This week, Bridget welcomes Linda Villarosa, out journalist and author of the steamy new novel Passing For Black.

Linda talks with Bridget about her career as a writer, including her days at Essence magazine, when she shocked the readership by coming out in print. She also tells us all about her adventures in motherhood, the biggest fish she ever caught, and who she thinks should play the leads in the cinematic version of her new book. (Here's a hint: It's Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie.)

Finally, Linda teaches Bridget how to fish using a chopstick, which is pretty much just as ridiculous as it sounds.

Buy Passing for Black from Logo or Amazon.com.

Tonight, Logo and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation present The Visible Vote '08, a live forum in which the leading 2008 Democratic presidential candidates will address a range of issues of importance to the LGBT community. And if you don't think that's a big deal, just trust those of us who grew up in the Reagan years: It's a very big deal. As panelist Melissa Etheridge notes, "The fact that these candidates have even agreed to show up to a televised forum on LGBT issues means that we have come a long way."

The event will be brodcast on Logo and VisibleVote08.com at 9:00 p.m. ET tonight. The full program will also be available on Joost on August 20, and on iTunes on August 21.

Meanwhile, over on the Visible Vote '08 website, a host of LGBT folk have been blogging about various election issues. Here are some excerpts of their views and insights.

Julie Goldman (The Big Gay Sketch Show):
I will vote for the candidate who supports gay marriage, as that candidate believes in human rights. That candidate believes civil rights are the foundation of human equality. That is what we are really talking about here. True equality.

I don’t need you to tolerate me or accept me, but my money is just as green as yours, and my love is as valid as anyone else’s — and no one has a right to judge or legislate that. I am tired of begging for what is already mine to own, the right to live as I see fit for myself. READ JULIE'S FULL POST

Linda Villarosa:
Instead of planning our weddings, let’s plan a better world. We’ve fought the good fight, but it’s time to move on and use our vast talents to fight the better fights, the ones that benefit everyone — straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and any and everyone in between. These include ending the war; battling HIV/AIDS with care, prevention and treatment; providing affordable health and child care for everyone; eradicating poverty; reducing the wildly escalating gap between the rich and poor; ending violence and abuse of all kinds, reducing the numbers of guns on the streets; lowering the prison population, healing drug and other addictions; cleaning up the environment; and erasing prejudice of every kind and discrimination against anybody.
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But in the meantime, what about the original question — should lesbians and gays have the right to marry? With the complexities of politics and PR in mind, let’s keep it simple. To the Democratic Presidential candidates who are generously taking part in this groundbreaking Logo/HRC debate, there’s only one answer: “Yes!” READ LINDA'S FULL POST … continue reading