Me Time
Summer's Here...
...and the time is right for dancin' in the streets!
Hope your summer is off to a great start. Mine has been busy with Pride stuff, including a visit to the PrideFest street fair where I took a picture of this fabulous t-shirt.
Now it's on to relaxation. Will report back in two weeks.
Stay cool!
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
How to Spot Scam Email Addresses – Writer Unboxed
Real, reputable literary agents and publishers and film production people, by contrast, rarely reach out to writers directly. But while that’s true 99% of the time, you can’t say it never happens. And for writerly activities like conferences, or interview or lecture invites, direct contact is common. So how do you distinguish the rare genuine contact from a scam solicitation?
Often, the first clue is the sender’s email address.
Book reviews are an endangered species. So this independent bookstore decided to start publishing its own. | Nieman Journalism Lab
The Porter Square Review of Books launched this month. The store’s booksellers and writers-in-residence have begun publishing weekly(ish) book reviews on its website, on Thursdays; at about 500 words, these are deeper looks at books than the couple of sentences you’ll find describing “staff picks” in-store (or on your Goodreads or StoryGraph)
Finding Your Voice as a Writer in the Age of AI | Jane Friedman
When a new writer types prompts into an AI bot to “help them write,” the only risk taken is an opportunity cost. They miss the chance to find their true writing voice, at the cost of sounding like an amalgamation of the entire internet.
‘Bone Horn’ Is a Well of Horniness Rippling With Comedy, Grief, and the Ultimate Lesbian Mystery | Autostraddle
I was lucky enough to sit down with the author at Brighton’s Crossbar to discuss queer literature, how detectives have sex, and lesbians of history who were obsessed with their dogs. So it was just like any other Friday afternoon, really.
From Online Fandoms to Blockbuster Films and TV Shows: What Books Get Optioned Now | Jane Friedman
According to a CNN article, streaming has changed the landscape for adaptations because of the increased need for stories, and at the 2026 U.S. Book Show, I heard the same message: books are more important than ever to Hollywood.
A Graphic Novelist Captures the Lives of Vermont Lesbians Ahead of Their Time - The New York Times
Leaning on a rich written record, the graphic novelist Tillie Walden used nearby resources to visualize the true story of seamstresses who shared a home for decades.
News For A Challenging Time
Queer consumers overwhelmingly support inclusive companies. Consistency & brand authenticity is key. - LGBTQ Nation
A new report from the HRC Foundation shows opportunities for businesses to build lasting relationships with queer consumers.
Gay Marriage Is Dividing Republicans, Again - The New York Times
A look at the backlash to same-sex marriage — its strength, seriousness and the reasons behind it.
AI Is Failing LGBTQ+ People by Recommending Conversion Therapy and Storing Private Questions: Report - GO Magazine
“Build for Everyone: A Framework for LGBTQ Representation and Safety in AI,” is the group’s first comprehensive examination of how AI systems impact LGBTQ+ people across technology, ranging from how AI models are trained to how AI systems moderate content and handle sensitive personal data.
Who is Brooke Mayo? What you need to know about the openly gay referee -
Assistant referee Brooke Mayo (37), who is openly gay, became the first out-LGBTQIA+ match official to preside over a match at the men’s FIFA World Cup. This was also the first time and all-American, all-female crew officiated a World Cup game.
Acceptance of gay people improved a lot in the 2010s, but it's stagnating in the 2020s. Why? - LGBTQ Nation
Gallup Poll’s recent data shows that a lot has changed since COVID.
Most LGBTQ+ people say they're hiding more at work as corporate America is dialing back support - LGBTQ Nation
The administration’s attacks on DEI and the community itself are having their intended effect in the workplace.
Mamdani urged to address NYC’s role in gay activist's deportation – The Forward
Eve Adams, a Polish immigrant, died at Auschwitz after being targeted by the NYPD. Now Mayor Mamdani is weighing a request to deem her arrest unjust
Culture and Joy
‘Girls Like Girls’ Review: Hayley Kiyoko Brings Her Song to Life - The New York Times
On the way to Coley and Sonya figuring out what they mean to each other, there will be secrets kept and betrayed, and the pangs of misunderstandings and newfound pleasures that make the genre achy and appealing. There might even be a happy ending. Kiyoko didn’t come by her fan-given nickname, Lesbian Jesus, for nothing. Like Kiyoko’s videos, the movie wants to create space for romantic deliverance.
Robby Hoffman Will Always Feel Poor, No Matter How Rich She Gets - The New York Times
Robby Hoffman Will Always Feel Poor, No Matter How Rich She Gets
Inside the Stonewall: A Lesbian Rebel Finally Breaks Her Silence | Autostraddle
I went to the Stonewall Inn with an older woman when I was 17 on June 27, 1969, my first visit to a gay bar. I’m one of the few who can say what happened inside the bar, and one of a tiny number of lesbians who were there. I’ve told my account for decades, but never in much detail. Now, before I leave this earth, I’m ready for my full story to be known.
Opening Gifts for Girlfriends With ‘Girls Like Girls’ Singer and Director Hayley Kiyoko | Reviews by Wirecutter
we had Kiyoko take a spin through some of our favorite gifts for fiancées, wives, and girlfriends.
EXCLUSIVE: The true story of the rainbow-colored semi-truck that's inspiring pride across the country - Queerty
For over 25 years, Shelle Lichti has been a professional trucker, and she’s been a proudly outspoken lesbian every mile of the way.
Attention Sapphics! Hayley Kiyoko's 'Girls Like Girls' Soundtrack Is Here - GO Magazine
Hayley Kiyoko announces ‘Girls Like Girls’ soundtrack, featuring Young Miko, Gigi Perez and more of our fav queer artists.
The Black Femme Energy Behind gURLSlikegIRLS Is Electrifying Brooklyn - GO Magazine
gURLSlikegIRLS has become one of Brooklyn’s most successful and in-demand Black queer events, selling out at every party—and Scorpio has done it all herself. She plans the events, books DJs, designs the flyers, handles promotion, and manages day-of logistics, all while performing and curating other creative work. “It’s a lot,” she admits, “but it’s mine.”
Cara Delevingne, Amber Heard Relationship Explained
Years after that messy lawsuit, Cara has spoken out about the nature of her and Amber’s relationship.
Sue Wicks on Her WNBA Legacy — And Reading Lesbian Fanfic in the Liberty Locker Room | Them
WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Sue Wicks reflects on her New York Liberty career, coming out in 2002, and why she's just as obsessed with the league's new gay players as we are.
Sapphic Music Moments That Prove Daisy Chain Fields Is Going To Be One For The Lesbians - GO Magazine
Daisy Chain Fields is already poised to be the spiritual follow-up to Lilith Fair in this regard. The inaugural line-up features quite a few queer artists, along with performers whose work has resonated with sapphic fans, sometimes dating back decades.
Katseye’s Lara and Megan Shut Down Fans Who Say Dating Men Negates Bisexuality | Them
Lara Raj and Megan Skiendiel, known to queer fans as the bisexual baddies of international girl group KATSEYE, are setting the record straight this Pride — but not literally. In an interview for Allure’s June cover, the pair spoke about the impact of discussing their queerness publicly as members of one of the most famous pop groups on the planet
Why a lesbian-owned beauty bar is a game-changer for NYC's queer community - Gothamist
The moment I walk into the Bushwick salon, I can tell it’s going to be a totally different experience. There are bright colors, a giant Pride flag and the pandemonium of a business with more than a dozen technicians who are all fully booked for weeks at a time.
We Are Not Unicorns Asks Why Lesbian Bars Matter -
We Are Not Unicorns tells the stories of six women, ranging in age from 18 to 72, whose experiences remind us all that lesbian bars are still crucial to community. This multi-generational focus allows viewers to look to the past and future simultaneously. Older participants provide a sacred oral history, speaking to their own experiences in lesbian bars. Conversely, the youngest participant takes viewers along on her first lesbian bar experience.
New BFF Social Club Launched From Britain Aims To Build A World Where No Lesbian Feels Like The “Odd One Out” - GO Magazine
Through thoughtfully curated spaces where lesbians can form genuine friendships, Emilie van der Gronden creates experiences where women build connections without the pressure of dating or fitting into cliques.
Keep Austin Weird (and Gay): A Queer Gal’s Travel Guide of Her Hometown - GO Magazine
From dancing at Cheer Up Charlies to getting inked at No Good Tattoo, this queer travel guide to Austin will help you make the most of your time in this Weird City.
The tale of the awful, terrible 10-hour lesbian drive date has everyone picking sides - Queerty
But what do you call it when you drive 10 hours to see someone you’ve been talking to for a week, only to wake up to a scathing TikTok about all the things you’ve done wrong since getting there?
This strange phenomenon may not have a name yet, but that’s not stopping anyone from discoursing about it on TikTok. Last week, one lesbian date gone wrong had everyone talking, and things have only gotten chattier from there.
How To Choose a Motorcycle as Queer Woman
The process of selecting your motorcycle becomes a personal statement about who you are and what you value. It involves an exploration of different machines, each with its own character and spirit. The goal is to find a ride that perfectly complements your style and fulfills your desire for adventure.
New Ravenswood collective aims to create “friendship-forward” sapphic spaces - Windy City Times
The collective, aimed at creating a wholesome sapphic community, boasts a fully furnished and stocked coworking space in Ravenswood and also hosts a number of other sapphic events, ranging from parties to crafting gatherings. Strader’s bottom line is that all who identify as sapphic are welcome, and that she hopes every event feels like one big friend group.
Brooklyn’s Top Lesbian Pie Eaters Compete for Delicious Glory | Autostraddle
The competition setup is simple: Whoever finished their pumpkin pie first wins an award of $100 cash. No hands allowed or forks allowed; you had to put your face in the pie to win.
A Terrific Quote
Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it. - Inspiring Quotes
Award-winning American author Jodi Picoult has penned nearly 30 novels, which have been translated into more than 30 languages. In one of her most popular books, 2004’s “My Sister’s Keeper,” teenager Anna is born to be a perfect genetic match for her sister Kate, who has leukemia. At age 13, Anna sues her parents for […]