Arts & Entertainment
Olly Alexander writes letter defending LGBT sex in ‘Desire’ video
Years & Years frontman talks LGBT representation in music

Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander has penned a letter defending the LGBT sex-positive music video for the re-release of their single “Desire.”
The “Desire” reboot includes added vocals by pop singer Tove Lo and a brand new LGBT-centered video. The video features a group of people dancing, making out, taking off their clothes and depicting typical pop music video sexualized behavior. The only difference is the group is LGBT and led by out singer Alexander.
In a letter for Medium, Alexander explained his reasoning behind having a sexual music video featuring LGBT people.
“Is there a rulebook for men and women on how to feel sexy or what sexy is? For me, whoever it is, two women, two men, a group of gender-queer people, itās all cute. It can all be a positive and a joyful expression of sexiness and sexuality, you donāt have to be a specific gender to enjoy it,” Alexander writes.
He continued that he wanted to bring attention to the fact that more than just heterosexual people enjoy having sex.
“So yeah, gay people have sex. And itās not just gay people, itās all kinds of people! All these non-straight people, theyāre out there⦠having sex! Sex, between two consenting adults, can be a healthy, positive, safe and enjoyable thing,” the 25-year-old singer writes.
“I like having sex, being able to assert myself and talk about my sexuality is an empowering thing for me. Itās a difficult road from shame to acceptance and part of making that journey easier is owning and embracing it all,” Alexander, who previously opened up about how living in a straight world gave him anxiety, says.
The pop singer also said he grew up admiring female singers like Madonna, Britney Spears and Whitney Houston because he could relate to them more than male singers.
“They were singing about men and I wanted to sing about men. They were seductive and sensual in their videosāāāI wanted to be seductive and sensual in my videos…They were so much more interesting to me than the majority of male musicians whose Type A macho masculinity felt completely un-relatable,” Alexander continued.
“We shouldnāt have to feel scared about putting our sexualities and identities on display in all their beautiful, interlocking, multi-layered, multi-colored glory. I want to be proud. Proud to shove it in peopleās faces if I want to,” Alexander concluded.
Out & About
Mayorās office to host Pride tie-dye party
Guests to make colorful shirts for ‘PEACE. LOVE. REVOLUTION’ theme

The Mayorās Office for LGBTQ Affairs will host āLove Out Loud: Tie Dye Party for Prideā on Wednesday, June 7 at 5 p.m. at the Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs.
The event, hosted along with the DC Center for the LGBT Community and Capital Pride Alliance, will be an afternoon for community and artistry.Ā Guests are encouraged to bring their creativity to make some colorful tie-dye shirts in line with this year’s Pride theme, āPEACE. LOVE. REVOLUTION.ā
This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.Ā

DC Pride Poem-a-Day will present its second installation of short videos featuring LGBTQ poetry from the Washington, D.C. area to celebrate Pride month.
A new video will be released each day in June and will feature different poets reading an original poem on the theme of āheritage.ā
The videos highlight LGBTQ poetsĀ from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and countries of origin, and also poets from minority religions, multi-lingual, and disabled.Ā
To access the poetry, visitĀ DC Pride Poemsā website.

Friday, June 2
Center Aging: Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This event is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests can bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host āLGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff Socialā at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. This event is ideal to make new friends in the LGBTQ community and enjoy the bottomless happy hour specials at Puro Gusto. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 3
Virtual Yoga Class with Jesse Z. will be at 12 p.m. online. This is a weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. Guests are encouraged to RSVP on the DC Centerās website, providing your name, email address, and zip code, along with any questions you may have. A link to the event will be sent at 6 pm the day before.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. LGBTQ People of Color can come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Project DC Events will host āDC Pride Crawlā at 2 p.m. at Dupont Circleās best bars. Guests are encouraged to put on their brightest and most colorful outfit, grab friends, and enjoy a day of drinks and celebration. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā
Sunday, June 4
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
āLargest LGBTQIA+ Singles Flamingleā will be at 7 p.m. at THRoW Social DC. Guests can enjoy signature cocktail and wine specials, food, games, and live music while mingling with single people in the local LGBTQ community. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 5
Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. LGBT Older Adults ā and friends ā are invited to enjoy friendly conversations and to discuss any issues you might be dealing with. For more information, visit the Center Agingās Facebook or Twitter.
Capital Pride Interfaith Service Planning Meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. The Capital Pride Interfaith Service is an āintegrated serviceā respectfully demonstrating the breadth, depth, and sincerity of our faith, exposing the lie that anti-gay fundamentalists have a monopoly on faith and religion. For more details, [email protected].Ā
Tuesday, June 6
Go Gay DC will host āLGBTQ+ Pride Receptionā at 5 p.m. at Turkish Coffee Lady. This event is to foster cross-cultural connectedness and make friends in the LGBTQ+ and allied community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Pride on the Patio Events will host āLGBTQ+ Social Mixerā at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable and guests are encouraged to bring the most authentic you to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.Ā
Wednesday, June 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking ā allowing participants to move away from being merely āapplicantsā toward being ācandidates.ā For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Womenās Social & Discussion Group will be at 6:00p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. To register, visit the DC Centerās website.Ā
Thursday, June 8
KINETIC Presents will host āKINETIC Pride 2023 DC Weekend Passā at 10 p.m. at four D.C. venues. This partnership with Capital Pride Alliance will feature a performance by global pop star Betty Who at Echostage, stunning visuals, and top talent. Tickets start at $149 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā
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