Walk into the Hot Towel, an all-female-run, queer-owned, full-service barber shop (stylized as ‘Barb*Her’) located in Houston’s Uptown/Galleria area, and you’re immediately struck by the space’s comfortable and relaxing vibe. Even more so, you’re hit with the overwhelming sense of love among its team members. It’s clear that the Hot Towel isn’t a one-woman show centered around owner Tinisha Cox; it’s a place of genuine comradery. This feeling was confirmed when I reached out to Cox for an interview. She…
Lifestyle
Last Woman Standing: Where Have All The Lesbian Bars Gone? And Are They Coming Back?
Posted on August 23, 2019There is an obvious lack of safe lesbian bars and queer nightlife spots for femmes and lesbians in Houston. This is not just a regional issue, but a ubiquitous, nationwide setback. After scouring the Internet, I could only confidently identify 10 bars in the entire United States (now don’t crucify me if I’ve missed one) that were demarcated as lesbian bars. You read me right: Su Ellen’s in Dallas; Henrietta Hudson in New York; League of Her Own in D.C.;…
When to Talk to Your Kids about Queerness
Posted on August 19, 2019The birds and the bees. Life and death. Why do we exist? Bringing up tough conversations with kids is always a large task. The question is not only how to address these things but when. As queer parents and allies, we may hear conflicting messages on when and how to bring up queerness. From gender identity and expression to sexual orientation, there are many schools of thought on the age-appropriateness of these socially divisive topics.…
To Be Queer and to Be Outside
Posted on August 15, 2019Texas is rich in natural beauty. Because the state is so large, it boasts several different kinds of terrains and climates—breathtaking views of mountains, canyons, hill country, and plains. This beauty often feels like Texas’ best kept secret, as it may not immediately come to mind when people think of the state. I've lived in Texas my entire life and I'm just now appreciating the stunning nature found here—and how it heals me as a queer person living in this…
Asking For A Friend: Top Tips For Dating Apps
Posted on July 31, 2019How do you navigate the chaos that is online dating? How can you make yourself stand out on dating apps? Is finding a long-term relationship online possible? Dr. Laura McGuire lays out her top three tips for digital dating in this month's Asking for a Friend!…
This Is Your Brain On FaceTune: Why Self-Manipulation Pervades in the Body Positivity Era
Posted on July 26, 2019Queer people spend a lot of time online. To be more exact, queer folks spend 35 percent more time online than their heterosexual counterparts, and according to a recently published study from Stanford, 65 percent of same-sex couples surveyed met online, compared with 39 percent of their straight peers.…
Traveling While Queer: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Posted on July 12, 2019Welcome back to Traveling While Queer, your guide to the country’s most fabulous cities—the scoop on what to do, where to go, and what to see—all from an LGBTQ perspective. In this installment, we journey to my hometown—Chattanooga!…
Queer, Southern, and In Love: ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ and Quintessential Lesbian Literature
Posted on July 5, 2019I must have been around 13 years old the first time my mom showed me the film Fried Green Tomatoes. She said it was a film about fierce southern women working together to beat the odds and succeeding—something she knew a lot about. While my mom is a Yankee through and through, she married a southerner and lived in Tennessee for several years. She fell in love with the land and its history, an admiration reflected in her connection to…
Nothing Good Happens After Midnight: Being Noah Diaz
Posted on July 2, 2019I turn off the rumbling window air conditioning unit at my apartment. It hasn’t worked in weeks, and I’m finally ready to come to terms with it. I open up the windows to my apartment, a building I tell people is 100 years old, but if I’m being honest, I don’t know if that’s true or not. I feel a breeze—warm, of course. It sweeps through the middle of my studio apartment, making my unopened mail join my dirty laundry…
Asking For A Friend: The 5 Questions You Should Be Asking Your Partner
Posted on June 28, 2019How well do you really know your partner? How sustainable is your relationship long term? Are you blinded by those rose-colored glasses? Dr. Laura McGuire lays out the five tough questions you should be asking your partner. Test your compatibility with this month's Asking for a Friend!…