Me Time
Holigay Stories: A Few Suggestions
Those of you who read the Sapphics may have noticed some new book suggestions that pop up at this time of year. Yes, I'm talking about what's commonly referred to as "holiday romances," in which all conflicts, misunderstandings and fake-to-real romances get their resolutions on Christmas day (or sometimes on New Years).
These are usually light reads, mostly rom-coms, and most of the time there's snow. Given how stressful many people experience their holidays, it's ironic that in the world of novels, it's all happy second chances and strategically placed mistletoe.
But what about those of us who spend the day seeing a movie and eating Chinese food just like Justice Elena Kagan? Don't we get our holiday books?
When I've posed this question or one that is similar, my author friends respond sympathetically, and usually answer in one of two ways: a) I need to be the one to write all the sapphic Chanukah stories; or b) they don't feel qualified to do so.
To point a) I actually have written some sapphic Chanukah stories, e.g., this one but I can't write them all.
So, here's my responses to point b), those worried about their qualifications:
1) First of all, I get it. If someone asked me to write about Ramadan, I'd feel similarly unqualified. I could write something that ended up being inaccurate (best case) or offensive (worst case). There's enough Islamophobia in the world for me not to stupidly add to it.
2) So, like any writing that's a bit out of an author's wheelhouse, the conventional wisdom is to find and hire someone referred to as a sensitivity reader or subject matter expert. Believe me, I'd rather spend my time reading someone's draft and giving feedback than getting the published version and cringing (best case) or throwing my Kindle against the wall (worst case).
Of course, I'm not the be=all-end-all expert on all things Jewish, so if a story focuses on a Sephardic Chanukah or something outside my experience, I'll find someone better qualified.
So, all that to say, I'm available to read your inclusive holiday stories (for free!) and I look forward to seeing them come across my computer screen next year.
HAPPY HOLIGAYS!
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
Submissions — Ludington Writers
The theme for this special issue is “Pride 2026.”
We invite poets, fiction, and non-fiction authors, and visual artists to submit works uplifting voices and experiences from the LGBTQ+ community and about it.
Lost in the plot: how would-be authors were fooled by AI staff and virtual offices in suspected global publishing scam | Books | The Guardian
Book publishing websites in Australia, the UK and New Zealand appear to be using fake testimonials and AI staff pages to lure aspiring writers into handing over their money
Rose Dommu and Casey McQuiston on Writing Queer Romance That Fucks With the Formula | Autostraddle
These two great minds got together and spoke about, genre conventions, happy endings, monogamy, why they let their characters be “nasty queer little sluts” and of course, Pride and Prejudice.
News For A Challenging Time
Guilty Plea Ends The “Lesbian Space Crime” Saga For Good - GO Magazine
Summer Heather Worden, a former Air Force intelligence officer, has pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators after falsely accusing her estranged wife, NASA astronaut Anne McClain, of accessing her bank account from the International Space Station.
A Gay Woman Becomes New York’s Lutheran Bishop - The New York Times
While at Fordham, Foster faced the possibility of being defrocked by the denomination, which allowed openly gay pastors to serve but did not allow them to be in same-sex relationships. She was eventually allowed to remain in the church, and she and her partner are now legally married.
A Look Inside the Lonely World of Republican Lesbians
She says that her dating life has taken a hit since she became more of a conservative lesbian. “I won’t get past the first date at this point, because if somebody asked me about if I’m gonna go get a COVID-19 booster, that becomes a conversation,” she says. Brodsky recalls a date in 2021 that went south after the topic of vaccines came up. “My medical decisions have not and never will be based upon politics. This woman didn’t want to hear that. Her reply was ‘So, you’re MAGA.’”
"A Cowardly Abuse Of Power": Florida's War On Rainbow Crosswalks - GO Magazine
Elected officials and advocates in Florida say the erasure of rainbow-colored sidewalks is about so much more. And they’re not done fighting.
Told to Avoid D.E.I., Arts Groups Are Declining Grants Instead - The New York Times
Any organizations receiving funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the agency says, have to certify that they do not “operate any programs promoting D.E.I. that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.”
LGBTQ+ Risk Map: where queer travellers feel safe - Attitude
The survey, Perceptions and Experiences of LGBTQ+ Travellers, asked 16 questions on acceptance, legal equality, treatment by authorities, healthcare and public displays of affection. Experts were also interviewed to give extra context.
Culture and Joy
December 2025: What's New, Gay and Streaming on Netflix, Starz, Prime Video, Peacock, AMC+ and Hallmark | Autostraddle
what’s new with lesbian, queer, bisexual and gay characters this holiday season!
15 LGBTQ+ Christmas Movies for Any Occasion, From ‘Female Trouble’ to ‘Carol’ | Them
From holly jolly slashers to sweet rom-coms, we’ve got you covered.
Love, loss and lesbian lit — Tello Films’ "The Christmas Writer" hits just in time for the holidays - News Is Out
In The Christmas Writer, holiday lesbian romance author Noel (Shelby Allison Brown) returns to her hometown of Pinewood, shortly after the death of her mother, to reluctantly promote her latest holiday release. When she returns to her big city life, she finds herself on the other end of a breakup and a serious case of writer’s block. 10 months later, at the persistent urging of her agent Jillian (Stacey Lee Powell), Noel heads back to Pinewood to try and capture the Christmas spirit. Along the way she’s encouraged by her best friend Erin (Kendahl Landreth), beloved Grandmother Robbins (Karen M. Chan) and the new owner of the town’s bookstore, single lesbian mom Callie (Callie Bussell).
Queer Gift Guide 2025 | Autostraddle
here’s a little something for everyone, from gifts for queer homechefs to gifts for queer nerds to gifts for gays who hit the gym to gifts for queer people looking for some comfort amid the horrors.
Thoughtful gifts from LGBTQ+ makers for everyone on your list - News Is Out
The holidays are coming fast, and it’s a great time to show some love to the LGBTQ owned businesses that keep our community vibrant all year. These makers pour real heart into what they do, often while juggling tight budgets and a tough market. (All gifts listed below are under $150, with most coming in […]
Trouble With Sapphic Toys? Meet Banana Split, A Company By And For Us - GO Magazine
a sex toy company that, according to its vibrant website, “is dedicated to celebrating and empowering all forms of sapphic partnership with toys created and designed just for us.”
The 25 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of the 21st Century So Far, Ranked | Them
a quarter of the way through the 21st century, we are able to look back on an explosion of inventive queer and trans representation on the silver screen
Elliot Page’s New Documentary Explores How Queerness Thrives Across The Animal World - GO Magazine
Second Nature: Gender and Sexuality in the Animal World, a new documentary that explores queerness and gender diversity across the animal kingdom. Produced and narrated by Page, the film aims to dismantle long-held myths about sex, gender, and behavior in nature.
12 Underrated Lesbian Television Shows You Haven't Seen Yet
All the series below have only had two seasons at the most, and in many cases they’ve deserved more!
Wharton economist Corinne Low on why being gay — and moving to Philadelphia — helped her ‘have it all’
When Low examined her own life, she made two major changes that freed her time and altered her circumstances. First, she divorced her husband and decided to exclusively date women. (A summer article in The Cut about Low, headlined "This Economist Crunched the Numbers and Stopped Dating Men," went viral). She is now married to a woman.
A History of He/Him Lesbians | Them
From people not understanding how a lesbian can use he/him pronouns to other posts that are explicitly transphobic, a wave of unhelpful conversation about he/him lesbians has once again taken over the short-form video app. Luckily, many he/him lesbians and the people who love them are turning this into a teaching opportunity — as well as an opportunity to make (and admire) thirst traps.
WNBA Duo Stud Budz’s Internet Search History and Favorite Memes Revealed | Them
we asked WNBA duo Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams, aka the Stud Budz, to give us an inside look at their internet habits, including their Google history, favorite memes, hot takes, and so much more.
The Truth About Masc-For-Masc Love: Four Couples Share Their Stories - GO Magazine
Two studs together are confusing. But why? If queerness is supposed to be about breaking binaries, why do we still cling to them when it comes to who we date?
Leaf It To Fall: Five Fierce Weekend Getaways - GO Magazine
Fall is lesbian culture, and a cozy escape just outside the city is the perfect way to lean in. To give you some autumnal inspiration, we’ve rounded up five getaways near NYC, all within a six-hour drive. Pack your Docs, bring your crush, and get ready to romanticize the hell out of your weekend.
A Queer Guide to Cuffing Season | Autostraddle
So if you’re feeling that seasonal urge to reach out (or reach back out to someone with a suspiciously inspirational Instagram grid), take a breath. Ask yourself: “Is this connection, or is this nostalgia wearing a beanie?”
Miss England Just Crowned Its First Out Gay Winner, Grace Richardson | Them
The first openly gay Miss England pageant winner says she is “in shock” following her win last week, five years after coming out and facing homophobic bullying at school.
Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne Celebrate 10 Years of Marriage, a 'Lifetime of Love'
"10 years ago we got legally married in Mississippi. in a vortex of love. here’s to a lifetime of love and the continued mission to bring light where we can," Allynne wrote in her post's caption. "Happy Anniversary Tig! I love you immensely."
These Kiwi Firefighters Accidentally Became Internet Icons With Their Charity Calendar - GO Magazine
Online, the response has been loud and understandably sapphic. “I never got the concept of a firefighters calendar until this moment tbh,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “im definitely gay.” The thirst may be strong, but the admiration is real.
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