Mid-Pride Month check-in: Are we hydrated? Are we fabulous? Are we tired of hearing “Express Yourself” yet?
As far as LGBTQ+ news goes, the past week has been all about education and edu-slay-tion.
Of course, The Traitors Season 4 cast dropped, Cooper Koch got into his Calvins, and Pasquale Guiducci taught us puppy pose.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Plus, we reminisced on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Wanda Sykes shared some powerful words, and Ts Madison educated the straights.
Oh, and for some reason, all the bisexual girls are bringing their BFs to Pride?!
Otherwise, the week has been devoted to boys, books, and bops.
Without further ado, these are the 10 things we’re obsessed with this week….
1. Winging It With You by Chip Pons
This book is for any gay man who’s ever watched The Amazing Race and thought, “Hey, I could do that!” (So basically, every gay man in the world.)
Of course, Chip Pons’ Winging It With You ($19 on Amazon) features a romantic twist: Two random men, who just so happen to meet in the airport, decide to pose as a couple and compete on the hit reality show The Epic Trek, where some very real feelings surface. As Pons wrote on Instagram, “This book is dedicated to the leap of faith … We don’t always know what’s on the other side, but the courage to take that step is where true growth happens.”
2. Grindr‘s obedient summer swag
At this point, it’s not a new season until Grindr drops another collection. Thankfully, their summer assortment arrived, and not a moment too soon. As far as threads for Pride (and beyond) go, there’s no shortage of smirk-worthy tops but no bottoms, like the Gayborhood and Yes Sir Tees ($40) and this tank that makes your, erm, intentions clear. Still, my fave is the Gay Guy Dad Hat ($35), perfect for fathers and sons alike.
3. This randomly hot cat-dad ad
OK, this sign (which legitimately promises that “Cat dads let you sit on their face” and “feed you right”) is actually an ad for Smalls, a “fresh human-grade cat food delivery” service.
I have no idea what business they have being this h*rny on main public billboards, but it stopped me in my tracks.
4. PRIDE on Hulu
I don’t know how I missed this six-part Hulu docuseries when it premiered in 2021, but I can’t recommend it more during a Pride Month like this one.
From FBI surveillance in the 1950s to the ’90s culture wars, the series explores the history of LGBTQ+ rights and shines light on oft-overlooked icons like Madeleine Tress, videographer Nelson Sullivan, and trans pioneers including Flawless Sabrina and Ceyenne Doroshow. I teared up, laughed, and most importantly, felt inspired.
5. Fruity Little Snack Bucket Hat
With a several-shelf-spanning collection, I promised to stop buying baseball hats, although I made zero rules about bucket hats! Therefore, I could conscientiously snag this Fruity Little Snack Bucket Hat, available in Fruity Font or Watermelon Slice designs at The Pride Store for $25.
Of course, it’s not just any bucket hat. It’s been crafted by viral pop-culture recapper and Gen Z historian Mikey Angelo (a.k.a. Mr. Grande), who never films a video without his own and is donating some of the proceeds to The Trevor Project.
6. Cosmos Within Astrology Birthday Candle
OK, Cosmo Within’s Cosmic Birthday Candle ($39.95 on Amazon, plus $5 off with online coupon) might be my favorite candle ever, which speaks volumes because I own quite a collection. To be fair, it was made for me!
These candles will put you in touch with your inner astrology gay with a custom scent for every birthday in the book. Plus, the label lists your b-day’s ruling elements and planets, a personality description, and a daily affirmation. Now, every day can smell like October 8. Thank goodness.
7. “I Kissed a Girl” by Jill Sobule
Last month, we lost bisexual folk singer-songwriter Jill Sobule in a tragic house fire. During the ’90s, Sobule’s honest and story-driven tunes helped expand what was acceptable for women in music to write about, in the same vein as Lisa Loeb and Alanis Morissette.
Unfortunately, her passing happened just before the 30th anniversary of her 1995 landmark self-titled album, which was repressed on vinyl to celebrate the occasion ($24.98 on Amazon). The record features the iconic “Supermodel” (which appeared in Clueless), and most importantly, “I Kissed a Girl.”
That’s right, years before Katy Perry applied her cherry chapstick, Sobule was crooning about the sweetness of same-sex smooches. Even today, it remains a charming and daring gem.
8. Travis Kelce’s manspreading
I’ve never been more interested in the Stanley Cup.
9. A terrible Grindr convo, but make it a bop
@lewky____ Call the cops please! Shout out @Evan Mills for featuring on this #datinglife #funnysong #grindr ♬ original sound – Lewky____
This collab between gay comedian Evan Mills and Lewky, who specializes in turning bad dating-app conversations into bops, is simultaneously hilarious and terrifying.
But does it beat your average, everyday “Hey”? Honestly, I’m not sure. Happy Pride, maybe get into letter writing? LOL.
10. Apple EarPods
Confession time: I lost my third consecutive pair of AirPods in a row, so I’m returning to the Stone Age and re-adopting the good ol’ Apple EarPods, which are on sale for $15.96 on Amazon. These babies work just as well as your basic wireless headphones, but with the added bonus of a cord so you can’t lose them! Novel, I know.
Perhaps vintage is coming back en vogue; Addison Rae sported a pair in the visual for “Headphones On,” a Ray of Light-esque bop about the escapist power of music that has no business being this good. (Of course, she’s wearing EarPods, not over-the-ear headphones. Pesky details!)
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