As discussed on this website at length in the past, there was a time in the 1910s – 1950s when a group of Hollywood players were being secretly a little bit gay behind the scenes, creating for themselves an intricate chart of hook-ups and flings and multi-year relationships that historians continue dissecting with great delight to this very day. Actress Alla Nazimova coined the term “Sewing Circle” to describe this cadre of women, and it sure did stick!
But whomst of these actors (and one writer who I had to include because no mention of the Sewing Circle would be complete without her) are you?
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Riese is the 41-year-old Co-Founder of Autostraddle.com as well as an award-winning writer, video-maker, LGBTQ+ Marketing consultant and aspiring cyber-performance artist who grew up in Michigan, lost her mind in New York and now lives in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in nine books, magazines including Marie Claire and Curve, and all over the web including Nylon, Queerty, Nerve, Bitch, Emily Books and Jezebel. She had a very popular personal blog once upon a time, and then she recapped The L Word, and then she had the idea to make this place, and now here we all are! In 2016, she was nominated for a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism. She's Jewish and has a cute dog named Carol. Follow her on twitter and instagram.
Riese has written 3184 articles for us.
I will happily take Katherine Hepburn!
Katharine Hepburn! i do love defying convention and wearing trousers
Katharine Hepburn – a fellow outspoken New Englander – of course!
Marlene Dietrich! :)
Barbara Stanwyck! 😍
I’m gonna try linking this picture again bc it’s too good to pass up
i fixed it for you and indeed, it’s perfect
Barbara Stanwyck. Whomst I always thought was deliciously wicked, no idea why. A dark horse, for sure.
Hattie McDaniel!!
Great Garbo! As a swede I guess that wasn’t too suprising. :)
Fun fact, Greta Garbo is on the swedish 100kr bill.
and here I thought Nordic country cannot be more cool
Tallulah Bankhead. I definitely picked her quote. If I can be half as witty and brazen as her I’ll be thrilled.
I got Tallulah! which is maybe a little bit concerning, but also, hot.
I got Mercedes de Acosta, and I don’t buy it but am very flattered.
makin my mom proud!!! (she raised me on katherine hepburn)
Greta Garbo! The introvert’s choice.
Katharine Hepburn, which I’m happy with, but also I want a full written breakdown of which person every choice in this quiz was actually about!
Greta Garbo – love it!
Barbara Stanwyck, which is interesting. I’m not quiet about being a lesbian but I’m not vocal either. I usually talk around it but all my colleagues know so it’s not a secret. I know, I’m a walking conundrum for a lot of things. 🤷🏻♀️
hattie mcdaniel? i’ll take it!
Mercedes de Acosta. I am honoured.
Joan Crawford! Thank you for this Riese.
you’re very welcome!
I am Marlene Dietrich, which is perfect, since “it took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily ” is my favorite movie line and my personal motto.
I won Marlene Dietrich, which is perfect, since “it took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily ” is my favorite movie line and my personal motto