Welcome to the Watering Hole

We’ve got Cynthia Erivo shaking up Jesus Christ Superstar, Pedro Pascal making the internet collectively sweat with his SNL confessions, and Nicholas Galitzine going full blond muscle fantasy for He-Man. Meanwhile, Disney is finessing its way into MAGA’s good graces (yikes), Shonda Rhimes said absolutely not to Trump’s Kennedy Center takeover, and a Maryland judge just bodied his latest anti-trans nonsense. Also—World Pride is gearing up to be the event of the summer, but Crunch WeHo just shut down its steam room, marking the end of a very specific era.

• Yasss, Cynthia! Taking on the iconic role of Jesus is such a boss move. While the internet trolls are losing their minds over a Black woman embodying this character, have probably never even seen ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ to begin with. rolls eyes. Cynthia Erivo is about to serve vocals and acting chops that will leave everyone shook. Let’s support this queen as she redefines a classic and brings a fresh perspective to the stage.

• Okay, but can we talk about ‘Freaky Tales’ for a sec? Pedro Pascal wielding an axe, Normani making her acting debut, and the legendary Angus Cloud gracing our screens once more—this movie is serving everything. The ‘80s aesthetic, the intense action, and that ensemble cast? It’s giving us all the feels. Mark your calendars for April 4th because ‘Freaky Tales’ is about to take us on a wild ride we won’t forget.

• Attention, Chappell Roan stans! Our fave pop sensation just announced ‘The Giver – Lawyer Edition’ on aquamarine vinyl, and it’s up for pre-order now. After teasing us with snippets through that mysterious hotline, we’re finally getting the full track. Chappell’s been serving us bop after bop, and this release is no exception. Get ready to vibe to this steamy anthem and add a gorgeous vinyl to your collection. She’s truly feeding us, and we are living for it.

• Our girl Doechii just shut down the haters accusing her of lip-syncing at the Grammys. In a fiery TikTok, she let everyone know that despite being sick, she delivered a live performance, somersaults and all. The disrespect is real, but Doechii’s clap back was even realer. Let’s give her the flowers she deserves for pushing through and giving us an unforgettable show. Haters can take several seats.

@iamdoechii_

Replying to @Michael Villalobos

• Bend and snap, y’all! Reese Witherspoon just announced that Lexi Minetree is stepping into the iconic pink heels as young Elle Woods in the ‘Legally Blonde’ prequel series. This casting is spot-on, and we can’t wait to see Lexi bring her own flair to the beloved character. Exploring Elle’s high school days is going to be a nostalgic trip, and with Reese producing, it’s bound to be fabulous. Get ready for ‘Elle’ to serve all the early 2000s vibes we adore.

@terrencefoconnor

pray for our girl..

• Judge Ana Reyes just delivered a masterclass in science and sass, calling out Trump’s anti-trans executive orders as “biologically inaccurate” and “frankly ridiculous.” During a recent hearing, she challenged the administration’s narrow views on sex and gender, highlighting the existence of intersex individuals and the complexity beyond the binary. It’s refreshing to see someone in power stand up for the LGBTQ+ community with such clarity and conviction

• Shonda Rhimes, the creative genius behind “Bridgerton” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” has resigned from the Kennedy Center board following Trump’s appointment as chairman. Her departure signals a strong stance against the politicization of the arts and a refusal to be associated with leadership that doesn’t align with her values. It’s empowering to see influential figures like Rhimes prioritize integrity over position.

• Disney’s recent decision to scale back its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives has left many employees feeling betrayed. The move, perceived as pandering to MAGA supporters, undermines the company’s previous commitments to inclusivity. It’s disheartening to see a brand that once championed diverse storytelling now retreating in the face of political pressure. However, are we surprised? No. Also, we see you pulling out of Sydney Pride, Meta and Google.

• Much to the hater’s chagrin, we’re here and we’re queer. A recent Gallup poll has put LGBTQ+ identification at an all time high in the U.S. - 9.3%. More than one in five Gen Z are a little…you know, with bisexuality representing over 50% of the community. Can we please stop with all the bi erasure???

• Marlon Wayans shut down Soulja Boy after the rapper made transphobic remarks about his son, Kai. Instead of stooping to his level, Wayans doubled down on his love and support, proving once again that good parents protect their kids from ignorance. This is another big W for Marlon Wayans, who has consistently been there for Kai.

• Two trans teens are suing Trump over his ban on trans girls in school sports, arguing it’s discriminatory and unconstitutional. The fact that teens have to fight for their right to play is ridiculous, but they’re out here making history.

• A Maryland judge just put Trump’s gender-affirming care ban on pause, calling it harmful and unconstitutional. A huge win for trans youth, but the fight isn’t over. Stay loud, stay proud, and keep pushing back.

• Queer Business Spotlight:  Everywhere Is Queer is the largest directory & map of queer-owned organizations globally! Hosting over 17,000+ queer-owned organizations with 26+ different categories to filter between, you can connect, shop and find organizations locally and globally. Their app is free on iOS & Android - it is imperative that we support our community, now more than ever, go download!

• Yaaas! The World Pride Music Festival is turning all the way up this June in Washington, DC. With headliners like Troye Sivan and J.Lo, plus performances from Kim Petras and Tinashe, it’s serving pure queer excellence. Mark your calendars for June 6-7 at the RFK Festival Grounds. Not everyone has been excited though, with some critics coming after the selection of Grimes as one of the headliners, given her former relationship with Elon Musk.

• Major shocker in WeHo: Crunch Fitness has permanently closed its men’s steam room after ongoing complaints about, well, steamy behavior. This spot was practically a gay landmark, and its closure has left the community buzzing. While some saw it as a hotspot for mingling, others raised concerns about the activities within. Love it or hate it, this move marks the end of an era in West Hollywood’s gym scene.

• Let’s be honest—Euphoria burning out instead of fading away is probably for the best. The show was iconic, messy, and deeply unhinged in a way that changed TV forever, but after two seasons of beautifully chaotic storytelling, it’s time to wrap it up with intention. We don’t need a 30-year-old Rue still spiraling, and the thought of another five years of random drug dealers and glitter tears? Exhausting. Ending at season 3 means we get a tight, well-planned finale rather than a slow, painful descent into irrelevance (cough other HBO shows).

• Nicholas Galitzine just went full blond and buff for Masters of the Universe, and the internet is either thirsting or saying what the fuck. The He-Man glow-up is real, and we’re ready to see him wield that sword.

• Pedro Pascal casually joked about being “into submission” on SNL and sent the internet into a meltdown. King of making us blush and ask follow-up questions.

Okay, bye.

And that’s a wrap on another week of queer resilience, corporate backpedaling, and the never-ending clash between progress and comfort. If there’s one thing that keeps proving true, it’s that visibility isn’t enough—power is. The people shaping culture right now aren’t just showing up; they’re taking the reins, rewriting the rules, and refusing to cater to systems that were never built for us. Meanwhile, the usual suspects are still trying to play it safe, diluting their so-called allyship the second it gets inconvenient. But here’s the reality: queer culture is culture, and no amount of backpedaling or pearl-clutching is going to change that. Stay loud, stay bold, and keep pushing—because we’re the ones defining what comes next. See you next week!