Welcome, GO readers, to our weekly roundup of the biggest lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgender women’s news and entertainment stories! We’ll be recapping the biggest hits each week and talking to the newsmakers, movers, and shakers behind them.
“The L Word” Reboot Gets A Showrunner
It’s really happening. The re-upped version of The L Word is one step closer to returning to television. Marja-Lewis Ryan, a screenwriter and playwright, has been named the executive producer and showrunner of the reboot. The original series creator Ilene Chaiken, and the stars of the show Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey, will also executive produce the series. Ryan wrote and directed the film 6 Balloons and is writing the screenplay for the redux of Splash. “Ilene and the original L Word made me believe that my voice mattered,” Ryan told The Hollywood Reporter. “I am beyond excited for the opportunity to usher in the next generation of diverse queer people. I couldn’t imagine a better time to make this show.” Neither could we!
Demi Lovato & Danica Roem Rock The AMAs Red Carpet
During awards season, there are few things that are better than seeing queer women strut the red carpet like the queens that they are. At the American Music Awards last Sunday, Demi Lovato brought Danica Roem, the first transgender woman elected as a state legislator in Virginia, as her date. Lovato performed the song “Sorry Not Sorry” and brought Roem into the spirit of the performance. “We connected because I heard her story. I was just completely inspired by that…I wanted to have her in the audience with me tonight because I feel like we’ve been through some of the same things and now we get to share this experience together,” Lovato reportedly told E! News.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Monday marked the Day of Remembrance to honor the lives that have been lost to transphobic violence. According to OUT, the day began to remember the life of Rita Hester, who was murdered on November 28, 1998. In 2017 alone, over twenty transgender people have been killed and the majority of them are transgender women of color. Alex Bertie, a trans author, summed it up best with a tweet. “Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. Please be kind and show compassion towards the trans people you meet. It sounds simple but will inspire others to do the same and maybe reduce the shocking number of suicides/anti-trans attacks that is the reality of today,” Bertie wrote.
Trace Lysette Comes Forward With Allegations On The Set Of ‘Transparent’
In the wake of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, the floodgates have opened for more women to come forward with accusations. Trace Lysette, who plays the character Shea on Amazon’s Transparent, came forward late last week with her own allegations against Jeffrey Tambor, the star of the show. In a statement posted on Twitter, Lysette said Tambor made “sexual advances and comments” and at one point cornered and assaulted her on the set. Tambor’s former assistant, Van Barnes, had previously made allegations against him. Tambor denied the accusations and has since left the show.
While the future of Transparent hangs in the balance, Lysette suggested that the show use this as an opportunity to “re-center” the storyline on other trans characters. And, we think she’s so right. Trace, we believe you and would love to see you as the star of the show.
Surviving Thanksgiving With Your Family
Thanksgiving: A time to eat too much turkey, binge watch a whole lot of television and, of course, come face to face with your homophobic family. The holidays can be a hard time for a lot of folks, and especially queer women when our families aren’t embracing of our identities. Given how politically divided the country is in 2017, this year could be even more tense than usual. If you are struggling with your family, know that you aren’t alone. And, GO has got you covered. Corinne Werder wrote a great piece with tips for surviving a stressful Thanksgiving without resorting to booze or other mind-altering substances. Thank goddess. And if you’re reading this after the Thanksgiving holiday, check it out her piece for the rest of the holiday season. It’s a long one, but like we said, you are not alone.
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