Women in Power

Sydney Mack and Racquel Simone turned their relationship into LesbianLand, a growing platform creating joyful, visible, and intentional sapphic spaces in Houston and beyond through content, events, and connection.

For Alejandra Salinas and Elizabeth Hadaway, love didn’t begin with a grand gesture. It started with five-minute car rides through downtown Houston. “So we met at work. We were both lawyer associates at Susman Godfrey,”…

For 35 years, Kathy Hubbard and Annise Parker have built a life together rooted in love, family, and service, shaping Houston’s LGBTQ history through visibility, resilience, and devotion.

Actor Brenda Palestina says playing Ana in Real Women Have Curves is deeply personal, blending immigration, body politics, ambition, and representation on a major Houston stage.

Here's a look at the stories that most engaged—and enraged—OutSmart readers in 2025.

As Houston Ballet’s beloved Nutcracker enters its ninth year, corps de ballet member Gretel Batista reflects on the production’s enduring joy, its young performers, and its lasting holiday magic.

Pansexual trans advocate Gianna Christina Ramirez wins multiple 2025 Gayest & Greatest honors, celebrating decades of activism, community building, and a vision of hope amid challenging times.

Kelly Nicholls, OutSmart’s 2025 Leading Female Fundraiser, guides the Montrose Center’s record-breaking fundraising efforts, securing vital support for LGBTQ programs during a time of political and financial uncertainty.

Linda Morales, known for her role in the landmark Morales v. Texas case, continues to fight for civil rights in Texas through writing, organizing, and activism.

Kris Owens created The Feisty Collective to spotlight queer artists, build community, and offer a bright, affirming space where everyone can feel seen—and a little feisty.