My Weekend Crush

Don’t worry, and thank heavens, this isn’t an in memoriam post. Instead it’s to commendation of sorts, to honor the courage it took for Natasha Lyonne to go public with her relapse. After a decade of sobriety, the actress took to Twitter (no, I’ll never call it that other thing) to talk about recovery as a “lifelong process.”

I’ve been a fan of Natasha’s for what seems like a lifetime. Even before “But I’m a Cheerleader,” I took notice of her in 1998’s “Slums of Beverly Hills,” her indie breakout role. And I’ve followed her along the way (Heck, I even remember her in that one “Blade” film”) and delighted at her TV renaissance with "Orange Is the New Black” to “Russian Doll” and “Poker Face.” Yes, we all kow she is the most gay not gay actress. But, I have accepted her heterosexuality, not that there’s anything wrong with that.

I think, during these very troubling, very enraging, very frightening times, we should all give ourselves grace. We may mess up. We may fall short of our own expectations. Be honest, but be gentle with yourself. So many of us are struggling in ways large and small, and too often unbearable ways. May Natasha find help and the right path back. We’re all rooting for ya, kid. Happy weekend, all.

Old Married Couple

Holy shit, can you believe it’s been 30 years since Susan and Carol got married on Friends? Earlier this month, to mark the episode’s Jan. 18, 1996 airdate, Carol actress Jane Sibbett posted about the anniversary while praising Susan co-star Jessica Hecht and saying “I am still so grateful that this testament to love in all forms touched the hearts of so many people around the world.” So much has changed in our popular zeitgeist since Susan and Carol walked down the aisle in the dowdiest lesbian wedding dresses ever as Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s lesbian sister Candace Gingrich officiated. And yet, here we are. With the powers that be intent on rolling it all back. But three decades later, we’re never going back. Fuck this fucking administration and everything it stands for. And happy 30th anniversary, Carol and Susan!

Ready to Get Baked

As bereft as I was when Mary Berry departed GBBO, I’ve grown to also adore Prue Leith and her bright colors and chunky necklaces. So as sad as I am to hear she too will be leaving the tent (especially given how great she looks in drag, hello!), her potential confirmed replacement is…well, let’s say we’re longtime fans at Ye Olde Blogge (or as the kids today say, “friend of the pod”). I mean, can you imagine the sheer volume of baking-based innuendos that this woman will conjure up? Sign the deal, these bottoms won’t soggy themselves! What? It’s Hump Day, we’re allowed to indulge in a little vintage Naughty Nigella.

Riding Off Into Gayer Sunsets

Well, shoot, now I feel pretty bad about not having started “The Abandons” yet. The Lena Headey-Gillian Anderson western drama has already been canceled. Though, I think I was right to be wary of series creator Kurt Sutter, who “departed” the project before the season was even finished filming. I certainly hope Lena and Gillian aren’t shouldered with this failure, instead of you know the problematic male “genius” who keeps getting second and third and fourth chances?

Though, truly, I needn’t worry about Lena. Because she has already rebounded in the gayest way possible. She has joined the cast of “Red, White & Royal Wedding,” the sequel 2023’s prince meets president’s son sleeper hit rom-com “Red, White & Royal Blue.” I thought that movie, with Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez as the aforementioned prince and First Son, was pretty cute. Also returning are Uma Thurman and Sarah Shahi, plus the sequel is being directed by Jamie Babbit of eternal sapphic fame thanks to “But I’m a Cheerleader.” As I was saying, gay!

Not to be outdone with the landing on her feet in the gayest way possible, Gillian has “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” alongside Hannah Einbinder coming out this year. Somehow its queer, trans, nonbinary director Jane Schoenbrun has managed to be entirely unproblematic while also being a genius. Funny how that’s possible, for some people. Crazy even.

Anway, I hope Lena and Gillian at least got to keep a couple of the hats.

Music Monday: Joy in a Hopeless Place

The United States is not a fun place to live right now. And, I know we haven't been great to be around either for our global neighbors, near or far. (Many of us are truly sorry about all of this, we absolutely loathe him too.) I fear things will get more cruel, stupid, racist and violent before they get better. I mean, they’re just shooting people in the street in broad daylight. So, we’re already in the bad place. I salute all the good people of Minnesota, particularly Minneapolis, for standing up for their neighbors.

Not to sound trite, but in these intensely distressing times – when as an individual it feels so hard to make a meaningful difference while at the same time knowing the only way out is if we all find ways to resist and repudiate what is happening in front of our eyes – we need joy. Joy has always been a form of resistance. Not joy without the work, but there’s something exquisite about finding joy in the face of those who hate your very existence.

Anyway, this is a long way of saying please enjoy the pure cathartic joy of the cast and crew of “Hamnet” dancing to Rihanna’s “We Found Love” to celebrate the end of filming. If you’ve seen the movie, you know they’d earned that moment (especially because I’ve heard they filmed that final scene last, which *low whistle*). I love the diverse body of work director Chloe Zhao has built, always with a contemplative eye and unhurried pace. Did I think “Hamnet” was a little too unhurried? I’m just saying, don’t eat a big meal before watching, otherwise you might find yourself lulled into an unplanned nap. But that ending? That moment. Yeah, like I was saying, find your joy. Take it where you can. Let it fuel us for the road ahead. Happy Monday, Kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Part of what makes living through this historical moment feel strange is the lack of response from so, so, so many. Yes, many dedicated activists and everyday citizens and good neighbors and decent people are holding the line and showing up when it matters. Looking especially at you, brave people of Minneapolis. But the fact that some of the most wealthy, most famous and most privileged among us have chosen to stay quiet or stick their heads in the sand? Shame. Truly, completely, shame. Now, I get it, some stars probably think it's better for celebrities to be seen and not heard. But fuck that. The stakes and realities of what this administration is doing are too high. We need everyone who can stand up to stand up. And now.

Which is why I keep highlighting those who do. Using your platform to say, “This is wrong, this is bad, this is unacceptable” seems like the very least our superstars could do at this moment. But given how few stars wore even the small, symbolic “Be Good” and “ICE out” pins were worn at the Golden Globes, we have a long, long silent road ahead.

Which is why it feels so refreshing that Billie Eilish has consistently used her platform and public appearances to register her dissent. From her acceptance speech for the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Award for Environmental Justice:

“To be honest, I really don’t feel deserving. And it’s very strange to be celebrated for working towards environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever given the state of our country and the world right now. We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped, resources to fight the climate crisis being cut for fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet, and people’s access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a new basic human right for all Americans. It is very clear that protecting our planet and our communities is not a priority for this administration. And it’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets.”

What’s happening right now in America is not OK. We are not OK. And we shouldn’t stop shouting it from the rooftops until everyone is OK.

Good thing I already love Billie’s music, because that right there is how you make me a fan for life. Keep fighting the good fight. Happy weekend, all.

Total Ballers

Yeah, yeah, the world has gone gaga for some hockey gays. But you know what I still can’t get over? Lesbian ballers. O, ALOTO, ALOTO, wherefore art thou, ALOTO?

So imagine my glee (no, not that kind, no one needs Gleek PTSD on top of everything else right now), when I heard that a new queer lady ballplayer show was in the works. “Slo Pitch” comes to us from Crave, the Canadian streaming service behind “Heated Rivalry.” We salute you, Canada, for your belief in equal opportunity queer sports representation. We’re so sorry about, well, everything. I mean, at least the sane among us are.

“Slo Pitch,” a comedy about lesbian softball players, actually started as a webseries. And now it will be a 10-episode series done in mockumentary style comedy which follows The Public Lass Brovaries, a queer underdog slow-pitch softball team. The show’s tagline is “Beer. Lesbians. Baseball.” I mean, what’s not to love?

Per the official synopsis:

“Welcome to the world of beer league sports, where Joanne Pico (Salgueiro) is to coach six-time league losers, The Public Lass Brovaries. Coach Joanne is dead set on turning things around this season despite having just been brutally dumped by her girlfriend and co-founder of the team. Throughout the summer, Joanne leads her lovable, chaotic crew through a season of strikeouts, petty rivalries, conservative-politician sponsors, and sexy carwash fundraisers gone wrong. With her ex now playing on a rival team, Joanne’s got a lot to prove this season. It’s time to win the breakup, get the gang back together, and maybe even find new love over beers in the dugout.”

You already had me at “Beer. Lesbians. Baseball.” Adding sexy carwashes almost seems unfair. Almost. But do it anyway, especially softball sexy style. So many wet tubesocks. *snort*

Jess Salguiero (who apparently is in the new “Frasier” reboot I barely realized existed and a couple episodes of “Orphan Black,” but honestly I’ve forgotten more of that show’s plot than I remember) stars at Coach Joanne. Emily Hampshire (a.k.a. Stevie “Are We Sure She’s Not Gay” Budd on “Schitt’s Creek”) also stars and is an executive producer and Elliot Page's PAGEBOY Productions is also behind the project.

I never watched the webseries, but have watched so many lesbian softball games in real life. So many. I don’t know if this will be the sapphics “Heated Rivalry,” but I do know the universe owes us a lesbian ballplayer show after doing us dirty with ALOTO.

A Hot Lesbian Action Movie

Does the world need a “hot lesbian action” movie by Zack Snyder? Probably not. Does the world need a “hot lesbian action” movie written by Tig Notaro by Zack Snyder? Definitely yes. Because if Tig can spin a whole movie out of “accidentally (going) viral for being sexy” then who are we to say no? Anyway, as a reminder, Tig was actually pretty darn sexy in that movie. The lesbian Tom Cruise comparisons were legit, plus come without the weirdo Scientology stuff! See, lesbians really are better. Anyway, I can’t say I love all Zack Snyder’s movies. And we’re already had our share of “Haha, there are lesbians in this!” movies (think “Lesbian Vampire Killers” and “Bitch Slap,” to name a pulpy few). Let’s hope whatever Tig and Zack dream up (which appears to be called “Deviants” and about some old-timey gay deviants) is more the latter than the former – on the lesbian pulp scale. Though I sincerely suggest they just consider renaming the film to “Hot Lesbian Action” because, truly, why would you not? Commit to the bit, and I swear it’ll pay off. That idea is free, Tig and Zack. You can thank me later. Or send me a screener, whatever works.

Tank Top Tuesday

You deserve some tank tops for making it to 2026. Heck, we all deserve a little treat for making it through the first year of The Orange Stain’s Administration 2.0. Let’s hope women are still allowed to show bare arms in tank tops a year from now. But the way things are going, well, better enjoy them while we can.

Katy O’Brian

The world needs more lesbian muscle mommies. And by world, I mean me.

Rhea Seehorn

I, admittedly, have not watched the lesbian alien dystopia show yet because I don’t have AppleTV+. But this tank top is making me want to figure out a way to watch anyway. A lot.

Melissa King

Cut-off denim vests fall under the Big Gay Tank Top Umbrella, duh.

Sarah Mclachlan & Katie Gavin

Two tank tops for the price of one and a pretty good Lilith Fair reboot start to boot.

Demi Moore

Look, if cut-off denim vests count, tuxedo dickies definitely count.

Lorde

The rare white tank and tightie whities combo I actually approve of.

Lena Headey

May we carry Lena’s flipping off the haters while rocking a tank top energy with us through 2026.

Music Monday: Hard Rain Falling

Released 63 years ago by Bob Dylan. Revived 37 years ago by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians for the Tom Cruise Vietnam War movie “Born on the Fourth of July,” Sung 10 years ago with haunting imperfection by Patti Smith at the Nobel Prize Award ceremony. I’d say it’s about time for a new artist to step in. Any takers, pop stars? Because the hard rain is falling, and we could all use some righteous music to help us find our way through it. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend (Wedding) Crush

Soccer stars Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis got married on New Year’s Eve and the party looked amazing and amazingly gay. The Aussie and American national team players’ nuptials also landed them a glossy photo spread in Vogue Australia, which is pretty cool considering the land down under only legalized marriage equality eight years ago. (Don’t get on your high horse, America, we’ve only had it two years longer.) I truly believe that the media helping to normalize our everyday lives – because we are just normal human people who fall in love, get married, raise kids, go to work etc. etc. etc – has been key to the gains LGBTQ+ people have made toward full civil rights. Which comes from the hard work of activists over the years demanding their basic rights and moving culture forward. But, as always, those who wish we didn’t exist and were never seen remain relentless. So congrats to Sam and Kristie, the happy couple and new masc/femme wedding dream board inspo role models for sapphics everywhere.

But, seriously, how cute are they? And the tux? Low whistle.

Mazel tov, ladies. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. Posting wedding videos? See, gays really are just like everyone else.

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The Golden Wandas

I know I said I’d write about the Golden Globes, but honestly I thought they were pretty meh. Part of this is because so few celebrities took the opportunity, international attention and enormous platform to say something, anything about the cruelty and craziness unfolding all around us. Yes, there were notable exceptions (see, this is why we stan Jean Smart, Wanda Sykes and Natasha Lyons. You too, Mark Ruffalo – but you’re a straight white man so truly more of your brethren need to start showing up).

I don’t have any feelings about “One Battle After Another” yet because I haven’t watched it, though I do have mostly sleepy feelings about “Hamnet” (which moved at a glacial pace before packing a surprisingly emotional punch at the very end). I was also pleasantly surprised by Nikki Glaser’s return hosting gig, mostly because of her dig at the Bari Weiss-ified CBS News. But I really loved Wanda Sykes. Leave it to the queer Black woman to speak the most truth to the powerful and privileged in the room. I mean, she roasted Bill Maher and Ricky Gervais to their faces (well, Ricky wasn’t there – but you know he heard that). The best part of the night, by far, was that after Gervais inexplicably won, Wanda followed through on her threat to thank “God and the trans community” on his behalf. Be more like Wanda, Hollywood.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Girl

I’m pretty burned out on superhero movies. At this point, it’s almost impossible to keep track of them all – and honestly why would I? But female superhero movies? Yeah, we can still count those on one hand. And you’d better believe I’m going to watch one that has a female superhero, a female sidekick and a dog. Plus, I’m pretty sure crushing on Helen Slater in “Supergirl” and “The Legend of Billie Jean” is one of my roots. So I’m hyped to watch Milly Alcock kick a bunch of dudes asses (and in a trench coat, no less). Look, sometimes the appeal of a movie is simple for me. Strong lady smashes bad guys. OK, where’s the popcorn.

Foster the Future

In the midst of all the needless misery of this world and our increasingly unhinged Christo-fascist government, you still deserve nice things. I know, seems trite. But I can’t tell you how much better it made me feel listening to Jodie Foster speak for 13 minutes about her past roles and life with Variety. [Hat tip, Karen!] You can also read the accompanying highly engaging feature about her in the magazine, where she addressed that Golden Globes acceptance speech and seemingly everything else. For a famously private person, it’s entirely candid yet still entirely her.

What I like about the video, besides the glory of 63-year-old Jodie being confidently herself, is how gay it is. If you were here from the beginning, you know exactly how welcome and earned it feels for Jodie to embrace her queerness at this point in her journey. Plus, how great was it to hear her talking about clocking Kristen Stewart as her mini-me/a baby gay, and then saying “I have never enjoyed being stuck in a closet with a person in my life so much as Miss Kristen Stewart as a kid.” So gay! And then for her to reveal she knew Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll – the real-life subjects of “Nyad” – well before she had signed on for the movie from Christmas parties and barbecues. Yeah, at LESBIAN Christmas parties and LESBIAN barbecues. They’re lesbians, Stacey. Here’s to getting older, wiser and gayer, just like Jodie.