GAYLETTER

You have probably heard about the Rentboy.com bust. I know this is a complicated case and I’ve seen so many different opinions displayed on social media. I’m not gonna get deep into it, but I think people should be able to do whatever that want with their bodies as long as they’re not hurting anyone. Sex workers rights are human rights. If you agree you should speak up. On Thursday, a rally is being held, calling for the police to drop the charges and for our society to decriminalize sex work. “LGBT activists, civil rights organizations, the HookUp Collaborative and supporters will hold a demonstration this Thursday, Sept. 3rd, at Noon at the U.S. Eastern District Courthouse in downtown Brooklyn to demand that the U.S. Attorney stop the prosecution of Rentboy.com and drop all charges after the raid on them by Homeland Security. We are outraged at this latest example of the abuse and selective prosecution of sex workers. We are sick and tired of this misuse of government time and money to persecute members of the sex industry. This unrelenting harassment and persecution endangers the health and safety of these workers and their clients, and disproportionately targets the poor and people of color. We demand an end to this system of criminalization.” Amen to that. It’s 2015 for fuck’s sake.  —Abi

There’s a line in Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own’ where she sings “yeah I know it’s stupid, but I just gotta see it for myself.” That’s kind of how I felt about picking up this book. The review I read explained it as basically a fictionalized version of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ relationship. Like that’s dumb, I should be reading smarter books than that...but like Robyn, I just had to see it for myself. Besides anything even tangentially related to Scientology is like catnip to me. The book is writing by Hilary Liftin (but in the voice of Lizzie Pepper, the book’s protagonist). Lizzie is a young, pretty actress whose biggest credit is starring on a teen TV drama (think Dawson’s Creek) who one day is called into meet Tom Cruise, I mean Rob Mars, the world’s biggest action movie star. Ignoring the gay rumors she is swept off her feet by the charming actor and brought into his insane world. There’s a Scientology stand in (it’s called One Cell) and instead of jumping on Oprah’s couch, he jumps on to the top of a car and serenades his new love in front of the paparazzi. The book is about as trashy as it gets, but it’s addictive. If you’re looking for an easy, end of the summer read, this is it!  —tom

You know when you log on to Netflix and there’s almost too much to choose from? The choice becomes kind of paralyzing, I don’t know about you, but I always end up watching the same thing, which is 30 Rock. I’ve seen every episode many times, but I never get sick of Liz Lemon! Which makes me think this trivia night in Brooklyn might be designed just for me. Every week they choose a different movie or TV show and this week it’s all about 30 Rock. It’s hosted by Maggie Ross, the longtime host of Videology’s Tuesday night trivia event. There’s a max of 4 people per team. Over 5 rounds Maggie will go deep into the world of 30 Rock. You might want to binge a couple of seasons from now until Sunday. And if it comes up, yes it is true that Rachel Dratch was originally cast as Jenna but was replaced by Jane Krakowski at the last minute after Lorne Michaels saw the unaired pilot. Rachel did however show up in the first episode as The Girlie Show’s cat wrangler. Also Elaine Stritch is the actress who played Jack Donaghy’s (Alec Baldwin’s) mother. But if you didn’t know that already then you won’t stand a chance of winning!  —tom

This is a pretty cunty event, one of those “only in New York City” type of things. It’s a screening of Casablanca with the two daughters of Ingrid Bergman, who will discuss the Swedish actress’s most famous role and what it was like growing up in the spotlight with one of the world’s most beautiful and famous women as their mother. Isabella Rossellini has obviously lead a unique and big career as an actress, her half-sister, Pia Lindstrom, has had a long career as a television journalist and was apparently greatly affected when her mother left her father (Swedish neurosurgeon Petter Lindström) for the Italian director Roberto Rossellini. I imagine the sisters’ conversation will be filled with some fascinating insights about their mother and also the filming of Casablanca. Hopefully they don’t hold back!  —tom

I am mainly recommending this event because of the DJ, I love the music of Ryan Smith (Wrecked). He knows how to work a room! Also, I heard that the party is “BYOB and BYOP (bring your own poppers lol).” That sounds promising. You’ll end up killing some brain cells, but if you are a smart boy that’s fine — you have plenty to spare. Poppers in public bring a room together — a straight friend of mine is now using them when he hangs out with other straight people. Shocking I know! I love that I am making this post all about the poppers. It’s a pretty straight forward event, the Facebook description explains it best: “The party will be at this hot underground play-club in Brooklyn. Dance and play at this party benefiting the opening of Doce, a new coffee shop in Chelsea…The party is themed after some old clubs from the golden era of gay nightclubs in NYC (J’s hangout, Zone DK, The Anvil, Manhole, etc). Rooms, glory holes, slings and many play areas available...” Coffee, poppers, dancing, glory holes. Thank god for gay people!  —Abi

Julius throws one of our favorite parties: Mattachine, hosted by John Cameron Mitchell, but it’s not the only fantastic party the tiny west village bar hosts. There’s also Owl, created by my friend David Orton and Nick Schiarizzi, who throws the massive Rhonda parties. So what can you expect from this month’s edition? I’ll let David fill you in on the specifics: “You can expect an evening of dancing, burgers, lust, jealousy, rejection, and disco-induced diarrhea. No other party guarantees to send you home smelling like beef. WE DO.” I mean Eau de beef, what else do you need? How about free therapy sessions? Well, yeah they also have that! “Mini therapy sessions are on offer, from an actual therapist. Because you’re crazy.” Tell me about it! Fix my life Iyanla! But first let me get a vodka soda. I don’t do therapy unless I have a bit of a buzz!

When I first read about ‘Gayzer Tag’ I thought it was a sex party or a celebration for an adult film. Then I continued reading and figured out that it’s actually a gay laser tag event, happening at Chelsea Piers and put it all together. I’d say get off Grindr for one night and go check it out, it should be an interesting way to meet men. I am so curious to know what men are playing lazer tag in NYC. I know, it sounds a bit silly, but I find that sometimes the best way to have fun is to act silly. We act silly all the time, even if you never see us smiling in photos. This is a monthly event and apparently besides the lazer tag, it also features: “unlimited pool, unlimited bowling (if spots are available), vodka cocktails, $14 PBR pitchers, full dinner and snack menu.” The event is curated by Guy Social which is an organization that “curates unique weekly, monthly, and seasonal events all over NYC.” I’d recommend you to be friendly, you never know who you’ll end up tagging.  —Abi