Heretic is part memoir, part cultural critique, part political analysis, and part history, all viewed through the queer lens of a woman who grew up in the Midwest trying her hardest to be a Good Christian Girl, before finally accepting she’s a lesbian and nearly gnawing off her own arm to escape before she could be burned at the stake.

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve watched forty features and the first two episodes of a TV show. Yes, forty. Consider this list a reference, a collection of short reviews for the rest of the year’s buzzed about films and films that should be buzzed about.

“Stories about huge families full of love, whether nuclear or chosen or just-for-school, were the comfort food of my childhood, and I’m trying to find something similar for my queer adulthood. Is there such a thing?”

It’s the second issue of the best little behind-the-scenes newsletter EVER.

In the autumn of 1977, I met the partner of my dreams, and we’ve been sailing through life together ever since.

Why are there so many TV shows about high school kids who don’t act like high school kids at all?

Exalted — a riotous new novel from Anna Dorn — is exquisite chaos.

Yes, this list has some underrated indies. But it also has several Oscar frontrunners — or at least Independent Spirit Award frontrunners. As queer people, we can’t look to the mainstream for validation. But it sure is fun when we get it anyway!

I finally realized that it is completely possible to be asexual, experience some sexual attraction and enjoy sex — even if you’re only having sex with yourself.

What I was feeling was genuine familiarity. What I was feeling all this time was seen.

“I would imagine a lot of the same things draw to advice columns that draw everyone, which is just that same impulse to run outside if somebody says there’s a fight.”

“I always envisioned this book as something that would allow me to talk about how I got to know masculinity as an adult through sex work and reflect back on how I came to know masculinity from the time I was younger.”

Advice for breakups, libido gaps, waffling on HRT, dealing with BV and more!

May December is a thesis statement of sorts for Haynes’ entire filmography.

What we can learn about Toni Morrison’s advocacy against censorship during a time of increased banned books, so much queer international news from Cuba to Turkey to Italy, and the 250 best songs of the 90s.

“I wanna know about the image for Laneia’s hate fuck list — these are some very choice collage images…”

“Ain’t nobody trying to slow down! Life is fun. Keep doing it.”

As my opening number, I’m imaging a quickstep with JoJo Siwa. I have no explanation for this.

Lies, truths, death, and friendship! Yellowjackets is back with another devastating episode.

Plus! Updates on Roswell, New Mexico, Queen Sugar, Industry, Raising Kanan, and grown-ish!