Arts & Entertainment
YouTuber buys ‘Hell, Michigan,’ changes name to ‘Gay Hell’ in Trump protest
Elijah Daniel declares only Pride flags can fly in the town
Gay YouTuber Elijah Daniel decided to protest the Trump Administration’s ban on U.S. embassies flying Pride flags by buying a whole town.
Daniel, 25, purchased Hell, Michigan from its owner John Colone. He is only the temporary owner of the town, which is a five-acre commercial property with an estimated population of 70 people. It’s unclear how much Daniel paid to be the temporary owner of the town but Colone did have the town listed on the market for $900,00 back in 2016.
His first order of business was to change the name from Hell, Michigan to Gay Hell, Michigan. Daniel says that the only flags that are allowed to fly are Pride flags.
Daniel told NBC News that he isn’t serious about the ban on non-Pride flags but hopes this story will help his followers pay more attention to politics.
“I have a young audience who is 16 to 24 who would not be involved in politics if it wasn’t in a funny or meme way,” Daniel told NBC News. “I’m just trying to have fun and get my audience politically active.”
Daniel also became mayor for the day of Hell, Michigan, a title anyone can hold for the price of $100. During his reign as mayor he “banned” heterosexual people from the town.
ahead of pride month Trump’s administration put a ban on embassy’s flying pride flags.
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) June 17, 2019
so as of today, I am now the owner of Hell, Michigan. I bought the whole town.
And my first act as owner, I have renamed my town to Gay Hell, MI.
The only flags allowed to fly are pride. pic.twitter.com/AKOcZm2Jvm
donald trump annoyed me so much that i bought a whole fucking town
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) June 17, 2019
Gay Hell, Mi has everything. A library, a place to lock your love in Gay Hell, and even a WEDDING CHAPEL TO GET GAY MARRIED IN HELL! pic.twitter.com/mt2RzgraEx
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) June 17, 2019
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch
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Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
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Calendar: June 12-18
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
PHOTOS: Pride Run
Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner
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