We could all use a little optimism right now.
It's a really rough week to be a queer person, but not all is lost. There are still things to look forward to, there is still much queer joy to be had. We will continue to dance and revolt and grieve and organize as we always have.
If you're struggling to remain hopeful through all the bad news, we've compiled a list of some of the most joyful upcoming queer events to get you through the next 6 months.
November: Seeing "Wicked" on the big screen in all its green glory
Listen, I've love Wicked since the first time I heard the soundtrack: I was in the third grade, and I was in love with a boy named Sam Francisco (yes, that is his real name and yes, it's still funny to me), and his mom would play the soundtrack every time we drove in her minivan to his house. If I wasn't going to let Ethan Slater's presence in the film spoil my good time, I'm certainly not going to let Donald Trump's existence in the universe spoil it either.
Wicked premieres in theaters November 22nd.
November: Seeing 'Queer', and hopefully seeing a lot of Daniel Craig
Many of the biggest blockbusters of the year are saved for the holiday season, but this year's lineup is looking especially, well, Queer. Queer, based on the William S. Burroughs novella of the same name, stars Daniel Craig as an American expat in 1940s Mexico City, who becomes obsessed with another man, played by Drew Starkey. It's one of the most anticipated movies of the year, and is definitely going to be one you don't want to miss seeing in theaters.
Queer premieres November 27th.
December: those sexy gay mermen ornaments
Listen, sometimes it's the little things that really keep you going. Am I Jewish? Yes, but a hunk's a hunk! I'll just keep them around like Precious Moments figurines, but gayer and sluttier.
We'll refrain from putting them out until December, but these sexy little mermen are available online now.
January: Girls Just Wanna Weekend 6
Do you need something big to look forward to? Why not make it Girls Just Wanna Weekend? GJWW is Brandi Carlile's music festival held every year in Riviera Maya, Mexico, there's no pitch here, it sells itself. This year the headliners are Brandi Carlile, Shania Twain, and MUNA. If you'd like to be absolutely anywhere else on inauguration day, this is the place to be. Let's go, girls!
Girls Just Wanna Weekend runs from January 16-20, and tickets are available here.
February: What is definitely going to be a very gay Grammy Awards
Queer musicians have been dominating this year, and the 2025 Grammy Awards are full of nominations for LGBTQ+ artists. I'm definitely expecting noms for Billie Eilish, Doechii, Chappell Roan, Troye Sivan, and Madison Beer. It's stacked in every category this year.
The Grammy Awards will air on February 2, 2025.
February: Lady Gaga's new album, 'LG7'
If Gaga's first single, "Disease," is any indicator of how good this album is going to be, we're in for a real treat. We'll need banger after banger to get through the beginning of Trump's second term, and Gaga is absolutely going to deliver.
LG7 has no solid release date yet, but is going to release some time February 2025.
Reading "Stop Me if You've Heard This One" by Kristen Arnett and "Stag Dance" by Torrey Peters
Not just one, but TWO of my favorite queer authors have books coming out in March of 2025, and that's worth sticking around for. Kristen Arnett and Torey Peters are two queer writers whose work you should check out if you haven't already, and you've definitely got a little time to do so!
Stag House comes out March 11, 2025 and Stop Me if You've Heard This One comes out March 18, 2025.
June: Pride EVERYWHERE
If you really need something to keep you going, remember that no matter what — rain or shine, come hell or high water ‚ queer people are going to be here. We are going to get together to celebrate our history and fight for our futures. Wherever you are, making plans for pride next year is the kind of silver lining we should all be focused on.
June: Camp Lost Boys
Camp Lost Boys is a summer camp for trans men ages 18+. Previous camps have been held in Oregon, and while dates have yet to be set for their West coast camp, next year will be there first with an East Coast counterpart! The East Coast Camp will be in Pennsylvania in June with all the traditional camp activities: You'll sleep in dorm-style cabins or military-type tents, swim at the waterfront, maybe even learn a little archery. It's an incredibly unique opportunity for trans men you don't want to miss.
Camp Lost Boys East Coast will be held from June 13-16 in Pennsylvania and registration is open here. Camp Lost Boys West Coast has yet to set dates, but has been held in Oregon previously during the last weekend in August/first weekend in September. You can sign up to receive email updates about camp here.
June: Queer Wine Fest 2025
Every year at the end of June, Remy Drabkin of Remy Wines hosts Queer Wine Fest. It's a big gay celebration of enology, queer wine makers, and a great event to end pride month. The Willamette Valley is gorgeous, and if you need a little rest and relaxation after priding it up all month long, there's no better place for it.
Queer Wine Fest will be held June 29th, 2025, and more information can be found here.
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