Things are getting hotter in Kansas City with VAMP KC

By Nicole Mitchell
Photos by Travis Young

Kansas City’s newest LGBTQIA+-owned burlesque group VAMP KC welcomes you to its all-inclusive classes and performances.

Penelope Mais Oui isn’t from Kansas City, but since moving here from Colorado Springs, she’s been creating noise in the burlesque and LGBTQIA+ scenes. Before moving to the city, Penelope produced a series of classic and classic-inspired burlesque shoes at a locally-owned Colorado Springs art theatre.

“I spent the pandemic not working on a stage,” Penelope says about moving to KC. “When I decided to dip my toes into the burlesque waters again…,” which was first as part of a local troupe, “I found there was a space, a desire, even a need in Kansas City for classic-style burlesque.” By using her previous experience, Penelope knew just what Kansas City was missing. “I already had a vision of what that could look like,” she says.

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K.R. Quill’s New Solarpunk Action Book The Century Soldier is One You Won’t Want to Miss

By Sophia-Joelle McDowell
Art by Maddy Best

K.R. Quill (they/them) has been a writer for over a decade, but only recently started self-publishing their books. As a queer person with ADHD and autism, writing and advocacy work are two of their biggest passions, and they do everything they can to advocate for their queer and neurodivergent communities. 

Throughout their childhood a love for reading blossomed, one memorable read being The Tale of Despereaux which they received in second grade. While reading has always been a passion of theirs, they didn’t discover a desire to be a writer until around twelve years old. 

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What We Wish We Knew Before We Came Out

By The Catcall Team

Here at Catcall, 100% of our regular staff members identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, a statistic that makes us proud af. From bi- and pan-sexuals to trans folks and lesbians, we’ve all had unique queer experiences—and learned a lot along the way. 

Here’s the thing: whether you come out loud and proud or subtly tell the world you’re queer, people will react—sometimes in the best of ways, sometimes in the most hurtful of ways. 

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Leave the Gaylors alone, your internalized homophobia is showing

By Emily Laptad
Photo by Travis Young

I never had an official “coming out” moment. In a way, this very article might be the closest thing I’ll ever do to officially “come out as bisexual.” But here’s the thing. I am already out to everyone who is paying attention. 

And it wasn’t until I was ranting to my husband about the latest drama around the dialogue of Taylor Swift’s sexuality that I came to a colossal realization. As words flew out of my mouth at 100 mph, my insightful spouse pointed out that I am so upset with what’s happening because I see myself in what seems to be Taylor’s story.

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Meet Mercury Stardust—Trans TikToker and Author—at Helianthus Books

By Nicole Mitchell

Over two years ago, Mercury Stardust—aka the Trans Handy Ma’am on TikTok—responded to a comment that went viral. Since then, she’s been giving out her expert DIY and other home maintenance advice to renters on TikTok, began her podcast “Handy Ma’am Hotline,” and wrote her first book, titled Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair.

Safe and Sound gives readers tips on over 50 home projects from her perspective as a maintenance technician of over 16 years. Chapters cover a wide variety of maintenance, such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and safety needs—plus QR code links to videos to help you along the way.

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