Photo by Hans Bruesch

Happy Weekend, All! Today marks the end of the first full work week of the summer, and the beginning of the overwhelming bitterness I feel about not working at a company which adheres to that most beloved of seasonal traditions: Summer Hours. While I’ve been absolutely thrilled with the change in weather we’ve had here in DC, having to sit in my office looking out at the sunshine has become torturous, even if I have been able to spend my lunch hours in McPherson Square under a shady tree with a good book. Sigh. It is, however, better than non-stop rain, so I’ll stop complaining now.

I’m sure you have big plans for this first full weekend of the season, but if you’re looking to pause and read something awesome, why not revisit what went down on TNG this week, and maybe even throw your two cents into an on-going conversation? As always, below you will find, for your perusing pleasure, a guide to the week that was here on TNG.

This week on TNG, in case you missed it…

In Commentary

• Corey kicked off the week with his Sexual Disorientation column, in which he addressed the surprising silence among his gay friends about self-love.
• TNG reader Randi tried to reconcile her inner hippie with her outer hipster in Something Hip. Did she pull it off? You tell us!
• We waded through the chaos with Michael’s It’s Easy Being Green feature to analyze the Sources of Disorder.
• Matt’ served up all the queer news that’s fit to print in this week’s installment of NewsPrints.
• A call for more women and trans contributors to TNG was put out by a very lonely Amelie from the depths of The Ladies’ Room. Will you answer her pleas?
• The Indie Rock Fag took on the great scourge – or fashion statement? – of the summertime: Jorts. Are they a sartorial calling card or a crime against fashion? Weigh in with your thoughts!
• Rocky gave us twenty-five reasons why the recently deceased Michael Jackson truly was the King of Pop. Got any songs to add to the list? Make your voice heard!

In Music

• Rocky talked adventures, road trips and the ending of various chapters in our lives in this week’s What We’re Listening To post, and was even nice enough, despite the packing that needed to be done, to provide us with a mixtape as well.
• TNG’s Chicago editor, Adam, interviewed Colin Munroe, ahead of the release of his new album. Check out the interview and be able to say you knew him when!

In Politics

• Our Global Gaze was turned on the unique position of transsexuals in Iran and alerted you to the premiere of a new documentary on HBO – did you check it out?
• Former TNG staff member, Margaret, returned this week to tackle the issue of the Obama Administration’s position and actions with regards to gay rights and say No, Thank You, Mr. President. Did you agree with her assessment of the situation?
• Conflicting agendas and issues within the gay community was the topic of Zack’s Ramblings this week.

In Culture

• Selena broke the ice this week with her LGBT Poets post.
• Our friends at Lambda Rising Book Store and Zack introduced us to this week’s book, No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. Are you a fan?

Also…

• We gave you the 4-1-1 on what’s going down in DC and Salt Lake City this weekend with our Weekend Previews.
• Come out tomorrow and enjoy the sunshine with us at out TNG Day in the Park outing tomorrow in Kalorama Park!