Forbes magazine published its annual listing of the World’s Most Powerful Women and Ellen DeGenres is the lone out lesbian among them. DeGeneres is listed at No. 46 on the register of the most influential women in politics, media, fashion and film.

German chancellor Angela Merkel garnered the top spot, with politically-associated Hillary Clinton (No. 6) and Michelle Obama (No. 8) joining her in the Top 10.

Other top spots were filled by women in the technology industry, among them Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg (No. 9) and Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer (No. 18).

Among the other entertainers joining DeGeneres on the list which Forbes touts as the “definitive annual guide to the extraordinary icons and leaders, ground-breakers and ceiling crashers who command the world stage” are Oprah Winfrey (No. 14), Beyonce (No. 17), Sofia Vergara (No. 32), Angelina Jolie (No. 50) and Lady Gaga (No. 67).

For a full list, visit Forbes.com.

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Melissa Etheridge, long-time friend of Brad Pitt, didn’t sugar coat her opinion about Angelina Jolie’s decision to get a double mastectomy, according to Us Magazine.

“I wouldn’t call it a brave choice,” Etheridge, a breast cancer survivor herself said. “My belief is cancer comes from inside you and so much of it has to do with the environment of your body. It’s the stress that will turn that gene on or not.”

Read more at TheSeattleLesbian.com

The Seattle Lesbian online magazine reaches more than 188,000 readers per week globally.

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When Angelina Jolie recently revealed that her decision to undergo a double mastectomy stemmed directly from the fact that she’d tested positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation — putting her at a nearly 90 percent risk of developing breast cancer — it turned genetic testing into a hot topic practically overnight.

Ever since the human genome was unraveled a decade ago, research in the field of genetics has advanced at a breakneck speed. Ten years ago, you could take a test to find genetic links for about 900 diseases — today, that number is more than 2,500. And what was once considered an expensive procedure that could only be administered in a medical setting can now cost as little as $100 for a DNA test you can take at home.

Read more at LearnVest

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Angelina Jolie received an Honorary Citizen of Sarajevo award Saturday for her work on the film “In the Land of Blood and Honey.” Jolie directed the movie which tells the story of romance between a Serbian soldier and a Bosnian woman during the 1990s war in the troubled region.

“The time I spent and the people I met in Bosnia have changed me forever. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be named an honorary citizen of Sarajevo, a city so dear to my heart,” Jolie said, addressing the crowd from the 18th Annual Sarajevo Film Festival stage.

On directing the movie, Jolie shared,”It was the hardest thing I have ever done because of my deep respect for the people that really experienced it. The experience here was so unique for me that I felt very connected to the people.”

While Jolie made no mention of the stone, the event also marked the first time she’s worn her $500,000 engagement ring from Brad Pitt in public.

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Angelina Jolie marked World Refugee Day on June 20 by donating $100,000 to assist Syrian refugees. The actress-cum-activist made the donation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and released a statement through the UN calling for “durable solutions…for refugees.”

Jolie is an UNHCR Special Envoy and is assisting with the group’s
global social advocacy campaign, “Dilemmas”, which aims to help fight intolerance and xenophobia against refugees. Through the campaign Jolie and a host of other celebrities echo the same strong message: No one chooses to be a refugee.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are planning an Olympics-themed party in London, but don’t rush to your mailbox looking for an invitation quite yet. The black-tie benefit to be held at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum is an A-list-only affair.

The July 25 event, to be held in honor of Muhammad Ali, will benefit the Sports for Peace Initiative. Guests will be treated to a champagne reception on the grounds of the museum before enjoying a four-course banquet dinner. An exclusive after-hours party will be held at the couple’s rented $20 million townhouse following the benefit.

Among those noted on the star-studded list of invitees are Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate; Prince Harry; David and Victoria Beckham; Sharon Stone; and Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The couple is in London for the filming of Jolie’s new film “Maleficent,” Disney’s live-action retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale in which Jolie is cast in the lead role.

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In conflict zones, sexual assault is often nearly as difficult to prosecute as it is to prevent. A new UK-lead effort announced last month will create special “flying squads” to investigate rape cases in these troubled areas and implement a network of victim support services. The proposed system has earned support from actor, director and activist Angelina Jolie.

Read more at Care2.com

Care2 is the largest online community of people passionate about making a difference.

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