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7 Things

7 Things That Are Everything This Week

7 things

Lose yourself in Frank Ocean, Spa Night, and Dolly Parton.

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Self-Portrait 11.20.15 NYC

Swagger Like Us party in L.A.

This Saturday night queer hip-hop party is the brainchild of Kelly Lovemonster and producer/DJ davO. Begun in San Francisco, the party now stretches to Los Angeles and takes place at Los Globos, a club in the Echo Park neighborhood. "The vibe of the [Swagger Like Us] parties themselves feel like family, full of refreshing high energy and with an aesthetic that is fashion forward, sleek, cool, and with its finger on the pulse of underground queer club circles," according to a release. More info here.

\u00a1OUT! Las Transformistas of Havana

Frank Ocean "visual album" Endless

Just when we were about to give up all hope of ever hearing new material from Frank Ocean, the out R&B artist decided to bless the world late Thursday night with Endless, a 45-minute short film (or "visual album") that teases all of the new music from his highly anticipated and oft-delayed sophomore album Boys Don't Cry.

As expected, the internet reaction from fans -- who have been waiting long and hard for new music from Frank ever since his critically acclaimed debut record, Channel Orange, dropped in 2012 -- was astounding, with listeners everywhere excited that they would finally get to hear something from the beloved, soulful crooner.

But Endless isn't the only piece of good news for Ocean's fans. According to The New York Times, a representative of Apple Music (where Endless is streaming exclusively) is encouraging listeners to "keep an eye out this weekend for more from Frank," hinting at what could be the release of Boys Don't Cry.

5

Gaycation

Viceland's Emmy-nominated documentary series Gaycation -- which tackles the LGBT rights struggle around the world -- returns for a special episode on Wednesday. "Gaycation Presents: Orlando" looks at the survivors of the Pulse shooting, where 49 people were murdered at a gay nightclub in Orlando. The episode airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Viceland, while the second season of the series premieres on September 7.

Celebrating Five Years of the GLBT History Museum

Wigstock: The Cruise

It was 1984 when New York drag icon Lady Bunny put on the first Wigstock in Tompkins Square Park. The drag festival ran for 20 years, showcasing some of the best drag queens and queer talent of our time. After taking a break for a few years, Wigstock came back last year to set sail on the Hudson River. The first cruise quickly sold out, immediately reviving the drag magic that is Wigstock.

This year, they're gonna a need bigger boat. Lady Bunny is cohosting with Linda Simpson, and they'll present performances by Connie Fleming, Jimmy James, Ebony Jett, Glamamore, Juanita More, Tabboo!, Michael West, Dueling Bankheads, and John Kelly as Joni Mitchell. Don't miss it Sunday at Pier 40 on New York City's West Side Highway. Buy tickets here.

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caption="You've viewed the adventures of the Pfefferman family; now see some real-life young adults dealing with a parent's transition in a new episode of MTV's True Life, \"I Have a Trans Parent.\" Follow Kiara as she gets to know her \"Pops,\" the parent she previously knew as her mother, and Jeffrey as he accepts his father as a transgender woman and strives to help his brothers do the same. The episode airs Monday at 11:30 p.m./10:30 Central; watch a preview below.\n" photo_credit=""]

Spa Night

Spa Night was declared the winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize at the Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival -- and with good reason. The drama is a thoughtful and nuanced portrait of a closeted teen in L.A.'s Koreatown, a terrain that has never been given its due screen time. But it's about far more than the closet. Directed by Andrew Ahn, the Sundance favorite follows David (Joe Seo), an 18-year-old Korean-American who takes a job at a men's spa in order to help his parents. The family business has failed, you see, leaving them in dire financial straits. Joe struggles in school and his SAT classes -- his future is uncertain. But at the spa, he discovers a subculture of men who meet for hookups that he longs to join. Will he? Watch the trailer below; see the movie in New York today and in Los Angeles the following weekend to find out.

Hail Cesar

Dolly Parton, Pure & Simple

Today Dolly Parton released her 43rd studio album, Pure & Simple, a collection of love songs that Rolling Stone describes as "generally tasteful and acoustic." It includes "Forever Love," which Parton wrote for the renewal of her wedding vows with Carl Dean, and several other new songs, plus new versions of a couple of her 1970s hits -- "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" and "Tomorrow Is Forever." That's a lot of forever, but that's how long we'll love Miss Dolly, given her strong support for LGBT people in addition to her superb musicianship. She's touring to support the album, hitting 60 U.S. and Canadian cities in her biggest tour in 25 years. Find more info on the album here and her tour here.

1

Olympics closing ceremonies

After all the competitions are over, after all the medals have been won, the Olympic Games closing ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro will offer music, parades, and possibly an appearance by Brazilian soccer legend Pele. Most the details are under wrap, but it Kygo, the Norwegian musician who spent his early life in Brazil, is expected to perform "Carry Me" with vocalist Julia Michaels. There will be other performances, many highlighting Brazilian music and culture, and the parade of athletes. Pele, who was too ill to attend the opening ceremonies, has said he'll try to be there for the closing. The festivities start at 7 p.m. Eastern time Sunday, but NBC isn't broadcasting them in real time; its coverage is set to start at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time, 7 p.m. Central. You can also stream the coverage on NBC's Olympics website.

The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

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