Tag Archives: Natasha Lyonne

7 Romantic Lesbian Movies For Your Next Date Night

Is it just me, or do most romantic movies ignore the fact that lesbians are a real thing?

Lesbian movies definitely exist, but they tend to be particularly low-budget (come on Hollywood, why?!) and therefore not well marketed.

They do exist, though – and some of them are quite good.

Here are some of my personal favorites. Look for them the next time you go looking for a new film for you and your love.


1. Better than Chocolate (1999) – Available on Netflix

Better than Chocolate tells the story of Maggie and Kim, a pair of lesbians in Canada. Kim is an artistic stud who is very out, while Maggie is an adorable femme who still hasn’t come out to her family yet.

Mayhem ensues when Maggie’s mom finds herself in the middle of a divorce and must come live with Maggie in her “spacious apartment” (that actually doesn’t exist).

Better than Chocolate

This movie explores a variety of different LGBT+ groups, including pansexuals and transgendered individuals, without sugar-coating the hardships they face. Definitely a must-watch.


2. But I’m a Cheerleader! (1999) – Available on Netflix

But I’m a Cheerleader! explores what goes on at a “gay recovery camp” called True Directions. Featuring stereotypical pink and blue colors and such highly-recognizable actors as Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, and even (arguably the biggest) gay icon, RuPaul, this movie is sure to make it into your favorites.
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What’s even better is that there’s actually a beautiful coming-out story hidden amongst the campy (pun intended) agenda and the cheesy humor. You’ll find yourself falling in love with the characters and caring deeply about how their individual stories turn out. (Plus, Natasha Lyonne… How can you not love it?)

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3. Imagine Me & You (2005) – Available on Netflix

Ok, this one might not exactly fall in the lesbian category, as it deals with a woman (played by Piper Perabo) who begins to question her sexuality at her wedding – to a man.

While this may be considered damaging as it hinges on the stereotype of bisexual women being unable to remain faithful in their relationships, it does explore the segment of the gay community who didn’t imagine that they even could be gay until that one person came along and changed their mind.

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Piper Perabo and Lena Headey give a stellar performance, and their on-screen chemistry is phenomenal. (As a side note, the first time I watched this movie, I was on an 8-hour plane ride with my father… Before I came out. Pretty awkward.)

Imagine Me & You


4. The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love (1995) – Available on Netflix

Those who watch(ed) The L Word may recognize one of the main characters in this movie as a much-younger Tina Canard – it’s our very own Laurel Holloman, who seems such a good fit to play this young woman.

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After falling in love with someone who comes from an entirely different background, Randy (Holloman) finds herself rising above her circumstances in order to chase her true love.

It’s definitely a stereotypical lesbian love story, but that’s not a bad thing when you’re trying to cuddle with your lady, right?

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5. Loving Annabelle (2006) – Available on Netflix

Loving Annabelle takes a different approach; this movie tells the scandalous story of a teacher who falls in love with a troublemaker student. Set in a Catholic girls school, there is definitely a huge possibility of things going wrong here – and they definitely do! This isn’t your typical love story, for sure.

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This deals with not only the chaos that is present in most homosexual relationships, but also the particular mayhem that occurs when a teacher falls in love with one of their students. Give it a watch if you’re looking for a different type of drama in your life.


6. 5ive Girls (aka “Five Girls”; 2006) – Available on Netflix

Let me start by saying that this movie is nothing like what I expected it to be. (When you hear about five girls stuck together in a Catholic reform school, as a teenage lesbian, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you imagine there’s going to be a lot of sex. There’s not.) However, if you are a fan of horror movies, this one’s sure to catch your interest.

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Basically, these five troublemakers discover – after being locked into the school – that they have the powers necessary to beat an evil demon that seeks to take their souls. Oh, and one of the girls is actually gay, so that’s a slight perk. Even though it’s not what it sounds like, if you’re a fan of survival/supernatural horror, this movie is definitely going to send you into the arms of your lady for some much-needed “baby-I’m-scared” cuddling.


7. Chasing Amy (1997) – Available on Netflix

“Chasing Amy” tells a different side of the story – what happens when a straight man falls in love with a lesbian, despite constantly being informed that she had no interest in men?

Well, a lot, apparently. Those who don’t feel that sexuality is fluid might be somewhat offended by this movie, as it operates in the principle that our sexuality is ultimately a conscious decision.

Chasing Amy

However, director Kevin Smith touches on these subjects gracefully, and actually explains quite well that there are certain criteria in place for these sexually-fluid points in our lives. If you approach it with an open mind, this movie is actually a bit romantic, although that’s definitely not its main intention.


Overall, these movies represent just a small portion of the movies out there that are made for lesbians (and technically the last two don’t even count as lesbian movies). However, they all warrant checking out, and all are available on Netflix (my search only turned up DVD rentals, but you may be able to find them online through other sources as well).

Is there a lesbian movie you think I’ve left out? Let me know in the comments and I will try to check it out!

3 Lesbian Films That Break the Mold

Most lesbian films follow a simple formula:

One straight girl + one mysterious queer woman + a shadowy male authority figure representing the patriarchy + cute scenes set to indie music = a top spot in Netflix’s LGBT movie section.

But some lesbian films are breaking the mold. They manage to still be cute enough to watch with your girlfriend on a date night, but unpredictable enough to keep you interested. Let’s look at the top 3.

Kiss Me (2011)

To be honest, this movie’s a little melodramatic, and it does stick to a tried-and-true format. A girl (Mia) is engaged to a man but falls in love with a carefree, dangerous woman (Frida). Antics ensue.

What makes it different: At the same party where Mia announces that she’s going to marry her boyfriend, her father announces that he’s getting married, too – to the woman who turns out to be Frida’s mother. Yes, the two women are about to become stepsisters. This movie is the definition of family drama.


But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

Everyone knows that cheerleaders always date popular male jocks. That’s just what they’re supposed to do. But something is wrong with head cheerleader Megan: Everyone seems to know that she’s gay except her. Her parents send her to conversion camp where she ends up, predictably, falling in love with the “bad boy” lesbian.

What makes it different: This movie is delightfully cheesy. It’s satire. This hilarious film pokes fun at all of the lesbian stereotypes of the 90s, many of which hold true today. Plus, see Natasha Lyonne before she made her Orange is the New Black debut as Nicky Nichols.

Kissing Jessica Stein (2001)

Heterosexual Jessica is tired of being heterosexual. She answers a newspaper ad for a bisexual woman looking for a girlfriend (Helen). The two women date, and Jessica spends months agonizing over whether she’s actually queer. The ending is happy. And then it’s not. No spoilers.

What makes it different: Bisexuality. It’s rarely addressed in lesbian films – both women are usually lesbians, even if one woman doesn’t know that at the start of the film. But Kissing Jessica Stein actually addresses the nuances of bisexuality.

If you’re not familiar with the nuances, here you go:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUDab9piv_U

Natasha Lyonne Talks Being A Lesbian Icon, Who Is “Straight”

In an interview with The New York Times, Natasha Lyonne was asked about being a lesbian icon, who is straight.

I never want to feel like I’m taking ownership of an experience that’s not my own. But it seems like a lot of the female experience is in response to men. And when I play a lesbian character, it means that she’s on her own ride. I love men. I want to sleep with as many as possible. But I don’t want my whole life, and certainly my creative experience, to be in response to always just being “the girl.” Like, who needs it?”

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But she does go on to say she has slept with women,

Mind you, when I say I’m not gay, it doesn’t mean that I’ve never tried sleeping with women. Of course I have. I’m not a dumb-dumb.”

So a not-so-straight lesbian icon then.

Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Lea DeLaria & Lena Dunham Unveil ‘Revolution’ Video Supporting Hillary Clinton

Grassroots organization Humanity for Hillary created the #ThisIsWhatMyRevoultionLooksLike clip to promote electing more women into public office.

Natasha Lyonne, Taylor Schilling, Clea DuVall, Uzo Aduba, Lea DeLaria, Lena Dunham, Rosie Perez and Sally Kohn, and a host of other actors filmed the video supporting Hillary Clinton and highlighting the need to elect more women to public office.

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The video never mentions the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee by name, but talks about the importance of voting and having the government more closely resemble the gender breakdown of America.

The actors, poets and artists describe what their revolution looks like, emphasizing equal pay, paid family leave, protecting the right to choose and having more women in leadership roles. “Join our revolution,” implores Aduba.

In a statement, the video creator and  co-founder Humanity for Hillary, Laura Dawn explained

As a 13-year veteran and passionate member of the progressive movement, I was aghast to see decades-old false attacks on Hillary Clinton echoed by young progressives. I researched every single attack on the former Secretary and emerged more confident than ever that she absolutely deserves to be the first woman president of this country. I believe that Hillary Clinton will be a fantastic president, and electing her is a paradigm shifting act that will foster new levels of women running for office and winning.”

Dunham added

I participated in this video because this is the most essential election of our lifetime, and I believe that electing more women is a true revolutionary action. If you believe in equality for women, LGTBQ, people of color and immigrants then there is only one choice this November — Hillary Clinton.”


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‘Parks And Recreation’ Star Aubrey Plaza Comes Out As Bisexual

Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza (and long-time fave of the queer community) has just come out as queer herself.

Well… perhaps ‘come out’ is the wrong word. It doesn’t appear to have been a secret, more than Aubrey confirmed herself as queer in a recent interview with The Advocate.

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The actress was also asked about her role as a lesbian character in 2015 film Addicted to Fresno, saying the role was “less about pretending to be a lesbian and more about portraying a human being with a massive crush on Natasha Lyonne’s character.”

Natasha’s a friend, and she called me up, like, ‘Do you want to come do a movie and make out with me?’ I have a major crush on her in real life, so it was fun.”

And then, when asked if women ever come on to her, she said:

Oh, yeah. I don’t mind. I know I have an androgynous thing going on, and there’s something masculine about my energy. Girls are into me – that’s no secret. Hey, I’m into them too. I fall in love with girls and guys. I can’t help it.”

 

Having provided the voice for Grumpy Cat she added that the feline she is “definitely gay” and that “people just need to deal with it.”

12 More Queer Female Sex Scenes We’re Thankful For

Queer representation in films – it’s something we talk about a lot here, but we’re still amazed every time we come across an instance of “good” representation. Truthfully, it’s hard to judge what counts as “good” representation, because in every community there are going to be sub-communities of different opinions – and that’s part of what makes humanity so great.

Sex scenes, however, are a little easier to quantify. Are the women sexy? Are the women having “real” lesbian sex, instead of the male fantasy version? Well… That’s pretty much it. A good sex scene looks like inspiration for your own bedroom routine, or maybe it looks artistic and beautiful (in a more-than-skin-deep sort of way). Maybe we’re just drawn to the idea of writhing female bodies…

Whatever it is, we’ve decided to put together another list of female sex scenes that we loved. Are there more that we’re still missing? Feel free to let us know in the comments!


Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneu in Desert Hearts (1985)

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I’ll admit: I love artsy sex scenes. I also love happy endings, where the queer characters don’t end up dead or in a relationship with a man. Desert Hearts has both of these things, and that makes it especially great – especially since this movie came out in the 80s! (I’m recently discovering that there are more queer 80s movies than I thought there were, and that makes me so happy.) Shaver and Charbonneu play Cay and Viv, who actually have lovely, artistic, beautiful, and believable sex, and it stands as one of the most pivotal lesbian films of all time.


Maria de Medeiros and Uma Thurman in Henry and June (1990)

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Long before Pulp Fiction threw both actresses into the front lines of cinema, Medeiros and Thurman played the bisexual characters Anaïs and June in Henry and June. Okay, so it wasn’t that long before, but since I was only five months old when this movie came out, it seems like so much earlier. For those who love costume dramas (read: garters) and lesbian subplots, it’s so great to see these two women hooking up in such a taboo way. Sure, both women were married to men at the time, which is a stereotype we’d like to get away from, but hey… This one is based on a true story.


Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall in But I’m a Cheerleader! (1999)

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This is another one of my personal favorites – Natasha Lyonne as Megan is a completely believable representation of those of us who started off completely uncomfortable with our “not-normal sexuality”, but later came to terms and fully embraced every ounce of gay we could muster up. (That one can’t be just me.) Unlike the normal boarding school cliché, Lyonne and DuVall play lesbians forced to attend a conversion therapy camp – something that hits close to home for so many of us. Graham (played by DuVall) is the perfect bad girl to complement Lyonne’s good girl Megan. And then, they break the #1 rule of straight camp: Beautiful, passionate, homosexual sex.


Michelle Williams and Chloe Sevigny in If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)

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Those who are familiar with the first If These Walls Could Talk will undoubtedly be familiar with the second, and its glorious lesbian storylines. I know, not everyone was a fan of this movie, but the dapper (and gorgeous!) butch Amy (played by Sevigny) manages to seduce the young college student Linda (played by Williams)… After quite a bit of trying. Surely, there’s something special at play here, and while they weren’t the only lesbian couple in the movie (far from it!), their sex scene felt so real and so passionate that it’s hard to find another we like as much as this one.


Piper Perabo and Jessica Paré in Lost and Delirious (2001)

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However you might feel about the movie itself (because apparently there are a lot of people who really hated this movie), there’s no denying the fact that these two share a great on-screen chemistry and fully embody the scary, romantic, super awkward moments involved with your first (lesbian) love – including, of course, sharing a love scene. Plus, it takes place at a boarding school, which embodies something I think is most lesbians’ fantasy: The idea of going to an all-girl school, with Piper Perabo… No? Just me?


Naomi Watts and Laura Harring in Mulholland Drive (2001)

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I’m a huge fan of Naomi Watts, so the idea that she could, theoretically, play a lesbian/bisexual character makes me really excited – especially when there’s sex involved. Okay, so this one isn’t technically a sex scene. It’s a foreplay scene that’s wrapped up with some wit, some raw honesty, and a whole bunch of sensuality – it actually makes up for the fact that there was no actual “sex” here. And besides, there’s nothing wrong with foreplay – we should really be featuring more foreplay in our movies, so I’m just going to leave this one on the list.


Salma Hayek and Karine Plantadit in Frida (2002)

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Personally, this one checks off several of my go-to topics. Bisexual leading character(s)? Check. Historical fiction that’s based on real characters? Check. One of my favorite artists from the past? Definitely check. And Salma Hayek, arguably one of the sexiest women to ever grace the big screen… Big check. While Frida Kahlo (played here by Hayek) was rumored to have many lovers over the course of her life, I was slightly disappointed that she never hooked up with Ashley Judd’s character, despite the obvious sexual tension present… There was only one brief (but beautiful) lesbian sex scene in the movie, with a character referred to on the IMDB page as “Paris chanteuse” – played by Plantadit.


Rachel Stirling and Anna Chancellor in Tipping the Velvet (2002)

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Queer movies are still fairly new to the visibility they so greatly deserve. But queer movies based on queer books? Even less visible. Of course, Sarah Waters’ books are part of a very small list of exceptions – and Tipping the Velvet gives an incredible look at the wonderful meshing of historical fiction with an awesome queer storyline. Oh, and there’s a dildo-sex scene that was probably the most risqué view of lesbian life to be shown on television in those days before The L Word. The movie chronicles “male impersonators” in London at the end of the 19th century, and we get to see Nan (played by Stirling) pleasuring her new sugar mama, Diana (played by Chancellor). It’s probably not the dirtiest sex scene out there, but for a TV movie in the early 2000s, this was pretty racy.


Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen in Saving Face (2004)

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What do you get when you mix cultural differences, romantic love stories, and the awkwardness of having your pregnant mom move in with you? Saving Face explores the intersection of these three usually-separated topics in a way that feels so real, and simultaneously so surreal. It’s not often that you really can have both, but Krusiec and Chen do such a wonderful job that you can feel the sexual tension through the screen – and you’re just as “relieved” as they are when they finally get to business.


Erin Kelly and Diane Gaidry in Loving Annabelle (2006)

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Ah, that forbidden student-teacher romance, at… Wait, is this another boarding school movie? It sure is! I’m sensing maybe I’m not the only one who’s thought about this type of fantasy. Or, maybe it’s a fantasy because of all these awesome queer movies set in boarding schools. Either way, Annabelle (played by Kelly) and her teacher Simone (played by Gaidry) are electric together – and may possibly have ignited that other fantasy of getting it on with your hot teacher. Never personally had that one, myself, but most of my teachers were old, married, and men, so maybe that’s it.


Julianne Moore and Amanda Seyfried in Chloe (2009)

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First of all, for those of you who haven’t seen it yet, this movie is seriously twisted, and probably one of my favorites. (It’s also the first movie I saw either of these lovely actresses play a bisexual character.) Anyway, it’s questionable as to whether Chloe (played by Seyfried) ever actually seduced Catherine’s husband, but we do know that she seduced Catherine (played by Moore) and it was completely intense. The entire movie is intense. I’m sure not everyone will like the portrayal of a bisexual character as a raging psychopath, but to me, it feels real. Not because bisexuals are psychopaths, of course, but because sometimes, the crazies are the ones you’d least expect.


Heather Graham and Diane Farr in About Cherry (2012)

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For those who really aren’t into that floaty, artistic, gorgeously romantic sex stuff, About Cherry offers a different side of things – the dirty, gritty, opposite-side-of-passion that exists between Graham’s Margaret and her estranged wife Jillian (played by Farr). As much as I’ve loved Ashley Hinshaw (who plays the titular character) and wish she would have gotten some girl-on-girl action in this movie, sadly, she doesn’t – but it’s still nice to see lesbians getting freaky without it being over-feminized. Plus, who doesn’t love Heather Graham playing a queer character? I can’t get enough!

Natasha Lyonne Stars in Dark Comedy Film ‘Addicted to Fresno’

Natasha Lyonne is one actor who has a huge LGBTQ fanbase. Lyonne is perhaps best known for playing gay inmate Nicky Nichols in Netflix’s hit show Orange is the New Black but in 1999 she also starred in iconic queer movie But I’m a Cheerleader.

In this, Lyonne played Megan, a teenager sent to camp after her friends and family suspect her of being a lesbian.

But I’m a Cheerleader is also the first time that Lyonne worked with out queer director Jamie Babbit. So, with that film having played such an important part in the scope of LGBTQ media (it’s right up there with Imagine Me and You and The L Word) plenty will be glad to hear that Babbit and Lyonne have teamed up again for the new dark comedy film, Addicted to Fresno.

In Addicted to Fresno, Lyonne once again plays a lesbian, this time as a housekeeper named Martha. Martha mostly has her life together, she has a job in a hotel and she has a love interest, Kelly (played by Aubrey Plaza), who is also her personal trainer.

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Things completely get turned upside down then when her sex addict sister Shannon (played by Judy Greer) rolls into town needing help because she’s just been fired from her job after having slept with a whole bunch of people.

Things don’t quieten down after that as Martha graciously gets Shannon a job with her at the hotel but it’s not long before Shannon manages to kill someone.

Think it’s as easy as ditching the body and burning it in the woods, How To Get Away With Murder style? Sadly not as the sisters then need to come up with $25,000 in three days to make sure that pet cemetery owners Gerald (played by Fred Armisen) and Ruby (played by Allison Tolman) stay quiet about the murder.

Hilarious hijinks and plenty of racy humour ensue as they go on a robbery spree to find the money.

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Addicted to Fresno‘s madcap comedy stylings have been praised plenty following its September 3rd premiere and although the romance between Martha and Kelly has been described as a little bit “awkward” by some outlets, that’s a highlight too.

Addicted to Fresno is available now from iTunes and Amazon and it will be in theatres from October 2nd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdwP1eF8sgU

Natasha Lyonne Discusses the Fate of OITNB’s Nicky Nichols

In my eyes Orange Is the New Black season 3 hit a bum-note, when in three episodes in Nicky Nichols (Natasha Lyonne) was dragged off to maximum security for helping bring heroin to Litchfield and never returned.

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Now, this certainly made sense for her character’s offense, but here’s the thing – Natasha Lyonne is one of the reasons we love the show. She plays one of the best characters and she was suddenly totally gone. Never to be seen again.

During Orange Is the New Black‘s 2015 Summer TCA press tour panel, Lyonne fielded questions about her fate in season four like a pro, refusing to give any spoilers away to the room of reporters who wouldn’t stop trying to get any hints about her future.

Natasha told E!

“I was excited [about Nicky’s season three story]. We have an incredible puppet master in [showrunner] Jenji [Kohan] and there’s a great deal of trust that I have in that. I’m pretty much a person who is up for adventure and I thought it was wise to have there be a big consequence for Nicky’s playing around with heroin. It can’t all be fingering and cookies all the time. There’s going to be hell to pay at a certain point for playing with her personal fire.

I think it makes sense and I think that the stakes of the show and the reason it resonates and continues to is ultimately because of this underlying intensity to the fact that these people have lost their freedom and are up against themselves behind these walls. I think it’s a good thing to have major characters suffer major consequences. Otherwise, I think it might be a little bit too friendly and it loses some of its bite.”

Lets hope Nicky makes it back to Litchfield in season 4. Litchfield just isn’t the same without her!

Better Visibility: 8 Reasons Why We’re Excited For This Years Outfest

Things are looking good in the world of Queer cinema. Last month’s gay marriage victory was celebrated as a win for not only the nation’s LGBTs, but for Americans who believe everyone deserves equal rights under the law.

One major factor in burgeoning acceptance stems from the new millennium’s explosion of LGBTs in the media; by shining a spotlight on the humanity of gay individuals – and not just what they do in the bedroom – the once-ostracised demographic has become more relatable to mainstream America.

Outfest, is one of America’s oldest queer film festivals. Its started last Thursday but runs for more than a week.


Addicted to Fresno

Judy Greer, Natasha Lyonne, and Aubrey Plaza star in this dark comedy from director Jamie Babbit (But I’m a Cheerleader). Greer plays a sex addict who joins her sister (Lyonne) on a hotel housekeeping staff. We’re hoping the film will cement Greer’s leading lady capabilities; if nothing else, it will be a satisfying corrective to recent blockbusters (Jurassic World, for example) in which her immense talent is stifled by the bit parts she’s given.


Tig

Tig, the documentary chronicling lesbian comedienne Tig Notaro’s battle with cancer. “It’s really remarkable to go from a time when you’re not even sure if you’re going to live, several times, and then to have a movie made about my life, and live to see it,” said Notaro. Not only is our favorite sapphic funny gal living, but after seeing the film, we’re living for her.


Jenny’s Wedding

This family dramedy starring Katherine Heigl and Alexis Bledel is making its world premiere at Outfest before it hits theatres and VOD. Heigl plays Jenny, a woman who lives with her girlfriend, but has yet to come out to her family. When she finally does and begins to plan her wedding, tensions surface within her family. Will love conquer all? (Probably.)


A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile and The Cult of JT LeRoy

These two documentaries both unpack prominent hoaxes that rocked their respective communities. “Gay Girl in Damascus” was the popular blog of a Syrian lesbian commenting on the 2011 Syrian uprising. JT LeRoy was a literary rock star whose past stayed shrouded in mystery. Both of them were elaborate personas put on by straight people. With these films, we can learn the full and strange stories behind the deceptions.


Bare

This little gem stars Dianna Agron as a Sara, a young women stuck in a small town with few options, is at the top of my list of queer films this season. Agron nails the melancholy of this coming-of-age film, which is beautifully shot and directed. Sara’s romance with Paz de la Huerta‘s Pepper is intriguing and certainly pushes the norms of what we’ve become accustom to in lesbian/bisexual films.


Portrait of a Serial Monogamist

Written and directed by Christina Zeidler and John Mitchell. This is a story of a forty-something lesbian, and accomplished breakup artist, who leaves her long-standing girlfriend to pursue a younger woman, only to be haunted by memories of the past, and the growing realisation that she may have broken up with the love of her life.


While You Weren’t Looking

This South Africa drama features the stories of a married queer couple, and their daughter and her new butch girlfriend. Dealing with issues of infidelity, classism, race and family, the film is a fascinating look into the lives of these very complex women.


Stuff

Married couple Deb and Trish have it all…or do they? The spark of romance has been replaced by the everyday hustle and bustle of raising a family, and their marriage is starting to fray at the seams. When Deb becomes attracted to another mom at her children’s school, the drama really starts to unfold.

‘Orange is the New Black’ Response to Sexist Interviewer Deserves a Standing Ovation (Video)

In an ideal world, reporters would stop objectifying actresses altogether. But alas, it is an age-old problem in we witness every day.

This week, Orange is the New Black stars Uzo Aduba, Natasha Lyonne and Samira Wiley, shut down Brazilian reporter Rafael Cortez when he asked a series of bizarre questions.

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Lyonne and Wiley were asked whether as beautiful women, it’s hard to act.

Wiley responded:

I think there are some stereotypes maybe, that women are, you know, very catty on set with each other, but that doesn’t really happen on our set.”

While Lyonne said:

I feel like it’s accidentally maybe a little bit misogynistic, because it’s like “You’re so beautiful! What’s it like having to do all that acting?” I can’t tell if that’s the question, but if it is it’s insane.

Despite the great beauty on the show, everybody is, you know, professional and talented and very capable so I don’t think that anybody’s thinking about anything as meaningless as their beauty when they’re at work, or certainly at this show.”

Watch the interview below:

Natasha Lyonne to be the Next Beetlejuice?! Watch – Its Bloody Brilliant

Finally, the ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel we deserve. Michael Keaton is out, but ‘Funny Or Die’ has found a replacement.

Watch this clip starring Tim Burton’s ‘brother’ pitching Beetlejuice 2, with OITNB’s Natasha Lyonne as the infamous ghost.

The ‘Orange is the New Black‘ star shows us she’s spooky as hell. Watch as the new Beetlejuice finds her-self in new situations, and be thankful this isn’t actually a real pitch.

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Natasha Lyonne to Team up with Out Director Jamie Babbit in ‘Fresno’

Orange is the New Black Emmy nominee Natasha Lyonne, and Judy Greer are set for sisterly shenanigans in ‘Fresno’, which is the latest feature from out director Jamie Babbit.

The movie is about a lonely lesbian called Martha (Lyonne), whose sister Shannon (Greer), is a sex addict with no impulse control and a long history of poor decisions. They both end up in Fresno cleaning hotel rooms, when they accidentally kill a guest, and are forced to confront their unpleasant co-dependent relationship.

Jamie BabbitThe film reunites Lynonne with Babbit. Jamie Babbit, who is an out gay woman herself, has had an incredibly successful career as a film and television director. She directed lesbian films such as But I’m A Cheerleader, Itty Bitty Titty Committee and Breaking the Girls; and has worked on TV shows including The L Word, Pretty Little Liars, Married, Gilmore Girls, Rizzoli and Isles, and Drop Dead Diva.

Babbit has garnered SXSW and Sundance awards for her film work. She recently directed two episodes of FX’s new comedy series Married, which Greer stars on opposite Nat Faxon, Jenny Slate, and Brett Gelman.

‘Fresno’ was scripted by Community and Portlandia writer Karey Dornetto and is produced by Babbit’s longtime producer Andrea Sperling. Filming is set to begin next month.

#OITNBNews – Orange is the New Black up 12 Emmy Nominations & Laverne Cox Makes History

‘Orange is the New Black’ (#OITNB) has earned 12 nominations, behind Game of Thrones’ 19 nominations and fellow Netflix hit House of Cards’ 16.

Taylor Schilling was nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category, Kate Mulgrew was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and Natasha Lyonne, Uzo Aduba, and Laverne Cox were all nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category.

The show received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, Liz Friedman and Jenji Kohan earned a nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Jodie Foster was nominated in the Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.

Laverne Cox’s nomination marks the first time an openly transgender actress has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

In a statement to The Huffington Post, Laverne Cox said…

Today is truly a dream come true for me. Working on such an incredible show with such talented professionals has truly been the reward for me since we started shooting Oitnb 2 years ago. But this Emmy Nomination today is very welcomed and delicious icing on an already sumptuous cake. Thanks to the cast and crew of Orange for all the love and support, for your professionalism. Special shout out to Jodie Foster who directed the episode where we leaned Sophia’s back story and Sian Heder who wrote it and to all our writers, especially to Jenji Kohan. This recognition of 12 #EmmyNoms for your genius today is beyond well deserved. You are everything Jenji.

For my trans siblings, I love you so much. I share this nomination with you. May all of our stories be told with the depth of humanity the brilliant writers, cast, crew and our creator Jenji Kohan have shown with the portrayal of Sophia Burset. As I celebrate this day I can’t help but remember it is still a state of emergency for far too many trans people across this country right now. We need love, and support. We need public policy and our fellow citizens to value our lives and our humanity. Most of all we, ourselves need to value our lives. The more I treat my life as if it has value, the more the universe has been saying, “Yes Girl”

Laverne Cox

 

A Sneaky Peak at ‘Orange Is The New Black’ Season 2 To Get You in the Mood

Need a quick fix of ‘Orange Is The New Black’ before you head to Netflix and download the whole series – then take a look here. Its time to start #OITNB Season 2 binging pleasure.

Here are some new clips to get you through the final hours.


Piper and Alex Flashback

A flashback to Alex (Laura Prepon) and Piper’s past


Alex and Piper

Woooooo… another flashback to Alex and Piper’s past


Present Larry can’t Live on Hope

Larry (Jason Biggs) and Piper see each other for the first time since they broke up.


I Want to be Fierce

We love Red (Kate Mulgrew) – and here she is demanding to look Fierce.


Crazy Eyes and Watson

Need we say more…


Piper’s Fight Aftermath

An final Pipers fight aftermath…

 

Spotlight | Clea DuVall – too gay to be true

Since the late ’90s Clea DuVall has been one of Hollywood’s best known gay icons. This is mostly owing to her vast array of LGBTQ characters – so vast it’s hard to keep count. Let’s try.

All her queer acts

Here are the best known LGBTQ roles DuVall has played during her years in show business. She is indeed specialized in queer characters!

  1. Science fiction horror film The Faculty (1998) had DuVall as Stokes, a straight girl pretending to be gay.
  2. But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) was one of the most iconic teen comedies in the ’90s. Here, DuVall did a memorable role as a lesbian college girl Graham who falls in love while at a conversion therapy camp.
  3. In the HBO series Carnivàle (2003-2005) DuVall stepped into the shoes of a young tarot-card-reading girl Sofie with apparent queer tendencies.
  4. In another TV series Saving Grace (2007-2010) she pops up in the episode Looks Like a Lesbian Attack to Me. She plays a lesbian cop Mara, who finds her brother murdered.
  5. In American Horror Story: Asylum (2012-2013) DuVall had one of her most disturbing roles so far as she transformed into Wendy, a lesbian woman who snitches on her lover to save her own skin.

So, is Clea DuVall gay?

The list above begs the question: Is DuVall gay also in real life?

Long story short, we don’t know the answer, and it’s not our place to guess either. Some gossip magazines disagree with us, of course, and have tried to prove DuVall’s into girls. For example, Daily Mail’s creepy photographer apparently hid in the bushes to catch DuVall smooching with another girl in a sunny park – or as Daily Mail put it in the most childish manner conceivable: ”Clea DuVall shares lesbian kisses with female friend during day of passion.”

Urgh. Such a fine piece of journalism.

Whatever DuVall’s sexual preference is shouldn’t matter to us, as it is each celebrity’s personal choice how much they want to keep private and what they want to share. What does matter is that through her work DuVall has helped remove the stigma that homosexual roles still carried in the ’90s. Thank you Ms. DuVall!

5 Films from 1999 that Dawned a New Age for Queer and Lesbian Cinema

In the year 1999  the worlds population hit 6 billion. There was a raging war in the Balkans. And the world prepared for the new millennium and the ever so scary millennium bug, which was set to cause wide scale disruption.

However, despite all of that – 1999 was year for mainstream Queer and lesbian cinema made it a significant mark. And as a teenager (discovering my sexual orientation), these films provided me with blanket of knowledge, insight and understanding. So, here is KitschMix’s list of of lesbian hits of 1999.

Better Than Chocolate

This film had it all, and it felt real. A romantic comedy movie shot in Vancouver and directed by Anne Wheeler, the film was focused on 2 young lesbians – Maggie (Karyn Dwyer) and Kim (Christina Cox), who meet, start a passionate romance, and move in together all in the same day (I said it was real). These 2 are not the only focus though, the next things Maggie’s well-meaning but naive mother Lila and her brother join the household. Soon after, Lila is befriended by Judy, a transsexual about to undergo a sex-change operation. Complications ensue as the conservative Lila learns the truth about Maggie, Judy, and their diverse group of friends.

Aimée & Jaguar

This film was written and directed by Max Färberböck, and based upon Erica Fischer’s (de: Erica Fischer) book, chronicling the actual lives of Lilly Wust and Felice Schragenheim during that time period. It is 1943 as Allied bombs are pelting Berlin and Lilly Wust (Maria Schrader) is bringing up four children as her husband Gunther (Detlev Buck) is away fighting the war. When Lilly receives a love letter form an admirer who signs off as Jaguar she assumes it is from a man but is intrigued when she discovers that Felice Schragenheim (Maria Schrader) a local journalist is initiating the romance, a relationship forbidden in Germany, not just because it is a lesbian affair, but Felice is Jewish and works against Germany as a resistance fighter. The two women make a love pact and try to block out the anti-Jewish persecution of the Nazi movement, but their time is running out.

But I’m a Cheerleader

One of my favourite actress, Natasha Lyonne, stars in this film is unabashedly camp romantic comedy, But I’m a Cheerleader is the directorial debut of well-known out-filmmaker and screenwriter Jamie Babbit. It tells the story of a pretty high school cheerleader who is sent off to an ex-gay camp by her family. The conversion therapies used are awkward, and the technicolor sets and pervasive use of neon pink add an utter flamboyancy to the whole romp.

Memento Mori

Memento Mori was the second film in a loose series of Korean horror films, set in girls’ schools. It was also one of Korean first commercial films to depict lesbian characters. The film revolves around the relationship between two high school students, Yoo Shi-eun (Lee Young-jin) and Min Hyo-shin (Park Ye-jin). As the two girls become romantically involved, their taboo friendship causes them to be marginalized by the other students. Unable to cope with the social pressures of having a lover of the same gender, Shi-Eun tries to distance herself from the increasingly dependent Hyo-shin. Hyo-shin reacts poorly to Shi-eun’s changed attitude, viewing it as both a betrayal and rejection. Hyo-shin consequently commits suicide by jumping off of the school roof. After Hyo-shin’s death, supernatural occurrences start to terrorize all of the students that condemned the relationship. It is later revealed that Hyo-shin’s spirit is malevolently haunting the school through the remnants she left behind in the diary.

Boys Don’t Cry

Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) is the popular new guy in a tiny Nebraska town. He hangs out with the guys, drinking, cussing, and bumper surfing, and he charms the young women. Life is good for Brandon, now that he’s one of the guys and dating hometown beauty Lana (Chloë Sevigny). However, he’s forgotten to mention one important detail. It’s not that he’s wanted in another town for GTA and other assorted crimes, but that Brandon Teena was actually born a woman named Teena Brandon. When his best friends make this discovery, Brandon’s life is ripped apart. This tragic film is based on true events, and the performance by Hilary Swank pushed to the forefront of Hollywood elite, as she earned an Oscar for her role.

Chutney Popcorn

Chutney Popcorn was a popular romantic comedy. Reena (Nisha Ganatra) is an Indian American lesbian who lives and works in New York. Her sister Sarita, who is happily married, discovers that she is infertile. Reena offers to be a surrogate mother for her sister’s baby, hoping to improve her relationship with their mother, who disapproves of Reena’s sexual orientation. Reena has second thoughts when her girlfriend Lisa (Jill Hennessy) feels left out. A touching insight into culture, religion and sexual identify.

Sunday Night’s Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City

GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, honored George Takei and the best in film and television at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria New York. Naomi Watts, Kylie Minogue, Emmy Rossum, Boy George, Laura Prepon, Laverne Cox, Swoosie Kurtz, Tamron Hall, and country star Kacey Musgraves were among the special guests.

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to amplify stories of LGBT people and issues that build support for equality.

At the ceremony, long-time LGBT advocate David Mixner introduced GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, who received two standing ovations from the capacity audience. In her remarks she said, “We are a team – focused on advocating and educating – and we have added a new component to our arsenal: we have to protect the phenomenal progress we have made over the past quarter of a century. There are some who say ‘our work is done.’ I say we have twice as much work to do.”

Also at the ceremony, George Takei received the Vito Russo Award, which is named after one of GLAAD’s co-founders and the author of The Celluloid Closet. The award is presented to an out media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality. Previous Vito Russo Award honorees include Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, Rosie O’Donnell, Alan Cumming, Cynthia Nixon, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones, Elton John, k.d. lang, and Tom Ford. The award was presented to Takei by Broadway director Stafford Arima who is directing Allegiance, a new Broadway musical starring Takei, Telly Leung, and Lea Salonga.

“I am so glad to be with all you GLAAD people to receive this important recognition. The Vito Russo Award is charged with meaning and potency. In the twenty-five years since its founding, GLAAD has dramatically changed American society for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. I know, because as a closeted kid growing up in Los Angeles…all I saw of gays and lesbians in movies and television or heard on radio were caricatures of people who were mocked and laughed at, or pitied, or hated. The media stripped us of all humanity and made us into pathetic stereotypes. The media then was a soul-crushing monster. GLAAD took on this formidable beast with its media savvy, political acumen and the power of its advocacy and transformed the media into a powerful force for change. GLAAD inspired and galvanized others into action to join with in the great 21st century civil rights movement.”

George Takei

“But as long as LGBT people can be fired from their job for simply being who they are, our work isn’t done yet. As long as young people are kicked out of their families just for being who they are, our work is not done yet. As long as people are be bullied into feeling that their lives are so hopeless that they are driven to self-destructive acts, our work is not done. Working in concert with GLAAD, with its history of achievement and the legacy of Vito Russo, we will make this a better world, a more equal society of all people…I accept the GLAAD Vito Russo Award with pride, and with humility and with resolve.”

George Takei

Boy George introduced global superstar Kylie Minogue, who performed “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” Grammy Award-winning country music artist Kacey Musgraves performed her LGBT empowering anthem “Follow Your Arrow.”

Naomi Watts presented the award for Outstanding Comedy Series to the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. Cast members Laverne Cox, Laura Prepon, Natasha Lyonne, Samira Wiley, Dascha Polanco, Selenis Leyva, Yael Stone, Taryn Manning, Emma Myles, Alysia Reiner accepted the award on behalf of the show.

Emmy Rossum presented the award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release to director Stacie Passon and star Robin Weigert for the film Concussion. Looking cast members Raúl Castillo and Frankie J. Álvarez presented the award for Outstanding Individual Episode to the Elementary episode “Snow Angels.” This category recognizes LGBT storylines shows which do not have a regular LGBT character. Transgender actress Candis Cayne, who played Ms. Hudson in the episode, accepted the award on behalf of the show.

Following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Award recipients announced Saturday in New York.

  • Outstanding Film – Wide Release: Philomena (The Weinstein Company)
  • Outstanding Film-Limited Release: Concussion (RADiUS-The Weinstein Company)
  • Outstanding Comedy Series: Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
  • Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character): “Snow Angels” Elementary (CBS)
  • Outstanding Talk Show Episode: “First Openly Gay NBA Player Jason Collins and his Family” Oprah’s Next Chapter (OWN)
  • Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: “Transgender at 11: Listening to Jazz” 20/20 (ABC)
  • Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Gay Rights at Work” MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts (MSNBC)
  • Outstanding Magazine Article: “The Hidden War Against Gay Teens” by Alex Morris (Rolling Stone)
  • Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: The New Yorker
  • Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: “Sex, Lies and HIV: When What You Don’t Tell Your Partner is a Crime” by Sergio Hernandez (Buzzfeed.com / ProPublica.org)
  • Outstanding Blog: The New Civil Rights Movement (http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com)
  • SPANISH-LANGUAGE NOMINEES
  • Outstanding Novela: Amores Verdaderos (Univision)
  • Outstanding Daytime Talk Show Episode: “Una pareja gay celebrara el Día del Padre luego de luchar por sus derechos” Despierta América (Univision)
  • Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: “Rompiendo Estereotipos” Aquí y Ahora (Univision)
  • Outstanding Newspaper Article: “Desiguales por imperativo legal” by Jose Ángel Gonzalo García de León (Diario Las Américas)
  • Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: “Richard Blanco: el poeta latino y gay que conquisto a Barack Obama” by Daniel Basteiro (voces.huffingtonpost.com)

Additional awards were presented at the Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards on April 12 at the Beverly Hilton. For video, photos, and more, visit: glaad.org/mediaawards/recap To receive the latest updates on the GLAAD Media Awards, follow @glaad on Twitter and use the hashtag #glaadawards.

Image source

 

Here We Go Guys – Orange Is The New Black – NEW Trailer!!

Its here, another Orange Is The New Black trailer, which was released today by Netflix. Take a closer look at Season 2 and your favourite ladies – Nicky, Alex, Crazy Eyes, Piper and more. I can’t wait for the new season, coming June 6th 2014. 

Orange Is The New Black – Jungle Trailer

Orange Is The New Black – Season 2 – Three Words

Behind the scenes bonus video of the actresses who play the fearless, funny and unforgettable inmates of Litchfield prison. Watch the cast of #OITNB describe Season 2 in three words.

Spotlight | Natasha Lyonne’s New Shot at the Spotlight

In the early 2000s Natasha Lyonne was a former movie celebrity and actress prodigy, deeply addicted to alcohol and heroin. She didn’t seem to have any future. But she did.

Read her story – it’s one with a happy ending.

Lyonne’s initial success

Lyonne’s first big role was in Woody Allen’s musical comedy Everyone Says I Love You (1996). Still, from the ’90s we best remember her comedy film performances such as American Pie (1999) and But I’m A Cheerleader (1999). She starred in the latter, playing a high school cheerleader, who is suspected of homosexuality and forced to a conversion therapy camp. You have to love the absurd scene where she bursts in tears and wails ”I’m a homosexual, I’m a homosexual!”

Then everything went awry

Unfortunately, Lyonne’s promising career came quickly crashing down. In the 2000s she was reportedly wandering the streets of New York unwashed, milking her fans to get money for the next dose. She got caught for drunk driving and was kicked out of her rental apartment after trashing it.

For years Lyonne’s physical and mental health deteriorated, until by 2008 she had suffered a heart infection, collapsed lung and long periods of homelessness on the streets of New York. She went into treatment to get rid of her addictions and indeed got back on her two feet.

In 2012 Lyonne even gave up cigarettes after going through a successful open-heart surgery.

Her health, sanity and career now revived, Lyonne is working again in both films and television, and continuing her work for greater acceptance of sexual minorities.

New career: Orange is the New Black and G.B.F.

In the 2013 movie G.B.F. (= Gay Best Friends) Lyonne was cast as a teacher who tries to make her students understand that it’s OK to be gay.

Still, you might know Natasha Lyonne better as the witty lesbian inmate Nicky Nichols of the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. It is not a coincidence that the character is a former junkie who has gone through an open-heart surgery…

With all these lesbian and deviant characters under her belt, it is almost a surprise that Lyonne is not into girls. She does humorously invite her gay friends to hit on her, though. Keep that in mind if you ever get to befriend her.

 

Photo by Annabel Mehran

Who would you marry, date or incarcerate from the Orange Is The New Black?

Loving this video; the Orange is the New Black stars were asked what characters they would marry, date or incarcerate. Watch this video to see the answers – I think they may have thought about this before filming. The actresses who play the inmates on the show are revealing a lot more with the game (marry, date or incarcerate).

So, would you want to walk down the aisle with Crazy Eyes or make sure she stays behind bars? Or would you be like Yael Stone, who plays Lorna Morello, and date yourself?

A Sneaky Look at Netflix’s “Orange Is The New Black”

The second season of Orange Is The New Black won’t be on Netflix until Friday, June 6, but these just-released production stills give nice taster of things to come.

So what can we look forward to; tense moments between Larry (Jason Biggs) and Piper (Taylor Schilling); dance parties, featuring Crazy Eyes (Uzo Aduba) and Taystee (Danielle Brooks). And shift glancing with Nicky (Natasha Lyonne) and Red (Kate Mulgrew) look disturbed about something

For more insight into Orange is the New Black second season, here is 15-second teaser, released last month, might help a little too.

Orange Is The New Black returns with all new episodes exclusively on Netflix, June 6, 2014.