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: 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 Kind of shocking that the Orange Turd hasn't repealed Juneteenth as a federal holiday.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.

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.

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.

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.

Go, Cheeseburgers, go

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Just a not-so-gentle reminder that he will die some day. He really will. We know it because Rachel Maddow said it. And, well, it's true. Go, cheeseburgers, go. Now that is something to root for.

Old Married Couple

Holy shit, can you believe it’s been 30 years since Susan and Carol got married on Friends? Earlier this month, to mark the episode’s Jan. 18, 1996 airdate, Carol actress Jane Sibbett posted about the anniversary while praising Susan co-star Jessica Hecht and saying “I am still so grateful that this testament to love in all forms touched the hearts of so many people around the world.” So much has changed in our popular zeitgeist since Susan and Carol walked down the aisle in the dowdiest lesbian wedding dresses ever as Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s lesbian sister Candace Gingrich officiated. And yet, here we are. With the powers that be intent on rolling it all back. But three decades later, we’re never going back. Fuck this fucking administration and everything it stands for. And happy 30th anniversary, Carol and Susan!

Music Monday: Joy in a Hopeless Place

The United States is not a fun place to live right now. And, I know we haven't been great to be around either for our global neighbors, near or far. (Many of us are truly sorry about all of this, we absolutely loathe him too.) I fear things will get more cruel, stupid, racist and violent before they get better. I mean, they’re just shooting people in the street in broad daylight. So, we’re already in the bad place. I salute all the good people of Minnesota, particularly Minneapolis, for standing up for their neighbors.

Not to sound trite, but in these intensely distressing times – when as an individual it feels so hard to make a meaningful difference while at the same time knowing the only way out is if we all find ways to resist and repudiate what is happening in front of our eyes – we need joy. Joy has always been a form of resistance. Not joy without the work, but there’s something exquisite about finding joy in the face of those who hate your very existence.

Anyway, this is a long way of saying please enjoy the pure cathartic joy of the cast and crew of “Hamnet” dancing to Rihanna’s “We Found Love” to celebrate the end of filming. If you’ve seen the movie, you know they’d earned that moment (especially because I’ve heard they filmed that final scene last, which *low whistle*). I love the diverse body of work director Chloe Zhao has built, always with a contemplative eye and unhurried pace. Did I think “Hamnet” was a little too unhurried? I’m just saying, don’t eat a big meal before watching, otherwise you might find yourself lulled into an unplanned nap. But that ending? That moment. Yeah, like I was saying, find your joy. Take it where you can. Let it fuel us for the road ahead. Happy Monday, Kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Part of what makes living through this historical moment feel strange is the lack of response from so, so, so many. Yes, many dedicated activists and everyday citizens and good neighbors and decent people are holding the line and showing up when it matters. Looking especially at you, brave people of Minneapolis. But the fact that some of the most wealthy, most famous and most privileged among us have chosen to stay quiet or stick their heads in the sand? Shame. Truly, completely, shame. Now, I get it, some stars probably think it's better for celebrities to be seen and not heard. But fuck that. The stakes and realities of what this administration is doing are too high. We need everyone who can stand up to stand up. And now.

Which is why I keep highlighting those who do. Using your platform to say, “This is wrong, this is bad, this is unacceptable” seems like the very least our superstars could do at this moment. But given how few stars wore even the small, symbolic “Be Good” and “ICE out” pins were worn at the Golden Globes, we have a long, long silent road ahead.

Which is why it feels so refreshing that Billie Eilish has consistently used her platform and public appearances to register her dissent. From her acceptance speech for the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Award for Environmental Justice:

“To be honest, I really don’t feel deserving. And it’s very strange to be celebrated for working towards environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever given the state of our country and the world right now. We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped, resources to fight the climate crisis being cut for fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet, and people’s access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a new basic human right for all Americans. It is very clear that protecting our planet and our communities is not a priority for this administration. And it’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets.”

What’s happening right now in America is not OK. We are not OK. And we shouldn’t stop shouting it from the rooftops until everyone is OK.

Good thing I already love Billie’s music, because that right there is how you make me a fan for life. Keep fighting the good fight. Happy weekend, all.

My Weekend Crush ICE Crush

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I had another post planned for today. That can wait until next week. Instead I’ll just be singing this with my whole chest all weekend. In the first seven days of 2026 the United States of America has bombed Venezuela and kidnapped its leader, threatened to take Greenland by force and shot a woman in broad daylight for all to see. We are the bad guys. And it’s up to us, its everyday citizens, to denounce, protest and fight this administration in any and every way we can. What the federal government is doing is corrupt, unlawful and immoral. And we, the people, cannot let it stand. Fuck ICE. Fuck Trump. Fuck MAGA. Fuck billionaires. But this weekend especially, FUCK ICE. Plus, it’s a true banger. Happy weekend, all.

As He Wished

Honestly, I don’t know what to say about the death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Police have arrested his 32-year-old son for their murders, and well, anyone with a functioning sense of empathy (i.e. not our POS POTUS – even though Michelle shot the cover photo for “Art of the Deal”!) can understand that their family and friends deserve grace right now.

I just want to thank the universe for giving us someone who could direct among the greatest mockumentaries (This Is Spinal Tap,” 1984), the greatest coming-of-age stories (“Stand By Me,” 1986), the greatest fairy tales (“The Princess Bride,” 1987), the greatest rom-coms (“When Harry Met Sally…,” 1989), the greatest horror thrillers (“Misery,” 1990) and greatest courtroom dramas (“A Few Good Men,” 1992) in the span of under a decade. These movies all came out in my most formative of years, and I can recite lines verbatim from all of them. I may know all of “The Princess Bride” by heart, but then what Gen Xer doesn’t.

That, my friends, would been enough of a legacy on its own. But that he was also universally celebrated as a true mensch, a good egg, a political powerhouse and champion of LGBTQ+ causes (especially marriage equality) makes him something even more important. A good human who so many will miss. Thanks for the movies, sir. May you and your wife rest in power, and may all of us celebrate your life and work for as long as people tell stories to one another that matter.

My Weekend Crush

Sabrina Carpenter may be short n’ sweet, but she knows an evil administration when she sees one. The most heterosexual of all the pop superstars (much to her own obvious chagrin, bless her heart) wasted no words calling out an ICE video using her music last week.

She replied to the now deleted ICE video using one of her songs:

“this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”

Also, they were using her song “Juno” which, wtf, it’s about being so hot for someone you’ll let them get you pregnant! So they’re evil, disgusting, inhumane and also too stupid to understand song lyrics. We really are living in the most simultaneously evil and idiotic timeline in history.

Anyway, let’s have more musical superstars doing what we all should be doing right now – raging against the machine, calling out billionaires and lambasting this evil administration. Thanks, Sabrina. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. And, hell yeah, she brought drag performers and trans rights protest signs to the VMAs this year too.

My Weekend Crush

What should you do when the President of the United States points his stubby little finger at a female reporter just doing her job and says, “Quiet, piggy” for all the cameras and world to see?

Yeah, you know what to do. Because fuck that motherfucker. Or, Bill fucker? So let them fly, ladies. Though which style you do it, well, that’s entirely up to you.

The Double Cersei

The Smile & Bird

The Smile & Double Bird

The Look Away

The Emmy Worthy

The Oscar Worthy

The Early 2000s

The Billionaires Are So Cringe

The O.G.

So, yeah, fuck that motherfucker. Happy weekend, all.

Casa of Our Own

Gender Fuck Thursday: Casa Susanna

Well, I don’t know how I missed this when it came out two years ago. But, goodness, what a reminder that our community has always come together to find safety and solidarity. As our trans family comes under relentless attack from Trump and the GOP (who are, in essence, legislating them out of existence), we must provide that safety and solidarity for them whenever we can. You can watch the full PBS documentary about the 50s-60s haven Casa Susanna in the Catskills on PBS Passport or for free on Youtube. I plan to give it a watch this weekend as inspiration for our continued fight for progress, equality and places where we can simply be ourselves. What a fucking concept.

My Weekend Crush

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This. THHHHHIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS. I want a lot more, “Ew, billionaires,” from a lot more people in this era of obscene wealth hoarding. So here’s to the Hannah Einbinders and Hayley Williamses and Billie Eilishes of the world who are saying what needs to be said in these dark times for so many. That the few (i.e. the Billionaire Class and their enablers) can continue to rule over the lives of the many continues to be the biggest con of our society. So, thanks, Billie for not letting a chance to call out Mark Zuckerberg (who was in the audience when she picked up the WSJ’s Music Innovator award last week) in person pass. Why are you a billionaire is a truly excellent questions. Eat the rich, is all I’m saying. And, given this week’s election results, I’m clearly not the only one. Happy weekend, all.

Hope Is Other People

Yesterday’s doomed post, while of course fun and unfortunately endlessly topical, belies how I actually am feeling this week. Sorry, let me correct that, how I’ve been feeling since late Tuesday night. Like many of you, this whole year has been a slow-moving (and at times, shockingly fast-moving – oh, East Wing, we miss you) disaster. So it’s been hard to find hope. Still, the Election Day results represent a clear repudiation of the unlawful cruelty (and, might I add, rampant stupidity) of the Orange Stain’s second term. And while it of course has not completely solved our Sartre problem, it at least is a reminder that not everyone is awful. Good things can still happen.

I’ve long said Trump wins by overwhelming us with terrible, awful, no good things so that it’s hard to focus on what matters. The truth is, all of it matters. But none of that will matter if we can’t fight off fascism and defend democracy. Period. Full stop.

How we get there, whether through more progressive candidates or more moderate candidates or whatever kind of candidate, is kind of immaterial. It’s that, as AOC says so succinctly here, we are all fighting the same fight. Democrats, progressives, liberals and even centrists of all stripes have one assignment right now. Fight like fucking hell. Yeah, we’re sad and we’re mad and we’re scared. But we are not afraid. May we keep electing fighters who speak for their communities everywhere. And we will remember everyone who bent the knee, especially those with the most already who were more than happy to comply in advance. Fight. Win. Repeat.

p.s. If you want a little more of that hopey-changey feeling, might I suggest Zohran Mamdani’s full victory speech. And, trust me, be sure to turn the volume up.

Music Monday: Worst Believers

After the massive and heartening No Kings rallies across the country (now, let’s turn that into action at the polls, for mutual aid, for community care), all I want from artists right now is their honest rage. We need modern protest songs. We need Hayley Williams’s “True Believer.” The Paramore frontwoman’s new solo project has started with this searing single that pulls no punches about our fucked up political situation. And, you know, the racism behind it. More of this, anyone with a platform and functioning empathy. More of this. Also, particularly more of this in the face of intentionally milquetoast and entirely complicit people like Fallon. Happy Monday, kittens.

Aye Aye, Captain

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What Kate Mulgrew said. I keep searching for what will finally, finally break the hold of Trumpism. Heck, I've read up on McCarthyism, and especially how it ended. We can still pull ourselves back from this madness and stupidity, America. And the rational and empathetic among us must do all we can in this moment to ensure we do. Otherwise, I fear even Captain Janeway herself can't save us.