The Headless Edit: No.6 - A Pride Special
Welcome to the sixth and final (for now) edition of The Headless Edit - a curated list of things which have kept me inspired and entertained lately. Before I press pause on this little series, it’s time for a special Pride-themed edition.
I watch, read and do a lot of queer things all year round. However, during LGBTQ+ Pride Month, I tend to kick things up a gear. And this year was no different.
In June, I watched surprisingly sweet queer documentaries and queer films full of outlandish fashion, read articles about queer architecture and carried around a tote by one of my favourite queer illustrators. It was an incredibly queer month - and that’s always a good thing.
Here are 10 things my eyes and ears enjoyed in June…
“Why write a poem that’s over somebody’s head? Even more than that, over somebody’s heart?”
- Andrea Gibson
Come See Me In The Good Light
Documentary ✹ Poet and activist Andrea Gibson shares an intimate look into their life as they come to terms with a terminal cancer diagnosis and work towards one final performance. It sounds incredibly heavy. And it is. But it is also full of laughter and light. The love between Andrea and their partner Megan Falley radiates off the screen.
Fredde Lanka’s Bum Bag
Tote Bag ✹ If you saw me out and about over the past few weeks, I was probably carrying my favourite new tote bag. I bought it from one of my favourite illustrators, Fredde Lanka. It’s a beautiful, bright shade of green. And, most importantly, it has a big, smooth bum printed on it. I now have my eye on one of Fredde’s scarves for the colder months.
What the F**k is Queer Space? by Reece Davey
Article & Video Series ✹ From bars to bath houses, there is so much to be learnt from examining queer architecture. In this article, Reece Davey offers a brief overview of how queer spaces have evolved over the years. And why safe spaces for queer people are just as important today as they ever were, even if they look a little different. It’s also available as a series of short video essays over on Reece’s Instagram.
“When did you last feel something in your body and just let it be there?”
- Ki Griffin
Ki Griffin
Artist & Educator ✹ It’s always a good idea to learn some new LGBTQ+ terms or indulge in a bit of queer theory. And Ki Griffin is on hand to help. Ki’s bite-sized videos cover all kinds of topics, from defining chrononormativity to reflecting on why queer people often drink more. They have carved out a warm, insightful and inclusive corner of the internet.
Madfabulous
Film ✹ A movie about a rich queer who challenges high society’s attitudes towards class, gender and decorum, squandering a multimillion fortune in the process. A fantastical reimagining of the life of Henry Paget, 5th Marquis of Anglesey. An uncompromising celebration of otherness. I’d recommend seeing it for the fashion alone.
“Can I have your attention, please? Because I actually have some good news for a change.”
- Eliza Hatch
Good News from Cheer Up Luv
Video ✹Cheer Up Luv is a platform tackling misogyny. To celebrate Pride Month, they shared a video full of good news affecting LGBTQ+ people worldwide. At a time when queer rights are under attack, it is nice to take a moment to celebrate moments of progress. To take a breather before we return to the protest.
Theatre Camp
Film ✹ Eccentric staff members of an upstate New York theatre camp must band together when their beloved founder falls into a coma. Queer stars Ayo Edebri, Ben Platt and (my favourite) Owen Thiele shine in this incredibly quick-witted comedy. It's so funny, so camp, so silly and so good.
“It was the first time I felt like someone worth knowing.”
- Lena Dunham
Famesick by Lena Dunham
Book ✹ I don’t really like her, but I am not sure why. This is the opinion many people seem to have of Girls and Too Much writer Lena Dunham. In her new book, she explains why this might be. In the foreground, it is a story about the rapid decline of both her popularity and health. However, in the background, there is a story of growing up alongside a trans sibling. Hearing about how they grew apart before finding each other again and becoming closer than ever was my favourite part of this memoir.
Four Seasons
TV Show ✹ An ensemble comedy-drama about a group of friends who holiday together several times a year. I once read a review of this show that said you had to be middle-aged to enjoy it. I strongly disagree. Anyone of any age can surely enjoy Tina Fey’s comedic writing. And fashion icon Colman Domingo’s timeless style.
I Kissed A Girl
TV Show ✹ I am very sad that the I Kiss a Girl/Boy franchise - the UK’s first-ever LGBTQ+ dating show - is coming to an end. I’ll miss the awkward kisses and messy bed swapping. And the genuinely interesting conversations about queer life, dating and culture. I’ll even miss Dannii Minogue’s odd-but-incredibly-camp presenting style and questionable fashion choices.
This special Pride-theme round-up marks the final edition of The Headless Edit… at least for now. I’m pressing pause on this lovely little column to free up a little bit of extra time to spend on some different writing ideas I have had floating around at the back of my mind for too long now.
I’m sure The Headless Edit will be back in some format one day. And in the meantime, I’ll have some new writing to share with you soon. Goodbye for now and thanks for reading!