Me Time
Snow's What We Got
Every time it snows, I can't help but recalling that old Ferron song, "Snowing in Brooklyn," which is less about snow and more about helping a friend through a breakup. But still, the last line in the chorus, "snow's what we got" is still so fitting and I don't even live in Brooklyn!
But I can't complain given the fact the right before our blizzard, we went on a week-long Caribbean cruise, during which I read many books. I was hoping for 4 but I finished 3, though in my defense, one was really long.
The week before the cruise I spent time in the Tampa-St. Pete area, trying to work on my book (some progress made) and attending Read Out with three other GCLS board members and many author friends.
So now, it's back to real life and getting my tax stuff ready for the woman who waves her magic wand and makes it all happen.
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
How IHS is Responding to Terrifying Changes at Amazon - I Heart SapphFic | Find Your Next Sapphic Fiction Read
. From what we can see, most to all of erotica of all types (MF, FF, MM, etc.) has now been de-monetized. But in addition, many of the new releases on the lesbian fiction and romance charts are also excluded, even if they are not explicitly erotica.
Romance Glossary: An A-Z Guide of Tropes and Themes to Find Your Next Book - The New York Times
From cinnamon rolls to stern brunch daddies, here are 101 terms you should know to understand the popular literary genre.
PEN America Names New Leadership After Gaza Fallout - The New York Times
After a 16-month search, the free speech group has chosen two longtime employees, Summer Lopez and Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, as co-chief executives.
Some of our favorite librarians and booksellers on Substack
It's hard to choose! All of you are so smart and kind!!
Can AI Chatbots Write Emotionally Rich Romance Books? - The New York Times
Whenever the publishing industry is rocked by a technological shift, it usually hits romance first. Romance writers are prolific and their readers are voracious, so they’ve been early adopters of e-book subscription services, self-publishing, social media networking and online serial releases.
How to Use Page Match to Seamlessly Switch Between a Book and Its Audiobook on Spotify — Spotify
This first-of-its-kind feature lets you switch between a print book or e-book and its audiobook counterpart with a quick scan of your mobile phone camera. It’s designed to help books adapt to your schedule, not the other way around, turning more moments throughout the day into opportunities to stay engaged with a great story.
News For A Challenging Time
US women’s hockey team declines Trump’s State of the Union invite, citing scheduling | CNN Politics
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
LGBTQ+ Athletes Won 11 Medals at 2026 Milan Olympics | Them
More than one-third of LGBTQ+ athletes walked away with a medal.
With Bisexuals Leading the Charge, U.S. LGBTQ+ Population Has Doubled Since 2012 | Them
The report concludes the LGBTQ+ population will continue to grow as more of Gen Z reaches adulthood.
Court shuts down "nakedly hateful" law banning LGBTQ+ student clubs - LGBTQ Nation
Judge Charles Eskridge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the state’s Houston, Plano, and Katy school districts could not enforce state law S.B. 12, which passed last year and was called “one of the most nakedly hateful bills we have had on the floor of this House” by out state Rep. Erin Zwiener (D).
DOJ investigating Michigan school districts for LGBTQ lessons, district policies
The DOJ announced Wednesday it is investigating the Lansing, Detroit Public, and Godfrey-Lee Public school districts to “determine whether have included sexual orientation and gender ideology (SOGI) content in any class for grades pre-K-12.”
ChatGPT leaves queer screenwriter "devastated" after promising to lead her to a female soulmate - LGBTQ Nation
AI psychosis is a growing phenomenon, with some chatbot users harming themselves or ending relationships in pursuit of a delusion.
LGBTQ rights in 2026: What to expect around the world
After a year marked by legislative setbacks and devastating cuts to funding, the outlook for LGBTQ+ rights in 2026 could be daunting, with elections, court decisions and legal reforms likely to affect policies and people around the world.
Kenya court overturns ban on lesbian love story
after an eight-year legal campaign by the film producers, the Kenyan Court of Appeals ruled that the 2018 ban was not reasonable in terms of the country’s constitution. This means they and director Wanuri Kahiu can now submit the film for classification under Kenya’s Films and Stage Plays Act as part of the process to allow public screenings.
Abby Wambach leaves Wasserman Agency over founder’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein - The Athletic
“I read Casey Wasserman’s correspondences in the Epstein files,” Wambach, a two-time gold medalist and the leading career scorer in the history of the United States Women’s National Team, wrote on Instagram. “I know what I know, and I am following my gut and my values.
Chappell Roan Leaves Wasserman After Agency Founder Is Named in Epstein Files
"Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity. This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust."
More & more lesbians are getting guns and MAGA is sh*tting a brick over it - Queerty
For now, the second amendment is still on the table for LGBTQ+ people, but the necessary evil of gun ownership still comes with its own moral threat. Is it actual safety that guns create, or the illusion of it? “I’m more for gun control,” writes one lesbian gun owner on Reddit, “but I gotta admit: gay women owning guns sounds a lot safer than men owning them.”
GLSEN changes its name to Glisten as the organization marks a new chapter - News Is Out
The name Glisten comes from how GLSEN was commonly pronounced for decades. Leaders say it better captures the organization’s role as a visible source of safety and connection for LGBTQ+ students, rather than functioning as an acronym tied to its early history. Willingham-Jaggers described the change as a name evolution, not a reset.
Culture and Joy
A Flirty Weekend Led to Talk of Marriage - The New York Times
Tara Jae and RaeShanda Lias met ahead of a Black Pride event. The two married on Valentine’s Day, with the actress Niecy Nash-Betts officiating.
The Olympic Women’s Hockey Final Is Unprecedentedly Gay | Them
The match between will feature a history-making number of queer athletes.
A Vet Tech Asked to Be Amber Glenn’s “Boo Thing” — and the Olympian Responded | Them
In a follow-up video, Kaitlin joked that, while Glenn owes her nothing, “if an author wants to write a novel about a vet tech and an animal shelter-volunteering figure skater, I think you got gold there.”
Brittany Bowe and Hilary Knight Get Engaged at Olympics in Milan | Them
American ice hockey captain Hilary Knight and speedskater Brittany Bowe, both members of Team USA, got engaged while in Milan for the 2026 Olympics
Heated Rivalry and Marital Bliss: Two Wives Go Head to Head in a Scary Olympic Sport - The New York Times
One represents Belgium and the other Brazil in skeleton, in which the racer slides near-blind down an ice track at well over 80 miles per hour.
Look at All These Famous Lesbians in Love for Valentine's Day | Autostraddle
Yeah, it was Valentine’s Day so everyone was REALLY on
WATCH: A queer pop anthem becomes the next coming-of-age classic in Hayley Kiyoko's film Girls Like Girls - Queerty
Girls Like Girls, a new queer coming-of-age tale adapted from the 2023 debut novel by Hayley Kiyoko, itself adapted from the pop star’s 2015 single (and corresponding music video) of the same name. And it just so happens to be directed by—you guessed it!—Hayley Kiyoko
Ava Raine, Daughter Of Dwayne Johnson, Leaves WWE And Speaks Out Online - GO Magazine
Outside of wrestling, Raine has been increasingly open about her personal life. She and her partner, NXT wrestler Tatyanna Dumas, publicly confirmed their relationship via Instagram recently, sharing a reel set to “Everything is romantic feat. Caroline Polachek” by Charli XCX.
90s Fitness Star Susan Powter: "I Don't Think Most Women Should Meet a Man" | Them
Powter’s interview with EW comes at the same time as a documentary about her life, Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, has hit select theaters.
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Daily Inspiration | Inspiring Quotes
Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it.