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.

Want more Michaela? Follow her on

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.

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.

A sampling from Facebook’s Pride pack

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

What did you miss this week in the world of LGBT news? Check out our Lesbian.com round-up and you’ll be ready to gather ’round the rainbow-colored water cooler to talk about five of the biggest, best and most interesting stories for June 1-7.

Hill hurls homophobic slur; redeems with heartfelt apology

Jonah Hill found himself in some hot water last weekend when he chose to lash out at a paparazzo with a homophobic slur. But on Tuesday, the actor redeemed himself to many during an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” with what appeared to be a sincere apology. Hill has been a long-time advocate for LGBT rights and seemed genuinely contrite as he addressed Fallon’s audience. “The word I chose was grotesque and no one deserves to say or hear words like that,” said Hill.

You can watch Hill’s apology below.

Chicago Sun-Times decides Laverne Cox is a woman after all

The Chicago Sun-Times drew harsh criticism for an op-ed piece which it ran last weekend titled “Laverne Cox is Not a Woman.” The piece, authored by the National Review’s Kevin D. Williamson and prompted by Cox’s recent Time magazine cover, argued that Cox was still a man whether she chose to label herself as one or not.

By Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times had realized the error of its ways (or had at least grown fearful of the resulting firestorm), pulled the story and issued an apology.

North Dakota last state to enter marriage equality fray

North Dakota no longer stands alone as the only state without a challenge to its constitutional ban on same sex marriage. On Friday, seven couples filed a lawsuit in the U.S. district court in Fargo, calling for an end to North Dakota’s constitutional ban and its refusal to accept gay marriages from out of state. With the filing, all 31 states which continue to have laws on the books defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman now face legal challenges at the federal level.

Military color guard makes history at D.C. Pride

History was made Saturday night in Washington, D.C., as an eight-member color guard team from U.S. Army Military District of Washington led off the 39th annual Capital Gay Pride parade. The group was the first Armed Forces color guard in American history to march in a gay pride parade.

Facebook releases LGBT emojis

Facebook kicked off LGBT Pride season by announcing the release of a 28-emoticon “Pride pack” available for Facebook Messenger users.

A Facebook diversity spokesperson told NewNowNext, ““We’re celebrating Pride by adding these free Facebook Messenger stickers to the Sticker Store. We see this as one more way we can make Facebook a place where people can express their authentic identity. Happy Pride!”

The post LGBT week in review: Apologies, emojis and a Pride parade first, oh my! first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The 25th annual GLAAD Media Awards were held Saturday night in Los Angeles. The ceremony, held to recognize fair, accurate and inclusive representation in media of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives, honored 12 of the 29 nominated media categories. Other winners, including those in the movie (outstanding film) and television (outstanding comedy series) will be named at a New York ceremony on May 3.

Among the big winners were Laverne Cox and Jennifer Lopez. Cox received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award which is given to a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender member of the entertainment community. Previous recipients include Wanda Sykes, Melissa Etheridge and Ellen DeGeneres.

Lopez was named winner of the Vanguard Award which hails efforts to increase visibility and understanding of the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender community. Lopez has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and is Executive Producer for the ABC Family series “The Fosters.”

Ellen Page introduces Laverne Cox

Rita Morena presents Jennifer Lopez

Honorees at the event included:

Pioneer Award
Norman Lear

Vanguard Award
Jennifer Lopez

Stephen F. Kolzak Award
Laverne Cox, “Orange Is the New Black”

International Advocate for Change Award
Manny de Guerre, founder of the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia

Outstanding Documentary
TIE: “Bridegroom” (Virgil Films/OWN), Shane Bitney Crone and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
“Call Me Kuchu” (Cinedigm), co-directors Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall, and Ugandan activist John “Long Jones” Abdallah Wambere.

Outstanding Drama Series
“The Fosters” (ABC Family), Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg with stars Sheri Saum and Teri Polo

Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
“Behind the Candelabra” (HBO)

Outstanding Reality Program
“Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce” (Fuse)

Outstanding Daily Drama
“Days of Our Lives” (NBC)

Outstanding Newspaper Article
“LGBTQ in the Capital” (series) by Melissa Griffiths (Juneau Empire [Juneau, Alaska])

Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia
“We Are Here: LGBTI in Uganda” by Sunnivie Brydum, D. David Robinson (Advocate.com)

Outstanding Music Artist
Tegan and Sara, “Heartthrob” (Warner Bros. Records)

Outstanding Comic Book
Young Avengers, written by Kieron Gillen (Marvel Comics)

Outstanding Talk Show Interview (Spanish Language)
TIE: “Debate por la igualdad” Al Punto (Univision)
“Decisión Histórica” Sin Límites con Elizabeth Espinosa (CNN en Español)

Outstanding Local TV Journalism (Spanish Language)
“Natalia: rompiendo barreras” Noticiero Telemundo Arizona (KTAZ-39 [Phoenix, Ariz.])

Outstanding TV Journalism Segment (Spanish Language)
“Decisión Histórica” Noticiero Telemundo (Telemundo)

Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia (Spanish Language)
“Eric y Juan, un matrimonio feliz a pesar de todo” by Fernando Mexia (EFE.com)

The post Cox, Lopez honored at 25th GLAAD Media Awards first appeared on Lesbian.com.

(Photo courtesy of Cedric Terrell)

BY LESBIAN.COM

On April 5 Equality Virginia will celebrate OUTstanding Virginians to highlight the importance of being out to the LGBTQ movement. These individuals represent Virginia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with distinction.

Tagg Magazine’s Managing Editor and Owner, Ebone F. Bell has been recognized as one of these individuals. Bell started the magazine in September 2012 to give the lesbian, bisexual and transgender community a voice in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.

After coming out in college, Bell quickly immersed herself in LGBTQ causes. Once involved, her entrepreneurial spirit took over and she has been responsible for organizing a multitude of events and projects, including the annual Capital Queer Prom, hugely successful fundraisers for Capital Pride, and the bi-monthly publication Tagg Magazine. A triple threat, Bell has her hands in publishing, fundraising and event promoting, and is always looking towards the next big idea.

“I’m so honored to be receiving this award from Equality Virginia,” said Bell. “It’s always nice to have someone recognize your hard work for something you’re really passionate about.”

Bell will be awarded the honor alongside eight other outstanding individuals on Saturday, April 5, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Special guests will include Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” Laverne Cox and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart.

Equality Virginia is proud to recognize OUTStanding Virginians who have made contributions to the equality movement. The Equality Virginia’s 11th Annual Commonwealth Dinner is the state’s largest gala gathering for the Virginia LGBTQ community and supporters. This year will be particularly spectacular because Equality Virginia will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment from noted invitees, a silent auction and the opportunity to meet and network with other members of the LGBTQ community and allies.

Tickets are still available at www.equalityvirginia.org.

The post Equality Virginia honors Tagg Magazine editor first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Some snapshots from the party (Via Pop Up Photobooth Instagram)

Last weekend, the cast and crew of “Orange is the New Black” had a roller skating wrap party for the end of production on Season 2 … And you missed it.

Never fear, some of the lucky partygoers (including actress Laura Prepon) snapped some silly pics in the PhotoBoothPopUp and shot some video of other cast members, include Lavern Cox, reliving their roller disco glory days.

Watch the videos and read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

The post Rolling with the ‘OITNB’ wrap party first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY LUCIEN MAE

CeCe McDonald, who pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge after an altercation following a racist and transphobic attack outside a Minneapolis bar in 2011, was released on parole from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud, an all-male prison where she served two-thirds of her sentence, on Monday, January 13. She has asked to be granted a few days of peace and reconnection with her friends and family before she will release a public statement, according to her blog.

Her sentencing caused an uproar in the LGBTQ community, which sees her case as an example of a transgender woman who is forced to serve time for defending herself in a transphobic attack.

After serving two-thirds of her forty-one month sentence in a male prison facility, McDonald was released Monday, January 13, and was greeted by fellow activist Laverne Cox, who is currently working on a documentary about her case, “FREE CeCe.”

Read more at dot429.com

The post CeCe McDonald released from prison first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Laverne Cox (Credit: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

OUT magazine is slowly rolling out their annual list of 100 influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) icons, known as the OUT 100 — and already there are a number of familiar faces among this year’s ranks. Laverne Cox, one LGBT icon who skyrocketed to fame this year, is slated to receive one of the listing’s biggest honors: the OUT 100 Readers’ Choice Award.

Cox, an actress and producer who has long been a tireless transgender activist, was especially visible this year thanks to her role on Netflix’s “Orange Is The New Black,” and her outspoken activism surrounding issues of transgender identity.

OUT is currently making the OUT 100 list public in increments of ten icons — head over to the magazine’s website to see which LGBT icons have been revealed so far.

Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

The post Laverne Cox honored with OUT 100 Reader’s Choice Award first appeared on Lesbian.com.