Gayjoy Digest #7

Good morning and welcome to another edition of the Gayjoy Digest. 

This morning we’re bringing you an exclusive interview with @princessdyke, lesbian content creator and meme-maker extraordinaire with 94k+ grateful followers (including us). As well as your weekly dose of queer news and tons of events to keep your calendar booked with gay things all through the h̶o̶l̶i̶d̶a̶y̶ ̶ Carol season and beyond. 

And just as a reminder: we’d appreciate it if you’d take a sec to add this email to your favorites (and mark it as “not spam”) to make sure it continues to hit your inbox. 

Candace Parker comes out by announcing her two-year marriage

WNBA star Candace Parker very casually came out yesterday by wishing her wife of two years, Anna Petrakova, a happy anniversary on Instagram. Petrakova, formerly part of the Russia women’s national basketball team, just so happens to also be pregnant with the couple’s first child. 

Our question: how on earth do you take a photo this cute and wait TWO YEARS to post it on Instagram??  

This is easily the best coming out announcement we’ve seen since Niecy Nash’s wedding photos, and we are in awe of the self control it must take to not tell everyone you have a super hot wife for YEARS. 

Auli’i Cravalho calls queer rom-com co-star Rowan Blanchard biphobic

So, the good news is that Auli’i Cravalho (the voice of Moana) and Rowan Blanchard will be starring opposite one another in a queer teen romance. The bad news is that Blanchard, according to Cravalho, is biphobic. 

In a now-deleted TikTok, Cravalho duets a fan who’s excited about the upcoming film, then covers her eyes when Blanchard is on screen. This would’ve sent a fairly clear message on its own, but Cravalho went ahead and spelled it out in the caption: she’s still biphobic but this movie is going to be so cute and queer!!! 

It’s unclear what transpired on set, but in a response to one commenter who said “crying cause that’s literally ur co worker,” Cravalho wrote, “I was also crying.” 

This all seems very messy and we will be on the lookout for any awkward interview clips when the two inevitably have to promote this movie together. 

Abbi Jacobson voices the first queer protagonist in an animated feature film

Universally beloved bisexual Abbi Jacobson shared on Instagram this week that the character she voiced in The Mitchells vs. the Machines is the first ever queer protagonist in an animated feature film. 

It’s sort of wild that this hadn’t already happened, but we love to see a bit of queer representation finally making its way into kids’ movies. We’re also delighted that Jacobson was the one to make this milestone happen.  

Community Spotlight: Lola Trifunovic aka @PRINCESSDYKE!

Tell us about yourself: Hi! I'm Lola Trifunovic, also known as @princessdyke! I'm an LA based lesbian with a knack for creating super gay content, specifically memes. Beyond oversharing on the internet, you'll find me at CrossFit, preparing for law school, listening to weird music, or watching a really bad movie just because a lesbian is in it. 

What are 3 things you can live without but choose not to?

1) My meme page: I mean technically I'd survive but I kind of live for making people laugh, I think laughing is easily my favorite thing to do and experience.

2) Diet Coke: Shit's poison, I know, but I work as a waitress part time and nothing tastes better than a fountain Diet Coke in the few seconds I have in between serving creepy old dudes, middle aged white women with a passion for being truly horrible, and loud ass kids. 

3) My diary: I've been writing in one consistently since I was a kid, let's just say the pile is tall. 

First crush, real or imagined? My first crush and my gay awakening was Natasha Lyonne as Nicky Nichols in Orange is the New Black, I haven't been the same since. 

What’s the worst? Facetiming and bad coffee  

What’s the best? Cold Apples

What’s in? Avoiding microtrend fast fashion and instead finding a unique, sustainable look that will feel good forever. Mine's a pair of Levi Jeans, an Acne Studios leather jacket, and a pair of Black low-top Doc Martens; I will probably die wearing this.

What's out? I used to do these hauls of cheap clothes that I'd either never wear or only wear once, and it was so unsatisfying. Finding a look that I love and investing into a few pieces has been refreshing ... and good for the planet!

What’s your most contrarian opinion? Everyone should try to eat more plant-based when they can afford to/when their body allows it. 

What are you building/making? Currently, a crochet satchel for my water bottle...

What’s the dream? I hope to travel lots and pick up multiple languages.

What is something gay that everyone should be doing/reading/using/watching?Embrace your community, whether that be in person or online! Find an LGBTQ+ club, event, or space. Download Lex and find some new gay friends. Wander in Trader Joe's with a tote bag. Make eye contact with baristas with rainbow pins. Go into women-owned book stores, sex shops, and eateries. Smile at people with carabiners attached to their belt loops. Compliment strangers at the local library.

Read: Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg - here's a link to a free PDF: https://www.lesliefeinberg.net 

Use: Tumblr.

Watch: Killing Eve, Set it Off (1996), Black Swan, Gentleman Jack, High Art.

Queer briefs

• Laverne Cox and JoJo Siwa had a very sweet red carpet moment at the People’s Choice Awards, in which Cox called Siwa “an incredible light.” We agree. 

• In a move that will likely save the lives of thousands of people, Canada just became the latest country to ban conversion therapy. Meanwhile, this practice remains legal in 22 U.S. states. 

• The new West Side Story has been banned in parts of the Middle East because of a trans character, played by nonbinary actor Iris Menas. 

Queer happenings in NYC

Dec 16: Dkye Beer Holiday Queeraoke @ Pine Box Rock Shop (8-12am)

Dec 17: The Sappho Society Presents an Evening of Merrymaking and Yuletide Gay (RSVP Only) 

Dec 17: Studio69 Presents: the hot girl holiday special, a comedy show featuring Dylan Adler, The Dragon Sisters, & Chanel Ali @ The Duplex (9pm)

Dec 17: Arrebato - Arrebato was created by and for TGNC queer and Black & brown folks/femmes/women. @ Alejandro's Bar (10pm -3am) Masks + Vax Required

Dec 18: Lezcronym "More Love, more jawns" speed-dating + friending for poly queer women w/ special guest Amie D. Wells (psychotherapist + relationship coach)  @ online - link in bio (7-10pm) 

Got something you’d like to share with our community? Send us an email! Whether you’re hosting an event, looking for queer talent, or are single and lookin’ for love, we’re here to help. 

Written by Becca Stickler with Nicole Ripka