"It's a perilous time for queer people right now. Texas is cranking out anti-trans bills like raffle tickets; Trump is policing gender rights; and Hungary just banned Pride. So you probably thought we'd lay low and start a group chat about moving to Canada. Instead we're doing what we always do in times of repression: dressing up, showing out, and turning defiance into a damn runway."
"I am not a joiner despite some evidence to the contrary. I often look like a drag queen dressed me with a grudge and unlimited rhinestones. But my ideal Friday night involves hand-stitching beads and rewatching Gilmore Girls for the 47th time, and I've been sober for more than six years. Crowds like this one do not interest me, even though I was once labeled the "bad circuit party guy" - Hunky Jesus - as it turns out - was just what I needed."
"Here is a crowd that will hand you sunscreen, fix your lash, and call you gorgeous in the same breath. They came to serve lewks and affirm life, and maybe scream a little for Sexy Satan. And scream we did, just as much for some amazing DIY couture as for trans rights. What should have been a goofy day in the sun ended up feeling a lot more sacred; here was queer chuch, a protest, and fashion week all rolled into one."
Anti-trans legislation and gender-rights policing have created a perilous climate for queer people across multiple regions. Queer communities responded by staging exuberant, defiant celebrations that blended protest, performance, and fashion. Hunky Jesus provided a nurturing, communal space where attendees offered sunscreen, lash fixes, and affirmation while serving looks and joy. The event fused church-like solidarity, grassroots protest, and runway-style DIY couture, restoring a sacred tone to a playful day. Local figures and returning co-hosts appeared alongside brief remarks from gay politicians. Contestants delivered inventive, boundary-pushing costumes, and the gathering prioritized grassroots creativity over corporate sponsorship.
Read at The Bold Italic
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]