So.Gay Magazine Hosts “Hottest of the Year Party” in NYC Celebrating LGBTIA+ Tastemakers, Trendsetters
Mikey Graceffa, Yung Merlot
Alessa set the stage for the hottest party of the year celebrating the fastest growing LGBTIA+ media and culture. Digital publication, So. Gay and their editor-in-chief Alex Hughes, took over the Italian hotspot in New York City’s Midtown to host their “Hottest of the Year Party” celebrating the publication’s success since launching in June.
The annual after-dark affair celebrated cultural trendsetters in the LGBTIA+ community from editors, to stylists, to content creators. Influential figures from the entertainment and media world, included Kiel Tutin, Daniel K. Isaac, Michael Graceffa, and So.Gay faces such as Keith Parris, Jon Ali, Lucas Stowe and Athan Chekas. Posing for photographs by Vincenzo Dimino and Devin Kasparian, guests gathered across Alessa’s two floors while sipping 21 Seeds Tequila cocktails and toasting to the site’s recent success. Adding a dash of flirty fun, LGBTQIA+ dating app Archer partnered with So.Gay for the event, where physical QR codes were sprawled throughout the venue for guests to scan to join.
Since the publication’s launch in June, So.Gay has accumulated 1.5 million+ readers and a tasteful community of artists, filmmakers, models, photographers, and writers. The brand celebrates and uplifts the 18 to 34-year-old multicultural queer community that’s not represented in traditional media. Their “Hottest of the Year” party celebrates the community they built and sets the stage for what’s to come in 2025. Hughes said next year will be bigger and better - think honors, awards, VIP parties, and formal celebrations of individuals and brands the queer community sees as the hottest of the year.
See below for images by Vincezo Dimino documenting guests at the inaugural celebration.
Check out So.Gay here.
WHO: Alex Hughes (So.Gay CEO and Editor in Chief), Joseph Bongiorni (Bongiorni Brand Management Founder), Kiel Tutin (Choreographer and Creative Director), Daniel K. Isaac (Actor), Michael Graceffa (Actor), Steven Morea (TikTok Star), Lucas Stowe (Designer, Lucas Stowe Brand), Louis Dorantes (Designer, Leak NYC), Holden Akerley (Designer, Hold NYC), Athan Chekas (TikTok Star), Spencer Hoddeson (CEO, GayWater), Michael Kleinman (CEO, Underwear Expert), Luis Fernando (DJ), Yung Merlot (Singer/Songwriter), Keith Parris (Beauty Influencer), Spencer Thomas (Author and TikTok Star), Serena Shahidi (Comedian and TikTok Star), Anagricel Duran (NME), Jae Gurley (TikTok Star), Joel Calfee (Harper's Bazaar), Zizi Strater (InStyle), Dylan Kelly (HYPEBEAST), Plant Kween (Plant Influencer), DJ Anthony DiCapua (DJ), James and David McAndie (Twin Models), Evan Kline (Nightlife Icon), Alexis Chang Nelis (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Star)
(Top Left to Bottom Right): Jae Gurley, Aaron Royce, Dylan Kelly, Serena Shahidi, Nikki Harrigan, Corin Christian, Kiel Tutlin, Spencer Hoddeson, Joseph Angelo, Zizi Strater, Joel McAfee, Jack Ryan
