I’m sorry this evening’s link roundup is coming at you a little later than I’d like — I have been in meetings after meetings after meetings for two days straight (and two more days just like it to go), my brain has fully turned into mush but we have some exciting developments coming your way very soon on Autostraddle [dot] com.
Oh and you’re probably tired of hearing it by now but… Happy New Year.
Let’s see what we’ve dug up!
Queer as in F*ck You
Rejected by Her Family, This Woman Has Been ‘Queer Santa’ for 22 Years. Yes technically where past the holigay season, but this was too god to pass up.
This Indian Same-Sex Couple Is Fighting for the Right to Marry. But Is Their Country Ready? (Himani: “This is super interesting in the context of you know, the interfaith marriage laws.”)
“I have no idea what 2021 will be like. Will it be better than this last year? It has to be. But will it be significantly better? I do not know. I am saving my hope for 2022 because I think the coming year will be one of repair and recovery and re-assessment.”
I love Roxane Gay’s end-of-year reflection essays, I look forward to them every January, and this year was no different. (This came to you from Roxane Gay’s new substack newsletter Audacity, which you can read more about here.)
Abeni has re-discovered this amazing tidbit of gay history and it was too great not to share: “Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt escape a staid White House party and, in their evening dresses, go on a little plane joyride together 🙂.” Amelia and Eleanor on Night Flight to Baltimore
Saw This, Thought of You
Adorable puppies and baby cheeks do more than just make us feel good: How Cute, Squishy Things Influence Us.
Voices From the Front Lines of America’s Food Supply. Today’s must read.
Loved this art! ‘Take Beautiful Pictures of Our People:’ Born in 1960s Harlem, the Kamoinge collective was influential in Black photography but ignored by the mainstream until recently. This exhibition should change that.
The Best Vibrators of 2021. After 90 hours of research and testing of 58 different models, the Magic Wand Rechargeable still won.
Stimulus Checks Now Cashable on Venmo (and a friendly reminder from Vanessa, Donate Your Coronavirus Stimulus Check If You Don’t Need It)
Related, here’s some good news — Stimulus, Round 2: Incarcerated People Will Be Eligible for New Round of Payments
How Indigenous Women Are Taking Back the Birthing Process: ‘There Is a Reclaiming Happening’
Congratulations to Lindsay Peoples Wagner, the new Editor-in-Chief of The Cut!
Heather discovered some breaking news sports history!
More history 👏 🙌 @biancaesmith12 | @RedSox pic.twitter.com/oENbA35Ffi
— espnW (@espnW) January 5, 2021
And Natalie is here with a sports love story! Orlando Pride Stars Marta and Toni Pressley Are Engaged!!
Political Snacks
By the time you’re reading this, the polls will have just closed in Georgia. May I recommend some reading?
- If you are looking for a straight shot of sunshine filled hope, read about these women of color organizing Georgia’s youth vote: Phone Calls, Texts and Tinder — Georgia Campaigns Court Young Voters
- If you want to rage read about voter suppression, how the Georgia Secretary of State is no damn hero, despite whatever’s happening with Trump, and have a strong reminder of what it is we’re fighting for, Natalie recommends: Brad Raffensperger Defended the Election—but Not the Right to Vote in Future Ones
And speaking of remembering what we’re fighting for, Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey will NOT face any criminal charges for shooting Jacob Blake in the back 7 times.
Black Lives Fucking Matter.
Love this Eleanor fact. Could not recommend the new biography on her more.
The way they wrote to each other in terms of endearment, such as “darling” and “sweetheart.” day outing resorts in Bangalore