Welcome to “Ten Days of Top Tens,” in which we say goodbye to 2010 by reviewing the year that was. Because we spent this year in front of our computers typing words for you, many of these top tens will be a tad self-indulgent. Resist the urge to recognize it as such.
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At last we have banged out our one last post of 2010. Were you crying into your soup about missing 2010? Us too. So, the editors have all picked their favorite posts of the year but nobody was allowed to pick any posts they participated in creating or created themselves. This is our last post in the 10 Days of Top Tens, which of course is done late, which is so typical. After this we’re going to stop talking about ourselves so much.
Crystal, Music Editor
Some of Crystal’s Best Work: Placebo’s Secret Myspace Show: Fifteen & Front Row, An Open Letter to Amanda Bynes.
How to Make Gay Friends and Meet Girls: The Ultimate Guide to Effective Queer Socialising, by The Team
Heartwarming is 1,000 queer girls reaching out.
Stef Mitchell Shoots: Tegan & Sara in Sydney, by Stef Mitchell
I was supposed to contribute to this concert review but when I saw the shots I thought no, these photos are perfect, Stef’s eye is perfect, Sara’s hair is perfect, we can’t ruin this with words.
Everyone Wants To Get To San Francisco: A ‘Travel Guide’, by Riese
This is my only bookmark. I’ve read it so many times that I could probably recite it.
SxSW 2010 Captain’s Log 1 – 4, by Stef
Stef is sorta my hero. She lives and recaps SxSW like no-one else.
Audiostraddle Interview with Kaki King, by Jess Gitner
Jess Gitner and Kaki King are two of my most favorite music people. Look at the photo look how cute they are.
8 Honest Things About New York City, by Laneia
This post means something very special to me and references another post that means something very special to me.
Prop 8 Marriage Trial, Explained, by Jessica
“Whoever came up with the idea to have a smoking lesbian lawyer explain all the legal stuff deserves a medal. Brilliant idea.” – comment by JenTheJew (we miss you)
Ani DiFranco Appreciation Club, by Riese & bcw
I like it when girls geek out over their favorite musicians, it’s cute.
How to Road Trip Right: Music & Feelings for Long-Distance Driving, by Laneia, Sarah, Taylor & Kelsey
Ramble on, now’s the time, the time is now sing my song, I’m goin’ ’round the world, I gotta find my girl.
It’s National Sandwich Day, by Laneia
Sometimes when I feel sad about the state of the world I re-visit this post and am immediately cheered by the fact that National Sandwich Day exists and I work on a team that acknowledges its importance.
Alex Vega, Design Director
Some of Alex’s Best Work: Johnny Weir Be Good, Johnny Be Robbed, Blog Her? I Just Met Her
VIDEO: Julie Goldman & Brandy Infiltrate VH1, ‘Do Something’ With Jane Lynch, by Julie/Brandy/Riese
Probs the best behind the scenes video I’ve ever seen.
Prop 8 Gay Marriage Trial Closing Arguments Recap: This Time It’s Personal”, by Rachel
I am always so thankful Rachel writes these recaps so that I can understand the hate and also laugh a lot.
Excuse Adam Lambert While He Kisses the Sky, by Riese
I love this man.
Hey Lesbians, Did You Go To Prom – The Prom Gallery, by YOU
Adorable explosion. Made my heart swell. You guys are so cute.
Jennifer Beals: The Autostraddle Interview, by Jess
You guys, Jennifer Beals was on Autostraddle AND JESS TALKED TO HER.
Jess R., Senior Editor
Some of Jess’s Best Work: Kristin Chenoweth: The Autostraddle Interview, Laurel Holloman: The Autostraddle Interview
Real L Word Episode 104 Recap, by Riese with graphics by Alex/Taylor
OK, boiling it down to my favorite Real L Word recap was kind of like choosing my favorite puppy. This one had it all: “Is It Sex?” Flowchart, supplemental commentary from reader Tweets, and the requisite Shane/Jenny death stare.
Autostraddle 2010 Fall Fashion Guide for Various Shapes, Sizes, Gender Expressions, by Becky
Fall clothes are the sexiest of all seasons. Just look at those boots.
If Lindsay Lohan is Pathetic, So Am I, by Anon
Loved how the anonymous author grounded Lindsay Lohan’s headline saga and gave it humanity by sharing her own story. If you appreciated this, go read “Too Fat to Fish” by Artie Lange.
Ani DiFranco Appreciation Club #1, by Riese & BCW
My formative lesbian years sprung to life and replayed themselves in my mind when I read this.
How to Date Girls: 10 Simple Rules for Properly Courting a Lesbian by Sarah Hall
So relatable and so dead on. “For the love of getting laid, stop telling dates about your exes!” Those armchair psychology hetero advice columns are so lame in Cosmo, but this Autostraddle so it’s clever and true and written especially FOR US.
Televisionary Q&A: How “Real” is “The Real L Word”? by Riese
I live for behind-the-scenes insider know-how, so I found this conversation with Carly fascinating.
Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” Video: Even Gayer Than Actual Dance Clubs by Alex
This was more entertaining than the actual video for me.
A Field Guide to Airborne Homophobia by Intern Laura
It made me feel better to read Laura’s experiences with passive aggressive homophobia. It’s so simple and so universal and so damaging.
Everybody Wants to Get to San Francisco, by Riese
Alex and Crystal’s encounter in the gay bar was an interesting microcosm for a study of the culture of San Fran lesbians vs. the rest of us. Also, Julie Goldman had a gig at a futon store.
Why Taylor Swift Offends Little Monsters, Feminists and Weirdos by Riese
It’s my go-to piece when introducing the uninitiated to Autostraddle. “I don’t want my unborn grandchildren to listen to the story of how Taylor Swift won a Grammy she hadn’t earned. I want them to set pianos on fire” just fucking moves and inspires me.
Intern Emily Choo
Some of Emily’s Best Work: Dear Harry Potter, We Are Lesbians and We Love You, This Title Informs You That Hey It’s Friday
Get Baked With Autostraddle: Bread Edition, by the team
Who the fuck doesn’t like fresh bread? Get out.
Everyone Wants to Get to San Francisco: A Travel Guide, by Riese
It’s autowin and san francisco and beautiful and everything i love.
VIDEO: Real L Word Looking Back #1, by Riese/The Team
Does this need an explanation? ON CARDSTOCK!
Autostraddle Hot 100, by the Team
I’d say this was a good idea + a success.
Video Game Maps: An Ode to Overworld Cartography, by Taylor
I love maps and everything taylor says.
20 Album Reviews in Haiku, by Crystal
crystal wrote haiku
is there more i could ask for?
the answer is no.
5 Steps to Coping With Unemployment, by Kelsey
This is very useful information.
Why Taylor Swift Offends Little Monsters, Feminists & Weirdos, by Riese
Um, because Alex made an info graphic, and riese got 686 emails because people are crazay. also it was well written, duh.
Top Ten Cookies, by Riese
Cookies, you guys.
Ten Lesbian and Bisexual Poets To Fall in Love With, by Riese
My favourite thing is poetry.
Eat Pray Love Won’t Teach You How to Be Alone (or, “First Try to See Something, Anything Else”), by Rachel
THERE ARE SO MANY I WANT TO ADD TO THE BONUS SECTION.
Rachel, Senior Editor
Some of Rachel’s Best Work: Is There a Right Way to be a Gay Activist?, Dan Choi is People, Autostraddle Read A F*cking Book Club #1: Eileen Myles’ Inferno
Long-Distance Flying, by Taylor/Riese/Crystal/Alex/Natalie/Laneia
Sometimes I think about how I hope someday I can be as good at something in life as Taylor is at airport drinking. A girl can dream.
If Lindsay Lohan is “Pathetic,” Then So Am I, by ‘Anonymous’
This was a moment where I felt like I could not be prouder of where I work and what we do and who we are, and remember that there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
I Read Tao Lin’s Richard Yates and I Liked It, by Laneia
I’m not picking this because Eli is in it; I’m picking this because Laneia says things like “as far as ‘having an opinion without reading the book’ goes, Eli probably has a lot in common with around 40% of of Tao Lin’s detractors.”
In Defense of Dressing Up, by Riese
How are the people I work with so smart?
Laneia, Executive Editor
Some of Laneia’s Best Work: Trans Photographer Amos Mac: The Autostraddle Interview, Get Baked: Lemons Edition
If Lindsay Lohan is “Pathetic,” Then So am I: What it Feels Like for a Drug Addict, by Anon
The honesty in this piece is the kind that punches you in the throat and walks away before you can protest. I loved it.
Policing Female Masculinity: Much Ado About Rachel Maddow’s Yearbook Photo, by Riese
Riese called out like, everybody. Really like it when she does that.
Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” Video: Even Gayer Than Actual Dance Clubs, by Alex and The Team
It’s fun when Alex is excited about a thing.
I’m With You in Rockland as Long as You’re Seeing HOWL There, by Rachel
“He wanted to talk about poetry; I told him I liked Rilke, and he said he’d never heard of him. My friend and I left. She held my hand when we crossed the street.” This made me wish I’d known Rachel my entire life.
Lindsay Lohan’s Lesbian Single “Stuck” Line by Line, by Crystal, Sarah and Riese
I think this was some of our best work, as a publication.
Girlhood, Interrupted: Angelina Jolie Forcing Shiloh Into Tomboyhood, Overall Deviance, by Riese
Aside from the fact that most readers immediately related to this article, we also got stellar fashion advice from a four year-old.
I Don’t Care About the Future, by Riese
The line, “So basically, we’re going to stop scrambling to cover every minute detail of gay-related entertainment “news” the minute it happens and instead devote more time and energy to writing about topics we actually feel invested in,” felt like a victory.
If Perez Hilton Wants to Save Gay Teens From Gay Bullies, He Should Quit Being a Misogynistic Gay Bully, by Riese
Basically Riese was right, twitter exploded with support for her sentiment, Perez replied via email with some whiny b.s. about his ‘job’ requiring this level of misogyny and bigotry and then he went on Ellen and promised to be a better person. Riese won the internet that day / week.
All the Albums Release on Sept. 14: Your Handsy Guide to the Extravaganzaspolsiongasm, by Lindsay
I would’ve liked this just for the title alone, but these albums were seriously exciting and also I knew that Lindsay and I were soul sisters.
How to Make Honest Art: I (Sort of) Made a Quilt and You Can, Too!, by Emily
Um, this. Also, the video. Also Emily. I don’t know, I mean, what the hell could you possible NOT love about this post?
Riese, CEO/Editor-in-Chief
Some of Riese’s Best Work: Let Us Now Praise Effeminate Men, VIDEO: No Homo Jokes: PSA by “Julie & Brandy in Your Box Office”
If Lindsay Lohan is “Pathetic,” So Am I: What It Feels Like For a Drug Addict, by anon
This is the best thing we did all year, hands down. I wish that the world wasn’t the way that it was so that I could say things about the person who wrote this but it isn’t and I cannot so instead I will say that this was brave and beautiful and emblematic of everything good about the internet. If it didn’t make you cry you should probably stick a fork in your eye and see how that feels.
Eight Honest Things About New York, by Laneia
Because we were there and these words describe what happened perfectly
How I Turned Straight Actors into Badass Butch Queers in Three Days Flat, by Gaby.
I basically stalked Gaby on the internet to get her to Autostraddle
All of the Prop 8 Recaps, by Rachel.
Basically when she started doing these I did the thing I usually do, which is write/edit things in it. But not only was the Prop 8 Trial a magical week in general, it was the magical week when Rachel’s mad writing skills first became blatantly obvious to me. I was really happy that we made the material palpable for people — it’s like THE ESSENCE of Autostraddle and I was amazed by how quickly she could bang that shit out, and was even willing to stay up ’til 3AM adding my stupid pictures to it.
’8: The Mormon Proposition’: Brainwashing Mormons to Hurt the Gays, by Laneia & Sarah
This was practice for mind-control that will happen later
Why Lesbians Won’t Give Up the Hipster, by Katrina
Katrina pays attention to stuff that is happening that you have also noticed but perhaps didn’t think to write an article about or have complicated thoughts about. But Katrina will do it don’t worry.
American Idiot: Green Day Gets Emo on Broadway and I Like It, by Crystal
I love it when Crystal gets in touch with her Emo Side, all the time. Also I saw it with her, so really this is about me again.
Chatroulette Explored: Images of an Internet Frontier Town, by Taylor.
HILARIOUS
I’m With You In Rockland As Long As You’re Seeing HOWL There, by Rachel
This was like a thing I would read on another website and wish it was on our website
Ashleigh Sumner: The Autostraddle Interview, by Jess
Ashleigh clearly wasn’t the most famous person Jess interviewed this year, but Ashleigh had a lot of interesting things to say about gay media and Jess per ushe asked all the right questions.
President Obama Says It Gets Better, by Laneia
One of Laneia’s many special quirks is viral self-doubt in which she thinks she cannot write about “politics” or anything “important.” She is totally wrong about that and this is proof.
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In conclusion, I think it’s safe to say that the best post of the year goes to Top Ten Terrible Things That Won’t Happen to You Today.
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What did you love that’s not on this list or is or whatnot?