Me Time
Falling Into Autumn
Are you looking forward to fall, leaves changing (if you live where that happens), pumpkins, jacket weather, apple picking, Jewish High Holidays, and, of course, Halloween. Because I lived in New England for 26 years, I developed a love for the season, even though two really difficult things happened in my life in the fall (not even counting the election of 2024!).
But some good stuff is on the horizon. This weekend Jenny and I will be motoring over to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for the Sapphyre weekend events at Sayre Mansion, joining two of my GCLS peeps and hobnobbing with author friends. It should be fun.
And, speaking of GCLS, be on the lookout for social media posts announcing the first annual SWAG4GCLS (that's Sapphic Writers Achieving Goals) peer-to-peer fundraiser in which authors set writing goals for the month of November, and their fans pledge their support with donations to GCLS (think AIDS walks or other similar types of fundraisers). So even though there's no longer an entity that encourages authors to write in November (the WriMo that shall not be named), there's a new kid in town and it's gonna be great!
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
Apple sued by authors over allegedly training its AI on pirated books | Cybernews
“Apple has not attempted to pay these authors for their contributions to this potentially lucrative venture. Apple did not seek licenses to copy and use the copyrighted books provided to its models,” the lawsuit says. “Instead, it intentionally evaded payment by using books already compiled in pirated datasets.”
The lawsuit added that Apple still holds a private AI training-data library, which hosts thousands of pirated books, all without authors’ consent.
Anthropic will pay a record-breaking $1.5 billion to settle copyright lawsuit with authors
Anthropic will pay a record-breaking $1.5 billion to settle a class action lawsuit piracy lawsuit brought by authors.
Why Generative AI Won’t Disrupt Books | WIRED
Every new technology from the internet to virtual reality has tried to upend book culture. There's a reason they've all failed—and always will.
How Publishing Has Changed Since 2015 | Jane Friedman
what I observed while reviewing 10 years of past issues
NEA’s Creative Writing Fellowship Program Canceled
The move marks the Trump administration’s latest round of cuts to the NEA. In May $1.2 million in grants awarded to 51 independent publishers and literary organizations were canceled, also under the guise of new grant making policies prioritizing projects that “celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence,” “foster AI competency,” and “make America healthy again,” among other stated priorities.
Inside an Anthology: Crime Ink: Iconic ed. by John Copenhaver and Salem West | LGBTQ Reads
peek inside, with a behind-the-scenes look brought to you by editors John Copenhaver and Salem West, and, of course, some of the illustrious contributors!
"Surviving Isn't Enough": Tess Sharpe, Nicola Griffith, and Katrina Carrasco on Writing Expansive Queer Fiction | Autostraddle
a conversation about their work, bending genre, writing bodies, why queer people deserve more than just survival and much much more. Together, the trifecta’s bodies of work — all distinct, but touching in interesting ways, as the conversation below reveals — show just how expansive lesbian literature can be. Enjoy this very queer conversation between three brilliant minds!
The Practicing Writer 2.0: September 2025
Featuring 60+ fee-free, paying/funded opportunities for writers of fiction, poetry, & creative nonfiction—alongside subscriber success stories, a featured resource, & more.
ERIKA DREIFUS
Writing 101: How to Fix an Infodump - WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
These big blocks of text often show up in early chapters when a writer wants to be sure they’ve explained everything clearly. They might cover a piece of the character’s backstory, an explanation of the world’s political history, or a user-manual description of how the magic system works.
News For A Challenging Time
Betty Who issues apology amid 'lesbophobic' controversy
“In recent days, I’ve taken time to sit with the conversation around my gender and sexuality,” she wrote Wednesday on her Instagram Story. “I recognize that the language I used poorly articulated my experience and unintentionally reinforced ideas that were harmful or dismissive, particularly toward the lesbian community.”
Who said that was “never [her] intention” and apologized for speaking in a way that “generalized” others’ personal journeys.
Reneé Rapp Has A Very Reneé Rapp Response to Betty Who's "Lesbophobic" Comments | Them
“Just literally focus on yourself. Don't bring my big f*cking lesbian name into your mouth and into this drama.”
Snoop Dogg Says “My Bad” in Response to Backlash Over ‘Lightyear’ LGBTQ+ Comments | Them
“As a parent, you should also explain to your children that other things exist in the world, outside of what you have deemed normal in your own home,” Madison said. “We’ve been conditioned to be able to understand heteronormative activity. We’ve conditioned it because that’s all we see, because we’ve always, as queer people, been pushed to the side… So it is time for us to have these uncomfortable conversations.”
What is Comphet? Everything You Need to Know About the History of Compulsory Heterosexuality | Them
But after Betty Who made controversial comments about Reneé Rapp (who exclusively identifies as a lesbian) potentially meeting a man who turns out to be the “love of [her] life,” many sapphics on social media are pointing out that compulsory heterosexuality, or “comphet,” is playing a role in this discourse.
Culture and Joy
Niecy Nash on marriage with her "forever love" Jessica Betts: "It makes me blossom" - Queerty
My heart was open. And I would not let myself deny that she was the most beautiful soul I ever met. And it absolutely has changed my life. This [is] my forever love.
Columbia University prez Claire Shipman engaged to former soccer star Kati Jo Spisak
Columbia University Acting President Claire Shipman is engaged to former pro soccer star and coach Kati Jo Spisak.
The lovebirds met in 2021 while Shipman, 62, was promoting her book, “The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance — What Women Should Know,” and did a speaking event for the soccer team the Washington Spirit, NewsNation’s Paula Froelich reported. Spisak, 41, was working for the team’s front office.
Chloë Grace Moretz Married Kate Harrison, Wore Blue Wedding Dress
Moretz added that what she was most looking forward to about marriage is "just being together."
"We’ve been together for almost seven years and making this promise to each other in a new way, and exchanging these vows," the Carrie star said. "I think it’s important to just stay every day choosing each other."
This gay man perfectly explains why people need to stop complaining about lesbian parties - Queerty
“There are only 32 lesbian bars in the United States darling,” says gay fashion designer Zayer C (@houseofzayer), “so let me hold your hand when I tell you this: not everything is going to be for you.”
Correct. What’s more, it doesn’t have to be
Lesbian bars in the U.S. you may not know about - but should - News Is Out
we’ve seen a resurgence of lesbian and sapphic-focused spaces: according to The Lesbian Bar Project, we’re now up to 38. You may know the classics like Cubbyhole, Gossip Grill and Henrietta Hudson, but there are also spots, new and established, working hard to keep the lights on.
What's On Tap? 10 New Queer Women's Bars You Need To Know About - GO Magazine
Over the past two years, 10 new queer women’s bars have opened across the country. Inclusive spaces are finding ways to thrive, so pull up a stool and meet your new neighbors.
G Flip dishes on anthemic new album 'Dream Ride,' Butch Springsteen & marrying Chrishell—again! - Queerty
we invited G Flip to the hot set or our long-running Q&A series, Dishin’ It. In our conversation, they open up about creating a persona & sonic world indebted to the ’80s, why they write most of their songs with a live audience in mind, and how their romance with Chrishell Stause continues to inspire the music, four weddings in!
Samira Wiley says playing queer characters changed her life: “It made me see it’s OK to be me” - Queerty
Lauren and I found this journey together, and we now have a beautiful family with a beautiful daughter. But Orange is definitely the origin of so many things in my life, including my marriage and my daughter.
Sydney Sweeney's 'Christy': Everything to Know About the Lesbian Boxer Movie | Them
Listen up, lesbians! The sapphic sports film canon is about to get a new addition. Christy, a biopic about lesbian boxing icon Christy Salters (formerly Christy Martin) starring Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney filled presumably with biceps, action, and blood
'Desert Hearts' at 40: Looking back on the achingly romantic drama that blazed its own trail - Queerty
To celebrate this momentous milestone—and to mark the end of summer with an appropriately scorching hot picture—this week we’ll dive into the legacy of the film, the place it holds within queer history, and its groundbreaking romance and tenderness.
13 Lesbian Movies Where No Lesbians Die | Them
there is a growing cinematic canon of movies that do not bury their gays — and what a relief that is! To celebrate the alive lesbians on our screens, I’ve compiled a list of lesbian movies where no one dies; well, no lesbians die.
Meet the Two Out Queer Players in the US Open 2025 Women's Singles Draw | Autostraddle
In an exciting development, two openly queer women made it into the U.S. Open singles draw: Daria Kasatkina of Australia and Greet Minnen of Belgium.
Taylor Swift Is Finally Shutting Down Gaylorism. What Have We Learned? | Them
I think Gaylorism as we know it will probably die, but a lot of people in that community will have to process their feelings, and in an ideal world, I’d like the broader queer community to be a resource for them instead of mocking them; they get enough ribbing from within the Swiftie fandom.
Gaylor Is Dead! Long Live Gaylor. Sapphic Taylor Swift Subreddit Goes Private | Them
The subreddit, which had more than 50,000 members as of its privatization, closed its ranks shortly after Swift announced her engagement to Kelce in an Instagram post.
Experiences coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender | Pew Research Center
Half or more in each group say they knew they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans before age 14. Far fewer say they first told someone by that age.
All Of The Sapphic Celebrations From the Women's Euro Final - GO Magazine
The Euros post-whistle pitch was filled with sapphic dating rumors and displays of “sportsmanship.” So much so that USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe took to Instagram stories to write, “also gays over everyone so…I love it here.” Here are all of the supposedly sapphic goings-on that have sent gay Twitter into a frenzy.
The San Diego Blood Sisters Provided Lifesaving Care During the AIDS Crisis | Teen Vogue
Between 1983 and 1992, the Blood Sisters hosted 12 blood drives, demonstrating sustained commitment for nearly a decade.
As A Lesbian, I Love Women's Bodies. So Why Is It So Hard To Love My Own? - GO Magazine
So how can I, and all LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people, find peace and self-compassion? More pressingly, how can we stop squandering our energy berating ourselves and channel it into campaigning for a world with equality for bodies of all genders, sexualities, sizes, races, and abilities?
The Day I Realized Lesbians Could Look Like Me - GO Magazine
No one told me you could be girly and into girls. That was the first time I realized how limited my idea of queerness had been.
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