SBG 114: Twilight with K-Ming Chang

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Greetings to all creatures of the night, sparkly sentient marble statues, and supernatural dogs. If Twilight is your Roman Empire, you’re in the right place. 

The gay gods give their most challenging tasks to their strongest sapphics. Do you know how hard it is for a gaggle of lesbians to analyze Twilight for an hour and a half and not talk about K-Stew? We are fully committed to continuing to stand in solidarity with the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike and for this reason we will be chatting about the books alone and leaving the movies for another time, loca.

This week, Leigh (@lshfoster) and Ellie (@elliebrigida) hang out with K-Ming Chang (@kmingchang), vampire ethnographer and author of Bestiary, Gods of Want and recently released fantasy novel Organ Meats, to talk about why the Twilight book series Should’ve Been Gay. We dive into everything from the inherent queerness of forbidden romance to Alice’s futch haircut and Bella’s love affair with her rusty red truck. Whether you stand with Team Edward, Team Jacob(ina), Team Alice, or choose to go the enemies to lovers route with Rosalie, we have you covered. 

If you’re like Leigh and somehow managed to avoid everything Twilight, here is a super speedy breakdown of what you need to know. The story revolves around Bella, a flannel-wearing, car-obsessed queer teenager who moves to the Pacific Northwest and immediately falls for Edward, a guy who is basically like if one of those marble statues in Florence could talk. We do not talk enough about the “I’m not like other girls” to “Oh, I’m a lesbian” pipeline, but Bella fits right into this category. She is portrayed as quirky, not caring about makeup or clothes, getting along best with boys over girls, and being a complete enigma to Edward (who can read everyone else’s thoughts but hers). Bella’s best friend is Jacob(ina). Back in the day girls everywhere were freaking out and fighting with their besties over who was the better pick for Bella between cold, mysterious vampire Edward and playful, warmblooded wolfboy Jacob. But listener, there were other options all along! 

Edward belongs to a chosen family called the Cullens and his ‘sister’ Alice loves Bella instantly due to seeing her in a vision. She then takes it upon herself to watch over Bella, keeping her safe and dressing her up like her own personal Barbie doll. She even plans Bella’s birthday party and wedding! In an alternate universe, this would surely play out like a romcom where Alice finally confesses her feelings on the day of the wedding and Bella realizes that she was actually in love with Alice the entire time.

While Alice has an immediate bond with Bella, Edward’s other ‘sister’ Rosalie, does not. In fact, Rosalie goes out of her way to be as cold as possible to Bella for quite a long time, resentful and jealous of her ability to potentially have a normal life and a family of her own. But if we approach this through a queer lens, it can very easily turn into an enemies to lovers relationship, with Rosalie warming up to Bella little by little.

We know one thing for sure, Twilight Should’ve Been Gay. 

Don’t forget to check out K-Ming’s brand new novel Organ Meats available now: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712583/organ-meats-by-k-ming-chang/

Follow us on the platform formerly known as Twitter: (@lezhangoutpod) and answer our Q & Gay questions at the end of every episode. You can also join us on Facebook.com/lezhangoutpod and Instagram (@lezhangoutpod). Find us individually on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok at Leigh (@lshfoster) and Ellie (@elliebrigida). 

We are planning another #TrovaTrip gaycation! Join Ellie and Leigh in Costa Rica May 1-6, 2024, for the relaxing queer vacay you deserve. For more information and to be among the first to book a spot (and snatch up that Early Bird Discount!), visit bit.ly/lezdocostarica.

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