Gender Fuck Thursday: Tennis, Anyone

I guess I’m just feeling sporty this week. But what was in the water, or should I say wardrobes, at Wimbledon this year? I noticed celeb-after celeb – queer or otherwise – rocking the preppy menswear. And, I can’t help it, I kind of love it. WASPy, old money gender fuck is secretly one of my favorite categories of gender fuck. Like, damn, Jodie and Alexandra. You make me want to pitch a show called Real Lesbian Housewives of Cape Cod. Though, honestly, thanks to Ralph Lauren, everyone at Wimbledon looked like they were about to ask the unpopular girl in the handsewn dress to prom.

Jodie Foster & Alexandra Hedison

Emma Corrin

Cynthia Erivo

Nicole Kidman

Rashida Jones

Sarah Pidgeon

Right, so who above is taking you to prom? Yes, obviously, I already called dibs on Jodie. (Sorry, Alexandra, not sorry.)

Leslie Knope 2020

Damn, do we all need some Leslie Knope in our lives now or what? And the good news (no really, there is still good news) is that we’re about to get her. The fine people behind – and in front – of the camera at “Parks & Recreation” have reunited – well, apart, because self-isolation and social distancing – to make a Very Special Episode of “Parks & Rec” airing tonight on NBC. The Zoom-ified episode will feature all of the cast in their roles as the good and not-so-good citizens of Pawnee, Indiana. I love that Leslie is obviously leading the Department of Interior and Ben Wyatt has self-quarantine hair – and also appears to be a congressman from Indiana. And Ron, well, Ron was practicing social distancing before social distancing was cool, obviously.



Dip, I sure miss this boisterous, big-hearted show. I actually feel more than a little pang of melancholy when I rewatch old episodes. The optimism of it all. The unbridled and unapologetic belief that government, for all its ridiculous ridiculousness, could and should do great things for us, the people? That’s what is missing in America today, more than ever, with this “president” and these politics. Help us, Leslie Knope. You’re our only hope.

ETA: The whole show was uploaded by NBC afterward, so please enjoy above as long as they have it up. (The preview clip links no longer work, alas. But, goodness, is this whole thing worth a watch.)

My Weekend Sing

When you're weary, feeling small, when tears are in your eyes – you should definitely sing “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper. As some of you with way-back memories will remember, it was one of my father’s favorite songs. And she is, of course, a longtime Friend of the Blog. So please enjoy this sing-along, and don’t be shy. Join in. You’ll feel better, I promise. Happy weekend, all.

SGALGG: Oscars Edition

Where there is an award show there will always be Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals. These Oscars are, of course, no different. I mean when you seat Jennifer Lopez next to Meryl Streep, what were you expecting?

Jennifer Lopez & Beyoncé

Fine, if JLo had to trade in Meryl for any other snuggle partner, I guess Queen Bey is an OK substitute. I guess.

Amy Adams & Amanda Peet

All I hear in my head when I look at this picture is “mwah, mwah, mwah” kissing sounds.

Jennifer Aniston & Emma Stone

Starting the Hugs Across America movement all over again.

Jennifer Hudson & Angie Harmon

DOES MAURA KNOW? And on a Gayzzoli Recap Day. For shame.

Reese Witherspoon & Nicole Kidman

Everyone’s a cheater today. Nicole, you’d better hope Naomi Watts doesn’t find out.

Emma Stone & Julianne Moore

This is a two-timing I approve of. I mean, I like Jen. But Julianne all day long.

Iman & Paula Patton

No cheating here. Paula kicked that Blurred Lines idiot to the curb where he belongs.

Patricia Clarkson & Sienna Miller

I’m having major “High Art” flashbacks, minus the heroin.

Natalie Portman & Rashida Jones

Fine, so they’re not acting super gay to each other. But I just dig that they’re friends.

Meryl Streep

Jacket on point.

Scarlett Johansson

Undercut on fleek.

I think Meryl speaks for all of us about Scarlett’s haircut. YAAAAASS.

Totally Rec-ed

Aw man, I can’t believe it all ends tonight. Like my beloved “30 Rock” did, “Parks & Recreation” is ending its run after seven seasons. And tonight is the night. And, also like my beloved “30 Rock,” “Parks & Rec” never got the mass public adoration it deserved. Through its run it has been ratings challenged, but filled with overflowing heart. To those who have watched and loved it over the years it has always been a darling to us. And much of that, almost all of that, was because of Leslie Knope. Leslie Knope is that indomitable spirit. That unlimited optimism. That unstoppable force. What has set the show apart from the start was its lack of cynicism. It hasn’t been about being cool or making fun of the uncool. It has been about civil servants in a small Midwestern town. It has been about the characters you see everyday who grow into a patchwork family if you’re lucky enough to have that kind of workplace. Through it all the show, and Leslie, have been unabashed peddlers of feminism and hope and winsomeness. Hos before bros. Uteruses before duderuses. Ovaries before brovaries. I’ll miss Leslie Knope on my TV. There’ll only ever be one Leslie Knope. But we all could use a little more Leslie Knope in our lives everyday.

p.s. Granted, the series never had a lesbian character. But it did have a handful of memorable lesbian moments. When Ann was mistaken for Leslie’s trophy wife. When Leslie’s city council campaign consultant told her she was gay. And who can forget the lesbian Afro-Norwegian funk duo Nefertiti’s Fjord.



p.p.s. If you’re looking for a new a new Tuesday night show now that “Parks & Rec” is done, might I re-suggest “Fresh Off the Boat?” I mean it, watch this show. I don’t want it to become another “Go On” or “Trophy Wife” or [Insert Name of Great Show Gone After One Season Here]. Smart, funny. And they had a whole joke about teaching your son not to date rape, that wasn’t about “ha ha, isn’t date rape funny,” but “no, seriously, don’t rape women” as its punchline. Constance Wu, y’all. Get on board.

Parks & Monday

Monday, Monday. Nothing as predictable as the inevitable mundanity of the perpetual restarting of the work week. What can be done in the face of such a case of the day-before-Tuesday? Simple. Be like that lovable chim-chimney sweep Bert. Love to laugh. But what at? So many option. Republican attempts at minority outreach? Anthony Weiner’s mayoral campaign? Justin Bieber?

Nope, nope. Yes, but also nope. No, when I want to laugh I like to leave it to the professionals. Because serious laughs are serious business. Seriously funny. Which is why the best way to start your Monday is with the gang from “Parks & Recreation.” And, hard workers that they are, they provided us some 20-minutes of gag reel for their Season 5 DVD. That’s a lot of laughs, friends. A lot.

Please enjoy. And know that nothing makes your bored co-workers more jealous on a mind-numbing Monday than seeing you shake with laughter at your desk. You’re welcome.

All roads lead to lesbianism

While my Pride Month Lesbian Movie Rewind Experience 2013 has ended – finished it off with “Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement,” appropriately, last week. (You can stream it yourself on Netflix or Wolfe.) But the amusing discoveries from the LMRE 2013 continue. Like, did you know a lot of now-famous faces made some of their very first appearances in lesbian movies? Rewatching some of the recent (and less recent) lesbian cinema classics reveal some very special guest starts before they were very special. A sampling of leztastic cameos:

Emily VanCamp in “Lost & Delirious”

Before she sought her “Revenge,” Emily was Tori’s annoying sister, Allison, who really needs to learn how to knock first.

Jeffrey Tambor in “Desert Hearts”

Before he was the Bluth family patriarch on “Arrested Development,” Jeffrey worked at the ranch Prof. Vivian Bell came to stay during her quickie divorce.

Dale Dickey in “The Incredibly True Adventures of 2 Girls in Love”

Before she was the wolfie grandma of Alcide’s new pack on “True Blood,” Dale was Randy Dean’s coworker at the gas station.

Benedict Cumberbatch in “Tipping the Velvet”

Before he was the all-knowing, all-deducing Sherlock Holmes, Benedict wasn’t able to see or deduce that his so-called girlfriend Nan Austin was a total lezzer.

Rashida Jones in “If These Walls Could Talk 2”

Before she was beautiful tropical fish Ann Perkins on “Parks & Recreation,” Rashida was one of the “unnamed angry feminists” who didn’t want the lesbians to mess up their fight for women’s rights.

Christopher Meloni in “Bound”

Before he was Det. Stabler on “Law & Order,” Chris was the dim-witted son of the mob boss.

Mila Kunis in “Gia

Before she was the imaginary “Black Swan,” Mila was a young Angelina.

Idina Menzel in “Kissing Jessica Stein”

Before she was “Wicked,” Idina was an overly happy bridesmaid.

See all roads (to fame) really do lead back to lesbianism.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Gray Days Edition

I’ve been in a rather gray mood this week. The ridiculous realities of our political landscape and cultural discourse tend have a way of bringing a gal down. But I am determined to turn that frown upside down. Gray skies are gonna clear up and all. So let’s celebrate gray in all its glory. Sure, the black suit gets all the formal occasions. But a nice gray suit can really cheer a gal up when worn on the right gal. Case in point, these ladies. See, things are looking better already.

Emma Watson

Hermione went to college and joined the Newsboys Club.

Isabella Rossellini

I love a woman who ages with dignity, and in a suit.

Janelle Monae

She’s easy breezy and then some.

Ellen DeGeneres

So is Ellen, but we knew that already.

Karen Gillan

Sept. 1, I’ll be there.

Evan Rachel Wood

Vests count too. Possibly double. Possibly triple with those suspenders – and hair.

Rashida Jones

I’ve decided to adopt Ann Perkins’ description of Leslie Knope as my new personal mantra: “She’s a little doofy, but she’s sweet.”

Scarlett Johansson

She makes a rather dapper Buster Keaton. Who knew?

Angie Harmon

I miss Det. Sexy McBadass and her Ponytail of Righteous Justice.

You are beautiful

Sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves that with so much ugliness in the world, these is still more beauty to those who look. It’s been a very busy week for me. I’ve hardly had time to catch my breath. But when I do, if I’m looking, I can almost always find something that moves me. Something that cuts through the mundane. Something that surpasses the meanness. Something beautiful. So today, just as a little Jesus why is it only Thursday and not Friday yet pick me up, here is a compilation of beauty – both literally and figuratively. Please enjoy.

My So-Called Life


Christina Aguilera


Parks & Recreation


Lost & Delirious (NSFW, but worth it)

People are so strange and so complicated that they’re actually beautiful. Definitely even you.

Tank Top Tuesday

You know how that Tuesday after a vacation can be even worse than the Monday after a vacation because Tuesday is the day it actually sets in that, “Dammit, I’m really going to have to be here all week.” So, naturally, I’ve turned to tank tops to soften the blow. Oh, tank tops. You never fail me.

Maria Bello

I don’t love the promos for “Prime Suspect,” but I do love Maria. So, you know, sold.

Heather MorrisI am suddenly irrationally jealous of that volleyball net, and that pole. Possibly the sand.

Lynn ChenSure, we’re all still in love with Michelle. But of course we fell for Lynn, too. She taught us to fall, after all.

Gillian AndersonScully is working on her fitness. Your argument is invalid.

Rashida JonesIf I promise to keep posting pictures of Rashida in a tank top, will you promise to watch “Parks and Recreations?”

Katie McGrathYou can’t really see much of her tank top here. I’m surprisingly OK with that.

Annie LennoxThat amount of cool should be bottled and sold in stores.

Missy PeregrymI have long forgotten the plot of “Stick It,” but I will never forget those abs.

Joanne KellyHave you ever wondered what a young Agent Myka Bering would look like in a tank top by a campfire? Well, now you know.