Vol. 16: Happy Pride from your favorite local lesbian

Happy Pride

Hi friends, happy Pride month! June is typically such a fun, celebratory month where I seek out opportunities to revel in the immense joy I get from being a lesbian, spend time with my community, and of course celebrate my mom’s birthday at the start of the month. 

I want to write a joyful, fun, Pride-filled newsletter but the reality is I’m having a hard time. I feel like every time I turn around, I’m hearing news of a good person experiencing a devastating loss. I know I’ve been admittedly vague in the newsletter and on social media, which I hate, but I’m at an intersection of a desire to be authentic without being necessarily ready to share. I know once I'm ready, you’ll be here for me - and for that, I’m grateful.

Photo credit to Kim at @runoutofpages

Books, books books

• Recent reads: I finally read Ijeoma Oluo’s Medicore: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America and really liked the way Oluo looks at the history not only of how white men have been privileged throughout society but how the leadership and experiences of women and people of color have been undervalued. I also finished the third book in my re-read of the Mediator series, Reunion.

• Currently Reading:

  • I know I’m not the only person who puts off reading their most anticipated reads. That said, I’m finally starting One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston and I’m so excited that I’m almost nervous (yes, it’s only been out for a week, but it’s been a WEEK).

  • I am listening to Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe and in a desperate battle against 18 hours of audio, a 3 week borrow period from Libby, and an audiobook dog-walking routine that is currently interrupted by 90-degree heat. Please wish me luck in this endeavor. I was in the minority in that I didn't love his first book, but this book is REALLY GOOD. I'm going to adjust my listening routine and try my best to finish before it's due.

• LGBTQ backlist reading recs:

  • Reading queer history fills me with joy and gratitude. The Stonewall Reader is an incredible anthology looking at the history and resilience of LGBTQ Americans, and the Stonewall riot that was a precursor to so many of the rights we enjoy today.

  • Blue Talk and Love is an incredible short story collection by Black queer writer Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, and features one of my favorite short stories of all time, "Wolfpack."

  • I love reading about artists and Black activists, and in Looking for Lorraine by Imani Perry, we get a gorgeous portrayal about one woman who was all that and more.

  • Real Life by Brandon Taylor has some of the best prose I’ve ever read, a gorgeous novel about a Black gay Southerner studying science in the Midwest.

  • My Autobiography of Carson McCullers by Jenn Shapland is a genre-bending masterpiece looking at the closet, female desire with some genius literary criticism.

  • In the Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado is another incredible genre-bending memoir exploring Machado's experience in an abusive, same-sex relationship. This book is incredibly brave in the ways it peels back the layers of abuse within the queer community, and impeccably crafted.

Small business corner

My mom has a print in her bedroom that says, “Inner Peace Through Impulse Purchasing.” Here are some incredible LGBTQ-owned small businesses for you to buy shit from!

• Boy Smells candles are some of my favorites. I was hesitant to buy their candles because I thought the name was weird until I learned they're owned by an adorable interracial gay couple. Bae loves their Cowboy Kush scent, and I really want to try the new Italian Kush scent.

• Lita+Ro has some incredible scented candles at a much lower price point. I want allllll their summer scents!

• Loyalty Books is my favorite local Black queer-owned bookstore. They ship nationwide!

• Charis Books and More is a Decatur-based, feminist and lesbian-owned bookstore. Be sure to check out their curated book lists on their website and instagram (shoutout to Dartricia!).

• Automic Gold is definitely a treat yourself kind of a place, but this is a trans/immigrant-owned business with real, ethical gold jewelry finely crafted. I have some of their huggies and want more.

• Republic Restoratives has amazing bourbon and vodka. If you’re based in DC, you can arrange curbside pickup at this lesbian-owned distillery, but they also ship nationwide.

• Midwest Eclectic is a vintage home goods shop - I need to unfollow them on IG because I keep blowing my budget. Her curation is just that good!​

Community Care

 Support these organizations rather than buying Rainbow-washed shit from a major corporation. Pride month is a huge fundraising month for LGBTQ organizations - and I also encourage you to set up monthly donations to ensure your gift goes beyond Pride month if you’re able!

• Trans Justice Funding Project: I work in philanthropy full time and TJFP is the real deal. This is a Black trans-led organization that gives grants to trans individuals and organizations with a lot of barriers removed from traditional large institutional grantmakers. I was a monthly donor for TJFP for several years until my credit card expired and this is here as an accountability reminder for me to set it up with my new billing info!

• Lambda Literary does so much for LGBTQ literature and authors.

• Whitman Walker is an organization founded during the AIDS epidemic that still provides lifesaving care for LGBTQ and other underserved communities in DC.

• Ruth Ellis Center supports queer and trans youth in the Detroit area through providing housing and other trauma-informed care.

Self care

This is your quarterly reminder to go through your closet and rehome clothes that no longer fit. Clothes are meant to fit your body, not the other way around. I measured my waist recently and it was 31 inches. The largest pair of jeans I own are size 27. No wonder I am so miserable in my jeans! This summer, we are letting go of any body shame, unlearning fatphobia, and wearing clothes that fit!

Closing out

As part of shameless self promo, I’m including a friendly reminder that if you want to support this newsletter, you can buy a book from any of those Bookshop affiliate links or purchase a Birthdate Candle using the code ALLISONREADS10 -  I make a small commission on each purchase.

Photo credit to Bae!! Love you!