The holiday season is a complicated time for many LGBTQ+ people, especially for those who may feel isolated if their families or communities don’t accept them — and this year might be even more dreary due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a reminder to us queer folks that our chosen family is more important than ever, and safely connecting with loved ones can be the key to getting through the holidays.
That’s why them. put together Chosen, a livestream celebration of chosen family, which premiered on YouTube on November 23. We invited a slew of LGBTQ+ icons to reflect on their own chosen families and the beauty of the LGBTQ+ community — including Pose actors Angelica Ross, Hailie Sahar, and Dyllón Burnside; Drag Race alums Bob the Drag Queen and Peppermint; Happiest Season stars Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis; and activists like Ashlee Marie Preston, Ceyenne Doroshow, and Laith Ashley.
Hosted by them.’s editor-in-chief Whembley Sewell, the program also included segments written by Sydney Baloue, a producer for HBO Max’s ballroom reality competition Legendary and member of the House of Xtravaganza, who gave a primer on the history of ballroom culture and houses; and them. contributor Samantha Riedel, who spotlighted the many grassroots organizations providing necessary housing for transgender folks, like New York’s G.L.I.T.S., Washington D.C.’s No Justice No Pride, Memphis’ My Sistah’s House, and New Orleans’ House of Tulip.
Chosen was a true testament to the power of queer connection, camaraderie, and allyship. From Rickey Thompson’s bid for world peace to Kristen Stewart’s impassioned speech on not having to play straight, here are our 9 favorite moments from Chosen.
Bob the Drag Queen and Peppermint discuss queer identity and the drag community
The two friends and Drag Race alums (who brought us the hilarious “Oh, the fracking?” meme earlier this year) had a virtual kiki about finding community through the drag scene and why being queer is a blessing. “[I have] most of my close friends because of my career in drag, which is directly linked to my queerness,” Bob said. “So, I say that’s one of my biggest gifts.” Peppermint added that she thinks her greatest gifts are her sense of self-awareness and empathy, explaining that they allow her to “connect with people” that may have a hard time opening up to new friendships.
