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FOR READERS: Reading the QUILTBAG

quiltbag - pixabay

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene: Who do you want to read more of in the queer alphabet in spec fic? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat

FOR BOTH: Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer J. Scot Coatsworth: In honor of “Transgender Day of Remembrance”, let’s discuss your favorite trans characters and tales in speculative fiction. And on the writing side, what can we be doing better when we write trans, enby and gender fluid characters? Join the chat

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Panther Queen, by Amir Lane

Panther Queen

QSFer Amir Lane has a new queer/transgender paranormal book out: Panther Queen. When cattle rancher Lenna Alvarez rescues a black jaguar, she discovers there’s more to the animal that meets the eye. Bonding with a centuries-old Aztec Warrior wasn’t part of her plans. Then again, neither was simultaneously facing off against an American businessman and poachers encroaching on her family lands. With her newfound powers, Lenna is sure the poachers don’t stand a chance. Only, Lenna isn’t the only one bringing strange animal powers to the game. The poachers have them too, led by businessman Ansen Peters. Lenna is in … Read more

TV: Trans Supergirl actress Nicole Maines Bullied at School and Called ‘It’

Nicole Maines - Twitter

Supergirl actress Nicole Maines has opened up about her life growing up in an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. The 21-year-old, who is the first trans superhero on TV, said she began to identify as female at a young age.  “I really started thinking something wasn’t right. My case was kind of unique because I have an identical twin brother and so growing up with him, he was identifying with all these male things and he was feeling very comfortable in his body,” she said. “As soon as I could, I tried to voice to my parents that … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY – grydscaen: beginnings, by Natsuya Uesugi

grydscaen: beginnings

Natsuya Uesugi has a new queer sci fi book out: Faid Callen is tired of life on the run in the Echelons trying to keep his psychic power in check. He founds the Packrats, a group of cyberterrorist hackers. A young powerful Psi Faction operative, Lino Dejarre, is sent on a mission to capture Faid. Wanting to keep Lino under control, the Psi Faction kidnaps his half-brother, Riuho, and they take him prisoner, experiment on him, train him, and subject him to mind control. When Lino is assigned to a high stakes diplomatic mission to reveal a traitor, he finds … Read more

TV: Trans Man And Female Writers Make New Anime Fantasy Show

High Guardian Spice

Crunchyroll are launching their first ever original anime series and a trans man is the creative force behind it. The anime streaming service are taking inspiration from Netflix’s strategy and launching their first original series, High Guardian Spice. But that’s not all: the creator is life-long anime fan, storyboard artist, comic writer and transgender man, Raye Rodriguez. He’ll be leading an all-female writing room. The show, created by Ellation Animation, is a coming-of-age tale filled with drama and sorcery. It’s set to release in 2019. Crunchyroll released its official synopsis in a press release: ‘In High Guardian Spice, the lives … Read more

Caitlyn Jenner Wants to Play a Marvel Villain

Caitlyn Jenner - You Tube

Caitlyn Jenner wants to join the Marvel universe. In an interview with Variety, Jenner says she would love to play a villain in a Marvel movie. “In a Marvel movie, I want to play the baddest-ass lady you’ve ever seen in your life,” Jenner says. “They got the wicked queen or the wicked lady. Just do the makeup and the outfit. And I got the deep voice.” Jenner also revealed she almost had the chance to portray the iconic role of Superman, which eventually went to Christopher Reeves, in the 1978 film. After winning the gold medal at the 1976 … Read more

Laverne Cox Wants to Be a Superhero

Laverne Cox

Look out, Robert Downey Jr, Laverne Cox is on your tail. The Orange is the New Black star was taking part in a roundtable of transgender actors for Variety when she was asked why there has not been a trans character in a comic-book movie. Cox replied cryptically: “I’m working on it.” She added: “We’re all ready to be the next superhero, so call our representatives.” Transparent star Trace Lysette added: “Maybe it’s a squad.” By Nick Duffy – Full Story at Pink News  

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Cleaning House, by Jeanne G’Fellers

COVER - Cleaning House

Jeanne G’Fellers has a new trans-non binary fantasy book out: Centenary Rhodes is an old soul with a well-traveled name, but she doesn’t know this yet. Growing up in southern Appalachia wasn’t easy, so Cent left home as soon as she could, but the post-collegiate happiness she’d expected has never occurred. She can’t find a decent date, much less find that special someone and, after losing her job in a corporate downsize, she’s struggling to meet her most basic needs. Her car has been repossessed, her bills are piling up, and her questionable North Chicago neighborhood is dangerous to navigate. … Read more

Marvel Producer: Queer Characters Are Coming to Marvel Films

Marvel Avengers

A Marvel film boss has addressed the “frustration” about the failure to include visible LGBT characters in the film universe. Despite featuring hundreds of characters across its 20 blockbuster films to date, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has never featured a visible LGBT character, despite many in the source comic books on which the films are based.  Several of the films, including Thor: Ragnarok, did have characters who were intended to be LGBT – but all references to their sexuality have unfailingly ended up on the cutting room floor. It has been alleged that Disney bosses are concerned that … Read more