L-Word Reality Series to Debut in June

Last October I blogged about a LA casting call for an upcoming reality series based on the L-Word. Well, I guess they found their women, because showtime has just announced the premiere of "The Real L World" Sunday, June 20 at 10PM ET/PT.

This lesbian docu-drama (I say drama because you know as well as I do if there are lesbians, there will be drama) is being produced by original L Word creator Ilene Chaiken and executive produced by Magical Elves co-founders Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz.

I am looking forward to seeing if Ilene Chaiken is going to cast primarily "femme" lesbians, or perhaps attempt a bit more of lesbian reality and throw in a few "real" butches. I am hopeful, but I am not holding my breath.

The Global GLBT Summit

For the purpose of Advancing LGBT Civil Rights, Equality Forum presents the The Global GLBT Summit. April 26th - May 10th, 2010 in Philadelphia.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

SUNDAYOUT! AT THE PIAZZA & LIBERTIES WALK
Sunday, May 2, 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Piazza & Liberties Walk
North 2nd Street & Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
MAP
$10 adults, $5 students

SundayOUT! at The Piazza & Liberties Walk features live and Jumbotron entertainment, and over 100 artisans, vendors, and community organizations. The architecturally exciting Piazza and adjacent Liberties Walk offer something for everyone — stylish boutiques, cafés, bars, galleries and more!

• Live Entertainment presented by Q102 and My106.1
• Fashion Show
• TLA “Gays in Hollywood”
• Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Cabaret
• Philadelphia Freedom Band
• Dance Performances

The region’s largest GLBT street festival takes place at Philadelphia’s chic new open-air plaza in Northern Liberties.

INTERNATIONAL EQUALITY DINNER

Saturday, May 1, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
MAP

$200
The International Equality Dinner at the National Constitution Center honors DavidBoies and Ted Olson with the 15th annual International Role Model Award and CNN with the 8th annual International Business Leadership Award. Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, CNN International will accept the award on behalf of CNN. U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Honorary Dinner Chairs, will attend.
For more details click here.

BRAIN SANDERS DANCE TRIBUTE

Friday, April 30, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Merriam Theater
250 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
MAP

$5, $10, $25, $100

Collaborating Organizations:

The University of the Arts School of Dance

Join Equality Forum at the Merriam Theater for a tribute to Brian Sanders, one of America’s most innovative and prolific choreographers and the founder of the nationally acclaimed JUNK. Dancers from The Univerity of the Arts perform Sanders's work.

9 p.m., VIP Party on Stage (for those purchasing VIP tickets) — with Brian Sanders, Susan Glazer, Director, School of Dance, U Arts dancers, and special guests.

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.

11TH ANNUAL GAY AND LESBIAN ART EXHIBIT

Featuring Richard Renaldi and Mark Yankus Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.

The University of the Arts
211 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
MAP

FREE

Collaborating Organizations:

The University of the Arts

Click here for more details.

GLBT RIGHTS AND CHALLENGES IN AFRICA

Thursday, April 29, 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Arts Bank
601 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
MAP

FREE

While the U.S. debates the issue of same-sex marriage, nations like Uganda have considered the death penalty or life imprisonment for “anyone convicted of a homosexual act.” Equality Forum’s international focus explores GLBT rights and movement development in Africa.

Click here for more details.


25 LGBT PANELS
There will be 25 panels throughout the week on subjects including LGBT Adoption, work relations, Reproduction Rights, Coming Out, Abusive relationships, LGBT Equality, HIV and much more.

Click here for a schedule of panels and details.

FILM SCREENINGS

“Preacher’s Sons”
Friday, April 30, 7:30 p.m., Arts Bank

“OUT in the SILENCE”
Saturday, May 1, 7:30 p.m., Arts Bank

Click here for more details.


GLBT EVENT PARTIES

Name	Date	Location
VIP Kickoff	Mon 4/26 at 6:00 p.m.	Hotel Palomar Philadelphia
Women's Party: Battle of the D.J.'s	Wed 4/28 at 9:00 p.m.	Sisters
Welcome Party	Thu 4/29 at 10:00 p.m.	Q Lounge
Happy Hour	Fri 4/30 at 5:00 p.m.	Stir
Cabaret and Dancing at Tavern on Camac	Fri 4/30 at 10:00 p.m.	Tavern on Camac
Youth Party	Sat 5/1 at 6:00 p.m.	The Attic Youth Center
11th Annual Girl Fever	Sat 5/1 at 8:30 p.m.	Sisters
Men's Party	Sat 5/1 at 10:00 p.m.	Q Lounge
SundayOUT! Drag Brunch at Darling's	Sun 5/2 at 9:00 a.m.	The Piazza & Liberties Walk
SundayOUT! Party at Darling's	Sun 5/2 at 5:00 p.m.	The Piazza & Liberties Walk
Ladies 2000 Party	Sun 5/2 at 5:00 p.m.	North Bowl
SundayOUT! Party at P.Y.T.

2010 GLAAD Media Award Winners

The 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards were held last night, March 13, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The GLAAD Awards recognizes and honors the media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

Recipients were announced in 24 of this year's 32 media categories with additional awards being presented in Los Angeles on April 17, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, and in San Francisco on June 5, 2010 at the Westin St. Francis.

The following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Awards presented on stage, and the individuals that accepted the awards:

• Excellence in Media Award: Joy Behar (presented by Meredith Vieira)

• Vito Russo Award: Cynthia Nixon (presented by Michael Patrick King)

• Outstanding Drama Series: Brothers & Sisters (ABC) [Accepted by: show writer, Geoffrey Nauffts]

• Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series: Prayers for Bobby (Lifetime) [Accepted by: Sigourney Weaver and producers Daniel Sladek and Damian Ganczewski]

• Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: "Why Will Won't Pledge Allegiance" American Morning(CNN) [Accepted by: Will Phillips and American Morning producer Beth Marengo]

• Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: TIE: "'We Love You, This Won't Change a Thing'" by John Buccigross (ESPN.com) [Accepted by: John Buccigross and Patrick Burke, brother of Brendan Burke] and "Why Can't You Just Butch Up? Gay Men, Effeminacy, and Our War with Ourselves" by Brent Hartinger (AfterElton.com) [Accepted by: Brent Hartinger]

• Special Recognition: Hair [Accepted by: Gavin Creel]

The following is a list of all other award recipients announced at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York.

• Outstanding Film-Limited Release: Little Ashes (Regent Releasing)
• Outstanding Individual Episode: "Pawnee Zoo" Parks and Recreation (NBC)
• Outstanding Daily Drama: One Life to Live (ABC)
• Outstanding Talk Show Episode: "Ellen DeGeneres and Her Wife, Portia de Rossi" The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)
• Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: "Uganda Be Kidding Me" (series) The Rachel Maddow Show(MSNBC)
• Outstanding Newspaper Article: "Kept From a Dying Partner's Bedside" by Tara Parker-Pope (The New York Times)
• Outstanding Newspaper Columnist: Frank Rich (The New York Times)
• Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage: The New York Times
• Outstanding Magazine Article: "Coming Out in Middle School" by Benoit Denizet-Lewis (The New York Times Magazine)
• Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: The Advocate
• Outstanding Comic Book: Detective Comics by Greg Rucka (DC Comics)
• Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway & Off–Broadway: A Boy and His Soul by Colman Domingo
• Outstanding New York Theater: Off–Off Broadway: She Like Girls by Chisa Hutchinson

SPANISH-LANGUAGE

• Outstanding Novela: Más Sabe el Diablo (Telemundo)
• Outstanding Daytime Talk Show Episode: "Adopción gay: un tema muy controversial" Paparazzi TV Sensacional(MegaTV)
• Outstanding Talk Show Interview: "Realidades de ser gay en la tercera edad" El Show de Cristina (Univision)
• Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: TIE: "En el cuerpo equivocado" Primer Impacto (Univision) & "Damas gracias: Entrevista con Eva Leivas-Andino" Al Rojo Vivo(Telemundo)
• Outstanding Newspaper Article: "Mas familias de dos papás o dos mamas" by Pilar Marrero (La Opinión)
• Outstanding Magazine Article: "Del odio a la justicia" by Lena Hansen (People en Español)
• Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: "Saliendo del clóset: Cómo enfrentarlo en familia" by Fernanda Martínez (Univision.com)

More information about the upcoming GLAAD Media Awards events in Los Angeles and San Francisco may be found at www.glaad.org/mediaawards.

South Dakota Cops Out Lesbian Seargent

28 year old lesbian Air Force sergeant Jene Newsome was honorably discharge under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy after police officers in Rapid City, S.D., saw an Iowa marriage certificate in her home and informed the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base.

After reviewing the incident, The Rapid City Police Department conclude that their officers did nothing wrong by contacting the Air Force. However, Newsome and the American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) have filed a complaint against the South Dakota police department, claiming the officers violated her right to privacy when they informed the military of her sexual orientation. The case also highlights concerns over the ability of third parties to "out" service members, especially as the Pentagon has started reviewing the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law.

Dinah Shore Week 2010 Calendar of Events

For those of you who may not know, Dinah Shore Week is a renowned lesbian event held in Palm Springs every year. The name came from the Dinah Shore Golf Tournament (Now the Kraft Nabisco Golf Tournament) that would run simultaneously in Palm Springs. But Boy how times have changed. When I was in college and first heard about Dinah Shore week (come on I am only 39), it was as much about the Ladies Golf Tournament as it was about the pool parties. And although both events are still scheduled on the same week in Palm Springs, somehow, the whole "golf" portion got lost in translation. Now the entire week consists mainly of pool parties, dance events, lesbian celebrities, and, of course, scantily clad women. Not that I am complaining, I mean I will take watching scantily clad women over golf any day of the week.

Anyway, this years Dinah Shore Week is being held March 31st - April 4th, 2010 and both Girlbar and Club Skirts are celebrating their 20th anniversary in style! And to make sure you won't miss a single event, below I have listed the events and locations for both Girlbar and Club Skirts.

Here are the events presented by Girlbar: (Club Skirts events are farther down)

Wednesday March 31st

Cocktails Meet & Greet @8pm

Renaissance Palm Springs (formerly the Wyndham) Pool Terrace

Thursday, April 1st

Funny Girlz 5 Cocktails@7:30 Show at 8:30pm	Hotel Zoso Grand Ballroom
Premiere –The opening Kick off night dance party! Opens @8:00pm	Hunter's Bar

Friday, April 2nd

TGIF Pool Party	Renaissance Palm Springs (formerly the Wyndham) Pool
PURE White Party w/ Samantha Ronson @8pm	Hotel Zoso

Saturday, April 3rd

WET and WILD Pool Party 11am-5pm	Renaissance Palm Springs (formerly the Wyndham) Pool
Chill Out Pool 11am-4pm	Hotel Zoso Pool
Main Event - Circus A-Go-Go with live performance by KELLY ROWLAND 9pm-3am	Renaissance Palm Springs (formerly the Wyndham) Grand Ballroom

Sunday, April 4th

Jazz Brunch	Hotel Zoso
Splash Dance Pool party	Renaissance Palm Springs (formerly the Wyndham) Pool
Closing Party- Grand Finale	Hunter's Bar

For more information about these events visit their site at dinahshoreweekend.com


CLUB SKIRTS EVENT SCHEDULE:

Wednesday March 31st

Dinah Shore Kick Off Party 8pm-12am

Hilton Hotel Nightclub & Poolside

Thursday, April 1st

Dinah Opening Bash 9pm

Zeldaz Nightclub

Friday, April 2nd

Frisky Friday Pool Party 12pm-5pm	Hilton Hotel & Spa
Laughing Loud with Suzanne Westenhoefer, Vicki Shaw and many more. Doors open at 8pm show starts @9pm 20th Annual White Diamonds Party @9pm	Palm Springs Convention Center Palm Springs Convention Center

Saturday, April 3rd

Cabana Girl Pool Party 9am	Hilton Hotel & Spa
The Kathy & Mo Show EQCA Benefit @8:30	Palm Springs Convention Center
Hollywood Party with Salt N Pepa with Celebrity Fashion Show. Doors Open @9pm	Palm Springs Convention Center

Sunday, April 4th

Sunday Lov'n Pool Party@ 9am	Hilton Hotel & Spa
Dinah Closing Gala @9pm	Zeldaz Nightclub

For more information about these events visit their site at thedinah.com

Equality Forum Launches Project 1138 Web Site

Equality Forum, an international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, has recently launched the Project 1138 Web site.

What Is Project 1138?
Project 1138 increases awareness of the 1,138 federal marital benefits and protections denied to same-sex couples as the result of marriage inequality.

How Did It Originate?
In January 1997, Senator Bill Frist, the Republican Majority Leader, asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) to identify how many federal benefits were contingent on being married. The GAO reported that the number of federal benefits was 1,138.

Share Your Story.

For more than a thousand reasons, YOUR relationship deserves equal treatment under the law. Take a stand against marriage inequality and share your story. Participate in Equality Forum's Project 1138 blog! Separate is not Equal. Separate is not Equality.

Check out their site at www.1138project.blogspot.com

First Same-Sex Marriage Law Takes Effect in Latin America

The AP news announced that many of Mexico City gay and lesbian couples registered for marriage licenses Thursday, the day Latin America's first gay-marriage law took effect.

The first same-sex weddings will take place within a week to 10 days, after the paperwork is processed.

Mexico City's legislature approved the first law explicitly giving gay marriages the same status as heterosexual ones in December. The change will allow same-sex couples to adopt children, apply for bank loans together, inherit wealth and be included in the insurance policies of their spouse, rights they were denied under civil unions allowed in the city.

"This is great, it is a feeling of relief, of celebration, everything," said Daniel Ramos, 20, a medical student planning to marry his boyfriend, Temistocles Villanueva, on March 12.

"For Latin America, this is not only a precedent, but an example to follow," he added.

For now the law applies only to residents of Mexico City, though a marriage performed in one Mexican state must be recognized in the rest of the country.

While activists are trying to get the law extended to the rest of Mexico's 31 states, conservatives say they will seek to pass a constitutional reform so that other states won't have to recognize marriages that do not conform to their laws.

For the time being, it appears easy to circumvent the residency requirement, because the city accepts a phone or utility bill as proof of address — often even if the bill is in someone else's name.

Activist Jaime Cobian showed up Thursday with a sheaf of required documents — birth certificates, official IDs and residency documents — in a bid to get marriage licenses for 16 gay and lesbian couples in states where no such law exists.

"What we still have to do is take this battle to all the states in the country," Cobian said.

An Argentine couple participated in Latin America's first gay wedding in December. But interpretations vary on whether Argentine law allows same-sex unions, and the question is now before that country's supreme court.

Argentina's constitution is silent on whether marriage must be between a man and a woman, effectively leaving the matter to provincial officials, who approved the wedding. A law specifically legalizing gay marriage has stalled in Argentina's Congress since October.

The Mexico City law is being challenged by the federal government in Mexico's Supreme Court on constitutional grounds, but remains in effect while the appeal is heard. The Roman Catholic Church has hotly criticized the new law, which allows same-sex couples to adopt children — something several couples said they were thinking of doing.

David Razu, the Mexico City legislator who proposed the law, said he is confident the Supreme Court will uphold the law.

"There is always a wave of reaction to these kinds of measures, but we are prepared to face it," said Razu, a member of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party.

Gay couples entered the city government building and submitted their documents to the clerks amid hundreds of heterosexual couples doing the same thing.

Patria Jimenez, 54, waved a multicolor gay pride flag outside the building, shouting: "Freedom! At last, we have freedom!"

But she said she must overcome other, more personal obstacles before she can register for her own marriage license: "I still have not convinced my companion. I don't know if she will say 'yes.'"

Source: AP News

FEMME2010: No Restrictions - Call for Submissions

The Femme Collective is proud to announce Femme2010: NO RESTRICTIONS, a multi-threaded conference and forum for those who think about, talk about, and create Femme as a queer gender and identity.

Building off of Femme2006 and Femme2008, Femme2010: No Restrictions (August 20-22, 2010 in Oakland, CA) continues to explore, discuss, dissect, and support Queer Femmes.

The weekend will include workshops, panels, presentations, performances, film, and art. They invite people of all genders who are interested in a deeper understanding of Femme, as well as all self-identified Femmes who want to learn, teach, connect, and build community geared towards social change.

Femme2010: No Restrictions
Oakland Marriott City Center
1001 Broadway
Oakland, California 94607
August 19th - 22nd, 2010
www.femmecollective.com

Call for Submissions
Following the Femme2006 & 2008 conferences in San Francisco & Chicago, where hundreds of femmes and allies gathered for workshops, panels, films, visual art galleries and performances, The Femme Collective again invites community members, artists, academics, homemakers, geeks, techies, activists, femmes of all kinds, and their allies to continue the conversation by participating in Femme 2010 as presenters and participants.

They are invested in having Femme2010 continue to reflect the diversity and complexity of femme gender, identity and contributions. They hope for this conference to be a community building event, as well as an exploration and celebration of what it means to build and live queer femme identities.

Submissions of all kinds are welcome, particularly submissions by femmes. They encourage proposals by and for people of color, working-class people, fat folks, elders, youth and people with disabilities. They encourage submissions that work outside and alongside identity and gender, as well as those reflecting directly upon identity and gender. Femme2010 will continue the community dialogue from Femme2006 & 08. In particular, they hope that the intersections of femme with race, region, class, access, ability, privilege, and marginalization will be talked about, given space, meditated upon, constructed, and deconstructed. Finally, they also encouraging submissions based on this year's theme: No Restrictions.

They hope to draw participants from across disciplinary, medium, and social boundaries. And encourage submissions from anyone interested, regardless of gender or sexual identity. They do ask that you read their mission statement before submitting.

They are soliciting contributions from anyone interested, including (but not limited to):

• workshops
• panel presentations
• performances
• research presentations
• skill shares
• activist & organizational topics
  
• visual art
• video or film

Submission deadline is April 15, 2010

Please submit your proposal through the following links, located at www.femmecollective.com:

Program Submission click here

Performance Submission click here

Film Submission click here

**Please note that the more information we have on your submission, the more likely we will be able to accept your submission and include it in the conference schedule.

To learn more about us, our mission and to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns, please find us at our website: www.femmecollective.com