My Weekend Crush

Please, like I was going to let Pride month slip away without celebrating my new bestie/acting savant Sarah Paulson. Not only did I see her in her limited run in the Broadway show “Appropriate” during my trip to New York earlier this month, I got to meet Sarah Paulson after her limited run in the Broadway show “Appropriate” during my trip to New York earlier this month. Which is also Pride month. Yes, yes, she was amazing! brilliant! magnetic! on stage and lovely and kind outside at stage door. Truly, that whole night was a little Pride miracle. As we finish off the month, it's a memory I know I will be reminiscing about for many, many Prides to come. Happy last weekend of Pride, all. Make it memorable.

Statue of Lesbianism

Has anyone, anyone, made more of a magnificent Pride this year than Chappell Roan? Like to see her career take off this year, this month, this moment has been truly astonishing. And, of course, well deserved. Like, JoJo said Gay Pop was coming – she maybe just didn’t realize it was in the form of the Chappell Roan at summer music festival juggernaut. I’ve watched as her crowds have gone from hundreds to thousands to hundreds of thousands. As the whirlwind of Chappell’s pop ascendency roars on, I’ve also seen clips of her being painfully honest about the effect it has all had on her. We’ve all seen the video of her busking “Pink Pony Club” on her little red synthesizer. To 150,000 at Gov Ball? Yeah, that’s got to be disorienting. But, also, just invigorating. Like remember when Lady Gaga first performed live on Logo? LOGO! It’s like we’ve all got a full contact high from discovery, and are just happy to watch a star coming into her own. May Chappell have a long, interesting and exciting career. All hail the Statue of Lesbianism. Long may she reign.

Animal Attraction

Why, yes, I am watching every queer documentary I can find this month. Why do you ask? Gay comics. Gay magazines. Gay animals. You love to see it, quite literally. I saved this documentary on Peacock to watch until the end of the month to make sure I’m maximizing my LGBTQ+ viewing the last week of Pride. Yes, I have been trying to be too gay to function all month because Target may now hide its Pride merch but we can be as fruity as we want. So suck it, rainbow capitalism. Also, one group that will never be swayed by a rainbow Deutsche Bank float? Our animal friends. They’re just straight-up queer like nature intended. Happy Hump Day, indeed!

Around the Curve

Isn’t it interesting when they start making documentaries about things you can still, quite vividly, remember? Like, as a nonrandom example, good old Curve magazine. Granted when it first launched as Deneuve in 1990 I wasn’t even aware I was gay, let alone that there was a magazine for gay women. In fact it wasn’t until after 1996, when it was forced to change its name by none other than Catherine Deneuve herself (which, let’s be honest, was homophobia because how dare the star of “The Hunger” have a magazine for lesbians named after her…but I digress) that I think I clocked Curve on store shelves.

Because, indeed, you had to go to the bookstore to buy Curve back then. I think, in the 2000s, I even had a subscription for a while. And I vividly remember it coming wrapped because maybe you didn’t want the mail carrier to know you read a magazine about them queers. How things change, and how so many keep fighting to make it that way again. While I cannot vouch for Curve as an outlet for high-quality journalism, I do admire its tenacity and determination to shine light on queer women and their interests. Does this documentary maybe upsell its cultural importance within the LGBTQ+ movement? Uh, possibly. Is it glowingly reverential to the magazine’s founder, Franco? Uh, also possibly. But it’s still an important document of our history, our media and our stories. And Meshell Ndegeocello – yes, that Meshell Ndegeocello – did the music for the film. Look, we sat through all six seasons of the original “The L Word,” so we can certainly be seated for the only documentary about the first U.S. magazine for lesbians and queer women. Time to Netflix and lesbian.

Music Monday: Pride Song

Last week of Pride, y’all. Have you danced on a Deutsche Bank float yet? Hope not! See, now hilarious, topical, entirely accurate skits like this are only possibly because queer people were actually part of the process. I will forever be thankful to Kate McKinnon, Bowen Yang and Punkie Johnson making “It’s Pride Again” the Pride banger it was, is and will always be. Happy last Monday of Pride, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

I’m just so happy for Jodie Foster these days. Not that I wasn’t happy for her a decade, two decades ago. But the joy and clarity with which she conducts her life and career right now is truly a pleasure to witness. She’s happily married. She’s creatively fulfilled. She’s overwhelmingly respected. And, for someone who has been notoriously protective (and rightfully so, hello, Hinckley) she is speaking out now more than ever. It’s just wonderful to see. Recently she has been using her platform to call out sexist tropes she sees in (let’s be honest, mostly male) screenwriting. And even more recently she has taken to the stage to protect reproductive rights. As I was saying, go Jodie, go! Happy prideful weekend, all.

Closet Space

Two more weekends left of Pride and we (very much using the royal WE, since it’s just moi) here at Surrenders continues to highlight queer entertainers, artists and works because we only get 30 days per year and we’re going to make them as gay as fucking humanly possible. And it doesn’t get much gayer than perhaps the most famous queer actor of her generation playing the most famous female astronaut of any generation. Kristen Stewart has signed on to play Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in space, in a new Amazon TV series.

Now, I am old enough to remember when Sally Ride went to space in 1983, and I am old enough to remember what a big, huge deal it was – particularly as a girl growing up in the 1980s. Keep in mind, us women had only earned the right to open a credit card in our own names less than 10 years before this (in 1974). So the first woman and arguably the most awesomely named astronaut in history was a Big Fucking Deal in my book.

But, and here is why we should never forget our history, it was inconceivable at the time to think Sally could have been celebrated as BOTH the first woman AND first gay person in space. Because that last part, yeah, that was definitely not something we celebrated back in 1983.

In fact, she didn’t feel comfortable coming out publicly at all until her death, in 2012, when she revealed her 27-year relationship with Tam O'Shaughnessy. And, if you’re thinking, gosh that’s awfully late to come out? Why was she still in the closet in 2012?

Well, the arc of moral history is long, but the arc of recent LGBTQ+ civil rights history has bent extraordinarily toward justice in the last dozen years. Think back. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell wasn’t repealed until 2010, just two years before Ride’s death. President Obama didn’t come out in support of of same-sex marriage until May 2012, just two months before her death. And of course same-sex marriage rights, perhaps our most high-profile legal victory, weren’t conferred on all Americans until 2015, two years after her death.

History isn’t terribly ancient, and the recent strides we’ve made in queer rights are continually in peril as the far-right backlash to, well, really everything good and progressive continues unabated. So I’m thrilled that Kristen is using her platform to both highlight queer elders and champion our history. Also, you just know K-Stew is gonna look good in that astronaut suit.

Queen’s Got Back

The moment last night at the WeHo Pride OUTLOUD Music Festival during Janelle Monáe’s set when Queen Latifah and Gabrielle Union danced with her onstage. pic.twitter.com/hd5WiGBI6q

— Ed Wang (@edataoldotcom) June 2, 2024

Happy Hump Day! Of course, Hump Days hits different during Pride. Like, Queen Latifah backing that thing up to Janelle Monae while Gabrielle Union watches live on stage different. Honestly, you just love to see it. Periodt.

Pride Is a (Laugh) Riot

Remember when I said it’s important to celebrate our histories? Like yesterday? Well, here’s a chance to celebrate the funniest part of our LGBTQ+ history, our comics. Netflix’s new documentary “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” bills itself as the first feature-length documentary to showcase queer stand-up history. We can all remember the out comics who were brave (and crazy – to quote Melissa) enough to make their sexual orientation part of the joke, instead of the butt of their jokes from the start of their careers. And we can also honor the comics who hit it big, and then came out later at the risk of steep personal costs. Whatever path they took to being authentically themselves, they made comedy out of what for so many could just be tragedy. Today’s comics stand on the shoulders of those who came before, who blazed trails that needed to be blazed. To be fully ourselves we need to be part of every corner of our culture because – I got news for you, you sorry sad homophobes, we’re already there. So here’s to the very funny folks who helped to make the world laugh with us, instead of at us. Pride started as a riot, and can continue as a laugh riot.

Music Monday: Tracy Chapman

The one, the only. Ms. Chapman. While we all know her classics. But “New Beginnings” remains one of her very best albums for me. It came at a time of my life with exploding love, endless hope and emerging heartbreak. Many of its songs mirrored the longing, the overflowing chest full of first true love, I felt. For a while it still hurt to hear those songs. But not anymore. Now they just make me smile. Queer joy is celebrating our own histories as well. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Yes, I know I already talked about how great Hannah Einbinder on the latest season of “Hacks” (really, in all the seasons of “Hacks,” but my point is – Emmy!), but it cannot be overstated. A shark meets shark story. Anyway, my treat to myself my first weekend back is to watch Hannah’s new Max comedy special. Truly wonderful Mid-Pride Weekend timing for me. Yes, I’m trying to make lots of new Pride-related terminology happen this year. A few could ultimately be fetch. I’m fine with that. Anyway, like I was saying, happy Mid-Pride Weekend, all.

Ball(ing) Boy

First, I’m back! Second, sorry for that terrible pun. Third, but definitely not least, you love to see Elliot Page living his best life. Like being snapped at a New York Liberties home game on Pride Eve (yes, it’s a thing now, we’ve claimed it). As I’ve been saying, I think we should celebrate as much queer joy, trans joy, gay joy, lesbian joy, bisexual joy, every kind of other joy this Pide as possible. I think we need to come back even stronger after last year’s ugly Right Wing temper tantrums. I’d say having courtside seats at a WNBA game is about as joyfully queer as you can get. Just ask Rosie & Leisha. Well played, Elliot.

Pride Vacation Vixen: We Are Lady Parts

Look, admittedly I haven’t had a chance to watch the new season of “We Are Lady Parts” yet. But, I swear to you I will watch it now that it’s on Peacock this month. And, holy Nobel Peace Prize, Batman! They got a cameo by Malala Yousafzai? Malala! I truly cannot wait.

Pride Vacation Vixens: Katy O’Brian

Gulp. Now I feel even worse about not having seen “Love Lies Bleeding” yet. I know, I know! It left theaters near me before I could catch it, but now I guess I’ll wait until Max decides to stream it (Pride Month seems like the perfect time, hint hint, Max). Anyway, Katy O’Brian is stunning to look at and of course talented to boot. What, she posted this herself. (Like who wouldn’t if they looked like that?!) Anyway, it is a Tuesday, afterall. Like I was saying, gulp.

Pride Vacation Vixen: Chappell Roan

@chappellroan

ur dream girl’s dream girl

♬ original sound - chappell roan

Can I just say how much I love watching Chappell Roan revel in the queer joy of performing in front of bigger and even more joyous and bigger and even more joyous crowds. I’ve followed her tour vicariously through the magic of TikTok’s algorithm. I just love everything about her, from her queer girlie pop to searingly intimate ballads to her homage to drag look. I mean, even Google is on the Chappell wagon. Go ahead, Google “Chappell Roan.” You’re damn right she’s your favorite artist’s favorite artist. May we all carry that swagger with us this Monday and all through Pride. Go get ‘em, dreamgirls.

Pride Vacation Vixen: Megan Thee Stallion

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A post shared by Pop Base (@popbase)

I love lesbian too, Megan. Queer gals – lesbian, bi, pan, et al – gotta stick together. Along, of course, with our trans and nonbinary pals as well. Mostly just cishet white guys can sit down this month. Happy first week of Pride, all.

Pride Vacation Vixen: Hannah Einbinder

[SPOILERS FOR HACKS SEASON 3 FINALE]

Like, holy shit. Truly, wow. Before the finale I would say my one possible criticism of this season was it had underused Hannah Einbinder a bit. Like besides that rather unsatisfying encounter with Christina Hendricks as yet another unrepentant Capitalist Monster, Hannah was mostly straight woman as Jean Smart gave multiple tour de forces. (I don’t think I conjugated that right, but I’m traveling for work so shrug emoji.) Anyway, let me get to the point which I can conjugate which is give Hannah Einbinder the damn Emmy. Whew, the student has become the hot damn master. Bring on Season 4 (which has been renewed so don’t worry)!

Pride Vacation Vixens: Leisha, Kim, Rosie & Co.

Hey, kittens, I’m actually away at a conference and will be traveling for the next few days. But at least I’m going to a cool city. And might get to see some oldie, but very goodie, friends. (Follow along on my Instagram, perhaps). But you know I never leave y’all hanging, I will be leaving you with some special Pride Vacation Vixens. Am I overdoing it on the Pride talk? Please. Major corporations are pulling back on their Pride support after last year’s Right Wing backlash (Reminder: Rainbow Capitalists aren’t your real friends). We gotta be Extra Gay to make up the difference. Anyway, I thought I’d post the most lesbian picture I’ve seen in a while. And, so, here it is. That’s Leisha Hailey and her girlfriend Kim Dickens (of “Fear the Walking Dead” if you’re thinking to yourself right now, wait, how do I know her?) and Rosie O’Donnell and I don’t know who she is with but, uh, good for them both all together in courtside seats at the L.A. Spark game. As some might have said, they are so gay. (RIP Dana, 4Eva.)

When in Ireland

Since it’s Pride Month and that means we all have to watch only LGBTQ+ inclusive shows while riding unicorns across a rainbow (check the bylaws, I’m pretty sure that’s right), I thought I might try “Bodkin.” Now, on its surface and from its trailer there is no discernable queer content. Just Will Forte playing a podcaster who comes to a small Irish town to investigate a cold case about three missing people. But there’s also Dublin journalist played by Siobhán Cullen, who also happens to be a lesbian. The show debuted on Netflix last month, so tell me European friends, is it a worthy Pride Month watch? Feels a little like they’re going for a sorta true crime Ted Lasso about podcasters vibe, but I could be off on that. Or should I just rewatch “Deadloch” again instead?

Music Monday: Lunch Pride

Please, like I wasn’t going to post the official music video for “Lunch” to kick off Pride Month? It’s like you don’t even know me at all. I’m so tickled to be witnessing Billie Ellish’s horny baby gay era. Like, can you imagine the, um, buffet she is no doubt being offered right now? Eat up, sweetie. We’re all rooting for you. Happy Pride, kittens!