Me Time
Chrismukkah Sapphic Lit????
The photo shown here is my dad dressed as Santa, age 12ish me, and nieces and nephew.
This issue constitutes the first annual HOLIDAY EDITION of this newsletter with an endless supply of gift ideas and a look at how to celebrate when Christmas and Chanukah overlap, as they kinda do this year.
I kicked up a bit of a thing on social media when I recently lamented about the flood of Christmas-themed Sapphic lit books released in December, whining "what's a Jewish girl to do?" I left myself open to the response, "write your own," which wasn't really the point since I'm only one person. But since I might have developed some kind of misanthropic reputation, I thought it best to explain here that I actually don't hate Christmas.
You see, I'm the product of what was once called "a mixed marriage"--Jewish mother and Catholic father. I was raised Jewish, but not all that religious back then. But since I was very close with my dad's family, there was always Christmas. in fact, I remember one year my father put a cardboard fireplace in my room to accommodate Santa's visit. We always had a tiny, fake silver Christmas tree in one window and an electric menorah in the other.
I sang Carol of the Bells in my junior high chorus (a song I still adore) and, of all things, The Hallelujah Chorus in my high school chorus. What a site to see a mostly Jewish group of kids singing: "The kingdom of this world Is become the kingdom of our Lord, And of His Christ, and of His Christ; And He shall reign for ever and ever, For ever and ever, forever and ever."
I have to say the irony was actually lost on me at the time.
Now as an adult, Jenny and I visit our grandchildren, usually on Christmas eve (they celebrate both) and bring them their Chanukah gifts. We always eat latkes (potato pancakes). She likes them with apple sauce and I'm a sour cream devotee. On Christmas, we celebrate as most Jews in our neighborhood do with Chinese food and a movie. As a child, I always helped my dad send out Christmas cards, and I still follow that tradition with a mix of Chanukah, Christmas and Happy Holiday cards.
So Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Solstice, a meaningful Kwanzaa, and a joyous Three Kings Day. Celebrate light, miracles, and wish for peace. There are serious times ahead, so try to enjoy this holiday season while it lasts.
Chrismukkah: How My Bestie & I Celebrate Christmas & Hanukkah Together
My best friend taught me how to celebrate Chrismukkah, and it's been a tradition ever since. This is how we merge Christmas and Hanukkah every year.
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
Nikki Giovanni, Poet Who Wrote of Black Joy, Dies at 81 - The New York Times
Ms. Giovanni called Ms. Fowler her bench, as she explained to Elizabeth Harris of The New York Times in 2020.
“Everybody needs a bench, and in order to get a bench, you have to be one,” Ms. Giovanni said. “I could say love, but you get tired of hearing about love.”
Authors Against Book Bans
We, a coalition of writers, illustrators, anthology editors and contributors, and other book creators, stand united against the deeply unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. We unequivocally support the availability of diverse voices on our library shelves, in our schools, and in our culture. We pledge to band together against the oppression of literature, to speak when our voices are silenced, to go where our bodies are needed, and to fight as one to ensure this freedom. Together, we will be fearless.
The US Election Is Tearing BookTok Apart | WIRED
For every person claiming that an online community built around discussing books shouldn’t be a community for discussing politics, there was another person pointing out that most great works of literature have at least some perspective on societal affairs. “You voted for this future,” TikTok user @_onesteph said, holding up a copy of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.
Wild Shrew Literary Review | Sinister Wisdom
Wild Shrew Literary Review (WSLR) publishes online book reviews.
Lessons in Poetry, and Life - by Catherine Gigante-Brown
Little did I know that Lorde wasn’t simply teaching me about poetry; she was teaching me about life. By her bold example, she demonstrated how to live unapologetically. To say what I thought. To stand behind my words.
A Home Library Can Tell Your Life Story - The New York Times
These interior designers have strategies for creating personal spaces for reading, whether it is in a dedicated room or a welcoming corner in your house.
Up Close: The Year in Review – The Best Advice for Writers – Writer Unboxed
From a successful self-published author to a former acquisitions editor, and everything in between, their advice shared a common thread: keep going, keep querying, keep writing. So here’s a review of the best advice
Self-Publishing’s Output and Influence Continue to Grow
Supported by new platforms and forums, indie authors today are behind some of the hottest literary trends
How Did Lesbian Pulp Fiction Thrive in the 1950s and ’60s? - The New York Times
These lurid paperbacks offer today’s readers a portal to an early, furtive era of queer expression.
Did You Know Taylor Swift is Publishing a Book? (and other stories)
“The 256-page book is a glossy recap of the megatour and on many tweens’ (and adults’) holiday wish lists. It has more than 500 images, including costume sketches and rehearsal shots, and musings by Swift herself.” The whole story is here. The book, priced at $39.99, will be available in Target stores on Friday and online Saturday. The initial print run? An incredible two million copies. The publisher? Taylor Swift Publications.
News You Can Use
100 LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses To Support This Holiday Season! | Autostraddle
There’s such a wide array of companies out there now, so this list is by no means all-encompassing — but it’s a start!
Gifts for Cozy Season at Every Price Point | Autostraddle
We’ve got an array of cozy items at every price point
Autostraddle + For Them’s Ultimate Team Holigay Gift Guide 2024
We’ve got foodie gays, nerdy gays, stylish gays, sporty gays, nail gays, cinephile gays. So many gays, and so many gifts!
Celebrate the holidays by supporting queer-owned food brands - News Is Out
The Queer Food Foundation (QFF) has just come out with their 2024 Gift Guide, featuring over 90 queer-owned brands in the food and beverage world. This guide created by LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, offers everything from artisanal snacks and beverages to foodie experiences and cookbooks.
A new era of power lesbian fashion is here — and it's not just for queer women
From Kristen Stewart combining a black leather blazer and garter belt to Janelle Monáe donning a playful red suit with white bow tie and Reneé Rapp rocking a messy biker tuxedo look, the no-holds-barred era of Sapphic style is in full swing — and women across the sexuality spectrum are adopting the look.
Glinda Actress Billie Burke and Director Dorothy Arzner, a Secret History of Their Relationship | Them
Meet the lesbian power couple of Hollywood's Golden Age.
The Feminist Who Inspired the Witches of Oz | Smithsonian
As one of the three principal leaders of the women’s rights movement, along with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Gage was known for her radical views and confrontational approach.
Let Us Rejoicify the Overt Queerness of Wicked - Tagg Magazine
“So, you know, whether it’s romantic or platonic—Glinda might be a little in the closet,” Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, said in an interview with Gay Times. “You never know. Give it a little more time.”
Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda on Broadway, commented “I thought so too, way back when.”
Pocket - I Married My High School Sweetheart, And I Don't Recommend It
Britney and my relationship was fraught at first. Friends accosted me for “turning her gay” and accused her of playing with my emotions. Family deemed us a phase. The high school principal banned us from attending the homecoming dance together. So, we did the only thing we thought we could: We ran away.
Bride Looks Like She's in Love with Her Bridesmaid in Wedding Photos (Exclusive)
A wedding photo compilation video on TikTok now has more than 6 million views, with thousands of comments on how it looks like the two women are more than friends
A Chinese tycoon once offered millions to marry lesbian daughter
In response to her dad’s demands, Chao decided to pen an open letter which was published in Hong Kong’s national newspapers.
Entitled: “Dear daddy, you must accept I’m a lesbian,” it urged him to treat her partner like a “normal, dignified human being.”
Hayley Kiyoko's "Girls Like Girls" Will Be a Feature Film. Tumblr Gays, This One's For You | Them
The movie will mark the singer’s feature directing and screenwriting debut.
Helpful Tools
ClipAnything - Choppity
Search for any moment in any video based on visuals, audio, and sentiment. All thanks to the first ever multimodal AI video clipping model
Use the Skeets App to Edit Your Posts on Bluesky | Lifehacker
Skeets for Bluesky, an iPhone, iPad, and Mac app from independent developer Sebastian Vogelsang. There are both free and paid versions, and while a subscription is necessary to access a few of the key features, the cost is fairly reasonable ($1.99/month or $17.99/year) and those key features are pretty impressive
A Terrific Quote
Daily Inspiration | Inspiring Quotes
Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold.