She Magazine — June '11

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C:\My Backup -- 09-02-11 1217PM\111shemag\JUNE11\ready\shep05girlplay.cdr Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:16:25 PM

Tina Sordellini Managing Executive Editor

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Last month, I wrote how I was faced with the choice of volunteering my skills in a way that would create even more responsibility for me that the plateful I already have. At the time, I had no idea what I was going to do when the decision needed to be made. So, I walked into the room that evening and decided to just go with my gut in the moment.

When the time came to raise my hand, I sat back and waited. I knew that putting my hand up would create a plethora of opportunities for others to be critical. So I just took a deep breath and counted to ten. As I reached my silent nine, I heard a voice on the other side of the room say, “I’ll do it.” I looked over in horror to find that the one person in the room who had absolutely no experience, knowledge or skills to do the job had their hand raised in the air. Greater than the nightmare of criticism for me was the idea that whoever did take the position would be completely inept, which would only make everything more difficult. I looked over at my girl, eyes wide, silently conveying that exact thought, when she leaned over and whispered, “Just let it happen.” So, I said nothing and let the others in the room agree that this person should take the job.

Because I was not going to allow myself to become one of those who would just sit back and be critical without being willing to pitch in and help, a week later I sent an email offering to share my knowledge and help this person get acclimated to this huge responsibility. I received a thank you note saying that would be appreciated, with no follow-up time. Two more weeks went by and absolutely nothing had been done. Nothing. It was as if no one had ever taken the job. Then at the beginning of the fourth week, came the email resigning from the position. So a few nights later, I put my hand in the air and volunteered to take the job. There was no criticism, no nay-saying, just appreciation that I was willing to take on the responsibility when no one else would.

A friend of mine was booked to perform at an event last weekend. She had turned down other bookings to accommodate this event and spent months telling fans where she would be so they could purchase tickets and make plans to attend as well. Then suddenly, without warning, the event cancelled her booking, but without enough time for her to rebook elsewhere or give fans a chance to cancel plans. She was about as pissed off as she could get, but knew that anything she did about it would just mean she was stooping to something less than taking the high road and letting it happen. So, she quietly announced that plans had changed, she would not be at the event and left it at that. The day before she would have traveled to the event, she was admitted to the hospital requiring surgery. She’s fine now, but might not have been fine had she made that trip.

We spend a lot of time sort of questioning the crap that happens in our lives. We get aggravated with people, circumstances or just life when things don’t go the way we plan.

But the thing we forget most often is that everything happens for a reason. We might not always know in the moment what that reason is, but sooner or later, the reasons become very clear. So, we just need to take a deep breath, count to ten and let it happen, having faith that things will work out exactly as they are supposed to.

See you next month!

MANAGING EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Tina Sordellini PUBLICITY SHE ESPAÑOL EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Maria Espinal ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Sandee Birdsong ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Marissa Cohen M. Patti Moss Shawn Nicholson Christina Radish Denise Warner CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Marissa Cohen Verónica Espinal Anna Lepely, M.S. PHD Christina Radish The Village Sage Jowharah Sanders Tina Sordellini Denise Warner Donna Woessner CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Verónica Espinal • Yadira Claralt Diane Bradford • Angie Sowers Juan Saco Mironoff • Jennifer Maria Cordoba SALES ASSOCIATES

Maria Espinal Diana Price ads@shemag.com DISTRIBUTION

Robin Rotellini • JR Davis SUBSCRIPTIONS

www.shemag.com EDITORIAL OFFICE

6511 Nova Drive, #173 Davie, FL 33317 954.354.9751 office info@shemag.com www.shemag.com SHE: WOMEN OWNED, WOMEN OPERATED, WOMEN EMPOWERED! The ideas and opinions expressed in She Magazine do not necessarily reflect opinions of Shemag, L.L.C., She Magazine, or of editors or staff. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization should not be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of that person or organization. All advertising subject to approval by She Magazine. She Magazine/Shemag, L.L.C. is not responsible for unauthorized use or copyright infringement as present in camera ready, client provided ads, nor is it liable for any loss or suit arising from submitted advertisement, copy, photography, or artwork. Reproduction of She Magazine, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Shemag, L.L.C.

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20 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

16 BRIDGET MCMANUS

08 DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

20 ON THE COVER

10 MULTIMEDIA

Beverly McClellan

Movies, Music, TV & more

26 JUST FOR FUN

14 IN THE NEWS

27 LEYLA FARAH

24 SHE GIRL

Black, Gifted & Gay

35 ARCHIVES

28 LINDA PERREY

Kicks’ 4th Anniversary

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38 SCOPES

30 DEE & CO. HAIR 35 STONEWALL PRIDEFEST

~

SHE ESPANOL 32 NOTICIAS

FOLLOW SHE

33 SOY MUJER

PICTORIALS 04 SHE SCENE 12 AQUA GIRL 1 22 AQUA GIRL 2 34 MIAMI G&L FILM FESTIVAL

FACEBOOK.com (Search/Like Us: She Magazine) TWITTER.com/shemagazine MYSPACE.com/she_magazine M.ISSUU.com (Search: Shemagazine) Download the application on your android phone today. iPhone app coming soon!

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> YOU CAN READ OUR FREE DIGITAL EDITION AT WWW.SHEMAG.COM

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C:\My Backup -- 09-02-11 1217PM\111shemag\JUNE11\ready\shep09ptown.cdr Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:15:28 PM

In Your Dreams is Stevie Nicks’ first CD of new material since the release of Trouble in Shangri-La ten years ago. In Your Dreams was written and recorded at Nicks’ Los Angeles home and is co-produced by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Nicks and Stewart cowrote seven of the album’s thirteen songs.

“This was one of the most extraordinary experiences I’ve had making a record. It is the first album that I have had this kind of collaboration since the making of Rumours.” Stevie says. Next she’s joining forces with Rod Stewart for the 16 city Heart & Soul Tour.

This month, here! TV brings us Dinah Girls.

The docu-specialgoes behind the scenes at the women’s weekend, Club Skirts The Di-nah.

Hosted by Kayden Kross, Dinah Girls provides an insider’s tour of all things The Dinah.

Cameras followed the event from the Opening Bash to the glitzy Hollywood Party and famous pool party. Dinah Girls recounts all things fun in the sun and features exclusive interviews with 2011’s all-star talent lineup, including Natasha Bedingfield, Paula Poundstone, Chely Wright, Laurel Holloman, Luciana, Dev & the Cataracs and Fernanda Rocha.

On June 28, Beyoncé will release her fourth solo studio album entitled, 4. The album was recorded over a year between the spring of 2010 and the spring of 2011, while Beyoncé took time away from the spotlight. She engaged in what she describes as simple things, including listening to every kind of music she truly enjoys. Her mixed musical gumbo is displayed on the upcoming album. The video for the album’s lead single, “Run The World (Girls)” boasts a cast of over 200 dancers, exotic animals and Beyoncé as the leader of an army of women. Check it out at vevo.com.

Chrissy Murderbot’s album Women’s Studies come with the warning, “Be prepared to sweat.” Women’s Studies is an album of party-starting, populist mutations with vocal contributions from a host of dancehall MCs and rappers. It’s made with a brazen and unashamed love for dance music, mixing energetic tropes into a sticky tropical punch. The influences of ghetto house and juke from Murderbot’s home of Chicago hang over the album. Sexy vocals over tight, rolling footwork drums and bass. It’s like a 160-BPM musical massage.

The fun, both old and new, is coming back to TV Land. Staring on June 15 at 10pm join the hilarious quartet of Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White for the return of the hit series, Hot in Cleveland. Then, at 10:30 comes the premiere of Happily Divorced. Inspired by Fran Drescher’s real life experience, the show follows a Los Angeles florist whose marriage ends suddenly when her husband announces he’s gay. And if that weren’t enough, he can’t afford to move out. Stars Fran Dresher, Tichina Arnold, Rita Moreno, Robert Walden and Valente Rodriguez.

In the summer comedy, Bad Teacher, Elizabeth is a foul-mouthed, inappropriate teacher who couldn’t care less about her students. She drinks, gets high and can’t wait to marry her meal ticket and get out of her day job. When dumped by her fiancé, she sets a plan in motion to win over a rich, handsome substitute– competing for his affections with a colleague.

When Elizabeth also finds herself fighting off the advances of a gym teacher, the consequences of her wild and outrageous schemes give everyone an education like no other. Stars Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake and Molly Shannon. Opens June 24.

[

NOT TO BE MISSED: Season 2 of Covert Affairs, starring hottie, Piper Perabo as sexy secret CIA agent, Annie Walker. Set your DVRs, ladies. Season 2 of Covert Affairs airs on USA Network, Tuesday Nights at 10pm/EST starting on June 7.

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IN THE NEWS ILLINOIS DIOCESE ENDS ADOPTIONS OVER GAY RIGHTS LAW A Catholic diocese in northern Illinois said that it will end its state-funded adoption and foster-care program rather than comply with a new law that would require it to place children with gay or unmarried couples, and officials said other dioceses would decide quickly whether to follow suit.

Officials from the Rockford Diocese said they were forced to terminate state contracts worth $7.5 million after lawmakers did not pass an amendment exempting religious groups from provisions of the state’s new civil unions law, which will let gay and lesbian couples form civil unions, a rough equivalent to marriage. The law went into effect June 1.

Catholic Charities wanted to be allowed to refer unmarried or gay couples to other agencies, as it has for years. Diocese officials said that allowing such adoptions or foster placements would violate teachings of the Catholic faith.

“The law of our land has always guaranteed its people freedom of religion,” diocese spokeswoman Penny Wiegert said. “Denying this exemption to faithbased agencies leads one to believe that our lawmakers prefer laws that guarantee freedom from religion.”

The Civil Rights Agenda, a gay rights advocacy group, issued a statement calling the diocese’s decision “a sad display of bigotry” and said religious freedom “is granted only when the religious agency is not funded by taxpayer dollars.”

“I am mindful that this is a sad day for the many foster families and parents involved and the children who are in the care of Catholic Charities,” TCRA Executive Director Anthony Martinez said. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services officials said there are enough private child welfare agencies to take over foster placement and adoptions for the roughly 300 children in the Rockford Diocese’s foster-care program.

“I, B ARA CK OB AMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF BARA ARACK OBAMA, AMERICA, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 2011 AS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH. I CALL UPON THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO ELIMINATE PREJUDICE EVERYWHERE IT EXISTS, AND TO CELEBRATE THE

AT PRESS TIME: NEW INFORMATION ON IMPENDING RELEASE OF CENSUS DATA ON SAME-SEX COUPLES The Williams Institute, a leading think tank in the field of law and public policy relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, will continue its leading role in disseminating US Census data on samesex couples with the impending release of the 2010 Census data.

Throughout June, the Institute will regularly release state-level data on same-sex couples as it becomes available.

Historically, US Census Bureau data on same-sex couples have been a critical resource for informing the many national, state, and local debates about lesbian and gay rights. The below questions and answers summarize the timetable for data releases and explain Census procedures regarding same-sex couple data.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY SAME-SEX COUPLES IN THE CENSUS 2010 DATA THAT THE CENSUS BUREAU BEGAN RELEASING IN MAY? No. These detailed profiles do not include specific information about same-sex couple households. Same-sex couples are included within the “unmarried partner” households. These households include both different-sex and same-sex couples who designated one partner as an “unmarried partner” along with same-sex couples who designated one partner as a “husband” or “wife”.

WHEN WILL CENSUS 2010 DATA ABOUT SAME-SEX COUPLES BE RELEASED? In June 2011, the first release of data specifically about same-sex couples will begin with the weekly releases of the “Summary File 1” data (data from several states are distributed each week).

These data will include official tabulations of same-sex male and female couples and information about the presence of children in their homes at a variety of geographic levels (e.g., state, county, and Census tract). The SF-1 data will not include separate information about same-sex couples who designated themselves as spouses and those who used unmarried partner. These groups are combined in these tables. The Williams Institute will publish research briefs on each state as these data are released.

WHEN WILL CENSUS 2010 DATA ABOUT SAME-SEX SPOUSES BE RELEASED? Later in the year, the Bureau will release tabulations on its American FactFinder website and a technical note about same-sex couples that will include national and state counts of the number of same-sex couples who designated themselves as spouses versus unmarried partners.

GREAT DIVERSITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.”

The White House, Office of the Press Secretary LGBT PRIDE MONTH, 2011 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED

VISIT SHEMAG.COM FOR UP-TO-DATE CENSUS RELEASES.

STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

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GRANT LEGAL RECOGNITION TO SAME-SEX COUPLES Illinois became the 12th U.S. state to grant legal recognition to same-sex couples as a new civil unions law took effect on Wednesday, June 1st.

The new law provides same-sex couples about 600 rights that heterosexual couples have in the state, including surrogate decision-making for medical treatment, survivorship, adoptions, and accident and health insurance.

More than 75 couples were in line by the time the doors opened early at 7:30 a.m. at the Cook County Building in downtown Chicago, where the vital records office stayED open until 7 p.m. to accommodate couples. Officials said they expect to issue about 2,000 licenses the first day. At the head of the line were Lakeesha Harris and Janean Watkins, who got there at midnight. The Chicago couple, together for 10 years, have six children and a home but say they always felt relegated to second-class status, until now.

“We’ve been ostracized and relegated to the bottom rung of society,” said Harris, 36. “I feel like this is some sort of justice for us, for our family. I’m so grateful. I’m thankful.” Illinois is now the sixth state in the U.S. to offer civil unions to same-sex couples. Five states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. Hawaii and Delaware have also passed civil union laws that have not yet taken effect. Illinois law will continue to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

HRC PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT TAKES AIM AT BULLYING THROUGH THE EYES OF KIDS

ELTON JOHN: SAVE HIV/AIDS FUNDING IN FLORIDA Singer Elton John is urging Florida Gov. Rick Scott to protect a program that helps low-income HIV/AIDS patients get medication needed to control the virus.John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, wrote to Scott on Tuesday after hearing the Department of Health was considering changes in income eligibility.

A department spokeswoman says there are no immediate plans to change the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, though it held hearings to discuss the possibility of lowering income requirements to participate. In their letter, John and foundation Chairman David Furnish say lowering income eligibility could mean 1,600 people will no longer get help obtaining antiretroviral medication.

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TO DO TO GO

WHERE

KEY WEST PRIDE June 8 -12 • pridefestkeywest.com BITCH LIVE June 10 • 8P • Colony Theater, Miami Bch outinthetropics.com • 305.910.7898 THE 3RD ANNUAL GIRL PLAY Beyond The L Word June 10 • 7:30P • Pride Center 2040 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors womenstheatreproject.com 954.462.2334 BOHEMIO NIGHTCLUB DJ Citizen Jane Every Saturday June 11 • 10P • 2845 Coral Way, Miami elbohemionightclub.com • 305.567.1717 STONEWALL AUTHOR SERIES Author April Claxton June 11 • 1P 1300 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 stonewallnationalmuseum.org 954.763.8565 THE 3RD ANNUAL GIRL PLAY Ugly Ducklings Anti-Bullying Workshop June 12 • 2P Pride Center at Equality Park 2040 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors womenstheatreproject.com 954.462.2334 OUT FOR LAUGHS Jessica Kirson June 17 • 7:30P The Manor, 2345 Wilton Drive pandoraevents.com • 954.288.8691 12th ANNUAL STONEWALL STREET FESTIVAL June 19 • 4P - 9P Wilton Manors, FL stonewallwiltonmanors.com THE 3RD ANNUAL GIRL PLAY Lesbian Play Festival June 24 - 26 • various times Pride Center at Equality Park 2040 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors womenstheatreproject.com 954.462.2334

?

The Human Rights Campaign has released a public service announcement aimed at bringing awareness to bullying, through the experiences of bullied kids.

Watch it on youtube.com or hrc.org.

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If you’re connected—that is—to the internet, then you know Bridget McManus. Maybe you’ve seen her crazy webseries, Brunch with Bridget on AfterEllen.com, or maybe you’ve seen her gorgeous magazine covers, or her standup comedy specials, or That Time of the Month on Logo, or even caught her on a lesbian cruise or resort trip, entertaining hundreds of travelers?

Some of the She staff recently had the chance to spend some quality time with Bridget during Sweet’s Isla Mujeres Resort trip in Mexico. True love formed over mudslides in the pool and Bridget’s story of once being booked to do comedy in a video store, not on a stage, just standing around telling jokes in the Western Movie section. She ended the story by saying, “Doing stand-up is very humbling.”

Among the many other things she has going on these days, Bridget has also completed a new webseries called McManusland.

So we thought now was the perfect time for you to learn just a little bit more about this talented performer, who can’t help but catch your eye and tickle your funny bone.

AT ONE POINT, NOT TOO LONG AGO, I FOUND YOUR VIDEO CLIPS ON MYSPACE AND THOUGHT, “SHE’S FUNNY!” THAT WAS 5 YEARS AGO. NOW, YOU’VE HAD SUCH SUCCESS WITHIN OUR LESBIAN COMMUNITY, AS A STANDUP COMEDIAN, A WRITER/BLOGGER FOR AFTERELLEN.COM, STAR OF YOUR OWN NUMEROUS WEBSERIES, MOVIES AND TV SPECIALS- DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT’S TIME TO BRANCH OUT INTO MAINSTREAM MEDIA? HAS THAT ALWAYS BEEN PART OF THE PLAN?

You sound like my mother! Ideally, yes I would like to be more “mainstream” (i.e. reach a larger audience). I actually do go up for a fair amount of mainstream stuff. I recently auditioned in my underwear for a comedic role playing opposite Ryan Reynolds. It was “the slut” character and, at the time, I really wanted the role so I could break

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BY DENISE WARNER

“

I RECENTLY AUDITIONED IN MY UNDERWEAR FOR A COMEDIC ROLE PLAYING OPPOSITE RYAN REYNOLDS. IT WAS “THE SLUT” CHARACTER AND, AT THE TIME, I REALLY WANTED THE ROLE...”

made so larger audiences will see them. Gay visibility and representation is how the world changes for the better.

out of the lesbian Petri dish. But now, looking back, I know that type of role was not for me.

Unfortunately, a lot of female roles in mainstream entertainment are ”the nagging wife” of a male character in a sitcom or the bikini girl with no lines in an America Pie-type film. Hopefully, there will be a plentiful amount of strong female characters written for TV and film in the next couple of years and I’ll happily go mainstream for that. I’m crossing my fingers for a Bridesmaids 2 or a female action trilogy written

by Tina Fey.

I love wearing different hats and different wigs.

(I seriously have a large wig collection.) As an actor I get to play, as a stand up I get to be a ringleader, as a writer I create roles that I identify with (which currently don’t exist a lot in mainstream media) and as a recapper I get to write about some of my favorite television shows and get paid for it. It’s a win-win.

DO YOU THINK IT MATTERS ANYMORE TO MOVIE AND TV EXECS IF AN ACTRESS IS GAY

YOU GET TO TRAVEL A LOT, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. DO YOU END UP APPRE-

OR STRAIGHT?

CIATING THE DIFFERENT CULTURES AND SETTINGS BEING AWAY FROM L.A. AND THE CONTINUAL GRIND OF “THE BUSINESS”?

PROFILE CAREERS. DOES THAT MAKE A RELATIONSHIP HARDER THAN USUAL, OR DOES IT HELP TO HAVE IT IN COMMON?

Because of my work I’ve been to France, Germany, Mexico, all throughout the United States and I got to spend a week in Switzerland with my wife. It was absolutely amazing. We fell in love with the Swiss culture and talk about possibly retiring in Zurich. But as a mother of three (I have two dogs and a cat), I’m usually eager to get back home to my babies in Los Angeles.

Karman and I are a team so if one of us is stressed over work then we both are stressed.

We have daily family pep talks so that really helps us keep our lives in perspective.

Unfortunately, yes. In a recent interview Jane Lynch said that, “Most of the world is straight and the audience projects their hopes and dreams for love and romance onto those actors.” So it’s more difficult for an audience to view an out gay person as a romantic straight lead. If audiences don’t go see the movie and the movie doesn’t make money, then the execs won’t help those movies get made. It’s a vicious cycle, but hopefully it’s changing. But I also believe that, no matter if you’re gay or straight, if you’re talented then you will work. You might not get all the roles you want, but most actors don’t get all the roles they want anyway.

STANDUP COMIC, AND BEHIND THE SCENES AS A WRITER, RE-CAPPING AND BLOGGING. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON EACH OF THOSE ROLES?

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD, WITH ITS BIG BUDGET, BLOCK-

HOW DO YOU THINK ALL THE DIFFERENT SO-

BUSTER MOVIES, DO THE LGBT PROJECTS FEEL LIKE A SAFE HAVEN, OR A COMFORT ZONE, BECAUSE IT HAS MORE OF A LIMITED

CIAL NET WORKS PLAY INTO MARKETING PROJECTS THESE DAYS?

EXPECTATION? DOES IT FEEL LIKE THAT WILL CHANGE SOMEDAY?

For smaller artists like myself, social networking is crucial. These days so many people are trying to “make it” and with the massive worldwide competition the key to success is persistence. If you make great art and no one knows about it, then it doesn’t matter. Social networking can help a performer reach their audience daily and that’s vital because out of sight, out of mind.

I wouldn’t say that LGBT projects are safer. If anything they are more difficult to make since the budgets are usually much smaller and you can’t always get the talent and crew that you want and need. But because there are so few LGBT movies made every year (in comparison to straight films) the LGBT audience is very supportive of any film that represents them in some way. There are some great exceptions to the rule, like The Kids Are All Right and Brokeback Mountain, and I hope more films like that get

YOU GET THE DUAL TASKS OF BEING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS AS AN ACTOR AND

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YOU’VE BEEN HAPPILY MARRIED TO THE AMAZING KARMAN KREGLOE OF AFTERELLEN.COM FOR THREE YEARS NOW. HOW DO YOU THINK BEING MARRIED CHANGES YOU? OR DOES IT?

Karman is my best friend and we have non-stop fun together. I would definitely say that marriage has changed me for the better. It’s made me more grounded and an overall happier person. I recommend marriage to everyone—marriage and peanut butter milkshakes.

BOTH YOU AND YOUR WIFE HAVE VERY HIGH

WE’VE ALL SEEN MANY WEB SHOWS COME AND GO. IS IT ALL ABOUT THE FAN SUPPORT THAT KEEPS THEM GOING?

Yes, absolutely, it’s all about supply and demand. If the fans are excited and they want more, then you want to make them happy. Many web shows have no budget so it’s not about making a profit. It’s about practicing your craft and keeping the audience entertained.

WITH ALL THE REALITY TV AND COMPETITION BASED SHOWS, DO YOU THINK THERE’S HOPE FOR SITUATION COMEDIES AND THE SCRIPTED TV SHOWS OF DAYS PAST?

Oh God, I hope so! I really miss The Cosby Show and The Tracy Ullman Show. Reality TV is mostly just “bad people behaving badly” and I think it’s killing our culture. It’s not thought provoking entertainment. It’s just spectacle and chaos.

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT KNOWING THAT EVERY OTHER PERSON IN HOLLYWOOD IS TRYING TO MAKE IT IN THE SAME INDUSTRY?

Every day I go into an audition with ten women

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who look exactly like me vying for the same job. It can definitely be a challenge at times but at the end of the day, I’m only competing with myself.

GROWING UP, WHO INSPIRED YOU TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS?

I come from a family of artists and performers. My mother and my pa met in community theater and both my brother and sister went to art school, so me becoming a drama major wasn’t a big deal. My parents have always encouraged their kids to do whatever made us happy and that’s the best gift they’ve ever given me.

WERE YOU EVER WORRIED THAT BEING A LESBIAN WOULD HURT YOUR CAREER?

I’ve always been out as a performer so I have only experienced the entertainment industry as a gay person. I have no idea if it has hurt me or not but I like who I am and I love being gay so it doesn’t matter.

WHO ARE YOUR COMEDY IDOLS?

I like performers that step outside of the box like Eddie Izzard, Lucille Ball, Dave Chapelle, Jennifer Coolidge, Rosanne Barr and Jennifer Saunders. Although my list might seem random all of these performers are like live wires and they all have large personas.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING BRIDGET MCMANUS?

Having my grandmother’s Italian recipes. I have recipes for her ricotta cheese stuffing and manicottis. While I don’t eat meat, I can make a mean meatball.

YOU’VE JUST RETURNED FROM A SWEET VACATION. LIKE ANYONE WHO SIGNS UP FOR A SWEET TRAVEL VACATION, THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PRIDE THAT COMES FROM “THE GIVING BACK” AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES THEY PROMOTE AND PROVIDE. HOW IMPORTANT IS BEING A PART OF THAT?

I love Sweet Travel. They not only give the lesbian community a fun and

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safe way to travel the world but they also are noble with their volunteer work. A friend of mine always reminds me that if you want self esteem you have to do ‘esteemable’ acts.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU’D LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN WITHIN OUR LGBT COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE?

Globally recognized gay marriage, global adoption rights for gay parents, more out politicians leading the US government and for schools to include information about gay history in the curriculum and about gay identity/relationships in sex education classes. Oh and gays in space!

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW WEBSERIES, MCMANUSLAND. WHAT PROMPTED THE SERIES?

Last summer, Tellofilm’s Executive Producer Christin Baker contacted me and said she wanted to work with me. We kicked around a few ideas and came up with McManusLand which is a four episode mokumentary series, part I Love Lucy part Curb Your Enthusiasm. In McManusLand I play a character named Bridget McManus (original, right?) who wants to be bigger than Oprah, not in circumference, but in star power. My character is slightly delusional while my level-headed wife (played by my real wife Karman Kregloe) is the voice of reason. There is a lot of hijinx and the show also stars Chelsea Lately comedian, Fortune Feimster.

DESCRIBE THE SERIES IN THREE WORDS AND HOW CAN POTENTIAL VIEWERS FIND IT?

If I can use four words I’d say, “Lesbian Lucy and Desi.” If I only have three words I’d say, “It’s f*cking funny.” The entire 4-part series and the “Making of McManusLand” is available exclusively on Tellofilms.com.

[WWW.BRIDGETMCMANUS.COM]

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BY DENISE WARNER PHOTOS NBC

If you’re like me, and have been to just about any bar in downtown Fort Lauderdale, you’ve heard the bald chick with the tattoos sing.

And now, the rest of the country is finding out what South Floridians have known for the last several years—Beverly McClellan is a star.

A soulful rock singer with honest lyrics and a raw sound, Beverly McClellan plays over 10 instruments and has already released five independent albums. With vocal stylings that have been compared to Melissa Etheridge and Janis Joplin, our hometown rocker, Beverly McClellan has, after 20 years of working the bars around Fort Lauderdale, finally made it to the big stage in front of millions, on NBC’s The Voice Season 1. As if that wasn’t enough, she got picked by Christina Aguilera! No matter what happens on TV, Beverly McClellan is a winner to us!

FIRST OFF, BEV, WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU! NATIONAL NETWORK TV, BEING SELECTED BY CHRISTINA AGUILERA ON THE VOICE, A MAJOR SINGING CONTEST! HOW

EXCITING HAS ALL THIS BEEN FOR YOU?

DID YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU’VE HAD TO

I am still in disbelief this is all happening to me, but I welcome the love! I am beyond excited.

CHOOSE BETWEEN RAISING A FAMILY AND HAVING THIS KIND OF CAREER?

HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT THE COM-

My girlfriend and I share happy animals. Both she and my friends have been very supportive, encouraging and understanding through the progress of this opportunity.

PETITION AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO FOR IT AT THIS LEVEL?

I heard about the open auditions for the show through Chris Monteleone of SoundBox Records, where I have recorded my last two albums, “Talk of the Town” and my latest self-titled record. I was drawn to the concept that contestants weren’t to be judged on age and submitted a couple of videos to the show’s staff.

WE KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE. FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE READERS WHO ARE JUST GETTING TO KNOW YOU, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SINGING AND WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT THIS WAS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

I have been performing locally [in Fort Lauderdale] for over ten years, though I have been singing most of my life. I feel this is what I was born to do.

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LIKE ADAM LEVINE MENTIONED ON THE VOICE, YOU ALWAYS LOOK LIKE YOU LOVE TO BE SINGING! WHETHER IT’S AT THE LOCAL BAR, OR ON TV NOW—THE PASSION ALWAYS COMES THROUGH. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, CONSIDERING HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN PLAYING, TO STILL LOVE IT EVERY TIME?

Music is food for my soul and I will never stop writing. It feeds me personally, whether I share my music or not. I feel blessed to be able to perform my music locally and especially on this level.

YOU’VE BEEN ROCKIN’ THE TATTOO BALDYLOOK FOR QUITE SOME TIME. WAS IT EVER ABOUT HAVING A CERTAIN “IMAGE” OR A LOOK?

My “image” is natural to me. I’ve never put any thought into creating a persona. I wear what I like.

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HAS THERE EVER BEEN A TIME WHERE YOU THOUGHT JUST PLAYING THE LOCAL GIGS AND SMALL TOWN BARS WAS ENOUGH, OR HAS THERE ALWAYS BEEN A DESIRE TO DO MORE?

A lot of people never get the chance to live out their dreams. I decided many years ago that I wanted to make my living as a musician, no matter the cost. I take pride in performing. I have been grateful to perform locally, and I’m overwhelmed to be able to perform for The Voice with a national audience. I never had any expectations, so the responses I’m receiving from fans all over the world is extremely gratifying. I really am so blessed no matter where this show takes me!

IT WOULD BE HANDLED ON THE SHOW?

PLANS CAN YOU LET US IN ON?

Not at all. NBC has been entirely non-judgmental and supportive of everyone’s individuality.

YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN SO CONNECTED WITH YOUR HOMETOWN LESBIAN COMMUNIT Y.

There’s been a lot to take in. I’ve planted myself in South Florida for some time now and I see that it’s time for me to travel and spread my wings.

There is much more of the world for me to see!

HAS IT BEEN HARDER NOW, BEING SOUGHT AFTER FOR EVERY UPCOMING EVENT?

WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE FOR YOU SINCE BEING ON TV?

It’s difficult to turn the offers away. I don’t have the time to share locally that I once did.

Since the show first aired, I’m recognized most everywhere I go: the supermarket, the gas stations, my dog’s vet office. I’m receiving a lot of supportive messages from listeners all over the country (and some internationally). It’s very touching and rewarding.

YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS ALWAYS SO PROUD, AND SEEMS SO SUPPORTIVE OF YOU. CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS TO YOU?

My girlfriend is my best friend, my lover, my heart. I can never thank her enough.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING EVERYONE SHOULD

YOU’VE PLAYED WITH MANY, MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND BANDS—AS WELL AS ON

WITHOUT DROPPING ANY PRIME TIME SPOILERS, CAN YOU GIVE US A HINT OF

YOUR OWN. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO YOU WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH?

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR US WITH THE VOICE?

Everything I write is a reflection of my life and the people in it. My music means so much to me personally. I hope for my music to touch and heal others as it has me.

I think all my musical journeys have value. My performances have opened the door for other opportunities—life leads me along.

WITH ALL THE CRAZINESS THAT COMES FROM TELEVISION EXPOSURE, IS THERE A WAY TO KEEP YOURSELF GROUNDED FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD?

I don’t know what’s to come myself. It is certain to be entertaining! No matter what lies ahead, I am so grateful and extremely excited!

WHAT’S BEEN THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN TO HANDLE THIS TYPE OF MAJOR ATTENTION?

There have definitely been a lot of adjustments to the exposure, but it hasn’t been difficult to remember who am. I always remember my roots.

To be true to myself. So many people in my life and those who I’ve met through this experience have offered this advice, and I’ve taken it seriously. No matter what changes around me, my values and personal drive remain the same.

DID NBC/THE VOICE HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH YOUR LIFESTYLE AND BEING OUT—AS TO HOW

HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE YET TO SIT BACK AND TAKE ANY OF THIS IN? WHAT KIND OF

KNOW ABOUT BEV MCCLELLAN’S MUSIC?

AS WE CELEBRATE GAY PRIDE MONTH, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COMMUNITY?

I’ve always lived my life out loud. I’ve never hidden and I never will. I don’t believe sexual orientation is a singling factor. We all love. I see the social perspective shifting. No one should ever have to hide who they are or who they love.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

I am most proud of never giving up on this dream.

Based on the strong performance of NBC’s new series The Voice, the network will offer expanded two-hour live episodes of the vocal competition show beginning Tuesday, June 7 from 9-11P ET.

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OCCUPATION: I’m quite the entrepreneur. I’m in the Bar Promoting/ Bartending/Hospitality industry.

DREAM JOB: Playing professional softball. It’s a work in progress.

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Isn’t it always complicated?

MY MOTHER THINKS I: Am free-spirited, ambitious, independent, outgoing, motivated and charismatic.

DREAM GIRL: Jessica Biel.

MY PETS: My adorable puppy Chloe and my feisty cat Simba.

TURN-ONS: Nice eyes, sense of humor, confidence. Someone that’s athletic, spontaneous, outgoing and can make the best of any situation.

TURN-OFFS: Arrogance, pessimism, cockiness and when girls try and act masculine.

MY BEST QUALITY: My personality. I’m a social butterfly and can talk to anybody. People have said I’m charismatic.

SECRET FETISH: I don’t really have one in particular, but I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it.

I HAVE A WEAKNESS FOR:

Someone that can dance, especially

hip-hop dancers.

YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE. BESIDES A LOVED ONE, WHAT IS THE

My pets, cell phone and digital camera. I’d grab everything I could get my hands on all at once.

MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Moving out to Florida from INTIMATE OBJECT YOU’D GRAB?

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California when I was 18 for a softball scholarship, pursuing my softball career and now playing professional softball.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE YOUR NAME, WHAT WOULD YOU PICK?:

I’ve always liked the name Taylor.

THE LAST BOOK I READ WAS: A Child Called It. It was so sad.

CELEBRITY’S BUTT I’D MOST LIKE TO SQUEEZE:

Kim

Kardashian.

I JUST WON A MILLION DOLLARS.THE FIRST THING I AM GOING

My own plane so I could travel around the world.

In a lifeguard tower on South Beach. It was actually the weekend of Aqua Girl a few years

TO BUY IS:

THE STRANGEST PLACE I’VE BENN NAKED:

ago. Yeah, that was pretty crazy!

I don’t know.

Quagmire from Family Guy. I’m a total goofball.

MY FAVORITE FLOWER: Sunflowers THE LAST THING I PUT ON MY IPOS WAS: Usher. I love his music.

I FIRST KISSED A GIRL AT AGE: 18 and it was mind blowing.

IF I COULD HAVE ONE WISH GRANTED, I WOULD WISH FOR: To live forever so I could experience everything and see what the world would be like in a few thousand years.

I THINK OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS: More equality and acceptance from people, of course. And more girl events year round like Aqua Girl and Girls in Wonderland. Let’s make it happen people!

THE CARTOON CHARACTER I AM MOST LIKE:

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BY MATERIAL GIRL

CASHING IN ON OUR PRIDE? Old Navy launched on June 1st a line of nice looking gay pride-themed T-shirts sized for men, women, and babies with the words “LOVE PROUDLY, OLD NAVY PRIDE 2011.” Old Navy, owned by Gap, will donate 10% of the proceeds to the It Gets Better Project. 10%? I recognize that it is a positive for our community, but c’mon Old Navy, you can do much better than that! This limited edition includes 4 designs will be available until June 30th but not at all locations. >> $7.50 to $14.50

This is a great option for travelers and wine-lovers. Since airport security won’t allow you to bring any liquid that may be contained in a breakable bottle as carry-ones, the JET BAG acts like a pad you can use to pack bottles in your suitcase. Bio-degradable with a reusable zip seal closure that completely secures any bottles and liquids, the bag is lined with the same absorbent materials found in baby diapers. Each pack contains 3 bags and they are an inexpensive way to protect your clothes. >> jetbag.com | $15.00

`A LA JLO! This is for my femmes aka lipstick lesbians...

Want to have JLo lips? Recently given the Essence 2011 Beauty Award, KOH GEN DO MAIFANSHI LIP GLOSS SHELL PINK promises just that. A subtle light pink that enhances your natural lip color. Contains essential moisturizing ingredients that help soothe and smooth lips to make your smile as bright as JLo’s. Check website for store locations. >> kohgendocosmetics.com | $21.00

I am in love! Fujifilm has gone all out with their S3200 FINEPIX 14MP 24X ZOOM SLR-STYLE DIGITAL CAMERA. Available in black, metal royal blue and red (love the colors and sorry, no purple yet), this baby has many, many features: Super-wide 24mm - 576mm 24X optical zoom lens, HD movie and image capture, Motion Panorama, Auto Scene Recognition, Tracking Auto Focus, iFlash Intelligent Flash, Face recognition and image searching, In-camera tagging for convenient upload, smile detection, runs on 4 AA batteries (included). You are going to have to look it up online to learn more. You can get it through the Home Shopping Network and make 4 payments but I also suggest you check eBay & Amazon for a lower price. I am so getting one of these! >> hsn.com | $219 - $239.00

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BY MARIA ESPINAL PHOTO ADAM BOUSKA

Leyla Farah

SHE MAG: AS WE GET ready to celebrate Gay Pride Month, what are you most proud of when it comes to our community?

Originally inspired by Lorraine Hansberry‘s book To Be Young, Gifted and Black, as well as I Dream A World, the groundbreaking title of African-American portraiture, Black, Gifted and Gay (LGBT Media Pioneer) is a new book profiling the lives and accomplishments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community’s living icons who are of African descent.

Written by one of She’s favorite women, Leyla Farah (with assistance from LGBT celebrity reporter Sarah Toce), Black, Gifted and Gay highlights portraits of 20 living African-American icons who have had the courage to claim their place in the LGBT community. We recently spoke to Leyla about her book and what it means to our community.

HOW LONG WAS THIS BOOK IN THE WORKS AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO WRITE IT?

I’ve been working on the book off and on for the past three years. It all started because I was looking for a book featuring positive, proud role models for someone in my life who was struggling with her own coming out process as an African-American lesbian. I thought it would make the perfect gift for her. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to write it. It’s the kind of thing that should exist in the world.

THERE IS A GREAT COMBINATION OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE.

I wanted to highlight contemporary role models people who were out and proud and successful. I really made an effort to ensure there were roughly an equal number of men and women, but beyond that I didn’t limit myself. I kept a running list as I came across people who inspired me.

IN THE BOOK, YOU MENTION THE HARLEM RE-

NAISSANCE (1920-30’S), THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE ‘60’S, AND AIDS IN THE ‘80’S. HOW MUCH EASIER, OR NOT, IS IT NOW IN 2011 TO BE BLACK AND GAY?

The fact that more and more prominent black people are feeling safe enough to come out of the closet (most recently Don Lemon of CNN) is, I hope, a sign that things are better now than they were before.

I SEE THIS BOOK AS A GUIDELINE AND INSPIRATION FOR THOSE GAY OR LESBIAN AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE GETTING COMFORTABLE ABOUT COMING OUT. HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

I certainly hope it is. I also hope it helps reinforce the fact that our LGBT icons are as diverse as the LGBT community itself.

AS WE CELEBRATE GAY PRIDE MONTH, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COMMUNITY?

I’m proud that—for the most part—the next generation thinks that being gay is no big deal. As a community we’ve been fighting so hard for so long. Every time I hear about a study that shows the drastic generational shifts in attitudes about LGBT issues, I feel like we just might be winning.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

I’m very proud of the LGBT PR firm I founded, Cause+Effect [cause-pr.com]. I’m incredibly proud of this book. It’s my hope that each of them, in their own way, makes the world a little bit better for LGBT people everywhere.

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Ginny M That I get to live my life how and with who i want, some people don’t like or accept it, but oh well!

Julie S The lift on the ban on gay adoption! So many of our friends are now adopting deserving children in South Florida!

Rose H The strength and empowerment our fam is showing, the repeal of DADT, the lift of ban on gay adoption, and the out and proud youth of today... just to name a few!

Jodi A I am proud to be me and not to be afraid to be me. I love my life and the only thing I would change is I want the right to marry my partner of the last 17 years. Change is coming, it just takes time.

D.j. Nena We are a community of class and intelligence. Ignorance is non-negotiable.

Martina M I am most Proud of how involved & active my community here in Broward County is (Florida). It’s very inspiring to see how many support groups, activities, programs, etc there are for our youth today. Sponsorship of so many individuals, companies...

Pamela R One word... acceptance Crys C Our ability to keep moving forward through all adversity.

Chandelle L Our ability to raise our children with open minds.

Kristen K That it keeps growing and becoming stronger everyday Autumn T I am proud to see young people coming out! Never living a lie, just living.

Marta E I am glad and proud of being part of a community that stands out for its rights, proud of what we have achieved one step at a time.

Search/Like Us

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5/31/2011, 6:47 PM

She Magazine

BY P. GALVIN

LINDA PERRY OF DEEP DARK ROBOT OPENS UP ABOUT THE ROMANTIC OBSESSION THAT INSPIRED THE BAND’S NEW ALBUM, 8 SONGS ABOUT A GIRL, AS SHE URGES GAY PEOPLE TO “STOP F*CKING HIDING.” TELL ME ABOUT THE PROGRESSION OF THE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM. THE RECORD IS GUT-WRENCHING, MOVING FROM INFATUATION TO OBSESSION TO MISERY TO RAGE.

The beginning song, “I’m Coming for You,” is basically a synopsis. It’s kind of letting you know what happened. The song is about how she pursued me, but she’s unaware of what’s she’s doing. It’s not an angry song; I’m just saying what happened. And “No One Wakes Me Up Like You” is basically the beginning—I’m falling in love. I’m thinking, “Here’s this sensitive woman— look at her, look at what she can do.” This starts the whole obsession. The songs show how love bounces around, going from happy to obsessed to pathetic to sad. That’s just how it happened.

I READ WHERE IT’S BEEN HARD FOR YOU TO RELIVE THIS RELATIONSHIP WHEN YOU’RE SINGING THESE SONGS LIVE ONSTAGE. DID IT FEEL THAT WAY WHEN YOU WERE RECORDING THE SONGS, TOO?

Everything was happening in real time. I was writing the songs as I was having the emotions and then we’d record them. The songs would come on the day the emotions actually happened. When I found out that she had started seeing this guy, I wrote “It F*cking Hurts” that day.

AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS RELATIONSHIP AND GETTING YOUR FEELINGS OUT IN SONG, WOULD YOU SAY THAT LOVE IS WORTH ALL OF THIS?

The crazy part of this whole thing is that I never got the girl, ever. We were both into each other and very connected, and if she wasn’t straight, we totally would have ended up together. So, in the end, I never got to go through the being-together part and the breaking-up part. That’s why I had to write the album.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN THAT YOU MOVED FROM WORKING AS A SONGWRITER AND PRODUCER FOR OTHERS TO MAKING YOUR OWN RECORD?

The choice of doing the album wasn’t a decision—it was really something that organically happened. I had no intention of making a record at all. I did come up with the band name about nine months before, and I asked Tony at the time if he wanted to be in a band. But it took us nine months to get into the studio.

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YOUR SONGS HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY A LOT OF INCREDIBLE PEOPLE—PINK, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, GWEN STEFANI, BRITNEY SPEARS, COURTNEY LOVE, ALICIA KEYS, ADAM LAMBERT, DIXIE CHICKS. CAN YOU IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE SINGING ANY OF DEEP DARK ROBOT’S SONGS?

No, especially “Speck.” I could never give that song to anybody. I knew that the songs had to be for Deep Dark Robot, and it had to be an entire album.

YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN OUT OF THE CLOSET, YEARS BEFORE IT BECAME MORE CULTURALLY “ACCEPTABLE” FOR MUSICIANS TO BE OUT. DO YOU GET THE SENSE FROM SOME OF YOUR FANS THAT YOU’RE A ROLE MODEL TO THEM?

I’ve been out my whole life. As far as being a role model or an inspiration, I would hope that I’m being an influence to more than just the gay community. Hopefully, I inspire someone because I’m doing what my gut tells me to do. As far as being gay and proud, I hope what shines through to kids that are 14- or 15-years-old and are struggling with being gay is the fact that I am proud of who I am. I remember getting letters way back, saying things like, “I saw you on David Letterman, and you had dyke written on your guitar. That made me realize that it’s okay to be who I am.

Thank you for that.”

SOME GAY PEOPLE ARE STILL AFRAID OF CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES IF THEY COME OUT OF THE CLOSET TO THEIR FAMILIES OR ON THEIR JOBS. WHAT SOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

You know what? Bad things are going to happen, no matter who you are.

Things are going to happen in life—we can’t avoid it. I would hope that everyone can get to a place where they don’t have to hide anymore. Stop f*cking hiding!

CELEBRATE PRIDE! VISIT THE SHE BOOTH AT > Stonewall Street Festival • Sunday, June 19th • Wilton Manors, FL

PLAY WITH SHE AT > Beach Blanket Babe & Beach Blanket Butch at Southernmost Hotel • A Womenfest Official Event • Sept 6 - 11 • Key West, FL

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BY MARIA ESPINAL PHOTOS BY ALISA RAUNER

You may know Denise “Dee” Adames, 40, as the second season winner of Bravo’s Shear Genius and on our cover in August, 2008. Maybe you’ve seen Dee on her float during the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade or know of her thanks to her salon, Dee&Co. Hair Studio which opened its doors in South Beach two years ago. We recently caught up with Dee—originally from San Antonio, TX—to fill in the gap since her win and to get an idea about her future.

IT HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE YOU WON BRAVO’S SHEAR GENIUS AND YOU WERE ON OUR COVER. WHAT HAPPENED BET WEEN YOUR WINNING AND DEE&CO. HAIR STUDIO?

After I won Shear Genius, I have to be honest, it’s not all what you expect after your 15 minutes of fame! (laughs) First, I went through an unexpected break up the night I got back from the show. Then, the salon I was currently working at (Peter of London in Kendall) decided to let me go after the show. Apparently, the new owner felt that I was a threat to his business, which gave me a great incentive to open my own place. I then worked at my friend’s salon (Miller’s Studio in Coral Gables) while my

“dream salon” was being built. I decided to go into business with my former assistant. Let’s just say things didn’t go accordingly to plan and I decided to go on my own. You can only imagine what happens to a person after a blow like this. I was down in the dumps big time! But I had to keep moving, so I found a salon on Brickell Avenue in the meantime. I couldn’t give up my dream of owning my own salon. Within 3 months, I found the South Beach Location, Dee&Co.

charm. Everyone who receives bangs for their first appointment gets a free Dee&Co. “Get Banged” T-Shirt!

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THAT?

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

I’ve learned to always follow your intuition and do the right thing. Always be grateful for the ones who have supported you, forgive the ones that you feel have hurt you and forgive yourself for the ones you feel you have hurt.

AS A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR IN THIS COMPETITIVE FIELD, WHAT HAS SET DEE&CO. HAIR STUDIO APART FROM OTHER SALONS IN THE AREA?

I would have to say our team spirit! I have a great team of young talented stylists that have that “cool factor.” We are passionate about education and making people feel and look great.

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Umm, maybe just my station cart. I have lots of toys and it is a bit cluttered. What can I say? I like toys! (laughs) She may want me to visit some of the salons on her show to teach them a thing or two on hair!

Of course I am proud of winning Shear Genius, but most importantly [I’m proud of] picking up the pieces after my first business failed and opening my very own salon! Hard work does pay off. Staying focused and positive delivers all you wish for.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AHEAD PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?

I hope to take my salon to the next level and have my stylist really take off with the education provided through the Dee&Co. Academy.

Personally, I hope to slow down just a little to travel and make some space to share this amazing life I now live with that special woman!

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NOTICIAS LA HOMOFOBIA LATINOAMERICANA EN NUMEROS A PESAR DE LOS AVANCES EN DERECHOS LGBT DE LOS ESTADOS LATINOAMERICANOS, LA HOMOFOBIA PERSISTE. No es poco el trabajo que los diferentes Estados de Latinoamérica están llevando a cabo para fortalecer la igualdad de derechos de sus ciudadanos gays, lesbianas, bisexuales y trans. Tal vez los avances más promocionados se vinculen con las distintas iniciativas para brindar un status legal a las parejas del mismo sexo, desde la aprobación del matrimonio igualitario en Argentina o en la ciudad de México, el cercano tratamiento de leyes equivalentes en Costa Rica, Chile y Uruguay (en este último país ya se encuentra vigente la unión concubinaria), hasta las uniones en Brasil, o el reconocimiento de derechos patrimoniales en Colombia.

Sin embargo, todavía persiste ese residuo socio-cultural que niega nuestra diversidad y alimenta el prejuicio, con sus consecuencias más violentas: la discriminación y la homofobia o, para ser más precisos, la LGBT-fobia. De hecho, con motivo del recientemente celebrado “Día Internacional contra la Homofobia y la Transfobia”, la alta comisionada de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos, Navi Pillay, ha afirmado: “Los crímenes de odio contra lesbianas, hombres homosexuales, bisexuales y personas transgénero están aumentando alrededor del mundo”. Latinoamérica no escapa a esta alarmante realidad, como bien lo demuestran los siguientes datos provistos por el Foro de Diversidad Sexual del INADI (Instituto Nacional contra la Discriminación, la Xenofobia y el Racismo).

539 personas trans fueron asesinadas en Latinoamérica, entre 2008 y 2010; mientras que 50 activistas LGBT fueron asesinados sólo en el año 2010.

400 crímenes homo/lesbo/transfóbicos se produjeron en México, entre 1995 y 2005; 19 asesinatos se registraron en ese mismo país, en lo que va del 2011.

260 personas LGBT fueron asesinadas en Brasil en 2010; Adriana Almeyda fue asesinada por ser lesbiana, en marzo de 2011.

171 homicidios de personas LGBT se produjeron en Honduras, en los últimos 5 años.

127 personas LGBT fueron asesinadas en Colombia, entre 2008 y 2009.

7 personas trans fueron torturadas y asesinadas en Bolivia, durante el año 2010.

4 asesinatos de personas LGBT se produjeron en Venezuela, en lo que va de 2011.

2 suicidios por hostigamiento se llevaron a cabo en Argentina, en lo que va de 2011; este año también fue asesinada Alejandra Yagualca, en el Cerro San Bernardo, por ser travesti; en marzo de 2010, Natalia Gaitán fue asesinada por lesbiana, en la ciudad de Córdoba.

4 de cada 10 personas LGBT sufren violencia física en Nicaragua, y 2 de cada 10 son víctimas de violación.

1 persona LGBT es asesinada cada semana, en Perú.

La homosexualidad es considerada un delito en Barbados, Belice, Jamaica, Guyana y Trinidad y Tobago.

Las instituciones para “curar” a gays y lesbianas son frecuentes en Ecuador, Perú y México.

Un decreto impide que gays y lesbianas formen parte del cuerpo de seguridad, en Panamá.

ESTUDIAN ACTITUD DE 30 PAISES RESPECTO A HOMOSEXUALIDAD Un estudio realizado en Estados Unidos en torno a la tolerancia de 30 países respecto a la homosexualidad reveló que la tolerancia ha aumentado en la mayoría del mundo salvo Rusia y demás países que tuvieron regímenes socialistas.

El informe, elaborado por el Centro Nacional de Investigación de la Opinión de la Universidad de Chicago, estudió las tendencias generales de la actitud de más de 30 países con respecto a la homosexualidad.

Del total, la aprobación de la homosexualidad aumentó en 27 países y disminuyó sólo en cuatro: Rusia, República Checa, Chipre y Letonia, informó el estudio.

Los cinco países con mayor nivel de aceptación de la homosexualidad son Holanda, Dinamarca, Noruega, Suiza y Bélgica, detalla el documento.

Los últimos de la lista fueron siete ex repúblicas socialistas, países de América Latina, de Asia oriental, Chipre, Sudáfrica y Turquía.

En Rusia, el 59% de la población sentía en 1991 que tener una conducta gay era algo equivocado, mientras que un 64% opina lo mismo en 2008.

PRESIDENTE CHILENO MANIFESTO APOYO POSITIVO A UNION CIVIL DE PAREJAS GAY En un discurso emitido a finales de Mayo por los principales canales de televisión del país, el Presidente chileno Sebastián Piñera, manifestó que van a darle “una solución a esos dos millones de chilenas y chilenos que viven en pareja sin estar casados”.

Piñera expresó en dicho discurso que “próximamente vamos a enviar un proyecto de ley que regula y protege a las parejas no casadas, del mismo sexo o de sexos distintos, en materias provisionales, hereditarias, de salud y muchas cosas más”.

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¡CONECTATE A TU COMUNIDAD! SHE MAGAZINE, ¡ahora disponible en tu teléfono Android! Baja gratis la aplicación visitando M.ISSUU.COM en tu telefono y mantente conectada con tu comunidad.

6/11

5/31/2011, 6:29 PM

CON VERONICA ESPINAL

SOY MUJER

¿BUSCANDO EL VOTO?

OBAMA 2012 “...NO PODEMOS NEGAR QUE OBAMA HA LOGRADO OFRECERLE A NUESTRA COMUNIDAD LO QUE NINGÚN OTRO PRESIDENTE”.

En estos últimos meses y años muchas cosas positivas han pasado a favor de nuestra comunidad. Vamos poco a poco.

Hace unos días en la página de Facebook de nuestra revista, anunciamos que la organización nacional Human Rights Campaign (HRC) apoya la candidatura del Presidente Obama para las elecciones del 2012. Esta misma organización igualmente apoyó a Obama en las elecciones anteriores, no solo con votos sino con fondo$.

Como es el propósito, alguien comentó que Obama no ha hecho nada por nuestra comunidad y que ella no iba a votar por Obama por nada del mundo. Otra persona dijo que en comparación con otros candidatos, se quedaba con Obama. Obviamente no pude dejar de poner mi comentario y además me tomé el tiempo de buscar en Internet alguno de los logros que el actual Presidente ha pudo implementar como ley.

Pero los logros no solo son a nivel federal sino a nivel local, no solo en Florida sino en la mayoría de los estados.

Por supuesto la persona antes mencionada comentó de nuevo diciendo que no le había convencido. Rápidamente contesté que yo no pretendía convencerla, pues su opinión es tan valida como la mía, sencillamente yo enumeraba lo tangible. Le hice la invitación a enumerar algunos cambios positivos que anteriores Presidentes han logrado para nosotros y de ser así, prometí darle mi voto a un republicano en las próximas elecciones. Todavía estoy esperando, espero salvarme de esa.

Te dejo con algunos de los avances que hemos logrado en nuestra comunidad local y nacional. Igual te invito a que busques en Internet si deseas conocer más.

- El 13 de Mayo del 2009 la corte de apelaciones de la Florida daba como veredicto que el estado reconocería aquellas adopciones hechas por parejas del mismo sexo en otros estados. El 22 de Septiembre del 2010 y después de 31 años, un tribunal de apelaciones de Miami, Florida, declaró inconstitucional la ley que prohíbe la adopción a parejas homosexuales.

- El 11 Junio, 2009 la comisión de la ciudad de Miami votó unánimemente a favor de adoptar y otorgar beneficios de salud a sus empleados que estén registrados domestic partners. Similares ordenanzas ya habían sido adoptadas por las ciudades de Miami Beach y North SHE -

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Miami. Desde Mayo del 2008 el condado Miami-Dade también ofrece beneficios similares a los empleados del condado como resultado del arduo trabajo que ha hecho la organización Save-Dade.

- El 17 de Junio, 2009 el Presidente Obama otorgaba beneficios, a parejas gay actualmente empleados federales.

- El 28 de Octubre, 2009 firmó la ley federal contra los crímenes de odio conocido como Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act/ Matthew Shepard Act. - Ese mismo año festejó el mes de Junio como el mes del Gay Pride en la Casa Blanca con miembros de nuestra comunidad.

- Prohibió la discriminación en gobierno federal por orientación sexual a los empleados Federales.

- Eliminó la póliza del Censo que no permitía que se contaran las parejas LGBT. En este mes de Junio se empezaran a divulgar los primeros datos.

- En el 2010 logró que el Departamento de Servicios Humanos y Salud implementara una regla que prohibiese a los hospitales negar los privilegios de visitas a parejas LGBT. Aunque ciertamente todavía la erradicación no ha sucedido, es algo firmado que está en proceso, no podemos olvidarnos la erradicación de la ley DADT que implementó el Presidente Clinton en 1993. La ley fue diseñada por Colin Powell y por supuesto la mantuvo el brillante sucesor de Clinton…George W. Bush. Que no se nos olvide que GWB defendió con uñas y dientes el que el matrimonio gay no fuese reconocido como tal y hasta quiso cambiar la Constitución del país.

Y después de esta pequeña reseña, ¿todavía hay quienes protestan porque los derechos a empleados federales no fueron al 100%? No es cosa de ser conformista, sino realista. ¿Cuándo car*jo has escuchado de un Presidente de este país que haga una recepción en la Casa Blanca para celebrar el mes del orgullo gay?

Independientemente de las razones que cualquier Presidente tenga para lograr nuevos derechos para una minoría, lo importante es que se han logrado, rápido o lentamente. Aunque vivimos en una de las grandes potencias—y comparado a otros países nuestros derechos LGBT están un tanto atrasados—no podemos negar que Obama ha logrado ofrecerle a nuestra comunidad lo que ningún otro Presidente.

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5/31/2011, 6:31 PM

THE 12TH ANNUAL

STONEWALL PRIDE Wilton Manors and the LGBT communities of Broward County and around South Florida are preparing for the 12th Annual Stonewall Street Festival & Parade this coming Sunday, June 19th. The event has been re-envisioned for 2011, with a 4PM - 9PM festival component, a parade beginning at 6:30PM and entertainment beginning at 7:30PM, all centered on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors, FL. MSNBC News Anchor Thomas Roberts and his partner HIV Community Liaison for Merck and Co., Inc Patrick Abner are the Parade Grand Marshals and will preside over Wilton Manors’ and Greater Fort Lauderdale’s largest single-day LGBT event. Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick is warmly embracing the Festival.

New to this year’s event is the participation of Luminary Couples in the parade.

Luminary Couples are long-term partners and “will be honored at this year’s gathering for their courage and dedication,” said event producer Ellen Wedner. In addition will be three entertainment stages, including the Sidelines Stage, the Here Media Main Stage and the Manor-New Moon Stage. The street festival will host vendors targeted to all segments of the community in the areas of health & wellness, recreation and entertainment, travel, community resources, and other GLBT areas of interest.

Supplementing the main stage at Sixth Avenue is one entertainment stage at the south end, and another stage at the north end of the festival. MCs on the stages will be from Q Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio and from Here TV. Among the new features of Stonewall Street Festival is a wine tasting tent with different wine tastings every half hour and demonstrations by local chefs in the Cook’s Tent, including former Bravo TV’s Top Chef contestant Chef Carlos Fernandez and Chef Harry Pagancoss.

Entrance to the Stonewall Street Festival will be at the south end of Wilton Drive at 20th St. and at Five Points in the North. There will be no entrance from the side streets.

As part of the festival, at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives will be an exhibit highlighting gay history, along with The Names Project and profiles of this year’s Luminary Couples. The exhibit is free and open to the public from June 9th -19th. For more information, visit stonewallnationalmuseum.org.

The Stonewall Street Festival and Parade recalls the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York, which represent to many the beginning of the fight for LGBT rights in the United States. For more information on the 12th Annual Stonewall Street Festival and Parade, visit [WWW.STONEWALLWILTONMANORS.COM]

VISIT SHE MAGAZINE’S BOOTH DURING STONEWALL PRIDE! SHE -

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5/31/2011, 6:31 PM

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5/31/2011, 6:32 PM

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5/31/2011, 6:33 PM

SHE SCOPES

WITH THE VILLAGE SAGE

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 19

LEO JULY 23 - AUG 23

You’ve been working hard to turn your dreams into reality and you’re being rewarded for your focus and dedication with many opportunities to diversify your everyday routine. Your ideas are coming fast and furious.

Don’t try to keep up with them all, but don’t forget them either. Give yourself permission to play, explore new territory and let your ‘gut’ guide you to make the right choices with your time, as that is your most precious resource.

Now’s the time to capitalize on who you know and network. The more people you share your great ideas with, the more likely it becomes that at least one of them will see the light of day. Once started, check, and doublecheck everything. It’s important that you don’t use brute force to get your way. Instead use your charm, sincerity of belief, and considerable communication skills to convince and cajole.

PISCES FEB 20 - MAR 20

VIRGO AUG 24 - SEPT 23

Focus is on home, family and strategies to strengthen your security base, even amidst major changes in your life. Identify what you use and then sell them, trade them, or gift them, but get rid of them. Once you’ve got a clean slate, you can draw your own vision of the future, and plan on how to achieve it. Just make sure everyone involved is on the same wavelength. You must have a realistic plan first.

Your focus is entirely on your career and on creating new opportunities to increase your cash flow. The time to ‘make do’ is past and now it’s time to bring your dreams to fruition. You’ll need allies. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, so smile a lot. Meet the ‘movers and shakers’ are in your field. Show off your talents and share your ideas, but don’t forget to listen, too.

ARIES MAR 21 - APR 19

LIBRA SEPT 24 - OCT 23

You’re feeling restless, so go ahead and fulfill your wanderlust, even if you can’t do more than explore your own changing neighborhood. Try to expand upon your current skills and learn new ones. You’ll have more interaction with your near and dear, and you’ll have to remember to keep an open mind. If you listen, you might actually change your own mind. No worries, be cool and have fun in your wanderings.

Use your legendary skills to bring your life into better balance by bringing calm and order into chaotic situations. Don’t spend too much time or energy on thinking, when the order of the day is doing. Make your plans according to your own wants and needs. It’s all about the ‘I,’ now, not so much about the ‘we.’ Enjoy breaking free of old restrictive patterns. Go with the flow and release your fears.

TAURUS APR 20 - MAY 20

SCORPIO OCT 24 - NOV 22

Your focus and energy are locked into creating more abundance in your life. Your budget needs to be created based on what you actually have coming in. Investing takes many forms. You can invest your skill and reputation, but not without the promise of long-term rewards.

Don’t stress out and don’t allow any negative self-talk to shake your confidence. You can do it.

Your focus is on your finances and your experiences with the significant others in your life. Look within yourself for answers to questions about the direction your life is going. Cash flow may slow to a trickle, so conservation is the order of the day. Backtrack to find the strategies that haven’t been working and be honest in relationships.

Strike a balance between the security of being a team player and a desire to be on your own.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUN 21

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21

It’s all about you, and how you can get more of what you want from life. You’ll also have to mediate between your logical self and your intuitive self. You can re-invent yourself now. Now is the perfect time to try new ways of communicating. With any luck, you’ll have less of them in the future. While it’s not a good idea to push your agenda too hard (like off a cliff), it isn’t a good idea to stop short either.

You’re learning to communicate a lot better within all the significant relationships in your life. You are for sure a kinder, gentler Saggi who uses the ‘edit’ button before inserting foot solidly in mouth. Use your imagination and your talent to create new opportunities to improve your career prospects. Cooperation, compassion and compromise will ensure good times. Be aware of emotional reactions to whatever you’re proposing. Calmly explain, and invite input and discussion before the fact, not after.

CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 19

Your focus is on the past, even as you strive to improve your present. Your rational mind has a lot of competition from your imagination. While part of you may be bored with doing the same old thing, the rest of you is happy to stick to the to the routine that works. Use your sensitivities to scope out various situations, but be careful not to react to whatever may upset you. Instead, walk away from power struggles.

Your success is all up to you. Anything you focus your attention and energy on will thrive. The caution here is in taking on more than you can really do, or in setting expectations that are unrealistic. Be willing to make any necessary adjustments to stay on the path you’ve chosen. Expect a ‘push me - pull you’ energy and can enjoy the ride without all the drama. Instead, aim for a romantic-comedy-adventure.

The Village Sage is a freelance writer and astologer, who is available for consultations and charts. You can reach her by e-mail at info@shemag.com.

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C:\My Backup -- 09-02-11 1217PM\111shemag\MAY_11\ready\shep39kitty.cdr Thursday, April 28, 2011 6:46:57 PM

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C:\My Backup -- 09-02-11 1217PM\111shemag\JUNE11\ready\shep40olivia.cdr Friday, June 03, 2011 9:52:21 AM