Ms. Equal Rights

Well, now. Isn’t Cate Blanchett getting good at flexing her villain muscles? The trailer for the new FX miniseries Mrs. America has been released and, dammit, if Cate isn’t making me worried I’ll feel even the tiniest sliver of sympathy for Phyllis Schlafly - who clearly deserves none. The story chronicles the real-life fight over the Equal Rights Amendment, which in case you haven’t noticed still hasn’t passed. So, yeah, there’s that. The cast looks stellar with Rose Byrne as Gloria Steinem, Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm, Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug, Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan, and Elizabeth Banks as Jill Ruckelshaus. And, you know, I guess there are some straight white dudes in it too, or whatever.



It’s bonkers to think that here we are almost 50 years later and we’re still fighting the same culture wars. Women are still fighting for equality, as are POC and LGBTQ people and all other marginalized groups. The patriarchy just hums along, and cries bloody murder when anything threatens its precious power structure. Because, remember, to those accustomed to privilege, equality will always feel like oppression. But, as the rest of us know all too well, it is exactly the opposite.

Also, did I mention Sarah Paulson plays one of Phyllis’ friends (or, as it seems soon-to-be former friend)? Yes, lesbians, we have a real-life Carol and Abby BFF reunion.

Charlie's Gay-ngels

All the lesbian, bi, trans, queer women, who’re independent – throw your hands up at me! Last week news of the new “Charlie’s Angels” film reboot was unleashed. And none of other than “so gay, dude” Kristen Stewart has been cast as one of the trio of Angels. Yes, you read that right, an out queer woman has been cast in one of the most iconic (and campy, don’t forget campy) female action franchises of all time.

I watched some of the original series, albeit in repeats (Kate Jackson, my babygay eyes saw you). And I unabashedly loved the movie adaptations from the early 2000s (even though they were, objectively, not good). And I think I tried to watch the TV series reboot from the early 2010s (and it was, objectively, quite bad).

But there’s just something about the alchemy of bringing a bunch of women together to do kick-ass things in an outrageous way that just appeals to my inner pop culture fangirl. Also, there was this scene from the Cameron-Drew-Lucy franchise that left an indelible impression.



The reboot film is being directed and co-written by Elizabeth Banks, who will also give the world its first female Bosley. Besides K-Stew it will star Naomi Scott – who most recently played the Pink Ranger (a.k.a. not the gay lady one) in the new “Power Rangers” film and will star as Jasmine in Disney's upcoming “Aladdin” remake – and British relative newcomer Ella Balinska.

Now this group of Angels skews quite young. K-Stew is the oldest by a bit at 28. And I have no idea if they’ll make her Angel queer – but I certainly hope they give it real consideration. Because it is 2018 and if a racist game show host can be president, then we deserve at least one gay Angel in return. I mean, look at K-Stew. She’s the andro-butch Angel of young queer girls dreams as is. Make it so, Hollywood.

p.s. And while I’m asking for things, cab we get a Beyoncé, Janelle Monae and Hayley Kiyoko to do a new version of “Independent Woman” for the movie? K, thx.

Tank Top Tuesday

In my ongoing effort to find joy in 2017, I’d like to take a moment to thank some of Hillary Clinton’s biggest backers – in tank tops. Like the only America who is great actually again, above. (Not that either America was ever not great.) These are some strong, talented women who supported a woman who is infinitely qualified to lead our country. Sure, things didn’t go as any of us had hoped (no thanks to Russia, the FBI, GOP voter suppression, racism, sexism and an outdated electoral college system that unevenly weighs geographic regions and was historically used to help slave owners). But these women are still great and talented, and I know still with her. In tank tops of not.

Alicia Keys


Elizabeth Banks


Beyoncé


Chrissy Teigen


Kerry Washington


Meryl Streep