GAYLETTER

The Match Game was a wild game show that ran from 1962-1984. It featured a bunch of funny celebrities like Betty White and George Hamilton and two non-celeb contestants. The goal was for the non-celebs to match answers, to simple questions, with those of the celebs. It was really just an opportunity to have famous people say mildly inappropriate things on TV. This Thursday the Summer “Camp” Festival at the LGBT Center draws to a close with their version of the Match Game and the chance for an audience member (that would be YOU) to win a vacation to Vegas. “Hosted by comic Ben Lerman (LOGO, hereTV), contestants try to match Claudia Cogan (Last Comic Standing), Frank DeCaro, Mr. Murray Hill (“the hardest working man in show business”), Jackie Hoffman (Xanadu, The Addams Family), Jeffrey Joseph (The Tonight Show) and Paige Turner (“the Holly Golightly of drag”)...Sounds like a real shit show. We can’t wait!  —tom

When I first heard about this event, and saw some of the people involved, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I was like this is not for us, but then I kept reading and saw that it was for a great cause, and that encouraged me to learn a bit more. Here is what’s happening: Homme Town Productions & BoConcept (the furniture store that’s mostly loved by gays in Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen) are presenting Design City, a charity benefit for The Ali Forney Center to help find homes for homeless LGBT youth. Honestly, it’s one of the most necessary causes I can think of. The event is hosted by Mike Ruiz (go google him right now, this guy is sooo entertaining, he REALLY loves to model). Music is by DJ Vito Fun and the door is by Markus. I hope they instructed Markus to lose his usual attitude — no one needs that when they’re dropping money for charity. Get there at 8pm for the free open Red Bull Vodka bar and the “Hot guys” in 2(X)ist underwear, blah, blah, blah. Just think of all the homeless youth you’ll be helping (it will make being around all those queens that much easier).  —Abi

My favorite art book store Printed Matter (sadly there’s no many in NYC) is throwing a launch party for a new self published photography book titled, ‘At the Same Time.’ It was created by six artists: Steven Beckly, Dylan MacNeil, Ted Kerr, Zachary Ayotte, Colin Quinn and Oisín Share. “The collaboration explores the nature and development of romantic relationships from three different parts of the world over the past three years.” It “features essays by AA Bronson, Paul Sepuya, and Sholem Krishtalka.” There’s going to be free wine, and lots of cute, skinny artsy boys with nice glasses and interesting tattoos. It’s everything you could want from an early Thursday night soiree. Afterwards you can go troll the rest of the Chelsea galleries for some more free wine and boys. There’s no telling where the night might end (hopefully with more boys and free wine...I mean really what else is there?)  —tom

I got this graphic novel in the mail a couple weeks ago and have been picking it up and putting it down... I haven’t finish reading it yet, but I’m fascinated by the illustrations. I’ve never seen anything like it. As the press release puts it, The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame is about “Bondage, sadomasochism, torture, humiliation: a realm of hard-core skirting the darkest corners of sexually charged desire.” I’m going to be honest, I haven’t done half the things the main character in this story gets up to, I feel a bit left out, but who knows what the future holds! The artwork for this book is by the influential illustrator Gengoroh Tagame who’s “known...as the Tom of Finland of Japan.” This Wednesday you have the opportunity to meet Tagame along with Chip Kidd (creative director of the book). When I was going to design school I wanted to be like Chip, but not anymore, because now I am Abi from GAYLETTER! (I’m still a fan though). Go and get a signed copy or else buy one at anytime at artbook.com. BDSM!.  —Abi

Hey hunty it’s May 1st, otherwise known as May Day, which has been an international day to celebrate workers’ rights since the late 1800s, and a day of pagan spring rituals celebrating birth and nature, before that. More recently in the US it has become a day to recognize the struggles of undocumented immigrants. This year in NYC, May Day will have the traditional union and immigrants’ rights marches (5pm at Union Square) as well as a host of other radical activities – check maydaynyc.org for the full schedule. I recommend the Seed Bomb distribution (3pm), and dance party in Washington Square Park (9pm). I can guarantee the cutest, most informed queers in the city will be out in full force; and if the weather permits, showing some skin to boot. Grab your Free Pussy Riot T-Shirt, GAYLETTER tote bag and some sunscreen (I got burned last year – ouch!) because workers’ rights are immigrants’ rights are queer rights!  —Patrick

We loved the email from our friend Victor telling us about this event: “Drag queens are awesome. Helping the fight against HIV is awesome. GAYLETTER is awesome.” No you’re awesome Victor! Thanks for the tip. This is the second edition of Drag On, a wild, annual party that aims to raise funds to support a new AIDS vaccine trial organized by the Abzyme Research Foundation. The theme is “the animal inside.” Guests are encouraged to go in drag, but it’s by no means mandatory. Every homo and their mom is involved in this event (there’s like 50 hosts) so we’re not gonna bother rattling off all their names, but we will mention that Epiphany is the “Mistress of Ceremonies,” there’s also a “celebrity panel of judges,” and music by DJ Vito Fun. Here’s the part of the post where I’m meant to say some witty line about letting your wild side out, but I’m not going to do that. No, I’m just going to say it straight—this is a great cause, one that we should ALL support. So go do that, dressed as a sexy mountain lion in a lace front wig...or just as yourself.  —tom