In the gay world, Halloween is a time when people can dress up in hyper-specific costumes inspired by niche pop culture references. These costumes range from viral memes, song lyrics, reality TV scenes, celebrity interviews, AI generated images, and objects from films. One particular platform, X, showcases these unique costumes with signature posts that describe the costume, show a photo, and provide a reference.
For example, Dylan Guerra attempted to create a costume fusing Marvel’s “Madame Web” with a “Survivor” contestant but ended up dressing as a female Oompa Loompa. Similarly, Gabe Bergado embodied viral moments like the Four Seasons baby video and the “Last Gasp” challenge from “Survivor.” Queer couples, like Motti and their girlfriend, also embraced niche costumes, with Motti creating a passenger seat costume to complement their girlfriend’s pop star outfit.
The trend of niche costumes has become popular online, with individuals showcasing their creativity and humor. Holly West, a theme park performer, put together a last-minute costume as the young girl from a viral Vine video, garnering over 3.6 million views on X. The LGBTQ community has been credited with driving the trend, as they are observant and quick to hop on trends, contributing to online culture. The concept of “gay Halloween” stands out from traditional Halloween costumes, with individuals finding joy in celebrating unique and niche references.
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