A Good Time to be a Lesbian in SoCal

Beep-beep, ding, tweet, there it goes all day long, my inbox filling up with lesbian invites.

Club nights, bingo, comedy, dinner parties, charity events and while I keep wondering where I'm going to find the time and outfits for all this, I can't help but remember when all we had in LA for the ladies when I was in my twenties was The Palms on Santa Monica Boulevard.

(pictured left, An Evening with Women, 2009)

In those days, everyone had a Palm's story. Generally having to do with some naive, new-to-LA woman cracking open the door and cautiously entering, easing onto a bar stool in what could be described as an atmosphere akin to a biker bar someone just past the train tracks. Followed by a burly woman with her wallet chained to her belt loop leaning over with a gravelly voice saying words that would haunt you for years in your nightmares.

As I traveled around the country to film festivals with my movies, I've managed to eyeball almost every city's version of this. I'm glad we've come out of the bars and the shadowy places, so today in spreading the word of some fun lesbian events coming up, I'll list a few lesbian resources for the SoCal ladies.

LESBIAN ATTACK

next one May 22nd

If you have not discovered this yet, and you live anywhere in SoCal and are a lesbian, go immediately to Facebook and join their group. Now. LesbianAttackonFacebook.

These ladies had the brilliant idea of secretly descending on a local LA hot spot - generally a SUPER STRAIGHT ONE - with over 200 lesbians about once every other month. Sometimes the numbers have actually reached close to 500!

The next Attack will actually be planned and for Charity. Don't miss this, it's a great deal, a tax write off and a super fun time. It's Lesbian Attack Gives Back, and it's cohosted by almost everyone in town to support the LA Gay and Lesbian Center.

SINGLE DE MAYO
Sunday, May 2nd
Every year, the ladies in LA get together to hook up and donate the money to charity.

This is a fun afternoon event with things like a kissing booth, dancing, a photo booth and celeb appearances. All proceeds this year benefit JQ International.

And I admit, it's fun to see lesbians in the daylight.

This year, the event is May 2nd from 2 - 7 pm

667 South June Street,

Los Angeles, CA 90005

With tickets running $15.
Their Facebook page is here.

AN EVENING WITH WOMEN

Saturday, May 1

This is the big, fancy black tie event for lesbians - and has been for decades! It used to be called Women's Night, but then Linda Perry took over and revamped it into an even bigger, glitzier fundraiser for the LA Gay & Lesbian Center.

This year, Heart will be there along with Gina Gershon, Rene Zelwegger, Sarah Silverman and probably some fun surprises, and certainly the entire who's who of lesbians in Los Angeles.

Perry produces the event with buddy Brent Bolthouse of LA nightlife fame, and this year my fellow vegan Shannon Del joined the mix.

Tickets are costly - but hey, that's the price to pay to be in the hip.

It'll cost ya $300 and the event is this Saturday, May 1st at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Cocktails and Silent Auction (and penultimate sappho schmoozing) starts at 6 pm with the dinner and show kicking in around 8 pm. Get your tickets now before they sell out.

For photos and video from last year's event, click here.

My gay boyfriends had so much fun at last year's, they all actually bought tickets this year!

GAYS R US
Every first Wednesday of the month at the historic Improv on Melrose

Big name comics perform here every month at what has to be the best kept secret in lgbt entertainment in Hollywood.

Tickets run around $15, and that'll get you a place to sit and chilax with your buds while nibbling on some fries and kicking back a few brewskies while seriously laughing your ass off (last month I actually for the first time in my life spit out my beer). The friend I brought even told me afterwards, "I feel high from laughing so much with all those endorphins!"

This isn't an amateur or try-out stage. Almost every comic has a Showtime, HBO, Logo or Comedy Central special under their belt.

Next Wednesday night, the infamous Julie Goldman is headlining. Star of The Big Gay Sketch Show, Goldman is in town from NY for a rare LA appearance.

Check it out any first Wednesday night with comics including Andre Kelly, Poppy Champlin, Sandra Valls, Liz Feldman, Bridget McManus, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Justin Martindale, Daniel Leary, Jennie McNulty, Jason Dudey and more. The evening is usually hosted by the producer, comic/actress Erin Foley.



OTHER RESOURCES FOR YOUR LESBIAN SATISFACTION

Didn't find anything interesting here? Well you can always check out the guru of LA lesbian nightlife, The Godfather, over at LA Box Lunch Lesbians. There, you'll not only get a great listing of all the clubs and bars, but sometimes her recaps which are honest and hysterical.

A little older and a bit conservative? Definitely check out the biggest lesbian social circle in the universe over at www.womenonaroll.com

And currently, there are lesbian nights at East/West, Eleven and Crown Bar on Thursday evenings.

SWEET TRAVEL
No matter where you live, you can join hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of lesbians from around the globe at Sweet's travel events. Upcoming: a weekend in Vegas baby, and a Singles Escape for a week - May 7-14 - in the tropical paradise of Isla Mujeres. For more info, check out their web site.

As the Gay Turns for Wednesday

RIP - PlanetOut.com

After here! Media bought almost all the print and internet outlets out there, they've all been slowly folding into one place. Now the former PlanetOut.org folds into Gay.com which is where GayWired.com also lands.

Jenni Olsen wrote about this.

GeEqual.org interrupted yet another political event today:

If you're keeping track, that adds up to three offenses this week!

If you live in Los Angeles, there are two big things going on this weekend:

Showbiz Expo - All day Saturday and Sunday with panels, exhibits, mixers and much more.

and

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. All weekend at UCLA and jam packet with incredible appearances by some of your favorite authors and celebs. Great cultural event for the city!

And here's your gay movie trailer of the week:

As the Gay Turns - Point, Sketch, Choi and Glee

The gay video of the week, below, is tied to the big gay news story of today - Dan Choi returned to the White House today with five other military members to handcuff themselves to the gates AGAIN.


Meanwhile, the police did NOT want anyone to video tape this including CBS news, CNN and so on, as you can see and hear in this clip:


This rally takes place just a day after members of GetEqual heckled the president as he spoke at a political fundraiser for Barbara Boxer. Obama actually acknowledged the hecklers as they chanted, "What about Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He reassured them, "That Barbara did not vote for Don't Ask, Don't Tell!" then followed by, "You want to come up here?"

Both these incidents are receiving the intended news coverage nationally. GetEqual.org is behind both.

Those not familiar, this is a fairly new organization started and run by grassroots activists. They are the antithesis of big organizations like HRC - the later coming into criticism a lot of late for hobnobbing with the White House instead of pressuring. In fact, HRC and GetEqual are constantly at odds and not afraid to publicly bash one another.

If you ever saw Network, GetEqual.org is channelling that whole, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more spirit."

In other gay news - the big Madonna episode of GLEE is on this evening, with the Sue Sylvester VOGUE video being a big highlight. GLEE recently won the GLAAD Award for best comedy show and at that ceremony, creator Ryan Murphy lauded out cast members Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer.

Also on tonight at 10 pm on LOGO is episode 2 of The Big Gay Sketch Show.

Even though the show was taped well over a year ago (LOGO - get your act together) tonight's show has a Glenn Close sketch by Dennis Hensley that comes the day after the last episode (perhaps EVER) of Damages aired.

I know you'll be watching Lost and Glee, but you can either TIVO it or even better, buy the entire season on Itunes.

Monday night, my favorite non profit POINT FOUNDATION had their awards show in New York City and they raised an astounding $600,000. The event honored David Mixner and as per usual, had a big star turn out including Alan Cumming, Jane Krakowski, Andy Cohen and Susan Sarandon.

Here's Sarandon flocked by some Point Scholars (can you blame them for flocking?). Every time I see this woman TO THIS DAY, all I can hear is, "Are you trying to seduce me Mrs. Blaylock?" (Please, call me Miriam).

If you're around this week in Los Angeles, come on down to TheSmokingCocktail.com's monthly LGBT mixer for professionals, artists and activists:

New relaxed, and fun GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, with new ED

When you have outspoken and quick-witted women like Wanda Sykes and Drew Barrymore accepting awards...you pretty much know you're going to have a fun night.

Throw in two highly attractive and talented hosts (Wilson Cruz and Candis Cayne), the cast of GLEE and a handful of little puppies from the pound... mix in the appropriate amount of free flowing Absolut, stir gently with 800 gay men in black suits and tuxes... and you have the GLAAD 2010 Media Awards in Los Angeles.

One reason I love these events is because after kissing the air next to about 58 men's cheeks, I feel like I got a free microdermabrasion. Love that stubble, not used to it being all lesbian, and appreciate saving $150 on a facial. Plus I admit, I never tire of the lies gay men always say like, "You look spectacular", when I am clearly wearing the exact same outfit I did at the last two black tie events in the gay world.

Thank god this year they switched the venue to a far less ostentatious location. No more Nokia Center or Kodak Theatre, it's back to the ole LGBT staple of the Century City Hyatt Regency - and believe me, the crowd was happy about that. It has a friendly little layout and plenty of room to fit the different cocktail receptions, red carpet, dinner, dance party, silent auction and what not. The auditorium is huge and the acoustics and production quality was all perfect.

Drew Barrymore has for sure the best tribute reel I've seen in a while - her company put it together and it started with the blonde actress/producer looking in the camera sincerely asking why the gays like her. Smash cut to every single gay moment in film she's been in or produced including clips from Boys on the Side, Grey Gardens, Charlie's Angels and ending with ET in drag! Big laugh. Then it had a great bit about all the lawyers, staff, hairdressers, agents and managers in her life that are gay. She might know more gay men than me. Then she ended the reel with Faye Dunaway doing her acceptance speech in Mommie Dearest. Brills.

On stage, she was lovely and charming, and my favorite part of her schpeel was when she said regarding gay marriage and adoption, "When are people going to learn that we have to take care of each other. We have to love each other. And we have to let people do that."

GLEE won for best comedy on television and Ryan Murphy accepted the award. He applauded out stars Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer. "Jane has used her fame to publicly talk about her engagement...Jane where are you registered?" Jane leaned over and said NCLR (so if you want to make a donation in Jane's name, please go to their web site where you can also see a cute video from Jane and her fiance. Of course, after about two beats, she leaned back in and said, "Um, er and GLAAD. GLAAD too."

Ryan Murphy showered Colfer with praise for coming out at his early age and during the height of his network show's popularity unlike some people that come out later at the age of 40 (big slam to you, Sean Hayes).

Wanda Sykes was also fantastic on stage.

She accepted the award from MississippiPromgate star Constance McMillen. "Really, I should give you this award," Sykes said to McMillen, "But I'm not going to because I want it."

Sykes went on to applaud the young woman for standing up for her rights before, during and after the Prom controversy. "Don't worry, you'll be winning enough of your own awards."

Sykes went on to thank all her show's producers, Rupert Murdoch (I think he let's me do my show, and has GLEE on the air just to cover his bases on getting into heaven after all that Fox News garbage. Hey, I would cover my ass too!), and her assistant. She looked out at her assistant and threatened to kill her if she ever left her. "I'm serious. And don't point to your husband, I ain't scared of him!"

Then she did a call back to bitch-slap Ryan Murphy for his coming out at 40 comment and said, "You think it's so easy to come out at 40? Talk to my mother. She'll tell you it's not easy!"

They had the cutest little puppies from the West LA Animal Shelter at the silent auction table at the pre party. BIG FUCKING HIT.

I managed to pull myself away from the puppies long enough to catch up with some folks include Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley from the No on H8 campaign (they had just been at Gene Simmon's house to do his photo!), and I also met Constance McMillen who was really excited about possibly attending UCLA and moving to our fair city.

I also ran into my table mates from last year's awards show, and tons of folks I met at the NY GLAAD awards! Great fun.

Probably the best part of the evening was crashing the teen party that was happening in a big tent outside the main auditorium near the smoking lounge.
It really touched a lot of us to see all the high school and college students having their own party (I haven't seen that much dance floor action since the Sweet cruise!). They got to watch the show on monitors, and some of the stars came up to make an appearance. It made the rest of us all talk about how nice it would have been to come out in high school or college. We debated whether it was easier to do so now (I don't think it's ever THAT easy). We also remembered how as kids, we had no gay role models (other than, duly noted by all, Paul Lynde).

The show ended with Adam Lambert coming out looking quite fabulous with his big blue-back hair and dark-as-sin-at-night eyeliner.

I've never heard him sing or seen him perform, and I was surprised at the late 1980's glam rock vibe to it all (surprised because I haven't seen that shit since I was 19!). I'm a little bummed his music isn't as catchy as Lady Gaga's, but his energy and showmanship was absolutely fantastic.

Photos from the show and red carpet are from our LGBT photo event god, Brian Putnam. Check out all his celeb work at Putnam Photo.

Of course, I took all the puppy photos.

See all you bitches at the next big gay event - which by my calendar is An Evening With Women.

Here's the rest of the photos:

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Gay Video of the Week

And the winner is Tim Gunn critiquing in his usual fabulous fashionista way, the costumes of super heroes.

It's gay and geeky!

Of course, with GLEE premiering this week, the gayest video is Sue Sylvester singing VOGUE and the best way to watch it (again, admit it you've already watched it several times) is to view The Gawker's Side By Side Comparison with Madonna's original.

Melissa Etheridge - Single Again

Melissa's reps told PEOPLE magazine: "Melissa and Tammy Etheridge are saddened to announce that they are now separated."

I have to admit that a break-up that doesn't involve someone going to rehab, Angelina Jolie or Gloria Alright repping someone is getting to be good news for celebs.

The couple have been married 7 years and together a total of 9. They have two children together, and Etheridge, 48, has two from her previous relationship.

They caused quite the reaction during California's Prop 8 marriage battle, when Etheridge refused to pay her taxes until she could legally marry, which lead to some awkward interviews afterwards with Tammy where she vacillated on the issue (spawned by her family's religious views).

Tammy, 35, is formerly Tammy Lynn Michaels and was quite the show stopper on out gay show runner Ryan Murphy's (GLEE) first sit com, POPULAR.

Etheridge was previously with director Julie Cypher (who was previously with Lou Diamond Phillips), and those two set off a cliffhanger to rival Who Shot JR when they refused to release the name of their sperm donor. Rumors leaned towards Brad Pitt, but eventually came out as singer David Crosby from Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Etheridge is set to appear next Tuesday, April 20th on QVC to do a live broadcast of tracks from her new album, Fearless Love. This is her first studio album in two years.

Here's the new music video for her first single from the album, Fearless Love:

Watch Trailer: High Art director's new lesbian film, The Kids Are Alright

The Kids are Alright is the new film from out director Lisa Cholodenko from High Art fame.

The film had the honor of being the highest sale at this year's Sundance Film Festival in January, and the studio plans a sneak attack with the quirky indy film during the hot summer blockbuster months - hoping art house fans will be looking for an alternative to this season's crops of fluff remakes and sequels.

Kids stars Annette Bening and Jullianne Moore as a lesbian couple who get a surprise guest when their children's sperm donor shows up.

Moore also indulged in some femme-on-femme action early this year in Atom Egoyan's flop Chloe.

The film is garnering some fantastic early buzz.

You Are Cordially invited

The best way to avoid another earthquake...

...is to go out this week and laugh at gay comedy.

Watch Video, See Photos: Highlights from Dinah Shore 2010

Friday Night, ke$ha performs, and the Celesbian Fashion Show

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Here's the photos from the Saturday Pool Party

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And the Hollywood Party, with special guests Salt N Pepa

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Sunday Pool Party

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Watch Video: Dinah Shore 2010, Saturday Night Hollywood Party with Salt n Pepa

SAturday night rocked the house at The Dinah in Palm Springs as thousands of lesbian descended on the Palm Beach Convention Center for a series of parties, events and concerts.

First up was The Kathy & Mo Show, with Kathy Nijimy and Mo Gaffney, followed by the Hollywood Red Carpet, with all your favorite celesbians including God-Des and She, Erin Foley, Nicol Paone, Sandra Valls and Bridget McManus, to name a few. Then it was the SheWired.com VIP party, followed by the Salt n Pepa Concert. After that it was the infamous lesbian fashion show.

It's all in here in this video, including interviews with Meredith Baxter, Mo Gaffney, Thea Gill and Elizabeth Keener

The Dinah 2010: Photos from the Parties!

What happens when thousands of lesbian gather around a pool in Palm Springs on Easter Sunday? Well, an earthquake for one.
The earth shook as the quake from Baja rolled in, making the go go dances grab onto their cages for dear life, whilst the parking lot was a sea of swaying pick up trucks and motorcycles.

Here's the photos from Saturday, day and night.

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And the Hollywood Party, with special guests Salt N Pepa

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Friday Night Live at the Dinah with kesha and the Lesbian Comedy Show

Here's the video kids:

Dinah Shore, Watch Video from Friday

So the lesbians all starting to arrive at the Hilton hotel on Friday as the festivities began. In today's video, The Dinah founder Mariah Hanson talks about all the parties and events happening and we get an inside look at the Friday pool party with LOGO's lube wrestling, the dance magic contest with Bridget McManus and the SheWired.com karaoke lounge.



And here's the photos!

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Tune in later to see the video of KESHA performing, along with the White Diamonds party.

Watch Video: Dinah Shore Weekend 2010

The Dinah has landed.

For the next few days, we'll be uploading photos, video and insider dish every single day from the biggest lesbian event in the world. There's going to be everything here from lesbian oil wrestling to fundraising cocktail parties for The LA Gay & Lesbian Center and EQCA.

We have backstage passes, and we're going to be catching it all.

VIDEO:

PHOTOS:

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