When fate brings Peyton, an out lesbian writer into the life of Elena, a straight ,woman and wife of a pastor, friendship transforms swiftly from a crush into a torrid extramarital affair. Elena can barely begin to rationalize the nature and magnitude of her desires, which are complicated by her dedication to her son, Nash, and her sense of responsibility to her marriage. As their relationship evolves into love,  Elena confronts the choice of leaving Barry and fracturing the family or ending it with Peyton and continuing to live a lie. But the decision may be moot. As Peyton risks more of her heart, her fear of breaking it causes her to step away and Elena faces the looming challenge of convincing Peyton that they were meant to be.

From acclaimed writer/director Nicole Conn (More Beautiful For Having Been Broken) and starring Necar Zadegan (TV’s NCIS: New Orleans), Thunderbird Dinwiddie (The Aerialist, TV’s The Walking Dead) and Gary Weeks (Instant Family), celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the seminal romance, ELENA UNDONE, available now on DVD.

“Unabashedly focused on hot romance.” – Variety

“Zadegan and Dinwiddie are electric together!” – The Philadelphia Inquirer

“– Dinwiddie and Zedagan have an on-screen chemistry many actors in lesbian films lack and it’s a pleasure to watch.” – About.com

“Fantastic, nuanced performances. . . [Zadegan’s and Dinwiddie’s] scenes together sparkle and shine with chemistry and life . . . fantastic and enormously compelling!” – AfterEllen.com

“As well as a compelling storyline, ELENA UNDONE has some hot sex scenes and the notoriety of containing the longest on-screen kiss in cinematic history.” – The Seattle Lesbian

“Sexy and smart!” – Gay Lesbian Directory

“Enchanting homage to the power of love.” – Philadelphia Q Fest “A well-made film, from acting to editing.” – CherryGrrl.com

“The chemistry between Necar Zedegan and Traci Dinwiddie cements ELENA UNDONE as the lesbian film of the festival.” – Colorado Springs Independent

“Combines the enchantment of falling in love for the first time with the reality and responsibilities of long-term commitments.” – Greg in Hollywood

“The next big lesbian movie!” – Bound

“An amazing, heartfelt, romantic film that… should be ranked with some of the best romance films of all time.” —FILM ADVENTURES

AWARD WINNER!
Best Feature Film: Fresno REEL Pride Film Festival
Audience Favorite Award, Best Women’s Feature Film: Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

The post Elena Undone first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Long maligned by comedians for our fashion sense, TomboyX founders Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez know lesbians have a style all our own. That’s why they created the comfy, chic and totally unique TomboyX collection, designed to fit the eclectic, rough-around-the-edges lesbian aesthetic.

What do you do and why?

We saw a need for a clothing line that recognizes the white space between menswear and women’s wear. We were tired of frilly, patterned clothing made for 20-year-olds. One day Naomi asked me, “How hard can it be to start a clothing line?” Ha!

What did you do before you started your company?

I am a partner in a media strategies firm and produce political ads for democrats and campaigns nationwide. Naomi is a sports massage therapist and was on staff for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Soccer team when they won gold in Athens.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you received when first starting your company? What would you tell a young entrepreneur in turn?

My dear friend Sue sent me a Goethe quote that I printed and put on the wall. The condensed version is: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What aspect of business ownership came as the biggest surprise to you?

The challenges associated with raising money.

What do you find most rewarding about owning your own business?

Having had an idea, then implementing plans with Naomi. We are partners in business and in life. We became financees (I like to say Beyonce because she put a ring on it) a few months ago and are still going strong. There is no way we could have come this far without the other being part of it. This is an all consuming endeavor. At least, I get to spend all this time working with someone I love and respect so much.

Where do you see yourself / your company in five years?

To be an internationally recognized brand that women feel represents the proactive, confident and courageous parts of themselves. We want to have a full line of clothing for women of all sizes, of varying backgrounds and varying levels of tomboyishness. We want women to feel seen and recognized by a brand that represents their independent spirit.

What resources would you recommend to someone who is contemplating starting her own business?

Perseverance. Courage. Determination. A solid, well-thought out business plan, mentors in the business you’re seeking to get into and three to six months of financial reserves in the bank. Also, don’t quit your day job. Plug away until you reach success. And a rich aunt wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

What obstacles did you face in establishing your company and how did you overcome them?

We didn’t have any fashion experience so we just jumped in. Today, we know so much more than we did two years ago. I’m a big believer in informational meetings. I ask a lot of questions. So every time we got to the next chapter in the book “Fashion for Dummies,” we’d find someone with pertinent experience and set up a meeting. We’ve had some incredibly generous people offer guidance and advice every step of the way. We brought on advisors in a more formal capacity who we could rely on for ideas, encouragement and suggestions. I think we’ve tried to remain open to all recommendations, but at the same time have kept true to our personal vision.

Is there anything we didn’t ask you about that you’d like to share with our readers?

I think that sometimes it’s challenging for people who aren’t trying to run a small business to realize that reaching a vision takes time and baby steps. We often hear from people about expanded sizes, more styles and cheaper prices. Of course, we want to get there, but we had to start somewhere. Despite what it might look like, we really are three women working on this for no salary, out of a garage. It takes most small businesses three to five years to hit profitability, so the most that our community can do is support small businesses and understand that we are listening and we care, but give us time to get there. We don’t have the funding of a big brand. We’re working hard to stake a claim in a fashion industry that has ignored us for too damn long. So help us show them that we are a force to be reckoned with and wear TomboyX with pride.

Follow these fabulous fashionistas on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Enterprising Women: Fran and Naomi, TomboyX first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY TRACI DINWIDDIE
TraciDinwiddie.com

Looking for something extra special with which to woo her this holiday season? A trip to “Tahiti” should do the trick! (Bora Bora, to be exact.) If you love Hawaii, imagine all of its exotic romance and adventure minus the overwhelming tourism.

Need a perfect place to stay? Le Meridien Bora Bora, nestled on an islet and surrounded by an exquisitely-hued turquoise lagoon, is a dream-come-true destination. Once landed in Bora Bora, you taxi by boat for 20 scrumptious minutes to your elegant home away from home. There, you will find white sandy beaches, an abundance of coconut trees and giant leafy tropical plants. There is lagoon swimming and snorkeling, decadent food, private spa for two, over water, glass-bottomed bungalows, melodic greetings of “Ia Ora Na”, walking paths, and an underwater chapel. Of course, you can find many variations of these luxuries throughout all of French Polynesia’s hotels. (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Tikehau, etc.)

Turtle Rescue 1So, what sets Le Meridien apart from the rest of Bora Bora’s gorgeous choices? Along with its alluring romantic vibe, it is also the home of Bora Bora Turtle Center. In addition, Le Meridien has a fully-staffed Ecological Center with informative, hands-on lectures about sea life via their Touch Pool, Museum, & Educational Aquariums. They aim to help visitors participate in saving and protecting coral reefs, turtles, and more.

My partner and I fell in love with this place. It not only caters to the romantic, but also the animal lover and environmentalist in both of us. We spent an afternoon swimming with rescued turtles in their sanctuary. Our guide was a strict, but kind marine biologist, who half-jokingly threatened harm upon us if we touched any of “her” creatures. Rest assured, we did not. We did, however, capture some gorgeous photos & videos!

Le Meridien Bora Bora’s website boasts that it is “the preferred protection of marine turtles in French Polynesia”. We had first-hand experience of this great respect when the French Navy arrived just as we were heading to the dock. They released 17 captured turtles used as “pets”, and brought 3 malnourished young turtles to the awaiting staff for immediate care. Clearly, Le Meridien Bora Bora is the place to be rescued (in so many ways). But, don’t take my word for it. See for yourself! #StockingStuffer

Double Dip Tips: Feed two love birds with one seed, & set the getaway dates for the week of Valentine’s. REALLY surprise her with an extra “secret getaway” by taking a quick puddle-jumper to the remote pink-sand island of Tikehau for some of the BEST snorkeling & diving around! Need proof? Check my Facebook Page for some Tikehau action!

For more on what the Islands of Tahiti have to offer, go to: www.tahititourism.com

Traci Dinwiddie is an actress, yogini, West African drummer, part-time badass and full time fruitcake. Learn more about the “Elena Undone” star by visiting TraciDinwiddie.com

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BY LESBIAN.COM

The 29th Annual California Women’s Conference (CWC) will stage the Creative Expressions Concert series at Long Beach Convention Center across both nights of this month’s highly anticipated two-day event, May 19-20.

The Creative Expressions Concert series, showcasing performing artists including Mary Lambert, will be streamed live online. The Marriage Equality USA-sanctioned “Love Is Love” PSA set to Jen Foster’s “SHE” will be officially included in the program for Tuesday, May 20.

The program will also include a live Q&A with the multiple award-winning writer/director Nicole Conn, Jane Wishon (Board President of Marriage Equality USA) and some of the cast members from SHE4ME including Mike C. Manning (“Disney”), Gabrielle Christian (“South Of Nowhere“) and Traci Dinwiddie (“Elena Undone“). More names are expected to be announced closer to the event.

The CWC was first launched in 1985 to address the high failure rate among women-owned businesses. Over the years the CWC has played host to a phenomenal list of speakers including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, first lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Duchess of York Sara Ferguson, Barbara Walters, Jane Fonda, Madeline Albright, Condoleeza Rice and Martha Stewart.

This year’s conference will focus on helping attendees discover how to lead a thriving life. Experts will be on hand to discuss how to balance the five essential elements of well being: career life, social life, financial life, physical life and community life.

To purchase tickets to the concert series visit: http://goo.gl/ynTR5k

Speakers for the California Women’s Conference: http://goo.gl/ddYs1U

For tickets to the California Women’s Conference 2014: http://goo.gl/HVp83v

The post SHE4ME ‘Love is Love’ PSA featured at California Women’s Conference first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Three inseparable best friends, Nicole, Mike and Gabby grew up together in West Hollywood, California. Two of them will marry one another today. You’re invited to witness how it all turns out.

Starring Nicole Pacent, Mike C. Manning and Gabrielle Christian. Directed by Nicole Conn.

Featuring Jen Foster’s “She.”

Like what you see? Become a follower on YouTube, visit She4ME.org, or share this link with your friends.

#she4me #loveislove #equality

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Ready to go! (Photo courtesy Dana Brenklin)

BY DANA BRENKLIN
Lesbian.com

As I begin this story, let me tell you, I am not a cyclist. I know no more about a bicycle than peddling, stopping and starting.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let me begin. I host a lesbian-centric online radio show and after two successful interviews with two awesome women and supporters of the show requesting her, I thought I’d try soliciting actress Traci Dinwiddie. Well, once we began corresponding she invited me to ride with a team (T-Bugs) of people for AIDS/LifeCycle 2014, called Team Goodisness.

I’ve always wanted to be sort of a fitness guru or maybe just get in great physical shape but that wasn’t in the cards for me as a child or even as an adult up until now. I was something of a sickly child and adult, among other things, however, I am not anymore. So, I researched this ride and saw how passionate Traci was about what she was doing and after much thought and anticipation, I said yes.

For years I’ve said that I was going to be in the best shape of my life by the time I reached the age of 40. I claimed it, just as I claimed the year 2013 to be my year, just as I’ve claimed everything in my life, as I walk by faith, not by sight. With that claiming, I don’t believe it is in anyway a coincidence that I am involved with this year’s ride. Upon deciding to participate, I have had to change my diet and habits, just as I had intended before this journey dropped into my lap. I realize that this is no joke. I am not in the best shape. My diet has had to change, my exercising has increased, my coffee intake is less and my water intake is much greater.

The physicality of this undertaking is overwhelming, but I am on my way and nothing is going to stop me. I have never been able to take on a feat such as this in my life and I am nothing but grateful for the opportunity to give my heart, mind and body to such a cause. I am certain I will be forever changed when we sail through to the finish line and I know I will be helping my brothers and sisters suffering from HIV/AIDS live more abundant and healthy lives because of the money being raised.

So far, I have been on one training ride (28 miles) that I thought was going to kill me, but I am still here and more motivated than ever. Come along and take this daunting and exciting journey with me. I am truly inspired and I think you will be too.

Team Goodisness has a collective $300,000 goal to reach to help support people living with HIV/AIDS.

Each team member sets a goal for donations, which you can help them reach. Thanks for your generous support of Dana’s participation! To learn more about Team Goodisness, which includes Traci Dinwiddie, Cathy DeBuono, our own Shannon Wentworth, Nicole Conn and others, visit ToFightHIV.org.

The post Riding to end HIV/AIDS: Joining Team Goodisness and AIDS/LifeCycle 2014 first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The SHE4ME PSA video, shot in West Hollywood LA through November and December last year, is currently in post-production.

The music video will be paired to a mix of Jen Foster‘s “She”. The song has been a favorite within the lesbian community for over a decade and is often used in commitment ceremonies. Renowned music producer Eve Nelson scored the piece and produced an incredible fusion of contemporary orchestra and dance to compliment the storyboard created by Director Nicole Conn.

Celebrities including Nicole Pacent, Barbara Niven, Mike C Manning, Gabrielle Christian, Traci Dinwiddie, Guinevere Turner and many others joined the production at key sponsor Andaz West Hollywood. Check out the fun blooper reel filmed in the media room at Andaz by Equality TV.

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