Qstack Readers Select | October 2025
Queer Substack favorites - from Clint Collide of Collide Press
Welcome back to Qstack Readers Select, a bi-monthly, curated selection of queer Substacks—chosen by Qstack readers—highlighting and celebrating the enormous talent of our queer writers.
Previous Editions:
For this edition, has selected five newsletter writers who display ongoing commitment to the queer community and great writing.
Clint has been a tireless supporter and great friend to Qstack, and we’re delighted to welcome him as curator of October’s honorees. He was a Pride Edition honoree himself, here’s an excerpt:
Clint Collide is like that bestie who pops in at the backdoor for coffee and a chat every morning (no need to knock) just when you’re ready to sit down for a break. He’ll tell you all the news—whose birthday it is, the happenings last night that you won’t believe, and even who gave him sass and how he served up a big bowl of sass right back—you’ll have a good laugh and get on with your day, revived.
People come for Clint’s beautifully curated montages of vintage photos showing love between men (“celebrating the male gayze” - always in good taste) and stay for the slowly unfolding story of coming into his own after a period of grief and isolation following the deaths of loved ones.
Thanks for all you do, Clint—you’re a beacon of light. ~ MTF
And Congratulations to all the honorees for this edition of Qstack Readers Select! You are seen, and most appreciated.
Qstack Readers Select | October 2025
by
When I first joined Substack back in January 2024, I had no idea how much it would change my world and worldview.
The platform has opened doors I didn’t even know existed, helping me share my work with new audiences and giving my YouTube community a space to connect more deeply.
More than just a publishing platform, Substack has become a bridge, linking me to people who genuinely get what I do. It’s given me a chance to build the kind of creative, queer-friendly community I once only dreamed about.
Through Substack, I’ve met and had meaningful conversations with fellow writers, artists, and readers. I’ve learned from their insights, welcomed their critiques, and felt supported in ways that go far beyond the comment section.
These connections have inspired me to pay it forward, to cheer for and spotlight other creatives whose work educates and/or entertains.
Below are just a few of the Substacks I read regularly and recommend wholeheartedly.
| The Caftan Chronicles
The Caftan Chronicles is one of my favorite reads on Substack. Penned by the delightful and insightful Tim Murphy, this remarkable series delves into “deep talks with notable gay men,” offering readers an unparalleled window into the lives and legacies of contemporary queer pioneers.
“There were three floors, but the bottom was the dance floor and the DJ was playing and I was standing there listening to it, feeling so excited to see a DJ playing. All I could think was, “I gotta get in that [booth] and see what’s going on over there. So the DJ, who turned out to be Walter Gibbons—A DJ legend! Yes. He saw me and invited me into the booth. This was 1975.
| Unfiltered Clarity
Reading Unfiltered Clarity, I often find myself nodding in enthusiastic agreement. And frequently exclaiming, “Yes…and that too!”
Gino Cosme, a compassionate and insightful gay therapist and writer, has made it his mission to shed light on critical aspects of LGBTQ mental health, self-worth, and resilience. While his posts are aimed at the LGBTQ community, their universal applicability is remarkable. I often share his work with my dear, nears, and/or queers…because his posts speak to me so profoundly.
—from The People-Pleasing Pattern Destroying Your Relationships
“Like all things emotional, the body keeps tabs on everything. Those mysterious headaches, the jaw that stays clenched even in sleep, or the stomach that knots before social events with supposedly close people. That’s your body remembering what your mind tried to forget.”
| A weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ Equality
Like many in the LGBTQ community, I’ve found it increasingly challenging to navigate the sensationalized and often misleading narratives presented as “news” in recent times. The constant barrage of clickbait headlines and divisive rhetoric can be exhausting and, frankly, disheartening. This is why I’ve come to rely on the insightful, international perspectives of thoughtful commentators and curators like Mr. Houdart to cut through the noise.
—from October 22, 2025
“La résistance starts by showing up.”
| BOYCULTURE
Heartbroken by the closure of the original BOYCULTURE blog (on the dearly departed Typepad platform), I have found solace and renewed appreciation for Matthew Rettenmund’s brilliant work since finding him here on Substack. For over two decades, his dedicated observations on the LGBTQ cultural landscape have been a valued and integral part of my life.
—from 404 Not Found: Blogging Off
“From the beginning, my site was a personal blog, but its title and my self-appointed desire to cover as much ground as I could made it feel like a legitimate queer news-aggregation source. And it was; it may have been a record of one man’s perceptions, but one person’s thoughts are often reflective of the thoughts of many others, and the comments section back in the day captured many other points of view.”
| PalCinema, Television, & Music
Dan Pal is more than just a pal. He’s a remarkable talent whose insights into movies, music, and television are as sharp as they are engaging. This retired professor has seamlessly transitioned into the world of online commentary, becoming a consummate Substacker with a growing loyal following.
Beyond his critical prowess, Dan documents his budding passion for gardening in his “Palengeau Park” video series, sharing the journey as he and his husband make and maintain their outdoor oasis.
Through his writing and videos, Mr. Pal enriches the lives of his audience, demonstrating that whether he’s analyzing culture or cultivating nature, he does so with a rare blend of intelligence, curiosity, and genuine enthusiasm.
—from PalCinema Review: Kiss of the Spider Woman
“In each of these films, what is on screen is idealized and full of little sadness. They’re the kind of film worlds that Hollywood made for decades before the reality of the 1960s and 70s changed at least some audiences’ expectations for what should be presented on screen.”
 | A guest post by
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This was the perfect treat to read on Halloween. Thanks, Clint and Troy for lifting up these luminaries! 🎃❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🎃
Thanks so much for the shout out! It's also great to be introduced to a few others from our community that I didn't know!