Did you know “Imagine Me & You” turns 20 this year? T-W-E-N-T-Y. The 2005 rom-com remains a gold standard for lesbian rom-coms thanks largely to its hugely likeable (and talented – more on that later) cast. I rewatched IMAY again over the holidays, my first rewatch in quite a while. And goodness if it still isn’t charming as all get out. PLUS, 20 years on and this cast has done exceptionally well for themselves? How well?
Here’s a little Where Are They Now, Lesbian Edition for the IMAY cast.
Lena Headey as Luce:
While we all know her as the hottest florist in all of England/The Universe, heterosexual folks know her as Cersei on “Game of Thrones.” Up next up for our florist/queen is period Western drama “The Abandons” from “Sons of Anarchy” honcho Kurt Sutter. While I’m not really a Western drama kinda gal, at least it’s not another “Western drama” from “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan. Plus this one also stars Gillian Anderson, so, yeah. I am watching that.
Piper Perabo as Rachel:
Speaking of Taylor Sheridan, Piper has played an environmental activist on “Yellowstone” for the show’s last two seasons. I am happy Piper is gainfully employed. I am also happy Piper continues to be an outspoken political activist in real life. I just wish she’d join a show I have any inclination to watch. But “Covert Affairs” was fun while it lasted, back in the early 2010s.
Matthew Goode as Heck:
As Heck, Matthew played the extremely rare likeable cis-het white male romantic also-ran. Since then he has remained in constant demand and you’ve seen him in “The Good Wife,” “Downton Abbey” and more recently “The Discovery of Witches.” So, rest assured, Heck’s doing fine, don’t worry about him. I haven’t.
Celia Imrie as Rachel’s mom Tessa:
Am I the only one who regularly confuses Celia with Imelda Staunton? I mean, they even starred in a movie (2017’s “Finding Your Feet”) as sisters – sisters. Anyway, Celia has found herself a regular in several rom-com cinematic universes over the course of her career including “Bridget Jones” 1-4, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” 1-2, and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” Raise a glass of chardonnay to that, ladies.
Anthony Stewart Head as Rachel’s dad Ned:
He will always be Rupert Giles to me. But he is also billionaire asshole Rupert Mannion from “Ted Lasso.” Was IMAY the villain origin story for both Lena and Tony’s careers? Also, you have to think having him called “Rupert” was at least a little homage to our favorite Watcher. Or at least it is in my head.
Darren Boyd as Heck’s bestie Coop:
If you were still harboring any strong feelings about Coop’s essential grossness and creepiness, Darren playing Eve Polastri’s obnoxious and traitorous MI5 boss Frank Haleton on “Killing Eve” may have finally satisfied them. His demise at Eve’s hands felt extremely personal. Extremely.
Sue Johnston as Luce’s mom Ella:
Like you can make a list of British actors credits without multiple “Downton Abbey” mentions? No, you can not. Sue has played Gladys Denker, the lady’s maid for none other than the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley (RIP, Dame Maggie Smith) throughout the series and movies.
Boo Jackson as Rachel’s sister H:
IMAY remains the only feature credit on Boo’s IMDB, but in recent years she has appeared in a series of shorts. I also found her Instagram and she is still a performer and also queer/queer friendly – at the very least. We see you, little rainbow flag.
Vinette Robinson as Rachel’s Work Friend/Bridemaid Zina:
While we haven’t seen her much in the US since, British audiences have seen Vinette in “Waterloo Road,” “Sherlock,” “Black Mirror,” “Doctor Who” and “The Lazarus Project” – fine, I’ve heard of a couple of those.
Sharon Horgan as Rachel’s Other Work Friend/Cranky Bridesmaid Beth:
I am ashamed to say it took me until this winter’s rewatch to realize that perpetually cranky about dating Beth was none other than Sharon Horgan. The prolific Irish actor-writer-director-creator has become a bit of a powerhouse in the past two decades. Her critically acclaimed “Bad Sisters” is on Apple TV+, which makes me cranky because ugh do I also have to subscribe to Apple TV+ now too? I’m thrilled for her success and chuffed (did I use that right, across the pond friends?) it all started with little IMAY. Legit, it was her first film.
Eva Birthistle as Luce’s bestie Edie:
Luce’s super cute bestie who is so gay she’s ecstatic also remains gainfully employed – and as one of the sisters on Sharon Horgan’s “Bad Sisters.” I wonder if they met on IMAY and remained friends all these years and are now culminating that friendship with these sisterly roles. In my own internal cinematic universe, Luce and Rach regularly hang out with Beth and Edie (who became a couple after Beth realized her inability to find a suitable male partner was just latent homosexuality).
So, surprised by anyone 20 years on? Also, 20 years. Sweet suffering Sappho, we’re old. But at least we’re still super super gay – in both the queer and ecstatic senses.
Look, I told you I was obsessed, OBSESSED, with Doechii and I really, really am. And how could you not be, after both that Tiny Desk concert and her stunning Colbert show performance last month. She did this whole number while tied to her two other dancers. Like, come on. COME ON. Just a reminder that when we allow humans the space and support to be all of themselves sometimes they can produce wondrous things. Thank the universe for art and women. Happy Monday, kittens.
So perhaps the biggest revelation of the Grammys – at least for me, I know all the cool kids already knew, but I claim to be neither – was Doechii. The Tampa native and self-described Swamp Princess became only the third woman ever to win the best rap album Grammy last weekend. But, damn, if a star wasn’t born instantly. And that’s hard to do when Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monae – not to mention so many others – are also there.
So after seeing both her powerful speech and her mesmerizing performance, I looked Doechii up and stumbled across her recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert and now, well, I am obsessed. OBSESSED.
Why so obsessed? Well her story is perfectly tailored for the American Dream factory. Fired from her retail job five years ago. A year later one of her songs went viral on TikTok. A year later she was signed by Capitol Records. And, you know, the rest is Grammy history. Her music is fierce, funny, and fierce some more.
Oh, and did I mention Doechii is queer and has a girlfriend? The rapper came out as bisexual in a GQ interview from 2022 (I mean, her lyrics gave it all away before, but it’s nice to be official). And, hot damn, her all-female backing band at Tiny Desk was so fucking fire. Also, to be shallow and all, her face et al is, you know, very very good. The world is a lot. Find joy in where you can. This week, that joy is all Doechii. Woo-sah, indeed. Happy weekend, all. And Valentine's, if you're into that sort of thing.
p.s. How do I make her growl my new breaking news notification tone? Because, “G-rrrrrrrr.”
How about a big old queer roundup of roles for big old queers to round out the week? Yeah, say that five times fast. As we all search desperately for things to look forward to in the next four years, here are some projects and actors who I am thrilled remain busy for the foreseeable future.
Let’s start things off with Elliot Page, who is on a bit of a run what with his signing a deal with Bell Media and being super cool and all. Next up will be the high-profile Christopher Nolan adaptation of The Odyssey. The ancient Greek poem by Homer will also star – among many, many stars – Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron and Samantha Morton. No idea yet which character Elliot will play, but with a cast like that it seems any role is a good role. After the “Emilia Pérez” debacle, it’s nice to see trans actors making good headlines in what we at least hope will be a very good project.
Next, more high profile queer casting news. Pansexual actress Jena Malone will star in a highly anticipated new series from “Stranger Things” creators The Duffer Brothers. This news made me happy for a number of reasons including but definitely not limited to the fact that it alerted me to Jena’s pansexuality. I had missed her 2022 coming out somehow. But I’ve been a fan since “Contact” and have always admired her independent steak. Also did you catch her in last year’s “Love Lies Bleeding?” Her new series, “The Boroughs,” has been described as “Stranger Things” but in a retirement home. Joining Jena will be Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Alfred Molina and Bill Pullman, among many others as a “group of (older) misfits who fight an otherworldly evil.” So, the Upside Down but with arthritis and reading glasses, I guess. No news yet on Jena’s character, but at 40 she seems too young to be a resident. Maybe she’ll be staff? Who know but just like with “Stranger Things” I hope and expect there to be prominent queer characters.
And finally, more gays and more laughs are coming to the series remake of “The Burbs.” Based on the 1989 black comedy by the same name starring Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher, the TV reboot has already announced its lead queer star Keke Palmer. But now they’ve also added Paula Pell. Two queers, one show! The wildly charismatic Keke first got my full attention in Jordan Peel’s 2022 “Nope” and is currently starring alongside SZA in “One of Them Days,” which I can’t wait to catch once it comes to streaming. Paula is fresh off the sadly canceled “Girls5Eva” (come on, isn’t there another streamer out there who wants to experience “Yesternights” for themselves!) and basically always plays middle-aged gay lady so let’s hope that trend continues here.
If nothing else, it’s nice to see a bunch of gays gainfully employed in our current political hellscape.
While this isn’t exclusively gay good news, Buffy’s queer pedigree remains historic so I’m counting it. Plus, in the comics Buffy herself explored her bisexual/pansexual side (having relations with technically dead people/vampires also seems pretty pan, right?). So imagine my delight at the news that a legit Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot (not like that stalled 2018 one) is in the works at Hulu with Sarah Michelle Gellar attached to appear and Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao to direct the pilot. Writing, producing and showrunning will be sister team Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman. And guess whose name is nowhere to be found on the reboot? Yep, it’s Joss. No more marzipan in his pie plate, bingo!
A Whedon-Free Buffy is – after all the past revelations about his behavior to particularly the female cast – is pretty much the dream. And here it is happening from a team whose resumes are, quite frankly, awesome. Chloé's “Nomadland” is a beautiful testament to the innate human desire to live free – but not in that bullshit live-free-or-die way too many right-wing jackoffs think we do. And while her Marvels outing with “The Eternals” was probably a little too cerebral and slow-paced for the MCU, her vision remains singularly stunning. Meanwhile the Zukerman sisters’ credits includes the recent Natasha Lyonne Columbo-esque series “Poker Face” and the sci-fi series “Fringe.” Also, have I mentioned they’re all women? Because, yeah, they’re all women. Finally, Buffy has come home where she belongs.
Not a ton is known about the reboot so far, but SMG will not be the lead star and instead appear in more of a supporting or recurring role as what I can only assume is the wise, elder Slayer. As you might recall, the final season activated all the Potentials, so into every generation a boatload of slayers is born. The new Buffy is expected to follow one of the newer Slayers. Is it too much to hope that they also bring back Willow as the wise, elder gay Wiccan too? I mean, if we’re finally getting that Joss-less Buffy, anything is possible.
Who needs some good gay news only this week? I sure do. How about the long-awaited – at least by me – return of “The Old Guard.” Five years after the Charlize Theron action film debuted, the immortal gang is all back for more labrys-swinging ass kickery. To which I say, damn, took you long enough. Now, if you recall the 2020 original, it was Action Charlize at the peak of her game (and with a peak alternative lifestyle haircut). She returns with an even gayer haircut (hello, a wolf cut/mullet, come on) for the sequel and I cannot wait. Like make July 2 get here now. Immediately, if not sooner.
“Old Guard 2” has comic series creator Greg Rucka return with the screenplay and has director-producer Victoria Mahoney step in for the amazing Gina Prince-Bythewood as director. Mahoney is the first female director on a Star Wars film after serving as second unit director on 2019’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” For good measure, she was also the first Black woman director in the Star Wars franchise history too. Also joining the cast for the sequel is none other than The Bride herself, Uma Thurman. Action Uma and Action Charlize? Seriously, is it July 2 yet?
I am also excited for the sequel to give us more of Charlize’s Andy and her ex-teammate/girlfriend/ride-or-can’t-die Quynh, played by Veronica Ngô. I feel like after being chained underwater for 500 years these two would have a lot to process. I hope not only with battle axes. Though, just as a reminder, this is how Charlize looks wielding one.
Thanks to TikTok coming back (which, let me reiterate, is no thanks to the current P-Orange Turd-US), my favorite current song and really mood for 2025 is Lola Young’s “Messy.” If Brat Summer is over and dead, Messy Spring will soon be upon us. Though, I feel it’s truly a relatable vibe for all seasons. Happy messy Monday, kittens.
Finally, something to truly look forward to in 2025. “The Wedding Banquet” appears to be the rare queer film that both gay men and queer women can agree looks fucking fantastic. The remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic by the same name brings us into the present day as two queer couples fumble their way through a fake wedding ceremony to appease the traditional family. Sort of like “La Cage aux folles,” but without Robin Williams and with Bowen Yang.
This time around, not only is the majority of the cast actually queer as is its director Andrew Ahn (who last helmed the underrated “Fire Island”). Playing the lesbian half of the queer couple are out star Lily Gladstone and newly out Kelly Marie Tran and playing the gay half are Bowen Yang and Han Gi-chan. Rounding out the cast is Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung and and the great and extremely gay friendly Joan Chen.
I’d like to note that Joan Chen continues to be among the most queer friendly straight actors out there having appeared over the years in everything from “Twin Peaks” to “Saving Face” to “What’s Cooking” to “Wild Side.” If you’ve never heard of the 1995 film “Wild Side” with Anne Heche and Christopher Walken, that’s OK – it wasn’t a great movie. But it did feature some unhinged chemistry between Joan and Anne in what I consider to be a precursor to the better queer film “Bound,” which came out a year later in 1996.
Right, so where was I? I look forward to this movie being too gay to function. Also, can we talk about all the gaysian (and two-spirits) excellence on display here? My only concern is, what else will I have to look forward to this year after April 18? Happy weekend, all.
Well, in case you missed last Sunday’s Grammy awards show, I can summarize it for you simply. The gals and the gays, particularly the gay gals, stole the show – again. I don’t know what it means to have two good Grammy shows in consecutive years (I mean, who would be surprised by an apocalypse at this point, honestly?) Last year we had Tracy Chapman and Brandi Carlile and boygenius (and Joni Mitchell, for the straights). This year we have Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish and Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monae and Lady Gaga and Doechii and St. Vincent and Brittany Howard and Queen Latifah – am I missing any queer ladies, ladies? (Don’t worry, the straights had Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX and Raye and Shakira, if you’re into that sort of thing.)
And it was the women – gay and straight – who not only stole the show with their performances, but also with their show of solidarity against all the horrors of our current political/societal hellscape. Like Chappell speaking out to shame record companies into paying its developing artists a liveable wage and health insurance. Or Doechii speaking out to support Black women and dark-skinned Black women in particular. Or Shakira speaking out to send her solidarity to all the immigrants. Or Lady Gaga speaking out to say trans and queer people deserve love and support. Or Alicia Keyes speaking out to praise the power and beauty of diversity and inclusion.
Also special props to Janelle for speaking out to drag Nelly for performing at that Orange Turd’s inauguration at the Grammys afterparties. Ladies and gentlemen and every other gender identity which absolutely exists, this is exactly the energy we expect from our most celebrated artists right now.
Janelle Monae calls out Nelly during the GRAMMYs after-party for performing at Trump’s inauguration:
“F**k you Nelly, you sold out. I used to think you were cool, but now you look like a motherf**king fool.” pic.twitter.com/GQxnGVy7n9
It’s a refreshing change from the Golden Globes, which was relatively free of high-profile political statements. Granted, that was 15 days before the horrors of Orange Turd’s 2.0 administration began. But, shit, if we didn’t all know this was coming – at least if we were paying attention.
Anyway, I wish I could share some of these performances but in one of those truly genius corporate titan moves, you can only find the concert videos on the Grammys websites and not even all of them either. Now if the Grammys would just stop having Trevor Noah host, because I find the way he roams through the audience making celebrity smalltalk extremely cringe – as the young folks say. Also treating the return of The Weeknd to the Grammys like the second-coming of Martin Luther King Jr? Even more cringe. See, this is why you leave hosting, and everything else, to the gays gals from now on, Grammys.
Woof, well we’re in Week 3, I guess. In case you’re looking for some good news – especially good trans news (no, I’m not talking about you, “Emilia Pérez”) – amid the onslaught of The Worst news, here is something to smile about at least. In rare positive news for the LGBTQ+ folks these days, Elliot Page is partnering with Canada’s largest media company Bell Media to bring more queer/trans inclusive shows to TV. His production company Pageboy Productions will create original scripted shows to run on Bell’s main channel CTV and streamer Crave.
“Partnering with Bell Media feels like a natural evolution for Pageboy Productions. We’re excited to create captivating content that amplifies voices that deserve to be heard. This collaboration will allow us to tell powerful, genuine stories that challenge perspectives, and inspire audiences both at home and internationally.”
Would ya look at that. Instead of rolling back so-called “DEI” everything like the USA, Canadian media said bring us more queer and inclusive stories. Crazy, right? Canada’s leader also isn’t signing nonsense orders pretending there are only two genders. Inconceivable! Oh, Canada, how envious this American is of your everything right about now.
Look, our neighbors to the North have had to deal with a lot of our crap over the years. But they just keep cranking out great queer icons (k.d., Tegan and Sara, Elliot, et al) and giving us shows like “Lost Girl” and “Wynonna Earp.” And, of course, then there’s Anne of Green Gables. I’m so sorry about the whole 51st state thing. Rest assured that 75 million of us down here can’t stand President Orange Turd-US either. Please keep sending us your super gay TV.
p.s. Do you think the Oscars are gonna give us this kind of inclusivity and celebration of queer joy this year, like the JUNO’s did last year? Or are they just gonna give “Emilia Pérez” some awards and then pat themselves on the back?
Right, so what does it say about “Emilia Pérez” that I actually stopped watching right as the lesbian storyline started? Granted, I restarted and eventually finished it because I feel some sort of stupid sacred queer duty to watch all queer Oscar nominees. But, damn, you didn’t make it easy, film.
First things first, the premise of “Emilia Pérez” is like a mezcal-induced game of Mad Libs. What if a ruthless Mexican drug cartel boss was actually a trans woman who after gender affirming care then becomes the savior to the downtrodden people of Mexico that she had formerly murdered with impunity but then reveals herself to still be the abusive monster she was before transition only to wind up a kidnapping caper. And make it a musical. And don’t actually film most of it in Mexico. Or have that many Mexican actors at all. And instead let’s have this French guy who didn’t do any research about Mexico direct it instead. And did we mention Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez are in it for some reason too? And it’s all in Spanish? And the one English-language song has the actual real not fake lyrics: “Hello, very nice to meet you/I'd like to know about sex change operation/I see, I see, I see/Man to woman or woman to man/Man to woman/From penis to vagina.”
Right, so, besides being reductive and convoluted and some French dude’s fever dream about trans existence, it’s also kind of boring. I really wasn’t kidding when I called it a night (before returning to it a couple days later) when Emilia and her new girlfriends met – to give us a wafer-thin lesbian storyline. That’s how uninvested in this film I felt. Mostly, while I believe it’s probably well intentioned on most of the participants' part, “Emilia Pérez” instead plays exactly like a cis-het person made it.
Its current Oscar run (snagging the most with a staggering 13 nominations – like have they actually watched all 2 hours and12 minutes – because I begrudgingly did) reminds me very much of another film some two decades ago – “Crash.” That film, hailed at the time as an important look at race relations by cis-het white Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis, went on to beat “Brokeback Mountain” for best picture in 2004. Funny how now, more than 20 years later, nobody even mentions “Crash” as a culturally significant film. Funny how that works.
Anyway, I don’t know what movie is gonna take home the shiny naked man this year. I’m sure if “Emilia Pérez” wins lots of cis-het rich white guys in Hollywood will pat themselves on the back for being so inclusive. But what I’d rather see is the work made by and for queer and trans people be acknowledged with this much fanfare and award season love. Seriously, Academy, 13 nominations for this mess yet “I Saw the TV Glow” was right fucking there the whole time. THE WHOLE FUCKING TIME. Anyway, I finally finished “Emilia Pérez,” and that’s all I have to say about that*.
*OK, one more thing, while I applaud the historic nature of Spanish star Karla Sofía Gascón’s nomination, I absolutely do not applaud her past posts Muslims, BLM and the Oscars inclusivity. Anyway, did I mention that “I Saw the TV Glow” was there the whole time instead? Because it didn’t have to be like this, Academy.
After that stirring Spanish-version of “Crying/Llorando,” how about an English-language take from the lesbian crooner extraordinaire k.d. lang? I wish k.d. was more musically active, but I totally understand perhaps wanting to stick to her side of the border these days. We’ll just be over here crying and missing her, I guess. Happy Monday, kittens.
Well, we made it through Week 2 of Orange Turd 2.0. Only 206 weeks (we hope) to go. So let’s use this time to slip once more into the dream/nightmare/WTF-scape of David Lynch’s mind. “Mulholland Drive” is one of my favorite Lynch offerings because who isn’t a sucker for murderous lesbianism? Life is endlessly strange and all-too-often dark. Not everything makes sense. But we can still find beauty within the chaos. The “Llorando” scene is a masterpiece in storytelling, with only an introduction of singer Rebekah Del Rio and no other spoken dialogue. But the sequence is the beginning of the end for Betty’s “reality” and return to Diane’s real reality. While I doubt we’ll all find a blue box and a secret key that whisks us into a different world – we certainly can dream, if only for a little while. Yes, I realize we’d probably want to reverse the order of her dream-box metamorphosis in this historical moment. But, life is strange and not fair. At least there’s still art. Happy weekend, all.
You know, as a society we’ve probably hit some kind of oligarchy overdrive when there’s an entire subgenre of films about ordinary people being invited to the private islands/compounds/megayachts/nation-states of ultra wealthy individuals only to be terrorized by them for sport, prey, food, giggles – you name it. Think “Glass Onion” and “The Menu” and “Triangle of Sadness.” It appears that the latest film to entire this pantheon of Eat The Rich or Be Eaten by the Rich masterpieces is “Opus,” starring queer stars Ayo Edebiri and Murray Bartlett, as well as all-around cool stars John Malkovich and Juliette Lewis. I don’t know what all the creepy blue everything is about, but I’m excited to find out. Just, you know, best not to accept any strange invitations from billionaires in the coming years. As a precaution.
OK, but who is going to make this movie? It’s high-art “Mannequin” with a sapphic twist. Someone, anyone – I am begging you to make this movie! Boygenius star Lucy Dacus has announced her new solo album and its first single, “Ankles,” is out now. In addition to a great song about queer lust (hello, “pull me by the ankles to the edge of the bed), it’s also a great fantasy riff on “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” with Lucy as an escaped museum painting and “Bottoms” star Havana Rose Liu as her watchful, worried security guard. Yeah, I could watch 90-minutes plus of this dynamic no problem. So, who’s got some time and a camera and a really big dress?
I’m not truly a horror fan, so it took me longer than it should have to check out “I Saw the TV Glow.” The psychological thriller by trans, nonbinary, queer filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun is a spooky, stylish allegory about what it means to not live one’s authentic life. Couched in the the story of a shy 90s teen obsessed with a young adult show called “The Pink Opaque,” the film follows him through his life as he is seemingly haunted by the spectre of the supernatural show and its other world just beyond the reach of reality. Schoenbrun’s homages to fellow spooky genre masterpieces like Buffy and the David Lynch universe are easy to spot – from the Buffy font down to beloved Buffy actress Amber Benson (and, hello, one of “The Pink Opaque” actresses is even named Tara). But what will stay with you is the internal horror caused by unacknowledged gender dysphoria, and the possibilities for those who live out instead. Also, it’s cool and looks amazing – it often seems as if the entire thing is somehow lighted by neon. And then there’s the surprise guest appearance by none other than Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. “I Saw the TV Glow” will keep you guessing like that, and thinking.
With all the horror of *waves arms at America*, I did not have a chance to properly pay my respects to the passing of David Lynch. Along with Jimmy Carter and a couple others, the avant-garde auteur was among my few remaining favorite straight white men. His death earlier this month leaves a hole, but as he himself said – keep your eye on the donut and not the hole. So the donut of David Lynch’s life was his extraordinary creativity, his endless curiosity, his embrace of the absurd. Yet for all the darkness and mystery in his work, there was an essential kindness that often shone through as well.
I have been a fan of his work since “Twin Peaks” blew my little teenage mind when it debuted in 1992 and became obsessed with the show and subsequent film and even the 2017 reboot (which, while it had some diminishing returns was classic Lynch none the less). “Mulholland Drive” remains a masterpiece in through-the-looking-glass surrealist storytelling. I love that he believed things should be weird for the sake of being weird. And weird it certainly was.
What I also loved is how he incorporated music to create his dream/nightmare/WTF-scapes. And nothing typified that more than his collaboration with Julee Cruise. He used the singer and former B-52’s touring member’s song “Falling” as the iconic theme to “Twin Peaks.” She appeared in the series, movie and reboot before her passing in 2022. That music is now part of the soundtrack of my life. Even today all I have to hear is those first few atmospheric opening notes to be right back in the Pacific Northwest ready to drink some damn fine coffee while gently cradling a log. Happy Monday, kittens.
This song came out in 2007 and fucking hell if it isn’t even more relevant today. Also, if you were wondering what made this song gay – well, besides the part about hating your own daughter if she was gay – let’s not forget that the original album version featured backing vocals and guitar by none other than the Indigo Girls, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray. I just wish this wasn’t even more applicable 18 years later. We sincerely do not learn, do we?
Look, I said it would take a little time for me to get back to the queer joy. So I’ve decided to take a solid week. But, lest you think I’ve forgotten what it feels like, please enjoy 17-year-old budding lesbian Lesley Gore (RIP) belting out a self-determination anthem for the ages. Sixty-two years later, here we are still singing this tune as a reminder to all those who think otherwise. I say we all become ungovernable. We’re free, and we love to be free.
Here is a little fortification for our hearts, minds and spines from the inimitable Nina Simone for what lies ahead. Will I get back to posting about joyous queer pop culture ephemera? Yes, of course. But, not gonna lie. It may take a minute. Until then, courage.
Anyway, please enjoy my official soundtrack for the next four years. Good luck, America. We’re going to need it. Fuck Donald Trump, forever. Unhappy Monday, kittens.
Look, I know this whole week has been like being trapped in the waiting room for the wake for democracy, but it isn’t all bad news in 2025. It was just last month we were celebrating the pie-in-the-face spirit of 1970s gay rights activists against the original celebrity hatemonger Anita Bryant. And wouldn’t you know it, ding dong the witch is finally dead. The former OJ spokeswoman and avowed bigot died at age 84 last week. All I can say is, I hope they serve flaming pies in hell. And while she is hopefully being served a plateful this very moment, please enjoy Carol Burnett spoofing that orange-loving bigot back in the Seventies. Damn, what is it about that color and the worst people in the world? Happy at-least-Anita-Bryant-is-dead weekend, all.
Let’s keep these good gay vibes going, right? So to continue to prove that nice things can still happen (especially for LGBTQ+ people) in 2025, here is even more queer joy. The 55th season of “Sesame Street” debuts today with none other than celesbian extraordinaire Reneé Rapp. Muppets and lesbians, together as they should be! And Reneé is not the only queer celebrity to appear this season. Also guesting will be Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness and tennis legend Billie Jean King. Yeah – I know Max has dropped the venerable children’s series and after this season will stop airing its new episodes. Reality continues to be just the biggest bummer. But, at least there are queers and muppets for now. I’ll take all the sunny days I can find.
And now, for some good news for a change. Who wants to hand out some toaster ovens? So, we already knew that the “Wicked” cast was, like, almost too gay to function. But besides the movie’s marquee queers (you know, star Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, leading heartthrob Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, leading Galinda/Glinda bestie Bowen Yang as Pfannee), did you know the movie’s supporting cast was also gay as the day is long? So who else is family?
How about Galinda/Glinda other bestie Shenshen played by Bronwyn James who is happily married to a woman and brought her wife Katherine-Alice James to the “Wicked” premiere. And there’s Elphaba’s sister Nessarose played by Marissa Bode who brought her partner Wren to the Golden Globes. So while Ariana and that munchkin boy are together, I think the rest of the cast needs queer retreat where they play episodes of “The L Word” and “Queer As Folk” on a loop while also dancing to vintage Lady Gaga and Britney Spears. What? You know that sounds fun. So I guess we have our answer to whether “Wicked” could possibly get any gayer. Now, who is in charge of sending out the toaster ovens this month?
Well, with less than a week to go there really is no avoiding the fact that we – as a country – have lurched to the right. That old cultural pendulum is swinging back to appease those people mad they have to live next to people of color and watch two men kiss on TV. Just wonderful. One of the first sure signs that representation of LGBTQ+ people will not be spared in this purge of so-called DEI/woke anything is Pixar’s decision to cut the trans storyline in its new upcoming animated series “Win or Lose.”
The show, about a co-ed middle school softball team, follows them as they get ready for a championship game. One of the team members was a transgender girl, voiced by transgender actress Chanel Stewart. The series is set to debut in February on Disney+. But last month, Disney announced the trans storyline had been cut entirely from the show. Stewart’s character will now be portrayed as cisgender after Disney eliminated “a few lines of dialogue” from an episode that referenced the character’s gender identity.
In announcing the change, Disney said: “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”
*Endless and endlessly exhausted sigh*
Once again, we are forced to accept another mind-boggling win for bigotry. Also, I love how the entire trans storyline only consisted of “a few lines of dialogue” yet apparently those few lines were so powerful, scary and inappropriate that younger audiences must be shielded from them at all costs. Trans people exist, and their mere existence in this world is not dangerous for children to know.
I’m just so tired of the loudest and proudly hatefulest getting their way. And, in case you’re thinking, “Well – that’s just trans people’s problems,” don’t think for a second that those same people screaming about trans people aren’t also still salty about having to watch commercials with gay couples and shows with “DEI” casts.
Literally 10 years ago - A WHOLE-ASS DECADE AGO – Time magazine ran a cover story about the “Transgender Tipping Point” as America’s new civil rights frontier. Yet here we are facing down hundreds of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws being introduced across the country every damn year. There’s a whole damn state where you can’t say gay (like, fuck Florida forever).
It’s a reminder that progress isn’t always linear and it’s never safe and always hard fought. Sure, it might seem insignificant that a major entertainment company has decided it’s too risky (or, per their explanation, risque) to include a trans storyline in a show. But by removing “a few lines of dialogue" they make it easier for the hatemongers of the world to point and say - “See! See, they’re too evil for Disney. See! They’re too evil to exist!”
While I knew corporations and the oligarch class weren’t going to save or support us through this second Trump term, even I am shocked at the instant and obsequious capitulation in this moment. Elon, Mark, all of them are full MAGA now. Corporations continue to not be our friends. Billionaires will never be our friends. And every idiot who thinks That Orange Turd will somehow lower their grocery bills doesn’t deserve friends.
I fear we’re in for at least four years of this kind of bullshit. But instead of capitulating, instead of obeying in advance and hiding back in those closets, I say we all just get gayer. Like almost too gay to function. You can cut our few lines of dialogue, you can pretend we’re too scary to talk about. But we’re here, we’ve always been here, and we’ll never shut up about it.
Well, in one week the four-year (well, hopefully only four-year) shit show of the second Trump presidency begins. To have to live through TWO terms by this most manifestly unfit excuse for a human being is beyond the realm of all reasonableness. But, here we are. So please in this final week take a moment of grace for yourself and those you love. We will all need it over the next 1,461 days. May the ethereal beauty of Sara Bareilles and Rufus Wainwright feeling every note of “She Used to Be Mine” from the msuical “Waitress” together transport you to a place where the endless possibilities, disappointments and realities of our occasionally sublime, often mundane and too often painful existences wash over us. Happy Monday, and next four years and one week, kittens.
So, like probably many of you, I have not been looking forward to 2025. We all know why. But one thing I know for sure I am looking forward to in 2025 is (if we all make it to the end of 2025, welp) is Cynthia Erivo an Ariana Grande’s version of “For Good.” If you thought it has been fun watching non-Wicked acolytes discover “Defying Gravity,” oooh wait until they find “Fod Good.” Tears, Kleenex, more tears. Bring it on. Until then, let the OG’s Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel remind you of the magic of this song. Happy weekend, all.
Are you ready for the end of the world? No, not whatever is going to happen in approximately 10 days in Washington D.C. I mean the end of the damn world, with mushroom zombies and armed lesbians. “The Last of Us” is back and amid to bring us more death and and decay, both physically and morally. If you’ve played the game, or read the spoilers like me, you will know the aftermath of Joel’s actions to save Ellie at the end of Season 1 will drive much of the story in Season 2. We also get clearer looks at Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, who you’d better believe is coming for Joel’s ass, and Isabela Merced, who plays Dina Ellie’s new love interest and slow dance partner. Something tells me we’d better hold onto every last moment of warm, sapphic happiness because the rest of the trailer. Yeah, the end of the world isn’t for everyone.
As SGALGG has evolved over the years, I think a not-insignificant small sign of progress has been how many out gay gals have snuck in as well. They originally started because, well, there weren’t enough queer celebrities to fill a post so straight acting like gay gals had to do. But these days so many celesbians and queerebrities (I dunno, I’m trying out a new word, just go with it) you could practically post just about them. In fact, I think I will. So here are all the gay gals acting like gay gals (sometimes with other gay gals, sometimes with the obligatory straight gals – not that there’s anything wrong with that. We’re here, we’re queer, and our Globes are totally golden.
Jodie Foster
Jodie’s evolution into our reigning Lesbian Elder Stateswoman (LES, for short because of course) has been a true joy to watch. She’s married, she’s winning awards, she’s looking great and she’s doing it all on her own terms. And those terms are stone-cold gay. May we all become the biggest LES possible! Also Jodie showing up with her son instead of wife at the Globes is s true mombian flex. I not-so-secretly hope that Alexandra said take the kid, I’m going to watch it in my PJs like before. Though, I also not-so-secretly hope that Jodie sitting on Kate Winslet’s lap has made Alex reconsider attending next year. That, or the sight of her throupling with Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. Or, possibly, the death-grip Nicole has on her wrists here. Just saying.
Angelina Jolie
They say three makes a trend but we’re talking about queer women here so two will do (what, we move all relationships faster – it’s kind of our thing). The Globes were apparently also Bring Your Child to World day for the queer female nominees. Following in Jodie’s footsteps, Angie showed up with daughter Zahara. She also got hugged by Kate Winslet (Jodie and Angie? Shoot your shots, Kate) and stood very close to Salma Hayek. We’ll take all the beauty proximity we can get.
Ayo Edebiri
Like I don’t know if Ayo has ever openly dated a woman before (at least not in public since she got famous, that I can tell…), but she sure is shooting her shot at becoming the next queer female heartthrob in this suit. First of all, LOVE the golden feather tie. Second of all, love the swagger. Third of all, love all the flirting with Zendaya, Ali Wong, Andrew Scott and, of course, Michelle Yeoh. Oh, and then showing up at the afterparty with a ballcap on? Shots shot.
Cynthia Erivo
I spotted Lena Waithe in the background, so relax everyone. Cynthia continues to live her best gay life. Like who wouldn’t be thrilled to meet Kathy Bates/Evelyn Couch, or sneak a snuggle with Zoe Kravitz or cling to Kate Winslet’s shoulder like she’s a piece of door floating in the icy North Atlantic Ocean?
Sarah Paulson
Dearest, we already did the Cate/Carol thing. But after seeing this photo doesn’t it feel canonically impossible that Sarah isn’t in the second “Wicked” movie somehow? Like, that much queer energy needs to include some Paulson. Make it happen, gay GCI wizards. You have until November.
Emma D'Arcy
I applaud Emma for continuing to show up on red carpets looking like a haunted orchestra conductor. I also applaud them for checking out Michelle Yeoh on the red carpet, as one should to be respectful/horny.
Hannah Einbinder
Speaking of showing respect, I respect the way Hannah makes her and Jean Smart look like the one May-December couple you can’t stop shipping despite all the problematic everythings. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not into Ava and Deborah. But I am totally into Hannah and Jean. What, I already admitted it was problematic, but the heart wants what it wants.
Auliʻi Cravalho
Since we’re talking queer female heartthrobs, hello. Gen Z, why are you sleeping on Auliʻi Cravalho? Like, I am in a totally different age bracket. But if I was a quarter century younger? Yeah, I’d want to be that rose. Youths, act appropriately.
Jessica Gunning
The “Baby Reindeer” star and newly minted Golden Globe winner scores major queer points for getting her award from THE Kathy Bates (every queer gal is doing it, see above). I hope she whispered “Towanda!” when accepting the trophy from her.
Kali Reis
I couldn’t find any pictures of Kali and her fine-ass suit hanging with any other celebrities at the Globes. But I did see her connecting with Kathryn Hahn the night before at a Globes pre-party in a different fine-ass suit. So, you know, Gay Card stamped, approved and notarized.
So, any favorite queer moments of the night for you?
I’m still a little rusty after the Holiday Twilight Zone of the last two weeks. Instead of a full SGALGG post for the Golden Globes, I thought I would stall and give you these instead. So please enjoy Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson at the Globes. Carol and Abby, together again. You’re welcome. You are so, so welcome. You are particularly welcome for that last pictures.
Right, so let’s kick 2025’s ass. We are not just the obsequious serfs for the billionaire class. We are the gods of our own lives. And we have electoral, political, and personal power. Also, wouldn’t “Gladiator II” have been so much more interesting if it was about women in whatever Romanesque/Shakespearean/Game of Thonesian setting this is instead of just beefy men beefing in sandals? We grow human life. What can do you do, dude? Lift heavy things? That’s cute. Happy we are gods Monday, kittens.
Yes, I know, more “Somebody Somewhere” proselytizing. But while searching for clips from the show, I came across this song from the first episode of the first season. Truly, this song – this scene – sums up the entire series. After finishing all three seasons, if you don’t cry buckets watching early Sam and early Joel find each other in this music, well, then you’re made of stronger stuff than me. May we all find your Sam or your Joel – be they romantic, platonic, familial – in this lifetime or possibly the next. Somewhere there is a place where we belong, each and every one of us. Happy weekend, all.
If I’m being brutally honest, SNL these days usually only elicits some earnest yet not-overly-enthusiastic guffaws these days – at best. But when cast newcomer Jane Wickline sang this song on Weekend Update late last year, I laughed – like really, really laughed. Like out loud and everything. And then I watched it again, and laughed and laughed. So in the interest of starting this year as hilariously gay as possible, please enjoy Jane’s “Sabrina Carpenter” song. And, not to belabor the “if you asked me on a deeper level” meme, it’s a glorious sign of our continued progress as a queer community that a song about wishing people would think you are gay to increase your cultural cache, but alas instead being recognized as the most benignly straight pop superstar around hits a universal theme. I mean, she really did make out passionately with Jenna Ortega and a female alien and we’re all like, aw, I wonder why her and Barry couldn’t work it out. Truly, if you don’t lose it at the deadpan “Hellllp me” then I’m not sure we can be friends.
I know people clown on this song. But if Lee Greenwood can keep trotting himself out as a pinnacle of MAGA patriotism, we should keep embracing the unabashed feminism of Helen Reddy. “I Am Woman Hear Me Roar” remains as relevant as it was when it was released 54 years ago. Two years later, and Roe v. Wade was decided. This performance, in 1989, came after abortion had been legal federally for 16 years already. Yet here we are nearly four decades later and women and pregnant people have now lost that guaranteed right. Well, fuck that. Fuck them. And for the next four years and beyond I hope we all roar with our disapproval and defiance. Indeed, “women are not without electoral or political power” – so let’s keep working and pressing and demanding our full equal rights and complete bodily autonomy. Roar more in 2025, ladies. Roar more.
