Jaida Essence Hall, Robert Sheehan and Deaken Bluman lead the Attitude September issue

The Attitude September issue is officially here, and as the world continues find an escape from the strangest summer on record in television, we’re bringing you not one, not two, but three cover stars responsble for telling some of the most important queer stories on the small screen right now.

In this month’s issue – available to download and to order globally – the globe’s newest drag superstar and RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall commands you to ‘Look over here!’ as the Milwaukee drag queen breaks free from lockdown for an exclusive high fashion shoot on the streets of LA.

Jaida Essence Hall for the Attitude September issue (Photography: Magnus Hastings)

Inside, Jaida – aka performer Jared Johnson – reflects on her difficult childhood growing up Black and queer in a “terrible neighbourhood”, and how her family’s unconditional, unquestioning love and support was the key to her flourishing in spite of the odds.

Jaida wears full look by Cong Tri (Photography: Magnus Hastings)

The Drag Race champ also reflects on recent Black Lives Matter Protest and the ongoing glass ceiling for Black drag queens and she issues a powerful reminder that Black queer art and culture is every bit as worthy of the world’s attention.

Meanwhile, as The Umbrella Academy returns for a superpowered second season on Netflix, show star Robert Sheehan talks cults, gender-fluid clothing – or lack of it – and playing on of TV’s most complex LGBTQ characters in the form of ‘Number 4’, aka Klaus Hargreeves.

Robert Sheehan for the Attitude September issue (Photography: Joseph Sinclair)

Plus, fresh from turning heads as gay student Winston Williams in 13 Reasons Why, Deaken Bluman opens up about shooting gay love scenes with co-star Miles Heizer, following in the footsteps of his acting heroes, and his own discombobulating real-life drama…

Deaken Bluman for the Attitude September issue (Photography: Collin Stark)

Elsewhere in the Attitude September issue, we shine a light on gay life in Malaysia, as we find how queer communities continue to thrive in a country where it remains illegal to be gay.

Photography: Liam Campbell

Journalist Freeman Gunter, former editor of trailblazing American gay magazine Mandate, takes us back to the early days of the gay porn press in Seventies’ and Eighties’ New York.

After fleeing Nigeria, former pastor Edafe Okporo offers a lesson in the little-known history of African queer culture and why, despite the often violent homophobia of his native country, he still finds solace in his faith.

Photography: Christopher Tomás

And, as the on-screen and off-screen drama continues to build on Canada’s Drag Race, judge Brooke Lynn Hytes is this month’s Big In a Wig.

From sex work and struggles with body dysmorphia, non-binary activist Giuseppe Forchia opens up about their journey towards self-love.

Photography: Francisco Gomez de Villaboa

As he prepares to release his debut novel, Shuggie Bain, a portrait of a working-class family living in 1980s Glasgow, fashion designer Douglas Stuart shares some valuable life lessons.

Photography: Clive Smith

Plus, as part of a September Style special featuring all the hottest fashion for Autumn/Winter 2020, the ‘world’s hottest maths teacher’ and model Pietro Boselli shows off the latest swimwear from his clothing brand Petra Design. 

That’s alongside all your usual news, reviews and opinion, of course…

The Attitude September issue is out now to download and to order globally.

Subscribe in print and get your first three issues for just £3, or digitally for just £1.54 per issue.