This hilarious and historic concert film showcases the funniest queer stand-up comics and queer sketch groups working in America today.

Outlaugh! takes you on stage and backstage with fiery headliner Lea DeLaria, as well as Bob Smith, Page Hurwitz, Karen Ripley, Jason Stuart, Mark Davis, Sabrina Matthews, Andre Kelley, Jerry Calumn, Stephanie Howard, Jen Slusser, Jason Dudey, Roy Cruz, Charlie Vaughn, Bobaloo, Ariana, Bill Cruz, The Gay Mafia, The Nellie Olesons, and Outlaugh Creator Mike Player. Outlaugh! is a rib-tickling ride that captures some of the funniest queers who have ever dared to strut their stuff.

“Hysterical.” —Jane and Jane Magazine

The post Outlaugh! first appeared on Lesbian.com.

As a true triple threat — comedian, actress and jazz musician — Lea has been recognized for her immense talent as recipient of numerous industry awards. And for where it really counts, Lea has been an outspoken and unapologetic LGBTQ trailblazer as one of entertainment’s openly out performers for decades — yes, decades.

With Lea at the podium, The 6th Annual StartOut Awards surely promises to be a delectable evening of entertainment, surprises, and raucous laughter that only Lea and the LGBTQ community can deliver.

So join us for The 6th Annual StartOut Awards, recognizing and celebrating excellence and leadership in the LGBTQ entrepreneurial community!

For more information and tickets, click here.

The post Comedian, actor and singer Lea DeLaria headlines the StartOut Awards in San Francisco first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY Huffington Post Gay Voices

“Orange Is The New Black” is easily the biggest new hit of the summer, and the groundbreaking Netflix series from “Weeds” creator Jenji Kohan has introduced us to a bevy of unconventional TV actresses. rom transgender inmate Sophia Burset (played by transgender actress Laverne Cox) to prison womanizer Carrie “Big Boo” Black (play by proud butch actress Lea DeLaria), “Orange Is The New Black” has brought true diversity to the medium.

DeLaria comments: “I went in for this part [as a correctional officer]. I made the tape. I sent it to them. They got back to us saying, ‘Love her [but] we want to look at her somewhere else because the correctional officer was a small role. So then I went in and read for the part that Lin Tucci plays — she’s the cancer survivor [named Anita DeMarco] … and I didn’t look old enough, is what they said,” DeLaria recalled. “I remember I was standing in my manager’s officer and I lost it. I just went, ‘They’re making a television show that takes place in a women’s prison and there’s not a part for me? Then I f***ing quit! I’m out of showbusiness for good.’ I got on a plane and I flew back to London, where I lived at the time, and said, ‘You know, f*** it. F*** America. F*** it’ … And when I got off the plane and went through customs, there were like 1,000 messages from my manager going, ‘They wrote a part for you … and come back because you’re going to start shooting in five days.'”

Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

The post ‘Orange is the New Black’: The making of Big Boo first appeared on Lesbian.com.