Suzie Carter is the Senior Women's Writer at KitschMix. Listed among her achievements are performing stand-up, graduating from London Met and writing for her favourite publications. She enjoys covering women’s topics, watching celebrities self-destruct and rising to any occasion.
According to a new study, conducted by researchers at University of British Columbia, material gifts produce more prolonged happiness, than joyous experiences.
In the study, researcher gave one group of participants $20 to spend on either a material gift or an experience, like a concert, trip or sporting event.
The other group’s members were told to simply recall a material or experiential gift they received for Christmas.
All participants were then instructed to write down how their overall senses of happiness changed each day in the weeks after they received their gifts.
Researchers discovered those who received material gifts, such as skateboards and articles of clothing, had more consistent levels of happiness during the weeks after the gifts were given.
Recipients of experiential gifts appear to have experienced the peak amounts of happiness out of all participants. However researchers saw the joys of these experiences faded.
In contrast, recipients of material gifts constantly revisited the happiness of first receiving their gifts as they continued to use them.
Aaron Weidman, researcher at University of British Columbia said,
Consider a holiday shopper deciding between tickets to a concert or a new couch in the living room. The concert will provide an intense thrill for one spectacular night, but then it will end, and will no longer provide momentary happiness, aside from being a happy memory.
In contrast, the new couch will never provide a thrilling moment to match the concert, but will keep the owner snug and comfortable each day throughout the winter months.
So, when deciding what kind of gift to get someone, Weidman suggested, you should consider whether the recipient would prefer a limited but overwhelming feeling of happiness or smaller doses of happiness over a longer period of time.
Our chef came to grill our food for us and was asking everyone if the person with them was their boyfriend or husband. He got to my girlfriend and I and asked where our Valentines were.
We told him we were each other’s Valentines. We were holding hands mind you. Clearly a couple.
He proceeds to say ‘well it is legal, but it’s such a waste to not have a man’.
Later he continues to insult our relationship by saying he could come home with us to ‘heat things up’.
I am appalled that I would receive this kind of treatment. I cannot believe I paid over $50 to have my relationship insulted and sexualized.”
She posted a picture of the pair’s receipt on social media, with their message:
Don’t tell lesbians they need a man on Valentine’s Day”.
After the post went viral, Ms Parker added:
Thank you all for the support! The restaurant did refund our money, but nothing can make up for the way we were treated. I hope sharing this helps others avoid this situation in the future.”
However, the restaurant denied the allegations – tellingMicthat they had “no idea” about the claims before hanging up.
In a recent study conducted by Apple and Sonos – a company making WiFi-connected audio systems – music played out loud has a magical effect on couples: it leads to more sex.
For one week, 30 families from around the world were observed going about their days as usual, with no music played out loud.
Their homes were stocked with Apple iBeacons to track the proximity of family members to each other, smart watches to monitor their heart rates and several web cams.
Without the presence of music, family members rarely made eye contact or spoke to each other, even when they were in the same room.
Both children and parents seemed to be preoccupied with iPads or iPhones, which kept their heads down.
In the second week, the households were given Sonos sound systems, as well as subscriptions to Apple Music.
Video filmed during this portion of the study shows family members laughing together, singing, dancing and displaying much higher amounts of affection.
During the week when music was played out loud, families reported spending 13% more time together and 20% more time in closer proximity to each other.
The total increase in sex was significant, with a staggering 67% spike.
Neuroscientist and author Daniel J. Levitin, who was involved in the study, attributed these findings to music’s effect on the brain.
Previous research determined music triggers a release of dopamine and the neurotransmitter oxytocin.
Levitin reportedly said,
[Oxytocin is] responsible for helping us feeling connected with people, bonded to them or avoid them. It signals what in [our] social environment is good and bad.
Sonos allows different music to be played in different rooms, but it’s the act of sharing music with each other that appears to have brought the families together, according to Levitin.
He reportedly added,
This is a return to something that’s more organic and natural to us as a species.
These findings were released in accordance with Apple Music becoming available on Sonos.
However, it seems that – at least in DC Universe Animated Original Movies – things are on the up.
In a new animated feature she’ll be living openly as a lesbian, and happy one at that.
Batwoman came out as a lesbian in 2006, and became the lead in Detective Comics in 2009 (with writer Greg Rucka and artist J.H. Williams winning multiple awards for their seven-issue arc, Batwoman: Elegy).
However, things started to backslide once she got her own title. Just when she started gaining real momentum as a character – with Williams continuing to tell her story with W. Haden Blackman – DC changed their policies, which meant that Kate couldn’t marry her long-time love interest, Detective Maggie Sawyer of the GCPD.
This was especially harmful for Batwoman, because she was actually in a fulfilling relationship that was a positive representation for the LGBTQ+ community.
The fallout from the decision meant Williams and Blackman left the book; the title started to tank, and was cancelled in 2014.
However, DC seems to be coming to its senses, and recognizing the importance of seeing all-ages, positive representations of LGBTQ+ relationships. In the new
Batman: Bad Blood sees Batwoman teams up with Dick Grayson (in the Cape and Cowl) and the new Batwing to solve the mystery of Batman’s “death” and find him. As her story unfolds, her sexuality is treated like no big deal.
In Bad Blood, Kate goes to a gay bar and flirts with Renee Montoya; she chats with her worried father about how he just wants her to find a good girl and settle down; she jokes with Dick about how it took her a long time to figure out women, too. And at the end of the film, she’s the only character whose happy ending includes a romantic interest.
That’s a thrilling breath of fresh air after what’s been done to the character in the comics. Here’s hoping that we see more of that treatment of the character throughout her appearances in the comics. Who knows? If Bad Blood is well-received, it might encourage DC to bring Batwoman back in her own title!
I fucking hate it. The idea that something like that would be trivialized down to a fucking hashtag. I mean, there’s a ton of biphobia—people refuse to accept bisexuality as an actual sexuality.”
And I’m biracial, but also white-passing, which is a unique perspective. So these kids say, like, “Oh, fucking tri-bi Halsey! She’ll never miss an opportunity to talk about it!” I want to sit them down like a mom and go, “Six months ago you were begging for an artist that would talk about this shit! But then I do, and you say, ‘Oh, not her. Someone else.'”
Halsey released her debut album, Badlands, in 2015.
Ellen Page has spoken numerous times about how much happier she is now that she’s come out of the closest as a gay woman, but in a new interview reveals just how bad things were when she was still inside.
When you’re on that track you’re a racehorse, going and going with these blinders on. You don’t stop to address how you feel.
I’d get panic attacks and sense an incredible discomfort because I didn’t relate to the conformity that comes with my gender [such as wearing feminine dresses on shoots].
I was doing something I love and also wondering, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ You hate yourself for feeling bad, so you pretend you’re happy.
I’d ask myself, ‘Can’t you just flip a switch, be a character, play the game?’”
Page says she has now much more relaxed since coming out.
She added:
I do interviews [now] with a sense of, ‘Oh, this is what it’s like’. A photo shoot used to only represent discomfort, I felt guilty for lying. Fashion once meant dresses and heels, and I didn’t know why I’d want to be dressed that way.”
Earlier this month, the actor turned LGBT advocate urged fellow Hollywood stars who may be in the closetto be honest about their sexual orientation.
Page –who recently finished filming a new documentary exploring homophobia around the world– said she hopes that one day “coming out” is no longer an issue.
Jonathan Yeo is now seen as one of the UK’s most highly regarded portrait artists. He is known for his portrayal of famous subjects, from politicians and royalty to Hollywood celebrities.
In his latest work, he explores different ways of looking at the same person, and for this he is creating a series of paintings of the actress and model Cara Delevingne.
But according to the 45-year-old, portraying personalities from showbiz and public life is a real challenge.
It’s problematic when you get people who are very good at deceiving you and so yes, performers particularly, from musicians and actors to politicians are problematic subjects. And that point of view, a lot of my work in the past has been about one painting of someone and trying to get everything about them into one image. It had been in the back of my mind that it would be interesting to do the reverse. And so rather than do a series of single images of people, to do the same subject over and over again.”
But in an age when everybody makes portraits in the form a selfie and posts it online, Yeo believes we look at portrait art differently.
We are at a point in time when we are making, we’re creating, we’re consuming, we’re distorting, sharing images of ourselves, essentially portrait images, often self-portraits, to social media and platforms like Instagram and Facebook on a daily basis.
We see many images of faces but we no longer take them in the straightforward way we might have done once upon a time.”
In his 25-year career, he has painted many famous faces including the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and actors such as Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and a heavily pregnant Sienna Miller.
Being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be depressing. Its can be highly entertaining.
Because Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, and the means loving your self. And there is nothing wrong with pampering yourself with your own special lovin’ and chocolate on this romance-infested holiday.
So this Valentine’s day take the opportunity to reach out and connect with others
1. Her
HER takes a new approach to dating. Instead of focusing on dating, HER has its focus set to the wants and needs of the lesbian community.
As their site states:
Gay guys had their zillion apps, straight people got Earth. We wanted lesbians to have their space.”
By taking the focus off of dating, HER gives you an all-in-one solution to the social problems you might face. Want to find a fun gay party? Meet some new friends? Read news stories that are relevant to you? HER helps you do all of that.
Currently, their reach is fairly limited (only on iOS in a few English speaking countries) but they are taking requests to launch for Android as well as new regions. As far as newcomers go, HER promises to be a strong contender in the lesbian social scene – and you can get in while it’s still new!
2. Scissr
Okay, we’ll admit – we’re a huge fan of the name of this one. It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but the implication that it’s an app just for hook-ups isn’t true. Their motto is “There are no boundaries to life, nor should there be with any legit lesbian app. Let’s create something together that’s mind blowing for lesbians. An app which satisfies our needs for friendship, and oh yeah – love” – which speaks to me on an emotional level.
All first impressions aside, Scissr is all about connecting you to other lesbians, whether you’re looking for love, friendship, or just something to do.
They offer a wealth of free services that will help you to expand your social (or romantic) circle – including profile reviews that guarantee no “dudes or fake accounts”.
3. FindHrr
FindHrr is one of few apps that boast an entirely lesbian crew – which sets it apart because, who knows lesbians better than other lesbians? Officially this is a social app (rather than a dating app), which means that they don’t just cater to those looking for love (or sex – and in fact, they discourage sending “naughty” pictures, which is generally good advice to follow anyway!).
Coming from someone who’s continually looking for new connections, apps like this are great. Even if you are looking for a date, sites and apps that help to take the pressure off things are super helpful – especially for those who may not be ready to fully come out of the closet yet. If you’re looking for a way to get more into the lesbian scene without leaving your comfort zone, FindHrr may be just what you’re looking for.
4. GaydarGirls
For those who are looking for a different experience (but definitely looking for romance), GaydarGirls offers “the largest selection of gay personals on the web”. It’s not the most highly-featured site out there, but it does cover all the basics of a dating app – profile creation, photo albums, chat rooms, and search engines. If you’re only focused on the possibilities and not the overall look, GaydarGirls is a minimalist answer to the age-old question – “Where are the eligible lesbians around here?!”
All jokes aside, GaydarGirls presents itself as a simple solution to your dating needs. For those who like the structure of such sites as Craigslist and Yahoo! Chat, you’re likely to feel right at home with GaydarGirls. There aren’t any extra frills or distractions – just you and other single lesbians.
5. Pink Sofa
As I’m sure the name implies, Pink Sofa is all about the lesbian social scene. The name Pink Sofaitself was chosen to imply that it would be a comfortable, friendly place – just like your living room! The idea has resonated with a lot of people, too… Enough that it is one of the longest-running businesses owned and managed by lesbians.
Founder Liz James came up with the idea over 13 years ago, after realizing that the lesbian dating scene was, to put it simply, a bit sketchy. She wanted to offer a way for lesbians to meet other lesbians without the frustrations of the bar scene, the risks of the personals scene, or the headaches of the less-exclusive dating site scene. After all, as women who love other women, are needs are different.
For those interested in Pink Sofa, there are both free and premium membership options, which makes it inclusive to people of any budget. After all, not everyone can afford the high prices of the online dating world – but Pink Sofa has fairly reasonable prices in the first place (as low as $10 per month if you subscribe in 12-month increments). They occasionally offer free trial premium memberships as well, just in case you’re not sure if you want to pull the trigger yet.
Whether you’re by yourself this Valentine’s Day or with a significant other, it’s important to remember that Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love.
It’s not about celebrating the flowers and chocolates you got from the local corner store.
As some of will testify too, long-term relationships are hard work.
But, it would seem science as found the key component for longevity in a relationship, and aapparently there is one trait that can help or hinder your relationship in a major way.
p.s. it’s not sex.
John Gottman, a psychologist at the University of Washington and the founder of The Gottman Institute, told Business Insider the fate of a relationship lies in the way we argue.
Quick question: when your partner makes a mistake, do you let the anger pass and eventually realize they had no intention of causing harm? Or do you stew in your anger and let it alter your opinion of that person?
If you see yourself choosing the latter, you may experience some trouble keeping your relationship in tact due to a familiar cocktail of anger and disgust called contempt.
And according toGottman, contempt is the kiss of death in any relationship
He claimed contempt can cause you to see your partner as beneath you.
Along with the help of University of California, Berkeley psychologist Robert Levenson, Gottman is apparently able to predict divorce with 93% accuracy, thanks (or no thanks?) to the presence of contempt.
The percentage resulted from a 14-year study of 79 Midwestern couples published in 2002. Over the course of the study, 21 of the participating couples divorced.
Moral of the story: before you hit the rage button over your partner, remember you chose to be in this relationship for a reason. Everyone makes mistakes. Let’s focus on our partners’ strengths and keep contempt out of the equation.
Ok, I confess. I once stalked an ex on Facebook, but I had plenty of good reasons to do so. I wanted to see who she was ‘hanging out’ (or more to the point dating). It turns out she was ‘hanging out’with a close friend, and they went on to start dating. Double heartbreak.
At the time I thought none of my online stalking would do me much harm, but that was so not the case, I became obsessed with them. Unhealthily so.
A new report by psychologist Tara Marshall – a lecturer at the UK’s Brunel University London – suggests that Facebook stalking is actually a dangerous thing, which can lead to toxic feelings take over.
I’ve found that such Facebook stalking may obstruct the natural process of getting over an ex. More specifically, I found that this sort of surveillance was associated with greater distress over the breakup, protracted longing for an ex-partner, more negative feelings toward and sexual desire for the ex, and lower personal growth.
Marshall insisted other studies found those who engaged in mournful FB stalking were “six times more likely to pursue unwanted intimacy” with an ex (aka the ol’ backslide).
She also added,
If this preference for socializing online rather than face-to-face becomes excessive, it can interfere with close relationships, or performance at school or work.
When it comes to stalking in particular, Marshall claimed “low self-esteem, fear of rejection, and greater jealousy in relationships” led many to check up on ex-partners.
These elements are familiar to anyone who has loved and lost, making the time immediately following a breakup the danger zone for peeking at an ex’s profile.
Facebook have introduced tools to make an ex’s activity less visible without blocking or un-friending them, but the temptation to seek out hurtful truths remains.
Just as our parents had to learn the wistful drive by was only going to make life more challenging, we must accept, sometimes, forcing ourselves to turn a blind eye to an ex’s updates is the only way to stay sane.
According to a recent study, people who are more self-conscious and prone to anxiety tend to walk differently, to those who are more self assured.
Researchers at the University of Kent have discovered anxious people walk slightly to the left.
Apparently, this is because the right sides of their brains have more activity than the left sides.
In the study, they blindfolded participants and asked them to walk in a straight line.
The researchers found the individuals who tended to be more anxious consistently walked to the left instead of straight.
So, next time you’re walking down the street, pay attention to your trajectory. If curve to the leaft, maybe close your work email when you get home and take a bubble bath instead.
According to new research by extra-marital dating site IllicitEncouters.com, 10 is the ideal number of lovers to have.
More than 1,000 people took part in the online survey, and where asked how many lovers they would want a new partner to have had.
Between eight and 12 was the most popular answer, chosen by 38% of women and 37% of men.
Within that group, both men and women agreed 10 was the “Goldilocks” answer – “neither too hot nor too cold”.
The poll suggests those who had more than 10 sexual partners were considered promiscuous, while having fewer than 10 would be considered sexually inexperienced.
Any number above 20 was considered a turn-off, chosen by 3% of women and 4% of men.
People were also asked if they wanted to know how many lovers a new partner had in the past – 35% of women said they wanted to know, while 30% of men wanted to know a partner’s sexual history.
Christian Grant, a spokesman for IllicitEncounters.com, said:
The dating game is changing so quickly. I think we are all becoming a lot more tolerant and sexually adventurous. If we had conducted this poll ten years ago, men would have expected a potential partner to have slept with far fewer people.”
In this a new video from Buzzfeed, people identifying as gay sit down with people identifying as bisexual in order to better understand their unique position in the world.
From the treatment they experience at the hands of gays and lesbians in the larger spectrum of the queer community to the way that bisexuals are perceived by the world at large, these individuals unpack the complicated reality of bisexual identity in 2016.
“Bisexual women, specifically, get a lot of hate from the lesbian community because we get like labeled ‘greedy.”
So what are your burning questions bisexuals for bisexual people?
Annie Clark, who’s better known as St. Vincent has revealed her custom signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar.
Envisioned and designed by Clark with support from the engineering team at Ernie Ball Music Man, the guitar was crafted to perfectly fit her form, technique and style.
I’m extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to design a guitar this personal with this company, this family, in whom I believe so completely.
The entirety of my experience as a guitarist is invested in this instrument. I sought to create a tool that would help and inspire those who share my priorities in a guitar, namely that it be comfortable and lightweight and that it exhibit clean lines, all without sacrificing tone flexibility.
It is with pride that I present the St. Vincent Signature Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar.”
It is now available in black or custom Vincent Blue, a colour hand-mixed by Clark.
The most desirable woman are usually the ones who are the most independent. Why? Because independent women tend to be strong women who don’t put up with a lot of shit — not only do women find that attractive but it’s just a great way to be.
Here are some things that set these kinds of women apart:
1. They’re hard to get.
That doesn’t mean they play games — it just means they’re actually hard to get. They don’t just fall for any cute girl who flirts with them… They makes a women work for it because they know they have options.
2. They believe in love.
Cynicism is natural — after all, it’s hard not be a little cynical after having been single for a while — but the strongest women maintain optimism. They keep the romantic in themselves alive. Think about it — if you don’t expect much from women or love, you’ll be more willing to settle for crap because that’s all you think exists. But if you think you deserve real goodness and believe a great woman is out there for you, you’ll be less likely to waste time on the assholes.
3. They don’t put up with bullshit.
Face it, some women play all sorts of games. All’s fair in love and war right?! But the most independent women keep themselves in check. They don’t lie to themselves. They listen to their guts and tell themselves the truth. If a woman doesn’t seem to be taking their happiness seriously, they bounce.
4. They don’t negotiate when it comes to the basics.
There are things we should compromise on with another woman — our place or hers, Indian or pizza, rom com vs. action flick — but there are other things that should never be up for debate such as feeling heard, valued, supported, equal and safe. Independent women understand this and don’t give in when it comes to things that are critical.
5. They’re not afraid to be alone.
Independent women don’t need someone to complete them because they already complete themselves. Having a full life – which includes great friends, a career that matters, and various hobbies and passions – is a recipe for happiness. It’s also a recipe for finding great love because, when you’re not scared to be on your own, you’re more willing to walk away from bad lovers.
6. They focus on their strengths, not their weaknesses.
Strong women have insecurities like the rest of us but they don’t let them define them or their opportunities. Although insecurity is natural, we all have to do our best to silence those useless, negative thoughts that keep us down. After all, the more you behave like a desirable woman, the more women will treat you like one.
The film, which was nominated for six Oscars last week, also won best screenplay (for Phyllis Nagy’s script) and best LGBTQ film, while Haynes also received the Wilde artist of the year award.
Leonardo DiCaprio won best actor for his role as 19th-century frontiersman in The Revenant, Auschwitz drama Son of Saul won best foreign film and Amy took best documentary.
Blanchett and co-star Rooney Mara are up for best actress and best supporting actress respectively, with the latter the current bookmakers’ favourite to take home the prize, and Nagy also has a nod for best-adapted screenplay.
Carol is a period drama, set in Manhattan, which tells the story burgeoning romance between Blanchett’s divorcing mother and Mara’s aspirant photographer.
The film was adapted from the 1952 Patricia Highsmith novel The Price of Salt, which the author initially published under a pseudonym.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kECQwBOkltY
Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association awards – full list of film category winners
Film of the year: Carol Director of the year: Todd Haynes, Carol Film actor of the year: Leonardo Dicaprio, The Revenant Film actress of the year:Cate Blanchett, Carol LGBTQ film of the year: Carol Foreign language film of the year: Son of Saul Screenplay of the year: Carol Documentary of the year: Amy Visually striking film of the year: Mad Max: Fury Road Unsung film of the year: Tangerine Campy flick of the year: Magic Mike XXL The ‘We’re Wilde about you’ rising star award: Alicia Vikander Wilde wit of the year: Amy Schumer Wilde artist of the year: Todd Haynes Timeless award: Jane Fonda
Hollywood held its breath today as the academy revealed which of the year’s films it was most impressed by.
The Revenant led the nominations with a total of 12, followed by Mad Max: Fury Roadwith 10, and The Martian with seven.
Cate Blanchett is up for Best Actress for her critically-acclaimed role in lesbian love story Carol – which received a total of six nominations, including one for co-star Rooney Mara, who is up for Best Supporting Actress.
However, there was film failed to pick up Best Picture category, and Todd Haynes was absence in the Best Director category.
Eddie Redmayne is also aiming for an Oscar double after being nominated for Best Actor for The Danish Girl – twelve months after winning the same prize for The Theory of Everything.
However, Redmayne faces stiff competition from the likes of Bryan Cranston, Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Fassbender.
Other nominees included Sam Smith and Lady Gaga – who were both nominated for Best Original Song.
Smith – who is nominated for Bond theme, Writing On The Wall – expressed shock after also picking up a Golden Globe for the song last weekend.
Lady Gaga is nominated for her track, Till It Happens To You, which formed part of the soundtrack of film The Hunting Ground.
Unsettlingly, for the second consecutive year, no performers of colour were nominated. Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation), Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Samuel L. Jackson (The Hateful Eight), Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton) and Mya Taylor (Tangerine) were among the many black actors who were shut out.
Similarly, no women cracked the Best Director race – but, sadly, that comes as no surprise.
Also, data that was released last year rom the UK’s Office for National Statistics found that women were twice as likely to identify themselves as bisexual when compared to men.
According to Dr Elizabeth McClintock, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Notre Dame in the United States, these results show that female sexuality may be more adaptive and flexible and male sexuality.
Women with some degree of attraction to both males and females might not be drawn into heterosexuality if they have favourable options in the heterosexual partner market.
Women who are initially successful in partnering with men, as is more traditionally expected, may never explore their attraction to other women.
However, women with the same sexual attractions, but less favourable heterosexual options might have greater opportunity to experiment with same-sex partners.”
Great news, Cate Blanchett is up for Best Actress for her critically-acclaimed role in lesbian love story Carol – pitting her against Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl), Saoirse Ronan and Brie Larson – at this year’s Baftas.
Also nominated is Dame Maggie Smith, nominated for her role in the excellent The Lady In The Van – written by prestigious gay playwright Alan Bennett.
Carol – which is up for a total of nine gongs – is also nominated for Best Film, alongside Bridge of Spies, The Big Short, The Revenant and Spotlight.
Another queer movie making waves is The Danish Girl, with Eddie Redmayne aiming for a Bafta double after being nominated for Best Actor – twelve months after winning the same prize for The Theory of Everything.
The Danish Girl – in which Redmayne plays transgender pioneer Lili Elbe – is also named for Outstanding British Film. Vikander – who has won universal praise for her role as Gerda Wegener in the biopic – is also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in sci-fi thriller Ex Machina.
Steven Universe is the story of a boy that helps protect the universe with his gem powers alongside his three female sister/mother role models and superheroes Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl.
The show – which has already won praise for including a number of strong, female characters in a comparatively male-dominated genre – confirmed last year that characters Ruby and Sapphire are a lesbian couple, who are so in love they can’t bare to separate. The two female-presenting also combine to create the super-powered kickass warrior Garnet.
The show is now playing in the UK, but cartoon is being censored, which has angered many fans.
The show has been edited to alter a scene that previously showed the two female-presenting characters dancing together. The UK broadcast replaced this intimate moment with frames of a male character’s face.
Sadly, Cartoon Network UK is taking much-needed role models away from vulnerable kids,’ a petition reads, which has already been signed by over 2,000 people so far.
Steven Universe is a beloved series acclaimed for its ground-breaking portrayal of queer characters. I’ve heard many young people say it changed their lives. In the UK and Europe, CN UK have censored a romantic dance between two female characters, Pearl and Rose Quartz. Queer youngsters treasure and cling to this moment. The same episode (“We Need to Talk”) has plenty of hetero dancing and kissing, so it looks like they’re censoring this because it’s two women.”
Ruby and Sapphire not the only characters, with a queer feel. There is also on there are Pearl’s (seemingly non-platonic feelings) for Rose, Amethyst and Peridot’s crushes on each other and the fact that Steven and his best friend Connie joined together (fused) to become ‘Stevonnie’, a character of colour who uses ‘they’ pronouns.
When Cartoon Network in France did something similar, there was also outrage. The channel listened and let the original broadcast go out in future airings.
Cartoon Network UK has yet to respond to the petition.
Awards seasons frontrunner Cate Blanchett – who has been tipped for Oscars glory for her role in the critically acclaimed lesbian love story Carol – quite literally danced for joy after winning an award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.
After it was announced she had won the Desert Palm Achievement Award – Actress at the ceremony over the weekend, the star threw her hands up and danced on stage.
Other winners at the awards show included Johnny Depp, Matt Damon and Saoirse Ronan.
Speaking of her new role as the repressed housewife who falls in love with a younger woman (played by Rooney Mara), Blanchett said it can be frustrating playing a gay character because many people expect their own relationships to be represented.
The problem is that when you represent a character in a same-sex relationship, it’s like you have to represent them all. You become a spokesperson, which really isn’t the point.”
She also added:
When the time comes that we have a diversity of same-sex couples in film, then the problem is solved, I don’t have to stand for everyone.”
Did you notice that this year you actually got to see lesbian films outside of the LGBT film festival circuit? And that several of them got nominated for (and even won) awards? And they even had big names attached to them?
That’s right, 2015 was a really interesting (and important) year for LGBT movie-goers as more LGBT-themed films got accepted and publicised by the mainstream.
While that meant that we heard about some duds (such as Stonewall, which was rightfully ripped to shreds by critics), it also meant that some true cinematic diamonds got the spotlight they deserved.
Just about everyone has high praise for Carol and with its leading ladies having both picked up Golden Globes nominations for their brilliant performances in the movie, but it’s being tipped for Oscar nominations as well.
Carol, based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt, is one of the most talked about films of the year. Not only does it star Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in a May-December relationship (that also has a class divide) but it’s also beautiful shot and the depiction of 1950s America is absolutely exquisite.
With the help of some friends, Moore and her domestic partner Stacie Andree fight to ensure that Laurel’s pension benefit get passed on to Stacie even after Laurel passes.
Prepare to shed some serious tears watching this one.
Grandma
Grandma is an unusual twist on the buddy movie genre. It stars out actress Lily Tomlin as the titular grandma, who, after the death of her long-time partner and having split up with her girlfriend after four months, has to help out her 18-year old granddaughter.
Her granddaughter is pregnant and needs money for an abortion, but, being broke and having had her credit card confiscated by her mother, the two women have to find the cash for the procedure, opening old relationship wounds and rehashing old arguments along the way.
Bessie
It’s a TV movie, but Bessie deserves its spot on this list. Out director Dee Rees’ film about blues singer Bessie Smith was nominated for a ton of Emmys and won several, including the Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie. Great acting, amazing music and big names like Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique made for a splendid film. Any worries that Bessie Smith’s bisexuality would be underplayed are squashed after watching this film. And she’s not the only queer lady in this biopic either.
Bare
Dianna Agron’s queer drama about a young woman living in Nevada, who becomes romantically involved with a female drifter, played by Paz de La Huerta. It’s a small town girl – bored with life – story.
The film, is written, produced and developed by Purple Milk aka Natalia Leite and out producer Alexandra Roxo, two independent filmmaker from Brooklyn. Together they have worked on documentaries, like the upcoming Serrano Shoots Cuba, and the web series Be Here Nowish (which you can watch on KitschMix.tv), which they wrote and also starred in.
Liz In September
Despite autumn being the best season of the year, this one doesn’t offer much to smile about as the titular ‘Liz’ is a lesbian who has terminal cancer. Things aren’t going much better for her love interest either as she has lost her son to cancer.
Romance! Criminal hijinks! A queer woman of colour triumphing over a racist buffoon! All About E has got it all, as it stars the titular ‘E’ and her gay best friend as they get into trouble after accidentally steal money from the club where E works.
A gay Mission Impossible this is not, but it is a great deal of fun and you’ll really enjoy seeing E and her ex-girlfriend rekindle their relationship.
7. Summertime
Blue Is The Warmest Colour take a seat; Summertime (La Belle Saison) is the best gay, French film on the block. Featuring farm girl Delphine as she leaves her parents place in the countryside to come to the city, the movie follows her as she meets a feminist named Carole who she promptly falls in love with.
The Girl King
There are (and this is a rough approximation) 1 billion and one films about heterosexual historical figures getting married, cheating and dabbling in royal politics. So why can’t queer characters get the same movie tropes? Lucky for us, The Girl King solves that problem, focusing on the (very real) Queen Christina of Sweden as she assumes the throne at a young age following her father’s death.
A true rebel, despite her title, Christina is pretty fond of peace (despite everyone around her wanting war), wearing men’s clothing and sword-fighting too, but you’ll mostly likely be interested in her romance with Countess Ebba Sparre who becomes one of her ladies in waiting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z65cdquVuMU
Skin Deep
Yes, this is another movie where a lesbian and straight girl become friends and there’s some sexual tension, but Skin Deep is a lot more than that. The film is about two women – with their own dysfunctions – meeting at what should be the worst time ever, yet somehow its not.
The Summer of Sangaile
Seventeen-year-old Sangaile is fascinated by stunt planes. She meets a girl her age at the summer aeronautical show, near her parents’ lakeside villa. Sangaile allows Auste to discover her most intimate secret and in the process finds in her teenage love the only person who truly encourages her to fly.
Girlhood
Oppressed by her family, dead-end school prospects, and the boys’ law in the neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of free-spirited girls. She changes her name and dress, and quits school to be accepted in the gang, hoping to find a way to freedom.
Tig
This documentary explores comedian Tig Notaro’s extraordinary journey as her life unfolds in grand and unexpected ways, all while she is battling a life-threatening illness and falling in love.
The Same Difference
When you’re part of a marginalised group, ‘there’s a high chance of discrimination’ is almost inked in small print at the bottom of the sign-up sheet, as is the nature of the thing.
The Same Difference by first-time director Nneka Onuorah, sheds light on an issue we rarely see discussed in this medium: hypocrisy in the black lesbian and bisexual community. A code of behavior and appearance exists and it’s strong, but as the movie shows us, there are women living outside of these boxes and they often aren’t received well. The film also looks at the judgment bisexual women, pregnant aggressive, and stud-on-stud couples face.
So what films should we being looking out for in 2016?
About Ray
About Ray tells explores the questions of identity and family ties. With Malificient actress, Elle Fanning, playing a New York City teen Ray, who is transition from female to male. Naomi Watts will play Ray’s single mother, Maggie, who must come to terms with raising her only daughter as a son. Long-time LGBT ally, Susan Sarandon will play Maggie’s mother Dolly – a music manager who lives with her lesbian partner and has a hard time understanding her grandchild’s decision.
The release date for About Ray has been pushed around, but it finally looks like Dec. 31 will be the day. Give me a break–most of you will be watching Susan Sarandon play gay in 2016.
First Girl I Loved
In short, First Girl I Loved is about a 17-year-old who falls in love with the most popular girl at school. The backstory about the lives of three young girls from Phillip Island and follows their trip to Hawaii — the first step on their journey to making a break as professional surfers.
Discover the trials and tribulations of training, competitions and injury whilst gaining an insight into life on the tour through the eyes of three girls. With magic footage and stellar photography, First Love will surprise, entertain and inspire a generation of female surfers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uCE6Guf-Ko
Almost Adults
Almost Adults, starring Carmilla favourites Elise Bauman and Natasha Negovanlis, is also set to come our way in 2016. The film is about a platonic love story between two life long best friends struggling to keep their friendship together as their lives head in different directions.
Also, look out for out actress Kate McKinnon in Ghostbusters, and hearing Ellen DeGeneres in Finding Dory.
Sweden brought us loads of joy this year when they came up with a catchy term for female masturbation – klittra.
And how did they come up with this magical word?! Well After holding a contest, and the word comes from a combination of clitoris and glitter.
Now The Localreports klittra was the most-used word in Sweden in 2015.
The “much-anticipated” official list is worth checking out in full (any country that used “douche” and “cosplay” enough to land those words at the top of the list is worth reading about), but it’s especially exciting that klittra is number one.
Lena Lind Palicki, of the Swedish council’s new word group, said that klittra’s position on the list shows an enthusiasm and appreciation for a new linguistic focus on female pleasure.
She points out that the original male-centric word for masturbation – onanera – failed to hit the top five.
A lesbian couple in Australia have been ordered to return their adopted daughter to her birth mother after she ‘changed her mind’ about giving her up.
A court ruled that the toddler would be better off with her biological parents and three siblings, despite having lived with the couple since her birth nearly three years ago, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The Brisbane couple, known only as Ms Blaze and Ms Darnley for legal reasons, had raised her from birth in an agreement drawn up by a lawyer.
The girl’s biological mother, only identified as Ms Grady, gave her newborn to Ms Blaze and Ms Darnley because she did not have the financial means to raise another child.
A lawyer then drew up a parenting plan – described as a ‘quasi-adoption’ in court – and it was agreed Ms Grady and her other children would have ‘some on-going relationship’ with the girl, although no specifics were given.
However, Ms Grady later found out that the father was a different man to whom she initially thought, and he would give financial support to their child.
She then ‘reclaimed’ the girl, who was now about nine months old.
The couple, who had tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant via IVF, were forced to take the case to court.
But they lost and their daughter will now be ‘transitioned’ back to her biological family.
She will spend one weekend a month with Ms Blaze and Ms Darnley but they have no parental responsibility for her.
Scientists have discovered a lioness that is said to exhibit the physical characteristics of both male and female lions.
Mmamoriri the lioness – who lives on the plains of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, southern Africa – has naturally adopted the characteristics of her male counterparts in order to survive.
She has grown a mane to fool invading prides into thinking she is male, as well as developing a deeper and more masculine roar.
However, Mmamoriri – who was first discovered back in 2012 – is not alone.
The scientists believe she is one of five lions in the area with the same adaptations.
In addition, they say that the phenomenon will pass down to the next generation; an evolutionary twist that will ensure future prides can survive at their most vulnerable, if the alpha male is killed or dies.
Mmamoriri is one of the stars of the new BBC documentary, The World’s Sneakiest Animals, which will be shown on Christmas Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT_Ddpbw5fQ
Others who have adapted their gender in order to survive include male deer, which don’t grow antlers – meaning they are able to ‘sneakily’ breed with females, while the other males fight for access.
The show – presented by wildlife expert Chris Packham – also features cuttlefish that can change colour and shed skin to disguise themselves.
The argument that same-sex relationships are somehow “unnatural” is often wheeled out by those opposed to gay rights – yet the animal kingdom continues to prove that they couldn’t be more wrong.
Same-sex activity is used in the animal kingdom for many reasons, ranging from pleasure-seeking to conflict solving. Many species even form bonds for life with their same-sex partner.
Abby Wambach accomplishments read like a laundry list of greatness.
She is seen, as THE most successful US soccer player the world has ever known.
For those who watched her play know she did things that won’t necessarily show up in the record books, but those things played such a massive part to the outcomes of countless games.
But, Wambach’s era of dominance and brilliance has come to end. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion retired from soccer this week, playing her final game against China.
China may have won the match 1-0, ending the U.S. Women’s team’s 104-match unbeaten streak on home turf, but the real winner of the game was Wambach.
Named FIFA’s World Player of the Year in 2012, Wambach ends her career with 184 goals in international play, the most by any woman or man in history.
So many who walk away from a career, be it soccer, basketball or any other profession, want their greatness to be remembered forever.
They want to be etched in the fabric of their crafts for decades and centuries to come.
Not Abby Wambach.
As the 35-year-old Rochester, New York native walks away from the game for good, her farewell message is simple and poignant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQZ5FfvP3E
Selfless, humble and successful, there will never be another Abby Wambach.
And that’s perfectly fine with her.
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