Home Blog Page 5

35 Photos Depicting Queer Resilience and Joy at NYC Pride

Gayety Staff
-
0
35 Photos Depicting Queer Resilience and Joy at NYC Pride

NYC Pride

Here we are, at the end of another Pride month and on the other side of NYC Pride. For four years we have seen the scales tip against LGBTQIA+ rights in the United States, with anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation growing in number every year. This year that number reached record highs. For a brief moment, some in the LGBTQIA+ community almost breathed a full sigh of relief. It seemed for a short time that perhaps the worst of the queerphobic legislation was behind us. It’s clear now that this was at best wishful thinking and at worst a naive and false sense of security.

Related | Supreme Court Sides With Anti-Gay Website Designer

Be Gay and Organize

Despite this, if there is one thing the queer community does well, it’s organizing. Whether it’s to protest or to celebrate (and let’s be honest, sometimes it’s both) we never miss out on an opportunity to come together. The first Pride parade in NYC, Christopher Street Liberation Day, took place exactly one year after the Stonewall Uprising. Since that day Pride celebrations have been a symbol of resilience, acceptance, and unity within the LGBTQIA+ community. These electrifying events serve as a platform to honor the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals while also celebrating their identities and achinéeevements.

Keep scrolling for photos of NYC Pride, taken by New York-based photographer Madison Swart, that capture queer resilience and joy.

Photo by Madison Swart

Related | 50 Photos Celebrating Pride and Kink at NOLA Pride

Photo by Madison Swart

Joy and Resilience

At Pride, an atmosphere of celebration prevails, fostering an environment where queer and trans joy can shine brightly. Celebrating trans joy in the face of 355 active anti-trans laws this year alone is a powerful act. Pride celebrations, like NYC Pride, serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of the trans community. It also reminds us what it means to “celebrate” Pride in the first place. Years like this one, marked with hardship and tragedy as they are, ask us to make space for both joy and resilience. Together they create a passion for liberation. Without this, we are already shrinking ourselves back down to fit into the closets society built for us many years ago.

Make sure to follow Madison Swart for more queer joy and resilience and consider supporting their work on Ko-Fi.

Netflix Threw a Queer Reality Show Party at SF’s Hottest New Women’s Sports Bar

Caitlynn McDaniel
-
0
Netflix Threw a Queer Reality Show Party at SF’s Hottest New Women’s Sports Bar

To celebrate The Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 2, Netflix and Frameline took over SF’s first women’s sports bar for a night of reality TV, Pride magic, and community vibes.

Netflix brought the drama — and the community — to San Francisco’s Castro district this week with a special Pride Month screening of The Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 2 at Rikki’s, the city’s first women’s sports bar. Co-hosted with Frameline Film Festival, the event delivered free bites, a few surprises, and the kind of chaotic queer romance reality TV fans live for.

And yes — Lexi Goldberg from The Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 1 even made a guest appearance, showing love to the new cast and the local community.

“We are a women’s sports bar, and queer women cannot be disconnected from women’s sports,” said Danielle Thoe, co-owner of Rikki’s. “So to see queer, female, and non-binary representation in mainstream media — as a part of things that are as silly and fun as reality TV — is important. It means there’s acceptance and inclusion in the broader media landscape throughout.”

Rikki’s: Born From the Sidelines

Danielle co-founded the bar with Sara Yergovich, her former teammate on the San Francisco Spikes LGBTQ+ soccer team. “Danielle and I just really wanted somewhere to watch women’s sports reliably,” Sara shared. “Where we could just go and know it was going to be on. And we kind of realized that no one else is going to do it if we didn’t.”

The event held special significance, as it came just weeks after the bar’s Pride Month grand opening. “To be able to have an event during Pride Week with Frameline,” Sara added, “means that we can engage with the community in a way that we wouldn’t have already been able to. It’s really cool.”

First Impressions: Drama, Dating, and Queer Love Realness

Guests came dressed in cocktail chic, sipped on themed drinks, and gave instant reactions to the new season. “Drama,” Shelby (she/her) and Alice (she/her) said in unison. “I only really believe that two couples are genuine,” Shelby added with a laugh.

As one guest noted during the screening, “If you’re going on the show and you have to issue something — an ultimatum — that’s kind of a tough spot to be in. Maybe it’s important for them to break up.”

Queer Dating Wisdom, Straight From the Barstools

When asked for dating advice, Sara kept it short and powerful: “Show up and keep showing up.”

Another attendee chimed in with her own love-life origin story: “Join a queer sports league. I met my girlfriend through gay dodgeball and we’re in love, and that’s beautiful.”

Netflix + Community = A Win for Queer Joy

With a full house at 2223 Market St., this wasn’t just a premiere — it was a celebration of queer representation, local business, and chosen family. As Danielle said, “It’s been an awesome packed night full of all the drama and love and tension you’d expect from The Ultimatum. So it’s been fun.”

Catch the Drama at Home

The Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix. New episodes drop weekly through June:

  • Week 1 (May 24): Episodes 1–4
  • Week 2 (May 31): Episodes 5–8
  • Week 3 (June 7): Episodes 9–10

So if you’re ready to scream at the screen (again), the queer love chaos is just a click away.

FINESSE’s New Pride Campaign Drags Anti-Trans Laws With Style, Sass, and Satire

Josh Azevedo
-
0
FINESSE’s New Pride Campaign Drags Anti-Trans Laws With Style, Sass, and Satire

The fashion-forward series “Read All About It” reclaims headlines and turns political attacks into moments of trans triumph.

Timed perfectly with the federal court’s move to block the Trump administration’s passport restrictions targeting transgender Americans, queer-founded fashion label FINESSE is making headlines of its own. The brand just launched “Read All About It”—a four-part, satirical Pride campaign that calls out some of the year’s most egregious anti-trans laws by giving them a makeover.

With a lineup of trans Gen Z It-Girls at the helm, each starring in and co-directing their own video, the series reclaims power with humor, glam, and radical authenticity.

Headlines, But Make It Trans and Talented

The Read All About It series transforms some of the most politicized moments for the trans community into fashion-forward mini-films. Each segment highlights a different flashpoint: bathroom bills, military bans, sports restrictions, and the infamous passport policy.

And the dolls are not just starring, they’re co-creative directing every scene. FINESSE worked closely with its trans cast to ensure each story was told with care, flair, and full approval through multiple rounds of feedback.

Episode 1: Zaya Perysian vs. Passport Erasure

Leading the charge is Zaya Perysian (@zayaperysian), who made headlines earlier this year after winning a legal battle against the Trump administration. In February, a State Department directive attempted to block the use of “X” gender markers on passports. Zaya fought back, and won.

In the campaign’s first video, Zaya reenacts and reclaims that policy through an empowering, tongue-in-cheek visual retelling. Known for documenting her transition and being named a TikTok LGBTQ Trailblazer, Zaya is proving once again that she’s more than a viral moment, she’s a movement.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FINESSE (@finesseusstudios)

Episode 2: Ve’ondre Mitchell Calls Out the Military Ban

Next up is Ve’ondre Mitchell (@veondre), a GLAAD “20 Under 20” honoree and former Human Rights Campaign Youth Ambassador. In February, the Department of Defense banned those with a history of gender dysphoria from serving unless they met strict waiver conditions.

Mitchell brings the absurdity of this decision to life in her episode, blending military chic with scathing satire. A proud advocate and musician, she also just dropped a new single, “Gay,” timed perfectly with the campaign’s release.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FINESSE (@finesseusstudios)

Episode 3: Stella Menino Takes on Florida’s Bathroom Law

Stella Menino (@stelluhb), a TikTok star with nearly 60 million likes, brings her signature humor to a sobering topic. In March, Florida enforced its first anti-trans bathroom law, leading to the arrest of a trans woman at the state capitol.

Stella’s video pokes fun at the twisted logic behind these so-called “safety” policies, using comedy and camp to highlight the real threat: state-sanctioned discrimination.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FINESSE (@finesseusstudios)

Episode 4: Dialló Mitch Dismantles Trump’s Sports Order

Rounding out the campaign is Dialló Mitch (@__mystylist), a model and stylist known for pushing boundaries in fashion. Her episode tackles Trump’s executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which redefined Title IX to exclude trans girls and women.

Dialló, who describes her style as “fearless, risky, and expressive as f*ck,” takes on the policy with runway-ready athleticism, pushing back against transphobic tropes with elegance and edge.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FINESSE (@finesseusstudios)

Resistance in Rhinestones

With “Read All About It,” FINESSE is reminding us that protest can be bold, beautiful, and hilarious. By blending satire, high fashion, and trans-led storytelling, the brand isn’t just responding to political attacks, it’s rewriting the headlines entirely.

And in a time when the trans community is being targeted across legislative fronts, the message is loud and clear: the girls aren’t going anywhere, but they might show up in full glam to read you for filth.

Juan Perales Heats Up Netflix’s ‘Olympo’ and Folie Magazine With His Sizzling Looks

Josh Azevedo
-
0
Juan Perales Heats Up Netflix’s ‘Olympo’ and Folie Magazine With His Sizzling Looks

Netflix’s Olympo may center on elite athletes chasing greatness, but it’s Juan Perales who’s truly going for gold: in looks, charisma, and on-screen steaminess.

The Spanish heartthrob, who plays rugby star Sebas Sendón in the new young adult drama, recently turned up the temperature again in the latest issue of Folie Magazine. From shirtless smolders to tailored sex appeal, Perales is proving that he’s not just a rising actor, he’s a full-blown thirst trap.

Meet the Star Heating Up Your Watchlist

Released globally on June 20, Olympo is Netflix’s newest Spanish-language series from creators Jan Matheu, Laia Foguet, and Ibai Abad. Think of it as Élite meets the Olympics, with a twist of sci-fi and moral chaos.

Set at the fictional CAR Pirineos, an elite training facility tucked in the mountains, Olympo follows a pack of gifted young athletes pushing themselves, and each other, to the limit. At its core is Amaia, the captain of Spain’s artistic swimming team, whose world unravels when her best friend begins outperforming her with unexplained skill boosts.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by juan (@juaanperales)

Amid all the sweat, ambition, and drama is Perales’ Sebas, a wealthy rugby player with an edge, and a very intimate storyline. His tension-filled romance with Roque (played by Agustín Della Corte) has fans glued to the screen, not just for the plot twists, but for the ahem very generous camera angles.

Folie Magazine? More Like Fuego Magazine

While Olympo might have introduced him to a global audience, Perales’ new Folie Magazine spread is solidifying his status as Spain’s next breakout star—and certified hottie. The editorial showcases his classic model features and magnetic presence, giving us everything from brooding athlete to high-fashion fantasy.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Folie (@folie.magazine)

Styled to perfection, Perales effortlessly balances sultry and sophisticated, exuding the same layered energy he brings to Olympo. It’s a shoot that has fans collectively asking, “Do we even need AC this summer?”

A Look Back (and Ahead)

Before landing his breakout role in Olympo, the 25-year-old actor made his screen debut in 4 Estrellas in 2024 and popped up briefly in Élite’s eighth season as Bernat. But it’s clear Perales isn’t just here for a cameo career, he’s sprinting toward stardom.

Between the buzz around his Olympo scenes and his growing modeling portfolio, Juan Perales is shaping up to be one of Spain’s most promising (and most ogled) exports. Whether he’s charging down the rugby field or striking a pose, this is one Olympian we’ll be keeping our eyes on.

Juan Perales Is That Guy

From steamy love scenes to magazine covers hot enough to melt your screen, Juan Perales is having a moment, and we are absolutely here for it. Whether you’ve already binged Olympo or are just now discovering this Spanish star, one thing’s for sure: he’s impossible to ignore and even harder to forget.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by juan (@juaanperales)

Seven Trans Icons Join Stonewall’s LGBTQ Wall of Honor in Powerful Pride Tribute

Josh Azevedo
-
0
Seven Trans Icons Join Stonewall’s LGBTQ Wall of Honor in Powerful Pride Tribute

The National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the historic Stonewall Inn will add seven new names to its ranks on June 26, and for the first time, all honorees are trailblazing transgender advocates. The annual ceremony, co-hosted by the International Imperial Court Council and the National LGBTQ Task Force, is free and open to the public, though RSVPs are required due to limited space.

The induction comes at a time of heightened attacks on the transgender community, with discriminatory legislation and violence on the rise across the United States. Organizers say this year’s focus on trans honorees is both a tribute to resilience and a call to action.

Honoring a Legacy of Resistance

The National LGBTQ Wall of Honor, nestled inside the legendary Stonewall Inn, epicenter of the 1969 uprising that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement, is part of the Stonewall National Monument. Since its unveiling in 2019, the Wall has served as a posthumous tribute to queer pioneers such as Marsha P. Johnson, Audre Lorde, and Harvey Milk.

“This year’s focus on transgender trailblazers and changemakers underscores the importance of recognizing our history and the current climate for our trans siblings,” said Cathy Renna, Communications Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. “Their courage inspires our ongoing fight for liberation.”

Nicole Murray Ramirez, founder of the Wall and Queen Mother of the Americas, added, “A movement that does not know where it came from, or whose shoulders it stands on, does not know where it’s going. This is a reminder that trans people have always been at the forefront of our community.”

The National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at Stonewall will induct seven trans advocates this Pride Month. Here's why it matters more than ever.
Photo: The Stonewall In

Meet the 2025 Inductees

Ruddy Martinez
Known as “Mami Ruddys,” Martinez was a beloved trans drag performer and activist in Puerto Rico. Since the 1980s, she turned her home into a sanctuary for queer youth rejected by their families.

Chili Pepper
A frequent guest on 1980s talk shows like Oprah and Phil Donahue, Chili Pepper used her platform to challenge stereotypes and raise AIDS awareness.

Lynn Conway
A computer science pioneer, Conway revolutionized microchip design while fighting gender discrimination in STEM. She helped pave the way for future generations of trans scientists.

Alan L. Hart
One of the first people to undergo gender-affirming surgery, Hart was a physician and novelist who made groundbreaking contributions to tuberculosis research in the early 20th century.

Jiggly Caliente
The beloved RuPaul’s Drag Race alum and Pose star, Jiggly (Bianca Castro-Arabejo), was a powerful force for representation until her death in April 2025 at age 44.

The Lady Chablis
A charismatic entertainer and actress, Chablis broke barriers with her performance in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, becoming one of the first Black trans women to gain widespread media visibility.

Sam Nordquist
A Black trans man whose brutal murder in 2025 ignited national outrage. His death exposed the ongoing crisis of violence against transgender people, especially Black trans men and women.

A Moment of Reflection and Action

This year’s induction is more than symbolic, it’s a statement against erasure. As anti-trans legislation threatens access to healthcare, safety, and freedom, remembering trans leaders past and present becomes a radical act of visibility.

The Wall of Honor, which began with 50 names on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, continues to grow each year. With the addition of these seven names, the Wall becomes an even more inclusive testament to the diverse identities that have shaped the LGBTQ movement.

And in the words of Ramirez: “Trans people have not only always been here, they’ve led the charge.”

Rebecca Black and More Join Dolores’: The Queer Home of Outside Lands with Dance, Drag, and DIY Magic

Andy Lalwani
-
0
Rebecca Black and More Join Dolores’: The Queer Home of Outside Lands with Dance, Drag, and DIY Magic

As Outside Lands unveils its official 2025 lineup, one of the most anticipated highlights — Dolores’ — is back with a bold celebration of queer and trans nightlife culture. Located in Golden Gate Park’s famed Polo Field, this vibrant, open-air dance space is a festival within the festival: a joyful homage to Bay Area queer history and underground dance-party energy, curated by three local collectives across three transformative nights.

What is Dolores’?

Named in affectionate tribute to the city’s queer-rich past, Dolores’ is Outside Lands’ dedicated queer and trans dance space. After establishing itself as a luminous highlight at last year’s festival, Dolores’ returns for its second year. It brings together DIY drag, dance music, and community, spotlighting the energy and resilience of underground queer venues that long championed safe spaces for celebration and creative expression.

Outside Lands says that all are welcome, but its programming is deeply rooted in Bay Area LGBTQ+ joy, activism, and identity. Hosted across three evenings (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), Dolores’ is curated by three powerhouse local groups — FAKE and GAY, Oasis Arts, and Polyglamorous — each offering a unique take on queer nightlife and culture.

Why You Should Attend: Three Nights, Three Vibes

Friday, June 21: FAKE and GAY

The experience begins with FAKE and GAY, the party collective known for groundbreaking, pop-forward club bookings across the Bay. Expect a lineup packed with drag-led performances, electro-pop hits, and a rave-influenced stage presence that pulls from international drag, underground DJs, and local queer talent.

Friday’s lineup includes:

  • DJ Fcukers delivering throbbing club beats

  • Chase Icon, the electrifying pop queen, performing live

  • Drag sets from Memphy, Dangerous Rose, Beverly Chills, Mama San, and more

  • Hosted by Nicole Paige Brooks, famed for her work on RuPaul’s Drag Race

If you’ve ever craved the atmosphere of a neon-lit toast to queer pop culture, Friday delivers that and more.

Dolores' Outside Lands lineup.
Dolores’ Outside Lands lineup. Photo: Outside Lands

Saturday, June 22: Oasis Arts

On Saturday, Oasis Arts takes control. This nonprofit collective has shaped queer arts in SF for over a decade — a force behind creative development, mentorship, and cross-disciplinary queer expression. At Dolores’, they present performance art, drag, music, and DJ sets by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists.

Saturday’s highlights include:

  • PRINCESS, solo artist with Tito Soto & Snaxx

  • REPARATIONS (Nicki Jizz), with Miss Toto

  • BALONEY & FRIENDS, featuring D’Arcy Drollinger and others

  • Music support from DJ Bella Spreads and DJ Subeaux

  • Additional sets and art performances yet to be announced

Oasis brings conceptual flair and a focus on creative continuity, drawing from roots of community building while projecting bold, contemporary expression.

Sunday, June 23: Polyglamorous

Closing out the weekend, Polyglamorous — the drag-party-slash-underground-event collective led by Benjamin Bellayuto and Mark O’Brien — delivers a night of pumping beats, drag glitz, and joyful mayhem.

Sunday’s star-studded lineup includes:

  • A DJ set by pop icon Rebecca Black

  • Performances from Father Figure, David Harness, Jen DM, Chelsea Starr, Mouthfeel, and more

  • A back-to-back headlining set from BEYA and Mark O’Brien

  • Drag performances by Vivvy and a host of undisclosed artists

Think sparkle, sequins, raw energy, IRL queer celebration — all in a space designed to dance until dawn.

Why It Matters

  1. Rooted in Queer Culture — Dolores’ is more than a dance tent: it’s a living tribute to the DIY queer nightlife that flourished in Slack-area clubs, basement venues, and house parties across San Francisco. It brings that spirit back into Golden Gate Park at one of America’s biggest festivals.

  2. Spotlight on Local Creatives — Each night features curators who’ve been critical to the Bay Area’s queer arts ecosystem. From Oasis Arts’ advocacy and mentorship to Polyglamorous’ legendary drag ragers and FAKE and GAY’s border-pushing roster, the programming honors, uplifts, and empowers the region’s LGBTQ+ talent.

  3. Inclusive, Political, Joyful — In turbulent times when queer rights remain under threat, Dolores’ offers a political statement through revelry. It’s a space that affirms identity, creativity, and community — and reaffirms that visibility is resistance.

  4. Accessibility Meets Artistry — Offered within the general access of Outside Lands (GA, GA+, VIP, Golden Gate Club passes), Dolores’ ensures fans can enjoy cutting-edge queer art, performance, and dance without breaking the bank — or needing to seek out after-parties outside festival grounds.

Extend the Pride with a Pre-Party Worth Queer Shout-Outs

Outside Lands doesn’t just keep Dolores’ contained to weekend nights. On Saturday, June 28, they host BAY AREA PRIDE AMPLIFIED, a pre-party at The Independent bar in SF. This event features:

  • DJ sets from local queer party stylists like Pillowprince, Medscool, DJ n0be, and more

  • Live sets from Emily Afton and Cardboard People

  • Drag performances by Aurris X Lilith, artists from The Gregangelo Museum, and other go-go dancers

It’s a perfect warm-up for Dolores’, serving to kick off Pride weekend proper and give those of us craving live local queer art a head start on the celebration.

Tickets and Logistics

Interested? Here’s the breakdown:

Dolores’ access is included in Outside Lands passes:

  • General Admission

  • GA+ (which includes priority viewing options)

  • Golden Gate Club (VIP-level festival experience)

  • Gold Payment Plan tiers

Tickets are available exclusively at www.sfoutsidelands.com. Early-bird pricing and payment plans are available but moving fast. Pre-party tickets for Pride Amplified at The Independent are also available on the same site.

More Outside Lands Highlights

If Dolores’ isn’t enough queer sparkle for you, the rest of Outside Lands 2025 is just as dazzling:

  • SOMA Tent — Returning with redesigned staging and outdoor vibes, featuring Black Coffee, Claude VonStroke, Floating Points, Nico Moreno, and more

  • Golden Gate Club — A luxe VIP lounge with elevated culinary experiences hosted by local chefs Melissa King, Tyler Florence, and Dana Younkin & Nancy Oakes

  • City Hall Weddings — Intimate outdoor ceremonies for couples seeking to tie the knot in a festival setting

  • Taste of the Bay Area, Wine Lands, Beer Lands, and Cocktail Magic — curated food and drink trails celebrating regional flavors

  • Grass Lands — the festival’s first licensed cannabis area, tailored for safe and legal consumption

  • Fan-favorite stages — featuring art, education, late-night DJs, and more

A Summer Must-Do

Between Dolores’ electric nights and all the festival’s other offerings, Outside Lands 2025 becomes an essential stop on the summer calendar — especially for LGBTQ+ audiences seeking a joyful, liberatory experience.

Whether you’re dressing up in sequins, seeking communal transcendence on the dancefloor, or just curious to see what makes Bay Area queer nightlife tick, Dolores’ is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Everything You Need in Your Ultimate Pride Month Starter Kit (Yes, Glitter Included)

Josh Azevedo
-
0
Everything You Need in Your Ultimate Pride Month Starter Kit (Yes, Glitter Included)

Pride Month is like queer Christmas, minus the stress of gift wrapping and plus a whole lot more thigh. Whether you’re a Pride first-timer or a seasoned veteran with fan-snapping wrist strength, you need to be prepared. And what better way than with the ultimate Pride Month Starter Kit?

Here’s everything you actually need to serve face, protect your phone, flirt with your ex, and make it to July with glitter still in your scalp.

1. Glitter, But Make It Biodegradable

We love the planet almost as much as we love looking fabulous, so please make your sparkle sustainable. Biodegradable glitter is the way to go, because the only thing toxic at Pride should be your ex’s texts.

Snag your glitter, diva tee, and Grindr premium: here’s everything you need in your Pride Month starter kit.
Photo: Writopia Lab

2. Jean Overalls

Summer’s here, and the flannels have been laid to rest. Enter: the timeless lesbian classic, jean overalls with a crisp white or black tee underneath. Functional, flirtatious, and with just enough side gap to get a sunburn on your ribcage. We love a seasonal switch-up.

3. A Fan That Snaps Louder Than Your Ex’s Apologies

You’re not at Pride unless you’re dramatically snapping open a folding fan every time someone dares to block your breeze. Bonus points if it says “WERK,” “HOT MESS,” or “NO THANKS.” Shade isn’t just encouraged, it’s tradition.

Snag your glitter, diva tee, and Grindr premium: here’s everything you need in your Pride Month starter kit.
Photo: The Gay Fan Club

4. A Grindr Premium Subscription

Pride is Grindr’s Super Bowl. Go ahead and unlock that premium for the weekend, you deserve it. Who needs a map when you can see who’s three feet away, shirtless, and “looking”? Remember to hydrate before you misbehave.

5. Poppers (For When the Beat, and the Boys, Drop)

Yes, darling, we went there. If you’re entering a dark room, dancing in a sweaty crowd, or just need a sudden personality reset, poppers are practically Pride cologne. Just remember: not all nostrils were created equal. Sniff responsibly.

Photo: Alamy
Photo: Alamy

6. Your Chosen Family

More important than any crop top or glitter bomb is the crew you roll with. Whether it’s your ride-or-die queer besties, your drag mom, or your favorite chaotic cousin, Pride is best served with people who get you and won’t judge you for crying during Robyn.

7. A Signature Look™️

This isn’t the time to blend in. Think rhinestones, mesh, booty shorts, and body glitter. Or if that’s not your vibe, go full cottagecore lesbian or queer-coded anime villain. The assignment is: Be seen from space.

Snag your glitter, diva tee, and Grindr premium: here’s everything you need in your Pride Month starter kit.
Photo: ICT Award

8. Your Favorite Diva Repped Proudly on a Cropped T-Shirt

Whether it’s Beyoncé, Gaga, Ariana, Cher, or a deep-cut Mariah moment, your diva allegiance must be made known. Bonus points if it’s a bootleg tee from Etsy that says “Mother” in bold font across the chest. Respect your elders.

9. Crossbody Bag That Says “Try Me, Thief”

Look, we love a tiny short with no pockets. But shady characters love them even more. Pride events are packed, and the last thing you want is to realize your phone’s gone right after sending a risky text to your situationship. A secure, zipped, crossbody bag is cute and practical. Slay, but safely.

Snag your glitter, diva tee, and Grindr premium: here’s everything you need in your Pride Month starter kit.
Photo: DH Club

10. A Signature Gay Playlist That Pleases the Girls, Gays, and Theys

This isn’t just any playlist, it’s THE event playlist. It’s Charli XCX followed by Kylie followed by RuPaul followed by “The Climb” just to make everyone cry a little. Your aux cord is a sacred weapon. Use it wisely.

Now go forth, queer warrior, with your starter kit in hand and your diva playlist queued. Pride Month is here, so be loud, be proud, and be so extra it hurts.

Trixie Mattel’s New ‘Gay HBO Max Song’ is So Camp and We Aren’t Mad

Andy Lalwani
-
0
Trixie Mattel’s New ‘Gay HBO Max Song’ is So Camp and We Aren’t Mad

Just when you thought Pride Month 2025 couldn’t get any gayer, Trixie Mattel has entered the chat—disco ball in hand and TV references locked and loaded. The drag superstar and DJ just dropped a fabulously campy new anthem titled “Gay HBO Max Song”, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO Max, aimed at celebrating queer joy, community, and the chaotic brilliance of premium cable TV.

The single hit streaming platforms on Friday, June 27, just in time to round out Pride Month with a glittering bang. Released alongside a cheeky music video, the song is part celebration, part satire, and all love letter to the queer fans who have turned shows like Euphoria, The White Lotus, and Sex and the City into unofficial gay scripture.

A Camp Classic in the Making

“Gay HBO Max Song” is everything you’d expect from a Trixie Mattel Pride track—and then some. Think shimmering synths, heavy bass, tongue-in-cheek humor, and references that only the LGBTQ+ community could elevate into viral, meme-worthy moments. Whether it’s Jennifer Coolidge’s immortal scream “These gays are trying to kill me!” from The White Lotus or Sydney Sweeney’s emotional “I’ve never been happier!” from Euphoria, the song pulls together the most iconic one-liners from HBO Max’s most quotable shows.

What’s more impressive than the references themselves is how naturally they’re folded into the track. Trixie doesn’t just use the quotes—she reclaims them. These moments, many of which were never meant to be queer per se, have been lovingly recontextualized by LGBTQ+ fans over time. Now, they’re canon.

“Whatever Happened to Fun?”

That question, famously posed by Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City, gets a remix of its own in the track—and serves as a sly thesis statement for the whole affair. The song isn’t just a Pride month release; it’s a celebration of camp, of queer media literacy, and of the special kind of joy that comes from gathering your chosen family around the couch to scream-laugh at emotionally unstable characters and opulent drama.

Trixie has made a name for herself not just in the world of drag, but in music. With albums blending folk, pop, and ‘80s synth nostalgia—and a personality that’s equal parts Dolly Parton and John Waters—Trixie’s brand of musical storytelling is tailor-made for a song like this.

A Corporate Collab That Actually Slaps?

Let’s be real: most corporate Pride campaigns in 2025 feel like recycled rainbow clip art and safe slogans. But this one hits different. Instead of simply slapping a rainbow on a logo, HBO Max (which, funnily enough, may soon rebrand again) leaned into queer fandom with actual authenticity—and absurdity.

If HBO Max is the canvas, the queer community has painted it with memes, mashups, TikToks, fan theories, and an endless appetite for dramatics. Gay HBO Max Song is a campy thank-you note that recognizes that cultural labor.

Trixie Mattel, Forever the Cultural Touchstone

Trixie Mattel’s influence continues to extend far beyond RuPaul’s Drag Race. She’s become a cultural architect in her own right—turning wigs and wit into Emmy nominations, charting albums, a successful makeup brand, a Palm Springs motel, and now, a viral musical tribute to HBO Max. She’s also one of the few queens who can straddle both niche LGBTQ+ spaces and the broader pop culture universe.

“I wanted to make something that was not just for Pride,” Trixie said in a behind-the-scenes clip. “This is for every time a gay person says, ‘Remember that episode where Miranda wore the diaper bag as a purse?’ I wanted this song to feel like flipping through queer Tumblr in 2013—but make it now, and make it sparkle.”

The Aces Announce ‘Gold Star Baby’ – A New Glittering Queer Disco-Pop Album

Andy Lalwani
-
0
The Aces Announce ‘Gold Star Baby’ – A New Glittering Queer Disco-Pop Album

The Aces are ready to throw the most fabulous party of the summer — and everyone’s invited. The all-queer pop quartet announced today that their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Gold Star Baby, will be released August 15 via SoundOn. With a shimmer-drenched disco-pop aesthetic, powerful queer representation, and a focus on joy and freedom, Gold Star Baby promises to be this year’s sapphic sonic celebration.

Coinciding with the announcement, The Aces also dropped their third single from the album, “You Got Me”, available for streaming now. A heart-bursting, love-drunk anthem, the track captures the electric rush of falling for someone and the fear of saying the words out loud — until you just can’t help yourself.

A Disco-Pop Sanctuary for Queer Joy

If their introspective 2023 album, I’ve Loved You For So Long, was about grappling with identity and vulnerability, Gold Star Baby is its glittery, liberated counterpart. According to the band, the record is a metaphorical “club in every city,” a secret space known only to those who truly need it — a pulsing dancefloor where queer joy reigns and nothing else matters.

“It’s a strutting, disco ball bowling serve – something undeniably different but also inescapably brilliant,” said one reviewer, praising the band’s daring new sonic direction.

With influences that evoke early 2000s pop divas like the Pussycat Dolls and Spice Girls, The Aces bring a fresh, sapphic spin to an otherwise nostalgic soundscape. The band describes Gold Star Baby as “disco-pop that fills the holes in our hearts,” where fantasy meets emotional truth and every beat is an invitation to dance — or cry, or both.

“You Got Me” — New Single Out Now

The latest single from the album, “You Got Me,” is a dreamy, danceable love letter to that moment just before you confess your feelings — when you’re floating in uncertainty but totally intoxicated by the possibility.

“This song is about that short and sweet period of time when you realize you’re in love but you’re not sure how to tell them,” the band shared in a statement. “We wanted it to sound like the feeling of falling in love — warm, shimmery, bouncy and a little bit of nerves.”

The track is the third to be released from the upcoming album, following “The Magic” and “Jealous,” which have already earned praise for their sharp lyrics, addictive melodies, and palpable confidence. With “You Got Me,” The Aces are three for three — and fans are counting the days until they can hear the rest of the album.

Behind the Music: Who Are The Aces?

Comprised of sisters Cristal and Alisa Ramirez (lead vocals/guitar and drums), Katie Henderson (lead guitar/vocals), and McKenna Petty (bass), The Aces formed in Utah and have been making waves in the indie-pop and queer music scenes since their 2017 debut. Known for their infectious energy, tight harmonies, and unabashed love for the LGBTQ+ community, the band has carved out a unique space in modern pop music.

With over 250 million streams and three albums under their belt, The Aces are more confident than ever. Their music isn’t just for queer listeners — but it centers them, creating space where sapphic stories are told without apology and with full glitter-fueled joy.

A Festival-Filled Summer Ahead

Fans won’t have to wait until August to see the band live. The Aces are hitting the festival circuit this summer, with upcoming performances at Summerfest in Milwaukee, as well as All Things Go festivals in both New York and Washington, D.C.

They recently opened for Chappell Roan at Kentucky Pride and supported Goth Babe on a U.S. tour. With a reputation for electric live shows and devoted fans (especially among LGBTQ+ listeners), their upcoming festival sets are expected to be highlights of the season.

Stay tuned for more tour dates to be announced — including a likely fall headline tour supporting Gold Star Baby.

Aesthetic, Art, and Identity

The album’s artwork — shot by celebrated photographer Dana Trippe — further emphasizes the band’s commitment to queer glam. From high-gloss visual storytelling to euphoric dancefloor-ready choruses, Gold Star Baby is a total-package era for The Aces.

“It’s the feeling of hitting the town with your closest group of friends, with the perfect buzz going, in the new outfit you’ve been scheming up to command any room you’re in,” the band explains. “This record is us on the other side — lighter, freer, and ready to have a damn good time.”

Pre-Save Gold Star Baby Now

Ready to fall in love with The Aces all over again? Gold Star Baby drops August 15, but fans can pre-save the album now via SoundOn.

And don’t forget to stream “You Got Me” today — because nothing says summer romance like queer disco-pop and a chorus you can scream with your whole chest.

Lenacapavir Approved as MISTR Launches Twice-Yearly Injectable PrEP Nationwide

Josh Azevedo
-
0
Lenacapavir Approved as MISTR Launches Twice-Yearly Injectable PrEP Nationwide

A new era in HIV prevention is officially here. With the FDA’s recent approval of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable PrEP that requires only two doses per year, MISTR is stepping up as the first nationwide platform ready to deliver it at scale, free of charge and free of red tape.

For those unfamiliar with the name, Lenacapavir (to be marketed as Yeztugo) is a long-acting injectable treatment that offers up to 99% protection against HIV with just two subcutaneous shots per year. That’s not only a medical breakthrough, it’s a lifestyle shift for thousands who find daily or bi-monthly PrEP regimens burdensome.

“Lenacapavir is a true game-changer,” said Tristan Schukraft, founder and CEO of MISTR. “It’s discreet, easy, and built for real life. That simplicity means more people can actually stay on PrEP, especially those who’ve struggled with adherence in the past.”

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO - APRIL 25: Tristan Schukraft attends the Grand Opening Weekend at The Tryst Puerto Vallarta: Opening Night Party at The Tryst Puerto Vallarta on April 25, 2025 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Tristan Schukraft. Photo: Presley Ann/Getty Images

Why Lenacapavir Is a Big Deal

Unlike previous injectables, Lenacapavir is administered subcutaneously, in the belly fat, rather than through painful intramuscular shots. The reduced discomfort, combined with the ultra-low frequency of injections, makes it a highly accessible option for individuals who face barriers like unstable housing, stigma, or limited access to consistent care.

“For people dealing with stigma or unstable healthcare access, two shots a year can literally mean the difference between protection and risk,” Schukraft said. “And if you get it from MISTR, it’s completely free.”

MISTR’s “No Barriers” Model

MISTR is uniquely positioned to lead the Lenacapavir rollout thanks to its hybrid model, a fusion of nationwide telehealth access and localized in-person care. The platform operates storefronts in seven major LGBTQ+ neighborhoods:

  • West Hollywood (Los Angeles)

  • The Castro (San Francisco)

  • Hell’s Kitchen (New York City)

  • Wilton Manors (Fort Lauderdale)

  • Northalsted (Chicago)

  • Oaklawn (Dallas)

  • Las Vegas

For patients outside these hubs, MISTR has activated a network of 65+ community-based providers to ensure national coverage. But accessibility isn’t just geographic, it’s financial, too.

“We’re the only national telehealth platform that makes PrEP completely free for uninsured patients,” Schukraft explained. “About 70% of our patients are insured, and when they get their PrEP through us, they help cover the cost for the 30% who aren’t. It’s care that pays it forward.”

Even for insured individuals, there are no co-pays, no surprise bills, and no paperwork headaches. MISTR takes care of everything: eligibility, lab work, doctor visits, scheduling, and follow-ups, all free and confidential.

Filling the Gaps Public Health Leaves Behind

As public health budgets face increasing cuts, MISTR is proving that private platforms can step in where the system falls short.

“With public programs under attack, we’ve shown it’s possible to serve over half a million people, without billing the government or the patient, and to do it faster and more equitably,” said Schukraft. “The healthcare system is broken for too many. We didn’t wait for it to be fixed, we built something better.”

And with Lenacapavir now in the mix, that “better” solution is evolving even further. MISTR expects to begin offering the injectable PrEP option shortly and encourages interested patients to visit mistr.com to sign up.

“Ending HIV is absolutely possible in the next few years,” Schukraft said. “But only if we get more people on PrEP. With Lenacapavir and MISTR, we’re making that future real, one shot at a time.”

1...456...441Page 5 of 441

© Rainbow Media Co. All Rights Reserved.