Send our captain off with a smile, some great goodbyes for Sarah

We'll miss you!

:)

Enjoy some quality time with Lori and keep us posted on your new projects. Above all, enjoy life and everything and everyone wonderful in your life (most of us :)

Toast to you, Sarah! Now sipping some fine Okanagan red wine ...

Nash

www.brokenbarrel.ca

So i couldn't think of a proper farewell song and it may seem a bit dramatic, but I'm pretty sure you won't mind.  We'll miss you! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfoZLwhp--M

All thanks to her for creating a wonderful, fantastic, brilliant, [insert further synonyms for 'ridiculously good' here] site that has entertained us all for years. Even those of us who really, really, really, really shouldn't be here, but find the site too well written and interesting to turn away from.

(I couldn't think of any goodbye scenes or songs other than the ending of Easy Virtue, which I doubt would be appropriate, sorry.)

Been here since the very beginning, before the name change to AfterEllen and it's been a really cool place to hang. In fact, it's been THE place to hang for me over the years. This site has grown so much over the years and it's become such a huge community with amazing content. So for that, my sincerest of thank yous and a tip of the hat to ya, Sarah!

Thank you for the amazing content, for creating the site and keeping it alive, for being so resiliant and for giving us a place to share the happy/sad/frustrating moments of lesbians in media. And you know, for letting us bitch and moan about stuff without losing your ever lovin' mind, cause honestly, I think I would have, have I had your schedule and work load :D

Hope you'll still hang here every once in a while and comment. Heart ya! 

I'm not very good at expressing myself, but here's a message for you: Thank you, Sarah! Good luck, have fun and never ever leave us for good!

(I'll edit this if I find a good song or something :)

And thank you for the awesome that is AfterEllen. I'd never have made it through college without it. And on that note...

If I could find it... I would post the send off scene from "28 Days" Cause it is hilarious. <3

________________

"C'mere and gimme a cuddle."

Thank you for all that you´ve done over the years. This site is the first and last thing I check every day. Thank you for giving me a place to accept and embrace my gay self:)

You are truly my hero!

Sending you of with this and wishing you all the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTmbqESNnWw

This website is such an outlet for questioning and closeted members of the LGBT community, as well as the out and proud. It's certainly helped me accept myself over the few years that I've been reading. Thank you, Sarah. Wishing you all the best :-D

"Change your ways while you're young"

I have been a reader of afterellen since about 2005 when i was forst realizing that i was a lesbian in high school. Afterellen was a place where i could come and read these articles about things a cared about.  I remember feeling that my own opinions i could not voice were witten within this website. and god i laughed so much at some of the stuff on this website.  Being here through the rise of the vlogs watching every single one every week (when there were about 3 haha.) it was what i looked forward to every day reading the new articles and feeling like there was a place for me and that there really were other people like me out in the world. thank you so much for everything you've done. you really have helped me discover who i really am. thank you. thank you. thank you. i dont know what i would have done without this website helping me when i was young.

Forever Thankful,

Marta

Thank you Sarah for your dedication...and the amazing community you have formed.

live - love - laugh~

I have been a member of this site for almost 7 years, and can remember it from when it was just starting out. I know Sarah has been the driving force behind the evolution of this little site that at first wrote just a few articles including one about this little lesbian show called "Earthlings" (later to be named "The L Word"). This site, and Sarah's work on it have been a great resource for me over the years and I am truly sad to see Sarah go, but I am sure she is moving on to bigger and better things and can rest easy knowing she has left quite a legacy behind her. She has truly been an inspiration to me and to many others, and I have a feeling will continue to be one for lesbians/bisexuals (and others) around the world.

and thank you. you've done a good thing. 

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You can complain because roses have thorns,  or you can rejoice because thorns have roses

I think this scene from "To Sir With Love" with Lulu's song just is the best song ever made for goodbyes to someone who made a huge impact in your life.

In essence how can you thank someone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukONzCkxLkk&NR=1

I can never thank you enough Sarah for creating such a wonderful place for us. You have not only created a website, but a community. A community that has fostered a sense of belonging.This community has helped many people (including me) accept their sexualities.

 Labels are for clothes, not for people!

Sarah,

In honour of your passing into the realm of post-editor-in-chiefdom, I dedicate to you, the most sacred of things, the holiest of holy, my currently most prized possession (which is soon to be gone)...

My morning redbull...

In recognition of the long hours and lack of sleep, I raise my can... (of redbull) to you.

Cheers
Bob

As you head off on your next big adventure, I would send you along with the opening credits from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. 

"Who can turn the world on with her smile... Cause it's you, girl, and you should know it... You're gonna make it after all."  *spin and throw hat in air*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTWF1bDPn0

Sarah,

I don't know if you understand what a diffence you've made. You've brought together a community where we all feel welcome and comfortable. You've gathered great talent. And you've handled the site as a true professional. This is one of only a handful of sites I would feel comfortable with young and questioning youths to visit and feel safe. I volumteer and know how hard it is for LGBT youths to find a a safe place where they can find info, entertainment and just feel that they belong.

Thank you so much,

Alice

As Alice said above, you can't know the difference you have made in so many lives.  In my life, I discovered AE during a painful, confusing time in my life and what started as an amusing distraction became a community of support and sisters.  Like all family, there was probably never a time when everyone agreed, but the mutual affection remained.

Stay in touch and know that you have touched my life in many ways.

Here's my goodbye song for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjb0eIBHVaM

~ June

"Never explain, never complain." - Katherine Hepburn

I-just-want-to-say, reading-after-ellen-and-watching-the-l-word-gave-me-courage. I am out because of your website, Sarah, and-for-that-I'm-eternally-grateful. I'm free. Thank You!

You make me wanna sing fucked up songs all the time...

Honnest, AE is such a big part of my life now, I have to give you a huge thanks!!! You don't know what you've done for my confidence... Thank you=))

Draco dormines nunquam titillandus

Sarah, I dont post often, but I wanted to let you know how much I have come to rely on you and AfterEllen.  You are my lesbian information highway!  You will truly be missed, and I wish many blessings and success towards your future endeavors.  I want to leave you with 2 goodbyes...a song and a short.  Enjoy and get plenty of rest!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GveM_95x56k

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeV17prAzeg

2 Tears in a Bucket...F*#k it!!!

I started reading AE when I was a teenager and I'd be completely lost today without it. It's helped me in so many ways and I've learned a lot from AE. Thanks so much Sarah and I hope you know how many lives you've touched around the world for creating this awesome site for us.

Cheers from Australia!

Thank you so much for your dedication to AfterEllen over the years!  I don't remember when I first ran across the site, but I began reading regularly in Sweden in 2005, and it's still one of my favorite sites back home here in Washington State.  :-)

All the best to you (and Lori) in the future!  I look forward to continuing to read your columns. 

This site was a lifesaver.

"Come On Then Get These Good Done Debbies"

"It's amazing how if you're a gay audience and you're accustomed to crumbs, how you will watch an entire movie just to see somebody wear an outfit that you think means that they are homosexual. The whole movie can be a dud, but you're just sitting there waiting for John Crawford to put on her black cowboy shirt again."

-Susie Bright, The Celluloid Closet

Dear Sarah, thanks for the feast.

With gratitude,

Emily 

This site and the community you built has helped me so much over this past year so thankyou so much Sarah.

Michael J. Fox's last episode of Spin City

But I am really not made for this sentimental stuff...

I start crying seeing the slightest hint of something sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhSBqiLeHmA

Thank you, Sarah!

Ich atme den Beat-
Ich fühle den Bass-
Ich singe das Lied-
mit.

Thank you for all of the hardwork you have put into this site. I am from a very conservative small town in east texas, and I think I can speak for many people when I say AfterEllen has been a godsend. It is the first website I check whenever I log on to the internet, and it is the last one I see before going to sleep. Whenever I have entertainment questions, I know I can browse AE for new movies, music, or books. I love the diversity of toppics and bloggers you have managed to fill the site with, I respect your objective reporting on contraversial toppics, and I am awed by the strong sense of community you have managed to create with such an enormous site.

Again I say thank you for the years of hard work and detecation you have given. You have provided a wonderful survice for the lesbian community, and I hope you continue to find happiness and fulfilment in whatever else you take on.

Thank you very much Sarah for giving us afterellen and for all your hard work over the years. It's greatly appreciated! You'll be missed!

Thank you Sarah!

Best wishes from Germany.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyk5uRtc-EY

This one's from The Golden Girls - one of my favourite shows.

Indeed Sarah - Thank you for being a friend. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiQzUEc_FmI

(I hope this one has decent sound because my speakers at home are shot and I couldn't tell!)

I started reading AfterEllen.com in 2004, after I suddenly and unexpectedly crossed the side for the search of god-knows-what. I really can't remember. But from that day on, I was addicted. With your help, I learned English the right way, I learned about women on TV, women im movies and women in general. I learned so much. And reading your columns and your articles, which were always written in a special funny way, always has been a great pleasure to me. I'm sad to see you go and I can only thank you for your hard work you kept up for so long. Sarah, you created something so wonderful and I think we all here are glad, that you made your idea into something so powerful and amazing. So: Thank you. Really. Thank you.

It's not that big of a farewell, but I worship this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgNA6dIDAjk

I started visiting this site 5 years ago when I was 16 and trying to figure out my sexuality... celebrating lesbianity and bisexuality it was one of the things that helped me through that very confusing time.

so thank you for all your hard work Sarah. best wishes for the future! xxx

  Thank you so much for all the hard work you have put into this cozy corner of the world. 

 "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. Hate me because I'm with your girlfriend." -The Ki

Best of Luck to you Sarah, thanks for the amazing site!  I feel so lame not having an awesome video clip; these women are so creative!

Thank you Sarah. As a formerly closeted catholic school survivor, I seriously needed this site and still visit it daily as an out college student.

Thanks for the memories ;)

Okay, first up, because the effect you have had on this site is nothing short of magical; from the people you've brought together, to the issues you've raised and reported on, to the tears that have been shed, to the fun that's been had, and will continue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g89NxTTycxc

And secondly, because I like a good cry (and this will do it):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsLdnKtFpNg 

...and also because when I've felt down and isolated and confused, this site has made me feel all warm and gooey and connected and hopeful for the future.

So, thanks and best wishes.

Wow, I feel like a loser commenting, because it's not as if we know each other...but I just feel I have to say thank you. I first came here about a year ago and joined a while afterwards. I cannot express how much this website has been instrumental in me coming to terms with who I am - and not only that - being happy to be the person I am. A year ago I was lost, confused, ashamed, in denial, embarrassed, depressed and hopeless, amongst a number of other negative emotions.

I came to this site and saw beautiful women, doing amazing things, but yet also ordinary things, like me - basically, I eventually came to understand that I wasn't alone. I'm the girl in the dress and sometimes heels, the one who's done her hair and make-up, the girl who has boys asking her out, the girl who went to the acclaimed high school and prestigious university...basically a very, very fortunate girl, but a girl living in her own private hell because I was also the girl who, on the unfortunate stereotypical face of things, 'just wasn't gay'.

Anyway, a year on and I am happy to say that a few months ago I came out to my first friend. It was hard and I bawled. Two months ago I told my sister and bawled once again. And finally, just this month, I am so so proud to say that I told my mother. And the best part was that I did it with a smile on my face!

I couldn't have got to where I am so quickly without this website. I am no longer upset, ashamed, sad or wandering aimlessly out there in the darkness. My sexuality means that I love women and I am so glad that I do because you women on this site are truly amazing. Thank you Sarah for what you created. I know many others feel the same way, but for what it's worth, know this for sure: you have immeasurably helped this once desperate girl change her life for the better. And I live on the other side of the world, so I can't imagine what you've done for those closer to home.

Thank you.

So long, Sarah.  This site is just amazing and I'm glad you started it.  Thanks for the awesome years here.  :)

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"Great.  Not only do I feel creepy but now I look like I'm 1,000 and that I've been smoking meth all my life." -Sara Quin