Holding Space with Tracy Gilchrist

What happens when sincerity, sapphic joy, and a viral finger-hold collide? You get one of the most iconic moments in queer media—and the journalist at the center of it all.

This week on Pride, host Caitlynn McDaniel sits down with Tracy Gilchrist, VP of Editorial and Special Projects at Equal Pride and the journalist behind that viral “holding space” interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Tracy reflects on her decades-long career in queer media—from writing on tangerine iBooks to editing SheWired, The Advocate, and Pride—and the importance of archiving LGBTQ+ stories for the future.

They talk sapphic representation, how Carol made Tracy want to fall in love again, and what it’s like to accidentally go viral for being earnest. 📚 Also in this episode:

• Why sapphics are loyal but underserved audiences
• What camp really means (according to Susan Sontag)
• The hard truth about internet traffic and queer journalism
• Rewatchables: Pretty Little Liars, The Bold Type, and more

Follow Tracy @TracyEGilchrist and find her work across The Advocate, Out, and Pride.