Trisha Paytas has sashayed into Pride Month early with the music video for her unapologetically titled track “Gay,” and it’s a camp explosion that even RuPaul would clutch pearls over. Inspired by the 1995 cult queer classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, the video is a love letter to LGBTQ+ culture, drag fabulousness, and not taking yourself too seriously — unless you’re serving Chi-Chi Rodriguez realness.
In the video, Paytas channels the spirit of the original film with the help of Drag Race royalty: Season 17’s fierce finalist Jewels Sparkles and standout queen Kori King. Together, they recreate the iconic trio from the film — Noxeema, Vida, and Chi-Chi — with looks, sass, and a level of devotion that shows just how far queer influence stretches into mainstream pop. The clip is also packed with more drag cameos than a Pride parade lineup, featuring DIVOS, Joella, Acacia Forgot, Bohenne Arreaux, and Imara Del Chique, along with dancers who could out-split your average TikTok star.
But the visuals are just half the story. The lyrics? Peak camp. “We’re all a little gay,” coos Paytas, adding, “You want to eat like a buffet? Then you’ve got to make it gay.” It’s the kind of absurdist anthem that makes you question why all dance tracks don’t have at least one food metaphor and a drag queen cameo.
Paytas isn’t just dipping her toes into queer waters for attention either. She’s putting her money where her glittery mouth is — announcing that proceeds from the video are going to TransLifeline, with $10,000 already donated. “These organisations with peer support and legal support need our help,” she said, noting additional donations to the ACLU Drag Defense Fund and The Trevor Project. “Please reach out for help. It saved my life. We need you here.”
Paytas also opened up on Instagram about her own identity journey, reflecting on feeling out of place after moving to L.A. at 18. “Now at 37, not needing a label but feeling seen and understood has brought me to my state of peace with my sexuality and identity,” she wrote, addressing the queer community directly with gratitude and love.
For a figure who’s had her fair share of missteps in the LGBTQ+ space — including a controversial coming-out video — this feels like a genuine moment of reckoning and redemption. More importantly, it feels joyful, outrageous, and very gay — the kind of chaotic queer energy we need in 2025.
And for the LGBTQ community, especially the trans and drag performers under legislative attack across the U.S., Paytas’ efforts are more than performance. Her donations help sustain real resources. Her music video celebrates visibility. And her words, while simple, hit deep: “To the Queer community, you make this world a brighter place. I love you so much.”
The only thing missing? A buffet. But you’ll just have to bring that yourself.