Daily Fix: Amazon Fails, D.U.N.G is LOL-Funny, “American Idol” is Gay and So is Your Dog
Today on Autostraddle (so far!) – Stef’s Beat on the Street: t.A.T.u the terrible/awesome : “I was prepping for what I thought was gonna be my greatest post ever – an interview with a major international pop star! BLIND ITEM! However, as it turns out, said pop star’s managers weren’t totally comfortable with the idea of their client talking to uh, a site like this one … so instead we’re gonna talk about singers who totally wish you believed they were gay … my girls Yulia Volkova and Lena Katina, known internationally as t.A.T.u.”
News of this started trickling in this morning on twitter, and it’s been officially verified: in an attempt to rid search results of “adult” titles, Amazon has not only slashed erotica’s search rankings — BUT ALL GLBT BOOKS. (In lieu of Amazon’s endorsement, check out AS’s list of 10 Lesbian Classics and 10 Lesbian Books You Haven’t Read Yet): “It’s hard to know what’s more disturbing: That they’re removing gay and lesbian books from their search results and sales rankings in the first place, or that they’re categorizing anything about our community and our lives in the stigmatized “adult” category even when there’s nothing “adult” about it. “ (@afterellen)
Brilliant! The Best NOM Ad Parody Yet! Watch right now! “A rainbow coalition in every shade of white is coming together … Klansman, Plumbers, Klansman who live in trailer parks …” (From Smoking Cocktail) (more…)
Weekend Fix: Cat Cora Craves Cupcakes & Kids Can Be REALLY CRUEL
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Because we here at Autostraddle are insane, you can count on us to continue to entertain you all weekend long. Your feature today is Photoblogger Robin’s exclusive scoop on some past shoots she’s done with this year’s Dinah artists: Katy Perry [and her Jesus tattoo], Uh Huh Her and Lady GaGa.
Poppy! Iron Chef Cat Cora and her longtime partner Jennifer are interviewed in Life & Style this week, dishing about the baby boys they are preggers with together. Has anyone else wondered if they’re still having sex, and if so, are there special techniques for preggo-on-preggo sex? Does it bond the fetuses? Cat says she’s “not very comfortable” pregnant and has been craving spicy foods, cheeses, breads, tomato sauces and cupcakes.
Jen: “We were a little scared going through the hormones together — that’s a lot of emotion. But it worked because we have such a strong relationship.”
Cat Cora: “It just makes us more supportive of each other. We share maternity clothes and cravings!”
The piece is accompanied by an “Are Two Moms Better Than One?” sidebar featuring Melissa Etheridge & Tammy Lynn, Ro & Kelli and Sara Gilbert & Allison Adler. Their conclusion? A storm is coming! JK! “Two Moms are better than one.” Sigh. (more…)
Daily Fix: Joe vs. The NOMcano, Bart vs. Lisa and L-Cast Updates
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Today on Autostraddle:
Meet our Natalie! She’s going to save the world and it won’t hurt a bit, just put on your paper gown and relax. Natalie has been working with prominent Women’s Rights organisations for years and will be lending her talents to us twice a month or so.
On an entirely different note; wordpress won’t let me upload my entire hard drive of women in men’s underwear, but we’ll settle for half: we love hot girls in boyshorts!
Every week Carlytron watches too much TV so you don’t have to. And if you did? Well, there’s lots to talk about in her newest column! (Sidenote Related Breaking News: Who is gonna get the Dollhouse Award for Dollhouse if there’s no DOLLHOUSE?) (SIDENOTE related breaking news: Not cancelled, JK!) (more…)
Daily Fix: VERMONT! Anyone But Me, Fish Out of Water & Gay Marriage Matters
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Today on Autostraddle: Carlytron’s latest tech column (she is now accepting your tech-related questions!) and Robin’s photoblog of Larry Tee, The Presets and La Roux!
BREAKING NEWS: Vermont House passes gay marriage bill and overrides the governor’s veto!
AND! Washington DC council votes unanimously to recognize gay marriages from other states!
Intern Vashti says: “We should start callin’ the gays “butter” cuz they’re on a rollllllllllll. [I’ll go by “lame” though for actually using that phrase.]”
1. Hey, how’s your televisionary void? Is it empty & aching? Well, we have a televisual ailment for all your lesbionic pains. It’s called Anyone But Me, it’s a web-series on Strike TV. We’ve got an interview with the show’s writer, Susan Miller, coming up real soon — she’s an Obie-award winning playwright and superstar teevee scribe with credits including consulting producer/writer for the first season of The L Word [she’s responsible for “the mission to ascertain the true intentions of one Lara Perkins …” episode — yes, she’s your hero] and Story Editor for Thirtysomething.
I’ll save my gushing review for the interviews but briefly: I’d defo say ABM has more of a South of Nowhere feeling to it — that giddy mixed-up young love thing, that incredibly sweet adventures of two girls in love but forced apart thing, that finding yourself thing … y’know. That “reason we watch teevee” thing. (more…)
Daily Fix: Wholesome, Lubed, Funny, C*nty, Powerful, Speedy, Risky and Strong.
All weekend A;ex [via Riese-in-Ohio] has been live-blogging Dinah Shore. If you missed this breathtaking coverage of Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, lube wrestling, White Parties, Rock Band and Autostraddle fans in bikinis … you should probs catch up now. Work shmirk. Employment is so 2008. I mean. 1998?
Also! You know Logo the Gay Channel? Well, they’re airing The L Word Season Three [Trail of Tears] now. Therefore Logo has begun rolling out these amazing “What the L is going on?” promos … Guess who made those? OK, I’ll tell you: Carlytron! Witness them on your TV if you can, and then tell us how lucky we are to have her on our team.
0. Amazing interview with L Word co-creators Michelle Abbot and Kathy Greenberg at AfterEllen!
1. “The ruling on gay marriage by Iowa’s Supreme Court is a refreshing message of fairness and common sense from the nation’s heartland.” (@ny times) (more…)
Daily Fix: Oh, Iowa! E-I-E-I-IOWA! & Showtime Will Not Pick Up L Word Spinoff “The Farm.”
Hey hey hey! Not a bad day to be gay! Also, it’s TV with Carlytron Time! Read it here & now!
Speaking of TEEVEE TIME: Showtime will not be picking up L Word spinoff “The Farm.” If you want to read sections of the pilot script just for the hell of it, I posted them back in December, read those here. (@variety)
1. Iowa is now the third state where gay marriage is legal!:
“In a unanimous ruling issued Friday, the court upheld a 2007 Polk County District Court judge’s ruling that the law was unconstitutional. The case stems from a 2005 lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay-rights organization. The group filed a lawsuit on behalf of six gay and lesbian Iowa couples who were denied marriage licenses.”
(@wsj) (more…)
Daily Fix 4.1.09 – From Boyish Girls to Bisexual Disco Queens
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We don’t need a special day to be fools! Speaking of fools, check out Crystal’s interview with lesbian comedian DeAnne Smith!
1. Despite reports that a same sex kiss would be censored out of Australia’s Home & Away on Tuesday … it wasn’t! (Is this an april fools joke?) (@the advocate)
2. This might be the best Top Whatever List I’ve Ever Read: 24 of Our Favorite Movie/TV Tomboys. Obvs Scout and Corky are on it. (@ew.com)
3. This isn’t gay but it’s super interesting, which is kinda gay, ’cause gay people are interesting: Tweets heat film shoots. (@the hollywood reporter)
4. Zurich Elects Lesbian Mayor on the Eve or Europride: “The Swiss city joins a short but prestigious list of cities around the world with openly gay mayors, including Paris, Hamburg, and Berlin.” (@edge boston) (more…)
Daily Fix 3.27.09 – Return to Pancake Mountain with Labor Pains and Glory in Delaware
Today on Autostraddle: AMAZING interview — Stef-on-Hesta Prynn about her new solo project (Sara Quin is “A&R’ing” on it!) Hesta’s band Northern State toured with Tegan & Sara last year, which is reason 450 on the list of why Gay Ladies Love Northern State. Reason #1 is that Hesta’s new project is kickass and will blow your boy-briefs right off your lesbian ass, and obvs Northern State has been consistently kickass for many many years.
Northern State w/Rufus, Tegan & Sara on Pancake Mountain:
Daily Fix 3.26.09 – Where the Wild Things Are
Today on Autostraddle: Meet Photoblogger Robin and Carly’s latest Televisionary Column is UP UP UP!
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1. Clip Joint: Lesbian Films – “This week, let’s celebrate sapphic love in all its celluloid forms. Just keep the Kenny G sax soundtrack out of earshot, please.” Clips include A Florida Enchantment (1914), Maedchen in Uniform (1931), Rebecca, Gia and Mulholland Drive. (@the guardian UK)
2. Jezebel asks: Why Is Everyone So Worried About Being Tracy Flick?
3. HOLLER! Bloomberg urges New York to pass Gay Marriage Bill: “There are people who don’t agree, but it’s incumbent on all of us to explain to people that this really is a basic right that people should have, and I think that it’s time for Albany to set politics aside and do the right thing, and pass the gay marriage bill.” (@the advocate) (more…)
Daily [Nightly] Link Fix 3-24-2008: Graveyard Shifting, French Film Frenching & Psychic Reading
Today on Autostraddle: the scoop on Kate & J-Beals’ new pilots, Lezberado, my feelings on the Interrogation tapes, and more AND Stef’s final installment of the SXSW diaries, in which Perez Hilton throws a party, Stef drinks a lot of alcohol and hearts PJ Harvey. As the editor-in-chief I’ve learned a lot about music this week, most notably that slight blonde girls with big eyes and colorful outfits apparently make the best music.
Also, introducing our new resident Aussie – CRYSTAL! Meet her and find out what she’s into besides boomerangs, shrimp on the barbie, jumpers, fairy bread, Vegemite, Lesbian VJs and Portia De Rossi.
1. Obama appoints lesbian attorney as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims. (@lezgetreal)
2. Heteronormativity Fail. (@feministing) (more…)
It’s Raining Girls, Helena Peabody and Party Photos
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0. BREAKING NEWS Helena Peabody’s L Word Interrogation Tape is up at Showtime.com!
0. BREAKING NEWS PART II: The L Word‘s Jennifer Beals has been cast in Fox’s “rookie hit” Lie to Me as “an assistant U.S. attorney by the name of Zoe Landau” who improbably hires her ex-husband played by Tim Roth to help her with an arson case. Thanks to reader Nicole for the tip.
There’s gonna be all kinds of new stuff going up today and this week, I hope everyone is ready to rock. Also — I’m behind on emails and stuff, so I’ll get to all of ’em ASAP.
1. The Advocate is gonna let the girls in! This is REALLY SERIOUS BIG NEWS for us queer publishing geeks. “While The Advocate is a vital part of LGBT media, the articles and advertisements have been primarily geared towards gay men … it is with great pleasure to announce that the April 2009 issue has been one of the most inclusive editions. The magazine still has a long way to go, but praise is due when a company commits to diversity. The magazine featured more lesbian couples, muxes (a sub-culture of trans Mexicans), and some other portions which reflect the diversity of our community.” (@queers united)
Weekend Fix-Team Hangover Will Attempt to Entertain You
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Hi! How is everyone? I feel GREAT. Sorry this is a little late going up. I didn’t sleep in or anything. Actually I haven’t slept since Thursday night. I think I might be allergic to vodka.
Last night DJ Carlytron spun some tunes at Robin & Alex’s birthday party and it was a rockin’ good time. According to the photographs, we were all … very drunk.
Hey! Stef’s still covering SXSW for all y’all homos — and her second Captain’s Log is up up up and will explain to you why silence is the new punk as she explores Margaret Cho, Amanda Palmer, her friends theSTART and many other adventures.
1. More and more young athletes coming out now: gay photographer finds the number of out high school & college athletes willing to be photographed for his “Fearless” series has multiplied rapidly since 2003. That’s change we can believe in. (@the bilerco project)
2.Ellen & Katy Perry’s bathroom karaoke duet: Katy Perry may have kissed a girl, but Ellen DeGeneres has slept with them (@queerty) (more…)
Daily Fix – 3.20.2009 – Best. Friday. Ever.
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Stef is covering SXSW for Autostraddle! Read her first post here! And read be yr own queero‘s post on queer bands at SXSW. If you want to take a trip down memory lane to last year’s SXSW festivities, you should watch Team Autostraddle’s Uh Huh … Her?, the best fan-doc of all time and the winner of the 2008 Uh Huh Her @SXSW Contest, the most competitive film festival in the entire universe.
Also you should read Green’s first post if you haven’t already. She is going to give us the tools we need for the DIY revolution and to make pretty things!
Also related: check out the Be Yr Own Hero Fest — a Radical DIY Festival in Wilmington, NC. — sponsored by our friends at Be Yr Own Queero, who are also hosting a contest where you can win 410BC t-shirts as well as hot Autostraddle Swag like buttons and boy-briefs! (more…)
American Sapphic
Breaking News! Shane has a show! We love the future!
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Kate Moennig has been cast in CBS’s transplant surgery pilot Three Rivers with Danny Henny and Alex O’Laughlin. The pilot will be filming in Pittsburgh, but if picked up the show will move to L.A. Moennig will play a self-destructive lung/heart transplant fellow.
1. Ellen & Portia Change The World Day Four [sidenote: does anyone else remember when her show first started, how her contract barred her from discussing her sexuality? It was in her contract. There was a sudden noted change when that was lifted. I’m super curious about how that happened, and if it was public knowledge.]
- @jezebel: Portia on Leno: “When the Best Ammunition Against Bigotry is Simply Speaking Openly.”
- @365 gay: Can Ellen Change Hearts and Minds?
- @slate: Ellen on Ellen. (more…)
That’s One Tall Woman
1.Judge Judy has spoken: “Why the state should be interested in proscribing the word marriage from two people who love each other, who are responsible, tax-paying, productive people, who have created a family … why the state would have an interest in proscribing that kind of conduct, I don’t understand.” (@aol news/larry king live)
2. Amazing feature on The Power of Michelle Obama. A plethora of kickass writers tackle various aspects of the first lady’s appeal. These mini-essays include Sam Anderson’s That’s One Tall Woman, Terry McMillan’s Her Body, Ourselves, Amy Bloom’s The First Wives’ Club and Jennifer Senior’s The Meaning of an Icon. (@nymag)
3. Tallahassee rally urges lifting of gay adoption ban — Harvey Milk’s nephew is there. (@miami herald)
4. Really Tyra? REALLY? Bloggers talk back on Tyra’s choice to promote “purity” and “innocence” by dressing her 18+ contestants in little girl’s clothing, playing hopscotch: (more…)
The Morning After
1. The Ellen & Portia Show Roundup:
– eHarmony Suddenly a Proud Sponsor of World’s Most Famous Lesbian Couple (@queerty)
–Ellen DeGeneres interviews Portia de Rossi: “The whole episode was another one of those quietly revolutionary moments. You just have to read all the gushing tweets about the interview from people across America to see how many people, gay and straight, were charmed by their appearance on the show together today.” (@afterellen)
–See America, a couple is a couple is a couple – especially when they try to karaoke together. (@dorothy surrenders)
2. An Oklahoma teacher has been fired for showing her class The Laramie Project — after seeing the 2002 film about the murder of Matthew Shepard, students chose to film scenes themselves as a class project. The principal called it off: “After students protested, she held a 20-minute ceremony in a nearby park in which students wrote their thoughts and rolled them into helium balloons, then released them.” Amazing. (@usa today)
3. Houston, we have a problem: “One of the only groups that showed an increase in voting for the Republican Party in the 2008 election cycle was GLBTs.” (@pam’s house blend) (more…)
Daily Fix – Portia on The Ellen Show, Shane on The L Word Interrogation Tapes, and much much more …
1. OMFG it’s the most important day of daytime television since Rachel Maddow went on The View! Drop everything. Remember when Ellen wasn’t allowed to talk about being gay on her show? And now her smokin’ hot wife is totally gonna be ON THE SHOW? Progress I tell you, progress! (@the ellen show)
And we’ve got your videos of today’s interview of Portia De Rossi by Ellen DeGeneres on The Ellen Show from Monday March 16, 2009:
This is the Costume of Alex’s Birthday, You Understand
1. Guess what, it’s Designer A;ex’s birthday! Tell her happy birthday! She’s like 17 or 24 or something, which means she’s still a babypop. Alex’s number one feeling is RuPaul. Alex wants to live in a treehouse on a deserted island and bang on the drums all day. When things just ain’t right, Alex will shriek and then dive to the ground or bed and contract her body into a suitcase-sized package, like a small defense-savvy forest animal. When Alex first met me (Riese) and Haviland, she asked us where we like to go out dancing [Haviland: “We’re not joking when we say we never go out.”]. There is a video on youtube of some girls in their basement practicing Alex’s signature dance move, the semicolon side-punch. In that photo right there she is getting some serious air while hopping through the Magic Kingdom. Last year we printed that photo on sugar cookies. They didn’t taste very good, but they were the most amazing things probably ever made and we were very proud of ourselves. Tell her Happy Birthday! She’s 24! I know! BABY, I tell you. (@autostraddle)
2. A former drag king and a blogger, 27 and 25, “have a politically subtle mission: to integrate the region’s gay scene, which they say caters to crowds that are typically older, white, wealthier and male. Kids discuss what “New Gay” means, with great quotes like; “The meaning of the word ‘queer’ has been reclaimed. The way we now look at gender is a lot different from a generation ago.” Holler. Check out B.O.I Productions and New Gay, both discussed in the article. (@washington post) (more…)
Hey Hey What’dya Say
1. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi rehearse for Portia’s March 16th appearance on The Ellen Show, otherwise known as the best No on 8 ad ever: At Home with Ellen & Portia!
2. True Life: I’m a Long Island Gay or Lesbian Senior Citizen: Coming out Later in Life. (@newsday)
3. Eudy Simelane, a South African former female football star and out lesbian, was gang-raped and brutally beaten, then stabbed 25 times in the face, chest and legs. Over 86 percent of South African black lesbians live in fear of sexual assault as subjecting lesbians to “corrective rape” to “cure” them of their sexuality becomes increasingly common practice. (@the telegraph uk)
4. Daytime Tyra Banks makes me feel itchy and weird sometimes (not funny weird, like ANTM, but just weird-weird) and this episode of The Tyra Show is why. (@afterellen)
5. Obama’s support for gay rights puts him at odds with Republican allies needed to push forward economic, health care and other policies: Obama in a Tough Spot Over Health Insurance Benefits for Gay Partners (@nytimes)
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I Just Want You To Know Robin’s Pick is “Erotic Falconry”
… and also, someone [accidentally?] saved this post as “daily link fox.” That’s kind of weirdly awesome.
1. Oh, America, you never cease to amaze me: Army fired 11 Soldiers in Jan as Openly Gay (@yahoo news)
2. Really? This season? Specifically? ‘Tis the Season to be Gay on American Idol (@the advocate) and on an ENTIRELY unrelated note, K-Clarkson does another round of the PR denial game (@showbizspy).
3. This confuses me on many levels: Lesbian Sues to Wear Tux to Prom (@theadvocate)
4. 100 Gayest Albums Ever – OUT magazine polled more than 100 actors, comedians, musicians, writers, critics, performance artists, label reps, and DJs – including Boy George, Rufus Wainwright, Cyndi Lauper, Amy Ray, Candis Cayne, Perez Hilton, John Cameron Mitchell, Junior Vasquez and the Clicks asking for the ten albums that left the most indelible impressions on ther lives. The results (@out).
5. Riese asked twitter to make her famous so she could be on twitterwatch and then twitter made Riese famous and now she is famous on twitterwatch with ellen (@afterellen) (more…)