Table of contents for July/August 2021 in OUT

My cousin and I had a secret game growing up in Texas. Instead of a basic game of hide-and-seek, we chose to play — literally — in each other’s closets. We had five minutes to rummage through the other’s wardrobe and use our imaginations to piece together an ensemble that would, hopefully, impress the other cousin (or at the very least, make them laugh). Once we had it together, we’d reveal the look to each other in the joint hallway that connected our rooms. Ultimately, we had to decide on the more creative outfit. Naturally, I won a lot. One of the things I think about when looking back — besides how lucky I am we didn’t have social media at the time! — is how precious these childhood moments…

ORTTU’s new line is built for the man who wants to express his innermost feelings, uniqueness, and beauty through what he wears. “Clothing has always been one of the main ways for an individual to express himself,” designer Artem Gryshchenko says. “We wanted to create apparel for men who are in touch with their individuality, their sensuality, their beauty, and – of course – their sexuality.” In order to do that, Gryshchenko worked with new fabrics, including jacquard, chiffon, and lace; mixed together masculine and feminine silhouettes; and made clothes that are easy to move in. After all, life is about movement. “You’ve probably experienced buying an item of clothing that you loved the look of, but find that it’s difficult to move in,” Gryshchenko says. “We’re always thinking about…

For a photographer who makes images of people, creating work during a global pandemic was challenging. After spending the winter and spring in New York City, I was ready to get my toes in the sand and water and feel the sun on my skin again while making photographs. When I returned to Provincetown, Mass., in January 2021, I was ready to experience the town in a different way. Still in the middle of pandemic restrictions, I knew shooting indoors was off limits while braving the outdoors in winter would be challenging. But I was up for it if I could find models who were as well. I think we were all aching for a creative outlet, so the models braved Provincetown in January for the sake of art. Reflecting…

LIL NAS X’S BIG THREE: ARIES SUN, CAPRICORN MOON, CANCER ASCENDANT Lil Nas X is the apex Aries, the perfect embodiment of his Sun sign. This fire sign ruled by Mars is the courageous pioneer, the individualistic mind who is always willing to try something new. Independence holds the reins of this saddle, and courage cracks the whip. This cardinal fire sign makes him incredibly attractive to others. A Capricorn Moon is a sign of underlying authority and determination. Nas may come across as fire and air, but he is probably secretly very organized. Lil Nas X’s Cancer ascendant is what keeps him so incredibly human and perfectly imperfect. People will feel drawn to Nas throughout his life because he comes across as sincere. Nas’s Cancer ascendant allows him to…

There’s always that moment in any workplace where we have to say goodbye to a colleague. And unless they’re a total jerk, those are always hard transitions for many of us. But running a magazine has some extra complications. That’s because we usually are wrapping the issue you’re currently reading three months before that magazine gets into your hands. So by the time you read a “goodbye, so long, au revoir” note from a departing editor, that person is long gone from our newsrooms. That’s sadly the case of David Artavia, someone I mentored from his first internship at the company through his rise to editor in chief of Out magazine. As a woman of color, promoting a Latinx man to the top post felt like my own accomplishment. But…

Patrick Starrr — the makeup artist, musician, and business mogul pushing for inclusivity in the beauty industry — shares a surprising history with Out’s last cover star, Jeremy Pope (Hollywood and Pose). The pair attended Timber Creek High School together in Orlando. “So we were in the production Cats together,” Starrr recalls with a laugh. “And I did his senior pictures.” The two share a love for musical theater and have stayed in touch over the years; they cheer for each other’s successes along the way, Starrr says. He even attended Pope’s first off-Broadway show. The power in two gay men of color from Orlando rising to the heights of their respective fields is not lost on either. “We’ve had our different kinds of success,” says Starrr. “So him and…

A couple that sings together, stays together. If you need a reminder of that, look no further than Kerry Kilpatrick and Canadē, boyfriends and creative partners who, together, make up the Atlanta-based duo VIBEbrations. As two beautiful Black men unafraid of writing songs about identity and their place in the world, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their creativity runs deep. Both men earned their performing stripes singing in church (the first song Kilpatrick performed was “The Hammer Song”), so stepping onto Atlanta stages wasn’t exactly a foreign concept. But today’s music landscape, which rewards authenticity and honest storytelling more than ever before, has provided new opportunities to sing about their struggles and lived experiences as a form of healing, growth, and connection — from a more personal level.…

I recently received this anonymous note from a reader of my advice blog, LoveBeastly.com: I’ve been considering getting into leather. This isn’t because I find it particularly attractive compared to other outfits — other guys can be just as sexy. But because I’ve noticed on cruises that the leather parties seem more cruisy with guys having sex and going up to their cabins. The trouble is, I know it is strongly associated with BDSM, and I have absolutely no interest in that at all. The writer went on to ask if it is acceptable to wear leather at these events while having zero interest in kink. I was admittedly stumped on how to answer. In my life, I found kink — sex acts that generally involve power play like domination…

The Louis Vuitton Horizon Speaker has a stylish, conical shape that is subtle enough to blend in with your decor but bold enough to start a conversation. Made for indoor and outdoor use, it can also be used for both mono and stereo listening, when paired with a second device. The speaker can sit upright, lay on its side, or be carried from an attached leather strap, making it the ultimate adaptable sound system. The speaker also boasts the famous Louis Vuitton monogram. This logo is featured in the embossed leather and as a glowing digital display that lights up in the dark surrounding the heart of the device. It’s cutting-edge materials, best-in-class technology, and Louis Vuitton elegance, all in one harmonious package. Photographer NICOLAS WAGNER nicolaswagner.com @nicolaswagnerphoto Talent IVAN…

THROUGH HIS LENS, ERIC HART JR. CAPTURES THE SPLENDOR AND POWER OF QUEER PEOPLE OF COLOR At 21, photographer Eric Hart Jr. has already worked with luminaries like filmmaker Spike Lee and visual artist Justin Bettman. His work has been published in The Washington Post, Dazed, and The Root. And he was featured in NYC’s famed Photoville festival and a recent Sprite ad. Oh, and the Georgia native and wunderkind is also a full-time college student, studying photography and imaging at NYU Tisch School of the Arts while minoring in business at Stern. Hart also founded Love Hart (OfficialLoveHart.com) in the summer of 2018, which he calls his “creative visual brand developed with the purpose to raise awareness and further conversations.” As a gay Black man, Hart feels a special…

ARIES March 21 – April 19 July started off with a bang because you are a firecracker, Aries! You have no time for anyone’s outdated opinions as passionate Mars squares independent Uranus. You may be forced to choose your battle, especially if you are defending the defenseless. Double Aquarian full moon energy brings attention to your 11th house of community and friends this summer; spend time around your core people and reclaim the fun in your life. TAURUS April 20 – May 20 You hold your standards high, virtuous Taurus. Not everyone can live up to your ideals and that’s OK. Let loose from July 23 to August 17 as Venus brings you love and pleasure during this time — then it’s back to work. Your career is highlighted in…