There’s no shortage of colorful celebrations during Pride Month, but one apartment complex in Ohio just turned things up a notch, thanks to a good-humored and totally fabulous “gay-off” between neighbors. What started as a cheeky joke has blossomed into a hilarious (and incredibly wholesome) viral sensation that has TikTok laughing, voting, and celebrating queerness in the best way.
It all began when a man named Clay, who lives in an apartment building in Ohio, spotted something that caught his eye and maybe bruised his pride just a bit. His downstairs neighbors, Cara and Lauren, had laid out a very bold and very rainbow-y welcome mat. The mat’s message? “Gayest Place In Town.” Naturally, Clay, a proud gay man, took that as a friendly challenge.
“See, I don’t like that,” Clay joked in a now-viral TikTok clip. “I don’t like [it], because it implies that my place is not the gayest place in town.” Rather than stewing in silent competition, Clay decided to take things to the next level: he wrote a note to his neighbors, cheekily calling them out and proposing a full-blown “gay-off.”
“Hello downstairs Gay-bor(s),” Clay’s letter began. “I’m writing to let you know that I find your doormat to be extremely offensive. I personally believe that MY apt is the gayest place in town and I hereby challenge you to a gay-off.”
Cara and Lauren, who turned out to be a couple, were more than happy to accept the challenge. From there, the “gay-off” was officially on. Cue rainbow lights, over-the-top Pride decor, and daily updates from Clay as he documented the escalating (and glitter-filled) apartment rivalry.
The internet was quick to embrace the friendly feud. TikTok users flocked to Clay’s videos, choosing sides in the playful competition between “Team Gay-Boy” and “Team Lesbians.” And yes, the lesbians are currently in the lead. “Not surprising,” Clay said, admitting defeat with flair. “I really don’t stand a chance against two lesbians, but I’m gonna give it my best gay shot.”
What makes this story so delightful is the heart behind it. It’s not just about who can hang more rainbow flags or string up more twinkle lights. It’s about queer joy, connection, and celebrating Pride Month with a sense of humor and community. And honestly, it doesn’t get more Pride than that.
“I love this so much,” one person wrote.
“In the end, the real winners were the gay friends we made along the way,” another joked.
“Everyone assumed the other apartment belonged to a gay man and hoped for an ‘enemies to lovers’ situation,” Clay told Newsweek. “But I had a strong suspicion it was lesbians. I mean, I used to joke that the third floor was the lesbian floor.”
With the online world fully invested, some are even suggesting this could become a new Pride tradition not just in this Ohio building, but far and wide. We’re totally here for it. Whether it’s Clay’s fabulous energy or Cara and Lauren’s unbeatable teamwork, the whole saga is the kind of lighthearted LGBTQ+ content that makes the internet (and Pride month) so much brighter.
So, who will win this gay-off? That’s still up for debate, but one thing’s for sure — the real winner is all of us who get to watch the fun Ohio drama unfold.
Emma Taylor 
Sofia Bassett 
