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Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever. (March 19, 2010)

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

eBay, hipsters, the sting of reality show rejection, and the thrill of being number one on the AfterEllen.com Top 50 Lesbian/Bi Characters Poll – all of these topics and more were Tweeted about by queer women (or, in one case, a woman who plays a queer woman) in entertainment this week.

If you come across tweets that you think we should feature in “Tweets of the Week” or if you find (verified) Twitter accounts for out lesbian/bi women in entertainment who you think we should follow, please send us that info at [email protected].

GAY CELEBS RALLY AROUND CONSTANCE MCMILLEN

Rally Round the Flag Syndrome is a theory political scientists use to explain the upsurge of support and affection citizens feel when their native countries come under attack. It’s a remarkable, powerful social phenomenon, and one I’m sure the Itawamba County School District didn’t count on when they drove their tanks into the nation of Queer and shut down Constance McMillen’s prom.

We’re all familiar with the story by now: Lesbian student wants to wear lesbian tux and take lesbian date to high school prom. Despite decades-old tradition of straight girls going to prom and Katy Perry-ing all over each other like cherry chapstick, school officials tell lesbian student that she and her girlfriend can only go to prom if they: a) go separately, b) wear dresses and c) don’t slow dance because that “pushes people’s buttons.”

The gay community rightfully interpreted Itawamba County’s actions as an attack. The outpouring of support – including a Facebook group called “Let Constance Take Her Girlfriend to Prom!” and dozens of offers by advocacy groups to host a prom in Itawamba County – has been remarkable. And gay celebs have begun Rallying Round the Pride Flag as well.

On her show last weekend, Wanda Sykes invited Constance and her girlfriend to attend the GLAAD awards, while gossip bloggger Perez Hilton invited Constance and her girlfriend to his birthday party in Los Angeles, promising to treat her like a prom queen for the day.

Tomorrow, Constance will appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Ellen has been Tweeting her support since the day the story broke. She posted a message about it on her show’s website:

This proms story breaks my heart: A school in Mississippi just canceled their prom because one of their gay students wanted to bring her girlfriend. That makes me sad. Prom should be for everyone, and schools should be teaching acceptance rather than intolerance. I hope these administrators will learn how their decision has hurt not just the student and her girlfriend, but all of the students at the school who simply want to enjoy their prom. Let’s work together to make this a world full of kindness and compassion so that no one is punished for loving another person.

Super chef Cat Cora released a statement pledging to take action in support of Constance, offering to make a personal appearance at the prom:

I was that girl from Mississippi one time. I hate seeing things that reinforce negative attitudes about Mississippi like this. This is the 21st century. This is a time for us to unite and support each other. This isn’t just for [McMillen’s] civil rights. This is for all Americans’ civil rights, whether they know it or not.

Zac Posen’s diffusion collection for Target even features prom tuxes for ladies this year. It’s unlikely that the collection was inspired by the Itawamba County controversy like Posen is suggesting, but his sentiment is in the right place: “It’s a kick-ass girl who can wear a tuxedo to prom! Don’t be afraid of drama.”

Constance McMillen doesn’t seem to be afraid of the drama at all. Of course, being courted by every gay celebrity in the country probably doesn’t hurt.

What do you think the outpouring of celebrity support for Constance?

– by Heather Hogan

WORKING THE POLL: WHAT TYPE OF MOVIE SHOULD ANGELINA JOLIE AND SARAH SILVERMAN MAKE TOGETHER?

Lesbian/bi favorite Angelina Jolie recently told the NY Post that she’d love to work with comic Sarah Silverman, who responded by saying, “I always thought of her as Officer Tig [on The Sarah Silverman Program], like a lesbian police woman.”

Will Jolie actually end up as butch cop on Silverman’s show? Will Silverman strap on her lesbian mullet wig again while in hot pursuit of her? We can only hope. But why stop there? In a perfect world, we’d like to see them together on the big screen. What kind of movie would you cast them in?

<a href=”http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2922457/”>What kind of film should Angelina Jolie and Sarah Silverman co-star in?</a><span style=”font-size:9px;”><a href=”http://answers.polldaddy.com”>opinion</a></span>

In our poll last week, we asked which new show featuring lesbian/bi characters or stars you were most looking forward to, and you voted overwhelmingly in favor of the rumored-to-be steamy BBC show Lip Service. Yep, you still have an L Word-shaped hole in your collective heart.

– by Karman Kregloe

LESBIAN VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK!

Our blog editor Trish Bendix attended South By Southwest Interactive in Austin where she participated in a panel (“Engaging the Queer Community”), made new friends, hosted an AfterEllen.com meet-up at Oil Can Harry’s, and weighed in on the popularity (and importance) of the lesbian web series. Yes, she was a little busy.

Check out Trish’s interview with Corvida Raven of SheGeeks.Net:

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Showtime’s The Real L Word will debut on Sunday, June 20 at 10 p.m., and, yes, badmachine will be recapping it for us. You’re welcome!

Out musician Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney has successfully transitioned into a music writer and now actress since the band’s demise. But she is finally returning to music in a new band that includes her old SK bandmate Janet Weiss. Although she doesn’t give much more detail on the new outfit, she does say that she could see a new album come out from Sleater-Kinney in “the next five years.”

The sci-fi film Earthling (not to be confused with the initial genius name of The L Word) made its debut at SXSW and features a lesbian student named Abby who hooks up with her teacher, Jude, and also attempts to “impregnate” one of her peers with an “alien slug baby.” io9 has a full review with clips.

Season Three of Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show premieres April 13.

At a recent press junket for The Runaways, our own Dara Nai asked Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and writer-director Floria Sigismondi some “loaded questions.”

AfterEllen.com reader Robin gave us a heads up about a new TV show in South Africa called “The Mating Game,” which airs on SABC 2 and features a lesbian character played by well-known South African soap star Elma Postma. (Check out our article about lesbian characters on South African TV written by Sarah Warn last year.)

Comedian Bridget McManus talked to Kathy Griffin, Meredith Baxter and other celebs at the Human Rights Campaign Annual Awards Gala in Los Angeles. This year,the HRC honored Portia de Rossi with the HRC Visibility Award and Griffin with the Ally for Equality Award. Watch Bridget work the red carpet (and ask Kathy Griffin about making out with Mariska Hargitay) here.

GLAAD hosted their 21st annual Media Awards this weekend, and we want to give hearty congratulations and hugs to our brother site AfterElton.com for bringing home another trophy. Brent Hartinger won the Best Digital Journalism prize for his article “Why Can’t You Just Butch Up? Gay Men, Effeminacy, and Our War with Ourselves.” Other GLAAD winners included Cynthia Nixon, who was given the Vito Russo Award, and Joy Behar, who won the Excellence in Media Award. Greg Rucka won Outstanding Comic book for his work with Batwoman in Detective Comics. The Rachel Maddow Show won Outstanding TV Journalism. Oprah claimed the Outstanding Talk Show prize for her special television event, “Ellen DeGeneres and Her Wife, Portia de Rossi”.

You can watch the video of Logo’s Adam Abernathy red carpet interviews with Sarah Paulson, Cynthia Nixon and other celebs.

Heather Cassils, who plays the prison inmate who locks lips with Lady Gaga in the video for “Telephone,” talked to Out about the experience and her work as an artist and body sculptor.

Portia de Rossi grades new judge (and her wife) Ellen on American Idol, and admits that she has become the show’s biggest fan and a regular live audience member.

Lilith Fair has set its first dates and lineups.

Great LezBritain columnists Sarah and Lee had a chat with iconic humorist Sandi Toksvig about women in comedy, parenting, and her show, The News Quiz.

Leading Ladies, a new film about a ballroom dancer who falls for another woman and the stress it causes in her family, is premiering at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival on May 1.

We recently talked to out singer Sia about covering Madonna, working with Christina and gay marriage. Though her new album, We Are Born, won’t come out until June 7, Sia’s streaming six of her new songs on her website now.

In a new Logo Legacy Campaign video, our founder Sarah Warn talks about what inspired her to create AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com.

Jane Lynch and Ryan Murphy offered some Glee spoilers at PaleyFest in Los Angeles this week, including new info about what’s in store for Rachel, Puck and Cheerios Brittany and Santana.

The Guardian is reporting that E4 has decided to capitalize on monstrous ratings and is picking up Skins for another two seasons. The catch? They’re bringing in another new cast.

And speaking of Skins, AfterEllen.com readers voted Naomi and Emily their favorites in our first annual Top 50 Lesbian/Bi Characters Poll. Check out the full results here – they may surprise you!

Finally, are you coming to Palm Springs for The Dinah this year? If so, please stop by the Hilton (Club Skirts) and pay us a visit! Trish and I will be there, as will some of the other AE writers and vloggers. We’re hosting a special event on Friday (April 2) at 4:30 p.m. on the mainstage, a “So You Think You Can Dance Magic?” contest, judged by Dance Magic members Bridget McManus, Fortune Feimster, and some special celebrity judges.

If you’re not familiar with the notorious Dance Magic, it’s a group of comics dancers that first made its debut on the Logo show Brunch with Bridget. The grand prize winner will dance with Bridget and Fortune on Logo TV, so pack your leotards and start stretching!

We’ll also be hosting an AfterEllen.com meet-up on Saturday, April 3 at noon in the Logo Lounge. On Sunday April 4 at 12:00 p.m. join us again in the Logo Lounge for a table read of Feed creator Mel Robertson‘s script for her new feature film and episodic series, Queens of the World. Stars Nicole Pacent (Anyone But Me), Elizabeth Keener (The L Word), Nikki Caster Meghan Hall and others will perform, and stick around for a Q & A session with the cast immediately following.

That’s it for this week! Got the inside scoop on a hot new lesbian/bi actor/musician/TV show/film? Tell us at [email protected]. Check back next Friday for another edition of Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever.

– by Karman Kregloe

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