‘TLOU’ Has Gays Screaming, Dylan O’Brien’s Nonbinary Sibling Speaks Out, And Lorde Talks Gender
The weekly entertainment update you’ve been waiting for.
“The Last of Us” Gives the Gays What They’ve Waited For
After removing a canonical makeout scene between season two leads Dina and Ellie, The Last of Us writers have redeemed themselves with the most sapphic episode yet. We see Dina and Ellie ride through Capitol Hill, Seattle and watch their confusion at the pride flags they don’t know the meaning of. Bell Ramsey then gives a touching acoustic performance of “Take on Me” as Dina stares with love pouring out of her eyes.
The action starts when the duo comes face-to-face with clickers, and Ellie saves Dina from a deadly bite, taking the hit herself. When they finally get away, Dina holds Ellie at gunpoint, thinking she will have to kill her before Ellie turns into a clicker herself. “I would die for you. I would, but that’s not what happened,” Ellie says, trying to convince Dina of her immunity.
Once Dina finally believes Ellie, she quickly reveals her pregnancy, and the two embark on a steamy sex scene. Now, an announcement of a pregnancy with someone’s ex-boyfriend isn’t typical foreplay, but we will take what we can get.
Isabela Merced, the actress who brilliantly embodies Dina, took time to talk about how purposeful the sex scene was. “Specifically, I wanted Dina to be the one to unzip her own pants, take Ellie’s hand, and actively guide it down her body. Because even though Ellie is technically the one who’s on top, I think it’s showing they both have agency in this decision to take it to the next step. And I think it was beautiful. And I think, yeah, we made some really wise decisions there,” Merced told Variety.
We then get a sweet morning scene where Dina admits the intensity of her feelings for Ellie. “I thought you were gone, and then all of a sudden, this future I was imagining wasn’t going to happen — where we’re together and have a kid,” Dina says. “I don’t know if you even want that.” Ellie replies: “I want it with you.” (Swooooon)
This entire episode is a testament to the power of queer actors playing queer characters and the magic only they can capture. For all those who know what comes next for the pair in the game, keep it to yourselves. I’m choosing to repress that for the time being. Let me enjoy this.
Julien Baker and Torres Cancel Their Joint Tour
Julien Baker announced that the joint “Send a Prayer My Way” Tour with collaborator Torres has been cancelled in a statement posted to social media over the weekend. “Due to recent events, Julien Baker is prioritizing her well-being and taking time to focus on her health,” the statement read. “This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the disappointment this may cause for fans. We deeply appreciate your understanding.”
While fans were saddened by the cancellation of the tour, which started in April, many took to social media to send love to Baker.
UK Entertainers Stand With the Trans Community
Music and film industry figures in the UK signed an open letter standing in solidarity with the trans community after the UK Supreme Court ruled that ‘women’ are defined by biological sex and claimed that sex is a strict binary. Among the signers were Aimee Lou Wood (White Lotus), Emma D’Arcy (House of the Dragon), Emma Watson, Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), and thousands more.
“We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary, and intersex people living in the UK,” the letter reads. “Film and television are powerful tools for empathy and education, and we believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds. This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history.”
Dylan O’Brien’s Nonbinary Sibling Speaks Out
After a resurfaced interview from January 2024 of Dylan O’Brien praising the queer community and his nonbinary sibling made the rounds on social media, his sibling chimed in to make it clear he is not as supportive as he seems.
“I have a trans, nonbinary sibling and I know people in my personal life as well who are queer, and I am so grateful for how much it deepens my experience in this world,” O’Brien told Vulture ahead of his queer movie Ponyboi in the now viral clip.
Jules took to the comments of an Instagram post from Gay Times sharing the clip, writing, “[H]e also hasn’t spoken to me in over a year. He didn’t check in when I had top surgery. He didn’t even wish me a happy bday last week! But glad I could deepen his experience in this world and make the world love him that much more.”
Lorde Talks Gender at Met Gala
I’m sure we’ve all been inundated with Met Gala content, but you’re going to want to see this. In a red carpet interview with Emma Chamberlain, Lorde described her backless ensemble as a manifestation of her gender journey.
“I just love the open back. To me, it really represents where I’m at gender wise,” the singer said. “I feel like a man and a woman.”
With her upcoming project, Virgin, set to come out June 27, she keeps hinting that the theme of her gender journey will make its way into the new music.
