LGBTQ+ – The Western Howl

February 12, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“Chestnut Springs” series by Elsie Silver — A five-book romance series, Silver’s books follow the Eaton family in their small town of Chestnut Springs, British Columbia. Whether looking for a cowboy, hockey or single-dad romance, this series has it all. If one is looking for a steamy romance with plenty of swoon-worthy moments, this series is geared in the right direction. If one is looking for more cowboy romance, check out Silver’s other series, “Rose Hill” and “Gold Rush Ranch.”

“This is How You Lose the Time War” by Amar El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone — All it took was one correspondence for two agents on opposite sides of a war to form an unlikely bond. One correspondence turned to many, transforming from taunting to flirting, then love. “This is How You Lose the Time War” is a sapphic novel that explores what it means to be soldiers on opposite sides of a war, and what will happen when that love brings them to choose each other over their empires. If one is looking for more sapphic romance, check out “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon.

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen — A classic enemies-to-lovers story, Austen’s novel has been remade into different screen adaptations that leave readers and viewers wishing they were Elizabeth Bennet. Travel back in time to the Regency Era, where balls and stolen glances across the room were all the rage, and heroines would swoon into a hero’s arms at a moment’s notice. If one is looking for more regency romance with dark-haired love interests, also check out the “Bridgerton” book series by Julia Quinn.

“Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter — A teen rom-com about rom-coms, “Better Than the Movies” is a young adult novel that will leave readers blushing. A constant daydreamer, Liz Buxbaum fell for Michael a long time ago, and now that he’s back in town, she will stop at nothing to get him to notice her. With the help of her next-door neighbor, Wes, she’s convinced Michael will notice her in time to ask her to prom, but Liz finds herself drawn more and more to Wes and their scheming goes on. Its sequel “Nothing Like the Movies” was recently released, continuing Liz and Wes’ story.

“Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon — A romance series set in the Highlands, British nurse Claire Randall is transported to 18th century Scotland, where she meets and falls in love with warrior Jamie Fraser. With nine of the ten planned books published and a series streaming on Apple TV, there is sure to be plenty of Jamie Fraser to go around. For more Scottish highlands romance, also check out “Rebellion” by Nora Roberts.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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The Disney Company’s recent controversy

The company that brought you the “happiest place on Earth” is worse than you thought

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

We’ve all enjoyed a Disney movie or two. How could we not? They own everything from Star Wars to Marvel to Pixar, and cornered the market on fairytale princesses. Disney is everywhere, and that’s the problem.

The company has faced numerous controversies since its founding in 1923 by Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney. Allegations of perpetuating harmful stereotypes, sexism and even plagiarism have plagued the company for decades. Most recently, the actions of the company’s CEO, Bob Chapek, in the case of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act has thrown the company into further scandal.

The bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by opponents, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28. If it remains unchallenged until July 1, it will ban elementary classrooms from having discussions about LGBTQ+ issues and gender expression.

Disney World dominates Florida’s economy by bringing in billions per year in tourism, so the corporation’s political power is unmatched in the state. With this in mind, supporters of the Disney Company expected to hear a denouncement of the bill when it passed in the Florida Senate on March 8. Disney was vocal about making strides in producing more diverse entertainment, so surely they would disapprove of this seemingly anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Yet the company made no public response, and only passed internal memos to shareholders informing them of the situation. That was, at least, until public outcry forced their hand. On March 11, Chapek released a statement apologizing for their silence, saying he and the company now understood the detrimental effects the bill could have, and that they were “pausing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review.”

Disney so far has kept up with that promise. However, their existing contributions to the Florida GOP this quarter, totaling $125,000, remain as a glaring reminder that Chapek and the Disney Company seem to only adhere to progressive values when they’re forced to.

Similarly, in 2020, the same year they released such works as “Out” — a short film about a boy coming out to his parents — individuals within Disney donated $10,500,030 to the America First Action super PAC, which backed the Donald Trump campaign in the election. While the company made donations to Democratic campaigns as well, the amount was far less substantial.

The fact that Disney higher ups were funding these Republican campaigns and interest groups at all is telling of where the company really stands. While they are slowly introducing diverse characters in their shows and movies, they support politicians who intend to limit how LGBTQ+ people are represented in real life.

It’s important to remain informed of the decisions the Disney Company makes. They play a bigger role in our lives than many realize. Their political contributions alone can greatly affect who we see on the ballot, and their power in Florida, a prominent battleground state, cannot be ignored.

That being said, you are not a bad person if you watch Disney movies. What the multi-billion dollar corporation does with their money isn’t your fault. They have a monopoly on entertainment, and we as consumers should not be faulted for existing in the system they created.

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LGBTQ+ Exhibition

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

The second traveling exhibition from the Stonewall National Museum & Archives has found a temporary home in the Hamersly Library at Western.

The exhibition, titled “Transcending Gender Bodies and Lives,” illustrates the stories of many LGBTQ+ figures and a timeline of gender identity across the globe. “Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people have faced a long history of shared systematic oppression by gender and sexual norms,” said the exhibition’s description. “This exhibit examines ways that gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation intersect.”

The LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Grant, awarded to Western in partnership with Central School District from the Oregon Department of Education, paved the way for the exhibition’s showing.

In the exhibition, a timeline of events spanning from the 1700s to the modern age highlights the growing understanding and acceptance of transgender people alongside many other monumental moments. According to Grant Coordinator Melody Barrett, the timeline allows for viewers to “walk from the past to the present and read about individuals and events which have shaped and impacted the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, and specifically those who are transgender in a chronological way in American history.”

One section of the exhibition, titled “The Teachable Moment,” explores the duality of increased acceptance but a continued lack of awareness. “The increased visibility of transgender people in the media has made wins in educating the public. However, beneath the stories of success and recognition, there remains an epidemic of serious issues in the lives of many trans people, including housing and job discrimination, poverty, HIV infection, drug abuse and suicide.”

“As gender expression, sexual identity and a sense of community are very important facets of LGBTQIA+ culture, the exploration of our similarities and differences can teach us how to support one another so that we may live our lives truly, and safely,” said the exhibition.

“By bringing these exhibitions to campus, our goal is to share, educate and expand understanding of gender diversity, expression and identity,” said Barrett.

The exhibition can be found in the main lobby of the Hamersly Library with a secondary LGBTQ+ exhibit found on the second floor.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Basic needs and fun games — what more could you need?

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

Abby’s House, the gender equity center located in the Werner University Center, provides students with resources for basic needs and other sorts of support — such as food and transportation. At Western’s Pack Welcome Week Game Night on Sept. 25 Abby’s House introduced students to a quirky card game called “Radical Queer Witches.”

The game is played almost exactly like “Cards Against Humanity,” but appeals to a more female, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ audience. The goal of the game’s creator was to address issues of oppression in a humorous fashion and avoid the offensive aspects of Cards Against Humanity. Examples of response cards include “gaslighting, gatekeeping, and girlbossing” and “dissociating in the grocery store.”

Hailee Carmody, the Basic Needs Peer Educator of Abby’s House, commented on the importance of the game: “It takes out a lot of insensitive answers and puts in some modern and way more fun ones,” Carmody said.

Carmody and other Abby’s House employees are fervently trying to increase student involvement. “If you like Taylor Swift and games, please come to Abby’s House.”

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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The sea of sexualities: Western’s 25th drag show

Entertainment Editor reviews the 25th annual drag show

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

April 2022 brought Western’s 25th annual drag show, “Down Where It’s Wetter,” a nonstop celebration of all Queer identities. The Triangle Alliance sponsored show explored sexuality and relationships through the stories of multiple characters finding and accepting themselves under the sea.

Narrated by the aptly named “Rainbow Fish,” the performance was far more story-oriented than the average drag show. It followed our main character, a human named Quinn, who knows she isn’t straight but doesn’t know what her label is. She is approached by lesbian mermaid princess Leah, who offers to help guide Quinn on her journey of self exploration by turning her into a mermaid.

This transformation was marked with the iconic “H2O” theme song “No Ordinary Girl” by Indiana Evans — which was not only a fitting choice for such an event but also enjoyable for those who grew up with the show, like myself.

Honestly, all the music choices were fantastic. Songs ranged from “Call Me Mother” by RuPaul to “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse, covering a wide array of genres and all choreographed to perfection.

One thing I didn’t expect from this drag show was to be brought to tears by the story of a polyamorous relationship who’s third partner has to be kept a secret.

Trey, a shark, is in a polyamorous relationship with mermaid Kai and jellyfish Noni, but can’t tell anyone because they’re afraid of judgment. In a dance choreographed to Harry Styles’ “Falling,” Trey pines after the two as they are forced to ignore him in public. I was a mess throughout the whole song.

The story made a point to acknowledge the many gender expressions, relationships and sexualities out there, with special emphasis on the validity of polyamorous relationships and Queer, aromantic and genderfluid individuals.

Throughout the show, the energy in the room was immaculate — I’ve never heard an audience scream so loudly. The performers gave it their all, and I left Rice Auditorium with a scratchy voice and ringing ears.

This was my first drag show, so I walked in not knowing what to expect, and I was blown away by the effort that was so clearly put into this performance. Altogether, it’s clear the 25th annual drag show was a resounding success. 9.5/10.

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Accessibility Public Records Privacy Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

Swoon-worthy romances

The Disney Company’s recent controversy

LGBTQ+ Exhibition

Basic needs and fun games — what more could you need?

The sea of sexualities: Western’s 25th drag show

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