Another Gaycation

Everyone’s favorite tiny Canadian is back and as gay as ever. Ellen Page’s documentary series “Gaycation” returns for its second season. While it’s glib name, it’s actually a pretty fascinating and often quite moving look at gay culture around the world (and a little closer to home). The new season includes a special episode dedicated to Orlando and the Pulse Nightclub shooting. I won’t lie, it’s hard to watch. But it’s also worth watching. And, you can watch the whole thing right now because it’s available to stream right now. The season kicks off in earnest Sept. 7 on Viceland.

Back to the Sexist

You might have already seen this classic 1975 clip of Helen Mirren shutting down a sexist jerk. Like, he actually asks if she can be a serious actress with big boobs. Like, for real. Like, yeah. (Said sexist jerk, it should be noted, is famed British talk show host Michael Parkinson – who, it should also be noted – is still on TV.) It’s fun to look at a clip like this and chortle at our past stupidity. But the thing about that is while some things have indeed improved, too much also remains the same. Actresses still face inane questions that would never get slung at their male counterparts. And women in general still face real obstacles at home, in work, in government, on the streets – you name it.

Which means 41 years after Helen Mirren had to deal with a sexist jerk belittling her abilities (and ogling her assets), female celebrities are still having to deal with the same sorts of bullshit. And these are women with power, money and fame. Pity the rest of us without.



But, don’t tell men (or Republicans) this. According to a new Pew Research Center poll, that sexism remains a big problem. The majority of men (56 percent to be exact) think “obstacles that made it harder for women to get ahead are largely gone.” Compare that the 34 percent of women who believe the same thing. So the headline here is: Horray, Ladies – Sexism Is Over, Says Men. And when you get political, 68 percent of Democrats believe “significant obstacles still make it harder for women to get ahead than men,” whereas only 35 percent Republicans believe the same thing. Le sign.

Sure, sexism is over. Vote this November, ladies. Because 240 years of non-sexism won’t solve itself.

The Lesbian Vagenda

As gay ladies, we all know that the Vagenda of Manocide is pretty much our thing. Like, we kind of have the whole market cornered on hating men and whatnot. But, for this election, I think we can all agree to lend out Vagenda to Hildabeast Clinton – just this once. I mean, she has earned it what with being the The Beast and all. I, for one, cannot wait until Hillary assumes the presidency and Manocide becomes the law of the land. Then finally all of us loyal spawns of Lucifer herself will be at our rightful place by her side as the New World Matriarchy comes into power. I mean, Obama has already sent an army of lesbian farmers to destroy rural communities. So, clearly, our time is coming. Long live the Vagenda! Manocide forever!

p.s. This sign is real, and this business has a history of putting terrible things up on its billboard.
p.p.s. Vagenda of Manocide is the best name for a metal band I have ever heard.
p.p.s. Clearly, I want it on a T-shirt.
p.p.p.s. Luckily, the NCLR is selling its own "Lesbian Farmer" T-shirts already.
p.p.p.p.s. Visit vagendaofmanocide.com immediately, if not sooner.

My Weekend Crush

A beautiful cover story featuring Gina Rodriguez for Latina magazine is wonderful enough. But then it’s a beautiful cover story featuring Gina Rodriguez for Latina magazine featuring her new, super hot undercut. And then you find out it’s a beautiful cover story featuring Gina Rodriguez for Latina magazine featuring her new, super hot undercut and talking about her role as a lesbian character in a new sci-fi film. Holy Christmas morning, Batgirl!



While I am still shamefully behind on “Jane the Virgin,” I am unfailingly loyal fan of Gina’s. And her Latina feature only reinforced my fangirl feelings for her. Also, did you see the part where I said Gina Rodriguez is playing a lesbian character in a movie? It’s for the upcoming sci-fi film “Annihilation” which will also star Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Gina said this about the film to Latina:

“It’s about five women who are going into the Shimmer, an entity that’s starting to destroy the world. So we’re trying to stop it. We have guns, we’re doing some badass stunts and it’s a brilliant storyline. I play Anya Thorensen, a paramedic from Chicago who happens to be a lesbian and an ex-addict going into the Shimmer to be the hero that she’s kinda always wanted to be.”

Also, also – she shaved her head for the role.



Yep, sometimes life is just an embarrassment of lesbian riches. Not often, but sometimes. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. Here is her behind-the-scenes video from the shoot. See the undercut in motion.

And Then There Were Eight

And then there were eight. After the names of the first seven actresses in talks for the new all-female spinoff to “Oceans Eleven” were reported, we rejoiced. And now, with the reveal of the eighth, we go full tilt bananas. Deadline reports that out actress and all-around awesome lady Sarah Paulson will be the final piece in the “Oceans Eight” puzzle. Can I get a hell yeah? HELL YEAH. When we were speculating on who it should be a lot of great names were thrown out by y’all, including Paulson. But now that it seems to be happening it is somehow even more wonderful. My most fervent hope is that Sarah’s character will be both gay and have a chance to do her ridiculously amazing dolphin impersonation at some point.

Jodie, Can't You See

Please enjoy a dramatic reading of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” which if I am being totally honest with myself and the universe is my favorite Britney song of all time and I still sometimes like to jam out to. Do kids today still jam out to stuff? Anyway, here is Jodie Foster doing a deadpan reading of “Toxic.” I kind of wish they’d just let her stony-face emote solo because – as much as I think Priyanka Chopra is great – she is basically just singing the song straight-up karaoke style. But then, as you know, I’ve always had a thing for Jodie Foster. So I will take all of her and her bemused crystal-blue eyes that I can get.

Corgi Days of Summer

It was a long day and you deserve this. You really, really deserve this.

Cate Attack

You know sometimes how you come back to work after a weekend of blissfully not working and things start out great and then quickly it all goes wrong? That’s kind of like what I felt watching this Massive Attack video. At first it was like getting back to you desk, sinking into the seat and saying, “Right, good, I know how to do this.” Of course, how could you not enjoy this? It’s Cate Blanchett’s beautiful face. And then you log on and your network password has to be reset because your company makes you change your system password like once every three damn days. Fine, so something looks a little weird with Cate’s face. But, no biggie. Wasn’t she just the dreamiest in “Carol.” Now you’re just staring into space and thinking about “Carol” for 20 minutes. Oh, right, back to reality. Jesus, what’s happening now? You’ve been locked out of the system and need to call tech support. What is this happening to her face? Is that even her face? I’m scared guys, really, I’m scared. And finally, boom, it’s the blue screen of death and the back of your terminal is smoking. Dammit, see, this is why we can’t have nice things. Why a person would a person ever do this to Cate’s face? Why? Why? WHY DID I EVEN GET OUT OF BED? I COULD HAVE JUST CALLED IN SICK AND WATCHED “CAROL” AGAIN. And that’s how I feel about this video.

p.s. On the plus side, it was actually lovely to hear Hope Sandoval (you know, the “Fade Into You” girl from Mazzy Star) again.

My Weekend Scream

The yell. The primal scream. The full-throated roar. The joyous exaltation into the supertemporal maw of existence. There’s something so fundamentally human about yelling – like all-out, top-of-one’s-lungs, ear-splitting yelling. And when it’s done from a place of deep exertion, enjoyment, encouragement, well – there’s nothing else like it. One of the things I love most about watching the Olympics is it is one of the few places where men’s and women’s sports are treated equally – or at least more equally. Men and women both earn medals, men and women both reach the pinnacles of their sports, men and women both bring glory home for their countries. A gold medal is a gold medal is a gold medal. And the thrill of victory, that has no gender. The Olympics – and sports in general – is also one of the few places women are allowed to scream their damn heads off. To be heard. To be celebrated. To be fucking loud. So here is an ode one of the most primordial and satisfying ways of expressing ourselves. Scream it out, scream it proud, ladies. Happy weekend, all.

SGALGG: Olympics Edition

I’m sorry, did you want me to post about something other than the Olympics during these scant two weeks that only happens once every four years? Sorry, too bad. That’s clearly not happening. You also probably should have guessed that a SGALGG Olympics Edition was coming. Because of the record number of out athletes (both national and lots and lots of international), I will temporarily rename this Sporty Gals Acting Like Gay Gals instead of “Straight.” Indeed it seems SGALGG is epidemic across seemingly all sports. So please enjoy all these hugs – with and without their legs – in “friendship.” All I do is present the evidence. You decide.

p.s. And yes, that’s Team Sweden celebration after beating the U.S. women. I’m still not over it. But, sniffle, congrats Sweden.

Kayak

Gold medal winner Maialen Chourraut of Spain and bronze medal winner Jessica Fox of Australia congratulate each other/begin a make-out session.

Canoe

Apparently, make-out sessions in boats is an Olympic thing.

Beach Volleyball

Yes, I know I complained about their skimpy outfits. But I never said we couldn’t appreciate them.

Rugby

Already, it is my new favorite Olympic women’s sport. And they also appear to be pretty good at square dancing.

Basketball

Oh, to be the ham in that long, tall sandwich.

Soccer

Multi-level hugs are where it’s at.

Field Hockey

Not to be outdone, field hockey has group hugs…


…and clothes-line hugs…


…and, my personal favorite, butt hugs.

Rowing

Rowers prefer slow dancing.

Handball

More like handsy ball, amirite?

Boxing

Come on, ladies. Kiss and make up.

Pairs Rowing

See, that’s how it’s done.

Bonus SGALGG:

You guys, YOU GUYS. You probably already know all about the great sportswoman moment between US runner Abbey D’Agostino and New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin that happened in the 5,000-meter heat the other day. The Olympic spirit is indeed alive and very well in these two. But did you know that, in my mind, this is the beginning to the greatest meet-cute story every told? In my version their inevitable love story gets turned into an adorable rom-com and we all see it in the theaters 20 times and then buy the movie so we can rewatch whenever we are feeling a little blue while saying every line along as it plays to swoon one more time. Yeah, it’s like that. But, really – after seeing these photos – can you blame me?

FU, too!

One of the things – one of the many, many things – that bugs me about American Olympic coverage on TV is how fixated NBC get on certain narratives and how unwilling they are to deviate from their preconceived notions of what will make a “good” story. That mindset gave us endless – and I mean E-N-D-L-E-S-S shots of Michael Phelps and his fiancée and their baby. We get it – a man can be the so-called best Olympian ever and have a super hot fiancée and have a baby who wears noise-cancelling headphones all at the same time. Amazing! We also got to watch every single one of his medal ceremonies in primetimes, but somehow Simone Manuel’s historic (and tear-filled – there’s something in all our eyes, shut up) ceremony only gets shown as an afterthought hours later.

It’s also why sports where America doesn’t excel often get short shrift in coverage. Want to watch badminton? Archery? Kayak? Women’s weightlifting? Good luck finding them. I hope you have a ton of room on your DVR so you can fast-forward through endless hours of men’s volleyball, men’s water polo and every damn heat of swimming/track possible to find a couple minutes squeezed in between of the neat, weirdo sports.

In the same vein, our home team focus means we often ignore great international stories. Like NBC didn’t even mention the first marriage proposal of the Olympic Games (you know, the adorable Brazilian ladies). Nor did they air anything about 100 meter backstroke Olympic medalist and new Internet darling Fu Yuanhui. Which leads me to the point in this long, winding gripe.

Fu Yuanhui is someone I would never know about if it wasn’t for The Internets. She is a Chinese swimmer and backstroke specialist and – based on all empirical evidence available – a most delightful goofball. After doing well in her 100m backstroke semi-final, the swimmer gave the most wonderfully effusive interview. Like, it’s such a delight. Please watch this three times in a row and then we’ll chat about it.



I know. I know!

And now, watch how she reacts after the 100m backstroke finals. She gets out of the water to do her interview and doesn’t realize she has tied for third and gotten a bronze medal. Side note: Can someone get her some prescription goggles? I think she can’t see the scoreboard.



And then after her team placed fourth in the 100m medley relay, she confessed to interviewers that perhaps she didn’t swim her very best because she was on her period. And it made news because – gasp, shock – did you know female athletes sometimes get their periods? Yeah. Who knew.



Anyway. When an athlete, regardless of her country, is so charismatic, unfiltered and just plain fun, it seems crazy to not share her with the world. So enjoy.