Gay Old Time

This Christo-fascist wet dream of an administration may be literally stripping the accomplishments of Black, brown, indigenous and other people of color not to mention women and transgender people from federal history. But Sunday during primetime TV two big old queers are gonna gay it up in concert together for all of America to see. On CBS, of all places. During these oppressive, anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion times (I believe anyone who is against DEI should have to say they are against “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” out loud every single time they say they are against DEI), representation matters more than ever. Of course, not only are Elton and Brandi doing a primetime concert together, they’re releasing their album “Who Believes in Angels?” tomorrow as well. I feel like this era in Brandi’s career has been about collaborating and reinvigorating music icons. First Joni, now Elton. I love it all, and obviously the gayer the better. Make a joyous gay noise all over America’s Sunday nights, you two. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion makes beautiful music together, it turns out.

Dropped the Ball

Well, shit. I let this week get away from me. It’s been a busy work/life/everything time and I actually had posts ready to go but didn’t get a chance to post them. C’est la Late Stage Capitalism vie. As an apology here are the stars of Friday’s women’s Final Four in various tank top and tank-top accessorized uniforms (or, in Paige Bueckers’s GQ photoshoot case, bikinis masquerading as a tank top…). Admittedly, I only get really interested in these kinds of sportball things when championships approach. I’m a call-me-when-the-stakes-are-really-high fan, I guess. For women’s sports, that is. The only men’s sport I regularly watch is the Super Bowl, and that’s mostly for the mid-game concert. And with that, some real ballers.

UConn, Paige Bueckers #5

She heard Caitlin Clark bulked up in the off season, and is responding accordingly.

UCLA, Lauren Betts #51

I’ll be flying Air Betts after all these FAA cuts, thank you very much.

South Carolina, Chloe Kitts #21

In Dawn Staley we trust.

Texas, Madison Booker #35

Not to be outdone by Air Betts, Air Booker also seems highly reliable.

Who ya rooting for? I want to see UConn and South Carolina go at it for the championship, duh.

My Weekend Crush

Everyone is gayyyyyy. Fine, not everyone, but two-time Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey sure is. The gymnastic champion came out last week by hard launching her relationship with girlfriend Aimee Sinacola on Instagram. Oh, modern love and when to post the Insta official pics. Jade won the all-around gold at the 2020 (well, really 2021) Tokyo Games and team gold at the 2024 Paris Games. The 24-year-old is a student at Oregon State University and her girlfriend is the director of creative content for the University of Oregon's athletics department. So we’re talking intra-state rivals to lovers storyline here? Someone, take notes. I see a bestselling sapphic romance. Naturally, basically all of her “Golden Girls” Paris teammates rushed to congratulate her including Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee. So I’d say the hard launch was a success (and not just because that Emerald Mine Nazi Baby’s space company wasn’t involved…) Anyway, congratulations to the happy out couple. Good luck picking a Pacific Northwest college team to root for in that household. Happy weekend, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Severance Edition

Like, should I be watching “Severence?” I don’t subscribe to Apple TV+, so it’s kinda moot. I vaguely remember the chatter around the first season. But then three freaking years passed. But there has been even more chatter on the just completed second season. And I like seeing Britt Lower and Dichen Lachman (who I’ve appreciated since her “Dollhouse” days). I particularly like seeing them in suits. What? It’s Thursday after all. Right, what was the question? Oh yeah, “Severence?”

Cho on the Beat

I am ashamed to say I did not know Margaret Cho also made music. I mean, obviously I’ve seen her comedy before and sometimes that includes funny songs. But we’re talking full on pop, like music music. Which, good for her. Margaret recently released her third (third! album, “Lucky Gift.” And she has a new video out for the title song and I like it, which shouldn’t be a surprise because I have liked everything the Notorious CHO does, duh. The album also includes a tribute to fellow San Franciscan and comic the late Robin Williams with “Funny Man.” I’m thrilled to see Margaret keep evolving and keep creating. She is one of our best, most inclusive queer icons. And, damn, she looks great. Maybe she is our lucky gift.

A Moveable (Picture) Feast

One of the few things I’m looking forward to the most in 2025 is happening in 24 days. Am I putting a lot of pressure on one movie? Yes, but we’re talking Lily Gladstone and Kelly Marie Tran and Bowen Yang and Joan Chen and Youn Yuh-jung – who has a freaking OSCAR, people. I’m sure Han Gi-chan is cool, too. I just don’t know him yet. But I do know the movie’s many out and proud stars and clear allies like Joan and Yuh-jung. Again, am I putting high expectations on one movie? Yes, but also I’m thrilled to support a movie that had it been a person DOGE and that Orange Turd would have definitely tried to fire.

Music Monday: More Labour

Remember last year when we were all singing British singer-songwriter Paris Paloma’s “Labour” and then a few months later had actual hope we might smash the patriarchy by electing the first female president? Yeah. Well, at least the song still slaps. What can fairly be considered TikTok’s first feminist anthem, “Labour” continues to make us raise our voices, fists and conviction. So please enjoy this stirring rendition with the Resistance Revival Chorus on the late night with Stephen Colbert. And yes, that staging was meant to evoke The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. Happy Women’s History Month and Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Well this week got away from me. So I leave you with a quick hit, but a good hit. Here are Kate Winslet and Jodie Foster together (with a bonus Kate scowl photobomb). The actors were out supporting each other, and it seems they have had a mutual admiration society since at least 2010 when they starred in “Carnage” together. I will reserve comment on these prodigiously talented women working with some equally problematic directors over the years. It’s the weekend and you gotta let some of that shit go. How about this, they work together with an entirely unproblematic (preferably female) director instead? Problem solved. Happy weekend, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Next Gen Edition

I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a nice suit and possibly a tie. Let the children's impeccable suit game remind us how we want to be. I feel I’ve been a little bleak this week (I mean, how can I not be), but I am greatly encouraged to see our youth (read: 20something stars) embracing the menswear on the red carpet trend. The whole oversized full suit thing? Yeah, I like it. Life doesn’t have to be so complicated. Sometimes, just put on a suit and look hot. In this intentionally crashed economy? I’ll take whatever free joy I can get. Thanks to our Gen Z stars for making this Thursday just a little bit better, regardless.

Bella Ramsey, 21

Sadly, no suits in the apocalypse. Too bad because they look great.

Jenna Ortega, 22

Bring back zoot suits, period.

Paige Bueckers, 23

Like, her whole GQ photoshoot was straight out of “Bottoms.”

Renee Rapp, 25

Oops, she forgot her jacket. (No lesbian minds.)

Chappell Roan, 27

We already know she gets the job DONE. And bonus points for having millenial superstar Brandi in a suit next to you, too.

Molly Gordon, 29

So, no jacket and too much obvious Annie Hall. But I’ve gotta assume this was a tribute to Diane, not Woody.

Ayo Edebiri, 29

While the neckwear poses some logistic challenges, it still looks fly as hell (cause, it’s a feather…I’ll see myself out…)

Not So Rosie

Last week Rosie O’Donnell posted about her escape from America to Ireland. So now that’s two of our prominent queer celebrities, Rosie and Ellen (so celesbians to be specific), who have fled the country rather than live through Trump 2.0. And, while I 100% get the inclination to get the fuck outta Dodge – like, believe me, it has crossed my mind more than a few times – I also take some issue with our out public figures throwing up their hands and retreating into their privilege.

Because here’s the thing, the rest of us don’t really have that luxury. The rest of us are stuck here. And it is then up to the rest of us to both survive and try to fight for a better future.

I particularly take issue with Rosie saying:

“When you know it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”

Uh, so when other people have put in the hard work, rolled up their sleeves, taken to the streets, made sacrifices, risked their safety and put up a real resistance (no, not you establishment Senate Dems – the fuck with voting to pass the GOP spending bill), she is waiting until the dust settles and the fighting is over to come back? Cool.

When those with the most resources and potential power leave instead of joining the fight, it’s discouraging. And while I certainly get it, again – I’ve certainly entertained the idea and done a google search or two – it doesn’t feel great for those of us to have resigned ourselves to the struggle. And, yes, I know that Orange Turd and Rosie have history, and I put nothing past his vengeance campaign. But also nothing changes unless we do something, nothing changes unless we work for it, nothing changes unless we fight for it. Pride has always been a riot, and don’t you fucking forget it.

Become a Killah

I hardly ever watch Saturday Night Live actually live. But I made an exception for a certain host-musical guest combo a couple weekends ago (no, not you Timmy Chalamet…) And, well, the Lady did not disappoint. Plus, posting Next Gen Gaga followed by the Original Mother is giving (wait, is “giving” still something the kids say? They already abolished “slay!”)

Not only did she perform her back to her ra-ra, ah-ah-ah dance days hit “Abracadabra,” she also debuted the live version of “Killah.” Something about her unfettered performance, down to that primal fucking scream, just speaks to me in this moment. Like, it has a real 2018 Juliette Lewis “Can we be saved!?!” vibe to it that I feel deep within my everything. Save us, Lady Gaga! Or at least let us scream along with you. Can you believe it’s only Tuesday and he has only been in office for two damn months? Who has some drumsticks, I need to BEAT SOMETHING.

Music Monday: Keep on Giving

Look, I know this is only the lyrics video to Chappell Roan’s new single “The Giver.” But can we talk for a minute about the meteoric rise of this out and proud pop (and now country…) star? So, yes, an unrestrained malignant narcissist with a rapidly deteriorating brain is dismantling every public good in our nation and trying to erase particularly trans and other gender nonconforming people off the face of the planet. But you can’t put the joyful, inclusive chaos of queer identity back into the closet – try as they might. I particularly love how much Chappell’s label has hyped the new single, placing billboards all over and even in the Midwest Princess’s home state of Missouri. Anyway, the world is on fire and America can’t stop shooting itself in the foot. But at least we’ve got a song on the radio about lesbian topping with a beat that you can dance to. Happy another Monday in America, kittens.

My Weekend California Crush

And now, for your moment of zen. I moved to California more than 25 years ago from the Midwest and never looked back. Yeah, this state is big and complicated and so stupid expensive. But I never want to leave because, well, it’s California. (The greater United States, uh, that’s another matter.) Hearing Amanda Seyfried’s lovely dulcimer version of Joni Mitchell’s “California” makes me fall in love all over again – both with her butterfly-wing vibrato and this equally stupidly gorgeous Golden State. May you find your own California for yourself, wherever you may be. Happy California weekend, all.

Hacks for the Memories

Thank the universe that Deborah and Ava, everyone’s favorite age-gap frienemies, are back for a little well-needed distraction. The power dynamic between the two has never been more, well, dynamic. As Deborah starts her new late-night talk show with Ava as her blackmail-enthusiast head writer, the sparks are gonna spark.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not necessarily an Avorah shipper (that’s the portmanteau for some reason when “DeVa” was right there). I’m not necessarily adverse to it either. I’m kinda lesbian Switzerland about it. So not seeing too much in this trailer for Season 4 isn’t a worry. Ava is dressing gay enough (hello, suits, ties, whatever that brown thrift store pullover dealie was) for me to feel confident that we will be well represented this season. And by “we” I mean klutzy queer women who are bad at hitting on other women, obviously.

Plus, it looks like Deborah goes to what seems to be a gay dance club AND a strip club at some point. I’m all for later-in life experimentation. So, what Deborah/Ava shenanigans are you hoping for this season?