Your guide to the queer media circus.
As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. Your guide to the queer media circus. A weekly digest of the most important queer news in your backyard! Exclusively for paid subscribers every Monday, “The 9” is curated weekly by Taylor Abbot + the GenZ editorial team.
This week, Germany is the champion of queer gestures, and then:
Captain Faggotron saves the Universe.
Germany & USA. Film. Great B-movies launched this month.
Great B-movie trash from Berlin: In Harvey Rabbit’s “Captain Faggotron saves the Universe” Queen Bitch from the planet Oberon threatens to transform the world into a homosexual planet with the help of a magical ring. To prevent this, the hidden gay priest Father Gaylord hires the superhero Captain Faggotron. A wonderfully crazy hunt including loving animated sequences and bizarre flashbacks begins. Just because of the epic hot dog blowjob duel between Fagottron and Queen Bitch, it is worth watching this underground pearl. (from 7. December in the cinemas). And from the USA in Emma Seligman’s high school comedy parody “Bottoms” the lesbian students PJ and Josie found a fight club for women through which they want to get to hot classmates. However, the whole thing then develops a very wild momentum of its own, through which, among other things, the players of the school football team – they never take off their jerseys and armor – have to take a lot. And vice versa. The film, for which Seligmann also wrote the screenplay together with PJ actress Rachel Sennot, constantly hits hooks and lives from his absurd dialogue joke. (on Amazon Prime.)
USA. Politics. Chicago’s Iconic Berlin Nightclub Closes After 40 Years
Berlin, a legendary hub of gay nightlife in Chicago, has shuttered its doors after four decades. The closure follows sustained boycotts by staff and performers advocating for higher wages, health benefits, and improved security in support of a nascent union. The club, founded in 1983 amid Chicago’s burgeoning gay rights movement, played a crucial role in LGBTQ+ activism. Berlin, named in homage to Weimar Republic cabarets, stood out for its political rallies and preference for dark wave and post-punk music. Despite its countercultural significance, rising costs, and pandemic-related challenges, the club survived until now. Former patrons flooded social media with memories, mourning the end of an era in Chicago’s gay nightlife.
Germany. Politics. German Bundestag Breaks New Ground with an Exhibition
The German Bundestag is making history with “Living at risk. Queer people 1933-1945,” its inaugural exhibition shedding light on the experiences of queer individuals under National Socialism. Unlike previous exhibitions, this groundbreaking display delves into more than persecution, imprisonment, and murder, emphasizing the personal narratives of friendships, parties, and love during that era. A significant step in highlighting queer history in Germany, the exhibition is open to the public until December 15th in the Paul-Löbe-Haus of the Bundestag. To visit, interested individuals must pre-register via email ([email protected]) at least two days in advance, with opening hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Tuesdays).
Germany. Politics. Berlin Senate Set to Enact Comprehensive Queer Action Plan
The Berlin Senate is gearing up to finalize an extensive queer action plan by the close of this year, with State Secretary Max Landero (SPD) revealing the goal during the Integration Committee session. An updated version of the “Berlin stands up for self-determination and acceptance of gender and sexual diversity” initiative, the plan encompasses 300 queer political measures across eleven areas. Emphasizing intersectional aspects and broader considerations of discrimination, the plan aims for heightened visibility of bisexuality, increased district responsibility, and focus on the outskirts. While the Senate plans to complete signatures by November 29, thoroughness precedes speed in the adoption process, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
UK. Sport. Fishing. Yes, fishing…
The next sport in which national associations exclude trans women is fishing. Yes, that’s right: Fishing. A trans woman has now been thrown out of the English national team because, among other things, she allegedly has advantages of opposing strong currents. This is reported by the Pink News website. Absurd aspect in the matter: According to this report, there is no women’s category at world championships, here all genders compete together in an open competition.
Timothée Chalamet presents Game of the Year, Swen Vincke in a suit of armour and Matthew McConaughey introduces his new game ‘The Exodus’. Picture via thegameawards/YouTube
Worldwide. Games. Baldur’s Gate 3 is the big winner of GOTY.
The curtains have fallen on The Game Awards 2023, affirming its status as a stellar showcase of game announcements and accolades for the industry’s finest. In a grand finale, Baldur’s Gate 3 secured the prestigious Game of the Yearaccolade, marking a triumph for the acclaimed role-playing game. The trophy was handed by Timothée Chalamet. The ceremony also featured a diverse array of awards recognizing excellence in various categories. As the event concludes, enthusiasts can anticipate in-depth coverage of both celebrated and overlooked announcements. The Game Awards 2023 not only celebrated current gaming achievements but also offered a glimpse into the future with forthcoming releases. BALDUR’S GATE 3 is considered the most inclusive video game in history. Dominik Böhler reviewed the game here FOR GAY45. All the winners here.
Worldwide. Entertainment. Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2024 Is Peach Fuzz.
On Thursday, Pantone announced its 2024 colour of the year: Peach Fuzz. It’s a hue that the company described in a news release as variously “gentle,” “velvety,” “contemporary” and “nurturing.” In other words, a pretty hardworking hue.The shade was selected by human trend prognosticators who travel around the world surveying fashion and design and otherwise predicting what is next. Peach Fuzz marks the 25th iteration of the program. Will it be the new colour of the new year? Some members of the Styles team sat down to play their own game of colour association. Let us know what you think in the comments. Will it catch fire the way millennial pink did? The code is PANTONE* 13-1023 TCX Peach Fuzz.
UK. Art, Trans Artist Jesse Darling Win Turner Prize 2023
In a groundbreaking moment for the arts, British trans artist Jesse Darling has clinched the esteemed Turner Prize 2023, receiving £25,000 for the politically charged installation ‘Delirious.’ The ceremony, held in Towner Eastbourne and presented by rap artist Tinie Tempah, saw Darling’s work explore themes of class and austerity using a mix of crowd barriers, elongated legs, barbed wire, hazard tape, office folders, and torn Union Jack flags. Judges praised the piece for “invoking societal breakdown” and challenging perceptions of labor, class, Britishness, and power. Darling’s acceptance speech addressed the broader accessibility of culture, with a symbolic wave of a Palestinian flag in solidarity concluding the momentous occasion.
UK. Arts. Brilliant poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah died on Thursday
Benjamin Zephaniah died on Thursday following a diagnosis with a brain tumour eight weeks ago. He was known for his anti-racist and anti-colonial work, and also advocated around LGBTQIA+ issues, including by spreading HIV awareness among heterosexual Afro-Caribbean people. Benjamin Zephaniah, a prominent Rastafarian, poet, and social justice advocate, reflects on his impactful life surface. Zephaniah, known for his outspoken stance on policing, education, and cultural inclusion, carved a unique place in public affection. Notably, he declined an honorary title, becoming a symbol of resistance to establishment norms. His genius lay in maintaining radical views while retaining broad respect. The enduring image of his smile, even amid challenges to injustice, captured a sense of moral clarity and mischief. Zephaniah’s legacy as a genuine, authentic voice for change resonates in a cultural landscape that still values such uncompromising authenticity.
And, this week we give you a plus: special tips for Christmas…from German newspaper Tagesspigel.
Help, Christmas gifts! Do you also find it so difficult to get some? I’m almost naked so far. Quickly brainstorming in the circle of colleagues, which could please the queer loved ones.
· Real LGBTIQ secret tips for the capital can be found in the book “111 queer places in Berlin that you must have seen” by Steven Meyer and Christopher Ferner. It was published in autumn by Emons-Verlag. In addition to well-known places such as Schwuz or Gay Museum, readers will also learn where personalities such as Christopher Isherwood or Hilde Radusch are remembered in Berlin and where there are the best drag shows. An ideal gift to rediscover the rainbow capital!
· In view of the political developments this year, a political gift is certainly not wrong. Queer organizations are mostly dependent on financial support and are happy about donations, be it the LSVD, the Action Alliance Homophobia (which also organizes the Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine) or the Queer Emergency Aid Uganda.
· After coming out as a non-binary/trans, rapper and poet Kae Tempest released one of her best albums with “The Line Is A Curve” last year. The liberation and relief that shaped it is also present in the book of poems “Divisible by Itself and One/ Divisible by itself and one” (Suhrkamp Verlag) – just like the echo of the pain of the pre-coming-out time. Sometimes in fine rhyming schemes, sometimes in free verse form and sometimes also as a text block without periods and commas, it is about body, love and friendship, whereby Tempest’s vibrating energy always remains noticeable.
· And another tip from me: In the shop of the Schwuz there are beautiful queer little things that can be given away well as attention. Even the socks suddenly make a difference!
Recommendations from our favourite newspapers. This week NYT.
Cook: Deviled eggs are a classic for a reason.
Travel: Spend 36 hours in Vienna, the Austrian capital.
Remember: Make a great photo book.
Read: GAY45 newsletter on great literature.
Groove: The year’s best jazz albums were made by boundary-pushing artists.
Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here.
Curated every week by our news editor Taylor Abbot & GAY45 editorial staff. Exclusive for subscribers on Monday through Substack and Wednesday on the website.
Taylor Abbot is a 23 y.o. staff writer for GAY45 and MA student at the University of Oxford. Previously he studied at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is passionate about journalism, contemporary literature, poetry, technology, socio-political involved art forms and queer implications in society. He wrote previously for several magazines as Bay Area Reporter or Männer. Nerdy curious, passionate about the weird parts of life and the good stories written by great journalists. Taylor decided to delete all his social media accounts two years ago. Lives and works between Berlin and London.
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