Hello angels! Welcome back to another sizzling edition of **The Trash Report**! As summer sweeps in, so does a flurry of fabulous news—sweatier than a branded mesh t-shirt at a corporate-sponsored Pride parade. And spoiler alert: I’m beyond excited to contribute to our **Queer Guide** for June and its extended celebration into July. While August might have a more vibrant gay vibe (seriously, just think about it), June is forever renowned as Pride Month due to the legendary Stonewall riots. But if time travel were an option, wouldn’t it be wild to drop hints in those bustling lower Manhattan gay bars about the joys of a late-summer riot?
Ready for the hottest gossip?
World Pride: A Celebration Like No Other
World Pride 2025 in Washington, DC is the talk of the town! This iconic, two-year event, expected to draw over a million visitors, was announced before the political climate got as frosty as an unseasoned salad under a Trump administration. While some advocated for a venue switch to avoid normalizing life under such an anti-everything regime, I personally revel in the thought of rainbow flags wrapped around the nation’s capital. The mayor of moral high ground should be the one trafficking in good vibes, and I can’t help but snicker at the mental image of Dan Bongino and Marjorie Taylor Greene stewing in traffic while we celebrate. Remember, fellow queers: Every time an anti-gay legislator misses a meeting, a rainbow fairy earns its wings.
But oh, Shakira!: Fans were left in disarray when she had to cancel her much-anticipated performance due to her gear getting stuck in Boston. A Shakira show derailment? Talk about a major faux pas! Boston owes an apology to those eager concert-goers who were ready to flaunt their belly-dancing moves. (Note to Boston: hips don’t lie… but they do need a stage!)
American Pride: Orlando Gets Its Own Bash
Speaking of mega events, let’s talk about the grand opening of the **Universal Epic Universe** in Orlando. This amusement park has become the talk of the East Coast, particularly among my favorite podcasting queer pals. While I empathize with those hesitant to spend their coins in Florida given Ron DeSantis’ antics, I must reveal a silver lining: the park is a **trans-inclusive space!** With gender-neutral bathrooms and all the magical vibes, it’s the coolest spot in a very problematic state. J.K. Rowling might still be cashing in on the whole Harry Potter phenomenon, but hey, those fabulous floppy-haired cuties in hot pink sunglasses on the roller coasters speak for a community that thrives regardless!
And how about this juicy tidbit: Peachy Springs and Sue from Corporate, two of our beloved local drag icons, share a rich backstory involving roller coaster design! I mean, with such audacious experiences, might there be an untapped well of drag queens moonlighting as theme park engineers? Talk about a thrilling double life!
As for drag names: Both Peachy Springs and Sue from Corporate are absolute gems! If anyone needs advice on creating the perfect drag name, it’s seriously just your pet’s nickname combined with your favorite dessert. I suspect I’d end up as Spronky Sour Patch Kid… which sounds slightly chaotic, but let’s face it, that’s the aim!
Protect the Dolls: Fashion with a Message
This year’s must-have statement piece is definitely the “Protect the Dolls” t-shirt, giving a nod to trans women. First making waves at Connor Ives’ fashion show in April, this message gained serious traction once beloved ally **Pedro Pascal** donned it on the red carpet. Stars like **Madonna**, **Charli XCX**, **Tilda Swinton**, and **Troye Sivan** have all been seen sporting this stylish statement, making it the ultimate trend of the season. The original shirt retails for $99, with proceeds benefiting Trans Lifeline… but let’s be real, countless cheaper knock-offs are floating around. Just make sure your purchase goes to a cause worth supporting, not some shady meme factory!
Local Gossip: The Double Dose of ‘Gossip’
Now, let’s dive into some quirky local chatter: it seems we have not one, but two bands named **Gossip** in town. Personally, I adore both of them—like they’re my beloved children! But even if hard-core rock isn’t your jam, you’ve probably heard the mesmerizing voice of **Beth Ditto**. Need I say more? The vocals are so powerful you might hear them from a block away! Yet this local gossip has me pondering: why is it so hard to navigate Google for reliable info? Searching for how to report trash in Portland leads folks straight back to this column. Oops—sorry about that!
And just to veer off-topic slightly: I recently fell into a deep rabbit hole learning about **John Mayer’s** relationship history (as you do on a sleepy afternoon). This made me recall that Katy Perry—yes, the one and only—is actually **Katheryn Hudson!** How drastically different could her career have been with that name? She could never have named her cat **Kitty Purry**, which is essentially a queer icon in feline form. Talk about an alternate universe!
Keep Portland Queered: A Personal Touch
Fun fact about me: I’ve got a tiny tattoo of scattered dots on my wrist because, in a flurry of storytelling during a tattoo session, I accidentally plunged my hand into the tattoo gun—what a masterpiece! Now, every time I share news like this, I hope it leaves a mark as impactful as that moment did. Wishing you all a spectacular June/July, without the scorching heat, of course. You deserve only the best!
With love,
