GayCities and Stoli are coming to 13 cities this summer to find The Most Original Stoli Guy.
And Queerty is joining the search as the official media partner, which means we get to give our readers a summer filled with pumping parties, hot guys in designer underwear and free Stoli cocktails.
The Stoli Guy event series kicks off tomorrow, July 9 at Micky’s in West Hollywood. RSVP now for guaranteed entry and to enjoy the three-hour hosted bar. Plus you can count on mingling with RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Raja, actress Alexis Arquette, underwear designer Andrew Christian and with a special performance by pop singer Liz Primo.
Don’t live in L.A.? No worries, Stoli Guy is coming to you. Check out the full event series schedule and RSVP now to find out who will be The Most Original Stoli Guy in your hometown.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Michael David Barber
Really? After the Russian President just outlawed our lives, loves, and legal status as human beings you are pushing RUSSIAN VODKA. Way to go.
D P
I just want to know who are the two guys in the picture?
Oscar Raymundo
@Michael David Barber: Stoli has released a statement in support of the LGBT community worldwide and are using this partnership with GayCities/Queerty to put their commitment to action. It’s erroneous and narrow-minded to blame a multinational company (especially one that has supported the gays for years) for the ills of the government where some so their ingredients are made.
litper
Yeah, I think Russian vodka should come with pictures of murdered Russian gays, especially that guy who was killed with 2 and half vodka bottles up his ass.
Jackhoffsky
@Oscar Raymundo: That, I actually agree with. However, you should take into account that as of 2002, the Russian Government owns the rights to Stoli, it’s name, and it’s distribution (in the USA it was originally by PepsiCo, now by William Grant & Sons.
The news of the Government of Russia taking back the rights of Stoli is here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1794734.stm
The company that makes Stoli I’m sure are very progressive (just doing this campaign shows this), so that is a good thing. But the money itself gets split between them and their government.
litper
What’s next to advertise, Queerty? Zimbabwe diamonds?
Scott Gatz
@Jackhoffsky: That court case continues to be in dispute and Stoli moved to Latvia a long while back likely because of all this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolichnaya
I asked Stoli for a statement and they reminded me that it’s not a Russian company and is not affiliated or tied to the Russian Government. Here’s their statement:
Stolichnaya Premium Vodka has and continues to be a fervent supporter and friend of the LGBT community. The brand’s ongoing commitment to the LGBT community currently includes an exclusive national partnership with Gaycities.com & Queerty.com in search of the Most Original Stoli Guy. Previous national initiatives included serving as the official vodka of Miami Gay Pride Week as well as ongoing events with a focus on Pride month. While Stoli is made from Russian ingredients, the brand is not a Russian company and is not affiliated and/or tied to the Russian government. Stoli firmly opposes the beliefs supported by the Russian Government in relation to the LGBT community.
fagburn
WHO CARES????
Dixie Rect
I don’t want to mingle with any of those people, sounds like a tacky affair.
Kenover
Queerty and Gay Cities should have NOTHING to do with promoting Russian products until Russia overturns the ban on “promoting” homosexuality and jailing gay activists as they did at the Gay Pride parade. Have you NO ethics or conscience whatsoever? Forget about some PR flack’s assurances…Stolichnaya and every other Russian brand should be boycotted by every gay person of conscience. As should the 2014 Sochi Olympics. ACTIONS MUST HAVE CONSEQUENCES! Shame on you, Queerty!
Jackhoffsky
@Scott Gatz: I know it’s a mess. I know that dispute seems to be never ending. I honestly feel for SPI Group because they are caught between what they want to do as a global brand and what they are strapped to from their home country (i.e. production with Moscow Distillery Cristall http://eng.kristall.ru/ ).
Stoli in Russia it is still labeled as a “Russian Vodka”, it’s still in legal dispute over the rights of brand… so until that’s cleared up, the Russian government still has part of their hand in the cookie jar.
I personally thank EVERY company coming to the support of the LGBT community should be supported, even if it’s pandering a bit… a lot (*ahem* Absolut). And I will never, ever bitch slap someone or a company for trying to do the right thing. So my thanks to SPI Group for their support. I apologize that I just do not see enough distance to part with my money. That is JUST me… I know.
That being said, it sounds like it will be a fun party with tons of hot guys. I hope everyone has a great time.
Harley
Does that mean I can’t hire Russian escorts?
Jackhoffsky
@Harley: Sadly, Harley… if half their money goes to the Russian Government, no. BUT fret not… I happen to know there are MANY Romanian escorts who would be happy to fill whatever position you need (most of them are straight… but that doesn’t seem to matter to them for some reason… LOL).
azsxdc
Shame on Queerty for continuing to sponsor these events! You need to withdraw your support immediately.