GAYLETTER

I don’t remember the last time I did a detox, the past winter was just too rough for me to go for more than 3 days without a drink and I don’t detox during the summer — I am Dominican, I like drinking when it’s hot out. This event is perfect for me as I only need to detox for one morning, and the best part is that I’ll get to retox after. Nick Potenzieri is a yoga instructor that I’ve seen a few times out and about, so I am always in the loop of what he’s doing (at least he always sends me invites on Facebook ;). He’s putting together this event with his friend Steph Fieger Klein. He told me that it came together very naturally. “I have recently started teaching Pop Yoga classes around NYC, in Fire Island and Ptown. Stephanie and I have been long time friends and would often go try different classes around NYC... After we would go back to her place in Queens where she would make us some healthy post-class food...It just seemed right that we should share what made us feel good with others.” You should arrive at 9:00AM for “pre-yoga refreshers” followed by yoga on the East River at 9:20AM, then you’ll end with a healthy brunch and a chance to retox with a seasonal cocktail that they are calling “Summer in a Glass.” It’s like a mini-detox, I love it!  —Abi

It’s a gay pride scavenger hunt! Here’s how it works: “A series of gay-themed clues that incorporates this year’s NYC Pride theme lead you around the city performing physical and mental challenges. The race also contains a fierce photo scavenger hunt and an outrageous ‘roadblock’ task for your team to complete.” It kicks off at The Stonewall Inn and the only requirement is that you pay, bring a MetroCard and wear comfortable shoes. You can show up alone and they’ll match you up with a team or you can sign up beforehand with a team of six. “Each member of the winning team receives a New York City gift package which may include tickets to The Big Quiz Thing and Quiet Events, goodies from Pasticceria Bruno and big discounts from Fluent City and more!” That all sounds good to me, except the part where they say the gift package may include those prizes. Let’s clear that up before we get started. I ain’t running around the city like a flaming queen for no reward. Otherwise it sounds like a blast!  —tom

It’s not often that a new park appears in this densely populated city we live in. Especially not one on its own island! Which makes the recent reopening of Governor’s Island a real treat. Adriaan Geuze, the landscape architect who co-founded the Dutch firm West 8, was tasked with turning the dilapidated, decommissioned Army base into something New Yorkers would be excited to take their parents to when they came to visit. What he managed to create was a $75 million 30-acre park with undulating green hills populated with red Adirondack chairs, a grove filled with 50 hammocks, a mini golf course, food trucks, a fenceless adventure playground, and softball fields. While I’m sure the park will fill up with annoying kids and tourists it’s sheer size should give you plenty of opportunity to carve out your own little piece of paradise. Plus it’s a goddamn island, everyone will clear out by nightfall, hide out with a few friends until their gone and you’ll have the island to yourself for the night. Just watch out for the ghosts, that island has some crazy history to it.  —tom

We stayed at The Broome Hotel a few months back when it was snowing, we had a great time, but we didn’t get a chance to enjoy the beautiful open-air courtyard. It really is a hidden gem in SOHO, you have to go and see it. This Saturday you have the perfect excuse to check it out for yourself with a free yoga class. The class will be given by Chloe Kernaghan (not Kardashian), she’s from Yoga Vida which is a studio that focuses on making yoga accessible to everyone, they are interested in building “a community that supports healthier, happier lives.” Which is very similar to what GAYLETTER is trying to do, kidding. RSVP to reserve a spot, with this email: info@thebroomenyc.com. Wear something cute, I know it’s yoga and no one is supposed to judge you, but once you get out of there all nice and relaxed you’ll want to get some action, it’s Saturday in SOHO! Everyone can use a nice stretch, just don’t forget to breath.  —Abi

Remember in Sex and the City (yeah I know) when the ladies were walking through Times Square and they noticed a couple of sailors pass by? Samantha pretty much jizzed in her stockings realizing that New York’s favorite holiday, Fleet Week, was in full swing. Well that’s basically how we felt when we discovered 45 minutes ago that Fleet Week has started (May 21st-27th). For those of you who don’t know what it is (I mean, really?) it’s basically the one week of the year when the Navy docks its giant boats in New York harbor. Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen then flood the city’s bars (often in uniform) and you get to live out your fantasy of seducing/being seduced by a man in uniform. Since ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is no longer an issue the military’s gay boys should be out in full force. The week is also an opportunity to see “numerous exhibits and military demonstrations showcasing the latest technology of the maritime services and the skilled expertise of our service members...” blah, blah, blah, there’s going to be men in uniform! Men in uniform!  —tom

You may have noticed our campaign to bring awareness to the homophobic laws passed by the Russian government during the Sochi Winter Olympics #gayforsochi. Thousands of people created their own images through our site, but there is still a long way to go. It’s our goal to keep doing whatever we can to bring attention to human rights abuses going on over there. Which is why we want to bring your attention to a new film that’s currently looking for crowdfunding. The film is called Stand and is an “investigative film that goes to the heart of the anti-gay propaganda laws passed in Russia in June 2013. Oscillating between a thriller and a love story, Stand focuses on a current event: the criminal groups that schedule fake dates for young homosexuals, only to then attack and humiliate them. The film probes into the meaning of human rights and sexual freedoms, and how finding liberty is possible in an oppressive regime.” The film is all shot, and from the clip they have on the campaign site, it looks pretty good. Now they just need funds to edit, color correct and mix the sound. Let’s all do what we can to help them finish. The more light we shine on the darkness going on in Russia the greater chance we have of changing things.  —tom

I’ve never done boxing in my life. I mean I am not really afraid of being knocked over but I am terrified of any glove going close to my nose and breaking it. We mentioned this class a few months back when it first started and we heard so many great things from our friends, it’s now time we finally give it a try. I’m gonna repeat this quote from Vance Garrett (one of the organizers of this class) “Gay guys are usually intimidated by boxing… no one has ever been hit in the face in this class... and it’s the most intense workout I’ve ever done…” Thanks for the affirmation that I can do this class with no problem. Vance adds that “absolute beginners are welcome” at Velvet Gloves - Gentleman's Boxing. I heard you Vance, we are coming, Tom and I will be there! Make sure you arrive promptly, because at 3:00PM it’s “wrapping hands” time. I don’t even have a boxing outfit, but I think I can wear something similar to the image above and look cute while I try to learn how to punch correctly...  —Abi

I recently watched this fantastic talk by Laverne Cox (which we posted on our Facebook page). In it she speaks about the trans bullying she has encountered in her life, and the trans violence that is such a problem in our culture (54% of all LGTBQ homicides are against trans women). Laverne quotes Cornel West who has said that “justice is what love looks like in public.” I was thinking about that quote when I read about this Thursday’s protest to demand justice for Islan Nettles (pictured). Nettles was savagely beaten on August 17th, 2013 in Harlem and died from her injuries five days later. The case has gained national notice but no one has been charged with her murder. Justice remains elusive for the families of far too many murdered trans women. It’s time we made some noise, it’s time we demanded that the Police force takes these crimes seriously. Every life is valuable, every person is important. Why? Because they were born; they were given life and it’s not anyone else’s right to take that. Join the protest this Thursday and let’s let the rest of the city in on that truth.  —tom