the speakeasy

netflix

she's gotta have it

tv reviews

“She’s Gotta Have It” Season 2 Finally Gives Nola Darling The Bright Light She Deserves

“If Nola Darling is one of the most famous, even if uncomfortable, black queer women in pop culture – what does it mean for us that nearly everything about her…

Carmen Phillips —

May 28, 2019

starz

the speakeasy

tv reviews

Vida’s Season Two Is a Triumph of Unapologetically Queer and Latinx Storytelling

Tanya Saracho demands more from her characters, from her audience. She requires our discomfort, our willingness to bring all of our messy selves in front of the television.

Carmen Phillips —

May 22, 2019

#blacklivesmatter

the outsiders issue

issues

These Five Black LGBTQ+ Activists Are Literally Saving The Planet

Black LGBTQ+ people may not be well-represented in mainstream environmental organizations, but we’re creating our own interventions that center the most marginalized among us. If you’re wondering what true environmental…

Neesha Powell-Twagirumukiza —

May 16, 2019

gina rodriguez

netflix

movie reviews

“Someone Great”: Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow and DeWanda Wise Add a Lesbian BFF to the Gal Pal Comedy Formula

It’s like Girls Trip’s less raunchy kid sister who went to NYU and made some white friends.

Carmen Phillips —

Apr 22, 2019

boomerang

lena waithe

tv reviews

Lena Waithe’s “Boomerang” Is Bringing a Gay Reckoning to BET

Not only has Boomerang proven itself to be one of the most cutting edge black voices on television, it’s also invested in showcasing a full spectrum of young blackness, including…

Carmen Phillips —

Mar 26, 2019

masculine of center

queer masculinity

music

The Harassment of Young M.A and Including Black Butches When We Talk About Violence

Jokes that make violence appear innocuous is how we get dead.

A. Tony Jerome —

Mar 21, 2019

feelings atrium

gun violence

first person

Reaching Out for My Queer Muslim Community to Hold Me After Christchurch

In times like these, when people don’t understand us and decide that this means we shouldn’t live at all, we need to connect with the people that do understand, even…

Creatrix Tiara —

Mar 16, 2019

black history month

black history month 2019

playlists

A Playlist to End The Longest Black History Month EVER. Let’s Party.

I’m ready to kiss the last hours of the longest 28 days on record away with a f*cking party and a playlist full of bangers!

Carmen Phillips —

Feb 28, 2019

empire

feelings atrium

politics + activism

Four Black Queer Writers in Conversation About Jussie Smollett and Holding Up Space for Each Other

This piece was co-written by Natalie, Reneice, Alexis, and Carmen. We’re four of the black members of The Speakeasy, Autostraddle’s collective for its writers of color.

The Speakeasy —

Feb 26, 2019

black history month

black history month 2019

geekery

Proudly Black, Fat, Queer and Making a Home for Myself in Cosplay

People don’t realize how damaging it is to only acknowledge a part of someone instead of their entire being. I’m black and queer and fat and a woman. Yes, I…

Briana Lawrence —

Feb 20, 2019

boomerang

lena waithe

television

Lena Waithe’s “Boomerang” Has a Black Lesbian, Bisexual Representation and a Lot of Heart

Tia’s a complete scene stealer. She’s defies so many boxes or tropes of what we’ve been programmed to expect from a black lesbian on TV.

Carmen Phillips —

Feb 19, 2019

black history month

black history month 2019

movie lists

The Black Lesbian Movie Project

What if “Coming To America” starred Lena Waithe instead of Eddie Murphy? What if Sanaa Lathan and Gabrielle Union made out with each other at the end of “Love &…

A. Tony Jerome —

Feb 18, 2019