The act of personalizing the character you'll play in a game is more than fun, it empowers you—and pulls you into the fantasy you're about to enjoy. If anything, the ability to design yourself into anything desired is a reminder physicality is the least of what comprises our shared humanity. Instead of bones, blood, and skin, every player online reflects the limbs of knowledge, opinions, cravings, and experience.

The award recognizes emerging LGBTQIA+ authors for submissions within the crime, thriller, or mystery genre.

And as the dominoes of states continue to fall pro-legalization, multi-billion dollar corporations are emerging with their own cannabis agendas in Washington, if only to avoid being left out of the conversation. I interview representatives from major lobbying organizations on the future of cannabis reform.

I speculate prospective contenders most likely to replace resigning principal deputy commissioner of food and drugs, Dr. Amy Abernethy.

Relying on a supernatural deity to have a plan, the promise of an afterlife, and perhaps even reuniting with deceased loved ones can be comforting for believers—but atheists need to find other ways to cope.

Commissioned by Smarter Travel Media, republished nationally in over fifteen newspapers, I explore the most LGBTQ-friendly cities across the United States.

Exclusively for VICE, I reflect on trying to live a life fuller than 1/4th.

Commissioned by Smarter Travel Media, republished by various newspapers and publications, I rank the sexiest cities in America according to research, demographics, nightlife, online culture, and the experts.

Many will be spending the holidays alone this season. It’s an opportunity to experience the solitude so many individuals worldwide live daily, indefinitely. If you’re lucky enough to be with friends, family, or a partner, take a moment to think about all the love you feel for them. Then, imagine them on a dark street corner, in ragged clothing. They are cold because it’s winter, and hungry because they haven’t eaten since yesterday morning. Begging to be seen, you walk past them, blind to that love. They plead for your help, and you scoff, disgusted, to let go of your leg. Homelessness cloaks their identity like a costume. They cease to matter to you or anyone else.

Using the archives of Google partner institutions, I reveal the six most meaningful places in Egypt for their inimitable beauty and unique history.

It’s part of your daily routine before leaving the house, patting your pants, maybe double checking your bag – phone, wallet, keys. Upon exiting the front door, you’re reminded of the not-so-new normal: You forgot your mask.

One hell of an on-going pandemic and seven months later: salons resume performing God’s work, restaurants approach re-opening indoors, companies demand employees commute their masked-up asses back to the office, and a new, new normal emerges. Sweatpants and slogan T-shirts are no longer a forgivable offense, so why are you still wearing outfits Mom picked out in college? It’s time to impress with more than your occupation.

In 1976, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich penned that “Well behaved women seldom make history.” So it’s no surprise that Mary Magdalene, Cleopatra, Marilyn Monroe, all labeled whores in their own right, have remained notorious historical celebrities. The arming of labels to control female sexuality transcends not just language but geography, religion, art, and time.

In Jamie Valentino's utopian society, when someone tells you to go "f**k yourself," you appreciatively respond: "Thank you, I will.”

As a quadruplet, Jamie Valentino prepared for the roommate scene in New York City since the womb. One pandemic later, he was still not ready to spend so much time with his.

Jamie Valentino dares New Yorkers to embrace singlehood in the same manner that the city welcomes everyone, with indifference.