On the theme of Looking Back Whilst Looking Forward.

Rory writes about what it means to be genderqueer and a drag king.

It feels sometimes that my gender comes down to which toilet I choose to use. It comes down to whether someone calls me “Sir” or refuses my ID because the name (and therefore implied gender) doesn’t match up with the person standing before them.

On the theme of Looking Back Whilst Looking Forward.

Todd, from Beware of the Blog, on the morons and the Mormons.

All kidding aside, this is a time to move forward in the community, sharing ideas, experiences and advice with each other. Use Polari as a forum for this. Don’t be shy. Here, I’ll go first. Straight people love “WHY” by Bronski Beat. What’s up with that? Discuss.

On the theme of Looking Back Whilst Looking Forward.

Lauren from Life as an Underage Lesbian on the future for gay youth.

I believe that my kids [who I’m convinced I’ll have with Rachel Maddow, despite the age difference] will grow up in a different world than I did.

Clementine does Christmas on a budget

Clementine the Living Fashion Doll talks presents and how to manage Christmas in the midst of the Credit Crunch.

I’ve been out Christmas shopping. Since July!

The work of the NAT

NAT’s 2008 campaign Respect & Protect.

Prejudice results in everyday problems for those living with HIV that are not related to their HIV status. Difficulties at work, rejection by family and friends, violence: these too often result from the perception of HIV as portrayed in the media, and from fear resulting from ignorance about how HIV is passed on as well as an unfounded fear of becoming infected.

[rating=4]
US: 85 min • TLA Releasing • DVD

An endearing tale of political and emotional awakening .

The sexy and punky Sadie inducts Anna into the world of her activist group C(i)A, Clits in Action, whose guerrilla actions are designed to inspire women to follow their lead and fight the system. The group is made up of three other young women and one trans man, but that does not mean the story is weighed down by abstract issues of sexuality and race.

[rating=4]
SP: 93 min • TLA Releasing • DVD

A refeshing comedy that owes a debt to Almodovar whilst remaining very much its own thing.

Chuecatown is populated with some of Spain’s finest actors, whose performances enhance an already rich script of feisty one liners and laugh-out-loud “I can’t believe they just said that” moments.

[rating=4]
Fr: 109 min • Verve Pictures • DVD

A fascinating insight into the life and work of Patti Smith.

Icons tend to be cold, distant things and if Dream Of Life achieves one thing it’s to show a Patti few outside of her immediate circle would ever have imagined existed. Indeed, the most revealing moments of the film occur when we see her doing the most ordinary, un-iconic things.

[rating=4]
US: 113 min • Universal • DVD

With a screenplay by Gore Vidal, adapted from the Tennesee Williams camp-a-thon The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore, Boom! has all the hallmarks of a cult classic.

Often extremely funny (sometimes unintentionally so), but always entertaining and at times quite moving, Boom isn’t a classic in spite of it’s disparate elements – it’s disparate elements are what makes it special.

[rating=4]
Released on July 13th, 1989

A subversive record, a commercial failure, and a definite pop classic.

Waltz Darling is just a gorgeous, melting experience from start to finish, like slipping off a velvet robe and immersing oneself in a lavender bubble bath with a bottle of chilled $750 Krug to the side.