Don't you think that once you start making SPECIAL LISTS for each complaining party (ie 10 Hottest WOC List) you diminish the original list and its purpose.  Wasn't the TOP 100 ALL INCLUSIVE.  Everyone got a fair vote.  I don't see many members complainig there are too many AMERICANS on the list.  Or that there was not enough BUTCH's on the list.  Once we segregate, it is difficult to reunite.  I did not vote for someone based on RACE.  I voted for who I admire.  That included different races, sexual orientations, etc...    Every person who had a computer connection in the ENTIRE WORLD was allowed to vote.  The Hot 100 was the result.  Don't diminish it by making up new lists.  Otherwise why have it at all. 

Did Maxium change thier list when some people didn't like the results ? 

If you are going to make a new list ... I would like to see the TOP 10 Non-American Non-Actress List 

One other comment.  Do you think it is easy coming out as gay while living in the BIBLE BELT ?   We all have it difficult and we can ALL be kicked out of the house when we come out.  NO ONE HAS IT EASY .... NO ONE !!!!  Being WHITE does not make you RICH and PRIVILEGED. 

Tristen

It's a hundred question test to decide where you rank in the butch femme scale. It's kinda funny and for me, it was pretty much right on.

here's the link

Thank you so much for bringing up that issue. Please read my comment in the WOC Hot 100 List!

Some of those names on the baby list are great! I hope you and Claudia will make a choice and when you do. Tell us!

Keep representin us Malinda Lo and Sarah Pecora!

HUGZ!

your vlog made me realise all the people I totally forgot when I decided on who to vote for. I guess this whole hot 100/race thing really has a lot to do with the invisibility of WOC, which is sad. I love jennifer lopez, she's so hot, I can't believe I completely forgot about her!! america ferrera is so cute, but she wouldn't have been on my list because I'm not sexually attracted to her. I only had two WOC on my list - Sara Ramirez and Salma Hayek. Next year, I'll definitly consider WOC for my votes. I had a really hard time choosing 10 women though, because there are so many hot women out there!!

http://babydyke.blogspot.com/ - my take on all things lesbian

    It is so awesome that you discussed this topic.  I just finished leaving a comment on the thread listing the top 10 Women Of Color.  There were a few negative comments made that there would even be a list for WOC.  I was so sad to see this response.  I would hope that being a part of a group that is marginalized in the mainstream media (lesbians and women) , that those women could understand the need to uplift another ignored group, women of color. The lack of WOC on the Hot 100 is proof that we are often left out.

    Although you thought this was a serious and depressing vlog it was much needed. I just hope some ladies can listen with an open mind and learn from some of the things said.  Sarah P., girl, you hit the nail on the head with the 3 strikes against you. I have said that for years, but thank God struggle makes you stronger.  I don't take my differnces as a negative, they just make me appreciate every success that much more, because I know how difficult it was for me to get there.  Like Malinda said we don't have to worry about how others see us, what box they choose to put us in, just keep doing what you do. And some of those boxes can be positive, because it helps others in your position see that they can be successful as well.  Since they obviously aren't shown that in the maintream media.  

    It concerns me when I see racism in the lesbian community.  Not to say that the lack of WOC on the Hot 100 list was an example of racism.  That is just a reflection of what the media tells us beauty is.  I do not think it was in any way intentional.  The racism I bring up is the response to the top 10 WOC list.  As I stated in my response to that, would these same women be so angry if it were a list uplifting only lesbians?  The purpose is to give respect and love to talented women who are far too often ignored.  Race is still a big issue in our country as evidenced by the results of the Hot 100 and the responses to the top 10 WOC. 

    I feel blessed that we have a place that we can openly discuss these issues, and prayerfully learn from one another.  Thank you again ladies for addressing this topic.  

I agree that people will automatically assess you and label you as they see fit; and this is annoying. But it's how the world turns. We just realize that their label is pretty much invalid and the only thing that matters is how we see ourselves.

If we were in a perfect world, people would be judged by the content of their character alone; but, we don't and people are going to use all sorts of superficial things to judge who you are.

We just have to embrace that people are more than that. I could see a lesbian black woman, who dresses sporty; and then I realize that she is more than that. I realize that all that put together makes up who she is; but, again, there's so much more. I think we should seek to look beyond all of that (I'm not saying ignore it).

I claim Sarah (and Malinda to be fair) as a beautiful woman. I think that's a valid category.

(Korean women are HOT)

As I understand it, the list was compiled by each AE viewer choosing their own top 10 hot women. AE put all these lists together and picked the top 100.

America is about 70% white. So to be fair, the top 100 list should have had about 30 women of color. I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect this list to be right on, so I think 18 is pretty close.  Otherwise, what would be a fair number and how do you determine when there is enough representatoin?

I think Sarah (Warn) made a comment that the list didn't include more WOC because WOC aren't as visible in the entertainment industry. The majority of people are going to vote for those they are more exposed to. Kinda makes sense.

Basically, it's not AE's fault or the viewer's fault, it's society's fault.

I think someone said that the Maxim list had more women of color. Their list was not left up to the viewers. I'm sure their was someone in the editors ear telling him he had to add more WOC so Maxim viewers wouldn't be having this same argument.

i think the sombre tones of your background (and clothing) reflected the tone of the vlog.

it is bad that only 18 WOC made the list and it is surprising that women such as tyra banks, queen latifah, michelle yeoh (i liked sarah's grin), margaret cho and parminder nagra didn't make the list.

i'm not sure writing new sub-lists is perhaps the best solution, but at the same time exposeure given to WOC on these new lists can be seen in positive light. come hot 100 2009, perhaps we voters will search more widely for the women we choose, for our own definition(s) of 'hot', when women of colour as well as women from other countries, etc are brought to our attention. as a euro-girl, i agree with tristen: i would be interested in seeing a non-american and non-actress list.

afterellen is (i think) very good at presenting a  diverse range of what being a lesbian or bi woman can be in terms of colour, age, interests and i'm pleased to see that there will be a new blog on sport and fitness. maybe - hopefully - AE can be a driving force in what sarah said about changing the views of society as a whole. (i'm an idealist...)

i loved the labels discussion too. always a topic with my friends. i thought malinda's comments about identifying yourself as something and owning that identity but that outside labels can also considered positive, i.e. you are a role model, were sooo insightful!

great vlog as ever!

:-)

I voted for an ethnically diverse group of women.  I like diversity.

:-)

Hot 100: I just wrote down who I thought was hot, without thinking about it. Two out of 10 were WOC. Should it have been 5 out of 10? That would seem a bit strange to me.

Yes, it probably has to do with visibility. It also has to do with the demographic of the voters.

It makes me wonder whether you can really expect everyone to be attracted to people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds equally.  

Internet dating: I flew to England for a girl once. It was so worth it.

- - - - - - - - - -

-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

Who doesn't blog these days?

Thanks for touching on some every emotional, yet worthy topics. To add to what Sarah said, about the lack of privileges for minorities, there is also the religious component that makes it more difficult for our parents to accept or have an open mined towards homosexuality. They have to reconcile with the fact that their child already has this “disability,” plus their religion, which the one constant thing that people without privileges seem to always have access to.

I was born in Jamaica, where we have the most church per square miles and it plays a huge rule in our up bringing. What I find still find interesting to this day is, whenever the subject of homosexuality comes up, it is rejected outright without any offer of a plausible reasoning other than “the bible say it’s a SIN.” My mother still refuses to engage in any meaningful dialogue on the subject. The best I can get out of her is, “well if any my children are gay, just don’t bring it around me.” And if you try to get her to add anything to either of the above quoted statements, or to listen to any information that might be educational or informative on the subject, she only repeats those statements in a loud voice, which means she done taking. It is the saddest thing to witness. Sometimes, I have no choice but to forgive her, because I know a large part of it is her fear. The idea that someone she created and loves, will become a target of ridicule and cruelty in this world is too much for her to handle.

Malinda Lo I don't know ?!?,how are you not in the 100?. Well, for me you are.

Sarah you will be a Mother. You realy will start thinking about your Mother, a lot. buy a phone card.

I didn't actually vote for the Hot List, since I wasn't really an active member on the site at the time, and I have a hideous memory. See, right now I would put Nicole Piña and Sara Ramírez as my top choices, because due to race being a topic of interest on AE, their names have been mentioned more. However, on another day, perhaps I've done a Gossip Girl marathon or something tragic like that, I might be like "Yum yum Blake Lively and Leighton Meester together on a toasty sandwich." I haven't consciously chosen people because of their race, it just happens to be coincidence that I've heard about them most recently if I was voting.

I don't know. I hardly watch any television, so I wouldn't know who is under-represented or not.

Thank you both for addressing and discussing labels and race issues. Your comments and those of fellow readers have been enlightening and educational, and are most timely. Looking forward to the SF meet up. You ladies rock!

I was disappointed at the Americaness and whiteness of the top 100 women but then I realised most lesbians who voted are probably part of these 2 groups. (I voted for Parminder Nagra, Shelley Conn and other divine creatures...).

I don't know if it harder for women of colour to come out or not within a North American context. I can only speak for myself and my friends.

I am Canadian (black Jewish and Asian Jewish). But since the most recent immigrants in my family were 5th generations ago (from India) we are pretty much Canadians. When I came out (at 13, more than 20 years ago); my family threw me a party to make sure I had a bagfull of positive attitude to counter all the negativity I would encounter.

My best friend at the time was white and Catholic and his parents put him in foster care when he came out.

Frankly I find being gay was the least of my "differences". I find I gravitate towards other brown-skinned women who feel the same. From my partner to my closest friends, we are a motley crew of women of colour, from Canada, Vietnam, India, Morroco, Jamaica and Haiti whose families are very progressive, except for one exception (the Jamaican one).

But I do realise we live in Canada; where it is easier to be gay than in the USA.

Please keep on doing great vlogs like this one; I feel AfterEllen sometimes is way to "People Magazine for Lesbians" and I do like a little more brains mixed in with my pop culture fix.

On a frivolous note: Malinda and Sarah P. are scorching hot!

Hugs and chocolate for Sarah and Malinda! Whew! Intense. And might I also mention Grace Park (#90 on the Hot 100)? Just because I'm shallow and Grace Park's hotness makes me smile.

I might be wrong, but I think part of the problem with diversity on the list was being limited to 10 choices. It was hard to narrow it down to 10 names! Last year, we could name as many as we liked so it was easier to be inclusive. Which... is totally the point you're making. I think. "OK, I'll name all the hot women of colour I can think of, but only after I've named all the hot white women I can think of." Eek! I think Sarah Warn is probably right when she says it has a lot to do with exposure.

Boy, I wanted Moon Bloodgood on my list, but I couldn't kick Lucy Lawless off. And in the battle of coolest name ever, which would win?

And I see that she's been on Maxim's list 3 times. Oh no! And I also see that she appears to be in Terminator 4. Oh boy. I always thought that she had some sort of Native American background, but apparently it's Korean, Irish and Dutch.

As for me, I sort of flippantly refer to my background as Europeasant (totally white). As many have said above, awareness is the key and I appreciate everyone shining lights on issues and "stuff". I think we all have our own particular lenses and worldviews and getting to crack them a bit wider is a good thing.

And thank you Sarah and Malinda for being interesting and entertaining. And for being geeks. ;) Froley?! Awesome!

I didn't get Froley from LOTR but from Children of Men. I  know almost absolutely nothing about LOTR other then it was written by man with the last name of Tolken (sp?) and that the trees fight back.

I was trying to be funny and I didn't succeed. Oh well.....

Is it too early?!? You allow us to not only enjoy with our eyes, ears, and mouth, but especially with what I believe is the sexiest part of the female body - our brains!!

Thank you!

And thanks for addressing my topic suggestion - and with respect to your comments re being categorized,  I think the problem is when they start categorizing your work as asian-american lesbian writing
just like they have been refering to marriage between same-sex couples as "gay marriage" - thats ridiculous!!

18% POC - i think we all probably unconciously perpetuate the issue by not specifically making more of an effort to put forward more information/discussion/comments/awareness of POCs. I didn't contribute to the list in the first place - because I never really have subscribed to the whole commercialization and bias in what is defined as "physical beauty" or even "sexiness" in women. It always ends up being what the biased majority thinks is beautiful. Want to really get angry, look at all the "worlds most beautiful" lists they publish in People magazine!! Really, in the whole world?!?!?

I think the onus is on people like us to, even on topics of such seeming shallowness, contribute those that are easily overlooked by the so-called masses. Perhaps have the regular "hot 100" list, and then have a hot 30 or something for each ethnic group? Of course, there, you're opening up that whole categorization issue - you may incorrectly categorize someone. Where do you put someone who is biracial, for example?!?!

I like that at least there was an additional blog this morning from Trish Bendix that focused on women of color (I made sure to comment on that one, much as it "pained" me to do)!! For now, we'll just use platforms such as yours, and those to highlight these other wonderful women who are unfortunately ignored A LOT.

Hey, with blogs like yours to bring us more POC coverage, awareness and discussion, we're at least on the road...and I appreciate Sarah Warn's efforts to continually add more diversity to the site.

This was an absolutely essential topic, and I'm so glad you didn't back down from discussing it!

Love never loses its way home. Remember...its about the journey, not the destination