gaelick » Alainn or Appalling

Álainn or Appallin’: Michelle Rodriguez

Gooner — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:17 +0000

Fast & Furious 6 hits our screens soon and with it a back-from-the-dead Letty, played by the sexy Michelle Rodriguez. Born in Texas in 1978 Michelle is know for playing tough girls who don’t take any crap and of course that means we lesbians and bi ladies do love her. The fact she can rock a pair of jeans and a tank top doesn’t hurt either, let’s be honest.

Working it

Tough cookie

Rodriguez’s family moved from Texas to the Dominican Republic and on to Puerto Rico before she was 12, eventually landing in New Jersey where they made their home. Karyn Kusama’s 2000 film Girlfight was the role that got Michelle noticed after years of playing bit parts. The film makers chose their lead with an open call for auditions in New York, Michelle beat out hundreds of women for the role of a female boxer who trains behind her families back, Rodriguez’s credentials as a tough girl were cemented with her award winner portrayal and she has flown that flag for many role since.

The following year saw her do a couple of roles including The Fast & The Furious and the very next year she stared in Resident Evil a role that caught many ladies eyes, I don’t know if you have seen it but Michelle and Milla Jovovich have some serious chemistry in that movie.

She said we have chemistry!

Lost

She has also popped up in top grossing films like Avatar and TV shows such as Lost, making her face instantly recognisable to a wider audience. She is not however, content to just play the tough girl on screen and has lent her voice to cartoons for the Cartoon Network as well as video games such as Halo 2 and animated feature films including this years Turbo. Michelle doesn’t stop there, she has her own production company, Cheshire Kat Productions, which she owns with her business partner and friend Giancarlo Chersich.

Her official website calls Michelle a cross between beauty and brawn and I think that is as good a way as describing her as you’ll find anywhere. Rodriguez has shown that a beautiful woman can be strong, smart and successful and to boot, she proves that a woman doesn’t have to play the dorky girl next door to make it in Hollywood. She has worked with directors like James Cameron and actors such as Charlize Theron and Amber Heard but what do you think of this feisty actor?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Sue Perkins

Gooner — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:00:01 +0000

Now that Heading Out has had three episodes, lets take a look at its creator and star, Ms Sue Perkins. Born in London in 1969 Perkins first came to our attention as half of the comedy duo Mel and Sue. The pair hosted Light Lunch on Channel 4 in the late 90′s and also a later version, Late Lunch. Those of you not old enough to remember that might have come across them on BBC’s The Great British Bake Off although it’s probably just old fogies like me that are addicted to the bakery competition. Not to mention one of my favourites, The Supersizers Go…with food critic Giles Coren, the odd couple would choose a period in time and eat the foods from that period, not to mention wearing the clothes, you had to hand it to them, they didn’t shy away from eating all sorts.

Sue and Giles Coren eat like Ancient Romans

Write out

Let’s not forget Sue’s writing skills, she has written for top shows such as French & Saunders and Absolutely Fabulous. She is also a Celebrity Big Brother alumni, appearing in the 2002 version and making it all the way to week 9. That year was an interesting one for Perkins, her ex-girlfriend comedian Rhona Cameron was on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and outed Sue! Another stint at reality TV saw Perkins take part in the 2008 version of Maestro, a show that asks it’s participants to learn to conduct an orchestra. Sue excelled and won the series going on to guest conduct the London Lesbian/Gay Symphony Orchestra the following year.

What is it about glasses?

In 2011 she conducted at the Royal Albert Hall, leading the BBC Concert Orchestra for the first ever Comedy Prom. A woman of many talents for sure. She has also given a televised lecture for The Royal Television Society on the subject of the state of British Comedy. Sue has narrated for TV and even been a judge for the Man Booker Prize.

Here’s a little look at her “It Gets Better” video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP7kmGLiE-Q

and here’s a little look at her funny side, along with some other amazing ladies, Sue starts at 4.37 but the whole show is worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wd4KM_OujA

So what do you think of Ms Perkins, Álainn or Appallin’?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Janet Mock

Gooner — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:17:13 +0000

Former people.com editor Janet Mock never intended to be an icon but that is exactly what she is. Coming out as a transgender woman in May 2011 Mock did an interview with Marie Claire entitled I Was Born a Boy. The open and frank account of her life was, and still is, deeply moving and lead her on the path to become an amazing advocate for our community.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Janet was educated in the University of Hawaii as well as doing graduate work with the school of journalism, NYU. She is both a writer and an activist, working out of Harvey Milk High School NY as part of the Hetrick-Martin Institute where she is involved in the education of LGBT youth, specifically creating transgender-specific programs.

Her achievements and awards are constantly growing, this month she received the Sylvia Rivera Activist Award, saying, in an interview with the Sylvia Rivera Law Project:

Every time there’s a trans woman of color [in the media], she’s getting killed. It wrecks at our souls. It chips away.

She has also been given a place on “The Grio’s 100 most influential people” and “Sundance Channel’s top 10 LGBT voices” as well as GBM News naming her one of the “15 Most Powerful Gay Celebrities Of 2012″. Mock was co-chair, nominee and presenter at the 2012 GLAAD Media Awards, come on Janet, leave something for someone else will ye!

Janet’s Twitter campaign #GirlsLikeUs is a massive success and is deeply empowering for anyone to read, she also has a great personal feed, @janetmock, so get following. You can also follow her as she writes articles for the Huffington Post on a regular basis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0t-Ft-vRUE

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Álainn or Appallin’: Kirsten Vangsness

Gooner — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Criminal Minds is one of my favourite shows, I just love it. I know it’s full of gore and murder and when I watch it alone last thing at night I really wish I had a girlfriend as I get scared to death, but I still love it. In my opinion, the thing that has made it last over its 7, soon to be 8, seasons is the diversity and strength of its characters. As far as the ladies go the show boasts some truly strong characters from Emily Prentiss and JJ to Erin Strauss but for most of us the character that ties the show together is the wonderful Penelope Garcia. In a world or murder and insanity you need someone to bring the human touch and to act like a real person in the midst of it all. Penelope is played by out actress Kirsten Vangsness and without her the show just wouldn’t hold up. she is the light in the darkness if you will and I challenge you to go through even the scariest episode and not smile at least once thanks to Penelope.

On the boards

Born in California in 1972 Kirsten has made her way in theatre winning several awards along the way. When Criminal Minds is on a break from filming you can still find her working away on stage strutting her stuff. Not content with just acting Vangsness is also an accomplished writer. She is a board member of “Theatre of Note” and has written some of the plays she has stared in for the group, including Potential Space which ran this summer, how cool is that? Next year you can catch Vangsness in the movie Killing Me Deadly which was directed by Darrett Sanders and co stars some of her Criminal Minds class mates.

Let’s be honest, there are precious few out women playing recurring characters in TV and Kirsten, for my money, doesn’t get nearly enough credit for her work on one of TVs big hits.

Love at first site

Kristin and her fiancée, film editor Melanie Goldstein (pictured above), plan to marry next year and make one of the cutest couples the red carpet has to offer. Vangsness admits openly that until she met Melanie she wasn’t looking for lady love but was open enough to see what she had found when it happened. The couple met at a party and when Kirsten was asked about that faithful moment she says

I remember looking at her across a table and just thinking, ‘Oh shit — oh shit! — everything is going to change

It took them a while, it was three years later when they eventually hooked up but all good things come to those who wait. Here she is on The Talk chatting about her love (go to 3.05 if you’re not interested in the rest of her wonderfulness)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3J4vV2qoEw

So what do you think of Ms Vangsness, personally I think she’s got it all going on.

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Álainn or Appallin’: Kate Hudson

Gooner — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Last night saw the return of Glee to our screens and it couldn’t come soon enough for this Gleek!

The season 4 opener is called “The New Rachel” but as far as I am concerned McKinley High can keep the kids: Sue is the only thing keeping that school afloat.

One of this season’s main attractions has to be Cassandra July, aka Kate Hudson. Kate takes on the role as Rachel’s mentor at NYADA and is billed as believing in teaching through negativity which sounds wonderful. I can’t wait!

Born to famous parents, actors Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson in LA in 1979, Hudson was raised by her mother and Goldie’s long-term partner, Kurt Russell, whom Kate considers her father.

However even with all that pedigree Kate has well and truly forged her own career in the business. There is no question that the role that got her noticed was as Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe’s 2000 award winning Almost Famous. Kate was not only nominated for an Oscar for the role but won a Golden Globe.

Hudson has since become a well-known actor who draws audiences from all walks of life with her energetic and honest style. Off screen, she has an 8 year old son, Ryder Russell Robinson, from her first marriage to The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson and a one year old, Bingham Hawn Bellamy, with fiancé Matthew Bellamy, who is frontman with Muse.

Glee can certainly boast many top class cameo actors as well as some amazing recurring characters. The likes of Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Ricky Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow have all crossed paths with the members of the Glee club in one way or another. But seeing Kate Hudson put Rachel Barry in her place and dance like we have never seen her before, well that just about takes the cake for me.

Here’s a little taster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tquvDavHKAw

Oh yes, I think I am going to enjoy season 4 alright! So what do you think of Kate, Álainn or Appallin’?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Sigourney Weaver

Webmaster — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 06:00:05 +0000

Ever since she uttered those words in Alien, “Step away from her you bitch”, I have been in love with Sigourney Weaver. As Ripley she was the ultimate in kick ass women. None of this waiting around for the men to rescue you rubbish, nope, she grabbed a gun and took care of matters herself.

Whilst researching, I know its a tough job but someone’s gotta do it, for this article I found out she was born in 1949 which makes her 62. Sixty two! She is back on our screens this time starring as Elaine Barrish, a divorced former First Lady and Governor of Illinois, as well as the current Secretary of State. Many have compared the character of Elaine Barrish to that of Hilary Clinton, whilst Weaver herself commented here

It would be logical to think of the Clintons.

I heard that before I got the script. I forgot it by maybe the second page. The characters, as written, may have been inspired by the particular circumstances of, not only the Clintons, but also the Bushes and the Kennedys and Roosevelts.

But it’s very much about families who have been in the White House and the price they’ve paid for being in the White House and the fact that families who have been in the White House often try to get back in the White House or continue to try and get in the White House, like the Romneys. I think there was something about these political families that [creator] Greg Berlanti was very interested in exploring.

The second episode aired last night and, as per, she owns the screen. Her background? Well, she was born in 1949 in New York and was named Susan Alexandra Weaver. According to imdb

In 1963, she changed her name to “Sigourney”, after the character “Sigourney Howard” in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (her own birth name, Susan, was in honor of her mother’s best friend, explorer Susan Pretzlik).

She was picked on from an early age in schools due to her height, she was 5′ 10″ at 13. She became a semi household name with the role of Ellen Ripley in Alien in 1979. But it was Aliens and the period after that she established herself as a leading lady. Picking up Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Aliens, she went on to star in perhaps her second most famous role as Dian Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey. The same year she stared in Working Girl alongside Melanie Griffith as well as the Ghostbusters films. Most recently seen in the big screen in Avatar, the transition to the small screen wasn’t an automatic choice.

Still, the New York native, who has been nominated for three Oscars, two Emmys and a Tony Award, admits she was not really in the market for a television project at this point in her career. But Political Animals spoke to her, and not just because it offered such a juicy lead role.

“It was about a subject that I feel is important, which is leadership in American politics and particularly female leadership in American politics,” she says.

Random Trivia Fact:In the film Alien: Resurrection (1997) Sigourney actually managed to sink the basketball into the hoop backwards on the first take, even though she wasn’t supposed to or intended to. The shot was almost ruined because Ron Perlman broke character because he was so amazed.

I say 100% Alainn, what do you think?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Wanda Sykes

Gooner — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 06:00:36 +0000

There are very few truly funny people on TV. Many people pertain to being a comedian but so few really nail it, Wanda Sykes is one such gem, born to make us smile, she’s a natural. From Virginia Sykes was raised in Washington D.C and it was there, in 1987, she performed on stage for the first time, at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase. However, after working in D.C for a while it was when she moved to New York in 1992 that Wanda got her big break, opening for Chris Rock in Time Square’s Caroline’s Comedy Club. She went on to write for The Chris Rock Show some years later and I think it’s safe to say she never looked back.

Although Sykes is known for her roles in high profile TV shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine , Curb Your Enthusiasm and of course, The Wanda Sykes Show, it is as a stand up that she really is one of the very best in the business for me. I am not alone either, she was asked to speak at the 2009 White House correspondents dinner and she killed it. I can literally watch her for hours and have to have a break from the pain in my stomach from laughing. Her DVDs are classic, I’ma Be Me is my personal favourite but I highly recommend you check them all out. Here’s a little taster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_wWJ-_4uSY

Of course, Ms Sykes is not backwards about coming forwards and anyone who saw her interview on The Ellen Degeneres Show earlier this year when she talked about her double mastectomy couldn’t have failed to be moved. Wanda is also open about her sexuality having come out in 2008, she and her wife Alex have two children and this of course leads to more hilarity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5guz9sHKQ4I

Wanda is not only a writer, comedian and actor though, she is also a wonderful activist. She has taken part in campaigns such as the That’s So Gay initiative and in 2010 she deservedly won GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award. Sykes has also been highly involved with the Marriage Equality issue in the states for many years, hosting fundraisers and speaking out on the issue in the media.

Here, lets have one more clip, why not?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcauk_sB1V4

You can catch Sykes in theatres now as she lends her voice to Ice Age 4, I have seen it and she’s hilarious, yet again! But what do you think? Álainn or Appallin’?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Regina Mills

HAL — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 06:00:39 +0000

I know your probably thinking “who?”, but stay with me. I wrote this piece about my new obsession, Once upon a Time, but I feel I didn’t get across just how hot the main character is. Or I just want an excuse to google pics of her. SPOILERS!!!!

Who is Regina Mills?

My wife. Oops, hello real-life wife, ahem. Regina Mills is an evil, conniving piece of work. She is the evil queen of the fairytale world, but living in our modern world, or the American small town version of our world.

See, back in fairytale land she is all down with the vengeance for losing the love of her life. She blames Snow White for his death, and gets all twisted as she has to watch as Snow White marry her own one true love. Not fair!

She does what anyone with magical fingertips would do, she conjures a spell to give her a chance to have her happy ending, all the while making Snow White miserable.

The spell brings everyone to Storybrooke, small town America, totally ignorant of the fact that they are Jiminy Cricket, Red Riding Hood, Granny, Snow White and so on. Only Regina Mills, now mayor of Storybrooke knows, and she rules everyone’s everyday life.

Why A or A?

I’m not used to drooling over evil characters. I’d like to say that I’m having mixed feelings, but I’m way too shallow and she’s way too hot. She has this way of smouldering; case in point

From the magnificent heartsways.tumblr.com

Just look into those eyes…no don’t you could die! Oh but do! See? She has this “Hello I’m a malevolent being, and you shall enjoy all I make you do” thing going on.

The actress who plays Regina, Lana Parrilla is fab in the role. Doing everything but twirling her metaphorical mustache. She revels in the complexities of Regina’s character just as Regina revels in her own darkness.

Lest you think she is all bad without a chink in her armour, let me reassure you that Regina was once an innocent young thing with a heart full of love, but this lady was scorned, scorned into the evil mayor she is; or seems to be. You see Regina loves someone; her son Henry. If there is any hope of true love making her into a better, more loving woman, it is her love for Henry. Until then, she will remain the baddest babe on television.

Am I right?
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heartsways.tumblr.com

Álainn or Appallin’: Anna Skellern

Gooner — Sat, 05 May 2012 08:00:30 +0000

This season of Lip Service has already given me one of the greatest shocks I have ever had whilst watching TV. Season 2 episode 2 was the biggest surprise I have had since Rita was found in the bath on Dexter. However it is not all doom and gloom, where one door closes another opens and in this case, in walks sexy Lexy herself Anna Skellern.

Born in Sydney in 1985, Anna is best known as a member of satirical comedian group The Chaser, on which she was the first female cast member, you may also recognise her from The Descent Part 2. Personally I am to scared to watch films like that so when I saw her walk into Lip Service I knew her from the wonderful Outnumbered. So it’s no surprise that her character on Lip Service is funny as Anna has shown time and again her talent when it comes to comedy so will hopefully be some light relief in the face of all the current melancholy.

What every TV show needs is a lesbian doctor, it’s just the ticket. You need look no further than Grey’s Anatomy, there is no doubt that Arizona Robbins has added more than just her good looks to the shows already great line up of characters. Women in scrubs are just sexy, it’s the law.

When talking to AfterEllen Skellern recently said of her part

When you work in A&E and you see people die every week, the last thing you want in your personal life is anything too dramatic. I think Tess and Sadie add a lot of the humour in the second series. There is a really well written scene with Tess and Lexy in episode 3 that I find hilarious.

I like the sound of that. If there is one thing Lip Service needs right now it’s a laugh.

So many questions to ask already. Who will Lexy end up with Tess or Sam? Will she be shown in her scubs more often, lets hope so. Most importantly of all, what do you think of Anna, Álainn or Appallin’?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Kate McKinnon

Gooner — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:00:06 +0000

Since 1975 Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a stable on NBC. The live show has countless sketches parodying both the politics and the culture of the USA. The show is famous for it’s guest hosts with have included celebrities from the world of politics, music, sport and film. To name but a few, the show has been hosted by people from Bette White to Al Gore to a 14 year old Jodie Foster. However, what we all think of when we think of SNL is the amazing comedians the show has seen come and go, many of whom got their first TV exposure on the show. These include comedic legends like Eddie Murphy, Tina Fay, Jane Curtin and Steve Martin. Now Kate McKinnon will get her chance to shine on the iconic show, becoming the first openly gay comic to do so since season 11 when both Danitra Vance and Terry Sweeney were a part of the cast (Vance was not only the first lesbian cast member but also the first black female regular ).

Kate came to our TV screens, when she was still in her final year at Columbia, as part of LOGO’s The Big Gay Sketch Show. She was hired for the successful comedy as part of the original cast and has been involved in all three seasons. She plays a host of characters including an English boy desperate to obtain a vagina as well as doing a great impression of Barbara Walters. McKinnon’s appeal comes from both her talent and her likability and to see her cast on SNL just shows how her ability to write and develop diverse characters has been spotted by the very best.

She also has a few careers on the go at once, comedian and actress are also joined by voice over artist on Kate’s résumé, she has done voice over work on both Robotomy and The Venture Brothers.

In 2009 Kate won a NewNowNext Award for “Best Rising Comic” and in the following year she was nominated for “emerging comic of New York” by the ECNYs having performed with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City since 2008. Kate has also been involved with a successful webseries called Vag Magazine, which, as you might guess, is about a feminist publication.

According to Deadline seven comedians auditioned for the spot on SNL but Kate won out. She will debut on April 7th 2012 in a show that will be hosted by none other than the gorgeous Sofia Vergara – way to go Kate!

So what do you think of this funny lady? Álainn or Appallin’?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Ruby Rose

Gooner — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:44:05 +0000

I have written a fair few articles for our Álainn or Appallin’ section and one thing is becoming very apparent to me, these women make me feel ancient. Today ladies I bring you Ruby Rose, born in 1986, she is best known as a model in these parts but is also a VJ on MTV. Ruby came out when she was 12 and didn’t have an easy time of it, she was hospitalised by the bullies when she was just 16 years old. However this hasn’t held her back and her career is nothing if not diverse.

This Australian beauty first made headlines as a VJ before she hit the big time modelling. 2000 saw Ruby take part in a three-week national search on MTV Australia, as part of the process she kissed lots of strangers on a busy street, damn it, how much would you love to have been doing your shopping that day? She went on to VJ on the channel but it was ill timed, MTV were cutting their music based shows so she was limited to between show segments.

Yet another competition was her ticket into the world of modelling. She was part of the Girlfriend magazine’s search for a new model, back in 2002. Ruby came in second and her career took off. She has said that she preferred her role as a VJ saying

Being a model there is always something they want to change. Whether they want someone a little bit skinnier, a little bit taller, a little bit prettier, but MTV want you to be yourself … not censoring anything and not conforming to anything

Rose has also tried her hand at designing, collaborating with Milk and Honey in 2010, the line includes grunge jeans, t-shirts and denim shorts. I bet the ladies love those! She has also presented the Australian version of the TV show Ultimate School Musical, as well as news talk show The 7pm Project, is there nothing she can’t do?

Ruby has many accolades to her name, including a mention in online LGBT community, Same Same‘s 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians. She also won an ASTRA Award (Excellence in subscription television in Australia) in 2009 as Favourite Female Personality.

Of course, like all good celebrity lesbians, Ruby uses her fame for good, and travelled to Kenya to highlight to work done in the region by Global Vision International.

Beauty, talent, charitable works, it’s all a bit of a no-brainer really. What do you think of Ms Rose, to good to be true or when’s the next flight to Oz??

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Álainn or Appallin’: Jennifer Lawrence

Jen — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:00:24 +0000

Jennifer Lawrence has crept up on us over the past three or so years. She’s one of those actresses with a familiar face you’ll probably spend a whole day trying to remember where you notice her from. She has popped up in Monk, Cold Case and Medium, embedding herself in to our subconscious.

Since being discovered at the age of 14 in New York City, she has continued to climb the Hollywood ladder. She made her first real impression when she starred in Winter’s Bone, a film where Lawrence played a girl trying to track down her drug-dealing dad while struggling to keep her family from falling apart. The film received four Oscar nominations and some major love for its leading lady.
What people will most like recognise her from is X-Men:First Class where she played the mostly-naked, blue skinned, flame haired Mystique. She completely owned the film, even stealing the attention away from James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender with her brilliant acting. Honestly it was the acting, not the mostly-nakedness.

Now Jennifer Lawrence can be seen in the latest book-to-film adaption to take the world by storm since the success of Twilight - The Hunger Games. She plays the feisty and gorgeous Katniss Everdeen from District 12 who has to fight for her life in the 74th annual Hunger Games, where she must face 23 other contestants and kill or be killed.

May the odds be ever in Jennifer Lawrence’s favor.

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Álainn or Appallin’: Eva Carneiro

Gooner — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 06:30:09 +0000

Being a die hard Arsenal fan I don’t notice much about the background staff at other soccer clubs. One exception to this rule would be the team doctor over the west side of London at Chelsea FC, namely Eva Carneiro. Why you ask? Well I might be an Arsenal fan through and through but there is still blood running through these veins!

Born to British and Spanish parentage, Eva qualified in medicine from Nottingham University going on to work in accident and emergency in Scotland and Australia. It was in Oz that she went down the route of sports physician and upon returning to the UK she headed to London where she received her MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Eva went on to work at the British Olympic Medical Institute and with England Women’s Football and United Kingdom Athletics. She joined Chelsea as first team doctor in 2009 and is now the first team doctor.

On her career Eva says

I have wanted to train in Sports Medicine for a long, long time and even relocated to Australia in an attempt to do so! It is great to have the opportunity to specialise in this country. It will be fantastic to offer athletes and exercising individuals of all ages the opportunity for appropriate investigation and management

I am sure I am not the only one to notice Eva on the bench at the Chelsea games, it’s great to see more women rise to the top. When you think of the money Chelsea have, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that they can afford to have the very best people in all positions at the club, so it’s a great testament to Eva’s abilities that she is such a valued member of the team.

So what do you think? Álainn or Appallin’?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Melissa Etheridge

Gooner — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:03 +0000

When I was 19 (many moons ago) I went to a small venue in Dublin called the Olympia Theatre, to see Melissa Etheridge in concert. It was amazing, one of the few times I have built a gig up in my head and it delivered. She was over an hour late because Ireland’s biggest boyband were on the same talk show with her that night and she was stuck in the mayhem, but no one cared, we all waited patiently listening to Alanis Morissette on the speakers.

When she walked out on stage it was to rapturous applause – she had that presence that some performers have – and with every song we are all on our feet singing our little hearts out. It was a gig I will always remember. She spoke about when she herself was 19, and I was delighted. I came out to my parents within a week.

Born in Kansas in 1961, Melissa has been playing the guitar since she was 8. Beginning in country music she moved onto to rock and roll having moved to Boston for college. In true musician style Etheridge left college early and headed off to LA to be discovered in a bar by the husband of a friend Melissa made on the local soccer team. (*cough*)

Etheridge’s first album is still her best in my eyes. It’s so stripped down and raw that it still gets you. It was put together after her first effort was rejected by Island Records, and it laid the foundations of an amazing career.

The unforgettable Bring Me Some Water was nominated for a Grammy. Melissa went on to win two Grammys over her illustrious career so far, both for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. She has been nominated no fewer than 15 times in all. Let’s not forget her Oscar either, for the incredible song “I Need to Wake Up” from the film documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Her many albums all speak to her truth and her undeniable talent in bringing you on the journey with her.

Melissa came out publicity in 1993 at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration. Her relationship with long time partner Julie Cypher was one of the few same-sex relationships to get much media attention at the time, they had two children together but separated in 2001 when Cypher began to question her sexuality.

2003 saw Melissa engaged to actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, they had a commitment ceremony which was featured in ABC’s “InStyle Celebrity Weddings”. Three years later, Michaels gave birth to twins. Although the couple separated in 2010, Etheridge made a stand in 2008 and refused to pay her state taxes as she was not allowed to marry in the state. You go girl!

2004 saw Etheridge struck with the challenge of being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The way she went on TV and online to discuss her struggle so openly was deeply inspiring and there is no doubt that her openness touched many women in the same situation. She appeared on the Grammys in 2005 to pay tribute to the great Janis Joplin and showed all women that there can be life after cancer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FwL_huvYjQ

Her autobiography, released in 2002, is called The Truth Is: My Life in Love and Music and is well worth a look. However, I think she should write another, such is her story.

Currently Etheridge is on tour. She was back in Dublin recently, and will be spreading her fearless love all over the world as her tour continues. You can see if you are lucky enough to be near a venue here.

So what do you think of this legend? Need we ask?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Glenn Close

Gooner — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:59 +0000

Close was born in Connecticut in 1947 to parents who both hailed from prominent families. Glenn’s father was a personal physician to the Congo/Zaire President of the time. Close grew up on her grandfather’s estate in the country and credits her childhood for her ability to imagine becoming whomever she wants to be. However, when Glenn was just 7 years old her family became involved in a cult called the Moral Re-Armament, she says they dictated everything about how it’s members lived and she lived, with her family, in communal centers until she was 22 and escaped to college. There Close majored in theatre and her acting journey began.

Beginning in theatre in 1974 Close stared on Broadway, winning no less than three Tony Awards for parts in Sunset Boulevard, The Real Thing, and Death and the Maiden. She also won acclaim for her staring role in the 1982 off Broadway play The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs. 1982 also saw her take on Hollywood and Close never looked out of place among the Hollywood elite. Her early roles that stand out for most of us include Dangerous Liaisons and of course the original bunny boiler in Fatal Attraction. Not forgetting her amazing turn in Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story. With 5 Oscar and 9 Golden Globe nominations (winning 2 Globes) Close has cemented her place with the best actors of her time.

Many of you young wans will know her best from the TV. Not satisfied with conquering stage and cinema, Glenn has won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for her role as Patty Hewes in the hit TV series Damages.

Glenn is making headlines again on the big screen as she reenters the world of Albert Nobbs, a role she won an Obie for on stage in the 80′s. With a host of nominations already, her Oscar tipped performance as the brave Mr Nobbs has showed us just how good she is yet again. Variety calling it “a career crowning role” and Newsweek hailing it as a “jaw dropping performance”.

Set right here in Dublin the film follows Albert, a biological woman who works and lives as a man in the 19th century. All Albert wants is to have a small tabacco shop and live out his life in peace. Here’s a look at the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66N5hjkq740

On the role she took 15 years to take to the big screen Glenn says

I always felt that if I could pull off Albert, there was nothing else I had to do because it brings into play everything I’ve learned as an actor — movement, costume, voice — just trying to create the inner life of someone who’s so silent… she’s an unfinished person.

Gender becomes almost irrelevant because it’s about human connection… The thing I’m most proud of in the movie is that you forget what you’re looking at.

So what do you think about the amazing Ms Close? Alainn or appalling?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Lady Gaga

Gooner — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:56 +0000

We often talk about “our straight brothers and sisters” and how important it is to have “straight allies”, although bisexual, many people hold Lady Gaga up to be the perfect example of both. Born Stefani Germanotta in 1986, this New Yorker has become the icon of our time and is looked up to by countless teens and young adults. Gaga hit the ground running with her debut album in 2008, The Fame, which went to number one in no less than nine world wide record charts. She subsequently released an extended version, The Fame Monster, in 2009. Her two debut singles Just Dance and the massive Poker Face (about her bisexuality) cemented Gaga at the very top of the music industry and it seems she is happy to remain just there. Working tirelessly her live shows gain rave reviews all over the world.

Tour after tour and hit after hit this controversial artist, and she is an artist in every sense of the word, has grabbed the headlines for her wardrobe almost as much as her music. However, it is as an advocate for the LGBT community that she has won many hearts. Who could forget the tweet she received from the late Jamey Rodemeyer and her subsequent moving tribute?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUNfKyw-KHs

For me it is the sincerity with which she supports our community that I find most touching. It never seems staged or just done to be different, at last there is an icon that uses their position to talk about tolerance and love. You get the impression she had a hard time of it herself, being different from the norm, and that she really does want acceptance to be her message.

I am sure many people are put off by her eccentric dress sense, not least the infamous meat dress at the MTV awards or arriving at the Grammys in what can only be described as an egg pod. However, as we all know, you need to look beyond the surface whenever you weigh up a person and Gaga definitely fits into that category. She isn’t being different to grab the headlines, she is just being herself and to hell with you if you don’t get it, exactly what better role model can there be?

As LGBT’s we have to applaud her Born This Way single, the title track from her second studio album. It’s like a wonderful It Gets Better video and I defy anyone to dislike it. To think that millions of young people, gay, straight, trans and everything else, are listening to songs like this is heart warming. Imagine, someone singing about tolerance is cool these days, it’s about time.

Not to mention her drag persona, Jo Calderone, who she attended the American MTV music awards as earlier this year. Jo was never a joke but another attempt at pushing what is accepted. Annie Lennox having done something similar in 1984.

In an interview with MTV she was asked about how she got started, finding it initially difficult to get radio play Gaga says

The turning point for me was the gay community… I’ve got so many gay fans and they’re so loyal to me and they really lifted me up. They’ll always stand by me and I’ll always stand by them. It’s not an easy thing to create a fanbase. … Being invited to play [the San Francisco Pride rally], that was a real turning point for me as an artist.

Wow, someone actually remembers that we gave them a shot before anyone else, perhaps some boy bands out there and a few other artists should take note. Not only that, but when attending the 2010 MTV awards Gaga was accompanied by four service members who, under DADT, were stopped from serving openly and proudly. Earlier this year I was in Rome when she attended Europride, she gave a 20 minute speech about human rights and equality, saying

Today and every day we fight for freedom. We fight for justice. We beckon for compassion, understanding and above all we want full equality now

She also did an acoustic version of Born This Way that was just amazing. My favourite quote, however, has to be

I am a child of diversity, I am one with my generation, I feel a moral obligation as a woman, or a man, to exercise my revolutionary potential and make the world a better place. And, on a gay scale of 1 to 10, I’m a Judy Garland f*cking 42.

So what do you think? Is Gaga just using the gay audience to sell records and be controversial or do you agree with me when I say that she is a very powerful voice for equality of all kinds all over the globe?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Archie Panjabi

HAL — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:00:04 +0000

If you have ever seen an episode of The Good Wife, there is very little that needs to be said to convince you that Álainn is indeed the response. For those of you undecided, check out the picture on the right. Sold!

The background goes like this: Archie (Archana) was born in London and spent some of her childhood in Mumbai (or Bombay for those of you living pre-1996), so she considers herself to be “Part Bombayite, part British”.

She started acting relatively late in life, at 23, when she was in an episode of the British comedy The Thin Blue Line. A year later, in 1996, she was in the breakout hit East is East, in which she played the daughter Meenah. From there Archie did the usual rounds of The Bill, Holby City and various crime shows. In 1996, she played Jess’s marriage-obsessed sister in Bend it Like Beckham and continued to ply her trade on UK telly over the next couple of years. She had parts in a number of films like The Constant Gardener, A Good Year and so on, but it wasn’t until 2007 that she finally got noticed. As Asra in A Mighty Heart, she starred along with Angelina Jolie, who became a good friend.

Since I was a baby my goal was to be on TV because film was just impossible – you never got any Asian women in Western cinema. I grew up wanting to be in Eastenders because film wasn’t even a dream.

Then in 2009, Archie got the role of Kalinda Sharma in The Good Wife. Once she put on those boots and that leather jacket, she stole the heart and crept into the brain of everyone who watched the show. Kalinda is a mystery; we have no idea what her past involves and her moral code is dubiously well-intentioned. Archie plays her perfectly, which a devilish sexiness that disarms the viewer, a lonely heart under the flippant sarcasm.

Oh and she’s bisexual. Not just bi-when-we-need-ratings, but actually honest to goodness bisexual, having had sexual relations with both people of genders. Who knew that bisexuality could be portrayed as normal on the telly?

She has won two Emmys for her portrayal as Kalinda, and in one of the speeches thank Angelina, which made some people scratch their heads and go running to IMDB.

Most actresses with such a high-profile pal would be dropping the name constantly, but Archie is a woman who likes to keep her private life private. She’s been in an arranged marriage for 13 years and told the Mail:

There is a big misconception about arranged marriage. Yes, it can mean that you meet someone and then have to marry them, but this was my mother saying, “I’m going to introduce you to so-and-so and if you don’t like them, fair enough.” At the time it brought out my rebellious streak because I thought her taste in men was not going to be like mine. But at the end of the day, she knows me better than anybody. I did wonder, “Would an Indian man be fine about me doing this job?” – but Raj has always been very supportive.

At the moment Archie is concentrating on season three of The Good Wife, but you can see her as a good Muslim wife in the British comedy The Infidel about a London Muslim, played by Omid Djalili, who finds out that not only is he adopted but he’s Jewish to boot.

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Álainn or Appallin’: Anna Silk

Gooner — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:32:19 +0000

From Cassidy Holland on Being Erica to Lost Girl’s Bo, Anna Silk has a lot for us queer girls to admire. Born in Canada in 1974 this beauty was raised by a mother with some resume, playwright, director, actor and producer Ilkay Silk introduced her daughter to the world of acting at a very young age. Starting off in commercials Anna has gone on to make her name both in Canada and in the US, living in Los Angeles since 2009.

I first became aware of Silk when watching addictive repeats of Being Erica, she was only in three episodes but they are the ones I remember most. Why? Well who wouldn’t? Silk’s character Cassidy made the lead character think once or twice about having a romantic relationship with her and no one watching could blame her. The arc was short lived on screen but we all remember it, mainly due to Anna’s amazing presence on screen.

Anna has been in several movies made for TV and has popped up in popular TV shows like The Ghost Whisperer however, it is as Bo on Showcase’s Lost Girl that Silk’s star is really shining. The second season has just begun and I can’t tell you how much I have been looking forward to it. I watched episode three last night and was stuck to it till I realised I really needed to blink. I turned to my housemate and heard myself say “I’m not really a boob woman, but for some reason….”

The show is a supernatural drama built around the Fae, people with mythical abilities that feed off human emotion. In Bo’s case she is a succubus and feeds of sexual energy, I know, genius eh! Bo has a best friend who has the funniest one liners of all time and is expertly played by Ksenia Solo. Of course things get complicated for our bisexual hero and she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle. Will she go for Dyson, the werewolf who doesn’t own a shirt? Or will she plumb for the sexy doctor, Lauren, played by the gorgeous Zoie Palmer? No prizes for guessing who I’m up for.

The show is massively popular, it’s debut in 2010 was the highest-rated Canadian scripted series premiere of all time on Showcase. Season one only had 13 episodes but season two is set to have 22, welcome news to those of us who can’t get enough of this supernatural world. Silk manages to keep her character at the centre of your attention, even though she is surrounded by such wonderful characters and plots. She also has real chemistry with both romantic leads, not an easy task. Her character is learning about this mythical world as we are and we are in her corner all the way thanks to Anna’s ability to make her so ‘normal’ and likable, in a totally unrealistic world.

So what do you think of this Canadian beauty, Alainn or Appalling?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Ellen Page

Gooner — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 06:00:54 +0000

Ellen Page is best known for her award winning roles in the critically acclaimed Juno and Inception. Born in Canada in 1987 (God that has aged me), Page has eased my fears that good acting would be taken over by the “bankable movie star”. She is not only talented but shows us that not all actors will choose the romcom route to easy fame, some really want to work on actual films – with plots!

Page’s career began at the meager age of 10, when she starred in the TV movie Pit Pony. This spun off into a TV series and Ellen caught the eye of TV execs, getting roles in numerous TV shows, including Trailer Park Boys. 2005 was the year that she hit the big time with a wonderful performance as Hayley in Hard Candy. The following year she stepped up to play Shadowcat in X-Men: The Last Stand (you remember her, the girl who could run through walls).

However, when you say the name Ellen Page one thing springs to mind right away – Juno. Page received nominations from both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards for Best Actress for the role. Unfortunately for Ellen she didn’t receive either gong, she did however win over a dozen awards including the Independent Spirit Award and several critics awards.

Ellen followed Juno with impressive performances in films like Smart People and Whip It however it was Inception that made the critics sit up again. Her performance as Ariadne (the architecture) showed her maturity as she acted as the link between the audience as the film. Her character didn’t really know what was going on either! Acting along side the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio must be intimidating but if it was, she certainly didn’t show it.

Currently Page is working on Freeheld, a dramatisation of a documentary of the same name. Ellen will play Stacie, the same sex life partner of New Jersey police officer Lt. Laurel Hester who, upon her deathbed, appealed for the extension of pension benefits to domestic partners. I don’t know about you but I will be buying shares in Kleenex before I go to see that one!

As my colleague CanuckJacq wrote recently, Ellen has been outed and this she has neither denied nor confirmed. If she is gay/bi it’s a shame she has been outed in this fashion, as far as I am concerned it is her business. However, I do hope that if she is queer, she will stand up and be counted, now her hand has been forced (so to speak). The more out LBGTs the better all around.

So what do you think of this talented young woman? Alainn or Appalling?

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Álainn or Appallin’: Wanda Sykes

Álainn or Appallin’: Angie Harmon

Webmaster — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:09:47 +0000

Currently setting lesbian hearts a flutter and other reactions to various other body parts, Miss Harmon is Jane Rizzoli, a Boston cop in TNT’s Rizzoli and Isles. See HAL’s take on the preview. She has it bad for this TV show. Every Tuesday morning at our virtual water cooler she’s counting the minutes until she can get home to watch the two ladies in action. But this post is not about Rizzoli and Isles, it’s about Angie Harmon.

Sweet god above, when that woman swishes her jacket behind, cocks her hip to one side, showing her badge and just looks at the camera it’s like I have died and gone to heaven. Then she opens her mouth and it’s just gravelly and vibrates all the way down to one’e toes. Seriously, IMDB even lists it as a trademark!

* slaps self *

Okay, focus, webmaster. Ignoring the fact that she’s a Republican, hey we can’t all be perfect, Angie or Ang as I like to call her was born in Texas to parentals of Greek, Irish, Scottish and Cherokee ancetry. That explains those cheekbones She worked as a child model in the late 80s and continued with modelling after she left school. She has worked with some of the top names in the modelling industry for Calvin Klein, Armani and Donna Karen.

She was discovered by The Hoff. Seriously, imagine having to share that. So I suppose I should say thank you David. The Hoff was impressed and cast her in his TV show Baywatch Nights. From the lofty heights of that quality TV show, she moved onto Law and Order where she landed the role of Abbie Carmicheal, assistant DA. A few bit parts here and there after Law and Order
before she landed another detective role in Women’s Murder Club where she brandished gun and badge with such finesse. Whilst all this acting was going on, our Ang got married to a former professional football player Jason Sehorn. Lucky fecker! They have three daughters.

After the Women’s Murder Club wasn’t renewed, Ang moved onto another role not unsimilar to her last one as a tough cop, Jane Rizzoli opposite Sasha Alexander’s Maura Isles. I think everyone was surprised at how well it has faired. Of course this has nothing to do with the eye sex that goes on between the two ladies. Currently in Season 2 and airing on TNT check it out. Gaytest TV show since Xena

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