Photo by: Freedom G Photography

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

We all owe one of comedian Sandra Valls’ unnamed ex-girlfriends a sincere “thank you.” Why is that, you ask? Well, some time ago, said ex signed Valls up for a stand-up comedy lesson as an early Christmas present — in effect, giving us all the gift that is Valls’ intelligent, high-energy, brash brand of comedy.

Though the relationship didn’t last, the comedy lesson was well-learned as Valls went on to enjoy a career in which she has appeared in two Showtime hit comedy specials, “The Latin Divas of Comedy” and “Pride: LGBT Comedy Slam!,” been named one of Curve magazine’s Top 10 funniest lesbian comics and, perhaps most enviably, shared the stage with the gorgeous Eva Longoria at the HBO Comedy Festival.

Valls tours regularly with the Latin Divas and Queer Queens of Qomedy and recently wrapped up a stint at the week-long GirlSplash in Provincetown, Massachusetts, but amidst her busy tour schedule she still finds time to give back to the community. Valls volunteers for and produces comedy shows for various causes including benefits/fundraisers for AIDS, sobriety, domestic violence and LGBT rights and was honored in her hometown of Laredo with the International Woman’s Day Award for being a trailblazer and empowering women.

Valls will soon be headed to Michfest, but gladly played along with us in this week’s Fast 5.

1. Which individual has been your greatest professional influence?

Bette Midler. I was very young when I snuck around and watched her HBO Special “Bette Midler Live At Last.” That’s when I knew I wanted to have a career like hers, sans the mermaid outfit, of course.

2. What song can you not get enough of right now?

“Wild Heart” by Stevie Nicks. I love Stevie Nicks! (Editor’s Note: Check out Sandra’s rendition of the tune in the video below — she can sing!)

3. What’s the best thing that’s happened for you so far in 2014?

I bought a Farrah Fawcett t-shirt.

4. Window or aisle seat on the airplane?

Actually it’s the middle seat. I love to be sandwiched between strangers. Feels safe. Oh, especially wedged between large men in short shorts and flip flops that smell like cigarettes. The men — not the flip flops.

5. Tell us one thing about you that most people probably don’t know, but you’re willing to share.

I sleep with a stuffed owl named Owly.

For more on Valls, be sure to check out her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Toothbrush tunes with Sandra Valls

The post Fast 5 with comedian Sandra Valls first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The post Lesbian celebs celebrate Father’s Day first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

The first time I saw Poppy Champlin perform was about six years ago during a Queer Queens of Qomedy swing through the Washington, D.C., area. At this point, I couldn’t tell you one single joke from her set, but what I continue to vividly recall is that I left that show with the muscles in my face aching from smiling and laughing so much. Seriously. I’m not even kidding.

I also remember the ease with which Poppy took the stage for second, spontaneous mini-set, a move necessitated by one of the other “Queens'” flights being delayed. Champlin came back out to stall for time and kept the crowd cackling until fellow comic Jessica Kirson’s New York-based flight arrived. To this day, I can remember how impressed I was with Champlin’s composure — and her ability to essentially do a second show on demand without missing a beat.

Knowing what I do now — that Champlin is a veteran bi-coastal comic who trained at the renowned Chicago Second City Improv school, who’s appeared on Logo and Showtime and who has taken the stage countless times in Provincetown and on both the boys and girls cruise circuits — I suppose I shouldn’t have been so surprised by her “calm under fire” professionalism that evening at the Birchmere way back when.

Champlin continues to perform across the country and around the world, entertaining crowds and earning accolades for her no-two-are-alike comedy sets and her Queer Queens of Qomedy remain a hot ticket wherever they roam. With comics like Vickie Shaw, Carol Leifer, Julie Goldman, Michele Balan, Jessica Kirson, Karen Ripley, Mimi Gonzalez , Jennie McNulty, Fortune Feimster, Karen Williams, Dana Goldberg, Bridget McManus, Sandra Valls, Erin Foley, Dana Eagle, Roxanna Ward, Marga Gomez, Lisa Koch, Barb Neligan and Gina Yashere all having worn the Queen crown, Champlin’s Queer Queens of Qomedy is a lesbian laugh fest more than worth the ticket price.

Champlin is headed for P-town for the Memorial Day weekend, but we were able to grab her for a quick Fast 5 first.

1. If you could be anywhere else in the world right now, where would you want to be and what would you be doing there?

I would be in the Caribbean picking up shells on the beach, listening to the surf, going for a snorkel, burning my skin and soothing it with aloe later that night with a virgin pina colada.

2. What’s the last book you read?

The last book was “12 Years a Slave” and having just broken up with my girlfriend I can totally relate. I want to write my new book “3 Years a Hostage.”

3. Phone call or text?

Text, or email really. I’m good at the email.

4. What song can you not get enough of right now?

“Happy” by Pharrell, ’cause that makes me happy to say I’m happy and sing I’m happy. Pretty soon I am really happy.

5. Finish this sentence: “I think the key to being happy is…”

Loving yourself just the way you are.

Champlin will be performing at the Post Office Cabaret in Provincetown, Massachusetts, May 23-26. Be sure to visit her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Fast 5 with comedian Poppy Champlin first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Each week we celebrate the best in lesbian social media. Here’s our social media round up for April 13-20, 2014.

Rosie’s looking good!

Suzanne Westenhoefer was living the dream at the GLAAD Media Awards.

Jillian Michaels contemplates a new approach to dieting.

One of our Facebook fans had us chuckling at this timely reference.

Hooray for business owners in Mississippi!

A gentle reminder from Lady Gaga.

Comedian Sandra Valls weighs in with a grammar lesson for us all.

Happy Easter. No H8, yo.

The post Rosie sheds 50, Westenhoefer living the dream first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Comedian Sandra Valls and the love of her life Jackie of Los Angeles are a powerhouse couple. From their very first date, their love has been a force of nature, hotter than Hades, the kind of one in a million connection that is the basis for every great love story. Sandra answered Lesbian.com’s prying questions, letting us into what makes their love just so incredible.

Sandra, left, and Jackie, doing what they do best.

When/how did you meet?

We met at work. I had just moved to Los Angeles and was working as a greeter at a career college and Jackie was an assistant director of admissions. I would see her walking to and from the elevator every day. She was always laughing and positive and beautiful and glowing and wow! I would think, “I want a girlfriend just like her!”

Who asked who out? What was your first date like?

I finally asked her out for a drink after work. It was a spontaneous, impulsive decision. I just blurted it out. I had to know what all this flirting was about! Was it innocent flirting or was she really into me? We went to this really cool, cozy bar in Silver Lake called the Lucky Bar (no pun intended) and I tried to impress her by ordering “that blue drink with the umbrella in it.” I’m more of a jack and coke girl but I thought, “This is the kind of fancy girl who likes that kind of fancy drink. I don’t know!” Don’t judge me. I was nervous. So I ordered a blue drink for both of us… then another and another. I don’t know how many blue drinks we had. All I know is that the minute we walked out that bar we attacked each other and were fiercely making out, against parked cars, rolling to the pavement, slamming each other onto the car hoods…my shirt was torn and filthy from rubbing against car doors. It was an earth-shattering first date and first kiss. We still make out like savages!

Wow! So, what do you love most about her, besides the kissing?

Her spirit. I see her spirit. I connect to it. And that’s all encompassing.

How did you know she was “the one”?

I knew she was the one because we are a perfect, beautiful balance. Where I lack, she provides and vice versa. We truly enjoy, delight, enhance, support, motivate, love, and uplift each other. When Jackie came into my life I felt so much more alive than I had ever felt. She opened my eyes to possibility. That’s very powerful. She reminded me that I was amazing. You know when you see a snow globe? There’s glitter at the bottom of the globe. It isn’t until someone comes and shakes it up that it truly comes alive. Jackie came and shook my glitter. I wanted to immerse and delight in the joys, passion, and fun that this wonderful life has to offer and share it all with her. I rejoiced in being alive and awake with the knowledge, courage, and strength to create and mold our lives however way we wanted. She came into my life and polished up the dull, tarnished parts of me that I had either ignored or forgotten that I had. She polished them up until I was so shiny, beautiful and glowing again. This is not to say that I didn’t have it going on before her nor that I wouldn’t have had it going on if I hadn’t met her. This is to say that I felt safe enough to allow our love to transform her and me into US. The journey of my life is even brighter, easier, more enjoyable with her in it and I look forward to even more evolution in the future.

What have you experienced together that has made you solid? Have you endured any hardship that you’re comfortable sharing that has cemented your bond?

I wouldn’t say there was any one hardship but many little ones throughout our lives. We have cemented our bond by how we navigate through all these little challenges. We are raising kids together (no small feat) and we are constantly involved and invested in all aspects of their growth. We navigate the challenges in our careers. We are both very, very spiritual and actively encourage and involve ourselves with each other’s spiritual evolution. We are also constantly working on improving our communication skills with each other. We are both very independent women who believe in having our own lives as well. We don’t believe in “losing” yourself in relationship. I have my own interests, friends, hobbies, alone time and she has hers. We choose to grow and evolve with each other and separately.

Who are each of you?  And who are you together?

I am a comedian, actor, singer, songwriter, mother, writer and great girlfriend. I am the organizer of the family and am very detail-oriented. I am the road trip planner, a night owl, the one you call in an emergency. I am courageous, playful, kind, caring and honest to a fault. I am loyal, reliable and will protect you with my life. I can’t stand injustice. It infuriates me. My philosophy is live in truth. You get what you put out.

She is a renaissance woman. She is a designer, stylist, writer, Reiki healer, Zumba instructor, entrepreneur, mother, daughter and the most amazing partner in the world. She is a go-getter, a motivator, an early bird, a mover and a shaker. She is loyal, positive, motivating, loving, sexy, supportive, strong and courageous. She rises with the sun and starts her day with a burst of energy! Her philosophy is whatever you want you can have. Whatever you need is within you. Love yourself first.

We are leaders and role models. We are what love looks like.

You can learn more about Sandra’s comedy on her website, WeLoveSandra.com

The post ‘Real-Life Love Stories’: We are what love looks like first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Latina comedic sensation Sandra Valls gives a tutorial on lesbian sex.

The post Sandra Valls, lesbian comedian first appeared on Lesbian.com.