Welcome to the Watering Hole

This week was… a lot. From Pete Buttigieg’s diplomatic dinners with marriage equality opponents, to Gladiator 2 fumbling a gay kiss, Kamala Harris serving leather-clad AI fantasy - the internet is giving us whiplash in the best way. Meanwhile, STIs are finally on the decline, Kristin Chenoweth is reminding us why she’s queen of the gays, and Aaron Westbrook found his family on the basketball court.

• Mayor Pete (he will always be this to us) is out here breaking bread with people who vote against his marriage, while delivering highways and bridges. It’s giving ‘unbothered diplomat energy,’ but let’s be real, that compartmentalization skill deserves its own TED Talk.

• STIs are finally trending down, and we love to see public health slay for once. Syphilis rates dropped 10%, and gonorrhea is practically packing its bags—thanks, doxyPEP! This is what happens when science meets queer resilience: less itching, more thriving.

• John Krasinski’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ win has the internet in chaos, and honestly, I’m living for the drama. Some are saying ‘Jim Halpert who?’ while others are drafting petitions for Pedro Pascal and Jonathan Bailey to take the crown. At least democracy will always exist in this category, am I right? Still recovering from the Benny Blanco unveiling, sorry.

• The girlies are running the Grammys, and who’s surprised? Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Charli XCX didn’t just eat—they left no crumbs. From ‘Espresso’ to ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ and BRAT, it seems like all of our faves are finally getting the recognition they deserve. And of course, Queen Bey becomes the most nominated Grammy artist in history… now she just needs Album of the Year.

• Imagine trying to distract from your ex’s podcast takedown by dropping a breakup song the same day. Zach singing about ‘therapy’ while avoiding accountability is ironic at best—maybe stream Brianna’s episode instead?

• When Wicked dolls promised to defy gravity, no one expected them to defy common sense by linking to a porn site. This accidental URL misprint will go down in Broadway merch history as an iconic, if unintended, moment of hilarity.

• Gay porn stars fighting MAGA nonsense feels like the most 2024 plot twist ever. Alex Rockham and crew are out here doing more for democracy than some politicians, while their pro-Trump peers are basically handing out free cringe content.

• Gallego running for Senate is proof that Arizona’s politics are heating up faster than its desert sun. Meanwhile, Kari Lake’s campaign feels like the sequel nobody asked for, starring conspiracy theories and bad takes.

• Kamala Harris in AI-generated leather gear is the crossover of The Matrix meets political fan fiction I didn’t know I needed. Imagine scrolling Twitter (still won’t call it X) and suddenly being greeted by Madame Vice President serving BDSM chic—2024 is wild, y’all.

• They can show brutal colosseum fights and Denzel Washington slaying in every sense, but a gay kiss was too much? Gladiator 2 had one chance to make ancient Rome even gayer, and they fumbled it.

• Who knew darts could be the next frontier for trans rights? Noa-Lynn van Leuven is out here throwing bullseyes and breaking barriers, while the haters are stuck crying about inclusivity like it’s a dart in their ego.

• A gay teen becoming Utah’s youngest elected official? This is the kind of coming-of-age story we love to see. While most 18-year-olds are figuring out college schedules, this legend is figuring out how to make Utah a better place—slay!

• HBO Max considering trans actors for the Harry Potter reboot feels like the plot twist no one saw coming. J.K. Rowling’s opinions may still be lingering, but this casting decision screams, ‘We’re keeping the magic, not the mess.’ I imagine her watching from the sidelines, furiously typing another controversial tweet.

• The Hottest of the Year party was the queer event we’ve been manifesting all year. Sponsored by Archer and fueled by 21 Seeds Tequila, it wasn’t just a party—it was a full-blown cultural reset. If you weren’t in Penn District, were you even living? I was invited to this one and I looked really good, if I do say so myself.

• Kristin Chenoweth saying, ‘I’m nothing without my gays’ is the energy we live for. She’s been the Glinda of our dreams since 2003, and now she’s sprinkling pink glitter over an entire generation of Wicked fans who couldn’t afford Broadway but will be front-row at the movie.

• Aaron Westbrook thought he was signing up for basketball, but he ended up finding his chosen family—High School Musical vibes, but make it gay and in NYC. This league isn’t just about hoops; it’s about community, self-expression, and a side of fabulous post-game brunches.

@outmagazine

THE QUEEN HAS SPOKEN @Kristin Chenoweth 💚🌈🩷 🎤: @Raffy Ermac 🎥:@Julia Ermac #wicked #wickedmovie #wickedpremiere #glinda #musical #theater ... See more

• Gay twins taking over the internet? Cooper Koch and his brother, Payton, are living proof that genetics can truly slay. Double the looks, double the thirst traps—it’s giving ‘queer superhero origin story.’

Okay, bye.

See you next week. Love u, miss u.