Gender Fuck Thursday: 100% That Ally

Lizzo is great. Demi Lovato is great. Lizzo supporting Demi by correcting their misgendering by some paparazzo on the street? Super great. I know sometimes we all mess up, and might misgender someone on accident. But what’s important is that we’re trying and being respectful. And if you’re an ally, you can show support by lifting the weight of having to constantly correct people’s mistakes – inadvertent or not. Be 100% that bitch for your queer, trans, non-binary friends and each other, always.

Confidently Gay

May I present to you Demi Lovato’s continued flirtation with lesbianism, lesbian iconography and things in general pertinent to your lesbian interests. (Yes, yes – don’t worry, I’m just saying “lesbian” because it sounds funnier that way – but it’s also pertinent to your bisexual, genderqueer, trans and otherwise sexually other interests.) While some may have dismissed “Cool for the Summer” as too queer baity, I rather liked that little jam. And, to be honest, I thought it celebrated sexual fluidity rather than titillated for the sake of getting dudes watch hot girl-on-girl action.

Anyway, so Demi is back with more super gay imagery. And while nothing explicitly gay happens, it’s a video starring Demi Lovato and Michelle Rodriguez. Come on.

So, with that, here is a breakdown of the most totally gay moments in her new video “Confident.” Granted, it would be better if they actually made out and/or joined a softball team together. But you have to believe that’s still coming.

Butch posturing


More butch posturing


Dealing with the male gaze


Realizing you have a mutual ex


Heavy flirting


Consummation


Deciding to U-Haul


Turning down unsolicited threesome requests


Riding off into the sunset together

Hot for the Summer

I won’t lie, I kind of love this song. In fact, it’s my hand-down song of the summer. (But, then, my options were somewhat limited – it was this or the song where the guys yells, “Stank! Stank! Stank!” over and over again or the song where the other guy who couldn’t feel his face.) Now, granted, catchy pop confections are an admitted guilty pleasure of mine. Like, if “Toxic” comes on shuffle I will absolutely stop what I’m doing and do a little dance. It’s Britney, bitch.

But I like Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer” for more than its bombastic groove and undeniable hook. I believe the kids today would call it a banger. But it’s also finally a song about sexual fluidity that doesn’t make me want to gauge my eyes out with cherry chapstick. Sure there are some surface similarities to “I Kissed a Girl” (the Katy Perry fauxmosexual extravaganza, not Jill Sobule’s superior predecessor). But unlike that song it seems to be less about flashy exhibitionism and more in the spirit of genuine sexual exploration. Some may say that is a thin line, but I would argue it is a critical one. But, well, my feelings about Ms. Perry have already been well documented in the past.

One of the things like most about “Cool for the Summer” is that it remains totally pronoun free. So then it works for whatever situation you want it to. Be it a girl or a boy or whoever makes you happy. Also, have I mentioned that it’s just damn catchy? And, you know, pretty hot.

p.s. And, in case you forgot, this is the first, best and - in my mind - only “I Kissed a Girl” worth listening to.

Tank Top Tuesday: Fall TV Edition

So fall TV is well under way so it’s time to take stock in how the new and returning shows are doing. Or, more accurately, it’s time to take stock of how the new and returning shows whose stars I could find pictures of in tank tops are doing. What? Just being honest. As always, I tend to gravitate toward the shows with strong and interesting female characters – lead characters preferably. And luckily there’s a good selection of shows to choose form this season. Oh, sorry, I was talking about the tank tops again. Shall we?

Lucy Liu, “Elementary”

Remember when I said Lucy is a painter? I wasn’t kidding. Also, I think I enjoy this show more than “Sherlock.” There, I said it.

Aubrey Plaza, “Parks & Recreation”

I’m so sad beautiful tropical fish Ann is moving to Bloomington. At least April is staying.

Chloe Bennet, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

Beside Ming-Na Wen’s Agent Melinda May, Chloe’s hacktivist Skye has the most potential on the show. She’s no Buffy or Willow. And definitely no Faith. But, who knows, maybe she’ll grow on me.

Lyndie Greenwood, “Sleepy Hollow”

This has been the surprise of the season for me so far. It manages to be both funny and scary, and has a strong woman of color as co-lead. The only way this show could be more awesome is if the lead’s sister, played by Lyndie Greenwood, was also a series regular. Alas she is a guest star. Which makes me worry about the future status of her head. A lot.

A.J. Cook,” Criminal Minds”

I miss Prentiss. But thank heavens we still have JJ. Sweaty, sweaty, hot JJ.

Demi Lovato & Naya Rivera, “Glee”

I have mixed feelings about Dantana. But I sure didn’t like the weird Brittany bi-bashing that helped usher them in.

Malin Akerman, “Trophy Wife”

Alas, I haven’t watched past the pilot yet. Please don’t tell Sarah Haskins.

Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”

I’m pretty excited for Cam and Mitchell’s wedding, but mostly because it hopefully means a lot more of Lily. She’s basically the best.

Lizzy Caplan, “Masters of Sex”

I’ve loved Lizzy since she made us all have a big lesbian crush on her in “Mean Girls.” I’m a little less sure how I feel about this new HBO series. The lesbian prostitute is my favorite so far.

EDIT: Goodness. Apologies for the wonkiness with this post. Looks like an old rewrite posted somehow. A copy editor, a copy editor, my kingdom for a copy editor.

When Naya met Demi

I’m going to be super honest, I mix Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez up in my head all the time. Which one dated Justin Bieber again? Weren’t they in a movie together? Is she the one who went to rehab? Actually, despite my frequent habit of mixing up the assorted Disneyettes, once I straighten out who she is I realized I like Demi. “Skyscraper” is a good little song and I totally sing along to “Heart Attack” in the car. And she has been refreshingly frank about her struggles with everything form bulimia to cutting and drug and alcohol abuse. All that and the girl is only 21 years old.

So when I heard she was joining “Glee” next season as Dani, a struggling NYC artist, I thought, well, that’s a pretty good casting choice. Can sing, can act (I’m guessing here, I’ve never seen “Camp Rock”). And now the Naya Rivera let news sneaks out at the MTV VMAs that Demi will play none other than Santana Lopez’s love interest next season on “Glee.” (p.s. Way to bury the lede, MTV. The headline on their story On Naya’s interview talks just about Demi joining the “Dark Side.”)

[NOTE: A couple of you said this was autoplaying. It wasn't for me when I open the page. But I turned it into a link anyway. GO HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO.]

Boom went the lesbian dynamite. OK, fine. Dammit, FINE. I’m intrigued, “Glee.” You’ve made me decide to set the DVR again for a season pass. Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in.

The evolution of my interest in the show has gone from shushing those in the room to not miss a thing to multi-tasking while it’s on in the background. Oh, that utterly forgettable Ryder kid is singing about being Catfished? Guess it’s time to reorganize the sock drawer again.

But I remain, despite my better judgment, curious about how this show where kids who sing their often boneheaded and sometimes beautiful feelings will handle the next step in Ms. Lopez’s life. Yes, I’ll always miss that rare, fleeting unicorn that was Brittana. They will always, always be special. But, like many people, we move on from our first loves – sometimes after very painful, premature endings – to find new people to fill our hearts with song. And, if we’re very lucky, the one to make it sing forever.

I have no idea what Glee & Co. has in store for Santana and Dani. I hope it’s the kind of organic, unexpected love story I know the show can do if they really try. Still, even if it’s not, there’s always laundry to fold while nice kids sing and dance on the screen.

p.s. Sandani? Dantana? Santani? Dana? Sani? Nope, not Sani – that sounds like sanitary napkin which is the worst portmanteau imagery of all time.

p.p.s. If the video auto-playing for anyone else. It is not for me, but was mentioned in the comments. Let me know and I will attempt to fix it.