Tag Archives: Lesbian Icon

The Lesbian Reboot of ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Has Been Nixed

Last year we reported NBC was planning a big, lesbian reboot of Xena: Warrior Princess, but that reboot is apparently dead in the water.

The reboot, which was set to bring back co-creators Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, was going to focus more on the lesbian relationship between the Amazonian goddess and Gabrielle – played by Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor respectively in the original.

But problems occurred when it was announced that writer and showrunner Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The 100) left the project over creative differences.

When he left the project in April he wrote:

I’m heartbroken to have left the Xena project over insurmountable creative differences. The character is dear to me, and to millions of fans worldwide, and I truly believe that now — more than ever — a land in turmoil cries out for a hero. I truly hope that the alchemy of creative elements that has to come together to make possible either a reboot or revival of this amazing property will someday coalesce, and that Xena will return in a way that does honor to what came before while looking to the future.”

It was rumored that these creative differences stemmed from him wanting to put the lesbian relationship front-and-center, which lead to today’s announcement from NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke that the reboot won’t go forward at all.

Salke told the Hollywood Reporter.

Nothing is happening on that right now. We looked at some material; we decided at that point that it didn’t warrant the reboot.”

NBC says it hasn’t closed itself off entirely to a reboot down the line so, while you wait for them to get their shit together and make the right decision on this, catch up on the original show on Hulu.

Ellen Page Posts THE BEST Throwback Photo OF The Week

Before she was a lesbian icon, a Hollywood mega star, and creator of GaycationEllen Page was just a floral-wearing little kid like the rest of us.

And, like the rest of us, she’s got the school pictures to prove it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKQ9n3ZBHxm/

The floral? The bowl cut? We’re basically dying over here!

 

Andy Cohen Questions Gillian Anderson About Her Bisexuality

Gillian Anderson was a guest on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live this week, and on the show she was asked some pretty risqué questions.

Ms Anderson was not only asked about her co-stars’ kissing abilities, the rumoured “The X-Files” pay inequality, and the last time she “dipped into the lady pond.”

Her response was an honest one, but she didn’t give too much away.

Um, well actually, that article was actually about a woman I was with for about a year when I first lived in New York, when I was post-college. I think. So that would have been the last time as far as I remember.”

Watch the clip below.

Could It Be? Writer Hints That New ‘Xena’ Reboot Could Be Super Queer Affair

After some “are they/aren’t they?” confusion last year, the Xena reboot is definitely moving ahead on NBC.

The network has already assigned executive producer, and writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach to the project.

And, if that name is familiar, it’s because Grillo-Marxuach is also a writer CW’s show, The 100, and was responsible for writing the recent controversial episode Thirteen. An episode in which we so the beloved character Lexa (Alycia Debnam Carey) killed off.

Lexa was a leading character, who was also the current love interest of lead protagonist Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor). However, when Debnam Carey signed on for the second season of Fear the Walking Dead as Alicia, The 100 knew they’d have to wrap up Lexa’s storyline before the actress left. They chose to kill her off.

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So how does this tie into the Xena reboot?

For years, fans of Xena have known the Warrior Princess and her companion Gabrielle were more than just friends. The network and the times just hadn’t caught up with them.

But in 2016 things look to be changing.

A fan of The 100 recently asked Grillo-Marxuach if the reaction to Lexa’s death would influence his writing on future projects like Xena.

 

His response was awesome:

I am a very different person with a very different world view than my employer on the 100 – and my work on the 100 was to use my skills to bring that vision to life.

Xena will be a very different show made for very different reasons. There is no reason to bring back Xena if it is not there for the purpose of fully exploring a relationship that could only be shown sub-textually in first-run syndication in the 1990s. It will also express my view of the world – which is only further informed by what is happening right now – and is not too difficult to know what that is if you do some digging.”

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So, we wait with baited breath, and wonder if his words will hold true.

Gina Gershon Discusses her Legendary Lesbian Role in ‘Bound’

Gina Gershon was a guest on The View last week, to discuss her new film Staten Island Summer, and to also talk about her famous part as Corky in the Lana and Andy Wachowki film Bound.

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Raven-Symone asked about her taking on LGBT characters when she’s not part of the community, and Gina joked, “Well, I’m not a Hasidic Jew either!” about another recent part she’s played.

The actress, who has played queer character in other films like Prey for Rock ‘N Roll and Dealin’ With Idiots, told a great story about making a decision to take a chance, even when the people around her told it was a bad idea.

You know, it’s a funny thing with Bound. I remember I loved the script so much and no one knew these unknown directors and I wanted to meet them just because I thought, ‘The writing is so spot on.’ And as soon as I met them, I was like ‘These guys are great.’ You could tell they were geniuses. But my agents and everyone was like ‘You’re not doing this movie — it’s going to end your career.’ I’m like ‘Why?’ They’re like, ‘Well, you’re playing a lesbian—it will ruin your career.’ It’s like ‘So what? It’s a great part. It’s like the classic part I never get to play.’ And they’re two unknown directors—I’m like, ‘They’re bad asses.

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These directors are incredible.’ And they’re like, ‘No, no. It will ruin it—we can’t let you do it.’ And I said, ‘Well, I guess then I’m going to have to leave.’ And I left my agents over it. It was weird, but at the time—you know, this was before Boys Don’t Cry came out and stuff—if definitely pigeonholed me for a second. After Showgirls and that, then all of a sudden I was just getting killer lesbian motorcycle crazy people, and which, I thought, ‘Oh my god, this is so silly.’ But I’m so proud that I did that movie and so happy that it helped a lot of people. It’s amazing. It’s a great film. I love that movie.”

You can watch that portion of the interview below (stars 19:23 in).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxVEdwYHfXY

7 Reasons Why We Need ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Back on Our Screens

Great Xena: Warrior Princess maybe back on our screens.

So, here are 7 reasons why a Xena reboot is long overdue.

1. Because she dawned the age of the female superhero

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2. Because no one has battle cry was like Xena’s – Ayayayayayaya!

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3. Because an episode of Xena is basically a history lesson – from Trojan War and the political world of Julius Caesar, we saw it all.

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4. Because Xena and Gabrielle lesbian love story broke our hearts were

Long before on-screen couples like Alex and Piper could declare their love explicitly, Xena and Gabrielle just bathed wordlessly together.

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5. Because no one can accessorise like Xena can accessorise

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6. Because Gabrielle was the best sidekick, ever

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7. Because Lucy Lawless rocks

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Yes! ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Reboot in the Works at NBC

It time to get your battle armour ready, as Xena: Warrior Princess maybe heading back to our television screens – fifteen years after the last episode of the show aired.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the original executive producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, are apparently planning a “modern reboot” – however, the pair still want the show’s main star, Lucy Lawless, heavily involved – with insiders saying she will be working both on set and behind the scenes.

At this year’s Comic-Con, Lawless shared her frustration that a reboot has not yet been made.

I’ve been pitching that show … because … there’s a swell of interest still. I’m always being peppered with questions [about] when the Xena movie is coming. Guys, I’m pitching my ass off to make it happen, whether it’s with me or not. I think it’d be funny to have a reboot like Ash vs. Evil Dead — like middle-aged Xena in a muumuu with a bad attitude and a smoking habit. … Bring [actor] Ted Raimi [who played Joxer] in … [and maybe] Bruce Campbell.”

She added

I don’t know what the hold-up is; it’s about who has got the rights, but that’s a piss-poor excuse anymore. Find who has got the rights, freakin’ pay it. It’s better to have 80% of something than 100% of nothing. Don’t waste this opportunity; reinvigorate that franchise!”

During its six-season run, the show’s popularity excelled – largely due to Xena’s on/off lesbian relationship with her companion Gabrielle, with the pair now regarded as feminist and LGBT icons.

The news follows a report by TV watchdog Ofcom earlier this month, which claimed broadcasters are failing to make minorities feel represented on screen. The report revealed that a majority of the LGBT community feel that they are either under-represented on television or portrayed in a negative way.

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Revisiting Xena comes as reboots continue to be in high demand as broadcast and cable networks alike look to proven commodities (and fan bases) to cut through the clutter in an increasingly competitive scripted landscape. Key to their success is having the original producers involved.

For its part, NBC is also readying a Coach follow-up with star Craig T. Nelson. Fox, meanwhile, is bringing The X-Files back in January and has plans to produce another run of Prison Break after successfully reviving 24 on top of its film-to-TV take on Minority Report. 

P!nk Doesn’t Have Time for Bullies or Body Shamers

Back in April P!nk let all the bullies or body shamers who criticised her weight, know just how little regard she has for their opinions in a lengthy post on Twitter.

In an interview with ET at the BMI Pop Awards, P!nk opened up about her epic response to those who criticised her weight.

I don’t take well to bullying. I never have. I’m not a person that will be bullied. I’m not a person that will stand by watching other people bullied. I am a girl, I have feelings and people think I take no sh*t and I’m tough, tougher than nails, but I’m a human being.”

P!nk shared, adding that, despite her punk rock reputation, she’s still a real person with real emotions.

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She also said the real problem with critics is that they have too high an opinion of themselves and their comments.

I think people have gotten it wrong. They think their opinion matters and holds weight and I don’t know where or why they’re giving themselves so much credit you know? So I thought it was important for me to remind them that I don’t care. My life is full, I like food a lot and I really like to cook, I like to live, I find joy in that and were doing alright in the Hart household.”

In the end, P!nk says all the criticism and all the hate just builds character and strength.

Unless you’ve been dragged through the dirt then it really doesn’t end up being worth it when you get to the top right? I’ve exercised a lot of demons.”

Watch the interview for more below.

Must Watch – Gillian Anderson’s ‘Bride of Hannibal’ Trailer

OMG. We’re sitting on the edges of our seats today as we watch the new trailer for Hannibal, with Gillian Anderson taking centre stage – watch now!

Anderson has been upgraded to series regular for the third series of NBC’s psychological thriller.

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The new clip teases her character Bedelia Du Maurier’s relationship with Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen), opening with the oft-used phrase: “Behind every great man is a great woman.”

Also read: Gillian Anderson Says She Would Not Rule Out Another Same Sex Romance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ4Bn5YuGcE

Hannibal returns to NBC in the US on June 4 – get a taste of what’s in store below.

Mary Lambert  – Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness

We use music to give us comfort, to help heal our darkest pains —yet most musicians rarely will speak openly about their own struggles in plain terms and seek help. That is changing.

Mary Lambert is part of a new generation of musicians who refuse to be shamed into the closet and who are using their songs, stages, and interviews to tell the world that mental illness is neither shameful nor defining nor show-stopping. It’s simply part of the picture.

Through her songs like Secrets, Body Love, and She Keeps Me Warm, Lambert has offered comfort to listeners who are so often made to feel shame because of some ‘otherness’.

The idea of same love is not exclusive to gender equality —it speaks to the one in four American adults who suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alSANJgU45w

To honour her journey, this week at the Beverly Hills Hilton, the Seattle singer will be honoured by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services for her work and bravery in confronting the stigma of mental illness.

 

P!nk Shuts Down Internet Trolls Criticism About Her Weight

Pink has hit back on Twitter at Internet hate surrounding her supposed weight gain late Sunday, claiming she is “perfectly fine” and her body is having “some much deserved time off.”

The singer joins a growing roster of celebrity moms, including Hillary Duff and Kelly Clarkson, speaking out against body criticism, saying they would rather be healthy, happy and strong women than adhere to Hollywood’s standards.

The 35-year-old also tweeted out pictures of her alongside husband Carey Hart and daughter Willow, saying they loved the way she looks and made her happiest.

Pink’s continued her war against the haters by retweeting messages of body positivity and support being sent to her.

 

Rihanna Speaks Out Against Indiana’s Controversial ‘Religious Freedom’ Law

Rihanna joined has a number of other celebrities to slam Indiana’s controversial ‘religious freedom’ law that enables businesses to refuse to serve gay people.

While onstage at NCAA March Madness Music Fest in Indianapolis over the weekend, the singer – in addition to debuting a brand new song American Oxygen – she expressed her political opposition to the law.

Referring to the state’s new RFRA in-between songs, Rihanna said:

“Who’s feeling these new bulls**t laws that they’re trying to pass over here? I say f**k that s**t… we’re just living our motherf***ing lives, Indiana!”

The singer also got the crowd to chant: “f**k that s**t”.

The Indiana’s Governor Mike Pence recently signed into law the controversial ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act’, which gives people the right to discriminate against gay people on the grounds of religion.

Rihanna has often shown her supporter of gay rights. Last year, the singer shared a photo of herself on social media rocking a hat emblazoned with the logo “P6,” short for Principle 6 — a campaign opposed to Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law.

Rihanna was also one of many stars who opposed to Prop 8, a ballot proposition that was eventually passed in California banning same-sex marriage in the state.

Rihanna’s vocal opposition to Indiana’s RFRA comes on the heels of Miley Cyrus telling Time magazine that supporters of Indiana’s anti-gay bill are “dinosaurs, and they are dying off,” before throwing her social media weight behind the gay community by tweeting the following:

Stop Everything | Gillian Anderson Says She Would Not Rule Out Another Same Sex Romance

After two marriages and three children, the beautiful star of The Fall and The X Files, Gillian Anderson says she would not rule out another same sex romance – as long as her next relationship is The One

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Anderson is on a career high right now and we love it. She is the hero in the dark and gripping gripping thriller The Fall, now commissioned for a third series. Has a new BBC mini series due out called War and Peace, in which she plays socialite Anna Pavlovna. She’ll be continuing role as Hannibal Lecter’s psychotherapist in the US TV series Hannibal. She has a new movie due out – Robot Overlords – where she’s playing the mother, Kate, in a the new British family sci-fi film. And there is now talk of a reprise of The X-Files with David Duchovny.

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The beauty has her hands full balancing all this with her home life, and raising three kids, Piper, 20, Oscar, 8, and Felix, 6.

Also read: Gillian Anderson Speaks Out About Her Late Lesbian Lover

But in a recent interview with Telegraph, Anderson said she could find time for a little romance.

“I’m so lucky to have such great work. I’ve got a fantastic life, I have a wonderful relationship with my kids, and there’s nothing lacking, but I’m leaning towards the idea that it’s time for somebody to be brave enough to ask me out.” 

And when asked would she ever consider another same-sex relationship? Anderson answered….

“I wouldn’t discount it. I did it before and I’m not closed to that idea. To me a relationship is about loving another human being; their gender is irrelevant.”

So could ‘the one’ be a woman – only time will tell.

But, would you be brave enough to make a move? 

How Coming Out Allowed Ellen Page to Reconnect With Fashion

If you’ve been feeling a stronger-than-usual desire to purchase a Saint Laurent suit lately, then Ellen Page is probably the cause.

Page is stepping up a gear when it comes to fashion visibility, and it would seem her coming out has helped pave the way for this.

In the new issue Vogue (April 2015), Page confirms that coming out as gay has reignited the spark when it comes to getting dressed.

Also: More on Ellen Page and Julianne Moore’s New Lesbian Drama ‘Freeheld’

The out actress and activist said:

“I used to feel this constant pressure to be more feminine; a quiet or sometimes not-so-quiet demand — You need to wear a dress or people will think you’re gay.’ Now I feel a sense of freedom in dressing, and I’m enjoying it so much. I love wearing a Saint Laurent suit to an event… I mean, what a gift.”

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Page will be playing Julianne Moore’s lesbian love interest in the upcoming film Freeheld, a role which has gained further significance since she publicly came out last year.

Lets take a moment to really appreciate Page’s post coming out wardrobe.

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Mary Lambert Remakes ‘Jessie’s Girl’ Especially For Queer Ladies

Out musician Mary Lambert is currently flying high. After being introduced to the world on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s gay rights anthem Same Love, Lambert went on to perform alongside them at the Grammy Award Show, and released her full-length debut album, Heart on My Sleeve, last October.

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In an recent interview with Rolling Stone, the singer discussed her remaking of Rick Springfield’s 1981 hit, Jessie’s Girl

“Originally, I had put a piece about rape on the record, called ‘Epidemic. My project manager was like, ‘We support you 100 percent, but you should know Target and Starbucks won’t carry it, and it’ll have a warning on it,’ so I was like, damn, that’s true. 

I remember when I heard ‘Jessie’s Girl’ for the first time, I was like, ‘This is so applicable to lesbians!’ So in two days I came up with a different chord progression, rearranged it, played the piano and sang it. Everyone in the room was crying and I was like, ‘Cool, job well done.’ It seemed to be the perfect replacement for ‘Epidemic’ – equally as important for me.”

Mary Lambert

When asked how she feels about “pushing the envelope” as a gay artist, Lambert said she’s “curious about what the next step is.”

“With the knowledge that your favorite artist is gay, you know that the context of which they’re singing is going to be inherently gay.

And I think what’s beautiful about that is that it doesn’t deter anyone from listening. That’s what I think is really important about gay artists being in the spotlight. 

I understand the plight of an artist singing a song and not using gendered pronouns because it can alienate some of their audience, but I’ve found success with using a gendered pronoun – but that’s my story. I’m curious about what the next step is and how to be an asset.”

Mary Lambert

 

First Look At Queen Latifah As Queer Jazz Icon Bessie Smith

The first photos of Queen Latifah as jazz icon Bessie Smith in HBO’s Bessie have been release. The new Biopic focuses on Bessie Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into The Empress of the Blues and recounts her career successes, drinking problem and affairs with both men and women.

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Queen Latifah film will also stars Mo’Nique as Ma Rainey, and Bryan Greenberg as John Hammond, the Columbia Records rep who signed Smith, as well as Khandi Alexander,  Mike Epps, Oliver Platt and Charles S. Dutton. It’s being directed by queer filmmaker Dee Rees, whose lesbian coming-of- age film, Pariah, earned her critical acclaim in 2012.

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Latifah admits she was glad the film took more than two decades to get made.

“When the project came my way, I don’t think I had the life journey that went along with it. I got to live more of the blues.”

Queen Latifah

Bessie Smith was born in 1894 in Tennessee. Her career began in 1912 when she sang in a show with Ma Rainey. Her first recording, Downhearted Blues, established her as the most successful black vocalist of her time. More than any other performer, she was responsible for introducing the blues to mainstream of American.

She recorded regularly until 1928, touring both the North and the South, and appearing in the 1929 film St. Louis Blues. The Great Depression of the 1930’s was tough on the recording and entertainment industry, and Smith’s career went into a decline. Matters weren’t helped by her increasingly frequent episodes of binge drinking. She made her last recording in 1933. After a three year hiatus in performing, she again began to appear in clubs and shows, but died before another recording session could be arranged. In all, she made over two hundred recordings, including some famous duets with Louis Armstrong.

It was commonly asserted that Ma Rainey introduce Bessie Smith to saphic love, though there is no hard evidence for this. What is known is the Smith frequently got into trouble with her jealous second husband, Jack Gee, over her affairs with women such as Lillian Simpson, a chorus girl in Smith’s touring show, Harlem Frolics. Like Rainey, Smith sang songs with explicit lesbian content such as It’s Dirty But Good from 1930.

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Bessie debuts Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m. on HBO.

Oscar Talk | Tegan and Sara Rock All Black At The Oscars

We really loved the look Tegan and Sara opted for at last nights Oscars. The rock duo went for an all black matching ensembles for the red carpet: one a black tuxedo suit and the other a chic black dress, respectively. Perfectly complementary. 

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Twin sisters, Tegan and Sara, were at the oscars to perform the song Everything Is Awesome, from The Lego Movie. The song was one of five tunes nominated for the Best Original Song award – and they pulled off a fantastic spot, lightening the mood and making the audience smile, with Andy Samberg’s comedy-music troupe The Lonely Island. Dancers even handed out Lego Oscars to Oprah, Steve Carell and other stars – an epic Oscars collaboration that will make the history books.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlUIYw6RbXU

 

Icon, Feminist, and Humanitarian, Lesley Gore Dies, Aged 68

Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, died Monday, of lung cancer at New York University Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. She was 68.

The Brooklyn-born and New Jersey-raised, hit-maker singer / song-writer, topped the charts in 1963 at age 16 with her epic song of teenage angst, It’s My Party, and followed it up with the hits Judy’s Turn to Cry, and the epic anthem You Don’t Own Me. 

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Her other hits include She’s A Fool, Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows, That’s the Way Boys Are and Maybe I Know.

Her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson said

“She was a wonderful human being — caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian.”

Lois Sasson

Gore was discovered by Quincy Jones as a teenager and signed to Mercury Records. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in English/American literature.

She officially came out to the public when she hosted several episodes of the PBS series, In The Life, which dealt with gay and lesbian issues.

During the 2012 presidential campaign, Gore turned You Don’t Own Me into an online video public service announcement demanding reproductive rights which starred Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson, among others.

In the last few years, she performed at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency in New York and, along with Ronnie Spector and LaLa Brooks, headlined the She’s Got the Power concert outdoors at Lincoln Center in 2012.

In addition to Sasson, Gore is survived by her brother and mother, Ronny. Services will be held on Thursday at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home on Madison Avenue.

Texas And Sharleen Spiteri To Headline Manchester Pride

Manchester Pride organisers have announced that Texas, fronted by legendary singer Sharleen Spiteri, will headline this year’s event.

The singer is big LGBT ally and massive lesbian icon, with her songs have been featured in The L Word, and used as the title track to 90s US sitcom Ellen in which she made a cameo.

Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, Mark Fletcher, said:

“2015 marks the 25th anniversary of events celebrating LGBT life in Manchester across the August Bank Holiday weekend. It’s an incredibly special year and the Manchester Pride year-round events calendar will reflect this important anniversary.

“We look forward to welcoming thousands of people to the City over the Big Weekend as we continue with our fundraising aims to raise as much as possible for the various organisations that we support.”

Mark Fletcher

This year also marks Texas’ 25 years anniversary. They first burst onto the music scene in 1989 with I Don’t Want A Lover.

Rosie O’Donnell Posts Video To Explain Her Reasons For Leaving The View

Over the weekend, we learned that Rosie O’Donnell was leaving The View, and today she has posted a video to explain her reasons for leaving, and her reasons for not discuss her departure on The View this Monday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJJEIOC36S8

The talk show host previously confirmed via her publicist that she had split from her wife of nearly three years, Michelle Rounds.

“I can confirm that Rosie and her wife Michelle split in November. Rosie has teens and an infant at home that need her attention. This has been a very stressful situation. She is putting her personal health and family first. 

ABC has been wonderfully understanding and supportive of her personal decision to leave The View. Next week will be her last.”

Via the recent video, Rosie confirmed that the decision for her leaving has everything to do with her health and lowering her stress level.

“The truth is I had a heart attack two years ago and stress is very bad for heart attack survivors. You should minimize your stress, maximize your exercise and control your diet. That’s what you need to do for a healthy heart. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m minimizing my stress by leaving The View

There’s lots of stuff going on at home and there’s lots of stuff going on at work. And the only thing I can really control is the work, by leaving. I can turn that volume all the way down to zero and just focus on what I need to focus on, which is my health and my family.”

Rosie O’Donnell

Her final day as full-time co-host will be on Thursday.

Jodie Foster Discusses Need For More Female Directors In Hollywood

Jodie Foster is no stranger to the limelight but while many know her for her incredible acting talents (she’s won two Oscars during her career) or her sexuality (she officially came out during a speech at the 2013 Golden Globes) she’s also a director.

Foster has directed episodes for Netflix’s prison dramedy Orange is the New Black and political thriller House of Cards, work which saw her receive Emmy and Director’s Guild Award nominations.

But as a female director who has had her work recognised, Foster is one of few. Hollywood has a serious problem with the representation of women in front of the camera (roles are not substantial, female characters don’t get fair treatment and women often play second fiddle to men) but there’s also a massive issue with the treatment of women behind the camera too. For example, only four women have ever been nominated for the Best Director Oscar and only one (Kathryn Bigelow, who directed The Hurt Locker) has ever won.

With stats like that it’s no wonder that so many women choose not to go into the profession – would you want to do work and then be consistently overlooked for awards, just because of your gender? Jodie Foster feels that it’s time for change and now, she’s spoken out.

Accepting the Laura Ziskin Lifetime Achievement Award at the Athena Film Festival last week, Foster explained that:

“When I was growing up in the film business, I never saw a woman’s face. Sometimes it was the lady who played my mom. Or occasionally it would be a makeup artist. But most often it would really just be me and the script supervisor. And little by little, as time went on, a few female faces started coming onto crews. And it changed everything. There aren’t enough women directors and hopefully that will change. And perhaps that will change with this next generation.”

Jodie Foster

One of the main reasons why people have called for more female directors isn’t just because of equality but because having more female directors can change the sorts of media we see. For example, if a female director is at the helm of a project, the movie or TV show is a lot less likely to be biased against its female characters and we’ll find ourselves less and less frustrated with portrayals of women that paint us all as ‘bitches’ or ‘sluts’.

Furthermore, we would also be gifted with media that comes from other perspectives. We have lots of stereotypically ‘macho’ movies at the box office, but wouldn’t it be nice to see that same story with a twist? Wouldn’t it be nice to see more varied stories at the box office other than the various heroes of The Avengers in various world-saving scenarios?

More diversity is never a bad thing so as Jodie Foster herself said, hopefully this will change soon.

Maybelline Ambassador, Ruby Rose Addresses The stereotype That Lesbians Don’t Wear Makeup

Ruby Rose has been the face of Maybelline since 2010. Yet, despite the fact that we’re living in the 21st century, the she is still faced with unnecessary stereotypes about her sexuality and looks.

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Speaking to Daily Mail last week, the out model addressed the stereotype that lesbians don’t wear make-up, simply saying:

“I feel like the stereotype that lesbians don’t wear makeup, it’s not true. There’s probably as many lesbians that don’t wear make-up as straight girls that don’t wear makeup.

Some people are into it, some people aren’t and I think everyone wears some part of makeup, it’s just how much they play with it and explore with it.”

Ruby Rose

Ruby joined Maybelline as an ambassador in 2010, bringing her signature look to the brand. To show her appreciation and dedication, early last year the ink addict tattooed Maybelline’s signature tagline ‘maybe she’s born with it’ onto her collarbone.

She is currently fronting Maybelline’s new Make Your Mark campaign.

“I got kind of emotional about it because it’s such a special campaign to me and it’s really about more than cosmetics or make-up, it’s about the individual and making your mark.”

Ruby Rose

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Ruby is also set to play inmate Stella Carlin on in the third season of the hit series, Orange is the New Black. And if the rumours are correct, she will get in between Alex Vause, played by Laura Prepon, and Piper Chapman, portrayed by Taylor Schilling.

The World’s First Latina Supermodel Patricia Velasquez Comes Out in New Memoir – Straight Walk

In her new memoir Straight Walk, Patricia Velasquez,who starred as Marina’s big screen alter ego Karina on The L Word, recounts her impoverished childhood, her time in the intensely challenging South American beauty-pageant system, and admits what she had denied or played coy about in the past was the fact she’s a lesbian.

Seem as the world’s first Latina supermodel, Velasquez was discovered as a teen and went on to compete in the 1989 Miss Venezuela pageant. But compete for Miss Venezuela was not an easy task, she was told she had her eyes done, her ears pinned back and got breast implants. She agreed only to the latter. She also starved herself on a strict diet of chicken and tomato juice and was required to find a sponsor. In other words, Velasquez writes, “I would have to start prostituting myself.”

She hooked up with an older man she identifies only as David. In exchange for sex, he got Velasquez an apartment and paid for her cosmetic surgery. She placed second in the Miss Venezuela pageant, and her modeling career took off.

She modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue and made it on the big screen in The Mummy franchise.

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However, her life changed when she met comedienne Sandra Bernhard backstage at a fashion show.

Velasquez says didn’t know who Bernhard was — even though the comic was rumored to be with Madonna back then — but says she felt an instant connection.

Bernhard invited Velasquez to her hotel, and the two hooked up. “I’d never kissed a girl”, Velasquez writes, and she agonized over what this meant.

Soon after meeting and falling for Bernhard, she slept with a male fashion photographer.

“In my head I thought, ‘I just wanted to prove one thing, and I did’. There was no middle ground for me — a person was gay or not gay. Being gay was not for me.”

Patricia Velasquez

Yet she quickly began dating Bernhard exclusively, without declaring herself gay or bisexual.

“I was deeply in love with Sandra in a way I’d never experienced before.”

Patricia Velasquez

The model doesn’t get into the details of her relationship with Bernhard — or their clique, which included Madonna, party girl Ingrid Casares and nightclub owner Chris Paciello, who was famously convicted of murder in 2000. Of the relationship’s end, she writes only, “I cried for two years over Sandra.”

Velasquez slowly came out to her family, each member supportive. But she also felt compelled to come out in a book, mainly because there’s so much prejudice that remains in the Latin community.

“I want to at least start a dialogue. The tide is changing.”

Patricia Velasquez

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Mary Lambert Discusses ‘Same Love’, And Gay Rights

Singer-Songwriter Mary Lambert is known for collaborating with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on’Same Love’. She has gone on to release a solo EP “Welcome to the Age of My Body.”

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In interview with ABC News she had the following to say ‘Same Love’…

“I knew that I wanted the chorus to speak to a universal truth.  There were a lot of thoughts I had when I was writing the song, and one of them was ‘How can I end homophobia?’”

Mary Lambert

‘Same Love’ quickly took off as an anthem for marriage equality and gay rights.

“If you depict a real relationship or the beauty of attraction or first love – that resonates with anybody.  But if you are constantly shoving down people’s throats, this idea that lesbians only roll around in lingerie, instead of like, you know lay around and watch Netflix and eat Cheez-Its together…  As soon as the exoticism goes away, then you’re stripped down with a real human element and that’s love and I wanted to create something that … fit that vision of first love.”

Mary Lambert

Mary Lambert’s musical style blends spoken word poetry with piano and traditional vocals. Through her music she’s explores dark subject matters, like abuse and suicide.

“Coming out of my late teens into my early 20s, there was a lot that still needed to be processed in terms of abuse and trauma.  And even when I’m in a really great, steady and stable place … I’m clinically bipolar, so that always exists — a darkness always exists.”

Mary Lambert

She feels that the new album covers a different range of emotions and topics than her previous songs and poems due to the whirlwind year of success that she’s had.

“My life is going at the speed of light, so it’s a lot of just trying … to be present in each moment … Giving each situation and each part of life that space and making sure that it’s sacred in every aspect. I’ve had an incredible year so the music will undoubtedly reflect that.”

Mary Lambert

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GQ’s ‘Woman Of The Year’ is Rightly Given to Tilda Swinton

Brit-born actress, Tilda Swinton, has had an amazing year – featuring in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Snowpiercer and Only Lovers Left Alive.

However, her best role in 2014 was the same one she’s been reprising for the past fifty-four years: herself. And to honour this GQ magazine has just revealed her as their ‘Woman Of The Year’.

“I don’t really look like people in films; I look like people in paintings.”

Tilda Swinton

Swinton has honed her own signature when it comes to fashion and acting. Her androgynous beauty allows her to play everything from a Caravaggio muse to winter snow Queens.

Her fashion choices (like her movie roles) tend to stray from the Hollywood norm. From menswear-inspired pieces, to strong architectural details, and this is why the actress is key candidate for 2014’s most original and visionary women.

Here, we pick our favourite Swinton fashion moments of 2014.

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Lady Gaga Discusses Her ‘Gay Beginnings’ LGBT Activism in New Interview

A good many people around the world know of the name ‘Lady Gaga’. Tipped as the equally as blonde, equally as Italian and equally as talented version of Madonna, the singer has made her name with both her outlandish fashion choices and her incredibly catchy, chart topping hits.

But in the LGBT community she is also known for her activism. Once coming out as bisexual (before scuttling back into the closet, announcing during Atlanta Pride that she is ‘straight’), she set up the LGBT friendly ‘Born This Way Foundation’ charity and it’s for these reasons that Lady Gaga has long been regarded as an LGBT ally.

It makes sense then that she’s continuously asked about her impact on the LGBT community, but even before she became vocal about LGBT rights her music label reportedly thought that she was ‘too gay’.

Speaking on French TV show “C à Vous”, the singer explained that

“I was told you’re too gay, you dance too gay, your clothes are too gay, everything is too gay and I told them, well there are homosexuals in the world and you know my intentions with my music is not to make money or be famous.”

Lady Gaga

While it’s unclear what her label meant exactly by ‘too gay’ (surely good pop music and sequinned leotards are universal?) but it is very apparent that Lady Gaga isn’t interested in how mainstream music perceives her.

And, on the topic of her music, she also added that

“My intention is to spread love. My whole intention… in every song, in every concert I talk about it, you know. It is beautiful, these images, these two boys who express their love for each other and are equal but if you think about the gay community of the older generation who did not grow up like that, who suffered, some has no money, some did not work, they didn’t have the same opportunities in the 50’s, 70’s than now.”

Lady Gaga

Spreading love is wonderful, we can’t argue with that, but arguably there are allies a little bit better than Lady Gaga. She has come under fire for racism regarding some of her songs and fashion choices (her song ‘Burqa’ and her use of blackface are just two examples), her use of trans slurs are less than admirable and she also refers to gay people as “the gays” which understandably doesn’t sit right with lots of people.

Nonetheless, I can’t really argue with that quote about spreading love so let’s hope she decides to do that albeit in a less offensive way in the future.

Love her, Love this – Dolly Parton Calls Out Christians for ‘Judging’ the LGBT Community

In a recent interview and photo shoot with Billboard, Dolly Parton was asked about her Tennessee-based Dollywood amusement park and its appeal to churches and the LGBT community:

“It’s a place for entertainment, a place for all families, period. It’s for all that. But as far as the Christians, if people want to pass judgment, they’re already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody.”

Dolly Parton

She also talks about her gay following and why she thinks she’s become such an idol in the community’s eyes.

“They know that I completely love and accept them, as I do all people. I’ve struggled enough in my life to be appreciated and understood. I’ve had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself. I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love. I don’t think we should be judgmental. Lord, I’ve got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else. ”

Dolly Parton

Line-up Ladies – Sinead O’Connor Announces She Wants to Date Women Again

Sinead O’Connor recently revealed that she is now looking to date women as it “ain’t really working out” with men.

The Irish singer has given several different accounts of her sexuality in the past.

She came out in 2000, saying “I actually am a dyke,” before saying a year later “It was overcompensating of me to declare myself a lesbian.”

Then she said “I’m three-quarters heterosexual, a quarter gay. I lean a bit more towards the hairy blokes.” However, later said it’s “not accurate” to call her bisexual.

This week, the singer wrote on her blog:

“Having no joy anyway in the dating department. Dating site has thrown up f**k all. I’m not exactly a great prospect once they’ve googled me.

I changed my ‘I am seeking a’ to ‘woman’. Just to see if I have any better luck. I notice at shows and generally life its women who want to marry me and or ‘do’ me etc.

I been thinking for a few years anyway it ain’t really working out with men.  So we’ll see what happens.”

Sinead O’Connor

Dita Von Teese clarifies Her Sexuality to Huffington Post

Burlesque performer, designer and model Dita Von Teese joined HuffPost Live to talk a little about her past and in particluar how has dated both genders as well.

In this interview, Dita clarifies that she has ‘experimented’ in the past (“I thought it was cool”) but is “not a lesbian.” What about bisexual, Dita?


Dita Von Teese: ‘I’m Not A Lesbian’

Ani DiFranco New Album ‘Allergic to Water’ Due Oct. 14

The activist, feminist and songwriter, Ani Difranco, is poised to release her 20th full-length album, “Allergic to Water,” on Oct 14th on Righteous Babe Records – an independent label she started in 1990.

‘Allergic to Water’ started when Difranco was six months pregnant with her son, Dante (her second child). She then concluded the album six months after his birth.

The Album is blend genre – jazz, soul, folk and electronic elements, among other influences. It is moody and low key, intriguingly producing a Vinyl-sound via digital recording.

DiFranco has never been afraid to take chances nor speak (sing) her mind.

Speaking wit USA Today she said…

“We recorded it in two four-day sessions, one while I was six and a half months pregnant (I swear i can hear how my voice sounds different in those tracks), and one a year later while I was nursing a six month old. The songs come very much up out of that inward cocoon that a new baby creates and reflect the gifts and the strains of the journey. Because the new babe is so high-maintenance (Welcome to parenting a boy! say my knowing friends) I pretty much mixed and produced this one myself, after years of working very closely with my ace record-producing husband, Mike Napolitano.

Mostly I worked alone in headphones, in the wee hours, while my family slept. It was empowering but terrifying to have the buck stop with me again in terms of the mixes. The recordings are documents of my current touring band (recorded by Mike in our old Victorian house and also by Andy Taub at a nearby church in the Treme) just laying down the songs. Many also feature a couple of very choice special guests.

My killer band these days consists of bassist and composer Todd Sickafoose, who not only brings an always wonderful and unexpected counterpoint to my guitar with his bass playing, but is also my secret weapon in terms of production – overdubbing atmospherics and embellishments that add depth and color to the stories I tell.

My drummer is Terence Higgins, a New Orleans native, who brings that deeply funky pocket that makes me smile so wide, yet all-the-while listening through to the whole picture and really making music with his instrument, not just rhythms. Though most of Terence’s musical incarnations have him playing drum kit, this record really features his hand-percussion prowess – like the congas on See See See See, the Mardi Gras Indian style tambourine on Genie – he nailed it every time.

And speaking of New Orleans, the incredible Ivan Neville joins the band on a good number of these tunes and, like Todd, has a way of elevating and deepening (does that make sense?) the proceedings every time. Ivan sunk his funky footprint into the mud ofDithering and brought a steamy shimmer to Tr’w. he provides the perfect soulful response in Happy All the Time and rides shotgun to my guitar in the drag race ofCareless Words. I’m also quite psyched and fortunate that Ivan is going to join my band on tour this fall and help bring these songs to life on stage.

The other prominent and very special guest is violinist Jenny Scheinman, a long-time cohort of Todd’s and a more recent friend of mine. Jenny opened a bunch of shows for me last spring and we had such a blast hanging out and jamming together that I just had to get her on this new record. She joins the Greek chorus of my bullet-mic choir and also steps out and takes the lead in a few songs with her vivid and magical playing.

Beyond them, there is really just my friend and sometimes band member Mike Dillon playing triangle on one track, and Matt Perrine, a New Orleans sousaphonist at-large, plays a dang tuba solo on Harder Than It Needs To Be, cuz every country song needs a tuba (technically sousaphone) solo! Am I right?”

Ani Difranco