Halloween is fast approaching, and if you’re a chaotic queer like I am, you probably are way behind on planning your queer Halloween costume. Fear not! We have a list of the most gag-worthy queer icons to channel this Spooky Season, so you can serve BOO (beauty, opulence, and ooh lala). From Frida Kahlo to The Babadook, we’re rounding up queer icons as inspiration to wow your fellow gays with your knowledge of queer pop culture. Keep reading if you’re ready to commit to the bit (if you’re not committing, you’re in the wrong place).
Stormé DeLarverie
Stormé DeLarverie was a no-nonsense butch lesbian who had no time for discrimination, or as she called it, “ugliness.” Born on Christmas Eve of 1923 in New Orleans to a Black mother and white father, Stormé burst into this world with a song in her heart. She picked up jazz singing at a young age and began performing in clubs around The Big Easy at only 15 years old.
She later went to Europe and eventually ended up in New York City. Folks in the queer scene in The Big Apple knew her for her sultry baritone voice and her enticing drag king performances. Some even believe she threw the first punch in Greenwich Village on June 27, 1969, kicking off the infamous Stonewall Riots.
To channel this jazz legend, you’ll just need a sharp tuxedo, a blonde, close-cut wig, and DeLarverie’s unforgettable stage presence that had audiences begging for more.
Bert and Ernie
Yes, Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street are gay. No, we will not be taking questions at this time. I mean, there is nothing gayer than eating cookies in bed with a fellow felt-boy, right? If you need further proof, the couple’s creator, Mark Saltzman said Bert and Ernie’s dynamic was inspired by his relationship with his life partner Arnold Glassman.
If you want to pull off this iconic couple’s costume, you’re going to need black wigs, striped sweaters, (or pajamas for bedtime Bert and Ernie), and face paint to achieve the duo’s signature orange and yellow hues.
Chappell Roan
This would not be a queer Halloween costume list without your favorite journalist’s favorite artist. The lesbian pop icon has so many looks to choose from, but the main ingredients for a Chappell costume are a red curly wig, rhinestones, over-the-top eye makeup, and of course, white face paint. If you’re going for iconic Chappell, I would suggest emulating her on The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess album cover. Thrift a blue prom dress and snag a pageant sash online, and you’re good (and HOT) to go. However, if you’re down for more of a challenge, I think her Lady Liberty look she sported at this year’s Gov Ball is the perfect opportunity to get neck-deep in green face paint and latex.
Sappho
Since Halloween is technically gay Christmas, it seems only fitting that we take this opportunity to pay homage to our lord and savior, Sappho. The OG lady-lover lived on the island of Lesbos (where we get the word lesbian from) around 600 B.C.E. Historians and poetry-lovers alike know her for her homoerotic lyrics and poetry where she spoke of her romantic entanglements with women. This costume will be sure to wow the Sapphic scholars at any Halloween shindig. Just grab a white sheet and a rope for the outfit, a lyre, and D.I.Y flower crown in the colors of the lesbian pride flag!
Peppermint Patty
Speaking of lesbian icons, we can’t forget to include Peppermint Patty from The Peanuts. While Charles Schultz never claimed Patty was a sapphic gal outright, many from the queer community have claimed the sport-loving tomboy as one of our own. She is outspoken, wears sandals and basketball shorts, and refuses to wear dresses. I say, at the very least, she is bisexual.
For Patty, throw on a striped, short-sleeved button-down in your favorite shade of green, athletic shorts, and Birkenstock sandals. Bonus points for carrying around a baseball bat. You could also totally make this a couple’s costume and have your partner dress up as Patty’s best friend (likely more than a friend), Marcie.
Brittney Griner
Dressing as the 2023 WNBA All-Star player is the perfect opportunity to show off your sportier side this Halloween (and garner the attention of many a femme). The Phoenix Mercury center is a three-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women’s national basketball team and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023. To execute a Brittney costume, you’ll need her jersey and maybe a few temporary tattoos for your arms. Maybe even bring a basketball with you to show off some of your mad skills?
Jojo Siwa
There is only one way to dress up as Jojo Siwa this Halloween, and that is by donning her “Karma” music video look. The Dance Moms star-turned-gay pop icon wowed us this summer with her new edgy look, breaking out of her signature high ponytail, bows, and bright colors. If you want to turn heads, look no further than Miss Siwa who apparently started “this new genre of music” called “gay pop,” as she told Billboard.
Just get a ton of rhinestones, black face paint, plenty of hair spray for her faux hawk, and of course a tight, black, long-sleeve leotard with leggings. To really commit to the bit, it’s probably best that you learn the dance too. If we’re going to do this, we might as well go all the way, right?
The Brat Album
If you don’t know who Charli XCX is, I really can’t help you. She gave us Brat summer. She gave us “Von Dutch.” She gave us life. Now, you could dress up as the queen of twinks herself with a skimpy little black number for a Halloween rave, no problem.
But if you wanted something a little more unique, just be the album itself. Get a neon green crop top, write “Brat” on it in black fabric paint, and carry around poppers with you. It’s really that simple. This is ideal for the last-minute planner. However, if you want to take this look a little further, I suggest buying a green Morph suit or leotard to fully embody the “Brat” album cover.
Bob from Bob’s Burgers
Did you know that Bob from the hit cartoon sitcom is bisexual? In the Thanksgiving episode “Turkey in a Can,” which originally aired November 24, 2013, Bob grows flustered when a male grocery store worker seems to proposition him. In response, Bob says, “I’m mostly straight.” I think all queer “Bob’s” lovers interpreted that statement as “I’m a little gay.”
Throw on a white apron, black clogs, a white tee-shirt, grey pants, and of course, a fake mustache. Bonus points if you can get your friends to dress as the rest of the family, because let’s face it, all of the Belchers seem at least a little queer, right?
RuPaul
Dressing up as a drag queen for Halloween is nothing new. In fact, many baby drag queens are born every year on All Hallow’s Eve as they try their hand at drag. So of course, you could be RuPaul with a big blonde wig, sky-high stilettos, and a killer gown. Iconic. Stunning. Cunty.
However, if you want to think outside of the box, you should be RuPaul out of drag. Snag a bald cap, a pair of glasses, and a sharp suit (preferably patterned or brightly colored), and you’ll be serving charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, hunty.
Trixie Mattel
If you want to go down the more traditional drag queen route for Halloween, Trixie is the way to go. The real-life Barbie will be easy to embody with basically anything pink and/or reminiscent of the 60s or 70s. The trickiest part will be nailing her signature black-and-white graphic eyeliner and tracking down a blonde wig that reaches the high heavens. Here is a helpful makeup tutorial from the queen herself.
To really nail your take on Trixie, learn the guitar (you still have a couple of days, don’t worry) and get one of her songs down, so you can serenade fellow Halloweeners.
The Babadook
If you don’t know, The Babadook is a titular character from the 2014 horror flick The Babadook. Honestly, I also view Babadook as a drag icon. Over the top headwear, super dramatic, petty, literally wrote a book about himself…it’s giving queen energy for sure. After debuting in theathers, the gays claimed him as one of our own as many resonated with his journey of pushing boundaries and literally just trying to exist (although he was also trying to terrorize a family which isn’t that #cute). If you want to serve a Babalewk this season, grab the biggest, most slay black top hat you can find, all-black clothing, a black cape, and lots of black and white face paint to get your mug beat. Get ready to have all your friends BabaSHOOK this Halloween.
Frida Kahlo
Finally, known for her deeply emotional self-portraits, Mexican folk art technique, and signature unibrow, Frida is an ideal costume for the moody gays who feel deeply (most of us). The magical realist was a bicon who often implemented themes of post-colonialism, gender, class, and race in her art, all topics that still resonate with the LGBTQ+ community today.
You’ll need plenty of flowers for your hair for Frida and a great brow pencil to nail her iconic unibrow. Head to a thrift store to snag an affordable peasant top or traditional embroidered Mexican-styled blouse and pick up a colorful floor-length skirt while you’re there. Then head over to GoodWill to find a monkey stuffed animal to affix to your shoulder, because we all know Frida loved her primate pals.
However, the costume that serves the MOST cunt is safety. So keep an eye on your drinks, don’t let your friends out of your sight, and party responsibly this Spooky season! Happy Halloween, GOMaggers!
