Rita Lamar is the proud lesbian business owner of the Lamar Wedding Center, so she knows a thing or two about planning weddings — same-sex and straight. She understands how to create memorable events for every personality and save money while doing so. Rita Lamar specializes in events for couples who want their wedding day to be perfect, but not break the bank. She shared with us some tips for planning a great wedding, no matter what your budget.

Can someone plan a decent wedding on a budget?

Yes. Obviously, if you insist on having a designer wedding gown and a sit down dinner reception with a full service bar and a 7-piece band, you are going to pay top dollar. But there are many simple ways to cut down on expenses. Buffet style costs less than a sit-down dinner, a DJ costs less than a band, and you can save several hundred dollars by having a cash bar or cutting out hard liquor. There are also many beautiful gowns available off-season on clearance that are almost identical to expensive designer brands for a fraction of the cost.

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Now that the US Supreme Court has overturned DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Law), gay and lesbian married couples have lots of new federal rights and benefits. One of those benefits is that now married same-sex couples will file their federal income tax as married couple. Another benefit is that married couples can go back and file joint married for the past three years.

If you’re like me, you probably have lots of questions about how to file, how to know if you’re filing correctly and what it means to file as a same-sex couple on the federal and state level. I had the fortune to speak with Lisa Greene-Lewis, CPA, from TurboTax about the new tax laws for gay and lesbian couples in 2013 and how to get the most out of filing your 2013 taxes.

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The beginning of a new year or the end of one relationship is a good time to think about what you want to do differently and what you want to change. We usually make resolutions about money, jobs and for those who are single, finding a mate. But how will you go about finding that partner or partners? I asked some lesbian dating experts for some ideas about resolutions for lesbian dating.

See tips from Dr. Frankie Bashan and “Gay Girl Dating Coach” Mary G. Malia at LesbianLife at About.com

The post Lesbian dating resolutions for 2014 first appeared on Lesbian.com.

“American Idol” runner-up Crystal Bowersox has released a new Christmas single in support of LGBT rights. In “Coming Out For Christmas” Bowersox sings, “Finally I will introduce my love, Oh, As not just my friend.”

On why she wrote the song, Bowersox said, “The holidays are here, and it pains me to think that anyone would be left alone or be forbidden to be with their family over something as silly as their sexual orientation. I hope it will serve as a holiday anthem for people who may finally have the courage to live their life as their true authentic self, proudly and unapologetically, and that their friends and family will love and accept them with loving open arms. May we all celebrate this holiday season together, celebrate equality, and give thanks for the true spirit of Christmas- with our one human family.”

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You’re a girl on the go, a dyke in the know. Make sure you’re prepared for all the twists and turns life throws you. Whether you came out last week, or last century, don’t be caught without these ten lesbian essentials.

A Tool Kit

Every woman, regardless of sexual orientation should have a good tool box stocked with the essentials of hammer, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, a few wrenches, pliers — including needle-nose, tape measure, level and an electric drill, to start.

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The post 10 things every lesbian should own first appeared on Lesbian.com.

It’s a big week for gay marriage and sports fans. First USA soccer stars Abby Wambach and Sarah Huffman married in Hawaii. Then three major Portland, Oregon professional sports teams all issued statements in support of same-sex marriage. Professional soccer teams the Timbers (men) and Thorns (women) issued a statement in support of legalizing same-sex marriage in Oregon.

Gay rights supporters in Oregon are working to gather signatures to put a vote on the ballot in 2014 called Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative. Merritt Paulson, owner of the Thorns and the Timbers issued a statement that said, “We are proud to support Oregon United for Marriage and its efforts to secure the freedom to marry for all Oregonians next November.”

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Dear Lesbian Life:

My girlfriend, Rosie, of a year is awesome, we have a really good relationship, share loads of interests in common, want the same things out of life and feel we can really make a go of things.

I have a problem with her last ex of nine years. They broke up over 18 months ago. Just a few months ago this ex was messaging Rosie saying how much she misses her, then things like she’d had an accident, cut herself, etc. (She self-harmed when they were together.) It made Rosie feel horribly guilty and she had to tell her on more than one occasion that this was not appropriate. Thankfully those messages seem to have stopped but she still hears from her pretty much every weekend asking her to meet up, which she declines mostly.

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By now you know Diana Nyad is a long distance swimmer who captivated the world with her long distance swim from Cuba to Florida. On September 2, 2013 age 64 and on her fifth attempt Diana Nyad swam 110 miles in 53 hours to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the protection of a shark cage.

After completing the swim Nyad said, “I wanted it to be a lesson for my life that says, be fully engaged. Be so awake and alert and alive every minute of every waking day.”

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The post Diana Nyad: 5 things you didn’t know first appeared on Lesbian.com.

You just got the name and contact info of your new college roommate. Most new college students eagerly sit down and type up an email of introduction to their new college roommate. But what if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans? How do you introduce yourself? Do you come out right away or do you wait to feel them out?

When to Come Out to Your College Roommate

Do you come out to your new college roommate before you ever meet her, or do you wait until you’ve gotten to know each other? Either option is fine. A lot of it depends on your personality, how out you are and how comfortable you are with your sexual orientation, and your personal style of communication.

Read more at LesbianLife at About.com

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Keeping a relationship steady and strong is hard work. It’s easy to get lazy and stop working to keep it strong. If you want your relationship to succeed, don’t fall prey to one of these common lesbian relationship killers.

Taking your partner for granted

Successful long-term relationships have certain key ingredients that make them work. Likewise, relationships that fail have certain key ingredients too. It takes more than love to make a relationship work. Don’t let your lesbian relationship fall prey to one of the ten lesbian relationship killers.

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The post 10 ways to ruin your relationship first appeared on Lesbian.com.