Pride 2024: A Q+ Celebration!
June 3
Tomorrow Will Be Different By Sarah McBride
Sarah McBride is the first openly transgender person to be elected to a state senate position in the United States. Tomorrow Will Be Different is McBride’s personal memoir that delves into her struggles with gender identity, coming out, and finding her way as a woman post-transition.
The story is divided into three parts: McBride’s struggles as a young person and her transition during her college years, her influential efforts in Delaware at the forefront of the fight for transgender rights and pro-trans legislation in her state, and finally, the heartbreaking story of her first love and marriage to a transgender man who died just days after their wedding in 2014.
If you’re someone who wants to learn more about the harrowing process of someone coming to terms with the fact that they were born into the wrong biological body, McBrie’s memoir is an excellent entry point for you. If you want to learn more about activism and be inspired to stand up and make a change yourself, then McBride’s memoir is also for you. If you’re looking for an honest-to-god human story that will leave you a little soft and sore, Tomorrow Will Be Different is your go-to read.
But it’s not necessarily a feel-good story. Throughout the memoir, Sarah McBride shares harrowing statistics about transgender suicide and violence against the trans community. She discusses the legal system and the legal potholes that allow such discrimination to be carried out. She talks of loneliness, fear, and the inability to be able to meet basic needs for herself, such as finding housing or obtaining a job – all because she’s trans.
“We must never be a country that says there’s only one way to love, only one way to look, and only one way to live.” – Sarah McBride
Where to buy? Tomorrow Will Be Different is available to purchase at all reputable booksellers.
FRIDA
FRIDA takes viewers on a vivid journey through the life and legacy of the iconic Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, guided by her own words and art. It’s like stepping into a canvas, where every brushstroke tells a story and every color reveals a new facet of Frida’s captivating personality.
“In my life, I’ve only painted the honest expression of myself to say what I couldn’t in another way. I paint because I need to.” – Frida Kahlo.
The film opens with these powerful words, and it’s instantly obvious that this film is something special. Director Carla Gutierrez invites audiences to peek behind the curtain of Kahlo’s life, sharing intimate letters, essays, and candid interviews that offer a fresh perspective on this enigmatic artist. The use of color and Kahlo’s own witty words, set the tone for a deeply personal exploration of the artist’s life, inviting us to discover the woman behind the legend.
One of the most poignant moments in the film is Friday’s struggle with her own health, following a near-fatal bus accident. We witness her pain, her strength and resilience, and her unwavering determination to continue creating art in the face of adversity. The consequences of this accident would stay with her for life, shaping her physical health, and ultimately contributing to her premature death.
Perhaps what resonates the most, however, is Frida’s almost stubborn commitment to authenticity. Despite the challenges she faced – both physical and emotional – she never compromised her true self. She painted her truth, she lived her truth, and in doing so, she became an icon for generations to come.
FRIDA is more than just a documentary; it’s a celebration of identity, strength, and the power of art to transcend boundaries. Just as FRIDA did through her paintings, Guitierrez presents audiences with an honest expression of the artist, saying what she couldn’t in any other way.
Where to watch? FRIDA is available to stream on Prime Video.
911
The 911 franchise has long been a friend of the LGBTQ+ community. There are currently seven seasons available to watch, with an eighth currently in production. Originally a Fox production, the network dropped the show after its sixth season. ABC gave it a new home and the seventh season (but first to air on the network) has just concluded.
Henrietta (Aisha Hinds) and Karen (Tracie Thoms) are long-time fan faves on the show. They have enjoyed gripping storylines and plenty of screen time as their relationship has been developed over the years. Often in prime-time series that feature a mixture of heterosexual and queer characters, the queer characters are often sidelined and given tropey and underdeveloped storylines.
911 doesn’t do that. Henrietta is an integral part of the show and her character is complex and well developed. Their family is interested and layered, avoiding stereotypical arcs that are overdone and outdated.
Since the series found a new home, there’s been further developments with other queer storylines as well. Long-time fans of the show have always wanted something to happen for Buck (Oliver Stark) and Eddie (Ryan Guzman), despite both of their characters presenting as straight. Well, now, fans are sort of getting their wish.
During season seven, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of his former self, Buck comes out as bisexual. While the discovery of this and the development of this storyline drives Buck into the arms of a different man (someone who isn’t Eddie), this new revelation places fans one step closer to their dream of a Buck and Eddie union.
The change in the character’s sexuality has been met with mixed reviews by larger audiences. While mostly met with love and support, the show spoke about Buck’s sexuality several times in the past referring to him as heterosexual.
Whether the shift was for a ratings pitch, or ABC just wants to give the people what they want, we’re here for it all.
Where to watch? 911 is available to watch on ABC and select streaming services around the globe. Check your local listing for viewing information.
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