Gender Fuck Thursday: Met with Suits

First things first, the Met Gala is ridiculous. It is the most bready of circuses, feeding us with literally nothing but sparkly celebrity sparkling. But, I can also not resist attractive women in suits. And this year’s theme of dandyism and Black tailoring which brought out SO MANY SUITS. Granted, some outfits were suit adjacent. And there were so many jackets over gowns. Or, um, hotpants. But, still, I love a strong shoulder in a smart lapel. I can’t help it! If we’re gonna eat the rich, they might as well look delicious beforehand. Just saying. Anyway, here are some of the tastiest looks of the gala. Like, Zendaya in that white three-piece? Hot damn. And I do not mean that respectfully. (Sorry, Tom Holland.) Oh and also – yeah, tax the rich.

Janelle Monae

This. Is. Art. Periodt.

Tessa Thompson

This is also art, but possibly by Dr. Seuss.

Doechii

I’ve never been into the little pageboy look, until now.

Whoopi Goldberg

This is perhaps my favorite of her red carpet looks. Maybe even more than her Oscar-winning dress in 1991.

Lupita Nyong'o

Seafoam Mary Poppins is working for me.

Lauryn Hill

This is what people mean when they say “like butter.”

Jonquel Jones

The WNBA finals MVP defied gravity indeed.

Breanna Stewart

Now that’s a good teammate, dressing exactly to theme.

Madonna

Channeling Dietrich is never wrong.

Chappell Roan

Neither is channelling Bowie.

Anna Sawai

I mean, if you’re going to wear the same thing as someone, might as well be Zendaya. Amirite?

Angela Bassett

Just give the Queen her Oscar already.

Rise Up

Some people have been saying, “But think of the art!” as a silver lining of the Trump administration. A reinvigorated arts community will funnel its energy and we will enter a golden age. But as someone who writes for a living I can say, fuck that. Trust me, we can be plenty creative without the threat of a burgeoning tyrant destroying our country.

But that is not to discount the importance of art during this new, horrible era. Art will matter, as art always matters. Possibly even more. On the one hand, it can provide respites of joy to keep us motivated. Because if we are too weary and too exhausted and too beaten down to keep going, we will just stop. And, again, we are the only ones who can save ourselves now. And on the other hand, art will be a crucial part of the resistance. It will shed light on current injustice. And, just as important, it will bear witness to our history.

Which brings me to “When We Rise.” The ABC miniseries chronicles the LGBTQ rights movement from Stonewall to today. It’s the kind of star-studded, high-profile affair you’d think we would have had ages ago. (No, “Stonewall” most definitely does not count – you can keep your gay/male/white-washing, thank you very much.) So I am excited to see what an Oscar-winning screenwriter like Dustin Lance Black and acclaimed out filmmakers like Dee Rees and Gus Van Sant can do with a cast that includes Mary-Louise Parker, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, Rachel Griffiths, Michael K. Williams, Guy Pearce, trans actress Ivory Aquino more playing some of the real-life heroes of our movement.

“When We Rise” airs Feb. 27 on ABC. May it inspire us to keep up the fight. And may it be the kind of art that helps sustain us these next four years.