Friday, May 31, 2019

My Weekend Dorothy

I realize last month I missed my 13th blogiversary last month (April 24, to be exact). My, how the years have flown by. So it only seems fitting to give a little love to the woman who inspired the name who inspired the blog who inspired all Friends of Dorothy the world over. I don’t know whether “Judy” will do the inimitable Judy Garland justice. But I am pretty curious to see how Renee Zellweger does giving it the old post-collegiate try. Plus, who can’t listen to “Over the Rainbow” once or twice or infinity times more? I mean, it is almost Pride month, after all. Happy weekend, all.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Gender Fuck Gentleman

I have lots of feelings about “Gentleman Jack.” Mostly I feel delighted this very detailed and completely unique historical lesbian drama exists - and was just renewed for a second season. I also feel rather swoony about Suranne Jones’s unapologetic swagger as Anne Lister. But then there’s a part of me that also feels - a little too frequently for my liking - cringey as I wait for the historically accurate homophobia to happen.

Now, some of this is because this is a 19th Century story mired in the realities of the time it is being told. But a lot of the cringing is because I’ve found myself more and more wanting to watch stories about LGBTQ people – even historical pieces – without knowing some form of inevitable homophobia will happen. While it is still important to tell the stories of our coming out and stories of the very real misery, injustice and violence that has befallen our community, we grow weary of those being our only stories.

It’s like, “Yes, I Know This Is The Bad Place, But Can I Lady Get A Happy Story Just This Once?” (This, as I’ve mentioned, is part of the reason I loved “Booksmart” so much.)

The good news is, I have some faith in Sally Wainwright’s smart storytelling (yes, yes, I understand there are lingering “Last Tango In Halifax” resentments). I trust that the writers will not let the homophobia be the only thing driving Anne and Ann’s love story, but just another unfortunate obstacle to overcome. So I will try to get over my reflexive fear of being narratively gay bashed, and just enjoy this epic, sweeping, first-of-its kind lesbian historical romance. (Yes, yes, I know I can just read up on Anne Lister’s real-life journals to see how it all turns out - but I’m being told a story…)

So while, yes, the real (and on-screen) Anne Lister is a bit of a classist snob (like, how can she hate a man who sells carpet that much, ahem), she is also an entirely relatable lesbian woman. I mean who hasn’t wanted to storm about in nice pantsuits, push around a bunch of mediocre white men, make-out with her (way too mousy) girlfriend who happens to have the same first name (I told you, relatable lesbian storyline is relatable), and get a fair price for her coal. Well, you know, mostly relatable.


Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Booksmart Review: A+++

Well, now that was, fun, wasn’t it? I hope you took a little time out of your long holiday weekend to go see “Booksmart.” The teen comedy opened wide in an unusual move for an indie film with a largely unknown cast. And, as one might expect, it did not fare too well against the Avengers and John Wicks and Aladdins of the world. But, still, an $8.7 million opening for a movie with two female leads, no big household names, and a word-of-mouth heavy marketing campaign is not too shabby. In other words, yes, Hollywood – you can make money with a female-fronted, female-directed, female-written film. Like, duh.

One of the other things I love about “Booksmart” is not it so effortlessly shifts our pop culture paradigm. On its surface, this is your standard do-something-for-a-big-life-event teen hijinks movie. Find a date before prom. Get laid on spring break. Amy and Molly are nerdy kids who just want to go to one epic high school party before graduating. Along the way they encounter an array of seemingly standard teen movie characters: the jock, the mean girl, the wannabe, the stoner, the slut, etc. etc. etc.

Yet instead of giving us the expected victory of the "good guy" nerds over the "bad guy" popular clique, everyone gets to win in their own way with “Booksmart.” Like in life, people are always more than their labels. Notice how much more interesting, not to mention inclusive, a story gets when everyone is allowed at least some agency. It also gives more people the opportunity to be in on the joke, instead of the butt of one. So instead what could have be just another silly teen comedy is all the better for allowing us to see the humanity, in all its messy and hilarious glory, of all these characters and allow it to resonate with more people.


While we’re talking about glory, can I get a halle-freaking-lujah for an LGBTQ storyline that has nothing to do with coming out or homophobia/transphobia? The seminal coming out storyline will never go away, it’s essentially the first-love narrative of all LGBTQ people. But it is beyond refreshing to get to see the shared normality of our lives reflected as well. Gay people have crushes, like everyone else. Lesbians have awkward first times, just like everyone else. The more kinds of stories we’re allowed to tell – beyond those centered on our identity – the better.

And, finally, it would be criminal for me not to tell you that Billie Lourd’s Gigi alone is worth the price of admission. The rest of the movie justifies the large buttered popcorn, box of Junior Minits, pack of Twizzlers (don’t @-me you weirdo Red Vines people) and extra-large Icee.



p.s. Did you know Beanie Feldstein (a.k.a. Class President Molly) is dating a woman in real life? And is also Jonah Hill’s Sister??

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Tank Top Terminator

It is Tuesday and we have not been annihilated by robots yet. So I think that deserves some tank tops. And that definitely deserves Mackenzie Davis kicking ass and taking names (and deflecting steel with her freakin’ forearm) as a new (I guess) kind of Terminator. And, oh yeah, that certainly deserves seeing Linda Hamilton back as everyone's bazooka-totting daddy. Three strong (and I mean strong) female leads, one incel-looking Terminator and one grizzled former governor of California all in one movie? Yes, yes I will watch the hell out of this - and not just for the tank tops. But, you know, they help.

p.s. I can't be the only one picking up some serious girlfriend vibes between Lady Maybe Terminator and Not Sarah Connor?

Monday, May 27, 2019

Marvel-ous Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, just a little tribute to my favorite fictional members of the armed service. That of course is Captain Carol Danvers (a.k.a. Capain Marvel) and her lovely wife Captain Maria Rambeau, and their child Monica. What? Marvel said they were going to announce someone in its cinematic universe is gay. I just wanted to tell them they don’t have to, we know. And Captain Marvel and her wife and child are doing great, thanks.

Friday, May 24, 2019

My Weekend Crush

I cannot express in words how excited I am about “Booksmart.” Something as familiar as the teen coming-of-age comedy, a buddy movie, a story of outsiders, but being told in a way that refreshes and rejuvenates the well-worn tropes as a reminder that new and diverse eyes are needed if you want to see new and diverse stories. Anyway, have I mentioned I’m excited about “Booksmart?” Because I am. Happy I’m going to go see “Booksmart” weekend, all.

p.s. Here are the first six minutes, in case you want to get a head start.


Thursday, May 23, 2019

What the L

TV: Hey, that show we made about you lesbians is coming back.

Me: Cool, I think.

TV: Yeah, we decided to call it “The L Word: Generation Q.”

Me:



TV: Hey, lesbians, your show is coming back!

ME: Oka….

TV: We know letters are your people’s thing, so we subtitled it “Generation Q!”

Me:



Me: It's going to be crazy to see The L Word back on TV this fall.

TV: Right? Also we renamed it Generation Q.

Me:




TV: Whatever, you hated that Betty theme song, but you still watched me all six seasons. You know you're gonna watch Generation Q, too.

Me:



Universe:



Me:


Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Do You Take This Gay Rat?

Sometimes I feel like writing long, detailed treatise about the continued need to fight for complete LGBTQ rights in America. And sometimes I just feel like telling you that a public television station in Alabama refused to air an episode of a popular children’s cartoon because a fictional rat character and a fictional aardvark character, who happened to both be male, got married. Because, uhhhh… God made a fictional male rat named Adam and a fictional female aardvark named Eve, not a fictional male rate named Adam and a fictional male aardvark named Steve – you fucking perverts.

I also just feel like telling you that last week for the first time in United States history one of the branches of government passed a bill fully protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations. Not one single Democrat voted no, but 173 Republicans sure did. And now the Republican-controlled Senate probably won’t even give it a vote. So, you know, never tell me again how the two parties are exactly the same, and one is no better than the other.

Anyway, just a reminder that conservatives believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and really all queer people are so terrible that children and the general public must be shielded from seeing even fictional cartoon animals of the same gender demonstrating their love and commitment to one another in the form of a marriage. And conservatives also believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and really all queer people are so terrible that everyone should be allowed to discriminate against them whenever they want for whatever reason they want. These are the things they believe and the ways they vote. And they’re proud of those votes and those beliefs. But, you know, it’s us queers who are the terrible people.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Same Old Thrones

Well, for a thing that started with Ice and Fire that sure ended on a blandly bureaucratic note. Like, who would have through after eight long years, numerous kings and queens, endless betrayals and countless innocent lives lost that the Iron Throne would be decided because of…electability? Yeah, you know, the male candidate with the best story. Nothing to do with gender or the patriarchy. Just, you know, a likable story. I’d totally vote for a female Queen of Westeros, just not that female Queen of Westeros.

Yes, a show that dared us to soar with the dragons has ended with a king no one wanted, who isn’t even really a person, but darn if he doesn’t have a good story. And have we mentioned that he is a he? Remember, “ Men decide where power resides, whether or not they know it.” I mean, they even wrote that directly into the dialogue – unironically. Men. Decide. Where. Power. Resides. OK, got it, fellas.

You can practically hear Benioff and Weisss saying, “Look, I like Warren Sansa, too. But it’s too much to have her rule all Seven Kingdoms right now. Especially after the Hillary Daenerys debacle. We don’t want another Trump Joffrey, do we?”

Also, can we talk about Tyrion Lannister embodying the maddening ability for straight white men to fail up? He served as hand for King Joffrey Baratheon. King Joffrey Baratheon: Dead. Served as hand for Queen Daenerys Targaryen. Queen Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, Lady of Dragonstone, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons: Dead.

And now he gets to be Hand of the King for Bran the Broken, too? And while we are at it, why would all those Lords and Ladies listen to a prisoner who is literally in chains in the first place? (While laughing uproariously at the idea of democracy, pish-posh unwashed rabble!)

Cool story, bro. Well, at least Sansa got The North and Arya peaced out of the narrative entirely.

In giving us a neat and tidy bureaucratic ending to the Game of Thrones, the writers have decided their story was strong enough to transcend the times it was told in. But, here’s the thing, it isn’t. I’ve read a couple round-up of reviews of the “Game of Thrones” finale and I’ve noticed an undeniable trend. Men seem OK with it. Women are pissed. Because the world we live in continues to have men decide where power resides – right down to controlling our bodies and our uteruses. Politics is always personal, and intricately intertwined with our entertainment.

We have invested almost a decade in Daenerys and Sansa and Arya and Brienne and Yara and even Cersei freaking Lannister. We thought a world where dragons painted shadows across the sky and wolves strode like stallions through the wilderness and a woman would not be burned no matter how big the stake that anyone could rule. But, you see, men decide where power resides. So, in the end, it was the same old game after all. The Patriarchy is alive and doing extremely well in Westeros.

It’s not easy to see something that’s never been before. And Game of Thrones decided not to even try.

Monday, May 20, 2019

Music Monday: Kacey Edition

Look, sometimes life – and the GOP – just get you down. You know, Republicans just really subjugate you to second-class status, remove your bodily autonomy and police your vagina. Like, who wouldn’t feel a little blue realizing that Alabama specifically rejected an exemption for rape or incest because, a woman’s suffering is nothing compared to the potential of the lump of cells growing inside of her. I mean, what if it grows up to be a straight white man? Anyway, all these terrible – and terribly illegal – so-called “heartbeat bills” are designed to be heat seeking missiles for the Trump/McConnell/Kavanaugh Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade once and for all. I mean, it’s enough to make a lady want to have a gun surgically inserted into her womb – because then at least conservatives would maybe think twice before regulating it.

Anyway, we must and will continue to fight this rollback of women’s rights (and the continued assault on immigrants, Muslims, POC, the disabled, LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities because this administration is indeed that hateful). What else can we do? But, at least for a little bit, take some time to yourself. Self care is key to resistance. So why not follow our gal Kacey Musgraves’s advice to “roll up a joint – or don’t” and let yourself distress from an unquestionably stressful past week to be a woman (or any person with empathy and a desire for bodily autonomy) in America. I can only assume that’s what Kacey did when she made this visual video for “Oh, What a World” complete with its Geocities-era graphics and majestic centaur doppelgangers. I’ve loved Kasey since she told everyone to “Follow Your Arrow.” I suggest watching this video on a loop until everything melts away. I also highly recommend the rest of Kacey’s Grammy-winning album “Golden Hour.” While it wont’ cure what ails America, it certainly helps heal the soul a little. Unplug, get weird, and come back stronger, kittens.

Friday, May 17, 2019

My Weekend Crush

Yep, I am gayly watching the hell out of this. So now that we have a trailer for the new “Batwoman” series on The CW. And it’s...good. It’s pretty darn good. Also gay. So very gay. Like, have we ever seen such a kickass out butch heroine leading a show? Despite all the initial misgivings about Ruby Rose’s acting abilities, her physicality is unquestionably great here (and, well, that swagger ain’t bad either).

But what makes me most encouraged is the female pedigree behind the new show. “Vampire Diaries” alum Caroline Dries serves as showrunner. And one it writers is none other than Natalie Abrams (former TV journalist turned TV writer), who happens to be the wife of former AfterEllen (in the good old days) writer Snoodit. It’s a small (and super gay) world after all.

So, bring it Batwoman. I’m 100 percent here for an awesome, hilarious, handsome butch badass who does not let a man take credit for a woman’s work. Happy Batwoman weekend, all.

p.s. So very very (very, very, very) nice to see you, Rachel Skarsten/Alice/Tamsin.

p.p.s. I also super relieved that it looks like Kate Kane’s love interest won’t be fridged in the first episode, but rescued by our Bat shero instead. (I hope, don’t let me down, show…)

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Gender Fuck Thompsons

Tessa Thompson in a suit? Check. Emma Thompson in that hair. Check. Agent M origin story? Check. Thor being handsome? Check. Cute aliens? Check. Have I mentioned all the suits? I’m kind of stupidly excited to see this movie mostly because of all the reasons listed above. But, really, I’d watch anything with the Thompsons in it – the suits are just gravy.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Second Vida

As sad as I am with what’s happening to “Wynonna Earp” and “One Day at a Time,” (and I am very, very, inconsolably sad about having to fight tooth-and-lesbian nail for both those shows), I am grateful that not all television executives are so small-minded. “Vida” is a deeply layered, richly textured look at two sisters and their Latinx community in East Los Angeles. It’s not a story that gets told every day, a story filled with LGBTQIA people, if it even gets told at all. But, amazingly, here we are about to start a second season May 26 on Starz. Like I said, amazing.

p.s. As much as this show deserves a GLAAD Award, it 110 percent IS NOT A COMEDY. Sooooo. Yeah.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Swimsuit Tuesday

A swimsuit is not a tank top...or is it? Researchers are split. It covers the bodice, and typically has two straps - in a full-body suit or bikini varieties alike. Sooo, you know, technically it’s fair game. I’ve already ruled that leotards are fair game. So please enjoy Megan Rapinoe in her swimsuit/unrestrained tank top glory as the first openly gay woman in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.



Yes, yes - I know the swimsuit issue is gross, but LGBTQ equality is striving for gross things straight people can do, achieving them, and making them cooler in the process. I mean, we already did it for marriage. (Kidding...kind of...but not about a swimsuit being a tank top.)



Anyway, my point is you could slice ham on those hip bones and do your laundry on them abs.

Monday, May 13, 2019

GOP Don't Own Me

I am sad to report that Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” is still what we would call a timeless classic. Not sad because Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” is a bad song. It’s a great song. An amazing song. An incredibly powerful song that every woman feels deeply in her bones. The sad part is we still have to sing it. And feel it. The song remains as relevant as ever. And so we continue to belt it loud. And proud. And be filled with unending righteous indignation.

You don't own me
I'm not just one of your many toys
You don't own me
Don't say I can't go with other boys

Yet here we are, in our year 2019, watching as state legislatures pass so-called “Heartbeat Bills” that police women, strip us of our autonomy and take away our right to control our own bodies. These six-week abortion bans are effectively total abortion bans. If you’re late on your period by two weeks, boom, you are probably past six-weeks pregnant. So now you’ve missed your window to make your own decision on how to proceed with your pregnancy, body and life in general.

And don't tell me what to do
Don't tell me what to say
And please, when I go out with you
Don't put me on display 'cause

The so-called Governor of Georgia (which should rightfully be Stacey Abrams, but voter suppression is a hell of a drug), just signed the most atrocious fetal heartbeat bill in the country. Earlier Mississippi and Ohio governors signed similar bills, effective this July. And some 16 states across the country have passed or are trying to pass similar laws.

You don't own me
Don't try to change me in any way
You don't own me
Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay

Let’s take a peek at that newly passed Georgia law, shall we? Obviously it restrict women from having an abortion after six weeks (again, that means most women wouldn’t even realize they are pregnant until after it’s too late). It also gives the unborn fetus full citizenship rights meaning this lump of underdeveloped cells will be counted as a person for population determination (even though, you know, it isn’t even here yet), and the law provides provisions for alimony, child support and even income tax deductions for fetuses. No, I am not kidding.

I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do
So just let me be myself
That's all I ask of you

But wait, like those terrible late-night infomercials, there’s more! The bill will also criminalize women who get abortions. You heard that right, women who decide to self-terminate after six weeks in Georgia can go to jail for life and even be eligible to the damn death penalty. If a woman seeks an abortion after six weeks from a health care provider she will be party to murder and subject to life in prison. So much for not punishing the woman, pro-lifers. No, I am NOT KIDDING.

I'm young, and I love to be young
I'm free, and I love to be free
To live my life the way I want
To say and do whatever I please

If a woman miscarries because of “her own conduct” she is committing second-degree murder now in Georgia and subject to 10 to 30 years in prison. And prosecutors may interrogate a woman who miscarries to determine if it was because of, again, “her own conduct,” and if they believe it is they could arrest, prosecute and imprison here. NO, I AM NOT KIDDING.

And don't tell me what to do
Oh, don't tell me what to say
And please, when I go out with you
Don't put me on display

And, guess what, you can’t even leave the state to obtain an abortion in a state where it is still legal. A woman can be charged with 10 years imprisonment if she does this. Oh, oh, and you also can’t help a woman obtain an abortion in-state or out-of-state after six weeks because you could also be charged with conspiracy. OH MY FUCKING GOD I AM NOT FUCKING KIDDING.

I don't tell you what to say
Oh, don't tell you what to do
So just let me be myself
That's all I ask of you

Local elections matter. State elections matter. I know we’re all in a frenzy what with 21,000 Democrats running for president. But this right here? This is why you vote in every election. You vote for school board and county coroner and state assembly. You vote for your representatives and your senators. You vote for governors. You vote because if we don’t they take away our rights. Not slowly, not carefully. But with maximum cruelty and disregard of women as human beings who - unlike their beloved fetus - are actually here and have already been imbued with unalienable rights as citizens of this country. But, you know, not in Georgia.

I'm young, and I love to be young
I'm free and I love to be free
To live my life the way I want
To say and do whatever I please

So, we sing. We fight. We protest. We take their asses to court (since, obviously, that’s the objective here - for one of these cases winf its way to Trump’s stolen Supreme Court to overturn Roe V. Wade). But no matter how hard they try and what laws they pass, the GOP doesn’t own women. They certainly don’t care about them. So vote every single last one of them out of office. And we can all be free, and love to be free.

Friday, May 10, 2019

My Weekend Crush

If I was in the position to work with, provide a guided tour to and set up a dressing room for Dame Emma Thompson, I say without hesitation that this is exactly the way I would act. Except, well, instead of the Jonas Brothers I’d have Tegan & Sara to croon for her. Kate McKinnon is doing queer women everywhere a solid by repping us hard in front of Emma Thompson. If they don’t kiss this weekend on SNL I will consider it a travesty of gay justice. Respect. Happy weekend, all.

Thursday, May 09, 2019

Gender Fuck Met Gala

The Met Gala is, as the kids today say, extra. It’s always been extra and continues to be extra by design. This year’s theme - camp - seemed destined to bring out the very extraest exta in all the richest and famousest among us. And for some it did. And others wouldn't know camp if it hit them in the fucking face.

But, good news. The queers, and many of the queer favs, at the event this year came out swinging from the chandeliers (or, in Katy Perry’s case, wearing one). So in a week filled with so much rage-inducement, a little joy in the effervescent frivolity of fashion. No, it won’t save the world and stop the ice caps from melting. But, at least for a little while, I hope it makes you smile. Or, you know, boobie wink.

Janelle Monae

All hail the Queen of Fashionable Cubism! Eyes, everywhere. Lips, who knows. Hats, so many! Winking boobie? FLIRTING, BUT MAKE IT FASHION.



Lena Waithe

Yes, black drag queens invented (or inventend, whatever works) camp. While I'm not sure anything can top last year’s Rainbow Cape, this is close. Oh, did I mention the pinstripes are lyrics to “I’m Coming Out.”

Lady Gaga

Please, like Gaga was gonna fuck up camp.

Danai Gurira

This isn’t necessarily camp, but damn it’s HOT.

Tracee Ellis Ross (Bonus: Sarah Paulson Photobomb)

Is it even the Met Gala if Sarah doesn’t photobomb someone famous with totally relatable emotions?

Kristen Stewart

I can’t say I approve and it’s definitely not camp. But it’s fascinating to watch K-Stew reintroduce herself as punk rock Meg Ryan.

Tessa Thompson

Yes, Mistress. Right away, Mistress. Whatever you want, Mistress.

p.s. I feel this picture on a deep spiritual level. In my pants.

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

Run, Caster, Run

Well, I guess this is my week to be mad at the universe (both real and fictitious).

All Caster Semenya wants to do is run. And run fast. But all the world seems to want to do is slow her down. Last week an international sports court ruled that the South African Olympic medalist must lower her natural levels of testosterone to compete.

Let that sink in for a second. They are saying how she was born is somehow unfair. Never mind that there are plenty of male athletes with genetic anomalies that give them a perceived edge – and we give them Wheaties boxes and endless acclaim.

Plus, the research simply does not bear out that testosterone is destiny. You aren’t guaranteed a gold medal simply for having more or less of it as a woman. Really, our gender (not to mention our performance) is far too complex to ever oil down to just one factor.

Caster is also a black female lesbian, a group that historically has been subject to relentless discrimination and policing by those in power. Body and gender policing of women and those who do not neatly fit into the prescribed binary is never good and eventually erodes all of our rights. Every woman, and truly all humans, deserve body autonomy. Period.

So keep running, keep running fast. No one defines you but your feet.

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

Huston, We Have A Problem

Look, I’m not here to shit on anyone’s faves. I think Anjelica Huston is a magnificent actor. She’s a striking presence on screen. (And featured in my very first Tank Top Tuesdays.) As people began to read her expansive Q&A in New York Magazine last week, they were delighted by her frankness and take-no-shit attitude. Quotes were shared on Twitter. Much of the interview was so great. But then I read further. And, well, hoo boy.

But this? NOT GREAT.

When asked about some of the famous men who have been rightly reviled in the #MeToo Movement things went terribly wrong.

You were in two Woody Allen films, Crimes and Misdemeanors, alongside Mia Farrow, and then Manhattan Murder Mystery. Woody Allen is basically unable to make films now because of the outcry about the molestation allegations.
I think that’s after two states investigated him, and neither of them prosecuted him.
Well, the industry seems to be treating him as though he’s guilty. Would you work with him again?
Yeah, in a second.
Jeffrey Tambor, whose girlfriend you played on seasons two and three of Transparent, was accused by his former assistant and an actress on the show of behaving inappropriately toward them. Did you know the two women?
I’ve met them both. At least insofar as I was concerned, nobody did or said anything inappropriate. I do think in this work we have to feel freedom. We have to feel as though we can say and do things that are not necessarily judged, particularly by the other people in the cast or crew.
So you think what happens on the set should stay on the set, and there are processes that make the rules of behavior a little different from what you might find at a corporate job?
That’s absolutely what I’m saying.
So would it be fair to say this is a defense of things that Jeffrey might have said that were possibly misinterpreted?
Yes, that is fair. He certainly never said or did anything inappropriate with me.
How did you come down on Polanski when people were signing petitions to have him readmitted to the U.S.?
My opinion is: He’s paid his price, and at the time that it happened, it was kind of unprecedented. This was not an unusual situation. You know that movie An Education with Carey Mulligan? That happened to me. It’s about a schoolgirl in England who falls in love with an older dude, Peter Sarsgaard. My first serious boyfriend I met when he was 42 and I was 18.
The photographer Bob Richardson. It wasn’t illegal though.
He was way older than me. I mean, old enough to know better. But these things happen, that’s what I’m saying. These things weren’t judged on the same basis that they’re judged on now. So you can’t compare them.
Here’s the thing, we can't change our culture if we keep letting bad men slide. Cultural mores may evolve, but wrong is wrong.

Drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl? Wrong.

Sexually abusing your 7-year-old daughter? Wrong.

Sexually harassing the trans actresses on your set? Wrong.

I’m not a fan of cancel culture, instead I’m a fan of genuine growth. So I my hope is that someone in Anjelica’s life looks at what she said about these unrepentant Bad Men and have a talk with her.

And that talk will include saying just because someone has never been personally mean, bullying, abusive, criminal and or sexually inappropriate with you, does not mean that person has not done any or all of those things to someone else.

So when you say about your “Transparent” co-star Jeffrey Tambor, “He certainly never said or did anything inappropriate with me,” that actually doesn’t prove one single thing. Instead it assumes your experience – as a rich, famous, respected, white woman – is universal. That since you, a person who has been famous for decades, was treated well by a co-worker, everyone will obviously be treated by said co-worker exactly the same way.

Just like being married to a woman does not inoculate a sexist man from being sexist, or just like having a black friend does not inoculate a racist from being racist, or just having a gay family member does not inoculate a homophobe from being homophobic. You can be nice and decent even to certain people, while still being horrible and monstrous to others.

Anyway, in life, always strive to be more empathetic – not less.

Monday, May 06, 2019

But Is She Electable?

THIS POST IS DARK AND FULL OF RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION, AND SPOILERS

Well, fuck. After last week’s episode saw The Living saved by women and only women (like, all of The North would be in “The Walking Dead” right now if it wasn’t for Dany’s dragons, Melisandre’s fire and Arya’s dagger), I worried that would be the last hurrah for the Double Xs of Westeros (and non-binary, trans folks - if there were any on the show which has precious few queer characters as is). And this week’s “The Last of the Starks” is sadly proving that prediction right. Move aside, ladies, it’s time for The Man to take over.

I swear to the old gods and the new, if these whole eight seasons lead up to just glorifying the straight white male savior I will go Full Cersei on the universe. Though, you gotta hand it to the show writers, everyone rallying behind a white dude instead of a qualified woman who worked and sacrificed her whole life to get to this point is very on brand for 2019.

What more does Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains and Drinker of Starbucks have to do to get some respect? She ate a stallion’s heart. She walked into a funeral pyre and came out with three dragons. She burned the Dothraki Patriarchy to ash. She flies into battles riding a freaking dragon. She stopped what she was doing to help save The North. What more does a lady have to do to be “likable” enough to rule, yo?

But now all of a sudden she is irrational and a dangerous and “unelectable” what with her weak poll numbers with the white working glass in The North. Good thing there’s a better, whiter, maler choice! Seriously, stop being so 2019, show!

And I haven’t even gotten in to the other problematic stuff – like, I dunno, Sansa saying being raped and abused was actually character building, Brienne suddenly being boy crazy and lovey-dovey, The Starks suddenly becoming So Lannister about their precious bloodline, and the show killing off basically its only black female character. And Jon not petting Ghost before sending him to live on some farm in The North? Burn it all down!

After eight seasons, it seems we are now just plodding toward the inevitable coronation of Jon Snow, a man so white it’s typified by his last name. Some Game, eh?

Friday, May 03, 2019

My Weekend Crush

THIS POST IS DARK AND FULL OF GoT SPOILERS

Lady Arya Stark of Winterfell. First of Her Name. Slayer of Night Kings. Queen of the Dawn. Baker of Freys. Waster of Waifs. Keeper of Lists. Wearer of Faces. Second to No One. And The Baddest Bitch in the Seven Kingdoms.

I, like everyone else, watched - more like squinted - at my TV through the murky darkness of “The Longest Night” and hoped that my favs (a.k.a. All The Women) made it out alive on “Game of Thrones.” And, miraculously, many of them did. Though pour one out for Lyanna Mormont and Melisandre. (Also, dude, the low death count totally screwed up my GoT Death Pool bracket at work.)

But, while I probably should have, I did not expect Arya to be the one to kill - more like shatter - the Night King. So to call me pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. Of course, after the episode aired it became apparent I wasn’t the only one to be surprised by Arya’s fatal blow. And, of course, the inevitable cries of, “But how could Arya kill him so easily?” And, even worse, cries that Arya was a Mary Sue. Yeah, fuck them and the dragons they only wished they flew in on.

Did Arya Stark not train for a whole damn season with the Faceless Men? Did she not lose her vision, get the shit kicked out of her, and come out deadlier than ever? Did she not learn the water dance from Syrio Forel? Did she not spar with Ser Brienne of motherfreakin’ Tarth and use that exact same hand change trick? Has she not used Needle – considerably more than once or twice – to slice names off her list? A Mary Sue? Bitchy Fanboys, please.

While I still have no idea who will ultimately take the throne, after last week I know our girl Arya will always say Not Today to the God of Death. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. Hey, Maisie Williams, I heard your boyfriend thought Jon Snow should have killed the Night King instead of you. I’m not saying you should dump him, I’m just saying every lesbian I know was endlessly impressed. Just sayin’.

Thursday, May 02, 2019

Gender Fuck Thursday: Jodie Comer Edition

Goddamn, Jodie Comer. I said, GODDAMN. That is all.

p.s. Are you watching this new season of “Killing Eve” because Jodie is AH-MURDER-ZING. But, seriously, she’s so good. So, so, so good. Like, she should wear more ties good.

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

Marvel-ous Women

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME. I REPEAT, MAJOR SPOILERS FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME. ONE LAST REPEAT, MAJOR SPOILERS FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME. SO STOP READING IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT ALREADY. OR DON’T, YOUR CALL. I’M NOT HERE TO TELL YOU HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE.

*****

OK, can we talk about how Marvel in general and The Avengers in particular have a thing with killing its women? First, Gamora dies in “Avengers: Infinity War.” Then Black Widow dies in “Avengers: Endgame.” And, guess what, they both died some dude (or, in Thanos’ case, some big purple dude) can get the Soul Stone. Women. Souls. Get it, guys. We’ve seen this all before. It’s called fridging. Women dying is the personal sacrifice men need to motivate them to be better and/or redeem their own souls. I know, gross. Besides being, let's see, sexist as fuck, fridging is also just lazy storytelling. Period.

(Yes, I know, 2014 timeline Gamora is still out there, maybe, but present her is definitely dead now. So, yeah, fridged. And, totally unrelated, what is with only showing Tony’s funeral?)

So, Marvel, what you’re telling me is that in the past 11 years you have made 22 superhero movies. Men have been the solo or joint leads of all but one – yes, I said one – of those superhero movies. Yet still, somehow, you’ve managed to kill off the main female character in two of these franchises (well, actually three, because after the first “Captain America” movie, Peggy Carter was out of the picture and Black Widow was the main female character).

And Natasha died to save Clint? Seriously? That dude? I mean, literally zero people would have missed Hawkeye, except maybe Jeremy Renner. And even so, eh, he’s got other franchises.

Look, I enjoyed the woman power moment when all the remaining Marvel ladies lined up to provide their true Captain an assist across the battlefield toward the end of Endgame as much as the next lesbian. And, yes, there even was an actual gay moment (thank, nameless dude in the grief support group) which I appreciate – sorta (again, nameless guy in a support group…) But, come on. There are like 25 extraneous superdudes you could have offed instead of these two Marvel ladies.

But then, I guess it’s just too hard to ask straight white guys who write and direct superhero movies to think of what the deaths of non-male, non-white, non-straight characters means to those underrepresented groups.

But, at least Valkyrie gets to rule Asgard. Pepper Potts is now single. Scarlet Witch remains decidedly on the market. And Captain Marvel got that haircut. We take what we can get in superhero land, I guess.