Popping culture: The Reading (and Watching) List edition

The Reading List here at Down East tends to be a collection of newslinks. However, this Monday, why not make it a little more fun, a litle more visual and a little more pop culture?

– To ease into it all, let’s start with something uplifting. Remember that video of Irish drag performer and activist Panti Bliss that went viral? The one where she does a speech about homophobia and oppression? Well, the Pet Shop Boys released their own version of the speech, available to listen to on SoundCloud.

– Now that Season 1 of HBO’s Looking has come to a close, Funny or Die has their own take on the TV show: enter Not Looking, a satirical five-episode web series featuring Drew Droege (ie “Chloe Sevigny”) in the cast.

– Speaking of HBO, the channel has leaked a teaser for its adaptation of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, starring Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts.

– Lindsay Lohan has a new reality series on OWN. Gawker’s Rich Juzwiak takes a glance at what it’s like to be Lindsay when she’s not playing water war with Jimmy Fallon.

– And finally, something to start your week off right. DWV’s parody of The Go-Gos’ “Vacation,” entitled “Gaycation.”

Journalist, writer, blogger, producer.

Keep Reading

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 5, Episode 5 power ranking: Grunge girls

To quote Garbage’s “When I Grow Up,” which queen is “trying hard to fit among” the heavy-hitter cast, and whose performance was “a giant juggernaut”?

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 5, Episode 5 recap: Here comes the sunshine

We’re saved by the bell this week as we flash back to the ’90s

A well-known Chinese folk tale gets a queer reimagining in ‘Sister Snake’

Amanda Lee Koe’s novel is a clever mash-up of queer pulp, magical realism, time travel and body horror, with a charged serpentine sisterhood at its centre

‘Drag Race’ in 2024 tested the limits of global crossover appeal

“Drag Race” remains an international phenomenon, but “Global All Stars” disappointing throws a damper on global ambitions