Every artist has that one “aha!” moment where the stage stops being a hobby and starts being a calling. What show or performance was that moment for you?
Aydin: I was obsessed with the show So You Think You Can Dance as a kid, and my parents would watch it when I was like 7 or 8. I would just dance around my house until my mom finally put me and my brother in dance lessons. He lasted about a year, and I… never did anything else. That was immediately what I wanted to do.
Aydin in Austin James Smither briefs and necklaceMatt Monath
Héctor: I’ve always wanted to dance growing up, but just like any Spanish parent, that’s not really a thing in the family. I come from old-school mentality-thinking parents. But I saw Legally Blonde on MTV from my house, and I just remember that was an “aha!” moment — not knowing that [Broadway Bares founder] Jerry Mitchell was the choreographer and director of the show. Then fast-forward to now… he was the guy that gave me my first Broadway show. He was directing On Your Feet!, but it was that show that I saw, and I wanted to do musical theater ever since.
Héctor in Chris Turk Swim briefs, Lotus and Luna bracelets; Curated Basics ringMatt Monath
Chris: For me, it was a student matinee of Alvin Ailey many, many years ago. It was the first time I saw myself reflected on stage as a dancer doing technical ballet. I just made a decision right then and there that that was what I was going to pursue as a career. And here we are 21 years later, and I’m still performing.
Chris in Tight Tams briefs; Chris Turk Swim necklaceMatt Monath
What is the significance of Pride for you this year?
Aydin: Pride is community. It’s always community for me. This year and every year, we need community, we need each other, we need to support each other and be behind each other, no matter where we come from or what we’re experiencing. It’s a struggle for all of us.
Héctor: I think Pride is not only joyous, right? I think… it’s about honoring the people that paved the way before us and making sure that the people after us don’t have the same struggles that we are all going through right now.
Close up of Chris Patterson-Rosso, Aydin Eyikan, and Héctor Juan Maisonet modeling swimwearMatt Monath
Chris: I used to hate Pride. I used to get so overstimulated by all the things that are happening in the city. And since I’ve been in the Bares family, it has really redefined how I see Pride. I really do now see it as a community and an opportunity to give back to those who are marginalized. And now I look forward to it every year because I’m like, “OK, here’s an opportunity for me to give back to the community at the ground level.” Now I love Pride. I’m so excited for it.
Close up of Chris Patterson-Rosso modeling Tight Tams briefsMatt Monath
Aydin: Year-round, I use my platform to often post about being gay. I feel like what’s interesting about Pride is… if you’re a young kid who is discovering your sexuality, seeing people post so specifically about visibility and representation — I think that’s what it’s really been about for me. We all love posting in a Speedo, but to do that and actually have a reason behind it and be like, “I’m gay, and I’m proud, and this is what I am, and here’s a rainbow behind me” for that little 8-year-old in Iowa who’s seeing that and maybe doesn’t even necessarily understand what that means, but knows that all these people they’re following are proud of who they are… I think that’s a big part of it for me.
Chris Patterson-Rosso, Aydin Eyikan, and Héctor Juan Maisonet model swimwear Matt Monath
talent
AYDIN EYIKAN @aydineyikan
CHRIS PATTERSON-ROSSO @cprgivesyoulife
HÉCTOR JUAN MAISONET @hectorjuan27
photographer MATT MONATH @mattmonath
digital tech MATTHEW JAMES ORTIZ @matthewjamesortiz
lighting tech SEQUOYAH WILDWYN-DECHTER @sequoyah.nyc
creative director MIKEY LOMBARDO @djmikeypop
stylist MARTIN GREGORY JEREZ @martin_gregory
stylist assistant LAM NGO @lamngw
grooming & makeup ANGEL GABRIEL @angelgabrielmakeup
videographer STUART SOX @sox_andthecity
location PLAYHOUSE BAR @playhousebarnyc/ playhousebar.com
Marco Calvani and Colman Domingo on the cover of Out magazine's May-June 2026 issue
This article is part of Out’s May-June 2026 print issue, which hits newsstands May 26. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue through Apple News+, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.
