Pop Culture Fix: JoJo Siwa Tells Candace Owens to Back the F-ck Off of Her Lesbianism
Feature image photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images
Well I’m still crying about The Owl House finale! Crying and writing and here’s your Monday Pop Culture Fix!
+ Apparently Candace Owens recently said that JoJo Siwa is lying about being a lesbian? For attention? I think actually she used the word “lesbo”? I have no idea how JoJo Siwa even made it onto Candace Owens’ radar to be honest. But whatever the reason, JoJo said NoNo! (Sorry!) She retweeted Owens’ video, saying, “I haven’t watched the video yet…. But if it has anything to do with your caption, respectfully back the f— off.” It’s so weird how Conservatives have shifted from trying to shame gays into staying in the closet to convincing people they’re just saying they’re gay for positive PR. Wild times, friends. Wild times.
I haven’t watched the video yet…. But if it has anything to do with your caption, respectfully back the fuck off. https://t.co/a2SeX2jomk
— JoJo Siwa (@itsjojosiwa) April 7, 2023
+ Hayley Kiyoko has recruited an all-queer cast to record her audiobook, Girls Like Girls. Katie Gavin of MUNA, Malia Pyles from Pretty Little Liars and Brandon Flynn from 13 Reasons Why will star alongside Hayley herself. “They have all made such a positive impact on the queer community through their art and by living their authentic truth each and every day. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast to help me tell this story.” Kiyoko wrote on Instagram.
+ U-Haul lesbians make it onto 90 Day Fiancé.
+ Eureka O’Hara wrote an op-ed in Time magazine about how drag is an expression of queer experience.
+ Dove Cameron opens up about being queer amid anti-LGBTQ legislation.
+ Mourning the loss of The Owl House, TV’s best queer kids show.
+ Really lovely profile of Jodie Comer in the New Yorker this week. She talks about her new one-woman play on Broadway — and, of course, about Villanelle from Killing Eve.
+ The very queer legacy of Team Rocket in Pokemon anime.
+ Our Flag Means Death cast talks queer representation and teases season two.
+ Perry Mason is crafting a revolutionary lesbian love story.
Pop Culture Fix: Kate McKinnon’s Safety Scissors Haircut Barbie Is My New Favorite Doll
Ding dong! Did someone here order a fresh and tasty Pop Culture Fix?
+ The Barbie movie dropped new character posters with a teaser trailer yesterday, and there sure are some queers in it! Kate McKinnon as a broken Barbie — with a safety-scissor hair cut, and markers all over her face, and a thoroughly disjointed leg — is my personal favorite. Like yes, American Girl Dolls are gay, but this is GAY GAY. She actually kind of looks like Tammy Lynn Michaels’ Lacey from The L Word pilot episode; you know, Shane’s first official stalker?
https://twitter.com/CoveredGeekly/status/1643241456029638656
+ Yellowjackets showrunners talking about how you have to “earn” cannibalism. I can’t watch this show because I’m a scaredy-baby but I sure do love the headlines!
+ Mae Martin’s got a new series coming to Netflix! It’s called Tall Pines and it’s a “mystery thriller set in a bucolic, yet sinister town.” That sure does sound right up Autostraddle’s alley!
+ Boygenius is here to blunt whatever life throws our way.
+ This was my favorite bit of pop culture news this week.
Miles Morales says trans rights https://t.co/s0fF9yuTSc pic.twitter.com/cb0CcCZIVf
— Niko Stratis (@nikostratis) April 4, 2023
+ Rachel Weisz says Dead Ringers was a mindfuck to film.
+ Cruel Intentions TV show to happen for real this time, no seriously.
+ Melanie Lynskey wouldn’t mind doing a The Last of Us origin season.
+ The Mamas are back on Good Trouble this week!
Pop Culture Fix: Drag Race Star Jinkx Monsoon Is Doctor Who’s New Queer Pal
Feature image photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Image // BBC.
Happy Monday and congratulations to the LSU Lady Tigers and their fans for winning the NCAA National Championship! I have created one (1) Pop Culture Fix, which isn’t exactly the same as winning a chip, but is still an accomplishment nonetheless.
+ Jinkx Monsoon, whose run on Chicago recently broke a ten-year box office record, is joining DOCTOR WHO! I am so glad this news broke today because it is too good to have been believed on April Fool’s! She’ll be joining Ncuti Gatwa’s new Doctor. About her role, Jinks said, “I’m honoured, thrilled, and utterly excited to join Doctor Who. Russell T Davies is a visionary and a brilliant writer— I can’t wait to get into the weeds with him and the crew! I hope there’s room in the TARDIS for my luggage.” I hope RTD has finally learned his lesson from Torchwood and doesn’t come in murdering anymore queers!
Hi Jinkx! ♥️♥️➕ ⛈️
Award-winning actress, singer and two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, @JinkxMonsoon will appear in a major role in the new series of #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/CGiqAufHB9
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) April 3, 2023
+ And here’s the trailer for Single Drunk Female season two.
+ Margaret Cho joins DJ Qualls and Marisé Alvarez in the romantic dark comedy Evilou.
+ grown-ish’s sixth season will be its last.
+ I just found out about this podcast called Hey, Adora from a Twitter buddy. It’s about She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, if you’re missing that ragtag rainbow crew as much as I am.
+ Alison Steadman recalls filming British TV’s groundbreaking lesbian kiss — in 1974.
+ Why are queer scripted TV shows disappearing?
+ Ilana Glazer tells LGBTQ+ kids that being queer is “unquestionably beautiful.”
Pop Culture Fix: “Swarm” Built Billie Eilish’s Queer Cult Leader a Real Compound
Well and happy Wednesday to you! I have made you one (1) Pop Culture Fix to celebrate making it to midweek!
+ The internet simply cannot stop talking about Swarm, which Shelli reviewed from SXSW a few weeks ago. One of the weirder things I’ve heard about this movie — which I obviously cannot watch because I am a big baby about fake blood — is that Billie Eilish is a queer cult leader in it. Now, IndieWire is talking about how they built her a real cult compound! “[It was the most] creative build that we had on this show, actually,” production designer Sara K White said of Eilish’s lair. “Originally, the scene was scripted to take place in a different location that we ended up not being able to find. So in order to come up with a space that these women could be together in this heightened environment, I worked a lot with our director and the writers to come up with the idea of the sweat lodge, and that was an amazing process.” Amazing/terrifying: same/same. Also, FYI, Billie’s cult was inspired by a real cult.
+ Wizards of Waverly Place showrunner says “it’s obvious” that Selena Gomez’s character was bisexual.
+ Flaming Ears, a cult object of underground queer cinema receives a welcome, if barebones, release.
+ Warrior Nun creator asks fans to keep fighting for the canceled Netflix show.
+ Meet Megan Thee Stallion in custom-sculpted bodywear-maker.
+ Speaking of Megan Thee Stallion, is anime next on her world domination tour?
ICYMI here’s a snippet from this week’s episode of the #BGNPodcast! Link to the full episode here! https://t.co/S73kSvw9Jh @wearemartianb #anime pic.twitter.com/bpGZ4k5kZv
— BGN Podcast (@BGNPodcast) March 27, 2023
+ The infinite gay joy of boygenius.
+ Titanique’s Rosé Will Host Queer Extravaganza All Aboard!, benefitting the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund.
+ In Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Michelle Rodriguez’s barbarian is a queer fantasy.
Pop Culture Fix: Looks Like Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn Will Be Bisexual
Feature image photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Happy final day of the Elite Eight, friends! After tonight, we’ll have our Women’s Final Four set! I’m squeeeaaking by in the lead of our Autostraddle bracket competition, but shea is hot on my heals! I think they’ll move into the lead if Ohio State wins tonight! In the meantime, how about some queer pop culture news?
+ So! As you know, Lady Gaga is playing Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix in next year’s Joker: Folie à Deux. The movie has been filming outside Manhattan Criminal Court, surrounded by crowds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of Gaga and maybe get her to sign their boobs. One of the things these Little Monsters saw last week was Lady Gaga, in her Harley Quinn getup, climbing the steps to the courthouse and then smooching on an another woman. (This photo is on Getty images too, like all over the place, so it’s legit!) Does this mean Gaga’s Harley will be queer before Margot Robie’s? The race is on!
+ Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed for a TWENTIETH season.
+ Three of the NCAA Women’s Elite Eight teams — Iowa, Maryland and Miami — have out #LGBT coaches.
+ Streaming platforms just won’t give lesbian shows a chance.
+ 20 LGBTQ+ animated movies you can watch right now.
+ Monica is Trace Lysette’s first time starring in and producing a feature!! May 12th!
+ Kristen Kish on facing down her fears and turning down Top Chef: World All-Stars.
+ In this new book ban era, all-ages shows with LGBTQ characters are more important than ever.
+ RuPaul’s Drag Race takes aim at critics of early queer education.
+ I’m sincerely so excited for this docuseries.
https://youtu.be/WHols4w7QLw
+ Rotten Tomatoes asked us to pass along some information about their Crimson Honors program. They’re partnering with GALECA (the Society of LGBTQ+ Entertainment Journalists) for an essay contest for queer students of color who are interested in film/TV criticism — in particular, nonbinary people and trans or queer women of color. Applicants can submit one to three essays related to film and television; there will be three honorees: a grand prize winner (who will receive a $3000 grant) and two finalists (who will each receive $1500). You can get more info right here!
Pop Culture Fix: Amaarae’s “Reckless & Sweet” Music Video Is Sexy Sapphic Vibes
Top o’ the mornin’, gals and pals! I’m on my second cup of coffee and willing the sun to come out like it’s really spring up here in NYC! While I’m waiting, I made you a Pop Culture Fix!
+ Well Amaarae’s new music video for “Reckless & Sweet” sure is gay! It’s the first song off her forthcoming album, Fountain Baby, which will be released by Interscope later this year. In a statement about the video Amaarae said: This is my sexiest video to date, and what I love most about it is that young Black women and men are about to see what our new energy is for 2023 and beyond. Moving forward, we’re grown and sexy. We’re going to make sure we always look our best, talk our best, walk our best, and most of all we’re bringing love and romance back! “Reckless & Sweet” is a sexy song. It’s about being intentional with the ways we make and give love. It’s about finding the inner sensuality and confidence without yourself and sharing that with the world. As an artist that is exactly where I’m at at the moment.”
.+ Marvel Studios veteran Victoria Alonso, one of the only openly gay high ranking execs at the studio, is leaving the company. She’s been executive producing since the first Avengers movie.
+ When Melissa Etheridge burst onto the scene in the early 90s, record execs asked her, “What are we going to do about the gay thing?” and then told her it was fine if she wouldn’t get a beard, but that she couldn’t be out there “flag-waving.”
+ How I Met Your Father is coming to regular television.
+ A stage adaptation of Smash is coming to Broadway.
+ The trailer for season four of A Black Lady Sketch show is here!
https://youtu.be/WcJGX1ALAv4
+ Jasmin Savoy Brown says Yellowjackets season two gets “so fucked up.”
+ Disney is hosting a gay rights summit in Orlando. (Did you know JoJo Siwa realized she’s gay at Disney World? The most JoJo Siwa place on earth to realize you’re gay!)
+ The 2023 BAFTA Awards nominees have been announced and there are some real gay shows up for trophies!
+ Natalie says this moment from last night’s The Rookie: Feds — Niecy Nash and Juani Feliz on a date — is a gift just for her.
Relaxation is not in Simone's vocabulary 🤷 #TheRookieFeds pic.twitter.com/r8Bpk3HrLZ
— The Rookie: Feds (@TheRookieFeds) March 21, 2023
+ Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie’s Vigil is heading to the skies for season two.
+ The trailer for the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has arrived.
+ How Star Trek: Picard season three explains the queer experience.
Pop Culture Fix: Evan Rachel Wood Will Star in Elliot Page’s Queer Cheerleading Movie
Feature image photos by: Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The Roku Channel // Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
A jolly good Monday to you, my friends. Did you know that we HIT OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL IN FIVE DAYS? Y’all are too good to us! Thank you! I made you a Pop Culture Fix; it’s not much, but it’s full of gratitude.
+ Well now here’s some weird and welcome news: Evan Rachel Wood has joined Elliot Page’s queer cheerleading movie, Backspot. According to Variety: “Wood stars as professional cheer coach Eileen McNamara, head coach of the high-performance Thunderhawks squad who pulls Riley (Devery Jacobs) and Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo) from their mid-level cheer team to be a part of her group of intensely competitive athletes.” I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to see ERW play a Cheertator! Bring it on! (I’m sorry.)
+ Abbott Elementary’s Brittani Nichols on the importance of community as a writer.
+ Jinkx Monsoon’s Chicago run is just getting better and better. It set a ten-year box office record last week! According to Broadway News: “Chicago earned $913,161 this past week, up 15%, and played to standing-room-only crowds with attendance up 8%.”
+ Peacock has renewed Bel-Air for a third season.
+ Willow creator clarifies season 2 future after cancellation report: “The truth is less splashy.”
+ Joy Ride features a few queer actresses, but Natalie pointed out it looks like they’re all playing straight?!
+ The Lonely Few, a Geffen musical about lesbian rockers in love, is full of old-fashioned heart.
+ Lily Tomlin declares Ron DeSantis’ anti-trans legislation a travesty.
+ 5 queer international romance films to watch on Netflix.
+ Daisy Jones & the Six star Nabiyah Be talks about Simone’s queer, Black love story.
+ A new queer dramedy called Everygay Life is in the works from SXSW breakout star Anton van der Linden: “The series will revolve around two queer married couples, David and Miles, and Kate and Emma, who are raising children and juggling work responsibilities while navigating society’s preconceptions — often leading to tragicomic situations.”
Pop Culture Fix: Chrishell Thinks The Last of Us’ Homophobic Haters Are Simply Bad at Sex
Hey did you know we’re fundraising? Check out our rad perks and donate, if you’re able, to help keep your favorite queer indie pals in business!
+ The Last of Us’ second season won’t cover all of the second game, the way season one did with the first TLOU. Also, this is one of the more ridiculous things I’ve read this week: Rainn Wilson calls out TLOU for “anti-christian bias”? Sit down, Dwight. On the upside, Chrishell thinks homophobic TLOU viewers are simply bad at sex.
https://twitter.com/Chrishell7/status/1636100668934201346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
+ M3gan told Drew Barrymore she’s hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards. Related: M3gan is getting into fashion.
+ Disney+ has cancelled our queer Disney princess and Black lesbian warrior after one season of Willow.
+ A League of Their Own is fighting for more than four final episodes.
+ Lesbian Liberty player Stef Dolson just walking around town doing her errands and ball handing skills. 😂
+ The cast and creators of Gotham Knights chatted with GLAAD about LGBTQ rep on-screen. And here’s a character guide from The Wrap.
+ Anne Heche and Leslie Jordan were left out of the Oscars In Memoriam.
+ Scream VI directors break down that shocking opening scene.
+ Celebrating Black women who tell our stories.
+ I know this isn’t gay, but — actually, you know what? Ursula is a lesbian icon. This belongs here.
+ 20 lesbian movies where no one dies at the end.
+ Dark Disabled Stories tells hard truths about queer people with disabilities.
Pop Culture Fix: Sarah Paulson, Tig Notaro, Abby Wambach, etc. Sing Indigo Girls on Lesbian Party Bus
It’s Monday! The way you know it’s true is that you’re reading your Pop Culture Fix!
+ Well, the Oscars were this weekend, but not all of Hollywood was there. In fact, there was an entire party bus full of queer celebs — and honorary ones??? — driving around town singing Indigo Girls at the top of their lungs on a party bus. Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor (who, honestly, looked a little unsure if she wanted be surrounded by screaming drunk friends in a moving vehicle, which: same, my love), Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle, Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, Allison Janey and her belt, etc. Lots of dancing, lots of canoodling, probably they also took some time to scroll through Autostraddle’s Vapid Fluff archives, which are basically just this entire bus plus Janelle Monae and Kristen Stewart. I hope they had the most fun ever! I hope they do it again!
We also wrote you an ENTIRE BREAKDOWN of everyone who’s there, and where they are going. You don’t want to miss that: Sarah Paulson and Tig Notaro’s Lesbian Party Bus, Explained
+ Everything Everywhere All at Once saved my relationship with my mom.
+ Lena Waithe talked to Entertainment Tonight about what’s up next for The Chi and Twenties.
+ Related: Why Lena Waithe has built a producing empire on first-time filmmakers.
+ ESPN is bringing back The Bird and Taurasi Show for the Women’s Final Four.
+ Bottoms premiere brings teenage lesbian fight clubs to SXSW.
+ Lisanne Mittman and Gabe Dunn are adapting a biography of 1920s LGBTQ author and activist Eve Adams.
+ May I interest you in a Good Trouble season five trailer?
+ Megan Rapinoe dedicates her TIME Woman of the Year award to trans community.
+ In Harlem, there are many ways to be a queer Black woman.
+ BBC mysteriously “let’s go” of a queer woman Doctor Who producer and replaces her with a man.
+ GLAAD chats with Scream VI cast about queer inclusion in beloved slasher horror franchise.
Pop Culture Fix: Zaya Wade Makes Her Runway Debut at Paris Fashion Week
Feature image photos by Sydney Engelhart’s Instagram stories + Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
One Pop Culture Fix, hot off the panini press for you!
+ I love this so much! According to People: “Zaya Wade made her runway debut on Tuesday at the Miu Miu show at Paris Fashion Week. Wade, who is the daughter of Dwyane Wade and stepdaughter of Gabrielle Union, commanded the catwalk wearing an olive green dress with matching jacket. The budding model carried a complementary brown handbag while she confidently strutted the catwalk.” Dwayne and Gabrielle sat in the front row, and Dwayne said on Instagram that seeing Zaya on the runway made them cry.
Zaya Wade has made her runway debut at #ParisFashionWeek. pic.twitter.com/yW7kC7UpeH
— E! News (@enews) March 8, 2023
I personally loved stylist Sydney Engelhart’s stories. Union/Wade matrix reboot when??
+ Javicia Leslie is on Black Girl Nerds’ BGN Extra podcast this week.
+ How you, too, can get Aubrey Plaza’s “bold red lip” from SNL.
+ Star Trek: Discovery will end after season five.
+ The final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel lands on May 26th.
+ The Last of Us does something no other post-apocalyptic show does.
+ Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson went to couples’ therapy as their Creed III characters, Tessa says it was weeeeird. Also, Carmen wants you to know that Tessa isn’t the ONLY gay reason to see the film.
+ The soft masculinity of ‘Top Gun’ is underappreciated lesbian joy.
+ Buffy’s new Slayer transforms Willow & Tara’s queer legacy.
+ “We need comedy to survive.” — Margaret Cho
+ How queer women in music are taking over the charts in 2023.
Pop Culture Fix: There’s Only Queer Women on Miley Cyrus’ New Album, Thank You Very Much
Feature image photo by Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty Images
It’s Monday! I hope your coffee is strong and your March Madness bracket research is going great! Here’s your first Pop Culture Fix of the week!
+ Miley Cyrus’ new album, Endless Summer Vacation, features only her and other queer women: “Australian singer and songwriter Sia is set to feature on a song called ‘Muddy Feet’… Brandi Carlile is stepping in to duet with Cyrus on a song called ‘Thousand Miles.'” She’ll be performing songs from the album on a Disney+ special on March 10th. And you can read more about the album — and Miley’s forthcoming REIGN OF CHAOS! — in Carmen’s Also.Also.Also from the album release announcement!
+ The Writers Guild of America Awards were this weekend. Not much gayness happened, but there was one thing I need to bring to your immediate attention:
There’s basically no service here at the WGA Awards but Cate Blanchett sat on my lap and I think that’s all anyone needs to know pic.twitter.com/ajqlinSHs1
— Brittani Nichols (@BisHilarious) March 6, 2023
+ The ten best queer couples from Disney movies, ranked.
+ Scream 6: Jasmin Savoy Brown on the “satisfying” new film and making history.
+ Javicia Leslie spills the tea on playing Red Death on The Flash. (You can read Nic’s recap right here!)
+ Sister Wives ‘ Gwendlyn Brown pleads for Jennifer Coolidge to officiate her wedding, is the weirdest headline I’ve read in a minute.
+ 5 must-watch Black movies that explore the meaning of home.
Pop Culture Fix: Kristen Stewart Spills Her Literal Lesbian Guts in “Love Lies Bleeding”
Feature image photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images
A jolly Wednesday upon you, my pals! For breakfast I had this pastry that was in a circle like a donut, but there was CHEESE INSIDE. So my day is going pretty dang good. I hope yours is too. I made you a Pop Culture Fix!
+ Kristen Stewart and Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding test-screens to visceral audience reactions. According to World of Reel, the “audience was having visceral reactions to the gore, blood and puking throughout. Has a strange ending that will make this a love it or hate it type movie. Pain & Gain for indie lesbians. Ed Harris is great and Katy O’Brian as well.” That’s a no for me! But maybe a yes for you horror queers!
+ The Idol: How HBO’s next Euphoria became twisted torture porn.
+ Faith is finally queer in the Buffy comic books (and into Dark Willow, obviously).
+ The most creative kills in the Scream franchise.
+ Gotham Knights lands on the CW on March 14th. There’s a literal blue-haired bisexual, which I think is one of the GOP’s main nightmares.
The stakes are high in Gotham. The series premiere of #CWGothamKnights airs Tuesday, March 14 on The CW! pic.twitter.com/hkzMT0X2Fm
— Gotham Knights (@TheCW_GothamK) February 28, 2023
+ This video of Candace Parker balling on her wife at a family photoshoot made me LOL for real.
+ 10 LGBTQIA+ women who became trailblazers in entertainment.
+ You won’t be seeing that TAR short film, after all.
Todd Field says his TÁR short film, THE FUNDRAISER, will never be screened again.
It has currently only been seen by @Berlinale attendees. pic.twitter.com/IbyZ16SAfD
— Cinema Solace (@SolaceCinema) February 24, 2023
+ How those flashbacks in The Last Of Us have become the show’s secret weapon.
+ Good Morning America is talking about queer rep on Love Trip: Paris????
Pop Culture Fix: Lisa Ann Walter Brought Parent Trap Co-Star Elaine Hendrix As Her Date to the SAG Awards
It’s a beautiful Monday here in NYC and I hope it’s beautiful wherever you are too. Not even the weather, really, just: I hope something beautiful happens to you today. For one example, this Pop Culture Fix!
+ Queen Latifah hosted the NAACP Image Awards this weekend. Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade received the President’s Award for their public service. In their acceptance speech, they talked about their trans daughter, Zaya (who was granted a name change and legal transition in court last week), and called for action to protect the trans community. Their speech WILL make you cry. Brittani Nichols won Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary. Brittney and Cherelle Griner were honored and looking so fine. Keke Palmer won for her role as Izzy Hawthorne in Pixar’s Lightyear. Niecy Nash-Betts won for Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Robin Roberts won for her 20/20 interview with First Lady Michelle Obama. And Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls took home the trophy for Best Reality Program. Purple was the color of the night!
+ Last night’s Screen Actor’s Guild Awards had some gay-ish moments. For starters, Lisa Ann Walter brought Parent Trap costar Elaine Hendrix as her date — and if this is how that movie ended, I would have been gay a whole lot sooner! The White Lotus won Best Drama Ensemble. Stranger Things won for Best Stunt Ensemble. Yellow was the color of the night!
+ At Slate: The New Black Film Canon. “From Touki Bouki to Friday, the 75 greatest movies by Black directors, as chosen by our special panel of filmmakers and critics.”
+ HBO Max’s Twitter account seems, uh, confused about Ellie and Riley in The Last of Us.
+ This is really cool: 63 artists came together to create something called The Villaneve Flipbook, in which they all drew panels of Eve and Villanelle from Killing Eve — in their own styles, across all kinds of fictional universes — to create a two-minute microfilm out of 129 frames of art! (Spoiler alert: THEY SMOOCH!) You can buy the digital zine that makes up the film for five bucks and the proceeds go to ILGA World, The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. You can watch the film for free below!
+ Like me and you, Shania Twain thinks Tennessee’s new anti-drag legislation is b u l l s h i t.
+ Lesbian cricket legend Sarah Taylor and partner reveal their pregnancy!
+ Out WWE star Sonya Deville and partner Toni Cassano have announced their engagement!
+ Love love love Layshia Clarendon.
Episode 4 of “Changemakers” features Layshia Clarendon @Layshiac (he/they/she), the first openly trans/non-binary WNBA player and the first active WNBA player to have top surgery. They are the founder of the Layshia Clarendon Foundation.#DoItRight #NEONxGLAAD @Ally pic.twitter.com/3asQsJ6ZU8
— GLAAD (@glaad) February 27, 2023
Bears, Ranked By Lesbianism
The cinematic weekend of the year is finally upon us. Yes, that’s right: Cocaine Bear — the real life story of a bear who ate a duffel bag full of cocaine hidden in the Georgia woods — has hit theaters. It’s not really in our purview; apparently, the Cocaine Bear only terrorizes straight people, but we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to be part of such an important cultural conversation. And so, we have ranked fictional bears by lesbianism.
This list was calculated using my usual form of gay math. I dropped pictures into our Slack, provided a little context, and asked everyone on the team to vote for each bear on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being least lesbian, 5 being most lesbian). I also asked them to offer some evidence for their ranking, and they were more than happy to oblige.
Allow our entire team to proudly present…
Bears, Ranked By Lesbianism
25. Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear
In Toy Story 3 he used to rule Sunnyside Daycare, but he’s retired from that now. A jumbo, extra-soft teddy bear with a pink and white plush body and a velvety purple nose, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear smells like strawberries and dictatorships.
Stef: Not even going to entertain this monster with a 1.
Laneia: Lotso has a thin blue line license plate on his Jeep sorry.
Stef: And a t-shirt that says “I stand for the flag. I kneel for the cross.” With eagles on it and shit.
Nic: Sociopath.
Natalie: He voted for Trump.
Laneia: Both times Natalie.
Stef: Oh NO DOUBT.
Drew: Okay but actually Lots-o’ gives me Ellen Degeneres vibes.
24. Po
A clumsy panda who lives in the Valley of Peace and works in his goose father Mr. Ping’s noodle shop. All Po wants in the whole world is to learn kung fu!
Casey: Just nothing here says lesbian, sadly.
Natalie: My least favorite bear thanks to my nephews’ obsession with this series when they were younger.
Natalie: Tigress is clearly the lesbian of this group anyway.
23. Coca-Cola Polar Bears
You can’t beat the real thing!
Ro: These bears are clearly gay men who rule their local community theater scene.
shea: I agree with Ro. It’s really giving “let’s do brunch at the Plaza in paisley.”
Stef: Oh these are for sure a gay retired DINK (double income no kids) couple without a care or worry in the world.
Nic: Something about the bear on the left feels like T*cker would have him on his show to prove he does know one (1) gay bear.
22. Yogi Bear
Hey, hey, hey, he’s smarter than the av-er-age bear and a seeker of pic-a-nic baskets! Foil of Mr. Ranger, sir, and best friend of Boo-Boo!
Stef: Yogi is the most heterosexual one on the list so far tbh.
Ro: Absolutely not! A tie with no shirt is a look for straight dude strippers AND lesbians.
Stef: OK then, he must be moonlighting as a stripper outside of the cartoons we see.
Ashni: This tie with no shirt feels a lot like Blake Lively in A Simple Favor rocking the cuffs with no sleeves.
Heather: My dad’s nickname was Yogi (like a riff on Hoagie) so I gotta say: not lesbian. Even though when I was growing up my dad’s main crush was Jodie Foster. 🤔
21. ICEE Polar Bear
He’s the bear equivalent of a Slush Puppy.
Stef: Yet another situation where I wish I could give a 2.5. Like this bear is definitely not heterosexual but are they gay?? Who can say??
Laneia: Asexual nb sweetie.
Natalie: Clearly a lesbian who suffers constant hot flashes and needs to cool off.
Heather: Me and you both, Icee Bear. Me and you both.
20. Clutch the Rocket Bear
The Houston Rockets mascot is most famous for stealing a fan’s beer to give to a man who got shot down —the woman said “no!” and marched off the court — during a halftime proposal.
Nic: Never reward a man who proposes during a sporting event.
Casey: Clearly the woman deserved the beer, not the guy.
Casey: This bear has no feminist solidarity!
19. Little John
Robin Hood’s loyal sidekick and best friend! Reminiscin’, this-n-thattin’, havin’ such a good time! Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day!
Stef: I don’t know…Robin Hood and Little John both give me strong faggot energy but like two different kinds of faggots, you know?
Laneia: Correct Stef.
Stef: His name is Little John… I’m sure I could go down to any bar in Wilton Manors, scream that name out, and get like 5-6 guys asking why I was calling them.
Laneia: Wow yes. I was in Whole Foods Sunday and a woman in yoga pants said “babe” and literally 5 people — INCLUDING ME, STEF — turned to her in response. Same thing.
Stef: Exactly the same scenario, it’s so true.
Natalie: Not a lesbian but proudly part of the alphabet mafia.
Casey: Agreed, Little John has strong gay guy vibes, duh, bear vibes to specific! Very queer, but not of the lesbian flavour.
Niko: Returning when we can discuss the high femme lesbian queen Maid Marian.
Stef: Listen, my younger brother and I used to watch Robin Hood: Men in Tights over and over again as kids for the same reason I think (Amy Yasbeck being a fuckin’ babe).
18. Angus
He works the day shift at Video Outpost “Too” in Night in the Woods, but dreams of being a scientist. An “annoyingly strident atheist,” according to Bea the Crocodile. Angus also plays in the band!
Heather: You ever notice how many bears wear porkpie hats?
17. Sugar Bear
The Golden Crisp cereal mascot. Just a cool guy. He used to wear a backwards baseball cap, but Post thought it made him look too much like the Honey Smacks frog.
Shelli: Giving me “hey mamas” vibes for sure.
Vanessa: Hahahhaa Shelli! Just came here to say the same thing!
16. Jazz Bear
The mascot of the Utah Jazz! He got into trouble for doing too many hijinks in his stunts, the NBA thought he was going to murder a fan on accident.
Dani: Lmao the sunglasses.
Stef: Giving him a 4 for the fit alone.
Valerie Anne: I am going to have nightmares about this mascot.
Vanessa: I hate this bear.
Stef: Come on, guys, he looks cool.
Valerie Anne: He looks cool with MURDER.
Laneia: See I feel like this is the hey mamas lesbian.
Casey: This bear looks like a werewolf!! WTF.
Drew: I think this bear gave me coke once.
15. Baloo
Whenever great deeds are remembered in this jungle, one name will stand above all others: our friend, Baloo the bear!
Stef: This might be controversial but Baloo gives me big fruity guy sidekick more than anything else.
Shelli: I’m just here to say I hated The Jungle Book.
Valerie Anne: Baloo adopted a stray human the way lesbians adopt stray cats, I support this choice.
Niko: Is he the same one that was a pilot in that other Disney show? Or different bear?
Valerie Anne: Yes! TaleSpin!
Stef: I was just about to say TALESPIN!
Casey: I feel like Baloo has too much irresponsible dad energy to be a lesbian, he leaves all the hard parenting work, setting boundaries and safety to Bagheera and just has fun with Mowgli instead.
Heather: YES! The ultimate lesbian auntie!
14. Bear in the Big Blue House
Bear lives in the Big Blue House where he takes care of Ojo, a bear cub; Tutter, a mouse; Treelo, a lemur; otters Pip and Pop; and narrator Shadow. He goes on adventures with his friends where he learns about solving problems, sharing, and cooperating.
Stef: Bear gives me strong genderless dyke vibes… I wish i could give a 2.5.
Ro: Bear presides over a lesbian commune for sure.
Ashni: Obsessed with the moon? Lesbian.
Natalie: A bear that brings home that many strays? It’s like the Heather Hogan of bears. Peak lesbian.
13. Grammi Gummi
She’s the real leader of the Gummi-Glen Gummi Bears and the Keeper of the Secret Recipe of Gummi Berry Juice! Bouncing here and there and everywhere!
Casey: Hmm, I’m getting more mom who’s like the best ally to her gay son vibes here, kind of like the mom who works at the gay diner on queer as folk?
Heather: Me and my bisexual sister used to blame the “Gummi Berry Juice” when we got in trouble for being too loud and bouncy, especially in church, so Grammi’s a real lesbian icon in our family. Grammi never would’ve made us go to tent revivals!
12. Fozzie Bear
Wocka wocka!
Stef: Y’all don’t know this about me but I’m a big Muppets head and Fozzie has always been one of my favorites because I really feel like we’re similar.
Sai: Fozzie was always a fave of mine too! Apparently I went through a “wocka wocka wocka” phase as a child…
Stef: lol SAME. I would do “wocka wocka” when I found something funny.
Heather: I think we can all agree it’s time for y’all to bring this back.
11. Teddy Ruxpin
Teddy Ruxpin is an animatronic children’s toy with a tape deck in his back, underneath his romper. He is also an 80s cartoon. Teddy Ruxpin loves to lean, sing, make friends, and fly in an airship. His best friend is named Grubby.
Stef: Dani, how can you rate Teddy a 1 when he literally dresses exactly like me?
Dani: LMAO
Dani: Honestly good point.
Vanessa: My parents bought me a Teddy Ruxpin when my brother was born so I wouldn’t be jealous of him getting attention but as a result I insisted on calling my brother Teddy for the first several months of his life.
Laneia: Teddy is lowkey insufferable but also who else would you trust to run the co-op? No one, that’s right.
Stef: I don’t know him personally but I’d love to know where he got that t-shirt from in the pic.
Niko: Considering Teddy has a tape recorder in his belly, I would say he’s 100% a cop. He’s literally always recoding you.
Stef: What??? Teddy Ruxpin was a narc??
Laneia: No wait he couldn’t record you, only read to/at you which is why he was insufferable! But again, weirdly competent.
Niko: I mean, you don’t get a tape recorder installed in your chest unless your going deep undercover 4 life.
Niko: Teddy Ruxpin just has big “I told the teacher about you” energy.
Natalie: Teddy Ruxpin wanting to be friends with everybody gives me peak bisexual vibes.
Natalie: Though I could be talked into ranking them higher if one question could be answered: is that shirt a one piece or a basketball jersey with an undershirt? Gonna let you guess which one gives you the higher lesbian rating.
10. Paddington
Just a marmalade loving buddy who tries so hard to get things right. A shoo-in for Kind Hearts Friendship Club!
Stef: Nonbinary anti-carceral icon, Paddington.
Laneia: Seems like paddington would hang out with Jenna Lyons and buy old bottles of ink at Sotheby’s auctions.
Drew: Because I projected onto him in Bright Star, I’ve always felt like Ben Whishaw — famous gay man who voices Paddington — has lesbian vibes.
Lily: Paddington needs to be in top 5 at the very least. He gives off a vibe of going to radical book clubs, loving DIY, using multiple pronouns, etc.
9. Rupert
Just a dapper English pal from Nutwood who runs errands for his mom that always seem to turn into magical adventures.
Stef: You guys, Rupert isn’t a lesbian…he’s just British.
Vanessa: hahahahahhaha STEF!
Stef: Just felt like everyone needed to be reminded!!
Niko: Dead, I am deceased.
Stef: It’s just…I know it’s easy to get confused.
Natalie: But those shoes though?
Stef: Still just British as hell to me, tbh.
8. Funshine Bear
Funshine Bear is a Care Bear who’s blissfully sure everything’ll be fine. Their biggest concern: will it be cool? Always sunny, but blindly optimistic, Sunshine Bear is the co-pilot of the Cloudseeker. They wear a little red baseball cap, probably a Rockford Peaches one.
Valerie Anne: I personally think Wishbear is the gayest bear but that’s because I’ve had a stuffed Wishbear since the day I was born. All Care Bears are gay though I’ll give you that.
Laneia: Turned a denim jacket into a vest one summer and hasn’t been the same since, bless.
Niko: Okay this was the Care Bear from my conversion therapy essay and I did not expect to feel things in the course of this lesbian march madness (also very gay).
Nic: Funshine Bear is 100% the coach of a metropolitan queer softball team
Drew: I feel like every Care Bear has the potential to be the kind of lesbian who uses a lot of therapy speak but is actually low-key toxic.
7. Stufful
An adorable Fighting-type Pokemon cub who does not like being touched by strangers and evolves into a giant pink bear called Bewear. If you try to hug him, he’ll flail hard enough to break a tree!
Natalie: Someone created me as a bear. Who knew?!
Heather: I knew there was a reason Stufful was my favorite!
6. Teddy Grahams
You can get them in the flavors of honey, cinnamon, chocolate, and chocolate chip! Little bags of Teddy Grahams are very popular at labs where you have to give a lot of blood!
Drew: Teddy Grahams feel very lesbian to me. It’s just a feeling. I can’t explain it.
Heather: When I was a kid, they introduced a limited edition Teddy Graham called Dizzy Grizzlies, and they were into the “X sports” of the early 90s, such as “inline skating” and “volcano boarding” and “extreme pogo.” Anyway those were the gayest ones of these. Skateboarding on a literal mountain made of fire? Who else but a lesbian.
5. Pancham
Pancham is a Fighting-type Pokemon who hates being perceived as cute — and therefore not tough! — but they can’t help it: they smile big when you pet them. But don’t underestimate them! It makes them very grumpy!
Casey: I don’t know anything about Pokemon, but being really cute but not wanting to be called cute because they want to be tough could describe a few of my masc exes lol.
Heather: Pancham is like all my favorite fictional bisexuals: cool as heck leather jacket-wearing surly exterior, gooey caramel center.
4. The Winter’s Tale Bear
He acts out Shakespeare’s most famous stage direction: “Exit, pursued by a bear.” This bear, she eats Antigonus, right after he abandons a baby in the wild. While the bear is gnawing on Antigonus, he yells out his name and rank to a passerby.
Stef: Really love that you included this one, Heather. A true lesbian hero.
Analyssa: Excellent addition, also I fell in my first gay love while working run crew for a production of Winters Tale so canonically a gay play.
Shelli: Big country mama bear energy.
Stef: Truly one of Shakespeare’s great gay romances.
Casey: Lesbian feminist energy for sure!
Drew: My ex loved this play so much and even directed an experimental production of it.
Drew: Next we need to do Shakespeare plays ranked by lesbianism.
Stef: Not to be an English teacher about it but i would love that so much.
Heather: Okay but if we do that, Amanda Bynes’ She’s The Man is absolutely going on it.
3. Smokey the Bear
Who can prevent forest fires? Only you! And this dad!
Stef: I know Smokey would run a Wendy’s like the goddamn Marines.
Ro: When I was a kid, I bought myself a Junior Ranger hat at a national park SPECIFICALLY so that I would look like Smokey the Bear.
Casey: The belt buckle! The cuffed jeans! That stance! The hat! It is all very butch dyke.
Em: I didn’t realize I was sexually attracted to Smokey until right now
2. Corduroy
He lost his button! And went on an adventure all by himself around an entire department store to try to find it! But when his best friend Lisa brought him to his forever home, she sewed a button on for him, and gave him such a hug.
shea: UM HE WEARS OVERALLS. NEED WE SAY MORE?
Heather: Corduroy is the Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya of bears. Gay!
Shelli: This was my actual favorite book growing up, and I still have a copy of it on my bookshelf right now, and wow, maybe I was so connected to it because Corduroy was doing some dykin in the department store
Niko: Oh my god I had totally forgotten about this bear and this is taking me back.
Drew: “Best friend Lisa”? Hmmm.
1. Winnie the Pooh
Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff.
shea: TBH I am biased on this one because my friends and family are convinced (rightfully so) that I am the living embodiment of Pooh. But really, Pooh is a soft boi icon and allllll about the hunnies!!!
Stef: Raise your hand if your family was obsessed with getting you Winnie the Pooh products as a kid because Pooh “reminded them of you.”
shea: Lol all the chubby enbys to the front.
Meg: A pantsless king.
Stef: Very practical outfit choice.
Vanessa: WINNIE THE POO IS MY ROOT.
Vanessa: Both for being gay and also for one specific kink thing that I won’t go into.
Vanessa: Anyway I love him.
Casey: Lesbian icon AND fat positive icon.
Em: I went on a date with this person who took me to Disney and bought me a mini Pooh stuffed animal wearing a rainbow overall jumpsuit. It didn’t work out and they ghosted me, but I feel like this further proves the point that Pooh is very queer.
Ro: Crop top. No pants. Loves a honey pot. That’s a lez.
Pop Culture Fix: This “Warrior Nun” Scene That Never Got Filmed Is Pretty Dang Queer & Cute
Someone sent me and my wife anonymous donuts this morning! Thank you if you’re out there! I hope they’re not POISONED!!! Here’s your midweek Pop Culture Fix!
+ Warrior Nun showrunner Simon Berry posted a couple of pages of a scene that never got filmed, and therefore didn’t make it into the show — and it is pretty dang queer and cute! I actually started making a silly stick-person comic book page out of it, but ran out of time — don’t worry, though! You can see my extremely professional art below!
Ok folks, here’s the infamous scene 18 that we never shot. Comes before the running over water scene. #WarriorNun10M #SaveWarriorNun pic.twitter.com/aK0jkknBLQ
— Simon Barry (@SimonDavisBarry) February 19, 2023
+ ART!
+ Related?! Margot Douaihy’s Scorched Earth stars a chain-smoking tattooed lesbian nun.
+ Javicia Leslie’s got a new role in an ABC police drama pilot.
+ Rutina Wesley on playing Maria in The Last of Us.
+ Queen Latifah will host the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.
+ Exploring queer love in Star Trek.
+ This made me and Natalie laugh so hard.
🗣️This is how announce you’re coming back to the league!
Brittney Griner re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury today 🔥 @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/nUfAMS7x4Y
— B/R W Sports (@brwsports) February 21, 2023
+ Turns out Shel Silverstein made the perfect cartoon for queer Jews.
+ Queer K-pop Star Jiae on why she doesn’t identify as a lesbian.
+ HBO has a working template for queer stories — but that’s only half the battle.
Pop Culture Fix: Suffering Sappho, Cate Blanchett Is Baffled by Lesbian Labels
Goooood morning, my friends! Here is your first Pop Culture Fix of the week!
+ I know I casually, jokingly mentioned Cate Blanchett’s Vanity Fair interview last week, in which she talked about Tár and also how she’s baffled by LGBTQ+ labels, but the story keeps getting more traction so I’ll be serious about it for a second. Her are the relevant interview quotes:
“I don’t think about my gender or my sexuality,” [Blanchett] says. “For me in school, it was David Bowie, it was Annie Lennox. There’s always been that sort of gender fluidity.” She admits to feeling perplexed by the very notion of having to think about stepping into an identity outside of her own: “I have to really listen very hard when people have an issue with it. I just don’t understand the language they’re speaking, and I need to understand it because you can’t dismiss the obsession with those labels—behind the obsession is something really important. But personally I’ve never had it… If [Carol] was made now, me not being gay—would I be given public permission to play that role? … If you and I were having a conversation [25 years ago], it would be in your publication and that was it. Now, somehow it’s like these opinions get published, and Scarlett Johansson doesn’t play a role that maybe she was the only person who could play it.”
So that last thing is obviously a reference to ScarJo signing onto play a trans man, defending her decision, and then ultimately dropping out of the role because of backlash. People far more qualified than me have talked at length about the dangers of cis people playing trans roles, something that we should be more concerned about than ever before as trans people are under unprecedented legislative and cultural attacks in new and terrifying ways every day. The fact that Blanchett is even equating being a rich white cis straight woman playing a rich white cis gay woman with being a cis person playing a trans person indicates, to me, that she doesn’t get it. Those are not the same conversations — and she’s kind of proving that LGBTQ+ people SHOULD be concerned about non-LGBTQ+ people playing LGBTQ+ roles because she doesn’t understand that distinction.
Blanchett seems to think that the “obsession” LGBTQ+ people have with labels is about excluding non-LGBTQ+ people, and then subjecting them to “cancel culture” — a phrase she doesn’t say, but does imply — rather than the actual point of labels, which is about self-identity, building community, finding strength in the stories of generations of people who came before us and used the same labels. It’s about acceptance and understanding and safety and political power and sharing space with people whose struggles are similar. Language is imprecise and constantly evolving, and even our own community can’t agree on what every label means and whether or not they’re necessary, but the people who get to have opinions about this are the ones whose lives are materially impacted by it. And I don’t mean their Oscar hopes, I mean their actual lives. The repercussions of pop culture representation on LGBTQ+ people is not theoretical, and I’ve got to believe that if Cate Blanchett really wanted to understand the point of labels, she would. The research and infinite corroborative stories aren’t hidden away in some fantastical castle guarded by dragons; they’re simply a Google away.
+ ANYHOODLE. Disney+ has cancelled Big Shot. Peacock has renewed Poker Face.
+ Looks like The Marvels’ release date has been pushed back again, but the new poster looks amazing!
Check out the new poster for ‘The Marvels’.
The film hits theaters on November 10. pic.twitter.com/QCv5oKNPLG
— Geeks of Color (@GeeksOfColor) February 17, 2023
+ Housewives star Meredith Marks tumbles at lesbian bar with Sam Smith.
+ The Veronicas to perform “Untouched” at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
+ 43 thoughts Vogue’s Emma Specter had while watching Your Place or Mine.
+ Persona 5 can’t handle queer relationships.
+ On this week’s It’s Been a Minute on NPR: Kelela’s guide for breaking up with men. “Host Brittany Luse sits down with Kelela to discuss Black queer liberation, and how she hopes this record helps folks find freedom on the dance floor.”
+ Kylie Jenner accused of queerbaiting over Valentine’s Day kiss with regular pal, not gal pal.
+ Brittney Griner has re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury on a one-year deal, and Diana Taurasi has re-signed on a two year deal. Also, the Washington Post says Elena Delle Donne is fully recovered and back to being Elena Delle Donne, which is great news for the Mystics!
Pop Culture Fix: Elliot Page’s Queer Cheerleading Movie Is Really Happening!
Feature image by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Hello and happy Wednesday! Please enjoy your mid-week Pop Culture Fix! And if you happen to have any fresh-squeezed lemonade around, may I have a glass? I am craving the taste of summer!
+ Elliot Page’s “cheer drama, Backspot” has started shooting in Canada. According to Variety, “Principal photography has kicked off on the upcoming queer cheerleading film starring Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs) and newcomer Kudakwashe Rutendo as the leads. It will mark helmer D.W. Waterson (That’s My DJ) directorial feature debut. The film is expected to shoot until mid-March in the Toronto area.” I, for one, would like to thank Queerleading expert Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya for fully preparing me for this movie.
+ Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are teaming up for The Restless Leg Tour later this spring.
+ Leslie Grace says the Batgirl cut she saw was incredible; she’s still as baffled as we are that the studio pulled the plug on it.
+ Okay cutie pies!
Happy Valentine’s Day from little Tegan and Sara to you all💌
When given the chance to recreate a photo from childhood for @guardian we of course said yes!
https://t.co/8fRR0h4Y1N pic.twitter.com/y4y7rq5IsP— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) February 14, 2023
+ Megan Rapinoe is on Debbie Millman’s Design Matters podcast this week.
+ How The Last of Us has avoided becoming “disaster porn.” Also! If you’re a homophobe who’s not enjoying The Last of Us due to your own bigotry, Bella Ramsey just wants you to know that’s a you problem.
+ A lesbian remake of David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers is coming.
+ Trans Witches Are Witches: Queer gamers launch Hogwarts Legacy alternative.
+ Six toxic queer couples that need to break up stat.
Pop Culture Fix: Brittney and Cherelle Griner Are the Super Bowl MVPs of Our Heart
Hey! Will you be my Valentine? Me and my wife both ordered Sherri’s Berries for V-Day and now we’ve got enough to chocolate covered strawberries to share! I also offer you the gift of a Monday Pop Culture Fix!
+ A beautiful sight at the Super Bowl last night, Brittney and Cherelle Griner! BG also attended the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament this weekend. According to the AP, “Griner was part of a crowd of about 200,000 fans at the tournament, watching the action from the stadium 16th hole.” She’s still recovering from her wrongful detainment in Russia, so she’s not attending Team USA training camp with other WNBA stars right now, but she’s on everyone’s minds and in their hearts. She’s been texting with Phoenix Mercury teammate Diana Taurasi, who recently told reporters: “I’m not a person who lives in a fake world of optimism. I lived in Russia for 10 years; I knew how serious it was. I thought it would be a long time before I saw my friend again. Every single day (she was gone), we suffered. Not until I saw her did I believe it. Just to see her smile was emotional for everyone.” Finally, me and Diana Taurasi agree on something!
Happiness in one pic:@brittneygriner I #SuperBowlLVII pic.twitter.com/ekBm6OJY8K
— TOGETHXR (@togethxr) February 13, 2023
+ Netflix pulled the plug on Neil Patrick Harris’ gay comedy, Uncoupled, but Showtime has picked it up.
+ Bella Ramsey is hyped about The Last of Us’ lesbian storyline. On the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, they told listeners: “I’m really excited, to be honest, for the Ellie/Dina story. I’ve watched a cut together, someone’s made a phenomenal — I don’t know how they do it — like an amazing edit of just the gameplay, like Ellie and Dina’s love story. So I’m excited to play that out.”
+ Sarah Michelle Gellar says her Cruel Intentions kiss with Selma Blair was like “a live performance” because there were 250 people on set watching that day.
+ Rebecca Black says queer people stood up for her during vicious “Friday” bullying. (Also her new album is full of bops!)
+ Tig Notaro roasts herself over hilarious Wheel of Fortune flub.
+ Everything Cate Blanchett has said about lesbians during this endless Tár press tour is making my side eye her more and more! Which I do not want to do! But now she’s upset that people want to label their sexuality and gender — even though she, a cis straight woman never thinks about labels — but truly, she thinks it’s an inexplicable “obsession.” So much so that people who talk about it sound like Peanuts parents to her. Just mwah mwah wah wah mwah. Her main problem seems to be that this “obsession” with labels might keep her from getting the roles she wants to play, such as Carol Aird and Lydia Tar. Also she thinks maybe Scarlett Johansson was the only one who could have played the role of a trans man in Rub & Tug? Cate, please.
+ It’s been kind of weird to see Courtney Vandersloot’s tour around NYC for her Liberty signing without her wife and former teammate Allie Qyigley by her side — so it made me smile to see them attending Sloot’s jersey retirement and Gonzaga together over the weekend!
There aren't many better ways to celebrate #GonzagaDay than celebrating the legacy of a @ZagWBB legend! Forever in the rafters and forever a Zag. @Sloot22 pic.twitter.com/NUmQ9JJl08
— Gonzaga University (@GonzagaU) February 11, 2023
Iconic: Queer Icon Kristen Stewart Playing Queer Icon Susan Sontag in Upcoming Biopic
After two successful forays into playing legendary women with two-syllable last names that start with “S,” Spencer and Seberg, Kristen Stewart — also a legendary woman with a two syllable last-name that starts with “S” — will be playing Susan Sontag in an upcoming biopic based on the biography “Sontag: Her Life” by Ben Moser. Director Kristen Johnson will be co-writing the script with legendary lesbian playwright Lisa Kron (2.5 Minute Ride, Well, Fun Home).
According to Variety, filming will begin this very month in the Berlin Film Festival, for which Kristen Stewart is serving as jury president. Kirsten Johnson, best-known for her critically acclaimed documentaries “Cameraperson” and “Dick Johnson is Dead,” said of the intent to begin in Berlin:
“We’re using Berlin as a moment to kick off the project and do documentary footage of Kristen as the head of the jury and talking to her about how she’s going to become Sontag. It will be a drama, but with a documentary aspect to it. Kirsten has a wonderful approach to storytelling, and this is reflective of that, so she will use documentary in it.”
To be honest I have no idea what that means, but despite the fact that Stewart is not Jewish and also does not remotely resemble Susan Sontag, I am absolutely thrilled by this casting choice!
Susan Sontag is a writer, philosopher and activist best known for her essays, including many that I am almost but not quite smart enough to fully understand. Sontag’s work is foundational to theory across multiple disciplines, such as her 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp” and her 1977 book On Photography. Sontag also published plays and fiction and is well-known for her political activism beginning with her opposition to the Vietnam War in the 1960s.
“Notes On Camp” was later used as a theme for the 2019 Met Gala, which Kristen Stewart attended:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: US actress Kristen Stewart arrives for the 2019 Met Gala. The Gala’s 2019 theme is Camp: Notes on Fashion” inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on Camp.” (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
An accomplished bisexual, Sontag was married to writer Phillip Rieff for eight years (they married when she was 17, they had a son) before dating the legendary avant-garde playwright/director María Irene Fornés and then Italian aristocrat Carlotta Del Pezzo and then German academic Eva Kollisch.
Sontag’s romantic relationship with photographer Annie Leibowitz — which began in the late 80s and continued Sontag’s death in 2004 — aspirationally involved the two women living in separate residences in the same Manhattan apartment building. In 2000, Sontag told The Guardian that over the entire span of her life she had been in love with five (5) women and four (4) men.
Susan Sontag (1933-2004), American writer, France, on November 3, 1972. (Photo by Jean-Regis Rouston/Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
Kristen Stewart has played queer parts before: in The Runaways (in which she starred as Joan Jett), Lizzie, J.T. Leroy and Happiest Season. Also in my opinion, she played queer roles in Charlie’s Angels, The Clouds of Sils Maria and Certain Women.
Many questions remain as this project begins its journey into the world, mostly “who will be playing María Irene Fornés”? Furthermore, will Kristen be summoning Susan Sontag’s gay ghost as research for the role? Hopefully these questions will be answered in due time.
feature image shows Kristen Stewart attending the Chanel Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 04, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Pop Culture Fix: ZOINKS! Sarah Michelle Gellar and Linda Cardellini’s Steamy Scooby Smooch
It’s Wednesday and I’ve got chili in the slow cooker and there’s a cat asleep on my lap. Everything is a-okay! And here’s a pretty okay Pop Culture Fix, too.
+ Okay my Buffy aficionado wife says this isn’t “news,” but it’s NEWS TO ME. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Daphne and Linda Cardellini’s Velma kissed on the mouth in the Scooby-Doo movie, but it was cut. On Watch What Happens Live this week, Gellar said, “There was a steamy kiss. It got cut. There was an actual kiss between Daphne and Velma that got cut. I feel like the world wants to see it. I don’t know where it is.” I KNOW I WANT TO SEE IT. Also Fred was gay in this movie?? What in the world, give this to me! I had so suffer through a full season of Mindy Kaling’s Velma; I deserve this!
+ In addition to Batwoman, The Flash‘s final season is bringing back the Legends of Tomorrow crew.
+ This is suuuuuch a good and important read. Gina Prince-Bythewood talks to The Hollywood Reporter about the Oscars shutting out The Woman King.
+ GREASE! THE RISE OF THE PINK LADIES!
https://youtu.be/wAov-PRrVRY
+ This is so bad and infuriating: The WNBA is investigating Las Vegas Aces for circumventing the salary cap.
+ Get ready for… Tegan and Sara: Junior High! A new graphic memoir!
+ Quantum Leap did a really well received trans episode this week. Writers say they hope it will be a “heart-opening” experience.
+ There’s some lesbians in a new Doritos ad and I heard it’s making people cry. Not me, though. I never cry at commercials. (LOL, yes I do.)
+ Are you ready? 🐝
Sorry to be sappy but the 90s cast of Yellowjackets wrapped yesterday and we all sat and watched episode 201 together… and other than my siblings, I have never felt this level of pride and respect and adoration for a group of people. I can’t believe their talent and their hearts
— Melanie Lynskey (@melanielynskey) February 3, 2023