GAYLETTER

James Baldwin once eloquently said, “Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” I would probably just say, “Learn your fucking history homo.” But the point still stands. Now more than ever we must understand the history of queer activism in order to successfully continue on the legacy of those who came before us. Cleve Jones, a man integral to the history of queer activism, is coming out with a memoir called When We Rise that we all need to read. Jones worked with Harvey Milk, co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and came up with the idea for the AIDS Quilt for godsake. This Wednesday at The Strand we all have the amazing opportunity to hear him in conversation with OUT editor-in-chief Aaron Hicklin. They will talk all about Cleve’s inspiring work and activism in the age of Trump. Admission is the cost of a signed book or a $15 Strand gift card and you can reserve a seat on strandbooks.com. There will also be an after party at Nowhere Bar because obviously. Now come learn whence you came, you homos.  —Gayletter

I can’t believe Pussy Faggot is back, it feels like it’s been way too looooong. If you are a regular reader of GAYLETTER, you know we used to be obsessed with this event since it started — we love the name. Earl Dax, who created the event told us that it’s time for him to come back and work as a “cultural producer” again. "I know the work of many of the artists. They have inspired and challenged me over the years and helped to expand my worldview.  That’s part of the power of live, alternative performance. It’s urgent and vital and needed now, more than ever. It’s also important that we continue to have spaces to gather together to support, educate, entertain and love each other.” Homo for the Holidaze is the name of the latest edition of the legendary event Pussy Faggot! The event is taking place at The Delancey and starts at 8:00PM in the basement with a performance by Kevin Aviance “in a special encore performance of his new show ‘The Lost Sessions with DJ Uri Dalal.’” I just looked at the list again and there are so many of our favorites involved, it’s like taking a trip to 2010. There’s Penny Arcade, Gio Black Peter (pictured), Amber Martin as Reba (she is so much fun as Reba!), Gerry Visco, Shane Shane, The reunion of The Lesbian Tendencies, Machine Dazzle, Tigger-James Ferguson and many others. Also, importantly they’ll be donating the proceeds from the door to GAG (Gays Against Guns) — “it seems fitting that we should support the work of this queer direct action group at such a dark time for our country and the world.” Say it with us: pussy grabs back! Click here for reduced ticket.  —Abi

I’ve never tried fisting before, I guess it’s not a super casual thing to do, but you’d think that by now I would have encountered a fister — I’ve been in NYC for over 10 years. I am not necessarily into it, but I feel kind of stupid saying “oh, I’ve never fisted” lol. In the email we received for this party it makes it pretty clear that we won’t have a chance to fist anyone as it is actually “a subversive techno party seeking to extend techno + industrial camp into the gay/ queer/ minority /poc community.” Anyways, I do know for sure that this party is going to have great music as it features Michael Magnan, Andi Synthicide, Auspex and Word of Command. I have been carrying about fisting, but it’s probably because I have a dirty mind and I’m thinking yeah, gay party, probably the fist in their name stands for fisting. Turns out the name ‘Fist’ represents taking a political stand, which is more interesting than what I was referring to. As they describe it: “FIST engages the visibility of communities of otherness through techno in NYC.” They want us all to “unify to help combat the status quo, fight mediocrity, and strive for new spaces that embrace the movement of a new culture. Annihilate hate. Join the chant. In tribute to radical fun.” This is the third installment of FIST and it’s the perfect time to let loose — ohhh, remember all the turkey you ate — dance it off!  —Abi

This is a super cute thing to do the day after Thanksgiving for those of you who are staying in the city. Videology Bar & Cinema is hosting two screenings of the Sofia Coppola film Lost In Translation. Starring a seventeen-year-old Scarlett Johansson (she plays a newlywed a few years older in the film) and a charming as always Bill Murray, Lost in Translation is about strangers who meet in a foreign land. Both characters have jet lag and can’t sleep so encounter each in their hotel bar late one night. Through the course of a week they develop a warm bond and help each get out of their respective ruts. For anyone who loves Japan, or melancholic comedies, this is a screening not to be missed. Best of all you can watch the film while sipping on a glass of Suntory Whiskey. For those who haven’t seen the film, Bill Murray’s character is in Japan to film a commercial for the whiskey brand. Sofia got the idea for this from an actual commercial her father (Francis Ford Coppola) had filmed years ago for Suntory at their home. Be quick to grab a ticket as this will likely sell out in no time. “Lip my stocking! Lip my stocking!”  —tom

It’s Thanksgiving, and you know what I am thankful for? Gay people! Thank god for all the talented queers who have made this world one worth living in. There’s too many to list in this short post, so let’s just focus on one very talented queen today: Freddie Mercury. The incredibly charismatic, and unique lead singer of the band Queen changed the musical landscape for the better. Somebody To Love is a new biography of Mr. Mercury that not only tells the story of the singer’s stratospheric rise to fame, but also very cleverly weaves in a history of the disease that ultimately killed him. Freddie died of AIDS complications in 1991. At the time he was one of the highest-profile people to die from the disease, which is why his life’s story is ineluctably tied to it. The authors of the book, Matt Richards and Mark Langthorne, hope that Freddie’s story “sheds light on the darkest times that so many lived and died through.” While doing this the book also spends plenty of time exploring all the light and beauty associated with Queen’s brilliant contribution to music. There’s plenty of juicy details about Freddie’s relationships, not just with men, but also with women. Freddie never officially came out of the closet, which is understandable considering he lived in the 70’s and 80’s and Queen was a very mainstream band. Regardless, Freddie is still remembered as a queer icon and pioneer. And I’ll continue to be thankful that we had him, even if it was for only a brief time.  —tom

DJS Will Automagic and Nita Aviance will liven up Easterbloc this Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 23th, with their party Sister Soldier Sledge. For all of you still in the city, your queer family is waiting for you at this East Village stalwart. I was at Easternbloc last Saturday night after a birthday dinner for a friend. It was pouring with rain outside, but was warm and inviting inside. We danced and did poppers as Darren (pictured at Easternbloc), one of the bar’s owners, played the perfect music to keep us moving — plenty of Kylie, Madonna and Rihanna! Darren is calling this party “a family affair for all living in the beautiful bubble of NYC.” Their will be no fights over the election or your relationship status at this event. There will be nothing but strong drinks, good music, and if you’re lucky some tasty new dick to give you something to be truly grateful for on Thursday! Have some fun, what else are you going to do?!  —tom

This Sunday Black Radical Imagination is presenting a special screening featuring short films by four promising young, black filmmakers. If you’re unfamiliar with Black Radical Imagination, it is a “touring program of visual shorts that delve into the worlds of new media, video art, and experimental narrative, growing out of a series of discussions about the boundaries and limitations that people of color have historically faced in the realm of the cinematic.” Basically, they use cinema to explore “the aesthetics of afrofuturism, afrosurrealism, and the magnificent.” There has never been a better time for us all to explore and celebrate the artistic output of historically marginalized groups. Talent is abound, if we look for it. After the screening their will also be a conversation with Ephraim Asili, Amir George and Erin Christovale. MoMA PS1 is one of our favorite places to explore. While you’re there you can even pick up a copy of GAYLETTER. They sell it at the bookstore near the entrance. Apologies for the shameless self-promotion, but if we can’t do it then who can?  —tom