Entertainment Weekly (EW) is celebrating Pride Month with its Pride Forever issue, the cover of which pays tribute to LGBTQ icons and changemakers through illustration.
The cover, which features illustrations of the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, RuPaul, Elton John, Janelle Monae, Freddie Mercury, Lil Nas X, Rock Hudson, Kristen Stewart, Lily Tomlin, and Laverne Cox, was created by out artist Jack Hughes in collaboration with LGBTQ illustrators “in an effort to make the Pride experience richer for folks stuck in their homes,” according to JD Heyman, the editor of EW.
“Taking Hollywood by storm!” EW tweeted as the cover was revealed. “These LGBTQ storytellers and icons are creating unforgettable work in TV, movies, music, life, and so much more!”
Taking Hollywood by storm! These LGBTQ storytellers and icons are creating unforgettable work in TV, movies, music, life, and so much more! Take a peek into how they landed a spot on our June cover. https://t.co/XjBzjakcbc Illustration by Jack Hughes for EW pic.twitter.com/gZJWD2BTBz
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) May 13, 2020
The cover only tells half the story; the full landscape illustration reveals Kate McKinnon, Ryan Murphy, Dan Levy, Ricky Martin, Marlene Dietrich, John Waters, Cynthia Nixon, and George Takei.
Top row: Janelle Monáe, Freddie Mercury, Kate McKinnon, Ricky Martin, John Waters, Dan Levy; Middle row: Ellen DeGeneres, Rock Hudson, Laverne Cox, Lily Tomlin, Kristen Stewart, Lil Nas X, George Takei, Ryan Murphy, Cynthia Nixon, Marlene Dietrich; Bottom row: RuPaul, Elton John
— Krey (@starskein) May 13, 2020
The full spread also reveals another guest at this glamourous, imaginary queer party: the first brick thrown at Stonewall.
computer,,,,,,,,,enhance pic.twitter.com/fUdJqBwtoZ
— E. Alex Jung (@e_alexjung) May 13, 2020
EW’s pride cover received mixed reviews. Some thought the inclusion of the brick was an easier way to tribute Pride than actually including someone involved in the Stonewall Riots, like Marsha P. Johnson. Others were disappointed with who was included, like DeGeneres and RuPaul, and who wasn’t, like Billy Porter.
EW be like… pic.twitter.com/oLMcs6FSD9
— Ξvan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) May 13, 2020
also RuPaul is a transphobic fracker what are y'all even THINKING.
— shELLEter in place 2020 (@RaccoonHelle) May 14, 2020
Add Billy, and remove Ellen
— Hatchi Martinez (@hatchimartinez1) May 14, 2020
This cover is “only the beginning” of EW’s Pride Month celebration.
“Throughout the month of June, we’ll be bring Pride home to you in all kinds of fun ways,” Heyman said, “with more stories, celebrations, and an exciting new audio series, Untold Stories: Pride Edition (launching June 8), which will look at the lives, loves, and struggles of Hollywood’s LGBTQ pioneers.”
“The fight isn’t over,” added Hughes. “We must carry on the work of those before us.”