I’m an avid follower of the AfterEllen website because I think it’s a great platform to find out about and discuss queer women in entertainment.  And while it is way better than 95% of the other general LGBT websites at including women of color, there are still some gaps.

So when I came across an AE Forum asking about sites dedicated to African-American lesbians and saw that there was specifically an interest in a book club, I thought “God bless the child that’s got their own” and offered to use my blog to moderate such a club.  After some private messaging between me and Lunakiss, we’ve come up with a format.

Starting July 1st, we will introduce the book for the month.  As you can see from the pic it’s Linda Villarosa’s novel “Passing For Black”.  After the introductory post, there will be subsequent posts every Friday of the month discussing the next part of the book.  We are also looking for book suggestions for the coming months also.  While we like a good erotic novel as much as the next person, we are going to try and steer the club toward a more intellectually substantial slant.  That way we could have deeper and more involved discussions about the books.

So any interested black queer women feel free to leave comments and suggestions below and be sure to check back with us July 1st.

House, M.D. star Olivia Wilde, who plays a bisexual terminally ill internist on the show (yes, really), has claimed the top spot in “Maxim’s 2009 Hot 100,” ranking the sexiest babes on Earth. Other beauties in the top ten include Transformers star Megan Fox (#2), Rihanna (#8), Watchmen star Malin Akerman (#4), Jennifer Love Hewitt (#10), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall actress Mila Kunis (#5).

Olivia is #19 on AfterEllen’s Hot 100 List. If I were making the list, she’d be higher but congrats anyway Olivia!

Olivia has topped the list of Maxim’s Hot 100 for 2009. Congrats Olivia!

Click the pic for more Olivia Wilde Photo's

So I just read this VERY interesting article from AfterEllen.com by StuntDouble: Lesbian Scientistics: AfterEllen.com Hot 100 Edition

It is quite informative and true. Read it! here are some highlights from the article:

AfterEllen’s HOT 100 is out! Go and check out who made it and who is in the top 10! Over 150,000 votes were cast this year! Some surprised me! There are many openly gay girls on the list and EVERYONE on the top 10 has portrayed a lesbian before!

So who is 1st???? Check it out here: Afterellen top 100 2009
When you’re done looking at this year’s hottest women, you can peruse the 2008 Hot 100 and the 2007 Hot 100, or check out The 2009 AfterElton.com Hot 100 to see who the gay men voted for this year!

Lindsay Lohan was out in a bright shining sun to pose for Spanish Vogue Photoshoot in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, May 6, 2009. This photoshoot is in news because Lindsay is getting Marilyn Monroe like.[More..]


Basically she

According to AfterEllen, who got it from the Entertainment Weekly Variety, ShowTime Network Execs are no longer considering picking up the “L Word Spin-Off” The Farm, which featured Leisha Hailey, portraying Alice Pieszecki, in the pilot.

Apparently, the actresses had no idea as they were filming the final season that this huge “Murder Mystery” was going to involve the entire season. Afterall, they shot the episode with Jenny dying last.  Thank Eileen (series creator, Eileen Chaiken) and the Editing staff for the way it came out in the end – with us seeing Jenny being rolled out past the L Ladies in Bette and Tina’s living room in the first few minutes of the first episode aired of the final season. Then we had this whole ridiculous “Who Killed Jenny” B.S. culminating in….(drumroll)…..NOTHING!!!!!!!

Watched any of those interrogation tapes that ShowTime is running now? New material, shot at the time of the final episodes, and – quite frankly – pretty lame stuff. (So I can’t exactly say that I’m dissappointed that it wasn’t included in the actual epsodes, as some fans have suggested in comments.)

The REAL Murder Mystery is WHY IC MURDERED A GREAT SHOW WITH A BULLSHIT ENDING?????  The actresses and the fans deserved better.

R.I.P. The Farm? Maybe ShowTime Execs recognized that Alice murdering Jenny, which was the foregone conclusion with Alice landing in this form of prison, was too far-fetched for most fans to take. We as fans have been dealing with credibility issues from IC for 6 seasons now. Guess the ShowTime guys finally caught on. Well, at least we’ll have the DVD’s.

Now, let’s make the Movie dealing with something besides the “Great Mystery” – OK IC???????

Here’s the Variety Article as it appeared online yesterday:

Variety reports ShowTime passing on The Farm

 -MsQueer

©2009 MsQueer.com. All rights reserved.
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It's time for a new crest, I think.

It’s not a good day for the Phelps clan. While I don’t generally get to rain on the crazy fundamentalist parade, today I could not pass up the chance. I complained earlier about my RSS feeds from AfterEllen becoming near-non-existent this weekend, but I was pleasantly surprised by my favourite blogger, Mark of Slap Upside the Head, because he alerted me (and the rest of the Internet) to the fact that Alberta has finally decided to pass legislation to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination and, presumably, a wealth of other human rights abuses.

Fortunately for the ever-present Fred Phelps, his website, godhatescanada.com, is now actually relevant, as opposed to “godhatescanadaexceptforalberta.com” (I guess deciding to host that URL was as good of an investment as Bear Stearns, eh?). But the fundamentalists do have something to be happy about, as the new legislation also allows parents to take their children out of certain classes based on religious issues. My religion, based around the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, bars me from taking accounting, PE (with the exception of sex ed, of course. My religion really just bars me from playing the sinful game of ultimate frisbee), and advanced calculus… it just makes me wish I were in an Alberta high school right now.

It’s about time Alberta passed this (the gay thing, not the religion thing), as the Supreme Court made the decision way back in 1998. Unfortunately, it seems as if Alberta is a region of backward thinkers; they have the oil sands, and those “white power” protests going on still, right?

A win is a win, that’s what I say.

I awoke this morning, which is rare because I have recently abandonned the early-riser thing, only to realise the lesbian community is in collapse. How do I know this, you may ask. Well, my RSS feeds were baron, and I subscribe to AfterEllen; thus, the apocalypse.

I did make numerous futile attempts to do things on AfterEllen other than watch Padma eat a bacon cheeseburger. I updated my profile, I even lurked message boards, and it’s a sad state of affairs when I lurk message boards. Why? Mostly because I cannot stand Internet speak; one exclamation part is enough, most often one is too many. “LOLS” does not stand for anything. I do not wear “soxerz”, so I do not comprehend how someone could “roxerz” the “soxerz” in question. I am just not cut out for message boards.

I did stumble upon something interesting though, in the form of a vlog called Alexi’s Closet; it was a traumatizing experience. Alexi, the owner of the closet (and presumably its contents) gives fashion advice to lesbians via AfterEllen. In light of the fact that I posted a fashion no-no’s blog earlier, I feel as if I must comment on this vlog. I am by no means a fashion expert, designer, rarely do I consider myself a fashionista-of-sorts (although I have been told I dress nicely…). The only credit I have to my name fashion-wise right now is the fact that I have a pair of functioning eyes (when paired with glasses), and apparently, that is all one needs.

Before I go on to Alexi’s Closet, I would like to say that Jesse and I went shopping yesterday, only to scurry to Holt Renfrew for salvation. Upon walking into Levi’s, we were greeted by the horrors of white, really wide flare bell bottoms, and tacky belts. Bell bottoms. White bell bottoms. First, no AfterEllen posts, second, bell bottoms?! Ready your tinfoil hats.

Back to Alexi’s Closet (you may want to keep your tinfoil hat on for this), she was giving fashion advice for people going to Dinah. This I totally sanction, Dinah is a wonderful place, and once I age to perfection, or the legal drinking age in the States, I will be there, and I want to see hot, well dressed, women. But rhinestone-encrusted jean skirts? Short, black, jean shorts? Tacky tops with “built in accessories!”? No. You might as well pick up a pair of Levi’s white super flared bell bottoms, honey. Who does this woman think she is? Why does she have such a bad haircut? And how is it that she can tell women what to wear while I can just scoff? 

Lades, I am going to make my own lesbian fashion vlog. 

a) I have eyes which function properly in tandem with my glasses

b) I already have a YouTube channel and I don’t post videos often enough

c) I cannot sit idly by and have this woman conceivably ruin Dinah for me in the future

d) I want an AfterEllen vlog.

AfterEllen posted a brief, but still thoroughly amusing, piece on lesbian fashion and haircuts. Thank you, Emily Hartl, for bringing about the fact that bandanas which are not used as headbands (at the appropriate headband width) are bringing down the movement. If Harriet the Spy didn’t even do it, then neither should you.

I would like to add a few things to this list, while we’re talking about stereotypical lesbian dress/appearance.

First, wolf-howling-at-the-moon t shirts. This one explains itself, all you really need is to be at a drum circle now, with a not-so-ironic mullet.

Second, if you are one of those lovely ladies who wear boxers (hi, I’m Lauren, would you like another drink?), I am down with that. I am so down with that that I don’t mind seeing a little boxer now and then. But beyond a little bit of boxer, or a little bit of manties, I do not need to see your whole ass (that’s why I’m buying you a drink, silly!). So, I propose appropriate belting, because I do enjoy the slightly baggy skinny jean or straight leg on a woman; with a nice belt, you could do wonders. People knock the belt, but that’s because there was that terrible phase where they gave you canvas, or hemp, or something, put an o-ring on one end and sent you off on your way. Don’t do it, please. Please. No terrible belt buckles either, because those are just unflattering unless they are very witty. If they are very witty, I allow you to wear them once every two weeks, or once a month, but not every time you go to the same venue. 

Do not attempt this, ever.

Finally, this is something which goes out to most everyone: poor dye jobs. If you are going to dye your hair, do it right. My short haired women, do not frost your tips, I know it’s tempting, but please don’t. If you are going to dye your short hair, do not attempt at-home highlights, you will look like a cheetah, and I will not buy you a drink (which clearly is the goal of every woman, and thus, a major deterrent). Women of all other hair lengths, don’t think you get off scott-free. No one, in my opinion, should be highlighting their hair at home, especially not alone. Highlights and lowlights, and god forbid, streaks, should, in my opinion, always be done by a professional. At least then you have someone to blame (unless of course you were talked into getting streaks, which is all your fault, honey). If you are going to dye your hair a bright colour, do it properly. Bleach first, dye next, and maintain, maintain, maintain. Pink hair is fine, if you keep it up. Pink-ish hair with black roots transitioning into orange-tinged bleach job? Not so sexy. So please, save up your pennies if you must, and go see a hair stylist who knows how to cut your hair. I, personally, learned this the hard way, when my hair became ridiculously curly, and my hairdresser had no idea how to cut hair, I was the whitest member of the Jackson 5, it was terrible. Find someone who can cut your hair type, knows the right cuts for face shape, and has an edge. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be done well.

NO!

I know, I’m crazy attached to my computer today, but news just keeps trickling down the lesbian news pole (…hey girl!). Trish Bendix (of AfterEllen fame) just blogged about Clementine Ford’s reaction to her “coming out” article in Diva. According to Ford, Diva misquoted her all over the place, took other interviews out of context, and they jumped to popular assumptions. 

Way to get a girl’s hopes up, Diva. 

On the other hand, Ford is not denying that she is gay (nor did she ever confirm it, apparently), and she remains commentless when it comes to the elusive sexuality of one Katherine Moennig. 

The whole article can be found here.

Regardless of whether or not she is gay, we love her for doing that Point Foundation PSA.

…but we knew that already. Katy Perry was on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday and she sang in the bathroom concert series – a part of the show where Ellen invites guests to sing duets with her in the bathroom. The song of choice was, of course, I Kissed A Girl.  AfterEllen wrote about this and they pointed out some choice moments where Ellen makes good use of her facial expressions, making her the queen of subtleties:

0:31 — “It’s not what I’m used to.” (Ellen smirks, fake-winces, and rolls her eyes.)

0:48 — “I kissed a girl and I liked it.” (Ellen enthusiastically nods in agreement.)

0:57 — “I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.” (Ellen puts her finger to her lips and pretends to look guilty.)

1:34 — “It’s not what good girls do.” (Ellen smiles, nods her head and gestures sarcastically with her eyebrows while Katy Perry is making a “no no” sign with her pointer finger.)

See for yourself here:

Last night, The Accountant and I curled up on the couch to watch a DVR’d episode of Ellen.  I’d been waiting for weeks, and the day had arrived – Portia was going to be a guest on Ellen!

Ellen started the show as she always does, walking out to her theme song and loud cheers, before gleefully announcing, “My wife is here today!”

It’s funny because it seems like a small thing, Ellen having Portia as a guest on her show, but it felt huge to me.  As someone who has struggled in every day life with using the very appropriate word, “wife,” to refer to my spouse, it seemed revolutionary to see Ellen say it with such ease on television.  I can’t tell you how many times I have used the word “wife,” only to be looked at like I’m an extraterrestrial with three heads and a horn growing out of my forehead.  And now, here’s the most famous lesbian in the country, saying it on tv to enthusiastic cheers from the audience!

Of course there was some dancing

The interview was very sweet, with Portia talking about how married life is great, but she had to get used to Ellen being so famous and getting recognized everywhere they go.

My favorite part though, was right at the start, when Ellen took Portia’s shoe off and made her show the audience that she is not taller than her without the heels!  So adorable!

Thanks for the picture, Dorothy Snarker!

 They also played The Newlywed Game against a straight couple from the audience and won!

Seriously, look at the way they are looking at each other! 

The winning question: What’s the best gift your spouse has ever given you?  Both Portia and Ellen answered “her heart.” Awwww…

And then of course, Portia sang with Ellen in the bathroom (if you don’t watch Ellen – this is a recurring segment with guests).  Their song? “I Got You Babe.”

If you missed the show, you can catch the full bathroom singing segment on Ellen’s site, and the interview and Newlywed Game on Dorothy Surrenders and AfterEllen.

All pictures (except the shoe one) from Ellen’s website.

Rachel Maddow was on The View  this week.  Generally, I avoid that show with its shout-y, maddening, roundtable discussions, but this, is worth watching:

I was kind of surprised by how much they focused on Rachel’s sexuality.  I guess I just find it funny that at 30something years old, she’s still telling her coming out story, but on the flip side, I thought the View ladies presented all the gay questions pretty well.

And how about Whoopi?  Did you catch the “That door’s been open for years,” comment? My, my!  As far as I’ve seen, no one in the media is harping on that one.  Have we just accepted Whoopi as an out-but-not-out-but-probably-definitely-gay celebrity (you know, kind of like our favorite silver-haired news anchor…)?  Does  Whoopi’s sexuality being a non-issue mean a step forward for all of us?  Or am I totally off base – AfterEllen seems to think she’s straight (or perhaps open-minded, see Sarah Warn’s comment).  Who knows .  Love to Whoopi either way!

It’s too bad they had such little time with Rachel – you could tell they were rushing from topic to topic to get it all in, and by the time they got into some real politics, the show was over.

I think it’s great for lesbians that Rachel appeared on The View, which is my grandma’s favorite show.  She came across as charming and intelligent as always, and her “gay Desperate Housewives”  comment hit the perfect note for the audience. 

Now please excuse me while I go daydream about Rachel Maddow showing up on my doorstep to clear my yard…

A few days ago I was on AfterEllen.com and read this post about British television banning an Amanda Palmer video because it made light of religion, abortion and date rape.  Granted, it does use a catchy pop melody to describe the events but any doofus with a 5th grade education can see this was done with tongue firmly in cheek.  In fact, Amanda herself writes about it on her own blog.  Check out the video and see for yourself.

Now, while I do have an issue with censorship as most freedom-loving people do, my biggest WTF question was for the UK outlets that actually banned the video.  Have they learned nothing?  The surest way to get an unwanted or controversial subject into as many faces as possible is to ban it.  As soon as I read about it, I immediatly wanted to see it.

Which goes to my second WTF moment.  In this age of digital distribution over countless mediums, is banning still effective?  Afterall, I didn’t have to do some super sneaky computer work to find “Oasis”.  I just went to YouTube and found it.  I mean come on governments, if you’re going to repress something, at least bring your A game.

Even as I was thinking about writing this post yesterday, a news story came on NPR about Tibetans distributing protest songs as ringtones on their cellphones.  So even one of the most repressive regimes on the planet can’t completely stop something if it wants to get out there.