What if It’s Against My Religion to Deal with Mediocre Heteros? In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a controversial decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, granting certain businesses the legal right to refuse services to LGBTQ+ …
“Dare to Desire” For many gay men, the journey to self-acceptance is deeply entangled with the weight of religious trauma. Messages of shame, rejection, and fear of eternal damnation from religious teachings often create internal confli…
The "Forgotten" B in LGBTQ+ In the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ identities, one letter often fades into the background: the B. Despite its prominent place in the acronym, bisexuality frequently faces skepticism—not only from outside the queer comm…
Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving? Turning 30 can be a milestone that many people dread, but in the gay community, it often comes with a layer of extra weight. This particular birthday is informally referred to as "gay death," a term reflecting the pres…
Love in the Third Degree In the gay community, relationships often challenge traditional norms, offering a spectrum of expressions that celebrate individuality and connection. While monogamy frequently takes center stage in discussions around love …
Our Friend, Dorothy Many people recognize Judy Garland as the timeless Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, skipping down the Yellow Brick Road with her ruby slippers and a heart full of dreams. While the film remains a colorful, iconic masterpiece, f…
Protect LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth LGBTQ+ homelessness, particularly among youth, remains a pressing yet often overlooked issue. Across the United States, LGBTQ+ individuals, especially young people, are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity…
Level Up Your Sense of Community For many LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly gay men, finding a sense of belonging can be challenging—especially when traditional social spaces like bars and clubs dominate the cultural landscape. While these ven…
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Drinking in LGBTQ+ Culture Social drinking has long been intertwined with LGBTQ+ culture, tracing back to the era when gay bars served as vital safe havens for queer individuals seeking connection and community in a…
I Deserve an Oscar for Pretending to Be Straight for All Those Years The portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters on television has evolved significantly over the years, from the early days of stereotypical gay best friend roles to more nuanced and diverse r…
“If I Have the Choice Between Disappointing You and Myself, I'm Probably Gonna Pick You.” Many gay men pour a tremendous amount of effort into looking “attractive.” We hit the gym religiously, splurge on stylish clothes, per…
Survival of the Fiercest? In the world of dating, particularly within the gay community, it’s common to find oneself comparing to others, especially potential partners. Thoughts like “Is he more muscular?” or “Does he seem m…
Okay, Gays, Now Let’s Get in Formation ACT UP emerged in the late 1980s as a fiery and unapologetic response to the AIDS epidemic, a crisis that was devastating communities while being met with indifference from the government and broader soc…
Got Loneliness? Growing up gay in a predominantly straight world can have a profound impact on how gay men experience loneliness. The lack of representation and absence of gay role models often leave us feeling invisible, isolated, or as if we don&…
Gays May Have More Disposable Income, But Therapy Bills from Growing Up Gay Add Up There’s a common stereotype that gay men are cultured, fabulous, and flush with cash—jet-setting across the globe with seemingly limitless resources. Thi…
Men May Let You Down, But Succulents Never Disappoint In recent years, a growing trend on social media has sparked conversations around the rise of the "plant daddy" and "plant gay" identities. Whether it's a Millennial phenomenon, a queer cultural…
"Good or Bad, It's Just a Piece of My Past Now" Breakups can be emotionally overwhelming, often leaving people questioning their sense of self and the path forward. For many gay men, this experience can be compounded by societal pressures and inter…
Say Bye Bye Bye to Abandonment Issues When people hear the term abandonment issues, they often associate it with instability in childhood homes—scenarios where neglect or a lack of support created lingering wounds in adulthood. But for many g…
Blame Straight People for the 50% Divorce Rate Since Same-Sex Marriage Wasn’t Legal Until 2015 In the fight for marriage equality, few moments stand as pivotal as the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges. Decided in 2015, this cas…
“Sometimes People Don't Talk About Yellow Flags” Growing up LGBTQ+ in a heteronormative family can be a journey filled with both self-discovery and challenges. Reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve often found myself comparing my…
Toot Toot, Hey, Beep Beep. Make Way for the Queen of Disco. Donna Summer, known as the Queen of Disco, occupies a special place in pop culture and the hearts of gay men, whose love for her transcended the dance floors of the 1970s. Her powerful voi…
”Mom is Gonna Be Upset That I Told This Story” Growing up LGBTQ+ in a heteronormative family can be a journey filled with both self-discovery and challenges. Reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve often found myself comparing my p…
I’m Gay. I’m Your Best Friend. But I’m Not Your GBF. Growing up, many queer men found themselves forming close friendships with girls. For some, like me, it just felt natural; connecting with girls seemed easier, almost instinctua…
Am I Crying or Laughing? We’re all too familiar with the “sassy gay best friend” trope—a character armed with campy humor and sharp wit, always ready with a quick comeback. While entertaining, these stereotypes have bled int…
