GAYLETTER

My friend recently told me she likes to keep her man in line when he’s misbehaving, she half-seriously said “I like to push him and I hit him...” I am like girl you need to get yourself a proper paddle so you can spank him. Then of course we get this email the next day with the subject line “join us for a spanking...” Hey Bea, you can now go and learn a few things from Ms. Mona Rogers who’s a “lifestyle and professional Dominatrix… She has been experimenting with kink most of her life and has been a fixture in the pro scene since 2007. She is one of the lead educators for Domi Dollz and the co-author of Kisses to Kink: A Dominatrix’s Guide to Great Sex.” OK Ms. Mona! The Impact Play Workshop will cover everything from “spanking to flogging, paddling and caning.” I had to google two of those things because I wasn’t familiar. Do the same if you aren’t either, the visuals are fun. “You’ll learn how to respectfully curate a dominant/submissive relationship dynamic and how to tailor a light or heavy play scene according to you and your partner’s level of interest.” Ms Mona tells us. Sounds hot. Now bend over, you piece of shit!  —Abi

I’ll start with this — if you didn’t read that New York Magazine feature detailing every angle of why sex-work should or shouldn’t be legal, you need to get to it. It’s a hot debate that’s slowly but surely gaining traction. I’m still waiting for a politico to even touch the subject. Anyway, the realities of many lives spent in prostitution is making it’s way to the mainstream and the art world. Exhibiting works from 1850 through the last few years, Daniel Cooney Fine Art presents Scarlet Muse: Photography and Prostitution. The exhibition includes work from Larry Clark, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Benjamin Fredrickson, Malerie Marder, Bob Mizer and more, though I have to point out that there’s only three women on the program, which looks pretty crappy. Here’s what the press release says, “Fredrickson revels in his dual role as artist/hustler with his provocative Polaroid self-portraits made while servicing clients. Punk rock legend Danny Fields shares his intimate living room snapshots of young Greenwich Village “Richies” in action circa mid 70’s.” 1850 was a long time ago, so check out the opening and see if you can compare what a prostitute looked like then as opposed to now. Then again, prostitutes have always been ordinary people.  —Chris Stewart

If you’re a long time reader of GAYLETTER you’ll know that I love a podcast. I’ve been listening to them since the first ipod came out and itunes started hosting them. Listening to a podcast is a very intimate experience, and in my mind they still feel like a niche media platform — I know, I know, Serial was a blockbuster — but I’m still surprised when big companies come out with their own. I recently discovered that Vogue has a podcast, and I love it! Here’s why. Firstly, it’s hosted by Andre Leon Talley, who is so much fun to listen to (I get the feeling he’s not quite sure what a podcast is, but that queen knows how to talk and is a joy to listen to). Secondly, he has access to everyone: Marc Jacobs, Alessandro Michele and Alexander Wang have all been recent guests, and Anna Wintour stops by each month to discuss the current issue. The podcast is recorded at the Condé Nast offices, and obviously Andre and Anna have known each other forever, so they’re conversation is super relaxed. You get to hear a side of Anna (a woman I am fascinated by) like you never have before. She’s loose, chatty, dare I say, fun. It’s a unique insight into her, and the magazine/global brand she oversees. Subscribe immediately. That is all.  —tom

Simon Leahy, member of the band BOTTOMS (who we featured in GAYLETTER issue 2) is one of the organizers of this year’s NYC Porn Film Festival. He told us about what we should expect from the 2nd year’s line-up. “The after party w/ Alien Alien & Ryan Smith will be great along with Treasure Island Media panel & documentary. Amalia & Franco screening [yes, by that James Franco] is going to be super awesome and check out the super sexy Dale Cooper (pictured) on Sunday morning. Perfect for your hungover eyes. >>> woof.” The event is presented by Pornhub.com and this year it features “over 20 films, from industry leaders, live demonstrations, a virtual reality experience booth, art installations, a comedy show, and party!” Our weekend just got a little sexier. Woof indeed! Click here for more details.  —tom

When I first read the description for this event I assumed that it was an outdoor event, I guess it’s the Summer and I am thirsty to do anything outdoors. I asked Joey, who’s the organizer of the event, and he clarified that it’s an indoor event. It’s the first time they’re doing their Swim N’ Spa Party. The spa is in Astoria, Queens — “It’s very clean and cozy, we’ll dress it up a bit with lighting, inflatable toys, a unicorn to ride on…” Joey told me more about the place “amenities include pool, hot tub, steam rooms, saunas, free snacks, and clothes check. There’s also a full cash bar, plus massages and spa treatments for special prices...”  This is not a nudist event, but you might as well check your clothes and walk around naked. I mean it’s a spa, you are paying some money to be there, so feel take it all off — don’t be boring and not show that ass. Someone will be into it, you’ll see. Click here for tickets.  —Abi

Gay rights are human rights, trans rights are human rights, women’s rights are human rights...I think you get where I’m going with this. Inequality and discrimination of any kind is something we all must stomp out, no matter what group we are from, because when the freedom of one group is threatened, freedom for all of us is threatened. This Wednesday night is your chance to check out the new film From Selma to Stonewall: Are We There Yet, followed by a panel discussion. “The film is a powerful new documentary that begins by looking at the Civil Rights Movement in Selma and the LGBT Rights Movement that was galvanized at the Stonewall riots, then delves into some of today’s most explosive and discussed subjects: racial injustice, police brutality, transgender discrimination, LGBTQ hopelessness and where those issues intersect.” This is your chance to see the film before anyone else, and also discuss the film with those involved in it afterwards. Don’t miss it.  —tom