Nicholas Hoult, pasta pool toys & the gayest love story ever told: 10 things we’re obsessed with this week
It's time to gear up for a summer filled with boys, books, and bops.
Mark
It’s like poetry: Every year, when LGBTQ+ Pride ends, nature heals by ushering in Straight Pride, a.k.a. the Fourth of July.
OK, we kid! But we will take any opportunity to shamelessly listen to “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus that we can get.
Thankfully, we haven’t had to worry too much about celebrating a country in shambles because it’s been such a captivating week of LGBTQ+ news.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Not only did Amy Schneider give us a master class in clapbacks, but Brokeback Mountain made a controversial return to theaters, and Justin Tranter spilled some major pop tea.
Plus, we were educated on “platinum star gays” and got many excuses to stare at Jonathan Bailey in his sl*tty little glasses.
Otherwise, we’ve been resting up from Pride while gearing up for all the boys, books, and bops that the rest of summer holds.
Without any further ado, we present the 10 things we’re obsessed with this week…
1. Deep House: The Gayest Love Story Ever Told by Jeremy Atherton Lin
Even if I hadn’t already devoured and loved Gay Bar, Jeremy Atherton Lin’s last book, his follow-up would have me sold from the subtitle alone: “The gayest love story ever told.”
In Deep House ($27.98 on Amazon), the National Book Critics Circle Award winner takes us back to 1996 when he met his British partner, they fell in love, and searched for a way to stay together during the era of the Defense of Marriage Act. Atherton Lin looks to LGBTQ+ lovers before him, including Supreme Court activists and artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and through their stories, writes of the home he and his boyfriend found together.
2. Olive Garden Pasta Pool Floaties
Finally, you can have your carbs and float on them, too. Every suburban mom’s favorite Italian restaurant — a.k.a. Olive Garden — is celebrating the summer with its first-ever pool floatie collection, including the Relaxin’ Rigatoni, Floatin’ Fettuccine, and the Takin’ It Easy Tortelloni ($40 each). Italian sausage sold separately.
I don’t know what compelled the pasta purveyors to get into the pool toy biz, but they’re so campy I couldn’t resist. Here’s to hoping that next year we get a Buoyant Breadstick.
3. “Current Affairs” by Lorde
Check on the twinks in your life this week, because Lorde just released her fourth album, Virgin. Throughout its tight 11-song tracklist, the New Zealand alt-pop prodigy unpacks her gender identity, body image, and romance through razor-sharp lyrics, experimental production swings, and a ton of synths.
Right now, my favorite is “Current Affairs,” a somber yet sensual meditation about blaming a doomed relationship on the state of the world, featuring lyrics about tasting underwear and a raunchy Dexta Daps sample.
4. Orville Peck Pride T-Shirt
Two things….
One, Orville Peck is selling a t-shirt featuring a pic from his iconic, nearly nekkid Paper Magazine photoshoot ($40 online).
And two, I have a new favorite shirt.
5. Reliving the golden days of Blockbuster
This old home video from a Blockbuster in 1993, which went viral on Twitter X earlier this week, should not be getting me this emotional.
Nevertheless, I suddenly have an intense desire to watch Beaches on VHS.
6. Chris Turk Swim x Boys of Fire Island Swim Briefs
Sun’s out, boy buns out!
This summer, Chris Turk Swim and Boys of Fire Island teamed up for a cheeky collab perfectly suited for pool days and Pines pilgrimages alike. You’d be hard-pressed to find a swim brief gayer than this one, available in Bold Blue, Burgundy, or White for $65 on The Pride Store. Naturally, it features a soft, built-in liner, an elastic and drawstring waistband, and 10% of every purchase benefits The Stonewall Community Foundation.
Match with your friends and bring a whole new meaning to “butt buddies.”
7. Nicholas Hoult, but make him blonde
The ultra hunky Nicholas Hoult (who portrays Lex Luthor in this summer’s Superman) debuted a fresh new blonde hairdo earlier this week.
Maybe it’s the chaotic summer energy or my inherent traits as a gay man, but it’s taking every ounce of strength in my body not to grab the bleach myself right now.
8. Next Gen NYC on Peacock
I will never experience the luxury of living in New York City as an upper-class 21-year-old, which is probably why I can’t get enough of Bravo’s new series, Next Gen NYC.
OK, yes, it’s basically just a bunch of Real Housewives stars’ kids running amok in the Big Apple, with too much money, gossip, and alcohol. I’m frequently reminded of how not Gen-Z that I am. But I must admit that its queer crew, including trans influencer Emira D’Spain, wrestler-turned-OF sensation Dylan Geick, and THEE Brooks Marks, could get my ragged bones to the club on a Friday.
9. Canceling a party because you’re tired
“everyone’s too tired” IJBOLLLLL pic.twitter.com/5gemd2Oy0Y— andrea
(@mald1taperra) June 30, 2025
Following a particularly debaucherous Pride Parade on Sunday, famed Brooklyn gay bar 3 Dollar Bill echoed all of our thoughts (and hangovers) the next day. On their Instagram Story, they shared a post canceling their June 30th end-of-Pride-Month party because… “everyone’s too tired.”
Honestly, big mood — and I will be staying indoors the entirety of July.
10. Handheld Mini Fan
If walking around with a tiny device four inches from my nose is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Now, I love a good clacking fan as much as the next gay, but after trying out the JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan — available in a variety of colors, starting at $17.99 on Amazon — I think I’m leaving analog behind.
This 3-in-1 gadget is a true vers king. It features two fan speeds, a flashlight, and a USB portable charger with a battery that lasts between 12 and 19 hours. Much like the playlist I made that’s just “Express Yourself” by Madonna seven times, I will never go through another Pride Month without it.
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