Hi all! Xtra writer Mel Woods here, with a new series, “The Buzz,” here at Xtra. Every week, I’ll be breaking down what you missed in terms of queer and trans pop culture—from the good to the bad to literally whatever Lil Nas X is up to.
This week, we’re talking erotic lesbian nuns, Dr. Who, Indya Moore and people being mad at a Tony award-winning musical.
→ Everybody’s talking about Benedetta. While it premiered in Europe earlier this summer, the film will have a wide theatrical release and be available to stream in North America on Dec. 3. Its screening at the New York Film Festival this week drew a lot of attention from religious folks opposed to some hot lesbian nuns getting it on.
But as many people on social media pointed out, calling the film a “blasphemous lesbian movie” is actually pretty good advertising for a certain demographic (including me). Even the festival itself got in on making the most of the protests.
→ Elsewhere, the Tony Awards happened this weekend in New York, albeit in a more muted fashion than usual on account of the pandemic that’s very much still happening. But ahead of the ceremony, allegations emerged from cast members of Jagged Little Pill (the musical based on Alanis Morisette’s album of the same name) of transphobia and discrimination towards trans and non-binary cast members, on top of exisiting unrest around the writing out of a non-binary character. Jagged Little Pill star Lauren Patten acknowledged her trans and non-binary colleagues on stage, but that did little to quell the controversy.
A protest is now being planned for next month against the musical and its leadership.
→ Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies is back onboard Dr. Who. Hopefully he is ready to take the Tardis to new, gayer heights.
→ In a move that feels catered to the gays, Halsey, Kacey Musgraves and Brandi Carlile will kick off the first three episodes of this season of Saturday Night Live as musical guests.
→ Billy Eichner is making a gay rom-com with a cast full of queer and trans people. And even the straight roles will be played by exclusively queer folks.
→ Pose star Indya Moore is will be in Aquaman 2, playing the villain Karshon.
→ The Advocate published an image of Elvira and her girlfriend of 19 years, and I’m here for this goth/jock romance!
→ Extra salty queers rejoice! Cult favourite Jennifer’s Body is coming to the Criterion Channel!
→ Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson kind of sort of came out as non-binary, saying “identifying within the spectrum of gender” has always made sense to her.
→ While it seems a bit unfair to the other celebrities not literally known for, you know, dancing, JoJo Siwa is still tearing it up on Dancing With The Stars. This week, her and her partner danced to “Rain on Me,” and it was great.
→ Lil Nas X’s groundbreaking album Montero debuted at number two on the Billboard charts this week, surpassed only by self-described “lesbian” Drake.
→ Speaking of Lil Nas X, this ska cover of his song “That’s What I Want” from non-binary artist Skatune Network is absolute perfection and will certainly be stuck in your head all week long.
Jer Hunter, the artist behind Skatune Network, is also the trombonist for trans-fronted punk ska band We Are The Union, who released a bangin’ album of trans ska bops back in June.
Trans ska is having a moment, and I am absolutely here for it.
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