1.) Biographical drama, Rustin, comes to streaming today on Netflix. The film pays homage to gay civil rights pioneer and March on Washington architect, Bayard Rustin, with what many are calling a “powerhouse performance” from out actor Colman Domingo. Directed by gay playwright George C. Wolfe, Rustin chronicles the run-up to the indelible 1963 march where Rev. Martin Luther King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. The first narrative feature from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground, Rustin is a portrait of grassroots activism and of the under-sung hero, who was also an active part of the LGBTQ movement and an advocate for AIDS education. Stream now!
With freedom on the line, Bayard Rustin took command. Now it’s time to tell his story.
RUSTIN, starring Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Michael Potts, Jeffrey Wright & Audra McDonald, is in select theaters November 3 and on Netflix November 17. pic.twitter.com/uavCDFvrxR
— RustinMovie (@RustinMovie) October 19, 2023
2.) In select theaters today from filmmaker, Daniel Peddle, comes Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later, a sequel to his first independent documentary about masc-presenting queer people of color in NYC. In his latest film, Peddle returns to review how much the language, culture and visibility of the trans community has evolved during the last 25 years. Purchase tickets here.
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3.) Following its world premiere at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, Saltburn, the homoerotic drama thriller starring Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan has arrived in select theaters today and will expand nationwide November 22. The gothic yet glittery tale follows a young university student who is invited to an eccentric classmate’s estate for a summer never to be forgotten. Buy tickets now and watch the official trailer below. Also in theater is May December, from out director Todd Haynes. Starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, the film follows a married couple buckle under the pressure when a Hollywood actress meets them to do research for a film about their past. May December is in theaters today will become available for streaming via Netflix on December 1, 2023. Purchase tickets and head to theaters today!
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4.) The Dads comes to Netflix today, a short documentary that chronicles the journey of five disparate dads on a fishing trip with Matthew Shepard‘s father as they discuss their love, hopes, and fears for their trans kids. Director Luchina Fisher premiered the film at SXSW and won Best Documentary Short at the 2023 El Paso Film Festival. Among the executive producers is Dwayne Wade, former NBA star and father of trans model and influencer Zaya Wade.
5.) Writer and director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz‘s feature debut, Mutt, arrived on Netflix yesterday. This Sundance-award winning drama about a young trans man who bumps into his ex-boyfriend, sister, and dad, for the first time since transitioning—all within the span of a day—has been described as a film that “never slows down.” Watch the trailer here and stream Mutt now.
Sundance drama #Mutt follows a young trans guy over the course of one NYC day. Actor Cole Doman says: “Transitioning is an experience everyone goes through in some form.” | Variety Studio presented by @audible_com https://t.co/McvshGMDND pic.twitter.com/RA4gcFfLOd
— Variety (@Variety) January 22, 2023
6.) Gay director, writer and filmmaker Jay Arnold‘s award-winning queer romantic drama feature, Shoulder Dance, released on-demand and digitally this week. When Ira’s best friend, Roger, whom he hasn’t seen in years, unexpectedly arrives for a wild weekend of seductive games, long-suppressed desires resurface. The boundaries of friendship, love, and sex collide, and soon Ira’s long-term relationship is tested. Watch here. In more steaming news, trans multi-hyphenate D. Smith‘s documentary Kokomo City is available now. Kokomo City features four Black transgender sex workers who tell their life stories in intimate and candid interviews. Visit here to watch the film praised by Variety, IndieWire, The Hollywood Reporter and beyond. When Time Got Louder, directed by queer director, writer and producer Connie Cocchia, also became available for on demand streaming today. This coming-of-age drama tells the story of a young queer woman who has just left for college and is attempting to balance her newfound independence, romance, and the guilt of leaving her autistic brother behind. Watch now!
7.) Animated trans-positive short film, Pacemaker, starring Alex Newell— the first non-binary actor to win a Tony Award— released this past Tuesday, coinciding with Transgender Awareness Week. Executive produced by non-binary and transmasculine cartoonist and animation producer ND Stevenson, Pacemaker is a heartwarming story of a lonely widower who receives a second chance at true love when he opens his heart to his grandson and accepts his identity. Stream now! Additionally, BAM Film in Brooklyn presents Masc Film Series from November 17 through 22. Spotlighting the rich stories and courageous lives of trans men, butch lesbians, and gender-nonconforming heroes, this collection—originally curated for the Criterion Channel and programmed by writer-archivist-filmmaker and GLAAD’s own Senior Director, Social Media Safety Program Jenni Olson and critic Caden Mark Gardner—journeys through nearly four decades of cinema history in search of authentic, complex representations of masculine identity as it exists outside the realm of cisgender men. Click here to buy tickets and learn more information about what’s playing!
Masc starts Friday! Q&As with Lifetime Guarantee, Leslie, Max & Storme, The Aggressives, Masc Shorts, Chavela and more: https://t.co/PzFkRJ6yWU
— BAM Film (@BAMfilmBrooklyn) November 13, 2023
8.) Queer Italian-born, Miami-based singer-songwriter and piano prodigy, Stefano May released his debut and self-titled album yesterday. Among the tracks is, “HIDEAWAY.” a song inspired by a transformative connection he made with a homeless man in Tijuana, Mexico; watch the official music video below! In more music news, non-binary rap artist and Toronto MC DijahSB released their third album The Flower That Knew today. Along with the album announcement comes two new singles from the release, “Don’t Touch” and “I’m Blooming.” Listen now to the artist NPR Music has called “supremely fresh and fun!”
9.) Queer music artists are taking over the airwaves this weekend!
Independent singer-songwriterJordy released a new single “things change!”
“The day after I found out I was parting ways with my label, I had a lovely conversation with a very close friend of mine who said to me, ‘don’t forget that the only constant in life is that things continue to change,'” Jordy told GLAAD. “It resonated with me in a way that felt so powerful. so naturally I wrote a song about it with my two friends Riley and Jason, and I’m going to put it out. Because I want to. Because I can. And because this is where I’m at right now, and it’s important to me that we continue to grow together. So, this is things change.”
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10.) After spending over a year in early access, Coral Island has finally been officially released. This cozy farm-sim is teeming with adorable fauna, vibrant flora, and attractive romanceable characters, all while maintaining an important message of environmental conservation. Players can be who they want and romance who they desire all while making the island feel more like home. Adopt a pet, tend to your farm, or build a family – everything is possible in Coral Island, out now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. Play now!
It’s time to dive into Coral Island 1.0!
Explore, craft, and make waves in your very own island paradise pic.twitter.com/dqpW9EJM0K
— Humble Games (@PlayHumbleGames) November 14, 2023