OutSmart Magazine

Empty Bowls Houston turns handmade art into real impact for local families. For ceramic artist Michelle Heinesen, the cause is personal. Her work with clay supports hunger relief while also helping shape a more welcoming and accessible arts community. Link in comments.

For Carlos Hernandez, journalism is about more than reporting. It’s about impact. In Houston, he’s helping shape how LGBTQ stories are told while also building a stronger, more collaborative media community through his leadership in NLGJA Houston. Link in comments.

Pride Houston 365 is honoring Kennedy Loftin and Carl Han posthumously as Honorary Distinguished Grand Marshals for the first time. Both left lasting marks on Houston’s LGBTQ community through advocacy, generosity, fundraising, youth support, AIDS awareness, and decades of showing up. Their lives ended far too soon, but their impact continues to be felt. Link in comments.

Laura Spanjian is helping lead Airbnb’s FIFA World Cup efforts in Houston as the city prepares to welcome fans from around the globe June 14 to July 4, 2026. An Airbnb executive and member of Houston’s LGBTQ community, Spanjian sees the tournament as more than a major sporting event. It is a chance to support local hosts, neighborhoods, small businesses, and youth soccer across the city. Read more about Spanjian’s work, her Houston roots, and the bold leadership guiding Airbnb’s World Cup presence. Link in comments.

Meet this year’s Distinguished Grand Marshals: Jack Berger, Brad Pritchett, and Judy Reeves. From community building and statewide advocacy to preserving Houston’s LGBTQ history, their work reflects decades of service and impact. Get to know the honorees helping lead this year’s Pride celebration. Link in comments.

Once upon a time at The Ballroom at Bayou Place, The Montrose Center welcomed more than 400 guests to its April 25 Empowering Our Future Gala. The storybook-themed evening featured fairy-tale looks, live performances, dinner, dancing, and community giving, all in support of the Center’s vital programs for Houston’s LGBTQ community, including essential services for LGBTQ youth. Link in comments.

Most people were never formally taught how to manage money. Instead, financial habits are often shaped by what we saw growing up. Understanding those early influences can help explain why we save, spend, or struggle—and how to build a healthier balance. Link in comments.

Set at a backyard barbecue instead of a royal court, Fat Ham transforms Shakespeare’s tragedy into a story about identity and belonging. Houston audiences are seeing a version of Hamlet that embraces queerness, community, and the power of choosing your own path. Link in comments

Due to a company injury, tonight's performance of August Wilson's Fences, as well as the pre-show ActOUT reception, has been cancelled. For more information, please contact https://www.alleytheatre.org/

Robert’s Lafitte has been part of LGBTQ history in Texas for decades. Now, the iconic Galveston bar is facing possible closure after inspections revealed the need for costly repairs. Supporters are rallying with online donations and a fundraiser event this weekend to help keep the beloved space open. Community members are encouraged to attend, donate, and help preserve an important piece of LGBTQ history. Link in comments.

The May issue of OutSmart is out now, featuring KHOU 11’s Carlos Hernandez, 2026 Houston LGBTQ+ Pride Parade grand marshals, Mental Health Awareness Month coverage with psychotherapist Guy Felder, and AAPI Heritage Month profiles spotlighting Edward Craft, Chandrayee Soneja, and Michelle Heinesen. Link in comments.