The Reading List for Jan 6, 2014

Time to kick off a new year, and a new edition of The Reading List, a collection of some of the more interesting bits of queer news.

Outing has been a hot-button topic for queer and trans people of all walks of life, especially when it comes to individuals who live within the public sphere. It came to international attention in the 1990s when Queer Nation started putting out posters with images of various celebrities with the caption “Absolutely Queer” underneath. But outing is back in the headlines, with a journalist putting out feelers about a Republican congressman. It is believed that the congressman in question is Aaron Shock.

The interesting part of all this are the conversations happening around this topic, including an op-ed on The Huffington Post’s website by Allison Hope, a PR specialist, and of all places, BuzzFeed, which posted a discussion between one of its contributors and its legal editor.

*

On a more sobering tip, boxer and current Big Brother UK contestant Evander Holyfield says that being gay isn’t normal and is no different than a handicap.

*

Remember that crazy and amazing video of guys dancing through Paris in heels to the sounds of the Spice Girls? Well, they have done it again, this time to Beyoncé’s “Grown Woman.” Damn!

*

And last but definitely not least, Jennifer Saunders, from Absolutely Fabulous, talks to Jonathan Ross about the creation of the upcoming AbFab movie. Saunders and Ross talk about the film at the 6:15 mark.

Journalist, writer, blogger, producer.

Keep Reading

A pink background with two pairs of people from the nose down in black and white.

Life after twink death is trans joy 

ANALYSIS: Twinks don’t have to die—they can transition

In defence of ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’ and its straight host

OPINION: Netflix’s “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” just wrapped another mess-heavy season. Host JoAnna Garcia Swisher may be the key to the future of queer reality TV
A yellow background with side-by-side images of the cover of the novel Hot Girls with Balls and author Benedict Nguyễn. Nguyễn has long dark hair and wears neon; the book cover has green and white text on a lilac background, two volleyballs and a net.

‘Hot Girls with Balls’ is deliciously, painfully online

Benedict Nguyễn’s debut novel is both tender and ruthless about the frictions of being internet famous
A turquoise background with three images side-by-side: Trauma Plot; Sorry, Baby; and John Proctor is the Villain covers/promotional images.

What does an assault story look like in 2025?

 “Sorry, Baby,” “John Proctor Is the Villain” and “Trauma Plot” are changing the narrative about rape stories by reflecting how it hasn’t changed