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.

Michaela Mendelsohn gives the keynote speech during the first annual Transgender Day of Remembrance held in Ventura Friday evening.

BY NATASIA LANGFELDER
Lesbian.com

LGBT Activist Michaela Mendelsohn recently became the first transgender member of The Trevor Project board. If Mendelsohn’s name looks familiar, it’s probably because she has been working for equality for awhile now. A popular public speaker- Mendelsohn also works with the California Trans Workplace project and has worked as a consultant for Laverne Cox’s character on ‘Orange is the New Black,’ Mendelsohn has been busy working both to get truthful trans stories told as well as aggressively working to promote transgender employment opportunities. Get to know her better by reading our one-on-one interview below, where we discuss the Trevor Project, Orange is the New Black, transphobia in the LGB community and her advice for trans people struggling with employment.

Hi Michaela, congratulations on your appointment to the Trevor Project Board! How does it feel to be the first trans-woman 

to sit on the Board?

It’s both an honor and a huge responsibility. I have tremendous respect for the work they are doing. Saving lives and improving conditions for LGBT youth from 13 to 24 years old. I feel it is my job to offer perspective on the needs of the trans community and to assist in the most effective ways to communicate their messages.  As a public speaker I can also ingrate their messaging into my engagements. The number of calls Trevor receives from trans youth are increasing in proportion to those they receive from gay youth. 

Why do you think it has taken this long for a trans-woman to join the board? 

It is not like they were not paying attention to the needs of the Trans Community before but with the huge rise in awareness the past two years, the need may have become more evident.

What was it like working with Genji Kohan on the set of Orange is the New Black?

I never did get to work on their New York set though I did spend several hours with Genji and her writers at their Universal studios offices and later by phone with the writer assigned to the character played by Laverne Cox. They were looking for help in understanding the trans experience especially how it might have related to the back story of this character. My goal was to help them get it right and urged them to hire a trans actress to play the role. They did both of which I am very proud!!

How did you get involved with that project?

I received an email from my friend Gary Lennon who was on their writing staff.  I was invited to come down and meet with them at Universal.

What was your favorite “Orange is the New Black” moment? 

There were so many great scenes it is impossible to pick one though I did love how they used Laverne’s twin brother for her back story working as a fireman while hiding his gender identity issue. They showed him getting dressed (by himself) in the locker room wearing

pink  underwear under his work clothes. They also did  a great job in the relationship scenes with the wife.

Fun fact- Mendelsohn was the first transgender contestant in the Ms. Senior California Pageant!

Your  life story, “Making Michaela” is being produced by Celebration Theater and will enter into full production in 2016. Is it weird to have your life out there for everyone to see?

It won’t be produced this year. I put the play on hold to work on Trevor and CTWP, my other project along with raising a family and running a business! CTWP is California Trans Workplace Project. It’s mission is to make California the model state as a supportive work environment for trans

people. I do hope to put some energy into the play later in the year. Most likely I will look for a writer and a director to work with to move the project forward. Having my life on stage is not an issue for me. I have told my story about 200 times in my speaking engagements. After a lifetime of keeping secrets it is cathartic to not have any.

Recently, a petition was being circulated online that argued for removing the “T” from “LGBT.” It was roundly dismissed as a hatefully, divisive idea. However, there there is a transphobia in the cis-gender queer community. Have you ever experienced this first hand? 

Yes, a number of times. It became clear during my transition that heterosexual women were more supportive and less judgmental than queer women. It was surprising and confusing to me, as I expected it to be the opposite. It was hurtful at times but  I came to realize that the gay community doesn’t really understand the trans experience and everyone is supporting their own political and social agendas. There is not much they have in common other than both being marginalized and stigmatized segments of society. I am beginning to realize, however, there are many intersections between  gender identity and sexual orientation.

What steps should cisgender queer allies take to support the trans community?

I think it starts with conversations they have with other people whether friends or co-workers. Being respectful in our choice of language. Using proper pronouns and helping spread an attitude of not only tolerance but “celebration” for each person’s uniqueness. I know its corny but the “golden rule” applies here. We all have experienced prejudice in our lives. We can allow these experiences to deepen our empathy for others. We can also support legislation which is supportive of each letter in LGBTQ.

Trans people have a ton of hurdles to overcome when it comes to building a career. You’re a successful CEO of Pollo West. What advice would you give to your peers who are struggling with advancing in the work place?

Thanks for pointing this out. It is a huge struggle for most transpeople who are either trying to get work or are wishing to transition in the workplace. This is especially true for trans women of color. I realize I was fortunate in that I became successful before my transition. As the boss I didn’t worry about losing my job though I did experience transphobia from other franchisees, by my franchisor and my lender. But, that’s for another story.  I started CTWP after hiring a few trans employees and listening to some of the terrible experiences they had in their previous jobs. We have now hired 10 trans employees. Three have made it into management with a fourth on her way. We get more compliments on our trans employees than their 200 co-workers. I should mention that 3 out of 5 transpersons work in states that still have no protection in the workplace for gender identity. And transgender people are more than twice as likely to live in poverty.

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The post Interview with Transgender Activist Michaela Mendelsohn first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY FRANCESCA LEWIS
Lesbian.com

Though it was criticised for being too light, an intentional shift by creator Jenji Kohan after the dark reign of Vee in season two, the third season of Orange is The New Black still packs some political punches. Amid the genius silliness of Suzanne’s erotic masterpiece Time Hump Chronicles and Piper’s soiled panty business “Felonious Spunk”, there are some real issues being quietly raised this season.

1. Big Boo’s Family Tension Over Her Butch Presentation

Season three sees all of the characters, especially those usually on the sidelines, gaining much-needed depth, and one of the best examples of this is Big Boo. Her friendship with Pennsatucky brings out her nurturing mama butch side, which is as touching as it is badass, but it’s her flashbacks that finally provide her with the nuance afforded to many other characters from early on. A key feature of this season’s flashbacks has been how surprising they are, not just in playing against our assumptions about characters, but in challenging our ideas and raising issues not often discussed. Homophobia has been explored many times before and yet the story of Big Boo’s struggle to be her authentic self, in the face of overt rejection from her mother and manipulative coaxing from her father, feels fresh and important to see. This is because it reminds us that being queer is not just about sexuality and that gender roles are imposed not only by society at large but by our families. Big Boo’s is a seldom-told story of how harmful it is to stifle a person’s right to self-identify and be their authentic self.

2. MMR’s Soulless Corporate Takeover of Litchfield

The most obviously political real life issue this season is the prison’s new evil overlords, MMR, a profit-hungry company that cuts every corner and cares nothing for the well-being of inmates or staff. In real life, corporate giants like Corrections Corporation of America and The Geo Group, both of which manage 60+ US prisons, make billions of dollars while conditions deteriorate and inmates suffer. The inclusion of this issue in OITNB allows for the human impact of this growing problem to be explored. Unlike State-run prisons, that may or may not care about their inmates but are regardless often underfunded and overcrowded, private prisons have the means to make safe and enriching environments for prisoners, but as we see in the painful boardroom scene this season, all they care about is the bottom line. The MMR takeover of Litchfield is a perfect, hilarious and disturbing glimpse into what privatization really does to the prison system and the people within it.

3. Soso’s Botched Care

Soso’s story was the one I felt myself identifying with most. As a mixed race oddball, I sometimes struggle to know where I fit in with social groups and have had my fair share of run-ins with clueless semi-educated therapists. Throughout the season, Soso’s pot of rejection, depression and loneliness is stirred and stirred, threatening to boil over at any moment. When she seizes the chance to steal Benedryl from the doctor prescribing her depression meds, an important point is made: whatever you think about medicating depression and how well it works, if it is not accompanied by therapy with a person the patient can trust, she will feel unheard, alone and possibly suicidal, perhaps rendering the meds tragically redundant. The issue is not that Healy was so quick to recommend pharmaceuticals – though that in itself is an important issue – but that he, unlike Berdie, invalidated Soso’s feelings and made her feel powerless. Soso’s journey provides a powerful reminder that it is absolutely critical to listen to people in crisis, especially when that’s like your whole job, and not fob them off with platitudes and medication.

4. Pennsatucky’s Abuse 

The Pennsatucky of season three is almost unrecognisable from the cartoonish punchline of the first season. Like one of those “I need feminism because…” images come to life, Dogget’s flashbacks and her abuse at the hands of new, untrained, unvetted guard Coates are a depressing microcosm of the sexism women face throughout their lives. From her mother’s well-meant and terrible advice upon her first period that she is basically a walking vagina waiting to be used by men, to her stint bartering sex for Mountain Dew, to the horrific rapes she endures, her life highlights the consequences of the objectification of women and the prevalence of rape culture, which dictates that consent is not an issue and sluts are asking for it. The show’s sensitive handling of these events, particularly the depiction of sexual assault, honouring the complexity and never feeling voyeuristic, is admirable and an example shows like Game of Thrones would do well to follow. Dogget’s experiences show the lifelong struggle for women to claim their bodies and be safe in the company of men.

5. The Hate Crime Against Sophia & What Happens Next

Laverne Cox is a superstar, everyone wants to be her BFF, and the character she plays on OITNB is a fan favourite while providing much needed visibility for the transgender community. Sophia is universally loved by viewers and inmates alike, but this season the show chose to go deeper and explore what happens when a transgender person steps outside the role cis people have carved out for her. Up until now, Sophia has been a sideline character, never really caught up in the hijinks of the group, not really affiliated with any of the cliques, just the jolly diva in the salon. With her third season storyline, which sees her struggle to parent an increasingly misogynistic and homophobic son from behind bars and maintain the good will of fellow inmates following a fight with another woman, we learn that acceptance isn’t always permanent and that in our current society, a trans person can have her rights taken away in the blink of an eye. In this moment of shallow transgender acceptance Sophia’s story raises some tough questions about what a real ally is.

Francesca Lewis is a queer feminist writer from Yorkshire, UK. She writes for Curve Magazine and The Human Experience as well as writing short fiction and working on a novel. Her ardent love of American pop culture is matched only by her passion for analyzing it completely to death.

The post Real Issues Raised in Orange Is The New Black’s Third Season first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Join the “Orange Is The New Black actress” and hundreds of lesbians this summer on OlaGirls’ Mediterranean getaway.

OlaGirls are thrilled to announce that Aussie DJ, actress and style icon Ruby Rose will be queen of the decks this summer at our brand-new lesbian holiday escape. Ruby Rose arrives as our main DJ fresh from the set of “Orange Is The New Black,” where she’s just wrapped season three of the hit show, due to air this June.

We’re beyond excited to welcome Ruby Rose to our packed OlaGirls’ schedule and we’re sure she’ll add a shot of glamour and undoubted talent to what is already shaping up to be the lesbian summer destination of choice.

Ruby Rose shot to fame in her native Australia as an out MTV VJ and model, but her place in lesbian folklore is assured with her starring role in “Orange Is The New Black” as Stella Carlin, whose stunning looks and sarcasm turn Litchfield heads in season three. But you don’t have to wait for that – come and watch her DJ at OlaGirls and dance the night away with Ruby!

We’ve already ordered sunshine, fabulous cuisine, drinks and relaxation for our Mediterranean getaway. But best of all, we can guarantee hundreds of lesbians for you to meet and mingle with – and you can do this while sunbathing and socializing, or through one of our many activities: hiking, water sports and beach volleyball, wine-tasting to tapas-making, speed dating to dancing and much more. With OlaGirls, our prime motivation is getting lesbians from all over Europe together, having fun and forming friendships & relationships that last
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For three days in June, Spanish holiday hotspot Calpe will be packed with lesbians, ensuring sunshine really is the new black. We’ve got all-inclusive packages to suit all budgets and we’re inviting you to join us. Book today and join Ruby Rose for a summer break to remember!

More info at: OlaGirls, the Lesbian Mediterranean Getaway.

Natasia Langfelder is just a girl, writing about girls in New York City. Read more of her work at Hot Femme in the City.

The post Ruby Rose joins cast of OlaGirls, Mediterranean getaway first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

Ready, set, record!

Stars of the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black” will be making their first-ever late night group appearance, joining Conan O’Brien on his TBS talk show.

Hot on the heels of their recent Emmy nominations, actresses Taylor Schilling, Laverne Cox, Uzo Aduba, Kate Mulgrew and Natasha Lyonne, along with series co-star Jason Biggs, will stop by “Conan” on Monday, August 4. The event marks only the third time “Conan” has hosted an ensemble cast on his show, previously having featured stars of “The Walking Dead” and “Breaking Bad.”

“Conan” airs at 11pm ET/PT on TBS.

The post DVR alert: ‘Conan’ hosts ‘Orange is the New Black’ cast first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The 66th Primetime Emmy Award nominees were announced Thursday and the first season of the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black” earned a dozen nods, the most for any comedy.

The show is nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series and also received recognition for Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Art Direction. Three episodes were honored with nods for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing, as well. The Outstanding Directing nomination was for Jodie Foster’s work on episode three, “Lesbian Request Denied,” and marks the second time she’s been nominated for an Emmy.

Individual nominations went to Taylor Schilling (Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) and Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox, Natasha Lyonne and Kate Mulgrew (all nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category).

Cox’s nomination is another history making moment for the actress who recently graced the cover of Time magazine. The Emmy selection makes Cox the first openly transgender actress to receive the honor.

The Emmy Awards will be presented on August 25, 2014.

The post ‘Orange is the New Black’ garners 12 Emmy nominations first appeared on Lesbian.com.

In this “Frozen”/”Orange is the New Black” mash-up, Elsa must serve time in princess prison for freezing the kingdom of Arendelle.

The post ‘Frozen is the New Black’ first appeared on Lesbian.com.

A collection of girl-on-girl kisses from some of your favorite television shows, including “Orange is the New Black,” “The Fosters,” “Lost Girl” and “Pretty Little Liars.” Avril Lavigne’s “Hush Hush” sets the mood.

The post A kiss is just a kiss first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Just when you thought you couldn’t love Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” one bit more, we introduce you to this adorable kitten-filled parody. Welcome to “Tabby is the new Cat.” (Spoiler alert: Alex is even sexier in feline form.)

The post ‘Orange is the New Black’ is the cat’s meow first appeared on Lesbian.com.

On June 26, Logo TV will air its initial edition of “Trailblazers,” a one-hour special featuring the celebrities, politicians, activists and trendsetters who are actively working to effect cultural change for the betterment of the LGBT community.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe, a longtime supporter of The Trevor Project, will serve as presenter as DOMA activists Edie Windsor and Roberta Kaplan, the cast of the groundbreaking Netflix series “Orange is the New Black” and openly gay former NBA star Jason Collins are honored.

Scheduled to air during the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the one-year anniversary of DOMA being overruled, “Trailblazers” will also feature performances by A Great Big World, Ariana Grande, Tegan and Sara, Iggy Azalea, Mary Lambert, Jared Leto, Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora and Tyler Glenn.

The event will be held in New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, one of the first churches to host gay marriages, and Logo is offering viewers an opportunity to share stories of their own “Hometown Trailblazers” with a chance to win a trip to the Big Apple to view the event live.

The post Logo TV ‘Trailblazers’ honors Windsor, ‘Orange is the New Black’ first appeared on Lesbian.com.