Take a gay road trip to all 50 states right on your couch with queer fiction, memoirs and graphic novels set all across the United States.

We used this week’s Extra! Extra! to revisit some not-so-distant history, examine the fucked up shit happening in the name of “Homeland Security,” take a look at some of the global headlines that caught our eye and check in on how COVID continues to impact our lives. Finally, we leave you with some good news… a little optimism to carry you into the weekend.

“ANYWAY YEAH come get a scorpion!”

Plus a fully jam packed round-up, including updates on: All Rise, Genera+ion, Charmed, Nancy Drew, Legacies, and Station 19.

111. I wrote hundreds of love letters to Janet Jackson. I never sent them, but was convinced that we would end up married some day.

Carly: I feel like if I confusedly kissed Jennifer Beals, I would also have to move away.
Christina: I would have to join WITSEC. I would be like, “Listen, get me on a USA cable drama because I got to go. I’m losing it.”
Carly: “I got to go. Give me a wacky sidekick, we can go fight crime together, or whatever. Maybe we’re lawyers. We’re going to wear suits and my name is not Carly anymore.”
Christina: “I can’t be Christina anymore because my mouth has been on Jennifer Beals’ mouth.”

Valerie and Meg look back at Critical Role’s gayest moments in 2020 because queer D&D is their favored terrain.

This week’s Extra! Extra! turns to some devastating immigration news and a look at women’s rights more broadly. This week also brought, perhaps unsurprising, news that the fossil fuel industry knew half a century ago the devastation they would wreak on the planet and did nothing. We also take a look at the state of police brutality globally before turning to a few updates on the upcoming US election.

Crushing on your therapist, a partner controlling your time with friends, the long-term impacts of gaslighting, maybe getting married again, making adult friends via Facebook groups — the AS team gives A+ members advice on these topics, and more!

We live in a time when you can see yourself reflected in all kinds of media, from all kinds of corporations, who never liked to talk about us before. But when you click on those things, you are giving people money who are not part of our community.

In the first essay in Scarlet Screens, we look at the “University” episode of the Sopranos, where Ralphie murders Tracee. We explore the labor conditions at the Bada Bing Club, Tony’s “humanity,” and how violence against sex workers is used as plot point.

Your partner doesn’t want to talk about raising your kids to be anti-racist, longing to reach out to a former friend, and more!

The team tackles so many topics in this one! We cover questions about queer haircuts, crushing on unavailable people, dealing with rejection, feeling like you’re not built for casual dating, embracing media you like without shame, a partner blaming your body for his anxieties around sex, the truths behind an emotional affair…two completely different questions that reference Rachel Maddow…and a whole lot more!

“THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT, DO NOT PUT THE BOILING HOT TEA BAGS ON YOUR EYELIDS!!!” Queer advice on breaking up with someone over social distancing opinions as well as advice on pressure from friends to hang out in-person instead of staying home (during this here pandemic), returning to writing after a betrayal, recovering from a good cry, and more!

Autostraddle’s TV Team shares our picks for the best TV shows of 2020 featuring girls, gays and theys.

Advice for coping with a parent who’s an addict, being accountable to people you’re dating, and more!

When someone I know is dealing with a difficult situation, I typically feel extremely “Put me in, coach!!!” But when I am the one in a difficult spot? Well, then, thanks so much for offering but I’m perfectly fine to handle this on my own!!! The fact is, asking for/accepting help is incredibly difficult for a lot of us—even those of us who know, logically, that no one can get through life alone.

The team responds to questions about seeking ADHD diagnosis, routines and self-care, getting the most out of therapy, being the emotional support friend but never the emotional support recipient, and more!

How the fictionalized film on the horror writer Shirley Jackson bends the line of reality.

Riese: And then she explains that they have different core values.
Carly: Then Jodi says, “What are my core values?” And Bette says, “It doesn’t matter. It’s not a judgment.” What? What?
Riese: I want Bette to be like, “I see the beauty in things.”
Carly: And what do you see, Jodi? Also the beauty in things? Oh.
Riese: And Jodi’s like, “I’m wearing your exact outfit. Obviously, I also see the beauty in things.”