Thank goodness it’s Friday. This was yet another crazy week at work for me, and I’m feeling more than a little bit burnt out. On the other hand, we finally had the Iowa caucuses, and a bunch of so-called presidential candidates (many of them doing this just for the increase in book sales and a chance to became a paid commentator on faux news) have dropped out of the race. And the biggest clown took a little bit of a loss.

Anyway, here are links to some of the interesting things I read on the web this week.

Links of the Week

I learned that my son is gay when I read his college essay.

Ali Forney Center Seeks to Buy “Harlem Hate Church”. Please donate!

This week in History

An Excerpt from Eli Sanders’s New Book About the South Park Murder Case and Its Lessons.

This Week in Diversity

The Hollywood Diversity Problem Is Not Black and White, it’s also Queer.

“THERE WERE ONLY FOUR WOMEN MAKING A LIVING AT IT”: AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRYNNE CHANDLER.

Shakesville: Cool Reminders & The Validity Prism.

Jim C. Hines on Representation and the Seeds of Possibility.

This week in Difficult to Classify

Winnipeg’s Groundhog, Willow, Dies Just Days Before Groundhog Day. A friend who lives in Winnipeg said, “I think that means we live in Narnia, now.”

How to Treat the Symptoms of a Rising Reputation: David Hume on the Only Adequate Response to Haters.

News for queers and our allies:

This Transgender Girl Scout Stood Up To A Bully By Selling Thousands Of Cookies.

Gay Veteran Gets Honorable Discharge Six Decades After Getting Kicked Out of Army.

Gus Kenworthy inspires Aspen columnist to come out as gay.

I went back to my old school to say: I’m gay. Tim Ramsey never dared come out at his all-boys grammar while a pupil. Now he’s looking for volunteers to reassure other LGBT teenagers they are not alone.

Mattel reveals Barbie doll of lesbian soccer star Abby Wambach.

Out Native American Denise Juneau Announces Bid For Montana’s Only US House Seat.

Money Pours In to Help LGBT Groups Buy Homophobic Church. Yes, I’ve posted multiple links to this story this week and today. Please donate!

Science!

China posts hundreds of never-before-seen HD color photos of the moon.

Here’s what fruits and vegetables looked like before we domesticated them.

WTF Happened to Golden Rice?

Resting Bitch Face Is Real, Scientists Say (And Here’s What It Means).

Scientists have extended the lifespan of mice by up to 35 percent – with no adverse effects.

iPod or LP? Surprising Ways Emerging Adults Think About Religion and Science.

US Experts Say Three-Parent Babies Are Okay—Just No Girls.

Hubble discovers origin of the mysterious Smith Cloud.

Was Frozen Mammoth or Giant Ground Sloth Served for Dinner at The Explorers Club?

Mystery invaders conquered Europe at the end of last ice age.

Video shows only known U.S. jaguar roaming in Arizona.

Science Fiction, Fantasy and Speculation!

Marines ask science fiction enthusiasts to describe future threats.

David Bowie’s Sci Fi Explorations.

Harley Quinn Nominated for GLAAD Award.

The 17 Most Tear-Jerking Friendships from Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Why Finn is the Most Important Star Wars Character of All-time.

Personal Essay: “Assimilation: The Borg Must Like It When You Don’t Fight Back” by S.L. Huang.

Being nice to each other at conventions is good but doesn’t replace need for harassment and accessibility policies.

David J. Peterson argues that Puppy drama is overshadowing a really important issue – the lack of a YA Hugo.

Receptionist Chris Hemsworth is Here for You.

This week in Writing

iPads for writing? The promise and the pain.

The Unopened Wardrobe: Brown Girl Beauty and the Written Word.

Culture war news:

Voter ID Laws Result in Fewer Non-White People Voting and Favor Republicans, Says Study.

Boys Wear Dresses After California High School Refuses to Change Dress Code.

Brian Brown: Ted Cruz’s Iowa Win Means Christians Are On Their Way To Repealing Same-Sex Marriage.

INDIANA: Fake LGB Rights Bill Dies In Senate. The bill leaves out trans people altogether, and is actual just a revamp of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that got the state into trouble last year.

Cowardly Georgia Lawmakers Stage Surprise Hearing To Limit Input On Horrific Anti-Gay Bill.

They’ll always lose the culture wars: The right loves fighting lost causes– but liberals keep winning.

The First Known Trans Woman to Be Murdered in 2016 Keeps Getting Called a Man in the News.

Nice Pastor Will Sell Church To Homos In Exchange For Butt Baby Love Offerings.

This Week in the Clown Car

New York homeless vets group asked Donald Trump for a donation — he sent them a bumper sticker.

Ted Cruz’s Iowa Mailers Are More Fraudulent Than Everyone Thinks. The last mailer listed real private citizens and shamed them for not voting. Except the campaign made the numbers up, because Iowa doesn’t make participation records available to the public. More cringeworthy details inside…

Did Ted Cruz Steal From God And If So, Why Is He Blessed? Rafael Cruz Teaches on Tithing. Cruz’s pastor father says not tithing is stealing from god. Cruz said the government stole from god when is seized a discriminating business’ “tithing account.” But Cruz’s tax filings show that he donates to church AND other charities a grand total of about 1 percent of his income… not exactly a tithe.

Ted Cruz Apologizes For Lying About Dr. Stabby: It Was A “Mistake” To Tell Voters Carson Is Dropping Out. Warning: Video plays automatically

Chris Christie’s new New Hampshire strategy: Gross misogyny and tough-guy posturing.

Ted Cruz, human dog whistle: Evangelicals — those “courageous conservatives” — know exactly what he is talking about.

Jeb Pleads With Supporters After Fiery NH Stump Speech: ‘Please Clap’ .

Donald Trump and the fantasies of angry, uneducated white men.

Despite Endorsement, Rick Santorum Completely Fails to Identify Even One Rubio Accomplishment.

So Long, Jerks! A Tribute to Huckabee, Santorum, and “Suspended” Campaigns.

Ben Carson slashes staff as funds dry up.

This week in Other Politics:

My party worships lame celebrities: Whether Donald Trump, Ted Nugent or Victoria Jackson, the GOP both denounces and demands famous people.

Bernie’s Army Is Running for Congress.

The Bernie Sanders era is upon us: Why Iowa was a watershed moment for American politics.

Caucus Diaries: A Clinton Volunteer Debriefs After Iowa: Whether you like it or not, Hillary won.

Give a little thought to what a GOP campaign against Bernie Sanders might look like.

What’s wrong with giving farm states the keys to our elections? Everything.

Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice Staffers Also Handled Emails Later Deemed Classified on Private Accounts, Officials Say.

This Week in Misogyny

He Called Her a Slut. He Got Fired.

When I Quit Cutting My Hair, I Learned How Men Treat Women On American Roads.

Farewells:

Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire Singer and Co-Founder, Dead at 74.

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 1/30/2016 – Making things beautiful edition.

It’s Hugo time, again!

Confessions of a godless (-ish) homo devil.

“This nut thinks he’s a vampire!” – more of why I love sf/f.

Videos!

Parlour Tricks – Broken Hearts / Bones [VIDEO]:

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Miike Snow – Genghis Khan (Official Video):

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Batman v Superman 1966 shot x shot remake #BvSspoof:

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Eleanor Friedberger – He Didn’t Mention His Mother (Official Music Video):

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Antoine L Collins – Somewhere Along the Way:

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Antoine L Collins – Somewhere Along the Way:

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