It’s International Transgender Day of Visibility! In light of the exclusion trans and non-binary individuals face both in the music industry and within society at large, we curated 6 amazing trans and non-binary musicians that you need to know about! Shea Diamond Shea Diamond is a singer, songwriter, and a trans rights activist. Diamond has been posting some incredible TikToks on transgender awareness in an effort to keep the public informed on how we can help fight anti-trans legislation. Her music generally falls… Read more
Friday, March 31st was a big day for boygenius fans as we finally received their long awaited debut album, the record. Even better, the record wasn’t boygenius’ only drop this Friday. The band released a short film/long-form music video titled the film (purposefully stylized in lowercase, just as their album and band name) directed by Twilight star and queer icon Kristen Stewart. the film features three boygenius songs, “$20,” “Emily I’m Sorry,” and “True Blue” which also happen to be the first three singles the band… Read more
The day that fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus have been waiting for has finally arrived, boygenius’ debut album, titled the record, is out now. The record is, for lack of a better term, a flawless album. And we’re not the only ones who think so, Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus received glowing reviews from esteemed music magazines such as NME and Rolling Stone. In fact, both media outlets even named the record as being an instant classic, and we couldn’t agree more. The record begins with an acapella… Read more
In celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility, Lizzo announced that her groundbreaking shapewear line, Yitty, is expanding to include gender-affirming garments including binders and tucking bottoms. These garments are designed to help trans, non-binary, gender-fluid, gender non-conforming communities, and people of all feel gender identities affirmed in their clothing, and their body, as they move through the world in the way that makes them feel like their authentic selves. The line is called “Your Skin,” which is… Read more
Hulu’s latest show,Tiny Beautiful Things, shares the hopeful story of one woman’s venture to find success as a writer–but we have to first watch as she climbs out of the pit of life she dug herself into. Kathryn Hahn stars as Clare Pierce. Her character is based on Cheryl Strayed, the real life author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things. Clare’s a mother struggling to focus her life and stay sane and sober as her marriage and career fall apart and her daughter turns against her. The story opens with a drunk Clare,… Read more
RYE LANE Directed by Raine Allen Miller - Out March 31 on Hulu Not every love story starts with a meet-cute—sometimes sparks fly when two people are just trying to keep it together, reacclimating to single life while coping with barbed memories of recent breakups. This is the vibe when Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah) cross paths in Rye Lane, each of them seeking solitude in the communal bathroom of a gallery and disrupting the other’s search for peace. Dom is sobbing in a stall, cyberstalking the ex who… Read more
In the 1960s, the women of eastern Massachusetts were being hunted by a predator…or possibly many. From 1962 to 1964, thirteen women were murdered in their homes by a killer who left no sign of forced entry and little-to-no evidence. Most of the women were assaulted and strangled with their own clothing (often nylon stockings), which the killer would tie into a bow around their neck. Despite this specific modus operandi and detailed coverage of the first few murders by the media, the crimes weren’t being attributed to… Read more
Twee-virtuoso Wes Anderson is back with a trailer for his latest film, Asteroid City. This new project is a departure from his usual relationship-centric postmodern stories seen in The French Dispatch, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Asteroid City is just as hyper-stylized as ever, but this time he’s stepping out from his contained plots and looking toward the stars. The trailer shows that Anderson can put his pastel-clad touch on just about anything, including the science-fiction theme of his… Read more
In her hit HBO series Somebody Somewhere, bawdy cabaret balladeer Bridget Everett mines her Midwest roots to create TV’s most relatable heroine. “I’m hungover, but I’m fresh,” Bridget Everett assures me, adjusting her computer’s camera. We’re on Zoom, like most people nowadays, and she is joining me from her apartment on New York City’s Upper West Side, still riding the energetic high she’d experienced at a live theater performance the night before. It’s difficult to describe Everett. If I were to take the professional… Read more
There’s nothing like a drunk night out with friends, a glass of wine after a long day, or a happy hour with coworkers, right? Or is there? The sober curious movement, a purposefully ambiguous title for people who are cutting back on drinking alcohol, has been gaining traction for over five years. And while it may have seemed like a fleeting fad when the movement got started, with the amount of new non-alcoholic companies, bars and lifestyle brands that have developed in the last several years, we now have so much more… Read more
If you have been searching looks to spice-up your Spring style, look no further. From accessories to body care, here are five bits on fashion products we dig for this new season. Magnificent Millinery Aussie hatmaker Elleni Canaris pairs flamboyance with practicality through her heart-shaped sun hats and spaghetti-and-meatball-themed berets. She never fails to make a bad-hair day fun. Spring Eternal Allison Termine’s metal-cast jewelry brand, All Mine, makes spring last forever. Her poppy line is made from real seed… Read more
Taylor Swift was honored with the Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday, March 27th, and her friend Phoebe Bridgers made an appearance at the event to present the award. As Bridgers walked onto the stage, she sarcastically stated, “I love public speaking so... I’m not shaking.” But those nervous jitters clearly faded away quickly, as the singer/songwriter then went on to give an immensely heartwarming speech about how important Taylor’s songs were to her development as a songwriter. She stated,… Read more
The feminist punk-rock protest group Pussy Riot announced on March 6th that they’ll be going on tour this spring! The tour will include six stops in Vancouver, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Guadalajara, and Trenčin, Slovakia. Three of the shows will be festival performances, which includes the Belltown Bloom festival in Seattle, Washington on May 5th, where they will be headlining. (Artists such as Mannequin Pussy and Skating Polly will also be playing Belltown Bloom, so it’ll be a bit of a feminist utopia.) Other… Read more
March is Bisexual Health Awareness Month, and while bisexuals make up the largest part of the LGBTQ+ “pie” (54.6% of LGBT identifiers are bisexuals) they don’t get nearly enough recognition– either culturally or in the health community. Biphobia, bi-erasure, and a significant lack of medical research puts bisexuals at risk for both physical and mental health complications. And for the millions of bisexuals with multiple marginalized identities, the obstacles only compound. This includes bi people of color, bi people… Read more

I’ve Been In Five Cults. It Was Three Too Many

A.J. Burkhart // Living // Mar 23, 2023

I joined multiple cults to cope with poor mental health. Here’s how I got hooked in, how I eventually got out, and what I learned along the way. I’ve been in five cults. It was three too many. My first cult was in Spain, and it left me itching for more. I helped start the second cult while I was in college. Next was an abusive relationship cult-of-two, a dangerously restrictive vegan cult, and finally—a culty meditation retreat. The late UC Berkeley psychology professor Dr. Margaret Singer offers my favorite cult… Read more
Florida has been raising eyebrows across the country as a result of a new proposed bill that would change the state’s health education for good. While the state crusades through various bill propositions on gender, sexuality, and diversity, this latest legislation would ban menstrual discussion and other sexuality topics in elementary schools. The Florida House held a subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, March 15 in which Republican Rep. Stan McClain sponsored House Bill 1069, which could end up restricting girls from… Read more
The new “De-Influencing” Trend on TikTok calls for more honesty in social media advertisements, but is it just influencing rebranded? When you’re drowning in a sea of massive fashion hauls and “must-have” lists, it’s clear that the push to buy things you don’t really need is stronger than ever. In the last several years, social media influencers have told us what’s in, what’s out, what to buy, and what to splurge on. But people aren’t feeling it anymore. Influencers that reigned supreme, like The Kardishan-Jenner Clan,… Read more
The youngest child of a Korean mother and a Black American father, Dana Davenport grew up on a military base in Seoul, South Korea. Not much for academics as a teen, she tells me that her first foray into the world of art was born out of a desire to lighten her class load. “I took a yearbook class so I could skip class to take pictures,” the Los Angeles and N.Y.C.-based artist says with a chuckle. From there, a natural interest in photography and editing developed, culminating in a BA in Fine Arts from the School of… Read more
You might have noticed director Sofia Coppola trending on Twitter this morning and gotten excited for a potential new project, or for updates on the Priscilla Presley biopic she’s helming. It unfortunately was neither of these things. Instead it was because Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars’s 16-year-old daughter, Romy Croquet Mars went viral after posting a TikTok complaining that her famous parents wouldn't allow her to charter a helicopter. With this (since deleted) TikTok, Mars has added another piece of content to the… Read more
Based on a true story,The Lost King , directed by Stephen Frears, introduces audiences to Philippa Langley, a British woman with no formal academic training who, in 2012, helped find the lost grave of King Richard III underneath a parking lot. When the film opens, Langley is an almost-divorced office worker struggling with a misunderstood chronic illness. A performance of Shakespeare’s play about the infamous Middle Ages monarch reinvigorates her; she becomes convinced that Richard III was unjustly maligned and she… Read more
As stated at the beginning of each episode, Swarm “is not a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is intentional.” Show creators Donald Glover and Janine Nabers weren't playing around about this. According to Nabers, “This story is 100 percent taken from real events and real internet rumors and real other things, true crimes that have happened between the years of 2016 and 2018.” Here are 7 real-life events that inspired some of the darkest (and most thrilling) moments in… Read more
As more and more anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation keeps popping up this year, one senator out of Nebraska has given us hope that there are still some US politicians fighting for justice and equity. Last week, senator Machaela Cavanaugh stated her opinion about an anti-trans bill being floated in her state in the starkest terms possible. “If this legislature collectively decides that legislating hate against children is our priority, then I am going to make it painful – painful for everyone.” NE State Sen. Machaela… Read more
Actress Tessa Thompson discusses what it means for her to be an artist, the Creed films, her friendship with Michael B. Jordan, coming out in the public eye, and how she wishes to “expand the way that a woman like me is perceived” in Hollywood. Read highlights from the convo below, and be sure to check out the full article (with interview by Sabrina Ford and photos by Phylicia J. L. Munn) in BUST magazine's new Spring 2023 issue, on sale now, or subscribe today for instant digital access. Photo by Phylicia J. L. Munn.… Read more
Singer, songwriter, actress, icon, legend, and cat lover Taylor Swift made an announcement on her Instagram yesterday, March 16th, that she would be releasing four songs at midnight in honor of her upcoming tour. Three of the four songs she released were re-recordings of some of her old hits, (now branded with Taylor’s Version, of course). Those included, “Eyes Open (Taylor’s Version),” “Safe & Sound (featuring Joy Williams and John Paul White) (Taylor’s Version),” and “If This Was A Movie (Taylor’s Version).” Both… Read more
The battle for access to safe abortions continues, which progressed into a hearing held in Texas this past Wednesday that would determine a nationwide overturn of the FDA-approved abortion medication, mifepristone. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, appointed by former President Donald Trump, stood before each party ruling over the case brought by anti-abortion extremists wanting a ban against the use of the abortion pill. Mifepristone is one of the two abortion medications used in over half of all abortions across the nation,… Read more
Vice President Kamala Harris was a guest on Wednesday’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and she did not hold back her thoughts on the anti-abortion legislation that has plagued our country since the fall of Roe v. Wade last summer. “I think it’s the height of irresponsibility, and is in many cases inhumane, what has been happening in states across our country,” said Harris. “States are passing laws that criminalize our health care providers, literally calling for jail time for doctors and nurses who provide… Read more
Despite all the numerous places that cater to LGBTQIA+ men, the number of sapphic-specific places pales in comparison. In 1987, there were at least 200 lesbian bars throughout the United States. As of 2023, there are only 14 left. The Lesbian Bar Project, which is a documentary and LGBTQIA+ collective created by Elina Street and Erica Rose, reported the following in 2020: compared to approximately 1,000 US bars centered around cisgendered homosexual men, there were less than 20 exclusively-lesbian spaces in the… Read more
Hexahydrocannabinol, also known as HHC, is a lesser-known cannabinoid that is found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, a few smaller studies found much milder intoxicating effects in HHC. It is also believed to have potential therapeutic benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. While research on HHC is still in its early stages, it is gaining attention within the medical community for its potential to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety,… Read more
Talented photographers from around the world are donating their art for a good cause, and you can be a part of the effort. The artist collective SIX.TWO Editions is selling incredible photography prints from over 200 artists, with all proceeds going to organizations that provide earthquake aid to the people of Turkey and Syria. Earlier this year, devastating earthquakes ravished communities in Turkey and Syria. The total death count is more than 50,000, with an estimated 44,000+ deaths in Turkey and 5,000+ in Syria,… Read more
Rue is a Wales-based influencer and disability visibility in fashion advocate. She shares her vintage-inspired looks on instagram @rubyrouxbijou. What was the inspiration behind these two looks? I have loved fashion throughout history, and I like to feel beautiful. This vintage ’50s blue tulle dress is just such a fairy-tale piece. The purse reminds me of 1930s boudoir beauty; the shoes are just princess shoes! The linen-trousers-and-waistcoat look has a very ’30s Bonnie Parker feel to it but with a modern twist, as… Read more
If you’ve been a fan of Miley Cyrus since her double-life, blonde wig, Disney star era, then you are no stranger to the ever-changing genres in her discography. Her most recent album, Endless Summer Vacation, released this past Friday, takes us on a journey through her eclectic musical evolution. The pop sensation’s jarring ride throughout her 17 years in the entertainment industry made her a staple in the tabloids. Since her release of Younger Now in 2017, she has proved to all observers that she doesn’t fear being… Read more
On Tuesday, a freelance journalist by the name of Lachlan Markay decided he wanted to attack Meg White’s drum skills. Meg White is an American drummer who makes up one half of the rock duo The White Stripes with ex-husband Jack White. Specifically, (in a since-deleted Tweet) Markay wrote, “The tragedy of the White Stripes is how great they would’ve been with a half decent drummer. Yeah yeah I’ve heard all the ‘but it’s a carefully crafted sound mannnn!’ takes. I’m sorry Meg White was terrible and no band is better for… Read more
Donald Glover has another masterpiece on his hands with his new thriller series Swarm, created by both Glover and playwright Janine Nabers, streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting on March 17th. The show stars newcomer Dominique Fishback (Judas And The Black Messiah) as Dre, a shy, neurotic young woman who is obsessed with the fictional pop-star “Ni’jah.” In the universe of Swarm, Ni’jah has a cult-like following of fans who are referred to as the “Killer Bees.” Ni’jah also surprise-dropped an album about her husband… Read more
Hole frontwoman and guitarist Courtney Love is calling out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for remaining a boys club, nearly 40 years after its inception. In a viral instagram carousel, Love shares a text conversation she had with Dave Grohl, drummer of Nirvana and friend of Love’s late husband Kurt Cobain, explaining why she’s pissed about the famed awards ceremony. “Have fun at the rock hall Dave,” Love writes in a text. “Make sure and hold the seats of Tina Turner & Carole King, who have been eligible for over 30 years… Read more
In a move that could have won “the sweetest gesture” award, Lady Gaga ran to the aid of a photographer on the red carpet during the 95th annual Academy Awards. Captured on a viral clip, Lady Gaga was walking the carpet before the ceremony when she heard a thud and concerned gasps from the audience. The Oscar-nominee turned around and rushed back to help the fallen photographer, who was just getting back on his feet when she arrived. In true “mother monster” fashion, she helped him regain his composure before continuing… Read more
From growing my own tea garden to harvesting and drying my herbs and flowers (which I document on my Instagram @bigfamilyliving) I’m deeply connected to the herbal tea I drink. Each blend offers something different for the senses, and depending on the ingredients, benefits my health or mood. When life happens, I reach for the jars in my tea cabinet to keep me on my path, mixing and matching herbs to help myself heal, whether I’m dealing with anxiety, a sore throat, an aching head, or a tired spirit. How to Make… Read more
Five women have filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas after being denied abortions despite experiencing life-threatening medical emergencies. Motivated by their anguish and personal stories, these five women call for clarification on the state’s anti-abortion laws. Texas has been no stranger to having some of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the country, but after the lawsuit was successfully filed on March 6th, it is clear that the abortion laws are also among some of the most confusing ones as well. With the… Read more
Didn’t watch the Oscars? Don’t worry, here are some feminist moments that made us say “Thank you to the Academy!” As well as some moments that made us remember why we don’t really like the Academy. BEST Michelle Yeoh Making History as The First Asian Women to Win Best Actress in a Leading Role I think everyone in the whole world was rooting for Michelle Yeoh to bring home the win for Best Actress at this year's event, and luckily for us she did! Yeoh was nominated for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, and… Read more
Many of the horror franchises that thrived during the days of VHS tapes and long lines at the box office have found it hard to keep up in the age of one million streaming channels. Scream, however, is the one franchise with enough self-awareness to do it right. The newest installment, Scream 6 (often stylized as Scream VI), hits US theaters on March 10th. This new chapter follows the characters we were introduced to last year (including Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega, Yellowjacket’s Jasmin Savoy Brown, and up-and-coming… Read more
Iconic YA author and companion through adolescent anguish, Judy Blume’s life and cultural impact are the focus of a new documentary, Judy Blume Forever, set to release on April 21. In the film, Blume discusses her 50+ year career, detailing anecdotes from childhood and adolescence, into her blossoming writing career and beyond. “I grew up as a good girl, with a bad girl lurking inside,” explains Blume in the trailer. “So by the time I started to write, I really had a lot to say.” The documentary, which premiered at the… Read more
Earlier this year, two bills were passed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee that both come as attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community. The first banned gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children, which includes puberty blockers, surgeries, and hormone treatments (such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.) The law was written so as not to disclude specific medicines by name, hence the overly general wording. The second,Senate Bill 3, cites drag performances as “obscene,” and bans all drag and drag-related… Read more
I’m waiting for John Cale to take the telephone. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mumbling mantras to myself in an attempt to wrestle my nerves into submission after his manager put me on a brief hold. “I am confident. I am worthy!” A co-founding member of the ’60s avantgarde band the Velvet Underground, Cale is an icon—a musical demigod whose debut album with the Velvets is widely considered one of the best rock records of all time. Heck, he even taught David Bowie to play the viola. “‘Taught’ is a curious word,”… Read more
Yellowjackets, the Emmy-nominated psychological-thriller series, is officially returning to Showtime later this month for the long-anticipated second season. The story, inspired by Lord of the Flies, follows an all-girl group of high school soccer players who get stranded in the Canadian wilderness after their plane crashes on the way to nationals. Not only do we get to see the horror and depravity (read: possible cannibalism) of survival play out over ten-episodes, we also follow the present day lives of the… Read more
Get your most red-carpet-ready slippers, silkiest pajamas, and favorite snack ready because the Abortion Onscreen Awards, aka “the Mifes,” are happening today, March 9th starting at 12pm EST on Instagram, and you’re invited—unless you don’t have Instagram in which case good for you, I guess? Nonprofit and abortion storytelling organization, We Testify, is presenting the awards in conjunction with the Abortion Onscreen Project. The ceremony will honor accurate and informative portrayals of abortion in media, film, and… Read more
What do you get when you combine otherworldly sensuality with luscious lo-fi beats? Columbian-American neo-soul artist Kali Uchis’ Red Moon In Venus is here to answer that question. Uchis is putting an alternative twist on R & B with her brand new album, which was released on March 3rd. She also announced that she’d be touring the US to promote the new release, with 20 dates taking place across the country. On January 23rd, Uchis posted a stunning set of instagram photos, draped in the same mesh blood-red fabric that… Read more

Find Your Next Favorite Read Through These Ten BookTokers

Carmella D'Acquisto // Books // Mar 09, 2023

If you’re looking to reach a new StoryGraph or Goodreads goal, or just want to get into the swing of reading regularly, you may find inspiration in an unlikely place–on your phone. Despite massive criticism, the media behemoth TikTok excels at creating globally engaged subcultures. Giant communities of creators and users around the world gather on TikTok to connect, discuss, and learn. These growing subcultures exist across all interests; from fashion and crafting to investing and sports, and just about everything else… Read more
As the days start to get longer and the sun stays out later, it's time to make the switch to daylight savings time. While this may seem like a minor adjustment, the effects of losing an hour of sleep can have a significant impact on your body and mind. It's important to prepare yourself for this change in advance so that you can smoothly transition into the new schedule. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can easily adjust to daylight savings time and get back to your usual routine. From getting enough sleep to… Read more
Happy International Women's Day! Check out these badass international female musicians that you should listen to today Ibeyi Ibeyi is a French musical duo composed of twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz. The sisters sing in four languages, including French, English, Spanish, and Yoruba. Their music can be best described as jazz with beats influenced by Afro-Cuban and French culture. Their 2022 album, Spell 31, was described by Pitchfork as a syncretic celebration of sounds and traditions that shimmers with… Read more
If you are in need of new music, concerts, shows to binge-watch, or powerful, activism-based novels to read, we've got you covered. We found the 10 most exciting pop culture moments that are coming up this spring season. Take a look to see what we are most eager about and give you some inspiration. 1. Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour Janet Jackson (Miss Jackson if you’re nasty) is back, and she’ll be taking us all to rhythm nation when she embarks on her Together Again tour April 14 with Ludacris! She’s celebrating… Read more
Choosing the right type of birth control can be a complicated With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for you. From the pill to the patch, the ring to the implant, each method has its pros and cons. Some offer a higher level of effectiveness but may come with side effects, while others are less invasive but require strict adherence to a schedule. It's important to understand the different types of birth control options available and weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each one… Read more