My Year-End Crush

This was, to say the least, not my year. But, if I think hard enough there were some good things about this past year. Like, if I think really, really hard. Like I watched some good stuff this year, so there is that. Here are the favorite things I watched in 2022.

Movies: Everything Everywhere All At Once

Despite all the multiverse madness/dildo fights in this insane, kaleidoscope of a movie, its story boils down quite simply to love your lesbian daughter, and your life. So, obviously, I loved this movie. Obviously.

TV: Station Eleven

As much as I love, love, loved “Yellowjackets” and “A League of Their Own” and “High School” and “Somebody Somewhere” and season 2 of “Hacks” and season 2 of “Girls5Eva” and season 2 of "Abbott Elementary" (and none for you, final season of “Killing Eve” because you know what you did…), the series that moved me the most this past year was the one about the end of the world. Something about this quiet, thoughtful and against all odds filled with hope apocalypse show just stuck with me. This is a kinder, gentler but no less profound look at how we might rebuild something of meaning from the rubble of our modern lives.

Music: Joni & Brandi

Brandi Carlile and friends bringing back Joni Mitchell to sing at this summer’s Newport Folk Festival wasn’t just inspired and deeply moving. It was a reminder that the luckiest amongst us get to see our art and truths deepen over the years. Age doesn’t always bring wisdom, unfortunately. But truly beautiful things have a way of touching the parts of us that defy space and time.

So, what were your favorites this wretched year? Buh-bye, 2022. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. But thanks for the good stuff to watch, I guess. Happy weekend and New Year, all.

Happy End of the World

“Station Eleven” is the pandemic show for people like me who swore they’d never watch a pandemic show. Beautiful, thoughtful, hopeful. Living amid our current crisis has made me loathe some of the global disaster movies I once loved. “Contagion?” No, I’m good. “Outbreak?” Are you kidding me? “World War Z?” If this ever really happened we now know some people would actually run toward the zombies.

What sets the HBO Max limited series (based on the bestselling novel of the same name) apart is what it focuses on while the world ends. It’s not the gore or the destruction it cares about, though the story’s flu annihilates indiscriminately. Nor is it about the mechanics of survival or our apocalyptic innovations, though we see plenty of clever adaptations in action.

No, what “Station Eleven” instead asks is what keeps us human. How, in the face of the loss of essentially everything, do we still find joy? Its answer, told along parallel times lines at the start of the pandemic and 20 years after the pandemic, is simple. We need community. And we need art.

What if, at the end of everything, art is all that is left? Art reminds us who we are and were. Art reveals what we love and cherish. Art inspires and transports.

There’s a reason so many of us have spent the pandemic binging entertainment, from movies to TV and more. Stories sustain us. It’s as much an escape as it is an education, at times helping us understand ourselves in ways we never expected.

The characters in “Station Eleven” are sustained by their communities and the art they share together. I think one of the reasons we all feel so depleted and depressed by the current state of the world is that our sense of community, of shared purpose, has been shattered. What kind of community won’t even put a piece of cloth to protect each other? What kind of community thinks science is the enemy? What kind of community profits off of stirring hate and division? A broken one, obviously.

In telling its quiet, unhurried story about survivorship, it shows us a way to heal a broken world. “Station Eleven” reminds us of the best of humanity instead of our all-too-apparent shortcomings. In doing so, it helps the world make sense again – at least for a little while.

It's The End of the World as We Know It

Wow, are you watching “Station Eleven?” Because you should definitely be watching “Station Eleven.” The new HBO Max series based on the novel by the same name is about a post-apocalyptic future after a deadly flu pandemic has wiped out much of humanity. Yes, I know, this is precisely the kind of thing I’ve been trying to avoid because HELLO, REAL LIFE. In The Before Times, I was a disaster/apocalypse movie junkie. But the pandemic has tempered my love for the end of the world. And now “Station Eleven” is bringing it back.

It sounds weird to say that a miniseries about the collapse of society and mass death feels hopeful. But dammit, if this thing isn’t strangely affirming instead of just flat-out depressing. “Happiest Season” star Mackenzie Davis headlines the show, and is already proving why my crush on her since “San Junipero” continues unabated. I haven’t read the book, so I have no idea where this will ultimately take us. But for now this show is helping the world make sense, if only for a minute.

Also, it’s got Lori Petty who I’ve had a crush on since at least “A League of Their Own.” And, there has already been some queer undertones (Mackenzie’s character has mentioned being with men and women). So two crushes in one show about trying to build a better world after a global pandemic – and hopefully more gay stuff? Yeah, duh, I clearly love it. Somehow it makes the perfect binge watch during this weird time at the end of one year and the beginning of the next. It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel better than fine about my viewing choices.

Vacation Vixen: Happiest Season

Fuck, it’s September already? That means in like a month – if that – we’ll start seeing Christmas and holiday junk in the stores. And then another year will have passed. And then time and its relentless march will just keep marching. Right, sorry, where was I. Oh, yes, the pits of too-early holiday despair. Well one thing I don’t despair about is a planned annual rewatch of “The Happiest Season.” Now, just like life, the movie wasn’t perfect. Yes, I know, it was about coming about again. But, thinking back even 10 years ago, the thought of having such a high-profile out actress in such a high-profile out role in a freaking holiday movie about lesbians seemed inconceivable. Also 10 years ago we couldn’t get married. Anyway, happy September!

Happiest Horror

we did it clea.. Happiest Season horror trailer cut pic.twitter.com/kWEuhTwGa1

— Erin Sullivan (@sullivem) November 12, 2020

I cannot think of a better way to usher in the Christmas season and month of December than with the “Happiest Season” horror cut. We’ve already discussed the importance of soundtrack and editing in determining tone and atmosphere. This appears particularly true with this year’s crop of lesbian-centered projects. Look, if “Bly Manor” can be a rom-com, “Happiest Season” can get a horror trailer. Kind of gives new meaning to, “You better watch out, You better not cry…” Also, it’s been a week since this film has been out (you can read my full review here). I’d wager that it and “Carol” are now required lesbian and queer woman viewing each December, no? 'Tis the season, ladies. Happy holigays, kittens.

p.s. Granted, if you look at it the right way, “Happiest Season” is a bit of a horror film. Like in some ways it’s horrifying to watch Abby stay with her repressed closeted girlfriend with bad bangs Harper instead of leaving her for the out, funny, fucking hot doctor who looks amazing in blazers Riley. And, hands down, K-Stew had better chemistry with Aubrey Plaza than Mackenzie Davis. Regardless, we all deserve a sequel that’s all about Riley’s holiday-season journey to find love. Make it so, universe. After the year we’ve all had, I think you owe us.

Review: Happiest Season

If you’re a lesbian or queer women who likes Christmas, or you ever dreamed of kissing a woman under the mistletoe, or you made out with your bestie freshman year when you both stayed in the dorms over winter break only to feel funny about it for months afterward, well, do I have the the movie for you.

“Happiest Season” comes out today on Hulu, exactly one month before Christmas. And it’s the early Christmas present your little gay heart always wanted to find waiting for you under the tree. In fact, it’s the lesbian holiday rom-com your inner cheesy rom-com watcher wishes she could be watching instead all those Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas rom-coms about marrying princes, medievel knights and/or blueberry farmers you secretly watch while wrapping presents year after year.

What’s most remarkable about “Happiest Season” isn’t its cast (which is undeniably remarkable given it’s filled with A-list names from Kristen to Mackenzie to Dan, Mary, Victor, Aubrey, Alison and more) or its subject matter (this is a year filled with a truly remarkable variety of quality choices for queer women who like everything from moody ghost stories or fossil hunting historical pieces and now holiday rom-coms). What’s most remarkable about “Happiest Season” is how utterly conventional it is, and I mean that in the best way possible.

“Happiest Season” is exactly what you’d expect from a holiday rom-com, down to scenes of sibling rivalry devolving into slapstick violence to The Big Unforeseen/Unlikely Obstacle that almost breaks them apart to that most classic of rom-com of moves involving one half of a non-married couple hiding semi-clothed behind a bedroom door from disapproving parents. And, like their straight counterparts, they get just physical enough to remind you they are adults who totally have sex, but not enough to make it too awkward to watch with your mom.

Yes, it’s that kind of movie. And that’s OK. That’s very OK. It’s OK because the big difference is, of course, instead of a good-looking straight couple at its center, there’s a good-looking lesbian couple at its center.

I have now watched “Happiest Season” three times in full and can honestly say that I plan on rewatching it each year during the Christmas season. It’s that kind of movie. In fact, along with “Carol,” I believe lesbian and queer women now have two – albeit very different - holigay classics to enjoy of their very own.

The light-on-its-feet affair is helmed by Clea DuVall, who directed and co-wrote the film. Along with proving the movie unassailable queer bona fides, DuVall and Stewart’s presence roots the movie in the modern gay experience. DuVall also makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance during the credits, finally bringing your youthful crush on her since her Graham days in “But I’m a Cheerleader” full circle.

“Happiest Season” walks that razor-sharp-enough-to-trim-your-lesbian-undercut line between appealing to its eager contemporary queer audience and reaching out broadly to straight folks. Hence the subject matter, which is admittedly some fairly basic Gay 101 stuff. A lesbian couple (Kristen Stewart’s Abby and Mackenzie Davis’s Harper) goes home for the holidays, only to find out that Harper hasn’t come out to her parents yet, thus complicating Abby’s plans to propose.

Along the way exes show up (someone get every single lesbian Riley’s phone number - hello, a single lesbian doctor working at Johns Hopkins as played with hand-in-pockets authenticity by Aubrey Plaza). And Parker’s sisters played by Alison Brie and Mary Holland (the film’s other co-writer) add plenty of zany WASP-families-are-secretly-crazy comedic interludes.

If you’re used to seeing K-Stew from the “Twilight” franchise or her more edgy indie fare, “Happiest Season” will give you a window into her funny side. It’s a little unbalancing at first watching someone so patently hip use a dorky reindeer glider to skate around an ice rink or awkwardly fail to impress the parents. Her very specific, low-key, continually too-cool-for-school persona at first might seem an odd fit for a rom-com. And at times, it seems Mackenzie and Kristen’s energies don’t entirely connect. But they have enough chemistry to make you care, and that’s what matters.

Making “Happiest Season” so traditional in many ways is perhaps the perfect bait-and-switch. It gets more people to watch what for queer viewers will be an affirmation and for straight viewers will hopefully be an eye opener about why some people still struggle with coming out. In the end, we’re all just humans who want to be loved, and anything that puts up potential barriers to that love is, shall we say, complicated.

Yes, a lot of things have changed in our political landscape. Things have gotten better. We can legally marry. We can serve in the military (and hopefully our patriotic trans and non-binary servicemembers will soon again – fuck, and I mean this most sincerely until the end of time, Donald Trump). But so much is still not equal, and we have so many fights left to win. And that fact that it took until the year 2020 for a mainstream holiday rom-com featuring lesbian leads to be even be made.

Dan Levy brings his best Woke David Rose energy to the role of Abby’s gay male best friend. He also provides its compassionate heart while walking hetero watchers gingerly through The Gay Experience, a bit like the unseen stage narrator of “Our Town,” except he is very seen and very welcome. Still, if you’re a hardened gaymo like me, you’ll find your heart growing several sizes as the movie reaches its inevitable emotional crescendo.

Look I never thought, growing up as as a nerdy kid in the Midwest who liked Jennifer Connelly in “Labyrinth” a little too much, that one day one of the biggest movie stars in the world who also happened to be gay would play a gay character in a lesbian rom-com with a major joke/plot point about literally hiding in the closet - but here we are. Now every little lesbian and queer girl growing up has a cheesy – and I mean that in the best way possible – lesbian rom-com of their very own. And that matters.

A Lesbian Little Christmas

Look, I spent the entire weekend (and then some) after about 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time Saturday morning drinking champagne, blasting “Fuck Donald Trump,” and intermittently crying about the fact that now, finally, we have a chance to maybe do a little good – or at bare minimum stop doing so many incredibly horrible things. Hearing them make the call was both a moment of total elation and exhausted relief. But, at least this past weekend, it was all about the joy. We’ve had to make our own these past four years. So if it feels a little bit like Christmas came early, well, there’s a reason.

And, it also helped that the trailer for “The Happiest Season” dropped yesterday. It’s the first mainstream lesbian holiday rom-com to be released here in the states. (Yes, I know there have been indie holiday lesbian movies, but let’s be real they didn’t have Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis.) But I think what I like most about it, aside of course from seeing K-Stew and Yorkie as a couple, is how extraordinarily conventional it seems – from a rom-com standpoint.

A cute couple is going home for the holidays for the first time together, one gets advice from her sassy gay friend (Dan Levy, David Rose-ing himself through life with aplomb), they try to avoid spilling the beans about something to the clueless parents and an emotional and/or physical obstacle is presented for them to overcome. Granted, the obstacle here is coming out and not being honest about one’s sexuality. But they are even sight-gag jokes about her hiding in the closet. And hiding from the folks behind the door to your childhood bedroom? That’s practically wholesome.

So while the storyline perhaps feels a bit basic for those familiar with queer cinema over the years, I have to think that’s the point. Again, this is the first mainstream lesbian rom-com. And it stars perhaps the most famous out actress working right now, and also has a queer filmmaker/actress in Clea DuVall behind the camera. The idea is both mass appeal, and to give I think lesbian and bisexual women who’ve been yearning for their own cheesy (and I mean that in the best possible way) holiday rom-com to call their very own.

p.s. Don’t worry, I put “Happiest Season” in an entirely other Christmas-time category than The Queen of Lesbian Holiday Movies, “Carol.” There’s room in this world for both, and in fact, so many more. Bring on the holly and the jolly, but make it super gay.

Happiest Holiday Photos

Look, lesbians also celebrate Christmas! Sometimes. And they use giant reindeer to help balance them while ice skating with their girlfriends! Sometimes. And they definitely have to awkwardly pose with their families on Christmas morning in their PJs! Sometimes. We’re getting a somewhat steady drip-drip of images from the new lesbian rom-com “Happiest Season.” Billed as the first mainstream lesbian holiday rom-com (yes, there have been others from indie outlets), the film is certainly building expectations.

I sometimes worry that with movies aimed at mass markets like this, the story naturally becomes something that’s most accessible to the masses. Hence the movie’s plot revolving around a woman (Kristen Stewart) wanting to propose to her girlfriend (Mackenzie Davis) over the holidays, which gets complicated by the fact that her girlfriend isn’t out to her conservative family yet. Yes, I know, another coming out story. But, under the helm of “But I’m a Cheerleader” (and lots of other stuff) alum Clea DuVall, I have faith it will be funny, sweet, romantic and relatable for both its queer female viewers and straight wider audience.

And, again, I’ve watched more than a lifetime’s worth of truly mediocre straight rom-coms over the years. So even an average effort (not that this movie will be average) would be a landmark for us gay ladies. So bring on the tinsel and strap on those skates (or whatever else, ahem). The “Happiest Season” is almost upon us.

Happiest (Movie) Season

You know what, fuck it, we’re taking the first week of July too because we didn’t get to have our parades and we’re worth it. And you definitely deserve to see Kristen “Like So Gay, Dude” Stewart and Mackenzie “San Junipero” Davis with director Clea “But I’m a Cheerleader” DuVall from their holiday themed lesbian holiday lesbian holidy rom-com “Happiest Season.” Because, kittens, it’s like a rainbow explosion of joys, quite literally. It’s almost like Pride Month threw up all over them, but in a good way.

The plot, about how a young woman (K-Stew) who plans to propose to her girlfriend (Davis) at her girlfriend family’s annual Thanksgiving party only to find out she isn’t out to her conservative parents (played by Mary Steenburgen and Victor Garber), is certainly intriguing. And K-Stew is probably the highest-profile out actress to tackle an out queer role. The cast is rounded out (see what I did there?) by Alison Brie (“Community”), Aubrey Plaza (“Parks & Rec”), Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) and Ana Gasteyer (please, you know who Ana Gasteyer is). As excited as I am for this film, I gotta say that’s a very white principal cast. Though I do think it has some more supporting POC actors.

But, still, any mainstreaming of queer identities and love is always welcome. And, well, who can resist a well-made lesbian rom-com? I mean, we’ve all suffered through enough bad ones. Like, I watched “Bar Girls” and briefly reconsidered my sexual orientation like every other lesbian who had the misfortune of seeing it. Plus we’re lucky this film – which started shooting in January – was able to wrap before the global pandemic and, you know, everything. So we’ll be able to see it in some form or another this November.

Now all that is left is to go find your rainbow stencils, grab a rainbow flag, make a “Love Is Love” sign and let’s do this thing.

p.s. Spoiler Alert: Something about this picture tells me those parents come around in the end. I mean, they practically look like they’ve started their own PLAG chapter.

Tank Top Tuesday: Quarantine Fighter Edition

Since it’s Pride Month and you deserve nice things, here is a Very Special Tank Top Tuesday: Quarantine Fighter Edition. We’ve all been fighting the good fight staying home and wearing masks when we can't. As a reward we get to pick which of these badass ladies in tank tops is the best Quarantine Fighter to represent us best during these challenging/stressful/frightening/enraging times. Inspired by Charlize Theron returning to her Action Mode with bonus Short-Hair Mode in “The Old Guard” (not to mention that bitchin' Boss Bitch Battle) here are some more female action stars showing us how it’s done. Now all there is left is to choose wisely. Who is your True Quarantine Fighter?

Charlize Theron


Mackenzie Davis


Tessa Thompson


Alicia Vikander


Emily Blunt


Evangeline Lilly


Gal Gadot


Maggie Q


Margot Robbie


Brie Larson

p.s. Who are we kidding? We’re all Brie. Now, pass the cookies.

Tank Top Terminator

My unapologetic love for big, dumb action movies with very, very strong female leads continues to grow apace. I haven’t really liked a Terminator movie since T2 because, well, they’ve all kind of sucked since T2. Yes, even the one with Kristanna Loken. And, regrettably, even the one with Daenerys.

Still I hope against hope for “Terminator: Dark Fate.” Most of this has to do with those very, very strong female leads I talked about. And they don’t get very, very stronger than Linda Hamilton, back totting serious heat as Sarah Connor. And then there’s Mackenzie Davis (forever our Yorkie) as an enhanced superhuman and Natalia Reyes as what appears to be Sarah Connor: The Next Generation.

I have no idea if this movie will be any good. But I just love to see women kick ass on the big screen. And, you know, the tank top doesn’t hurt. It is Tuesday, after all.

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?

K-Mac Sitting In A Tree

Remember when we learned that KStew planned to star in a contemporary, heartwarming holiday-themed lesbian rom-com? Well, it just got even gayer. Kristen Setwart has already signed on to star in “Happiest Season,” a lesbian rom-com written and directed by Clea DuVall. And now, Mackenzie “San Junipero” Davis is in talks to star opposite Kristen as her girlfriend.

Feel free to take a moment. It’s a lot to take in. All these lesbians worlds colliding in one picture. KStew hearts Yorkie thanks to Graham.

In the film a young woman’s plan to propose to her girlfriend over the holidays is complicated by her girlfriend not being out to her conservative parents. I am 100 percent here for KStew and Mackenzie engaging in familial hijinks and coming out shenanigans. Also, you know, all the smoochies.

The (Post-Apocalyptic) Future Is Female

This is the future that lesbians want. No, seriously, when the shit goes down I want these three women coming at it to kick its ass. Also maybe Cate Blanchett and Tessa Thompson – but let’s not get greedy.

Yesterday the first official look at the new “Terminator” film was released and it featured its stars original badass Linda Hamilton back where she should be as Sarah Connor, San Junipero’s wallflower Mackenzie Davis as newly swolle soldier/possible android/what do those markings mean and newcomer Natalia Reyes. The future is female indeed!

Also, is this what the kids today call a Glow Up?



Also also, seriously, what is up with these lines on her body?



Of course, this revelation has caused manbabies to lose their shit. Three women and no men? What is this? Anarchy? Socialism? Impossible because men are the true heroes of the universe, duh? Oh, delicious, delicious angry fanboys.

Now, their ire is ridiculous, as always. Arnold will be back, of course, as The Terminator. And the film also stars Diego Boneta (as Natalia’s character’s brother) and Gabriel Luna (as a Terminator). So that seems like a lot of dudes, so relax dudes, you will be represented. You know, unlike the representation of LGBTQ people, women, people of color and people with disabilities onscreen in Hollywood. (Though, I will note that half of the lead cast appears to be Latinx, which is kind of wonderful for a big budget franchise like this.)

Even more indicative of how bro-tastic this movie will still be – despite its three prominent female leads – is what’s happening behind the camera. T6 will be executive produced by “Terminator” franchise creator James Cameron. It will be directed by “Deadpool” auteur Tim Miller. And it will be written by “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” scribe David Goyer.

So, yeah, relax fellas, you’re extremely well represented in a world struggling to fight against the dystopian robot future of your own making. Please, just let us enjoy all of these ladies in their tank tops and badassery.

Tank Top Tuesday: Terminator Edition

These photos of Mackenzie Davis and her tank top are makings me…feel things. The first images from the “Terminator 6” set have leaked out and they’re good. They’re really good. They’re like, damn, I want to watch a Terminator movie again good.



And, even better still, Linda Hamilton is back as Sarah Connor. With a shotgun. BE STILL MY HEART.



Now you may remember Mackenzie from such things as the best episode of “Black Mirror” ever. Though, admittedly, going form San Junipero to Skynet is actually…not that big a leap. And I am thrilled that the new Terminator appears to be bringing its female leads back into prime tank top form. I mean, it is tradition, after all.

Just Another San Junipero Monday

I rewatched “San Junipero” for the umpteenth time last weekend. But like a fine wine and some cheeses, it only gets better with age. I don’t know how you can look at this behind-the-scenes shot of Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis and not smile? Because you simply cannot. Now that’s a way to start your week. Happy Monday, kittens.

SGALGG: Emmys Edition

To be honest, at this year’s Emmys there were so many Gay Gals Acting Like Gay Gals at the Emmys we hardly need a Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals. Plus we’ve got Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals With Gay Gals. Hell, at this point it’s just one big gay jumbles and I’m here for all of it. Though, if any of this smorgasbord of sexuality is causing any lingering confusion, please allow me to clear things up.

SGALGG: Mackenzie Davis & Gugu Mbatha-Raw

San Junipero forever (like, literally, forever).

GGALGG: Lena Waithe & Alana Mayo

Thanking your girlfriend in your Emmy speech is like 1 million Girlfriend Points, no?

SGALGGWGG: Sarah Paulson & Thandie Newton

No one tell Holland.

GGALGG: Samira Wiley & Lauren Morelli

Happily married photogenic couple is happily married and photogenic.

SGALGGWGG: Samira Wiley & Oprah

No one tell Gayle.

SGALGG: Anna Chlumsky & Ellie Kemper

My Girl is Unbreakable. Sorry, they can’t all be winners.

GGALGG: Evan Rachel Wood

I lied. Evan Rachel Wood and her vests can always be a winner.

SGALGG: Zoe Kravitz & Tessa Thompson

Unfortunately, rainbow dresses don’t actually make you gay – yet.

GGALGG: Kate McKinnon

Gay Lady World Domination Tour starts here.

SGALGGWGG: Kate McKinnon & Nicole Kidman

I see Kate’s already attracting tour groupies.

SGALGG: Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern & Zoe Kravitz

I may or may not have cropped Shailene Woodley out because she had the gall to brag about not owning or watching television on the red carpet of a television award show where she was nominated for acting on a television show to a reporter broadcasting it on a television show. Also I’m pretty sure she voted for Jill Stein.

SGALGGWGG: Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton & Jane Fonda

Legends only.

Vacation Vixen: San Junipero

Have you had a chance to get sucked into our possible near-future dystopia yet? No. Well, that’s fine. I know it’s more than a little unnerving to see a society that has scapegoats godlessness as the reason for its problems and stripped women of their most basic rights aso ne of the solutions. But, hey, who’s to say that future is ours. Maybe, just maybe, we get the good kind where we all get to live forever while listening to effervescent 80s pop? I mean, a girl can dream.

p.s. If you have not experienced “San Junipero” yet, do not press play above. Go watch, and maybe rewatch (and rewatch again) and then press play. Trust me, the wait is worth it because wondering is practically the best part.

My Weekend Crush

The night is too often dark and full of terrors. But sometimes, just sometimes, it hands us these little gifts. These precious surprises. These unexpected moments of grace. “San Junipero” is one of those little gifts. If you know anything about “Black Mirror,” the anthology series that adds a dark technological spin to the “Twilight Zone” concept, you know happily ever after isn’t necessarily its thing. But I had heard about its “San Junipero” episode since last fall when it premiered. But then life, and the horrifying world, got in the way.

But this month, finally, I found the time and head space to sit down and watch. To really watch. And, goodness, am I glad I did.

If you haven’t watched already, I really don’t want to give too much away. Figuring it all out for yourself is such an essential part of this journey. Through the whole episode I felt as if the answer was right there, so close, I could graze it with my fingertips. But I never got their until they wanted me to, until at last I could embrace it.

But the set-up is a flashy good-time girl named Kelly (the vivacious Gugu Mbatha-Raw) meets a bespectacled quiet girl named Yorkie (Emily Blunt look-alike Mackenzie Davis) in 1987. They’ve found each other in San Junipero, a place of seemingly endless, all-night parties. And there’s an attraction, almost instantly. Which is fought because these things are always fought. But then it isn’t. And there is Belinda Carlile. Forever.

Plus, and again I do not want to give too much away, it features perhaps the most clever subversion of the Bury Your Gays trope to ever be seen on screen.

The questions evoked by “San Junipero” are the biggest ones there are. What is a happy ending? How long can love last? Who defines consciousness? Is the 80s your era?

What I will say, because you should really experience this for yourself, is that at times it seems we have so few shots at happiness in this world. And even when we find it, it can be so fleeting. So when you do, enjoy the hell out of it. Enjoy it for as long as you can – however long that may be. We make our own happy endings. Happy weekend, all.

My Weekend Crush

[Click to Embiggen the Queer Ladies Saying GTFO]

I’ve decided that my aesthetic for 2017 is going to be Queer Women Calmly Dismissing Dudes Who Can’t Take a Fucking Hint. Like, ladies, we have all been there. We have all endured this exact same situation. We have all been interrupted when we are just trying to enjoy each other’s company. Yes, all queer women. In fact, all women – period. But you know what, in this Grab ‘Em By The Pussy Age we have to be even more resolute in standing our ground. Men who are not invited into our spaces need to get the fuck out. So, dudes, you are officially on notice. Speak when spoken to. Interject when invited. But do not assume your presence is exactly what’s missing whenever a woman, two women, a group of women are sitting somewhere. Because, in fact, in almost every instance the exact opposite it true. Yes, dudes. Really. Happy weekend, all – but especially all you ladies.