By Ali Mushtaq
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) -Journalist, Ryan Shea, Editor of Instinct Magazine, died of Covid-19 related complications on February 18, 2021. At Instinct, he wrote on multiple aspects of gay culture and gay bear culture. He interviewed multiple adult entertainers and numerous Rupaul’s Drag Race contestants. However, Ryan was also an entertainment journalist. He worked with Ok! Magazine and the Manhattan Digest and interviewed celebrities, including Meryl Streep, Susan Lucci, and Fran Drescher.
He was not only a great journalist, but he also knew how to cover diversity and equity issues. He would always know how to cover stories that required an attention to diversity, and he always did the right thing when it came to representing people of color and identities that were outside the norm. Specifically, he would always take time to listen to marginalized voices, to hear their concerns, and to address these concerns by covering their stories. He was also prolific on social media. On Instagram, he’d have conversations that showcased many parts of the community. On Facebook, he’d write witty, engaging updates that entertained his friends. I will always remember how we met in West Hollywood, hung out, and talked about the differences between the coasts.
We worked together on multiple pieces. Finally, after all these years, I have an opportunity to cover you. May you rest in peace, my friend.