Gayety

Author: Josh Azevedo

  • Cynthia Erivo, Cole Escola and Rainbow-Studded Chorus Boys: The Queerest Moments from The 2025 Tony Awards

    Cynthia Erivo, Cole Escola and Rainbow-Studded Chorus Boys: The Queerest Moments from The 2025 Tony Awards

    At this point, asking whether the Tony Awards are queer is like asking if Broadway has ever met a jazz square. The answer is a resounding yes, darling. But even by its own rhinestone-encrusted standards, the 78th Annual Tony Awards delivered a sparkling showcase of LGBTQ+ excellence, drama, and cheeky acceptance speeches that had us cheering louder than a stage mom on opening night.

    From historic wins and glittering gowns to impromptu dating app shoutouts and numbers choreographed “for the gaze” (not the gaze, the gays), this year’s Tonys offered a masterclass in fabulousness. Let’s pull back the curtain on the most iconic queer moments that had us tossing roses at our screens.

    Cynthia Erivo Hosted, and Her Wardrobe Deserved Its Own Tony

    Let’s get one thing straight, Cynthia Erivo is not. But also, she’s not just a host. She’s a moment. Fresh off a WorldPride concert, an album drop, and promoting Wicked: For Good, Erivo moonwalked into Radio City Music Hall and somehow made ten outfit changes look easy.

    No opening monologue, no faux comedy routine, just pure star power, powerhouse vocals, and couture worthy of a museum. One look in particular, a glimmering red gown with white satin trim, gave heavy Annie-meets-Elphaba energy. It was co-designed by Zac Posen and Jason Bolden, but the real magic was Erivo’s calm, commanding presence.

    Someone give her dresser a Lifetime Achievement Award. Stat.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8YtvXHxAw

    Jonathan Groff Straddles Keanu, Remains Dry

    Groff may not have taken home a trophy this year (Darren Criss beat him for Maybe Happy Ending), but he still delivered a high-octane tribute to Bobby Darin in Just in Time. Known for sweat-soaked performances that require a splash zone warning, Groff miraculously stayed dry while serenading, then straddling, Keanu Reeves.

    Waterproof Groff is still gay rights.

    Cole Escola Makes Tony History, Thanks Grindr

    Cole Escola, comedian, playwright, wig enthusiast, stole the show and the Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Play for Oh, Mary!, becoming the first non-binary actor to do so. Dressed in a custom silver Wiederhoeft gown with enough sparkle to blind George Clooney (who was also nominated), Escola offered the queerest acceptance speech of the night.

    “Hi Mom. I love you. I’ll call when I can. Oh, and thank you to T-Bone from Grindr,” Escola quipped, casually cementing their legacy and their contact list in Tony history.

    Oh, Mary! also snagged Best Direction for Sam Pinkleton and delivered a delightfully deranged take on Mary Todd Lincoln’s inner turmoil. It’s queer. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.

    Hue Park Winsand Announces He’s Single

    Maybe Happy Ending swept the Tonys with six wins, including Best Musical and Best Score, thanks to the writing duo of Will Aronson and Hue Park. During one of many acceptance speeches, Park charmingly let the world know he’s single. That tidbit echoed through the evening, with presenters and winners giving it playful shoutouts.

    Cue the DM flood.

    Jinkx Monsoon Pirates the Stage

    Drag legend and two-time Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon took to the stage as a pirate wench in Pirates! A Penzance Musical alongside David Hyde Pierce. Was the show snubbed? Sadly, yes. Was Jinkx playing a washboard in full swashbuckler drag a peak moment of the night? Absolutely.

    Death Becomes Her Gives a Dazzling Queer-Encapsulated Performance and Paul Tazewell is on a Roll!

    While we didn’t get BOOP! The Musical (justice for Betty!), we were gifted the gloriously camp spectacle of Death Becomes Her’s number “For the Gaze.” Picture Liza Minnelli doing a costume-change challenge with backup dancers in rainbow sequins and you’re still only halfway there.

    Madeline Ashton, multiple wigs, and a final tableau that probably left several straight viewers emotionally unprepared, Broadway’s never been more in on the joke. Choreographer Christopher Gattelli really said, “Subtlety? Never met her.”

    Costume designer Paul Tazewell earned a Tony for his breathtaking work on the show, adding to a trophy shelf that already includes a BAFTA and an Oscar for Wicked. Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Costume Design and remains a trailblazer in every sense.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_S_JjZh76s

    Harvey Fierstein Finally Gets His Flowers

    Harvey Fierstein already had four Tonys, but the Special Lifetime Achievement Award was long overdue. Though his award wasn’t televised (rude!), the moment was still monumental. Fierstein’s decades of blazing trails, be it with Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, or simply existing unapologetically, paved the yellow brick road for this new queer wave of thespians and theater connoisseurs.

    Tears were shed were definitely shed in this poignant moment.

    Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Francis Jue Round Out the Rainbow

    Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Purpose won Best Play, adding to his Pulitzer Prize haul. Meanwhile, veteran actor Francis Jue won hearts (and critical acclaim) for his role in Yellow Face, reminding us all that queer Asian excellence has always been part of Broadway’s DNA.

    Curtain Call

    From Cynthia’s 10 looks to Cole’s historic win and Jinkx’s pirate couture, the 2025 Tony Awards proved once again that queerness isn’t just part of Broadway, it is Broadway. And as long as we have chorus boys in sequins and monologues that end with “I’d like to thank Grindr,” the theater will be in fabulous hands.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBtzq3C-Wlc

    Full List of Winner Below

    Best Musical

    • Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

    • Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Blvd.

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

    • Darren Criss, Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Revival of a Musical

    • Sunset Blvd.

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

    • Cole Escola, Oh, Mary!

    Best Direction of a Musical

    • Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Direction of a Play

    • Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary!

    Best Revival of a Play

    • Eureka Day, Jonathan Spector

    Best Play

    • Purpose

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

    • Natalie Venetia Belcon, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

    • Kara Young, Purpose

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

    • Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

    • Francis Jue, Yellow Face

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

    • Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray

    Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

    • Maybe Happy Ending, Will Aronson (music and lyrics) and Hue Park (lyrics)

    Best Costume Design of a Musical

    • Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her

    Best Costume Design of a Play

    • Marg Horwell, The Picture of Dorian Gray

    Best Scenic Design of a Musical

    • Dane Laffrey and George Reeve, Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Scenic Design of a Play

    • Miriam Buether and 59, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

    Best Lighting Design of a Musical

    • Jack Knowles, Sunset Blvd.

    Best Lighting Design of a Play

    • Jon Clark, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

    Best Choreography

    • Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Orchestrations

    • Marco Paguia, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Sound Design of a Musical

    • Jonathan Deans, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Book of a Musical

    • Maybe Happy Ending, Will Aronson and Hue Park

    Best Sound Design of a Play

    • Paul Arditti, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
  • Get Fit and Feel Fierce With These LGBTQ+ Fitness Coaches Who Are Redefining Strength

    Get Fit and Feel Fierce With These LGBTQ+ Fitness Coaches Who Are Redefining Strength

    Pride Month is here, and while we love a good glittery parade or dance-all-night-afterparty, there’s something extra powerful about queering the gym, too. For years, fitness spaces have been dominated by toxic bro-culture and rigid beauty standards, but these LGBTQ+ fitness influencers are turning that narrative on its (very toned) head.

    From TikTok phenoms to certified coaches with thriving wellness communities, these creators are helping queer folks across the spectrum build muscle, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or looking to switch up your routine, these trainers are ready to help you sweat with pride, and maybe throw in a thirst trap or two.

    Sam Leicht: Lightning in a Dumbbell

    Let’s kick things off with a flash of brilliance, literally. Sam Leicht (pronounced “like lightning,” and yes, he’ll remind you of that) is a New York-based actor, certified health coach, and founder of Pridefit, a fitness app built for and by the LGBTQIA+ community.

    Since 2020, Sam has helped thousands of queer folks worldwide feel confident in their bodies and safe in their fitness journeys. His workouts — strength and HIIT-based — are tough, affirming, and full of sparkle.

    With credentials that include NASM CPT, CrossFit Level 2, and Strongman certifications, Sam is more than qualified to guide you through your reps. But what really makes him stand out? His mission: making gyms less intimidating and more inclusive for queer bodies of all kinds.

    Follow him on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok.

    Colton Ranson: The Consistency King

    With over 88,000 Instagram followers, Colton Ranson (aka @colt.fitness) brings equal parts strength and encouragement to your feed. A fitness coach since 2017, Colton focuses on giving people the tools they need to transform their bodies and minds.

    His content is clean, clear, and confidence-boosting, no gimmicks, just real talk and real gains. Think of him as your gym BFF with a perfect smile and a killer protein shake recipe.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Colton Ranson (@colt.fitness)

    Pauline Nordin: Discipline Meets Empowerment

    If you’ve ever said “I need someone to just tell me what to do,” Pauline Nordin is your gal. Her brand, Fighter Diet, has empowered over 150,000 people with practical nutrition plans and tough-love workouts.

    With over 128,000 Instagram followers, Pauline mixes high-intensity regimens with the kind of real-world advice that gets results. No fluff, no fakery, just one very sculpted truth-teller.

    Catch her workouts and motivation on Instagram and YouTube.

    Sam Cushing: Strength Meets Serenity

    Need a little Chopin with your shoulder press? Sam Cushing is the dreamy pianist-slash-fitness-guru you didn’t know you needed. With over 888,000 Instagram followers, Sam is known for combining strength training with self-love, mindfulness, and a little musical flair.

    Whether you’re trying to build muscle or just remember to breathe, Sam makes at-home workouts feel cozy, creative, and totally queer.

    Find him flexing and composing on Instagram and YouTube.

    @sam.cushing

    Definitely not mad about this pool at my new place in LA #Poolside #CircaLA

    ♬ Summer Days – Martin Garrix / Macklemore / Patrick Stump

    Madam Physique: Muscle Beach Maven

    Madam Physique went viral for more than her workouts. Her brutally honest TikToks chronicling life with PTSD and housing insecurity struck a chord with thousands, and now, she’s using that platform to lift up others, one dumbbell (or gym fit) at a time.

    She’s also made history as the first trans woman to claim Muscle Beach in Venice, California. That’s not just badass, that’s legendary!

    @themadamphysique

    Want to feel stronger? Use @WallFit Even I use it to help with toning! #StartwithWallFit #homeworkout #pilates #wallfit #beginner #weightloss

    ♬ Summer – Croquet Club

    DJ Rock: Pilates With Punchlines

    Serving strength and sass in equal measure, DJ Rock, aka The Trans Fitness Bitch, is a Brooklyn-based pilates instructor with a wicked sense of humor. As a trainer at Out Box, a trans-owned boxing gym, she blends inclusive movement with sharp commentary, and keeps it light without watering anything down.

    Her approach to fitness? Joyful, judgment-free, and gloriously queer.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by DJ Rock (@thetransfitnessbitch)

    Ilya Parker: The Industry Disruptor

    Tired of toxic fitness culture? Ilya Parker was too. That’s why they created Decolonizing Fitness, a platform and movement that centers inclusive, trauma-informed wellness practices.

    They don’t just call out the industry, they’re actively reshaping it with educational resources, affirming workouts, and a growing directory of queer-friendly movement pros.

    They’re building a better fitness world, and you’re invited.

    Landyn Pan: Bye, Bro-Culture

    Landyn Pan wants you to build muscle and confidence without toxic masculinity, crash diets, or gymtimidation. Their Instagram says it all: “Helping LGBTQ+ ppl build strength, muscle and confidence without toxic bro-culture.” Amen!

    Their content is full of technique tips, client transformations, and practical nutrition guidance, all geared toward queer and trans clients who want results without the side of shame.

    Flex Your Pride

    These creators are showing that strength is about so much more than aesthetics, it’s about resilience, joy, and the freedom to move your body in ways that feel good for you. This Pride, consider swapping the glitter for a barbell (or both… we’re not judging).

    Whether you’re building muscle, starting fresh, or just need a little fitspo that actually sees you, these queer fitness influencers are here to coach, support, and celebrate every part of your journey.

  • Chappell Roan Pops Up as the ‘Apple’ Girl During Charli XCX’s Primavera Set

    Chappell Roan Pops Up as the ‘Apple’ Girl During Charli XCX’s Primavera Set

    If Charli XCX is the queen of chaos this Brat summer, Chappell Roan just crowned herself the court jester.

    In one of the most unexpected, and utterly iconic, moments of Primavera Sound’s opening night, pop provocateur Chappell Roan surprised fans by performing the viral “Apple” dance during Charli XCX’s set on Thursday, June 5. The scene unfolded at Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum, where thousands gathered to kick off the beloved music festival, and got far more than they bargained for.

    A Rottenly Perfect Pop-In

    Charli, mid-way through her 31-song adrenaline rush of a set, was performing the now-infamous “Apple” track from her Brat album when the jumbotron zeroed in on a group of fans in the crowd. Among them? None other than Chappell Roan herself , unmistakable in bug-eyed sunglasses, a cropped sweatshirt, and the kind of energy only someone born for theater could bring.

    Without missing a beat, Roan began lip-synching along to “I think the apple’s rotten right to the core…” while perfectly executing the dance’s signature hand jive. The moment was silly, chaotic, and expertly timed, everything you’d expect from two of pop’s most genre-defiant forces.

    Charli, catching sight of the performance, screamed into the mic: “Make some f–king noise right now! Chappell, I f–king love you, b–ch!” And honestly? Same.

    The Brat Tradition Lives On

    Charli’s Brat-era shows have taken on a delightful tradition: a live crowd cam moment where fans (and, increasingly, famous faces) perform the “Apple” choreo originated by TikToker Kelley Heyer. Roan joins an eclectic and star-studded lineup of past “Apple” dancers — including BLACKPINK’s Rosé, Clairo, Dave Grohl and his daughter Harper, Stephen Colbert, Ashley Tisdale, and Glen Powell, to name just a few.

    But something about Roan’s chaotic joy and sheer commitment to the bit made the moment instantly iconic.

    Fan Reactions Were Feral

    It didn’t take long for social media to melt down. Clips of the moment flooded TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) within minutes.

    “Me telling my gay roommates chappell roan was the apple girl tonight,” one fan posted.

    Another wrote, “Chappell Roan was tonight’s apple dance! Y’all I cried my eyes out!!!”

    Many fans even joked that Roan should just permanently take over the role, with one saying, “No offense but no one else needs to do the Apple dance again. It’s been perfected.”

    What’s Next for Roan at Primavera?

    This was just a warm-up for Chappell Roan, who’s set to headline her own Primavera Sound set on Saturday, June 7. With her theatrical flair, campy visuals, and newly-minted Apple dance credentials, expectations couldn’t be higher.

    Before Chappell performs on Saturday, queer favorites like Haim, Beach House, Wet Leg, and Sabrina Carpenter will be performing on Friday night, but if Roan’s surprise appearance was any indication, she might just steal the weekend.

  • How West Hollywood’s First Queer-Owned Dispensary Is Blending Cannabis, Culture, and Community

    How West Hollywood’s First Queer-Owned Dispensary Is Blending Cannabis, Culture, and Community

    For a city built by queer pioneers, it’s hard to believe it took until 2025 to open a gay-owned cannabis dispensary. But Green Qween isn’t just filling a gap, it’s rewriting the rules.

    With a glimmering five-foot disco ball, a mural by queer artist Patrick Church, and signs urging customers to “Pass Joints, Not Judgment,” Green Qween’s new West Hollywood location is less dispensary, more love letter to queer joy, resilience, and high-style rebellion.

    The Queer Roots of Cannabis

    Green Qween co-founder Andrés Rigal is quick to remind us that the cannabis industry, now flooded with corporate interests and glossy packaging, owes everything to queer activists.

    “The cannabis industry owes so much to queer activists and people living with HIV/AIDS who fought for medical access when it wasn’t safe or legal to do so,” Rigal says. “That history is often glossed over in today’s profit-driven market. It’s not a footnote. it’s the foundation.”

    Rigal points to figures like Dennis Peron, founder of the San Francisco Buyers Club, who turned activism into action during the AIDS epidemic. At Green Qween, that spirit lives on in everything from brand partnerships to hiring practices.

    “Equity isn’t a trend, it’s the architecture,” Rigal says. “We don’t just give shelf space to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC brands. We help them grow.”

    A Love Letter in Neon and Glitter

    Step inside Green Qween’s latest outpost at 802 San Vicente Boulevard and you’ll feel it immediately, the scent jars, the bold colors, the disco ball refracting sunlight onto Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s not subtle, and that’s the point.

    “Green Qween was always meant to feel like a portal, a sensual escape that nods to the past, reflects the present, and invites us to imagine a more radiant future,” Rigal says. “This isn’t just about weed. It’s about the nights that saved us, the aesthetics that shaped us, and the kinship that carries us.”

    Inspired by his two decades in LGBTQ+ nightlife, Rigal brought that sense of sanctuary to the dispensary’s design. “Nightlife raised me,” he adds. “From the disco ball to the lighting that shifts with the rhythm of the day, every detail tells a story. This is a sacred space.”

    From The Abbey to the Apothecary

    To bring Green Qween to life in West Hollywood, Rigal partnered with Tristan Schukraft, the entrepreneur behind MISTR and the new steward of legendary nightlife venue The Abbey.

    “The LA Blade once called me ‘The CEO of Everything Gay.’ I just liked it and ran with it,” Schukraft laughs. “But really, everything I do comes back to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community: nightlife, healthcare, hospitality, and now cannabis.”

    For Schukraft, Green Qween is more than a business, it’s about reclaiming economic power. “Visibility is important,” he says, “but ownership is power. We can’t just be the talent; we have to be the landlords, the investors, the decision-makers.”

    Green Qween Grand Opening During WeHo Pride Weekend
    Photo: Green Qween
    Green Qween Grand Opening During WeHo Pride Weekend
    Photo: Green Qween
    Green Qween Grand Opening During WeHo Pride Weekend
    Photo: Green Qween
    Green Qween Grand Opening During WeHo Pride Weekend
    Photo: Green Qween
    Green Qween Grand Opening During WeHo Pride Weekend
    Photo: Green Qween

    Queer All Year, Not Just for Pride

    With Pride Month in full swing, Green Qween could easily ride the rainbow wave. But Rigal insists their commitment to the community runs much deeper than seasonal marketing.

    “‘Queer all year’ isn’t our catchphrase, it’s our commitment,” he says. “We reinvest in LGBTQ+ nonprofits year-round. We hire from our community. Rainbow capitalism thrives on performative gestures. We’re here with intention.”

    That mission is visible across all three Green Qween locations, Downtown LA, Sherman Oaks, and now West Hollywood, each one a unique expression of queer culture and cannabis equity.

    Why It Took Until 2025

    Despite its reputation as a queer mecca, West Hollywood had never hosted a gay-owned dispensary… until now.

    “It says more than we’d like to admit,” Rigal notes. “Cannabis went corporate fast. In that shift, the very communities who fought for access, queer people, BIPOC trailblazers, trans pioneers, were pushed to the margins. We lost our seat at a table we helped set.”

    But now, with unanimous support from the West Hollywood Business License Commission and a chorus of community voices, Green Qween is reclaiming that legacy. “We’re not just opening a store, we’re taking our place,” Schukraft adds.

    The Dream: A Queer Cannabis Ecosystem

    As for what’s next? Green Qween isn’t stopping at three locations. Schukraft envisions a national network of queer-owned cannabis spaces, from the Castro to Fire Island.

    “Stay at The Tryst, have a cocktail at The Abbey, get dinner at The Canteen, protect yourself with MISTR, and get your cannabis from Green Qween,” he says. “It’s not just a business plan, it’s a whole LGBTQ+ ecosystem.”

    And for young queer creatives hoping to follow in their footsteps?

    “Don’t wait for permission,” Schukraft advises. “Build your own table. Our community has always been made of artists, hustlers, and revolutionaries. Keep that legacy alive.”

    With glitter in its roots and power in its purpose, Green Qween is more than a dispensary. It’s a movement, one joint, one disco ball, and one unapologetic act of queer ownership at a time.

  • Behind the Candy Machine Lies D.C.’s New Queer Playground for Leather, Kink, and Connection

    Behind the Candy Machine Lies D.C.’s New Queer Playground for Leather, Kink, and Connection

    Washington’s nightlife just got a whole lot kinkier. Say hello to District Eagle, D.C.’s first and only LGBTQ+ speakeasy bar dedicated to the leather and kink community, complete with a hidden entrance and unapologetic attitude.

    Behind the Candy Machine, a Whole New World

    Tucked behind a vending machine at Lucky Pollo Peruvian Chicken on U Street (yes, really), District Eagle channels the spirit of underground queer clubs that once thrived out of necessity. Its covert entrance is more than a cheeky gimmick, it’s a tribute to queer resistance, where secrecy was survival and self-expression was revolutionary.

    The space blends throwback energy with a modern twist: dark, sexy, and unfiltered. Whether you’re here to cruise, connect, or just people-watch while sipping a beer, the vibe is authentically raw and proudly queer.

    A Space Born from Queer Legacy

    “District Eagle is about freedom, connection, and holding space for people to be fully themselves,” said Zach Renovates, co-owner of Lucky Pollo, D.C.’s popular nightclub BUNKER, and now, District Eagle. “It’s raw, unapologetic, and rooted in the underground history of kink and leather culture.”

    Inside, patrons will find more than just a bar, they’ll find a leather-wrapped celebration of subculture and sexuality. District Eagle isn’t just playing dress-up; it’s committed to building a space where both longtime leathermen and the kink-curious feel at home.

    District Eagle Night life
    Photo: District Eagle
    District Eagle Night life
    Photo: District Eagle
    District Eagle Night life
    Photo: District Eagle

    From Gear Nights to Rooftop Raves

    Programming is where District Eagle really shines. Weekly staples include:

    • Jockstrap Wednesdays – less clothing, more confidence

    • Gear Night Fridays – flaunt your harnesses and hardware

    • Beer Blast Sundays – suds, studs, and strong pours

    The bar also transforms into Eagle XL for rooftop blowouts featuring DJs, theme nights, and pop-up art events. It’s not just a bar; it’s a gathering place for queer artistry, fashion, and nightlife that’s deeply rooted in community.

    District Eagle Night life
    Photo: District Eagle
    District Eagle Night life
    Photo: District Eagle

    Speakeasy With a Purpose

    In the 1920s, speakeasies were secret sanctuaries where people whispered passwords and danced behind closed doors. For LGBTQ+ folks, they became safe havens, one of the few places where queerness could exist, even thrive.

    District Eagle revives that legacy, but with a 2025 twist. It’s not about hiding; it’s about owning your identity in a space that honors the past while embracing the future of queer nightlife.

    Ready to cruise the capital? Visit www.DistrictEagle.com or follow @DistrictEagle on social media for the latest event lineup, hours, and more.

  • Kirby, Birdo, and the Gaggle of Queer-Coded Nintendo Icons You Can’t Ignore

    Kirby, Birdo, and the Gaggle of Queer-Coded Nintendo Icons You Can’t Ignore

    Break out the glitter and pre-order panic: the Nintendo Switch 2 has officially landed, and the fanfare is as dramatic as a Peach side-eye. Across Japan and beyond, gamers camped out, cried, and clawed their way through online lotteries just to grab Nintendo’s latest console-slash-culture-reset. With a bigger screen, better graphics, and new launch titles like Mario Kart World, it’s clear the Switch 2 didn’t come to play, it came to slay.

    Nintendo reportedly received 2.2 million entries for its Japan sales lottery alone. Meanwhile, Target pre-orders sold out faster than you can say “Waluigi is a power bottom.” Some fans, like Yumi Ohi, traveled cross-prefecture just to snag one. Girl, we get it. It’s a major upgrade, and with Elden Ring and more AAA titles on the way, it’s giving “gaming era, activated.”

    But let’s be honest, what really makes Nintendo games iconic isn’t just the tech. It’s the camp. It’s the drama. It’s the characters who have been throwing subtle queer-coded energy at us for decades. So, in honor of the Switch 2 drop, we’re celebrating the Nintendo characters who’ve always been just a little too fabulous to be straight.

    Princess Peach: High Femme Drama Royalty

    The pillow princess herself! THE Princess Peach. The original high-heel-wearing campy hostage, Princess Peach isn’t just royalty, she’s the type of girl who gets kidnapped just to see if anyone’s paying attention. Sure, she’s canonically Mario’s girlfriend, but have you seen her serve pink realness in literally every outfit? And don’t forget Super Princess Peach, where her powers are literally mood swings. If that’s not gay culture, what is?

    Princess Peach
    Photo: Nintendo

    Kirby: Suckin’, Servin’, and Shapeshifting

    Kirby is the pastel puffball of our dreams. He flies, he transforms, he swallows enemies whole and becomes them. Gender? Identity? He’s fluid, honey. Kirby doesn’t walk, he floats. I mean, it doesn’t get gayer than that! He doesn’t fight, he sucks and swallows. I mean… you do the math. Honestly, he’s the ultimate queer icon. Also, he’s pink, round, and always happy. That’s camp, baby.

    Kirby
    Photo: Nintendo

    Birdo: Our Trans Queen from Day One

    Let’s give a respectful golf clap to Super Mario Bros. 2 for dropping one of the most groundbreaking lines in 1980s video game history: “Birdo is a boy who thinks he’s a girl.” Birdo, also known as Birdetta, is a pink, bow-wearing, egg-shooting baddie who proudly lives her truth. While Nintendo’s been… vague… about her identity since, the community has spoken. Birdo is trans. Period. No notes.

    Birdo
    Photo: Nintendo

    Princess Daisy: Lipstick Lesbian Energy, Activated

    If Peach is the high-femme icon, Daisy is the sports bra-wearing, energy drink-chugging counterpart. Always down for a little tennis, kart racing, or drama, Daisy’s a tomboy with a tiara and a whole lot of main character energy. She’s not like the other girls, she’s louder, bolder, and probably the reason your girlfriend keeps playing Mario Party.

    Princess Daisy
    Photo: Nintendo

    Pauline: Mayoral Realness and Vocal Queen

    From Donkey Kong damsel to Odyssey-era mayor and jazz singer, Pauline pulled the ultimate glow-up. She’s got her own city now (New Donk, no less), a band, and the pipes to belt out “Jump Up, Super Star!” like a Broadway diva. She’s giving Patti LuPone meets city council chic. We stan a girlboss with vocals.

    Pauline
    Photo: Nintendo

    Yoshi: Genderqueer Dino of Our Dreams

    Yoshi lays eggs. Yoshi swallows enemies with an impossible tongue. Yoshi’s species comes in every color of the rainbow. And while Nintendo technically uses he/him pronouns, let’s be real, Yoshi lives beyond the binary. Egg-laying, color-shifting, tongue-whipping royalty. We see you, queen!

    Yoshi
    Photo: Nintendo

    Waluigi: Tall, Twisted, and Totally Queer-Coded

    Waluigi is the chaotic queer uncle who shows up to the barbecue with glitter eyeliner, a bad attitude, and the audacity to make everything about him. He’s lanky, he’s petty, and he dances like he’s auditioning for So You Think You Can Flop. He may not have a game of his own, but that hasn’t stopped him from stealing hearts with his iconic side-splits and evil laugh.

    Waluigi
    Photo: Nintendo

    Link: The Soft Andro Hero We Project Onto

    Link is the quiet, courageous legend who rarely speaks but always slays. Whether he’s crossdressing in Breath of the Wild to infiltrate Gerudo Town or rocking a ponytail with his latest tunic, Link’s androgynous aesthetic has always been queer-coded to filth. He’s not saving the princess, he’s serving looks while doing it.

    Llnk
    Photo: Nintendo

    Long Live Nintendo’s Queer-Coded Icons

    As we celebrate the Switch 2’s arrival into our clammy gamer hands, let’s also honor the characters who helped raise us, confuse us, and low-key awaken something in us. Nintendo didn’t just build a gaming empire—it created a runway of queer-coded fabulousness. Whether intentional or accidental, we’ll take it. And we’ll slay with it.

  • A Deliciously Diverse Roundup of Queer Books You Need on Your Shelf this Pride Season

    A Deliciously Diverse Roundup of Queer Books You Need on Your Shelf this Pride Season

    Pride Month is more than rainbow merch and glitter, it’s also the perfect excuse (as if we needed one) to cozy up with a stack of books by queer authors, about queer lives, and for our beautifully queer hearts. Whether you’re looking for sweet desserts, searing memoirs, historical deep dives, or a comfort read with a side of intergalactic feels, this list has you covered.

    Below, we’ve rounded up standout LGBTQ+ reads that span genres and emotions (cookbooks, graphic novels, poetry collections, and more) that honor identity, love, and the joy of living authentically.

    Dan in Green Gables: A Graphic Novel

    • Title: Dan in Green Gables: A Graphic Novel

    • Author: Rey Terciero

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    Think Anne of Green Gables, but gayer and with more culture shock. Rey Terciero reimagines the beloved redhead as Dan Stewart-Álvarez, a queer teen thrown into the rural South after being ditched by his free-spirited mom. Between chicken coops, Southern Baptists, and some hard truths, Dan finds community, family, and maybe even himself. It’s poignant, it’s charming, and it has that “queer kid finds home where he least expects it” glow we all need.

    Dan in Green Gables: A Graphic Novel
    Photo: Penguin Random House

    Potluck Desserts

    • Title: Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride

    • Author: Justin Burke (Photos by Brian Samuels)

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    Queer community is built around many things: resilience, joy, dance floors (and dessert). In this sugar-laced love letter to queer potlucks, baker Justin Burke serves up nostalgic, crowd-pleasing recipes with heart (and probably a little glitter). From Hummingbird Blondies to Snickerdoodle Peach Cobbler, it’s a book that understands that potlucks are sacred, stories are baked in, and carbs are absolutely a love language.

    Potluck Desserts
    Photo: W.W. Norton

    Super Gay Poems

    • Title: Super Gay Poems: LGBTQIA+ Poetry After Stonewall

    • Editor: Stephanie Burt

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    If your Pride flag flies in iambic pentameter, this one’s for you. This powerhouse anthology edited by Stephanie Burt features 51 poets who explore queer life, love, protest, and pleasure with razor-sharp lyricism. From Frank O’Hara to Chen Chen, the poems stretch across forms and decades but are united by the pulse of liberation and self-invention. Each work comes with a mini-essay that adds context, sass, and scholarship.

    Super Gay PoemsLGBTQIA+ Poetry after Stonewall Stephanie Burt
    Photo: Harvard University Press

    Dining Out

    • Title: Dining Out: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America’s Gay Restaurants

    • Author: Erik Piepenburg

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    Before Grindr and brunch drag, there were diners, cafeterias, and queer cafés that became sanctuaries. Piepenburg’s deliciously researched deep-dive chronicles the unsung legacy of gay restaurants as places of romance, resistance, and refuge. It’s equal parts food history and cultural testimony, featuring Hamburger Mary’s, Florent, and yes, even that queer-coded Denny’s. Come for the fries, stay for the revolution.

    DINING OUT: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America’s Gay Restaurants
    Photo: Grand Central Publishing

    I Shall Never Fall in Love

    • Title: I Shall Never Fall in Love

    • Author: Hari Conner

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    If Jane Austen had been queer and had access to colored pencils, we’d already have this. In this warm, witty graphic novel, three friends navigate love, identity, and societal pressure in a small village where everyone knows everyone (and their business). It’s tender, introspective, and just the kind of queer period drama you’ll want to curl up with alongside a hot cup of tea and your deepest feelings.

    I Shall Never Fall in Love
    Photo: Harper Collins Publishers

    Lunar Boy

    Tears. So many tears. But the good kind; the cathartic, soul-hugging kind. Lunar Boy follows Indu, a trans boy who moves from a cozy spaceship to the unfamiliar chaos of New Earth. It’s a story of transition in every sense, told with tenderness and illustrated in a dreamy, pastel-drenched palette. This graphic novel might break your heart a little, but it stitches it back up with warmth, family, and acceptance.

    Lunar Boy Graphic Novel
    Photo: Harper Collins Publishers

    Revolution Is Love

    • Title: Revolution Is Love: A Year of Black Trans Liberation

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    A visual manifesto of resistance and resilience, this photography book captures the pulse of Black trans activism in NYC. Through vivid, raw images and moving commentary, it documents a movement grounded in joy, community, and the unrelenting pursuit of liberation. A must-have for anyone who believes in the power of both protest and portraiture.

    Revolution Is Love: A Year of Black Trans Liberation
    Photo: Aperture

    Holding Space

    • Title: Holding Space: Life and Love Through a Queer Lens

    • Author: Ryan Pfluger

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    A gorgeous collection of portraits showcasing queer, interracial couples in all their nuanced, tender glory. Ryan Pfluger’s photographs offer intimacy and depth, accompanied by personal stories that reflect the complexities of love, identity, and connection in today’s world. It’s a celebration of modern queer love that will make your heart swell and your coffee table instantly cooler.

    Holding SpaceLife and Love Through a Queer Lens
    Photo: PA Press

    Save Yourself

    Imagine a memoir that’s equal parts hilarious, awkward, and ferociously honest. Now add a bowl cut, an eye patch, and Catholic guilt, and you’ve got Esposito’s journey from wanna-be priest to queer comedy powerhouse. She skips the tragic tropes and instead gives us a coming-of-queer-age story packed with circus acts, period sex in Rome, and hard-won self-love. It’s messy, beautiful, and exactly what your inner weird kid needs.

    Save Yourself
    Photo: Grand Central Publishing

    How We Fight for Our Lives

    • Title: How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir

    • Author: Saeed Jones

    • Buy It: Link to purchase

    A searing, poetic memoir by one of the most important queer voices of our time. Saeed Jones’ coming-of-age story is filled with desire, grief, identity, and the sharp ache of growing up Black and gay in the American South. Every page is like a blade and a balm: haunting, beautiful, and unforgettable.

    How We Fight for Our Lives
    Photo: Simon & Schuster

    Queer Lit Is Thriving, Now Go Fill Your Shelf!

    Whether you’re baking your feelings, revisiting a queer take on classic literature, or confronting the realities of identity through poetry and memoir, LGBTQ+ books are thriving, necessary, and not going anywhere. Support these authors, gift these stories, and let them remind you: your story matters too.

  • Alaska to Headline Free LA Pride Village Concert June 8 with Da Brat & Jessica Betts on Hollywood Blvd

    Alaska to Headline Free LA Pride Village Concert June 8 with Da Brat & Jessica Betts on Hollywood Blvd

    LA Pride is about to sashay all the way down Hollywood Boulevard for its 55th anniversary, and the party is free, fabulous, and full of fierce queer joy.

    The Christopher Street West Association (CSW), the nonprofit behind LA Pride, has announced that drag superstar Alaska will headline this year’s Pride Village concert on Sunday, June 8, just after the LA Pride Parade wraps up. And she’s not coming alone. Hip-hop icon Da Brat and Jessica Betts, are set to kick things off with a special performance celebrating love, visibility, and Pride.

     

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    A post shared by LA Pride (@lapride)

    The free daylong festival takes place on Hollywood Blvd. between Argyle Ave. and Bronson Ave., and promises more rainbow-filled revelry than ever before.

    Who’s Performing?

    This year’s Pride Village lineup is stacked with talent from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, spotlighting local and national acts that are ready to bring the beat to the Boulevard. Joining Alaska, Da Brat, and Jessica Betts are:

    • DIDI J

    • 76th Street

    • Laura Bryna

    • Julian King

    • ANG

    Representing LA’s vibrant queer nightlife and community scenes are hometown favorites like Chanel Jolé, Binoy, Tony Pops, Debby Holiday, and DJs from Preciosa Night, FUTCH, OtterPop, and Bears in Space.

     

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    A post shared by LA Pride (@lapride)

    Don’t miss the BALLROOM BATTLE, where the Houses of Miyake-Mugler, Ninja, and Gorgeous Gucci will vogue it out for glory in front of celebrity judge Margaret Cho.

    Additional acts include Esther Anaya, Gay Freedom Band LA, performers from Hollywood Fringe, and even a cultural presence from Taiwan Tourism.

    A Full Day of Pride on Hollywood Blvd.

    Pride Village kicks off at 11 a.m. and transforms a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard into a pedestrian-only celebration space. Expect:

    • Two performance stages

    • Over 80 local vendors and nonprofits

    • Sponsor giveaways, games, and brand activations

    • Food trucks galore

    • Two full-service bars for 21+ attendees

    It’s family-friendly, queer-affirming, and 100% free to the public.

     

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    A post shared by LA Pride (@lapride)

    A Historic Year: LA Pride Turns 55

    This year marks a major milestone for LA Pride: 55 years of marching, dancing, and demanding equality. In honor of this legacy, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, with support from Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, has officially declared June 28 as “LA Pride – Christopher Street West Day” moving forward.

    The proclamation recognizes LA Pride’s distinction as the world’s first permitted LGBTQ+ parade, a historic moment led by Christopher Street West in 1970, just one year after Stonewall.

    “This year, we’re making all of LA Pride’s programming free and accessible for everyone on Parade Sunday,” said CSW Board President Gerald Garth. “We’re thrilled to welcome Alaska, Da Brat, and an incredible roster of performers. And we thank the County Board for recognizing the deep history of Pride in Los Angeles.”

    Grand Marshals & This Year’s Theme

    LA Pride also recently revealed its 2025 Grand Marshals:

    • Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts as Vanguard Grand Marshals

    • Andrew Rannells as Celebrity Grand Marshal

    • Trino Garcia and Adam Vasquez (aka viral couple TrinoxAdam) as Community Grand Marshals

    The 2025 theme, “Pride Marches On,” celebrates the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and unrelenting push for progress, even when the world pushes back.

    Stay Tuned

    More details on the parade route, parking, transit options, and vendor list are expected soon. For the latest updates, follow @lapride on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

    So shine your boots, fluff your wigs, and hydrate: Hollywood is about to turn into the queerest party of the year.

  • 20 Years of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and These Behind-the-Scenes Cowboy Looks Are Peak Gay Nostalgia

    20 Years of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and These Behind-the-Scenes Cowboy Looks Are Peak Gay Nostalgia

    Saddle up, gays. This cinematic love story isn’t riding off into the sunset just yet.

    Focus Features is celebrating 20 years of Brokeback Mountain with a limited theatrical re-release on June 22 and 25. The two-night-only event will feature the original film in all its sweeping, heartbreaking glory, plus a brand-new poster and promises of fresh merchandise. Yeehaw, but make it gay.

    Directed by Ang Lee and starring Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams, the film broke box office expectations and cultural barriers when it premiered in 2005. It went on to gross more than $178 million worldwide and earned eight Academy Award nominations – winning three, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

    Film stills and BTS images from Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features
    Film stills and BTS images from Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features
    Film stills and BTS images from Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features
    Film stills and BTS images from Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features

    The Costume Fittings We Can’t Stop Staring At

    Sure, we’re excited to see Brokeback in theaters again, but what’s really got the gays buzzing? The newly released behind-the-scenes and costume fitting photos. These rare gems show the cast in early wardrobe tests, serving peak Western realness and quiet intimacy before the cameras even started rolling.

    Jake Gyllenhaal’s cowboy hat and tan button-downs? Heath Ledger’s corduroy and wool-inlined winter jacket? Brokeback Mountain definitely knew how to channel that cowboy couture in a way that left queer fans intrigued and yearning for more. These looks weren’t just outfits, they were character blueprints, layered in emotional nuance and, yes, pure gay fantasy.

    Costume Fitting for Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features
    Costume Fitting for Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features
    Costume Fitting for Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features
    Costume Fitting for Brokeback Mountain
    Photo: Focus Features

    The photos aren’t just a fashion moment, they’re a time capsule. You can almost feel the tension, the tenderness, the sheer weight of what was about to unfold onscreen.

    A Love Story That Changed Cinema

    If you’ve somehow never seen it, Brokeback Mountain follows Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) and Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal), two Wyoming ranch hands whose summer job in 1963 sparks a complex, decades-long love story. Adapted from Annie Proulx’s award-winning short story, the film is a masterclass in restrained passion, gut-punch heartbreak, and tender masculinity.

    With a haunting score by Gustavo Santaolalla and songs from Willie Nelson and Rufus Wainwright, the film quickly became a touchstone for LGBTQ+ audiences, and a cinematic breakthrough that helped bring queer stories to the mainstream without compromise.

    Why It Still Matters

    Two decades later, Brokeback Mountain still hits hard. It was never just about cowboys, it was about shame, secrecy, longing, and love that refuses to be erased. And with these newly unearthed images, we’re reminded of just how much care and chemistry went into telling that story.

    Whether you’re returning to Brokeback or riding into it for the first time, this anniversary re-release is more than just a movie, it’s a moment. Don’t miss it.

  • ‘Wicked: For Good’ Trailer Teases a Bittersweet Finale in Oz

    ‘Wicked: For Good’ Trailer Teases a Bittersweet Finale in Oz

    The witches of Oz are back, and they’re bringing all the heartbreak, high notes, and high drama in the first trailer for Wicked: For Good. Universal Pictures dropped the spellbinding teaser during a one-day theatrical event, giving fans their long-awaited look at the final act of the beloved Broadway adaptation.

    Set to land in theaters Nov. 21, Wicked: For Good marks the final chapter in director Jon M. Chu’s dazzling two-part cinematic take on the iconic musical. Picking up where Wicked: Part One left off, the trailer hints at deep emotional stakes, soaring performances, and a friendship that could reshape the very soul of Oz.

    A Rift as Wide as a Tornado

    If Part One gave us a friendship in bloom, For Good shows us its fallout. Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is now a hunted figure, demonized as the “Wicked Witch” and forced into exile deep within the forests of Oz. But she’s far from silent. Fueled by truth and fury, Elphaba’s fight continues as she works to free Oz’s voiceless Animal citizens and unmask the Wizard’s lies.

    Meanwhile, Ariana Grande’s Glinda is all shimmer and status, living it up in the Emerald City as the new face of “goodness.” Polished and poised, Glinda is under the watchful eye of Madame Morrible (played by Michelle Yeoh) and adored by a city desperate for reassurance.

    But even with a fairytale wedding to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) on the horizon, Glinda can’t shake the ache of her shattered bond with Elphaba. The trailer teases a fateful attempt at reconciliation, one that threatens to break them apart for good.

    A Familiar Storm Brews

    As the forces of The Wizard of Oz swirl closer, fans will notice familiar shadows creeping in. There’s Nessarose (Marissa Bode), Elphaba’s sister, now teetering on a tragic fate. Boq (Ethan Slater) appears increasingly entangled in Oz’s political games. And yes, the trailer closes with a very iconic swirl of gingham: Dorothy has arrived.

    This time, the stakes aren’t just personal, they’re mythic. With an angry mob on her heels and the Emerald City in a frenzy, Elphaba’s destiny looms. But so does a final reckoning with Glinda, one that will require honesty, vulnerability, and possibly even forgiveness.

    As the title promises, everything is about to change…for good.

    Fan Reactions: “Chills. Just chills.”

    The trailer’s release sent the internet into a collective squeal:

    • “I have watched the Wicked: For Good trailer.” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter), complete with a teary-eyed Ariana Grande GIF from her press tour last year.

    • Another added, “THE CHILLS I JUST GOT WITH WICKED’s TRAILER OMG AND FOR GOOD STARTED PLAYING”

    The buzz is palpable, and for good reason. Chu’s return to Oz is packed with promise and glitter.