Emy Rodriguez

Ready to add some oomph to your love life? Get all the erotic gear you need from these sex shops in NYC. If you’ve been inspired by the sex scenes in your favorite movies or erotic books (ahem, Fifty Shades of Grey), you’ll find everything from the innocent-ish Jackrabbit vibrator to a hooded spandex full-body binder sack. Ranging in prices, décor and general ambiance, these sexy spots will suit fetishes both tame and wildly delicious. The happily coupled can pick up a toy or two to try between the sheets while sexy singles can find something to help them seduce their next partner. Next stop: the city’s best hookup bars and its best gay hookup spots. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to shopping in NYC

Spending your summer visiting the best cities to celebrate gay pride? A few things to do before embarking on your trip: First off, bookmark our guide to the best gay clubs in America. Secondly, grab a copy of each one of these 10 LGBT books everybody should read to get even more educated on the subject. In case your summer solely involves laying out on the best beaches in the USA, worry not: These picks work as perfect beach reads as well.  

The Korean spa market is getting rough—new spas are opening left and right, and not all of them are as gentle as your skin is after a full-body exfoliation. But these standout Korean spas offer a range of experiences, from affordable spa treatments to Korean beauty products to elaborate saunas or tubs reminiscent of water parks where you can spend the whole day eating and lounging by the pool. Get ready for a physical, emotional and spiritual workout. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best spas in NYC

You’re all set for spring break in Miami. What’s next? The arduous task of packing what you’ll need for South Beach and what outfits work for clubs in Miami, plus all of the essentials for days of lying out on the Miami beaches. Our guide to spring break Miami essentials is packed with things you’ll need and a few you’ll just have to have—because, vacation. RECOMMENDED: Your guide to spring break in Miami

There are plenty of places in NYC to get STD Testing, along with HIV testing and treatment, family planning and more. Before heading out on a first date or going to one of NYC’s best hookup bars, you can get clarity about your STD status at these great clinics and community outreach sites. It’s never a bad idea to stay on top of your sex life.

Josephine Baker once said: “He was my cream, and I was his coffee, and when you poured us together, it was something.” The Queer POC community has always been a vital part of LGBT culture and at these nightlife events, you can party with the crème de la crème. Along with the best gay bars and lesbian bars in NYC, these queer POC parties make up the diverse LGBTQ rainbow. 

This modern bar, formerly known as New Moon, used to numerous lesbian nights in the then-budding Wilton Manor area of South Florida. But with a new name and new management comes a change in theme—think boys, boys, boys! Order a drink from sexy shirtless bartenders and a crowd that’s more good looking than not. “Circuit Saturday” is super fun, but don’t miss the many drag performances that happen throughout the week. You may even catch a fierce competitor from RuPaul’s Drag Race. 

Every kid wants the Nintendo Switch™, but to parents, the main hesitation in buying one has been the inevitable digital wormhole their kid will crawl into and never escape. Nintendo Labo offers an alternative, and we think it's pretty awesome. The Nintendo Labo is an interactive set (launches Apr 20) where you cut, build and energize your own games. While it's not your traditional family attraction adventure or art class for kids, the Nintendo Labo is sure to entertain 'em for hours. The Nintendo Switch™ has reintroduced classics like Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda and Sonic the Hedgehog to a younger audience that have feverishly been playing Minecraft for the last seven years. This new audience alongside the restoration of older classics has invigorated Nintendo to create a life-like Minecraft arena. The Nintendo Labo will allow you to build games with cardboard cutouts called Toy-Cons, plus string, rubber bands and more. Before you pre-order, check out what each kit comes with.    Photograph: Courtesy Nintendo   Toy-Con 01 Variety Kit, $70 The Variety Kit will come with 5 different Toy-Con projects: two RC Cars, one fishing rod, one house, one motorbike and one piano. This is the perfect kit for any kid who wants to play and learn how things work. This kit is probably the one that will give you most diversity and is preferred for the younger ones. Put your thinking cap away, every Toy-Con comes with software where instructions are laid

On November 14 Time Out partnered with the Ali Forney Center for a career panel at their drop-in center in Harlem. The Center is notable for being the nation’s largest LGBTQ youth homeless shelter and supports some 1,400 young people per year by providing emergency housing, 24-hour health care service and tools for an independent lifestyle. Our Global Editor-in-Chief, Comedy & LGBTQ Editor and others from Time Out sat down with more than 20 of the Ali Forney Center’s residents to answer questions about what it's like to work in media and to share their experiences of breaking into the industry and what they learned from their earliest jobs.  “My first job taught me to be patient and understand that you have to start from the bottom,” said Melissa Hediger, a sales director at Time Out.  The panelists also received insights on what the residents experience day-to-day when trying to find work. “When I walk into an interview, I’m not judged for my experience," said one Ali Forney Center resident. "I’m judged for being black, homeless and part of the LGBTQ community." RECOMMENDED: Where to volunteer in NYC Uptown favorite Pio Pio and Eataly’s Manzo provided lunch for the career panel. Among other services, the drop-in center offers career development in partnership with LEAP, a city-run program devoted to educating and training the children of New York to be work-ready and prepared for life challenges that may arise. If you're interested in volunteering for the center, check out

Still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Puerto Rico is now also suffering the repercussions of a devastating hit by Hurricane Maria. Wreaking havoc all over the area, the hurricane has left the Caribbean islands without power and in major need of help. Do the right thing and provide the assistance that the folks living out there are in dire need of. Here are all the ways you can help, no matter where you are:  1. United for Puerto Rico: Founded by the first lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló, United for Puerto Rico is accepting donations that will aid and support all those affected by the hurricanes. 2. Puerto Rico Real-Time Recovery Fund: As over 80 percent of the area's population is coping with daily life without water service or power, this real-time recovery fund seeks to donate 100 percent of its gathered funds towards power grid repair efforts. 3. Hurricane Maria: Emergency Relief Fund: Americares provides $200 worth of aid per every $10 donated to the cause. Bonus: Online donations are completely tax deductible. 4. Ricky Martin For Puerto Rico: Donating $100,000 to the cause himself, Martin, who is originally from Puerto Rico, set up this YouCaring crowdfunding campaign to "collect funds to provide the basic needs and rebuild all that was lost." 5. UNICEF: Seeking funds to help the children of Puerto Rico immediately, UNICEF guarantees that 90 percent of every dollar spent by the organization will help little ones directly. 6. Global Giving: This crowdf

On Thursday, September 7, at 7pm, RuPaul's Drag Race season nine winner Sasha Velour and other next-level NYC drag performers will throw a launch party for the new photo book DRAGS at the Highline Ballroom. DRAGS, a project by photographer Gregory Kramer, contains intimate portraits of more than 30 famous drag queens and kings. Among the snapshots, the book contains five stories that dig into the details of queens' lives beyond the drag scene, and the barriers that are still in place for much of the community. Proceeds from the book will benefit the Ali Forney Center, the largest homeless shelter for LGBTQ youth in New York. Tickets for the launch party start at $75, and include an open bar provided by Chopin Vodka. VIP ticketholders can opt in for a meet-and-greet session with Ms. Velour herself. You can buy your tickets here, and find out where you can see other famous drag queens in NYC this summer here.

Backed by Y Combinator (the financial geniuses behind Dropbox and Doordash), new culinary school CocuSocial is now offering classes on how to make your own sushi in NYC. At your office or a local bar, CocuSocial partners you and an expert chef to chop, slice and dice your own dinner. There are also plenty of other cooking classes if you're not into hand-rolled sushi ($39)—try out the classes on how to make French macarons ($39), savory Greek hand pies ($35) or ravioli pasta ($35) too. CocuSocial has also recently partnered with local hotels and restaurants to drive more traffic to local businesses. A typical class from CocuSocial is two hours and focuses on simplifying complex techniques so you can finally quit your Seamless addiction. Learn from professionals without breaking the bank, and check out more of the best classes to take this summer.  Photograph: Courtesy CocuSocial/Billy Guan Photograph: Courtesy CocuSocial/Billy Guan

Make a change this Pride month! On June 15, we partnered with the Ali Forney Center to host an LGBT masquerade prom at Boro Hotel where residents of the largest LGBT youth homeless shelter could experience a night with less prejudice, discrimination and intolerance. Sponsors like Dinosaur BBQ, Tattly and more donated time and effort to make the prom an unforgettable experience. Check out photos of the event, and see all the other ways you can help NYC's LGBT community during Pride Month.  RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of Gay Pride in NYC Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris   Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris   Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris       Photograph: Courtesy Kamila Harris                                                      

If donating money is not enough, this one's for you. It’s Pride Month, and volunteering for LGBT organizations is a huge part of it. If you’re looking to donate your time and assist the LGBT community, check out the list below. Ali Forney Center The Ali Forney Center is the biggest LGBT youth homeless shelter in New York City, and it will be holding its annual prom at the Boro Hotel New York in Long Island City on June 15. The prom is accepting volunteers, and will include tasty donations from Tattly, DJ Jeronimo, Dinosaur BBQ, Confections by Cathleen, Sprinkles, A.E Kieren, Robin Scott and UrbanStems. Drag queens Elizabeth James, Harmonica Sunbeam and more will host the night. (212-222-3427, btorres@aliforneycenter.org) The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center If you’re looking to volunteer for one organization that covers a wide range of causes, then this is the one for you. Known as The Center, the group has been the primary establishment for the LGBT community in NYC since 1983. It's open to one-time donations, leadership and career consultations, monthly giving, stock donations and more. (212-620-7310, volunteer@gaycenter.org) Hetrick Martin Institute The Hetrick-Martin Institute has been serving the community for more than 31 years. Starting as a small community-run organization, HMI understands the essential need for volunteers. You can volunteer as a server for HMI’s nightly dinner service, or as a tutor for their academic programs. (212-674-2400, sda

On the heels of the publication of her autobiographical book, Doll Parts, queer nightlife icon and David LaChapelle muse Amanda Lepore opens up about her sex change, her future projects and how she really feels about being affiliated with Caitlyn Jenner. Your writing exudes confidence. Where does it come from? I kept myself surrounded by good people and friends that encouraged and believed in me. [They] were positive influences. Working with [photographer] David LaChapelle boosted my confidence, [which] has grown over the years along with my experiences. Doll Parts features some hilarious sidebars about a variety of topics. Let’s make one up right now about your yoga practice.Well, I always put on a lot of perfume since people don’t always smell so great. I still dress like me, lots of cleavage and lipstick, I just have to get ready quickly—let’s call this sidebar “Glamour in a hurry.” You learned about sex change procedures when you were 10 and had one at age 17, relatively early. How do you feel about that decision now? I wish I could have done it even earlier, like when I was 5 years old.  Well, the dilating might have been too much. I think transitioning and starting the hormones at an earlier age would help ease the adjustments your body makes as it grows older. Your mom was a paranoid schizophrenic. How has that impacted your outlook on mental health?Mental health is extremely important. I like to stay clear-headed. We are what our minds are. I think [that] a lot of peo

Other Boys NYC is a new documentary premiering February 20 that gives voice to 50 LGBTQ men of color and acts a vehicle for them to express their innate fears through personal narratives. With a shifting perspective, the film gives viewers the opportunity to hear different views on what it's like to be an LGBTQ man of color right now. We recently caught up with creator Abdool Corlette to discuss his inspiration for the documentary and more. What was one of the main inspirations behind Other Boys NYC?There’s a serious lack of stories about queer and transgender men of color in New York City. Growing up I almost never saw my image or my story reflected on TV or in movies or written about in magazines. Cartoon characters like Storm and Sailor Moon held bits and pieces, but never had the same narrative. I wanted to create something that accurately reflected our experience as queer men of color. What should we expect on February 20?Other Boys is a new 50-part series about the experiences of queer and transgender men of color in New York City. I want to inject a new point of view into the LGBTQ narrative. I want to create touchy conversations about race, gender equality, class, and education, and I also want to erase the fear of being able to discuss things like passing privilege, intersexuality and macroaggression.  What is your goal with this documentary?I hope for this project to get people to engage in really honest conversations related to gender identity and race. I want this

Lady Gaga wants her monsters to create a kinder world this holiday season, and they can do that by visiting her #ShareKindness Experience at 30 Rockefeller Center. On December 5, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, in partnership with the Today Show, opened the #Sharekindness Experience. This pop-up store is a one-of-a-kind service center devoted to sharing happiness with people in need. From decorating lunch bags for Kids Food Basket to creating holiday cards meant for hospitalized children and veterans, the experience is like one big creative art class. Each care station is devoted to a different cause and allows monsters to leave their personalized touch on donations. Stations are also equipped with a handsome attendant to guide you, so don’t be shy. To kick off the holiday campaign, Lady Gaga visited the Ali Forney Center in Harlem where she shared intimate details of her own personal struggles and dropped off bags of goodies. At the #Sharekindness Experience, you can donate loose change to the Ali Forney Center and even take a #KindMonsters and #HackHarassment pledge, saying you'll promote everyday kindness and a safer internet. The #ShareKindness Experience is open daily at Rockefeller Center from 10am-6pm until December 23.

NewFest—New York’s LGBT film festival, presented by HBO—shines light on the more impressive and impactful films that highlight the gay community. This year’s event is the largest ever, with more than 100 amazing movies, documentaries and shorts to view, not to mention gay-empowered events and talks with some of the filmmakers. Do yourself a favor and snag tickets to our top five picks. LovesongIntimate relationships are never as black-and-white as plain physical sex. Yong Kim’s Lovesong does an amazing job of diving deep into this issue without alienating the viewer with almost unbelievable tales of high-school age interactions and awakenings. Sarah and Mindy are two friends who’ve never been physical with each other, but share an intimacy that alludes to sexual curiosities. A late night drinking game while on a road trip awakens something within both women, but is lost due to their already set ideas of normality. Lovesong is one film we’re excited to see, and we hope it brings light to compassion and the roads less traveled. Paragraph 175To many, Paragraph 175 is the clause in the 1871 German Penal Code criminalizing ‘unnatural sex acts’ between persons of the male sex (or with animals.) To others. it means more than 50 years of oppression and shame brought on by the Holocaust. Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein take a long journey with their documentary, starting with Germany’s post-war states amidst the Weimar Republic (where queer communities blossomed), and ending with the

Out of the closet and onto the runway! Keep these up-and-coming LGBT designers on your radar—they’ll be kicking ass during New York Fashion Week.  RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to New York Fashion Week Shan Huq You might already be familiar with Shan Huq; his realistic wares inspired by the everyday clothing of the American teenager were trending last season. Yeah, his previous duds look like they’re meant for preppy folks living in the suburbs, but he’s getting wilder with his designs. Huq’s FW16 collection is way more grown-up, and the entire collection is sheer. During NYFW, we’re excited to see the designer push more boundaries.   Moses Gauntlett Cheng This LGBT brand is considered fashion’s new wave, and believe it or not, the NYC label’s name was not created in the back of a cab on the way to a John Waters party. It was spawned after three best friends—Esther Gauntlett, David Moses and Jenny Cheng—decided they wanted to create a nonbinary clothing line that focuses more on the design rather than the sex, and we’re all for it! We are currently obsessing over the fall collection, which is comprised of chevron print sweaters, chunky-knit pants and open-crotch shorts (it works, trust us).   Eric Schlösberg Each piece included in Eric Schlösberg’s line is locally made in New York, but the embellishments are outsourced internationally. This is not the only thing that makes Schlösberg’s clothes cool: He loves classic silhouettes with outlandish prints and patterns that pack