My Weekend Crush

I like Tessa Thompson a lot. Like a lot a lot. I’ve seen her in “Thor: Ragnarok,” and “Westworld” and “Selma” and even an episode of “Rizzoli & Isles” among other things over the years. And one of her more remarkable abilities is to chameleon herself into her roles. Put Julia Roberts in any role and you’re always like, “OK, we get it, you’re Julia Roberts.” But with Tessa you watch her for a while and then go, “Oh yeah, that’s Tessa.” That’s a good quality to have for an actor. A very good quality.

She has been described as “an unapologetic, complex actress, who seeks out unapologetic, complex characters.” Nowhere is this more evident than in her personal life, where she had championed Time’s Up and other progressive, feminist movements. And, of course, there’s her veryclose relationships with Janelle Monae.

Last week Tessa took another big step and came out as bisexual in a cover story for the fashion magazine Net-a-Porter. She said:

“I can take things for granted because of my family – it’s so free and you can be anything that you want to be. I’m attracted to men and also to women. If I bring a woman home, [or] a man, we don’t even have to have the discussion.”

And about her relationship with also recently out Janelle and her Vagina Pants she said:

“We love each other deeply. We’re so close, we vibrate on the same frequency. If people want to speculate about what we are, that’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.”

Now, of course, folks ran with the “we love each other deeply” part as confirmation they’re in a relationship. But Tessa herself put on some brakes and tweeted:

Sometimes we cheer so loudly at someone speaking their truth, that we miss what they say. (Here’s looking at you media journalism). I didn’t say I was in a relationship. But I said lots of other things. All below. One thing I missed — Pride Has No End. x https://t.co/yEd0Ep6K17

— Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) June 29, 2018

Two things: 1) Good for her for coming out! And 2) Good for all of us for her coming out! Whenever a famous person comes out it makes us all feel a little less along. Those of us who, as Hannah Gadsby would say, exist in the margins, each person who steps up to speak her or his or their truth is another acknowledgment of our shared humanity. It’s that connection we crave.

So congratulations, Tessa. And thank you. Happy weekend, all.

ETA: It should go without saying that just as homophobia is not welcome here, neither is biphobia. But, alas, it seems it does need to be said. Biphobia is unacceptable. Nor, while we are at it, is transphobia. Making broad and hateful generalizations on an entire group of people based on stereotypes about their sexual orientation or gender identity is everything I stand against. If you cannot accept and embrace the entire spectrums of the LGBTQ community then please find another blog and/or planet to frequent. (Note: Blogger has stopped notifying when I receive new comments, so I do not see all of the posts as quickly as I used to, hence the delay in response. My apologies.)

To The Max

True confession, I binged all of the last season of “Orange Is the New Black” over the weekend it debuted last June – except the final episode. And to this day I still haven’t watched the finale. I just haven’t felt inspired enough to care. Last season was problematic for me, for many reasons. Having an entire season play out over the few days of the prison riot was…a choice. In the end it felt like a painful way to prolong our agony. But that’s what happens sometimes when writers make the creative choices to prove a point but instead kill the heart of their show (see: Poussey Washington and Dana Fairbanks). So now I don’t know how I feel about OITNB’s upcoming season. Given the change in locale (from minimum to max) I am going to assume things didn’t go so hot for the ladies of Litchfield in that last episode. But the question remains, do I care enough to follow them to the even bigger house? Time will tell when it returns later this month. But at least we get some new credits. The song, however, remains the same. (So if you are one of those skip the credits types, proceed as normal.)

It's a whole new world. Nothing is the same, including the Season 6 opening credits. Can you spot the difference? pic.twitter.com/weQ32ZMiQH

— Orange Is the New... (@OITNB) June 13, 2018

America! America! America!

I can think of nothing more patriotic on this Fourth Of July than encouraging Americans to get involved in our political system. Be that voting, volunteering, donating or running for office yourself, do something. Democracy is not a spectator sport. And, as we have seen since January 2017, if not carefully tended and rigorously watched over, our democracy can be compromised. And compromised quite easily, as this past week has shown us. The sense of security we have had for far too long about the moral arc of the universe always bending toward justice has been revealed as overly optimistic. It won’t bend unless we make it bend. That means everyone must reach out and grab hold and fight for what we believe this country should be with all of our might.

Which brings me to today’s post. This is a very good political ad. I know I have been posting a couple of these lately, but it is only to highlight some of the great, smart, and female candidates running for office this year. MJ Hegar is running against a Tea Party Republican in Texas. She served as a major in the US Air Force and the Air National Guard and completed three tours of duty in Afghanistan. She also has one of the very best political ads I’ve seen in a long time. And even if you don’t live in Texas and get to vote for her, I hope you are getting excited about voting these bastards out and finally putting a check on the ignorant, hateful, corrupt asshole in the Oval Office. We can vote them out, and we can replace them with people like MJ Hegar.

For the love of all that is good, please register and vote in the midterms. I am not above begging.

You're Standing on My Reboot

Daria and her combat boots were a big part of my youth. Her deadpan cynicism and piercing intelligence remain aspirational – and I still have a thing for combat boots, too. I own the complete box set and am still cranky they wouldn’t get the rights to the real music. But I digress. When I heard late last month that they were planning on rebooting the “Daria” series, I was a) excited, and b) worried. Excited because Daria Morgendorffer ranks among Liz Lemon, Leslie Knope, Buffy Summers, Wonder Woman and Princess Leia as my favorite fictional female characters of all time. Worried because our current reboot fever has a spotty record at best.

I’m encouraged that the new Daria series comes from TV writer Grace Edwards, whose past credits include “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “Inside Amy Shumer,” two shows I’ve enjoyed greatly. The new series will be called “Daria and Jodie,” and focus on Daria’s friendship with Jodie Landon, who in the original series was a stand-out student who often chaffed against having to be the model minority at the school (along with her football star boyfriend Mack). I haven’t seen any mention of Jane Lane, but dammit all she’d better be there, too. Daria without Jane is no Daria at all. Oh, and definitely make Jane gay in the new series. Definitely.

Naked Lady Monday: Sue & Megan Edition

Remember how I always say representations matters? Well, highly toned and incredibly chiseled representation matters, too. Ahem. Fans of everyone’s favorite not-so guilty pleasure, ESPN The Body Issue, were treated to the first-ever out gay couple on its cover this year. Pro basketball’s Sue Bird and pro soccer’s Megan Rapinoe graced the cover and pages of The Body Issue together. And it was good, it was very, very good.



As Megan told the magazine in the accompanying interview:

“I think neither of us really wants to just do things and be like, ‘We're the gay couple.’ But to have this really unique vehicle to actually do that, to celebrate who we are in our sport, but also the fact that we'll be the first gay couple, is pretty special. It's pretty amazing to think about, especially in the times we're in. Just think of how far we've come, but also the current climate and defiance in the face of that. Not only are we female athletes, but we're dating as well. It's kind of badass.”

Have I mentioned this photo shoot, even the strange lost in the forest shots, are very good? Because it is.

My Weekend Crush

Rarely has the phrase, “What a dame,” been leveled with such accuracy as at Emma Thompson. Now, my love for Emma is well documented. I am well-versed in all of her nuanced awesomeness – from demanding women always eat dessert to her insistence she never fiddle with her face to her apology for initially signing that petition, to her love of big words, to her hate of Trump, to her steadfast support of women everywhere and all-around delightfulness in general. And now, all of that amazing is a full dame. Like, capital D, comes from the queen, Dame. And, it certainly couldn’t have happened to a nicer dame. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. Say it with me, Dame Emma Freakin’ Thompson.

Gender Fuck Thursday: My Dear Watson Edition

I don’t know if you’ve been watching “Elementary” or not this season. But you should be. One, because it’s so much better and less dude-centric than the Brit’s “Sherlock.” And two because Lucy Liu continues to absolutely slay it with her impeccable suit game. Now I’ve talked about Lucy’s suits before. About two years ago, to be exact. And her suits have only gotten better since then. While she used to prefer frillier, flouncier ties and scarves, these days she has gone straight-up traditional suit-and-tie (and, fine, one bow tie) and it.is.good. It is so good. But, you know, don’t take my word for it. See and deduce for yourself, kittens.

Call Me By Nanette's Name

On Sunday morning of Pride Weekend, when all the rest of the gays were brunching, I watched Hannah Gadsby’s new Netflix comedy special “Nanette” with some friends in their living room. And, apologies to the brunch set, but it was the absolute gayest shit I could have done at that particular moment in time. More gay than watching a parade and much more gay than marching behind a corporate sponsor in a parade. Now, let’s back track and bit and see how we got here.

Last week a bunch of you posted or commented or replied to me that I had to watch this “Nanette” business. I had no idea what this “Nanette” business was, but The Internet told me to do it and I’ve never been burned by The Internet before. Wait, hold up, strike that and reverse it.

Still, I swallowed my trepidation and watched it on Pride Sunday no less. And, wow. Like, I could not feel that “wow” any more deeply. I believe “Nanette” is what mainstream critics call a “tour de force.” Or, you know, it would be if mainstream critics generally called the things that out lesbian, gender-nonconforming comics who aren’t wafer-thin and wear specs do a “tour de force.”

But that is exactly what her special is. It’s more than just an hour and nine minutes of comedy. It’s an hour and nine minutes of deconstructing why one of the most popular forms of comedy (self-deprecating humor, specifically) actually hurts the people who exist in the margins. You know us – the people of color, the queer people, the trans people, the gender nonconforming people, the women people. Really, the margins are anyone who isn’t our society’s stubborn and inaccurate default of “straight white male.”



“Nanette,” like Cameron Esposito’s also excellent “Rape Jokes” (which actually I had us watch after “Nanette” Sunday morning as an comedy enlightenment double feature), dares its audience to do more than laugh. It dares us to think. To think about ourselves. To think about the world. To step outside of the bubble we put ourselves in every day just to make it through or to make it easier or to reaffirm whatever we already believe to be the unshakeable truth and just marinate in someone else’s life and struggle.

I wasn’t familiar with Hannah Gadsby before I watched “Nanette.” So I cannot thank those of you enough who brought her to my attention. To quote Cameron from my double-header, “The internet is good?” Because what Hannah did was a lot more than just make me laugh that Sunday morning. She reaffirmed to me that to be an out queer woman in this world – or anyone else who exists in the margins – means we have to assert our agency with every last fiber of our bodies. And to do that we have to claim and tell our stories in a way that is honest and inclusive. Because if we don’t, if we fall into the same easy narrative traps, we are simply making the lives of those who already have it the easiest easier.

The world needs to marinate in the tension it has unleashed in our current, untenable political climate. To ban an entire ethnicity and/or religion of people from seeking refuge on our shores – that’s uncivilized and the people who do such a thing should feel tense. To forcibly rip people’s children away and put them in cages for seeking a better life here – that’s uncivilized and the people who do such a thing should feel tense.

Laughter (and penicillin) may be the best medicine, but the truth will set you free. Stop letting bad people off the hook. Also stop letting good people who just don’t like to think about the inherent institutional advantages they’ve been given because of the color of their skin or because of their socioeconomic status not think about those inherent institutional advantages.

The world is a tense place right now, and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise. We can laugh at that together, sure, but also acknowledge that for so many of us just feeling “tense” is a luxury. If we could only feel a little tense and not supremely terrified and profoundly furious at everything that is unfolding before our eyes.

The only way to make us less afraid of each other, less inclined to hate everything that is different is to really think about someone else’s life. Or, just as important, really think about yours and how you got where you are today. Yeah, “Nanette” is intense. But the world is intense. And to pretend otherwise is an easy laugh in a world that has already had far too many easy laugh at the expense those who can afford it the least.

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.

Music Monday: The Gay Lady Story

I thought I’d come off my Pride Weekend with a little throwback. Back to more than six years ago when Sara Ramirez singing this song was just nice and lovely. But now, after she came out as bisexual and gave herself a bona fide alternative lifestyle haircut, it contains that many more multitudes. Here is an out bi woman (Sara) singing a song she performed as her character an out queer woman (Callie Torres) which was originally sung by an out lesbian woman (Brandi Carlile). Whew, it’s almost like gay lady inception. But, you know, in a good way.

My Weekend Crush

Comedy is hard. Comedy is really, really hard. Comedy that says something important in addition to being funny? There aren’t enough reallys to express how hard that is. But, guess what, Cameron Esposito has done it. Her new special “Rape Jokes” has an intentionally provocative name because we live in intentionally provocative times. But more than that it is about asserting one’s agency, particularly as a sexual assault survivor, and addressing our pervasive rape culture.

My new special is AVAIL NOW!! https://t.co/mrdDRgIvPt to stream free or purchase to benefit @RAINN pic.twitter.com/bxied97LEi

— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) June 11, 2018

Cameron wrote and produced the special herself, without a network or a label behind her. Even better yet, proceeds benefit RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence advocacy group. Released just last week she has already raised $35,000 for RAINN and counting. You can stream it for free or better yet buy it to download at www.cameronesposito.com.

What makes “Rape Jokes” extraordinary is 1) It’s funny, really damn funny, and 2) It has something more to say than just being funny. You know, that thing I mentioned before that takes an infinite number of “reallys” to make happen because of its degree of difficulty? Yeah, she did that. She talks about Big Picture things from a place of great humor and deep understanding and personal experience – sexual assault, the patriarchy, queer identity, and more. She uses her platform to do more than just make us laugh, she wants us to think.

I have been lucky enough to see Cameron and her equally hilarious and talented wife Rhea Butcher live twice. And both times were excellent, wonderful and highly recommendable. But more than that, it felt great leaving the theater each time because in addition to laugh, we thought. We thought about what they had said, through the laughter. Really thought about it. And, you know what, it feels good to think. And it feels good to reflect. Because it always feels good to care about something other than yourself.

So I can’t think of a better Weekend Crush as I head into Pride Weekend here. Be loud, be proud, be thoughtful, be funny. Care about other people and the world around you. And have a happy Pride Weekend, all.

Last Dance

I don’t play videogames, unless you count the little procrastination enabling apps on my phone. Now, I have nothing against videogames or gamers or videos or any combination of the terms (GamerGaters, though, are another matter entirely). To be honest mostly I lack the hand-eye coordination, time and patience to play videogames. But, I do appreciate videogames and gamers – particularly lady gamers because, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m all about the ladies.

Now, videogames that let you play as queer characters aren’t necessarily new. Game franchises like “Final Fantasy” and “Mass Effect” and “Fallout” have all allowed for same-sex romances and relationships. And the more recent “Life Is Strange” series is essentially just lesbian feelings games.

But the unveiling of the “Last of Us II” trailer this week at E3 2018 presentation was something different. This isn’t a small indie label, this is freaking Sony. And it wasn’t hinted or alluded or whispered that shit was gonna get gay. It was one of the main selling point. Well, that and all the brutal hand-to-hand combat. But seriously, how wonderful. A videogame predicated (or at least sold) based on a same-sex relationship between two young women. Post-apocalyptic romance for the masses! And machetes!

What makes this even better is they used real actresses to capture the motion of Ellie and Dina. And what actresses they used. None other than Shannon Woodward (of “Raising Hope” and “Westworld” fame) played Dina and Ashley Johnson (from “the Avengers” and “Blindspot” and “The Killing”) played Ellie.

I am so unbelievably excited to be a part of this game. I am literally crying this makes me so happy. Take a look. https://t.co/I13P2Wyk47

— Shannon Woodward (@shannonwoodward) June 12, 2018

Just slow dancing with my lady @shannonwoodward (aka Dina) #PlaysStationE3 https://t.co/1Vkf5pMmWe

— Ashley Johnson (@TheVulcanSalute) June 12, 2018

Dina/Ellie stand ins. #TheLastOfUsPart2 pic.twitter.com/zCfGQ6QPLZ

— Shannon Woodward (@shannonwoodward) June 12, 2018

Bts my dudes pic.twitter.com/jYLdlFIqeb

— Shannon Woodward (@shannonwoodward) June 12, 2018

Is this what all videogame development is like? Ladies in motion-capture suits slow dancing and making out? Because if so I am clearly in the wrong field.

Still, even if you are not sold on the game itself, the kiss is worth a watch (and rewatch and rewatch some more). Luckily someone was kind enough to cut the trailer to be just a nice, lovely kiss (without the knives to the jugular) in between.

Save the Children (Fuck Donald Trump)

I had a different post planned for today. It was light and hopefully fun and talked about queer representation in pop culture – which if you’ve been paying even a little bit of attention these past 12-and-counting years and counting is my absolute favorite thing to talk about. But I’ve postponed that small joy because I basically feel like screaming all of the time. This year, I’ve started waking up around 7 a.m. every single day. No alarm clock, no loud noises. Just my body jolting awake and bracing for horror. Now I need to give you a little context, I have been throughout the entirety of my life until this point a world champion sleeper inner. I am a night owl by nature and it used to be nothing for me to sleep in until 10, 11 and even noon on a good day. I also have the luxury of a job that I do not have to go in to until mid-morning. But now I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept in past 7:30 a.m., let alone 8 a.m. Now, I know, whomp-whomp for my fucked up circadian rhythms and inability to lounge in bed all day like I used to.

But the longer the Trump administration grind on and grinds down the basic tenant of our democracy, the worse I’ve slept. I thought I’d gotten used to waking up to a new, fresh hell every day during the 2016 presidential election. But, woo-doggies, was I wrong. Nothing compares to opening your eyes every day and dreading what new, monstrous thing this administrations has done.

Ban Muslims from entering the country? Check! Claim there are “very fine people” among a torch-bearing crowd of white supremacists and neo-Nazis who ran over a woman and killed her? You betcha! Give away $1.5 trillion in tax cuts to the millionaires, billionaires and corporations? Heck yes, rich people are the only ones who know how to handle money anyway, duh! Stack the federal courts with right-wing nutjobs, some of whom have never even tried a case in their lives, to serve lifetime appointments? You bet your Merrick Garland he has! Pull out of UNESCO, an organization dedicated to building “peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture.” Fuck off, nobody needs culture, science or education! Pull out of the UN Human Rights Council and then call it “a protector of human rights abusers.” Totally, we love using the “I know you are, but what am I”-defense in international relations, we just used it yesterday!

But forcibly separating parents from their children and then putting those children in cages? Goddammit all to fucking hell, is there no end to the levels of evil for this administration?

I don’t know how you can listen to the plaintive wails of small children screaming for their mothers and fathers and not think we are at a tipping point as a nation. We currently have 11,785 children in custody. CHILDREN. IN. CUSTODY. Either we accept we are a country that rips sobbing children away from their parents or we don’t – and we stop it. We have to stop it.



The prevailing policy philosophy of the Trump administration has been cruelty, plain and simple. He is a cruel, hateful, ignorant man and we are all trapped in his narcissistic personality disorder feedback loop. And I do not know how we do not all just burst into tears at any given moment.

Rachel Maddow chokes up and cries on air as she struggles to deliver news that migrant babies and toddlers have been sent to "tender age" shelters pic.twitter.com/O6crm8cvyR

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 20, 2018

But then, we knew that about him before a minority of voters (by three million, ahem) in this country elected him. We were warned. Yet still, 52 percent of white women voted for him (and 62 percent of white men, thanks again, white dudes).

So what makes me almost as inconsolable, distraught and furious is that a significant portion of the American populace is not only OK with all of this, they’re thrilled. They’re downright gleeful. Or they just don’t care enough about people who are different than themselves to worry about caring. In fact, the latest Gallup poll shows 45 percent of Americans think he’s doing a great job. That’s nearly half of all American. Fuck, that’s depressing.

So what can we do? Keep caring. Give money to organizations that are fighting Trump. Call your senator and representative. Show up at the marches, show up at the Families Belong Together March. Talk to your racist relatives. Register to vote and vote for a Democrat in November. Care. Care more about your immigrant neighbor. Care more about your Muslim neighbor. Care more about your black or brown or queer or trans or whathaveyou neighbor. Care more about a crying child sitting in a cage filled with other crying children who just want their mommy or daddy than you do your own comfort. Care that we have a terrible human being in the highest office in all of the land and vow to do whatever you can to stop him. And then, I don’t know, maybe we’ll all be able to sleep through the night.

p.s. Fuck Trump, forever and always.

Tank Top Tuesday: Run For Something Edition

As November draws closer, so does our best shot at stopping or at least slowing down the devastation and destruction coming out of the Trump administration. One of the few inspiring things to happen since November 2016 is to see so many women step up and step out onto the political field in response. Women are running for government in unprecedented numbers. And they’re winning their primaries in unprecedented numbers. In Democratic primaries that have featured at least one woman and one man but no incumbent, women have won the most votes 71 percent of the time (Republican women, meanwhile, have won 35 percent of the time). Why? Well, when you’ve got a president who brags about grabbing women by the pussy, we notice. And we’re mad. And we’re doing something about it. We’re running for something.

Women like Sharice Davids, a lawyer, MMA fighter, gay woman, and hopefully the first Native American women to serve in congress. This is a great campaign ad for many reasons, not the least of which is her magnificent tank top. She has been endorsed by Emily’s List and Moms Demand Action. This is what politics can look like – diverse people from varying backgrounds coming together to solve problems and work for us. Keep fighting the good fight, ladies. And together we can make that Blue Wave happen. Register, volunteer, donate, vote.

Music Monday: Doll Princess Edition

Yeah, so immma let you watch this, then let’s come back and talk. I’ll wait. Please, press play and let the music and weirdness wash over you.



So, yeah, it took me a full minute to realize something was amiss and that was in fact a Real Doll. How wonderfully weird. Look, I am all aboard the King Princess train, as you know. But this super strange video with her romancing a sex doll is, well, kind of hilarious. And I think I love it. I mean, that is certainly one way to kickstart the week leading up to my Pride Weekend.

My Weekend Crush

These days it seems the world is split between those of us who are frantic because everything is on fire and those of us who are gleefully setting more things on fire. Now, there’s also a subset who is just ignoring the fire altogether and voting for Jill Stein instead. But, you know, fuck those people. For those of us who see and fear and despise the flames, it’s an unbelievably distressing time to be alive. And I feel that level of constant and unending distress and despair so many of us feel about the state of the world is expressed best by the comedy styles of Amy Poehler. Just when I thought I couldn’t love and admire her any more, she goes and gives these answers to the inane cutsie questions from The Hollywood Reporter when it named her one of its “40(ish) Most Powerful People in Comedy.”

My most memorable heckler… “Who cares? The whole world is on fire.”
Dream product endorsement… “A giant whale just died in Thailand after eating 80 plastic bags.”
Guilty pleasure… “Let's not forget over 4,600 people have died in Puerto Rico.”
I'm funny because… “I don't even know anymore.”
If I didn't work in comedy… “I would never leave my house.”
College comedy audiences are… “Kids that are afraid they will be shot in their own schools. What has happened to us?”
Sitcom you'd reboot?… “Mr. Rogers. I miss him. We need him.”
The funniest thing about the Trump administration is… “Are you kidding me?”

Fired up, ready to fight some fires. Happy weekend, all.

Throwback Thursday: Gelfling Edition

Watching this video is a journey. First, we travel to welcome nostalgia for one of the absolute best Jim Henson movie ever. The shape of the Skeksis remains an instant classic in the annals of nightmare fuel. Then, it takes us to outright giddiness. Wait, this isn’t just a behind-the-scenes special about the old movie, this is a whole new series? And while there may be nothing outright gay about “The Dark Crystal,” I always felt like Gelflings were sexually fluid – well at least the girls. They’ve got fairy wings, after all.

"Ocean's 8" Lesbian Movie Review

Yes, kittens, “Ocean’s 8” is a lesbian movie – in its heart where it counts. OK, fine, technically it’s a lesbian-in-spirit movie on screen. But, come on, Cate Blanchett is called “Lou” and slinks around in a series of increasingly amazing suits and then rides off into the sunset on a motorcycle – quite literally. So, Harold, that’s pretty lesbian.

But really, what “Ocean’s 8” is is a reminder that the world needs to be shown more women together, period. In fact, if you put a group of smart, talented, charismatic women together and give them something to do other than pine for a man, the result is basically magic.

Look, Hollywood has been doing this for decades with men. Men at work. Men at war. Men in prison. Men in space. Men stealing shit. Men buying shit. Men, men, men. We get it, my dudes. You do things.

But, here’s a revolutionary realization, so do women. Women also work, go to war, go to prison, go to space, steal shit, buy shit. Women, women, women. And, guess what, they’re good at it, too. And it’s interesting, and different, than just watching a bunch of dudes do the exact same thing.

Take your “Killing Eve” or your “Orange Is the New Black” or your “Hidden Figures” or any other entertainment that trusts women to tell their own stories, to be their own stars. There is something deliciously alive and fresh about the chemistry between these casts. Why? Because for so damn long we haven’t been shown women as much more than the love interest, side kick, token female.

But guess what, we contain multitudes upon our multitudes.

“Ocean’s 8” is unabashedly fun and unquestionably clever. It’s also unashamed of its femininity. Now by femininity I don’t mean it’s “Ocean’s 11” with a cheap pink makeover. This isn’t that “Made Just For Women!” crap they try to sell us like pens and razors. This is fundamentally female in a way that celebrates women’s abilities and differences. And, at the same time, should be universally interesting because, duh, women are interesting.

All of the women are wonderful – Cate, Sandra, Anne, Sarah, Rihanna, Mindy, Awkwafina, Mindy. I would happily watch them read all of updated privacy policies I have steadfastly ignored over my lifetime out loud. And then I would ask them to read them again, but more slowly.

In short, I will happily watch “Ocean’s 8” again – and again, and again. Will I make Lou and Debbie kiss in my head each time? Of course. But then, everyone else is, too. Because, as I said, “Ocean’s 8” is totally a lesbian movie. It just doesn’t know it yet. But, luckily, we do.

Go Earp, Young Woman

My, what big EVERYTHING you have. Holy macaroni, there is a lot happing in the new “Wynonna Earp” Season 3 trailer. And I’m not even talking about the mechanical bull. Or WayHaught sexiness. All I know is this show can’t be coming back at a better time. Because there’s like nothing on TV right now. Welcome back, Purgatory. It’s been hell without you.

Music Monday:Lesbian Jesus Edition

Hayley Kiyoko continues to be the lesbian heartthrob of our dreams. It must feel amazing to be a young person and have a totally out and totally cool pop star like her singing songs that speak directly to your deepest, most lesbian feelings. And not just singing about them, but acting them out – repeatedly, unabashedly. Heck, this old person thinks it feels pretty amazing, too.

My Weekend Crush

One of the very best things about “Oceans Eight” – besides being a movie featuring eight talented and diverse actresses pulling off the kind of heist caper previously relegated to mainly menfolks - is the parade of suits Cate Blanchett has worn leading up to its release. I mean, the woman has suit range.



Oh, did I mention that last suit has RAINBOW STRIPES down the legs? Because it does, it really does.



You know Sandy approves of her suit game, you just know.




(and, of course, you know Sarah Paulson approves, or at very least has lovingly ribbed Cate about her suit game.)

The other best thing about “Oceans Eight” is how Cate’s co-stars love to stare lovingly at her impeccable visage. I mean, they’re no Kristen Stewart in the smitten department, but close.



Happy “Ocean’s Eight” premiere weekend, all.

Way Cute

And now, for your moment of lesbian Zen. After a tumultuous week let us all take respite in the utter and undeniable adorableness of Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught. Thank you, WayHaught, for being a calm ship in the storm. And, you know, stupid cute. “Wynonna Earp” season 3 returns July 20 on SyFy. I anxiously await the mayhem and gay lady kisses.

Ladies Who Laugh

Well now, isn’t this a nice thing to wake up to? Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson showed off their BFF troublemakers sides when they appeared together on “Today” yesterday. The two friends had Hoda Kotb and, later, Savannah Guthrie laughing until they cried – quite literally. It also features Sarah teasing Cate about not winning an Oscar for “Carol.” Cate teasing Sarah for only having one an Emmy. And then Cate sits on Sarah’s lap and, well.



Anyway, the whole thing has to be seen to be enjoyed, rewatched, enjoyed some more.



p.s. I know you guys like me, you really like me, because not one, not two, but three of you send me this video all like, “Snarker, guuurl, you’ve GOT to see this!” My most sincere and lesbian thanks, ladies.

p.p.s. Only oblivious straight women would ever deign to ask Cate and Sarah what movie they were in together. The indignity! Also, straight ladies, you should totally watch “Carol.”

p.p.p.s. If you want to see the entire cast (well, six of eight) of “Ocean’s 8” play Never Have I Ever and crack each other up, please enjoy. I am here to spread joy and many, many wonderful ladies laughing together.

Elections Have Consequences

Well happy fucking Pride Month, America. Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision ruling in favor of the Colorado baker who wouldn’t make a wedding cake for a gay couple is bad. All the frosting in the world won’t make it good. But at least the court punted on the larger, more crucial question of where people have the right to discriminate against LGBTQ people based on their religion. (The case was a narrow one – which does not mean the ruling was close, but that the ruling has a narrow scope despite what idiot wingnuts like the president’s eldest son seem to think). What this means is more cases and more assaults on our rights are coming, and probably sooner rather than later. What a difference three years and one bad election make, huh?

So I’d like to take this moment to thank all the MAGA deplorables, Jill Stein voters and anyone who ever said “Trump and Hillary are exactly the same”-for this outcome. Look, elections matter. Elections have consequences; who gets elected president matters. Even if you think your life won’t be affected by having a hateful, ignorant, narcissistic toddler in the White House, do you not have any friends or family who will? Even if you are so lucky to not be touched by an administration that is targeting people of color, queer people, trans people, Muslims, immigrants, the undocumented, the poor and women, can you think of those of us who are?

Today there are primaries in Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Vote like your life depends on it. Because for too many of us, it does.

p.s. If you live in California like me, please vote for the frontrunning Democrat in each race. The wacky way our primaries are structured, Democrats could be shut out of the November ballot altogether because too many Democratic candidates are running in many districts – who will dilute the vote and allow another Republican candidates to slip through and steal the second spot.

Vegas, Baby

From a real lesbian wedding proposal to end last week to a fake lesbian wedding proposal to start this one. While that may seem a bit backwards, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this Las Vegas commercial. A shorter version of this is airing on national television – and not just at 1 a.m. where no one can see it. The TV version gives a more spontaneous/romantic take on the couple’s nuptials. But this longer version works in some backstory, meet-sexy and even possibly homophobic parents. Man, I can remember the bad old days when I just to troll The Commercial Closet to see if any new gay ads had been released – not good LGBTQ ads, mind you, just any. But these days what happens in Vegas should just be accepted everywhere. Well, at least the queer stuff.

My Weekend Crush

Just your daily reminder that not everything is horrible in the world. Some things are just lovely. And it’s for those moments we slog through the terrible and fight against the horrible. I cannot think of a better, sweeter way to kick off Pride Month. Congratulations to the happy couple. And happy weekend, all.