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Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever. (August 15, 2008)

SPORTY LESBIANS UNITE! After last week’s Olympics coverage, several of you were kind enough to send us notes about other lesbian Olympic athletes around the world.

Unfortunately I must report that merely looking like a lesbian (and I mean that in the best way; I love girls who look like lesbians!) does not mean that someone is openly gay. And though some of the women you alerted us to certainly seem like sisters in the struggle (even going so far as to mention a “partner” in their bios), we can’t count them until they speak to someone in the media (feel free to contact us!) and confirm our suspicions.

Nevertheless, thanks to your tips, this week I have three more openly lesbian athletes to tell you about. Several of you told us about Israel’s out tennis player Tzipi Obziler, 34, who has a child with her partner of 13 years, Hadas (Jewish Chronicle). Unfortunately Obziler did not advance in either singles or doubles tennis in Beijing, but it took a three-hour-long match against Ukraine to knock her out.

A French reader told us about the 29-year-old triathlete who will compete in Beijing on Aug. 17. She recently took home the silver medal at the Kitzbühel BG Triathlon World Cup in Austria last month. Check out her official website, where you can see photos of her swimming, cycling and running, ’cause the triathlon kicks ass like that.

Several of you also told us about this 25-year-old British canoeist, who was recently profiled in a Telegraph article that mentioned her girlfriend, Gillian, a student nurse. Here’s Fiona’s official bio. But after missing a gate in the slalom course on Aug. 13, Fiona won’t be moving forward into the semifinals in Beijing (BBC).

EVERYONE LOVES A WOMAN IN UNIFORM But wait, there’s more Olympics coverage! If you’ve had enough, feel free to skip ahead to the next page, but if you’re interested in knowing how our lesbian athletes have been doing so far, keep reading.

German cyclist Judith Arndt finished sixth in the women’s individual time trial on Aug. 12, and 41st in the road race on Aug. 10. German fencer Imke Duplitzer, who was recently interviewed by the Epoch Times, placed fifth in the women’s individual epée fencing competition on Aug. 13.

The U.S. softball team, including Vicky Galindo and Lauren Lappin, has won its first two games (against Venezuela and Australia) as expected. Its third game was suspended due to rain, with Canada in the lead 1-0; it will resume on Friday afternoon in Beijing right after the U.S. plays Japan. Sweden’s soccer team, led by team captain Victoria Svensson, defeated Argentina (1-0) on Aug. 9 and Canada (2-1) on Aug. 12. Next up: Sweden faces German on Friday, Aug. 15. The German team, including Linda Bresonik, defeated Nigeria (1-0) on Aug. 9 and North Korea (1-0) on Aug. 12. The U.S. women’s soccer team, including Natasha Kai, also advances to the quarterfinals after defeating Japan (1-0) on Aug. 9 and New Zealand (4-0) on Aug. 12. On Friday they’ll play against Canada, whom they defeated 6-0 in a “friendly” game in May in which Natasha Kai scored her first hat trick. (Apparently that means she scored three goals during the game. Dratted sports jargon!) Last but not least, Norway’s handball team, including Gro Hammerseng and Katja Nyberg, has won all three of their matches so far, defeating Kazakhstan (35-19), Angola (31-17) and China (30-23). Next up they play France on Friday. How does all that victory feel? Yep, I thought so.

– by Malinda Lo

A COMING-OUT STATEMENT MIGHT BE UNNECESSARY The new Veronicas video has leaked online and it seems that Jess Origliasso is not interested in hiding her interest in girls. The song “Take Me on the Floor,” from their 2007 album Hook Me Up, already contains some explicitly bisexual lyrics (“I wanna kiss a girl/I wanna kiss a girl/I wanna kiss a boy”), but the video seems to be very much all about the “wanting to kiss a girl,” at least for the rumored gay twin.

Let’s take a look at the video’s story line.

Starting off, I want to know where you can find this club full of hot gay girls and a straight dude for Jess’ twin, too. Must be in their homeland of Australia.

Next: girl-on-girl grinding. Perhaps this is in Los Angeles, where the Veronicas have relocated. West Hollywood, maybe?

A couple of ladies (who seem to resemble Jess and her rumored lady love, Ruby Rose) find their way to a quiet corner. Why not get a little bit closer? Watch the video here.

SHE BANGS, SHE BANGS Out actress Sara Gilbert has maintained a successful on-and-off TV relationship with actor Johnny Galecki since the ’90s, when Darlene (Gilbert) and David (Galecki) were an item on Roseanne. Though her character on Galecki’s current show, The Big Bang Theory, was supposed to be short-lived (only a three-episode arc), Gilbert has been asked to stick with the series and her character, Leslie Winkle. The show will return to CBS on Sept. 22, though Gilbert’s story line isn’t clear. Leslie and Leonard (Galecki) are no longer together, and Leonard last went on a date with the perky blond Penny (Kaley Cuoco). If the writers really want to put these actresses to good use, they’d have Leslie and Penny bond over a nerdy science project and end their time together with a bang(ing kiss goodnight).

by Trish Bendix

UH HUH, I SEE A UNICORN, TOO Electro-pop duo Uh Huh Her‘s first music video from their full-length album, Common Reaction, debuted on MTV earlier this week.

The video for the song “Not a Love Song” features bandmates Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey wandering the streets with – wait for it, wait for it – a tiny unicorn. Rub your eyes all you want – trust me, I tried – the unicorn will still be there. I hereby declare baby unicorns the new lesbian manatee. Who is with me? Anyone, anyone? Bueller, Bueller?

Fine, moving on. The video premiere coincided with streaming of the full CD on Logo (AfterEllen.com’s parent company) and MTV. Hear all 11 tracks free here until the album drops on Tuesday. After repeated listening, I found the CD both hooky and atmospheric. It’s great for a party or just relaxing while say – oh, I don’t know – rewatching your favorite Alice Pieszecki-themed L Word episode with the mute on for the 11,371st time. Not that that’s what I did this week. At all.

Stay tuned for more on Uh Huh Her and Common Reaction right here on Tuesday.

by Dorothy Snarker

THE GLOBAL (TV) LESBIAN ECONOMY This week there was news of not one, not two, but three new television programs with lesbian/bi characters from around the world.

Let’s start our world tour of lesbian television with the new reality series Model Latina from Sí TV, an English-language channel for Latinos apparently only available on the Dish Network.

In the spirit of America’s Next Top Model, 10 contestants live together, learn the ropes of modeling from industry experts, and compete in challenges to “prove they are the complete package of beauty, culture, style and smarts.” The last model standing wins a contract with Q Management, a “chance to grace the pages of Latina magazine,” clothes from the Anna Fong Collection, $10,000 and “other amazing prizes.”

When I was a kid, “amazing prizes” on television shows usually meant a year’s supply of Rice-A-Roni (it’s the San Francisco Treat) or Metamucil, so let’s hope they’ve upgraded to something more exciting – and perhaps less edible – since then.

The show premiered on July 27, and a lesbian has already emerged from the ranks. Miami’s Sasha Cabrera is model-in-the-making who has made a point of letting viewers know exactly who she is. Her bio states in part:

I live in Miami,FL AKA Da 305, where the weather is hot and so are the chicks and everyone else!! I love music it’s one of my deep passions, I absolutely LOVE the runway but I’m not tall enough (boo-hoo) and I love girls. heh. I’m a very honest and blunt person, I don’t care if you find me offensive, it’s my opinion and it’s how I see things. People either love me or hate me when they meet me, but either way I find it to be an obsession. Did I mention I love girls? I’m not fake, I’m very real so take me as I am. I never forget where I came from, the people I meet and have become close friends with are all important people in my life that have made me the person I am today. I love you all! Girl Power!
In case you didn’t pick up on the “girls” and “chicks” hints in her bio, in the “Stuff I’m Obsessed With Section,” Sasha lists “Butterflies, Orange, Julia Roberts, rainbows, music, the sun and girls.”

See a sample of Sasha’s magic in this video: Find out more about Sasha on her official Model Latina bio and on her

Now, you might be surprised to learn that canoeing is an Olympic sport. But it’s not about lazily paddling down a river in the sunshine; apparently competitive canoe/kayak involves a lot of whitewater. Check out what Fiona had to get through just the other day: Yikes!

So adding in these additional three out athletes, we have 13 openly lesbian/bi women competing this year in the Olympics. It’s still a drop in the bucket, but eight more than in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Dare I ask for more? Of course I do. Come on out, ladies! The water’s nice, I promise.

Next page: Recapping week one of the Olympics

EVERYONE LOVES A WOMAN IN UNIFORM But wait, there’s more Olympics coverage! If you’ve had enough, feel free to skip ahead to the next page, but if you’re interested in knowing how our lesbian athletes have been doing so far, keep reading.

German cyclist Judith Arndt finished sixth in the women’s individual time trial on Aug. 12, and 41st in the road race on Aug. 10. German fencer Imke Duplitzer, who was recently interviewed by the Epoch Times, placed fifth in the women’s individual epée fencing competition on Aug. 13.

The U.S. softball team, including Vicky Galindo and Lauren Lappin, has won its first two games (against Venezuela and Australia) as expected. Its third game was suspended due to rain, with Canada in the lead 1-0; it will resume on Friday afternoon in Beijing right after the U.S. plays Japan. Sweden’s soccer team, led by team captain Victoria Svensson, defeated Argentina (1-0) on Aug. 9 and Canada (2-1) on Aug. 12. Next up: Sweden faces German on Friday, Aug. 15. The German team, including Linda Bresonik, defeated Nigeria (1-0) on Aug. 9 and North Korea (1-0) on Aug. 12. The U.S. women’s soccer team, including Natasha Kai, also advances to the quarterfinals after defeating Japan (1-0) on Aug. 9 and New Zealand (4-0) on Aug. 12. On Friday they’ll play against Canada, whom they defeated 6-0 in a “friendly” game in May in which Natasha Kai scored her first hat trick. (Apparently that means she scored three goals during the game. Dratted sports jargon!) Last but not least, Norway’s handball team, including Gro Hammerseng and Katja Nyberg, has won all three of their matches so far, defeating Kazakhstan (35-19), Angola (31-17) and China (30-23). Next up they play France on Friday. How does all that victory feel? Yep, I thought so.

– by Malinda Lo

A COMING-OUT STATEMENT MIGHT BE UNNECESSARY The new Veronicas video has leaked online and it seems that Jess Origliasso is not interested in hiding her interest in girls. The song “Take Me on the Floor,” from their 2007 album Hook Me Up, already contains some explicitly bisexual lyrics (“I wanna kiss a girl/I wanna kiss a girl/I wanna kiss a boy”), but the video seems to be very much all about the “wanting to kiss a girl,” at least for the rumored gay twin.

Let’s take a look at the video’s story line.

Starting off, I want to know where you can find this club full of hot gay girls and a straight dude for Jess’ twin, too. Must be in their homeland of Australia.

Next: girl-on-girl grinding. Perhaps this is in Los Angeles, where the Veronicas have relocated. West Hollywood, maybe?

A couple of ladies (who seem to resemble Jess and her rumored lady love, Ruby Rose) find their way to a quiet corner. Why not get a little bit closer? Watch the video here.

SHE BANGS, SHE BANGS Out actress Sara Gilbert has maintained a successful on-and-off TV relationship with actor Johnny Galecki since the ’90s, when Darlene (Gilbert) and David (Galecki) were an item on Roseanne. Though her character on Galecki’s current show, The Big Bang Theory, was supposed to be short-lived (only a three-episode arc), Gilbert has been asked to stick with the series and her character, Leslie Winkle. The show will return to CBS on Sept. 22, though Gilbert’s story line isn’t clear. Leslie and Leonard (Galecki) are no longer together, and Leonard last went on a date with the perky blond Penny (Kaley Cuoco). If the writers really want to put these actresses to good use, they’d have Leslie and Penny bond over a nerdy science project and end their time together with a bang(ing kiss goodnight).

by Trish Bendix

UH HUH, I SEE A UNICORN, TOO Electro-pop duo Uh Huh Her‘s first music video from their full-length album, Common Reaction, debuted on MTV earlier this week.

The video for the song “Not a Love Song” features bandmates Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey wandering the streets with – wait for it, wait for it – a tiny unicorn. Rub your eyes all you want – trust me, I tried – the unicorn will still be there. I hereby declare baby unicorns the new lesbian manatee. Who is with me? Anyone, anyone? Bueller, Bueller?

Fine, moving on. The video premiere coincided with streaming of the full CD on Logo (AfterEllen.com’s parent company) and MTV. Hear all 11 tracks free here until the album drops on Tuesday. After repeated listening, I found the CD both hooky and atmospheric. It’s great for a party or just relaxing while say – oh, I don’t know – rewatching your favorite Alice Pieszecki-themed L Word episode with the mute on for the 11,371st time. Not that that’s what I did this week. At all.

Stay tuned for more on Uh Huh Her and Common Reaction right here on Tuesday.

by Dorothy Snarker

THE GLOBAL (TV) LESBIAN ECONOMY This week there was news of not one, not two, but three new television programs with lesbian/bi characters from around the world.

Let’s start our world tour of lesbian television with the new reality series Model Latina from Sí TV, an English-language channel for Latinos apparently only available on the Dish Network.

In the spirit of America’s Next Top Model, 10 contestants live together, learn the ropes of modeling from industry experts, and compete in challenges to “prove they are the complete package of beauty, culture, style and smarts.” The last model standing wins a contract with Q Management, a “chance to grace the pages of Latina magazine,” clothes from the Anna Fong Collection, $10,000 and “other amazing prizes.”

When I was a kid, “amazing prizes” on television shows usually meant a year’s supply of Rice-A-Roni (it’s the San Francisco Treat) or Metamucil, so let’s hope they’ve upgraded to something more exciting – and perhaps less edible – since then.

The show premiered on July 27, and a lesbian has already emerged from the ranks. Miami’s Sasha Cabrera is model-in-the-making who has made a point of letting viewers know exactly who she is. Her bio states in part:

I live in Miami,FL AKA Da 305, where the weather is hot and so are the chicks and everyone else!! I love music it’s one of my deep passions, I absolutely LOVE the runway but I’m not tall enough (boo-hoo) and I love girls. heh. I’m a very honest and blunt person, I don’t care if you find me offensive, it’s my opinion and it’s how I see things. People either love me or hate me when they meet me, but either way I find it to be an obsession. Did I mention I love girls? I’m not fake, I’m very real so take me as I am. I never forget where I came from, the people I meet and have become close friends with are all important people in my life that have made me the person I am today. I love you all! Girl Power!
In case you didn’t pick up on the “girls” and “chicks” hints in her bio, in the “Stuff I’m Obsessed With Section,” Sasha lists “Butterflies, Orange, Julia Roberts, rainbows, music, the sun and girls.”

See a sample of Sasha’s magic in this video: Find out more about Sasha on her official Model Latina bio and on her

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