Our weekly column, News is Good, features positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are a few things we’re excited about this week.
Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr was named to Time’s 100Next list. Zephyr, the first openly transgender woman elected to the state legislature in Montana, is recognized as a rising leader by the publication. Earlier this year, after speaking out against restrictions for gender-affirming care, Zephyr was banned from speaking out on bills and voting in person by the Republican-led legislature. She continued to show up and represent her constituents, finding space to work in the statehouse hallways.
The Buffyverse continues with audio series “Slayers.” Buffy herself might not be back, but this new Audible series created by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden will dive back into the world of vampire Spike (James Marsters) and a new slayer (Laya DeLeon Hayes). Benson, who played the beloved lesbian character Tara, is also one of the series directors and actors and will be joined by “Buffy” favorites, including Charisma Carpenter, Emma Caulfield Ford, Juliet Landau, James Charles Leary and Anthony Head. The entire season will drop Oct. 12.
Netflix’s “Fall of the House of Usher” will drop in time for spooky season. Mike Flanagan’s newest scary series for the streamer features a modern adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story of the same name and stars many of Flanagan’s troupe of actors, including Carla Gugino, Kate Siegel and Rahul Kohli. The series includes several LGBTQ+ characters who are swept up in the machinations of the Usher family. Premieres Oct. 12 on Netflix.
Leather Week kicks off in San Francisco. A week of events begins Sept. 17 for San Francisco Leather Week, hosted by LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District and culminating in the famous Folsom Street Fair. Folsom celebrates 40 years of operation at this year’s festival. LeatherWalk 2023 will lead the festivities this Sunday, 11:00 a.m. in front of City Hall.