2010 Lesbian Holiday Gift Guide

With Chanukah arriving so early this year, and Christmas just around the corner, I thought it was just about time to put together my 2010 Lesbian Holiday Gift Guide. So if you have been wondering what the heck you were going to get for all those lesbians in your life, no worries, I have lots of new and exciting ideas this year, and I am sure you will find something in the bunch that will be perfect!

Lesbian Books
Books are aways a great gift...and you don't have to worry about anyone's size. Here are a few that I thought might make a great gift.

Best Lesbian Erotica 2011
From Cleis Press
From editor Kathleen Warnock's best-selling series, here is the newest book featuring work from some of the best-known erotic writers as well as the debuts of startling new talent. Best Lesbian Erotica 2011 welcomes back some familiar faces, including Stella Sandberg. Her story, "Manchester, 2000," follows the European adventures of two studs on a long ride. Perennial favorite Betty Blue returns with "The Garden of Earthly Delights," an encounter between a firespirit and a lost boi on the celestial plane. Cheyenne Blue’s "A Story About Sarah" travels to the antipodes, telling the story of a life-long love between a rancher’s daughter and a half-Aboriginal woman.

ASH
by Malinda Lo
Synopsis: In a delicious, genre-bending take on the classic Cinderella tale, Ash is a dreamy, bereft girl who must choose between a seductive, but dangerous fairy, and an alluring, kind huntress. Growing up steeped in fairy tales by her long-dead mother, Ash is treated horribly by her stepfamily after her father dies. On visits to her mother's grave, she meets Sidhean, a fairy she finds herself attracted to, longing to see him more and more. But when Kaisa, a huntress for the King, teaches her how to hunt, Ash discovers feelings she didn't know were possible.

The Little Stranger
by Sarah Waters
Sarah Waters fans will love this old-fashion ghost tale set in England post WWII. The author of Affinity and Fingersmith does not disappoint in her latest mystery novel. From The Washington Post: "The supernatural creaks and groans that reverberate through this tale are accompanied by malignant strains of class envy and sexual repression that infect every perfectly reasonable explanation we hear. The result is a ghost story as intelligent as it is stylish. I'm not giving anything away by reminding you to keep your eyes on the narrator. "

Bobby Blanchard Lesbian Gym Teacher
by Monica Nolan
Synopsis: Monica Nolan’s Bobby Blanchard, Lesbian Gym Teacher is an outrageously camp homage to the lesbian pulp genre. This over-the-top potboiler leaves no pulpy plot device unscathed—we get wayward schoolgirls, unbridled passion and intrigue galore!

Roberta “Bobby” Blanchard has had an accident, forcing her to give up professional field hockey and teach at an elite boarding school, where all is not as it seems. With a ferocious field hockey team and a suspicious death that needs solving, Bobby has her hands full. Not only that, but this irresistible gym teacher has a knack for uncovering every schoolgirl’s secret sexual desire. Oh, Bobby Blanchard, how we love you so!

LESBIAN MOVIES
Movies are another great gift idea, I mean who doesn't like movies??? Here are a few lesbian related movies that would make a great Holiday gift

And Then Came Lola
Synopsis: In this time-bending, sexy, lesbian romp with an irreverent nod to the popular art-house classic Run, Lola, Run a talented, but distracted photographer, Lola, (Ashleigh Sumner) on the verge of success in both love and work, could lose it all if she doesn't make it to a crucial meeting on time. But, as usual, Lola is late. With her job and girlfriend Casey (Jill Bennett) on the line, she has three chances to make it right. In a desperate race through the streets and backrooms of San Francisco, time grows short will Lola make it?

I can't Think Straight
Tala, a London-based Palestinian, is preparing for her elaborate Middle Eastern wedding when she meets Leyla, a young British indian woman who is dating her best friend. Spirited Christian Tala and shy Muslim Leyla could not be more different from each other, but the attraction is immediate and goes deeper than friendship. As Tala's wedding day approaches, simmering tensions come to boiling point and the pressure mounts for Tala to be true to herself. Moving between the vast enclaves of Middle Eastern high society and the stunning backdrop of London's West End, I Can't Think Straight explores the clashes between East and West, love and marriage, conventions and individuality, creating a humorous and tender story of unexpected love and unusual freedoms.

Drool
Synopsis: Anora Fleece has got it rotten. Her husband is abusive, her children are disrespectful, and she lives in the middle of nowhere feeling like a nobody. Then Imogene Cochran moves into the neighborhood. Imogene sells Kathy K. Kosmetics make-up for the cocoa skinned woman. The neighbors don t like cocoa skinned anything, but that doesn t stop Imogene and Anora from becoming friends and, eventually, more than friends. When Anora s husband, Cheb, finds them, all hell breaks loose, but the tables are turned when Anora accidentally shoots Cheb dead. Anora and Imogene then pile the kids in the Kathy K. car, throw the corpse in the trunk and ride off on a family road trip to bury Daddy.

Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement
After 42 years, feisty and delightful lesbian couple Edie and Thea are finally getting married. From the early '60s to the present day, the tireless community activists persevere through many battles, both personal and political. As Edie says, We just went on with this talent we have for wrestling joy from the shit. Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir (THE BRANDON TEENA STORY) return with a love story of two remarkable women whose commitment to each other is an inspiration to us all.

Real L Word: The First Season
Lesbian Sex and Sexuality will take viewers on an uncharted and provocative journey where the subject of lesbian sexuality and desire isn't whispered, but celebrated.

LESBIAN & WOMEN CALENDARS
Calendars have always been a traditional Holiday gift in my family, and these calendars would make a great gift for your extended lesbian family, or possibly even yourself.

Judy Francesconi Retro 2011 Calendar
Retro 2011 is the Ultimate Collector's Edition 16 month Calendar containing over 60 photographs in a 12x12 format that opens to 12x24. This eloquent collection of stunning, sensual, beautiful images celebrates the past 17 years of Judy's groundbreaking intimate Women with Women Series. 32 pages--this is truly a hanging BOOK! Printed on extra heavy weight stock in beautiful color and duotone. Each page is suitable for framing.

2011 Women of DC Unleashed Wall Calendar
Women of DC Comics - Brace yourself for this unique demonstration of feminine power. 16 months of the most known DC Comics heroines is any fan's fantasy.

2011 Olivia's Bettie Page Calendar
Olivia's art has spanned over 30 years, an unrivaled collection of Cheesecake and Pinup art. Bettie Page was one of Olivia's most famous models and this 16 month 2011 wall calendar portrays Olivia's Pinup images and the poses of Bettie Page.

LESBIAN SEX TOYS
Whether your looking for something special for your partner, or maybe even something for yourself, sex toys are always a fun option. Here are a few items that might make the perfect Holiday gift.

Oh Baby!
This wireless personal massager is activated by remote control! Secretly surprise your partner with a choice of 10 different vibration modes and watch her cry..."Oh, Baby!"

Astrea I or Astrea II (the thong version)
Stretch lace panty has a removable vibrating unit for clitoral stimulation and a remote control that works up to 12 feet away for hands-free self- or partner stimulation!

Little Su Dildo
Made for woman by woman,this unique non-phallic dildo turns partnered sex into a stimulating adventure providing internal AND external stimulation for maximum pleasure. Great for solo use as well.

LESBIAN CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES & JEWELRY
If you need gifts for those lesbians in your life who have a passion for stylish clothing, accessories or jewelry, here are a few ideas for some more "lesbian centric" items

GAY Belt Buckle
This very cool GAY belt buckle measures 3" x 2" and fits up to a 1-1/2" belt strap in width. This hand-made buckle is made from zinc alloy with crystal clear enamel coating and chrome finish.

"We've Come For Your Wives" T-Shirt

Dyketees.com durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt. This great logo design is also available in other t-shirt styles, sweatshirts, caps and buttons.

Dykesville Tavern Baseball Jersey
Dyketees.com 100% cotton Baseball Jersey available in red, blue or black sleeves.

Equality Leather Cuff
Adjustable leather band measures 8 1/2" comes in brown or black with stainless steel plate engraved with HRC equal sign.

Well I hope you were able to find a few items that worked for your holiday gift list, if nothing else, perhaps I got you in the mood for some holiday shopping.

A Special Video Message for LGBT Youth from Pixar Studios - It Gets Better

A touching message of hope for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender youth from the LGBT employees of Disney's Pixar. This is an amazing video, please take a few minutes and watch it, you won't regret it.

The Give A Damn Campaign Releases A New PSA About Homelessness Among GLBT Youth

The Give a Damn Campaign, one of Cyndi Lauper's projects that was created by her True Colors Fund, has released their latest video to raise awareness about homeless among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. Eden Riegel, Susan Sarandon, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, Pete Wentz, and Cyndi Lauper speak up about the need to bring an end to this epidemic.

Every year there are somewhere between 500,000 and 1.6 million kids in the U.S. that are homeless or runaways. GLBT youth make up an estimated 3% to 5% of the general U.S. population. However they make up more than 20% and possibly up to 40% of all homeless kids in the country.

Conflict within the family is the most common cause of all youth homelessness. For gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender kids, the issues are often about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Half of all kids get a negative reaction from their family when they come out to them, resulting in many of them running away. More than 1 in 4 are actually thrown out of their homes because they are GLBT.

“As a parent, I can’t understand those who would kick out their own kid simply because they are gay or transgender,” says Cyndi Lauper. “Your child is a part of you, throwing them out on the street is like ripping out a part of your own soul. No child should ever be homeless, especially when they have a family that can give them the love and acceptance that they need. It’s time all of us parents join together and let our kids know that their home is always a safe place for them no matter what.”

Once living on the streets, GLBT kids have a hard road ahead of them with a higher rate of victimization and suicide. They also have to deal with greater difficulties in finding resources that are willing or able to assist them, sometimes facing further rejection from the very people and institutions that are expected to help them, solely because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

To learn more about this gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender homeless youth and the Give A Damn campaign, please visit www.wegiveadamn.org.

Gay Wedding in the Skies over Canada

Passengers aboard a red-eye Virgin America flight woke up to an unusual announcement as they got close to New York early this morning. Two men aboard the flight got married when the plane briefly flew over Canada (where marriage is legal).

The head flight attendant announced: “While you were sleeping, we had a little wedding in the galley. The captain diverted us over Canadian airspace so he could marry two gentlemen.” and "We'd like to wish them the best and offer them a round of applause," said Ryan McManus, a passenger who was returning home to New York, noting that the passengers applauded on cue.

This was actually not the first wedding ceremony onboard a Virgin flight. In October 2007, on a flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas, a wedding was performed by Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson.

Cher Talks with Letterman About Chaz's Gender Reassignment Surgery

This past Thursday, Cher had sat down to talk with David Letterman about her new movie Burlesque. However, the conversation quickly turned to questions about Chaz and his recently completed gender reassignment surgery.

"The day that we talked about it, really talked about it seriously, I said, 'If you have to do this you just have to do it,'" she said. "I wasn't always able to be quite as calm through the process, but that day I was so calm, and just thought, 'This is what has to happen.'"

"She was a lesbian - she still is - but it's not the same now," Cher said. "She has a beautiful girlfriend. But it's not the same thing as being a homosexual, you feel as if you're in the wrong body."

Cher mixed her pronouns throughout the interview and recently admitted that she still sometimes slips up and calls Chaz a girl. "I still haven't got the pronouns right, but she says that's not so important."

Here is a clip of the Cher/Letterman interview:

Celebrating National Sex Toy Day With A Sex Toy Review

In honor of the 2010 National Sex Toy Day, which is today, I thought what better way to start a conversation about sex toys then to write a sex toy review. And the toy I chose to review today is the Midnight Purple Tantus Curve.

The Tantus Curve was obviously named for it's upward curved shape, which is perfect for stimulating your G-spot. The slightly bulbed head and gentle ridges along the top add extra sensation to vaginal or anal penetration. The Curve also boasts a wide, almost teardrop-shaped base, which makes it perfect for both harness or solo play.

The Curve is considered a medium size dildo, measuring 6"L x 1-3/8" in Diameter and comes in Midnight Purple.

The Tantus Curve is hand-made from a unique blend of 100% Ultra-Premium silicone that is hypoallergenic, pthalate free, odorless, boilable, bleachable and completely non-toxic. You can even throw it in the dishwasher if you'd like.

Now I am aware that some lesbians prefer that their dildos do not resemble a penis in any way, shape or form. However, I feel that the Curve, with it's velvety smooth form, gentle ridges, purple color and wide base, offers enough differences to make the majority of lesbians happy, which is not an easy task.

From my experience with the Tantus Curve, I believe that this toy would make a great addition to almost anyone's sex toy box. Although I wouldn't advise this particular dildo for a beginner, the size and curved shape will make this a favorite for any women who enjoys g-spot stimulation. And really, how can you go wrong with a dildo that is both hypoallergenic and easy to clean, that's a win-win in my book.

If you would like to check out the Tantus Curve for yourself, or any of the other Tantus Dildos, just visit mypleasure.com.

Don't Forget to Vote Today, Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, 2010!!!

It's election time again and no matter how you feel about politics, it is essential that you play a part in this election. Chances are, the outcome of this election will effect your life for years to come and this may be the only opportunity to stand up and be counted. Your Vote can make a difference!

If you are still on the fence about who to vote for in this election, HRC, The Human Rights Campaign, has put together a list of candidates that they believe will support the LGBT community and equality for all. Below is that list.

Candidates for U.S. Senate
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Kendrick Meek (D-FL)
Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI)
Roxanne Conlin (D-IA)
Alexi Giannoulias (D-IL)
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Robin Carnahan (D-MO)
Harry Reid (D-NV)
Paul Hodes (D-NH)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Elaine Marshall (D-NC)
Lee Fisher (D-OH)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Endorsements for Governor
Terry Goddard (D-AZ)
Jerry Brown (D-CA)
John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Alex Sink (D-FL)
Neil Abercrombie (D-HI)
Pat Quinn (D-IL)
Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Libby Mitchell (D-ME)
Mark Dayton (D-MN)
John Lynch (D-NH)
Diane Denish (D-NM)
Andrew Cuomo (D-NY)
Ted Strickland (D-OH)
John Kitzhaber (D-OR)
Bill White (D-TX)
Peter Shumlin (D-VT)

U.S. House of Representatives

Terry Sewell (D-AL-7)
Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-1)
Ed Pastor (D-AZ-4)
Harry E. Mitchell (D-AZ-5)
Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-7)
Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ-8)
Joyce Elliott (D-AR-2)
Mike Thompson (D-CA-1)
Bera Ami (D-CA-3)
Doris O. Matsui (D-CA-5)
Lynn C. Woolsey (D-CA-6)
George Miller (D-CA-7)
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-8)
Barbara Lee (D-CA-9)
John Garamendi (D-CA-10)
Jerry McNerney (D-CA-11)
Jackie Speier (D-CA-12)
Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA-13)
Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-14)
Michael M. Honda (D-CA-15)
Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-16)
Sam Farr (D-CA-17)
Lois Capps (D-CA-23)
Howard L. Berman (D-CA-27)
Brad Sherman (D-CA-27)
Adam B. Schiff (D-CA-29)
Henry A. Waxman (D-CA-30)
Xavier Becerra (D-CA-31)
Judy Chu (D-CA-32)
Karen Bass (D-CA-33)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-34)
Maxine Waters (D-CA-35)
Jane Harman (D-CA-36)
Laura Richardson (D-CA-37)
Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-38)
Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA-39)
Joe Baca (D-CA-43)
Steve Pougnet (D-CA-45)
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA-47)
Beth Krom (D-CA-48)
Francine Busby (D-CA-50)
Bob Filner (D-CA-51)
Susan A. Davis (D-CA-53)
Diana DeGette (D-CO-1)
Jared Polis (D-CO-2)
John T. Salazar (D-CO-3)
Betsy Markey (D-CO-4)
Ed Perlmutter (D-CO-7)
John B. Larson (D-CT-1)
Joe Courtney (D-CT-2)
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3)
Jim Himes (D-CT-4)
Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT-5)
John Carney (D-DE-AL)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL)
Alan Grayson (D-FL-8)
Kathy Castor (D-FL-11)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18)
Ted Deutch (D-FL-19)
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-20)
Ron Klein (D-FL-22)
Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL-23)
Joe Garcia (D-FL-25)
Hank Johnson (D-GA-4)
John Lewis (D-GA-5)
Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI-2)
Bobby L. Rush (D -IL-1)
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL-2)
Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL-4)
Mike Quigley (D-IL-5)
Danny K. Davis (D-IL-7)
Melissa L. Bean (D-IL-8)
Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL-9)
Dan Seals (D-IL-10)
Debbie Halvorson (D-IL-11)
Judy Biggert (R-IL-13)
Bill Foster (D-IL-14)
Phil Hare (D-IL-17)
Andre Carson (D-IN-7)
Bruce L. Braley (D-IA-1)
David Loebsack (D-IA-2)
Leonard L. Boswell (D-IA-3)
Stephene Moore (D-KS-3)
John A. Yarmuth (D-KY-3)
Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1)
Michael H. Michaud (D -ME-2)
John P. Sarbanes (D-MD-3)
Donna Edwards (D-MD-4)
Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-5)
Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD-7)
Chris Van Hollen (D-MD-8)
John W. Olver (D-MA-1)
Richard E. Neal (D-MA-2)
James P. McGovern (D-MA-3)
Barney Frank (D-MA-4)
Niki Tsongas (D-MA-5)
John F. Tierney (D-MA-6)
Edward J. Markey (D-MA-7)
Michael E. Capuano (D-MA-8)
Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-9)
Bill Keating (D-MA-10)
Dale E. Kildee (D-MI-5)
Mark Schauer (D-MI-7)
Gary Peters (D-MI-9)
Sander M. Levin (D-MI-12)
Hansen Clarke (D-MI-13)
John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI-14)
John D. Dingell (D-MI-15)
Timothy J. Walz (DFL-MN-1)
Betty McCollum (DFL-MN-4)
Keith Ellison (DFL-MN-5)
Tarryl Clark (DFL-MN-6)
James L. Oberstar (DFL-MN-8)
William Lacy Clay (D-MO-1)
Russ Carnahan (D-MO-3)
Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-5)
Shelley Berkley (D-NV-1)
Dina Titus (D-NV-3)
Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH-1)
Ann Kuster (D-NH-2)
Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ -1)
John Adler (D-NJ -3)
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ -6)
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ -8)
Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ -9)
Donald M. Payne (D-NJ -10)
Rush D. Holt (D-NJ -12)
Albio Sires (D -NJ -13)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM-1)
Ben R. Lujan (D-NM-3)
Timothy H. Bishop (D-NY-1)
Steve Israel (D-NY-2)
Carolyn C. McCarthy (D-NY-4)
Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY-5)
Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-6)
Joseph Crowley (D-NY-7)
Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-8)
Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY-9)
Edolphus Towns (D-NY-10)
Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-11)
Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-12)
Michael McMahon (D-NY-13)
Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY-14)
Charles B. Rangel (D-NY-15)
José E. Serrano (D-NY-16)
Eliot L. Engel (D-NY-17)
Nita M. Lowey (D-NY-18)
John J. Hall (D-NY-19)
Scott Murphy (D-NY-20)
Paul Tonko (D-NY-21)
Maurice D. Hinchey (D-NY-22)
Michael A. Arcuri (D-NY-24)
Dan Maffei (D-NY-25)
Brian Higgins (D-NY-27)
Louise Slaughter (D-NY-28)
David E. Price (D-NC-4)
Melvin L. Watt (D-NC-12)
Brad Miller (D-NC-13)
Steve Driehaus (D-OH-1)
Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH-10)
Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11)
Betty Sutton (D-OH-13)
Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH-15)
John Boccieri (D-OH-16)
Tim Ryan (D-OH-17)
David Wu (D-OR-1)
Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3)
Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR-4)
Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5)
Robert A. Brady (D-PA-1)
Chaka Fattah (D-PA-2)
Bryan Lentz (D-PA-7)
Patrick J. Murphy (D-PA-8)
Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-PA-13)
Michael F. Doyle (D-PA-14)
David Cicilline (D-RI-1)
James R. Langevin (D-RI-2)
James E. Clyburn (D-SC-6)
Steve Cohen (D-TN-9)
Al Green (D-TX-9)
Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15)
Silvestre Reyes (D-TX-16)
Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18)
Charles A. Gonzalez (D-TX-20)
Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-25)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30)
Peter Welch (D-VT-AL)
Glenn Nye (D-VA-2)
Robert C. Scott (D-VA-3)
James P. Moran (D-VA-8)
Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11)
Jay Inslee (D-WA-1)
Rick Larsen (D-WA-2)
Norman D. Dicks (D-WA-6)
Jim McDermott (D-WA-7)
Suzan DelBene (D-WA-8)
Adam Smith (D-WA-9)
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI-2)
Ron Kind (D-WI-3)
Gwen Moore (D-WI-4)
Julie Lassa (D-WI-7)