We watched the 1992 ALOTO at my 12th birthday party. In an extremely unsubtle nod to my blooming sexuality and gender expression I was wearing a muscle tank and swim trunks. We projected the movie onto my parents’ garage door and a dozen little girls sat huddled on the warm summer concrete of the driveway and were in awe of the Peaches. And then the movie got too loud and the cops came and broke up the party. Seriously.

So to be sitting on my couch 13 years later as an adult who is so fully myself now and to see this fucking show… a show that not only preserves the best parts of the film but improves on them? That has Peaches that actually look like me this time? That has two queer women, one of them black, as its primary protagonists and a whole host of girls gays and theys as the supporting cast?

That has a Hispanic butch as a serious character (reader, I wept)? That has a fat queer woman hit the winning home run and get hoisted onto her teammates shoulders and never, EVER makes her the butt of any joke but rather shows her as an object of desire and a star player? That has a black trans man living his joyful truth in goddamn 1943??????

A show that never relies on white saviors. A show that deals with period typical homophobia and racism without falling into trauma porn. A show that prioritizes black joy and queer joy while still acknowledging the struggle. A show that gives emotional depth and wonderful storylines to a nerdy black woman who loves comic books.

A show that plays good fucking baseball. That shows femmes and allies and queers who love makeup and queers who will dole out half their paycheck in fines before they ever wear a dress.

A show that says safe isn’t safe for some of us.

I wish I could reach back in time to my 12-year-old self and tell them to wear that muscle tank every day. To not let themself be bullied into makeup and skirts and doing what is “safe.” To keep playing softball even once people start making jokes about it. To just hold on because one day the world will acknowledge you exist and that you deserve joy.

Obsidian with suede lace detailing, available on my Etsy. 🖤

Juvenile owls often sleep face down because their heads are too heavy