Review: Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger

Many people probably recognize Kate Bornstein’s name from her books, including Gender Outlaw and My (New) Gender Workbook. She was also the second woman to ever receive a degree from Brown University. An author, performance artist, gender theorist, activist, and self-proclaimed trans-dyke, Bornstein has been an inspiration to many in the gender non-conforming community for […]

Review: Kumu Hina

Frameline award-winning Kumu Hina (“Teacher Hina”) is a new documentary by directors Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson. Hamer and Wilson previously worked together on Out in the Silence, a film about LGBTQ individuals in rural America, and the discrimination and bigotry they often face. It was during an Out in the Silence screening in Hawaii […]

Book Review: Testo Junkie

Beatriz Preciado’s Testo Junkie is half theoretical treatise on gender, half performative autobiography. Preciado self-administered doses of black market testosterone for a year, chronicling its effects on her body and psyche. Preciado did this without the intention to use the hormones as an aid for transitioning from female to male, meaning her actions were technically […]

Book Review: The S&M Feminist

A friend recently lent me The S&M Feminist, a collection of articles by sex-positive blogger and activist Clarisse Thorn.

I’m going to start off by saying, everyone should read this book. Seriously. Everyone. Read it if you are into S&M or identify as a feminist. Read it if you are sex-positive or polyamorous. Read it if you are a PUA or an activist. Read it if you are friends with anyone listed above.

Or, even if you don’t identify in any of those ways or know anyone who does, still read it. Because we don’t have enough frank and honest conversations about sex or feminism in our culture, and Thorn is incredibly articulate about both. You won’t be disappointed. (It’s also super easy to pick up and put down since the book is full of bite-size articles).

Bob’s Burgers and Genderfluid Gene

I’ve been rewatching old episodes of Bob’s Burgers. In a lot of ways, the show could be considered the most sex-positive show on televison. Tina’s awkward budding sexuality gets talked about a lot on the Internet, and is certainly noteworthy. But while rewatching multiple episodes in a row recently, I found myself thinking more about […]

Sam Killermann: It’s Pronounced Metrosexual

I was first introduced to Sam Killermann when his TED talk was played at a discussion about gender here in Austin. Killermann is the man behind “It’s Pronounced Metrosexual,” a touring comedy show about gender and sexuality. You might also know him from the Genderbread Person, an educational meme which frequently makes a circuit around […]

Review: Disney’s Maleficent

**NOTE: This review contains SPOILERS** There’s been a lot of talk lately about whether Disney is turning a new leaf regarding its portrayals of female characters. Given the latest kerflufle with the #WeWantLeia Twitter hashtag, I remain skeptical. In fact, I refrained from seeing Disney’s Frozen because I saw mixed reviews on social media from […]

Gender Portraits

I recently had the pleasure of talking with Drew Johnson, a genderfluid Austin artist. Born and raised in the Austin area, Johnson graduated in 2008 from the Gemini School of Visual Arts, a 4-year vocational program in Cedar Park. Johnson’s Kickstarter campaign, Gender Portraits, was recently funded at 132% of it’s $7,500 goal. Through Gender […]

In Defense of “Ladies”

This article recently popped up in my newsfeed on Facebook. I’ve had mixed feelings about it ever since. Believe me, I know “ladies” is problematic. I know I’m not a “lady,’ strictly speaking. Technically, I think “ladies” are those people who play nice with the patriarchy – who don’t stir up too much trouble, who keep […]

BOOK REVIEW: Girlfag: A Life Told in Sex and Musicals

Janet W. Hardy pulls no punches in her memoir regarding the road less traveled when it comes to sexuality and intimate relationships. Hardy’s own life story is interspersed with the fictional characters and musical plots which informed it, as well as some historical figures whose stories as told through Hardy’s lens might be surprising. The […]