Category Archives: Events and Premieres
ALL MAN The International Male Story
So excited for this! A new movie is in the works that will take us behind the iconic International Male fashion catalog that transformed the “All-American Boy”, changing fashion, masculinity, and gay rights forever.
More than outrageous fashions, hunky models, and scandalous undies, ALL MAN is a journey across three decades of the International Male catalog’s lasting impact on fashion, masculinity, and gay rights. (I still have many of my old catalogs!)
With revenues at its peak of $120 million and circulation of over 3 million, the catalog successfully appealed to both gay and straight audiences. For gay men, the images of sensually dressed men were a gateway into a fantasy world providing an escape from the AIDS crisis and widespread homophobia. For straight men and their female admirers, the catalog gave permission to take fashion risks and enjoy a more carefree expression of sexuality without threatening their masculinity and sexual appeal.
ALL MAN: The International Male Story is designed as a tribute to the catalog’s unique aesthetic and cultural relevance. The film mixes exclusive never-seen-before photographs and videos, interviews with super fans and celebrities, and creative re-enactments of the infamous photo shoots, and more!
You can DONATE to this project now!
Follow on Instagram and Facebook!
Aj and the Queen with Ru Paul
Palm Spring Leather Pride Oct 24-27
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Key West Joins WorldPride NYC Stonewall 50!
The Florida Keys & Key West tourism council and the Key West Business Guild plan to showcase the inclusive spirit of the subtropical LGBTQ visitor destination in New York City’s WorldPride March and PrideFest street festival slated for Sunday, June 30.
New York City’s 2019 Pride is to take place in conjunction with the first WorldPride celebration held in the United States, and millions ofrevelers are expected to attend. The 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising also is to be commemorated in the event known asWorldPride NYC/Stonewall 50, with activities scheduled throughout June.
The Pride March is to feature a Keys contingent carrying a 100-foot section of the 1.25-mile “sea-to-sea” pride flag fabricated by the late rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker. Baker and his assistants spent three months in Key West in 2003 sewing about 17,600 linear yards of fabric into the rainbow banner that was unfurled along Key West’s Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean on June 15, 2003. The event marked the 25th anniversary of his creation.
WorldPride march participants carrying the flag are to include current and former Keys residents, their friends and families from across the U.S.
“We look forward to showing that Key West is one of the leading destinations to visit by displaying one of the most iconic pieces of history to be created for the LGBTQ community,” said Alan Beaubien, president of the guild’s board of directors.
Welcoming some 300,000 LGBTQ visitors each year, Key West lies at the tip of the Florida Keys island chain and is renowned for its inclusive recognition that all people are created equal. The philosophy was epitomized by the famed One Human Family initiativecreated by local artist J.T. Thompson. After Key West city commissioners adopted the One Human Family motto for the city in 2000,Florida Keys officials embraced it for the entire 125-mile-long string of islands.
The PrideFest street festival is slated for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday along Fourth Avenue from Union Square to Astor Place. The Florida Keys & Key West booth is to feature Keys giveaways and information on vacationing in the environmentally and culturally rich destination.
“It is important to be present at this historic moment to remind everyone that our islands serve as a place free from judgment for LGBTQvisitors and residents alike,” said Guy Ross, the tourism council’s LGBTQ sales manager. “By participating in WorldPride 2019, we can showcase why we remain such a special, much-loved and much-celebrated destination.”
(The original flag, below)
Florida Keys & Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/gay and fla-keys.com
Key West Business Guild: gaykeywestfl.com
Social: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Youtube • Keys Voices blog
World Pride 2019 New York City
On a hot summer night in 1969, an intensifying movement reached its breaking point in New York City. It had to happen here—in this city of infinite facets, immutable colors and uncontainable Pride. In the years since, our annual Pride celebrations have become world-famous—and the biggest one is yet to come.
June 2019 marks 50 years since the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ history—and this summer, the whole world is invited to celebrate in New York City. Consider this your hub for all things World Pride 2019.
MILLIONS are expected in NY for this monumental event!
Stay up to date as events are announced at 2019 World Pride!
Gay Radio in California
This week brought the launch of Qchella Media Corporation and the new K-GAY 106.5 FM, The Pride of the Valley, which debuted its new music format.
K-GAY, as part of Qchella Media, is a new local radio station streamed worldwide on TuneIn Radio. The station serves the LGBTQ+ community with entertainment and information, including an on-demand podcasting platform bringing a wide variety of LGBTQ+ content to their audience in Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley and worldwide.
Besides their unique and diverse programming, what sets Qchella Media Corporation apart is that they are also a non-profit media organization, where every dollar raised through advertising and their members’ support is devoted to the content, allowing their team to
meet the needs of their diverse communities in the Coachella Valley.
Source Palm Springs Life. Read More!
Drag Queen Christmas – The Naughty Tour
They are back! A fabulous assortment of your favorite queens!
Drag Queen Christmas – The Naughty Tour!
COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU! 37 cities!
It’s a Hilarious evening of holiday performances featuring contestants from the reality television show on VH1.
(Line up will vary by city – check online for your city and tickets HERE)
These talented girls will get you into the holiday spirit, with a naughty twist!
Plus special guests the Zakar Twins as Santa’s helpers!
This special event is Presented by Murray & Peter.
Get tour info at www.DragFans.com
Super Fan packages are also available in the first few rows with a first-in-line meet and greet pass, official tour poster and laminate with lanyard.
The holidays were never this naughty!
All ages welcome.
Tickets range $35 – $150
Summer Drag Camp – Camp Wannakiki
The premise is simple… take eight drag queens to see who can last the week at an actual Summer Camp and claim the crown “Queen of Camp!” CAMP WANNAKIKI is a new drag reality show airing on YouTube.
This hilarious new show features eight of the campiest campers in the Midwest (O’laysia Prime, Dominique DeGrant, VajayJ Snappinturtle, Pagan Holladay, Sylvia Nixx, Alexis P Bevels, Muffy Fishbasket and C’est Kevvie), along with kooky Camp Counselor Dear Ruthie and Camp Directors Apple Brown Betty and Cherry Pi!
Each episode reprises a day at camp, where campers perform various activities best suited for 10 year olds, as opposed to grown-ass drag queens. Tune in for the hilarity that ensues!
This entertaining competition keeps the focus on fun and friendship, while giving drama and backstabbing the cold shoulder, as was the goal of creators and producers Ashley and Brandon Wright.
The Wrights are real life twin brothers and drag life twin sisters Apple Brown Betty and Cherry Pi Sugarbaker. The twins are also co-owners of Hamburger Mary’s International, and were recently featured on the hit CBS show “Undercover Boss.” Going on 20 locations, Mary’s is known not only for their gourmet burgers, but also for putting on great drag shows across the country.
Let’s Eat, drink and be “Mary” this summer at Camp Wannakiki!
Follow the campy fun on YouTube
Camp Wannakiki FB page
HOOKED by Max Emerson
Max Emerson is widely known for his popular Instagram account, which has garnered more than 770,000 followers worldwide. But now the social media influencer has gone behind the camera for his feature-film directorial debut, Hooked.
Written and directed by Emerson, Hooked tells the story of Jack (Conor Donally), a homeless queer teen who struggles in the dangerous world of sex work while seeking a better life with his boyfriend, Tom
Max has crowdsourced funds to get the film made. Half of the proceeds from the film will go to benefit not-for-profit organizations whose missions align with the cause.
“When I was younger, I had a lot of issues with some of the things I had seen in the gay community,” the 28-year-old told Billboard. I feel like it’s kind of eating itself alive in a lot of ways. So a lot of the things I wrote were in a response to that.”
“For the last couple years I’ve been doing the Instagram super-shameless comedy stuff to kind of build up a following so that I’d have a means of producing these things that mean more to me.”
Max has over 18 million views on YouTube! Last month, he discussed Hooked and Sobriety.
Max is currently based in Los Angeles, but spends more than half of his time in other cities around the world. Lucky him!
The movie is excellent!
Well written and well acted! HOOKED is available on DVD/VOD today! Please check it out on Itunes or any other pay-per-view VOD platform.
Watch trailer HERE
Gay New York-Fire Island – INVASION OF THE PINES
Mascara, Mirth & Mayhem is a collection of photographs taken by renowned photographer Susan Kravitz over the past thirty years at the annual LGBTQ event known as the Invasion of the Pines.
The Invasion of the Pines occurs every July 4th and involves participants from the Fire Island communities of Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines. It began in 1976, when a member of the Cherry Grove community had been refused service in a Pines’ restaurant because he had been dressed in drag. In protest, a small group of Cherry Grove residents cross-dressed and took a water taxi to the Pines on Independence Day of that year, to stand up against this “height of insult” by “invading” their neighboring community. Four decades later, the Invasion has evolved into a uniquely raucous event that joyfully celebrates human rights and freedom of expression by thousands of people, straight and gay.
Kravitz’s photographs capture the rebelliousness, the high camp, and the joy of the Invasion. They are provocative, introspective, sad and funny, and tinged with sexual innuendo. Yet they also reflect another journey, one that gives insight into the LGBTQ movement itself.
From the fearful, AIDS-ridden years of the 1980s and 1990s, to the joyous years of this decade when LGBTQ people are out and proud (and, if they choose, legally married), these Invasion photographs celebrate a day to be free, to be whoever you want to be, and to be gay.
“My photographs are as much about the times I which they were taken as they are about the people who populate them. Ultimately, they are about human rights and freedom of expression seen through the lens of the Invasion.” said Kravitz of her eighty-eight color and black and white photographs.
Susan Kravitz is a social documentarian of daily life. Over the past thirty years she has exhibited her photographs in galleries and museums in the United States and abroad, including China, South Korea, Russia, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and the Czech Republic. Her Cherry Grove photographs were recently featured on the New York Times Lens blog (A Gay Haven on Fire Island) and in the International New York Times, Paris edition.
The book comes out next week! 148 pages, available in softcover or hardcover.
Book is available now on http://www.
Barbra Streisand Honored
Barbra to receive THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM in D.C Next Week!
President Obama said, “I look forward to presenting these 17 distinguished Americans with our nation’s highest civilian honor. From public servants who helped us meet defining challenges of our time to artists who expanded our imaginations, from leaders who have made our union more perfect to athletes who have inspired millions of fans, these men and women have enriched our lives and helped define our shared experience as Americans.”
Barbra will be presented the award at the White House on November 24th. Also being bestowed this prestigious honour is Yogi Berra (posthumous), Bonnie Carroll, Shirley Chisholm (posthumous), Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Billy Frank, Jr. (posthumous), Lee Hamilton, Katherine G. Johnson, Willie Mays, Barbara Mikulski, Itzhak Perlman, William Ruckelshaus, Stephen Sondheim, Steven Spielberg, James Taylor and Minoru Yasui (posthumous).
NEXT MONTH –
The legendary performer will receive the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at the annual star-studded event on Dec. 9 in Los Angeles.
“Hearing that Barbra had agreed to accept the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award was both humbling and exhilarating. Barbra’s remarkable professional achievements and philanthropic generosity have greatly inspired me and hundreds of millions of people worldwide,” said Sherry Lansing, former CEO of Paramount Pictures and the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio, in a statement. “The Hollywood Reporter could not have chosen a more deserving individual to recognize than Barbra.”
Abbey in West Hollywood Reality TV
David Cooley‘s The Abbey and its staff are going to be the focus of a reality TV show.
According to TMZ, the uber-famous gay bar – a two-time winner of Logo’s “Best Gay Bar In The World” award – will be getting its own reality show. Apparently, an unnamed production company is developing the show and an unnamed network is “lined up,” but shooting dates have not yet been scheduled.
The famous restaurant turned nightclub after hours has reportedly already started interviewing hopeful cast members. Auditions for new employees will also take place before the shooting begins according to TMZ.
The project may be like “Vanderpump Rules… with way more flare [sic],” so get ready for all the —probably contrived— catty drama you can handle.
The D Train with James Marsden
I have been IN LOVE with James Marsden ever since I saw X MEN and HEIGHTS. Oh the fantasies I have had about getting naked with him!
Jack Black has been away from the mainstream for a good four years, but he’s about to come back in a big way. In October, he’ll be playing R.L. Stine in the nostalgia-baiting Goosebumps film. Next month, he’ll begin starring in the new HBO comedy series The Brink.
But his return begins with something a bit smaller: this weeks release of the indie comedy The D Train. The D Train has Black playing a family man who risks his job and marriage in order to impress an actor who he went to high school with two decades earlier. Inevitably, he’s driven toward rock bottom as he becomes more and more desperate for people to think he’s cool.
Dan Landsman (Black) is the self-proclaimed chairman of his high school’s alumni committee. While planning for the 20th reunion he has the idea of convincing Oliver Lawless (James Marsden) the most popular guy in his graduating class, to return, thinking that this will make people want to attend.
The comedy was hotly discussed after its Sundance screening in January — especially for a startling scene in which the two take their “bromance” to a literal level.
When asked what it’s like joining Marsden in the bedroom?
“You know, I felt a little insecure because he’s a real physical specimen, you know?” says Black. “And never has my lack of muscular tone been so painfully on display.”
On the bedroom scene Black added, “That was the scene that made me want to do the movie…I was only worried that if we approached it too comedically, it could have been offensive or sort of generic, like something you’d seen before. So the only thing I was worried about was getting it right.”
It’s gotten dismal reviews – but I didn’t think it was THAT bad. I say 3.5 / 5
PREVIEW HERE
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper Tour
Join Cohen and Cooper for an unscripted,
uncensored and unforgettable night of conversation!
GET A SNEAK PEAK NOW
SATURDAY APRIL 18 |
The Fillmore Miami Beach At The Jackie Gleason Theater Miami Beach, FL 1-800-745-3000 |
Get Tickets
Regular seats available
VIP Packages available |
SATURDAY MAY 16 |
The Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL 1-800-745-3000 |
Get Tickets |
SATURDAY JUNE 13 |
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Atlanta, GA 1-800-745-3000 |
Get Tickets |
Cory Wade Host & Walk Queer Fashion Week
America’s Next Top Model finalist Cory Wade will be taking Queer Fashion Week’s runway as one of the celebrity models.
Wade, who dropped his last name Hindorff recently, will be joined by a top celebrity model, who also recently signed on to walk the QFW catwalk.
On the 20th edition of ANTM, Wade took the show’s host Tyra Banks and crew by storm as one of the first openly gay models. He caused such a stir they asked him back as a guest on the 21 edition.
Now the 24-year old biracial model will be dazzling audiences at the first-ever Queer Fashion Week, April 16 – 19 in Oakland, California.
To see the hottest designers, celebrities and models you have to get your tickets now, http://qfw.eventbrite.com
QFW producer Christine De La Rosa said “Featuring celebrity models alongside seasoned and newly minted models is at the core of Queer Fashion Week. I wanted to have every level of experience showcased not only in the models but also in the designers. I believe we are at our best when we are able to break the glass ceiling and bring everyone else with us. Cory is one of those ceiling breakers and a role model to many in the LGBTQ community. I am thrilled and honored that he is participating in the inaugural year of QFW.”
The biracial openly gay model from Philadelphia is excited, proud, and a little bit “pissed off” that there hasn’t been a fashion week highlighting LGBT designers and models before now, he said.
At the same time, he believes Queer Fashion Week is a part of a revolution and might even push the boundaries toward change in the fashion industry as Banks wanted him to do on the show. As Wade learned on the show fashion isn’t as all-inclusive and queer-friendly as it is assumed to be, but it showed him “where we actually are as far as fashion is concerned and some of the hurdles that we still have to overcome,” he said.
That’s changing though. He feels that Queer Fashion Week could shake up the fashion world as a part of revolutionary change that’s on the verge of reshaping fashion.
“It’s important that we emphasize that it isn’t important how we classify ourselves sexually, [but by] just showing everyone that we are just as good and just as qualified to be those household names,” said Wade, who is excited to be “on the forefront of the fashion industry really breaking boundaries … starting a movement that is all-inclusive.”
“This could potentially change the fashion industry in a very, very positive way,” he added.
Reflecting on Banks and his experience on the show, “It seemed like she was always in my corner and really wanted me to push the envelope and always wanted me to be that model to like break that boundary in the industry,” said Wade, noting that “a few of the other judges couldn’t stop harping on my femininity.”
Currently, Wade’s experience flipping through the pages of magazines all he sees is the hunky all-American men and the fashions they model don’t exactly fit his style sensibility.
“As a gay man, when I flip through magazines and I see that all-American muscle bound male over and over the first thing I think is, ‘Oh, I can never wear that,'” he said.
Wade believes he’s not alone in wanting to see models who reflect back to him or themselves rather than “the same carbon copy guy just over and over again,” he said.
“I think that we are at a place now where there are so many people who want to explore different facets of themselves [that] now that there is a market for designers who want to go that route,” said Wade, who hopes the fear to create different lines of clothing fades as people buy and start seeing them in the pages of magazines.
“Something like this, it just makes it I feel like it’s going to give a lot of people hope. Like they are going to see that there are so many different walks of life and they are all beautiful,” said Wade. “It could really change this whole experience. It could really change the whole fashion industry in a very positive way.”
LOOKING returns to HBO Season 2
There’s more out there in the all new season of the hit HBO series LOOKING starring Jonathan Groff and Frankie J. Alvarez.
LOOKING focuses on current gay life in the Bay Area and on themes that everyone, gay and straight, can relate to: falling in love, finding professional fulfillment, forging an identity in a complicated world, and searching for happiness. Don’t miss the season premiere Sunday, January 11th at 10pm/9pm Central, only on HBO.
And now is your chance to catch up before the premiere with Season 1, available to own now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD: http://amzn.com/B00HX3ZJOY
Male Super Model Steven Dehler gets PUMPED
STEVEN DEHLER is our favorite model here at BEST GAY!
If you can’t make it to Las Vegas this weekend for the big Matinee festival – check out Steven in this clip for PUMP underwear and Matinee Las Vegas.
Lisa VanDerpump opens PUMP gay bar in West Hollywood
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – On Tuesday May 13th, restaurateur and reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump (pictured above with husband Ken Todd and “Giggy”) opened the gates of PUMP Restaurant–Bar-Lounge-Garden at an exclusive private opening.
Celebrity guests such as Real Housewives stars Joyce Giraud, Carlton Gebbia, her good friend Lance Bass, Flipping Out star Jenni Pulos along with WeHo socialite Bobby Trendy, TV stars Ross Mathews & Jai Rodriguez and the Mayor of West Hollywood, John D’Amico, were transported to Lisa’s “enchanted garden” where they mingled, enjoyed scrumptious passed hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks like the “Pumptini” all served by PUMP’s stunning staff.
WeHo’s newest hotspot at the very gay corner of Robertson & Santa Monica Blvd is now taking reservations for dinner seating with weekend brunches coming soon.
Call (310) 657-7867 (P-U-M-P)
Open table: http://www.opentable.com/pump-lounge
Address: 8948 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Photos by Phil Lobel/Lobeline Communications –
POSITIVELY AWARE Magazine Announces “A Day with HIV in America” Photo Essay
To commemorate World AIDS Day, POSITIVELY AWARE magazine is compiling a photo essay entitled “A Day with HIV in America.” On September 21, people from all across the country, both HIV-positive and negative, care providers, lawmakers, advocates, families, and friends will take a snapshot of a moment from their everyday life.
The photo essay hopes to present a portrait of our world and to put a face on HIV/AIDS in the U.S., in an effort to de-stigmatize life with HIV. Selected photos will appear in a special section of the November/December issue of POSITIVELY AWARE. Additional photo submissions will be available for viewing at A Day with HIV . Social media users can join others who are involved in the project on the Facebook group “A Day with HIV in America,” and also take part in the conversation on Twitter .
Using a digital camera or cell phone, the photos will capture a scene: Getting ready for work. Hanging out with friends. Spending a quiet moment alone. Caring for someone with HIV. The idea is to come up with the person’s own response to the question, “What does it mean to live with HIV?”
Photos are to be submitted by September 23 to artdirector @ positivelyaware.com. Submissions must include the person’s name (and the names of anyone else in the photo), phone number (of all participants), HIV status (optional), and a caption describing the scene, giving the location and time of day the picture was taken. Signed release forms will also be required for submissions to be considered.
Photos can be in JPEG, TIF, or RAW file format, and must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi at 4 x 5 inches. Photos can be color or black and white. Cell phone camera photos are acceptable, provided that they meet resolution requirements.
POSITIVELY AWARE is an internationally known and respected magazine devoted to HIV treatment and wellness. It has a circulation of over 85,000, and is published bi-monthly by Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) in Chicago, the only publication of its kind to be produced by a non-profit AIDS agency. Founded in 1987, TPAN is Chicago’s oldest peer-led AIDS service organization and specializes in treatment information, support services, and prevention.
To order copies of the magazine, call (773) 989-9400 or email distribution @ tpan.com. For more information about TPAN and POSITIVELY AWARE magazine visit TPAN and Positively Aware .
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Chambord Vodka Launch Party in Chicago
LAST NIGHT
we were invited to the
new Chambord Vodka launch party!
The party took place at EPIC restaurant downtown CHICAGO on their rooftop terrace area. Chambord, the world-renowned black raspberry liqueur, introduces a groundbreaking new taste experience in Chambord Flavored Vodka.
The exquisite taste of Chambord Flavored Vodka is the result of fine ingredients and a delicate process that forms a perfect balance of premium quality French vodka and extraordinary black raspberry flavor.
Chambord Flavored Vodka delivers the floral aromatics of the hibiscus flower with notes of vanilla, white chocolate and the distinctive flavor of the original Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, delivering a unique and satisfying taste experience when enjoyed straight or in a wide variety of cocktails.
They sampled a delicious Fleur De Lis ™, made with 2 oz Chambord Flavored Vodka,
3/4 oz Chambord Liqueur, 2 oz Lemonade, 1 oz Cranberry Juice. DELICIOUS!
They also served delicious food accented with the rich raspberry Chambord liqueur! There are LOTS of things you can do with Chambord !
DID YOU KNOW?
According to legend, in 1685 King Louis XIV visited Château Chambord, where he enjoyed a marvelous liqueur made from wild raspberries. This liqueur inspired the spirit that today is known as Chambord Liqueur Royale de France. The rich heritage of the Liqueur Royale is now celebrated in the reintroduction of Chambord, the world-renowned black raspberry liqueur for the modern mixologist.
Check it out Chambord and Chambord Vodka !
And watch for a Chambord party in your city!
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