About Lesbian Life

Is it Possible to Fall in Love Online?

2009-11-23T18:49:41Z

Dear Lesbian Life:
I was wondering if you could help me out with my situation as I have passed confused and am heading for hopeless. Here goes:

In August I made a comment about a youtube video and we started emailing each other. We discovered that we were both Greek only she's living in DC and I'm in Greece. Anyway after about a month of friendly banter we exchanged emails and then a few weeks after that names, cellphones and pictures. We practically text each other everyday now and have talked on the phone. She is great, funny, cute, sexy, beautiful, 38 yrs old and a lesbian where on the other hand I'm 26, probably bi and have never had a relationship with a woman (sigh!!).

The thing is, I feel so weird, all I keep thinking about is how much I wish I could kiss her, but I've never done this whole online thing. I don't trust the web at all because I know what lurks beneath, yet here I am having phone calls and being totally smitten with a woman I hardly know.Is this normal? Can you honestly say you can fall in love with someone you've never met?

Dear Hopeless:

I love this story! You were so sure that you could not find love online and then you went and found it. And you weren't even looking. Ha, ha!
Yes, it is possible to fall in love with someone online. I've seen it happen many times. You can read some stories of couples meeting online in our How We Met Section. So, no, you're not crazy. It's also important to note that you've taken this beyond online. You're talking on the phone and texting. Even though you have never met, you are getting to know one another.

The most important thing is to pay attention to your gut. Proceed with healthy caution, but falling in love involves risk.. keep reading

_{� Laura Nubuck}

Is it Possible to Fall in Love Online? originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 18:49:41.

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Transgender Day of Remembrance

2009-11-20T00:05:52Z

According to Remembering Our Dead Web project there were 101 murders of transgender people in 2009, 11 in the US and 90 in other countries. One of those especially captured my attention this year because the horrific murder took place in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. Lateisha Green was shot as she sat in her car in November of last year because the killer thought she was transgender.

Today is the day we set aside to remember those who died. Today, November 20th, is Transgender Day of Remembrance. Vigils and demonstrations will happen around the world. Find one near you.

Want to do more? How to be an ally to the trans community.

_{� Photo by Pedro SimãoM}

Transgender Day of Remembrance originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 00:05:52.

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Murdered Gay and Trans Teenagers

2009-11-19T17:55:50Z

I heard the news today of another murdered gay teenager. I feel compelled to write about it, even though I am at a loss for words. But I know I can't ignore that it happened. Fifteen year old Jason Mattison Jr. was known for his sharp wit, his tight jeans and being openly gay in his Baltimore middle school.

But today family and friends are mourning his life. Last week Jason was found dead in his aunt's house: raped, gagged with a pillowcase, stabbed repeatedly in the head and throat and shoved into a closet. A family friend is charged with his murder.

The news of Jason's murder comes on the heels of another brutal murder. That of Jorge Steven L�pez, 19, in Cayey, Puerto Rico. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Jorge's killer confessed to murdering him after "discovering his female gender presentation did not match his male sex." Whether Jorge was a cross-dresser or transgender, I don't know, but I do know that the violence against our community has to stop.

The passage of the hate crimes law was important, but it does nothing to stop the murders. I am sad because I don't know what it will take. I wish I had the answers.

Murdered Gay and Trans Teenagers originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 17:55:50.

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Mary Cheney Welcomes Daughter

2009-11-18T19:56:41Z

Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney gave birth to her second child today, a daughter named Sarah Lynne Cheney.

This is Mary Cheney and her partner Heather Poe's second child. They have a son Samuel born in 2007.

_{� Getty Images}

Mary Cheney Welcomes Daughter originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 19:56:41.

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Disappearing LGBT Media

2009-11-17T20:19:16Z

News came down over the weekend of another gay media outlet shutting down. Window Media, LLC the publisher of The Washington Blade, The Southern Voice, The Houston Voice and South Florida Blade closed its doors and have ceased publication. The company had been struggling financially for more than a year.

This announcement comes less than a month after hearing that The Advocate, the country's oldest LGBT new magazine will cease its monthly publication, will no longer be available on newsstands and will be added as a quarterly insert in Out magazine. It's been a year of gay newspapers and lesbian websites shutting down. What's going on?

Some blame the demise of gay media on the economy and decrease in ad sales. Others say that mainstream publications are more willing to cover LGBT issues, so the need for gay-specific media is no longer necessary.

I disagree. While our major issues, like marriage and anti-gay violence may get mainstream coverage, there are many, many topics that only LGBT media take on. Like what happened after Prop 8 passed in California. Or the raiding of gay bars recently in Texas and Atlanta.

The gay media offers a perspective and in depth coverage that can't be found in mainstream media. Besides, mainstream print media is also suffering. As daily papers cut staff and budgets, how will they find the space to give coverage to our issues?

Am I the only one concerned about this? Add your thoughts to the comments below.

Disappearing LGBT Media originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 20:19:16.

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Is Getting Married Important to You?

2009-11-13T00:55:55Z

From the Lesbian Life Forum:
Surgicalgal wrote:

I voted no, marriage isn't important to me. But I do think if a couple's going to start a family they should get married.

Thethyss replied:

My partner and I are 39 and 41, respectively, and we're probably not going to have children. But getting married is really important to me (I never thought it would be.) I really want to be able to say to the world at large, just like straight couples can, that I married the love of my life and we take our relationship seriously enough to take the step of the ceremony and legal things that go along with it.

Salty chimed in:

Getting married is starting a family whether they have children or not. Some hetero-couples can't have children but they can get married. Getting legally married is a requirement to receive financial benefits from the government and a list of other things that go with that legal document.

What do you think? Join the Discussion

_{� Kathy Belge}

Is Getting Married Important to You? originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 00:55:55.

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Does Being a Tomboy Make You Gay?

2009-11-11T00:36:15Z

I just want some answers. Right now, I'm totally confused about myself. When I was a kid I was more of like a tomboy, I liked playing boys stuff. I never really played dolls at all, you know, like what an ordinary girl would play. I loved playing basketball and riding a bike, a toy gun and some other stuff instead...Now, I have developed an interest in women...I mean like I want to have relationship with them, but still I'm interested in men too. Oh, gosh, I don't know what I am anymore!

Dear Tommy

Like you, I was a tomboy growing up. I had five older brothers and liked to tag along with them riding bikes, fishing, playing kickball and dodge ball. I don't know if there is a connection between being a tomboy and being a lesbian, but that certainly is the stereotype....keep reading.

_{� Photo by Kati Garner}

Does Being a Tomboy Make You Gay? originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 00:36:15.

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I Can't Think Straight: Lesbian Movie Review

2009-11-09T00:32:11Z

When I asked you what your favorite lesbian movies were, many, many of you picked I Can't Think Straight, a film by Shamim Sarif who also made The World Unseen.

Lesbian Life Film reviewer Stephanie Schroeder liked I Can't Think Straight, but wasn't quite as enthusiastic as you were. Read her review and add your thoughts here or write your own review.

_{� Enlightenment Productions}

I Can't Think Straight: Lesbian Movie Review originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 00:32:11.

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She Doesn't Like Kissing

2009-11-06T14:22:18Z

From the Lesbian Life Forum:

I recently started dating a girl that I can tell that I am quickly falling for. She's great, we have a lot in common, same sense of humor, the whole bit. The thing that bothers me is that she doesn't enjoy kissing. I am a very affectionate person who loves to kiss. When I bring this issue up, she tells me that I kiss too much. What can I do, if there's anything at all, to help find some common ground? I would hate to see this relationship end because of such a thing. Please help!

_{� Edward Tes}

She Doesn't Like Kissing originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 14:22:18.

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My First Olivia Cruise

2009-11-05T16:50:21Z

I just returned from an amazing vacation. For years I'd know about Olivia and their lesbian vacation company, but this is the first time I actually got to go on an Olivia cruise.

There is nothing like traveling with other lesbians. Everyone was so friendly and open. I met many women who have never felt like they could be as open and free as they were on the Olivia Cruise. But no matter if you are out or closeted in your life, young or old, active or sedentary, Olivia has something for you.

I am still laughing inside from some of the jokes the comedians told, remembering fondly the warm Caribbean ocean and wishing I still had access to the amazing food available onboard. Learn more about Olivia lesbian vacations.

_{� Photo by Barbara Bastian}

My First Olivia Cruise originally appeared on About.com Lesbian Life on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 16:50:21.

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