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In Entertainment

Horror Films to Scare You Straight

With my love of performance, costumes, and goth, Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday. It doesn’t hurt that it comes just days after my birthday. To get in the mood every Spooky Season, I love settling in for a night of horror films, especially of the homosexual persuasion. If you’re looking to get spooked for the season, or any other time of the year, here are a few gay horror films to stream.

Actually Gay

Otto; or Up with Dead People

Directed by: Bruce LaBruce

Synopsis: Otto is a handsome zombie in the middle of an identity crisis when he auditions for a zombie film.

Standouts: With the freshest looking zombies that somehow coexist with humans, this low budget film offers a few humorous moments of camp with a maniacal guerilla filmmaker and one character who inexplicably is a film projection of a silent movie actress.

Why you should watch it: You have a love for the truly bizarre.

Where you can see it: Amazon video, Tubi

Hellbent

Directed by: Paul Etheredge-Ouzts

Synopsis: A group of gays celebrate Halloween by checking out a recent murder scene. They’re followed by a serial killer who’s been terrorizing West Hollywood and soon moves onto them.

Standouts: This movie stocks up on eye candy with a gay for pay cast of hunks and a leather daddy villain with a glass eye fetish.

Why you should watch it: It’s a seriously fun slasher from the early aughts.

Where you can see it: Amazon video

You’re Killing Me

Directed by: Jim Hansen

Starring: Matthew Wilkas, Matthew McKelligon, James Cerne

Synopsis: George starts dating a handsome new man, who comes out as a serial killer.

Standouts: Gratuitous shirtlessness.

Why you should watch it: It’s worth a few laughs.

Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV

Homoerotic

The Covenant

Directed by: Renny Harlin

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Chace Crawford, Sebastian Stan

Synopsis: It’s basically a male version of the Craft.

Standouts: Shirtlessness.

Why you should watch it: You probably shouldn’t. Or maybe hit the mute button and listen to my Halloween playlist.

Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV

The Forsaken

Directed by: J. S. Cardone

Synopsis: On a cross country trip, Sean picks up a hitchhiker who he learns is a vampire hunter. The pair soon cross paths with a vampire crew eager to make them their next meal.

Standouts: The bromance between heroes Sean and Nick.

Why you should watch it: The cast is packed with late 90s/early 00s teen idol hunks.

Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2

Directed by: Jack Sholder

Synopsis: Much like the original, Freddy Krueger terrorizes teenagers by entering their dreams.

Standouts: The high school coach meets his untimely demise in a suspect leather club.

Why you should watch it: Freddy Krueger is a classic horror film villain. What have you got to lose?

Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV

Camp

Fear No Evil

Directed by: Frank LaLoggia

Synopsis: A flamboyant teenage boy discovers that he’s the antichrist.

Standouts: TBH, I had a difficult time finding a standout moment.

Why you should watch it: Maybe don’t.

Where you can see it: DailyMotion

Fright Night

Directed by: Tom Holland

Synopsis: A teenage boy discovers his flamboyant neighbor is a vampire but no one will believe him.

Standouts: The film is packed with queer-coded Easter eggs that are an absolute treat to discover. Amanda Bearse, IRL lesbian icon, in the role of Charley’s girlfriend gets caught into a love triangle with the suave vampire Jerry.

Why you should watch it: Campy humor alone is reason enough to watch, but the real star is the delightfully gay subtext in Jerry’s relationship with his familiar Billy—complete with hints to their domestic life and cheeky nods to sexual intimacy that make this vampire tale all the more fabulous.

Where you can see it: Hulu

The Brotherhood

Directed by: David DeCoteau

Synopsis: A secret fraternity of hunky vampires tries to recruit a college freshman.

Standouts: There’s plenty of Y2K era beefcake being served and an uncomfortably long MMF vampiric feeding scene.

Why you should watch it: Sure, the dialogue may be cheesy, the acting is a bit stiff, and the production design feels like it had a negative budget, this campy take on the homoerotic side of vampire stories is still horrifically entertaining.

Where you can see it: Plex

Sapphic Scares

The Hunger

Directed by: Tony Scott

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, Susan Sarandon

Synopsis: Susan Sarandon plays a sleep and aging research doctor who finds herself in a love triangle with a chic vampire couple.

Standouts: The movie opens with a goth club scene that will have you clamoring for an all black wardrobe.

Why you should watch it: Aside from the sapphic vampire storyline, you’ll actually enjoy the film.

Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, iTunes

Did you uncover new queer chills or have a favorite cult classic that I missed? Share your favorite gay horror films with me! And if you’re into tales from beyond the stars, don’t miss my list of queer-themed sci-fi movies.

October 31, 2017
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In Entertainment/ Life

LGBTQ+ Podcasts That Will Give You Life

Of course I wouldn’t be an intellectual urban elite if I didn’t listen to a ton of podcasts and NPR. If you’re looking to beat the diva doldrums, switch pop hits for queer podcasts. Ideas can be bops, too. Here are a few of my favorite podcasts of the homosexual persuasion.

Making Gay History

This podcast takes a different approach to history. You’ll hear quick summaries and highlights about important figures in gay history but these mostly bite-sized episodes are from journalist Eric Marcus’ vault of interviews with both the well-known and the long forgotten. He usually recounts the story of what the interview was like but from there, episodes are first person conversations.

Nancy

Okay, I apologize for the educational suggestions. School’s out. Get a good dose of entertainment and LGBTQ topics with Nancy. Hosts Kathy and Tobin are totally playful while discussing some at times rather serious issues. Check out the episode “Does Your Boss Know You’re Gay?” about being out in the workplace and the potential problems it can cause.

Food 4 Thot

I just discovered this podcast on Instagram and I’m loving it. The four hosts are really entertaining and discuss a mix of topics ranging form hook ups to race and identity in the queer community to in depth reflections on relationships. It’s a perfect mix of thoughts and thots.

UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America

In the US, over 700,000 people have been subjected to conversion therapy, a dangerous “treatment” to cure homosexuality. The podcast also features interviews with Garrard Conley, author of Boy Erased: A Memoir, and clips from the film adaptation of his novel, Boy Erased. Interviews with a group of mothers who organize as Mama Bears are extremely touching.

Latinos Who Lunch

As a latino who lunches myself, this has quickly become one of my favorite podcasts. Hosts Babelito and Favy Fav offer plenty of hot takes on pop culture, art, and all the snacks in between. Representation matters now more than ever, and it’s refreshing to hear a queer podcast discussing the glory of Juanga and the Mexican penchant for Ajax.

The Queer History Podcast

Being the nerd that I am, I love learning about history. Particularly moments that aren’t taught in school. The Queer History Podcast has been a total delight. And if history lessons are normally a turnoff for you, the hosts Dakota and Dylan keep it casual and conversational. Their commentary is totally relatable. Nerds are just like us. While not the most uplifting topic, their episode on the Upstairs Lounge Fire really stood out to me. This was a tragic attack on a gay bar in New Orleans in 1973. Plus, they did an outstanding job covering Frida Kahlo, one of my favorite artists.

More Perfect

More Perfect is a spin-off show from RadioLab about Supreme Court cases. It’s not a queer podcast but I stumbled upon it by chance this week playing on NPR. It so happened to be the story of Lawrence v. Texas, the landmark case that struck down sodomy laws. Aside from the fact that it involves gay rights and Texas, I found the backstory extremely unexpected. Now that I’ve discovered it, I can’t wait to dive into more episodes. But you at the very least should check out the Lawrence v. Texas episode.

I’m always on the hunt for hot talk, which queer podcasts are you listening to right now?

October 9, 2017
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In Travel

How to Stay Friends on Your Gaycation

Going on vacation is always better when you’re rolling with your gaggle of gays. I like to think of myself as an expert traveler, so here are my tips for keeping your friendships intact on a group excursion.

Be free

Keeping your crew together at all times is impossible. With a large group, remember that everyone will have different priorities and interests. The shower show at the local gay bar might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Be flexible and understanding. Don’t be a drag by insisting that everybody stay together.

Make some solid plans

Of course you should definitely schedule a few group activities, though. Before setting out on your trip, agree as a whole on a few things that everyone can get into. Even if it just means making a dinner reservation for the entire group. And you’ll want to make reservations to avoid waiting on a table for five on a busy Saturday night.

Leave no man behind

It’s easy to get distracted in a group setting, but always make sure everyone is accounted for. Nothing makes someone feel more left out than being forgotten when the group heads out. Make an agreement with your bestie to always keep track of each other.

Count it out

The easiest way to ruin a good vacation is squabbling over costs. If you can agree to split costs more or less evenly, you can simplify by taking turns covering payments and settling up at the end of the trip. Lay out the rules from the beginning and get ready to play the Splitwise game. Pro tip: Input your expenses immediately so you don’t forget and you tag the appropriate people.

Get personal

Even though you’re in a group setting, it’s important to get personal with all of your friends individually. I like to make sure I sit next to a different person at every meal or gathering. During down time, I’ll choose a different friend to hang out with. The worst feeling is getting home from a group trip and feeling like you barely even spoke to a friend you rarely see.

Communicate

Before setting out on your adventure, set up a group chat and hype each other up. It’ll heighten your excitement and bring the gang together emotionally before you’ve even arrived. It’ll also be super convenient for communicating while you’re traveling. While you’re at it, create a shared album and upload your pics throughout the trip.

Need some inspiration for your next big gaycation? Check out videos from my own group trips to Provincetown and Marfa, TX.

September 26, 2017
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