Tello Films Melissa King

h 2015 LESBIAN • NEWSMarc NO. 8 40 • VOL. tello Films Building the tello Brick Road + Melissa King Top Chef Finalist and Personal Chef CHRISTINA PERRI To Headline the Dinah’s White Party LN Contributors

Christin and Ashley Kelly-Brown are owners and wife team of LunaBella Makeup and Hair in Santa Barbara, CA. Originally from Oakland, CA., they met there at 17 years of age and have been together for over 12 years. Legally married in California on October 3, 2008, their company has since taken off. They absolutely love not only what they do but also how uniquely they work together.

Donna J. Wade is a writer and graphic designer specializing in direct-mail fundraising for wildlife conservation, environmental and animal welfare non-profits. She came out publicly in 1976 while attending a midwestern police academy. She spent twenty out-and- proud years working within the LAPD to change entrenched attitudes, serving as a police academy instructor, specialist reserve officer, and civilian member of LAPD disciplinary tribunals. She's happily in love with her partner of nearly 18 years. Dian Katz works a variety of arenas. With a background in Marriage Counseling and a history as a professional performer, she’s LN’s Entertainment Editor and Self Help columnist. Dian’s also authored a book entitled: Love Hurts - A Spiritual Journey to Wholeness. She sometimes works the motivational speaking circuit. Dian’s an award winning drummer with her own rock band. Out of all the many hats she wears, performing and writing are her biggest passions.

Gladi Adams, PhD is a native New Englander who was recruited in Boston by the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach English in L.A. She studied at Boston University, Cal State Northridge, California Western and UCLA. She.retired as a secondary school principal after 35 years in the system. She is married to Ella Matthes, publisher, and they have been working on the LN together since 2005.

John Esther has been writing for Lesbian News for the last ten years. During this time he has written movie, cover, lifestyle and feature columns for the magazine. John also works as a freelance writer for Herald de Paris, Tolosa Press, UR Chicago and Z Magazine. He also has his own blog.

Juno Parrenas has been a regular monthly columnist at the Lesbian News since 1997, when she was seventeen years old. Since then, she has lived in three continents, five countries, ten cities, and has three degrees: a Bachelor’s from UC Santa Cruz, a Master’s from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from Harvard University. When she’s not writing about sexuality, politics, pleasure, culture, desire, and social relations, she works on her research involving orangutans.

Mona de Crinis grew up in a world without Xbox or Netflix, when tweeting was something birds did and “Pinterest” was a bad typo. She relied on her fertile imagination for fun quickly discovering that words threaded together could create a vibrant tapestry of expression. This awareness sparked a passion and subsequent career. For more than 20 years, she has written for and edited regional and niche publications. She has authored over 100 published articles.Mona lives in Palm Springs with partner, Lori, and four furry kids. Karen Williams graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a personally-designed major in “Humor and Healing.” She earned a Master of Education degree from CSU’s Adult Learning & Development program. Karen Williams, M.Ed, taught Stand-Up Comedy in the Dramatic Arts department of Cleveland State University. Currently, she is the Founder and CEO of HaHA Institute and an internationally acclaimed and nationally-known stand-up comic, SPEAK UP! SPEAK OUT! LAUGH OFTEN!

Kristi Pallino is a leader in the field of Life Coaching. She works with Lesbian individuals, couples and large groups. Kristi’s Life Coaching landed her on a cable show called “How Do I Look” as well as five different non-profit organizations teaching Life Skills. She also writes a monthly motivational column called “The Coach’s Corner.” Kristi’s passion is to coach her clients into the purposeful life they are meant to live and beyond. Visit her website at www.lifecoachkristi.com. Contact: [email protected] or 818-321-6830.

Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a parade, so she moved to Long Beach California, a big town, so she didn’t have to be all alone in the Gay Pride parade! She is an activist for animal rights and gay rights, giving priority to gay animals! As a stand-up comic she has survived many dive bars, festivals, and comedy clubs. She is currently trying to get booked onto the “Olivia Cruises” because she heard it’s a great place to meet women!

Mona Elyafi has been writing celebrity magazine profiles, entertainment news and lifestyle columns for two decades. She currently writes for the Huffington Post, and serves as the West Coast correspondent for Diva Magazine (Dubai’s leading Women’s fashion magazine) writing pieces on Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons and Denise Richards.Born in Beirut, Lebanon, raised in Paris, France, residing in Los Angeles, Elyafi has spent 20 years working in entertainment publicity, heading her own PR Company, ILDK Media. She holds a Master of Arts in journalism from New York University.

Morag Hillsinger is the Nom de Plume of R.J. Birmingham, a local attorney. Winner of an essay competition in 1993 “Trial by Media,” she also has a published case as co-counsel with Lambda Legal (2008) which benefitted gays and lesbians. She is a monthly contributor of Poetry for the LN. Ms. Birmingham practices Estate Planning and Serious Personal Injury at Long Beach Law, Inc. and is working on a book of essays about the practice.

Nat Burns is a professional writer and editor who retired from an editorial systems career in Virginia to relocate to New Mexico. She is an award-winning author and journalist and a book editor for several publishers. Burns has published eight novels to date and her work has appeared in more than thirty anthologies. She has worked for this magazine for six years and is a proud grandmother.

Carl Matthes is the current president of UGLA, Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance, an organization providing a support system for gay men, lesbians and education for individuals and the community He is a columnist on the Lesbian News, owned and published by his sister, Ella and her wife Gladi. He was editor of the GLAAD/newsletter, and a GLAAD/LA representative on the Board.In July, 2008, Carl was legally married to Carl Johnson, his partner of 48 years, by Los Angels City Councilmember Jose Huizar. It was a unique gay/ lesbian double ceremony as Carl’s sister Ella and her partner Gladi were also married by Jose. Nikki McCauley was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Robert Morris University and spent ten years with Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA. Accomplishments: Pilot- Godless- 2010- 2012. CD- Spoken Word 2005. Warner Bros. Writer’s Workshop 2003/2004 .Poetry Book- Inditing Poetry 1999. Scripts- Law & Order, The Practice, Cold Case, CSI Las Vegas.

Shawn Ryan is a lot of things. He’s an Actor/Singer/Writer/Director and Camp Director but fancies himself a Dancer/Poet/Lyrical Savant/Brother/Son/and Terrific Husband. His greatest wish is that someday Barbara Walters will come out of retirement and make him cry on ABC. He lives in a state of adoring bliss with his husband, actor John Ainsworth, and their furry children, Mr Kitty and Gazpacho the Chihuahua. It seems as though things couldn’t get much better, but day by day, they to do. Follow him on www.Shawn-Ryan.com

Sally Sheklow came out in 1973 and has been with her Wifey for 25 years. They live in Eugene, Oregon with their two cats. Sally’s “Living Out” column first appeared in Lesbian News in 1999, and twice won both the Houston Press Club’s Lone Star Award for best magazine column and Best of Eugene’s “Best Writer” award. Sally teaches Queer Studies at Portland State University, performs with the all-lesbian improv troupe WYMPROV! And makes art out of old buttons.

Sweet Baby J’ai is a writer, singer, composer, arranger, educator, and the Artistic Director of the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. A creative force on the music scene for over two decades, she tours the world with her genre-defying work, which both embraces and expands jazz tradition. She has worked in various capacities, including talent buyer for major music events throughout the country. She also serves as Creative Managing Director for the Educational Theatre Institute.

Teresa DeCrescenzo is a social worker, activist, teacher, and writer. After 25 years of advocating for LGBT youth through her work at GLASS, Teresa is adjunct professor at CSUN where she has taught Sociology of LGBT communities, Social Policy, Social Work Practice, and other courses designed to inspire and prepare future generations of social work activists. She is also the Director of Social Services at one of the largest acute care hospitals in California. As Arts & Culture Editor and Book Reviewer, Teresa brings the best of lesbian writing and cultural events to the community-at-large.

Toni Hart has had many careers, including her favorite – freelance writing. Early on she was a child actress and after college, became a designer of women’s & children’s fashions. After a pause to have three children, she turned to Mortgage Banking, retiring years later as VP/Administrator of the mortgage Dept. She’s become a hard working volunteer for many venues. To support her wonderful gay daughter, her attention is now zestfully supporting the LGBT cause.

Victoria Bearden has practiced astrology for over 30 years, with clients across the country and abroad. To set up a personal consultation you can call her at 760-634-1028 or visit her web site at www.astrologervic.com March 2015

CONTENTS TAP ANY HEADLINE TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO THE STORY LESBIAN NEWS

FEATURES tello Films When it comes to quality lesbian programming, Christin Baker, founder and CEO of tello Films, has the golden touch. By Mona de Crinis Photo Credit: Club Skirts Earth Talk Are there still outspoken global warming deniers in Congress or the mainstream media when presented with scientific facts? INSIDE LN By Sheer and Moss HOTSPOTS Does March really come in Jenni Olson as a lion? Takes The Royal Road to Sundance Film Festival By John Esther POETRY Saigon, Vietnam The Flood Gates Of Visibility NOTES FROM NAT The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful The popular, the smooth and By Carl Matthes the nitty gritty consolidate Grammy season TRAVEL Cruises are a great way to see the world and make many new friends while doing it. LIFESTYLES FEMASTROLOGY The BIG NEWS is the Total Solar Movies Eye C Eclipse on Friday, March 20, Some good, some bad and some ugly at Sundance Film which also happens to be Spring Festival 2015 Equinox By John Esther

Comic Of The Month Rosie has a new HBO Special “Heart Felt”. It premiered on Valentine’s Day, clever timing. By Linda Montgomery

Mel Can Cook Top Chef Finalist and Personal Chef Melissa King is out, creating change and building community one heavenly mouthful at a time. By Donna Wade

LESBIANNEWS.COM COLUMNS Let us know what Living Out Sally overhears some nasty trailer trash-talk. you think. By Sally Sheklow

Positive Reflections Is feminism about becoming manly? By Dian Katz, MS

Queerly Questioning Presenting female masculinity to the world, wearing makeup like K-Pop male heartthrobs and never undergoing surgery By Juno Parrenas, PhD

Theorhetically Speaking Beyond February, History is today By Nikki McCauley

The Coach’s Corner Our soul talks to us all the time but its invitations sometimes fall upon deaf ears By Kristi Pallino

Words That Make Sense Huge changes abound...but unfortunately not all are for the better By Toni Hart

Gay USA Watch the Gay USA Video celebrating 25 years!

FOR FULL TALENT AND PROGRAM SCHEDULE CHRISTINA PERRI Star Of Hearts

| By John Esther Photo Credit: Club Skirts nce again this April 1-5, The Dinah will that will be when The Dinah is it is about be in swing by April 3, when in full swing. that time the annual “White Party” at the Hailed by the event’s organizers of the year Palm Springs Convention gets (as well as others) as the current lesbians, underway. Headlining the White “Queen of Romance,” Perri will bisexuals Party is none other than Christina be bringing her on song and style and queer women from around Perri, the singer-songwriter in the signature Friday night the world head to Palm Springs behind “Jar of Hearts” and “A exclusive concert. Ofor the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Thousand Years.” Weekend. AKA The Dinah. No more than five years ago this When Perri takes the stage would have seemed like a dream. Celebrating its silver anniversary Born Christina Judith Perri on new music and encouraging her Now with a bigger and bolder August 19, 1986 – the year the first to pursue her goals. They are still plan, Christina moved back to unofficial Dinah Shore Weekend close to this day. Los Angeles. She now had songs, took place – to an Italian father including “Jar of Hearts.” It was a By the time she was 15, Christina and a Polish mother, Perri grew up key to the dream coming true. was writing songs. At the age of in Bensalem, PA, a middle class 16 she taught herself how to play In 2010, Christina managed to get suburb northeast of Philadelphia. guitar. She now sings, plays piano, “Jar of Hearts” to the right people Although she sang and performed guitar and bass guitar. on Fox’s TV Show, So You Think in theater as a child, it was not You Can Dance. It aired during the July 30, 2010 episode in a performance with Billy Bell and Although she sang Kathryn McCormick. It was a monstrous success. and performed in A song about a heartless jerk trying to rekindle a relationship with the singer, “Jar of Hearts” theater as a child, it sold 48,000 copies the first week and over 100,000 copies within a month. Three weeks after the was not until Perri July 30 airing Christina had quit her Los Angeles restaurant job and signed with Atlantic Records. was in her teens Striking while the name was hot, Christina released an EP later that year, The Ocean Way Sessions and that she considered then her debut album, Lovestrong, six months later. Then, about six months after herself as a singer- Lovestrong was released, “A Thousand Years” was featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking songwriter. Dawn – Part 1, which has sold nearly five million copies. The In 2007, Christina left song also earned her the BMI until Perri was in her teens that Pennsylvania and headed west award at the BMI Pop Awards she considered herself as a singer- to Los Angeles. While waiting in 2013. songwriter. That was the role of for her big break, she got married her older brother, Nick Perri – For the next couple of years, to a producer. They produced who has performed with Perry Christina toured all over the world, music videos. They divorced Farrell, Silvertide, Matt Sorum recorded more music and began 18 months after marriage. By and yes, his younger sister – who working on her second full album, 2009 Christina had moved was already headed for notoriety Head or Heart. Featuring the backed to Philadelphia. of his own. As they grew up, Nick songs, “Burning Gold,” “Human,” would play for his sister, sharing and “The Words,” Head or Heart was released in April, 2014. It debuted in the US at #4 on the and instead I’ll sing it with my every place that I go to. Culturally Billboard 200. keyboard player, Emily and try to it’s very interesting, like Canada is have a little fun with that. It should really polite. Dublin is absolutely Currently Perri is on a worldwide just be, hopefully, a good time. bananas. I’m about to go to Brazil tour. To give you an idea of how big and the Philippines and I have no the tour is, her last concert before LN: Will you be performing any idea what to expect over there. she appears at the White Party is new, unreleased material? The last time I was in Southeast scheduled for Seoul, Korea, on CP: I will not. I don’t have any of Asia, they were just so excited March 10 and her next concert that ready to go out to the world that there was American music after the White Party is scheduled quite yet. I’m still promoting the there. Really it is so dependent. I April 22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. second album and the third album bring the same show every night. Nonetheless, LN managed to is very much under wrap. I have my personality but I bring track Christina down for an LN: I understand you usually the same every show and the only exclusive interview. have a lot of females at your thing that changes is the audience. Lesbian News: How did you get concerts but this one will be LN: Stepping back, how would involved with the Dinah 2015? pretty much entirely female. Your you describe your childhood bandmates may be the only men Christina Perri: They reached out growing up in Bensalem? around. How do you think the to my management or label, I’m CP: My childhood was really lack of testosterone will be for not sure which and asked me to quite lovely. My parents were both you as a performer? be part of it and I couldn’t say hairdressers -- my dad is a barber yes quickly enough. I am really CP: I will definitely giggle at my and my mom is a hairdresser. honored to have been asked and I male band members as they will My dad is from Italy, so I grew hear that it is an incredible party probably stick out like sore thumbs up in a very European house and very celebratory. All of my but I think it will be great. I am very in Philadelphia. I was always lesbian friends are coming with feminine and I am proud of that. I singing and did musical theater me. The fans are so excited that can imagine that it will be a new from the time I was 8 until I was I’m going to be playing. I have a experience for me. I’ve never had 18. I started writing music when I giant group of lesbian friends and an all-female audience before that was 15. I was very shy and sort of gay friends; so we are all going to I can think of – certainly excited introverted and now I realize that I go and party with everybody! to see what that may feel like. was just a little songwriter. At the Hopefully it’s just a lot of fun! LN: What can audiences expect time when I was a kid, I was just from your performance? LN: I see you are performing in very quiet and sort of melancholy. many countries around the world I would rather sit in my bathroom CP: I have to play, for sure, my this spring. Do different countries and listen to Mariah Carey and songs that they probably have respond to your music in different cry than go to the school dance. heard the most, which are sort of ways? Now that really makes sense to ballads, like “A Thousand Years,” me but back then it was just nice. but I have a feeling that we are CP: Yeah. I mean every audience My parents were always so lovely going to try to make our little is so different, honestly. It really and I have a big brother who I set fun for everybody. I haven’t depends on the people who are in love very much and he was my yet decided what cover we may the room. I don’t mean to be super hero and when I think back to my do but I’ll probably whip up cheesy but the energy that they childhood, my family was very something fun for that. I think I’m have when I walk out on stage open and loving. Growing up in going to switch up singing a duet is different in every country, in a hair salon, I knew so many gay with Johnny, my guitar player people that they weren’t even gay to me. They were just who songwriting and waitressing. teenagers and young adults, had they were. I’m been a huge fan It’s really funny, I always call issues with depression and those of equality my whole life because that a detour that I took. And types of lower emotions and the that’s what makes sense to me. I it’s very classic of LA, I think, struggles of growing up and fitting do not understand the opposite coming out here and, like, in and feeling good enough. So, of that. I am very supporting of “Oops, I got married.” when I found To Write Love on the lesbian and gay community Her Arms I resonated with their LN; Your big break came when whenever I can be because I had purpose and loved working with “Jar of Hearts” was performed so many friends growing up and them and I love associating myself on So You Think You Can Dance. still most of my best friends are and my songs with the people Can you tell us what life was like gay or lesbian. This type of event who are a part of that community for you immediately after it aired? hits close to home and I really helping people get through all the mean it that I am honored to have CP: It was 8 p.m. on June 30, 2010 tough stuff. I could have benefited been asked to come to Dinah. and the song went to the top of the from being a part of To Write Love charts. By midnight I was the most on Her Arms when I was growing LN: If you had not gone into Googled thing in the whole world. up, so it’s sort of a soft spot. singing what do you think you [Laughs.] I had kind of quit my job would have done? LN: When you are in Palm at that point. It was like Cinderella. Springs for the Dinah, what do CP: I didn’t have a plan B to be I had to call out of work for the next you plan on doing when you are honest. I have so many tattoos and week because I flew to New York not performing? I didn’t finish college, so I don’t City the very next morning and know if anybody would have hired met with every single music label. CP: Well, since all of my friends me to do anything else. I do have And then a couple of days later I are coming down with me, I am a very big passion for the voice was performing “Jar of Hearts” on assuming that we are all just going and I feel like I would have – and television, which happened to be to hang out and participate in all still may in my lifetime – gone my first performance of the song the things that we can participate into speech pathology. I have a ever and it was very terrifying. It in. I really have no idea what to true passion for the science and was also magic. Pure magic. expect. I’ve just heard that it’s like biology of the human voice. That a huge party, sort of like Spring LN: What do you like to do sounded really nerdy! [Laughs.] Break and everybody is crazy and when you are not songwriting or fun. So I imagine that I will be LN: While waiting for your break, performing live? joining in on the fun! what jobs did you do – any crazy CP: I like to hang out with my ones or anecdotes? LN: If some fans recognize family and eat food. That’s my you, is it cool to approach? Any CP: It was between the ages of 21 favorite thing. I’m very Italian. ground rules? and 23, because I got my record LN: How did you get involved with deal July 21, 2010, so I was 23 CP: I am very cool about hanging To Write Love on Her Arms, a non- years old. Those years in Los out with people and being myself profit helping people struggling Angeles, I was a waitress and and not being weird about any of with addiction, depression and then I got married – randomly – that stuff. self-injury? to a guy who was a producer. So For more information about then I stared producing music CP: That’s probably one of my Christina Perri at the Dinah, videos, which was really random favorite charities. I feel like, visit: www.TheDinah.com and didn’t make any sense in my going off what I said about myself life, especially when that marriage as a child, I, like many kids and ended and I just went back to

ROSIE O’DONNELL | By Lynda Montgomery

he show was taped in mostly aimed at “Elizabeth”, who her credit, it’s still amusing but a shopping mall. Rosie I would also love to hit! I also informative at the same time. had been to the malls “ loved the “dick” jokes, which I Having a heart murmur myself, grand opening” 8 years normally hate but they turn out to she had my full attention. I learned earlier with Parker, her be hilarious when they are coming things that my own doctor had Toldest son, who was in a stroller from a lesbian. Double standard! never bothered to mention. It’s a at the time. Little perfect Parker, rare and wonderful thing to find has changed from the light of her The show takes out something that could save life, to the pain in her ass! He‘s in your life and be able to laugh at a military collage, has a girl friend a turn when the same time. Rosie has come up and is circumcised, all joked about with an acronym to give women extensively in the show. I doubt Rosie talks the warning signs of a heart attack. their relationship was improved H-E-P-P-P, standing for HEAT, by all the impressions Rosie does about her heart EXHAUSTION, PALE, PAIN and of him but the material is funny, PUKE. She takes you through because it’s true! Teenagers suck, attack. To her all the symptoms from her own as everyone knows, who has ever experiences and you will laugh had a teenager, or who has ever credit, it’s still and laugh.. This show is a must been a teenager. It made me see..cross my Heart! thankful that my Mother was a teacher and not a standup comic! amusing but Rosie was dressed in a black informative at drape like outfit. She might have borrowed it from Whoopi (if it had the same time. been brighter, and covered in polka dots). The “View” which Rosie just The show takes a turn when Rosie quit, takes some hits in the show, talks about her heart attack. To

orget the tepid sexuality filmmakers and writers with an heart: #Hashtag delivers steamy in Personal Best or The ear for clever dialog and an eye for proof that brains and beauty are not Hours, today’s onscreen authenticity. Major media outlets, mutually exclusive. Think if you (and on monitor) lesbian including Chicago Tribune, After see one more coming-of-age story, storytelling scalds the Ellen and Tubefilter have lauded you’ll hurl? Think again. I Hate Fsenses with sexy synergy, cheeky several of the film company’s Tommy Finch promises to satisfy humor and rich plots mined from series and Indiewire named tello even the most cynical cinephile the minds and life experiences as a 2014 standout in the indie TV with its sassy, sophisticated of women who love women. industry. portrayal of a turbulent friendship While the emergence of strong that survives adolescence through Have a hankerin’ for curvy lesbian-identified characters in adulthood. wranglers in jeans and boots? mainstream programming over the Check out Cowgirl Up, a spunky These tello mainstays are only last few years has raised libidos all-girl comedy-western series handful of the tasty tidbits in an and probably a few eyebrows, if that offers a new twist on horsing otherwise ample smorgasbord of you want sizzling all-lesbian-all- around. If you’re craving more delicious entertainment entrées. the-time, binge-worthy action, go covert affairs, follow the exploits At a monthly subscription rate to the source: tello Films. of Nikki and Nora; two Louisiana of $4.99 — about the cost of a Founded by tello CEO Christin former cops turned private Starbucks mocha latte — with more Baker, this web-based provider investigators who explore the than a dozen programs available, of lesbian series and shorts offers secrets of New Orleans — and tello provides a veritable feast for stellar subscription programming each other. Techno-nerdettes take lesbians hungry for stories that hit for a streams a vibrant tapestry home. And Christin Baker happily of innovative stories created by keeps the bounty coming. Here’s what Christin had to say about her mission, goals and first- date fantasies. LN: What made you decide to launch tello? Christin Baker: Back in 2007, my business partner and I wanted to work on something but we just weren’t sure what it was. YouTube was starting to become something, streaming was getting popular and AfterEllen was working on original content. So we looked at the landscape and thought, why don’t we become the lesbian YouTube? We started to talk to friends and got some angel investors but we wanted to differentiate ourselves in the market, so we decided to allow people to upload their lesbian fan videos and content while making original content. So we started an interview series and created a few shorts here and there. Two years before Netflix and Hulu. We did a demographic look and asked into it, I realized our dream of considered HBO, a well-known, our subscribers who they are. making money through advertising high-quality subscription site, Twenty percent were between the wasn’t going to happen. We looked as a premium model. So when ages of 20 and 30. And I have to at what people were paying to we thought about someone to tell you I was shocked. I thought advertise on the Internet and it emulate, it was HBO, although I our numbers would skew much just wasn’t a lot. We also knew think we’re probably a little bit older. So we are getting younger that numbers weren’t big enough closer to Netflix today. people—Millennials—to pay for to get sponsors, so we decided to content. While the average age is LN: What is your target make quality content and charge. around 39, it’s almost evenly split, demographic? So we used our last angel investor 20-30, 30-40, 40-50. I was very money to make Cowgirl Up. And CB: Really anyone who loves please to see that we were nicely we’ve been using this hybrid strong female content. I don’t dispersed in that area. premium model ever since, with a think you have to be a lesbian LN: How do you select and little bit of free content and a little to appreciate it. I think we tell determine the site’s content? bit of subscriber content. great universal stories but when we look at our advertising and CB: We have been very fortunate LN: tello has been referred to who our subscribers are, ninety- in that some people choose tello to as “the lesbian HBO.” Can you five percent identify as lesbian or be their distribution site. Bridget expand on that? bisexual. But here’s the thing that McManus [Cowgirl Up] and CB: That’s actually what we were kind of surprised us: We recently Nancylee Myatt [Nikki & Nora] calling ourselves at the time. We contacted us and we felt very lucky. were in the original content game When we have people like that not exactly the case anymore. But here is where I think we ARE filling a void. When you look at those programs with lesbian characters in them — and I’m not making a blanket statement here — there usually isn’t parity in the intimacy and physical romance. I always use the example of Orphan Black season one. If you look at who had intimate, super hot scenes, it was always Sarah and her quote/ unquote husband. When you got to Cosima and her love interest, you had a make-out scene and then they woke up in their bras. There come to us, we trust that they’re personally drawn to. But we’ve wasn’t any kind of parity. I think going to make something high made some really goofy comedies it’s still a little taboo in shows to quality. We obviously read over and had a lot of fun. have two women kissing as much the script, offered our suggestions LN: What is your background? Did as a man and a women. We’re able and then decided to move forward. you come into this as a filmmaker, to show the physical intimacy that We also read projects from folks writer, or businessperson? I think women love and that is who have been recommended to definitely lacking. us or who are just interested in CB: I think I wore the hat of submitting. To be perfectly frank, filmmaker and businessperson. LN: I just flashed on Kalinda in I’ve made a significant monetary Even though I’ve written some stuff The Good Wife … investment in this site, so it has to or had at least a story credit, I am CB: Oh well, yeah. [Laughs] be something that I would enjoy definitely not a writer. That’s why The Good Wife has been pretty making and watching, something [tello Chief Operations Officer] good to us. That one scene when fun and meaningful. If it’s not, Jessica King and [tello Chief Kalinda is with the FBI agent … we don’t do it. I am very involved Creative Officer] Julie Keck have we knew what was happening in the script process. That’s been invaluable because they’re but if you didn’t know what was important to me. I want to make really amazing writers. They’ll happening, you didn’t know what sure that the story’s going to speak take something I’ve written and was happening. Know what I to our audience, so I am constantly make it truly wonderful. mean? It was kind of a tip of the giving feedback to our writers LN: What do you think has hat, wink-wink-nod but I still think and helping them shape the story. been lacking in lesbian-based it was one of the hottest scenes Because we want everybody to programming? ever. [The Good Wife] does pretty be successful and we’ve gotten to well but there’s never enough for the point where we know what’s CB: The number of shows that me — I always want more. going to do well on the site and have a lesbian storyline or lesbian what hasn’t done so well. character has grown significantly, LN: What’s your personal favorite which is fantastic. We’re starting tello series, if you were going to LN: Do you focus or find yourself to see ourselves more on the watch over and over. drawn to a specific genre? screen. Before, I would have said CB: You know, you’re really CB: I love a good slow-burn tello is filling that void but that’s getting into a “Sophie’s Choice” romance, that’s what I’m with this question. [Laughs] You’re asking me which of my children I parts of my life are there. on isn’t super high, I give feedback love the most! It’s tough. I am very to budding writers on their stories. LN: If you could have any mega- proud of I Hate Tommy Finch, in I ask for a one-page description star appear in a series, who would its storytelling, its simplicity and first to see if it’s something we’d it be? the acting of the two leads. If you be interested in and then ask for said I had to watch one over and CB: I would like to work with Tina a full script. If someone pitches a over — and it can only be one, I Fey and Amy Poehler. They are story about a straight couple that might choose that one. so funny and smart, just amazing has a lesbian best friend, we might women. I wouldn’t mind a good not be as interested in reading that LN: Since so much of storytelling Jennifer Lawrence appearance. I full script but usually we’ll read is based either loosely or closely think she is incredibly talented. So a full script and give feedback on on real-life experiences, would those would probably be my top it. One of my proudest moments you consider doing a series about picks. was with Caitlin Bergh and Laura your life? Zak, creators of #Hashtag. After LN: How does tello help aspiring CB: [Laughs] You know, I think a the series was released, it was writers and filmmakers? lot of my life is imbedded into each written up in Indiewire as one of one of these programs. You can CB: I think one thing that we do, the top female buddy comedies see little pieces of my experience, which we don’t publicize much, is that could be the next Broad City. which obviously are changed and take open submissions. While the After that, the Sundance Institute adjusted for storytelling purposes. likelihood that we’re going to take it called and asked Laura and Caitlin But yeah, I would say it’s there, for submissions to one of their lab programs. I felt like we had helped as a less-than form of storytelling. I recently saw Twelfth Night and two aspiring writers make it to the Now it’s being accepted as equal was reminded of how wonderful next level. That’s something I’ve or on par with any other form of the language is. I might even try to been very proud to do for new storytelling. And it’s just going to act them out, if I was really bored. filmmakers; produce their work grow because of the openness it LN: You’re having a dinner party, so they have great samples to take offers. You’re still going to have but short two guests. Who would out into the world and show what the extremes of inexperienced you invite — living or dead — to they’ve done. people just starting to learn the stir up the conversation? craft and very experienced people LN: Does that also include crowd- creating content but I think that’s CB: Ricky Gervais and Jesus. funding or crowd-sourcing good. Even though there’s a lot Since Gervais is an atheist, I assistance? of noise, if you work hard and think they would have a really CB: tello doesn’t do crowd- have quality content you’ll get interesting discussion. funding exactly, because we recognized. LN: What do you do in your charge a subscription fee. But we LN: Let’s talk about you. You’re time off (if you have any) to stay are very helpful and supportive of going on a first date, who is the balanced? those who collaborate with us in lucky girl? helping with their crowd-sourcing CB: IF I have time, yeah. [Laughs] and crowd-funding campaigns. Does she have to be single I love exercising. I used to train We support with tweets, perks, currently? for marathons but I don’t have the consultation and through our time anymore to devote to the long LN: No, this your fantasy. social media presence. run. I love yoga. It really helps me [Laughs] My fantasy world. Ok. I stay focused and fit. It makes me LN: Would you consider think I would like to go on a date a better person and employer. I try submitting programming to cable with Ellen Page. She seems kind to meditate every morning. I’m or network outlets, or are you of shy in real life, so I would like not great at it but I usually try to happy where are? to see how she is on a date — if meditate for eight to ten minutes CB: We’re very happy where we she’s a shy person or if she’s a with different mantras that I use. are and we understand this space little brassy like her characters LN: What is your hope for tello but we always want to reach more tend to be. moving forward? people. While we don’t actively LN: Whom would you marry? pursue it, if someone approached CB: I would like our budget to get us we would absolutely entertain CB: I would like to think I could larger. I’d really like to be able to any idea to get into another marry Tatiana Maslany, because grow our subscriber base so I can medium. I feel like she’s so thoughtful give back to our distributors even and a wonderful advocate for the more. One hundred percent of LN: What do you predict community. I think we would get our net proceeds go back to those for the future of web-based along, plus she’s super hot. people who distribute to us. I programming? would love to be able to give back LN: You’re snowbound in a cabin The great thing about it is that more so we can produce more alone with no electricity. What do people have the ability to express quality lesbian content. you do to keep yourself sane and themselves and create art. I think occupied until the spring thaw? Visit www.tellofilms.com for the landscape is gong to continue information about current with people out there creating. I CB: I would probably do some programs and subscription think it’s beginning to be looked at good reading, dig into the comedies services. as a serious medium. Before, if you and tragedies of Shakespeare. made a web series, people viewed it He’s one of my favorite authors.

Notes From Nat The Grammys Beck-On To Sam Smith As Natalia Kills

| By Nat Burns

appy Grammy Sia – Chandelier performance: on starting a musical career. season! The big Will.i.am, of Black Eyed Peas winners were the ones fame, signed with her in 2008. we’ve been following The media’s take on the Grammys That same year, she moved to Los all year. Sam Smith from Clevver News: Angeles where she did just about Hwon Record of the Year and Song anything to survive. In 2011, she of the Year for “Stay with Me”, changed her name to Natalia Kills a song I personally like a lot. He And here’s the entire program: to represent her perfectionist nature also won for Best New Artist, and she also released her first sweeping with four Grammys album, Perfectionist. Her career overall. The Album of the Year www.grammy.com has steadily progressed since then, award went to Beck for Morning In other news, I’m really liking an with many of her songs being used Phase. Now, Beck is a mystery to album released late last year by in the entertainment media and me. For some reason, none of his Natalia Kills. It’s titled Trouble her stylish appearance leading to work has crossed my desk. So I’ve and offers some really good tunes. lucrative modeling contracts. been listening. What is it about his It’s explicit but at the same time, While listening to Trouble, I really music that made it win Album of raw and honest. I still think her enjoyed “Boys Don’t Cry”, “Devils the Year? voice is amazing and she will have Don’t Fly” and “Problem”. These Honestly, his music is more David a successful future if she remains songs stood out but the whole Bowie than Pharrel Williams, dedicated and focused. album is remarkable. “Outta Time” appealing more to a type of listener Trouble is the second studio album has a definite bluegrass flavor so rather than the general populace. by Kills and the work explores her this seems like a good example If you do any research, the general youth as a bit of a bad girl. She has of Kills spreading her wings and consensus is that he was chosen referred to it as a type of confession trying on different styles. due to the older demographic of and also stated that it was difficult Wanna watch Natalia Kills in the Grammy voting body. Huh? Oh to go back and relive those years, action? (Please note: These videos and a split vote possibility among even in music. The album opened are explicit and for adults only) the more popular pop albums. to a lukewarm reception but I But Beck’s music is good. Slow, believe she has grown a lot as an thoughtful or colorfully edgy. artist since her 2011 debut album, I’d buy Morning Phase. Many in Perfectionist. the media say it’s his most laid 2013 Cherrytree Records www. back album after a long career of British artist, Kills, whose real nataliakills.com name is Natalia Noemi Cappucini- head-hopping genres across nine ‘Til next month, albums. Maybe it’s just that it was Sinclair, was a child actress his turn to win. and lived in Jamaica, Spain and Nat England when she was growing Here are some highlights from the up. At age fourteen, she left home show in case you missed it: and left the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to focus

LIVING OUT Lesbian Lifestyle | By Sally Sheklow

ast weekend, Wifey and giftwrap, a set of cotton placemats me. The judgmental mom was still I, armed with reusable and a vintage Scrabble set, I talking. “She says she just wants grocery bags, left our cats ventured back along the narrow me to love her. This doesn’t have to fend for themselves hallway toward the cashier. In anything to do with love. It’s not and headed out to hit the living room, a prim middle- right with God.” Lsome estate sales. I don’t know if aged woman was telling one of Wifey’s face drew into that look she it rates as a “lifestyle” but sale-ing the aproned sale hostesses that her gets when she’s trying not to lose is one of those things we like to daughter was a pilot, then added, it. She whispered to me through do, especially after a run of nasty “But I disagree with her lesbian a strained smile, “I’m outa here!” weather has kept us indoors. These lifestyle.” She made no effort to and bolted out the trailer door. little adventures get us out into the lower her voice. world, let us see how other people Not one to avoid an opportunity to Whaaaat? How can you disagree live and usually net us some decent stick up for my peeps – or to miss with someone being a lesbian? deals. out on a bargain -- I stuck around. It’s like disagreeing with air or I laid our stash on the card table to mathematics or gravity. What be added up. The mom continued How can you the heck do people mean by her one-way conversation. Now Lesbian Lifestyle, anyway? Do saying, “I don’t want to see her. She disagree with they imagine us all as butch- can just stay inside her apartment.” haired leather-clad pool players someone being in some smoky barroom? Or “God teaches us to love each maybe as long-nailed, Brazilian- other,” I said to her. a lesbian? It’s waxed porn stars? Or as carbon- The woman looked me over. “I copy Ellen DeGenereses (Why know God’s laws,” she huffed. like disagreeing wouldn’t anyone want a daughter like Ellen? Just sayin’.) Lesbians “God’s law is to love each other with air or hardly have the same lifestyle. I as ourselves. To welcome the don’t smoke, don’t wax and don’t stranger. To judge not. Maybe mathematics or have an Emmy-winning talk show instead of judging her you should but still, ain’t I a lesbian? appreciate the gift of having a lesbian daughter. You’re lucky.” gravity. Wifey told me later that when she heard the lifestyle comment I turned and handed my two she tried to find me so we could dollars to the tight-permed cashier Our first Craigslist address took us leave. Someone asked her if she who asked if I’d like a bag. “No to a tidy mobile home park. Once was looking for the cashier and thanks,” I said gently, “I brought inside the crowded double wide, she said, “No, I’m looking for my my own.” I guess that’s a lifestyle according to plan, Wifey explored WIFE!” thing. the kitchen while I scouted the bedrooms. But I hadn’t heard her say that. I was looking for her so I could Arms loaded with a tube of show her my find when she found © Jarihin | Dreamstime.com You can watch all the Gay USA video’s by clicking the video above. Internet Connection required. QUEERLY QUESTIONING Global Tomboys Today | By Juno Parrenas,˜ PhD

’m one in two million, one It seems odd that I, thirty-five has long had a tomboy culture as hundred and six thousand, years of age, am perving after a my recently deceased aunt could seven hundred and sixty-six. twenty-three year old pop star on vouch; I wrote about my father’s No, I’m not talking about the opposite side of the globe. But sibling for The LN back in June living in a big city nor am I am obviously not the only one. 1998. My cousins called her II talking about the number of That part is not shameful but what Auntie Evie; their children called consumers whose purchases led is shameful is how public it is. her grandmother but I got the to the provisioning of shoes for Her page is completely public, so privilege of calling her Uncle Evie children in need. I’m talking about that every selfie of hers that I like at her bidding. being a fan of Suppanad Jittaleela is suggested to all of my friends. As an aside, I have to say that (Tina). The name might not ring a I’m at a point in life where I pronouns in English are tricky. bell to those in the US but her face probably have more ‘friends’ There’s only one in all Austronesian is becoming synonymous with the from professional contexts than languages and it’s genderless. “tom” phenomenon coming out personal ones. My professional Yet kinship terms like aunt and of Thailand. She became a star in sense of self tells me to admire uncle are gendered. Using male Asia with her debut film Yes or in secrecy: it is no longer age- pronouns for her would not sound No. Released in 2010, it features appropriate for me to profess right, especially since she died of a lesbian love story between two desires publicly. breast cancer. Calling her uncle college roommates in Thailand. Her fans on Instagram all was talking in code: something It’s on YouTube with English look young and they hail from between us only. subtitles. BuzzFeed in a recent China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the So the real uniqueness when Philippines and even across the Her fans on talking about Thai toms of today globe in Brazil. They follow her is not so much about about selfies on Instagram along with Instagram all look presenting female masculinity other models who have graced to the world, wearing makeup young and they the pages of Tom Actz, the print like K-Pop male heartthrobs and magazine dedicated to Toms. hail from China, never undergoing surgery. Rather, Coincidentally, it is edited by a the uniqueness is about the fan Indonesia, Malaysia, high femme. It almost gives the base, spanning across seas and impression that this is a youthful continents. Toms, the people who the Philippines and culture. But there are toms of love them and the people who all ages. And they’re not just in even across the want to emulate them, are now Thailand. globe in Brazil. connected via social networking. A recent Buzzfeed article So here’s hoping Southeast Asian describes Tom culture as ‘unique gender expression gets popular story featured her Instagram to Thailand’s queer community.’ elsewhere! photos and seemed to be just short Yet the uniqueness isn’t in the of declaring Jittaleela the official phenomenon of being a tom. poster child of Thai Tom culture. Like Thailand, the Philippines

WARMTH IN THE SNOW Tangerine

| By John Esther

angerine: Sin-Dee lesser means but rather than Syria. The two communicate Rella (Kitana Kiki judge their behavior or lament in English. The relationship Rodriguez) has their woes, the film injects a quickly turns erotic. Arraf just spent a month rapid pace of energy, bursting also has a blog called, “A Gay in prison. During with humor from some of the Girl in Damascus,” which Ta donut meal, Sin-Dee’s best dialogue around town. offers viewers insight into the best friend, Alexandra (Mya It takes some concentration Syrian unrest from a somewhat Taylor), accidentally blurts just to follow the urban argot privileged Syrian who is openly out that Sin-Dee’s boyfriend, and gestures delivered by its gay in a notoriously homophobic Chester (James Ransone), has wonderful leads. I would not be country. When Arraf goes been cheating on her with a surprised if this film opens up missing, an international hunt white woman. “Like, she has this year’s Outfest in July. ensues. What everybody finds a vagina.” Furious, Sin-Dee (or loses) is one of the craziest The Amina Profile: Some sets off around the Hollywood narratives to unfold. Addressing say, “Truth is stranger than area in search of Chester, an array of subjects regarding fiction.” Writer-director encountering some pretty western journalism, western Sophie Deraspe’s documentary interesting, often desperate, compassion (or lack thereof), is bonkers. During the recent marginalized characters along love vis-à-vis technology and Syrian unrest, French-Canadian the way. Shot on an I-Phone, gender identity in the age Sandra Bagaria starts an internet then purchased during SFF by of the Internet, The Amina relationship with Amina Arraf Magnolia Pictures, co-writer Profile is better discussed after (Nilay Oclay), who says and director Sean Baker’s film watching it than reading about she grew up in the U.S. and may focus on characters of it beforehand . The D Train

Take Me to the River: Not natural blind spot? television and thus Dan is off one to keep his homosexuality to Los Angeles, bringing his The D Train: One of the most a secret in California, Ryder deceived boss (Jeffery Tambor) talked about films at this year’s (Logan Miller) is admonished along the way. What happens Sundance and probably the to do just that at an upcoming next was the talk of the town damn funniest one, co-writer family reunion in Nebraska. His and whether one knows about and co-directors Andrew Mogel mother, Cindy (Robin Weigert), it or not does not really dilute and Jarrad Paul The D Train does not think her uncouth the experience. I knew yet has the considerable talents of family could handle such a laughed as hard as anyone in Jack Black barreling down the revelation. However, there is the audience. While the cast tracks like a locomotive. Dan more sexual secrecy than meets is fine here -- notably James Landsman (Black) was and is the eye. Written and directed Marsden as a struggling actor the most unpopular guys in his by Matt Sobel, Take Me to the in Los Angeles -- Black is on inner Pittsburgh circle. It is not River is a smart, often intense fire here. Yes, he is usually because he is different. He is (“stay away from Molly”) quite funny but Paul and Mogel about as annoying as they come. drama about sexuality, family know just how to highlight his However, that does not stop him dynamics and assumptions we talents. from being the self-appointed often make about relatives who leader of the upcoming 20-year Girlhood: Already released chose or lead different paths reunion for his high school. Of in theaters, Céline Sciamma’s of life. Ryder may be good at course, with Dan taking charge Girlhood (Band de filles) Aikido but how do you deflect nobody really wants to come. opens up with a rather negative energy when you do Then one night, he gets an idea pretentious scene where young not see it coming right at you from a commercial he sees on -- or when it sneaks up in your adolescent females are playing Leith, North Dakota. Without think James is going to pull his football (American football). It making much of a fuss, he act together or become a little screams metaphor about female started buying up land. In a more likable (not necessarily solidarity and whatnot but it town with about 20 residents the same thing here), he stands in negative contrast and very little commerce, commits an act of violence. to what is a rather good film. land was pretty cheap. After Surprisingly an award winner Marieme (Karidja Touré) has he purchased what he felt was at SFF, Josh Mond’s film problems. The 16-year-old enough land, Cobb declared he can be at times as likeable or is not very good at school wanted to turn the small city into dislikable as its subject. Thanks and lives in fear of her older a White Nationalist community. to Abbott and Nixon, the acting brother (Cyril Mendy). Since The overwhelmingly current is considerably better than the her mother (Binta Diop) works white population of Leith did direction. several odd jobs, Marieme is not take kindly to the idea and Lila & Eve: While the acting pretty much in charge of taking fought back. But Cobb and talents in James White redeem care of herself and her siblings. his ilk are fascists and when the film, not even the stupendous Viola Davis can save director It takes some concentration Charles Stone III film from being what may be the cheesiest film of 2015. Lila (Davis) has just to follow the urban just lost her eldest boy, Stephon (Ami Ameen) to street violence. argot and gestures delivered Seeking some comfort, Lila enters a support group for by its wonderful leads. mothers who have lost family members to violence. There she meets, Eve (Jennifer Lopez). Yet she feels alienated. Enter fascists do not get their way Eve has a chip on her shoulder Adiatou (Lindsay Karamoh), they resort to intimidation and and thinks Lila should have Fily (Mariètou Touré) and Lady violence. That is when things one, too. Forget understanding, (Assa Sylla), three hooligans got tense. Directed and written how about we take down a who offer Marieme a sense by Michael Beach Nichols and group of criminals? Sure, Lila of comradeship. These three Christopher K. Walker, this will have her doubts. She will French African girls from the 85-minute documentary offers cry, grieve, panic and perhaps projects do bad things but they a look at a different kind of develop a little empathy for all pale in comparison to, say, the rural America; one where the the new grieving mothers she privileged white suburbanites community resisted the ugliest is creating. On another hand, of The Bling Ring. Yet rather of ideologies. Eve will have another designer than instill a hyper narrative to James White: You want to outfit and hairstyle for each take Marieme and her mates to feel sympathy for James scene, show Lila how she can some intense resolution or dire White (Christopher Abbott). use her oven as a bomb and consequence, Sciamma’s film His father has just died. His get to say things like, “Talk is is about a few girls discovering mother, Gail (Cynthia Nixon), meaningless” and “Shoot that who you they are -- without has been battling cancer on and frat dude.” consideration of the male gaze off for years. But that sympathy on or off camera. is challenged by James’ Welcome to Leith: Back in egomaniacal, self-destructive 2012, Craig Cobb moved to behavior. And every time you “Fighting for your rights? Priceless!”

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The EISENBERG LAW Firm 509 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Tel: 310-201-0211 www.EisenbergLawFirm.com El Camino Real Mon Amour | By John Esther

en years after her film, caught up with the filmmaker and my personal experience but it’s The Joy of Life, debuted film historian in Park City, Utah. also very made up. at the Sundance Film Lesbian News: Why did you want LN: There seems to be some Festival in 2005, Jenni to make The Royal Road? crossover since your love interest Olson has returned to in the film is named Juliette and TSFF with her sophomore film, The Jenni Olson: I have kind of an your wife is named Julie. Are you Royal Road. unusual filmmaking method. I have playing around with that? been shooting 16mm landscapes A cinematic essay involving since 1997 and I intended to plan JO: It’s more Juliette as the iconic California his-story and “Man- to accumulate footage -- urban Romeo and Juliet. It’s a fictional I-fest Destiny,” plus film history landscape footage -- shot in San character. But I like the idea of vis-à-vis Alfred Hitchcock’s Francisco and also some footage being interested in the true history Vertigo and Billy Wilder’s of Los Angeles and some other of El Camino Real --The Royal Sunset Boulevard, blending with parts of California. About seven Road -- and the idea that there is a fictional herstory involving a years ago I kind of arrived at this this woman in Los Angeles and potential lover down south in Los particular theme of The Royal this character in San Francisco, a Angeles, The Royal Road was one Road and the idea of a first person butch dyke pining over unavailable of the most original and interesting voiceover story, which is not really women, who is going to go to LA films of the festival. autobiographical but it’s related to and come back. It was just a kind In this exclusive interview, LN of excuse to have a conversation about this geeky kind of history Camino Real to Mission San Juan as characters in the film. The way about the Spanish colonization Bautista partly because that was that scholars write about Vertigo of California and the missionary the place of the tragic ending in is that it kind of plays out of these Junipero Serra and leading into Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. I have things that were real things about the Mexican independence of this whole separate section about Hitchcock’s life – his tendency to 1821 and the Mexican American Vertigo which dovetails with have these intense, erotic feeling war, which is an odd collection of many things, including pining for his stars. Vertigo says a lot things. It’s similar to The Joy of over unavailable women and about him as a person even though Life, which is an odd collection history and nostalgia. That was a that probably wasn’t his intent. of things of a butch dyke pining kind of an excuse to go to Mission You make the film that you think over unavailable women and the San Juan Bautista. you’re making and then your history of suicide on the Golden find that it has revealed all these LN: Do you like the movie Gate Bridge. These are things that things about you that you didn’t Vertigo? I’m interested in. necessarily intend to share. I knew JO: Yeah. I love it. It is one of the some of that. The Royal Road is LN: Coming from Minnesota, greatest Hollywood movies ever a very revealing and vulnerable why are you so interested in the history of your adopted state? JO: I’m interested in history in When I made The general and I’m interested in under-told histories. So when I Joy of Life, Julie, my learn about things and I’m like, “Wow, that’s fascinating and it’s incredible that more people either wife, said that I was don’t know this or that there isn’t a higher level of conversation?” on the vanguard of I mean, how is it that the history of particularly the Mexican- American War is so buried in butch vulnerability. It’s California consciousness? Of course, as I point out in the film, something that I am it makes sense that this country doesn’t want to remember that. We like to think of ourselves as always trying to work on. the good guys. And, of course, this country is built on a lot of made. I find it really to be a muse film and some of that I knew was bad things – the decimation of for me as a writer and a filmmaker. very intentional and I was anxious the Native Americans being one As I say in the film, I identify with about. I am still anxious about it. of them and then the conquest of Jimmy Stewart’s character and There are deeper things in there Mexico being another. Kim Novak’s character and with that people are going to see. Alfred Hitchcock. I don’t mean LN: You focus on San Francisco LN: When you are making films, that I identify with them in any way and LA, the two best known cities do you stop and say, “I don’t want as who they were as people in the in the state. What about all the this revealed?” real world but as who they were areas in between? JO: No. It’s in our own acts of JO: I took this little trip down El storytelling that we must evolve that. But I’m more than that. I’m been a sort of “manifest destiny” a documentary filmmaker. I’m a in cinema? Is there arrogance woman filmmaker. I also identify or will to dominate in traditional with all four letters of our acronym. narrative filmmaking? I am L, G, B and T. Those are JO: As in Hollywood filmmaking? all important. Growing up as a I’m not completely sure how to gender-dysphoric tomboy, as I say answer in relation to the manifest in the film and living as a butch in destiny thing, except to say that this society, we don’t have enough Vito Russo, who was one of images of ourselves. That is true my mentors and who wrote The of so many identities. But we don’t Celluloid Closet about gays in have enough images of ourselves film, he always said, “Don’t expect and they are so important. They anything from Hollywood,” make us feel less alone. As an meaning even when we do get artist I want to tell stories that Hollywood movies that do have other butches can see and connect gay characters, it’s so limited with and either feel less alone or by the fact that they are making come to a greater understanding from false bravado to true courage. movies for the lowest common of acceptance and feeling good. One of the things most important denominator that you’re not going There was a film that I was a to me as a filmmaker is that I am to see radical or representations consulting producer on that was very strongly identified as a butch that do much. In my experience, here at Sundance in 2000 called filmmaker. When I made The Joy as one of the leading experts of By Hook or By Crook that was of Life, Julie, my wife, said that LGBT film history, we need to co-directed by Silas Howard and I was on the vanguard of butch look to independent filmmakers Harriet Dodge. Those guys were vulnerability. It’s something that for voices and stories that are so important to me when I first I am always trying to work on. authentic and radical and forward- came to San Francisco. I felt like As an artist and as a person I thinking, or engaging with the they were so cool and they seemed am always trying to be honest things that we really want to talk like they were more comfortable and move forward and hopefully about. It’s hard to get exposure with who they were than I was and connect with people. I have found for those things when we have the I wanted to be friends with them. that audience response has been films that the Hollywood machine Just being with them made me feel amazing. People have said, “You offers. Where our movement better about myself. This is true say things that resonate so strongly and community is happening is about being in communities – for with me,” and that it is courageous coming from independent voices. the queer community in general to say these things that no one ever As an experimental filmmaker, my and for all of us. We have come a says. That’s one of the things that reach, if you will, is always going long way but overall there are still we are supposed to do as artists. to be limited and dependent on the a lot of people who hate us. In a Not just for the sake of, “Here, let film festivals and more grassroots lot of ways we grow up in a set me just spill my guts,” but let me exposure. spill my guts with craftsmanship. society learning to hate ourselves. That hasn’t changed. And people The Royal Road will travel to this LN: You refer to yourself as a are still committing suicide left year’s Outfest in July, plus many butch dyke filmmaker. Do you and right. other film festivals throughout the find that label limiting in some world, before a year-end release. way? LN: Do you see that there has JO: I really strongly identify with

POETRY Saigon, Vietnam

| By Morgan Hillsinger

This week I rode an oxen cart By a river sickening brown Money flows to the palace gates But never trickles down

An NGO and some private folks Try to fight corruption A village well, a little school Yet it continues without interruption

There was a boy in a tee that said “Why are you here?” Watching us ride by I looked down at the oxen’s eyes And saw a crawling fly

A baby with a swollen head in his mothers arms at the temple Unflinching gaze is our gift to them The solution not so simple.

Photo Credit: Albert Law Pork Belly Studio | By Donna Wade

er passion for food Chinese family. While other parents had other ideas. They and the artistry kids watched Sesame Street or wanted their daughter to pursue of its preparation cartoons, Melissa was watching cooking more as a hobby than a and presentation is and imitating Julia Child and profession, in hopes that academic palpable. If having a Martin Yan. By age 6, she knew life would somehow inspire her Hjob doing what you love fits your her way around a wok. Her mom toward a different path. King definition of success, Melissa taught the basics - how to prep lobbied to attend the Culinary (‘Mel’) King is livin’ large. vegetables, steam rice and hold Institute of America after high a Chinese meat cleaver properly school but she says that “in a family While others so accomplished - and Melissa became her busy of engineers and doctors, there might use their skills purely mom’s sous chef. By age 12, she was never any doubt that I would for the monetary gain or career was preparing full dinners for her go to college.” The self-confirmed advancement, (not that there’s family. In high school, King began “science nerd” graduated from the anything wrong with that), to expand her interests beyond University of California-Irvine Melissa uses her powers for good, Chinese cuisine, a pursuit that in 2005 with a B.A. in Cognitive bringing communities together in has led her to where she is today. Science, which she describes celebration of the tastes and colors “Food steers my life’s journey,” as “neuroscience mixed with of the seasons provided by their she writes on her website. psychology and sociology.” She local agricultural artisans and also studied psychology at UC small farmers. Though she’s wanted to be a chef Santa Barbara. That background for as long as she can recall, her King was born in Los Angeles into will come in handy when a traditional, and accomplished, managing a diverse team of cooks (and their egos) in a fast-paced, selected as the best dish by guest Winning that challenge earned her high-pressure environment. judges “Bravo Andy” Cohen and a $5,000 cash prize. King lived off campus while attending UCI and treated roommates and friends to tasty alternatives to the usual “starving student” diet of packaged, ultra- salty ramen noodles and other less-palatable, microwaved concoctions that are the denizens of dorm refrigerators everywhere. So it seems only appropriate that as one of the 16 Cheftestants on Top Chef Season 12: Boston, King won the challenge in which chefs had half an hour to put their spin on a ramen dish using only instant ramen noodles and other ingredients provided from an Emerson College student’s Melissa started her professional his former college roommate, dorm room. Her mac and cheese career first as a pastry assistant who attended college in Boston. carbonara with roast chicken and later, a line cook, at the and Frito crumb topping was Restaurant at the Getty Center in West Los Angeles. She spent UCI in 2005, Melissa’s parents food comes from. In addition to nearly every day off from school supported her decision to attend a farm-to-table and whole animal and most holiday breaks working the Culinary Institute of America, practitioner, Melissa also became a there, soaking up every drop of in Hyde Park, NY. In 2007, she professional butcher and Court of knowledge from her first exposure graduated #1 in her class with high Master Sommelier certified in her honors and received her A.O.S. in effort to provide the consummate Her parents wanted Culinary Arts. King relocated to dining experience. San Francisco and trained under their daughter to King appeared on the twelfth several Michelin star and James season of Bravo TV’s popular pursue cooking more Beard-acclaimed chefs, most series, Top Chef, and impressed as a hobby than a notably Dominique Crenn, Craig judges with her clean and Stoll and Ron Siegel. As Siegel’s profession, in hopes inventive style. She told her Sous Chef at The Ritz-Carlton college newspaper that both that academic life would Dining Room, she developed a true the biggest challenge and the appreciation for local, seasonal somehow inspire her biggest reward came from being ingredients and the discipline of toward a different path. shoved out of her comfort zone. classic technique. She learned how far she could Not satisfied with merely being push herself, and, after surviving to a busy professional kitchen. a superb cook, her scientific the tough challenges Top Chef, During her service at the Getty, she curiosity led her to study the she now feels like she can do was tasked with decorating a cake hows and whys of where our anything in the world. for her inspiration, Julia Child! After receiving her degree from

THE COACH’S CORNER

Our Soul’s Unlimited Expression

| By Kristi Pallino

ur souls are here to listen to ‘reason’ and not the soul’s within to your energetic garden fulfill a purpose: voice. We must learn to align our and feel the warmth, love and to love, connect, mind’s intellect with the soul peacefulness of this place. Take a create... and for us in order to access the unlimited deep breath and exhale, allowing to live a rewarding power within. your mental floodgates to open. Olife! We came into these mortal Let all your worries, doubts, fears To know if you are in alignment, bodies because we wanted to have and any other heavy emotions tune in to your emotional meter. a human experience and here we leave your body. If you are feeling good, do more are—but what are we doing with of that. If you are not feeling so In this moment of presence, this gift of life? good, what measures need to be imagine a white ball of warm It can feel sometimes like we are on taken for you to feel better? light traveling from your feet to a perpetual hamster wheel, putting the top of your head, illuminating forth all of our energy to ‘make The mind wills, every part of your being. Breathe things work.’ But if we quiet our in deeply and exhale sitting up mind and listen carefully, we can straight. If other thoughts arise, let hear a voice trying to express perceives, them be. Keep your focus on this itself from the depth of our soul, healing, energetic and powerful whispering “There is more.” judges, holds warm ball of light. Feel the peacefulness, the calmness and 2015 is a calling for us to re- be, just be... Eventually, the voice activate our soul. memory, etc. of the soul becomes clear. Our soul knows what to do, where The mind In making meditation a part of your to go and who to be. What stands daily routine, notice how your life in the way of this unlimited source can be our begins to shift in the direction of of wisdom is our mind. The mind your ultimate purpose! If you have wills, perceives, judges, holds any questions about meditation memory, etc. The mind can be greatest friend or alignment, please feel free to our greatest friend or enemy. It contact me. “Meditation is my is important to recognize when or enemy. Medication.” our mind may be playing tricks on us. We may react impulsively Love you so much! Your sister and Whether it is your diet, relationship, to circumstances based on coach, Kristi Pallino, CPCC career, financial situation, personal misperception and judgments, growth or spiritual development, making the situation worse, not today is a great day to write down better. what needs to be fine-tuned so you The soul will never steer us wrong. are feeling your best! Our soul talks to us all the time Soul-Listening Meditation: but its invitations sometimes fall upon deaf ears as we are trained to Put yourself in a quiet setting. Go

POSITIVE REFLECTIONS Feminism - A Strong Woman Is A Great Woman | By Dian Katz, MS

eminism is an interesting him she was majoring in “Post most women. subject that not everyone Modern Feminist Thought.” He There is really no problem if a grasps. In today’s world, goes on to say he would not date man wants to pay, open doors, etc. women are gaining more her because of her major. Of course Usually this can be seen as a kind and more rights each this was his prerogative. What and caring gesture. Where I felt the Fdecade. However, they still fall was even more surprising, were responses fell short, was treating short in many areas of having all of the comments (many from women as second class citizens. equality. Why? Because feminism women themselves) tearing apart Feminism isn’t just about “who itself is seen as something to be cast this college woman. They felt the wears the pants in the family or away. It’s seen as some evil force major was ridiculous, needless, a who is the boss.” It’s much more. that makes women more manly. waste of money and no one would It’s about women getting equal pay I would like to share something ever hire someone with such a for the same work a man does and on this topic that I recently saw degree. The poster himself found it’s about women having value. on Facebook. It gives us much to this major to be “stupid, useless think about. and of zero value to this country.” Today, women are still getting Furthermore, they all felt man was seventy cents to every dollar a The thread I saw on Facebook always the one to be in charge. man makes. In this day and age, showed a straight male talking One male poster said, “have her many religions still see women as about his experience with a make you a sandwich.” This may inferior to men. This is why we particular online dating site. The be funny to men, however not to see women in politics continuing woman he was interested in told to fight against feminism. Their religion reinforces the inferiority studies on feminism in the modern my four years in high school, I aspect which makes them fight woman. More people need to be was not allowed to play the drums against policies that will actually educated on what exactly it means in the school band. I said the heck help women. There are also to be pro women. It really means with this! I went on to play some countries where women are the learning to retrain our perceptions really big shows and was on the property of men. When some of on appreciating women rather radio during those years that the these women are interviewed, they than depreciating them. It means music teacher said no. Again we don’t find this appalling. They developing a new thought system ask, why? He obviously was stuck actually think it is the right thing by acknowledging the value in the school of thought that boys to do. women bring to the world instead are better than girls in this area. of just thinking of them as only Hopefully, he changed over the So it is obvious where the the baby makers. As we have seen, years? “disempowering” of women women have proven themselves stems from. It stems from archaic, Many are afraid and intimidated by just as talented in most areas as outdated views. If it wasn’t for powerful women so they continue men. feminism, women wouldn’t have to oppress them. In fact, fear is the some of the rights they have Many are afraid and one thing that keeps many types today, such as the right to vote or of people oppressed. Racism, probably even be in the workforce. intimidated by powerful anti-semitism, homophobia and They would still be just the “baby- women so they continue so on, are all due to an underlying makers” of the world and just cater to oppress them. In fact, fear.. fear of the unknown... fear to their man. Certainly this would of someone taking one’s power.. affect gay women enormously. fear is the one thing In reality, an assertive woman Right now, lgbt’s are fighting for that keeps many types is trying to become powerful for their lives to have the same rights of people oppressed. herself, not to take away another’s as the rest of the world. If women prestige. didn’t have the ability to do some Perhaps this thread on Facebook of the things they do today, gay A little story about me. I am an was a positive thing. If more rights would certainly be still award winning drummer. I placed people would start talking about locked in the closet. second in a national drum contest things that are important to filmed for MTV. I started playing Why do many think feminists people, further change might the drums when I was 10 years old. are women trying to be men? take place. It’s the subjects that Back at that time, there were very It seems that strong, assertive are hush, hush and never spoken few female drummers. I wanted women may be a threat. As we about, that really causes harm. to learn as much about drumming know, feminists are not manly. New thought, new perceptions, as I possibly could so I decided Well, there are always the extreme begin with civil discourse. Now to play the drums in high school. ones but certainly not all of them of course there will always be This way, I could learn how to read are. Another thing, many think those who just can’t have an adult music. At that time, I had already that feminists are all lesbians discussion and become snarky, been playing drums for five years and butch ones at that. This too, nasty and distasteful. It is what it and was performing in bands in is not the case. There are plenty is. But there are also some folks Hollywood at age 15. When I went of heterosexual women who feel who are willing to be openminded to the music department to request strongly about equal rights and and listen to other’s point of view. the drums as my instrument, guess not wanting to depend on a man Let’s focus on them. Let’s open what the music instructor said to to financially support and/or care the doors for communication and me? “No! No!” I thought? Why? for them. diminish the fear of feminism... I am as good as the others trying The negativity displayed from out for the drums? The answer the thread shared on Facebook is was no because girls don’t play exactly why there should be more the drums! Unbelievable. So for © Extender01 | Dreamstime.com

HOT SPOTS | By Dian Katz, MS

Sorry. At MSR they have an enormous patio outdoors and a nice sized floor to dance on. They also offer drink specials, fabulous entertainment and special events. When in Atlanta, make your night southern style and head over to ell what do I know I often post a lot of My Sister’s Room! For more info you know! The Hotspots other than bars but once go to: www.mysistersroom.com. next season in awhile, I’d like to just talk Out in Texas where I hear they is just around about the bar scene. I know there like things big, the corner... are plenty of you who still like there’s a place that was WSPRING! Where does the time to go dancing and still want to nominated as the Best Gay & go? Year after year I write know where to go. Soooooo...I Lesbian Bar. THE ROUND UP these columns for you and I am thought I would mention some SALOON AND DANCE HALL amazed at how fast the seasons dance bars that I have received is how they do it in Dallas!!! return! But we all certainly love hot tips on. They are the perfect “The Round Up Saloon” has been springtime. Well except for a Hotspots for you to attend. Did part of the Dallas gay scene for few sneezes here and there from you know there are lesbian 33 years. It has been named one all the allergies. So what exactly bars in Atlanta, Georgia? MY of the best gay country western ARE the Hotspots this month you SISTER’S ROOM is said to be dance halls in the Nation. Also... wonder? Funny you should ask a great dance and food bar for been nominated as one of the because I was just about to tell women. Hmmm.. whose sister “six best gay clubs in the world”, you knuckleheads!! was this when the bar opened? says the owner. You’ll find hahah.. I didn’t get that scoop. You guys are always looking singing nights, dancing nights, for something fun to do. Now drinking and lots more. So put on your cowboy boots and yeeee carried away. Back to Crush! Oh In San Francisco, there is a place haaaa over to The Round Up! I once had a crush on this girl in called the LEXINGTON CLUB. Don’t I sound all country now? high school.. oh there I go again! It is rumored to be a Hotspot in Howdy folks... Okay, okay, What gets in to me????? We were northern Cal for women. This I’ll stop. I was just feeling the talking about the bar Crush not place brings out all the gals in vibe and ready for my two-step MY crush. So sorry once again Frisco. They have dancing, drink lessons!! For more info,: www. ladies. I will try to not specials and lots of great events roundupsaloon.com. let it happen again. to attend. One of the popular Anyhoo, Crush has Happy Hour, events they hosted was the Lex Over in Seattle, Washington, a food menu and so much more. Art Show: A Photo and Flyer they have lots of lesbians. So I like their Margarita Night! I’ll Retrospective. Now mind you, THEY certainly need a bar right? drink to that!!! hahaha for more the girls in SF can really get wild hahaha.. WILDROSE BAR is info head to: crushbar.weebly. and crazy. I mean I have heard one of the well known lesbian com. some pretty outrageous stuff.. If bars around town. It has wall to any of you are reading this, wow! wall women. I’m not exactly sure High Five to y’all!!! I need to what they are doing on the wall Now I know I learn how to let my hair down .. This place is “women more like them! Hey, I drove over owned and operated since 1984.” often post a the Golden Gate Bridge once!!! Holy guacamole!! They have had I went on one of those cable cars lesbians around that long??? You lot of Hotspots to Fisherman’s Wharf! Doesn’t know what else? They even have that count?? LOL. Oh how I jest. their own softball team called... other than bars Well, I really did do those things you guessed it, “Wildroses.” but I am not that innocent. Hey, They host various events there but once in isn’t there a song that says that? including Pride parties, Karaoke Okay, okay, stop the madness nights and recently celebrated awhile, I’d like to Dian!!! For more info on the their 30 year Anniversary of Lex,: www.lexingtonclub.com. Pride. Their karaoke is a huge hit just talk about here. If you can sing, you really the bar scene. Well I am sorry I couldn’t need to check this out. I mean mention all of the bars in the these ladies are serious!! And big world. There are zillions of them prizes too! For more info,: www. Said to be “one of the hottest ya know!! I only have so much thewildrosebar.com. lesbian bars in Montreal, space here to share. But, I thought Canada, NOTRE DAME DES it would be nice to tell you about A little south of Washington QUILLES is the place to go!!! a few. My main point I am trying is a fabulous lesbian bar in the A Yelp reviewer said, “It’s the to emphasize here is, (Dian what heart of Oregon. Yup, you heard best lesbian bar in Montreal and is your main point?) the fact that me correctly! CRUSH BAR they’ve got duckpin bowling there is always somewhere to go located in Portland, is said to be and $5 shots of Jamo.” Another to see other you knows! I mean hoppin’ with the ladies. They said, “They have started doing we are not islands. Wait, what are have all sorts of different kinds the occasional live show on the we if we are not islands? Ahem, of entertainment throughout bowling alleys and were just just enjoy your March and first the year. One of their exciting voted 3rd Best Lesbian Bar in days of spring. I will be back ones is their “Burlesque Night.” the Best of Montreal Poll.” Well next month to carry on with more Ooh wow wow! I like the sound there you have it!! Sounds like exciting Hotspots!! See ya!!! of that!! Remember the movie this place is a winner in Montreal. called Burlesque? Well, when I I’ll bet you Canadians know how was watching it.. Oh my gosh!! to have fun!! For info on this hot I am soooo sorry. I just got all tip, call: (514)507-1313. © Hypnocreative | Dreamstime.com LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER’S

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Global Warming

| By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

iven the does not conclude that activity by ideal state.” Plenty of other preponderance man plays any significant role.” conservative media voices on Fox of data showing Regardless, Carter supports more News and elsewhere are vocal in rising temperatures research and development of their skepticism about humans’ around the globe solar, wind, tidal and geothermal (leading) role in climate change. Gin recent decades—along with energy, along with the continued But regardless of how persuasive the increasing frequency of development of hybrid, natural some of these pundits might extreme weather events—it’s gas and all-electric vehicles. sound, the facts speak for hard to believe there are still any Another outspoken climate themselves. IPCC reports that climate change deniers. But a naysayer in Congress is House human influence on the climate recent survey by the non-profit Science, Space & Technology system is “clear,” with greenhouse Center for American Progress Committee chair Lamar Smith, gas emissions driven largely by found that some 58 percent of another Texas Republican, who economic and population growth Republicans in the U.S. Congress calls the Obama administration’s skyrocketing to record levels and still “refuse to accept climate 2014 National Climate Assessment leading to atmospheric conditions change.” Meanwhile, still others (which squarely pins the blame unprecedented in at least the acknowledge the existence of for global warming on human last 800,000 years. IPCC adds global warming but cling to the emissions) “a political document that greenhouse gas emissions scientifically debunked notion intended to frighten Americans are “extremely likely to have that the cause is natural forces, into believing that any abnormal been the dominant cause of the not greenhouse gas pollution by weather we experience is the direct observed warming since the mid- humans. result of human CO2 emissions.” 20th century” and that warming One of the chief doubters in the He adds that “the Obama will be a “very likely” catalyst U.S. House of Representatives administration feels compelled for increased heat waves, extreme is Texas Republican John Carter, to stretch the truth in order to precipitation events, warmer who reports on his website that the drum up support for more costly oceans and higher sea levels. United Nations’ Intergovernmental and unnecessary regulations and CONTACTS: U.S. Representative Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) subsidies.” John Carter (R-TX), carter.house. and the East Anglia Climatic Of course, the right side of the gov; U.S. Representative Lamar Research Unit in Great Britain— aisle in Congress isn’t the only Smith, lamarsmith.house.gov/; two of the world’s foremost place you’ll find climate change FoxNews, www.foxnews.com; authorities on the extent and deniers. In a recent op-ed article IPCC, www.ipcc.ch. severity of global warming—hid that appeared on FoxNews.com, their own research results showing E - The Environmental Magazine scientist and author Daniel Botkin that world temperatures have not (www.emagazine.com). Send comments that the 2014 National actually been rising, but in fact questions to: earthtalk@ Climate Assessment “ignores...the have been falling, over the past emagazine.com. real history of life itself: endlessly several years. changing, highly adaptable, and “We may or may not even be in never subject to the kind of stasis a warming cycle,” says Carter. that the climate change consensus “Even if we are, scientific evidence imagines, wrongly, to be Nature’s

The Flood Gates Of Visibility | Carl Matthes

t’s so encouraging - and beyond striking down that state’s ban on against our community. The my imagination of just a few same-sex marriage. church is demanding a “religious years ago - to see lesbians and exemption” to the very non- Now, there are only 13 unlucky gay men proud to be lining discrimination laws they are states which do not recognize up for marriage licenses in offering to support. same-sex marriage; that has made Ibig cities, small towns and rural religious people nervous. Hmm, sounds to me like the fox communities. A true grassroots hasn’t ever let the chickens in the tsunami of unity and support Very nervous. hen house. Finally, when the fox demanding equality while opening must welcome the chickens home, the floodgates of visibility to show The Bad: Making front page the fox says, “Oh sure, come on in, the good, the bad and the beautiful news is the Mormon Church which is trying to find a way I’ll guard us against you.” Sarah The Good: Led by the Supreme to deal with LGBT Mormons. Warbelow, legal director for the Court’s “Marriage Equality” Despite the church’s costly 2008 Human Rights Campaign, called soap opera, Americans are being victory backing California’s Prop the Mormon’s actions “deeply bombarded with amazingly 8, they have seen grassroots flawed.” positive images and personal support for their anti-LGBT According to James Esseks, stories about our community. efforts erode to the point where director of the LGBT project Across the nation, lesbian and gay they are now in full retreat and of the American Civil Liberties couples are leading the way. offering to support LGBT non- Union, “The First Amendment’s discrimination laws. Of course, SCOTUS obviously “tipped protection of religious freedom change does not come easily for it’s hand” on it’s projected June does not give any of us the right people rigorously indoctrinated ruling on marriage equality when to harm others and that’s what it it refused Alabama’s request to sounds like the proposal from override a federal court’s order the Mormon church would do - it would allow a doctor to refuse to of ideas and genuine dialogue are partners as they vie for prizes? care for a lesbian because of his discouraged and punishable by The Most Beautiful: Other religious beliefs, for example.” loss of livelihood.” incredible personalities include the More Bad: The biggest recent Will the Pope react? man-to-woman stories of former front page public display of Olympic athlete and hoary head Oh and my reaction? Hmmm, religious intolerance belongs of the Kardashian family, Bruce where is the moral outrage over to San Francisco Archbishop Jenner and former Army PFC. young children being sexually Salvatore J. Cordileone for trying Bradley Manning, of Wikileaks abused? Where is the will to rid to impose “morality clauses” on fame, who is in the process of the ranks of pedophile priests - teachers, staff and administrators becoming Chelsea Manning. The and others - within the Church? in his diocese admonishing them new news? It’s been accepted that Are these not up to the level of to “conform their hearts, minds the Army is obligated to provide the other “morality clauses” the and consciences, as well as their and pay for her hormone treatments Archbishop mentions? public and private behavior, ever — just as if she was confined to a more closely to the truths taught By the way, the Archdiocese of civilian federal prison. by the Catholic Church.” Those San Francisco has settled 101 And who, among us, are not wide- who do not will be dealt with “on abuse cases and paid $68 million eyed at members of our amazing a case-by-case basis.” in settlements from 2003 to 2011. transgender community when However, the fact that even serial And, just what are these “morality audiences wildly applaud their abusers have escaped criminal clauses”? His newly released openness as they strut their stuff punishment have led the church handbook asks employees to on shows such as Jerry Springer? to engage in a series of highly “affirm and believe” that “adultery, It’s obvious that Jerry counts on emotional meetings with Bay Area masturbation, fornication, the the transgendered community to victims. Any moral responsibilities viewing of pornography and provide his shows with an edgy here, Archbishop Cordileone? homosexual relations” are interest. “gravely evil” and that “civil law The Beautiful: Along with But, it’s not just Jerry! More preserve the definition of marriage the grassroots, there is the tangibly, an increasing number as the union of one man and one mainstreaming of top level lesbians of Fortune 500 companies and woman.” and gay stars arriving in people’s Fortune 100 companies are offering front rooms via television, many By including homosexual transgender-inclusive health on a daily basis including: Ellen relations, the Archbishop is insurance benefits. To name a few: DeGeneres (who is becoming actually up against Pope Francis Google, Nike, Goldman Sachs, a 21st century icon a la Lucille who has said that: “Homosexuals Coca-Cola, American Airlines, Ball), Anderson Cooper, Rachel have gifts to offer the Church” Sears, Johnson & Johnson, Wells Maddow, Ted Allen, Neil Patrick and that “every sign of unjust Fargo, Bank of America, General Harris, Sam Smith, Don Lemon, discrimination in their regard Motors, Citigroup, Apple, Tiffany, Sarah Gilbert, Robin Roberts, should be avoided.” In defense, Microsoft, PepsiCo, JPMorgan Jane Lynch and RuPaul. Cordileone is saying that his Chase, AT&T, Kraft Foods, handbook “...is not anti-anyone. The More Beautiful: I particularly Barnes & Noble, Walt Disney Co. It’s not anti-anything,” stressing enjoy seeing grassroots LGBT folk and General Mills. that no one would be forced to who are visible in greater numbers While we know that not everything sign a handbook oath. and frequency on popular TV is fun and games, who can’t games shows such as “Let’s Make An open letter from Bay Area be heartened by the continuing A Deal,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and “people of faith” — to be positive moves within and for our “The Price is Right.” Who can’t published as a paid ad in March community? relate to the happiness and joy in the National Catholic Reporter of lesbians and gay men who are — says Cordileone’s action contestants and then are delighted “creates a repressive environment to introduce their same-sex in which not only dissent but any critical thought, robust exchange © Tamara Lance | Dreamstime.com OS ANGELES (Feb. 25, members to attend world-class Child. The Wednesday’s Child 2015) - Emmy Award® live theater productions and adoption segment has aired on winning FOX 11 LA workshops at Los Angeles’ finest FOX 11 since 1995, helping News anchor Christine theaters. more than 700 children from Devine will host Cops foster care find forever families. The Pasadena Playhouse is hosting L4 Causes “Golden Ticket” Show Christine’s passion is empowering a pre-kick off hosted VIP reception featuring “Frank Marino’s Divas young people to believe in for Cops 4 Causes’ Golden Ticket Las Vegas” on March 13, 2015 at themselves and find their unique Program on Thursday, February 6 PM. Show benefits LA County gift within. Christine authored 26th at 7 P.M. that includes tickets foster youth and their families. an autobiography “Finding a to the award-winning show, “The Forever Family, A News Anchor’s “Christine Devine is a tireless Whipping Man.” Notebook.” She also has written advocate for foster youth. Her Tax-deductible tickets for the articles for Fostering Families work with “Wednesday’s Child” Golden Ticket Benefit featuring magazine. She is the recipient which highlights children in need Diva’s Las Vegas ($25 - $400) are of 16 Emmys, including the of loving foster homes is truly available Wednesday, Feb. 18th prestigious Governors Award, commendable. Christine also is and tickets for A Night at The from the Academy of Television a huge supporter of the art’s and Pasadena Playhouse ($50) are on- Arts and Sciences. theater here in Los Angeles. We sale now at www.Cops4Causes. cannot think of a better choice About Frank Marino: Known as org. to host our Inaugural Benefit for the “Queen of the Strip,” Frank our Golden Ticket Program and About Cops 4 Causes: The Marino sizzles in Divas at the LINQ Cops 4 Causes is honored to be first law enforcement, non- Hotel in Las Vegas. The 75-minute joined by this remarkable woman, profit organization to be created show features an all-star cast of leader and humanitarian ” stated to collectively highlight the superstar female impersonators Cops 4 Causes President, Deputy philanthropic efforts of law who recreate celebrities like Christopher Landavazo. enforcement. Our organization is Britney Spears, Cher, Diana Ross comprised of all levels of peace and Beyoncé. As the show’s star For this special evening, Vegas’ officers, public safety officials, and emcee (Joan Rivers) Marino “Longest Running Headliner” and friends and family of law changes costumes between every Frank Marino brings his star- enforcement who seek to raise act bringing an international studded “Frank Marino’s Divas funds and awareness to give back whirlwind of couture to the stage Las Vegas” show to Avalon to our communities, support our with each spectacular entrance. Hollywood marking the first time military troops & veterans, and to Marino is also an accomplished the iconic female impersonator aid families of law enforcement author, news commentator, has brought his glamorous act officers killed or gravely disabled columnist and spokesperson. His featuring send-ups of Joan Rivers, in the line of duty.Cops4Causes. book “His Majesty, the Queen” Cher, Diana Ross, and Beyoncé to org was first published in 1997. Los Angeles. He also appeared in the movie About Christine Devine: Christine Proceeds from the evening will “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Devine is a veteran television benefit Cops 4 Causes “Golden Fabulous.” FrankMarino.com news anchor/reporter at KTTV in Ticket” initiative which will Los Angeles. She co-anchors the provide monthly opportunities for FOX 11 News at 10 pm Monday foster youth, their foster/adoptive through Friday evenings. Christine families and/or 1st Responder is also the host of Wednesday’s THEORHETICALLY SPEAKING Captured Estate | By Nikki McCauley

rect spine - world on our shoulders - like you’re laughing in flattery - remarking “Are you Greek gods ascribe Hercules kidding me!” Tony Atlas we breed descendants of political Inglorious the glory, vacated and abandoned from dealings- freedom to savagery Eon bended knees, royalty performing oral out of whose mind conceived this form of normal? Its deeds for industry well below average and the womb is down pouring…. when we first were Kings - call me Sire, call me Damages for the people pay lawyers bribes judges Queen, call me “The Help” buy juries…pleasing the court - I ask for more spoils Oscar validating me? So we pay fees for support- we drop seeds in the soil of Mark 3:24 Sold as sons of persecution for profit, was sold freedom and forgotten, for the sake of building thank Gd for the song, to silence the voice, of the relations, witness the slave trade—distant ships of chorus… debating, lost in souls buried in the great lakes of And beneath the breast plate a new testament order history… til the sun rains showers dry erasing the coverings of what’s beneath… out of the atmosphere of love the removal of hate Lost, seems the family values, to the new normals for so we eat in a new oral…. the absence of equality; men so reflect to hold power streams. Down came the bow - shattering the bones Free but estranged, like a wife when her husband - splitting sides, altering reality-disregarding instead leaves her; and after years of of honoring the wife for the mistress seemed…. to be mental anguish and torture… is the hand of the father treated better, smaller house, children and gifts given of her very children; plus more attentive thus now misogyny off the lips of women, flow weekly, Thursday’s making a killing…! and their expressions haunt her with horror - so, it hurts to banding and hold those born through her- Routine revolution - young to the highest bidder - gang rapped then given a new name And forget not the soldier when he returns home from war touring… traumatized by the psychology he had Olivia… picture the purchase, people are territories to adopt to commit murder… an act he was taught for the comparing conspiracy theory enthusiast- was a crime of the highest order - is now suspended, Birthing the form zero over standing the negative reenacted plus rewarded… integer place upon the word Ni..er Thus a tapestry of the reasoning of “why” “The described as in human after being penetrated to Executive Order” but unable to ignore the war is remove the derivative of, born splendor… not with these people we are murdering but with the leadership the dozen or so, of disagreeing fortunes Like Pavlov to pigeons, dogs salivating at the ding - beaten and trained like Denny… He takes his cocktail of numb and escape. Now he paces between, responsibility and self hatred… Erased state, then “Unleashed” … wanting to abort this world we live in - hangs the flags of all nations- a state of fortunate and unfortunates Oh black skin, something golden lives with in spaces. tall dark and handsome, tuxedo covering Practice what you preach and I don’t know the language you speak but I hear you speaking - so I will imitate your speech- © Abxyz | Dreamstime.com Cynthia I. Miles Certified Public Accountant

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Single Ladies, You Don’t Have To Travel Alone! | By Stephanie Papadakis

raveling alone can allowing single and solo travelers So now you’re thinking about sometimes seem like to make decisions other than taking a cruise but you’re still a daunting task. If you “How am I supposed to pay for nervous because you’ll be aren’t part of a couple, that dreaded single supplement?” surrounded by straight folks. you have to do all the Both Norwegian Cruise Line and P Enter Olivia Travel. Olivia is Twork – searching for flights, & O offer dedicated studio cabins the world’s largest lesbian travel booking hotel rooms, researching for solo cruisers. Royal Caribbean company and has offered cruise, things to do and the list goes on. also debuted solo cabins with resort, adventure and riverboat Even when you’ve landed in your “virtual balconies” (80-inch floor- vacations for 25 years. They also spot and are ready to explore, you to-ceiling LED screens projecting charter entire ships and buy out may be hesitant to do so because real-time ocean and port views). whole resorts so you don’t have you’re nervous about being by And numerous other cruise lines, to worry about pesky travelers yourself. such as Holland America Line, checking you out. And guess what? host onboard solo traveler events They have a SOLOS PROGRAM! Enter cruising. Cruises are a great like cocktail mixers and games It’s extensive and by extensive, way to see the world and make that can be a great way to meet I mean there are onboard solos many new friends while doing it. others. coordinators there to facilitate just In fact, several cruise lines today about everything. have beefed up their offerings, From singles’ dinners and cocktail you. You’ll also meet the other big-ship cruises and resorts and parties to pool games and dance single travelers who choose to a solos team always participates parties, you’ll have plenty of come to introduce themselves. in the Olivia Olympics at resorts. opportunities to mingle and meet The solos coordinators will tell There are also solos dance lessons, new friends. From the very first you about the designated solos pub crawls, Wii bowling and trivia interaction with a travel consultant, excursions, the special seating for just to name a few. Olivia will make you feel welcome all meals and at the nightly shows In addition, Olivia offers a and excited to be traveling alone. and all the activities planned for Facebook group specifically for For starters, they offer a roommate you throughout the week. Of solo travelers so you can keep in matching service so you don’t have course, it is not a requirement to touch at the end of the trip. You to pay the single supplement. They be part of the solos program; it’s can also join the Facebook trip will find a roommate for you based just there to help you make new group to keep in touch with other on your specific preferences, like friends. friends you met who may not be whether you are a social drinker or Activity options abound for solos; solo. non-drinker, or a smoker or non- in fact, there are probably more smoker. So now you know about your solo activities planned for solos than lesbian cruise options. You don’t Once you arrive, you will be for the general traveler! Speed even need to plan anything. All greeted with a full solos program dating is a great way to meet you have to do is book that trip guide to alert you of all the solos that special someone (it has been and everything is taken care of happenings throughout the week. known to happen…quite a few and even catered for, you. That On the first day there is a meet & times). If you like to be active, begs the big question…where are greet, where you will meet your Wet-n-Wacky pool games are you going to travel next? solos coordinators and be given offered every day at noon on the a solos dog tag so other single travelers will be able to identify Vendange Carmel Inn | By Lillian Jensen

endange is the drinking a glass of wine around the for a honeymoon or romantic perfect getaway fire pit, or stopping by the lobby getaway. destination located for nightly hors d’oeuvres, will The Inn offers breakfast daily. in the village of make your trip more memorable. Carmel-by-the- Wine Themed Rooms: are Dawn’s There are 18 rooms in the Inn Sea. It is the first wine themed Dream, Galante, J. Lohr, Joullian, V which is owned and operated by Inn in all of Carmel and Monterey. Manzoni, McIntyre, Otter Cove, the Lee family. Sleeping areas are Each room is named after a local Pierce Winery, Tudor, Twisted appointed with memory foam- winery. These partnered wineries Roots, Ventana, Cima Colina. top beds, deluxe linens, WiFi, design their own rooms in their and high-definition flat screen own creative manner, providing televisions. guests with a memorable and fun experience. Carmel Beach, The separate Cottage Suite offers has exquisite shops, world class a generous 650 square feet of restaurants and beautiful beaches. living space. With a California You’ll see what makes Vendange King bed, 50” high definition flat a once in a lifetime stay. Their screen television, gas fireplace and gardens, the grand pergola, kitchenette, it’s the perfect place

Words That make sense It’s A Scarey World Out There.... | By Toni Hart f you read the newspapers, and news of our home front as lived. We did without some things check the internet or watch well as large countries that we had without complaint because it was the latest news on TV, you’re heard about. Some of the newsreel for the ‘War Effort!” We knew likely to be shocked, sad was dedicated to “Americanism,” that our help was needed to help and depressed in a matter of to make us feel proud of the our soldiers, sailors and marines Iminutes. What we see is this great fighting for our freedoms. We all huge planet where we reside, pitched in together. It was a solid suddenly shrunk and horrors Years ago effort and it felt good to know that beyond our belief happening we were helping too, together. everywhere, even in our own when I was We used food stamps, did without schools and neighborhoods. meat, butter, eggs and other foods. Okay, I’ll admit the news, is a young girl, Gave up our nylon stockings, sometimes something to be taken saved meat fats to take to the with a grain of salt. However, with the world butcher to be used for bullets. so much shock and horror coming We were okay with gas rationing, from all directions, can all of it be bought war bonds and stamps and just brushed off? There’s just too was huge and did whatever we could to help, much! whether it was to pitch in at the mostly, for USO or hospitals - whatever was We live in a technological world needed we were “proud” to do. where each tiny and BIG terrifying event is blown up and broadcast to the average Well, the war finally ended and us in minute detail. It’s gotten so the world was again in peace. We we’re afraid to go to sleep at night, person, full were all so proud of our men and either in fear of missing something women in uniform and what they or just “in fear.” of places one had done to protect our freedoms. Countries we never even heard However, since that time, we of before, killing, rampaging, never even gradually grew apart from each blowing up everything in sight. other. The world became smaller We are not only bombarded with and we learned about new countries the minute details but are shown heard about. that did not want to live in peace the horrors 24/7 on the TV. but rather take what we had and use it for violence against us. Years ago when I was a young girl, country we lived in. And...proud the world was huge and mostly, we did feel. American people were In the last 20 or so years, there has for the average person, full of solid behind their leadership and been giant leaps in technology, places one never even heard about. glad to be living in this country of medicine, longevity and hate. On weekends, when we went opportunity - as it was then called. Sadly, there isn’t a machine or to the theater, besides the main pill that could help us all live During the World War II, the words feature movie and cartoons...yes, peacefully together. “War Effort” evoked a heartfelt cartoons, we were treated to the surge of loyalty and patriotism to current newsreel full of pictures our country, to the land where we © Zentilia | Dreamstime.com FEMASTROLOGY | By Victoria Bearden

eeling lucky? March people may be a little unfocused in some “seeds” or New Intentions for 1st and 2nd are both the earlier part of the day on March Spring. The Sun enters Aries on the particularly fortunate 5, which could lead to emotional Equinox and the energy shifts to a days. If you plan misunderstandings and other kinds more fiery and intense drumbeat. important activities and of Full Moon blowups. It should be exciting. Do take Fcommunications on these days you note: Eclipses are powerful and The BIG NEWS is the Total Solar will have an edge, for sure! The stir a lot of things up. This is why Eclipse on Friday, March 20, 2015, Sun is in early Pisces now and so is fateful events often correspond which also happens to be Spring Neptune, so you must also make sure with them, both personally and Equinox! Wow, that’s cool! This not to let wishful thinking supplant globally. If your birthday falls near is a big deal, literally, as the Super reality as you move ahead into this the eclipse, you are bound to have New Moon will completely block interesting month. It’s also nice to an extremely significant year. out the Sun’s rays. Too bad we can’t know that Mercury is Direct, which all travel to the coastal waters of Last but not least, Uranus in Aries will give us all a chance to fix up Norway to see it! But I bet we will is heading into battle with Pluto in anything that went totally haywire all feel the world stand still at that Capricorn for their final bout. So, during the last 6 weeks or so. moment, which is 2:36 am Pacific in a couple of months the energy There is a Full Moon at 14 degrees Time. begins a gigantic shift, after Virgo on Thursday, March 5, being very tense and conflicted This interesting Eclipse is the first 2015. This one should be good on and off since 2012. This is of this year and it is truly auspicious for bringing the creative and the truly something to look forward that it falls on Ostara, or the Spring practical aspects of our lives into to. Don’t be surprised if there are Equinox. You may want to spend sync. But remember that darn some dramatic world events and some time meditating and planting Neptune factor and be cautious, as personal ones. For all the Signs: This is truly a time for news “under-react” instead of over-reacting. That starts, so make some! As I mentioned, the way, you’ll be able to make great decisions, Total Solar Eclipse on March 20, 2015 will even if the Universe changes things up for you likely stir up some unusual events in your life. around that time! Opportunity Periods: March Keep your head on your shoulders and plan to 1,2,4,5,8,13,16,20,23,24 and 28.

Aries (March 21-April 19) You could have some Libra (September 23-October 22 ) Emotional amazing psychic insights and dreams , so pay issues and romance might seem like a wild ride! attention. Spend some time doing spiritual or creative Don’t let things throw you off balance. Pay attention to things this month and you’ll benefit greatly. With Mars, how certain situations and people affect your health and Venus in Aries you’ll be feeling great energy surges and well-being. You need to be around positive energy right your “mojo” factor will be high. Add this hot planetary now, most definitely. If you are not certain about major combo to Uranus in Aries and sparks out fly in the decisions, do nothing at this time. romance department! Scorpio (October 23 to November 21) This Taurus (April 20-May20) Good support from could be a terrific time for you creatively and loving friends and kind colleagues will make this emotionally. You also have the opportunity to shine in month positive in many ways. Reach out to people. They the work area. People will see you as both caring and will respond in all kinds of good ways! A clear head will capable. Have some fun but make sure to capitalize on keep you on point. positive activities regarding your work and health.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20) Make a concerted Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Work effort to clarify career goals. There is potential for on projects that enhance your home and your achievement if you know what you are aiming for. Your relationships with family. Don’t be afraid to take the social network will be vibrant but the real focus this lead as mentor and peace-maker. Use your creativity to month should be work and taking care of responsibilities. find interesting solutions to problems for yourself and loved ones. Cancer (June 21 to July 21) There is a powerful influence operating in your outer world right now. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Focus your New ideas, learning and travel are possible. Your luck thoughts and energy towards important goals. If factor is high. Your creativity is popping. Apply yourself you have too many irons in the fire, take a couple out! to some of your big ideas and you will see some major Right now, less is more. You will be effective by putting developments unfold. key ideas into practice.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Jupiter is putting wind Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Creative in your sails. Hooray! But you need to take some ideas about money and resources will motivate time to investigate your important dealings with others, positive changes. Just make sure you apply logical both financially and personally. Keep everything above thinking to what you plan to do. You may find there are board. If there are some things that need to end, finish ways to increase your income now. them. Pisces (February 19-March 20) Strike a balance Virgo (August 23-September 22) Relationships with your personal life and your work. It should and partnerships of all kinds need attention. be starting to come together, but you may have some Beneficial people will help you. You just need to figure challenging moments with authority on the job. Don’t out who they are! Don’t waste time with people who are question your own ability to work under pressure and all talk and no action. And align yourself with people make time for creative pursuits to decompress. who have something to offer. Be discriminating.

© Starblue | Dreamstime.com Domestic Abuse / Violence - Get Help Domestic abuse and violence have been front-page news lately, and a topic of discussion throughout the country. The US Department of Justice defines domestic violence as, “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” It can be: Physical Sexual Emotional Economic Psychological

If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, there is help out there. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Diane Bernstein, L.C.S.W. Psychotherapy - Individuals & Couples

Specializing in alternative parenting and lesbian couples. Practicing in the community for over 30 years. (310) 398-3981 [email protected] 5392 Janisann Ave., Culver City, Ca. 90230

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