Mourning Paris and Beirut

Here’s a link roundup of things you should read about the Paris and Beirut terror attacks and the aftermath, and a short news fix with LGBT news and racial justice news.

TV Reviews

True Life: I’m Genderqueer and I Watched MTV’s “True Life: I’m Genderqueer”

“My heart did a flip because I remember the sudden shift where my body went from stranger to home, and now I was watching this shift happen to someone else. And maybe this is why these shows exist: because someone else is going to want that feeling, they’re going to recognize themselves.”

Christmas Geekery

Relevant to Your Interests: Robots for Everyday Wear and Use

ROBOTS! Some of y’all love them; some of y’all think the apocalypse is nigh.

Geekery

The Complete History of Transgender Characters in American Comic Books

The most comprehensive and expansive look at trans representation in American comics you’re likely to find.

Community

Spend the Holigays With Your (Queer) Family: Host an Autostraddle Meet-Up This Season!

Let’s make the season gayer than ever by spending it with our chosen queer families — our partners, our gal pals, and our fellow ‘straddlers!

First Person Gender

Making the Dive and Loving Myself Dangerously

“But, like embracing the woman I am, I couldn’t stay back from the allure of the waves. The pull of my trans-ness and queerness, of course, would always be stronger, the strongest impulses I have ever known. The sea, like them, was a place that represented a kind of forbidden love. I needed to overcome my fears or I would feel that I was holding myself back from living authentically.”

LGBT History TV Lists

10 First-Ever Lesbian Characters On American TV: Killers, Tramps, Thieves and Therapists

From lesbian gangs killing old ladies in a nursing home to actresses with Mommy issues to inspirational schoolteachers, these are ten of the first-ever lesbian characters on American primetime television, 1961-1977.

AF+

The A+ Bee Issue 31: Bee Here Now

This issue features a mathtastic mystery solver, a hilarious venn diagram, the continuation of last issue’s playlist, and so much more!

Food Lists

31 Lovely Recipes that Say “Olive You”

Big olives. Little olives. Stuffed olives. From a can. From a man. With a fox. In a box. Here and there. I would eat olives anywhere.

Queer Fashion Shopping

Ahead Of The Game: A Guide To Amping Up Your Hats This Winter

Oh, wanna look great and stay warm? Thanks hats! But there are so many chapeaus to have, and how will you decide which ones are for you? Regardless of your personal style and/or gender presentation, there are certainly several hats for you. There are levels to daring headwear, and you’re about to get in the game!

Gender

10 Trans Women Pioneers They Definitely Didn’t Tell You About In History Class

While it’s important to acknowledge famous names like Christine Jorgensen and Lili Elbe, it’s also important to talk about other trans women who might be less well-known, but have had their own big impact on trans history.

Politics + Activism

Clinton, Sanders and O’Malley Debate ISIS, Wall Street, Number of Twitter Followers

The second Democratic debate featured two fewer debaters, a moment of silence for Paris, and a lot of tweets.

NSFW Sunday

NSFW Lesbosexy Sunday Wants To Dehydrate You Slightly

Sexual overtures from an alien, coming out like a porn star, changes to your Tinder profile, virtual reality porn and more.

Society + Culture

Sunday Funday Looks for Safety and Joy Across the Big, Gay World

Ruby Rose and Caitlyn Jenner got some love from the glossies, Ukrainian lawmakers voted for gay rights, Dallas went where Houston didn’t for trans folks, Starbucks wants to be a safe space, Obama wants more LGBT equality, and more good news!