Lil Bites

Max Gao takes a look at The CW's Kung Fu and how the series rights the wrongs of shows that have come before it. Briana Lawrence wrote a story about problematic faves and how we cope with them, which definitely resonated with me considering the fact that Joanne's gone full transphobe and Whedon likes to abuse everyone around him. Josh Spiegel wrote an exceptional piece about how the release strategy for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is killing the show. "It's a six hour movie" isn't a reasonable defense to bad chapters. If it's a six hour movie, release it as a full season. Meanwhile, Vanessa Guerrero shared the wonderful story of sharing La Llarona with her Guatemalan mother.

I've had the chance to write a bit this month as well. This piece about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the two Americas it represents has been weighing on me since the series premiere, and I'm hugely glad to have finally spat it out.

The Acclaimed Horror Film 'Stab'

AKA I got my first shot last Tuesday! Side effects lasted less than 24 hours on shot 1. Nothing terrible at all — arm felt the same way it did after a flu shot (which y'all should absolutely still be getting), was a little drowsier than usual, and I was very interested in food. I had like 2 dinners that night! Second jab in about 2 weeks now.

If you're still trying to schedule you're vaccine, I had the best luck with this tool. The most accurate locations seemed to be Wal-Mart and major state run drive-thrus, but that's just for my state. Walgreens has a million question set-up form, so if that's where you're going through be sure to fill that out in advance. Also? Be sure to check during off hours. I scheduled mine and the rest of my household's at 3AM after having no l

We Have a Patreon Now!

Pickety Witch officially has a Patreon now. This newsletter will always be free. You won't be seeing portions of it shift over to Patreon exclusives, either. With that in mind, I work hard on this every week, and I'd be a huge hypocrite if I didn't acknowledge that! Moreover, I have big plans for Pickety Witch, and I'd like you to come along with me!

Stuff to know:

• 10% of the Patreon's monthly proceeds will be donated to the charity of my patrons and I's choosing. Right now, our donation is nearly at $25!
• My first goal — which was to make this newsletter self sustaining — was demolished within hours. The next one? The Pickety Witch Book Club! The book club will be free to all newsletter subscribers. When I say I want this to grow, I mean it, and I don't want those resources to only go to folks who can afford to pay. That's not what we're about here. We're a little over $100 a month away from this next phase becoming a reality! The quarterly book will be voted on by patrons, and all options will fit within the scope of our mission here: pop culture and social issues.

Even if you don't intend to donate, go give 'er a looksee. I worked very hard on it!

ICYMI...

• Here's what the girls will look like in Powerpuff!
• Lucy Liu is joining the cast of Shazam!
• Jordan Vogt Roberts (Kong: Skull Island) is tackling a live-action Gundam film!
• The hosts of Fangoria's Chainsaw Awards are very exciting!
• We're getting a Queer as Folk reboot. (For real this time!)
• There's a whole lot of new Star Trek on the horizon.

The Good News Is,

• This school's cafeteria manager got her citizenship and they through her a lil celebration.
• This little hero asked Old Navy to get it together and start putting pockets in girls' pants.
• A little boy was kind at an Atlanta baseball game and was rewarded for it.

Get Loud

Arkansas is trying to kill trans kids. It's not hyperbole, it's not a game, the cruelty of the people in power in Arkansas will cost trans lives. We have to do everything within our power to stop it, because they're far from the only state trying to push archaic laws that will kill teens forward.

The bill puts a stop to gender-affirming health care for minors within state borders. Read more about what that means here.

The Baby Step

Join the National Center for Transgender Equality's mailing list. We deal with a lot of issues in this newsletter, so not every week will be as focused on these kids. Their newsletter will be, and it will keep you up to date on new ways to help, too!

(Speaking of not every week focusing on everything — this week's issue is focused on trans support, but it felt irresponsible to not at least acknowledge Daunte Wright and the protestors who could use our support in Minnesota right now.)

I Want to do More

• Check out genderspectrum as a resource. Their tool is built around specific scenarios and allows an expansive search to help a whole host of parties understand trans youth and trans issues better. Educating ourselves is a huge part of our fight.
• Talk to the trans folks in your lives about this situation, especially if you live in Arkansas or another state rapidly approaching similar laws of its own. According to The Trevor Project’s 2020 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. Talking won't solve everything, but showing support to a child who feels entirely alone in their situation is huge.
• If you live in Arkansas, you have to get loud about this. I know it feels like it doesn't matter and no one's listening, but it has to happen anyway. The only surefire way to lose this battle is to stop fighting it, and these kids have the potential to lose one of the few affirmations they have while growing up. Call your reps. Look to trans leaders is the community and show up for them. Try resistbot. It will help do some of the work for you and make it easier to ease into voice calls. (I hate talking on the phone, too. It still matters!)
• Volunteer with the Trevor Project. You're professionally trained, you can do it from anywhere in the world, and it's only 3 hours a week.
• Being a resource to kids struggling with suicidal thoughts is not for everyone and that is hugely ok! You can also donate monetarily to the Trevor Project to help at risk youth in the LGBTQ community.

You Know What's Good? Movies.

• Together, Together hits theaters April 23rd and stars the incredible Patti Harrison, a trans actress whose comedic delivery will make you laugh out loud repeatedly. If you're fully vaccinated or have a drive-in near you, get those tix!
• Disclosure (2020) is available on Netflix. The film takes an in-depth look Hollywood's depiction of transgender people, and how that affects trans lives.
• The extremely great Spontaneous is now on Hulu and Amazon Prime. If you haven't checked it out, absolutely do so.
• The Banishing hits Shudder this Thursday. I wish it were 30 minutes longer. It's ending is a bit abrupt, but I recommend it all the same.
• I watched The Fog (1980) for the first time last week. You know what's pretty swell? The Fog. It's on Shudder, too! (I don't get money for your Shudder subscriptions but maybe I should! Hit me up, Shudder!)

TV's Pretty Swell, Too.

• Did you know that Supergirl star Nicole Maines (Dreamer) is the activist turned actress who, with the help of her family, took down Maine's bathroom bill in Doe v. Regional School Unit 26?
• Lachlan Watson's arc in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina takes a second to get rolling, but its great. Theo's story with their dad ruins me every single time.

This Week's Newsletter is Sponsored By...

This week's newsletter is sponsored by Dice Tower Theatre. If you dig Critical Role or anything adjacent to it, you should absolutely check them out. You can find them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, too!

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