Welcome back to another jam-packed edition of The Watering Hole! If you’re new here, welcome to the shitshow…

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions—from celebrating trailblazers making history on the Victoria’s Secret runway like Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio, to celebs owning their truth like Jermelle Simon. We’ve also got to chat about some not-so-great news, like politicians still pushing anti-trans agendas (eye roll forever 🙄) and that wild stunt pulled by Josh Seiter. But don’t worry, we’re here to break it all down, hopefully uplift, and keep it 100% real. So grab your favorite snack, get comfy, and let’s dive in!

• The most unexpected and sad news dropped Thursday night that Liam Payne, from One Direction, tragically passed away after falling from a hotel in Argentina at age 31. While the full details are still unclear, Payne was a huge part of our gay millennial childhood, and it's heartbreaking. One Direction soundtracked so many sleepovers and dance parties that collectively led to some of our earliest “experimenting”. We'll definitely miss him.

• Okay, so, like, major props to Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio for making history at the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show! They're the first-ever trans models to walk the runway, and it's huge. Remember when Ed Razek, the old marketing dude, was all like, "Trans women aren't Victoria's Secret material"? F*ck that guy. Thankfully, times have changed - the show's back with incredible models and a killer performance by Cher. Alex and Valentina looked fire on the runway and their outfits were totally iconic - they're both major role models for the trans community. It shows that even the most traditional brands are starting to get with the times. Inclusivity is in and it's here to stay. Let's keep pushing for more representation and celebrate all bodies. Also, Tyla’s strut? Iconic. However, the show itself - um…I’ll leave this TikTok as my review.

@victoriaparis

• Cynthia Erivo's definitely got a point about the edited "Wicked" poster being disrespectful. But girl, you stepped in it. At this point, the gays are just making fun of her online for getting so worked up about it. Baby, it's not that deep. It's also okay to let things go. Maybe Cynthia can just focus on the excitement of the movie and ignore the trolls. We all know she’s going to eat as Elphaba. After all, she's a queen, and they can't take that away from her.

• Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s SWEAT Tour stop in LA was everything... except maybe energetic 😅. The new queen of electronic pop brought her A-game to the stage, but it seemed like the LA audience needed a little extra caffeine before they could keep up with her. Charli was definitely begging for more energy, throwing shade with lines like, "LA, are you fucking serious?!" Despite the lukewarm crowd, Charli still managed to deliver an epic show. But, let's be real, the show would have been even more lit if the crowd had matched Charli's energy.

• Can we talk about how some politicians are still stuck in the past? Like, it’s 2024 and we’re still seeing anti-trans ads popping up — looking at you, Trump and co. 🙄 It’s honestly exhausting to see our trans siblings used as political pawns. The fear-mongering and misinformation? So over it. We’re all just trying to live our lives, and yet here we are, having to defend basic human rights all over again. But you know what? We are not here for that nonsense. We’re all about inclusivity, love, and keeping it real. So let’s keep uplifting trans voices, educating the uninformed, and making sure we show up where it counts—yes, that means voting, y’all!

• So, this Pennsylvania school district was reading books about trans people to first graders on Trans Day of Visibility. And some parents were NOT here for it. They sued the district, claiming it violated their religious beliefs. And guess what? The court actually sided with the parents…? They ruled that the district must let parents opt their kids out of any lessons about transgender identity. This is a major blow to LGBTQ+ rights, like what the actual fuck. It sends the message that being trans is something to be hidden or avoided. This is just another example of the ongoing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. It's important to stay informed and fight back against these BS policies.

• Over 800 veterans will be given honorable discharge after a yearlong review. More than 13,000 service members were forced out of the military under the now-defunct “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibited gay and lesbian members of the military from being open about their sexual orientation. Historians estimate at least 100,000 service members were forced out of the military due to their actual or perceived sexuality between World War II and 2011. This is long overdue, and although gay people serve every day of our lives, it’s about time we honor those who really served.

• Okay, so, let's talk about Miss Peppermint, the absolute legend! Peppermint made history as the first openly trans woman on RuPaul's Drag Race and has been a total force ever since. She's not just a talented drag queen, but also a fierce activist who's been using her platform to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.From marching for marriage equality to starring on Broadway, Peppermint has done it all. She's a true inspiration and a role model for so many people. In this article from Out, Peppermint talks about her journey, her experiences on Drag Race and Broadway, and her ongoing advocacy work. It's a really cool look into the life of this amazing queen.

• Ever wondered who's making waves in Philly's queer community? Look no further! This article drops the tea on 48 LGBTQ+ leaders who are absolutely crushing it. From politicians to healthcare heroes, these folks are making a real difference. There's Malcolm Kenyatta, the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color to run for U.S. Senate. And Dr. Tariem Burroughs, who's all about creating a diverse and inclusive public health workforce. These are just a few of the amazing people featured in this article. So, if you're looking for inspiration or just want to know who's shaping Philly's queer scene, check out this article. You won't be disappointed!

• In 2024, we've seen a wave of celebrities coming out as LGBTQ+. This is a huge deal for queer visibility and representation. When celebrities come out, they're breaking down stereotypes and showing the world that being LGBTQ+ is normal and okay. It gives young people role models to look up to and helps them feel more comfortable in their own skin. Here are some of the biggest names who've come out this year: Julia Fox, Trey Cunningham, Ayesha Madon and so many more!

• Jermelle Simon, the star of Netflix's hilarious sitcom "The Upshaws", just came out as gay in a super heartwarming video for National Coming Out Day. Remember how his character Bennie Jr. came out in the show last season? Well, Jermelle finally decided to follow suit IRL, and it's everything. In the vid, Jermelle's all about self-love and acceptance. He talks about finally feeling like he's enough, which is like, the most relatable thing ever. He thanks everyone who helped him get there, and throws in a big shoutout to the LGBTQ+ community. This is a big deal for a few reasons. First, representation matters! Seeing a Black gay actor living his truth is super inspiring, especially for young queer folks. Plus, it shows that Hollywood is slowly getting more inclusive, which is always a win. The comments on the video are already exploding with love and support. Jermelle's co-star Wanda Sykes even called him a "proud auntie"! Love that for him.

• Obviously our hottie of the week is Alex Consani! With her edgy looks and confident attitude, Alex is breaking down barriers and challenging traditional notions of beauty. She is inspiring a new generation of queer models and proving that anyone can succeed in the fashion industry, no matter their gender identity. Truly obsessed with her.

• Former Cuban-American Nickelodeon star and certified hottie, Carlo Arrechea, came out in a letter penned to his younger self, “Carlito”. In the letter, Arrechea says “I’m doing this because I want to live as my authentic self. I should be allowed to do that.” YES YOU SHOULD! Happy National Coming Out Day and Hispanic Heritage Month ❤️ 

• So, remember that guy Josh Seiter from The Bachelorette? The one who got famous for stripping on his first date? Neither did we… Well, he recently pulled a major stunt that's got everyone talking. Six months ago, he "came out" as trans, claiming to have struggled with his gender identity for years. Everyone in our community was like, "Whoa, that's brave!" and supported him along his journey. This week on Alex Stein’s podcast, he admitted to faking everything, claiming faking his trans journey was all a social experiment to "expose how gullible the left is." While fucked up, what was he trying to prove… That the left is kind, warm and empathetic? That the right is still filled with vitriol and hatred? You got us, baby!!!

Okay, bye.

That’s all for now. From mourning the tragic loss of Liam Payne to celebrating historic milestones like Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio slaying the Victoria’s Secret runway, this week has been a ride. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, and we’ve raged at outdated politics (ugh, Trump). But through it all, one thing is clear—our community is strong, and we’re pushing boundaries every day.

Keep your eyes peeled for next week’s updates, and don’t forget to stay hydrated and, as always, just a little bit horny. 🌈💦

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