5 Things / Powerful

This week, I was officially named to Curve Magazine’s Power Women list. The list was unveiled Monday at an event kicking off Lesbian Visibility Week. It was an impressive list, including Abby Wambach, Cynthia Erivo, Chappell Roan, and Sha’Carri Richardson. This week’s 5 Things are 5 amazing folks on the list.

I have no idea who nominated me or how it all came about, but it’s validating during a time when I don’t feel particularly powerful, and visibility and courage feel especially difficult. After the event, I celebrated with family, real and chosen…and stayed out til 2am for the first time in years.

The visibility (and leadership) of those from traditionally marginalized groups continues to require courage, over and over and over again. Bravery can be exhausting! Show some love to those in your life.

This Week's Good Vibes Power Women:

1. Brenda M. Atencio

   • Brenda M. Atencio (she/her), also known as “G Precious,” is a multi-award-winning Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B artist from Ohkay Owingeh. She began creative writing at the age of six as a means to deal with the dynamics seen throughout her life—alcoholism, drugs, depression, suicide, loss, and reservation life. Brenda received her Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Management from Northern New Mexico College and her Master’s Degree in Legal Studies – Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma. She has worked with Youth & Elder Programs, schools, organizations, and tribes throughout New Mexico. @brenatenciosjp

2. Bilal Baig

   • Bilal Baig is a queer, transfeminine, Muslim South Asian-Canadian playwright, actor, and workshop facilitator, most known for co-creating, executive producing, and starring in their HBO/CBC Peabody Award-winning series, Sort Of. They received the Canadian Screen Award for comedy writing and performance, and a Gotham Award nomination for performance in a new series. Bilal published their play, “Acha Bacha” and an anthology of monologues they co-edited for queer/trans artists titled “This Is Beyond.” They facilitate creative writing and playwriting programs for trans artists, BIPOC artists, and trans youth. @imbilalbaig

3. Kristin Key

   • Kristin Key (she/her) is an internationally headlining, queer, musical comedian. Her hilarious viral videos — including the iconic LESBIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM — have earned her over 92.2 million views and 725,000+ followers across social media. A popular podcast host, she’s got 6 full-length comedy albums and 1 DryBar comedy special, and has appeared on NBC’s Bring the Funny and Last Comic Standing, VH-1, SiriusXM, and more. Using comedy as a way to uplift her community, give back, and create safe spaces for comedy fans from all walks of life, Kristin’s fanbase (lovingly referred to as The Lesbian Army) has become a movement! @thekristinkey

4. Brooke Sopelsa

   • Brooke Sopelsa (she/her) is currently the editorial director of NBC Out, the LGBTQ digital destination she helped launch at NBC News in 2016. Under Brooke’s leadership, NBC Out publishes enterprise reporting, original videos and other unique content centered on the queer community. Brooke is an alumna of HuffPost, CNBC and MSNBC, and she’s the co-producer of three documentaries: the 2007 independent film “Queer Streets,” the 2019 NBC News docu-series “Stonewall 50: The Revolution” and the 2024 NBC News feature documentary “The Stonewall Revolution.” Brooke holds a B.A. in Economics from Bucknell University, an M.A. in Journalism from Columbia University, and an M.B.A. from NYU’s Stern School of Business. @yesitsmebrooke

5. Raquel Willis

   • Raquel Willis (she/her) is an award-winning author, activist, and media strategist dedicated to collective liberation, especially for Black trans folks. She is the co-founder of the Gender Liberation Movement and an executive producer with iHeartMedia’s first-ever LGBTQ+ podcast network, Outspoken. Raquel hosts two podcast series: AfterLives and Queer Chronicles. She is also the author of The Risk it Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation, which was published via St. Martin’s Press in November of 2023 to critical acclaim. Raquel served as the Grand Marshal for NYC Pride in 2024 and was named one of TIME’s Women of the Year in 2025. @raquel_willis

Good Vibes to Go:

I’ve recently re-watched Wanda Sykes’ last two Netflix standup specials. She will make you laugh and make you think….my favorite kind of comic. Watch and enjoy!