Our Gay Teen Guide to Summer Fun

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.