Did I hear gay?

Utada Hikaru's new album (her third English release) has been out in stores and I have to say, while I prefer her Japanese work, I liked it a lot. It's catchy and silly. Ms. Utada also happens to have a rather enthusiastic gay following (or so I'm told) and it seems as if she gives em a little shout out on one of her tracks in this new album.

In the first chorus...

(On & On)

I just want to dance the night, the night, away
Go ahead and make my day, Mr. DJ
(Make the night go on and on, make the night go on and on)

[Chorus:]
Honeys, if you're gay, burn it up, like a gay parade
Honeys, if you're straight, bump it up, take it all away
Intoxicated, emancipated, unapologetic's what I am today
Light me up

Here's the song for those interested in hearing the catchy tune.

Huh...so hanging out with lezzies (even fauxbians) will turn ya gay...

First it was Clementine Ford who tip toed in and then out (then back in and finally out) of the closet earlier this year, now its Kelly McGillis! Both lovely ladies had guest spots on the L-word (Clementine Ford and Kelly McGillis both appearing in season 5)and both coming out shortly after the show has completed its run. Say what you will about Clementine Ford's somewhat coincidental timing of her coming out party (as the L-Word ran towards its last episode) and it possibly being a publicity stunt, but it would appear that Ms. McGillis is just ready to join the dark side. You can read her coming out interview here at Shewire Article. I for one am always happy to embrace another out celebrity, so welcome Ms. McGillis. Who knew that the L-Word would be the jumping board for celebrities to come out? Now if only we could get a certain Ms. Sarah Shahi to join the party...

I'm Backkkk!

Sorry for the long hiatus all. Relocating, school and a large puppy kinda got in the way of my gaysian blogging ways. However, I shall be back home for the summer and gearing to get back into full "gaysian news" mode...which is really whatever random "gay" news or opinions I may have. In any event, last night I was flipping through channels and saw Serenity was on. Oh bittersweet happy day! I'm a true and through Whedonite, so naturally I love this show (Firefly), whose run was cut short prematurely. My only complaint about the show was the godawful "Chinese" that the characters would randomly start speaking. To be honest, it took me a good six episodes before I realized that was the language that they were attempting to speak.

Regardless of the language slaughter, it was still an amazingly well written show that was very character and story driven. It had a fun premise and I loved the world that Joss Whedon created. And typical of Whedon shows, a no-nonsense acceptance of queer sexualities, with some geeky humor thrown in for good measure. For a lot of folks I know it's all about Nathan Fillion (Captain Mal), but for me it's always been badass Zoe, sexy Inara and psychotic River that got my attention. Oh lovely, space traveling, bandit ladies...

Did I mention she carries a gun? A big gun?



And was I the only one who was cheering for a Zoe/Inara pairing?



River...crazy, deadly but oh so bendy!



Really though ladies, since the L-Word has so tragically ended and True Blood doesn't start up until June, take some time and check out this amazing series.

Last Friends

As I stated before I am a shameless addict of soaps. No, no, before you start quoting the Days of Our Lives opening, I am referring to Asian soaps. You see, Asian soaps, unlike their American counterparts, will run a story through a single season, instead of multiple seasons. To me it's like reading a trilogy as opposed to a stand alone...so much more material (w/o it getting old or lame) and so much more satisfying!

I've recently begun watching Japanese soaps. The reason why I haven't before is because...well, they just weren't accessible. I, sadly, don't understand Japanese and to be honest don't even know how I would get my hands on any of these series even if I could. Fortunately these days we have something known as Internet streaming and fansubs. Within hours of something airing in Japan, I in my lazy American way, can enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor in my own home with so much as flicking a few keys on my keyboard ^_^

The current fav is Last Friends. I happened upon this series b/c of its mention in a AfterEllen Best Lesbian Week Ever column. I was first hesitant to check it out, as their last Gaysian media suggestion lead me to Spider Lilies...and I had trouble getting through the first 20 minutes of that film. I was worried it would be this pretentious, artsy fartsy soap. An oxymoron I know, but the Japanese are...well...crazy. I am happy to say I forced myself to watch it, b/c man am I hooked! Well I am a little saddened the main storyline is not entirely gay (it's actually about a transman) I still heart the characters and am hoping and cheering for their happy ending.

As I watched this soap, which by the by has lead me to other J-dramas, I realized a number of things...the most amusing to me is that Japanese anime is VERY much a realistic portrayal of Japanese mannerisms, attitudes and customs...in any event an awesome show that has left me gasping at the end of every episode! And it's queer! A must watch!

I am a bad women's studies major...

Yes yes...like every happy homo gal before me, I was a women's studies major (though to be fair, I also double majored in biology...thats the practical asian in me acting up). Not only was I a women's studies major with a pretty good GPA but I was also very much a part of the activist community on campus. So the reason why I'm a bad women's studies student? I'd never seen the Vagina Monologues...until tonight. Horrible isn't it?

Well here are my reasons. The tender age of 14 was when I first encountered this non-fiction book turned play. At the time it was empowering and groundbreaking for me, after all I was only 14, with my first intro to women's studies course still 5 years away! The frequent use of vagina was to be honest, also just damn thrilling to me. Well after a few courses, a foray in the radical women of color activism world and a fear of Eve Ensler, the desire to see this much applauded play just never manifested in me. I found the work to be important, true, but similar to the liberalistic "band aides" that are utilized to just cover up societal problems and not solve them. Though it is great to hear a woman be proud of her bits there are many more aspects to sexism that the show fails to cover and indeed by doing so is implicit in perpetuating them. Also I thought it was rather annoying to see one of the actresses in the show actually state that she "wasn't a feminist or anything....just saying.." in her bio.

So yeah...i'm no longer impressed by the Vagina Monologues and Eve Ensler still scares the crap out of me (the woman has a weird snaggle grin!) and if that makes me a bad women's studies student, then so be it!

TV!

Since arriving here in Grenada I've experienced something in my life that I've never had to deal with before...the acute pain and awareness of having TV absent from my life. It's difficult. And somewhere in the back of my mind I feel the absence of my beloved glowing friend/parent/comforter as a hollow void in my daily life all the time. That being said this has strengthened my resolve to catch up on shows I've missed during my absence from the states as well as some shows, that really, I should have checked out years ago.

1. The Bionic Woman- Why you may ask would I dreg up a TV show which is older than I am and probably when viewed through my contemporary adult mind would be horrible cheesy? Because, upon retrospect my five year old self had a wicked crush on the original Bionic Woman, Lyndsey Wagner. She could run super fast, was super strong and had an awesome dog! What five year old lesbian heart could resist?



2. The Facts of Life- If you want to do the gay test on somebody and they're over the age of 21 one of the most telling questions to ask is "Who was your favorite on the facts of life?" If they answer Jo (and in some really really kinky circles, Ms. Garrett) then you have your answer. Since I was so young when this show was on air, I would really like to see if my Jo really was as gay as everyone thought she was.



3. Veronica Mars- This is the single most elusive show I've ever attempted to watch. Nowhere online could I find it being streamed, I could not download it, legally or otherwise (Itunes only has the 3rd season for some reason) and neither blockbuster nor the small independent video store in my area carries it for rent. Refusing to buy an entire TV series, despite claims of the shows cleverness or Kirsten Bell's hotness had not been enough for me to shell out the big bucks, but now four years later (and her awesome role in the remake of Reefer Madness) I'm ready to make the leap.



4. Bad Girls- This is one of the most popular lesbian shows out there, with well written story lines and great acting. A prison full of English lezzie inclined ladies? It is a crime that I haven't seen this show yet...

5. Arrested Development- I have seen all of season 1...and that is it. I absolutely love this show, with its sarcastic humour and great ensemble cast. Plus its got Portia De'Rossi...



6. Ally McBeal- I used to watch this show religiously (after Buffy) when I was in high school and while I may end up hating it now, I am damn curious to see how I'll interpret this show now that I can contextualize it more appropriately. Plus its got Portia De'Rossi as well...



7. 30 Rock- I began watching Ms. Tina Fey and her awesomeness but unfortunately got distracted by some other, gayer show (the L-word). While that may be an unforgivable crime in some circles I'm more than willing to get back on the Tina Fey bandwagon. Plus Alec Baldwin really is awesome in this show.



8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 6 and 7)- Since the release of the show via comic and Buffy's recent...ah...experimenting I've been wanting to catch up in the series just so I know what's going on!



9. Firefly- Just because I love Joss Whedon...oh and the companion is hot!



10. Anything w/ Paula Dean in it- I'm a food network addict and my favorite lady chef is none other than Ms. Paula Dean herself. Anyone who deep fries biscuits and then injects (literally!) with honey and butter can do no wrong in my book.

Lesbian Cunnilingous Montage...who knew?

I saw a clip of the last episode of the l-word yesterday and I must say I never thought that I would ever have a chance to string together the words "Lesbian Cunnilingous Montage", but now I have. I don't really know how to feel about this little clip, I think falls in somewhere between awe and mortification. Oh L-word, how you never cease to amaze!

In more somber news, since there's been no talk of renewal (Showtime has never renewed a series past the 5th season) and it seems as if the media has gotten sick of us lesbians (the recent cancellation of South of Nowhere and last year Sugar Rush) I would not be surprised to see the L-word go next. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Paris Hilton may be L-words last hope! While I was most definitely mortified to see the ever drunken and visually unflattering heiress fondle and manhandle Katerine Moening at some party earlier this year, evidently it has been stated that homegirl will make a guest appearance on the L-word. Since the show had already been filmed in its entirety by the time the news was announced, one can only hope that it means that there will be another reason...though is another season worth it if it's sullied by Paris Hilton?

Oh and just because I seem to have a developed a major love for Ellen Page (and she may be one of the fold!) here are some Ellen the second (after Ms. Degeneres) clips and pics!



"Why can't I just hug other girls w/ my legs and not have it labeled"

Boys underwear! Gay!







It seems she also has a penchant for trendy outerwear (hoodies, jackets!)



And look good in a dress...