MUST SEE:
“XX.” St. Vincent (née Annie Clark) makes her directorial debut in this all women-helmed horror anthology that premiered to positive reviews at the Sundance Film Festival. In Clark’s segment (“The Birthday Party”), queer-fave Melanie Lynskey of “But I’m a Cheerleader” fame stars as a housewife whose dream birthday party for her young daughter is thwarted by her husband’s suicide. In select theaters and on demand Feb. 17
“Lovesong.” Riley Keough and Jena Malone star as former college friends whose relationship turns romantic after reconnecting in adulthood. The chemistry between the two leads is tangible, and the story of falling for someone unavailable all too relatable. In theaters Feb. 17
MUST WATCH:
“When We Rise.” The ABC mini-series chronicling the early fight for LGBT rights is based on longtime activist Cleve Jones’ memoir of the same name and includes several iconic lesbians who were part of bridging the gap for women’s rights and the gay movement. Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths, Carrie Preston and Emily Skeggs (pictured top center) of “Fun Home” fame play pivotal feminist roles in the four-night special event from Oscar-winning “Milk” director Dustin Lance Black. Premieres Monday, Feb. 27 at 9 PM ET on ABC
“The Good Fight.” “The Good Wife” spin-off follows Christine Baranski’s HBIC Diane Lockhart as she starts working at a new firm, which is also home to out lesbian attorney Maia Rindell (played by “Game of Thrones” alum Rose Leslie). Premieres Sunday, Feb. 19 at 8 PM ET on CBS
MUST GO:
Lesbians Who Tech + Allies Summit. Boasting more than “2000 lesbians, queer women and allies,” the annual San Francisco Summit (held in the ultimate gayborhood, the Castro) will feature out power players from Google, Paypal, Emily’s List, IBM and Facebook on topics like cybersecurity, big data, software engineering and specified areas of technology such as health, science and space. Come for the networking, stay for the afterparties. Feb. 23-26
Out Women in Business NYC Conference. LGBT women who work in banking, consulting, social impact, media, marketing and other top industries will convene at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts to talk strategy and visibility for the third year in a row. With workshops and TED Talk-style presentations from bad ass women leading the charge, attendees in all phases of their respective careers will have big takeaways from out and proud speakers. March 31
MUST READ:
Melissa Febos’s “Abandon Me.” Fans of Febos’ previous memoir, “Whip Smart,” will find “Abandon Me” a delicious follow-up to the salacious stories of her work as a dominatrix. Those new to her writing will be insatiable for more after digging into her new offering, which details the queer writer’s relationship to love, loss and erotic addiction. Available Feb. 28 from Bloomsbury USA
Nina LaCour’s “We Are Okay.” The out author’s newest YA novel follows Marin, whose relationship with her bisexual best friend, Mabel, is complicated by their more-than-friendly feelings for one another, among other things. A quick read, the queer themes are just one reason why this story will appeal to readers of all ages. Available Feb. 14 from Penguin Random House
MUST LISTEN:
Hurray for the Riff Raff’s “The Navigator.” Queer Puerto Rican Alynda Segarra leads her band on passionate songs about growing up punk and involved in artful activism in New York City. The album’s first single, “Hungry Ghost,” was accompanied by a music video dedicated to the preserving of “safe and queer DIY venues and parties.” “With those we lost in Oakland and Orlando in our hearts,” Segarra said, “this video is a love letter to all the queer people who are putting on intentional events that promote nights of safety, unity and freedom.” Available March 10 on ATO Records
Goldfrapp’s “Silver Eye.” The seventh album from Alison Goldfrapp’s electro-pop duo is their first in four years, but there’s more of the same dance-tastic tunes that fans fell for in the first place. Somehow, the queer frontwoman has managed to reinvent her own genre yet again. “We’ve never liked repeating ourselves,” Goldfrapp said. “Often we react to things we’ve just done. We like the spontaneity of not knowing. It’s only through the process that we start to figure out what it is.” Available March 31 on Mute Records
