Welcome to the Watering Hole

From political face-palms and hot people in Calvin Kleins to pop girl rage and textbook cultural resets, the world continues to spiral—and we’re here to document it with slightly too much enthusiasm. Buckle up, scroll down, and prepare to feel informed, entertained, and maybe a little bit horny.

• The girls are not gonna make it. Republicans really woke up one day and said, “No rights, no rizz, no release.” A porn ban? Be serious. I didn’t fight for unlimited tabs and incognito mode just to go back to dial-up shame. Let people have their freaky little internet corners in peace.

• She’s back and she’s bitter—just how we like her. Reneé Rapp said eat your heart out (and then maybe choke on it). “Bite Me” is giving hot girl rage, mascara-stained vocals, and a very necessary reminder that pop music should feel personal.

• The Menendez brothers getting a sentence reduction is so “2025 plot twist.” TikTok girlies really said “justice for the Dior sweater boys” and the legal system actually listened. Wild. True crime is now fan fiction with a happy ending.

• Hasan Piker doing gonzo journalism at the border is giving Vice in its peak era—if Vice had a jawline. Say what you want about him, but at least he’s actually out there doing something instead of posting grainy Instagram infographics and calling it activism.

• The Madonna biopic is out and now we’re getting a full TV series with Julia Garner. Honestly? Better. More time for drama, wigs, and cone bras. This is gonna be Pose meets Evita meets chaotic gay history lesson, and I will be seated every week.

• Kim K + Ryan Murphy = America’s next cultural reset. You know this show will be messy, campy, and legally unhinged.

• Vivian Wilson, Elon Musk's estranged daughter, made a striking entrance into the fashion world with a 40-foot braid spelling her name in a new campaign for queer-owned brand Wildfang. Co-designing a T-shirt that reads "Existing Shouldn't Be Revolutionary," proceeds support The Trevor Project.

• In a last-minute change, Dr. Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdrew from his role as the UK's Eurovision jury score announcer. British pop icon Sophie Ellis-Bextor stepped in, bringing her early 2000s hits to the stage. The Grand Final, held in Basel, Switzerland, featured the UK girlband Remember Monday performing "What The Hell Just Happened?"

• University of Warwick said no TERFs allowed and rolled out the kind of trans-inclusive policy every campus should’ve had ten years ago. Finally, an institution doing the bare minimum but making it feel radical because the bar is literally in hell.

• Trump doing the YMCA in Saudi Arabia is like satire ate itself. The man has turned into a walking Onion article. Somewhere, the Village People are suing for emotional distress—and honestly? Valid.

• Gus is dusting off the skis and sliding back into competition like it’s the hottest runway in Colorado. After three-and-a-half years off—thanks to concussions and COVID—he’s decided it’s now or never for Milano Cortina 2026. He’s saying “I can still do this and I want to,” which is peak athlete glow-up energy. Plus, plotting to rep Great Britain again? That’s the ultimate twist in his glow-up saga. I’m here for it—bring on the slopestyle silver sequel.

• Anna Camp went from “Aca-scuse me?” to “Aca-gay rights,” and I’m obsessed. Love that she’s in her sapphic era with a hot photographer girlfriend. The gays are winning, the Pitch Perfect hive is thriving, and Brittany Snow is somewhere nodding in support.

• Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall as a gay couple in a gritty, 70s-set love story? Say less. I will be seated, unblinking, breathing shallowly. If this ends in tragedy like all period gay films, I’m rioting—but tastefully. In suede.

• Cutting funding for the 988 mental health line in this economy? Bold move. By bold I mean reckless. Democrats are (rightfully) fighting back, but the fact that this even needed a fight is peak dystopia. Mental health isn’t optional, babes.

• LFG!!! The Texas House voted to repeal the state's ban on "homosexual conduct," a law unenforced since 2003. Twelve House Republicans joined Democrats in this historic vote, reflecting a shift towards more inclusive policies.

• GLAAD's latest Social Media Safety Index reports that major platforms have rolled back safety policies for LGBTQ users. Notably, YouTube removed "gender identity" from its hate speech policy, and Meta now permits certain anti-LGBTQ slurs, prompting calls for accountability and improved protections.

• The Wicked: For Good trailer is finally getting a release date—and I’m already practicing my vibrato. Ariana’s and Cynthia are gonna annihilate us, again. If this doesn’t awaken something gay and unhealed in you, I don’t know what will.

• Oscar’s back, the gays are employed, and the Dunder Mifflin cinematic universe lives on. If we don’t get a talking head where he rolls his eyes at a corporate Pride campaign, what are we even doing here?

• Jennifer Coolidge casually giving the most iconic commencement speech in history. Thanking the gays first? Historic. Dragging the straights second? Revolutionary. That’s a degree in charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.

• Oaklash, Oakland's premier drag and queer arts festival, returns May 16-18 with over 60 performers, including international drag star Yvie Oddly. Amidst funding challenges faced by many LGBTQ organizations, Oaklash thrives through grassroots support and a commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

• Arlington County hosts the "Show Your Pride: Light Projection and Block Party" on May 16-17, featuring artwork from projection artist Robin Bell and muralist Lisa Marie Thalhammer. The event celebrates WorldPride DC 2025 with art, music, and community spirit.

• Cooper Koch said gay rights in the form of tighty whities and a side profile that could cut glass. This Calvin Klein shoot isn’t just underwear—it’s activism. If this campaign was meant to cause a spiritual crisis, mission accomplished.

• Manuel from the Drag Race Pit Crew is out here committing crimes against the timeline—shirtless, glistening, and fully aware of his power. If you’re wondering where your productivity went today, it’s probably trapped in that carousel of unholy angles and perfect lighting.

Okay, bye.

That’s a wrap for this week — equal parts absurd, beautiful, and unhinged (just like us). Keep being loud, soft, weird, proud, and everything in between. I’ll be back next week with more things you didn’t know you needed. Until then, hydrate and cause a little trouble.