GAYLETTER

Some of you might have a long resolution list that you’re hoping to complete by the end of the year. Some of you might be good at completing your goals, but let’s be honest, we already know for most people a lot of that stuff is not gonna happen (‘workout 6 days a week’, please!). You are probably reading this rolling your eyes saying “bitch please, I am gonna do it...” No worries, I am on your side — I am just keeping it real. Here’s something that might be help you. It’s an event called ‘STUFF,’ which is “a weekly self-care workshop to help you set goals and process stuff.” It takes place at the “queer D.I.Y. and community space” The Spectrum. I spoke to Corrina MacKoul who is leading the workshop and she told me that everyone is welcome. “It’s called ‘Stuff’ because we are usually dealing with pretty stressful challenges that people have. Stuff that maybe they’d be seeing a therapist for. This workshop is about helping people claim some power for themselves, and helping each other as part of a community.” This sounds like a great idea, we all have issues that we need to take care of, we’re human, and who knows, it might help you stick to all those resolutions. If you are interested you must RSVP at 917.957.6239 by 5:00PM Wednesday.  —Abi

Just like the protests for injustice that are going on at the moment, this is also a very important issue. There are thousands of people with no homes and food out there, and that’s not only because they lost control of their lives, but also because the rent is so damn high. “The Bowery Mission continues to serve the homeless and hungry in New York City. This year, The Bowery Mission provided more than 392,000 meals to men, women and children, 98,000 nights of shelter and 45,000 articles of clothing, as well as showers, haircuts, and expert medical and optometric care.” They do a lot, which costs money. This Sunday they’re hosting the annual L.E.S. Art Drive. It’s a one-day silent auction and their first fundraiser of this kind. Basically a bunch of artists with ties to the neighborhood will donate art for you to bid on. The event will be hosted at the New Museum’s ground-floor space at 231 Bowery. This is a great opportunity for you to acquire some new art, you can turn up on the day or bid at their online auction, If you are not into art or auctions just go to the mission and help however you can!  —Abi

Secret Behavior is a very smart magazine that on first glance seems to be all about sex (maybe a little like our magazine) but if you spend a little more time with it you realize it’s actually about intimacy. Intimacy can be found through sex, but it’s not the only way. Intimacy can be found through a gentle glance, a reassuring word, through revealing one’s truth. Intimacy is all around us. We just have to reach for it. This Friday the magazine is hosting an event filled with “poetry, art, booze, merriment” and surely plenty of chances to engage in an intimate moment or two. The poets performing at the event are Farrah Field and Paige Taggart, and the featured artists are Juliana Sabinson and Slava Mogutin. It’s at Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry Shop, in of course Brooklyn. I haven’t checked out their space but from the photos I’ve seen it looks lovely and intimate.  —Abi

So I kind of scanned over the information for this event (it was late, I was a little drunk) but here’s what jumped out at me — “lesbian hooker comedy” “Sundance hit comedy” “performance Artist Joseph Keckler performing live.” I mean what else do you need to know? OK, so a bit more of a backstory might help. Basically it’s a screening for The Foxy Merkins, the aforementioned “lesbian hooker comedy.” Joseph and classical violinist Dan Bartfield (who composed the film’s score) will perform live before the movie, then after there’s a Q and A with the film’s director Madeleine Olnek, Producer Laura Terruso, Composer Dan Bartfield and Joseph Keckler —  and cast and crew, including lead actor Lisa Haas! I mean you had me with Joseph Keckler and “lesbian hooker comedy.” Oh, also your ticket gets you in to the opening night party at “the fabulous SUPERFINE restaurant!” ...with complimentary Hors D’oeuvres. Sign me up!  —tom

For the longest time queer people (mainly gay men) were characterized in movies and theatre as villains. We were the shady character who might kidnap your child or worse, murder you. It was a blatant form of homophobia that probably did more to set back gay rights than even the laws banning homosexuality. The thing is, the way you are represented in popular culture, in movies, on TV and in books has a powerful effect on your psyche. Especially when you’re a kid, that shit can really mess with you...if you let it. Thankful we are moving away from such stupid and offensive representations of queer people in popular culture (we’re not there yet, but we’re on our way.) It also turns out that in many of this representations, closeted queer writers would drop subtle hints letting their LGBT brothers and sisters know that they thought it was bullshit too. This Wednesday at the Bureau of General Services-Queer Division they’re hosting a “reading and reception to celebrate the release of Murder Most Queer: The Homicidal Homosexual in the American Theater by Jordan Schildcrout.” The book “examines the shifting meanings of murderous LGBT characters in American theater over a century, showing how these representations wrestle with and ultimately subvert notions of queer villainy.” It looks to be a fun night. Show up, be your shadiest.  —tom

I’m so excited for this event. The name itself should be enough to hook you, but if it’s not, here’s why you should attend. Held at the adorably named Trans Central Station space in Brooklyn, this is a fundraiser for Sarah Schulman’s upcoming play Roe Versus Wade and the Texas Equal Access Fund, which provides financial assistance to low-income people living in Texas who want an abortion and can’t afford it.You might know Schulman as a legendary playwright, novelist, and activist in ACT UP and the Lesbian Avengers, but you may be surprised to find out that she’s also been reading tarot cards for over 30 years! At this event, she and other experienced cartomancers will provide readings on a $10-20 sliding scale, and you can nibble on “enchanted” hors-d’oeuvres and “bewitching brews” at the cash bar. With witch hunts against a woman’s right to choose as prevalent as ever, come help expelliarmus those pesky pro-life muggles and divine some news about your fabulous future!  —Patrick

They died so we can live. It’s the kind of deep statement you hear people on Fox News say about soldiers who have fought in our wars. Unfortunately it’s also a statement you could use for the thousands of trans people who have been murdered over the years for the simple, yet revolutionary, act of being themselves. Here’s a couple of shocking facts: last year 238 trans people were murdered worldwide. In America 1 in 12 trans people is murdered. What the fuck! I know it’s a dark topic but hey, GAYLETTER isn’t all beer and Skittles. This Thursday is your chance to pay some respect to the trans lives we’ve lost. The Center (The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center) is hosting a day of remembrance and we promise it’s going to be way more uplifting than the first half of this post. There’s going to be inspirational speakers, even snacks! It’s open to all people, trans or otherwise. Show up, show some respect, and make a commitment to make the world better for our trans brothers and sisters.  —tom

The popular door bitch Markus (yes, I can say “bitch” because he knows how to do bitch well and if you are good at something, you should just embrace it) is doing a new weekly Bingo night. Markus is very funny. He always makes me laugh whenever I see him, especially when he makes fun of me. The last time I saw him was in Fire Island, I was so hungover and a mess, I was on my way to the overpriced supermarket when I bumped into him, and he really made me laugh a lot and made my afternoon better. Anyways he’s hosting this new Bingo event at The Monarch Room and we are super excited about it. Mainly because we fucking love bingo! Tom is addicted to gambling, throw him in Vegas with some money, he’ll come back with no money and no clothes, unless someone is watching over him... and I grew up playing Bingo with my mother’s friends back in the DR (there was not much to do there, and I was really into earning money.) This is the first night for this event and it’s free to play. There will also be “a special punch for sharing – sold by the pitcher, drinks and food on sale.” You can either reserve a table or just show up, walk-ins are welcome! I don’t know what the prices for the cocktails and food are, but once you arrive, feel free to ask Markus, he’s such a helpful bitch.  —Abi