My partner and I have attended Womenfest Key West two years in a row, so I think we may in fact be experts now ;)  We know where lesbians should go and what to do while you are there.  First and foremost in Key West you need a moped or two.  We like doubling up on one and taking turns riding bitch.  The first year we rented one from the cheapest spot in town and we definitely got what we paid for, cheap and run down.  This year we rented from Moped Hospital and the bike was clean, ran perfectly, was in great condition and very sexy.  This is truly the best way to get around on the island…wind in the hair (or whizzing under your ball cap).  You can experience warm humid air that purifies your parched skin, and joy in the occasion sprinkles under the beautiful blue skies.  Parking is much easier and it's just so much more fun!

Once you check into your room, it’s high time for cocktails and a dip in the pool where you can decide what to do next.  Keep in mind that there is no real concept of time in Key West. This makes it the perfect place to do what you want, when you want and not feel guilty about it.  And with all the fabulous events the Business Guild puts on for Womenfest, you have plenty of options, all day every day, to be surrounded by lovely lesbians.

There are pool parties, beach babe/hot buns contests, gay trolley tours, fantastic museums and exhibits to explore, shopping, water sports adventures, cruises, party boats, dance parties, bull riding contests, comedy shows, and more.  The beauty of it is, there is no wrong decision about what to do next.  Everywhere you go you run into lesbians, and the island has a very accepting, welcoming feel about it demonstrated by the rainbow flags throughout Duval Street.  When we are on vacation, the most important thing for me is that I feel safe to be me and safe to be with her.  Being in an environment such that I can openly hold my girlfriend's hand walking down the street is so important and so appreciated.  While we could not possibly hit every single event offered, here are some we did attend and highly recommend!

The Fury all women ultimate adventure tour is a must do! Go ahead and add it to your bucket list.  It’s an all day boat trip where you stop for snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, a water playground with inflatable slides, rock climbing walls and a trampoline.  As if this wasn’t enough, they also feed you lunch and provide an on the boat happy hour.  All of which is included in the cost of the event.  Oh and did I mention it’s top optional; so you’re sure to see some beautiful boobs ;)

I am not a big comedy show fan, so when I first saw Curiously Strong Comedy show with Julie Goldman, Jackie Monahan, Gloria Bigelow on the list I was not all that excited about it.  After some coercing from some of our new friends we met at Womenfest, we decided to join them at the show... and I’m soooo glad we did.  We had a absolute blast!  This was lesbian comedy at it’s finest.  We were truly LOL.

There are many other nightlife options each and every night of Womenfest.  We chose to hit the Aqua Traffic Jam Dance Party and I danced my ass off with all kinds of different women for hours. The theme utilized glow sticks showing everyone's status red=taken, yellow=want to play, green=single.  It was nice to know where everyone stood ;)  The music was pumping and the crowd was bumping all night long.  We also ended up running into a number of people we hung out with at the last Womenfest. It was kind of like a damn reunion!

I admit I am not a country music fan at all. However, we decided that we HAD to go to the Cowbill Bill's Pink Party with Pink Panty Sexy Bull Riding Contest because it benefited breast cancer research.  I am a big fan of any event that supports this cause, and of course, who doesn’t like sexy bull riding contests?  Before the contest, Jennifer Corday & the Cougars performed which was a definite crowd pleaser.  Once the contest started all bets were off and um, so was a lot of clothing.  Some took off tops, other pants! Suffice it to say, super hot and super fun event.  Country fan or not, you need to add this to your list of must do’s while at Womenfest.

To sum up WomenFest, expect thrilling adventures, fun in the sun, lesbians galore, laid back tropical island, clothing optional excitement, slow paced tours and high energy nightlife, and much more.  Plus, if you have any social graces at all- you will make friends for life on this trip! We did:)

Here are some other wonderful things to do while enjoying your time on charming Key West.

If you have a couple of hours to spare and desire a high speed adventure on the water, check out one of the island’s jet ski tours.  We opted for one that circled the entire island in less than 2 hours.  The tour literally takes off at a private beach adjacent to the Reach Resort.  You start off in the choppy Atlantic Ocean hitting speeds of up to 40-50 mph.  Getting air is a definite possibility so hold on tight!  The tour makes a handful of stops around the island, most of which are quick explanations of where you are, where you came from and where you’re going next, then you’re off again racing around the island.  The longest stop was in an area of beautiful aqua blue water where we played on the jet skis and took a swim.  Bring a waterproof camera for sure.  Some of the stops were simply gorgeous.  Make sure to take some of you on your jet ski too!  You can frame and remember the moment when you get home ;)

If you are over by the Reach Resort, wander over to the Strip House Bar (striphouse.com) even if it's for just one drink.  Any card carrying lesbian will appreciate the bar's décor.  It’s actually a steak house and bar with 1940esque cabaret style nude images adorning all the wall space.  Not a lesbian bar, but worth a stop in our opinion.

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is America's southernmost State Park. The gay and lesbian locals refer to it as Elizabeth Taylor Beach. It is a little off the beaten path, located near the end of Highway 1.  It's worth the trip as it is the most beautiful public beach we found anywhere on the island.  It’s a couple bucks to get in but go ahead and splurge on it ;)  The Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf here and causes a warm water commotion. Top this with the torrential rains and lightening we experienced during our visit and it was one of the greatest adventures we have ever been on.
 

KEY WEST, FL....LesbianLush.com Approved! ;)

For more information on these locations and the fabulous Key West,

Please visit www.fla-keys.com/gay and www.gaykeywestfl.com.

My girlfriend and I have a bucket list and one of the many things we each wanted to do before we die was to go on a beer tour.  Yes, we love beer!  A couple Christmases ago we stumbled across Arrogant Bastard (made by Stone Brewery) in a Bevmo store…awesome brew!  So naturally as this brewery is pretty local, North San Diego, we decided the inclusion of this brewery was a must on whatever beer tour we chose.   I looked through a couple different websites to see which tour sounded like the best fit for us and finally found the perfect one!  Brewery Tours of San Diego (BTOSD), not to be confused with another tour with a very similar name that actually operates out of Carlsbad.  BTOSD offers private and public tours which are quite affordable considering they pick you up at your house, or hotel in our case, drive you around to 3 different breweries with 4-6 tastings each, feed you lunch and then drop you off at the end of the day.  Because it was just Anna and I the public tour seemed like a perfect fit and it truly really was! 

We took the Sunday 10-4pm tour,which started out at Stone, then progressed to San Marcos Brewery, and finally ended at Lost Abbey. 

TAKE US TO THE BREEEEEWERIES PLEASE!

Jon was our beer tour guide extraordinaire! 

As promised Jon called us the day before to confirm pick up time and location, and even better...he was there right one time to pick us up for a day of over indulgence.  The sign posted on the inside of the bus over the drivers head had me cracking up the minute I sat down in my seat.  Great saying for a Lush like myself.

We picked up a few more people and then were on our way to our first stop, the most anticipated, Stone Brewery.  This place is fantastic. 

Definite highlight of the entire tour.  The grounds are rugged and sexy.  The outside patio was spectacular.  Perfect for anything from a large event to a small afternoon of lunch and brews.

They also have this garden of indigenous plants on display which was such a pleasant surprise for us LA girls.

The deco was on point, even in the ladies bathroom.  I mean seriously…I want to duplicate this in my house! 

Both Anna and I thought all of the beers were excellent with the exception of one that had a meaty flavor…almost like a beer marinade.  The only complaint I had is I would have liked to go on an actual tour here, and definitely would have loved to spend more time "tasting" at this brewery.  But alas I guess that’s the point of a 3 brewery tour, to give you a small taste of a couple so you know where you will return.  Stone Brewery is a definite repeat for us!  We will come next time with a larger, private group.
       
Next, we went to San Marcos Brewery. I am not sure many of the people on our tour were big fans of this place. However, this is where we had lunch and by this time we were all quite hungry. Anna and I both had the turkey burgers. The beers were not particularly impressionable in my mind and neither was the food, however it was a very relaxing setup where the patrons on the tour actually got to chat a bit, discussing their favorite brews and beer stories.

 

The last stop now that we had a full tummy was the Lost Abbey, which was literally in a warehouse.  When we drove up I think we were all taken back a bit as it wasn’t at all what we expected.  Once you walked into the roll up metal doors in the docking area, there it was...cylinders and barrels full of beer and a bar with taps of all sorts of interesting flavors to enjoy.  This was a nice local experience.

Our tour guide showed us around the brewery and explained the process as well as pointed out that Stone Brewery actually started in the exact warehouse the is now housing the Lost Abbey.  Stone came a long way from a little rinky dink brewery in a warehouse to a very large well know brewery ranked #16 in the US (according to our guide Jon).  He gave us a quick run down of the entire brewing process that takes place at the Lost Abbey and then we were free to have as many tastings as we could down in the remaining time. The beers were delicious and quite strong.  At this point in the day no one was able to drive, so thankfully we didn't have to! 

The Lost Abbey brewery cat also enjoyed the tasting!

Although it appeared we were the only "family" on this specific tour, it was clear the neither Jon nor anyone else on the tour seemed to mind that a lesbian couple was amongst the straights.  It was a really fun and next time I would like to get a bunch of friends together and go the private tour route.  We will definitely be back again!

Lady Gaga Chained in Telephone Video

Gaga & Cher at MTV Video Music Awards

Lady Gaga Taped in Telephone Video

photo credit: Matthias Clamer - EW

Hot Top Gun actress Kelly McGillis, 53 and her sales exective girlfriend Melanie Leis, 42 were joined in a civil union this week. They have known each other since 2000. Judge Robert T. Zane III, municipal presiding judge officiated at the Collingswood Municipal Court in New Jersey's Camden County on Wednesday. The couple met when Leis was a bartender in the Key West, Florida, restaurant McGillis owned with her second husband. McGillis came out to People Mag in 2009 when a reporter had asked if she were looking for a man or a woman. "It was like a moment of truth," she said. "I thought, Hmm, do I say the truth, or do I just say, It's none of your business, which is my standard answer? I said you know, I'm just going to say the truth. Definitely a woman." Among McGillis's best-known film roles were opposite Harrison Ford in 1985's "Witness,"  and opposite now openly lesbian Jodie Foster, in 1988's "The Accused." 

Read ours then share yours in the Comment Section below!

Number 10: Because it's cool!
Number 9: Going to the bathroom together;)
Number 8: Not getting a rash from 5 o'clock shadow
Number 7: Sharing clothes & jewelery
Number 6: No penis poking into your back when you're trying to sleep
Number 5: Dinah Shore Weekend!
Number 4: No ball sack to get in your way!
Number 3: She gets it when you're on our period
Number 2: Pissing off the Mormons!
Number 1: Pussy of course!

Celebs react on Twitter after Proposition 8 is overturned in California:

WebMD Health News

OUTFEST ANNOUNCES 2010 FESTIVAL LINEUP
28TH LOS ANGELES GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL: JULY 8 – 18
Opening Night: “HOWL” by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
Closing Night: ”Spork” by J.B. Ghuman
5th Anniversary of Outfest Legacy Project
Celebrating 25 years of West Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 2, 2010) - Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) images, has announced an original and diverse programming lineup for Outfest 2010: The 28th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The nation’s leading LGBT festival and the oldest film festival in the city will be held July 8 to 18.

In addition to the 147 films (60 features and 87 shorts) from 23 countries, Outfest hosts over a dozen panels and special events at several venues across Los Angeles, including Hollywood, West Hollywood and Downtown.

“This year’s incredible line-up celebrates all of the forward-thinking artists that push the boundaries for LGBT rights and equality,” says Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director of Outfest. “From Allen Ginsberg’s quest for personal and artistic liberation to stories that challenge the status quo in the age of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and gay marriage bans, this inspiring collection of films is sure to impact both gay and straight audiences.”

The list of films and filmmakers involved with this year’s festival include the debut narrative feature from acclaimed documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman “HOWL” starring James Franco, Jon Hamm and David Strathairn, as the Opening Night Gala, and the feature debut of actor-turned-writer/director J.B. Ghuman, “Spork” as the Closing Night Gala.

Other gala screenings include: Cheryl Dunye’s hybrid thriller/documentary “The Owls” as the U.S. Dramatic Centerpiece and the feature debut from Outfest Screenwriting Lab fellow Javier Fuentes-León, “Undertow (Contracorriente)” as the International Dramatic Centerpiece.

"The Outfest 2010 program showcases the work of veteran filmmakers and first-timers whose voices and stories are vital to the LGBT community," says Kim Yutani, Director of Programming of Outfest. Whether it's brand new feature films, the stellar short film program or our retrospective screenings, these are some of the most exciting voices - from both the past and present - in what will certainly be a dynamic 11-days of Outfest."

As previously announced, Jane Lynch will receive this year’s Outfest Achievement Award. Fellow Glee cast member Chris Colfer and director Paris Barclay will present the award to Lynch prior to the Opening Night Gala screening of “HOWL.”

Outfest will also once again celebrate the Opening Night Gala with its renowned After-Party which this year will take place at the most spectacular new nightclub in Los Angeles, Exchange LA.

Outfest is also celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, a collaboration with the UCLA Film and Television Archive - the only program in the world dedicated to saving and protecting LGBT moving images. To celebrate this milestone, Outfest has asked 5 filmmakers, musicians and journalists to select and introduce a favorite film from the Legacy Collection. Selections include “Clueless,” “Hustler White,” “Mädchen in Uniform,” “Out of the Shadows/Sign of Protest” and “Macho Dancer.”

Furthermore, in honor of West Hollywood’s 25th anniversary as an incorporated city, Outfest is proud to present a series of films that focus on the city’s history and celebrate the community as a vital contributor to the arts. Titles include “The Broken Hearts Club,” “An Ordinary Couple,” “Is It Just Me?” and “Out of the Shadows.”

In its 4 in Focus series, Outfest celebrates a quartet of first-time feature film directors who have boldly established their careers with accomplished, independently-produced debut features. The selections this year include: Myriam Aziza’s “The Evening Dress (La Robe Du Soir),” Javier Fuentes-León’s “Undertow (Contracorriente),” Adriana Maggs’ “Grown Up Movie Star” and Jake Yuzna’s “Open.”

For more information and for a complete listing of films in the Festival, log on to www.Outfest.org or call 213-480-7065. Festival tickets go on sale on June 7 to Outfest members and on June 14 to the general public. Special ticket packages are also available.
 

Read this mother's letter then ask yourself, where have we come over the last 10 years?

Sunday, April 30, 2000
By SHARON UNDERWOOD
For the Valley News (White River Junction, VT)
 Many letters have been sent to the Valley News concerning the homosexual menace in Vermont. I am the mother of a gay son and I've taken enough from you good people.
 I'm tired of your foolish rhetoric about the "homosexual agenda" and your allegations that accepting homosexuality is the same thing as advocating sex with children. You are cruel and ignorant. You have been robbing me of the joys of motherhood ever since my children were tiny.
 My firstborn son started suffering at the hands of the moral little thugs from your moral, upright families from the time he was in the first grade. He was physically and verbally abused from first grade straight through high school because he was perceived to be gay.
He never professed to be gay or had any association with anything gay, but he had the misfortune not to walk or have gestures like the other boys. He was called "fag" incessantly, starting when he was 6.
 In high school, while your children were doing what kids that age should be doing, mine labored over a suicide note, drafting and redrafting it to be sure his family knew how much he loved them. My sobbing 17-year-old tore the heart out of me as he choked out that he just couldn't bear to continue living any longer, that he didn't want to be gay and that he couldn't face a life without dignity.
 You have the audacity to talk about protecting families and children from the homosexual menace, while you yourselves tear apart families and drive children to despair. I don't know why my son is gay, but I do know that God didn't put him, and millions like him, on this Earth to give you someone to abuse. God gave you brains so that you could think, and it's about time you started doing that.
At the core of all your misguided beliefs is the belief that this could never happen to you, that there is some kind of subculture out there that people have chosen to join. The fact is that if it can happen to my family, it can happen to yours, and you won't get to choose. Whether it is genetic or whether something occurs during a critical time of fetal development, I don't know. I can only tell you with an absolute certainty that it is inborn.
If you want to tout your own morality, you'd best come up with something more substantive than your heterosexuality. You did nothing to earn it; it was given to you. If you disagree, I would be interested in hearing your story, because my own heterosexuality was a blessing I received with no effort whatsoever on my part. It is so woven into the very soul of me that nothing could ever change it. For those of you who reduce sexual orientation to a simple choice, a character issue, a bad habit or something that can be changed by a 10-step program, I'm puzzled. Are you saying that your own sexual orientation is nothing more than something you have chosen, that you could change it at will? If that's not the case, then why would you suggest that someone else can?
A popular theme in your letters is that Vermont has been infiltrated by outsiders. Both sides of my family have lived in Vermont for generations. I am heart and soul a Vermonter, so I'll thank you to stop saying that you are speaking for "true Vermonters."
You invoke the memory of the brave people who have fought on the battlefield for this great country, saying that they didn't give their lives so that the "homosexual agenda" could tear down the principles they died defending. My 83-year-old father fought in some of the most horrific battles of World War II, was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart.
 He shakes his head in sadness at the life his grandson has had to live. He says he fought alongside homosexuals in those battles, that they did their part and bothered no one. One of his best friends in the service was gay, and he never knew it until the end, and when he did find out, it mattered not at all. That wasn't the measure of the man.
You religious folk just can't bear the thought that as my son emerges from the hell that was his childhood he might like to find a lifelong companion and have a measure of happiness. It offends your sensibilities that he should request the right to visit that companion in the hospital, to make medical decisions for him or to benefit from tax laws governing inheritance.
How dare he? you say. These outrageous requests would threaten the very existence of your family, would undermine the sanctity of marriage.
You use religion to abdicate your responsibility to be thinking human beings. There are vast numbers of religious people who find your attitudes repugnant. God is not for the privileged majority, and God knows my son has committed no sin.
The deep-thinking author of a letter to the April 12 Valley News who lectures about homosexual sin and tells us about "those of us who have been blessed with the benefits of a religious upbringing" asks: "What ever happened to the idea of striving . . . to be better human beings than we are?"
 Indeed, sir, what ever happened to that?
Sharon Underwood's son is doing fine now, the first in his family to graduate from college.
 If you have friends who think Jesus would have been a Republican -- on the side of billionaire Pat Robertson, et al, in opposing Hate Crimes Legislation, opposing the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and, yes, opposing Vermont's extension of economic benefits to same-sex couples -- please feel free to forward this column to as many of them as you like. Can't you just see it? Jesus arm-in-arm with the NRA trying to maintain the gun-show loophole? Stumping the Holy Land in favor of a massive tax cut for the rich, while opposing a hike in the minimum wage? Somehow, I think not.
Tomorrow: Back to Business. (Probably.)

Chely Wright  who sings the hit  "Shut Up and Drive" is out of the Country Music closet!

Here are the 5 reasons she finally decided to declare her lesbianism, according to Newsweek magazine:

1. I had a gun in my mouth. I was going to kill myself.

2. I assumed I wasn't alone.

3. We obviously have country-music fans who are gay.

4. I'm single.

5.I have no secret now.

Rock on Chely. Smart, sexy and brave! I'd love to give you a ride;)

Well ladies, Club Skirts The Dinah’s lesbian debauchery fest has come and gone again, but let me tell you Mariah did it right for the big 20!  My first Dinah experience was spent with Club Skirts at the Doral years ago, and sometimes when venues change I’m sadly disappointed, but not this year!  The pool parties at the Hilton were great, loved the set up!

And what lesbian doesn’t love a little lube wrestling and um…jiggley, bouncy, naked boobies?  Oops I mean fully clothed wet t-shirt contests??? *wink* 

Aaaaah….Love the pool parties!  

I have to say too that every year it seems like the White Party gets better and better.  I mean Katie Perry last year was killer, but Ke$ha??  TiK ToK is on commercials, tv shows, movie trailers, and now all over The Dinah!   Sweet!   The performances were great, but I do think the highlight of the entire weekend for me was definitely the red carpet event.  No I’m not a star struck lesbian that goes ga-ga over seeing people walk the red carpet, but I was highly entertained by drama and excitement I witnessed at the event. 

Anna and I were minding our own business in the pressline set to take pictures of Billie Myers,  the Paradiso Girls, Meredith Baxter (btw how cool is she??  Family Ties mom comes out of the closet as a freaking lesbian!  YES, Go Meredith!), and all the other headliners and celesbians, when we were viscously attacked and lesbo-handled by Sarah Shahi fans trying to get to their precious Carmen! 

Well maybe not quite viscously attacked, but there was mass chaos with lesbians trying to cross the press line, shoving, pushing, and outstretched hands with camera phones everywhere!  Is Sarah even a lesbian or is she just that unbelievably beautiful?  Well once she walked by our spot in the press line I have to tell you, she’s IS that beautiful.  She is one of the few people that are actually prettier in person.  So gorgeous I almost didn’t notice how awful her outfit was!  I said almost ladies.  ;)

Club Skirts rocked The Dinah what more can I say.  From performances from KeSha, God-Des and She, the Paradiso Girls, Martha Davis & The Motels, Lolene, freaking Salt-n-Pepa (can you say FLASH BACK), to comedy shows, celesbians galore, photos shoots for the NOH8 Campaign, wet t-shirt contests, pool parties, lube wrestling, go-gos, drinking, debauchery and so much more, I needed a month off just to recover!  Let’s do it again next year!  I’m ready to book for 2011 are you? ;)
 

www.thedinah.com

In celebration of its 20th Anniversary, the 2010 Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week will rock your world with live performances by blockbuster talent of global proportions.
Back by demand, outrageous comediennes Michele Balan, Poppy Champlin & Dana Goldberg will leave you rolling with laughter at “FUNNY GIRLZ 5!”
Hotel Zoso Ballroom 8pm Thursday 1 April
Celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson spins the sounds and R&B powerhouse Kelis (“Acapella,” “Milkshake” & “Bossy”) will shake things up live at the popular  “PURE WHITE PARTY.” Hotel Zoso Ballroom 8pm Friday 2 April
Breakthrough dance music sensation Kaylah Marin (“On The Floor” – Billboard Top 5 Dance Hit), Number 1 Billboard Dance Artist Erika Jayne (“Stars”) & worldwide chart-topper Shontelle (“Licky-Under the Covers”) will make some waves at the "WET N WILD" pool party. The hotel's pool is newly remodeled & absolutely amazing! Renaissance Palm Springs(formerly Wyndham) 9am Saturday 3 April.
Australian-born, Sri Lankan singer-songwriter Yasmine, will keep things cool  & smooth with sultry jazz, blues & soul at the CHILL OUT pool party. Hotel Zoso Saturday 3 April.
Hilarious Actress/Comedienne Jennifer Coolidge (“American Pie,” “Legally Blonde” & “Best in Show”) makes a rare comedy appearance at our SPECIAL BENEFIT EVENT for the Human Rights Campaign Fund. Hotel Zoso Ballroom 7:30pm Saturday 3 April
Grammy-winning superstar (Destiny’s Child) Kelly Rowland (“When Love Takes Over”) hits the stage live at Girl Bar’s main event, “CIRCUS A GO-GO,”  & count em...30... world-famous Girl Bar Go-Go’s keep the action going, along with Hoopnotica Girls, showing off the latest craze. Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom 8pm Saturday 3 April
Michael Jackson’s hot guitarist Orianthi (“This Is It!”) rocks Girl Bar’s world with a not-to-be-missed performance at "SPLASH," the hottest pool party of the weekend.   Renaissance Palm Springs 9 am Sunday 4 April
Tickets, hotel & event passes on sale now. Special room rates still available. More info @ dinahshoreweekend.com. Hurry girls, you are running out of time!

From 1997 through 1999, Lilith Fair was one of the highest grossing touring festivals in the world, with over 1.5 million fans in attendance and raising over $10 million dollars for national and local charities. Nearly 6 months ago, Nettwerk CEO and Lilith Fair co-founder Terry McBride announced that the all-female festival would make its return in Summer 2010.Today, the now dubbed "Lilith Tour" is struggling to sell tickets and has had to scrap some show dates. We suggest you get your tickets now to show your support for females in music.

Founded by Grammy-award winning artist Sarah McLachlan along with Dan Fraser, Marty Diamond and Terry McBride, Lilith Fair was the only tour of its kind—a celebration of women in music featuring artists like Sheryl Crow, Christina Aguilera, Erykah Badu, The Dixie Chicks, Missy Elliot, The Pretenders, Nelly Furtado, Jewel, Queen Latifah, Indigo Girls, Tegan and Sara and of course, Sarah McLachlan.

Confirmed artists for 2010 include: Rihanna, Eryka Badu, Heart, the Indigo Girls, May J. Blige, Norah Jones, Tegan & Sara, Sheryl Crow, and yes Sarah McLachan. More to be announced in the coming weeks! Tickets range from $10 to $250 each. For more details and tour schedule go to http://www.lilithfair.com/

The Ice Booze ice luge is the longest lasting, most durable & only reuseable vertical ice luge on the market. It is built from the finest materials & is easy to fill & unmold! Tired of the same old parties with the same old drinking games? Make your party stand out with the Ice Booze. We all know nothing gets a party started like doing shots but with this ice luge the party will not only start out well, but go late into the night. Great for the Dinah Weekend! Get ready to let the good liquor flow girls:) available at icebooze.com

The publishers of Lesbian Lush recently got the opportunity to chat with Mariah Hanson about the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs. Here's what we asked and what the lesbian mogul had to say.

What makes this Dinah Shore, being the 20th anniversary, different from prior years?
20 years is considered a milestone so I think my customers are excited to help me celebrate.  Apart from that, I have put together an amazing line up and series of events and activities that should help us produce another stellar Club Skirts "The Dinah."

Is the Dinah Shore Celebration still relevant after all these years? How so?
I'd have to defer that question to my customers but since they are coming in larger numbers than ever, I suspect they'd say yes. I certainly continue to enjoy producing it. I think we are offering the lesbian community a style of event not available anywhere else in the world. The level of entertainment is unparalleled even in the straight world, and the platform we offer for  celesbian talent, burgeoning media outlets, such as your own, venders, sponsors, and a heck of a lot of single girls, and married women who enjoy five days in a celebratory environment, hopefully help us maintain our relevance.

Speaking of single vs. married...The Dinah single?  The Dinah coupled?  What's the best way to experience The Dinah?
Either. Depends on what you are looking for .... I do guarantee this .. at The Dinah, presented by Club Skirts ... you'll find it!

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you at the Dinah?
Oh dear, there are so many. It's such a wild, weekend, and the girls do go nuts in such fun ways.  But for me personally, I think the year we tried to turn the music off at the pool party at The Riviera and the hotel begged us to turn it back on cause they thought there was going to be a riot... girls were starting to pick up lawn chairs to toss them into the pool.  Or the time it snowed .... Or the time a tornado hit the Riviera and lifted heat lamps several feel in the air.... god, I could go on and on!

Why do you suppose lesbians have the stereotype of being cheap? And have you found any truth in this stereotype considering you run an event like the Dinah that is not considered cheap?
I don't think lesbians are cheap. I think they want value and service for that which they are paying. I actually think they are very savvy customers.  They tip well. The hotels love them. The premium rooms sell out first at my hotels. It's a myth. 

Looking back at the last 20 years, have you ever just once considered taking a year or more off?
No, I can't wait to start planning it again. I get depressed when it's over ..... I feel very passionate about this weekend and I get what it means to the community.

If you had the power to change one thing in regards to lesbian rights, what would it be and why?
Well, I think LGBT rights are all interconnected. For me, it's the marriage bill. I think we need to continue our passionate fight for marriage as it's paramount to our civil rights. But for lesbian issues, we need to pay more attention to breast cancer. We're four times more at risk and so even for lesbian who do not have access to health care through mainstream channels, I hope we continue to establish places like The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center who do such a great job of picking up the slack in that area.
And I think every lesbian should adamantly exercise her right to celebrate her life .. preferably at The Dinah... :)=

New Study Uncovers Wide Range of  Experiences in Lesbian Womens Healthcare

The Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care has published a new study which examines the importance of healthcare professionals awareness, attitudes and medical knowledge when treating lesbian patients.
Lesbian Women's Experiences with Health Care: A Qualitative Study was based on the detailed histories of 128 lesbian women living in Norway.   The study found that although the social situation for gay, lesbian and bisexual people has improved over recent decades, lesbian women still face unique challenges when seeking healthcare services. Lesbian women as a group may suffer from certain health complaints in a different way than do exclusively heterosexual women or the general female population, probably due to the effects of marginalisation, explains Mari Bjorkman, MD, general practitioner. Examples are mental problems such as anxiety disorders and depression.
This study demonstrated the negative and positive consequences of healthcare professionals awareness of the existence of lesbian women among their patients, the impact of healthcare professional attitudes towards homosexuality, and how lack of possession of adequate medical knowledge affects the treatment lesbian patients receive,continues Bjorkman.
The study provided details both good and bad of lesbian womens experiences with their doctors.  While some praised their GPs for open attitudes and understanding, others reported that their doctors seemed to think that being lesbian equals being depressed, or that the lesbian orientation was the cause of all illnesses and complaints.
Other lesbian patients provided worrying examples of lack of medical knowledge:  one doctor wrongly informed the lesbian patient that screening for cervical cancer was not necessary for lesbians, and another doctor seemed unaware that STDs could be passed between lesbian partners.  Yet another group of participants had been told that the lesbian orientation was merely a phase when young and that they would eventually become heterosexual.
Nevertheless, other histories demonstrated excellent knowledge of the specific health concerns of lesbian women among their healthcare professionals.
“The study concluded that doctors should be informed about the implications of heteronormativity and be attentive to the significance and vulnerability of disclosure,explains co-author Kirsti Malterud, MD PhD. 
“It is good practice to use gender-neutral language and meet new patients with an open mind towards the question of sexual orientation. Medical knowledge about lesbian women should include gynaecological and sexual health issues, but – above all – the effects of marginalisation on health, well-being and identity, Bjorkman adds.
“Norway is historically more liberal than many other countries and it is likely that lesbian womens experiences in other western countries around the world would be on a par – or even slightly more negative – than those of the women questioned in our study,concludes Bjorkman.
For further information and/or a PDF of the article from the Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, please contact:  kirstin.stocker@informa.com