GO Musts: Read, Watch, See, Listen. GO!

Need lezzie plans for summer? GO no further!

MUST SEE:

“Rough Night”Courtesy SONY Pictures

“Rough Night.” Kate McKinnon and Ilana Glazer join Scarlett Johansson, Jillian Bell and Zoë Kravitz for a “Hangover”-esque film starring hilarious women. Co-written and directed by “Broad City” scribe Lucia Aniello, this dark comedy about a group of friends who accidentally kill a male stripper is the best thing since “Bridesmaids.” (Bonus: Glazer and Kravitz play ex-lovers!) In theaters now

“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.” Cara Delevingne becomes a bonafide action-adventure hero as she stars in this sci-fi thriller as time-traveling special operative Laureline, working alongside her partner, Valerian, to keep the peace in the City of a Thousand Planets. Rihanna makes a cameo as Bubble, a shapeshifting entertainer with a penchant for top hats. In theaters July 21

“Atomic Blonde.” The last time Charlize Theron was making out with another woman on screen, she was playing lesbian murderess Aileen Wuornos. This time, she’s a badass spy who engages in a little Sapphic action with a brunette (played by Sofia Boutella). Who says blondes have more fun? In theaters July 28

“Ingrid Goes West.” Bisexual actress Aubrey Plaza plays the titular character in this film that premiered to good reviews at Sundance and focuses on Ingrid’s obsession with another woman: social media influencer Taylor, played by Elizabeth Olsen. It’s like a quirkier, less violent version of “Single White Female.” In theaters August 11

MUST WATCH:

“Queen Sugar”Courtesy OWN

“Queen Sugar.” Ava Duvernay’s Southern Gothic tale of a family farm continues its revolutionary track record of having all women directors at the helm, including out filmmakers Cheryl Dunye, Tina Mabry and Aurora Guerrero. Rutina Wesley reprises her lead role as bisexual journalist and activist Nova Bordelon, who’s sure to delve in more juicy drama throughout the duration of Season 2, all summer long. Premieres June 20 on OWN

“GLOW”Courtesy of Netflix

“GLOW.” From the producers of “Nurse Jackie,” “Homeland” and “Orange is the New Black” comes a series dedicated to the 1980s Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling—and what a group of GLOWs they are! Alison Brie leads a cast of relative unknowns who, presumably, will soon be household names just like the women of Litchfield we love so much. And with that many women jumping all over each other, there’s bound to be a showmance or two. Premieres June 23 on Netflix

“Gypsy.” Fans of “Mulholland Drive” will love seeing Naomi Watts in another pseudo-Sapphic psychological drama. This time, the actress is playing a therapist who “begins to develop dangerous and intimate relationships with the people in her patients’ lives.” As one trailer shows, this includes some very intimate moments with another woman. The doctor is in, and so are we. Premieres June 30 on Netflix

“Broad City.” Abbi and Ilana are back for Season 4 of the best show about two kweens on cable TV. The co-creators and stars tease they are coming in “hard and raw” with the brand new episodes, which will (for the first time ever) show how they deal with another kind of season: winter in New York. Premieres August 23 on Comedy Central

MUST GO:

Back Lot Bash. Chicago’s biggest summertime Pride party for the ladies has stacked up a stellar line-up for two weekends in a row, including DJs JD Samson, Daniela Sea, Gunn, Goodboy, DJ All The Way K and performers Tori Who Dat, Fembot, Dev and local faves Catfight. “Real L Word” stars Whitney Mixter and Kiyomi Valentine play host, and all the women come out to play in this annual Andersonville parking lot soiree. June 24-26

Girl Splash. Provincetown’s annual summer week for women boasts some of your favorite comics (Vickie Shaw! Kate Clinton!), pool parties, tours, clambakes, dancing and beach fires. Make sure not to miss Bride Pride on Saturday afternoon—it’s the largest annual mass lesbian wedding and renewal ceremony, and it’s a sight to behold. Just an FYI that it’s BYOB—bring your own bride. July 18-22

Masculine of Center Conference. Head to Washington, D.C. for a weekend of discussions and celebrations of LGBTQ women who fall under the identities of butch, stud, boi, androgynous or genderqueer. There will be a screening of “The Same Difference” followed by a Q&A with director Nneka Onuorah, a music showcase hosted by Kia Comedy, a performance by the Punany Poets and workshops dedicated to MOC-specific topics. July 28-30

LezathonCourtesy Lezathon

Lezathlon. Sporty dykes, turn your squad into a team for this weekend of competitive athleticism just outside of Los Angeles. This ultimate lesbian summer camp includes all of your favorite childhood games like the three-legged race, wheelbarrow and tug of war, as well as some more “adult” activities like oil wrestling. Spectators welcome, enthusiastic players encouraged! September 1-3

MUST READ:

Roxane Gay’s “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body.” Bisexual author Roxane Gay is one of America’s most well-respected and prolific essayists, and her latest book, “Hunger,”  has her musing on food, weight, self-image and self-care. It’s just as relatable as her previous offering, “Bad Feminist,” and so well-written you’ll, well, devour it. Available now from Harper Collins

Michelle Tea’s “Modern Tarot: Connecting with Your Higher Self through the Wisdom of the Cards.” Queer author and memoirist Michelle Tea takes a more mainstream approach to the world of tarot reading, offering helpful suggestions on finding your own personal connection to cards in any given deck. She breaks things down, offers super-queer illustrations, and even shares how to keep calm when you’re dealt a bad hand. Available now from Harper Collins

Sylvia Brownrigg’s “Pages For Her: A Novel.” The follow-up to Brownrigg’s previous novel, “Pages for You,” “Pages for Her” follows former lovers Flannery and Anne as they reunite after 20 years apart, and rediscover their passion for not only one another, but themselves. Available July 11 from Counterpoint

Nicole Georges “Fetch”Courtesy Mariner Books

Nicole Georges’ “Fetch: How a Bad Dog Brought Me Home.” Queer graphic novelist Nicole Georges is an expert at drawing animals, and it’s probably because she is so deeply affected by them (and vice versa). Her newest book, “Fetch,” follows her journey with Beija, “a dysfunctional shar-pei/corgi mix” who stuck with Georges from age 16 into her late 20s, “through depression, relationships gone awry, and an unmoored young adulthood played out against the backdrop of the Portland punk scene.” Available July 18 from Mariner Books

MUST LISTEN:

Halsey’s “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.” Pop music’s hottest rising star is bisexual and not afraid to sing about it. On her follow-up to 2015’s “Badlands,” Halsey sings the first-ever girl-on-girl love/lust duet, “Strangers,” with fellow bisexual singer Lauren Jauregui of Fifth Harmony—and it’s going to be on everyone’s summer playlist. Available now from Astralwerks

Lorde’s “Melodrama”Courtesy Republic Records

Lorde’s “Melodrama.” The “Royals” singer-songwriter has proven to be more than a one-hit wonder with her now-iconic melodic goth-pop and new single “Green Light.” Many lesbians have embraced “Liability,” one of the best tracks on the all-around mesmerizing “Melodrama,” as a relatable queer anthem. The album was co-written with Ally Coalition co-founder and Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff. Available June 16 from Republic Records

Pvris’s “All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell.” Led by out front woman Lynn Gunn, the alternate pop-rock band is back with all new tracks like “Heaven,” a dark and sexy offering about the depths of heartbreak. And just in case you aren’t familiar with Lynn’s androgynous stylings yet, you’re welcome in advance. Feel free to play it off like you knew her when. Available August 4 from Rise Records

EMA’s “Exile In The Outer Ring.” Queer musician EMA’s first track off her new album is called “Aryan Nation,” and it’s (thankfully!) not an endorsement of the racist hate group. Instead, it’s a call to action: “Don’t let your discontent or your patriotism be exploited,” she says in a press release. “Don’t look down, look up.” This politicizing of electro-pop and indie rock is exactly the kind of thing fans have come to expect from her. Available August 25 from City Slang


What Do You Think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *