As Vermont became the second state to introduce a bill to decriminalize sex work, the real possibility of decrim future is on our horizon. But how would decrim take shape in the United States? Would the police still arrest sex workers? Will sex workers get labor rights? And what about human trafficking?

Thomas: I remember hearing that there was a trans character named Max, and that he gave birth and that possibly he was inspired by my actions.
Riese: A hundred percent, he was inspired by you.
Carly: A thousand percent.

I was ready to declare myself and to bring everyone else who was ready along for the ride. I thought, “I’m going to put as many women as I can into one publication, and they’re gonna get to say whatever the f*ck they want.” And Selfish, the magazine, was born.

While gay men have necessary and urgent things to say about the enduring HIV/AIDS epidemic, women have always participated in AIDS activism. I spoke with two longtime feminist AIDS activists about queer community, care, and connection in the time of COVID-19.

Where does your mind go when you give it space to wander? What emotions bubble to the surface when you stop trying to hold back? Pisces isn’t afraid of the power of their feelings or the strength of their connections, instead urging us to embrace all that we are and dive as deep as possible into the unknown.

This post is a living document. If you are looking to donate to vetted groups or individuals currently providing community care, we encourage you to use this list as a resource. And if you are looking for any variety of care – food, shelter, COVID-19 testing, or other organizing efforts – we hope these options will be a good starting place for you to find what you need.

“I watched it all in one night, vacillating from helpless laughter (Olivia Coleman’s line readings!!!) to shocked surprise (“Where did you just go?”) and when it was over I sent profanity littered texts about it to one of my best friends, then watched the entire season again.”

This week’s Extra! Extra! brings a sobering reminder that racist violence continues in America, even during the pandemic, with news of the tragic murders of two Black young adults now making national headlines. Additionally, we have an update on America’s broken judiciary, the state of authoritarianism in different parts of the world, another report about our impending climate-change-induced hellscape and an explainer on that bizarre failed coup attempt in Venezuela.

Queer women in crime fiction, a queer take on “A Different World”, YouTube, online boundaries, and more!

The Heart is essential queer podcast listening. Imagine an oozing volcano of punk-infused feminist hauntings and awakenings in your headphones.

There is A Lot of news about coronavirus right now; we won’t try to cover all of it, but here’s a curated selection of things we think are important to read and be aware of, along with some context and commentary. Rest assured, we have many important, non-Coronavirus topics slated for next week.

“They were like whatever we have dozens of lesbian bars, we have magazines, we have all of this culture, we have Marlene Dietrich, we don’t need this little girl thing.”

Making queer friends in quarantine, holding a candle for your ex, being out as bisexual at work, unpacking a past relationship with boundary issues, poly nesting feelings, roommates who make you feel like a fifth wheel, social media related envy in your creative community, and MORE! Become an A+ Member today to submit your own advice questions, get access to this twice monthly series, and keep Autostraddle going for everyone.

As annoying as it is, probably, to hear it, you really have to lead with love. It’s not our responsibility to love people who hate us or wish us ill, but if those people are your friends or family, it is yours. If you genuinely care about your family and want them to be and do better, let that ground your conversation.

Rather than seeing the cards in this simple spread as predictive, by leaving them open to interpretation and revisiting them throughout the year, we create space for these ideas to expand and build upon each other, allowing for growth, new perspectives, and the shifts that 2020 may bring.

To have this show on the air at this moment — even if Netflix had renewed the show, it likely would have debuted in January — it just felt fated. We needed this show at this moment and I was so grateful for it.

When we fully embrace the energy and intention of The Lovers and Gemini, we can honor our wants and needs without feeling selfish, can make space for our desires without feeling greedy, can recognize just how important our dreams really are and go after them without hesitating. What have you learned to love about yourself?

Justice often feels hard and fast, black and white, intense and unmoving, but Libra reminds us that there are always multiple perspectives, gives us space to listen and process and be flexible in our decision-making. The deep transformations of the summer may have passed, but that doesn’t mean we stop growing.

A sign of cardinal earth that is usually associated with drive, organization, and goal-setting, Capricorn season can be both busy and prosperous, a time for focusing intentions, setting strong boundaries, and clarifying our ambitions for the new calendar year.

New York City is a great place to be gay — and you’ll have a gay ’ol time with our guide to the city’s most notable restaurants, parties, museums, bookstores and so much more!