What to watch:
The Christmas House
Credit: Allister Foster/Crown Media.
The Hallmark Channel released their first movie starring a same-sex couple titled, The Christmas House, on Nov. 22. The queer holiday movie follows a gay couple, Jake (Brad Harder) and Brandon (Jonathan Bennett) as they go home for the holidays, anxiously awaiting a phone call about their plans to adopt a child together. The Christmas House focuses more on family connection and holiday bliss rather than coming out.
The Christmas House is available to watch on the Hallmark Channel now.
What to read:
All The Young Men by Ruth Coker Burks
Ruth Coker Burks, a former AIDS crisis caregiver and current awareness advocate, is releasing her debut memoir, All The Young Men, on Dec. 1. At the height of the AIDS crisis in 1986, Burks was only 26 . Her new book retells her hands-on involvement helping to find housing and jobs for HIV-postive individuals, cooking meals, teaching sex-ed to drag queens and finding funeral homes for those who died. The memoir also reflects on the deep friendships Burks built with the young men affected by AIDS, detailing the ways in which she cared for them and tried to provide a glimmer of hope to a community surrounded by hostility, fighting for their lives.
All The Young Men by Ruth Coker Burks will be available on Amazon in the U.S. and Canada on Dec. 1.
What to listen to:
“Lucid” by Rina Sawayama
British-Japanese pop singer Rina Sawayama released her newest single, “Lucid,” on Nov. 25. Since the April release of the breakout star’s debut album, SAWAYAMA—an avant-pop musical project that reflected on the singer’s personal history and identity—her fans have been eagerly awaiting new music. “Lucid” was produced by American musician and record producer BloodPop, who has worked with artists like Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, HAIM and more.
“Lucid” by Rina Sawayama is available on Apple Music and Spotify now.
What to look at:
“A National Conversation”
For World AIDS Day, the National AIDS Memorial is virtually presenting “A National Conversation” on Dec. 1. The event will feature guest speakers who have been on the frontlines of both the AIDS crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to open conversation about the intersectionality of both diseases and share insight on the health outlook, stigma and impact on marginalized communities. During the event, the National AIDS Memorial will also unveil the first-ever virtual exhibition of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on its website. Featuring nearly 10,000 quilt panels representing all 50 U.S. states and territories, the exhibition uses the power and beauty of the quilt to try to help the nation heal during difficult times.
The National AIDS Memorial is virtually presenting “A National Conversation” on Dec. 1, beginning at 10 a.m. PST.
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