Me Time
At the GCLS Con I'm Wondering if There's Such A Thing as Too Much Vacation
So I'm in Albany waiting for the start of this year's Golden Crown Literary Society Conference. If you're here, say hi to me and make sure you tell your friends that there's a postcard from me in their conference bags inviting them to subscribe to this newsletter.
I've never had a month of almost solid vacation, but it's worked out that way. This month Jenny and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary! So like the good cruise-goers we are, we went on a 9-day Caribbean cruise earlier this month. (The photo I've included is of the Central Park area on the ship where I spent hours reading and listening to a jazz quartet and a classical guitarist.) GCLS is sandwiched between that cruise and a week at our place in Cherry Grove and then a long weekend on the Jersey Shore. So I guess by August 1 I'll know whether a month of vacation is too much of a good thing.
I will say it's been nice getting away from the news for a bit.
I hope you're having a good and restful summer.
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
PW Reviewers Job Opening in - PW JobZone
From Erika Dreifus' newsletter: Publishers Weekly, the international news platform of the book publishing industry, is looking for experienced freelance book reviewers for both traditionally published and self-published works.
Provincetown Writer's Scholarship
From Erika Dreifus' newsletter: The scholarship is offered to LGBTQIA+ individuals 30 years of age and under who demonstrate a passion for the arts in the form of writing, poetry, painting, theater, music or other artistic mediums. The artist must commit to spending at least one week in Provincetown from November-April, at a time mutually agreed upon with PAAM, and have demonstrated financial need.
Amazon's Goodreads Is Forgetting Why It Even Exists - Bloomberg
The site is built on the backs of authors, yet continues to do almost nothing to shield them from review bombing.
Georgia Librarian Fired After Kid Chooses LGBTQ Book For Summer Reading - GO Magazine
Moore didn’t have a library science degree, but she had something arguably more valuable: a deep belief that libraries are meant to serve everyone.
That belief is what cost her the job.
How to Find the Heart of Your Story – Writer Unboxed
The heart of a story is the feeling it leaves us, the emotional question or truth it provides, the deeper meaning we glean from the pages. It’s not plot or theme or moral, or it’s not only that. It’s something much richer and much deeper.
Plot, Character, or Situation: Your Story’s Entry Point Determines Next Steps | Jane Friedman
I find writers approach stories from one of three entry points: plot, character, or situation.
Andrea Gibson Passes With Wife and Ex-Girlfriends By Their Side -
Poet and spoken-word artist Andrea Gibson has died at the age of 49. Gibson died of ovarian cancer and the world is less bright.
In a post to Gibson’s social media accounts on July 14, their wife and friend, Megan Falley, poetically shared the news of Gibson’s passing. Falley said that Gibson was surrounded by their wife, four ex-girlfriends, their parents, dozens of friends, and their three dogs at 4:16 AM when they died.
News For A Challenging Time
Rosie O’Donnell claps back at Tr*mp’s latest threat – and Ellen also has something to say - Queerty
“Hey donald – you’re rattled again?” she said in an accompanying caption. “18 years later and I still live rent-free in that collapsing brain of yours.”
Why Are Straight Christian Modesty Influencers Claiming “Tomboy Femme” Like It’s a New Fashion Trend? | Autostraddle
As quickly as the tomboy femme has risen to the heights of wlw stardom, however, she’s also grabbed the attention of an unexpected internet subculture: Christian influencers. These days, you might be as likely to see a queer woman showing you how to dress ‘tomboy femme’ as a straight woman. In greater numbers, Christian women have taken to Instagram and TikTok to complain that their cargo-wearing religious modesty gets them mistaken for lesbians.
After Trans People, Trump Now Erasing Bisexual People From Stonewall National Monument
The "History and Culture" page no longer includes bisexual rights.
Treasury Department has a gay secretary but LGBTQ staff are under siege
Agency reverses course on LGBTQ inclusion under out Secretary Scott Bessent
The price of protection: LGBTQ+ families and the cost of moving - News Is Out
Rhode Island, California and Delaware rank among the safest states for LGBTQ+ people, whereas Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida rank lowest.
Culture and Joy
"I myself was once a gay": 20 fascinating facts about colorful classic 'But I'm A Cheerleader' - Queerty
Today, its influence can be felt everywhere from stage musicals to the music video for Muna’s “Silk Chiffon,” which lovingly references the queer comedy touchstone.
Ahead of the film’s 25th anniversary this fall, scroll through got 20 fascinating facts about But I’m A Cheerleader…
Hayley Kiyoko and Becca Tilley’s Engagement Reminds Us That Love Is Real | Them
Lesbian pop icon Hayley Kiyoko announced on Thursday afternoon that she is engaged to her longtime partner, former Bachelor contestant Becca Tilley. In an Instagram collab post, Kiyoko wrote, “My dream girl said yes to forever.”
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’: Everything We Know So Far About the Anticipated Sequel | Them
Most of the cast of the original film is set to reprise their roles.
The Second ‘Ultimatum: Queer Love’ Reunion Was Hard to Watch | Them
Host JoAnna Garcia Swisher repeatedly failed to mediate screaming matches.
Idit Klein leaves Keshet, having remade the world for LGBTQ Jews – The Forward
After expanding Keshet into a multimillion-dollar juggernaut, Idit Klein is stepping aside
From West Wing To West Village: Karine Jean-Pierre Talks Coming Out, Showing Up, And Marching Proud - GO Magazine
She made history behind the podium. Now Karine Jean-Pierre brings her voice—and her fight—back to the streets of New York.
In Defense of Lesbians - by V Spehar - Under the Desk News
Nobody should be mad at Jojo Siwa for exploring her sexuality. But I do find that stories like Jojo Siwa, as well as Fletcher (more on her later) tend to hold interesting places in the way we as a society are conflating queerness and “being a lesbian,” which is contributing to the erasure of… well, being a lesbian.
Lesbian Connection: How a grassroots magazine shaped generations of queer women
What started with a cross-country road trip in 1973 culminated in a decadeslong legacy of writing by and for women-loving women.
‘Do Lesbians Really Expect Hours and Hours of Sex’ | Autostraddle
I think as with a lot of lesbian stereotypes and cliches, there’s some truth to it and also some myth to it.
In defence of pillow princesses and their misunderstood role
What does the term “Pillow Princess” mean? And, how have people got the dynamic so wrong?
Lesbian Bed Death: What Is It And How To Bounce Back - GO Magazine
It reinforces heteronormative ideas about what sex is and how lesbian sexual identity is informed only by straight values about sex and intimacy
Expansion of marriage rights to same-sex couples also expanded access to the psychological benefits that come with tying the knot - News Is Out
In a 2024 survey, respondents with same-sex spouses largely felt closer to their partner and more satisfied with life in general after getting married.
What's Love Got to Do With It - Ep 114 -What's a Situationship (and Are You in One?) - YouTube
Are you in a situationship and don’t even know it? 👀 In this video, Dr. Frankie breaks down what a situationship really is, how to spot one, and whether it’s necessarily a bad thing
Chappell Roan on Country Icons, Her Enneagram, & the Long Road to Pop Stardom
After years of setbacks, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is redefining pop stardom on her own terms.
Chappell Roan Discussed Service Tops on ‘Las Culturistas’ | Them
The queer pop singer’s conversation with co-hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers did not disappoint.
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A Terrific Quote
Daily Inspiration | Inspiring Quotes
The reward for conformity is that everyone likes you but yourself.