Love Me If You Dare (A Tragik Film) [*****]

New Lesbian Short Film: Sara [****]

It's premiering today (now) on Autostraddle.

The LNF Show Having Another Casting Call

Casting call for The Lovers and Friends Show this Sunday Jan 23rd!Looking to fill various roles. These roles are non paid but great for experience.

Isabella - sexy, mischevious feminine lesbian Latina in her late 20's. She's spoiled, devious and always gets what she wants (must speak Spanish) 

Trent - Muscular gay male in his late 20's early 30's. Dominant, aggressive, and abusive. (any ethnicity) 

Michelle - sweet feminine lesbian in her 20's. Very stylish, artistic and business minded (black or hispanic) 

Carina - vibrant hispanic heterosexual woman in her 50's. Former drug addict.

Man - forceful, arrogant, in his thirties (hispanic)

Please email us at info@theloversnfriendsshow.com for more info!

Lady Tragik

I was clicking my way through GO! Magazine's "100 Women We Love Class of 2010" and ran across San Francisco-based, former spoken-word artist Lady Tragik. She seemed coo', so I delved deeper. And I soon discovered that she is indeed coo'. Most importantly, she's a creative with great taste in music who makes music (among a lot of other things). I thought I'd share. Check her out! There's sure to be plenty of lomography and electronica involved. She kinda makes me want to buy some American Apparel... I don't know how I feel about that...

Are You a Monster Girl? A Loud and Inappropriate Woman Wants to Know.

Jessa Crispin

NPR.org

Erika Lopez could not have known she was releasing her raucous, racy and hilarious breakthrough novel Flaming Iguanas at the end of an era. It was 1998, and despite the 1990s being a decade of riot grrls and Manic Panic, a time when girls had rock goddesses like PJ Harvey, Sleater Kinney, Hole and Bikini Kill to emulate rather than rock gods to fawn over, it was all about to disappear.

Post-pubescent pop stars took over, the 'zine culture died off and Courtney Love became plastic surgery roadkill. Suddenly, Lopez — a performance artist and cartoonist as well as novelist — was out of fashion, her spunky, prickly, foul-mouthed writing style and tales of booze, men (and women) and motorcycles did not fit in with the current milieu of pre-packaged stardom and yoga spirituality.

"One must dare to be alienated and cast aside."

"'Erika Lopez is an American original!.... Lopez won't have to worry about food stamps in the future!'" read one Flaming Iguanas review. Twelve years later, in her new The Girl Must Die: A Monster Girl Memoir, Lopez responds: "Well, not only do I have to worry about food stamps again, I just had to go and add welfare. Welfare."

The Girl Must Die delves into Lopez's vivid personal history: her abduction by her father during a custody dispute; her upbring by a radical feminist mother who took up with women after her marriage failed; the prostitutes and bad influences who were her childhood companions. But, ultimately, the book is more manifesto than memoir. Lopez is longing for another cultural shift, for our entire society to go through a rite of passage. "The girl must die," she tells us, so that the woman can live.

She relates her own sense of failure — her hitting-bottom moment came while waiting in line for social services, wearing the shoes of a friend who had killed herself — to a society that rewards greed and brought itself to economic collapse. Lopez credits her own creative resuscitation to founding a community — Monster Girl Media, which published this book — of artists, filmmakers and writers who collaborate and promote each others' work. She wants the culture that is currently in love with girlishness, Brazilians and Barbie blondes like Paris Hilton, to rediscover the loud, inappropriate woman. And Lopez is certainly loud and inappropriate.

The Girl Must Die is heavily illustrated with Lopez's artwork, mixing graffiti, tattoo and comic-book styles with wild abandon. Her writing is a similar amalgam of breathless tirade, stream of consciousness, aphorism and traditional autobiographical narrative. The result is a call to arms. "Do whatever it takes to finally grow up and have a full slice of pie, because we need you and all that you know." She wants to rally the monster that lives in every girl and bring back the gritty, guitar- and gun-slinging women who disappeared after the 1990s. I'm a Monster Girl. Are you?

Read an excerpt here.

Habla Ya

I thought this was a great concept. Habla Ya is an HBO series that is pretty much Latinos talking about their experiences. It's sometimes hilarious and makes me wish I hadn't allowed myself to forget so much of my Spanish. I wonder what a Black version of this show would look like, and would it be successful in showing how diverse of a race we are and how many cultures we encompass (specifically in America)? Anyway...

10 LGBT Teen Novels That Address Bullying and Suicide

Atlanta based writer Collin Kelley compiled a list of 10 LGBTQ teen novels that involve bullying and suicide, and has posted them on Autostraddle. One thing I love about Autostraddle is that they make it a point to not be obnoxiously Eurocentric. Kuddos to them! Here are some of the books they suggest:

Down to the Bone 

by Mayra Lazara Dole

 

A Cuban-American girl in a Catholic school is expelled and abandoned by her mother after they discover she is a lesbian.

A Scout is Brave

by Greg Novak

A Native American is bullied at a Boy Scout summer camp as he faces his own sexuality and the traditions of his family.

Finlater

by Shawn Stewart Ruff

A book for older teens and adults, this story of a young Black American teen and his Jewish boyfriend in 1969 is sexually frank and shows that bigotry and bullying roots are deep.

Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws

by Kate Bornstein

The celebrated transgender writer offers up suggestions from the witty to the controversial, but all with one simple message: “Don’t be mean.”

The National Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans Suicide Hotline:  

1-866-4-U-TREVOR

Vote Gay: Colorado

Lucia Guzman

Candidate for Colorado State Senator, District 34

As a pastor and as a public servant, Lucía Guzmán knows how to listen. Whether she’s talking to families about Denver’s education needs or discussing issues with one of her congregations, Lucía’s ability to communicate with the people she represents indicates the effectiveness with which she will represent her constituents as a member of the Colorado State Senate.

Born to farm workers, Lucía knows the value of a good education and has received master’s degrees in divinity as well as health and behavioral sciences. She has served in several leadership roles pertaining to education, including two terms on the Denver School Board. During her time on the school board, Lucía successfully fought to establish Ana Maria Sandoval – the district’s only dual language Montessori program – as well as the first K-8 school in northwest Denver.

Lucía is a staunch advocate for revitalizing Colorado’s public education system.

For more info on LGBTQ candidates running in Colorado, please visit the Victory Fund.

Vote Gay: Texas

Rosa Gonzalez

Candidate for 436th Judicial District Court Judge, Bexar County

Rosa Gonzalez knows the system and she knows the law. She has real life experience working on solutions and projects to improve the lives of many. With your help, her life experience can play an integral part in ensuring that her community is safe, that children in the juvenile system have an opportunity at rehabilitation and that restitution is afforded to victims within the Juvenile Courts system.

Rosa wants to make sure that families and children that come before her court have a voice.

She attended St. Mary's University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and later her law degree. For most of her adult life, she has worked diligently for the betterment of families and children.

For more info on LGBTQ candidates running in Texas, please visit the Victory Fund.

I Heart Stephen Colbert

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Fear for All Pt. 1
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Fear for All Pt. 2
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive

Spanish Girls are Beautiful by John Accardo

'Spanish Girls Are Beautiful' brings the hazy world of women and weed into sharp focus, with the intersection of urban and suburban New York serving as a backdrop to the story of Taylor and Jayla.

An all female ensemble cast throws down a real picture of two would-be lovers living in totally different worlds. Can love cross the county lines that divides the 'hood from the 'burbs?

The director @ogfunkbandit (tweet her!) is trying to make this into a series.

Spanish Girls Are Beautiful from John Accardo on Vimeo.

Know Your Herstory: Ana Mendieta

Ana Mendieta (18 November 1948 – 8 September 1985) was a Cuban-American artist famous for her performance art and “earth-body” sculptural, photographic, and video work.

Much of Mendieta’s work may be considered strongly feminist by some; it is in essence autobiographical. One theme in her early performance art was violence against the female body. Later Mendieta focused on a spiritual and physical connection with the land, most particularly in her Silueta pieces, which typically involved carving her imprint into sand or mud, making body prints or painting her outline or silhouette onto a wall. In 1983 she won the Prix de Rome and took up residence in Rome, Italy. During the last 2 years of her life she started creating “objects”, mostly permanent sculptures and drawings, it was her intention to retain the connection with nature via the vibrations of the natural elements she continued to use in the works.

Rita Indiana "El Juidero"

Rita Indiana is a lot of things. Former model, screenwriter, novelist and musician. And after hearing a song from her debut album, I immediately knew she needs to be in my iTunes. Rita blends pop, merengue, reggae and hip-hop, and in true Latin music fashion, it makes you want to dance the night away even if you can't dance to save your life (and know it). I dig it.

Rita Indiana y los Misterios - El Juidero

South Florida casting for The LNF Show

Now casting for The Lovers and Friends Show in South Florida, please contact info@theloversnfriendsshow.com for more information! 

Now accepting inquiries for crew positions!

Also searching for New Music! Contact us at info@theloversnfriendsshow.com!

Don't forget to visit our new website www.theloversnfriendsshow.com

Help The Lovers and Friends Show is gettting ready to shoot season 4.  If you would like to help please consider donating.

 

PLEDGE 25 OR MORE

An autographed DVD of season 3!

PLEDGE 55 OR MORE

Autographed dvds of seasons 1, 2, and 3

Please click here to donate!

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PJFLWHF47YQP6

Visit The Lovers and Friends Show at: http://loversnfriendsshow.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Teen Suicides and the Gap We All Experience

It seems that in the wake of bullying-awareness in general (which didn’t become a nation-wide issue until Phoebe Prince), LGBTQ teens are finally getting more visible support. And though a television broadcast will not comfort teens when they’re in their school corridors, hopefully it will force those with the power to be a good Samaritan to be just that. Nevertheless, too many names are being left out of the discussion. When supportive people list a few names of those whose lives we’ve lost, what color are nearly all the faces?

Carl Walker-Hoover

I have a few names that I’d like to mention and remember. People of color who cater to their own communities have long been seen as self-segregators, unpatriotic and hatemongers (i.e., Arizona). I’m not listing these names because I don’t value the lives of my white brothers and sisters. I list these names because the media does not value the lives of my colored brothers and sisters. One of my favorite quotes of all time is “we stand for what we stand for, not what we stand against.” This blog exists to fill a gap. Not segregate. And I will continue to fill that gap until latino, black, native, arab and asian faces are universal, too. Unfortunately, these are all that I could find in terms of teenagers. I'll continue to update and expand this list. I ask those of you who know names of others (INCLUDING WOMEN AND TRANS FOLK!) we’ve lost to please share.

Carl Walker-Hoover http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7366805

Raymond Chase

Aiyisha Hassan http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=5654

And I’m not saying that people who fail to address these victims are doing it intentionally or because they are prejudiced. But what I am saying is that the media holds a lot of power. And the power of omission is a bitch. Just imagine if all the major news networks neglected to report on the Haiti earthquake. Now take the dozens (maybe hundreds) of LGBTQ teens lost to suicide this year, and consider how the major news networks primarily report on white deaths. Teens of all colors are looking for a sign. They can find the story when we’re criminals/suspected criminals, can’t they?


Do the iReport Challenge:

If you support the mission to end anti-LGBT bullying around the world, do one or more of the following:
- Put on purple, take a photo or video of yourself and upload it to iReport
- Change your Twitter profile or Facebook page to purple
- Tweet: I’m wearing purple to end anti-LGBT bullying. #spiritday #BeAHero
- Record a video for the “It Gets Better” YouTube project (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the latest to join the campaign. See also Barack Obama)

The National Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans Suicide Hotline:  

1-866-4-U-TREVOR

No Man's Land: The Women of Mexico

I thought this video was interesting and touching. It's about how gender roles shifted in a small, rural Mexican community because 80% of the men there leave for the United States, and often cannot return. And though watching their sons/husbands/brothers leave rips these women to pieces, it also empowers them.


No Man's Land: The Women of Mexico from Dana Romanoff on Vimeo.

Tomboy by Barb Taylor

Tomboy from Barb Taylor on Vimeo.

Alex a 9 year old girl fights bullying and gender stereotypes. I was the director and producer. This film is based on a book by Karleen Pendleton Jiménez who worked closely with me on the video. We won Best Animation at Orlando Hispanic Film Festival, Best Web Animation at Savannah Animation Festival, CBC Canadian Reflections Award among others.

Other members of the crew include Wendy Parkin - Animation Supervisor and Co-Director, Tony Tarantini - Layout Supervisor, Alejandra Nuñez - Music, Eduardo Gonzalez - sound.

Precious Knowledge

Arizona's legislation wasn't met with enough outrage (in my opinion), and it still scares me what they were able to accomplish. Anyway, this deserves/needs our attention/support:

Precious Knowledge Trailer from Ari Palos on Vimeo.

Spread the word!

Know Your Herstory: Chavela Vargas

Chavela Vargas (Isabel Vargas Lizano, 1919- ) is a Costa Rican born musician known for her passionate love songs. And history points out that Chavela is a romantic herself: she once jumped out of a window out of disappointment behind a woman she loved and has a limp to show for it ever since. When she was fourteen, she made her way to Mexico where she sung in the streets. She began her professional career singing ranchera music in the mid-1950's. And in her adulthood, Chavela cross-dressed and smoked cigars and was not secretive of her love for women. However, it wasn't until the year 2000 that this beloved musician declared in Spain's El Pais, "I’ve had to fight to be myself and to be respected. I'm proud to carry this stigma and call myself a lesbian. I don't boast about it or broadcast it, but I don't deny it. I've had to confront society and the Church, which says that homosexuals are damned. That's absurd. How can someone who's born like this be judged? [...] I didn't attend lesbian classes. No one taught me to be this way. I was born this way, from the moment I opened my eyes in this world. I've never been to bed with a man. Never. That's how pure I am; I have nothing to be ashamed of. My gods made me the way I am."

Chavela Vargas was no stranger to influential figures in Mexico, either. Her most famous relationship was with Frida Kahlo. In fact, she appeared in Frida, starring Selma Hayek, singing La Llorona.



I think the most beautiful thing for me about Chavela is that she was so open in her day and age, and was beloved by Mexico regardless, even if she did play into the masculine-feminine dichotomy. In her performances, she dressed like a man and openly seduced women in the audience. Even when she began recording music in the early 60's, her album covers reflected her masculine aesthetic. In the 70's, she was forced into semi-retirement due to alcoholism, and didn't make a comeback until 1991, when Pedro Almodovar asked her to record a song for one of his films. Today, Chavela resides in Veracruz, Mexico.

The LNF Show is having auditions!

Do you live in the South Florida area and would like to be apart of Lovers & Friends? They are holding auditions tomorrow Sunday Sept 26th. Please inbox them if interested!

Visit The Lovers and Friends Show at: http://loversnfriendsshow.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network