Mal returns! Gender Census returns!

Hey friends,

Hope you’re all hanging in there. I had so much fun at Mal’s show last Sunday! There were old songs, new songs, jokes, props, audience members line-dancing… what’s not to love? I also became an instant fan of Mal’s opener/pal, Charlie Mtn, who kept introducing their songs with questions like “Anyone here have an avoidant attachment style?” (Slay.)

(BTW, Mal’s bassist Mars is a fixture of the NYC line dance scene, so a bunch of their friends skipped line dancing night to support, and ofc everyone got a little silly between sets! So, line dancing is not guaranteed at your tour stop, lol. (For the sickos who will ask: we did Askin’ Questions and then I wandered off while they did Simply The Best.))

Speaking of Mal, we put out a banger of a Gender Conceal episode this week, featuring Mal and I chatting about, like, gossip and secrets and stolen valor and masculinity and TikTok and new slurs and Geminis and pronouns and The Truth and also Hatchet, that children’s book from 1987. If you haven’t listened yet, I think you will enjoy!!! (And if you joined the patreon specifically to hear Mal’s episode, welcome and thanks for being here!)

Next week, we’re recording two episodes in two days (allegedly). Once I’m done prepping those interviews, I will be writing another newsletter to share some big(!) news(!!!). But in the meantime, let’s do Links & Stuff.

Politics:

• ICE is holding NYC immigrants in standing-room-only cells for many days at a time, without access to food, medication, or lawyers. Once they’re transferred to a long-term facility, they endure “unconscionable” lockdown conditions.

• And of course, CECOT is somehow even worse, as recounted by this Venezuelan pro soccer player.

• Meanwhile, an extremely cool woman named Angie is chasing ICE around Los Angeles in her car :)

• Margaret Killjoy on living like the world is ending (or maybe not)

• This one goes out to that trans Raytheon employee that used to listen to the show :///

Everything else:

• Fascinated and unsettled by this Defector dive into bins stores

• Loved this wholesome queer advice from Maddy Court, although the true banger (that made me laugh for 30 full seconds) is paywalled.

• Someone made a bunch of those horrible subway “recipes” that only exist as bait

• I’ll be out of town next week seeing my guy Ichiro at his hall of fame weekend, so maybe you want to read David Roth talk about Ichiro, but honestly you probably want to read this piece about youth logrolling champions instead

One more big link: Gender Census is back! This annual survey is “open to anyone anywhere who speaks English and feels that the gender binary doesn’t fully describe their experience of themselves and their gender(s) or lack thereof.” They are especially looking for respondents who are 30+ years old, people of color, and/or folks living outside of the United States. The survey is v quick and easy, and will be open all August. Take it yourself here, or pass it to a friend!

Okay, that’s it for this week. Here’s your Weekly Rhubarb.

Photo: Ruby sitting on wooden lawn furniture, surrounded by ferns and more furniture.

And also Puffin, ofc.

Photo: Puffin laying on her back with her back legs splayed open and her spotted stomach exposed.

Xo,

Yr resident gender detective