GAYLETTER

Okay queens, it’s that time. DragCon! So this is actually my first ever DragCon and, since this is the first year the event is being held in NYC, it’s the first time for all of us at GAYLETTER. I’m lit af for it. GAYLETTER’s Summer Internship Program, being the well rounded comprehensive program that it is, exposed me to the world of drag and an appreciation for all things gaggy (as well as some other...skills). I’m so glad to have had this crucial education because I now understand the pomp and circumstance surrounding queens and the races they run — or, more accurately, that they sashay. DragCon is presented by RuPaul and World of Wonder Productions. According to the event’s press release, “The two-day convention...will welcome fans from around the globe to the first DragCon held in the Big Apple. RuPaul’s DragCon NYC was announced after a record breaking 40,000+ fans ​attended the third annual DragCon held in Los Angeles earlier this year. RuPaul’s DragCon NYC will feature vendors and exhibitors, exclusive merchandise, panel and Q&A sessions, autograph and photo opportunities with drag stars — including many from the Emmy award winning series ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ — with more to be announced!” In the words of my fellow Summer 2017 alumni of the GL Internship Program, James Linacre, “Yes god!!” Furthermore, our fabulous asses will be at Booth 858 in Artist Alley (the area sorta near the Tr*mp Rat and lounge). You can come and kiki with us, buy some recent issues of the magazine, window shop (or real shop!) our merch, or just say hello. But don’t lurk! This ain’t the ocean and you ain’t a shark. I’ll be circulating around taking photos, so peep me with the camera rubbing shoulders with all the baddest bitches. If you ask nicely or gag me, I just might take your photo too.  —Gayletter

You never know what you may find in another queen’s closet, if you’re lucky it could be a cute jacket — if you’re not, it could be a body (looking at you, Dorian Corey). I always feel the need to update my own wardrobe as summer winds down, probably a habit developed out of years of back-to-school shopping, and if you’re like me you start looking for your staple fall pieces now. Hosted by Acid Betty and Alotta McGriddles (pictured), this live auction event is sure to satisfy all your vintage/thrift/swap needs. Most items have a starting bid price of $1. GAG. Besides the incredible prices and scream-worthy hosts, the auction will be offering “Costumes, Vintage, Men’s, Women’s, Questioning’s, Jewelry, DRAG Fantasies, Spandex, Designer Apparel, Furs, Accessories and MORE!” I’ve never been to a live auction because the fast talking stresses me out, but this certainly seems to be a night not to miss.

This post goes out to all the people out there who still like to dance when they go out… UNIIQU3, a favorite NYC DJ of ours (she played our Pride ball two years ago and fucked it up as always) is throwing a “fun lil rager” before dipping out to Asia. Love a transpacific moment. Her sets are undeniably danceable and glowing examples of sexually liberated feminism, with remixes to songs that go like, “Don’t want no car, don’t want no cash, don’t want no date, I just want my pussy ate…” set to looping synths and moans. Despite my undying love of dick, her mixes make me so horny, and I’m so here for it. The event’s description says to come “dressed to sweat,” which means that y’all really should be dancing! It’s cool to mingle and stand around slaying the scene and waiting for a photo but like this won’t be the time or place for that noise. Even better is that it’s all ages and openly 420 friendly. Lit or lit? It’s lit — literally. Don’t miss this.  —Connor Atkins

If you feel like being bad n boujee this weekend, this may be the event for you. Hot Rabbit presents Float: an LGBTQ+ sunset boat party slash dinner cruise (for the older and/or less lit). She sounds like a fun time — there’ll be “drag queens, go-gos of all genders, vogue dancers, DJ 2Face and DJ Avg Jo, and optional dinner for those who want not just a dance party but the full city skyline dinner cruise experience.” Jolina Jasmine and Rhedd Rhumm will perform and the House of Olympus will be the voguers fuckin it up. For 500 queers on one luxury yacht with an optional dinner, tickets seem pretty reasonable — $25 if you plan ahead and buy early. You can also save 20% by using the promo code GAYLETTER — ok, work! Just remember to keep your eyes on the time because you don’t wanna get left on the pier with sunset blue balls. You gotta finish your hair and make-up and be on the boat at 6! It will then leave at 7:15 to get that prime sunsetty eye candy. It could also be a good idea to give yourself extra time if taking the train. Who knows what MTA’s gunna hurl at us next.  —Connor Atkins

Central Park is normally my favorite spot to people watch, or should I say ogle at the shirtless men parading around Sheep's Meadow. Same thing, right? I'm pretty sure nothing is better than spending a hot summer day in New York doing just that, actually. (The thirst is real and only rosé can act as a semi-quenching substitute.) However, this Saturday I'm breaking away from my traditional plans, but you can still find me in Central Park to see none other than Mama Ru. Could you imagine giving up your plans to stare at boys for anything else? That was a rhetorical question. "Of course not" is the only answer. RuPaul is appearing live for Ozy Fest this year to give a talk titled "Can I Get an Amen?", so obviously I'm really dying to see what she’ll bless us with. RuPaul always speaks so eloquently, she could be reading you for filth and you'd still smile. Some other talent billed for this year includes the delicious Jason Derulo and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; it’s clear why the Times calls Ozy Fest “TED meets Coachella.” Ok, work! The festival is part of the Summerstage Central Park series, so you'll find the extravaganza at Rumsey Playfield —  which is basically adjacent to East 71st if you haven't visited yet. Ru’s talk is scheduled for 1:40pm, so be sure to get over your Saturday morning hangover in a timely fashion. I suggest you drink a beer or three with brunch.  —Gayletter

Over the past two years, these “paint bar” nights, or “drink & draw” have become increasingly popular across Long Island and wine-moms and white-teens have started to act like they have a BFA in my favorite medium, which they don’t. They just have blonde highlights from my mom who is usually their hairdresser. It’s a small world out there. What’s cute is that I’ve seen photos of some instructors wearing Britney Spears microphones, like saying “lift your brush” really needs to be heard out of an industrial speaker. Listen, I’ve seen some of these canvases results and I will just say they’re always some wonky, on-mushrooms looking sunsets. Anyway, I am such a fake bitch because I stay talking shit about these types of events but this one is in Brooklyn so I was like… yas! I’m not transparent, whatever. While I was browsing this event online, someone in the comments asked “What’s a live figure model?” You’re always going to encounter one or two dummies who should really be attending the Long Island iterations of these kinds of things, but The Living Gallery is a wonderful place that, in a city full of struggling artists and dreamers, deserves our support. The space provides all proper materials; the essential wine and aforementioned live model, which, to answer that woman’s question (and maybe yours too) is a person who will stand before the room and you are expected to draw them. Often, they are naked. Ok work!  —Chris Stewart

When I saw this event circulating on Facebook, I really had to stop and ask myself why we were just seeing “the first annual,” rather than the 26th annual or something like that. I mean, it is no fucking secret that the world loves porn. Pornhub has some ridiculous statistics about Americans and porn. Google it. Though on the account of how many times I know y’all masturbate in one week, maybe you shouldn’t bother. Just know you are not alone when you are rubbing one out every day of the week. OK? “Crushed, the first Brooklyn Dirty Book Fair, is a platform for independent publishers of erotic and pornographic material and artists working with sex. Curated by Matthew Leifheit, the fair will feature two small-scale exhibitions, a selection of publications and prints for sale, a program of performances and readings, live nude classical and jazz musicians, smutty film screenings, and an orgy afterparty.” Recently, the GAYLETTER office has been super into vintage porn. Not necessarily video, but photographs. To say that nudes aren’t being photographed like they used to is, well… true. Men and women are aspiring to different standards in 2017, but the 70s and 80s had the most stunning, real looking models with the most chic dicks and breasts. That said, I think sexual imagery ages super well, so maybe in a decade I’ll be saying the same thing about today, but, regardless, head to the fair and check out what your sexual community is making. Not only will you leave horny, but you’ll be walking away with work the world doesn’t want us to see, or doesn’t think we should see. Always celebrate sex. It’s normal. Go forth and CUM!  —Chris Stewart