GAYLETTER

It’s pride 2019 in New York City, do you know where your children are? Hopefully reading our wrap up of the not-to-be-missed events happening over the next week and a half. We tried to weed through all the corporate sponsored shitshows (we might have one in here, but it’s a truly special one clearly planned by a smart queen atop the 46th floor of a glass tower in FiDi). Mostly we’ve tried to focus on events that truly represent what it means to have pride — the ones made by and for the rebellious, non-conformist queers who are ready to throw a brick in the name of human rights and have a dance in the name of a good time.

It’s 50 years since Stonewall: let’s celebrate what we’ve learned and make light of our mistakes (s/o Absolut). Especially as a new flourish of diversity and equity is ushered in throughout our community, we should acknowledge our past and present shortcomings while we look brightly towards the future. And what better way to do that than with parades, parties, and poppers.

R.I.P. Marsha P. Johnson

Kim Petras photographed by Luke Gilford for GAYLETTER issue 9.

THURSDAY JUNE 20

EVENT: ‘A BIGGER SPLASH’ AFTER-PARTY HOSTED BY GAYLETTER
This Thursday there is only one place you need to be. We are hosting a screening of David Hockney’s 1973 Semi-fictionalized documentary biopic. The film is set after a difficult break-up, where Hockney is left unable to paint, much to the concern of his friends. Metrograph Pictures is re-releasing a newly restored version of the landmark film for a short run, just in time for Pride. We are hosting the premier of the film, which unfortunately we can’t invite the whole world to, but we can invite you to the after-party which might just be even gaggier. Expect an open-bar, appetizers and explosive performances by Charlene and Tyler Ashley. Music for the event is by a superstar line-up that includes Oscar Nn (Papi Juice), Stevie Huynhn (Bubble_T), Bebe (Club Glam), Theodore Jahng (Metrograph/Playhouse). We know there’s a lot going on this pride so it’s important to be selective with your attention. David Hockney is certainly someone worth giving your time and attention to, he is one of the most significant artists of the last 50 years. We can’t wait to toast him and this iconic film. Please RSVP to rsvp@metrograph.com with subject line “GAYLETTER” as space is limited.
RSVP ONLY, 10:00PM-LATE, METROGRAPH,  7 LUDLOW ST. NEW YORK, NY.

FRIDAY JUNE 21
EVENT: SLAVA MOGUTIN: STOCK BOYZ RISOGRAPH EDITION LAUNCH
Slava Mogutin, longtime collaborator and friend of GAYLETTER, is celebrating the launch of his limited edition artbook, Stock Boyz. The book is “a series of male pin-ups of anonymous figures in different stages of undress. In the early 2000s they appeared on several obscure, mostly Eastern European and now defunct fetish websites.” Mogutin used stock charts and newspaper headlines (hence the title, Stock Boyz) from the 2008 market crash as an abstract background. The result is that “the boys’ exposed fragile bodies, taken out of sexual context, slowly dissolve in the ocean of cruel digits. Bit by bit they are swallowed by the Capitalist greed and over-indulgence.” Celebrate pride this month by supporting queer artists. The launch party is this Friday at Printed Matter Inc.
FREE, 6PM-8PM, PRINTED MATTER INC. 231 11TH AVE. NY, NY.

PARTY: THE SPECTRUM WQRLD PRIDE! Q DYNASTY!
Bitch. Quit your job. Burn your house. Call your friend Molly. And roll up. This gag starts at midnight and lasts till 10am, or whenever your left brain forces you into an Uber home. The Q Dynasty is serving DJ sets from Le1f, Dese, False Witness, Tigga Calore, and A Village Raid, live shows from Nomi Ruiz, Laskaar, Rubby Valentin, and HAIRBONE, and SideRoom shows from Pauli Cakes, Dj She Marley Marl, and Princess Peggie. And don’t forget the Slava Mogutin afterparty celebrating his new Stock Boyz edition at Printed Matter Inc. Dress to impress and channel Le1f if you please: I’m an emperor. Wanna see me in my new clothes? Mother of the house. Care to see me in a new pose? Come through and come correct- we don’t do Sloppy but Messy is inevitable. Our gracious hosts include gage of the boone, Neon Christina, Ceyenne Doroshaw, Avory Agony, Garrett Allen, Alessio Pesto, Princess Donna Dolore, Molly Rhinestones, and Harrison Curley.
$20 BEFORE 2AM, $25 AFTER, 12 AM-10 AM, 1140 MYRTLE AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11221

J.C. photographed by Mickey Aloisio for GAYLETTER issue 9.

SATURDAY JUNE 22
EVENT: SHE NYC ARTS PRESENTS DANCING GIRL
Look at her GO. This live theatre performance follows Esmerelda — a fierce and resilient immigrant living in Paris, through a story of oppression, conspiracy, and freedom. Sis navigates overwhelming prejudice, unexpected attraction, and unlikely friendships in her journey towards emancipation. Written by Elinor T Vanderburg and Drew Vanderburg, two progressive and imaginative contemporary playwrights, this performance will leave you satisfactorily shook. There will be dance, spoken language, and sign language in this re-imagination of Victor Hugo’s Notre-Dame de Paris. She really did that.
$20, 12:30 PM. ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE 7PM JUNE 24, 220 EAST 4TH STREET, NY, NY

EVENT: JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL FOR TOPIC TALKS
Topic and Pop Up Magazine are serving up a live performance from John Cameron Mitchell of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Bryan Weller of the ANTHEM: HOMONCULUS podcast series, among others. Both Hedwig and ANTHEM are brainchildren of John Cameron Mitchell, demonstrating an impressive creative range and bearing testament to gays’ stereotypical preoccupation with drag and podcasts. This performance comes as one of a series presented by Pop Up, a live magazine comprising true stories, musical performances, documentaries, and more. Topic, an online magazine and/or video production company, is lending a hand as well. The night’s theme is ‘music’ and will pair nicely with spilt flasked vodka down a tasteful sweater.
$30-$40, 7:30PM-9PM, NYU SKIRBALL CENTER, 566 LAGUARDIA PL, NEW YORK, NY

ART: RECLAIM PRIDE COALITION ART BUILD
Calling all queer artists, creatives, craftsfolk, and art whores: WE’RE PAINTING. All forms of expression are encouraged, whether you’d prefer to smear glitter on cardboard, paint a picture of your dad to bring to your therapist, or pretend like you’re into minimalism. This event is hosted by the Reclaim Pride Coalition, WRRQ Collective, MIX NYC, Allied Productions, Inc., Building Stories, and YOU, Bitch. All materials will be provided by the organisers, just hit them up on Facebook a little in advance so all parties involved can come correct. The organisers would also like to note that QTPOC are ESPECIALLY invited to roll up, as pride month would be sorely incomplete without celebration of QTPOC people, stories, and artwork. There’s gonna be an art build on the 22nd, but if you can’t swing it on that day then don’t even worry bitch. Queers will be painting at the same hours on the 23, 25, 26, and 27. find out more here.
FREE, 2PM-12AM, BUILDING STORIES, 27 12TH ST., GOWANUS, BROOKLYN, NY.

Jeffrey and Gabriel photographed by Daniel Trese for GAYLETTER issue 9.

TUESDAY JUNE 25
EVENT: BOOM! LOVE BALL III AFTERPARTY
If you haven’t seen Susan Bartsch’s documentary on Netflix, then stop what you’re doing and watch it right now. Ok, you back? Great, now you know why we love her so much. And you also know why the Love Ball is sooo iconic. The Ball was Susan’s response to the AIDS crisis that was killing her friends. She managed to get a bunch of BIG brands to donate money to help fight the disease. This year the third iteration of the ball is happening. Susan is continuing the fun with an after-party at Le Bain with a whole bunch of queens on board. I would give you the list of DJs and performers but we don’t have enough space for all of them. It’s a Susan Bartsch party, and it’s Pride, what more do you need to know??
10PM-4AM, THE STANDARD LE BAIN 18TH FLOOR, 444 W 13th St. NY, NY.

EVENT: THE FEELS Q&A WITH SARA RAMIREZ, TIM MANLEY, IMARA JONES, AND MORE

We love a film about polyamory. Brave House is a 55 minute fictional film that “follows a newly-cohabitating triad — genderqueer S (Sara Ramirez), transfemme Nina (Ianne Fields Stewart), and masculine of center Lenny (Shantira Jackson) — as they contend with the logistics of polyamory, resurfaced traumas, and the daily realities of life on the borderlines. Co-written by Sara Ramirez, the heartfelt narrative asserts the beauty, the difficulty, and the necessity of creating community and finding family.” After the film stick around for a Q&A with the writer and cast moderated by Imara Jones.
7:30PM, IFC CENTER, 323 6TH AVE. NEW YORK, NY.

THURSDAY JUNE 27
PARTY: BATH & BODY CO-HOSTED BY GAYLETTER
I’d say this is where you go if you want to kick off the Pride weekend in NYC. Presented by Deryck Todd it’s a rooftop pool party with a sunset champagne toast, Team New York Aquatics, and Alan Cumming is going to be completely wet inside the pool, ok queen. There’s also a special guest performance by Willam. Music is by Mazurbate, Valissa Yoe and Hannah Lou. We’ll be co-hosting the party, because it sounded fun, and who doesn’t like a pool party? It’s at the Williamsburg Hotel pool which we haven’t been to yet. Put on a bathing suit on and come with your best slutty attitude, if you don’t want to get wet stay home! find out more here.
$10, 8PM, WILLIAMSBURG HOTEL, 96 WYTHE AVE. BK, NY.

EVENT: TERMINAL IMPULSE: PRIDE KICKOFF MIXER

In the schmood to get pride month drunk on a boat? Who isn’t? This Pride Kickoff Mixer is hosted by Guillermo Diaz from ABC-TV’s Scandal and Honey Davenport from Rupaul’s Drag Race. In the true spirit of pride month, this event delicately balances queer community building with getting shitfaced on a maritime vessel. There will be a speech from Guillermo, a performance from Honey, a sponsored open bar, and a “Duty Free Shop”. Come for the Duty Free Shop, stay for the Pride.

FREE, 7PM-10PM, INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, WEST 46TH STREET, HANGAR 1, NY, NY.

Dominique Jackson photographed by Stephen Velastegui for GAYLETTER issue 9.

FRIDAY JUNE 28
EVENT: BARTSCHLAND FOLLIES
Susanne is back the Friday of Pride weekend with her weekly party at the Mckittrick Hotel. This is a very cool space for a party with plenty of secret rooms for a bump of kiki or a longer session of kaka. Susanne Bartsch will of course make this the gayest of gay parties happening all week. “Join her for an eclectic and eccentric cabaret extravaganza where a night at the opera collides with a burlesque circus for a high fashion madcap unforgettable entertainment experience.” cute. get tickets here.
11PM, MCKITTRICK HOTEL, 530 W 27TH ST, NEW YORK, NY. 

PARTY: PAPI JUICE WORLD PRIDE
Papi Juice is one of the best queer parties celebrating queer and trans people of color in NYC. The party will be celebrating its 6th year anniversary, so they decided to take over the whole Elsewehere building. “You ready to show the world how we do Pride here in NYC? LOL JK they been known because we’ve been doing it for 50 years!…starting with a rooftop sunset performance and reception catered by @yardy with DJs on DJs in every single room…hall, zone one, and our own ‘techno’ loft will offer anything you and your whole team desires..” I am down for all of it. The event features lots of hot people: MikeQ, Nino Brown, LE1F, BRoNZ3_, GoDD3SS, Oscar Nñ, Adam R, Zsela, Bebe, JLamar, Guang, Ushamami, Olive T, Skype Williams, Loka, No sesso, The Dance Pit, Fried Platano, West Dakota, Fran Tirado, Miss Boogie and many more…
$30 DOOR, PRESALE: BIT.LY/WORLDPAPI, ELSEWEWHERE, 559 JOHNSON AVE. BK, NY.

SATURDAY JUNE 29
EVENT: 27TH ANNUAL NYC DYKE MARCH
It’s a protest, not a parade. The NYC Dyke March started in 1993 and has always taken place without permits or sponsors. This year’s theme is “Dykes Without Borders”. Participants are “demanding equality and justice for our siblings who are persecuted by regressive immigration policies, as well as those living in nations – including the United States – that deny their fundamental rights.” Be bold. Bring your signs, banners, and all your protest gear. If you identify as a dyke, the march starts at Bryant Park, on the southwest corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. If you’re not a dyke but want to support the march, you’re invited to cheer on marchers from the sidewalk. The official afterparty kicks off at 8 and ends late at Bad Habit at Lot 45 Bushwick (411 Troutman St., Brooklyn). Tickets for the afterparty are $20 at the door.
FREE, 5PM, BRYANT PARK, SOUTHWEST CORNER OF 42ND STREET AND 5th AVE., NY, NY.

Miss Benny photographed by Daniel Cavanaugh for GAYLETTER issue 9.

EVENT: JOY BEFORE THE RANGE
This event is a call to all Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, Queer, and Ally Communities to come together to organize, energize, and mobilize our contingent for the 15th Annual Trans Day of Action for Social and Economic Justice. There will be poster making, chanting, conversation and food by Charlie Anderle and Ora Wise. This is a free event, and all are welcome. Come show some real Pride and remind yourself about what this month is really about — action in search of equality.
1-3PM, THE CENTER, 3RD FLOOR, 208 W 13TH ST, NEW YORK, NY.

EVENT: TRADE: GAYWATCH
I have never heard of this Toronto based party until today. Come thruuuu Canada. I am very impressed. I know we say often that a party has too many DJs to list, but trust this time we really mean it. There’s like 20! “Toronto’s TRADE gets you soaking wet and gives you the breath of life with GAYWATCH during World Pride Weekend in” New York City. Bring your beach body. Suggested dress: Lifeguard, Speedos, Tanlines, Bikinis, think Mitch Buchannon’s hairy chest paired with Pamela Anderson’s titties.” There’s a dark room, and everyone is welcome, especially sluts. “All sluts welcome. This is an all inclusive event, the only people turned away are transphobes, misogynists, racists, body-shamers, and general assholes.” Respect to Toronto.
$10-$20, 10PM-5AM, THE DEEP END, 1080 WYCKOFF AVE, BROOKLYN, NY.

EVENT: LOOKS AND LAUGHS HOSTED BY TRIXIE AND KATYA (FEAT. ICONA POP)
Holy Moly, Bitch. This is…. Everything. Trixie and Katya are serving a night of sass, class, and ass featuring the legendary Aquaria, Naomi Smalls, Violet Chachki, Kim Chi, Asia O’Hara, and the newly crowned queen Yvie Oddly. If all THAT wasn’t enough, the good sisters of Icona Pop are also going to be forcing you at gunpoint to throw that ass in a circle. To put it simply, I’d sooner stan TSwift than miss it. The event is sponsored by Klarna, a personal finance app that has apparently helped these kweens to budget for their lewks. OK Wall Street!! We see you!! In support of Klarna, Aquaria, Asia O’Hara, Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls, and violet Chachki will all be unveiling their curated looks onstage and performing together for the first time. I’m shook already.
$50, 8PM, PLAYSTATION THEATRE 1515 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10036

SUNDAY JUNE 30

EVENT: QUEER LIBERATION MARCH AND RALLY

Don’t agree with Heritage of Pride’s corporate-sponsored Pride March? Or maybe you’re irked that HOP kicked off its celebration at the Barclay’s Center, a venue managed by a notoriously homophobic billionaire? Then march with an organization that wants to “highlight the most marginalized members of our community.” The Reclaim Pride Coalition is organizing a “Queer Liberation March”; a march that walks along the original path of the 1970 Christopher Street March without corporate floats or police participation. Stick your middle finger up to the corporate takeover of pride and join in a march completely owned by queer people. The march starts off at 9:30am on 7th Ave south of Christopher Street. If 9am is a little too early for you, don’t worry, you can catch the march at Bryant Park if you get there by 11. The march ends with a rally in Central Park’s Great Lawn at 1pm.

FREE, 9:30 AM, 7TH AVE (SOUTH OF CHRISTOPHER STREET), NY, NY

DO: STONEWALLFOREVER.ORG

Stonewall has gone digital and she’s looking fierce. Visit stonewallforever.org to click through a virtual museum that throws subtle Bjork vibes while guiding you through bite-sized historical accounts of queer activism pre, and post Stonewall. The tour begins with the dapper zaddies of the Mattachine Society, one of the OG LGBTQ+ organizations (founded 1950), and covers up to the present day. Don’t fret, history gays; the tour also touches heavily on the iconic Gay Liberation Front, which was formed in the wake of the Stonewall riot and comprised legends like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.
FREE, stonewallforever.org OR visit NYC’s Christopher Park for an augmented reality experience (download the app)

DO: LGBTQ+ DIRECTORY

The Good Sister (and city comptroller) Scott M. Stringer has come correct and is ready to bring you some community realness. If you’re looking for some pride month events you can bump through without a daiquiri in your hand (with all due respect to daiquiris), check out this comprehensive directory of LGBTQ+ services and resources in NYC. Odds are fair that you’ll catch me linking up with a couple of these mobs — a bitch would be pressed not to need a book club, PrEP access, or some butch realness every once in a while. Whether you’re looking to talk politics with somebody wearing a kanken backpack or seeking housing or medical care — this directory is for you.
Directory is Free!

Vinson photographed by Lucas Castro Pardo for GAYLETTER issue 10.