The GayList

 Your weekly playlist of queer content

TV

A Very English Scandal, Amazon Prime

Based on true events, this three part mini-series from Russell T. Davies (Cucumber, Doctor Who, Queer As Folk) follows the story of Jeremy Thorpe, the first member of British parliament to be on trial as an accessory to murder. Brilliantly acted, Jeremy Thorpe, played by Hugh Grant, endeavors to silence his former lover Norman Scott, played by Ben Whishaw who is threatens to expose his secret which would end his career. This captivating series handles the serious issues at the center of this struggle with an absurd and dark humor that captures the hypocrisy and absurdity of the justice system in which the two men are both trapped.

Watch For:  1960-70’s period drama, British intrigue, queer history

Movies

Boy Meets Girl, Hulu

This sweet indie romantic comedy tells the story of Ricky, a young transgender woman and her best friend Bobby as they dream of making it out of their small Kentucky town. Although they are platonic best friends, it is clear that Bobby might have feelings for Ricky, these feelings become challenged when she starts a fling with Francesca, the fiancée of a conservative and zealous Marine. This is a perfect summer romance that crosses gender and sexuality and captures the hope and sweetness of young love and gives you a little faith in what we can be as a country.

 

Watch For: hopeful mood, acceptance in rural US, summer love

The Handmaiden, Amazon Prime

This erotic psychological thriller from Chan-Wook Park (Oldboy and Lady Vengence is an intense and complex story full of twists and reversals is based on Sarah Water’s Novel Fingersmith. Set in Japanese-occupied Korea a young woman Sook-Hee that is hired to help con Lady Hideko out of the fortune she will inherit from her sadistic uncle. The two young women fall in love and through a series of deceptions plot their escape. Warning: there is quite a bit of disturbing events and imagery in the film, but the ending is satisfying and fully worth making it through. I tell you this because that is how I watched it and I am very glad that I did.

Watch for: psychological thrillers, seduction and deception, early 1900’s setting

 

Esteros, Netflix

Two childhood best friends, Matías and Jerónimo are reconnected as adults along with their attraction which Matias has been denying for the past decade of his life. Set in the beautiful Argentinian wetlands, this film explores memory, sexual awakening, and coming to terms with one’s identity. This is a feel good movie for when you feel sad and want to imagine falling in love in beautiful nature.

Watch for: summer romance, international films

 

 

 

 

To Each Her Own, Netflix

Simone, a closeted lesbian living with her girlfriend struggles to come out to her conservative Jewish family. As she decides to tell them, she finds herself attracted to Wali, a man from Senegal. Simone struggles with her love for Claire and her identity as a lesbian, with her desire for Wali, while dealing with a series of misunderstandings when on top of it all her brother decides to set her up with a man from his Jewish dating site. A comedy of family, misunderstanding, and love, this  movies is far from perfect, but it is a funny French romp that reminds us that identities and desires are more fluid than we like to believe.

Watch for: family misunderstandings, family comedy, race and relgion in French culture, French

Tab Hunter, Confidential, Netflix

Actor Tab Hunter was the golden boy during Hollywood’s studio era until he was outed in the tabloid press. In honor of his recent passing, watch this story documentary about his life and career to learn about the rigidity of the studio- era romance and how he reinvented his career after. Tab Hunter’s story reminds us that although we have a long way to go for queer representation in the media and for celebrities coming out, we have come far already and to remember the names of those who made that happen.

 

Music

27 Club by Adore Delano

The newest music video from her album Whatever was released on June 26th and somehow I had not seen it until now, so if you beat me to it, congradulations, and if not, then you’re welcome. In this sexy music video, Adore rasps and growls her song while serving goddess-inspired looks showing us the grunge goddess that she truly is. As a huge fan of her other music videos, I’m convinced that drag grunge-rock is my favorite new genre that I didn’t know I needed.

Just Watch

 

 

The GayList

Your weekly playlist of queer content

TV

Pose FX

Episode 8 Airs tonight

If you haven’t been watching this show, consider this your invitation to binge. From Exceutive producer Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Tory) this show set in New York in the 80’s about the intersection of “ball culture world, the rise of luxury Trump era universe and the downtown social and literary scene.” (FX). This show features the largest cast of transgender actors currently on TV and featuring many women directors, including trans activist Janet Mock.

Watch for: queer history, touching, upbeat, 80’s tunes, big hair

Vida, Starz

If you, like me are late to this party, stop whatever it si you are doing and dive right in. All six episode of season one are out, and will make you wish there were even more. This drama from Starz focuses on two Mexican-American sisters who return home in Eastside of L.A after the death of their mother, to figure out what to do with the bar left to them in the will. While struggling with their own strained relationship, they discover that their mother had been married to a woman and one of the sisters struggles with the hypocracy she experienced from her mother about her own sexuality. Written and directed primarily by Latinx artists, the stories brim with honesty, power, and vulnerability that feels revolutionary.

Watch for: queer women of color, family bonds, millienial sisters, gentrification

Movies

Nanette, Netflix

In Hannah Gadsby’s groundbreaking stand-up special, she tackles lesbian jokes, women in comedy, stand-up in the #MeToo movement, and the nature of comedy itself. Incredibly moving and brilliantly written and performed, description and  summary cannot do this show justice. Go watch it and listen to her in her own words.

Watch for: feminism, heavy questions, taking a stand

 

God’s Own Country, Netflix 

London Pride was this past Saturday, so we can celebrate with some gays “across the pond.”

Set on a remote farm in Yorkshire, this film follows the story of Johnny Saxby and Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker who comes to work at the Saxby’s farm. As the two fall in love, the film explores isolation, vulnerability, and tenderness against the backdrop of the beautiful, forlorn countryside. Hailed as the “British Brokeback Mountain” this film is more nuanced and has a happy ending.

Watch For: gay romance, northern British accents, father-son dynamics, upbeat tone

The Queen of Ireland 

Still staying across the pond in the first country in the world that legalized same-sex marriage through a referendum,  watch a fun little documentary about the Drag Queen who was highly instrumental in the cause.  This film weaves in the story of Panti Bliss, Rory O’Neal’s life and career with his activism that lead up to the victory of Ireland’s referendum.

Watch for: queer history, activism, drag queens, Irish accents

Music

Brandon Urie came out as Pansexual

In a recent interview with Paper Magazine, Brandon Urie, frontman of Panic! At the Disco came out as pansexual saying,“ I’m married to a woman and I’m very much in love with her but I’m not opposed to a man because to me, I like a person. Yeah I guess you could qualify me as pansexual because I really don’t care. If a person is great, then a person is great. I just like good people, if your heart’s in the right place. I’m definitely attracted to men. It’s just people that I am attracted to.”

This comes as little surprise to most fans, but I really want underscore how important this coming out is. There is a huge double standard when it comes to women versus men coming out as Pansexual or Bisexual. Many male pop stars have played into it for the hype, came out but recindined it, or simply refused to acknowledge their sexuality, so this is huge news, and I am very thankful that he is using his platform for greater visiabilty.

To do: Go listen to and watch Panic! At the Disco music videos and warm your little middle school queer heart.

By Lauren Russo. July 9th, 2018.

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I am Bi and I write here weekly.

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