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Jonny Marlow
Out100 Voices Laci Mosley Podcaster Scam Goddess
Jonny Marlow
Out100 | Voices

How this comedian-actress turned podcaster finds joy in the hustle

Laci Mosley on finding her authentic self and telling stories of some of history's infamous scammers.

30 Years, 30 Stories: join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Out100 with our Voices essays, featuring powerful personal narratives from past honorees that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community. Unlock the Out100 Vault to explore additional stories and reflect on three decades of progress and resilience.


Laci Mosley is a force to be reckoned with.

Whether she's making us laugh on television, spinning tales on her podcast Scam Goddess, or bringing her unapologetic self to the screen, Laci embodies the essence of joy. But like so many others in the entertainment industry, her journey has been one of self-discovery, persistence, and, of course, a little bit of 'scamming' along the way.

When I sat down virtually with Laci, she was in the midst of a very relatable moment—deep conditioning her hair. Her candidness set the tone for our conversation.

"I'm doing really well, which is not the norm," she began, explaining how she's made the active choice to prioritize her well-being. "Y'all are not gonna kill me. Y'all are not gonna kill your favorite bitch," she laughs.

Born and raised in Dallas, Laci moved to Los Angeles to pursue a comedy career. After gaining attention for her roles in shows like The Wedding Year, Florida Girls, and iCarly, she hit it big with her podcast Scam Goddess, where she humorously dissects scams throughout history. Her sharp wit and engaging storytelling quickly made her a favorite in the podcasting world. But behind the scenes, Laci was navigating her journey, especially when it came to embracing her queer identity.

But being named an Out100 honoree in 2022 changed her trajectory.

"The Out100 impacted my personal life more than my career," Laci admits. "I struggled with my own queer identity before that." The recognition helped her feel more secure in who she is, allowing her to embrace her queerness without fitting into any specific box. "I date women, I date men, I just date people I'm attracted to," she says confidently. It's a sentiment that resonates with other queer individuals who grapple with the complexities of identity in a world that often demands labels.

And like any journey, Laci's hasn't been without its challenges.

"As soon as I started to feel like I was creating healthy boundaries, it's like the universe tests you," she explains. For Laci, this meant learning to prioritize her health and well-being, something she hasn't always been good at. "I'm a workaholic," she admits, but she is learning to find balance and take care of herself first. Laci's visibility as a Black queer woman in the media is inspiring and impactful. She wishes for a time when queer folks, especially those marginalized within the community, can "enjoy a moment of being without having to be othered." It's a powerful statement that speaks to the heart of representation and visibility.

And speaking of visibility, Laci has set eyes on bigger dreams. "My dream is to guest host on Drag Race," she confesses with a laugh. But it's not just about the glitz and glamour; Laci is deeply committed to her community. "I'm showing up for my queer communities, I'm showing up for my Black communities, and being a cis woman as well."

She's currently working on the fifth anniversary of the Scam Goddess podcast, including a new television show based on the podcast and her upcoming book, releasing in September. "I met a lot of people who were exploited by scammers, and it completely changed the way I looked at these stories." But her passion off-screen and off-air is boxing. "It's just a great release of stress for me," she shares, adding that it's one of the few places where she can be herself.

Imparting advice on younger queer people aspiring to enter the industry, Laci's response is both practical and empowering. "Don't say no to yourself before someone says no to you," she advises. In an industry rife with rejection, Laci encourages resoluteness and a bit of creativity.

"There's always a way to get what you want."

Reflecting on the impact the Out100 recognition had on her journey, Laci admitted it's been a "true honor." Being added to the prestigious list isn't just a milestone for her but a responsibility to uplift others, to be a "big cousin" to younger queer folks, and to continue creating spaces where everyone can feel seen and celebrated.

From deep conditioning her hair while discussing queer visibility to sharing her journey of self-acceptance, Laci Mosley's story is one of the relentless pursuit of creating new rules against a world clutching to its old ones. It's a story many queer individuals understand at some point in their life, if not daily.

And, yet, we persevere. With love, laughter, and a deep sense of purpose.

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People
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Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard
Sandra Bernhard OUT100 voices
Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard
Out100 | Voices

The bisexual comedy queen who is unfiltered, unstoppable, and always ahead of the curve

From the comedy stage to starring in hit shows like Roseanne and Pose, Sandra Bernhard reflects on her work and being part of the inaugural Out100 list.

30 Years, 30 Stories: join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Out100 with our Voices essays, featuring powerful personal narratives from past honorees that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community. Unlock the Out100 Vault to explore additional stories and reflect on three decades of progress and resilience.

I can't remember the first time I saw Sandra Bernhard on television. Still, I vividly remember how bold, brash, and ahead of the curve she was.

She brought that same energy to our chat. And with her unmistakable candor, Sandra reminisced about her storied career and what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community today.

In 1994, when Sandra was first named in the inaugural Out100 list, her world was different. "I was deep into it, living my life, performing a lot, doing a lot of live shows," she muses. "It was years and years before social media, so people could just be fresh and original and do their thing without the scrutiny and the microscope of today's world." She was also in the midst of her groundbreaking role on Roseanne as Nancy, the first recurring bisexual character on a major TV network.

"Roseanne was very adventurous and way ahead of the curve back then," she recalls. "We just wanted to do a character that was really fun and quirky." Though the character was groundbreaking in terms of bi-representation, Roseanne's Nancy was about existing beyond her queerness. "That's what I love about my work," Sandra affirms. "It's always assuming that everybody else is already caught up with us."

For Sandra, it wasn't about breaking barriers or pushing boundaries but about being herself. "I never felt like I was doing something heroic by being who I was," she says. "I was always out, always authentic."

That sense of authenticity has been a hallmark of Sandra's career, spanning over decades, and she has tackled roles in everything from cult comedies to serious dramas. Among her most recent roles was in the groundbreaking series Pose, covering the 1980s and early '90s New York City ballroom scene. Her character was one that Sandra brought her personal experiences to, seeing it all from the AIDS epidemic to the present-day battles for trans rights. "I've always tried to do roles that align with what I believe," she says. "For me, it wasn't about doing something special."

"Trans people are my family, people I love and have a total connection with."

Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard

But Sandra is never one to rest on her laurels. She's set to appear in the second season of Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians. "It's always amazing to get another role," she says, relishing the opportunity to dive into a fantasy world. "I had to get my face molded for the show… They're making some insane contraption for me and Margaret Cho. I think we're all supposed to be one character. It's a whole other adventure!"

And there's more on the horizon. Sandra is gearing up for a series of performances, including her annual run at Joe's Pub in New York City, where she's known for her sharp wit, incisive commentary, and a knack for summing up the year's events. "I do this every year, a kind of marathon of shows," she explains. "I get to sum up the whole year, and there's so much happening politically."

And Sandra's thoughts on the political and cultural landscape are as sharp as ever.

Outside of her professional life, Sandra is surprisingly leveled. "I love doing day-to-day things," she shares, enjoying everything from shopping at the grocery store to cooking and doing laundry. "I love that insular feeling of being with family and doing things that ground me daily."

Reflecting on her place in the Out100 and what it means to be part of this legacy, Sandra is as thoughtful as ever. "It means so much," she says. I really just want to be a part of the grooviness, goodness, and creativity the LGBTQ+ community is constantly at the forefront of."

And for Sandra, that's what it's all about. Being part of something bigger, something transformative, and something real. She's a force of nature, a trailblazer, and, most importantly, a storyteller who's always ready to push the envelope just a little bit further.

As she says, "I'm halfway to my destination. So if you want to come along, just jump in the back seat."

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People
Artists
Disruptors
Educators
Groundbreakers
Innovators
Storytellers

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman, she tirelessly champions voices from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each story with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @ageofadelina.

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman, she tirelessly champions voices from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each story with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @ageofadelina.