Paging Dr. Lesbian

Paging Dr. Lesbian offers a multifaceted exploration of lesbian identity, culture, and representation across various mediums including cinema, literature, and media. It delves into themes of visibility, historical context, fashion, queer theory, and societal norms, aiming to provide a nuanced understanding of lesbian experiences and issues within the LGBTQ+ community.

Lesbian Cinema Queer Theory Lesbian Representation in Media LGBTQ+ Community and Identity Lesbian and Queer Fashion History and Evolution of Lesbian Culture Media Criticism and Analysis Gender and Sexuality

The hottest Substack posts of Paging Dr. Lesbian

And their main takeaways

Ask Me Anything #3

196 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Film TV Writing
  1. Creative stamp design ideas: Sappho or Lavender Menace theme
  2. Newsletter writing process: Research-intensive posts take up to 8 hours
  3. Lesbian culture and community: Online and IRL spaces have different impacts
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Lesbian Legacy of 'ER'

98 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture TV shows Gender identity Fandom History
  1. 'ER' was a groundbreaking show for featuring one of the first lesbian main characters on American television and for exploring LGBTQ+ storylines.
  2. The portrayal of Kerry Weaver's lesbian relationships on 'ER' were notable for being depicted as real, deeply-felt connections rather than fleeting flings.
  3. The impact of 'ER' on viewers and society through its representation of LGBTQ+ characters, particularly Kerry Weaver's journey, highlights the evolving landscape of lesbian representation in media.

What's In A (Lesbian) Word?

393 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History Community Activism
  1. The language used to describe gender and sexuality has evolved over time, influencing societal norms and individual identities.
  2. Historical terms like 'lesbian,' 'sapphic,' and 'dyke' have complex origins and meanings that have shifted across different time periods.
  3. Contemporary identity language, like 'WLW' and 'queer,' reflects ongoing debates about inclusivity and reclaiming terms within the LGBTQ+ community.

dispatch from gays winning

58 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Media Social media
  1. This is a post about 'dispatch from gays winning' and 'tiktok takedowns.'
  2. It is a mid-week news roundup called 'Paging Dr. Lesbian.'
  3. To read more, there is a 7-day free trial available for subscribing to Paging Dr. Lesbian.

dispatch from celesbian updates

39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Media
  1. Dispatch from the Celesbian Updates offers a mid-week news roundup for paid subscribers.
  2. Paging Dr. Lesbian provides exclusive content for those interested in the lesbian internet.
  3. New subscribers can enjoy a 7-day free trial to access full post archives.

What Is Lesbian Fashion?

294 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Fashion History Fashion Trends Gender identity
  1. Lesbian fashion has often been undervalued or erased from history, but researching and documenting it is crucial.
  2. Lesbian fashion is diverse and has played a significant role in fashion history and queer history.
  3. Butch and femme identities in lesbian culture go beyond traditional gender roles, reflecting complex community dynamics and personal expressions.

dispatch from lesbian bodygaurds

39 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Newsletter
  1. The post is a mid-week news roundup from Paging Dr. Lesbian for paid subscribers.
  2. There is a mention of something related to gay nominations.
  3. Readers can get a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives by subscribing.

Learning From Butch History

176 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ History Community Identity Social movements
  1. Butch lesbians have been misunderstood and not fully recognized for their contributions to society.
  2. Butch Lineages is a DIY research group in the UK focused on connecting butches to their history and each other.
  3. Being part of Butch Lineages provides a sense of community, acceptance, and a space for diverse butches to share and learn from each other.

Queer Theory 101: Compulsory Heterosexuality

294 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. The term 'compulsory heterosexuality' has gained popularity online, especially in spaces like Tumblr and TikTok.
  2. The concept originated from Adrienne Rich's essay, 'Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence,' where she challenges societal norms and explores the idea of 'lesbian continuum.'
  3. Rich's work highlights the importance of understanding historical context, looking inward and outward, and the collective resistance to societal norms around sexuality.

We’re In An Era Of Sexy Sapphic Singing

235 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🎭️ Culture Music LGBTQ+ Performance Representation
  1. Lesbianism in early 2000s music culture was often defined by eroticism and shock value.
  2. Contemporary sapphic performances in music are reclaiming lesbian representation with self-expression and empowerment.
  3. Modern sapphic artists are embracing sensuality and pleasure in their music, focusing on self-defined desire and joy.

The Lesbian Tragedy of 'Gia'

235 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Film Philosophy LGBTQ+ Art Tragedy
  1. Tragedy has different interpretations in art, with Aristotle seeing it as artistically and morally useful, Socrates finding it discouraging, and Nietzsche believing it relieves from the world's suffering.
  2. Lesbian and queer art intersects with the debate on tragedy, challenging perceptions of queerness as already tragic and exploring the importance of naming and portraying tragedy.
  3. The film 'Gia' portrays a tragic lesbian story, emphasizing the complexities of Gia as a character and highlighting the impact of her relationships and struggles, urging a deeper consideration of tragedy in queer narratives.

The Ocean Is Gay

176 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Science Nature Personal Stories Metaphors
  1. Sabrina Imbler's book explores the unique lives of ocean creatures and connects them to personal experiences.
  2. The author, a queer, mixed-race individual, offers a different perspective in the realm of science writing.
  3. Imbler makes emotional connections between sea creatures and personal stories, adding depth to scientific facts.

Queer Theory 101: Gender Performativity

176 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Studies Pop culture
  1. Judith Butler's concept of gender performativity is widely influential in both academic and popular culture.
  2. Gender identity is not inherent but constructed through societal messages and practices.
  3. Gender performativity involves the repeated enactment of cultural norms that create the illusion of an inherent gender.

Does The Female Gaze Exist?

176 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism Film Representation Intersectionality Critique
  1. The concept of the female gaze is not a scholarly term and lacks rigorous evaluation.
  2. The male gaze in cinema is rooted in psychoanalytic theory and apparatus theory, privileging the masculine perspective.
  3. Black feminist scholars like bell hooks critique the lack of intersectionality and representation in traditional feminist film theory.

The Queer Danger of Girl, Interrupted

176 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Film Actors Psychology
  1. The film 'Girl, Interrupted' explores themes of danger and the choice to face it
  2. Angelina Jolie's character in the film represents a queer and dangerous figure
  3. The dynamic between Jolie and Winona Ryder in the film is highly potent and drives much of the action

The Lesbian Behind The Camera

157 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Film Photography Romance Gender
  1. Lesbian films often feature women taking pictures of each other, portraying themes of gaze and power.
  2. Photography in lesbian films serves as a tool for expressing desire and intimacy in a safe way.
  3. The depiction of photography in lesbian films highlights the lesbian gaze, visibility vs invisibility, and the power of the lesbian perspective.

Gay Shame and Queer Failure in 'The Children's Hour' (1961)

2 HN points • 23 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Film Art Discussion Literature
  1. The play 'The Children's Hour' explores the theme of lesbianism amidst censorship and societal constraints.
  2. The film portrays the tragic consequences of rumors and gossip on the lives of the main characters, Karen and Martha.
  3. Despite the film's ending reflecting the rules of the Hays Code and societal judgment, it also highlights themes of compassion, endurance, and the enduring memory of a lost loved one.