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That’s What She Said: Shaved Heads, a Lesbian State, and Movies You Hate

This week we’re kicking off a new AfterEllen.com feature, That’s What She Said, which culls the most interesting, controversial or just plain amusing threads from the community forum.

The forum is the place on AE in which readers determine the both the quality and content of the conversation – which often goes beyond the realm of entertainment. The forum is not only a great source of information, it also spawns some fascinating debates; alerts AE staff and readers to upcoming events, films and TV plot developments; and creates the sense of community that many of us find lacking in our offline worlds. Sometimes it even leads to people creating new initiatives off-site (for example, what originally started as a forum discussion at AE has recently turned into an online book club for black lesbians).

So with the readers as our leaders, we’ll present in this column some of the most entertaining or interesting topics of conversation currently to be found on AfterEllen.com, and tell you why you may want to follow them.

Topic: Lesbian-Themed Asian Movies and Animes

By joan_xiii

From the Original Post:

“Somebody help me make a compilation of Asian lesbian movies (not porn, lols). So I’ll start off:”

Shinku (Japanese)

Les Filles Du Botaniste (Chinese)

Love My Life (Japanese)

Blue (Japanese)

Yubi (Japanese) this is the one with Maki Goto

Rome and Juliet (Filipino)

Peony Pavillon (Chinese)

Spider Lilies (Taiwanese)

Memento Mori (Korean) – undertones

Scarlet Letter (Korean) – undertones

Be with Me (Singapore) – fabulous screenplay!

Lady in Heat (Chinese)

Fire (Indian)

The Journey (Indian)

Memorable Responses:

“… I do believe that Dai Sijie is a genius filmmaker. I love both Les Filles Du Botaniste and Balzac et la Petite Taileuse Chinoise. Saving Face is my ultimate favorite though. I can relate to almost every little aspect therein (Wil and Vivian and director Alice Wu are hot).” (Queer Silver)

“This isn’t a movie but it’s the first Chinese drama I have ever seen where the lesbian couple doesn’t end up killing other people or each other. It’s call Placebo Cure and it’s about a psychologist who solve cases. Kinda like CSI but more toward the psychological standpoint. Anyway, it’s a good drama and the couple does have a happy ending so that’s a major plus.” (nefastus07)

Why You Should Follow This Thread:

We love a good list, particularly one as comprehensive as the one provided in the original post and then enhanced by all the comments that followed. Keep up with this thread to get (or share) the latest updates on this very under-represented community in pop culture.

Topic: Would You Live In a Lesbian State?

By jaded_onyx

From the Original Post:

“If a lesbian state formed would you pack up your life and move there? It would be in the US so we would have our on state constitution. You could continue your career at an all Lesbian Law Enforcement Department, a lesbian medical center, lesbian law firm, at Lesbian construction companies. Take your credits to an all Lesbian University.You could buy a house in any neighborhood from lesbian real estate companies. No fear of being fired from all lesbian businesses.

See lesbian newscasters on the local news; lesbian commercials geared to our specific market. A lesbian Mayor, Governor and all Lezi city council people. Service calls to your home are by lesbian plumbers, lesbian exterminators, postal carriers, cable installers and lesbian electricians.”

Memorable Responses:

“I might visit, but I love diversity. I need to be around and interact with a wide variety people so I am always reminded to respect and value everyone equally. Voluntary segregation would not be good for my thoughts. I might start to feel superior to those who were not part of my group or I might stop trying to understand others because I’d no longer be challenged to do so. But, I wouldn’t mind being in a place where my minority was a slightly larger percentage. 2% just isn’t cutting it.” (swissmiss)

“I just spent the last two years of my life with social work do-gooders. While i am one too, being around 80 other women every day for hours… that long…. was way. too. much..” (Nodame)

“It’s called Dinah Shore.” (Thembani)

Why You Should Follow This Thread:

Whenever anyone proposes a “Utopian” society, it’s always interesting to see who shares the vision, and who thinks of all the things that could go wrong. Plus, the description sounds like a feature film that’s just waiting to be written.

Topic: Should I shave my head?

By MashimaroUsagi

From the Original Post:

“I just read the journal of a woman that shaved her head, all of the hair gone. I read about the bad experiences she’d had as well as the good ones. It’s made me really want to create my own experience, it’s made me curious to see what I look like bald. I want to feel something new. Why not shave my head? I honestly can’t think of any good reason not to.”

Memorable Responses:

“I have a weird shaped skull, I can feel indents. Make sure it feels like your head is a nice shape!!! hahaha. Seriously tho, you should.” (veg25)

“If you’re gonna do it, do it now while it’s hot. I got all dramatic c–ty and chopped mine off in the dead of winter and froze my ass off, lol.” (Steavin’)

Why You Should Follow This Thread:

Here you can read amusing anecdotes from other women who have already taken the plunge. And, of course, there’s always the possibility that more heads will be shorn and hot (or tragic) posted photos will follow.

Topic: Movies You Are Supposed to Love But Hate

By Phaeble

Excerpt from the Original Post:

“Below are mine. How about yours?”

Raging Bull: Only saw a brief part. I just couldn’t get past what an a–hole he was.

Rocky: It is not the fighting thing. I love Fight Club. I don’t know, maybe I’ll watch again some day and remember something I liked about it. I cannot seem to get past the whole Stallone whining “Adrian” that inevitably pops into my head when I think about it.

Gone With the Wind: is. just. too. long.

Forrest Gump: HOW does anyone like this??

Boys Don’t Cry: It’s riveting. The acting is great. It’s all just too agonizing.

Dances with Wolves: Come ON.

Memorable Responses:

“In a similar thought, I have issue with most everything Jodie Foster and Claire Danes have been in. The last good Jodie Foster movie for me was Anna and the King, although Panic Room was ok. I can’t believe how bad Contact was. Not to mention the awful Maverick and Sommersby… As for Claire Danes, I also love seeing her on screen, but the price you have to pay. I recently suffered through watching Shopgirl. That’s time I will never get back… You owe me Claire!” (BOISCOUT)

“This might get me ran off the board but as far as movies with lesbian characters, I’d have to say Under the Tuscan Sun. I knew as soon as the lesbian couple announced they were pregnant and one of them ran off to work, it was doomed.” (sofia_lindsay)

Twilight. OH DEAR GOD. I am so glad the hype from this film has gone down. Those two months or so were insufferable. Especially since the film was the very essence of terrible cinema: Bad acting, poor directing and no discernable plot whatsoever. Also? THE VAMPIRES SPARKLED.” (Green)

Why You Should Follow This Thread:

Come here to speak your truth and not be mocked by your movie snob friends. Unfortunately for all of us, it’s a topic that never gets old, and there’s a never ending source of material for it direct from Hollywood. Iron Man, anyone?

Topic: Who Do You Assume COULD Be Gay/Bi in Hollywood?

by honey

From the Original Post:

“Seriously? Who do you speculate about?”

Memorable Responses:

“To be honest, I really don’t think that we should be speculating about those sorts of things. If they are gay that is their business. If they choose to come out to the world then good for them, but if not, let them be comfortable being out to those close to them and no one else … I’m not trying to be rude, just saying let the celebrities be.” (Jackie)

“I disagree. Nowadays, we need more celebs to be out and proud. It’s an issue if you believe there is something inherently wrong about being gay. With so little mainstream examples, it’s only natural to hope and speculate about some of our fave celebs, and plenty give us good reasons to.” (Aya)

Why You Should Follow This Thread:

It could easily become your favorite destination. It’s one of the only places on AfterEllen.com where you will find speculation about the sexual orientation of your favorite stars, including (but not limited to) some of those girls from The L Word and a couple of young Hollywood up and comers. Plus, AE readers have been known to post their incriminating celesbian sightings on the forums, so you may just learn about it here before anywhere else.

Topic: Coming Out to Mom and Dad… Who are Both Pastors

By Mallory

From the Original Post:

“I’m 22 years old and two days ago I drove home for the weekend to have The Talk. Prepared myself for the worst–although my parents are far from fundies and are good, compassionate, people, they are both pastors and deeply committed to Christianity (which usually means deeply committed to curing the gayness). I expected shock, confusion, a soupcon of disgust, some time apart for adjustment and disappointment, maybe some tears.

They were instantly–immediately–loving, supportive, and interested in hearing what I had to say. They got me flowers. I never, never expected a gift like this.”

Memorable Responses:

“Wow, that’s great! I was so nervous when I read the title haha.” (Susana S.)

“This is soooo good to hear, I’m Christian too, and my dad has cancer and we are getting really close to God and everything and I’m feeling lately that they should know, but at the same time I don’t think its a good time…I’m too afraid of how they react and if I’m gonna break their hearts…You are very lucky to have parents like them.” (Maxie)

Why You Should Follow This Thread:

This is one of many inspiring posts in which an AE reader shares their coming out experience and gets some support from the community. It’s particularly interesting because what seems like a unique situation ends up being one that is shared by several other readers whose parents are pastors. Plus, who doesn’t love a happy ending?

Are there forum discussions you think we should all be reading? Leave your suggestions and the links to the topics in your comments below.

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