The vibe is weird, y’all — there’s feces in the lettuce, the temps are high and we’ve got more than a month until another long weekend.
Thankfully, the world of LGBTQ+ news has been busy and buzzy enough to distract us from our midsummer doldrums.
How about we take this to the next level?
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First, Troye Sivan launched a finsta, Tom Daley wore pastels and Elliot Page shined in The Odyssey… alongside a mystery bubble butt.
Plus, “glute maxxing” hit the internet, Ryan Gosling lost his limp wrist, and, most importantly, we were introduced to the concept of “performative freeballing.”
Aside from that, it’s been binge-watches, internet boyfriends and Big Brother!
Below, the 10 things we’re obsessed with this week…
1. Self-Sabotage: And Other Ways I’ve Spent My Time by Jeffery Self
Actor and author Jeffery Self knows a thing or two about being funny—see Jeffery & Cole Casserole—and he’s also very familiar with self-sabotage, according to his debut book for adults, available for $18.99 on Amazon. The collection of essays, which arrived in March, is a heartfelt look at surviving gay adolescence in South, performing on gay cruises, dabbling in the world’s oldest profession and finding yourself on the other side of self-acceptance. And you can bet your bottom dollar there’s a laugh on every page. (That Broadway reference was for you, Jeffery!)
2. The campiest caps known to man
If you ask me, the Y2K fashion renaissance hasn’t gone far enough. That’s why these campy (and orientation-inclusive) Crazy Snapbacks ($24.99 online at LGBTQ Outpost) were an instant add-to-cart for me. With pastel colors, a cyber-feeling font and some clipart stars, these caps take me back to the days of editing HTML code on MySpace, using T9 Word to text and waking up before my parents to watch the “Hung Up” music video on VH1 in secret.
Better yet, they’re part of a collection by Awarewolf, a trans-owned apparel brand originally launched by Landon Reed in 2015 to fund his top surgery.
3. “Too Little, Too Late” by Orville Peck
The sun always shines a little brighter when we’re in the midst of a new era of Orville Peck music. After collaborating with a who’s-who of multi-genre juggernauts on 2024’s Stampede, the gays’ favorite cowboy is back on his own with “Too Little, Too Late.” The thumping and unapologetic banger is tailor-made for line-dancing, tapping your toes with a beer in hand and pretending you know how to change your oil.
Thankfully, its flashy, mechanic-themed video is steamy enough to keep us hot and bothered until his new album Mule arrives on September 18.
4. Lil’ Max
I refuse to believe this Instagram famous dog, who has over half a million followers, is actually a canine. This is a human. Regardless, he deserves a strawberry.
5. Big Brother‘s messy, unbridled chaos
for your viewing pleasure: 4 minutes of pure, unbridled nom ceremony chaos
#BB28 #BigBrother pic.twitter.com/HJNO5MA9CQ
— Big Brother (@CBSBigBrother) July 22, 2026
Jason De Puy, a.k.a. Salina EsTitties, is serving us some A+ reality TV drama on Big Brother Season 28, from beefing with Rick Devens to this incredibly delicious fight with show veteran Angela Murray… while she was wearing some kind of male egg costume. I, for one, cannot wait until the inevitable “Messy B*tch” merch drops.
6. Francois Arnaud for Under Armour
Heated Rivalry star Francois Arnaud made his steamy debut as global Under Armour ambassador with a sizzling hot new advertisement for HeatGear. There’s a Challengers-esque score, a bisexual energy and a lot of shirtlessness, so, yes, suddenly I need it in every color.
7. Trader Joe’s Protein Pancakes
The Trader Joe’s Protein Pancakes, available in 4-packs for $3.79 each at your local store, are so essential to me, that I thought twice about including them in this column out of fear of blowing up my spot. (The in-store competition with whey gays and muscle bros in New York City is already so fierce that my local store has limited them to three-per-person.)
But these gluten-free, protein-packed, microwavable breakfast snacks are too good not to share. Their website boasts they are as “flavorful as they are functional,” which also happens to be my Grindr bio.
8. Heartstopper Forever
I’m happy to report that the grand Heartstopper finale film, now streaming on Netflix, left me as emotionally bereft as the adorable little first season that started it all. Also, when did Kit Connor start looking like THAT?!?
9. Bourbon Infused Coffee
It’s a real Sophie’s choice: Do you end your meal with a smooth glass of whiskey or a hot cup of joe? Thankfully, the brunch gays no longer have to choose with this Bourbon Infused Coffee, available for $22 on Uncommon Goods. These 100% Arabica beans are roasted in Tennessee and infused with a touch of bourbon, giving your brew an extra dose of sweet and smoky. Plus, while they’re caffeinated, they contain no alcohol, so you don’t have to feel guilty about getting that last mimosa to go.
10. YETI Roadie Hard Cooler
Do I need the YETI Roadie Hard Cooler (available for $200 on Amazon) or do I just want it because it comes in pink? Don’t answer that. This small but mighty cooler is perfect for beach hauls with enough room for 22 cans, a bottle of wine, 16 lbs of ice, or an infinite number of speedo options. Priorities, ladies!
Related
Kit Connor, jiggle corsets & coffee for happy bears: 10 things we’re obsessed with this week
So many things to gay, err, say!
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