Bohemian Rhapsody
Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? Judge for yourself this weekend at Bohemian Rhapsody, the rock musical film starring Rami Malek as the late queer icon Freddie Mercury. In his performance, Malek transforms into the singer, from his early days during the formation of Queen to the legendary Live Aid concert in 1985, where the band cemented its place in the pantheon of great music groups. The film also shows Mercury's love life -- with both men and women -- as well as his early struggles with HIV, which ultimately led to his death. Watch Bohemian Rhapsody in theaters this weekend.
Exercise Your Right to Vote November 6
If you are American, it is your duty to exercise your right to vote. The midterm election on Tuesday is one of the most important in history. With Democrats trying to take back the House and the Senate in a blue wave, and the LGBTQ community hoping for a "rainbow wave," everyone needs to pitch in and play their part by either going to the polls or mailing in their ballots. If you don't know where to vote, contact your city, state, or county elections officials or search for the location on Google.
Boy Erased
Boy Erased is more than just a movie. The film, inspired by the memoir of the same name by Garrard Conley, shines a spotlight on the dangers of conversion therapy, the discredited practice of trying to change a person's sexual orientation. At least 700,000 people have been subjected to conversion therapy in the U.S. alone, and only 15 states have banned the practice. See a survivor's experience this weekend in theaters in Boy Erased, directed by Joel Edgerton and starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Russell Crowe. And consider donating to LGBTQ groups fighting for a nationwide ban on conversion therapy.
Abbi Jacobson's 'I Might Regret This'
Broad City star Abbi Jacobson's new book is part memoir, part road-tripping journal complete with illustrations she drew in homage to the music and podcasts that kept her company during a three-week solo cross-country trip she embarked on a few years ago. In this witty, thoughtful, and moving account, the bisexual actress weaves stories from her past in with tales of her cross-country odyssey.
House of Cards
House of Cards is back for its sixth and final season and it's all about Robin Wright's Claire Underwood. Since revelations of Kevin Spacey's sexual predations moved producers to off President Frank Underwood, the focus this season is on the character who, for many, has been the star of the show all along. The season kicks off with Claire at the 100-day mark of ruling the country. Netflix offers up Greg Kinnear and Diane Lane as billionaire investors and siblings who throw some wrenches into Claire's reign.
Annual Transgender Surgery Fund
Gender-confirmation surgery is expensive, and a lot of people don't have insurance that covers it. But Point of Pride, a nonprofit organization based in Eugene, Ore., has established the Annual Transgender Surgery Fund to provide financial assistance. To date, it's provided more than $45,000 in grants. The application process is open during November, which is Transgender Awareness Month. It accepts applications for any gender-affirming procedure; find the online application form and more information here.
Homecoming
Amazon's original series Homecoming stars film darling Julia Roberts in her first television role. The series is directed and produced by Sam Esmail of Mr. Robot fame. The thriller is based on a podcast of the same name and centers on therapist Heidi Bergman (Roberts), who helps military veterans adjust to civilian life. All 10 episodes of the first season are available now on Amazon Prime.
