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lesbian history

Jenn Shapland Names What Needs Naming in “My Autobiography of Carson McCullers”

It has taken over 50 years for us to get the full, queer truth about Carson McCullers’s life, and now I know why. We were waiting for Jenn Shapland.

By Kate Gorton| January 7, 2020 | 28 Comments

Lesbian and Bisexual Women of History Who Were Obsessed with Their Dogs, Part 4

We’re back for a barely conceivable fourth installment looking at the big dogs, little dogs and doggy dogs of more lesbian and bisexual women of history who were obsessed with them!

By Sally| December 6, 2019 | 10 Comments

Attempting to Excavate British Queer History

The tipping point was at the start of June, when I saw a rainbow sign outside the big Sainsbury’s on the edge of town. It dawned on me there might be a reason: Oh yes, it’s pride month. Except it’s not pride month here. Is it?

By Sally| October 22, 2019 | 30 Comments

Precious and Adored: Reading Victorian Love Letters, Writing Queer History

When Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson met in 1890, they fell for each other hard. Their once-hidden letters are collected in a new book.

By Lizzie Ehrenhalt| June 12, 2019 | 16 Comments

“The Lesbian South” Carries Lesbian History, Ideology and Gossip into the Present

Along with the Civil Rights Movement, the blues, and the Moon Pie, we also have the American South to thank for a 50-plus year bounty of lesbian literature.

By fonseca| January 3, 2019 | 6 Comments
Hothead... "fuckin' what???" tell us, how does one become a homicidal lesbian terrorist? How does one NOT YOU ASSHOLE? What fucking planet did you grow up on?!?

Revisiting “Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist” in a World Needing Her More Than Ever

Despite her early resonance, Hothead Paisan has faded from lesbian and queer cultural memory. Today we’re bringing her back.

By Maddy| January 3, 2019 | 31 Comments

The Queer Spirits of Christmas Past

Demonic witch queens are always queer. Fact.

By Siobhan| December 24, 2018 | 6 Comments

Lesbian and Bisexual Women of History Who Were Obsessed With Their Dogs, Part 3

Eleanor Roosevelt, Frida Kahlo, Naomi “Micky” Jacob, Elsie de Wolfe and Elisabeth Marbury — and their puppers!

By Sally| November 21, 2018 | 22 Comments

13 Mind-Expanding Nonfiction Books to Read for LGBTQ History Month

Pick up one of these 13 books about LGBTQ history and learn about your queer and trans ancestors!

By Casey| October 18, 2018 | 6 Comments

The Gay Love Stories of Moomin and the Queer Radicality of Tove Jansson

For too long, Tove Jansson’s lesbianism has been ignored or written out of history. But scratch the surface, and the true impact of her queerness on her work becomes apparent.

By Hannah Williams| October 3, 2018 | 20 Comments

16 Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Instagram Accounts to Introduce You to Our Herstory

I want to devour everything that came before us so we can continue to grow better, brighter, louder, closer. These Instagram accounts are a great place to start.

By Vanessa| October 1, 2018 | 7 Comments

Lesbian and Bisexual Women of History Who Were Obsessed With Their Dogs, Part 2

What further revelations lurk in our woefully unexplored queer pupper past? Find out literally right now, as we continue our historical adventures with gal’s best pal!

By Sally| August 9, 2018 | 25 Comments

Lesbian and Bisexual Women of History Who Were Obsessed With Their Dogs, Part 1

If you’ve been waiting your whole life to find people in history that really reflect who you are, today is that day! We’re examining the many ways gay, bisexual, queer and other unquantifiably not-straight women have built lasting, meaningful and downright obsessive relationships with their canine friends over the years.

By Sally| May 9, 2018 | 46 Comments

Can You Name These Historic Lesbian Couples and Other Gal Pals Through the Years?

Which pair of extremely close female friends decided to “marry” each other in 1844?

By Siobhan| April 19, 2018 | 21 Comments

Also.Also.Also: Everyone’s Favorite CIA Lesbians and Other Stories for Your Week

Trans teachers, abolish ICE, Nan Goldin protests at the Met, opioids, class anxiety, drag kings, pregnancy risks for bi and lesbian teens, ‘intersectionality’, a look at the West Virginia teacher strike, and so much more!

By Laneia| March 12, 2018 | 9 Comments

Lavender Menace Gift Guide: For Passionate Feminist Lesbians and Herstorical Queers

Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. Happy holidays!

By Riese| December 13, 2017 | 30 Comments

25 LGBT History Books to Add to Your Epic Queer History Reading List

Celebrate LGBT History Month by reading LGBT history books!

By Carolyn Yates| October 27, 2017 | 8 Comments

BREAKING: Natalie Barney and Liane de Pougy Break Up Because Amour Is a Lie

We could hardly believe it was real, and now we can hardly believe that it’s over.

By Riese| October 13, 2017 | 15 Comments

BREAKING: Is Charlotte Cushman Cheating On Her Wife Emma With Her Gal Pal Emma?

Charlotte Cushman is at it again!

By Riese| October 6, 2017 | 25 Comments

CHAVELA Documentary Highlights the Pain and Poetry of the Seminal Mexican Lesbian Singer’s Life

Though her life was characterized by solitude and her love for it and the freedom it gave her, CHAVELA is a story of a remarkable person told by the people who loved and admired her most.

By Raquel| October 3, 2017 | 6 Comments

LGBTQ History Month Starts Now: An Epic Autostraddle Reading List

It’s LGBT History Month, a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, a topic which is near and dear to our hearts because it is definitely NOT near OR dear to the hearts of anybody in charge of public education.

By Riese| October 3, 2017 | 11 Comments
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From the Archives

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    Jessie J Did It Like a Dude and Most Dykes Like It

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    Trans Photographer Amos Mac: The Autostraddle Interview

  • Everything Happens Elsewhere: Northern Ireland in the Nineties

    Everything Happens Elsewhere: Northern Ireland in the Nineties

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  • “We Are Watching Eliza Bright” Is a Smart, Feminist Thriller – and Also a Very Cool F*cking Book

    “We Are Watching Eliza Bright” Is a Smart, Feminist Thriller – and Also a Very Cool F*cking Book

  • Pop Culture Fix: “The Bering and Wells Show” Is Righting The Queer Wrongs of “Warehouse 13”

    Pop Culture Fix: “The Bering and Wells Show” Is Righting The Queer Wrongs of “Warehouse 13”

  • After a Crash Course in Cohabitation, My Pandemic Relationship Will Have to Weather Outside Socialization

    After a Crash Course in Cohabitation, My Pandemic Relationship Will Have to Weather Outside Socialization

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    NSFW Lesbosexy Sunday Is Taking Nudes

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    Zoe Kravitz and Taylour Paige Are “A Thing,” We Stay Winning!

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