in imageFirst, the obvious: a young, idiotic, shortsighted act that cost
him his job and put him and his family in danger. Peak white
Gay privilege. Peak Gen-Z carelessness about why, what,
when to post. Naïveté about who his friend were. Tacky AF.
Our politics are held up by corruption, duct tape and
decorum, these acts chip away at an already weak system.
But the "this makes us all look bad" crowd should remember
bigots hate us whether we fuck in our bedrooms or on a
crowded subway. It's stupid to hand them a bat though. Note
the "unprotected sex" in right-wing reporting, as if PrEP
didn't exist. AIDS panic is an old, dangerous and effective
weapon. This ain't the Obama years. The Nazis are at the
gate, it's alarming when Gays don't act accordingly. Like Sam
Brinton stealing luggage, Andrew Gillum's scandal or George
Santos, these addictions to risky, public behavior deserve a
professional lens. Gay men are taught early our sex is sinful
and should be hidden. This terror leads many to chase sex
highs which are dangerous, even lethal (chemsex addiction).
But straight people do this too and I refuse to kink-shame
and pathologize exhibitionism. He didn't do anything
generations of closeted anti-Gay Republicans haven't done in
these spaces. Finally, this was probably the hottest sex of his
life. I hope a tiny part of him always cherishes that memory,
otherwise, what was the fucking point?
@herreraimages
@herreraimages

in imageNot Canada's Drag Race Season 4
Rusical being a contendor for
franchise best
the first gay stealing the rainbow from
god

in imageIn 2024 1 plan to really lean into my
f****t s***t.
I plan on making my ancestors (no,
not them. yes, them) proud.
PROUD

in imageI keep thinking of Nex Benedict stumbling out of
that bathroom. Every Queer knows why the school
didn't call an ambulance or the cops. How fast
would the cavalry be if the blonde homecoming
queen got jumped 3 to 1?
We can trace this to anti-Trans laws and
the
damaged b-tch over at Libs of TikTok, to "the
rhetoric"...but these deaths are so much older. Our
school system has rarely been "safe" for Queers. I
was Nex's age when my bully outed me in front of
the entire class. "He's a f-ggot and we all know it."
My teacher just stood there and shrugged like it
was my fault. Now I have to act shocked and
outraged, call this a "wakeup call" so more straight
people give a sh-t. What I am is numb. Another
one. Another reminder that Queer culture was
built on concussions.
1/2
Leo Herrera
@herreraimages

in imageIve forgiven the teacher who let me fend off my
bully alone, even if I can trace Nex's death to him
too. I'll even forgive the 3 children in that bathroom
who just ruined their lives. I don't have time for
them today. I'd rather remember my other teacher.
The "bachelor" who read us poetry. Who, thinking
he was alone in the classroom one day, got into a
sweet argument on the phone with his "roommate"
about what couch to buy. How he whispered "We
can talk about it when I get home?" Who pulled me
aside atter my grandfather died to say "Crying is
not a weakness.'
Nex's death sits in our tummy next to memories of
child violence. Maybe this will spark some change.
America needs sweet-faced sacrificial lambs to
care about Queers. Ask Matthew Shepard's ghost.
As we struggle through rage and numbness,
remember a teacher who helped you survive.
Thank them in your mind.
War should make us grateful as well as angry.
2/2
Leo Herrera
@herreraimages

in imagethem
Two Humpback Whales
Have Been Documented
Having Gay Sex for the
First Time Ever
BY JAMES FACTORA
@them
Getty

in imagewhen gay boys turn 13 years old the
universe assigns them one woman
working in entertainment. from that
point forward their purpose on earth
becomes supporting this woman so
hard that the force of their love for her
could literally kill them.

in imagethem
QUEERS
FOR
'ALESTINE
Why Queer Solidarity
With Palestine Is Not
"Chickens for KFC"
DR. SA'ED ATSHAN IN CONVERSATION
WITH SALLY TAMARKIN
@them
Getty

in imagethem
"Homophobia, transphobia, heteronormativity,
patriarchy, sexism, gender and sexuality-based
violence; these are realities that we have to
grapple with all around the world. It's very
dangerous to pathologize Palestinian society
as uniquely homophobic or that homophobia
is endemic to the society without this broader
context, as well as without understanding
the ways that life under brutal military
occupation exacerbates homophobia within
Palestinian society as well. In order for us to
deal with questions of how queer people are
treated in Palestine, we have to address the
broader landscape of the denial of freedom to
Palestinians more generally speaking."
- Saed Atshan
@them

in imageCC:
Pride,
2010.
@cryscan18

in imagensjaouas
Happy Pride to me. I'm fucking
indomitable, motherfuckers.
∞cend

in image•UaG
Your honor, can I just bang
the gavel for one second?
∞cendersauc

in image@yoantoine
oride