Alec Mapa & Jamison Hebert on their fave L.A. spots and Family Equality
The funny fathers gave us the lowdown on living in L.A. and receiving the Murray Reese Family Award.
Mark
Los Angeles isn’t just the City of Angels; it’s a place of dreams for LGBTQ+ people looking to find themselves, their crowd, and their happily ever after.
At least that’s how the city has treated comedian and actor Alec Mapa and his husband, actor and producer Jamison Hebert, who have been together for “23 heavenly, blissful years.”
The two men, who share a son, Zion, are set to receive the Murray Reese Family Award at this year’s Family Equality Night Out on Saturday, November 8, alongside a who ‘s-who of queer celebrities, including Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne.
Ahead of their big night, Mapa and Hebert spoke exclusively with GayCities about what the award means to them, their favorite parts of living in Los Angeles, and what other icons they’re obsessed with.
Spoiler alert: They were just as hilarious (and adorable) as they appear on screen.
Why is the work Family Equality does so important, and why does it resonate with you personally?
ALEC: It’s 2025 and queer families face the same bigotry we faced when I was a kid. In the 8th grade we celebrated the defeat of The Briggs Initiative, which banned gays and lesbians from teaching public school. I was relieved because my safe space was all my queer teachers. Soon thereafter, Harvey Milk, our first openly gay elected official, was assassinated. The battle against bigotry hasn’t changed. We’re still fighting for human decency.
JAMISON: I grew up in a very conservative, rural area and the work that Family Equality does every day still astonishes that part of me that is still that frightened little boy. Our nation, and the world, have come a long way in the fight for equal rights and protections for families that look like ours, but we all know the tides have shifted in a terrifying direction for anyone who looks, is, or thinks different than those in charge. My son is a Black man. My husband is a Brown man. I am a Queer man in a Queer family. Family Equality is on our side and has our back.
You’re both dads and you tell funny jokes. What’s your favorite dad joke?
ALEC: Why don’t cannibals eat clowns? They taste funny.
JAMISON: Knock, knock?
Who’s there?
Interrupting chair.
Interrupting chair wh…
SCOOCH! (Credit to our son who remixed an old favorite.)
Alec, you turned 60 over the summer. We love a milestone birthday! What would 40-year-old Alec think of 60-year-old Alec?
ALEC: 40-year-old me to 60-year-old me: “I have a grown 20-year-old son living on his own? Holy shit! I had a kid AND Botox? You’re so skinny! What’s Mounjaro?”
Now, what would 60-year-old Alec tell 20-year-old Alec?
ALEC: Stop drinking. Save your money. Buy a house. Now.
Alec, you’ve appeared on some pretty iconic shows over the course of your career. What’s one role or show you didn’t get cast in, and what can you tell us about it?
ALEC: Darren Star had me read for the role of Stanford Blatch in Sex and the City. He laughed his head off, hugged me, and walked me to the elevator. I did not get the part.
What are your favorite places to hang out in LA?
JAMISON: Griffith Observatory. I have always been fascinated with the cosmos. Add Art Deco architecture and the magic of seeing Los Angeles at night from the Hollywood Hills. It’s so romantic, and if you haven’t seen the show in the big dome, it will fill you with awe and give you a sense of hope that we will all be OK.
ALEC: I prefer the East Side. It’s funky, friendly and chill AF. you can get anything you want to eat in Koreatown, Grand Central Market, and Highland Park has the Michelin-rated Villa’s Tacos.
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What LGBTQ+ artists do you think are doing the most interesting work right now, and why?
JAMISON: I am really digging the surge of out Queer musicians rising to pop heights over the past decade – just talking about sex and love and living life. So much of this is because, all the way back to Marlene Dietrich, musicians have been blurring sexuality and gender lines. Andy Bell, Tracy Chapman, Indigo Girls, to Lil Nas X and Chappell Roan – each one paves the way for another to have a successful platform. Rina Sawayama, VINCINT, Victoria Monét are just a few of the Queer artists catching my ear and making me dance these days. Anyone that is good at what they do and is 100% themselves is a bad *ss.
ALEC: Everyone in my age group is now a master in their field. I saw Margaret Cho at Largo last month, and no one destroys a room as thoroughly. Jackie Beat is a drag legend who can sing anything. Alan Cumming bringing his whole queer self to Traitors is how it’s done.
Who are you both currently obsessed with?
JAMISON: Nhut Le aka Judomaster.
ALEC: The cast of the Netflix show The Boyfriend. They’re the hottest, sweetest gay Japanese twinks, and I’m obsessed in a way that borders on inappropriate.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
ALEC: I have a very powerful stream.
JAMISON: I’m a geography nerd. I can name every country on the map. On a good day.
How long have you been together?
JAMISON: Too long.
ALEC: 23 heavenly blissful years.
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