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Our Gay Teen Guide to Summer Fun

Are you not sure what you‘ll do for fun this summer? Since we know how incredibly busy you are trying to catch that sticky tan and, of course, hitting the gym trying to catch those summer abs, AfterElton.com is here to help you out. We checked out the best beach reads, the hottest movies and television, the best internet sites, and where else to go for a great time over the next three months. Without further ado, we present with the Gayest Summer Ever.

Revolutions

Earlier this year, super gay-friendly Columbia Records unveiled their major GLBT music label Music With A Twist. On May 15th, the label released its first CD Revolutions comprised of music by GLBT artists such as Jesse O, God-Des & She, The Gossip, and Dylan Rice. After suffering through years of straight love ballads and raps only about straight women, it's nice for us gay boys to find some key music that talks about man-on-man romance. Whether you're into rap, R&B, pop or rock, there's something for everyone on this Revolutions. Well, everyone except for the straights looking for another Celine Dion love song. Sorry, heteros! We love you, but this time you'll have to be on the outside looking in.

Hairspray

Few things are more gay than John Waters and even though this new version of Hairspray doesn't have anything specifically gay in it, I guarantee it has enough gay sensibility to fill the Grand Canyon. Yes, you will have to endure John Travolta in a dress (according to our sneak peek, he's the weak link in the film), but otherwise it's a big, colorful extravaganza in a nice air conditioned movie theater.

Besides being originally written by John Waters, this version is directed by out director Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House) who describes himself as "Just a chorus boy who got a better job". You gotta love a guy like that! And did I mention teen idol Zac Efron plays the heroines love interest?

Hairspray opens everywhere July 20th. Now all you have to do is find a hot guy to take as a date.

Gay God

There is a God, and his name is Matthew Lush. This 18-year-old budding deity is both fresh and fun in his movies, which range from social action to video, bloggy type material. With a loyal following of 215,000+ MySpace friends and a whopping 60,000 views per posted video, he has become the ‘it' gay boy.

How does God use his power? He takes on McDonalds, promotes going vegan, and makes nostalgic points about the human condition. If you're in for some alternative religion and want to avoid those stale voguing videos, check out Mr. Lush the next time you're surfing the web. Here is one of his most popular YouTube clips:

Split Screen: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies / Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies

Are you dreading the summer reading list Mrs. Nagle dumped on you? Well, instead of reading those boring books, check out this one instead. Fellow AfterElton .com contributor Brent Hartinger has followed up his hit debut novel Geography Club and it's sequel The Order of the Poison Oak with a brand new book, Split Screen.

With Split Screen, Hartinger brings us back into the dramatic, witty lives and loves of our favorite gay teens, Russell and Min (Russell's bisexual best friend). This new book is really something different as it's a “flip” book, or two books in one. Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies tells Russell's story, while Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies tells Min's. Each covers the same period of time and many of the same events, but each tell completely separate stories. I think you'll love them both.

Prom Queen

What do you get when you put together five hot high school girls vying for the title of Prom Queen? Simple: A kick-ass show. This is hard to believe, but Prom Queen is the popular internet series created by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner who isn't exactly what I'd call cool. Jam packed with hearsay, trickery, catty young ladies, and handsome young men (see pic!), Prom Queen is designed to hook you and it does. With 80 short installments there's enough story here to keep your attention, but it never drags on or gets boring. Plus, no one asks you to spend a buck texting in a vote for your favorite prom queen. The winner, as in most proms, is the most vicious player in town.

Gaymer

Have you ever had a hard time discussing the hotness of your favorite game characters with the hetero homophobes that tend to lurk on most gaming sites? Ever wanted to express how much Snake from Metal Gear Solid needs some color in that way too black, yet nicely tight uniform he's wearing? Ever hooked your two male "Sims" up, created a house, adopted them a baby and not had anyone to brag to about it with?

Well "gaymer.org" reaches out to the homos with consoles and comps that want a bash-less place to vent and chat and trade cheat codes for getting the clothes off those hunky computer characters. Hop on "gaymer.org" and find an email buddy or the perfect opponent to trash in a Halo free-for-all. Either that or go out and get some fresh air and sunshine like Mom keeps nagging you to do. Nah…

Gay Youth Corner

It's so rare to find a good website specifically for queer youth. So when I found the "Gay Youth Corner" I was in awe. The GYC is an online community comprised of chat rooms, web forums, columns, advice and information on gay issues of all sorts, and much more.

With over 35,000 members, the GYC has become a proverbial breeding ground of interaction among teenagers of the queer spectrum. Even better, maybe this is where you can find the hot guy to take to Hairspray.

Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour

Probably the hottest music ticket for queer teens this summer will have to be Cyndi Lauper's "True Color Tour". Much like the Revolutions CD, this one is (mostly) for us. Cyndi has paired up with Logo.com (AfterElton.com's parent company) and the Human Right's Campaign to promote gay, lesbian, and bisexual equality around the country. Cyndi, Debbie Harry, The Dresden Dolls, Rufus Wainwright and a whole slew of others are going to hit fifteen cities around the country, and we're betting it'll be a blast for all involved. Check out the "True Colors" website to see if a show is going to be in your neck of the woods.

Mario Party 8

With six brand new boards, more modes and dozens of new and improved mini games, you can't help but give a Mario whoop and pump of the fist in that fun plumber salute. The gang is at it again and new characters are gracing the screen (no 'mos as far as we know. Sorry!) Play with yourself. Play with your friends. This is a perfect party game, so leave the console on and let everyone have some fun while you whip up the munchies. After all, we all want to save the Princess. FYI: Mario Party 8 is only for Wii.

Gay Day at New Jersey

A knock off of "Gay Days at New England", "Gay Day at New Jersey" takes place in Jackson, NJ. Okay, New Jersey may not exactly be the most happening place, but the event does attract thousands of gay folks from across the east coast. Show how butch you are by not screaming yourself silly on "Batman & Robin: The Chiller", act like kids on the "Enchanted Teacups", or maybe steal a kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel. This year Gay Days at Six Flags happens on September 14th from 6PM-1AM and if you're like me, you'll arrive there early. The event is always packed with gays trying to ride the roller coasters first. Oh yeah, and dress nice. You can order tickets online here.

Pride High

I can remember myself at age 11, entering the local comic bookstore once a month to collect the latest issues of Batman. Secretly, I was always waiting for the issue where Batman finally admits to Robin how madly in love he was with him. So imagine my horror when my dream lay unfulfilled while our fellow lesbians around the nation get to welcome Batgirl to their sisterhood.

POW! ZAP! I'm still not over it.

Fortunately for us gay boys, there are some new out and proud superheroes to whom we can cling. Pride High centers on the lives of five gay students who attend a preparatory school for superheroes and decide to form a Gay Straight Alliance. Filled with brilliant art, great writing and fantastic characters, Pride High is a perfect read for the quintessential queer teenager.

Full Circle

Had enough of the internet and roller coasters? Then Maverick Williams is what you need. Maverick stole my heart as the perfectly believable struggling gay male narrator in At This Moment, author Trent Jackson's terrific novel. Now he's back in Full Circle, coping in the same very human way with issues like homosexuality, dysfunctional family life, sexual abuse, and the battle against the bulge that so many of us cope with.

Whether laughing or crying, Maverick keeps you with him, offering an even keel and honest eye that so many authors fail to do when writing about teens. Packed with emotional punches such as attempted suicide and the death of a favorite individual, the novel is a page turner. Get this summer reading on June 23rd at Amazon.com.

Toronto International Pride Cup Soccer Tournament

It's all the way up north, but who cares? If you want to see sweat dropping off of tanned chests (and who doesn't?), then the "Toronto International Pride Cup Soccer Tournament " is the gay sporting event for you. In its first year, the organization behind the tournament, "Downtown Soccer Tournament", guarantees a fun and exciting time for the gays. And since there are no openly gay athletes currently in the major leagues, it'll be a breath of fresh air to see some openly gay studs bend it like Beckham in Toronto.

The tournament kicks off June 15th and the final match is June 17th, and Toronto Pride is right after! How convenient is that?

Ultimate Fight Championship

Can't make it to Toronto for soccer? Well, it turns out some gay boys also love to watch shirtless men fight each other in a cage. Seriously! But you knew that already, right? If not, check out the website for the Ultimate Fighting Championship with dozens of hot guys who go at it for bragging rights.

UFC has events all over the world, but if you're not going to be in Las Vegas or Ireland this summer, you can watch matches on Spike TV or the live action via Pay Per View. And this Thursday, June 7th, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell (who was just on HBO's Entourage) pays a visit to David Letterman. That oughta be interesting.

Noah's Arc: The Second Season

Not really into Top Chef or Lost reruns? Then check out season two of Logo's Noah's Arc just out on DVD. Set in Los Angeles, the series delves into the lives of four African American gay men and the trials and tribulations that follow as they fall in and out of love. Noah's Arc may not be a teenage show per se, but for many teens, their first look at a gay kiss, characters who aren't closeted, and images of diverse gay people came from watching Noah, Wade, and the gang.

Now that the series is on an indefinite hiatus, we‘ll need the DVD to satisfy our yearning for our favorite friends over the long, hot summer. Arriving June 12th, the DVD is packed with bloopers, extra commentary, deleted scenes, and a behind the scenes look at the making of the series. The series makes for entertainment that any teenager would love. Pre-order the DVD on Logoonline.com

Christopher Street

Being that I'm the producer of Christopher Street and am writing this article, I don't want to seem as though I'm shamelessly promoting my own work. But I still think its worth at least mentioning since it does revolve around queer young adults in New York. Making its premiere June 17th, Christopher Street is a multi-faceted and poignant look into the lives of four young adults and what it takes to overcome adversity as a double oppressed minority. For the same price of a local movie ticket, you can catch Christopher Street at film festivals nationwide. And if you don't like it, you know where to find me!

That's it, boyos. Have a great summer—and don't forget the sun block!

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