Tag Archives: The L Word

Leisha Hailey & Kate Moennig’s podcast ‘PANTS’ is a must

Leisha Hailey & Kate Moennig have been hosting a weekly podcast where they chat about everything from first concerts to celeb encounters to what it was like to audition for Ilene Chaiken.

Moennig and Hailey met each other while filming Showtime’s 2004 series The L Word, where they played main characters Shane McCutcheon and Alice Piecseki, respectively.

While Moennig and Hailey played best friends on a TV series (and continue to do so in the reboot), they’ve also developed a close friendship in real life.

Pants the podcast came to fruition when Rachel Shelley (who edits and produces it) suggested Moennig and Hailey start one of their own after they appeared on PodDiva this past May.

In the first episode of their podcast, the duo said they became so close while filming the series that co-star Mia Kirshner began to describe them as a pair of pants because “You can’t have one leg without the other.”

With not much else to do in a global pandemic, the two decided to give it a go. Now featuring a host of excellent guests, PANTS has become the highlight of our week.

16 Shows With Happy Endings For Their Queer Female Characters

It should go without saying, but… This post is gonna have some spoilers in it. Just getting that out of the way ahead of time.

The past few years have been a miracle in terms of queer representation on TV. More and more shows are starting to include (or at least allude to) non-heteronormative storylines, even if the LGBT characters aren’t the greatest representation of queer culture at large.

Still, even with all the representation we get these days, it’s still really, really hard to find a show that not only has queer characters, but lets them stay alive and partnered up and… You know… Not total jerks. (Sigh, PLL… Why did you have to make the only transgender character a psychopath, who then dies in a horrible way? And, of course, there have been two other queer ladies to die in that show, too. But I digress.)

With all that being said, there are a few shows which offered their lady-loving-ladies a happy ending when the show ended. Join us as we count them down now:


1. Ellen and Laurie, Ellen (1998)

It might be safe to assume that Ellen DeGeneres wouldn’t have allowed for her own character to have a horrible ending… But still, Ellen and Laurie finish out the show by confirming their commitment to each other, with the vow that they would be legally married as soon as it was possible to do so. 17 years later, it finally was – so the fandom should rejoice that the couple (presumably) made it down the aisle eventually.


2. Helen and Nikki, Bad Girls (2001)

Most jailhouse romances don’t seem to make it – partially because there’s the twisted idea that what happens behind bars “doesn’t really count.” Regardless, though, Helen and Nikki ended up running off into the proverbial sunset together, promising to take things slow onto the future. Aww. Slow-moving lesbian couples are my favorite.


3. Jessie and Katie, Once and Again (2002)

As a huge Evan Rachel Wood fan, it always makes me super happy to see her in anything… Even if she’s not playing a queer character. However, her character in Once and Again was definitely queer, and the two were still together when the show was cancelled. We can only assume that they’re still together 14 years later, because hello, who doesn’t dream of marrying their high school sweetheart? (At least, you dream of that while you’re with that person. I’m sure things change if you break up. I didn’t exactly have a high school sweetheart, so I can’t confirm.)


4. Willow and Kennedy, Buffy (2003)

Okay, okay… Kennedy isn’t Tara, and maybe we all hated her for that for a little while. But, to be fair, Willow seemed pretty happy with her – and they were still together when the show ended. TBH, our opinion about their relationship doesn’t matter as much as their happiness in their relationship, am I right? I’m right. Just trust me on this one.


5. Carol and Susan, Friends (2004)

Again, regardless of how you feel about the couple – and the fact that they were often paraded in front of poor Ross’s face at every available opportunity – there’s no doubt that they made each other happy. They even got married and raised little Ben together as a couple. Plus, Lea DeLaria and Candance Gingrich were in attendance at their wedding, which sort of gives them extra cool points. (We all wish we had such cool lesbian friends. Don’t even try to pretend you don’t.)


6. Melanie and Lindsay, Queer as Folk (2005)

Does it count as “happily ever after” if you break up and then get back together? I’d like to think it does. When they moved to Canada to get away from the US government, the rest of the LGBT community in the United States wanted to be right there with them. Sadly… I’m still stuck in the middle of California myself… But one day I, too, will flee to Canada with my other half. One day.


7. Kerry and Courtney, ER (2007)

Dr. Kerry Weaver went through more than her fair share of lesbian relationship woes before ending up with Courtney, but apparently the writers and producers came to their senses and made her fall for… a hot TV producer. Of course. Pat on the back to themselves, here, but whatevs – at least she’s happy at last!


8. Spencer and Ashley, South of Nowhere (2008)

Fun fact: This particular show had a lot to do with the timing of me coming out. Spashley went through a ridiculous number of bisexual back-and-forth, often trading turns with Aiden, the third side of their love triangle. However, once everything was said and done, Spashley ended up Uhauling off into the sunset together like every millennial queer chick in the fandom always knew they would.


9. Olivia and Natalia, Guiding Light (2009)

GL fans weren’t super happy about all the crazy trials and tribulations that these two had to face, but thankfully the writers came to their senses in the end and let the two stay together, “forever” – or at least until after the show ended.


10. Bette and Tina & Alice and Tasha, The L Word (2009)

It’s rare enough for a TV show to let one queer couple ending, but for one show to allow two couples to stay together and live happily ever after? Pure joy. However you might feel about Bette and Tina (I’m not a big fan, myself) it’s nice to know that they were able to work through things, I guess.

And, Alice and Tasha will always be my favorite couple from the show, even if it wasn’t exactly confirmed that they were getting back together. They totally were.


11. Chris and Kris & Jen and Sam, Exes & Ohs (2011)

Chris and Kris end up getting married and having a baby, while Jen and Sam happen to end up together too. Sure, it might have been another lesbian-centric storyline to begin with (which does increase the odds of an all-female relationship making it through), but still… Good job, Michelle Paradise, for making everyone happy with this one.


12. Remy and her girlfriend, House (2012)

As sad as it is that Thirteen lost her job, and she’s got Huntington’s Disease (probably), and that her girlfriend’s name wasn’t ever revealed… They had a lovely relationship, we’re sure of it. And, as far as we can tell, they’re going to spend the rest of their lives together, because if you break up off-camera in a TV show it doesn’t really count.


13. Brittany and Santana, Glee (2015)

I never really got into Glee when it was super popular, but Tumblr taught me all about the wonders that were the Brittana ‘ship. Once I ended up (briefly) dating a girl who was Brittana-obsessed, I got a little into it… And it turns out, the Brittana fandom got their way in the end, when the producers decided to let Brittany and Santana get married finally.


14. Julie and Nikki, The Returned (2015)

In a show that is literally about dead people, it’s hard to picture anything resembling a happy ending… Well, that is, anything about dead people that wasn’t directed by Tim Burton, of course. Anyway, Julie and Nikki not only made it in the end, but they even got to kiss when it was all said and done. Aww.


15. Alana and Margot, Hannibal (2015)

When the main character is a serial killer, you just know that people are going to die left and right. It was quite a shock, then, that Alana and Margot got to stay alive all the way to the end. Kudos, Alana and Margot… You guys really made it.


16. Bo and Lauren, Lost Girl (2016)

Any show that deals primarily in the supernatural is sure to have extra pressures put on the characters… Especially when most LGBT characters get killed off pretty early on. However, Bo and Lauren made it, which just proves that things can work out – as long as you’re a supernatural entity, at least.

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.
But I'm a Cheerleader

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?)

But I'm a Cheerleader 01


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.

Imagine Me & You 02

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.

The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love 03

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?

The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love 02


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.

tumblr_ltu94onSe51qkrf78o1_500

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.

5ive Girls

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!

Showtime Releases First-Look Teaser for THE L WORD: GENERATION Q

So showtime just dropped the new L Word trailer and we can’t cope.

Showtime just dropped the first teaser for “The L Word: Generation Q”, featuring original stars Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, and Katherine Moennig, and introducing a few new members (Arienne Mandi, Micah Lee, Jacqueline Toboni, Rosanny Zayas and Sepideh Moafi) to the party for the eagerly anticipated sequel.

According to the pay TV channel’s official description, “The L Word: Generation Q” continues to follow the intermingled lives of Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals), Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) and Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig), along with new characters Dani Nùñez (Arienne Mandi), Micah Lee (Leo Sheng), Finley (Jacqueline Toboni), Sophie Suarez (Rosanny Zayas) and Gigi (Sepideh Moafi) as they experience love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success in L.A.

Guest stars include Brian Michael, Stephanie Allyne, Olivia Thirlby, Fortune Feimster and Latarsha Rose.

“The L Word: Generation Q” is executive produced by showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan (“The Four-Faced Liar,” “6 Balloons)”, along with with series creator Ilene Chaiken, Kristen Campo, Steph Green (pilot), and original series stars Beals, Moennig and Hailey.

The new series THE L WORD: GENERATION Q premiering on Sunday, December 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. 

Sarah Shahi Will Be in New ‘The L Word’ Sequel

Sarah Shahi is set to return for Showtime’s upcoming The L Word sequel series!

Carmen de la Pica Morales for two seasons and was a fan favourite on the series.

“It was discussed [that] my involvement [would be] very heavily [that] I would be in it. I intend to keep it that way, and so does Showtime,”

Shahi played fan-favorite Carmen — a DJ and love interest for Moennig’s Shane — for two seasons.

“[The L Word] was my first big gig. And to be a part of that, I don’t think I ever really knew what I was stepping into until after and I started speaking with women and getting letters. Just the amount of information that was sent my way about how impactful it was, it put me on this thing where it’s like, everything I want to do from now on, I want it to have meaning and I want it to touch people. That was something I tried to do in Reverie and in Person of Interest and it’s something I’m going to do in City on a Hill. To be a part of that sisterhood was so momentous for me. I’m more than honored that I can go back and re-create it.”

Shahi also opened up about what she thinks Carmen is up to now.

“Whatever she’s doing, I feel like she’s definitely still pining away for Shane. For Shane, Carmen would be the one that got away. But I think that was a big game-changer for her. I’m not sure if she’s still DJing or not but definitely something in the music-art world.”

One thing that’s still to be determined is just how big of a role Shahi will have in the eight-episode revival. Showtime declined comment on Shahi’s involvement.

Playwright and screenwriter Marja-Lewis Ryan will serve as showrunner and executive produce alongside original series creator Ilene Chaiken.

Stars Jennifer Beals (Bette), Katherine Moennig (Shane) and Leisha Hailey (Alice) are also on board to exec produce and will reprise their roles from the original series while also introducing a new ensemble of self-possessed LGBTQIA characters experiencing love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success on the east side of Los Angeles.

The reboot, first announced in July 2017, arrives nearly 10 years after the original wrapped its six-season run. It is considered a sequel to the original. Lewis-Ryan was selected following an extensive search for a writer with ties to the LGBTQIA community to document how relationships, lives and experiences have evolved — as well as what has and hasn’t changed since the show launched in 2004. Other characters from the original series — which included fan-favorite Erin Daniels (Dana), Laurel Holloman (Tina), Mia Kirshner (Jenny), and Pam Grier (Kit) — may also appear in a potential new version.

Jennifer Beals Explains The Decision To Bring Back ‘The L Word’

Last month, Entertainment Weekly reunited The L Word cast for a stunning cover and catch-up interview. At the time all all expressed an interest in returning for another season.

Now, that sequel is look to be a reality.

The L Word’s co-creator, Ilene Chaiken will be an executive producer of the series with a new writer/EP with ties to the lesbian community  brought in to run the production and once again chronicle the friendships and love lives of modern gay women.

L Word

Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moenig, and Leisha Hailey are set to executive-produce as well as appear on the series. Other characters from the original series may also pop up and will be paired with a whole new cast of women.

Talking to EW, Beals explained why the moment is right for The L Word to return to television.

She also explained

Years ago, Kate and Leisha and I approached Ilene because we were shocked that nothing had taken its place. There was this renaissance, in a way, going on with marriage equality coming to the forefront. It was a different terrain and we thought you can start telling stories in a different way and there’s a whole new generation coming up that views sexuality in a different way. Ilene was in the middle of doing Empire and she was very excited about the idea but there are only so many hours in the day.

Then, the election happened. I remember I was in South Dakota watching the returns come in and I texted Ilene and I said, “We need to do something.” She said, “Let’s get together and talk about it.” So we were spitballing about what to do and I said our skillset is storytelling and I think we need to tell stories and certainly in an atmosphere of increasing hatred towards the LGBT community and frankly anyone who’s categorized as “other,” stories exploring the complexities of friendship and love are all that more crucial. Representation of everything. You can’t go backward. I would love to see the show continue to mine its original themes of friendship and love and community and additionally I’d like it to go a little further and challenge heteronormalcy.

At the reunion, Kate Moenig was adamant that season 6 be forgotten — which means Jenny Schecter lives – but Beals is not to sure.

You really got to hear the pitches of what they want to do. That person is taking on a huge load. They have the history of the show, the legacy of the show, and yet they have to make it better and they have to make it theirs. So to dictate too much at this point in time I think would be problematic. I want to hear what’s coming from them and what excites them and what stories they want to tell because that’s when it’s going to be good when you let somebody fully have their voice.

And on Bette and Tina’s future, well Beals was a little cagey

I don’t want to even say what I would like to see at this point because I think it’s more important for me to be open and listen to people’s ideas and not get stuck in my own desires. If somebody says I think she should be a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys. I’m gonna say, “Well I don’t think that’s such a great idea.” Can you imagine? That would be funny [Laughs].

‘The L Word’ Creator Ilene Chaiken Says The New Reboot Will Be More ‘Inclusive’ Than Original Show

Early this year, Showtime surprised us with news that The L Word was back for a new season.

Now, the shows creator Ilene Chaiken says the sequel to Showtime’s lesbian drama will be more inclusive than the original.

Speaking to TV Guide, Chaiken discussed what fans can expect in the new show.

It’s 10 years hence since we stopped doing The L Word, so the world will be different in all the ways that the world is different now. We’ve made progress, we’ve backslid in some ways, we’ve gotten older, some of us, and there are new young women whose stories we’re going to tell. But I will say that The L Word in 2018 will be more reflective, more inclusive than the original show we did.”

While Jennifer Beals, Kate Moenning and Leisha Hailey are expected to reprise their characters in the new show, Erin Daniels, who played Dana Fairbanks, has yet to announce whether she’ll appear in the reboot.

Chaiken said that she’s hoping Daniels will join the cast.

I hope we’ll be seeing Erin Daniels on the show. I love Erin Daniels, and maybe there’s some way – who knows. I’ve never let go of Dana and neither has the audience – maybe we will [see her].”

We’re Finally Getting A Sequel To ‘The L Word’

Entertainment Weekly reports that Showtime is developing a sequel to its hit queer drama, The L Word.

Series creator Ilene Chaiken says she’s excited about the possibilities ahead, because there has, disappointingly, been no real follow-up in terms of television’s portrayal of gay women:

Chaiken told EW about the series returning.

We talk about it all the time. When we went off the air in 2009, I think a lot of people thought, Okay, the baton is passed now, and there will be lots of shows that portray lesbian life. There’s really nothing. It feels like maybe it should come back.”

According to EW Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, and Kate Moennig have also signed on as executive producers and will also appear in the series.

Beals, Moennig and Hailey will act as bridge characters into the upcoming series, which will follow the lives of a new ensemble of women, chronicling the trials and tribulations of their lives. Other original characters, including Erin Daniels (Dana), Laurel Holloman (Tina), Mia Kirshner (Jenny), Sarah Shahi (Carmen) and Pam Grier (Kit), may also make appearances in the new series.

The original series was praised as the first drama series to focus on lesbian characters in a three-dimensional, realistic way when it first debuted in 2004, and won numerous awards over the years for its portrayal of a group of friends and lovers residing in West Hollywood, California.

The success of The L Word – which ended in 2009 – helped open the door for more varied and sophisticated LGBT-driven series to flourish: Looking, The Fosters, Transparent, Sense8 and Orange Is the New Black, among others. Additionally, the drama featured storylines about equality, legal marriage and benefits and HIV/AIDS at a time when they were frequently overlooked by more mainstream shows.

Showtime previously developed a spin-off for The L Word in 2008, called The Farm, which would have starred Hailey and was set in a prison, not unlike Netflix’s Orange. The idea did not ultimately go to series.

Who killed Jenny Schecter? ‘The L Word’ Cast Finally Discusses Her Murder

Let’s face it Jenny Schecter was the woman we all loved to hate. But who killed her?

At first I had a soft spot for Jenny Schecter – young, naive, and confused about her sexuality.

However, in later seasons, she was downright annoying to watch on screen and in the final two seasons; she was a train wreck waiting to happen.

Then in the final season, things took a dark turn when viewers found out that Jenny were seemingly murdered by one of her friends.

When EW reunited The L Word cast this month, they had to talk about that polarising final season and saying goodbye to Jenny.

Here’s what the cast had to say.

Mia Kirshner: I had no idea until the table read. I had such complicated feelings about Jenny. I was really surprised, I just started to cry. I was really, deeply upset, because she had become a part of me, even though she drove me crazy, that character, and she was so wrong most of the time and so rude.

Jennifer Beals: So entertaining, though! I loooove Jenny.

Katherine Moennig: She’s America’s sweetheart! [Everyone laughs.]

Kirshner: But I was very, very upset because I had seven years of that character with these people who had become like my family.

Moennig: I just want to pretend that [season] 6 didn’t happen, and just cap it at five. The show wasn’t about that, so let’s cap that and end it at five, because the show wasn’t about a death. That wasn’t what this whole show was about.

 

Ilene Chaiken: I’m not sure that it was the best choice. I loved the stories we told, but to do a murder mystery maybe was off-topic for us. But it was a metaphor. Jenny brought us into this world. Jenny is going to take us out of this world. It never so much mattered to me, and I realized it matters to the fans. When you tell a story, you owe it to the fans, but to me, it was just a way to talk about this journey that we’ve all been on together and where we are now.

Watch ‘The L Word’ Cast Reunite For EW Cover

Ten years after The L Word hit the small screen, Entertainment Weekly has rounded up the cast for an all-star reunion.

Watch the video below to see Sarah Shahi, Mia Kirshner, Leisha Hailey, Erin Daniels, Daniela Sea, Kate Moennig and Jennifer Beals discuss love, friendship and laughter.

Kate Moennig Addresses Those L Word Reboot Rumours

The groundbreaking show, The L Word – which followed the lives and loves of a group of Los Angeles lesbians – ran for six seasons from 2004 and 2009.

In recent months speculation has be sparked talk of a reboot, with executive producer Ilene Chaiken tweeting, apparently out of the blue: “So excited! Can’t wait…!”

As if that wasn’t enough, Chaiken – who is now an executive producer for hit Fox show Empire – was then joined in her Twitter conversation by some of the cast.

Kate Moennig, who played the inimitable, irreplaceable Shane McCutcheon, replied to the post.

And Sarah Shahi, who played Carmen de la Pica Morales in seasons two and three, added

The prospect of seeing some of the best, most fleshed-out characters – let alone lesbian characters – interact again was almost too much.

 

Now talking to Liz Feldman on This Just Out with Liz Feldman, Moennig has said she would totally be down for an L Word comeback. (Watch below)

Are We Finally Getting ‘The L Word’ Reboot We’ve Longed For?

With one tweet, The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken managed to send queer women everywhere into a twitter frenzy.

Former cast members Kate Moennig, Jennifer Beals and Sarah Shahi were all quick to respond:

So what does this mean? Are we really finally getting The L Word reboot we’ve longed for? Or are they just all meeting up for a casual catch-up?

Fans we’re quick to respond

Signs are looking promising. Over the years many of the cast has said they’d be up for a reunion.

Chaiken told Entertainment Weekly;

I would love to revisit The L Word. We talk about it from time to time. I talk about it with some of my colleagues who were in the cast who would love to reboot it.”

Jennifer Beals has even had a few ideas about how the series might be different now.

So is a reboot on the cards?

‘Empire’ Remember Tiana’s Bisexuality By Giving Her A Threesome With Rumer Willis & Hakeem In A Hot Tub

Rumer Willis is the newest star to have a stint on Empire, playing singer-songwriter Tory Ash – an addiction-riddled singer whose entire look on the show appears to parallel the life of Amy Winehouse.

Now, new stills from the hit drama show Willis character frolicking in a giant soapy bathtub with Tiana Brown (Serayah McNeill).

The ladies kiss and caressed each other in a hot tube, before Brown’s on-off boyfriend Hakeem Lyon (played by Bryshere Y. Gray) gets involved in the action.

Yet again, disappointing from a series that started out so strong and with positive queer visibility – especially with it’s handling with Jamal – it still leans on lusty lesbian stereotypes to boast ratings.

Which is super sad, considering the show was created by an out gay man (Lee Daniels) and showrunner Ilene Chaiken (creator of The L Word)

 

Watch The New Lesbian Web Series ‘Different For Girls’ Here For Free (And Be Prepared To Get Hooked)

Different For Girls is a really sexy and dramatic web series by Campbell X and based on a hit indie lesbian novel by Jacquie Lawrence.

Set in west London, it’s the perfect soap, with characters you love to love, and characters you love to hate.

There’s Gemma, who’s dating Jude, but who’s also getting married to a guy – to satisfy her parents and his acting career.

Jude though hasn’t really cut ties with her ex, Nicola, which isn’t making things easier with Gemma. Nicola is supposed to have moved on and has a wife, Brooke, and kids. Even so, Nicola has a hard time committing to this supposed domestic bliss, and if having an affair on the side. Brooke may not know that, but she does know her partner is neglecting her home life.

Then there Fran and Cam – and where do we start with them? The two women have just got back together, but Cam’s discovered she’s pregnant. And who’s the father? Fran’s twin brother, Tom! Perhaps not too surprisingly, Fran isn’t too impressed with this development.

The five episodes represent what was originally going to be the first half of Season 1, so the whole thing does end on a cliffhanger. However, it will certainly leave you wanting to know what happens with Fran, Cam and the baby; what’s going with the philandering Nicola; and whether Gemma and Tom’s sham marriage is really a good idea.

Hopefully we will get to find out fairly soon, as currently they’re hoping to shoot Season 2 in September.

Watch all 5 episodes below.

 

‘Different For Girls’ – The New WebSeries Where No Lesbians Are Killed

Different For Girls is coming soon and they’ve just dropped this steamy new trailer.

Starring a host of talented actresses – Rachel Shelley (The L Word), Sophie Ward (Land Girls, Doctors), Heather Peace (Lip Service), Janet Ellis (Doctor Who), Amy Lamé (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Loose Women), Guinevere Turner (The L Word and Go Fish), Nimmy March (Wallander, Thin Ice) among others – the web series is about the lives and betrayals of a group of queer women living in London.

The series creator, BAFTA award-winning producer Jacqui Lawrence, discussed the importance of the show to our community,

Television has been found guilty of murder in the first degree. But it’s never been charged. The victims have one thing in common. They are all lesbians. Television is literally getting away with murder. Different For Girls is here to save the fate of fictional lesbians. Different For Girls is a web drama series but you can rest assured that no lesbian will be killed or harmed during it’s making. Not unless one of them dies from too much love, lust and laughter.”

Different For Girls is an adaptation of Lawrence’s fiction novel of the same name –  first published as an e-book in 2014, and then as a paperback in 2015.

It’s easy to be glib about this but in reality the constant ‘disposal’ of lesbian characters has an acute impact on younger viewers who are struggling with their sexuality…

We are desperate to see lesbian and bi characters that manage to live their dramatic and complicated lives, on screen, without fear of death by car, helicopter crash, house fire or stray bullet. Different For Girls is here to save the fate of lesbians and bisexual from what has become known as the Dead Lesbian Syndrome.”

Ilene Chaiken Changes The Course Of Television Twice

Ilene Chaiken has done so much for bringing minority groups to the forefront of television. Firstly, she gives us The L Word, the first TV show that put lesbians lives and the lives of the LGBTQ community at the centre of the programme.

Then she gives us Empire, which is the first show to feature a majority cast of African Americans and their daily lives in the music and entertainment industry. The show is already into its third season.

Because Chaiken is a woman and an out lesbian, the fact she is at the head of these productions is a big achievement as Hollywood still struggles with diversity, in front of and behind the camera. Chaiken told Advocate Magazine:

Clearly, it’s still a boys’ club. As a gay person, there’s still is just an uphill road for us to hoe. We are underrepresented vastly, and we haven’t been represented in all of the ways in which we live in the world. I think it’s incremental, the progress that we see in that regard.”

TV is however outpacing film in regards to diversity, but this is not something that is happening everywhere. CBS got criticised in the summer for revealing an upcoming season of shows focusing on white, straight men. Chaiken believes a lot of this is also to do with the political situation in America at the moment.

 Look at where we are now. It’s this extraordinary political moment and these two countervailing trends of political culture. There’s this great leap forward and this hideous and appalling kind of slide backwards. There’s a real tension in our culture right now that’s still being reflected in the entertainment culture.”

ilene-chaiken-and-louanne-brickhouse

Chaiken is the lead in the writer’s room for Empire and she is a firm believer that her identities are her strengths in her job and she doesn’t see them as weaknesses. She went on to say:

The qualities that I ascribe to being a woman and to being gay are the things that I think make me good at my job. There are different ways of being a showrunner. And I like to think that I do it with a sense of inclusiveness, with a view to listening and welcoming the input of my colleagues and nurturing.”

When Chaiken led the writers room on The L Word she said that at first she was encouraged to hire writers who were straight and good at their craft but she quickly realized that writing experience was nowhere near real life experience and so she started hiring lesbian writers.

It just was so clear that in taking on this mission of doing the first show about lesbians in the history of mainstream television that lesbians had to tell those stories. We’re pulling back the curtain on our lives, and we’re the ones who know our lives.”

Chaiken also has some plans for the future and what is missing from TV right now. She says:

I’m just looking at the landscape, and I feel it’s time for another great gay show. There will be soon, I hope, and not necessarily a show about being gay, although I would welcome that, but also a show that simply is led by characters who are gay and are living their lives. In that way, we get to portray the nuances of our lives.”

This is good to hear and we will all be waiting to see what this amazing, talented and fearless showrunner will give us to enjoy next.

17 Fictional Characters That Helped Us Confirm Our Queerness

Buzzfeed asked their readers what fictional character helped them realize they were queer and here are some of the most popular characters nominated along with the best reasons why.


Xena Warrior Princess

Xena-Gabrielle-08

Best reason given by a reader:

The opening credits where she fondles her boobs had me hooked at 5.”


Willow Rosenberg, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

tumblr_static_willow

Best reason given by a reader:

I remember thinking how I wanted a girl in long witchy skirts to hold my hand. (Not much has changed.)”


Dana Scully, The X Files

scully-e1453413786508

Best reason:

I hope Gillian Anderson knows how many people she helped. National freaking treasure, that woman.”


Shane McCutcheon, The L Word

shanehugo1l

Best reason:

No other words needed except for: HOLY HOT DAMN.”


Spencer and Ashley, South of Nowhere

spencer-ashley-south-of-nowhere-160504_500_470

Best reason:

It was watching Spencer and Ashley’s relationship develop on South of Nowhere that made me realize that you can have relationships with other women and it’s perfectly normal and amazing.”


Jules Paxton, Bend It Like Beckham

bilb-kk01

Best reason:

Jules was just so hot and so good at football and one of the reasons I actually begged my parents to let me start playing. Honestly this is one of my favourite movies for lesbian subtext, and in my head this film ended with Jules and Jess getting together.”


Brittany and Santana, Glee

121010brittana4

Best reason:

I feel like we went through a journey together because when Santana got married to Brittany, I finally started feeling comfortable with myself and came out to the people closest to me.”


Susanna Kaysen, Girl Interrupted

susanna-kaysen-girl-interrupted-winona-ryder-girl-interrupted-16476411-852-480

Best reason:

I realised how not into her relationship with Toby I was and how much I wanted Susanna and Lisa to, basically, do more kissing.”


Lara Croft, Tomb Raider

lara-croft-tomb-raider-images-387b500e-bdbc-4cba-b322-72646f2c479

Best reason:

I’d always been curious about other girls, but this confirmed to me that I liked girls as well as boys. She just oozed confidence and strength and I wanted to be her! That gave me the confidence to be myself. My husband thinks it’s pretty cool that we had the same teenage crush!”


Megan and Graham, But I’m a Cheerleader

10354280_the-but-im-a-cheerleader-girls-reunite_542cfb55_m

Best reason:

I sat two inches away from the screen with the sound on mute at 2am (this was in the dark ages before on-demand), and while I didn’t have all the words for it, I knew that Clea and I had more than a rocking bob in common.”


Jillian Holtzmann, Ghostbusters

ghostbusters_2016_KateMcKinnon-1-1200x630-e1454539547633

Best reason:

Kate McKinnon in Ghostbusters makes me wish I was a sexually confused 9-year-old just figuring it out.”


Lucy Diamond, D.E.B.S

debs-review-brewster

Best reason:

I still crush hard on her character to this day. I could watch her lip-synch ‘A Little Respect’ endlessly.”


Emily and Naomi, Skins

33c02c8eea6f5b49fa65b20e5b68608f

Best reason:

The Naomi-and-Emily storyline in Skins took the wind right out of me – why couldn’t I stop thinking about this silly TV romance? I was randomly introduced to another fan who supported me through that short roller coaster of revelations. By chance, she turned out to be the absolute love of my life and if it wasn’t for that show and that storyline I wouldn’t be married to the most amazing woman. The past six years have been the best years of my life. Thanks to Skins. I owe Skins so much.”


Jenifer, Jenifer’s Body

jennifers-body-wallpaper-3

Best reason:

Literally anything with Megan Fox in it got me thinking, Well, maybe I’m bi, and here we are today.”


Alex Vause, Orange is the New Black

1391450227_laura-prepon-zoom

Best reason:

Watching that episode where she puts her glasses on top of her head and tells Doggett, ‘I will fuck you’ – I was all, ‘Yes, please. Where do I sign up!’”


Callie and Arizona, Grey’s Anatomy

SARA RAMIREZ, JESSICA CAPSHAW

Best reason:

Arizona Robbins and Callie on Grey’s Anatomy. Don’t get me wrong, I guess I always kind of knew I was into girls, but seeing these two characters’ together kind of made it click for me. Forever my favourite couple on Grey’s.”


Missy Pantone, Bring it On

2000_bring_it_on_256

Best reason:

I was like 5 years old when I saw it, and to this day, I still want her to bring it on.”

12 Fictional Lesbian Couples That Changed Attitudes, Inspired Us And Made TV History

Television is now finally getting to the stage in which lesbian characters are appearing in mainstream programmes, being portrayed in a positive way and are embraced by all audiences. But that has been a long time coming.

So how did TV reach that point? Well, over the year’s television networks have dipped their toes in the water and given us lesbian couples that viewers have endeared to. Here are 13 of those couples that helped make positive changes in television and attitudes.


Willow and Tara (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

tumblr_lm51civpyh1qh00uno1_500

How cute were these two? Yes, OK, Tara died, but while they were together they were a pretty awesome couple. They were also one of the first lesbian couples that had prominent airtime on a primetime American TV series, which in itself is quite cool.


Bette and Tina (The L Word)

tumblr_llb73myiwz1qg82xfo1_500

Well, they had their ups and they had their downs, but boy, they were an awesome couple. Both successful career women, both very much in love, they split up, they reconnected, they had a baby and they remained together until the end of the series. These ladies did a lot for lesbians the world over and helped set a benchmark for other lesbian TV characters that appeared when the L word had finished.


Paige and Alex (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

alex_paige

This teen soap Canadian drama introduced Paige and Alex into the show in 2005 and explored queer relationships in a positive way, helping many teens accept and embrace their sexuality. Paige and Alex were a very popular couple amongst viewers and the show portrayed their relationship in a very realistic and positive way.


Madame Vestra and Jenny (Doctor Who)

tumblr_nban74whwi1r3wairo1_500

Doctor Who has occasionally had the odd queer character but ‘Lizard woman from the dawn of time and her wife’ appeared in quite a few episodes and they were such a popular couple that Doctor Who showed them in even more episodes because the fan base asked for it. A lizard lady and a female human is just great.


Santana and Brittany (Glee)

tumblr_n0ytj9xsau1qf9mevo1_500

Glee also had a few gay characters while it was on TV, but these two girls had such a positive relationship that they outshone the other queer characters shown. They communicated with each other so well, they were very much in love and even sang to each other. Glee had a very wide audience and Santana and Brittany were adored by many.


Carol and Susan (Friends)

carol-and-susan

Carol and Susan made history when Carol gave birth to Ross’s baby while she was in a relationship with Susan. These episodes were aired in 1995 and Friends was aimed at heterosexuals. These episodes brought about a lot of discussions surrounding queer relationships and parenthood which is not bad going as the series didn’t have much of a queer following.


Cosima and Delphine (Orphan Black)

tumblr_nor75wpwaa1uqxm8vo1_500

Cosima and Delphine have had their share of ups and downs, but they have an intense attraction and love for each other which is very real. There have also been some issues between them both as Delphine has kept secrets from Cosima, again something real that does happen in relationships. Another positive is they haven’t killed them off yet either, as TV do have a habit of killing off queer characters. So, these two are obviously doing something right to still be with us.


Lauren and Bo (Lost Girl)

tumblr_lp9jv3ucf91qmcengo1_500

Lauren and Bo have done a lot for Lesbians in the way that they surround themselves with, and get support from, the people they call family. It’s a bit like our lesbian community. A strong network of people that care about you and understand you. These girls are also sex positive, a unique attribute in TV, especially around queer characters.


Steph and Lena (The Fosters)

tumblr_nokevq6zpd1sm9b5to1_500

This married lesbian couple with children are portrayed so realistically. They argue, kiss and make up, they talk things through, flirt and play fight. They are very multi-dimensional and are a great inspiration to other lesbian couples as well as showing the hetro community that lesbian couples are just the same as they are.


Jeri and Wendy Ross/Pam (Jessica Jones)

96c729c4daa9930c694b0d0586d15f6f42b484a2_hq

What is so great about Jeri is the fact she was changed from the comic character of a man into a lesbian female for the TV version, but she has the same complex, twisted and ambiguous character traits as her male comic book character has. This is also a great thing as women can be just like that, lesbian or straight, and it helps again to show that lesbians are just women after all, regardless of their sexual orientation.


Nomi and Amanita (Sense8)

tumblr_inline_o5hy5vlnif1qj2j49_500

In this show Nomi is a trans lesbian woman living with her bi-ethnic girlfriend. That’s fantastic in itself, but the past revolutionary difference? Nomi is played by a real trans actor and this is a first on TV. Usually trans characters are played by cis actors so this is ground-breaking stuff.


Waverly and Nicole (Wyonna Earp)

tumblr_o7vevhaahr1qbfgclo2_540

These two are great characters as they are such opposites. Nicole is a cop and Waverly is part of a family that are cursed. What an unlikely pairing! They’ve also both escaped death on numerous occasions which hopefully means there are no plans to kill them off any time soon. Another great positive.

15 Most Annoying Lesbian Couples On TV

Lesbian relationships on television are generally love-hate. Whether we love one character and hate the other, we love the representation but hate both characters, or whatever the exact storyline is, it’s hard to find a lesbian couple we actually like and want to learn more about.

What is it that has us hating these women so deeply? Well, no two are exactly alike, but generally, they’re relationships we wouldn’t really want to see in our own lives: The women break each other’s hearts in such terrible ways and still stay together? WTF? No one wants to admit that happens in real life, so we don’t want to see it on TV, either.

How many of these couples make you angry, too?


Shane and Jenny (The L Word)

tumblr_n1hr8bqWUE1r38njjo1_400

Truly, The L Word brought us so many relationships to hate – but Shane and Jenny is one of the most universally hated ones. Realistically, we couldn’t picture Escape Artist Shane hooking up with someone with so many obvious attachment issues – ahem, Jenny – or crazy narcissistic Jenny just completely getting over the fact that Shane literally just hooked up with Jenny’s girlfriend.

No matter how much Jenny might be a clinger or a hypocrite, she wouldn’t forgive Shane that fast. And the only way that Shane would have been able to pick Jenny after everything that her friends constantly told her would be if she was still picturing Season One Jenny, the sweet and innocent one.

But Shane and Jenny barely even knew each other back then – Shane had to have been able to see the crazy hanging out.


Dawn Denbo and her lover Cindy (The L Word)

tumblr_nvczcxSIS31qg6vc9o1_500 (1)

It’s not too often that you can predict the catastrophe that is a particular relationship right from the onset. One of these rare examples is Dawn Denbo and her lover Cindy from She-Bar in The L Word. These two are obviously deranged from the very beginning – I mean, who wants to be constantly referred to as someone’s lover? Not only does this set a precedence of ownership, but it also implies that Cindy is only good for one thing – and Dawn isn’t the only one she’s getting it from.

Then again, Dawn isn’t exactly a peach either. Would I say she deserved to be cheated on? Probably not – but she definitely deserved to have some bad stuff happen to her.


Camilla and Mimi (Empire)

mimi-whiteman-empire giphy (25)

This is a relationship that literally only exists to fulfill a possibility once marriage equality was legalized in the United States. Literally – this was confirmed by series co-creator Danny Strong. These two don’t love each other, and they belong to that portion of the (hypothetical) queer community that anti-equality advocates say will destroy the fabric of “traditional marriage” – and as such I’d like to formally reject them as representatives of lesbians and bisexual women.


Samantha and Maria (Sex and the City)

6359142641903383571290609912_Sex-And-The-City-sex-and-the-city-24495033-300-225

Who would have ever pictured Samantha with a woman? Answer: No one, because the writers didn’t let us believe there was a chance. Then, suddenly, plot twist – she likes the ladies, too. To prove this, she ends up with a woman she has nothing in common with – no chemistry, even. We just don’t like that. And then when Maria has to basically turn crazy before they break up? Yeah, I don’t buy it – there wasn’t even anything there to start with.


Tammy and Sarah (Transparent)

e8dd9f30-7a7b-0133-907f-0e17bac22e39

This is one that was pretty much doomed from the start, even if fans didn’t want to admit it right away. Realistically, if you leave your husband for your girlfriend, it’s probably not going to work out too great. When Tammy reveals her “true colors” and basically refuses to even acknowledge Sarah’s kids – hello, they’re part of your life now, too – Sarah gets out before things get too horrible. Of course, if Sarah had just left her husband before hooking up with someone else, maybe this whole situation could have been avoided. I guess we’ll never know, since the two both ended up bitter and single and alone.


Emily and Sara (Pretty Little Liars)

tumblr_nsy554a49n1th564fo1_500

Okay, so these two were never really a couple, but the writers let us think they were going to go there for just a little too long. (Shame on you for intentionally queerbaiting a seriously believable queer character, by the way – not nice!) Anyway, the writers let us think that Emily and Sara were actually going to become a thing – and then had Emily knock her upside the face. You go, Emily.


Emily and Paige (Pretty Little Liars)

0f52f990-df16-0132-4638-0ebc4eccb42f

This is another one that had me yelling at the TV – but Em hadn’t learned yet. I mean, would you be able to form a relationship with someone who legit just tried to kill you a few episodes back? I couldn’t, but maybe that’s not a deal-breaker for our Emily. There are more than a few times when Paige royally screws up and I just wanted her to move away or get taken by A or something. Sigh. At least things finally ended – even if it did take just a little too long.


Adriana and Gia (90210)

tumblr_m4csz5eCMJ1qf4v9wo3_250

Maybe I’m just a little bitter about seeing someone “try out lesbianism” as a way to deal with their boy problems, but Adriana and Gia’s relationship was a mess of stuff we don’t want to deal with. It even spawned a music video – a terrible, terrible music video. Seriously, if you haven’t heard the song, take a listen and see how much angrier you are at the couple afterward.


Tess and Lou (Lip Service)

tumblr_m3pq95Mm7s1rv1g3ro1_500

It’s rough to be with someone who refuses to come out of the closet, and while it’s a completely respectable choice to stay in the closet, it’s not fair to force someone else back into the closet, essentially, to suit your own needs. It’s not her fault you’re not out of the closet, and it definitely wasn’t her choice. These two weren’t bad people, but they weren’t right for each other – no matter how cute they were together.


Nikki and Dutch (The Strain)

COY95s3UwAAyfyF

I love Dutch so much – even if she is a bit wishy-washy in her relationships. But I’d rather see her with Fet than Nikki. Hello, Nikki completely abandoned you for a long time, and stole all your stuff. Why would you even consider getting back together?! Stick with Fet – he’s good for you, and he’ll actually step up and help save the friggin’ world. Nikki would rather fight with you than fight next to you. You deserve so much better!


Leslie and Clarice (Chicago Fire)

chicago

Call me crazy, but the trope about an ex coming back pregnant and the two getting back together for this new family is… Strange. Maybe it actually happens, what do I know – but this couple showed why it’s probably not the best idea – at least not for everyone.


Willow and Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

anigif_enhanced-9239-1397043247-2

Lesbians aren’t just interchangeable – and the pairing of Willow and Kennedy definitely lacked the depth that Willow and Tara shared. This whole relationship seemed like an excuse for gratuitous onscreen canoodling, and it really didn’t feel like Willow gave a rat’s ass about Kennedy. (Not that she should have been in love with her or anything, but there should have been some chemistry somewhere.)


Jeri and Wendy (Jessica Jones)

f98a1ccc26cf4920c9f1eae4c19eb5c4

This couple basically exists to remind us that rich person + rich person does not automatically mean their relationship will be happy and successful and magical. In fact, these two are pretty messed up right from the start. This is what happens when you cheat on your wife – be the bigger person and break up before pursuing the side chick! Come on!


Dana and Tonya (The L Word)
tumblr_lp9wu7j1jp1qivqgdo1_1280

Tonya might just be the most horrible girlfriend on this entire list – I mean, she allocated Dana’s money to herself, and killed her cat. Who in their right mind would get engaged to someone like that?! You mess with animals, you get an immediate “no” from me, and how about a little autonomy in finances, too? If your woman wants to give you some money, she should feel free to do so without any pressure from you. Especially if you’ve already got your own decent paying job. Buh-bye, Tonya, we won’t miss you.

tumblr_mkjdfkotVE1qjl52xo3_500


Lindsay and Melanie (Queer as Folk)

tumblr_lgqzgizY751qbb9t0o1_500

These two are basically the epitome of lesbian negative stereotypes – from their clothes, to their infidelity, to their man-hating ways (we’re looking at you, Melanie). It was one of the first lesbian relationships openly shown on TV, so we really wanted to like the couple. But it’s obvious that this show was written to cater the gay men and not the lesbians. It’s almost as if it’s denying the existence of lesbians in the Pittsburgh gay scene entirely.


[interaction id=”5665ec7d76e6a1db7f776201″]

10 Queer TV Shows You Should Be Binge Watching Now

What does one do when the nights start to get cooler and darker as Autumn starts setting in? Easy peasy, we catch up on all the episodes we’ve missed of our fave TV shows and binge watch them all from start to finish, or, we watch our favourite re-runs again and remind ourselves of the characters we loved a few moons ago.


1. Jessica Jones

Having just finished its  1st season, Jessica Jones features Marvels first super hero lesbian, Jeri Hogarth, who works alongside Jessica Jones as a private investigator. It’s received rave reviews for its queer inclusivity and sexual positivity. Plus, both women are total badasses and sexy as hell.

JessicaJones_S1E01_11


2. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

This show will soon be approaching season 4 and tells the adventures of Phryne, a private investigator who is sassy and bold. It’s set in the 1920’s but the absolute lez delight is Doc, who Phryne often has to call upon to get her medical advice.

dr-mac-3


3. Master of None

Master of none is just preparing to go into its 2nd season later this year, so now is the time to binge watch all the episodes that you’ve missed so far. The show tells the tale of young artists struggling to survive in a big city. Denise is character who is a woman of colour and openly gay and she’s super funny.

tumblr_nxkm8ygKzs1try03vo1_500 lena-waithe


4. Wentworth

The 4th season has just finished and oh how we sobbed at the finale, which we won’t tell you in case you haven’t watched it! There are a few lez characters in this series about life in a woman’s prison, the most prominent being Franky Doyle. However, we get a great treat in season 4 as a previous heterosexual character falls in love with a fellow inmate and explores her bisexual side.

tumblr_o17renjJa51v4e1b9o1_400


5. Orange is the New Black

This series is also based in a woman’s prison and has two prominent lez characters in it, Piper and Alex but again, other gay females pop up occasionally as well. It’s really funny and follows Pipers turbulent on/off relationship with Alex as well as explore how she adjusts to life behind bars.

tumblr_nq6ttoipSi1sccssko2_500


6. The L Word

The L word did more positivity for Lesbians than any other TV show to date. Who can forget falling in lust with the naughty Shane, or how we rooted that Bette and Tina would reconnect after all their problems? If you haven’t ever watched the L word then it’s a must, but if you have, recapture those glowing moments and feast on all 6 seasons again.

Alice Piezecki (The L Word)


7. Last Tango in Halifax

This British TV show is really funny and not only features a prominent Lesbian character but also examines love later on in life. An elderly couple once dated in the 1950’s and reconnect via social media and one of their daughters falls in love with a woman after dating men all her life. It’s definitely worth a second viewing or if you’ve never seen it before you’re in for a real treat.

tumblr_static__640_v2


8. Pretty Little Liars

Well, Pretty Little Liars is now half way through Season 7 so now is your chance to catch up on everything you missed over the summer, or binge out on all the series and become an instant fan. There are many lesbian characters in the series and the lead character herself is gay. The show is smart, creepy and feminist and season 7 has to be one of the best yet.

LEb3BOr


9. Lost Girl

Oh how we fell in lust with Bo, our favourite bisexual succubus ever known. OK, probably the only one we’ve ever known but this show was so fabulous that all 5 seasons deserves a re watch and if you have never watched it before its worth every hour of your viewing time.

8ueMQ4e


10. Bomb Girls

Bomb Girls only ran for 2 seasons but every episode was a complete gem. Set in Canada during World War 2 the story is about a group of women that work in a bomb making factory while their husbands are fighting in the war. One of the lead characters, Betty, is amazing as a semi butch lesbian who makes no qualms about what or who she is. This programme was just fabulous and deserves to be watched time and time again.

2u9ju49

 

‘But I’m A Cheerleader’ Director Jamie Babbit Discusses The Lack Of Feminine Lesbian Characters In Film

In the latest episode of Queerty’s Going Places director Jamie Babbit discusses the lack of feminine lesbian representation in film and how that issue inspired her to create the lesbian cult comedy But I’m A Cheerleader.

FYI, did you know it’s been 17 years since But, I’m A Cheerleader hit theatres.

cheer-1459538957

Since its release, Babbit has focused mostly on television in recent years, directing episodes of shows like GirlsLooking, The L Word and Orange is the New Black.

However, she did reunite Natasha Lyonne for a new film, Addicted to Fresno.

The L Word’s Writer / Director Rose Troche Is Looking To Make New Queer Virtual Reality TV Series

Rose Troche is perhaps best known as the co-executive producer, writer and director of the Showtime series The L Word.

However, she has also directed episodes of Six Feet Under, Ugly Betty and Law & Order, but first came to prominence in 1994 with her directorial debut Go Fish, which premiered at Sundance.

Troche is now turning her attention to a new venture, and collaborating with Virtual Reality pioneer, Morris May – who was responsible for Specular Theory on ground-breaking films on date rape and police brutality, to make an 8-part ensemble comedy series entitled LGBTQIA.

960x0 (1)

Casting is underway and she is seeking a partner for what she hopes will be an ongoing series set in a high , which doubles as a community center at night.

The narrative will follow people who turn up to attend LGBTQIA group meetings, which descend into mayhem.

She intends to shoot the first two episodes, each of 8-10 minutes, in late August in time to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival’s New Frontier program.

Talking to Forbes, Troche said

I want to take what works from the old model and explore new ground in how we go through production. I am creating the bible for all eight episodes and there will be a narrative cliffhanger and also a tech cliffhanger at the end of season one, so you can start to be interactive with the promise of what is to come in season two.”

The 12 Cutest Fictional Queer Female Couples

Admit it: When you see an adorable queer couple in a TV show, you feel a little bit of extra love for that show. Sometimes, we end up watching these shows just for the OTP we see – and it’s because they speak to what we want out of our own relationships. Whether they remind us of the relationships we want or the relationships we’re actually in, these couples really hit the nail on the head.

(Note: There may be spoilers within, so if you haven’t seen the movie or show that the couple is in, be warned.)

Which is your favorite? Do you have more to add? Don’t forget to comment and let us know!


Adele and Emma (Blue is the Warmest Color)

This is one of the biggest lesbian movies to come out in the past few years, and it’s not hard to see why so many people identify with this movie. Not only is it a believable lesbian love story, but it also intertwines the feelings involved with being a young adult – brilliantly portrayed in an artsy way that will send feelings of nostalgia to pretty much anyone. Although the movie has been criticized for the use of artificial vaginas in the sex scenes, what’s more important here – a realistic story, or actual sex? We’d prefer the first, thank you!

tumblr_noz6krrNqs1tvd7dvo1_500


Betty and Helen (Masters of Sex)

betty-y-helen-en-Masters-of-Sex

However you might feel about the whole “marriage of convenience” idea, this movie – like Carol – deals with the difficulties of same-sex relationships in the middle of the last century. At the end, they end up coming out in the open anyway, and you can’t help but say “aww” as their relationship blossoms into something else. (Plus, who hasn’t wanted to see Sarah Silverman as a lesbian?)


Brittany and Santana (Glee)

Brittana-wedding-02

These two opened the door for those who might be afraid to come out because of their social status in school – how often do you hear about lesbian cheerleaders?! (Porn excluded, of course.) These two shared a love that covered a whole range of emotions, and they even helped to bring a non-sexualized view of lesbian relationships to mainstream media – with these two being the most prominent example of a lesbian couple that isn’t just targeted at lesbians. (Although we probably love them just a little more.)


Carol and Therese (Carol)

carol (1)

Personally, I love historical looks at lesbian life, and these two are a great example of what lesbian life looked like in the ‘50s – including all the secrets, all the hiding, and all the complications involved. What’s even more impactful is that there are still so many people who are wrapped up in similar situations, even with the world’s “more liberal” leanings. Everything these two went through was so heartbreaking, not only for the pain they felt, but because it serves as a reminder that we really haven’t made that much progress in the last 60 years.

(*Note – We have made a lot of progress, in general, but there’s still so much more to be done.)


Dana and Alice (The L Word)

tumblr_lkd3mvnzxl1qb1g04o1_500

Maybe it’s just the sexual tension that was building up for so long by the time they actually got together, but Dana and Alice were definitely one of the cutest couples on The L Word. We were rooting for them from the start, and then when they finally became an item, it’s like all our cute little romantic prayers were answered.


Delphine and Cosima (Orphan Black)

Orphan Black LGBT Characters 04

While their relationship might have been a bit weird at first, it’s always nice to know that your partner knows you inside and out – and, truly, these two have a scientific connection that all of us who don’t live in a sci-fi world will probably never understand. More than that, Delphine represents the straight-girl-crush-turned-true-love that we all kinda wish happened more often.


Jules and Nic (The Kids Are All Right)

the-kids-are-all-right

While much of this movie is a bit uncomfortable, the way the movie shows the lesbian moms in this movie is raw, believable, and honest – something that we don’t often see. These two will work their way into your heart and ensure that their relationship isn’t one you’ll soon forget. Even if you hate the rest of the movie (as some people do), Jules and Nic are the older lesbian couple we all secretly wish we knew.


Lena and Stef (The Fosters)

Ah, another set of lesbian moms that we all wish we could be – or have! Lena and Stef have their fair share of problems, but that’s what makes them realistic, and it melts our heart the way they manage to balance their “problem kids” with their love for each other. Their relationship could be strained or full of resentment, but it’s not, and we’re grateful for that.


Luce and Rachel (Imagine Me & You)

Imagine Me & You

It’s hard to not love Piper Perabo or Lena Headey by themselves, so the two in a relationship together? Extra loveable, for sure. Not only is this one of those rare tales where the “bi-curious woman” doesn’t end up going back to her man, but they’re also super adorable together, even right from the start. There’s even a pretty believable almost-sex scene, where the ladies have that awkward first-timer sex that most lesbian films pretend is perfect. Hello, the first time is usually not perfect – so kudos to the director for making this one realistic.


Pauline and Victoria (Lost & Delirious)

tumblr_mt1begEL2f1rl0cdno1_500

Ah, boarding school love – one of the dream fantasies of the lesbian community (and also one of the biggest fantasies of the straight male community, but that’s not what we’re talking about here). These two learned about themselves, and each other, and ripped at our heartstrings as they did it. The movie might seem a little dated now, but it’s considered one of the classics of lesbian cinema. Just try to watch it without crying – I dare you!


Shane and Carmen (The L Word)

tumblr_lhqejulNQL1qhxldwo1_500

However you personally feel about Shane, I can pretty much guarantee that you were royally pissed off when she left Carmen just because her dad told her she’d do it eventually – and “might as well be now” or whatever stupid words he actually used. Carmen brought a sense of balance to Shane, and we were really, really hoping they’d end up together. Shame on you, Shane, for throwing away the best thing to ever happen to you. Shame! (It also doesn’t hurt that Carmen was my #1 favorite character from the entire show, but hey… That’s just how things go sometimes.)


Syd and Ali (Transparent)

TRANSPARENT_203_00207

It’s always a little rough when you are dealing with a character who didn’t come out prior to the start of their same-sex relationship, but season two of Transparent handled it the best way they could – and I, for one, am thankful for that. There might be some who doubt the authenticity of this relationship, but we can’t help but hope that they’ll figure everything out in the end. (Fingers crossed!)


[interaction id=”568fa3a794a522de057902d6″]

13 Queer Female Characters I’d Hate to Hang Out With

Is it just me, or is there some unwritten rule somewhere that queer characters are either loved or hated, and rarely in between? Don’t get me wrong – I always love when there are queer characters in the first place, but some of them make me incredibly disappointed.

Sometimes I wonder – who makes these people up? Some of these characters are so unlikeable that I can’t imagine anyone being friends with them, let alone dating them. To each their own, I guess, but I really don’t understand it.

How many of these characters would you hate to hang out with? Do you have more to add? Let us know in the comments!


1.     Shana, Pretty Little Liars

5e372860-396f-0133-9d49-0af7184f89fb

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I’m a near-obsessive PLL fan. I love their inclusion as a not-bumbling-idiot lesbian character literally as one of the main crew. It’s pretty sad that’s so groundbreaking, but hey – at least I get it somewhere. They’ve included quite a few queer characters already – and even though a few of them have now been killed off or sent away, most of them have been pretty… Normal. It’s so nice to see normal representation that doesn’t feel forced.  Hallelujah!

Unfortunately, one of the pretty normal characters is the terrible, terrible Shana. She’s not exactly hate-inducing, for the most part, but she is a manipulative, back-stabbing wench who seriously did some emotional damage.


2.    Tori, Lost and Delirious

tumblr_mh5frwvXet1rpk19no1_500

I haven’t actually seen Lost and Delirious yet (it’s on my list), but every account of Tori makes me not want to like her. She might have her own problems, and in some ways we can all sympathize with having problems – but her character leaves Piper Perabo’s character, and no friend of mine would ever dump Piper Perabo!


3.    Jessica, Kissing Jessica Stein

anigif_original-grid-image-22389-1377877158-20

Of course, the idea of girl-meets-girl, girl-kisses-girl, boy-gets-girl-in-the-end automatically aggravates lesbians to no end. I know you can’t help who you fall for, but did you have to fall for him? Jessica’s character sounds a bit like me in some regards, so I’d probably get over my dislike eventually, but my heart would be broken the whole time.


4.    Piper, Orange is the New Black

giphy (13)

I feel like I’m supposed to want to hang out with Piper, and that’s probably why I wouldn’t want to. She seems like a younger, more homo-naïve version of myself (which is weird, because I’m pretty sure she’s older than I am?) but I can’t get over the fact that she’s just immature about so many things.


5.    Kennedy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

tumblr_li2tgipdlK1qaimf2o1_r1_500

This might be a little unfair, because it’s not Kennedy’s fault that I don’t like her. But she’s not Tara, and we’re pre-programmed to reject anyone who isn’t our favorite character’s OTL. But that doesn’t change the fact that Kenny definitely isn’t Tara, and she’s just distracting Willow from the appropriate mourning process. I mean, hello… She lost the love of her life and you’re just trying to get some? How rude.


6.    Marissa Cooper, The O.C.

Marissa-marissa-cooper-22090993-500-278

I can’t stand selfish people, and Marissa is a huge offender in that regard. She’s the pretty embodiment of every worst ex-girlfriend any lesbian has ever had in the history of ever and that would make her off-limits as a friend in my book. I could deal with her sad story if she wasn’t so hung up on herself all the time.


7.     Maureen, Rent

maureen-johnson

At first I thought I was alone in hating Maureen, but it turns out she bugs the hell out of other people, too – as she rightly should. She’s pretty, but she uses her beauty to manipulate and use people. I wouldn’t be able to hang out with her because I just know I’d fall for her charms, and I really can’t be involved with someone like that.


8.    Tamsin, My Summer of Love

tumblr_mjicotVRrM1s89mq8o1_500

Anytime someone is toying with someone else’s emotions, it’s an automatic “no” from me. I don’t tolerate my family members who do that, what would make me tolerate it in a friend? Tamsin was such a terrible person, and it really is a shame, because she’s so beautiful – don’t let the beautiful ones be evil!


9.    Jenny, The L Word

tumblr_inline_mk3jaeHXnP1qz4rgp (1)

I must admit: I had a pretty fat crush on Season One Jenny. But as she started to find her success, she let it warp her into this really awful person. She was manipulative, deceitful, narcissistic, cheating, animal abusing troll of a woman. Seriously, what the hell happened – and how do I make sure it never happens to me?!


10. Ashley, South of Nowhere

tumblr_m48lq1vKNA1r78f57o1_500

I feel like I’m alone among SoN fans on this one, but – despite my tremendous attraction for Mandy Musgrave as an actress, I absolutely hated her character. I feel like Spencer could have ended up with better, and as much as I didn’t care for her to be with Aiden, either, Ashley was just so… spoiled, and she felt spoiled, too. Can we have some bisexual ladies who aren’t rich snobs?


11.  Ramona, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

tumblr_o2t8xiM67C1sp43p0o1_500

There’s another bisexual character I’m not too terribly pleased with, too: Ramona. While she didn’t exactly do anything too terrible, I think that her dry humor and “let’s not make a big deal out of it” attitude about everything would put me off a bit if I were to try and hang out with her. I think the part of it that’s the worst to me is that I really, really wanted to like her – her crazy hair is fun and exciting… But I think I’d rather be friends with Julie.


12. Tina, The L Word

tumblr_mkjdfkotVE1qjl52xo1_500

Call me crazy, but… I was not happy that Bette and Tina ended up together. Tina was a complete troll about the whole Angelica thing, from the very beginning, and I think I would have the hardest time being friends with someone who acted like that. Where the women on the show often ended up hurting one another, Jenny and Tina are the only ones who set out to hurt the people they loved, and that makes me not want to be friends with either one of them.


13. Paige, Degrassi

tumblr_mx5jw3XvPS1qj4315o2_500

I had a crush on Alex for a long time, so when they first showed her kissing Paige, I was super happy. But then the more I thought about it, the more I really couldn’t stand Paige. She went crazy, and she totally took advantage of Alex’s love for her. Sure, Alex wasn’t exactly easy to be with, but Paige essentially grew to hate all the things she originally loved about Alex, and that never really sat right with me.


[interaction id=”568fa3a794a522de057902d6″]

Ilene Chaiken’s ‘Empire’ Is Killing Off More Lesbians

SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead, if you have not watched the April 6 episode of Empire.

tumblr_nla056NK8Z1unc2rwo1_500

Empire did its part to keep the Dead Lesbian Syndrome saga going this week by killing off Mimi Whiteman (Marisa Tomei) and her wife Camilla Marks-Whiteman (Naomi Campbell) – the new power lesbians of music.

Their demise joins a long list of lesbian / bisexual TV character who have met their end the past few weeks. The 100 killed off, just after she consummated her relationship with her female lover. AMC’s The Walking Dead also killed off, as did Syfy’s The Magicians, The Expanse, CBS medical drama Code Black and CW’s Jane the Virgin.

mimi-showdown

Though the pattern of television deaths has become a recent trend, Empire showrunner (and creator of The L Word) Ilene Chaiken was quick to explain that the shocking double death does not fall into the same category.

I think that we aren’t a part of that phenomenon or conversation.”

Speaking about Campbell’s character (who had sex with a man, in the scene prior to her death), Chaiken explains:

I would say that Camilla is not a lesbian character. Camilla was, if anything, an opportunist, which is quite different from being a lesbian. If anything, the lesbians should wish for a character like Camilla to be killed off since she just preyed on a powerful lesbian in order to fulfill her heterosexual ambitions.”

Empire has always been a show inclusive of LGBTQ relationships, primarily with a series-long storyline revolving around one of the main characters Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) publicly embracing his sexuality and becoming a role model for gay fans in the hip-hop community.

But the series has proven that everybody is fair game for beat downs, insults, getting shot, melodramatic tumbles down the stairs and on and on.

We also have to remember the show is currently working to regain its footing, and killing off characters (especially lesbians) keeps things lively.

Mimi and Camilla were prop characters, and it’s a shame they were wiped out as opposed to given more depth, more compelling backstory, more thought.

So, are there any plans to introduce a loving lesbian couple on Empire? Chaiken says.

No plans at the moment, but it’s always in my thoughts. I don’t know whether anybody else shares my wish for that, but I’m always looking for that story.”

Why Queer Character Deaths Always Matter

It might not seem like the death of any character is more monumental than any other. In fact, up until pretty recently, I thought that was the case, too. But after I noticed that all of my favorite queer characters were being killed off in the most dramatic way possible.

It’s always either AIDs, bullying/murder, or… You know… The arrow through the back of the head.

No spoilers here, but… That one actually caught me off-guard. I’m pretty sure I actually jumped because it was completely out of left field (literally and figuratively). I read up and found that it was essentially just a variation of the source material, and I was satisfied for a minute.

Which is probably what the producers were going for.

It seems like a minor difference to switch up a character who’s going to be killed off, but circumstantially, swapping a straight character’s death for a queer character’s death is adding yet another name to a long list of statistically doomed characters.

When we’re fighting as hard as we are for adequate representation, killing off the characters that embody everything we’re looking for in our queer characters: The strong, relatable ones that have more going for them than just sex and short skirts. (Not that there’s anything wrong with those characters, either, but statistically they’ll probably be killed off, too.)

Do we just feel like more gay characters die, because there aren’t as many of them?

That’s what I thought at first – after all, with only a handful of lesbians on the line-up until OITNB comes back, each one is automatically a larger portion – one out of five feels like more than five out of a hundred.

But Autostraddle did the math on this one, and it’s actually a little deeper than that.

According to them, there have been 147 lesbian and bisexual female characters who died on TV. And these are becoming more and more frequently as we have more queer female characters on television.

This is to be expected, especially when you factor in shows like The L Word where 99% of the cast plays queer female characters, or shows like American Horror Story and Scream Queens where every episode you’re basically betting on who’s going to die today.

But if those numbers still sound pretty high, they are.

According to a different list from Autostraddle, the number of queer female characters who ended up with happy endings: 29. Many of these were couples, which counts as “two characters” but only one happy ending – and, all in all, only 15 shows had happy endings for their lesbian and bisexual characters.

AUTOSTRADDLE-tv-death-6

A quick flip through both lists is a bit devastating, honestly. We’re definitely not saying that queer characters need to be invincible – but they shouldn’t be killed off just for a plot twist. Let their deaths have meaning.

Let us mourn their deaths, instead of just getting angry with the writers!

16 Things from ‘The L World’ That Still Don’t Make Any Sense

The L Word is one of those shows that most of my generation ended up finding late at night, in their room, by surprise. After all, when the show came out, Netflix wasn’t right on your computer or tablet yet – we had to make do with what we had.

For so many of us, this was the first image of lesbians we really saw before we came out (Buffy and Xena excluded, of course). Now that we’ve had some time to grow up, we have questions. So… Many…. Questions.


[interaction id=”5665ec7d76e6a1db7f776201″]


1. What is with Shane’s style in Seasons 1-2?

giphy (11)

I get the whole rockstar vibe, but did she have to pick rockstars from the ‘70s? We had so many bigger fashion icons that she could have emulated from the music industry. Hell, even Elton John could have been a good look for her – so why did she look like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards?


2. And then, the rest of the seasons, too?

tumblr_luyfp1BpXB1r6jx0ko1_500

Okay, I’ll admit that I was sucked into the “Sexy Shane” idea for a few years… But I think it’s because she was shown as this Sex Goddess who dressed a bit like me. Albeit, the stuff never looked like that on me because I am substantially bigger than super-skinny Shane. But she basically looks unkempt throughout the whole series, and magically women fall for her like crazy. What’s up with that?


3. But really, what’s up with everyone’s style in the early seasons?

tumblr_mte0o3Wg4E1r38njjo1_500

Considering how fashion-forward most of them ended up being in later seasons, it’s a little weird that everyone was so unfashionable in the first couple seasons. I mean, back then I wasn’t too terribly fashionable either, but I didn’t live in a posh neighborhood in LA – I lived in a little country town about forty minutes away from anything worth mentioning. Surely, these women had to have access to high-fashion outlets in Los Angeles.


4. Why are Bette and Tina friends with Shane?

anigif_enhanced-24379-1398180314-29

They have literally nothing in common, and they wouldn’t even hang out if they weren’t neighbors, right? Even then, I’ve never been that cozy with random stranger neighbors… Especially those who were from obviously different socioeconomic statuses. Which brings us to…


5. How did Shane, Jenny, and that whole crew afford to live next door to Bette and Tina anyway?

l-word

I can tell you from personal experience, being a writer doesn’t pay too much – especially if you’re just kinda going your own way with it, like Jenny did. Shane is a hairdresser to the stars, but she barely ever goes to work and she keeps pissing off clients or getting in trouble with their significant others – how does she even still have a job? Right next door are rich-and-successful Bette and Tina, who have so much money saved up that Bette literally pays for an apartment for Tina as well as keeping up the bills at her own place… What?! How are these two houses even on the same street?!


6. What’s up with The Chart?

Alice Piezecki (The L Word)

I get that this is a major plot point in the show, but how did this actually come about – and how did it grow so friggin’ big? Wouldn’t people want to maintain a little privacy in this part of their lives, especially those who were definitely in the closet about the whole thing? And the Papi hub suggested that people were literally updating their Chart status immediately after getting it on. This is rude, and no one would really keep up with something like this – especially someone as… Ahem… “Busy” as Papi.


7. Does anyone ever really go to work?

dating-pool-06

Not all of the characters even have jobs, and they’re rarely seen going to work – except Tina and Max, and of course anyone who works at The Planet, at least while they’re working there. Seriously – these people pay for their fancy houses and better fashion choices by barely ever going to work. I don’t buy it. I work 6-7 days a week and can barely afford my coffee addiction.


8. Why is Shane so irresistible?

annoying-questions-09

I already touched on this one before, but really, what is it about Shane that has women entranced? I think maybe it’s a representation of what we all wish we could be… But that’s not realistic, of course. Shane would not have really been pulling in the babes, between her cursed reputation and completely disheveled appearance throughout the majority of the series.


9. Why did Bette and Tina end up together?

tumblr_lyxszfiguI1rness3o1_500

They were so wrong for each other, and not because Bette couldn’t keep her eyes on only Tina. Tina was a bit manipulative and controlling, and she was always in some type of pissy mood. Plus, what was with that whole cybersex thing – did we ever really believe it was just curiosity? Maybe this is my inner insecurities taking precedence – I had an ex who went looking for a piece of side action with a straight guy while we were together – but that would have been just as bad as cheating in my book. And those nicknames… Ugh. Gag.


10. Why do we feel so compelled to sing the stupid theme song?

Even if you’ve never actually sung along, you know every word – admit it. And you hate that song, but still, when you hear that intro, you start revving up and picturing the opening credits from your favorite season, no matter which season is actually on at the time.


11. How are there so many single women in LA?

best-lesbians-19

Lesbians aren’t known for staying single, and any time a new lesbian enters their circle, she’s miraculously single. Most lesbians I know wouldn’t make a big move like that without their girlfriends… Anyway, I find it pretty hard to believe that many lesbians enter their world without a girlfriend. Look it over again – how many women come into the plot specifically to destroy a relationship? How is everyone just so OK with hooking up with someone else’s girlfriend?


12. Why did Ivan get mad at Kit?

tumblr_lrzbyoy6Xt1qetd4q

Or, worded differently, why did he give her a key to his place if she wasn’t allowed to use it? Like, hello, she knows you’re transgender, and she adores you anyway – obviously it’s not her who’s making a big deal out of things and being awkward.


13. Why didn’t Jenny kick out Mr. Creepy like, yesterday?

anigif_enhanced-buzz-9252-1377884142-6

As soon as I find out I’m being recorded without my knowledge, you’re going to be out of the picture – even if I willingly have sex with you on a regular basis. There is no way I would let someone who has shown a complete breach of personal space to continue living in my spare room. Not a chance. There’s no making up for that.


14. Why didn’t we see more Joyce and Phyllis?

1fba7f2d41e6bd470eacee3d98d49fdd

They were probably the cutest couple on the show, and they were barely even on the show. I would have watched the hell out of a spin-off show. It’s not too late, ladies – please team up again and be awesome older crime fighting vigilante lesbian goddesses. Is that too much to ask for?


15. Why didn’t we get to see more of Helena in prison?

15af4c73d4326091e716d55a0187614b

It might be one of the most overdone lesbian storylines ever, but we would all watch another lesbian women’s prison TV show – admit it. (I’d settle for a cameo on Orange is the New Black – oh please, can we have a crossover?!)

lword53_23


16. Who actually killed Jenny?

10399674_1040785219326905_9045251978108232630_n

Rumors have been started a million times about this subject. Everyone has heard someone’s theories before, and made their own. Who do you think did it? Tell us in the comments!

(p.s. – I heard a rumor that Alice whispers she did it at the end of the final episode – but I haven’t verified this yet… Planning to dig up a recap for proof!)

l-word-giff-03

Sarah Paulson Opens Up About Acting, And Dating Older Women

Last year, news broke American Horror actress Sarah Paulson, who was about to turn 41, was dating the actress Holland Taylor, who is 32 years her senior.

The online reaction was immediate and (rare for a celebrity dating story) almost entirely positive.

Paulson, for her part, found the sudden attention “surreal.”

In an interview with the New York Times, she says she tried to keep her distance from the hubbub but acknowledged,

My choices in romantic partners have not been conventional, and therefore the idea that it is ‘other’ makes it compelling.”

Before dating Taylor, Paulson was in a seven-year relationship with the actress Cherry Jones, who is 18 years older than she is. Before that, she dated men, including the actor and playwright Tracy Letts, who is nine years older and to whom she was engaged.

She never kept her same-sex relationships secret, but she has been wary of labelling her sexuality, for fear of being “skewered” should she change her dating habits later on.

If my life choices had to be predicated based on what was expected of me from a community on either side, that’s going to make me feel really straitjacketed, and I don’t want to feel that,” she said. “What I can say absolutely is that I am in love, and that person happens to be Holland Taylor.”

The women first met at a dinner party about a decade ago, when Paulson was still with Jones. Nevertheless, she thought that Taylor was “probably the most exquisitely beautiful woman I’d ever seen.”

They crossed paths again a few years later, when the actress Martha Plimpton asked both to record videos for her reproductive-rights organization, A Is For.

Paulson was filming American Horror Story: Asylum at the time, and Taylor was working on her one-woman play, Ann, about the former Texas governor Ann Richards.

After that, they followed each other on Twitter and exchanged direct messages before finally deciding to go out for dinner. They have now been together for a little more than a year.

Paulson said she had never seriously dated anyone her own age.

There’s a poignancy to being with someone older. I think there’s a greater appreciation of time and what you have together and what’s important, and it can make the little things seem very small. It puts a kind of sharp light mixed with a sort of diffused light on something. I can’t say it any other way than there’s a poignancy to it, and a heightened sense of time and the value of time.”

She has always gravitated toward her elders, she added, beginning in junior high school.

I had a complicated home life, and my teachers, predominantly my theatre teachers and my English teachers, were very dedicated to taking care of me in a particular way. And in doing so, I think I developed a very easy rapport with people older than myself.”

Dinah Shore Weekend to Feature The L Word and The Real L Word Cast Members

The L Word television franchise has a pretty long history with the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend. In season one of the scripted show, The L Word, Alice, Jenny, Dana and Shane road-tripped their way to the event and got themselves into dramatic (and comedic) hijinks while the cast of the reality spin-off, The Real L Word, attended multiple times during its three seasons.

At Dinah Shore Weekend 2016, that history is set to continue as cast members from both The L Word and The Real L Word will be headed to Palm Springs next month.

Attending the event (which takes place between March 30 – April 3) will be Clementine Ford (who played Molly Kroll), Elizabeth Keener (who played Dawn Denbo), along with The Real L Word cast member Tracy Ryerson.

Dinah-Shore-22 Dinah-Shore-19 Dinah-Shore-13

The three actors will be at the event as part of the tellofilms-sponsored Dinah Film Fest. All three have featured in tellofilm projects – Tracy Ryerson starred in the Kiss Me I’m Famous web series, and Clementine Ford and Elizabeth Keener will both star in the upcoming project Skirtchasers – and this should give fans of queer female media a chance to watch some great shows, shorts, films, and documentaries.

Moreover, fans will be treated to a special, ‘farewell’ performance from another set of The Real L Word cast members, Hunter Valentine.

The band’s music and personal lives featured heavily on the reality show and now, the pop/punk band (made up of Kiyomi McCloskey and Laura Petracca, along with touring members Leanne Bowes and Lisa Bianco) will perform their last show as they prepare to go on an indefinite hiatus.

Other big draws to this year’s Dinah Shore Weekend include a night of comedy and music from Orange Is The New Black’s Lea Delaria, DJing from both Samantha Ronson and Mary Mac, and a performance from Grammy-nominated artist Elle King.

To find out more about the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend, visit the official website.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Woman You Call Intimidating

There are a million reasons why someone can seem intimidating to others. Maybe she’s got “that face” that looks like she’s mad at the world, or maybe she’s so busy doing her own thing that you think she won’t have any time for you. (Hey, that one is actually true sometimes.)

The truth is, you never really know someone until you’ve actually approached them, and “intimidating women” are often left unapproached. People think that their appearance, their mannerisms, or the rumors that follow them around are the tell-all signs, but the reality is that things are not always as they seem.

While the truth behind your own “intimidating woman” might vary from this list, here are some common misconceptions that keep people from giving them a chance. You never know until you speak to her what the truth is, so why not go over and say hello?


She’s not stuck up… She’s just shy.

Many women come across as stuck up when they don’t easily open up to people. Sure, some women really are stuck up – but most are just shy. This can be especially true if the woman has a long history of being “unapproachable”. Even if she’s highly attractive, she might never get a date because others assume that she thinks too highly of herself.

Unless she has specifically told you that she thinks she’s better than you, though, it’s best to not assume that’s the case. Many intimidating women have tremendous insecurities as a result of other people avoiding them. Sometimes there’s a legitimate reason for these insecurities, too – but that doesn’t mean that you can’t help to “undo” them.


She’s not rude… She’s just honest.

There’s an expectation that “ladies” are supposed to sugar-coat things to make them easier to handle. However, most women think that falls too close to lying – so they refuse to do it. When a woman freely speaks her mind without making sure it’s “politically correct” first, it often gives the impression that she’s rude, foul-mouthed, ill-tempered… Well, you name it.

The truth is, everyone is entitled to their opinions – and she makes hers painfully clear. You might not like what she has to say, but unless she’s directly insulting you or intentionally causing offense, she probably just wasn’t born with that “make-it-sound-nice-first” filter that some women have. (I’m pretty bad about this one myself, actually. I’m a bad liar, so I don’t even try to bend the truth.)


She’s not crazy… She’s just herself.

Women who feel comfortable being their truest self are often labeled as crazy. “Cat ladies” and “fan girls” are two pretty common examples that come to mind. Society places this stigma on what someone should be, and if they don’t fit that definition, there must be something wrong with them.

Personally, I hate this. Society has no business telling you who you should or shouldn’t be, as long as you’re not hurting anyone else in the process. There’s something beautiful about someone who is completely, unapologetically free in their own body and mind, and I think that’s something we should all strive for – not shy away from.


She’s not angry… She’s just stressed out.

Here’s a little story for you guys: I have severe anxiety. I can keep it under control most of the time (as long as I’m not faced with large crowds of people or short deadlines), but it’s always going to be there. And sometimes, this anxiety manifests itself as anger, even though I’m not mad at the person I’m lashing out at. (I’m not saying it’s right, only that it happens.)

If you’re afraid to approach someone because you think she’s mad at the world, most likely, she’s not. Stress and anxiety (as well as a number of other mental health concerns) can sometimes look like extreme anger to outsiders, but for the person experiencing the racing mind and all the problems associated with it, the sharp tone could be an indicator that they’re just a bit overwhelmed. Try to forgive the snappy comebacks and see if you can find a breakthrough.


She’s not selfish… She’s just assertive.

Assertive women have a hard time in life. They know exactly what they want, and what they need to do to make it happen – but they’re often given negative labels by onlookers. The people who don’t understand the motives behind why she does the things she does will assume she’s just looking out for her own interests.

But, in reality, we’re all looking out for our own interests. Whether we accommodate the needs of others as well will vary from person to person, but keep in mind that the women who seem intimidating are often not given the chance to express their selfless side. So while you’re busy looking at the things she’s doing for herself – she’s busy thinking of how she can change the world.


She’s not a player… She’s just independent.

Women who enjoy being single are usually treated as if they’re just looking for a one-night stand, but that’s often not the case. Some women really do prefer doing their own thing, and they think it would be unfair to lock someone else into their life plans unless they’re absolutely certain that they fit. This doesn’t automatically mean that she’s going to be sleeping around – not that it’s any of your business if she does.

For women who value their own independence, they often choose to wait until they find a partner who will accommodate that need for independence even within a relationship. If you’re willing to give her the space she needs and let her do the things she wants, there’s nothing set in stone saying she’s going to use your trust against you. Don’t write her off without giving her a chance!


[interaction id=”5613a3c574a791dd4b4e82b7″]