My Weekend Crush

Yes, Pride Month is truly over. But we can still bask in the afterglow. And that afterglow includes allies. So instead of celebrating 250 years of this country’s way, way (way, way, way) too slow journey toward that more perfect union, how about we celebrate allyship. So thank you, A’ja Wilson for not only being the greatest player in the WNBA right now, but for also being the GOAT of allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Last month she continued the tradition of bringing in a gay cake, or gayke as she calls it, for her queer teammates during Pride. This is truly the only Let Them Eat Cake I approve of in this day and age. Also, how funny was her reaction be being used on the promo for Pride Night with the Aces? Thanks for being a great ally, A’ja. Keep ‘em coming. Also I went to my first Valkyries game last weekend, so I am feeling the W right now. Hard. Even the straight allies. Happy weekend, all.

Selling Something

As long as we’re talking shit, WITHIN THE FAMILY, can we talk about Ellen DeGeneres hawking her skincare line on infomercials now? Because, when I think of Ellen, I think of wrinkle-fighting systems! But, seriously, what happened to all her talk show money? Did she max out with that “cottage” in the Cotswolds for her and Portia?

Look, one of the clearest recession indicators out there is that celebrities are selling all kinds of random shit these days. The most egregious, of course, is that Goopy Lady hawking those multi-million dollar Israeli luxury apartments while that country’s government continues to brutalize Gaza. Like, she truly earned the nickname Gwynocide with blissfully tone deaf lines like, “Waking up for a morning run can be brutal!”

I mean, by that metric Ellen’s Kind Science skincare line is only minorly cringe, and not ignoring a genocide cringe. Still, I have grown to really resent products that happily feed into our Beauty Industrial Complex – a multi-billion dollar industry that makes even more money the worse we feel about ourselves and things like, oh I don’t know, natural aging. Also, I see Ellen is also still trying to capitalize on the whole “I’m the Kind One” stuff. Which is, um, interesting.

Now, lest you think I’m just picking on a The Formerly Great Panted One, plenty of straight white men are also lapping lustily from the Late Stage Capitalism trough. John Cena and Walton Goggins seem to be in a commercial arms race to see who can sell out the most. They’re both the spokesmen for not one, not two, but THREE brands each right now (Hefty trash bags, Nature’s Own bread and Chime banking for Cena and Walmart, GoDaddy and Google Goggles for Goggins).

Look, I will always be thankful to Ellen for coming out when she did. Someone has to be the first and she paid a price for many years for being a pioneer. But that also doesn’t absolve her of the claims of creating a toxic work environment on her subsequent talk show.

While I get it, it’s hard out there – even, I guess, for rich and famous celebrities. So I try not to shame folks for getting that bag. But people who are already much more well off than the average person going this hard for capitalism? Makes me long for the “Lost in Translation” days where movie stars had to travel to foreign countries to make some extra scratch on the side, lest they be called a corporate shill. All I’m saying is if one more person tries to sell me wrinkle cream, I’m getting out the “Shame” bell.

Not Krashlyn, Still

So, now that it’s no longer Pride, can we talk a little shit? Like, are Ashlyn Harris and Sophia Bush (a.k.a. Not Krashlyn) having a run of bad publicity or what? First, Ashlyn gets a questionably deserved documentary made about her the *checks notes* backup goalkeeper for the 2015 and 2019 World Cup teams. Granted, they won, but they pick that lesbian above the other lesbians? And then Sophia is revealed on the creepy Dialog membership list, associated with *checks notes* uber creepy racist billionaire creep Peter Thiel. She insists she only went to two conferences and it wasn’t creepy. Anyway, just saying. They say all publicity is good publicity? But have they met judgmental sapphics? Because *low whistles in lesbian* Also, what are those outfits? Hey, it’s July – wlw critique is allowed again.

Ride On, Sarah Stallion

Let’s end on some unadulterated queer joy. Two wlw ladies who know how to have fun and how to make crowds swoon. Sure, neither is technically wearing a tank top. But halter dresses are in a gray zone, and it’s Megan Thee Stallion and Sarah Paulson. Happy last day of Pride, y’all! Have even more fun and be even gayer than these two at the Tonys. I know you can do it, kittens. I believe in you.

Music Monday: Melissa & k.d. Forever

Told ya the Gay Goes Up to Eleven in these final days of Pride. It’s hard to be more unabashedly and joyously lesbian than Melissa Etheridge and k.d. Lang dueting on “You Can Sleep While I Drive.” That it still feels radical looking back at them perform this together 32 years ago says a lot about where we are 32 years later. I wonder where we’ll all be in another 32 years. I hope, even gayer and much freer for all. Happy last Monday of Pride, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

You know what, Rosie deserves this. She looks great. She obviously feels great. She’s doing just generally great since escaping the United States. Truly, good for her. I know when she first fled I was kinda disappointed. But Rosie, and her decades-long feud with That Orange Turd, had pretty legitimate fears. And, and I cannot emphasize this enough, she was right about him ALL ALONG. I think Rosie has more than earned her flowers at this point. She got turned into a national punchline by too many for simply being a successful woman who wasn’t a Size 0 – and that was before the whole, and she’s also a big ol’ lesbo stuff. I know I’ve been a little uncharitable in the past as well. I think with fresh eyes her legacy as that other out lesbian daytime TV talk show host becomes much clearer. Please accept all these flowers as an apology for any antipathy in the past. Live your best life, and thanks for trying to warn everyone. Happy last weekend of Pride, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Amber Glenn

Well now, let’s skate into (see what I did there) to our final Thursday of Pride. Please allow pansexual skating star Amber Glenn to Gender Fuck Up your day skating in a shiny suit to “That’s Life” belted out by Lady Gaga (take that, Sinatra). Truly, it feels like every word of that lat sentence was scientifically engineered to make a homophobic boomer’s eye twitch. For the rest of you, you’re welcome.

True Detective: Cold Lesbians Edition

Gee, what kind of claustrophobic situations can Silva and Longacre find themselves in next? Oh, the Arctic you say? So it’s True Detective: Lesbian Country for these two? I will admit not making it all the way through “Vigil” Season 2 yet. Something about the secret military base and the drones and pregnant lesbians had me a tad bored. Or maybe I’m just not as into copganda as much anymore. Anyway, I really did enjoy Jodie Foster’s “Night Country,” so I might be ready to watch Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie get parka with it for another season.

Tank Top Tuesday: Ava Daniels Edition

So about that final season. Granted, I started watching, got sidetracked, and then came back and binged the whole thing last weekend. So my view of the story arc might be skewed by my screwy viewing approach. Still, I’m happy for Ava. Like, if they had gone that other way, lord – what they have put that poor girl through just because she fell in (somewhat) platonic love with someone 50 years her senior. It’s a testament to Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder’s talent and chemistry that we cared at all about the continued misadventures of one of TV’s oddest couples. But care we did. The other great triumph of “Hacks” is the rise of Hannah and her refreshingly outspoken political activism. So shout out to our favorite “Supa Bi!” You’ve earned this, lady. (And thanks for the tank tops, though you had me worried for Deborah’s health with all the blood, girl.)

Music Monday: Brandi & Amy

As we head toward the waning weekends of Pride this year, I feel the need to double up on The Gay. After years of real, tangible and long-overdue progress for the LGBTQ+ community, the return of this administration has seen a terrible backslide. It’s always been a fight, but somehow this regression feels extra awful – and the scapegoating of trans people in particular is beyond cruel. For such a small sliver of the population with possibly the least power base possible to be demonized instead of – oh, I don’t know – the fact that trillionaires exist is unfathomable. Anyway, be gay, sing songs, and down with the oligarchy. Also, please enjoy Brandi Carlile and Amy Ray gaying it up at the Gorge! Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Well I let this holiday weekend get away from me. Kind of shocking that the Orange Turd hasn't repealed Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Maybe he was too busy waging war on algae. Anyway, please enjoy a few lessons in intersectionality and the need for diversity for societies to advance from The Audre Lorde. I wonder when we, as a society, will finally learn this lesson. Not nearly soon enough. Happy what is left of the weekend, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: DeLaria Edition

Did we know Lea DeLaria was married? Where have I been? Congrats, Big Boo! Lea is one of the very first out comics I ever remember seeing on TV. She was the first out comic to appear on late-night with a 1993 appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” A queer trailblazer in every sense of the world. And, since it’s Thursday, those blazers aren’t too bad either. A cool butch before masc was a thing, and cool now no matter what’s a thing. Mazel tov, Lea.

Bound Again

Speaking of OGs returning just in time for Pride, did you hear about that “Bound” 30th anniversary reunion earlier this month? Let’s pretend none of us heard the whole it’s been 30 years since “Bound” came out part and instead celebrate Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon and Lilly Wachowski and some of the fellas from the movie (men, they always have to tag along) showing up to talk lesbian sex and queer subtext. It reminded me that there’s apparently an uncensored European cut of the movie. European kittens, please, help a gal out. Drop a non-geoblocked link in the chat, you know, for charity.

Tank Top Tuesday: More L

I mean if we’re going to honor lesbian tank tops during Pride, let’s post some of the OGs. And did you know THE Ilene Chaiken is writing fan fiction a new short story in “The L Word” universe? It's part of Ilene and Jennifer Beal’s Run-A-Muck, the media company also behind that wlw pro basketball rom-com. Admittedly, I haven’t signed up to read “The Long Story.” I don’t know how I feel about revisiting Bette and Tina’s continued adventures n this way. But, you know, I’ll certainly revisit the tank tops.

Music Monday: Kehlani Edition

There’s a reason Shane and Kehlani hooked up. And if you watch this video, you know why. In fact, Shane should be so lucky. The out queer performer is back with a new song featuring none other than Missy freaking Elliott. And a rainbow! Is the object of Kehlani’s affection left a little intentionally ambiguous? Maybe. But, hey, the straights need to feel included too, I guess. But honestly, who cares. Because Kehlani is looking more than Shane today. And that’s what really matters. What? It’s Pride, it’s homophobic to not allow us to (respectfully) objectify each other. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

You don’t often see media about older queer women that isn’t cloaked in tragedy. Granted, there aren’t enough non-tragic stories about queer women of any age – period. Bury Your Gays is real, and relentlessly hard to kick. But for older women-loving-women, so many stories revolve around the lack of acceptance, or death of a partner, or generational miscommunication. Or, you know, falling off a ladder while trying to fix a birdhouse. (Yes, I am still traumatized by “If These Walls Could Talk 2,” why do you ask?)

So imagine my delight when I stumbled on this little short, about an older woman who seeks the advice of her younger queer coworker on how to flirt with women. It’s just 10 minutes, but feels like a little gem. As a single woman getting older herself (oh, time, and its relentlessness), I can deeply relate. But mostly, I appreciate this story for bringing back those little gay butterflies, when a queer story simply lets its subjects find joy in each other. We all deserve that, no matter what age. Happy weekend, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Stephanie Hsu

Since we’re talking about Broadway babes this week, let’s not forget our new Janet. As in “Dammit, Janet, we love you!” Not only is out queer actress Stephanie Hsu the new Janet in Broadway’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” she is half way to her nominations EGOT. She got an Oscar nom for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and now a Tony nom for “Rocky.” She just needs to record an album and then get herself some AppleTV+ series for that Emmy nom. Piece of cake. Oh, and thanks for the suit – and the ladyspreading. Ahem.

Girls Like Movies About Girls Liking Girls

What can’t Lesbian Jesus do? Sing a song about girls liking girls. Make a video for your song about girls liking girls. Write a book about your video for your song about girls liking girls. Write and direct a movie about your book based on your video for your song about girls liking girls. And then cast a little doppelganger for yourself in the movie about your book based on your video for your song about girls liking girls. Truly, what can't Hayley Kiyoko do? I know I’m not really in the age bracket for this movie anymore, but I appreciate the get-up-and-make-it-gay-yourself of it all. Way to get it done, Lesbian Jesus.

Broadway, Baby

Leave it to the theater kids to say what needs to be said about the state of our world. While I’m not necessarily a musical theater person, I started watching the Tonys a few years ago and have not been disappointed – in fact quite the opposite. Heck, the Tonys have even made me root for the Knicks. (Kidding, I will always pick New York over Texas.) Anyway, Pink was pretty amazing as host, knockout as a performer and more than ready for her close-up, Mr. DeMille. Like lifting Neil Patrick Harris with her thighs while hitting the Elphaba high note? Ben Platt could never! Leading lady marmalade, always!

Anyway, what I loved the most – besides the world’s most talented theater kids showing why their name should be in lights – is their unabashed going there when it comes to our political moments. Fuck Trump. Protect the dolls. Immigrants make America great. Diversity is our strength. Bagging on AI. And jokes about lesbianism. Thanks, Broadway babes. You sure made my night. (I mean, the SEAmen joke alone, and Pink/lesbian kicker, deserves its own Tony.)

Music Monday: Let's Get Ready to Fightmaster

Um, are Towa and E.R. Fightmaster having a sexy masc-off just in time for Pride Month? And both in tank tops, no less. See, mascs are good for you! Look, I had stopped watching “Grey’s Anatomy” before the E.R. Fightmaster era. So I had no idea they also made music. May I commend them for their commitment to making a “Drive” for the year 2026, with a little sprinkle of Fiona Apple ennui circa “Criminal.” As I was saying, enjoy. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Finally, a movie that teases possible sapphic content that I’m fairly confident won’t disappoint me with just a bunch of queerbaiting. Thanks for kinda nothing, “Mother Mary,” Verity,” “Her Private Hell” et al. But “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” from everything I’ve read since its premiere at Cannes, is the real deal. And the final trailer and poster seem to emphasize that point. Also, and this is not a spoiler, just a wild guess and hopeful projection, don’t Gillian and Hannah look like the ultimate sapphic Final Girls in that poster? Make it so, Jane Schoenbrun! I loved their “I Saw the TV Glow” with such an unexpected passion, I can’t help but have the highest of hopes for Miasma. And, as all you kittens already know, I don’t even like horror movies. But between this cast who I feel equally confident in saying have both kissed women in real life and storyteller’s singularly universal use of trans allegories, yeah, bring on all the Little Deaths, whichever kind they may be. Ahem. Happy weekend, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Jodie

My goal is to bring you a stunning queer woman in a suit every Thursday this month. Why? It’s been a hard year and we’re not even half way through yet. You deserve this. We all do. Like, did you know there are a set of black-and-white shots from photographer Thalia Gochez’s Wall Street Journal shoot with Jodie Foster? And did you know Thalia called Jodie, “sweet.” Now, isn’t that a lovely thing to see and hear on a Thursday?

Sitting Courtside

Speaking of the WNBGAY, two of the league’s out stars have signed on to a new sapphic sports film “Courtside,” which has some other very familiar faces the camera as well. Abbot Elementary writer/producer Brittani Nichols and Autostraddle-alum Carly Usdin are writing and directing the film which “follows an injury-plagued women’s hoops superstar whose championship ambitions are upended when she falls for her teammate.”

Real-life out WNBA stars Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries and Sydney Colson of the Indiana Fever and recent WNBA player Theresa Plaisance (last with the Seattle Storm in 2023) have all signed on to play, and I’m wildly guessing here, fellow WNBA stars.

But Colson isn’t just appearing, she’s also an executive producer. And guess what new production company is behind all this love and lesbian basketball? Run-A-Muck which was co-founded by, drum roll please, Ilene Chaiken and Jennifer Beals. Yes, that Ilene Chaiken and that Jennifer Beals of “The L Word” fame and infamy.

It’s actually heartening that two of the women behind the seminal lesbian TV series are still making stories for queer women. And, with the pedigree behind it, I have outrageously high hoops, I mean hopes. (I had too, apologies.).

As Brittani told Deadline:

“It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this kind of excitement to surround women’s basketball, and I’m excited to blend my love of sports, lesbian tension, and comedy into one project,”

Add this to the happily growing list of upcoming sapphic sports stories vying to become queer women’s “Heated Rivalry," including the “Slo Pitch” and “Ripe!” and (maybe) “Cleat Cute.” I say, why have one “Heated Rivalry” when we could have at least one for each sport – softball, soccer and now basketball. Who’s got next? Looking at you, women’s rugby stories.

Tank Top Tuesday: WNBGAY Rookies

Welcome to the WNBGAY, rookies! In honor of the start of the WNBA season last month, here is a roundup of all the women loving women who were drafted and playing their inaugural years. How someone hasn’t optioned the story of last year’s No. 1 pick and this year’s No. 1 pick drafted to the same team while being in love into the next “Heated Rivalry” already is beyond me. But then maybe Paige and Azzi are being smart and waiting for a really, really, reallyreally good offer. Get that bag, ladies. And that ball. But, you know, in sapphic way.

p.s. Look at all those jersey tank tops. Ah, Tuesdays during Pride.

All the WNBGAY rookies this season:

Azzi Fudd: No. 1 Pick to Dallas Wings

Olivia Miles: No. 2 Pick to Minnesota Lynx

Lauren Betts: No. 4 Pick to Washington Mystics*

*Autostraddle lists her, but Outsports does not. So, apologies if this is just wishful-gay-thinking.

Taina Mar: No. 14 Pick to Seattle Storm

Rori Harmon: No. 34 Pick to Washington Mystics

Music Monday: I'm Your Dog Edition

Happy Pride Month! Let’s get (even more) gay as fuck up in here. This video is giving me crazy “Secretary” (all the crawling) meets “All Over Me” (being someone’s dog) meets “Love Lies Bleeding” (hello, Katy O’Brian) meets you probably shouldn’t watch this at work vibes. Anyway, for as terrible as the world is and this administration is in particular, it’s still quite something to be alive in a time when queer kids have so many different queer artists to swoon over. I honestly don’t know if Renee Rapp and Towa Bird are still a thing, but regardless, excellent job casting Katy here. Just good luck to everyone trying to stay focused at work today. Though, honestly, it’s homophobic to make us work at all this month. Especially after watching this. Happy first Monday of Pride, kittens.

My Weekend Crush (Fascism, Again, Always)

Since we’re feeling the Woody spirit this week, here’s another good reminder. This land is your land, this land is my land. This land was made for you and me. Period. It’s something the billionaires and tech oligarchs and warmongers and Great Replacement racists and Christian nationalists and all the other entrenched powers also know. That’s why they work so hard to divide us. To make us think we’re the enemy, and not their boundless greed and resource hoarding. It’s not the Epstein Class’s fault your life isn’t what you dreamed! It’s the immigrant seeking a better life. Or a trans person seeking their authentic life. Or the queer person seeking a legally recognized love life. Couldn’t be them and their water and electricity guzzling data centers, their megayachts that fit inside even larger megayachts, and their penis rockets to Mars. Anyway, where are the guillotines when we need them? (For legal purposes, metaphorically…) Our land. Not theirs alone. Happy weekend, all.

Maximum Tatiana

Anyone watch this yet? It debuted a week ago on Apple TV, and, I am curious. I’m always rooting for Tatiana Maslany to find another great series. But so far, since “Orphan Black,” most of her projects have fumbled her extraordinary talents. Like “She-Hulk” was fun and all, but nah. So who knows, maybe “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” will be the one to remind the world that Tatiana can and should do it all. Also, love seeing her Helena hair back. Here’s a free idea, Hollywood, cast Tatiana and Jodie Comer together in a spy thriller where they both have to use a lot of accents and disguises. And kiss. What? Manifest your dreams, kittens. MANIFEST! (If you got what “Somebody Somewhere” reference, let’s hang out.)

Historically Stupid Men, Always Men

Everything is so stupid (and, of course, scary) all the time these days. But can we all just have a deep, endless belly laugh about the World’s Richest Man crashing out so spectacularly about a 3,000-year-old epic poem? He can’t shut the fuck up about how the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy in “The Odyssey” is “ahistorical.” My dude, it’s a mythological story. There’s also a cyclops, a six-headed serpent and vessel-devouring whirlpool monster. Are you also gonna complain that the vessel-devouring whirlpool monster is anatomically inaccurate?

But then, why would we expect anything less from the World’s Most Racist Serial Killer (I mean, he killed USAID, which is killing…*stares in ebola crisis*). He’s mad about Elliot Page being cast as (maybe Achilles, maybe not Achilles, really anything) in the movie as well because why just be a Nazi when you can also be a transphobic piece of shit? Anyway, I’m going to see Christopher Nolan’s next opus, not because I’m a homer for Homer. But because it will make Elon crash out even more if it does well at the box office. And these days, it’s the little things that get you through.

p.s. Like how attractive is this female cast? All their faces could launch a thousand ships – and more. So Stay mad, Musky! Stay mad.

Tank Top Tuesday: Feeling Ripe

Sports bras, as we all know, count as tank tops. Also, did we know Kelley O’Hara was also developing a sapphic soccer story for the big screen based a little on her own life/famous World Cup winning smooch? Like I knew about “Cleat Cute,” though I’m not sure where that project is now since the end of Megan and Sue. But “Ripe!”? Yeah, somehow I missed it. Maybe because the name is, how do I put this, terrible. I mean, I get it. But also kinda hmmm. But teasers about the film featuring its star, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” lead Lola Tung are certainly leaning into the whole ripeness of it all. According to Them, the movie, based on a Spanish short film, will follow an American exchange who falls for another female soccer player while playing overseas. But all I know is things are about to get sweaty.

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Music Monday: This Song Kills Fascism

Happy Memorial Day from these here United States. I can think of nothing more patriotic on this day when we honor those who died fighting for our democracy and against fascism than a little singalong. So please join The Bette Midler in her adaptation of this little Woody Guthrie ditty. This machine kills fascists indeed. Also, who couldn’t love this impromptu “Beaches” reunion with Barbara Hershey? Hell yeah, all you fascists bound to lose this November. Happy Monday, kittens.

p.s. Don’t forget to get your ballots in for the June 2 primary, Californians!

My Weekend Crush (Fascism)

Look, as a rule, we don’t center men – especially straight white men – here at Surrenders. But in these extreme simultaneously stupid and scary times, sometimes you just gotta make exceptions. I’ve always enjoyed Stephen Colbert, from his Colbert Report days to his Late Show reign, his sharp wit has always been matched by his compassion and thoughtfulness. He seems, in short, like a good man. But here we are, in a world where being a good person and stating the obvious (specifically about Donald Fucking Trump) gets your No. 1 rated late night talk show canceled – and much, much worse for so many others. I hope the history books, if in fact we have history books in the future, will reflect the staggering criminality, cruelty and complicity of the Trump era. May all the tech oligarch fanboys, corporate boot lickers and institutional kowtowers be forever branded and haunted by their gleeful embrace of all of this madness. How will we get out of this? Burn it all down, and build a better world from the ashes. And, while we’re at it, dance on their graves whenever we get the chance. Happy trails, Stephen. Thanks for your kindness and your joy. Fuck Donald Trump forever. Happy weekend, all.

Hell Is Other Sapphics?

Right, so apparently Sophie Thatcher and Havana Rose Liu play former lovers in this. You couldn’t guess it from this teaser, but then you really can’t guess anything from this teaser except that Charles Melton has great pecs. But, per Deadline, the plot of “Her Private Hell,” follows an actress named Elle (played by Sophie, teenage Nat of “Yellowjackets” fame) working on a new movie who reunites with Dominique (played by Havana Rose of “Bottoms” fame), who happens to be her former lover but is now married to her father. Which, ew.

There’s also some sort of urban legend and/or myth and/or hallucination about a The Leather Man who drags young women to Hell. And/or it could just be a real serial killer. Anyway, Deadline goes on to call the movie, which premiered in Cannes out of competition, pretentious. But possibly in a good way? I dunno. I just know we’d better get some payoff for all these movies (looking at you, “Mother Mary”) that feature fraught relationships between former female lovers. Otherwise, no matter how pretentious, what’s the damn lesbian point?

Eat Your Heart Out, Everyone Else

@gilliana Jean Smart, eat your heart out 👄❤️🔪 @MUBI ♬ original sound - Gillian Anderson

Well, now. I truly appreciate Gillian Anderson’s commitment to her campaign to start major beef with Jean Smart over the affection of Hannah Einbinder. So far Jean has largely tried to stay above the fray, confident in her place as Hannah’s O.G. Alpha May-December Suitor. But after those glowing reviews of “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” from its Cannes premiere last week, I’m more invested in the Jean Smart-Gillian Anderson throwdown than ever. Also, Hannah’s wide-eyed reaction and insistence that they’re “open.” Talk about giving the sapphics what they want.

p.s. This is exactly how I’d look at Gillian if she put her hand around my waist like that. Exactly.

p.p.s. I know, I know, I’m super behind on all the gay shit on “Hacks.” But this is Gillian’s moment anyway.

Tank Top Tuesday: Throwback Tanks

Man, since “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” Jamie Lee Curtis seems to be exactly that. She’s been on “The Bear,” she’s headlining the “Scarpetta” adaptation (which, I haven’t watched because Prime, but how is it folks?), and coming soon(ish) the new “Murder, She Wrote” reboot. But we remember her when she was a good ol’ OG Scream Queen. And. of course, those tank tops.

Music Monday: Rock Out

Charli XCX remains that girl. Is that something the kids still say today? Is this my “How do you do, fellow kids” moment? Anyway, Charli is cool and I love her bratty, rocky everything. Us old timers are allowed to rock out too. Happy Monday, kittens.

Vacation Vixen: Kristen Kish

SOMEBODY GIVE KRISTEN KISH A QUEER DATING SHOW TO HOST, IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER. Thank you, that is all. Oh, and happy weekend.

Vacation Vixen: Kate Winslet

Truly, after this picture, no one should be surprised that Kate has revealed her first “intimate experiences” were with women. No. One.

Vacation Vixen: Anne & Meryl

OK, sometimes fashion is art. Not necessarily at the Met Gala, but definitely between Mery and Anne. Also, has anyone seen the sequel yet? Thoughts?

Vacation Vixen: Kristin Scott Thomas

Does it look a little like Kristin Scott Thomas skinned Gritty and made him into a fabulous coat? Yes. Do I care? No. I mean, Gritty should feel honored to grace those shoulders. And be under that hair. Also, I’m not really on vacation. But I have a work conference this week still the end result for you is the same. Some lovely, lovely vixens. Don’t worry, they’re not all big game hunters like KST.

Music Monday: More Like Muna Monday

I don’t have a great sense for how famous MUNA is. I mean, in my little gay world they’re kind of a big deal. But I willfully admit to living in a super sapphic bubble these days where I blissfully do not know the names of any of the straight people on those rich-people-screaming-at-each-other shows. Anyway, as I was saying, I hope MUNA remains/becomes properly famous. Because queer ladies singing about their love of/hots for other queer ladies will never not be awesome in my book. Famous or not famous. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Let’s keep these good sapphic 90s vibes going with one of my favorite brief but impactful (at least for me) lesbian moments in cinema. It’s when Clarissa dances with Sally in “Mrs. Dalloway.” It’s also when I first fell in love with Lena Headey, and the rest, of course, is history. While the dance, and of course that kiss, fill me me nostalgic fledgling gay feelings, it’s the look that Natascha McElhone (as young Clarissa) gives those horrid male interlopers who interrupt their moment that remains etched in my memory. That’s Big Queer Feelings right there. Can you believe that movie is 29 years old? And we’re still searching, and searching, for more movies that give us those Big Queer Feelings. Alas, the more things change, unfortunately the more they can also stay the same. Happy weekend, all.

Throwback Tilda Thursday

While absentmindedly flipping through my feed recently, I came across a vintage photo of Tilda Swinton from the 90s. Which, of course, got me thinking about her 90s gender-queer masterpieces “Orlando” and “Female Perversions.” While aggressively chauvinistic pseudo-sexual thrillers (for some reason mostly starring Michael Douglas) were all the rage at the mainstream box office, Tilda was blowing my little gay socks off with a female-gaze/verging on nonbinary vision of sexuality that defied easy definition. Also, both films are examples of using queer themes for genuine exploration, and not just titillation. (Ahem, Anne and Dakota, ahem.)

Now I haven’t watched either movie in a good decade, if not much longer. And, naturally, neither appear readily available on major streamers. So I’ll have to go off memory. But I just remember feeling so engrossed and so awed by both movies. I’m sure there are things in these 30+-year old films that don’t hold up. But the intoxicating rush of unexpected sexuality, well, that will stay with me forever. Also, hot damn, I forgot how stacked the cast of “Female Perversions” was in particular. Tilda (Oscar winner), Amy Madigan (Oscar winner), Frances Fisher, Paulina Porizkova, Marcia Cross. I think, as I continue to rummage thrift store DVD racks in search of physical media we can own and keep (because, truly, fuck subscriptions and never owning anything outright), I will add both movies to my “Must Find” list. Until then, here’s a little reminder. Yeah, 90s Tilda could get it (2026 Tilda too, but she’s been in a long-term relationship for a while so, you know, respect).

Duly Noticed

Now this, this is the kind of lesbian movie trailer I do like. (Verit-what-now?) Very much in fact. “Notice Me”? Consider yourself dulty noticed. I only wish it was for a full feature and not just a short. But, you’d better believe as soon as I know how to watch this I will because, come on, how charming was all that? Also, the short film has an all-female team from the writer to director to Lena freaking Dunham as executive producer. I have some complicated feelings about Lena, but “Girls” was genuinely a thing and now that she’s back in the spotlight I’m certainly open to continuing to check out her work. Also, did I mention how charming this trailer is? As I was saying, full movie, please.

No Verity Gay

Well, now, this is disappointing. And, believe me, that’s hard for me to say when you’ve got two hot ladies kissing front and center. But, alas, context. Always, always context. Because under normal gay circumstances I would LOVE to see Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson kiss on screen because, duh, I have eyes and am a lesbian. But, tricksy tricksy context.

You see, despite initial reports, Anna Hathaway and Dakota Johnson’s characters aren’t really kissing in the new trailer for “Verity.” Look closely. No, you see, they’re Sapphic Psychosis Smoochin. You know the kind. Where a gal starts kissing one person and pulls back only to realize, IT’S A GIRL. Or, maybe it’s not even a girl – it’s just their overactive psychotic imagination. Possibly murderous, too. Don’t forget that.

We have, certainly, seen this before. Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega (and tempting poor Jane Wickline) in “Taste.” Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis (and possibly Evil Natalie Portman) going at it in “Black Swan.” It’s the old fake-out. Just another niche version of the Very Special Lesbian Kiss Episode of Sweeps Weeks of yore.

And, again, while normally an Anne and Dakota smooch would be, you know, not a bad thing, the bad thing is that it is likely solely for the oh-lalas and not any real plot and or queerness. How do I know? Well, because “Verity” is based on the book by Colleen Hoover and a little research tells me there are no queer storylines in her book, nor any smooching between the two women in question. So they added it to the movie to, you know, spice things up. But, safely, without any real gay stuff.

It should be noted that Hoover’s work was behind “It Ends With Us,” a.k.a. The Most Disastrously Marketed Movie of the 2020s that has resulted in me disliking everyone involved more (minus perhaps Jenny Slate).

Annie Hathaway, come on – can you give us something truly sapphic sometime soon? Sure, there was “Eileen,” which was kind of gayish (but mostly sad), and there is “Mother Mary,” which is in limited release but [SPOILERS] Anne and Michaela Coel don’t ever kiss or define their past “relationship.” The sapphics would appreciate a real queer moment from you. And, no, being in “Brokeback Mountain” doesn’t count – at least not for us. (Same for those devilish Prada movies...)

Music Monday: Going Gigi

I’m not a Coachella person. I mostly never get FOMO about it and, truly, I barely know half the bands headlining these days. Have at it kids (though, perhaps you’d be interested in knowing the owner of Coachella is a billionaire MAGA dickhead - wait, is that redundant? - whose money supports shitty things like ICE’s mass deportations) ANYway.

I say all this because I did learn at least one thing from Coachella this year. And that’s that I have been sleeping on Gigi Perez and definitely shouldn’t have. I saw she brought Hayley Koyoko out on stage to sing “Girls Like Girls” during her Coachella set and was like, “Hello.” So I Googled her (-AI results, because fuck AI AND billionaire MAGA dickheads), and goodness. Where have I been? I actually am familiar with her music already, but didn’t know it. That is thanks to her rise to fame on TikTok with snippets of her “Sailor Song” playing over, kinda everything. But for whatever reason I didn’t clue in until Lesbian Jesus offered an assist. See, who says I’m not spiritual.

So here’s to a young, talented, queer artist singing her truth and making me want to sing sapphic sea shanties against the setting sun. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Welp. Normally I’d save such fine, fine, very, very, very fine suitage for Thursday, as the good gay gods intended. But, it’s May and I can’t wait and omfg here’s Jodie Foster in a full-on Mad Men-era suit for the Wall Street Journal. And I’m already terribly late because this interview came out in JANUARY and I’m just now seeing it. (Maybe because WSJ is owned by Rupert Murdoch, and I try to avoid his everything…) Anyway, if you want to read it (and throw the bird at old Rup), here is the Internet Archive version for your reading pleasure. Otherwise, just behold the majesty. This makes me really, really want a dapper gray suit. Or Jodie. Probably both. (Respectfully). What? Call it spring fever. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. Yes, I know, I know – I’ve been posting about Jodie kinda a lot lately. It’s (was) my 20th blogiversary, so I paying homage to The O.G.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Eat This Edition

Remember how I said I’ve added “America’s Culinary Cup” to my cooking competition carousel because, well, Padma? I feel blessed by the food TV gods these days because I get Padma in outfits like, well, see above on “America’s Culinary Cup.” And then I get Kristen Kish in outfits like these, also see above, on “Top Chef.” It’s almost too delicious. Almost. Consider me greedy, I’m hungry for both. Ahem.

My, My, My Nostalgia

How about a mid-week dance break? Is it gay? Well, Steve Zahn’s character was gay, but celibate. Still, one could argue that Janeane Garofalo’s character was every queer alterna-girl’s root. Since I’m feeling nostalgic (and/or old) these days, I thought we’d wax on a little about “Reality Bites.” I remember thinking this movie was so cool when it came out 32 years ago. I mean, I’m a Gen X kid, so this was our movie. And who amongst us hasn’t dreamed of raiding the convenience station snack racks on their parent’s gas card while dancing to “My Sharona”? And best yet, not a cellphone on sight.

Ballad for Sue and Megan

I know, I know – Sue and Megan broke up. I avoided talking about it during Lesbian Visibility Week because, honestly, after that Emily news I couldn’t take more bummer crap. But after 10 years, even Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird couldn’t make it work. *Deep, endless sigh*

Obviously, sapphics like us get invested in our celebrated power couples – mostly because they are so rare. Sure, we have a good number of queer female celebrities in relationships with other women now. (Well, definitely more than 20 years ago, amirite kittens?) But very rarely are both partners equally famous. And, truly, no one was as well-matched accomplishment-wise as Sue and Megan. Both Olympic champions. Both world champions. I mean, it was the ultimate jock-4-jock situation. *Deep endless sigh*

I know, relationships are hard. I know. I hope they both find happiness again, apart. And that their separation has been as painless as possible. Even hearts are healthy as theirs break.

p.s. Don’t even think about it Sarah and Holland. Do. Not.

Music Monday: Closer to Monday

Honestly, if I had the opportunity to sing “Closer to Fine” with Brandi Carlile I too would absolutely take it. I would also, of course, since it with Amy Poehler. And, not to be undone, naturally Amy and Emily have an open invite to collab as well. I might even tell them in which key. (Don’t worry, I totally would, especially now for Emily.) Big lesbian singalong in 3-2-1… Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend (Blogiversary) Crush

Well, here we are. Twenty years. 2-0. Two decades. Or, to put it another way, a long-ass time. Today marks my 20th blogiversary. Which feels crazy to say out loud but, again, here we are. As you’ve no doubt noticed, my writings have gotten a little shorter as the years have gone longer. And, yeah, I can be a little more hit-and-miss with posts these days too. But here we still are. Still crazy after all these years. Mostly, what I want to say, and what I always want to say, is thank you. Thank you for still reading, still visiting, still commenting, still sharing and still being the lovely and generous kittens you are. I appreciate you for coming back and caring. I will continue writing, and sharing all my big – and small – gay feelings and thoughts with you. Still crazy about queer pop culture after all these years, together. Because even 20 years later, representation still matters. Happy weekend, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Kate the Always Great

Since the vintage tank did well, then a vintage suit – and I mean truly vintage – should do just fine. Just fine indeed. Oh, Kate. Truly, how did this movie come out 84 years ago and she looked that gay. I mean, come on, that stride? Woman of the Year, indeed.

Crushing Hacks

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So, admittedly, I have not had a chance to start the new season and final season of “Hacks” yet. And I think part of that is so that it won’t be over. The other thing I never want to be over is this cast and their chemistry. But also, I will miss their unabashed queerness. Truly, can you think of the last mainstream interview with stars who so openly embraced the sapphic gaze and essentially drooled over Jessica Rabbit together, and various 90s teen heartthrobs/hot masc lesbian lookalikes.