rainbow crosswalks were removed, LGBTQIA+ youth at #Tony'sPlace responded with color, care, and community.
My @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social article explores what it means to create visibility in private spaces.
#OutSmartMagazine #HoustonLGBTQ #PrideProjects #CommunityVisibility

Painting Pride at Tony’s Place

After Montrose’s rainbow crosswalks were removed, LGBTQ youth at Tony’s Place proposed a new Pride walkway. The community-painted ramp and railings now mark the center as a visible safe space.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

December 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Drag isn’t banned in Texas, but that hasn’t stopped confusion, fear & political targeting from shaping the reality on the ground.
For @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social, I unpack SB 12’s legal status & center drag performers navigating this moment.
#DragIsArt #LGBTQIA #Texas #Journalism #OutSmartMagazine

Texas Drag Performers Refuse to Be Silenced

Texas’ SB 12 does not ban drag outright, but critics say its sweeping, unclear definitions could fuel harassment and suppress lawful performances as enforcement approaches.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

December 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Check out my @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social #WeddingGuide feature for November! Brian & Chris went from a chance meeting to a 3 day wedding celebration at the Julia Ideson Library!
Read it here: www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/11/bria...
#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQ #GayWeddings #Houston #LoveStories

Brian Klosterboer and Chris Grochowski Celebrate Love and Community

After a chance meeting in 2017, Houston couple Brian Klosterboer and Chris Grochowski built a life filled with love, purpose, and connection, culminating in a three-day wedding celebration.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

November 29, 2025 at 3:58 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

I wrote about #RecRoomArts’ production of #AngelsInAmerica for @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social. This is only the 2nd professional staging in Houston’s history & the directors speak powerfully about queerness, change & resilience.
#AngelsInAmerica #HoustonTheatre #OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQIA #QueerArt

Angels in America Soars Again at Houston’s Rec Room

For the first time in over 30 years, Houston audiences will see Angels in America professionally staged—an ambitious Rec Room production led by co-directors Matt Hune and Sophia Watt.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

November 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Jess and Trish Golden’s breathtaking mountaintop wedding celebrated love and joy. Read their story in my @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social Wedding Guide feature: www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/gold...
#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQWeddings #QueerLove #LoveIsLove #MarriageEquality

Golden Love: Jess and Trish’s Mountaintop Wedding in Washington

Jess and Trish met on Hinge, fell in love through honesty and adventure, and celebrated their September 2024 mountain wedding with family, friends, and dogs by their side.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

October 30, 2025 at 1:48 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Houston’s #CleoRoastingCo. & #CavoCoffee are redefining queer spaces through community, craft, and caffeine. Read my @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social feature about the 2025 #GayestAndGreatest winners here: www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/cleo...
#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQIA #Houston #CoffeeCulture

Cleo Roasting and Cavo Coffee Brew Community with Every Cup

Cleo Roasting Co. and sister café Cavo Coffee are OutSmart’s 2025 favorites, celebrated for queer visibility, women-led sourcing, and brewing Houston community alongside every cup.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

October 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

I interviewed Galveston changemaker Lindsey White of @uwgalv.bsky.social for @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social about visibility, advocacy, and inclusive leadership.
Read: www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/07/lind...
#LGBTQLeadership #Galveston #OutSmartMagazine #RepresentationMatters #Leadership

Lindsey White Leads with Love at United Way of Galveston

From disaster recovery to Born Learning Trails, Lindsey White’s work with United Way of Galveston is rooted in love—for her wife, her island, and the community she proudly serves.

www.outsmartmagazine.com

July 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Donald and Julius Simon-LaCour went from a Bourbon Pub meet-cute to a full-on #Houston fairytale with Dolce tuxedos, a royal wedding cake, and plans for fatherhood. Read their story in @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social:
www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/05/dona...
#OutSmartMagazine #LGBTQWeddings

From Instagram to "I Do": Donald Simon and Julius LaCour Tie the Knot

What began as an awkward Southern Decadence encounter bloomed into a love story complete with designer tuxedos, a 5-foot cake, and a fairytale wedding. Houston's Donald Simon and Julius LaCour share t...

www.outsmartmagazine.com

June 25, 2025 at 2:58 PM

David Clarke

@declarke85.bsky.social

Discover the enchanting tale of Paris London and Jorge Serrano in my recent @outsmartmagazine.bsky.social article. Their fairytale wedding in #Houston is a beautiful reminder of love's unexpected paths.
#FairytaleRomance #HoustonLove #OutSmartMagazine