Lesbian News

FALL IN LOVE WITH VALENTINE’S DAY IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

2012-02-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hothotel packages will top off an evening full of romance

WESTHOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Feb 1, 2012 – The perfect gift, a romantic dinner,delectable dessert, and private suite accommodations for you and your sweetie…what more could you ask for on Valentine’s Day? West Hollywood offerseverything you need to make Valentine’s Day 2012 one to remember.

Firstyou’ll need to buy a gift. If you’re feeling a bit naughty, stop by Hustler Hollywood, The Pleasure Chest, or Le Bra Lingerie for somethingto spice up your night. Or for a more traditional gift, pick up flowers from West Hollywood Florist, whichis offering a local special on roses,or EmptyVase, where you can pick from a wide variety of flowerarrangements. Instead of a traditional box of chocolates, do somethingdifferent this year by bringing your loved one a box of special Valentine’s Daytarts from Fruute –their lychee raspberry light cheese mousse tarts are available February 1 -14.Another West Hollywood favorite for sweets is Plaisir, a modern French bakeryspecializing in crème puffs.

Don’t getstuck in the kitchen this year, opt for a romantic night out at one of WestHollywood’s delicious and elegant restaurants. There will be Valentine’sDay-themed menus and prix fixe multi-course meals all over town including: athree-course dinner at BLTSteak for $70 per person; dinner for two available February11-14 at The Palmfor $120 per couple; Valentine’s Day Bistronomy at Comme Ca with fourcourses for $65; a special menu and, as always, delicious signature martinis at Lola’s; afour-course prix fixe dinner for $110 per person at Lucques; and aspecial Valentine menu at LePetit Bistro.

Lastly, capoff your night in comfort and luxury at a West Hollywood hotel (where you don’thave to make the bed in the morning!) and take advantage of one of theseincredible packages:

Fall in love all over again at the Chamberlain West Hollywood with the Cupid’s Sweet Dreams Special including one night stay in a luxurious Executive Suite, complimentary valet parking, a deliciously sweet Valentine’s Day basket from Cake and Art and complimentary wifi all for $285/night. Package bookable online at: chamberlainwesthollywood.com/#specials.

Enjoy privacy, spacious accommodations and personalized service with the Romance Package at Le Parc Suite Hotel. Package includes overnight accommodations in a spacious Studio King Suite, chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of champagne delivered to suite upon arrival, two plush Le Parc bathrobes—yours to keep even after your stay, and breakfast for two. Book online at www.leparcsuites.com/specials.php.
Let The London West Hollywood sweep you away with its Valentine’s Package. Enjoy a suite drenched in amorous ambiance, with fresh flowers, an assortment of treats, and a pink champagne toast upon arrival. Settle into the evening with a candlelit bath for two, and in the morning, enjoy a full English breakfast for two in bed. Package also includes overnight valet parking for one vehicle. Rates from $499; package bookable online at www.thelondonwesthollywood.com, available February 10-15, 2012.
Petit Ermitage offers three Love Packages during ‘The Month of Love,’ along with an Aphrodisiac Menu and an Evening of Happy Endings on the day of St. Valentine. Love Packages offered are: The Ménage a Trois, which includes dinner and accommodations for three (or for those who lack a third willing participant, an inflatable consort will be provided compliments of Petit Ermitage) starting at $595/night; L'Amoureux (The Lover), which includes a complimentary erotic film and an intimacy kit, plus two complimentary tickets to the Evening of Happy Endings in the Private Rooftop Club, fairytale turn down service and breakfast for two, from $495/night; and L'Epoux (The Consort) from $395/night. Each package includes chocolate covered strawberries with vanilla candied pistachios, a bottle of champagne, and 2 p.m. late checkout. To book a Love Package, call 310-967-6335 or email reservations@petitermitage.com.

Whoa man, what an act or…

2012-01-31T12:03:00.000-08:00

Whoa man, what an act or…

Aninterview with Janet McTeer

ByJohn Esther

Anactor’s actor, Janet McTeer has been doing steady work on the stage and screenfor the past 25 years. Beyond her award-winning stage performances as Nora inHenrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House andMary, Queen of Scots in Friedrich Schiller/Peter Oswald’s Mary Stuart to her award winning screen performance as Mary JoWalker in Tumbleweeds McTeer is oneof those actors people want in his or her plays or films. Even when you do notnotice it -- and that may be the greatest indication – when you forget someoneis acting – McTeer’s performances – from Catherine Walker in The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard Mrs. Dashwoodin Sense and Sensibility (2008miniseries) to the Narrator of VelvetGoldmine or Professor Lily Penleric, Phd in Songcatcher – is a good ingredient for any film, television show orplay.

However,these days McTeer is getting noticed a lot for her endearing performance asHubert Paige in director Rodrigo Garcia’s AlbertNobbs.

Aproject near and dear to the heart of Glenn Close, who plays the titularcharacter, Albert Nobbs tells thestory of a woman posing as a man in 19^th century Ireland becauselife for Albert is better that way. Frightfully scared of being found out,Albert meticulously adheres to his duties inside a hotel, all the while savingup so Albert may one day own a tobacco shop. Albert’s desires are enhanced whenhe meets Hubert, a free spirit handyperson who lives and breathes by Hubert’sown rules. Not only is Hubert at ease with Hubert’s life, Hubert has someone toshare it with. Albert would like that, too but Albert’s affections may bemisguided in the form of Helen Dawes (Mia Wasikowska).

Forher portrayal of the film’s noblest character, McTeer has received Best SupportingActress nominations from the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards, ScreenActor’s Guild, plus various critic groups. Personally, I would give her theaward in that category.

Bornin Newcastle upon Tyne, England, McTeer trained at the Royal Dramatic Academyof Dramatic Art. In 2008 she was appointed Officer of the Order of the BritishEmpire in the 2008 Birthday Honours.

Whilemany may know the actor and her great work, in this exclusive interview, LN gotup with six-foot-plus McTeer to not only talk about Hubert, working with Close,gender roles and acting (pay heed, young thespians) but also what makes thisvery private person tick.

Lesbian News:How did you get involved with Albert Nobbs?

Janet McTeer: I was in New York doing a play at thetime; I was playing Mary Stewart on Broadway. Glenn Close came to see the playwith her daughter, Annie, and then she came back to say hello. And Glenn said,“I’ve had a script come up, can I ask you to read it?” and I said, “Yes, ofcourse.” She sent it the following day and I read it and I found it lovely. SoI called her back and we met up the following week and that was that.

LN: What didyou find that was so lovely about it?

JT: I liked the fact that it has mixed messages: a small storywith very big heart. There is a saying that it takes an ordinary person anextraordinary amount of courage to get through an ordinary day. I thought therewas something of that in the story and I thought that all the characters in theplay – well, originally it was a story then a play and then the film – were sobeautifully wrought. I thought that was a really interesting thing and Ithought it was very funny. I also enjoyed the fact that it was set in a timebefore labels and set in a time before categories. I really liked that.

LN: What do youthink you have in common with Hubert Page?

JT: Well, I guess I brought my sense of humor to Hubert and Iwould love to think I’m as good a friend as Hubert.

LN: What wasthe greatest challenge in the role?

JT: I’d say the greatest challenge was that I was trying toplay an Irish man in an Irish accent in front of a whole bunch on Irish men. Ifound that pretty scary – it was the scariest thing for me, I think.

LN: What didyou find the easiest or most comfortable aspect of the role?

JT: Probably the sense of humor. I love the fact that I couldimbue a little bit of humor in almost all of the scenes. That’s very me.

LN: What was itlike working with Glenn Close?

JT: It took about a year and a half to get the film up andrunning -- so we worked together for a while. What I loved was that shewouldn’t have taken from the book and then reduced the script. I was reallykeen to make Hubert the exact opposite of Albert. So in great conversationswith Glenn about Albert, I sort of formed Hubert. Glenn, who is the mostwonderful collaborative person to work with, was very open to that. I wantedHubert to be the happiest, most content, active, non-judgmental human being. Iwanted Hubert’s relationship with Cathleen (Bronagh Gallagher) to be completelyfulfilled and gorgeous. Glenn was really open to any infusion of all of thosethings that I would bring to her – in order for Albert to have something tolook at and say, “Gosh that’s really who I want to be and that’s where I wantto go” I loved working with Glenn. I mean she’s a perfectionist, as am I, whenshe works and she works incredibly hard, as do I, and she also has a phenomenalsense of humor. We laughed a huge amount. And we worked very hard. Thatcombination pleases me.

LN: In whatways have gender roles changed in Ireland and England since the time of Albert Nobbs?

JT: Originally it was a huge class difference in those days andin many ways it was a lot easier for members of the upper class to have a nicetime and keep their mouths shut, as long as no one found out about it. We allknow about Oscar Wilde. There was a huge underground connection of places wherepeople could go or find friends, partners, blah, blah, blah. But it was againstthe norm and that made everything much more secretive. Also, there wasn’t a lawagainst lesbianism in those times and the reason is because Queen Victoriadidn’t believe it existed. There was only a law against sodomy. If you were inworking class Dublin -- and that’s one of the reasons I also liked the film --you see a small little fluctuation of the terror that Albert has of being foundout. And the fact that Jonathan Ryhs-Meyers character (Viscount Yarrell) comesswathing out with various, various lovers and no one could do a thing about itbecause Jonathan Rhys-Meyers’ character is an aristocrat and rich. The povertyis very much seen in the film, it’s not just a film about gender. It’s a filmabout women. It’s a film about poverty. It’s a film about struggling tosurvive. In terms of your original question of how is it different, well let’sput it this way, it’s nominally different. We’re also [in the film] in apre-Freudian, pre-analysis, pre-union, pre-anything kind of time. Hubert endedup being Hubert. And probably if you were to ask Hubert, “Would you look backand go, ‘yeah!’” And Hubert would reply, “It makes sense that I am what I amnow.” But actually, Hubert went from step to step to step, subconsciouslytaking the steps toward happiness without necessarily realizing how and endingup being exactly who he what, who he where, Hubert wants to be. Several timesI’ve been asked if Hubert a lesbian or is Hubert a cross-dresser or is Huberttransgendered? Hubert is all of those things, but I just don’t think Hubert hasa label. Hubert is just Hubert and that’s what is wonderful. You know what ofit? We wouldn’t do the same thing with straight women who want to always wearsuits. Do you know what I mean? Just because it’s a gay woman who wants todress as a guy and blah, blah…you tie yourself up in knots. Hubert is just muchmore comfortable living as a guy for many, many reasons. And it’s clearlyextremely active at what he was. I love that! What I really love about Hubertis when they go out dressed as women and Hubert makes no effort to look like awoman and that really made me laugh. I love the idea of women getting away withit as men then getting dressed like those women who actually look more likemen. It just appeals to my sense of humor so hugely. The scene that leads up tothat is when Hubert says to Albert, “You don’t have to be anybody but who youare. You’ve worked hard and you’ve earned your money and you’ve saved andyou’ve been shrewd. And if you want to find somebody to love and share yourlife with, go and find that person.” It’s such a blissfully utopian,lack-of-pronoun. I love that. I really want that for Hubert – to be somebodywho was way ahead of the time in terms of being totally nonjudgmental. Judge abook by what’s inside it and not by its cover.

LN: Yourperformance has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike? What do youthink it is about you performance that is drawing so much positive attention?

JT: It’s hugely flattering. I haven’t quite gotten over it. Ithink what is so lovely about Hubert, honestly, is that Hubert is such a niceperson. Even though Hubert is living in a world with complication and povertyand all of those things, Hubert is just somebody you would want to have on yourside. I tried to make Hubert the best of both male and female – somebody whoyou wouldn’t have to use words with, have a drink with you, smoke a cigaretteand get into a fight, if necessary. And who would flatter you, so you couldfeel good about yourself. Hubert is also a person who has confidence to have ajob and have a career of his or her own and make good money on his or her ownand be independent. He is also somebody who possesses the so called femininequalities of kindness and nurturing. I wanted to take all of those things, andthe way Hubert really kind of rescues Helen at the end I wanted it to be morematernal than anything else. The combination of all of those things is somebodywho…everybody wants a Hubert in their lives. Hubert is just gorgeous.

LN: Do you seeany correlations between Hubert who presents herself as someone who is indisguise (unintentionally) and actors who professionally pretend to be someonewho they are not?

JT: That’s a very interesting observation but I think thatHubert is really not in disguise. As she says, she was married at a very earlyage and beaten up, you know, the way people were: married off at a very youngage. Maybe she got dressed up as a fellow to get a job and then she becamecomfortable. In the end, Hubert is not in disguise; Hubert is who she is.That’s really cool. I’m a notoriously private person as an actor, not because Ihave anything to hide, but because I think it’s nicer if an audience can go andjust see a character. You don’t necessarily know a great deal about theperformer. I find that much more interesting to only know about the performancethat you’re seeing. Do I love dressing up and getting into the stride? In thatsense, yes I do. I get quite embarrassed and shy when I have to be myself.

LN: It may havebeen just the way it was filmed, but were the clothes you wore as Hubertactually comfortable? The fabric looked so course.

JT: Yes, very much. They were probably really uncomfortable butI was really padded out. I had padding on my shoulders and my arms, on mywaist. When we first started we had to make sure we had ice on the set becausethey were concerned I was going to get really hot. I didn’t because it wasminus bloody five degrees in Dublin. It was really cold, so I was one of thefew people who were really warm. [Laughs] So, actually I was really comfortablebut I’m sure if I had just been wearing the clothes it would have been reallyuncomfortable.

LN: I know yousaid you are a notoriously private persons but I would like to talk to yououtside the Albert Nobbs box. If I may ask, what was your childhood like?

JT: It was lovely: very normal, very ordinary, very lovely innorthern England.

LN: When didyou decide to become an actor?

JT: I got a job selling coffee in my local theater when I was16 or so, because the theater was where we caught our bus home from school.Whenever I went in there I just felt at home. I was just selling coffee therebut they used to let me in to see all the plays. When I watched the plays, Ireally felt at home. I can walk into a theater anywhere in the world and justfeel at home.

LN: You also doa lot of stage work? Do you have a preference for theater or film?

JT: No, I love them both equally, I really do. Theater isharder work. Actors enjoy the sense of community; that’s why we enjoy being intheater companies. Being on stage you have a very direct relationship with youraudience. There is something very therapeutic and it’s very grounding. Itgrounds you to what you are doing and why you’re doing it. When I work on film,it is forensic in its search for spirit. And I love that, too. The relationshipto the audience is at a distance and it’s later. And in certain ways it’scloser because the camera is much closer. When you’re filming you are in alittle community of people for however long you’re filming, which is alsolovely. I like to mix them up and so far I’ve been able to do that.

LN: What is thegreatest challenge in getting a role right?

JT: Almost always I struggle to get the role right, finding theright way to approach it.

LN: Has yourheight ever interfered with casting?

JT: Never. When I was very young I thought it would be aproblem, but it never has. Not once. I’m sure there have been parts that Ihaven’t even been considered for because I was too tall, certainly when I wasyounger, but I’ve never not worked. I’ve always worked. I’ve always had greatparts. A long time ago somebody said to me that this business always likespeople who are different. You know, I’m over six foot – I’m six foot and ½ inch– and it works. It’s never bothered me in the slightest.

LN: What advicewould you give budding actors?

JT: I have two bits of advice. One is, tag this on your mirrorand look at it in the morning: “Somebody has to succeed. There is no reason whyit shouldn’t be me.” And the other thing is never, ever, ever audition for thepart, always audition for the people who you are auditioning for because whileyou might not be right for this part, you may be right for another part. Sooften I’ve been in an audition where the people are rehearsing for another partand clearly there is another project that they have decided they want to domore than the one they are coming to audition for. So they haven’t really putthe work in. Whereas the ones who come in who are really passionate, even ifthey weren’t right for the part, they may get another part. And you pass thatinformation on to other people. So, always audition for the people, neveraudition for the part.

LN: How was itworking with Margarethe von Trotta on your most recent film?

JT: She is a wonderful woman. I play Mary McCarthy and it’sabout Hannah Arendt who was then working for the New Yorker. It’s about hercoverage of the trial of (Adolf) Eichmann. In and out of that story slips MaryMcCarthy, who was one of Hannah Arendt’s very best friends. Barbara Sukowa, whohas worked on and off for many, many years with Margarethe plays Hannah. She isjust wonderful, so I had an amazing time doing that.

LN: Whatdifferences, if any, do you think there are between male and female filmdirectors?

JT: It’s a slightly different process but neither better norworse.

LN: What canyou tell us about the film you are now working on, Damages?

JT: Yes, you see I cannot tell you that much about thatbecause then they’d have to kill me. [Laughs.] I play a lawyer (Kate Franklin)who has a bit of a history with Patty, Glenn’s character.

LN: What do youdo when you are not acting?

JT: Mostly I stick my head in a book. I’m a bit of a parody ofmyself. I read anything and everything.

LN: Do you haveany particular social causes you champion?

JT: Not specifically. There are lots of ones that I support ina minor way but not in a huge way. I’ve always been too busy, I know thatsounds ludicrous but it’s true. In a minor way I support a lot of children’scharities and also animal charities.

LN: If you werehaving dinner with three people who are not living and not family members, whowould they be?

JT: I would like to have dinner with, let me think, Oscar Wildeand Shakespeare.

LN: What do youthink about these interviews where you discuss yourself and your work? Do youthink they serve the work or do you think the work should just speak foritself?

JT: I think the work should just speak for itself.

LN: Do you readinterviews of other actors to find out what she or he may have been thinkingbehind the performance?

JT: No.

Femastrology - February 2012

2012-01-31T11:59:00.001-08:00

Femastrologyby Victoria Bearden

FebruarySun Sign Profile: Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Thefirst thing I’d like to say about Aquarius is this: although the symbol is theWater-Bearer, it is NOT a Water Sign! Aquarius is an Air Sign, like Gemini andLibra. You’d be surprised how many people, including Aquarians themselves,don’t know this. Air is about sociability, mental energy, communication, andconnecting with people, all second nature for Aquarius. Known foropen-mindedness and humanitarian views, they make good freedom fighters. Theseindependent, “think outside the box” types lean towards that which is unusual,avant-garde, or even kinky.

Aquarians,whether they are eccentric or conservative, tend to be socially conscious andprogressive by nature. It is also the sign associated with equality and humanrights, which is linked to the “Aquarian Age” which we have been slowly movingtowards over the last 100 years or so. These idealistic thinkers certainly havetheir downside, too. They can be superficial, self-serving social butterflieswho use others to get what they want. A friend to all, it is sometimes hard forthem to go deep in relationships. They tend to blur the lines betweenfriendship and romance, which can drive more “black and white” types crazy!

Aquariansare good with people, which leads them to success in fields requiring publiccontact. Their sign has a special connection to computers, communication, andnew technology. You’ll often find them in the entertainment field, or runningtheir own, innovative businesses.

Aquariusdoes well with other Air signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, as all these signsvalue communication and friendship in love relationships. Fire signs Aries,Leo, and Sagittarius are a good match energetically, but Leo and Aries may findAquarius to detached and independent for their ego needs. Aquarians enjoy thestability of Earth Signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, but may get bored withroutine. They can be fascinated with Water Signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces,but will rebel against possessive, moody behavior.

Born on January 26, 1958, EllenDeGeneres is truly an archetypal Aquarian. This smart, funny, and talentedwoman changed the face of television when she came out as openly gay on theOprah Winfrey Show (Oprah is Aquarius) in 1997 and subsequently in an episodeof her sitcom, Ellen. She is an out-spoken activist and has championed dozensof important causes. This Lesbian Icon has truly affected public consciousness.Her marriage partner, Portia de Rossi, is also an Aquarius, born January31.

FemastrologyHoroscopes for February

For allthe Sun Signs: 2012 is well underway and things are moving at a fast pace thismonth. Lucky Jupiter has gone direct in Taurus, helping all of us bring ourdreams into reality in a practical and creative way. One cosmic hiccup involvesthe planet Mars, which is retrograde now. This can bring up touchy issues andaggressive, combative behavior, even among friends, so don’t be a fool and keepyour cool. This influence may be noticeable on the International level, andcertainly on the personal level, particularly if you have Virgo, Pisces,Sagittarius, or Gemini prominent in your birth chart. The Full Moon in Leo onFebruary 7 will be a particularly powerful one, so use the energy right aroundthat day to do something meaningful.

Aries(March 21-April 19) This month is all about connecting socially. Friends andcolleagues can bring excitement and opportunities your way, so don’t sit aroundat home. Go do something sociable! Single? The Leo Full Moon on February 7thcould bring romance into your life.

Taurus(April 20-May 20) Now is the time for you to strike out in the career sector.Earthy energy abounds this month, with Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto in earth signs,egging you on towards success. If you put the effort out you will make someheadway. Be confident. Others will notice your enthusiasm.

Gemini(May 21-June 20) This should be a greatmonth for travel, studies, and connecting with like-minded people. Be creativeand follow your inspiration. Mars retrograde is in your home sector, so beaware that a family feud might be brewing. See if you can be the peace-keeper,or stay out of it.

Cancer(June 21-July 21) Your deep connections with others are highlighted this month.Things may be tense at times, but important issues are becoming clear to you.You may be forced to take a stand. Be prepared and use your power wisely.

Leo(July 23-August 22) Relationships will be energized this month. You will haveto make some determinations about just how much of you there is to go around.The Leo Full Moon will test you to know your own heart and do the right thing,when love is involved. Keep an eye on finances. You’ll be tempted to gooverboard.

Virgo(August 23-September 22) Take care this month, Virgo. You might need a littledowntime, but you will be reluctant to take a break. If you are burning thecandles at both ends this month, you could crash and burn. Don’t push it.Progress slowly.

Libra(September 23-October 22) You are still a little leery of seemingly “good”things, but this month love and creativity are truly at your service! You’vebeen working hard to get your life together. Now it’s play time, so let your hairdown and goof off for a while.

Scorpio(October 23-Novemeber 21) Take stock ofyour personal life this month. Bring balance into this area and keep it simple.There will be very little progress made if things are out of whack at thefoundation. Smooth out any tension with family members.

Sagittarius(November 22-December 21) This will be an active, busy, and productive month ifyou can get past some of the difficulties from last year. Time for new ideas!You may feel a little tense regarding career or life direction.

Capricorn(December 22-January 19) Time to get serious about money and business. Yourbirthday and the holidays are over and it’s time to get this ship out of theharbor! If you are clear about your goals, you will be able to accomplish muchthis month.

Aquarius(January 20-February 18) This month should bring clarity and perspective aboutlong range plans. People will notice you, so present your best face in public.The Leo Full Moon on February 7^th will bring surprises regardingrelationships.

Pisces(February 19-March 20) Intuition is running high now. Spend some time in quietmeditation and take note of any vivid dreams. Retrograde Mars in Virgo isopposing you, so stay away from those who would make you a target.

I AMAVAILABLE FOR PSYCHIC, ASTROLOGICAL READINGSAND INTUITIVE COUNSELING. CALL ME AT 760-634-1028 OR EMAIL ME AT V1BEAR@AOL.COM

NewsBytes - February 2012

2012-01-31T11:58:00.000-08:00

NEWS BYTES

By Denise Penn

LESBIAN NATIVE AMERICAN ELECTED TO MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE

Susan Allen made history on Januarytenth by becoming the first openly lesbian Native American to beelected to a state legislature. She won the seat in a special election in Minnesota, beating heropponent by ten points. Minnesotalawmakers have approved a constitutional amendment in May that would definemarriage as solely between one man and one woman. Minnesotans will be votingwhether they reject or ratify the amendment in the 2012 elections. This will beone of Allen’s priority issues. She describes herself as “a passionatesupporter of marriage equality.” She has promised her supporters that she willuse her position to speak out against the marriage amendment and in favor ofequality.

Allen’s parents come from the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations,and there are close to 700 to 800 Native American people living in herdistrict. In the neighboring district right next to her, there are almost 3,000American Indians. Allen grew up in poverty with many challenges, made itthrough law school with the support of her family, graduating from law schoolin order to fight for economic and social justice for people who need anadvocate.

Allen will finishthe term of Democrat Jeffrey Hayden, who was recently elected to the MinnesotaSenate. She will be running again for a new term in November. She has receivedthe endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

A NEW APPROACH TO WORKING WITHFAMILIES OF LGBTQ YOUTH PRESENTED IN NYC

A forum to open dialogue about LGBTQ families was held in Januaryat New York’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center. The forum featured Dr.Caitlin Ryan of San Francisco State University. Dr. Ryan’s Family Acceptance Project, has conducted research linking familyrejection with a variety of serious health risks including depression, suicide,illegal drug use and HIV infection. The goal of the forum was tocreate a community dialogue about the shift in serving LGBTQ youth in isolationfrom their families and beginning to engage families as a potential resourceand source of support.

Dr. Ryan’s newwork shows that serving LGBTQ youth in the context of their families andreframing our approach to promote family acceptance is crucial to preventinghomelessness and fostering the well-being of LGBTQ youth and to ensuring theirfutures. Dr. Ryan discussed this exciting new culturally groundedapproach and showed how Dr. Ryan is applying her research to help ethnicallyand religiously diverse families support their LGBTQ children. Thecommunity-level approach is supported by the new Green Chimneys/SCO communityinitiative to increase family support for LGBTQ youth in New York City.

NEW LEGAL DIRECTOR JOINS TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER

Ilona Turner, astaff attorney with the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), will join the Transgender Law Centeras its new legal director, helping the San Francisco-based organization advancethe rights and safety of the nation’s transgender communities throughlitigation, public policy, and public education initiatives.

Turner has been with NCLR since 2008. Her work at NCLR has focusedon a broad range of issues from immigration to discrimination in employment andpublic accommodations to marriage and child custody. She earned her bachelor’sdegree in women’s studies and linguistics from the Universityof California, Santa Cruz. In 2006, she received her lawdegree from the University of California, Berkeley(Boalt Hall). While in law school, she was awarded the Mary C. DunlapFellowship to spend a summer at NCLR working to advance transgender rights, andalso worked at the public interest law firm of Bredhoff & Kaiser, P.L.L.C.She served as Managing Editor of the California Law Review, and authored theissue on Sex Stereotyping and Transgender Employees. Prior to law school, sheworked as a Legislative Assistant to Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg and as aLegislative Advocate for Equality California.

OUTSPORTS HONORS HELEN CARROLLAND PAT GRIFFIN AS “PERSONS OF THE YEAR”

Outsports hashonored National Center for Lesbian Rights’ (NCLR) Sports Project DirectorHelen Carroll and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s(GLSEN’s)Changing the Game Project Director Pat Griffin by voting them as their 2011“Persons of the Year.”

Carrolljoined NCLR in August 2001 to lead the Sports Project. She is an acclaimednational championship basketball coach from the University of North Carolina-Asheville. She devotes all her effortsto fighting homophobia in sports by directing NCLR's Sports Project. Pat Griffin launchedGLSEN’s sports project, “Changing the Game,” which is providing resources andtraining to end homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in kindergarten-12th gradeschool-based sports programs. Outsports praised the joint efforts of bothCarroll and Griffinto advance equality and provide opportunities for LGBTQ athletes.

TENNESSEE LESBIANNOW ABLE TO VISIT PARTNER
Val Burke, a Tennesseewoman tried to visit her female partner who was a patient at Rolling HillsPsychiatric Hospital in Franklin, Tennessee.But she was repeatedly turned away and denied the right to visit her. She wentto visit her at the appropriate visiting time and made every attempt to abideby the rules of the facility, but staff members excluded her from the roomsince she was not a legal spouse or family member.

Burke says thecouple had been living together for three years, and that the rest of herpartner’s family lived out of town, so there wasn’t anyone else visiting. Shewas then allowed visitation rights, but only with her partner’s mother inattendance.

But the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services has issued new rules for equalvisitation and representation rights for LGBTQ people which require allhospitals that bill Medicaid and Medicare programs to allow patients todesignate who they want as visitors. Discrimination based on sexual orientationand gender identity in allowing visitation is prohibited.

Severalorganizations have become involved in assuring equal visitation right,including the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and the Tennessee Equality Project.Subsequently, the mistake was corrected and Burke is now able to visit herpartner during the hospital’s normal visiting hours.

HotSpots - February 2012

2012-01-31T11:55:00.001-08:00

Hotspots

By Dian Katz, MS

So, is romance in the air or are you allsaying, “Oh puleeeeeze?” Every year this February column comes up, I see happycouples just gazing into each other’s eyes. Everything they do seems so lightand fluffy.. little pink clouds surround them and one can actually detect afragrance of roses as the lovely couple pass us! On the other hand.....If youare NOT in a relationship, and feeling the heat of this lovely <saidsarcastically> little holiday, you are going to be screaming in your mind,OH DEAR GAWD#$%@#!! Of course, I can’t finish typing what you might also besaying because this is a family rated column, yanno!!! HA! It’s all a matter ofperspective how well one handles this holiday! You are envied by half thecommunity if you are in a great relationship.. Because we all know in thelesbian community, the percentage of short term relationships seem to outweighthe longer ones. (I’m not sure why, but that seems to be the trend). Hopefully,marriage rights will change that, making it much more difficult to just walkout the door. But I digress.. You are either envied or if you are single, findyourself muttering under your breath during this little lovey month.. So, let’sstop the insanity, and talk about some HOTSPOTS!

Well, why not start off the month rightwith your Hotspots Reporter! HA! This month, the DIANKATZ BAND will be performing with theSAL LANDERS BAND on Sunday afternoon, February 19th at THEEXECUTIVE SUITE in Long Beach, California. It’s a 3-Dayweekend my friends, (President’s Day Weekend) so put that on your calendar. Itwill be a fun filled afternoon or beer bust, or whatever you drink, and somepretty fun entertainment, if I do say so myself <cough>.. Sal and I wantto bring some fun into your lives by rockin’ your world with each of our ownbands. 4pm is the time.. $10 for two bands.. just like old school Hollywoodrockin’ days! Come on down and get near my mic.. I dare ya... <wink> Formore information, go to my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/diankatzband.

Long Beach, California gals looking forsomething different than the bar scene? Check out MENAGEA TROIS - AN EVENING OF ART + MUSIC + WINE on Saturday,February 11th from 5:00pm until 10:00pm. It’s an Art Exhibition that caters toour community. I have personally attended one of these events and it rocks! Fora small entry fee, you get to check out all the exhibits, enjoy the liveentertainment, nibble on some appetizers and desserts and socialize with somefabulous women. Drinks - wine, beer and water are also available for purchase.There’s even a Tarot Card Reader (Stefani Medina) available to tell you alittle bit more about your future. Well heck, I want to know about my future!Hmmm.. Maybe she can look into her crystal ball and see if there is a special,sexy woman in my future who is hoping to spend the rest of her life with me!Maybe Stefani can lead me to this amazing woman - tell me what’s in store forus and tell me where a future honeymoon might... oops! I am SO sorry ladies!! Ihad no idea I was just throwing out my thoughts on the computer page while youall were listening. My bad!!! So, ahem,::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::like I was saying, This evening of Artand Music can be wonderful and it’s right before Valentine’s Day <winkwink>.. Some of the artists slated for the evening are: Bridget McManus;Robbie Nieto; Judy Francesconi; Jeanine Hill; Laura Stegeman; Margo Burgess,Tiffany Caressi, Jaime Mulford and more. So whatcha waiting for! Address is: TheLiberty Art Gallery and Performance Space, 435 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, Ca.

Those who LOVE winter snow typeactivities, will enjoy this next Hotspot. IT’SWINTER PRIDE 2012, WHISTLER GAY LESBIAN SKI WEEK,February 5-12 in gorgeous Whistler, BC. Yes, of course women will all bewhistling during this little fun filled week. It will be snowtacular! HA! Ijust made that word up can you believe it??? Okay, don’t answer that question.Ahem... The women’s events at Whistler, seem to be increasing in size eachyear. They of course, have skiing and snowboarding available. However, theyalso have an array of parties from dancing, burlesque shows to a “Shred BettiesBash” where “performers, pounding beats, hot snow bunnies and winter debauchery”happens say Producers. Wow, this sounds like a “winner” wonderland! Hmm.. do Ineed to go back to the Tarot Card Reader from the other event and find out ifthe love of my life is on this mountain???!!!!! Cause we all know this is thatdamn loooooove month! Ack! I’ve about had it in this department! HA! Who am Ifooling! If my future wife appeared, I’d.. oh man! I did it again! Somebody getthe hook! I just can’t stop talking out loud! Look, I’m just trying to gethitched for Valentine’s Day! Help me out a little here! Quit laughing at me andfind me my future wife for gawd sakes!!! Geez, I help you all out every month.The least you could do is... So, as I was saying, for more information, takethe ski tram up the mountain and type: gaywhistler.com

Hey listen up! Out in NEWORLEANS, LA this month on February 21st, is a MARDIGRAS EVENT! It is a mixed group of lesbo/gays andstraight people! Everyone gets along and parties and dances and screams and..well, beads fly at ya, and some women rip off::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::screeeeeeeeeeeeech:::::::::::::sorry, I forgot. This is a family rated column. I have got to get my mind outof the gutter... and into the streets of New Orleans.. hahah CA-CHING!!!!Nothing like a good ol’ party in N’awlin’s as the locals call it. Well would yalook at me. I fit right in now! Hmmm.. ya think my future wife is there???!!!<cough> and baaaack to the Tarot Card Reader. Where is that woman!!! I’vegot questions that need answering NOW! For more information on New Orleans, gomarch in the streets with other lesbos and gays and type: neworleanscvb.com.

Well, gotta run. I will march in like alion next month or maybe just an animal <snicker>.

Dian Katz is an Author, Entertainer andCollege Instructor. For more information on her, go to www.DianKatz.org or www.facebook.com/diankatzband.

Rose Parade Protest and Gays Make History - Again!

2012-01-12T10:54:00.000-08:00

Rose Parade Protest and Gays Make History - Again!
by Carl Matthes

Who will forget the January 2, 2012 presence of Occupy LA at the 113th Tournament of Roses Parade? Protesters marched against corporate person-hood and the foreclosure crisis.

However, I want to remind you of January 1, 1990, 22 years ago, when “Only 10 minutes after it started, the 101st Tournament of Roses Parade came to a momentary halt when 14 AIDS activists staged a sit-down protest on Colorado Blvd. in front of the Spirit of America’s ‘First Symbols of Freedom’ float. At 8:20am, the protesters emerged from the crowd of spectators on the sidewalk and unfurled a banner...members of the crowd booed and jeered the protesters.” (Los Angeles Times, Hector Tobar)

The protest action was the work of SANOE, Stop AIDS Now Or Else.

Speaking out recently, Glassell Park, CA resident Helene Schpak, one of those arrested, said, “I'm so pleased, Carl, that you appreciate the historic importance of this action. 22 years ago there was no asking permission from the Rose Parade officials to allow us to tag along at the end of their parade to make a statement about people dying of AIDS complications. The climate at the time put a cold chill on even mentioning HIV/AIDS. With so many lives already lost and more on the line, SANOE felt compelled to place the issue where people couldn't avoid it.”

As Tobar wrote, “Pasadena police and Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies moved quickly on the protesters, dragging them from the parade route to a nearby side street. The demonstrators had linked themselves together with a single 30-foot chain, and the nine men and five women slid and bounced heavily along the ground as the officers pulled them from the street.”

Times have changed!

In a historic decision, the 2012 Board of Directors of the Tournament of Roses invited AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to have an official float in the parade! It was the first float in the 123-year history of the parade to focus on HIV/AIDS. The float was named “Our Champion” in honor of two-time Academy Award-winning actress Elizabeth Taylor for her nearly three decades of advocacy for people with HIV/AIDS. Taylor, who died March 23, 2011, co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR) in 1985 and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 1993.

“Our Rose Parade float is a tribute to someone who was more than a film star - Elizabeth Taylor was a real hero,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AHF, the 25-year old organization which provides medical services to more than 124,000 people in 26 countries. The float won the “Queen’s Trophy.”

(The 2012 Rose Parade was seen by approximately 50 million Americans and millions of others in more than 200 international territories and countries.)

Grants from ETAF provided AHF’s “Ithembalabantu” Clinic (Zulu for “people’s hope”) in Durban, South Africa, free lifesaving antiretroviral treatment for AIDS at a time when treatment was not widely available in poor countries. Just as she had in the earliest days, Ms. Taylor became an international leader in the fight against AIDS.

According to a 1990 SANOE press release, “Organizers of today’s emergency action expressed renewed commitment to spur federal action that would end the AIDS Epidemic. ‘We have been fighting ignorance and denial on the AIDS front line for most of ten years now,’ said Gunther Freehill, one of those arrested this morning. Today, on the threshold of a new decade, Americans can neither ignore the terrible toll AIDS has taken, nor deny the urgency of preventing more deaths. We can make 1990 the year that ends AIDS.”

Two years later, in 1992, the first “cocktails” (combination drug therapies) for fighting HIV were introduced. In 1995, new types of protease inhibitors became available and death rates due to AIDS plummeted in the developed world. Schpak said, “This is my personal belief, but the covert actions of SANOE supported the overt actions of ACTUP and together they helped push cocktail therapies onto an accelerated path toward clinical trails.”

“AHF’s float served as a reminder that Ms. Taylor bravely stood up for people living with HIV/AIDS at an important moment in history. The AIDS epidemic is still not over,” warned Weinstein, “there remains much work to be done.”

Finishing, Weinstein said, “This year, the theme of the Rose Parade is ‘Just Imagine.’ In honor and remembrance of Elizabeth, let’s imagine and work toward a world without AIDS.”

Employee’s Tragedy Reveals a Corporation’s Heart

2012-01-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

Employee’sTragedy Reveals a Corporation’s Heart
Aftera Year of Big-Business Letdowns, a Tale of Kindness

Chris Julian-Hara is afun-loving jokester, a generous person who will go to the ends of the Earth –and did – to help others.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she grew up with a strong work ethic and thefeisty free spirit characteristic of Steelers’ fans and Americanpatriots. One of five kids, she was the only one of her siblings to earna bachelor’s degree. She followed that with two years in the Peace Corps,helping farmers in Njogone, a little village in Senegal.

By 36, she was project administrator for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project,working for Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., one of the world’s largest technicalservices providers.

“Jacobs is an enormous company,” says Chris’ partner, Jennifer Hara. “They have60,000 employees. You wouldn’t think they’d care all that much about just one,but they did. We could never have gotten through 2011 without them after Chris’accident.”

On Oct. 30, 2010, Chris was taking her beloved Harley-Davidson in for repairswhen she crashed. Her body flew over the handlebars and she landed hard,snapping her neck, both her wrists, and her ribs. Her injuries were soprofound, she was hospitalized in intensive care, then sent to a nursing homefor more than two months before transferring to a rehabilitation center. Morethan three months after her accident, she was finally scheduled to go home onValentine’s Day 2011.

But the hospital wouldn’t release her. She was paralyzed from the sternum downand using a wheelchair; 12 steps led to her front door, five to the back.

“The hospital wouldn’t let her go until she could get into the house,” Jennifersays.

Jacobs employees came to the rescue. John Kearney, the job site manager and adarned good carpenter, put together a crew of co-workers and on Super BowlSunday in February, they built a 40-foot, ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp.

But that wasn’t all they did – it wasn’t even the beginning.

“When she’d used up all her sick time and vacation time, I was afraid she wasgoing to be laid off,” Jennifer says. “Other employees tried to donate theirpaid days off, and while they couldn’t change company policy on that, they didfind a way to keep her working a few hours a week.”

Her boss, Bob Whedon, supplied her with a laptop and gave her jobs that couldbe done from the rehab center. He and Rhonda Reeves-Long, a human resourcesemployee, worked together to keep Chris employed.

Susan Hinkle, a subcontractor responsible for quality control, organizedfundraisers at the Dulles rail project site.

“They had a pancake breakfast and a chili cook-off and they advertised it allover the project,” Jennifer says. “Guys came in from pouring concrete andlaying rebar to participate. They raised more than $5,000.”

The money bought a stair-lift for Chris and a Theracycle stationary bike tohelp her circulation and muscle tone. An additional $7,000 in donations helpedpay down part of the mountain of medical bills.

Since then, Jacobs has renovated Chris’ office to accommodate her wheelchairand, despite a policy that frowns on telecommuting, she’s still able to workremotely when necessary.

Today, Chris is looking ahead with her usual cheerful optimism, bolstered bythe outpouring of love and support that took her by surprise, Jennifer says.

“She is humbled by it, and so grateful.”

Perhaps most interesting, the story of Jacobs’ big heart didn’t come from thecompany’s marketing department – or from the company at all. It came fromSheryn Hara, Jennifer’s mother. With all the bad news about America’s bigbusinesses in 2011 – the sneaky fees, the layoffs, the executive parachutes –Sheryn thought it was important for people to hear about a company that cares.

So she contacted a public relations firm. They agreed with her, and decided toshare the story.

Call it a belated Christmas gift.
Chris Julian-Haraand Jennifer Hara live in Washington, D.C.; Sheryn Hara lives in Seattle.Jacobs Engineering has more than 160 offices in more than 120 countries.

Lesbians and Miss California USA

2012-01-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

Lesbiansand Miss California USA
by Carl Matthes

Lesbians have moved one step closer to becoming an even stronger presence inmainstream American culture! Two openly gay women, Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, ofLong Beach and Mollie Thomas, 19, of West Hollywood were the first openly gaycontestants in the 60-year history of the recent Miss USA California statepageant. (Other lesbians forging the new American culture include EllenDeGeneres, whose daily 3pm show on NBC is middle-America’s feel-goodmoment. And Rachel Maddow, with her MSNBC cable news program airing eachweek-day at 6pm.)

Set apart in age, style and background, both Hutcherson and Thomas wereapproached by pageant recruiters to participate in the beauty contest.Entrepreneur and huckster supreme Donald Trump, who runs the Miss CaliforniaUSA Pageant, had his office phone Hutcherson and invite her to compete on the statewidelevel.

Openly gay Keith Lewis, co-executive of the state pageant, said "(the pageant) will emphasize individuality and push the envelope evenfurther. This year's event will be bigger and reflect the progressive attitudesof the contestants."

In addition, Hutcherson hopes to be the first ever contestant to have the crownplaced on top of a Mohawk. She wore board shorts for the Miss Long Beachpageant and a tuxedo for evening wear. “That Miss California crown would surelook nice atop the ‘hawk,’” Hutcherson said.

Thomas told Huffington Post pre-pageant that she never really had an official“coming out,” “saying her family has always been aware, supportive, andprogressive. My family is so open and accepting that I knew very young who Iwas and who I loved.” She continued, “Initially I wondered if the organizersand other contestants would accept or ostracize me, but I’ve been fine.”

Both women cite a strong desire to work with youth and give back to the LGBTcommunity.

How times have changed!.

Remember Carrie Prejean, California’s winning contestant in the 2009 MissAmerica? Openly gay pageant judge Perez Hilton popped Prejean this question,"Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Doyou think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?" Answered, thesweetly pious Prejean, “Well, I think it’s great that Americans are able tochoose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sexmarriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family,I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. Nooffense to anybody out there but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I thinkit should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”

Prejean's answer was greeted with boos followed by applause. Reactions wentviral, stirring up a hornet's nest of controversy. This afforded Trump, the21st century’s P.T. Barnum*, the opportunity to call a news conferencewhere he delivered his famous shtick: "You're fired."

The reaction to the pageant participation of Mollie and Jenelle has beenpositive while covering a wide spectrum of attitudes regarding women beinginvolved “in a stupid silly thing like a beauty contest.” Also, while somedon't like that the two young women are “selling-out gay sensibilities,” othersfeel that pageants degrade and sexploit women, promote eating disorders andsuperficiality. However, no one can dispute the fact that American culture nowincludes the acceptance of open lesbians into beauty pageants. Congrats, Mollieand Jenelle.

As it turned out, Natalie Pack (Miss Hoag Hospital) was the winner of the statepageant in Indian Wells, CA on January 7 and will go on to compete in Miss USA,the national pageant. A live ABC broadcast will emanate from Theatre for thePerforming Arts in Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on January14, 2012. All 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, andPuerto Rico will compete for the prestigious title.

*There is no proof that Phineas Taylor Barnum ever said, "there's a suckerborn every minute." He did, however, say that "every crowd has asilver lining," and acknowledged that "the public is wiser than manyimagine."

A Guiding Light to Venice

2012-01-04T14:39:00.000-08:00

A Guiding Light to Venice

Crystal Chappell on life in the daytime world

By John Esther

Over the past 20-plus years Crystal Chappell has been onnearly every major soap opera in America. She first appeared on All My Children in 1989, which wasfollowed up by Santa Barbara in 1990 as well as Dr. Carly Manning Alamain on Days of Our Lives.

After a few years at the latter – reportedly endingbitterly – Chappell’s next role was Maggie Carpenter on One Life Two Live. A role created for Chappell, Maggie struggledwith earthly pleasures and heavenly spirits before her character was writtenout of the show.

Her roles in these stories up to then were quite safe,filled with silly histrionics and inane metanarrative tropes indicative ofdaytime programming. But in 1999, Chappell and Guiding Light broke new ground with the character known as OliviaSpencer.

A protagonist with less than admirable traits, Olivia wasnot part of the big narrative at first. But thanks to Chappell’s performance,she garnered wide spread popularity, plus a few Daytime Emmy Awards andnominations.

The role actually lasted a decade, but in the final year orso everybody took a chance and allowed Olivia to fall in love with NataliaRivera (Jessica Leccia). Known as “Otalia,” the pairing of the two seemed likesuch a natural progression for these two women who had been in numerousunsuccessful relationships with men that it struck a wildly successful chordwith audiences. Another LGBT barrier had been broken.

After Guiding Lightended, Chappell took the strengths of Otalia and created the Emmy-winning show:Venice: the Series. The subscription-based internetshow tells the story of Gina Brogno (Chappell), a designer living in Venice Beach.Although Gina is gay, it is not an issue of primary identity or contention –unless her father, Owen (Galen Gering) is around.

Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, Chappellmoved around a lot during her childhood years. Eventually she attended the University of Maryland where she studied computerscience.

Now married and the mother of two sons, we caught up withChappell in Pismo Beach, California, and spoke to her about Olivia,women in television, children and several other topics.

Lesbian News: How would youdescribe your childhood?

Crystal Chappell: Well, we moved around a lot, butit was fine. It was a middle class family. We did various jobs to support us --there were six of us. It was a simple life.

LN: When did you first decidethat you wanted to be an actor?

CC: I was a computer science majorin college and I just ended up getting an acting gig. And that’s kept me goingfor 20 years. That’s kind of where we are now.

LN: What do you think you wouldbe doing if you were not in show business?

CC: That’s a good question. It wouldbe like what I’m doing now. I love creating. I love writing and directing and Istill enjoy acting very, very much. I get to be my own contact. It wouldinvolve all the things that I love, which is technology and the creativeaspect.

LN: How has acting and becoming aprofessional actor changed over the years?

CC: It gets harder as you get older.You have a natural beginning, middle and end, which occurs like a well toldstory, hopefully, and you grow as you go and try a lot of different things.

LN: What do you most enjoy aboutacting?

CC: You get lost in a story. I’m avery appreciative viewer of good work and good writing. It’s just being on theother side. When you come across material that you really love, it is fun tobring characters to life and the story to life. And then get that reaction fromthe audience. It’s a rush!

LN: What do you dislike the mostabout acting?

CC: Well, depending on what platformyou’re working in, you have to be very thin [laughs]. There’s not a buffet thatI would not appreciate. But you have to appear to be a certain way and, look. Whodoesn’t want a nice cinnamon bun?

LN: What has been the highlightof your career so far?

CC: I’ve been very fortunate. I’vebeen able to consistently work for the last twenty years and I’ve made myliving as an actress, which is pretty rare. I think it’s two to three percentof people that actually support themselves with just their acting work, sothat’s an honor. That’s a privilege. I’m certainly grateful for that and Ithink that’s truly a highlight. In terms of the work, I’ve been very fortunatein being able to do a lot of different roles and get nominated for awards andwin a couple. It has all been a rush and a journey and a lot of fun!

LN: Do you prefer directing toacting?

CC: I think being an actor helps me asa director because I understand what the actor’s process is. When I write, Iwrite visually; I see the shots as I write. It’s just a whole different way ofapproaching a script, but it definitely helps me. One of my greatest pleasuresis the visual part of it. Thanks to the director of photographer (RussellGriffith) I love the look of the show andhe helps me so much with the visual part of it. I love working with theactors and seeing them tell stories with this amazing work. I don’t what it is,but I get very excited when I get to yell “cut” and they’ve brought me to tearsor made me feel something or made me laugh. It’s a great rush and a pure joy.

LN: What advice would you giveaspiring actors?

CC: Work as much as you can. Do asmuch as you can whether it’s paid or not. Just go and have the experience andwork with a lot of different people. Everyone brings out different things in anactor, so even in a not-so-pleasant experience you’re still going to learnsomething. So, just go get the work.

LN: How did you get involved withGuiding Light’s storyline “Otalia”?

CC: I think nine years prior toOtalia we had kicked around the idea based on the play, The Children’s Hour. Certainly at that time, corporate wasn’t readyfor that. It came in the last couple of years of Guiding Light and I was told that Proctor and Gamble was going tolet us know the story and my executive producer sat me down and said Proctorand Gamble is going to let us tell this story, and I said, “Okay, you mean the story? I mean is she going to be ableto kiss?” And she said, “Well, I don’t know about that.” She was very up frontabout everything and I was thrilled. I was nervous because sometimes,especially on a show, they can bail, especially if there is a certain reaction.I didn’t want to be a part of that, of starting this story and seeing themfalling in love and then bailing on it. I certainly had that apprehension. Itwas one of those things where you prepare for the worst and hope for the bestand I honestly feel like we accomplished something really powerful. We told thestory very slowly and we did not kiss, which is my biggest let down of thewhole thing. They told this story about two women falling in love and just thesimplicity of their lives and the simplicity of their love and I think, I know,that it had an impact. I know it had an impact. The feedback was very specific,very global and honest. We got a lot of honest feedback from that. Peopleappreciated being represented.

LN: Did you encounter anybacklash or receive hate mail for doing this role? Was there any professionalbacklash or animosity for you telling this story?

CC: I don’t think there was anybacklash or if there was, I certainly wasn’t aware of it. I couldn’t tell you,I mean it just sort of put me on a different footing. In terms of my business,it didn’t hurt me at all. There was no negativity attached to it at all. Ithink in terms of the fan base that was created because of Otalia. There was acommunity of people and it gave them a forum to talk. For me it has beennothing but a positive. I just find that, honestly, that in certain corporatecircles, it’s not a story that is usually told.

LN: Moving onto Venice,where did that idea come from?

CC: It came from the Otalia storyline. I have many gay friends and it’s a non-issue in terms of someone’ssexuality. It doesn’t matter to me. I was very blind to some of the hardshipsthat some people were going through. The story really allowed me to really beable to hear what people were really saying and of the bravery of thisaudience. I got letters and emails from around the world -- literally thousandsof them -- of women telling me their stories or from their siblings, or amother or a father of a gay child. I didn’t know and I didn’t understand thefacets of it. It was really that reaction that prompted me. I had wanted toproduce for a while and I had produced in the past, but I called my writingpartner at the time and said, “Let’s go all out and have it be about a strong,out gay woman who knows who she is. But it’s going to have that serial dramaform. We’re going to tell a story in that format that doesn’t discriminate –whether you’re gay or straight or whatever race, we’re just going to tell thestory about human beings.” The only place we could do that and not havelimitations was the internet. There is no corporation saying we can’t do thisor that. “You can’t kiss her on the cheek.” So it just seemed like that was theplace to go and that it was the place people were familiar with. They were hipto YouTube and everything else. So if we could give them an URL address andthey could come and they could watch a story, then let them come there.

LN: Why did you want to set yourshow in Venice Beach?

CC: That was actually my writingpartner’s idea. Veniceis a very funky, liberal town. It certainly lends itself to some beautifulfootage. It a very eclectic group of people and you have to have an opensensibility to live in Venice Beach.

LN: Considering that it is a veryopenly political community. Does that allow you to bring up issues normalcorporate media avoid?

CC: Yeah, that was the whole idea.Being able to create the sense for the audience that, yes, this is a placethat’s going to be able to change what other people think. It really came downto that. It was a simple as that.

LN: How many episodes have youcompleted so far?

CC: We just finished our thirdseason. We’re on our third episode. We have one a week, every Wednesday and theepisodes run from 18 to 38 minutes long and it should finish up around the endof February. There are 12 episodes, so around the end of February we shouldwrap. We leave it on for an extra month as this is a subscription based show.So we want people to have a little extra time to catch up.

LN: What do you think you have incommon with Gina?

CC: Being incredibly driven andincredibly flawed. You know, you’re just trying to find your place in life,find love and find your purpose.

LN: How has the subscriptionmodel worked for you? Where did you get the idea? What kind of advantages andlimitations does this present?

CC: It’s not like cable where you cango in and cancel. It’s $9.99 for eleven episodes. You get the first episode forfree. And from now through the end of March you will be able see seasons one andtwo for free on our site every weekend, so it’s there for people who want toknow the back-story or want to catch up. You pay for it and that’s kind of thejourney. We’ve sort of cultivated an audience that needs to come back,thankfully, and we use a lot of social media to promote it -- like Facebook, Twitter.They seem to be there. Originally it was supposed to be, and it still may be, adual platform show with sponsorship and subscription but it’s enough to cover…it’scovered itself, it’s paid for itself for the past three seasons and it’s a showthat costs about $125 thousand dollars a season; so it’s not an inexpensiveshow. It’s a lot about the audience and what they are willing to invest in. It’skind of where we’re going – you know my background is with daytime – so that’skind of where we’re going with soaps. It’s a pay per experience.

LN: Speaking of daytime serialshows, whatever flaws they have or had, they certainly have allowed women muchwider and oftentimes better roles than elsewhere. Do you find that the internetpicks up where that leaves off and fills that gap as soap operas continue to becancelled on TV?

CC: I do. I applaud daytime. Theywere the first shows to really allow women to be seen in a strong, positivelight. If you go back through the history of daytime shows, they were reallypioneers. It’s been a wonderful platform for women to be seen as doctors andlawyers and strong people. Certainly there is a wonderful freedom on the web.So while we want to stick to the idea of telling an unbiased story, itcertainly allows for that tradition to continue.

LN: What are you highestexpectations for the show? Where do you want to see it go potentially?

CC: I’m actually very happy where Iam. And we’re creating a couple more shows through my production company anddoing some other things as well. I like where we are. I don’t know where it isgoing to go. I tell everyone who comes onboard that with this production, “Ican’t tell you where we’re headed.” I know that for the time being it seems tobe working and it’s all because of the audience. So, we’ll just keep going andsee where we’re at. I don’t know that I have any specific location or that Iwant to take it back to television. I think of this as a really excitingjourney and I just want to see where it’s going to go.

LN: What do you do when you arenot working?

CC: [Laughs] Well, if you ask mychildren, they’ll tell you that I’m never not at work. But I actually loveworking. I’m a mom. I go to basketball games and do homework and try to go tothe beach a lot -- every little beach so it’s ridiculous. It’s a pretty simplelife after that. It’s all pretty simple.

LN: Are there any social causesthat you support or are involved in?

CC: I’m one of ten National ambassadorsfor an organization called the Hetrick-Martin Institute. It’s www.HMI.org. It’sthe largest LGBTQ youth services agency in the country and they do the most amazingwork. They take care of kids. It doesn’t matter what your sexual orientationis, and you can get everything through this organization. It’s very dear to myheart, I totally believe in what they are doing. We just expanded. Theirheadquarters are in Manhattan and they justopened an HMI in Newark, New Jersey. It’s a fantastic place for youngpeople to go and get help.

LN: What is it about theorganization that you feel so passionate and compassionate about?

CC: I got to see firsthand the HarveyMilk high school in NY by an amazing person Thomas Krever. The compassion thisman has for these kids is enough to make you join forces with them 100 percent.So many of these young people don’t even know that they don’t have a home,they’re just couch surfing. And they’re not accepted in one way or another by hisor her community or by her or his family and this is probably his or her onesafe place to go. Just to have one safe place to go and know that you’re notgoing to be judged. They going to give you testing for anything, or if you needcounseling; if you need a new shirt you can come and get one; if you need towash your clothes you can do that. There’s a freedom and independence, but atthe same time you can still be a kid.

LN: Switching gears, what areyour guilty pleasures?

CC: Cheese [laughs]. I like cheese.I think I spend a lot of time at the beach right now, but I spend a lot of timerunning down there. There are a lot of times I’m sitting down there and Ithink, “You should be in an office somewhere.” It’s just a really decadent lifeand I’m grateful for it, but I’m just like, “wow.” It’s all kinds of pretty here.Do you know Pismo beach? It’s all so pretty.

LN: I know the area well. Lastly,what do you think about these interviews where you talk about your work? Do youthink that they serve the work or do you think that the work should just speakfor itself?

CC: I think it’s very important totalk about the show and talk about the work and to get as many eyeballs as youcan on the show. I’m proud of the show. I wouldn’t be telling it if I wasn’t.But at the same time, at the end of the day, as much feedback that I get fromfans that I take to heart, the story has been told. It’s been shot and it’sgoing to roll out the way it’s going to roll out. I think it’s all veryimportant and at the end of the day the work will speak for itself. There’s no gettingaround that.

Shirin Papillon

2012-01-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Shirin Papillon

By Mona Elyafi

When lesbian business entrepreneur Shirin Papillon was doing research for a “lesbian MadMen” type show, she realized that searching for phrases like “lesbian TV,”“lesbian films,” and “lesbian web series” led her to mostly porn.

Yet understanding that the digitalrevolution has created a platform for personal expression and supplying unknownartists with the tools to tell their stories, Papillon decided not only to findall these talents but also to unite them under one address: the OML marquee.

Now OML -an online media platform thatstrictly serves as an aggregator for video content already existing on othersites – has become the one-stop emporium for movies, television shows, webseries, Vlogs, music videos, live video chats, PSA’s, specials/events and evencommercials made for and by lesbians and bi-sexual women.

What this sassybusinesswomen has really created is an Internet platform that is making up for the lack ofrepresentation in films & TV and filling the void left by the likes of Netflix and Apple Store - who eitheroffer poor quality LGBT film/TV content or are associating LGBT film genre to"porn".

Moving OML towardbecoming the Netflix, Hulu, iTunes and Amazon of the lesbian world, Papillonhas kicked-off a new division to bring new non-pornographic films and otherspecialty entertainment to LGBT audiences around the world via digitalplatforms. The one of a kind service allows users to view a variety of popularlesbian titles as well as independent feature films and shorts for a small feeranging for a 48-hour viewing period.

In addition to hours and hours of films,TV shows, and web series OML will be adding more written content in its “InWords” section and eventually hopes to connect lesbian and bisexual women withmusic, books, and all things lesbian.

Papillon doesn’tlimit herself to American produced content. Her team, based all over the world,aids OML in searching the globe for the best lesbian content. Able to select from a rich catalog of the latestLGBT cinema, viewers will have instant access to quality LGBT content thatwould usually only screen at film festivals and/or go straight to DVD - filmsthey love and/or have heard of but may not have access to otherwise.

As the web stillremains the primary source for quality LGBT content, OML is also creating asense of community and solidarity by bringing filmmakers and artists togetherand offering them a platform to distribute their work online.

In a post “The L Word” world while manywonder where can lesbian and bi-sexual women turn to in order to fill in thevoid left by the now defunct hit series believing that there’re not enoughlesbian characters on screen, and nothing relevant to watch on TV portrayingthe lesbian community with authenticity, one woman, Shirin Papillon, not onlybegs to differ, but has also proposed the perfect solution.

The Lesbian News had a chance to catch upwith the San Franciscobased Papillon for an exclusive interview:

How did the idea of creating OML come to you? What wasthe main inspiration behind the concept?

OML came about when I was researching for a series I wantedto pitch to BBC. We had already pitchedit to HBO and they were nibbling on it and I wanted to see if any such thingexisted in Europe. I naively punched in “lesbian” in GoogleVideo and got hit with thousands of porn videos. I then searched other search engines andvideo site and it was very difficult to find quality, non-pornographic lesbianvideo content online. Then I thoughtthere really should be one site where you could find all the great lesbianvideo content that are online whether they be film, TV series, web series,music videos, commercials, etc…and so OML came about.

What is the main goal you wish to accomplish with OML?

Visibility and accessibility. OML is meant to be a platform where lesbiansand bisexual women from all over the world can come to and find themselvesrepresented. We often complain about thedearth of lesbian visibility both in film and on TV, but when you pull togetherall the amazing films, series and storylines that have been created by lesbiansall over the world it’s quite incredible. That’s where accessibility comes in and the Internet is perfect mediumfor it.

What would you say is different and unique about OML incomparison to your competition – meaning what makes you stand out from therest? What gap in the market you feel OML fills?

We’ve never really had competition. I know they say that some competition ishealthy, but I frankly find it to be a waste of time. Any time someone has even come close tofeeling like a competition, we’ve somehow partnered/collaborated withthem. The LGBT community online and offis substantial, but when you put us in context of the world, we’re quitesmall. If we’re to have a strong voice,we have to work together and pull each other up. So we don’t pound our chests and tell othersites that we have more, bigger, better. If they have something that we want, we ask to collaborate somehow. This gives us new content/features and itgives them another platform/venue to showcase their work.

To what extent is OML involved in the LGBT community andhow do you think it is positively impacting said niche community as well asmainstream? I know for instance that you participated in large-scale eventssuch as The Dinah and Gay Games -what’sthe motivation behind it?

Again, solidarity. Sometimes there seems to be a good deal of in-fighting and it feels alittle high schoolish to me. If the LGBTcommunity is going to have a strong voice in the greater world, we have to doit in solidarity and collectively. Ifall our time is spent trying to beat out another organization or site, thenwe’ll never gain the strong clear voice that we desperately need. Our participation is such events like TheDinah or the Gay Games is representative of that. We don’t go to these events alone, we inviteweb series producers and filmmakers to join and give them a stage (literally)for them to come together to represent and join in solidarity. Because of our events, many of the filmmakersand web series are collaborating on new projects. This would have never happened if everyoneworked in silos and had no way to come together.

What’s the motivation behind the Video On Demand idea?How do you feel/think it’s going to change OML?

Video On Demand seems like the logical next step forOML. The aggregated/curated videos inthe main section of OML will continue to be free and the centerpiece of thesite, but many want to see full feature films and shorts that are not availableonline. So we’re bringing this to ouraudience and making it very affordable and easy for them to watch.

What would you say is the biggest misconception about OMLright now?

That because it is “lesbian” that it is anadult/pornographic site.

I was on United and went online to change something on thesite and quickly realized that it was blocked. The reason they gave was “adult/pornographic” content. They obviously had never been to the sitebecause we’re neither. Having “lesbian”in our name has been a blessing and a curse, but it’s a part of changing themisconception of the word. So in short,I would say that the misconception that people have of OML is the same bigmisconception that people have about lesbians overall – that we’re somehow allabout sex and getting it on. Such atired misconception really!

What in your opinion makes OML a relevant online platformin today’s social, cultural and technological landscape? And where do you seeOML going in 5 to 10 years from now?

I think OML is incredibly relevant. Everything is moving to videos online thesedays and we’ve been doing it for years. There is no stronger medium that video and we’re offering a platformwhere lesbians are represented for who they are…not just in Californiaor the United States,but all over the world. We’re all aboutmedia and will always be about media. In5 to 10 years I would like OML to be the Netflix, iTunes and Amazon of thelesbian world!

What other projects are you currently working on as partof OML’s expansion and growth?

Can’t give away all our secrets, but it has to do withbooks, new channels and partnerships! J

For more information about OML and/or OML+ go to: www.OneMoreLesbian.com

Femastrology - Jan 2012

2012-01-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Femastrologyby Victoria Bearden

JanuarySun Sign Profile: Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Capricornthe Goat Fish, what a strange and interesting creature she is. This Earth Signis capable of much hard work and responsibility. Their goal-oriented nature canturn into status-seeking and social climbing. But in general, if you want toget something done, ask a Capricorn. They take on more than their fair share ofburdens and duties, and then wonder why nobody shows up when they need help.For the most part, they seem so capable; others simply don’t know they need anyhelp. Capricorns tend to be private, which sometimes comes across as snobberyto those who don’t know them. They are loyal and love deeply, but their lack of“warm-fuzziness” is sometimes misread as coldness. Bossy and critical, but aremuch harder on themselves than others.

Interestingly,an alternate symbol for Capricorn is the Mermaid. While some Capricorns are allbusiness, many are intellectually deep and highly creative. Earth signs arephysical and sensual by nature, and even though Capricorns don’t always actwild and sexy, they are often quite lusty in the bedroom. You’ve heard theexpression “randy as a goat,” haven’t you?

Capricornsprefer the role of CEO or manager and do best when they aren’t taking orders.Their work ethic can propel them to the top in business, politics or any fieldthat requires training, skill, and tenacity. Quietly competitive, they don’tstop until they get what they want.

Capricorngets along with fellow Earth Signs Taurus and Virgo, but might lock horns withanother Cap. They are often fascinated with the fiery strength of Aries andLeo, but control battles almost always ensue. Surprisingly, adventurousSagittarius is often good with Cappy. The intelligence of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius intrigues Capricorn, butthey find the changeable nature of Air confusing. Watery Cancer, Scorpio, andPisces add much needed emotional nurturing and in turn, benefit from Capricornsstructure, stability, and devotion.

Born on December 27, 1901, Ultra-GlamorousMarlene Dietrich personifies the icy, enigmatic, and enticing side of Capricornwomen. She remained popular during her career by continually reinventingherself, much like Madonna. In 1999 the American Film Institute named her theninth greatest female star of all time. A bi-sexual, she enjoyed the thrivinggay scene and drag balls of 1920’s Berlin.For Marlene, life really was a Cabaret.“Darling, the legs aren’t so beautiful, I just know what to do with them!”

FemastrologyHoroscopes for January

For allthe Sun Signs: Can you believe it? It’s 2012! Jupiter (expansion and growth) isdirect in the Sign of Taurus and is positively aspected to Pluto (power andregeneration) in Capricorn. This strong combination will help all of us “getthe lead out” and start the New Year right. Earth Signs Taurus, Virgo, andCapricorn will benefit greatly from this. Many projects, ideas, andopportunities that fizzled in 2011 can take hold and take off now, so be ready.Although there are still some tense planetary influences during 2012, many willfind this to be a much more positive and productive year. In Chinese Astrology,this is the Year of the Yang Water Dragon, which is auspicious and powerful.Use this amazing energy to make your dreams into reality.

Aries(March 21-April 19) The Sun and Pluto team up in your solar 10^thHouse this month, so go for the gusto in the career zone. Short cuts will notwork, so roll up your sleeves and get busy.

Taurus(April 20-May 20) Pluto in Capricorn and Jupiter in Taurus are on your sidethis month. Luck is running high, but you need motivation. Don’t just thinkabout doing something, go do it. Your success potential is very high now. Applywhat you’ve learned and watch what happens.

Gemini(May 21-June 20 ) Venus in Aquarius isencouraging you to run away from your responsibilities and play, but not sofast! There are some serious issues concerning money and partnerships that willdemand your attention this month. Get that straightened out and things will gosmoothly. You could succeed in a joint endeavor. Don’t forget to make time forromance.

Cancer(June 21-July 21) Business and personal relationships become highly chargedthis month. Pay attention. You could make some very important connections.You’ve been working hard, striving for higher heights in career. Others willwant to help you reach your goals now.

Leo(July 23-August 22) The mighty lion needs a little time out! You’ve probablyburnt yourself to a frazzle over the holidays and New Years and you think youcan still keep forging ahead. If you don’t slow down and pay attention to yourhealth and personal affairs this month, you may end up in the doctor’s office.Chill!

Virgo(August 23-September 22) This isdefinitely a good month for you, Virgo. Mars is in your sign and you are readyto roll. Your luck is running high in both romance and business, so take somerisks and put yourself out there. And have fun!

Libra(September 23-October 22) Your life changed a lot over the past year. Now it’stime to stabilize, cut your losses, and move forward. You will also need to payattention to home and personal life this month. Make your environment apeaceful oasis. It will help energize you.

Scorpio(October 23-Novemeber 21) Thoughts are things, Scorpio, but if you have toomany ideas competing for your attention, nothing will manifest. Slow down alittle and put some energy into one or two important projects this month. Focusyour energy and you will start to move forward.

Sagittarius(November 22-December 21) There is a lot going on involving your income andresources. Pay attention to your money! If you waltzed into the New Yearunprepared, you will have to straighten some things out.

Capricorn(December 22-January 19) In many ways, you will breathe a sigh of relief as youbid farewell to 2011. The New Year should be much easier on you in some ways.Leave the past behind and accept your power. Your goals are in sight.

Aquarius(January 20-February 18) This month could be very interesting in the romancedepartment. Your sensitivity and intuition are running high, but so is yourimagination! Make sure you separate fact from fantasy, particularly regardinglove and relationship.

Pisces(February 19-March 20) Spread your wings and be the social butterfly you alwaysknew you could be. Connections with friends will prove both exciting andbeneficial now, so accept all invitations. It’s time to put your dreams intoaction.

I AMAVAILABLE FOR PSYCHIC ASTROLOGICAL READINGSAND INTUITIVE COUNSELING. CALL ME AT 760-634-1028 OR EMAIL ME AT V1BEAR@AOL.COM

News Bytes - Jan 2012

2012-01-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

NEWSBYTES

By DenisePenn

HILLARY CLINTON GIVES HISTORIC SPEECH TO UNITED NATIONS

Secretary of State Hillary Clintonaddressed the United Nations in Geneva in December 2011, delivering an historicspeech about LGBT human rights in honor of the anniversary of the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights.

Shesaid, “…To LGBT men and women worldwide, let me say this: Wherever you live andwhatever the circumstances of your life, whether you are connected to a networkof support or feel isolated and vulnerable, please know that you are not alone.People around the globe are working hard to support you and to bring an end tothe injustices and dangers you face. That is certainly true for my country. Andyou have an ally in the United States of America and you have millions offriends among the American people.”

UNITEDNATIONS RELEASES REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDERIDENTITY

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)released the first-ever United Nations (UN) report on human rights, sexual orientationand gender identity. The report, published by the UN High Commissioner forHuman Rights, Navanethem Pillay, is the result of a Human Rights Councilresolution passed on June 17, 2011. The resolution, which was presented by SouthAfrica, received support from a majority of the members of the Human RightsCouncil.

The report notes the particular experiences of lesbians and otherwomen who suffer violence, killings, rape and abuse, often at the hands offamily and community. Widespread discrimination and violence faced by LGBT peopleworldwide is documented. A call for an end to these human rights violations, includinga call for protection and recognition of the self-identified gender of transpersons is part of this report. Among its most important recommendations is thereport’s call for the decriminalization of same-sex relations betweenconsenting adults.

Jessica Stern, Acting Executive Director of IGLHRC said, “The report is atribute to all of the activists who have fought for recognition of homophobicviolence and transphobic discrimination over decades, often in the face ofextreme hostility. It will serve as an invaluable aid to each one of us whoseeks to advance LGBT rights – not only at the United Nations but in cities andtowns around the world.”

LADY GAGA HONORED BY TREVORPROJECT

The TrevorProject honored Lady Gaga withthe Trevor Hero Award On Sunday, December 4, 2011, “Trevor Live” event. She waschosen for being an inspiration to youth and for increasing visibility andunderstanding of the LGBTQ community. Lady Gaga has described this cause as apersonal one; she says that as a child, she was often picked on for beingdifferent.

"This award means more to me than any Grammy ever will," shesaid in her acceptance speech. "I want my fans and people all over theworld to know there is always someone who is listening, but I want them to knowthat before it is too late."

Lady Gagarecently founded the Born This WayFoundation to empower youth to be proud of who they are, to accept andembrace one another's humanity, and to love themselves and one another. TrevorLive was sponsored by Audi of America and ING. It is an annual event of TheTrevor Project, a recent honoree of the White House as a Champion of Change forleadership and innovation in suicide prevention. The Trevor Project is theleading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicideprevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioningyoung people.

LESBIAN COUPLE CAN STAY TOGETHER: DEPORTATION CASE CLOSED

A lesbian couplein Queens, New York, who had struggled to avoid being separated due to USdeportation policy, has won. MonicaAlcota, from Argentina had dealt with the possibility of being deported for twoyears for overstaying her visa even though she is married to an Americancitizen.

The issue wasbased on the federal Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) which prevents same-sexcouples from obtaining immigration benefits. Her application for a green cardbased on her marriage to Cristina Ojeda was turned down in April. Although theObama administration lawyers have stopped defending DOMA in court, it has yetto be overturned. Alcota’s deportation case was closed on November 30, 2011 butshe is not yet able to become a citizen.

ISLAMIC EXTREMIST GROUP CALLS FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST LESBIANAUTHOR

A public debatein Amsterdam in December was disrupted by a group calling for a Canadian Muslimlesbian author to be killed. Author Irshad Manji was speaking at an event onDecember 8, 2011 along with MP TofikDibi on a panel. Dibi is a, gay Dutch-Moroccan man who has called on Muslimsaround the world to stop following decrees issued by extremists.

The event wasdisrupted when members of the group “Sharia4Belgium” came in to the De BalieTheater, throwing eggs and calling for Manji’s neck to be broken. The policewere called and removed the group of approximately 20 men, and arrested two ofthem. Irshad Manji has experienced death threats for several years. Her book,“The Trouble with Islam Today” brought forth the first tirade, and she is nowpromoting her new book, “Allah, Liberty and Love.” Manji speaks of theimportance of speaking out in the face of controversy.

LESBIAN MOM CONFRONTS MAYOR

Amy and Tina Weber, a lesbian couple raisingtwo children, were so offended by homophobic facebook posts by their Mayor,that they came down to a city council meeting with their two daughters to voicetheir objections. Janice Daniels, Mayorof Troy Michigan had updated her Facebookpage after the state of New York approved same-sex marriages, stating “I think I am going to throw away my I LoveNew York carrying bag now that queers can get married there.”

Amy Weber and herwife and their two daughters came to the meeting and brought drawings from theirtwo children that said, “Love – the only answer.” She concluded her statementby inviting the Mayor to the next Pride Parade in Michigan. Video of Weber’sstatement has been viewed all over the country.

Friends of Project 10 Inc. Holiday Happenings!

2011-12-14T14:22:00.000-08:00

Group Ticket Offer!

The Off-Broadway Hit

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING OUT

Written and Performed by Jeffrey Solomon and Directed by Joe Brancato.

DECEMBER 14

at Celebration Theatre in Hollywood

JEFFREY SOLOMON's acclaimed one-man mock-u-mentary explores the secret romantic life of the great holiday icon and the controversy that engulfs the world when the truth is revealed. When a little boy's gender atypical gift request to the North Pole is denied, a series of heart-felt letters from the child nudge SantaClaus out of the closet and into the culture wars. A theatrical documentarian in the mold of Anna Deveare Smith and the Laramie Project, Mr. Solomon purports to have interviewed, and portrays, all of the key players in the scandal that has come to be known as 'Santa-Gate'.

All performances start at 8pm. Ticket prices are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.

GROUP TICKET OFFER:

10 - 30 tickets at 20% off plus $1 fee per tickets: $16+$1 = $17

31+ tickets or more at 30% off plus $1 fee per tickets: $14+$1 = $15

Call the Celebration office at 323.957-1884 and talk to Micael Kric or John Michael Beck, or email at kric@celebrationtheatre.com and copy at jmbeck@celebrationtheatre.com.

Individual Tickets are available for $20 in advance, and $25 at the door. Please call 323-957-1884or visit the Celebration Theatre website at www.celebrationtheatre.com.

December 17, 2011...Tamale Jam...

produced by C.I.T.Y.X1

Plummer Park, West Hollywood

6 pm ...

Movie, This Sunday, December 18th

You and your students are invited to I a pre-release screening of the new movie, Pariah. It's Sunday, December 18th, at the Renberg Theatre, located at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center's the Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, 90038. The Village is located just 1 block north of Santa Monica and 1 block east of Highland.

We would also like to invite your group to come at noon for a holiday celebration with food provided by Chipotle and social time to meet youth from LifeWorks and other GSAs and Project 10 groups. The movie screening will be at 2pm and conclude by 4pm.

There are only 200 seats in the auditorium, so please ask your group to each register at:

www.tinyulr.com/lwpariahparty. Once the 200 seats are reserved, others will be put on a waiting list. We can't guarantee lunch and seating for any students who show up without a reservation.

Finally, I would like to start a mailing list for keeping in touch with all the GSA/Project 10 sponsors throughout the school year. If you would like to know about upcoming LifeWorks events and activities that might be of interest to your club and plans for Models of Pride 2012, please sign up here:

http://tinyurl.com/GSASponsors.

Daryl Parker Program

Coordinator

LifeWorks - A program of the LA Gay & Lesbian Center

dparker@lagaycenter.org
323-860-7323

THE CENTER LONG BEACH

Youth Program

Friends of Mentoring Youth Through Empowerment (MYTE)

Here are some updates for December!

Friday, 12/16, take a tour of Long Beach's holiday lights on a boat! We are pleased to partner with the Horizon Yacht Club for this special event. Food and drink will be provided. Youth will be meeting off site. Contact the Youth Program Manager for a reservation if you are interested. Space is limited to 16. Event will take place from 6 to 8:30pm.
Friday, 12/23, holiday party with MYTE! Bring a gift for our gift exchange! 3 to 7pm.

Coming soon...

Saturday, January 14, 6:30 to 9:30pm-- our Second MONSTER BALL DANCE!!!
Saturday, February 4, GSA Summit at CSULB.

Kyle Bullock

Youth Program Manager

The Center Long Beach

2017 E. 4th Street

Long Beach, CA 90814

p. 562.434.4455 ext. 227

f. 562.433.6428

KEEP UP WITH JULIE BUCHANAN-PLAISANCE

Read this great article about twins who were identical in every way, but one! Click here.

Visit Julie's Facebook page for great resources including books and articles related to LGBTQ youth issues.

Read the Presidential Memorandum -- International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons

Transcript: Secretary Clinton's Address on the Human Rights of LGBT People"Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights"
December 06, 2011 Click here.

Watch the video

here.

Supporting Students

Saving Lives will take place in San Diego on February 17-19, 2012.

The Center For Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCaL) presents the 3rd Annual National Educator Conference Focused on LGBTQIA Youth. The conference, titled, Supporting Students ~ Saving Lives, will take place in San Diego, California on February 17-19, 2012.

For the past two and a half years, CESCaL has brought together national leaders in education and LGBTQIA experts to empower and teach educators the attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary to create needed change in schools.

Supporting Students ~ Saving Lives is the ONLY national educator conference focused on on working with LGBTQIA youth. Register today and help LGBTQIA students go from Surviving to Thriving!

EARLY BIRD Discount Registration ends December 16, 2011. Register ONLINE at: www.lgbtqia2012.org.

College Student: $129.00

Individual: $199.00

Who should attend:

Teachers, School Counselors, Principals, School Board Members, PE Teachers/Coaches, Social Workers, School Psychologists, School and Community Based Mental Health Professionals, Marriage and Family Therapists.

Please spread the word by forwarding this information to your colleagues and friends.

BECOME A FAN OF

FRIENDS OF PROJECT 10

Please become a fan of @Friends of Project 10 on Facebook.Keep up with announcements and upcoming events.

LGBT YOUTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Stay updated with the LGBT Youth Calendar of Events at

http://lalgbtyac.org/html/calendar.html.

Friends of Project 10 Inc.

Friends of Project 10 Inc. was created in 1986 as a nonprofit (501c3) to provide funding for programs and projects that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth. Our programs are open to youth regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The organization produces the Models of Excellence (MOE) scholarship program and consults with school districts and community organizations throughout California to ensure safe schools for all students.

Tax id.# 95-4080446 Donate here! www.FriendsofProject10.org

Friends of Project 10 Inc.

115 W. California Blvd. #116 Pasadena, California 91105

friendofproject10@hotmail.com

626.577.4553

I Am Your Sister

2011-12-07T11:52:00.001-08:00

I Am Your Sister

Writer-director Dee Rees andactor Adepero Oduye talk about Pariah

By John Esther

One of the four Opening NightFilms at Sundance Film Festival 2011, writer-director Dee Rees’ tight dramafollows the hard live of a young African-American woman named Alike (AdeperoOduye) hiding in the closet from her overbearing mother (comedian Kim Wayanstaking a very successful dramatic turn) and philandering father (CharlesParnell). It is a hard life but at least she has a few friends and her poetry toget her out of it.

Originally a short film, thefeature film will be released this month and its director and actor are gettingrave reviews for their performances. You can expect numerous nominations fromthe Indie Spirit Awards plus several LGBT award during the season.

An alumna of New York University’s graduate film program and a2008 Sundance Screenwriting & Directing Lab Fellow, Rees decided to eschewher Master's Degree in Business Administration and abscond from the corporateworld and go into film at the age of 27. Originally from Nashville, Tennesseesince then the now-Long Beach, California resident has written and directed theshort films Eventual Salvation, ColonialGods and Orange Bow in addition to the Pariah films. Rees also worked as a script supervisor on When the Levees Broke and Inside Man,both directed by her mentor, Spike Lee (SheHate Me). Some of her favorite television shows are Friday Nights and South Park.

Alike her character Alike,Oduye (pronounced Oh-du-yay) was raised in Brooklyn, New York.Unlike her character, Oduye was born in Nigeria,is the third of seven children and a graduate of Cornell University.With several theater credits under her young belt, Oduye won the lead in the Pariah short after giving an impressive auditionwearing her brother's clothes.

We caught up with Rees andOduye twice to talk about the film, race, gender, making it on your own termsand a lot more. The first time was for a lengthy interview on the phone and thesecond time was at lunch at the infamous Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, California.

Lesbian News: How would you describe your childhoodand adolescent years?

Dee Rees:[Laughs] How specifically do you mean?

LN: What do you think you were like as a kid andadolescent?

DR: I guessI was a typical suburban kid.

Adepero Oduye:That's a really good question. I guess I was an outsider. I never really fit inwith most of the other kids. I was from Nigeria. I was always doing my ownthing.

LN: Why did you decide you wanted to become a filmmakerat the age of 27?

DR: I wantedto get back to my true love, which is writing. Initially I never thought itwould be a practical career. I went into marketing and after bouncing aroundcubicles and companies I realized I needed to redo what I loved. Screenwritingis a way of actually seeing your writing come to life, your work done, so Iquit my job and went to film school.

AO: I didn’tplan on it until later. I was going to be a doctor. I went to school for it. Mymother was very nervous when I decided I wanted to make a career out of acting.I think she still worries.

LN: Has your mother seen Pariah?

AO: She sawthe short. It was hard to tell what she thought of it.

LN: Are you going to watch the feature with her.

AO: Hell no![Laughs]

LN: Why did you want to tell this particular story?

DR: It was achance to, you know, see how the New York scene changes you, inspires you. Pariah kind of transposed my ownexperience of coming out onto a 17-year-old girl. I wanted to tell the story ina way that would hopefully, you know, takes images in a world that we typicallydon’t see and puts it forward.

LN: I understand getting this story made was acathartic experience for you.
DR: Yes, it was because I was comingout; I was in that process at the same time that I was writing the script. Sofor me it was a way to kind of work through my own process.

LN: Which character do you identify the most with andwhy?

DR: I’d haveto say Alike; she’s the protagonist. She’s also an artist so she is someone whoknows that she lives with her next art problem but her question is how to be.She’s trying to figure out how to live in the world. She doesn’t quite fit inthe gay world and she doesn’t quite fit in the straight world. She keeps toherself. That’s a struggle that I identify with a lot.

LN: Adepero, what do you think you have in common withAlike?

AO: A lot inthe sense that when I was her age I felt like I was an outsider. I was stillsearching for my identity.

LN: Do you still find yourself searching?

AO: Not really.

LN: What was the greatest obstacle with getting thisfilm made?

DR: Fightingwith my world was the hardest part because you have some who see your childhoodfilm as just a gay or lesbian film or black but we wanted more than that. Weknew [the film was] about identity and has universal themes but pitching theidea about a gay, black woman was really hard to get people to see theuniversality of it, because they thought it was going to be too small and toospecific. So breaking through and being part of the financing branch – beingour own investors – was a way of getting the film done.

LN: Were people reluctant to fund it because of coloror gender or sexual orientation?

DR: Well,because they thought the film itself was too small and specific, which is codefor "too black" and "too gay." They didn’t think that thestory really had universal appeal, although we knew that it was about identityand race and sexuality. Everybody at some point has struggled with who they areand how to deal with the world. So that was the main struggle – people tried toput the film into a box.

LN: And I understand that you had to sell your houseto get this film made. Is that accurate?

DR: Yeah, itwas our apartment.

LN: Would you do that again if it were necessary?

DR:[Laughs]. If I were in my old apartment again, potentially. It was importantfor us to know and ask how we could ask others to invest in us if we didn’tinvest in ourselves. That was an important investment for us to make. So, Imean, at the same crossroads, at the same moment, yeah. At the time it justfelt organic and natural. It’s not until you look back that it seems like sucha huge leap. It seemed like the perfect solution.

LN: I seem to see a use of patterns in the way youshot, your use of color in the interior shots. Can you tell us about what youand cinematographer Bradford Young had in mind?

DR: There isa lot riding on the color and the heighten characterizations so we wanted tocommunicate that. So in the first part of the film Alike's often intimidated bythe world around her: so in the crib she’s purple, on the bus she’s green andin the house she’s pink. So she’s never really herself. So now she comes intoherself and comes into who she’s going to be in the world, we see more and morebright light. We see more in terms of angles to contrast with the profile stuffwe see earlier. Also, we really wanted to use the color space kind of inbetween the colors, the color palette, because she is not quite definable.

LN: Was that a challenge considering the budget youhad?

DR: Well,not necessarily. One of the great thingswas working with the producer, Nikisa Cooper. It would be one of us fightingfor the mythology of low budget you get your film done. The way to make thisfilm work for us would be to get those colors and those contrasts that wewanted. So basically Brad designed and built us a light so we didn’t have tohave a bunch of lights and trucks on the street. We worked incredible dealswith our lot and with Kodak and our partners so we could get the resources thatwe needed to shoot in that medium. We really wanted the medium to tell thestory. The story had to be told on film because we had to get the color and thecontrast.

LN: How did you team up with Adepero?

DR: Adeperocame to us actually when we were casting the short film, Pariah. She came on the first day of auditions and she was awesome.She blew it away. We couldn’t believe that we had found our lead actress on thefirst day of auditions so we made her come back a couple of times. Adepero isamazing. We knew she was going to be the one to play Alike.

LN: Did you work with her between the short film andthe feature? Or was the writing something that you did separately?

DR: Theworkshop was in 2008. So we worked with her and then I would write. It wasgreat because we would workshop and then I was writing.

LN: What kind of direction did you give her?

DR:Specifically I told her that she was an outsider. That she doesn’t quite fitin. It was developed by scene, you know. We’d do exercises. For example we tookher to a lesbian club so we could get her to feel what it was like in a gay orlesbian environment – to feel what it was like to be a lesbian in a lesbianenvironment. We also took her to Times Squareso she could feel like a lesbian in a straight environment. There she couldreally internalize how people dealt with lesbians and how people looked atthem. In general, her character is very hesitant and very unsure and we werejust kind of looking for that in the film.

LN: What kind of direction did she give you during thefilm?

AO: I don’tknow. She was very calm. She trusts her actors, so it’s not like this thingwhere she hops on you or we over discuss the scene beforehand. She might justsay a brief moment or two about where we’re at in the story and then we’ll justdo it. There were times when I felt like I was really struggling with the sceneand she was always able to give really precise, calm direction and I would belike, "Okay, okay, I got it." It allowed me to let go of whateverfear, or whatever blocks I had and you know, push through it. She creates avery nurturing atmosphere for us actors as a lot of us have to got to, youknow, very vulnerable places and she gave us the space to do so. I felt likeshe had our backs throughout the making of this film and still does.

LN: And what was the hardest scene to shoot in thatfilm?

DR: Um, Iguess I would say the confrontation scene between Alike and her mother. It wasnot really difficult but there was quite a lot of coordination and managing theblocking and making sure the tension and discomfort were building up andmanaging the performances at the same time.

AO: Um, thehardest scene to shoot was probably…well, there were a couple. The scene withmy mother when I tell her that I love her and she doesn’t respond was hard. Andthe scene where I get rejected from being the best friend to Mika (AftonWilliamson) was hard. That was pretty challenging as far as expressing trueemotion. It was challenging to allow myself to go into that space.

LN: How to feel about people who constantly inquireabout Adepero's sexual orientation as if she were not gay that would somehowdeflate the authenticity?

DR: I don’thave any response for that.

LN: In a move that certainly paid off, you cast thecomedian Kim Wayans in the role of the mother who cannot accept her daughter'ssexual orientation, which is not funny at all.

DR: When wefirst heard Kim Wayans wanted the part we were a bit skeptical but we hadauditioned a lot of women for the role and they kept doing the angry blackwoman bit. We wanted the mother to be somewhat sympathetic. She cannot accepther daughter's sexual orientation but she's not in a good place with herhusband. She's a very, very lonely person.

LN: What were your political intentions with the film?

DR: I don’thave any political intentions with the film. It’s a film that is mostly aboutidentity. So I wanted to bring that for the world in a way that audienceshadn’t seen before. And in terms of social context, I want it to be a point ofreference for other gay teens because I know that, you know, they’re not aloneand they need to know it’s going to be okay and that they’re not the onlyperson who has gone through this and they won’t be the last. When I was growingup, I had very few points of reference in terms of gay cinema. As I grew older,yeah, there were some but growing up I didn’t really have many points ofreferences. I really want this film to be a point of reference for gay teens.

LN: I know the film deals a lot with identity. Do youfind that when people see this film that they see a human or do you see peoplestill trying to pinpoint Alike as an African-American, gay woman?

DR: The filmhas mostly screened at film festivals where people have universally just seenher as human. There’s the universal theme that people can tap into. There was astraight, white guy who saw it at Sundance, who would come up and say, “I’m notgay and I don’t usually like gay movies but I like this movie.” It kind ofproves that this is something that people can just sink into. I’m sure thateverybody at some point has struggled with who they are or how to be in theworld and so Pariah is resonatingacross many different audiences. It’s great that the story connects across alot of the audiences and everybody is able to hook into it.

LN: How do you think making this film and the successthat has come with it has changed you as a person?

AO: It haschanged me in the way that I know now, for sure, that anything is possible andI know that I believe in the beauty of dreams. I believe in the beauty ofhaving the vision to do things. If you’re really clear and confident and solidabout that then anything and everything is possible and can happen. This wholefilm is a testament, from the beginning to the end, that when you have a visionor you have a dream, you have a story you want to tell, you don’t have tocompromise. You just have to be who you are.

LN: Switching gears, what do you do when you are notmaking films?

DR: I write.So pretty much I’m just writing and that’s it. I’m always in some part of theprocess of making a film.

LN: When you are not acting, what do you like to do?

AO: Otherthan acting, I love to dance, I love to cook and I love to eat. I love to hangout with my friends and my family. I like to crochet and write. I’m very handson. This year has been crazy. I just finished a photo shoot where they hadactors dress up as screen villains. They dressed me up as Bonnie of Bonnie & Clyde. I had all this bloodcoming out of me. [Laughs]

LN: Although many did not see Bonnie Parker has avillain. She did not rob the people, just the banks. And in this anti-bankenvironment…

AO:[Laughs]. Right.

LN: Do you have any particular social causes that youare engaged in?

DR: I amjust continuing to work with the organizations that have helped us with thefilms. So those causes and with HRC (Human Rights Campaign). I’m a member ofthat. That is my activism.

LN: What can you tell us about your next project?

DR: I justfinished another feature script. It’s called Bollo. It’s set in the South. Also, I’m working on a TV series.

AO: Rightnow, I’m reading a lot of scripts and that’s very exciting. We’ll see what thefuture holds.

LN: If you could act with anyone, be in a film or a scenewith anyone, who would it be?

AO: Oh, mygosh, that’s an awesome question. Oh, man. Okay, the first person I wouldchoose would be Viola Davis, then Robert Duval, Marion Cotillard and RyanGosling. Blue Valentine is myall-time favorite Ryan Gosling film.

LN: That’s great that you mention Viola Davis. Even though shedid get the Oscar nomination for Doubt,she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves.

AO: Oh, mygosh yes.

LN: Lastly, what do you think about interviews whereyou talk about your film? Do you think that they serve the film or do you thinkthat the film should speak for itself?

DR: I thinkthat when most audiences see the film, I think that the film will speak foritself. And when other people see the film, I’m sure they’ll want context. So,I’m just being myself and happy to represent the film in whatever way will getpeople to come out and see it.

AO: I thinkit serves the film. I think people naturally want to know how you feel aboutthe process. They want to know, naturally, what it was like. They want to knowwhat the thought process was. I definitely think any kind of insider take onthe experience always help people connect more to filmmakers and the story.It’s natural.

News Bytes - December 2011

2011-12-07T11:46:00.001-08:00

NEWS BYTES
By Denise Penn

ELLEN DEGENERES NAMED SPECIAL ENVOY FOR AIDS AWARENESS

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that Ellen DeGeneres has been named as a Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness. The announcement was made on November 8, 2011 at the National Institutes of Health. In this role, Ms. DeGeneres will use her celebrity platform to raise awareness about the global fight against AIDS.

In a letter to Ms. DeGeneres, Secretary Clinton stated, “By lending us your energy, compassion, and star power to serve as our Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness, your words will encourage Americans in joining you to make their voices heard in our campaign to achieve an AIDS-free generation. The enormous She previously worked as a Sunday school teacher. She is also a kick boxer and served in the Territorial Army for three years before suffering an injury during a training exercise. She joined the party only two years ago and only won election as a Glasgow MSP after the first-choice candidate was caught up in a financial scandal. Davidson’s election has been received by the public playing down the fact that she is a lesbian and focusing on the challenges she will face reviving the party in Scotland. Davidson currently lives with her partner in Partrick in Glascow.

LITHUANIAN LESBIANS LOBBY FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
Lesbians in Lithuania are working to gain visibility according to the Lithuania Gay League. Volunteers sent postcards to every member of the Lithuanian Parliament in an effort to promote visibility and equality. This year there was a bill brought before their legislators that would strengthen punishments for those violating current laws against “promoting homosexuality.”

The Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information is based on the premise that information on sexuality is detrimental to young people. The bill states that information on homosexuality should be banned from schools and places where young people may have access to it. Currently, Lithuania has a ban on same-sex marriages and does not allow civil unions or domestic partnerships.

"I’m honored to have been chosen by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as Special Envoy for Global AIDS awareness. The fight against AIDS is something that has always been close to my heart. And I’m happy that I can use my platform to educate people and spread hope," said talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Ambassador Eric Goosby, head of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), said “At this historic moment in our global fight against AIDS, we are thrilled that we have someone like Ellen DeGeneres on our team to raise awareness that we are on the path to beating this devastating disease. ”

On and off screen, the Emmy award-winning entertainer is involved in several humanitarian causes including anti-bullying; animal rescue and rehabilitation; and breast cancer awareness.

LESBIAN CHOSEN TO LEAD SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE PARTY

Ruth Davidson, a 32-year old lesbian has just been elected by the Conservative Party in Scotland to be their leader. She won her election by 566 votes in a hotly contested race. She was born in Edinburgh, but lived in Glasgow for most of her adult life. She attended the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glascow and became a journalist and documentary film maker with the BBC and several radio stations before entering politics.

HOUSTON MAYOR RE-ELECTED

Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker was re-elected to a second term in the November election. Parker is Houston’s second female mayor, and the first elected gay mayor of a major U.S. city. But she barely avoiding a runoff and spent $2.3 million on her campaign to promote herself to Houston voters to win another term as mayor against five opponents. Two years ago, she took office at a time when the economy was draining millions of dollars from city funds. She inherited a $100 million dollar budget shortfall and had to make tough choices, laying off over 700 city employees and restructuring departments.

When she took office as Houston’s mayor, she worked to save 5,000 jobs at the Johnson Space Center, and led the rescue of a financially troubled water system to ensure a safe and stable supply of drinking water for generations. With the help of local contractors, she ordered “Demolition Day,” the destruction of 185 abandoned, dangerous buildings and crack houses around Houston, the most structures ever removed in one day.

She pioneered the regular use of performance audits as city controller, and took a business approach to managing tax dollars. A businesswoman and neighborhood leader, she had spent 20 years in Houston’s oil and gas industry after graduating from Rice University. She served the City of Houston for six years as a city councilmember and six years as city controller before being elected Mayor. Parker and her life partner, Kathy Hubbard, are advocates for adoption. Their family includes two adopted daughters and a son.
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Femastrology - December 2011

2011-12-07T11:45:00.001-08:00

Femastrologyby Victoria Bearden

NovemberSun Sign Profile: Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Do faroff places intrigue you? Do you love animals and the great outdoors? How abouta good philosophical debate or a rousing game of paintball? If you answeredyes, you either ARE a Sagittarius or you’ll get along just great with one! ThisMutable Fire Sign is known for an exuberant love for life and expansivemindset. Half horse, half human, the sign of the Centaur/Archer is competitive,action-oriented, and known for their sometimes over-zealous attitudes. Restlessand curious, they love to travel and sometimes have a hard time putting downroots. Their drive to “win” can take them to great heights in career. Conversely,their all-encompassing interests will sometimes lead them to become a Jack ofall trades, and Master of none. Sexy, flirty Sagittarius, like their opposite,Gemini, can be reticent about commitment.

Sagittariansexcel in careers involving foreign travel and language skills. They are often drawnto higher education, politics, and law, as they have strong beliefs and apenchant for studying lofty subjects. Their competitive drive can producetalent in sports, sales, or entrepreneurial pursuits. The glass is alwayshalf-full for them, which can occasionally lead to an over-estimation of theirown abilities and false confidence. Burning the candle at both ends isdefinitely a Sagittarian phrase. If they can learn to moderate their behavior,they can be extremely productive. Overt and outspoken, these brash know-it-allscan piss off just about anyone, given the chance.

Sagittariusgets along well with fellow Fire Signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius as long ascompetition doesn’t become a deal breaker. Air Signs Gemini and Aquarius willfind flamboyant Sagittarius exciting, but Libra may want more commitment.Sensitive signs Cancer and Pisces might be blown out of the water by Sag’sgregarious ways, but Scorpio might be up for the challenge. Earth Signs Taurusand Virgo may not appreciate their frenetic energy, but Capricorns, who oftenhave planets in Sagittarius, might be a good match.

Born on December 18, 1626, iconoclastic Christina, Queenof Sweden, was a Sagittarius to be reckoned with! This intelligent gender-bender was interestedin religion, alchemy, science and the arts. She wanted Stockholm to become the Athens of theNorth. Her unconventional lifestyle and masculine behavior made her afeature in countless novels, plays, operas and films. In the twentieth century,Uber-Dyke Christina became a symbol of cross-dressing, trans-sexuality, and lesbianism.That’ one wild Sagittarius!

FemastrologyHoroscopes for December

For allthe Sun Signs: The planet of communication, Mercury, will be Retrograde in theSign of Sagittarius during December and will dominate the month. This happensthree times a year and brings up snags with communication, travel, computers,cars, contracts, and negotiations. People from your past will show up indroves, for better, or for worse. It’s Murphy’s Law in spades. It doesn’taffect everyone adversely, but can scramble things up quite a bit. By month’send, things will straighten out. Knowing this will be a squirrely month, staycalm and help others, if possible. Jupiter, ruling planet of Sagittarius and connected with good fortune,goes direct at the end of the month, which will signal better times for many ofus who have been looking for a new start.

Aries(March 21-April 19) Is the pressure of life getting a little heavy? Maybe it’stime to change things up and get out of Dodge for a few days. You need toexpand. Sometimes a change of scenerywill be inspiring.

Taurus(April 20-May 20) Say bye-bye to the past and get ready to move forward, asJupiter goes direct in your sign at month’s end. This is a great month to tieup loose ends and face the New Year unencumbered. Keep an eye on finances.You’ll want to over spend.

Gemini(May 21-June 20) Don’t be surprised at all if a couple of ex-lovers come knocking at your door thisHoliday Season. It doesn’t mean you should get back together. On the contrary,you are in a good spot to enhance existing relationships or find a new one! Nogoing backwards!

Cancer(June 21-July 21) It’s been a long year and you’ve accomplished a lot. Use thismonth to collect your thoughts, organize your desk, and pay attention to yourhealth and well-being for a change. Recharge your batteries, as the New Year isgoing to be a very active one.

Leo(July 23-August 22) This Holiday Season will be exciting and fun. You’ll be oncenter stage and will get lots of romantic attention at all those holidayparties! Lady Luck is with you, so go buy a lottery ticket and ask thatexciting someone you’ve be admiring for a date. She’s going to say yes, so beready!

Virgo(August 23-September 22) It’s been astressful year, Virgo, so let your hair down, surround yourself with family andfriends, and bake some cookies or something! Your work will be there when youget back. You need some downtime to get ready for 2012.

Libra(September 23-October 22) Aside from the fact that you need to watch yourexpenditures right now, this month should be busy and entertaining. Go out!You’ll meet people that will help you expand your horizons in the New Year.This is a great time to use that Libra charm and socialize.

Scorpio(October 23-Novemeber 21) This month is all about the money, honey! Take anhonest look at the bank account and think about your goals for 2012. If you arenot happy about your finances, it’s time to think outside the box and dosomething different.

Sagittarius(November 22-December 21) Happy Birthday Sagittarius, it’s your time to shine!Creative energy is running high. You’ll be tempted to play, and you should. Butuse some of this magic to advance your career.

Capricorn(December 22-January 19) Well, Cap, you’ve busted your butt all year. Time fora spiritual retreat! This month is perfect for you to take a break from theworld and concentrate on your inner psyche. Stop the merry-go-round and have amuch needed massage!

Aquarius(January 20-February 18) This could be a very interesting month! Networkingwill pay off big-time over the holidays, so accept all invitations and don’trun out of business cards. Don’t shy away from leadership opportunities that willarise.

Pisces(February 19-March 20) I know it’s the holidays, but duty calls. You may beoffered an interesting work opportunity that will change your plans for 2012.Stay true to your ideals, but don’t shy away from worldly success.

I AMAVAILABLE FOR PSYCHIC ASTROLOGICAL READINGSAND INTUITIVE COUNSELING. CALL ME AT 760-634-1028 OR EMAIL ME AT V1BEAR@AOL.COM

HotSpots - December 2011

2011-12-07T11:44:00.001-08:00

Hotspots

By Dian Katz

Do you hear that??? I hearsleigh-bells!!! Sleigh-bells are ringing!!!! Or wait, is that just my tinitus!!hahahah... Hmmm.. maybe it’s dreidle spinning that I hear?? If could even be aKwanzaa celebration. I don’t know but I’m hearing something and it’s FESTIVE!!Yes, yes... this month is going to be amazing... and we are narrowing down 2011and I think y’all are probably ready to start a brand new fresh year soon,right? But not sooo fast there little lesboroo.. We still have a month beforethe end of this year and I’m sure we can certainly find something fabulous todo. I’ve got Hotspots coming out of my ears.. HA! You thought I have acornfield in there didn’t ya??? Nope. They are Hotspots. So I went to my Ear,Nose and Throat doctor and do you know what he found??? .. ahem.. oops..talking out loud again. Guess you will just have to find out that little tidbitsome other time. On to the exciting December Hotspots! Giddyup Donner..you tooRudolph:

What kind of doll are you? Hmm, what astrange question Dian is asking me, you say.. Well, maybe YOU aren’t a doll butI know where you can see some sexy dolls go-go-ing all night long!! DOLLHOUSE in Long Beach, California, that’s where!!! Yup,Club Lucky on Thursday nights at the Doll House is just for the ladies.. thisplace makes one feel lucky AND gives you a chance to check out the dolls.Alright! Don’t give me a hard time because you never played with dolls. I amnot talking about those kind of dolls! Sheesh!! I never really played withBarbie even though I had one. Poor mom couldn’t understand why I wanted to playwith the Ken doll more. I also made Ken and Barbie live together and... oops..did I just talk out loud again??? Why do I do that!! Now you all know all aboutmy dolls. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ahem... back on topic please:::::::::: ohalright:::::::::: so, the dolls we are talking about are sexy lesbo type kindof “live” dolls.. and they are doing all sorts of sexy dancing for your eyesonly. This place rocks every Thursday from 9pm to 2am. You do have to be 18 andover. I wonder how old Ken and Barbie were when... ahem.. Club Lucky has weeklygiveaways, drink specials and so much more. The Rockin’ DJ Saratonin and DJZach, keep the place kickin’ all night long!! This club is held at the old HamburgerMary’s at 740 E. Broadway.

Lookin’ for something reeeeeeally sexyto do? At the current Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood aka WeHo to thelocals, catch the All Female Striptease Show called HOUSEOF BURLESQUE every Thursday night at 10pm. Look,maybe you are one wild woman and you can just drive from Long Beach to ClubLucky and then over to House of Burlesque.. or just live in WeHo and get downthere to enjoy the show. Either way, this place is having a female striptease forour community. Can you say.. Hell to the Yes? Of course you can. I know whatyou are really thinking. I am psychic you know! No, I didn’t say psychotic, Isaid psychic! Sheesh! I get no respect in this Hotspots column. Grrrrrrrr.Anyway, I know what you are thinking. You don’t WANT to say it out loud forfear that someone might find out that you are secretly thinking about astriptease. Aha!!! I caught you!!! No worries. I might be thinkin’ the samething yanno.. I wonder just how much they take off.. Actually, that doesn’treally matter. Leave a little to the eye of the beholder I say!! Work it baby!!Work it!! Woooo Hoooo!!!! That’s right.. Here’s a dollar bill in my teeth! Comeget it!! hahahah.. oh how I jest. But for reals.. this could be fun with a slewof your friends after a stressful day at work. What are you waiting for! Getyour dollars and goooooooo!! For more information, strip those clothes off anddial: 323-654-3800.

Oh it’s that festive time of the yearagain.. the time when you want to bring your honey to a nice romantic dinnerfor two. It’s a time when everything seems to be magical and as you sit acrossfrom one another in a romantic setting, sipping wine (or non-alcoholic), yougaze into each other’s eyes and enjoy the most scrumptiousmeal.::::::::::::::::::::::::: screech::::::::::::::::::::::::::: now if youdon’t have a special someone, you can still go enjoy the most amazing meal inthis very cozy setting. I’m talking about CANTALINI’Sin Playa de Rey, California! Cantalini’s has the most amazing italian food andit’s lesbo owned and friendly to all the lgbt’s in the land. Look, thiscommunity has to be fed well right? Why not go to a place that is just fabulousduring this time of the year and be all the gay you want.. or just sing gaytunes while you eat. Heck I don’t know but dang it, the food is damn good andthe service great! So get your buns over there. Take your sleigh, call onRudolph, or for Dian’s sakes, drive over there yourself! For more information,call: 310-821-0018.

You know.. This year has been filledwith all kinds of exciting things for our magazine. LN has become a fullcolored magazine.. it is a dream come true for our Publisher and Editor inChief. LN has also started its own social network site on the lesbiannews.comwebsite. It’s still in the very beginning stages but is predicted to be a bighit in the upcoming months. Take a look at it. It’s a great place to meet otherlike minds and to just socialize and have fun. Also, LN’s Facebook page issoaring with thousands of new friends. If you’re on Facebook and want to beconnected to the lesbian community, it’s a great place to start! So git!!

As we bring 2011 to a close, I want tothank all my loyal readers who have continued reading LN and Hotspots for yearsupon years. I’m blessed to have such an amazing group of “you folks” reading mymaterial. I hope in some small way, I make a difference in your life. HappyHolidays to all of you and Happy New Year my beautiful friends...

Dian Katz is an Author, Entertainer andCollege Instructor. For more information on her, go to www.DianKatz.org or www.facebook.com/diankatzband.

TREATING GENDER WITH KID GLOVES

2011-10-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

Treating Gender with Kid Gloves

Writer-director CélineSciamma and her Tomboy

By John Esther

With the past somewhere backdown the road, head out of the car, Laure (Zoé Héran) joins her workaholic father(Mathieu Demy), pregnant mother (Sophie Cattani) and six-year-old sister,Jeanne (Malonn Lévana), on their way to their new home. The 10-year-old evengets to drive a little bit along the way. It is an exciting time for her, likeany kid new to town, because a new place means a chance to create a new beginning,new friends and a new identity if she or he can will it.

Although Laure is a girl, foras long as necessary, we are lead to believe the new kid in town is Mikael.Hosting a genderless torso and short haircut, Mikael is just another dude in a suburbanneighborhood -- where the boys seem to outnumber the girls considerably.

The pretty boy's first friendin the new neighborhood is a girl named Lisa (Jeanne Disson). The new kidintroduces herself to Lisa as a boy, Mikael. Immediately amorous, Lisa introducesMikael to the local kids. She lets Mikael win a challenge in order to endearhim to the other boys (would a boy do that for his best girl?) and thus Mikaelinstantly blends right in with the other boys. We watch how Mikael learns byobserving the other boys, subverting their gender to the audience via mimicry.Soon, Mikael is playing soccer with her shirt off, getting into tussles withother boys and scoring that first kiss (which the girl initiates). Then thereis the bathing suit issue and the playful, play dough undressing of addressingabsence.

However, as schoolregistration approaches, it becomes increasingly lucid Laure cannot continuethis charade forever. A child can only pretend for so long. Eventually theadult world interferes with the play of character.

With Tomboy,writer-director Céline Sciamma (WaterLilies) once again examines and challenges notions of childhood sexuality. OnlyLaure is younger than Water Lilies’ Marie (Pauline Acquart), Anne(Louise Blachère) and Floriane (Adèle Haenel) and thus Laure has differentdesires. The root of Laure’s deception is not hormonal but instinctual andphysical. Laure/Mikael is not trying to get a girlfriend; rather she desiresthe liberties enjoyed by the male species in France (and the rest of the world).

Making her spectacularfeature film debut, Héran invokes a vast array of emotions, desires andquestions in and out of her performance of someone who desires to be just oneof the boys but cannot because of some binary gender label she did notparticipate in choosing whatsoever.

Examining and displayingyouth trapped in predestined social configurations, with her 82-minute sophomoreeffort Sciamma continues to add to the magnificent history of French filmsabout children.

In this exclusive interview,we caught up to Sciamma on a couple of occasions in order to get her take onher youth, Tomboy, gender roles,Heran, moviemaking and much more, including one not-so-guilty pleasure.

Lesbian News: How were your teenage years?

Céline Sciamma: I wasn’treally successful at being a teenager. Ididn’t go through a rebel phase. I was kind of a happy loner.

LN: When did you stop being a happy loner?

CS: I still feel lonelinessenough but when you're making movies you can become a part of the team. So Iguess making movies finally made me feel like part of a gang.

LN: When did you decide you wanted to be a filmmakerand why?

CS: I was so unsuccessful atbeing a teenager that I spent most of my time in the movie theaters. That’swhen I decided I wanted to be a filmmaker.

LN: Can you remember the first time you wereprofoundly moved by a film? What was it?

CS: The first time I wasmoved by a film, it was ET by StevenSpielberg. It’s one of the first films I ever saw, and I couldn’t stop crying.I am still a big fan of ET. I thoughta lot about it while making Tomboy. Zoékind of looks like Elliot, and the little sister has something of DrewBarrymore (Gertie).

LN: Why did you want to make the film, Tomboy?

CS: I wanted to make a moviereally fast and I came upon this idea in April 2010: a little girl pretendingto be a little boy. I wrote it in three weeks in May. I did the casting inJune. And shot it in twenty days in August. The film was made in an incredibleenergy.

LN: Why did you want to make a movie really fast?

CS: There's a lot of pressurewhen it comes to your second film. They say it's the hardest one to make.Actually, it's true, statistically. There are very few people who make a secondfilm after a first one. Since my first film was quite a success I wanted tomake a film in a different direction. Your second film is supposed to be a bigmovie -- with a bigger cast. I wanted to make it the opposite of that – make itcheaper, faster. This would give me more power, more liberty in fact. It waskind of a bet, and also a political gesture. There are new ways of makingfilms.

LN: Do you feel the pressure is off now that you havemade your second film and it has been a success?

CS: No. [Laughs.] The moviewas a big box office success here in France. Now the pressure is more, Iguess, for the next big thing. The movie made me really happy. It's a movie Imade without being anxious because it was kind of a big game making it thatfast and in such a light mood. The movie has created a good energy to go onwith and take for my next film.

LN: In what ways is Tomboy autobiographical? What do you think you have in common withyour protagonist?

CS: When you write aboutchildhood you have to search into your memories. I was kind of a tomboy when Iwas a child. I had the short hair and the androgynous clothes. Sometimes I wasmistaken for a boy, even though I wasn’t looking trying to do it. I rememberenjoying it sometimes, and denying it other times. I guess the mostautobiographical part of the film is the portrait of the family -- especiallythe sisterhood.

LN: It seems audiences have been very receptive towardthe sibling relationship. How did that come about? Were you very close to yoursiblings growing up?

CS: I am the eldest of three.I have a little sister and a little brother. The film is really inspired fromthe relationship we had. I really wanted to portray the complicity andtenderness between two sisters. It’s a tribute.

LN: Would the film have ended differently if Mikaelhad pretended to be Laure -- a guy pretending to be a girl?

CS: It’s not the same storyat all. A guy pretending to be a girl joins the girl club. He watches the gameon the side of the football field. A girl pretending to be a boy becomes partof the team that is playing. Becoming a boy is a passport for the strongcollective side. Becoming a girl is getting lonely.

LN: Do you see a bond among males which is absent withfemales?

CS: When you're a girl you'renot allowed to do as much as when you are a boy, I guess. You have morepossibilities becoming a boy. Becoming a girl you'll be considered a sissy.You'll have terrible nicknames whereas becoming a tomboy you can be quite open.

LN: I just found it interesting that you said,"Becoming a boy is a passport for the strong collective side. Becoming agirl is getting lonely." Do you feel females are more alienated in France?

CS: Everywhere I guess.[Laughs.] It's not particular to France. You're not as able to do asmuch. There's feminism in Francebut there is still a lot of work that needs to be done with regard to how womenare perceived. As a child I didn’t feel the boundaries that much as much aswhen you grow up.

LN: And absurd -- as we discover. I understand you discoveredZoé at an actor agency. What was it about her that earned her the role?

CS: I spread the word that Iwas looking for a little tomboy. The word came back that there was this girlregistered in a child actor agency, who had what it took. I met her the firstday of casting. She definitely had the looks, but moreover, what struck me howshe was amazingly photogenic. That’s what I’m looking for, a face you willnever forget.

LN: How did you prepare her for the role?

CS: I didn’t really have thetime to prepare her because we were shooting a month after I met her. And shewas going on holiday (vacation). Mostly what I did was keep her hair short amonth before the shooting so she could get used to it. That was really a bigstep for her. But when we were on the set I wasn't really the same directorwhen I was directing her as Laure as when I was directing her as Mikael. I hadtwo different relationships with her. I didn’t really think about it that much.It was more instinctual, in the moment.

LN: How were the relationships different betweendirecting her as Laure and directing her as Mikael?

CS: It's calmer when she's inthe apartment as Laure. Outside as Mikael she's with the other kids. They arethe same kid but as Mikael she was louder, more directed. The other kids werearound her. When she was playing with Malonn during the more intimate scenes wewere shooting really close together in the room. She was always talking to herand giving her the reason of the sequence…The three of us were really closetogether in her room. She's talking with her more than when she's with herfriends.

LN: What were some of the bigger challenges Zoé hadplaying the role of Mikael?

CS: The shooting was long.First it's fun, but then it becomes work. And children shouldn't work.[Laughs.] It was mostly about staying concentrated, because she was shootingwith her friends. She was playing, performing with friends so she had to stayfocused. Doing the work and doing a scene again and again. She was supposed tobe on vacation but everyday she was working really hard. She's in almost everyframe of the film. Plus there are difficult scenes and she's dealing with theseemotions. You know, with kids you're surprised with what is difficult for themand what is not. What she really didn’t want to do was lose a race to herfriends because she's faster than the other kids in real life. [Laughs.] Shewould say, "I run faster than them." They would race and she didn’twant them to catch up to her. I tell her, "It's part of thecharacter."

LN: In what ways did Zoé find it difficult to play aboy?

CS: She found it really funto play a boy. Actually she was kind of boyish. She connected with the part.She's not that boyish and she wouldn't do something [like what her characterdoes]. When you're kind of boyish and you're figuring it out and allowed toexpress it all the way, it was really fun for her. She thought it really funthat she could play futbol (soccer) without a shirt on. That's the kind ofthing she liked about the part. She gets the character. She has friendship forthe character. Even though it's not the mirror of her life she found it coolthat she got to express something.

LN: What kind of person is Zoé off the camera?

CS: She's a really outgoing kid. She's alwaysplaying futbol – basketball, too, I think. She is very well educated. She's notshy. She's so intense when she acts. Even when she's not doing anything you cansee it in her face. She's not like that in real life. But on camera she actslike she has something to hide. She's a real lively kid.

LN: Will she continue acting?

CS: I don’t know. I knowshe's been going through a lot of casting. People found her in the movie to bea really good actress. At first she said she didn't want to do it again, butnow, I don't know, it depends on the part. It's not often that there is aninteresting part for a kid.

LN: Or an adult.

CS: She's going to go throughher adolescence, which is a difficult phase for a child actor. I hope she willgo on if she wants to.

LN: How about the other actors? Where did you findthem?

CS: Malonn Lévana was alsoregistered in a child acting agency. I introduced her to Zoé and the chemistrywas great between them. That’s how I picked her. As for the gang, they actuallyare Zoé’s real friends in real life. I told her to introduce me to her gang,and I picked them all to perform in the film. The fact that they knew eachother really well brought the great chemistry and the truthfulness in the gamesthey play in the film.

LN: How have American audiences responded to the childnudity in the film?

CS: I haven’t had the chanceto meet the American audience yet but the movie was really well received in thefilm festivals all around the United States.

LN: Do you see a general difference between they wayFrench cinema treats kids and the way American, namely Hollywood, treats kids?

CS: I guess the French cinemaabout kids is made for adults whereas the American cinema mostly portrays kidsin kid's film.

LN: Can you elaborate on that? And do they make Frenchfilms for French kids like they do here?

CS: There is a tradition ofcoming-of-age stories in France.We do make films for French kids. They’re not much. They're not characters kidscan identify with. That's why this film might have been big in France. It'seven in school programs now.

LN: The film addresses acting/pretending to besomeone else as much as it uses naturalistic performances. What does this sayabout the nature of performance for one's self and for others?

CS: I decided to put thatgender issue problematic during childhood because it’s a time of life whereeverybody pretends, plays the role of somebody else. So everyone in theaudience can connect to that problematic. It’s a way to be political.

LN: Speaking of politics, what political causes areyou currently involved in?

CS: We have the elections forpresident in six months in France.So I’m getting involved in the campaign for the left-wing candidate. Ididn't vote for him, but now [that he's been elected] I'm going to support him.I'm not his biggest fan but he's the official candidate for the socialistparty.

LN: How much do gay rights figure into presidentialdebates in France?Is there a lot of discussion about gay rights in presidential debates?

CS: Yes, yes. Of course.

LN: In what ways? Does the subject of gay rights comeup in, say, television debates?

CS: The project of the socialistparty includes marriage but not adoption yet but it's written in the project.

LN: Do you still encounter anti-lesbian sentiments in France?

CS: Lesbians are invisible inFrance.There are very few celebs out of the closet. We are more victim ofdespise than hatred. Sometimes it’s worst to be forgotten than to be insulted.But things are changing with the new generation.

LN: What do you think of America's recent GLBT victories?

CS: Hope you’re showing theway!

LN: What do you do when you are not working on a film?

CS: Working on somebodyelse's film, doing my job as a screenwriter. I’m also playing the drums in agirl’s band.

LN: What are your guilty pleasures?

CS: Smoking but I’m not thatguilty.

LN: What do you think about these interviews where youtalk about your work and yourself? Do you think they serve the work of yourfilms, or do you think that the films should just speak for themselves?

CS: I like the fact thatinterviews are your opportunity. The thing that I like is when I go to foreigncountries because then I get different questions. The thing that is boring issometimes you get the same questions over and over again. But the good thingabout the film going abroad is that you get to have another country or culture lookat your film. I like talking about my film. Sometimes the questions enliven me.That doesn't happen much, but when it happens it's a great feeling. It's like aQ&A after [a screening] of the movie. I like them a lot because it's a realopportunity to estimate how your goals were achieved and how you connected withthe audience and that helps me figure out other projects, the next project I'mworking out. I'm always really trying to think about the audience also, eventhough I'm not really into commercial cinema. It's still something you have tothink about.

LN: You mentioned that you get a lot of the samequestions. What are the questions you are most frequently asked about thisfilm?

CS: Well, how did you meet Zoé?How is it working with kids? Is the movie written or is it improvised? Is itautobiographical? Those are the top questions.

LN: Okay, so I was guilty of the last one.

CS: [Laughs]

Femastrology by Victoria Bearden - Nov 2011

2011-10-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

Femastrologyby Victoria Bearden

NovemberSun Sign Profile: Scorpio (October 23-Novemeber 21)

Want toexplore the intensity and passion of emotion? Ready to meet a woman with X-RayVision into your very soul? Enter Ms. Scorpio. Ruled by the “power” planetPluto (death, rebirth, transformation,) Scorpio is, in a word, potent. They aretough and can survive difficulty. A Fixed Water Sign, they can be incrediblydetermined. They are deeply loyal, and known to be possessive of those theylove. Resourceful, tenacious, and acquisitive, they tend to get what they want,or they’ll die trying! We’ve all heard the stories about how sexy they are, andthere’s definitely something to that. Scorpio has a mysterious, sensual energythat can set the bedroom on fire, so be prepared! But in love, it’s not justthe physical that Scorpio is after. It’s your heart and soul as well.

Scorpiosare talented in the fields of psychotherapy and medicine, as they desire toheal and transform others. Their penchant for sleuthing things out makes themexcellent detectives. Their passionate, creative side makes them powerfulactors and performers. Considered a “martial” sign, like Aries, they also makegreat warriors. They are spectacular friends and scary enemies. And whenScorpios go bad, look out! Manipulative, vindictive, and deadly! A strongScorpio is not someone you want to cross. When Scorpio is out of balance, theymay live a life of constant crisis, never realizing they are creating most ofit themselves, feeding off the negative energy. Not a pretty picture.

Scorpio getsalong with fellow water signs Cancer and Pisces, but could butt heads withanother Scorpio. They can have amazing connections with the right Libra. Asensual Taurus could fit the bill, but only if there aren’t any control issues.With Aries or Leo, exciting but whoa, the fights could be nasty! Freedom lovingGemini, Sagittarius and Aquarius are a stretch for Scorpio, who might need moretogetherness and intimacy. A physically “in touch” Virgo or Capricorn could bea good match.

Born onNovember 19, 1962, Jodie Foster is one amazingly creative Scorpio. She can playalmost any role, but her Scorpio intensity is palpable in Silence of the Lambsand The Brave One. True to her sign, she is private, serious, sensitive, andcomplex, but her Sagittarius Rising allows her to be an extrovert when needed.Brilliant, beautiful, and super-talented, she personifies Scorpio’s creativepassion and drive. This woman is no light weight!

FemastrologyHoroscopes for November

For allthe Sun Signs: This month will get off to a lively start, with Mercury(communication) and Venus (love and creativity) in fiery Sagittarius. Mars inLeo will add to this exuberant mix. But hold on to your hats folks, bymid-November Mercury Retrograde will begin to rear its ugly head! A word to thewise, since Mercury retrograde tends to screw things up royally when it comesto our hopes, wishes, and plans. Get as much done as you can in the beginningof the month, and make a vow to stay calm, cool, and collected as Thanksgivingapproaches. This happens 3 times a year, but when it falls during the holidaysit always stirs up more chaos, with all the traveling and family drama. Graceunder fire will help.

Aries(March 21-April 19) You’ll appreciate the fiery energy at the beginning of themonth, but there will be some serious issues to tackle. You may find asignificant chain of events is coming to an end. Let it.

Taurus(April 20-May 20) The sexy Scorpio Sun is shining its light in your romancedepartment, which could be a lot of fun! But keep in mind, Scorpio energy isopposite to Taurus energy. This could also indicate a conflict or a battle witha formidable foe. Let’s vote for option number one!

Gemini(May 21-June 20 ) This month bodes well in the workplace and your extra effortswill be noticed. Watch that stress does not affect your immune system. Takesome extra vitamin C. If you are seeking employment, concentrate on puttingyour resumes out right at the beginning of the month.

Cancer(June 21-July 21) Despite the somewhat daunting pressures from strong planetaryforces affecting your sign, this will be a spectacular month for creativepursuits and romance. If there is a project you need backing for, now’s thetime to take your shot. Single? Get ready for a hot, new romance.

Leo(July 23-August 22) Your personal life needs a little attention right now Leo,as does your home and immediate surroundings. Sometimes, you can’t do everything. Slow down a little and focuson the things and PEOPLE that are right in front of your nose. And think abouttaking few days off. You might need a little break.

Virgo(August 23-September 22) My dear, busy Virgo! You’ll be moving at the speed oflight this month, getting tons of things accomplished. This will be aninspiring time if you pick and choose where to put your energy wisely. Don’tspread yourself too thin.

Libra(September 23-October 22) You might not feel like it, but it’s time to hunkerdown and balance that checkbook. Pay attention to money matters and solve anyproblems that may have come up in this department. Once things are organized,you’ll feel better and will attract more opportunities for increased earnings.

Scorpio(October 23-Novemeber 21) It’s your time of year and people are noticing you.There are favorable vibrations in the money department and the relationshiparea. This could add up to a promotion or perhaps a new position. Open the doorto your success. You deserve it.

Sagittarius(November 22-December 21) Telling a Sagittarian to be patient is like tellingthe sun not to rise. If you can conserve your energy now, you’ll be moreprepared for big changes coming in December.

Capricorn(December 22-January 19) Things have been frustrating but you are gettingcloser to your goals. It’s time to connect with people who can benefit you, soget out there and be social. Show ‘em your stuff! You can’t win if you don’t play.

Aquarius(January 20-February 18) Things might be challenging right now, but if yourhead’s on straight you might just win the day. This is a good time to executeyour plans. Don’t just think about it. Do something about it!

Pisces(February 19-March 20) Hey Pisces! If you’ve been wanting to chase rainbows,now’s the right time. The prevailing energy this month is very favorable foryou in many ways. Positive energy is all around you. Use it!

I AMAVAILABLE FOR PSYCHIC ASTROLOGICAL READINGSAND INTUITIVE COUNSELING. CALL ME AT 760-634-1028 OR EMAIL ME AT V1BEAR@AOL.COM

HotSpots - Nov 2011

2011-10-31T15:28:00.001-07:00

HOTSPOTS

By Dian Katz, MS

Well ladies and ladies.. we have made itto the fabulous month of November.. ah yes, where the Scorpios and the Sagittarianscome out in full force.. Where the lovely holiday of Thanksgiving reminds usall to be grateful. And where it’s simply an amazing time of the year.. The airis crisp and at times chilly.. the leaves are falling.. and I can wear myfricken’ turtlenecks!! Wooo Hoooo!!!! Nothing like winter on the way!! I’m soup for a little snowball fight with some of you! Bring on the powder puff womenI say!!! Oh Dian, you are just so silly.. just stop it and get on with a fewHotspots!!!!

PALM SPRINGS PRIDE is happening onceagain!!!! November 5-6 is when the fun begins!!!! Picture this.... beautifulmajestic mountains... clean air... a slew of lesbos all in one area... dancing,eating, singing.. and whatever else one does for fun at a Pride Festival. Yup!!It’s going to be a winner, winner!! And you should see the desert lesbos..hahahah.. not really.. It’s not like they are a breed of their own.. yanno,like in some little mountain town how all the lesbos wear uggs and flannelshirts... or in other parts of the country where a whole bunch of women onlywear plaid shorts!! And of course, West Hollywood has a life of its own withall the lipstick lesbians trendy attire and style there.. But how about thoseOrange County folks in southern California?!! Yessereeee.. they also have theirown look.. beachy.. Holy heck! Have I gone off on a tangent or what??? Don’tanswer that question! I know exactly what you are going to say.. “Yes Dian, youhave! Now just get on with some Hotspots will ya!!!!” And let’s certainly notforget the parade on Sunday at 10am!! What would a Pride Festival be without aparade?!!!!! Soooo, speaking of Palm Springs, you can go over to the festivaland enjoy yourself and then take off somewhere in the city and wine, dine orride a tram up a hill.. There are plenty of things to do in this city andNovember is such a beautiful time of the year there.. Don’t miss out hereladies!!! For more information, put your shades on and type: PSPride.org.

Speaking of Palm Springs, on November2-4 this month, COMMUNITY MARKETING, INC. is hosting its 12th INTERNATIONALCONFERENCE ON GAY & LESBIAN TOURISM at Hotel Zoso. Each year, CM gatherspeople together under one roof to discuss and share about tourism within ourcommunity. Professionals will speak on the topic and educate their audiences onways to better this area. Hey, why the heck not I say!!!!! I mean seriously, wereally need more things for all of us to do.. I think we should have our ownAmusement Park.. call it Lesboland or Chick Coaster Park.. I mean right? Wecould have our own malls, our own towns, our own counties, our own states...ahem.. so sorry.. my mind was just going all freaky on me.. but thepossibilities.. don’t get me wrong.. We would certainly allow the gay friendlystraights to come join our parties.. We won’t bully them or name call them justbecause they would like to enjoy our Lesboland rides. It’s those ones thatthink they will catch the lesbo fever, we have to worry about.. Hey, we couldeven have our own military and... So, as I was saying.. hahah, what was Isaying?? Oh yes, the Community Marketing Conference.. You really should head ondown there to get some hot tips and fabulous information for bettering ourtourism market.. Think BIG!! For more information, take a tour over to thecomputer and type: communitymarketinginc.com.

UNBELIEVABLE!! It’s a once in a lifetimedate: 11-11-11 and guess whose birthday falls on that date? Yup.. it’s ME!!This is my lucky year and my lucky birthday!! So I was thinkin’ I needed tohave some sort of BIG BIRTHDAY DIAN KATZ BASH.. and I am.. in NewportBeach.. I’m hoping to bring my boys inthe band and perform a few tunes off my cd for y’all. And for sure... I will bedoing a drum ritual at 11:11pm for world peace...PINK DIAMONDS is allowing meto throw a private party for their grand opening!! But if any of you out therewould like to join me in my celebration, come on down. I love people!! It willbe at NEWPORT BEACH GOLF COURSE’S clubhouse on 3100 Irvine Blvd. close to JohnWayne Airport. Party starts at 7pm and goes until wee hours of the morning..Hey, this is an old school birthday party.. This ain’t no disco.. and this isnot your typical bar scene.. I can only hope I don’t find drunk friends allover the golf course in the morning... Will they get “tee’d” off when golferscome to play Saturday morning!! hahahahah... Want directions to the Katz Bash?Call (949) 756-0121

Hey LONG BEACH women!!! I have anawesome Hotspot for ya.. Get ready for some INFERNO, a new hot, hot, venue forwomen in Long Beach! This place had their grand opening last night at LushLounge on 49 S. Pine Avenue with the sizzling Inferno dj Dirty Kurty of SanDiego.. The party was such a hit that Inferno wants to light your fire and keepyou hot and burning every month.. “If the 20 something club scene isn’t yourscene anymore and you prefer to party with your peers, then Inferno Dance arefor you! Our fabulous dj’s fill the evening with an exciting mix of the bestOld Skool, Funk, R&B through today’s top beats. It’s sure to keep you onthe dance floor,” says Inferno’s promoters! Lush also offers dining so it’s theperfect place to bring a date or friends. Eat, drink and dance the night away!For information on dates and time, head to www.hotflashdances.com.

On a serious note, there are many whohave lost their homes, their jobs and so much more. During this season ofgratitude, let’s go out and help another human being who has it worse off thanourselves and do something of value for them. Let’s not cry that we have toolittle but be grateful for all that we do have. Life is a precious gift and ifwe are still breathing, we are blessed...

Dian Katz is an Author, Entertainer andCollege Instructor. For more information on her, go to www.DianKatz.org or www.facebook.com/diankatzband.

News Bytes - Nov 2011

2011-10-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

NEWS BYTES

ByDenise Penn

LESBIAN CONFIRMED AS FEDERAL JUDGE

ThePresident nominated an out lesbian, Alison J. Nathan, for a seat on the U.S.District federal court for the Southern District of New York. The US senateconfirmed the nomination in spite of opposition from right-wing groups.

AlisonJ. Nathan currently serves in the Office of the Attorney General of the Stateof New Yorkas Special Counsel to the Solicitor General, a position she has held since2010. From 2009 to 2010, Nathan served as a Special Assistant toPresident Obama and an Associate White House Counsel.

Nathanreceived her J.D., magna cum laude, in 2000 from Cornell Law School, where she wasEditor-in-Chief of the Cornell Law Review. She received her B.A. in 1994from Cornell University.

Priorto joining government service, Nathan spent several years as an academic, at Fordham University Law School from 2006 to 2008and later as a Fritz Alexander Fellow at New York University School of Law from2008 to 2009. Nathan served as a law clerk for the Honorable John PaulStevens of the Supreme Court of the United States from 2001 to 2002 andas a law clerk to the Honorable Betty B. Fletcher of the Ninth Circuit Court ofAppeals from 2000 to 2001.

Nathanis the second of four openly gay people appointed by President Obama. Nathanlives in New Yorkwith her partner and their twin sons.

TENNIS LEGEND BILLIE JEAN KING ATTENDS STATE DINNER WITH PARTNER

ThePresident and Mrs. Obama hosted President Lee Myung-Bak of South Korea foran official White House visit and State Dinner on October 13, 2011. The StateDinner was held in the East Room of the White House. Two hundred guests,including political leaders, diplomats and media personalities were invited totoast the new trade agreements with South Korea. Tennis legend BillieJean King and her partner, Ilana Kloss were among the invitees. King said shehad spent the day reviewing the news of the trade pacts, and was “just excitedto be here and be a part of it.” In August 2009, King was honored for hercontributions for LGBT and gay and women’s rights and received the PresidentialMedal of Freedom from President Obama.

LONG BEACH APPOINTSFIRST FEMALE DEPUTY CHIEF

The city of Long Beach Californiahas promoted open lesbian veteran officer Laura Farinella to become thedepartment’s first female deputy chief. Deputy Chief Laura Farinella,began her career with the L.B.P.D. in October of 1990, and in 1996 waspromoted to corporal, then rose to the rank of sergeant in 1999, lieutenant in2003, and named a commander in 2004.

She currently serves as the liaison for the Chief’s Gay& Lesbian Advisory Group. She has worked as an officer in Patrol, as aField Training Officer, Recruit Training Officer, and an Academy Instructor.She then became the North Division Administrative Corporal, and as a sergeantshe worked in the South Patrol Division, Internal Affairs, and as theAdministrative Sergeant for the Investigation Bureau. As a lieutenant, shesupervised the North Patrol Division, then the Communications Divisionbefore rising to the rank of commander where she oversaw the CommunicationsDivision, East Patrol Division, Gangs and Violent Crimes Division, and servedas the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Police.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Chapman University, a Master’s Degree fromCSULB, and is a 2004 graduate of the Leadership Long Beach Program. Her otherprofessional involvement includes membership in the Command Officers’Association, National Association of Women in Law Enforcement, Long BeachPolice Officers’ Association, and serves as the Executive Director for the LongBeach Police Historical Society. She and her wife, Dawn Collinske, are raisingtheir two children together.

VICTORY FUND ENDORSES TORIE OSBORN ON NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY

OnOctober 11, National Coming Out Day, The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fundannounced their endorsement of veteran non-profit executive and LGBT leaderTorie Osborn for California’s new vacant 50th Assembly seat.

Osbornis known for her pioneering leadership as an executive at several nonprofitorganizations, including the Liberty Hill Foundation and the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center– both of which are located in the new 50th Assembly District. Osborn alsoserved as a senior policy advisor on homelessness, poverty and economicdevelopment to Los Angeles Mayor AntonioVillaraigosa. She is currently a seniorstrategist for California Calls, a network of 25 organizations throughout thestate committed to commonsense governmental reform.

Since1991, the Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBT candidates winelection to local, state and federal offices. Their founders set out to growthe number of openly LGBT elected officials by engaging donors to support thecampaigns of qualified out LGBT candidates.

ACTRESS ALLY SHEEDY HOSTS BENEFIT FOR LGBT YOUTH

ActressAlly Sheedy hosted a gala dinner to benefit the Ali Forney Center, an organization that serves LGBThomeless youth. GLSEN Founder, Kevin Jennings was honored as well as celebrity photographer,Mike Ruiz. Model and fashion designer, Isis King, the first trans womanto compete on America’sNext Top Model, presented Mr. Ruiz with his award.

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) has been serving the LGBT community of New York since it wasfounded in June of 2002 to honor the memory of murdered youth, AliForney. AFC is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to homelessLGBT youth, providing them with the support and services they need to escapethe streets. The Ali Forney Day Center – located in Chelsea it is the entry point for theseyouths. There they receive primary medical care, HIV testing, mentalassessment, food and showers and referral to AFC housing programs.

AFC honorary board members include: Sandra Bernhard, Tovah Feldshuh, Tim Gunn,Carson Kressley, Keith Olbermann, Ally Sheedy, B.D. Wong, and RufusWainwright. The AFC mission is to protect LGBTQ youth from the harm ofhomelessness and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they movefrom adolescence to adulthood.

THE VASCULAR JUMBLES AND THE JUGULAR

2011-10-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

The Vascular Jumbles and theJugular

Making it as CharlotteSometimes, frequently others

By John Esther

Atthe ripe age of 23, songwriter-singer Charlotte Sometimes has already had hershare of trials, triumphs and tribulations.

BornJessica Charlotte Poland on January 15, 1988, Sometimes was given up foradoption at birth. As a baby and child, Polandwas taken and subsequently adopted by Hartson and Tracy Poland of Wall Township, New Jersey.

Duringher childhood Polandwas a very successful dancer who later gave it up by the time she was 14. Whilemost adolescents were going through those tumultuous years,

Poland

faced them tenfold, havingbeen diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, anorexia and idiopathic condylar resorptionall the while touring and recording with her band, J. Poland and the Pilots. By the time she was 16, Poland was signedby Crush Management and the subject of an Elle article.

With so many changes going onat this time, Polandcame up with a moniker to absorb some of the attention she was getting.Inspired by the titular character from Penelope Farmer's 1969 book about a girlmoving back in time to live inside another, Jessica Poland became CharlotteSometimes.

Now a solo artist, Sometimeshas recorded the 2008 EP, CharlotteSometimes; the 2008 LP, Waves and theBoth of Us; and the self-released 2010 EP, Sideways and The Wait, whichwas released August 31.

In this exclusive interview,LN spoke with Sometimes about her childhood, personality Miss-Orders and"How I Could Just Kill a Man."

Lesbian News: First off, on a side note, you and Ihave the same birthday, different year.

Charlotte Sometimes: Awesome. That's Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.What's up?

LN: Along with Moliere, Lloyd Bridges, MargaretO'Brien, Gene Krupa and Charo.

CS: Prettycool. It doesn’t really get any better than January 15^th but I thinkwe're all a bit troubled [Laughs]. We're Capricorns.

LN: Speaking of troubled – and maybe it was not – howwould you describe your childhood?

CS: It wasgood. It was different. I was born. My birth mother was schizophrenic so shehad to put me up for adoption. I was my parents' foster kid for three years andthen I was adopted. That's really interesting but it was normal. I have areally great family. I was a ballerina. I did what many ballerinas do: Istopped eating. But it was a clean and normal childhood.

LN: Why did you move from dancing to guitar and singingduring your adolescent years?

CS: Istopped dancing because I wasn’t in love with it. It was something my mom hadput me in when I was three years old. It was just one of those girl things andI just happened to be good at it. I started getting scholarships and gettingscouted to dance but my heart wasn’t in it. And once I got an eating disorderit didn’t seem like it was worth all the pain. I stopped doing that. I pickedup a guitar to kind of deal with my pain and my eating disorder and I decidedto stop dancing completely.

LN: Did getting out of dance eliminate your eatingdisorder and other problems you were having?

CS: Ithelped, along with a lot of medication [Laughs]. Playing guitar and singingwere really therapeutic. I was really angry at everyone and I didn’t think Ihad a problem. I really had to deal with the way I felt about myself, too andthere was a lot of pain there. As a 13-year-old and 14-year-old girl I wasreally angry at the world and really depressed. Once I started getting the helpI needed and playing the music I realized music was my calling.

LN: Beyond the typical angst and anger of many youngteenagers, why were you so angry?

CS: I don’tknow. I hated the way I looked. I felt a need to control everything and there wasthis deep hatred for myself and fear of failing and disappointing my familybecause I was adopted. I wanted to be the perfect child. I wanted to lookperfect. I wanted to be perfect. I just wanted to be perfect and you have tolearn to let that go. I had a lot of anxiety, so when I started singing aboutit, it became this positive outlet instead of starving myself. After that andI'm not sure they're related but I was diagnosed with my jaw disease (idiopathic condylar resorption)so my whole face kind of disintegrated, which didn’t help the whole situation[Laughs].

LN: While you were going through your adolescent angstwere there people you could look up to for encouragement?

CS: When Iwas 13-14 I was just obsessed with Jewel. She was a really positive, brightwoman who didn’t seem afraid of all the stuff I was focusing on. So that washelpful. I remember listening to Jewel's"Deep Water" and thinking, "Yeah, Jewel gets it." [Laughs.]I was like 14. I just became so determined to succeed in music and get overthis really dark time in my life.

LN: Beyond the jaw disease and anorexia during yourearly teenage years, you also met your birth mom when you were 13, yet Iunderstand that went rather well.

CS: Yeah. It's creepy. I'm 23now but ages 13-16 were really intense years for me; maybe more than otherteenagers at the time? I met my birth mom. I was diagnosed with an anxiety. Iwas diagnosed with anorexia. I was getting scholarships for dance. Then I gotthe jaw disease. I had my jaw replaced. In 2004 I got signed to a big manager(Crush Management).

LN: But meeting your mom worked out well.

CS: Ithought it was going to be this big reunion and it wasn’t. She's just a person.She's a lovely woman. We keep in touch. I have a lot of love and admiration forher because I would not be here if it weren’t for her but it's different. She'snot my mom. Do you know what I mean? She's the woman who gave birth to me and Ihave a mom. She's like a distant relative. There may be something there that's"more than a distant cousin." It's hard to explain. We've finallygotten to a place where I can have my birth mom and my mom in the same room andcoming to my shows. It feels good that they're so lovely together. That'sreally beautiful to see.

LN: You took your name from the Penelope Farmer book.When did you read that?

CS: I read Charlotte Sometimes when I was around17. At that point I was still Jessica Poland. I really liked the book. Ithought it was really interesting that the protagonist, Clare, got lost in time.I always kind of felt like I had these two personalities where there was thisreally dark version of me and then this bubbly side. Not that I have a splitpersonality [Laughs]! It's like we have these two sides to us. The one we showeveryone and the one who we really are. Then there's the real depressing sidewe want to hide from the world. Taking the name kind of made it more poeticwith the relationship I have with myself. When I was making the first record, Ithought, "Hmm, I don’t want to be a country." Everyone would want toknow if I were Polish or related to Poland Springs, which, if I were, I wouldprobably have a lot of money and not be a struggling musician. CharlotteSometimes just makes sense regarding what I want to do. It makes sense for mybranding. It makes sense for when I'm on stage. It makes sense for what I'mdealing with. It's fun. Charlottecan do whatever the fuck she wants today. She can change genres. She can dresshowever she wants. She's a badass motherfucker and I love her.

LN: Is the Charlotte Sometimes we see different fromthe Jessica Poland we do not?

CS: Iwouldn’t say we were so far from each other. She's definitely an extension ofwho I am. A lot of people who know me through Charlotte Sometimes call meCharlie. Except when I start dating some one, I prefer Jessie. It's weird to bein bed with someone and they start screaming, "Charlie!" It's weird. Charlotte is everything Iam but over the top. All the happy are way happier. All the happy are waystronger. She's not a moper. I'm more of a moper [Laughs]. Jessie thesongwriter likes to be alone and read. Charlotte'smore of a party animal.

LN: Do you read a lot? Who are your favorite authors?

CS: I lovePenelope Farmer. I like really girly books like [ones written by] EmilyGriffin. I'm obsessed with the Buffy comic books. Elizabeth Wurtzel is sointense.

LN: Looking back at your teenage years, what do youthink you have learned between then and now with regard to making it in themusic business?

CS: No one is going to workharder for you than you so you better believe in yourself. You better be ableto put in the work. You really need to have a strong sense of who you arebecause the music business will eat you up. You will lose yourself and you willbecome very depressed if you don’t know who you are. Be a very strong,confident woman. I don’t always do a good job -- especially around PMS -- but Itry. This industry is constantly changing. You just have to be sturdy with whatyou want and what you don’t want.

LN: That negotiation between change and who you are isoften the content of your music. The negotiating between being the strong,independent person you want to be and meeting the needs and desires of others.

CS: I writea lot about that. Whoever we are – man, woman, gay, straight – we struggle withwho the hell we are and wondering, "Am I being too bitchy?" or"Am I being a pushover?" It’s hard to strike the balance.

LN: How did your career change after you released Waves and the Both of Us?

CS: A lotmore people want to work with me now. I have more fans now, which is cool.Everything changed because everything became super real. What I dreamt ofplaying had become a reality. People were hearing these songs. They justweren’t for me anymore. There were for everyone. It was a bittersweet thing. Thesesongs are like your babies and now everyone has an idea about your babies.Maybe the songs mean something different or they hate them.

LN: Can we talk about the hit off Waves and the Both of Us, "How I Could Just Kill a Man"?

CS:[Laughs]. We had made the whole record and my producer said, "Do you knowthe Cypress Hill song, 'How I Could Just Kill a Man'"? I said, "Yeah,I know the song. What does it have to do with me?" And he said, "Gowrite your version." I was going through this awful breakup and using thattagline, the song came out in 10 minutes. We recorded it and it became asingle.

LN: Do you know how Cypress Hill thinks about it?

CS: I haveno idea. I'm sure they'd hate it because it's super poppy.

LN: Your latest release is the EP, The Wait.

CS: The Wait is really different from Waves. While you can still hear my voiceand where Charlotteis coming from, we're just maturing. Rather than blaming and being so angst-ywith everyone, it's about looking at you. It's an honest look at who I am andwhat I'm going through. The production is different. The songs are tangible,not this glamorous thing. All my songs start on the acoustic guitar and theproduction of any song changes it. We're going to let the songs on the EP speakfor themselves. I'm older. I'm not really trying to appeal to 13-year-oldsanymore. I'm an adult and I write about adult things. Also, my fans are gettingolder. They're not 13 anymore; they're going through the same things I am goingthrough.

LN: The first release is Stay in My Heart.

CS: I wrotethe song a few years ago. I couldn’t even tell you who I was singing the songabout. Why do I like this song? There are hundreds of songs so why that one?It's about not wanting to lose the person you love even if you're not withthem. The right thing to do is to let them go. It's kind of that feeling ofknowing that person is leaving you not for another person, but because theydeserve better, and because the relationship is not healthy. It's such a sadmoment when you realize that you have to let that person go.

LN: The trailer for the song lends itself to a coupleof interpretations. One may be that you are leaving men behind and going tostart building a life with women.

CS: Theintentions behind the trailer are different than the true intention of thesong. I like to deal with different concepts in a song. That's why I likemusic; it's a personal experience. The meanings of my songs constantly change,depending on where I am in my life and who I am dating or who I am not dating.A song can be happy and then it becomes depressing. The ballerinas in thetrailer are protecting me from a man I obviously love on the outside and who Iwant to be with, but my subconscious is telling me, "You're just going toget hurt. Stay away."

LN: These young women help you to push away this youngguy who is not good for you and maybe you would be happier off with women.

CS: AlthoughI am bisexual, that wasn’t my true intention but I don’t mind thatinterpretation. They're my woman's intuition and a woman's intuition is neverwrong. Sometimes I wish I would listen to my ballerinas a little more often. Ineed them to follow me around [Laughs].

LN: You are bisexual, but you tend to write songsabout your relationships with men – at least when they are visuallyconstructed. Do you find there is pressure to write songs from a non-gayviewpoint?

CS: Thething for me is that while I have dated women and have had relations with womenand I really care about women and I've come to terms with that's where I am inmy life, I've always fallen in love with men. I don’t know what that means forme. I don’t know if that means I can't fall in love with a woman – because I'vehad really strong feelings for women – but it just hasn’t come about. As muchas it may piss off a lot of gay people, I am who I am. I just fall in love withwho I fall in love with. I don’t really think about anything else other thanthat. I want to have a nice life with somebody. If that means I'm going to fallin love with a woman then that means I'm going to fall in love with a woman. Itjust so happens that most of my relationships have been with men.

LN: You may have just given a challenge to many of ourreaders.

CS:[Laughs]. It's interesting because my "lesbian family" has been withme since I was 15. Then these gay guys were into my music. Gay, straight, menand women, that's how I always wanted my audience to be. I don’t want anybodyto be the same. That pisses off a lot of companies. They want to know,"What's my thing?" I don’t have "a thing." That's why Ihave a really close relationship with my fans. I'm not trying to fit into somecompany mold. I'm just trying to be who I am and I'm just trying to be happy.And any person can relate to that.

LN: Beyond reading a lot, what do you like to do inyour free time?

CS: I'mobsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Iknow it's been off for years but I watch it like it's a religion. I love to goout and wine with my friends. I live in Manhattan.I have a wonderful cat. She was named after the Buffy character, Cordelia. I know I'm such a dork. I work with thecharity Roots & Wings in my spare time.

LN: For foster kids.

CS: Yeah,they help support foster kids who have outgrown the system. When a childbecomes 17-18 years old they get kicked out of foster care. There's no support,nowhere to live. They're completely on their own. I couldn’t imagine being17-18 and not being able to call my parents for help, even for emotionalsupport, let alone money for home and school. We raise money and offermentoring services. We help with housing and scholarships for school. It'sreally been a joy in my life. The fact that these kids have to go through thisat all breaks my heart. Just talking about it, I feel like I'm going to cry.That could have easily been me. I really got into it when I realize there wereall these normal foster kids who hadn’t been adopted. They're on the streetsbut if they had had my opportunities they would have a different life. I feellike I owe it to the community of foster kids. When I think about this11-year-old girl I met in Idahowho had not been adopted it makes me cry. She came up to me and said, "I'mjust a foster kid." She hadn’t been adopted yet but she was reallyhopeful. Then she looked at me and said, "What's it like?" I said,"It's really great" and she said, "Yeah, I thought so."She's 11. Her chances of being adopted are very slim. And that's all she wants.I think about her everyday. I am working for Roots & Wings for girls likeher. I wish I took her name and I wish I knew how she is. I wish I could goaround and just hug people. There's so much love these people aren’t getting.

LN: Earlier you mentioned interpretations and yoursongs as babies. What do you think about these interviews where you talk aboutyou and your work? Does it serve the work? Should the work speak for itself?

CS: Theyserve the work. Your personality and who you are and what you put into yourmusic are important. It helps people who are getting into your music to learnabout you and feel more connected with what you're putting out there. Of coursethere is this lore of mystery in music, but I always want to get to know thepeople whose music I listen to. I would love to know what they were thinkingwhen they were writing that song. It doesn’t necessarily change how I feelabout the song. As long as the person is not a complete jackass it's a win-win.

LN: Unless you find out they are a jackass. Then youdo not have to buy his or her records anymore.

CS:[Laughs]. Let's hope people don’t think I'm an asshole. Maybe this interviewwill make them like me more. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

News Bytes, October 2011

2011-10-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

NEWS BYTES

ByDenise Penn

REP. TAMMYBALDWIN TO RUN FOR U.S. SENATE

Rep.Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) has entered the race for U.S. Senate. She made theannouncement and released an email and video message on September 6^th. Shewill be running for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator HerbKohl. If elected, she will become the first lesbian senator in history.
The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee wasted no timeendorsing her.

NOW applauded Baldwinfor cosponsoring legislation to repeal the discriminatory Defense of MarriageAct (DOMA) in 2009 and again when re-introduced in 2011. Under DOMA, same-sexcouples who legally wed are still denied federal marriage benefits, and otherstates may refuse to recognize their unions.

Baldwin serves on the CongressionalCaucus on Women's Issues and has been a strong advocate and supporter ofwomen's rights during her seven terms in office. She has worked on a long listof women's rights issues, including pay equity, violence against women,reproductive rights and women's health. Recently Baldwinintroduced a resolution to remove the arbitrary deadline that put a stop to theratification process of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Baldwin has led successful efforts inthe House to pass expanded hate crimes legislation. She is co-founder andco-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and is committed toachieving the full scope of human rights for LGBT people in the U.S. and aroundthe world.

In the Senate, Baldwinwill continue to work to advance social justice issues, with an urgent focus onprotecting Social Security and ensuring adequate funding for the program intothe future.

Baldwin already made history in 1998by becoming the first woman elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representativesfrom the state of Wisconsinand the first non-incumbent, openly gay person to serve in Congress. If electedin 2012, she will become the first openly gay person to serve in the U.S.Senate.

SENATOR KEHOE’S EQUAL BENEFITS BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

TheEqual Benefits Bill (SB 117) authored by lesbian state senator Christine Kehoeand sponsored by Equality California that prohibits the state from enteringinto large contracts with businesses that deny same-sex spouses the benefitsoffered to opposite-sex spouses of employees, has been signed into law byCalifornia Governor Jerry Brown.

"Providingthe same benefits to an employee with a domestic partner, or same-sex oropposite-sex spouse ensures that workers receive equal pay for equalwork," said Senator Christine Kehoe. "California should lead the way for otheremployers to provide benefits that are non-discriminatory."

Beginningin 1996 in San Francisco, Equality California'sleadership has been working with city councils and the California legislature to pass equalbenefits ordinances. Since then, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, San MateoCounty, San Diegoand Santa Monicahave adopted such ordinances. Other cities with similar ordinances include Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Miami Beach.

It isestimated that thousands of businesses and other entities now offer equalbenefits as a direct result of these laws, including automobile companies, mostairlines and many Fortune 500 companies and small businesses.

“The state’s tax dollars earned by hardworking Californiansshould not be invested in companies that unfairly discriminate against LGBTpeople and their families,” added Roland Palencia, executive director ofEquality California.

LESBIANWINS PRIMARY FOR CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA CITY COUNCIL

When the returns came in, the numbers showedthat LaWana Mayfield, an out lesbian candidate, had won the Democratic primaryfor the third district City Council seat in Charlotte, North Carolina.If elected, she will become the first openly LGBT Council Member in the city’shistory.

IncumbentCity Councilman Warren Turner had run unopposed four times, winning every timewith no fellow Democrats or Republicans challenging him.

Butin the past year, he has been involved in many controversies and scandals. Aninvestigation was launched after several female city employees complained thatTurner sexually harassed them. In addition, he was accused of taking a gun to aconstruction site and ordering workers to stop work while on duty as aprobation officer. Once these allegations became public, past indiscretionsbegan to come out as others felt comfortable to come forward. He was accused ofsexual harassment of a female police cadet two decades ago when he was a newrecruit.

Charlotte voters responded by voting him out. LaWana Mayfieldcarried the race by nearly 17 percent. Mayfield, a community organizer, willface Republican Ed Toney in the general election for the seat representingDistrict 3 of the city of Charlotte,where an estimated 60% of registered voters are Democrats.

A former board member for the Human Rights Campaign and the Charlotte Gay andLesbian Fund, Mayfield was endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Thesame day, the North Carolinalegislature approved a ballot measure to let voters decide on a constitutionalamendment that would ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. The issue willappear on the May 2012 ballot. The city of Charlotte has been chosen to host the 2012Democratic National Convention.

ORANGE COUNTY CENTER'S DIRECTOR DEPARTS

TheGay & Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC)has announced the departure of Executive Director Ginger Hahn. Hahn and herpartner are relocating to Oregon.During Hahn’s four-year tenure, The Center OC achieved some notable milestones,including doubling its budget in the midst of a recession, in a time when manynonprofits have closed their doors. The Center OC has purchased and renovated abuilding so that The Center OC now has a permanent location in the heart of thecounty.

“Gingercame on board at a time when The Center OC was in a tough place and its futurewas in doubt,” said Board Chair Lucas Fiamengo. “Thanks in large part to herefforts, we are no longer fighting to survive and are thriving.”

AnnMason, who has served as Director of Mental Health Services for the past twoyears, has assumed the role of Interim Executive Director.

Hot Spots, October 2011

2011-10-04T10:13:00.003-07:00

Hotspots

By Dian Katz, MS

Okay my little pretties, I have thewitches brew on the stove in the background::::::::::::: <just go with me onthis>:::::::::::::I’m trying to get into my Halloweenie mood. You know Istill go trick-or-treating... hahahah.. Okay, okay.. only sometimes. So, I’mone large kid in an adult body. Hey watch it!!! I was born this way!! People atthe door probably look at me and say, what the h*** is this???!!!! Then again,probably not because with a mask on, I look like every other high schooler.. Ohwait, they don’t trick-or-treat in high school, do they? Ahem... all right..I’ll get on with the spooky Hotspots!

For all you ghouls out there.. get it?Ghouls sound like girls, get it??? .. ah nevamind. I so don’t get any respectaround this joint.. There are still a few Pride Festivals to celebrate. It’snot over until the lesbo is singing.. <and I’m not currently singing at thisvery moment so it’s sort of accurate ~cough~> Well...here’s a few to checkout.. There’s some Pride going on in the state of Arizona.. TUCSONPRIDE on OCTOBER 15this a great place for all of you lesbo desert rats to attend. Just 4-wheel overand type: TucsonPride.org.You gals out in Atlanta, I’ve got your backs baby.. You also have ATLANTAPRIDE on OCTOBER 8th.I hear your pride is one of the largest in the southeastern part of thecountry. Head over to the puter and type: Atlantapride.org.Hmmm.. I wonder what you do over there in Atlanta. Are you any different thanus Cali lesbos? Are there some hand signs I should know when I visit? Yanno, soI can recognize an Atlanta lesbo? Ack! No one tells me nuttin! I’ve gottafigure all this stuff out by myself! Sheesh!!! I have room for just one morePride to mention for October. How about all you Texans enjoying Pride in FortWorth! TARRANT COUNTY GAY PRIDE WEEKon OCTOBER 1-2 is for you!Really? There are lesbos in Texas? <evil grin> Well chit howdy youcowgals! Have fun over thar... Don’t have a clue how you celebrate pride Texanstyle but make sure to keep me posted! For info, giddyup that big stallion andtype: TCGPWA.INFO.

It’s that time to let the skeletons outof our closets and now we are encouraging YOU to come out as well. It’s NATIONALCOMING OUT DAY on OCTOBER11. So many havecome out in recent years, helping the civil rights movement for the lgbtcommunity. It often is a very difficult step to take but can also be extremelyrewarding. It’s so freeing. However, it also is a very personal choice. No oneshould ever judge you for not comingout. There are certain jobs and areas in the world where it can be dangerous todo so. But if you can’t come out fully, perhaps you would consider coming out alittle and celebrating yourself! Just coming out to friends and/or family helpsone to feel less isolated. On October 11, celebrate any way you can.. and ifyou can be brave to take that first step, good for you!!! Now baaack to theskeletons in the closet.. I no longer have too many skeletons in my closet butI do know a few witches outside my house.. <snicker> oh alright.. that’sa whole different column!!!

Disneyland and California Adventure inCalifornia, are so much fun at this time of year. They decorate everything inHalloweenish colors. There are pumpkins all over the parks and well, thingsjust take on a life of their own.. in other words, watch out for the freakyones on some of the rides. Oh, I’m not talking about your girlfriends, silly!!I mean the Disney characters.. Annnnnyway, it’s GAYDAYS, ANAHEIM on September30-October 2!!! The weekend kicks off with welcomeparties on Friday and other exciting events in Downtown Disney. On Saturday,GDA will be hosting their usual fun games and parties in the Disneyland Park.This is where lots of lesbos and gays meet up at certain spots and playtogether.. AND this year, something new has been added! A comedy show by thefabulous Suzanne Westenhoefer at the Grand California Hotel, 7pm. She’s alesbian laugh-a-minute comic. Tickets will be sold separately for her show.After her performance, the ladies are invited to participate in “LadiesLounge,” which is at Anabella Hotel across the street and it’s freeeeeeeeeeee.Lastly, Sunday will be Gay Days at California Adventure Park. There’ll be evenmore games and activities to engage in with other like-minds. The only thingyou need to do is wear a Red Shirt so all the other lesbos in the park willknow you are part of the fun. Gay Days, Anaheim, even has their own red shirtwith logo that you can purchase through their website. So come on! Get busygetting your lesbo on, in one of the happiest places on earth. For moreinformation, stroll over and type: gaydaysanaheim.com.

Our favorite radio star and out lesbian STEPHANIEMILLER is performing a couple of her SexyLiberal shows this month in Los Angeles! On October 22-23 at the WadsworthTheater, Stephanie will make the tears stream down your face and your sideshurt from laughing so hysterically. Her comedy show has been making headlinesall over the country and you certainly don’t want to miss this funny woman.Personally, I think Stephanie is hilarious. After spending time with her, Ifind her to be just as funny and down to earth as her radio and comedy persona.I’m proud to say she’s, <whispers> one of us.. <snicker>.. for moreinformation on Stephanie’s Sexy Liberal show, go to sexyliberal.com.

Looking for something fun to do in thePhiladelphia area? It’s OUTFESTon OCTOBER 9 there inPhilly.. or in the “Gayborhood” as the organizers like to call it. The OutFestwill be a huge Coming Out Block Party to celebrate the National Coming Out DayHoliday. You girls out there in PA can have fun too, yanno!!! Don’t worry! I’mlooking out for ya!!! For more information on this fun fest, reel over to theputer and type: phillypride.org.

...and next month is my birthday on 11-11-11!!!!!!!!!

Dian Katz is an Author, Entertainer andCollege Instructor. For more information on her, go to www.DianKatz.org or www.facebook.com/diankatzband.

Femastrology, October 2011

2011-10-04T10:13:00.001-07:00

Femastrologyby Victoria Bearden

OctoberSun Sign Profile: Libra (September 23-October 22)

All theSun Signs have a stereotype. Aries is bossy and Scorpio is sexy. So what aboutLibra? Libras are… complicated. They are Cardinal Signs like Aries, Cancer, andCapricorn, and can be very motivated. They are Air Signs like Gemini and Aquariusand can be cerebral and sociable. Ruledby Venus, like Taurus, they can be artistic and sensual. So here’s the skinny: Librasrelate. They are tuned in to others. It’s the power of 2, like the scales. Andthey are often quite dualistic. Some areawesome partners, others are co-dependent people pleasers. They can be freedomfighters or con artists. Fierce competitors or peace-keepers, big balls offluff or super tough; it’s all in the realm of Libra. The key: they are very good at mirroring,shadowing, and dancing with another.

Librasare known to be attractive, refined, accommodating, and fair-minded. Whenbehaving badly, they are notorious for being superficial manipulators, usingtheir charm and good looks to get what they want. But a positive Libra is nolight-weight. They often have good taste and great creative talent, but alsoshine in fields that require equanimity and negotiation skills. And yes, thereare a lot of beautiful, artsy Libras out there. But many formidable Libras are upholding justice in the court room, or“Keeping the Peace” in law enforcement. They are known to excel in one-on-onesports, like boxing, as they have that uncanny ability to match their energy totheir opponent.

Libra getsalong with fellow air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, but may tend to seekout partnerships with those who are more “opposite” in some ways. They canmatch up nicely with a powerful Scorpio or a dominant Aries or Leo. Cancer andCapricorn might possibly be the worst match for Libra, as the tense aspectsbetween these signs can block intimacy, which is Libra’s main goal. Dating aLibra? Make sure you like to talk, in the bedroom, too.

Born onOctober 18, 1956, tennis icon Martina Navratilova is Libra energy at itsfinest. As I mentioned, Libras often excel in sports where they have anopponent. Martina is not only one of the finest singles players in tennishistory, but was exemplary as a doubles player as well, in trueLibra-Partnership fashion. When not on the tennis court,Navratilova is involved with various charities that benefit animal rights,underprivileged children, and gay rights.

FemastrologyHoroscopes for October

For allthe Sun Signs: The Fall Equinox has passed it is autumn. The beginning ofOctober has an unusual number of astrological “opportunity periods” orfortunate days. October 1^st and 2^nd, October 7^ththrough the 9^th, and the weekend of October 15^th are allrockin’ days to get your mojo on and do something spectacular. So takeadvantage of this potentially productive and positive month. The Full Moon onOctober 11^th could bring up a lot of relationship issues, so keepthat in mind, as tempers could flair! Saturn is still in the sign of Libra,which is not giving many Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn folks a break yet,but patience, everyone gets their turn with Saturn eventually! And what doesn’tkill you makes you stronger, right?

Aries(March 21-April 19) Whoa, this month could bring in some colossal changes inyour primary relationships, Aries. Of course, this could be a good thing, orNOT, depending on your situation. Don’t be too reactive, you could regretit.

Taurus(April 20-May 20) Who wants to work when you can lie in the sun, eat goodchocolate, and go to wine tastings! Moderation, my dear Taurus! This month youmay wish to indulge more than usual, but your stomach and your wallet my paythe price. Balance is a good thing.

Gemini(May 21-June 20) This month could be a fun and wild ride for you, bothromantically and in the “good luck” department. But beware of being overlyoptimistic involving any kind of speculation. You may think you can’t lose, butactually, you might. Enjoy the fun factor, but keep your head on.

Cancer(June 21-July 21) Nostalgic thoughts of home and family may occupy yourthoughts as this month begins. Remember the good times, but keep your mind inthe present. You can’t fix the past, but you can certainly create a betterfuture. Important relationships deserve your energy right now.

Leo(July 23-August 22) You’ll be running around with your hair on fire this month,juggling many balls in the air. Slow down a little and you’ll avoid some costlymistakes. Mars in your sign will make you feel like roaring! Okay kitty, but becareful you don’t blow people out of the water unless that’s your goal!

Virgo(August 23-September 22) This is a good month to get your finances together.You could be making more money, or at least maybe saving more. Put your mind tothe task and get things into balance. You’ll feel a lot better for the effort.

Libra(September 23-October 22) Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto are still making liferather intense, but this month’s planetary alignment in your sign could signifysome real breakthroughs, which will be very welcome about now! Conserve yourstrength and put your energy to use where it will make the most impact. HappyBirthday!

Scorpio(October 23-Novemeber 21) You might need a little down time this month, but youcould make some important strides in the career zone, Your intuition is runningon high. Pay attention to hunches. Butmake sure it IS your intuition, not your imagination! There’s a big difference.

Sagittarius(November 22-December 21) You know Sag, this could be a pretty fun and groovymonth for you if you play your cards right. Social situation will prove bothentertaining and productive, so accept all invites.

Capricorn(December 22-January 19) October may be a month of extremes. Keep things inperspective and don’t flip out. You could make some real scores in the careerzone. Apply yourself and don’t let other stuff get in the way of that.

Aquarius(January 20-February 18) This could be afabulous month for you, both socially and career wise. This is great travelmonth, too. The one catch? You may arouse some unexpected anger from partner orcolleagues. Be a little more sensitive.

Pisces(February 19-March 20) Letting go of the past is key this month. Tie up looseends and if you can’t get “closure” with someone or some situation, get it forYOURSELF. Tune in to your deep self.

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