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Lez Dish It Out! AfterEllen’s Weekly Round-Up

Photo: Disney, Instagram

Happy Friday, ladies! Although America might be on the brink of a nuclear war, lady lovin’ news is still going strong. This week in lez news, New Yorkers got word that Cynthia Nixon might run for New York governor, a Disney cartoon featured lesbian moms, and Amber Heard and Elon Musk called it quits. Lez get to it!

Gif: Tumblr Amber Heard & Elon Musk Split Photo: Amber Heard/Instagram

Well, this didn’t last long.

About five months after Heard announced her relationship with Elon on Instagram, the couple decided to call it quits on Tuesday. Although the bisexual actress tends to keep her private life private, she confirmed the split to fans.

Check out Amber’s breakup message below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXiZupLA2yQ/?taken-by=amberheard

As for Elon, he wrote, according to the CNN:

Btw, just to clear up some of the press storm this weekend, although Amber and I did break up, we are still friends, remain close and love one another. Long distance relationships when both partners have intense work obligations are always difficult, but who knows what the future holds.”

Obviously, Musk’s explanation makes the most sense here. Heard is busy filming Aquaman in Australia, and long distance relationships are hard. In my dramatic mind, however, I’m imagining a reconciliation between Amber and her ex Tasya van Ree. The two were spotted hanging out just last month, so you never know…

P.S. Shoutout to the Los Angeles Times for the corniest Amber/Elon breakup headline: “Amber Heard and Elon Musk’s relationship has run out of fuel.” Musk is the CEO of Tesla, in case you weren’t aware already. Ellen DeGeneres Releases A New Line… For CATS Photo: Ellen DeGeneres/Instagram

OK, as much as I like Ellen, she needs to cool it with these lifestyle collections.

Just a week after I told you about the lesbian’s lifestyle collection for babies, she announced the launch of her cat line. To be honest, I’m a bit surprised DeGeneres hadn’t already tackled the cat market — lesbians and cats, am I right? In an interview with AOL, the comic revealed why she decided to get into the cat market (is that even a thing?) and revealed her favorite products from the line. Oh, and you can buy the products on PetSmart.

On why she decided to make a line for cats: “Because I have very nice furniture that I didn’t want them to scratch, and launching my own line of toys and scratchers made more sense to me than buying new furniture.”

On her favorite toys from the collection: “I love all of the toys. Give me a ball on a string and I’ll see you in a week or two when I’m done playing with it.”

Here are some cute photos of the products:

Photo: Petsmart/Ellen DeGeneres

Full disclosure: I used to hate cats before I met my former roommate’s cat, Oscar Wilde:

Photo: Gillian Walters

As you might be able to tell from the picture, Oscar Wilde is a total character, and I can’t wait to buy him some of these toys. My new goal in life is to be the ultimate cat aunt. You can buy items from the line HERE.

Moving on to more Ellen news, she recently spoke to Good Housekeeping about her marriage to Portia de Rossi. It turns out the pair’s NINTH anniversary will be on Aug. 16. Time flies!

The celesbian said:

Portia understands me completely. In our vows, she recited a quote, ‘It is good to be loved. It is profound to be understood’ — and to me, that’s everything. What ‘I love you’ really means is ‘I understand you,’ and she loves me for everything that I am. She supports me and makes me happy.”
Well, hopefully Ellen’s gushing quotes about Portia quiets the couple’s haters. These two have had to endure numerous divorce rumors throughout the years, and it’s just petty at this point. Here’s to many more years of happiness for DeGeneres and de Rossi.

Cynthia Nixon Might Run For New York Governor

Although I don’t know much about Nixon’s political background (spoiler alert: there’s not much to find), I’m open to this idea.

According to multiple reports, Cynthia is considering a run for New York governor in 2018. The bisexual actress told the Today Show:

I think there are a lot of people who would like me to run, and I think for a variety of reasons. But I think the number one is education. We’ve got a real problem on our hands in New York state. We are the 49th in terms of equitable funding. That means there’s only one state worse than us and that’s Illinois. Cuomo likes to say that we spend more per pupil than any other state, and that is actually true. But the only reason that is true is because we spend so much on the kids in our wealthiest districts. So that evens out. Between our hundred richest schools and our hundred poorest schools there’s a $10,000 gap on what we spend per pupil.”
As for Cyn’s knowledge about New York City’s public schools, her wife, Christine Marinoni, was the former New York director of the Alliance for Quality Education. Over the past decade, Marinoni and Nixon have been champions for education reform in New York, and they’ve also been very vocal about New York politics in general. Although some fans might be surprised by Cynthia’s alleged desire to run for New York governor, I’m not too shocked. Whether or not the actress ends up running, that remains to be seen. Cara Delevingne Buys Jared Leto’s Old Digs Photo: Cara Delevingne/Instagram

So, I guess this is Cara’s birthday present to herself?

According to WWD, Delevingne and her sister, Poppy Delevingne, bought Jared Leto’s 4 bed/3.5 bath mansion in Hollywood Hills for $2.5 million. Per reports, the bisexual actress wanted to have a home base in Los Angeles.

Take a peek at the home below:

Photo: PJ McMullan

Ah, so is this how the other half lives? Please don’t mind me while I vicariously live through these photos.

In other Cara news, remember when I told you that she had planned an elaborate birthday trip to Mexico with 20 of her model besties? Here’s the first look from the trip:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXoXTOCFGYd/?hl=en&taken-by=caradelevingne

Jealous.

Ellen Page & Emma Portner Team Up For An Epic Dance Performance Photo: Ellen Page/Instagram

This is gorgeous.

On Aug. 7, Page and Portner released a soulful dance video titled “Slack Jaw.” The dance was choreographed by Emma, and the music was performed by electro-pop band Sylvan Esso. It’s a breathtaking and haunting performance, and it’s cool to see the couple collaborating as artists.

Here’s the full video:

And here’s some bts shots:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXawcQrh_BJ/?hl=en&taken-by=ellenpage

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXjSBH-B17J/?hl=en&taken-by=ellenpage

Emma said of the video’s release, according to Instagram:

“My utmost joy and newfound purpose to release dance within committed and non-trained adults. Walks me back to the “tendu” mentality. Reopens an endless dimension of quality-quests inside of execution practice. Experiences with this have shown that it’s alright to close my eyes sometimes too (which proves quite difficult within an art form that exists, in part, upon the instance of seeing it). Ellen is an abyss of presence, trust, vulnerability, power, humility, and strength encapsulated. With natural instincts that haven given me the green light to exist outside of my typical programming. When closing your eyes feels more like opening them. Repetition feels more like privilege. Creation feels more like an oath towards vitality … and dancing … dancing becomes the closest thing to flight. There are so many rhythms and harmonies …”
So, what do you guys think of the collab? Wanda Sykes & Portia de Rossi Play Lesbian Parents On Disney’s Doc McStuffins Photo: Disney/YouTube

This is the type of content LGBTQ parents deserve and need.

This past week, the Disney cartoon Doc McStuffins featured an interacial lesbian couple voiced by Wanda Sykes (Wanda is THE BEST) and Portia de Rossi. The episode, titled “The Emergency Plan,” covered what families should do in case of an earthquake, and there was no hoopla about the whole lesbian moms thing. It turns out lesbian moms are just like straight parents — who would have thunk it!

Check out a behind-the-scenes vid about the episode below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgCx-UkAKZo

Although a lot of conservative groups freaked out about the episode (because of course), many parents were THRILLED by Disney’s decision. Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, said:

Children like mine deserve the chance to see their families reflected on TV, and this episode does just that in a beautiful and positive way. Shows like this reflect our real world, and today that includes the many children being raised by gay and lesbian parents who are all going to celebrate this story.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Sarah! This Character Won’t Be Returning To Grey’s Anatomy *SPOILER ALERT* Photo: ABC

Eek, I don’t want to disappoint all the Grey’s Anatomy fans out there! Side note: right now i’m currently watching the entire series at the behest of my GF, (i’m in the midst of season 4), so I’ll be able to commiserate with you guys soon.

According to TV Line, Eliza Minnick (Marika Domi?äczyk), will not return for season 14. This means that Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) will be single once again. It turns out lesbians can’t win at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Although this casting news isn’t much of a shock given Eliza’s precarious predicament at the end of season 13, this is still a hard pillow to swallow. A lot fans enjoyed the pairing of Eliza and Arizona.

Season 14 will return on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8/7c. Lauren Jauregui Sounds Off On Her Bisexuality For Seventeen Magazine Photo: Seventeen Magazine/Lauren Jauregui/Instagram

Props to Lauren for continuing to speak out on her bisexuality. In the new issue of Seventeen, the singer had this to say about being bi:

You can’t use the fact that I’m bisexual against me if that’s something I’m proud of. I feel motivated more than scared to share who I am because it makes me feel awesome when someone comes up to me and says that because of me she was able to find the strength to accept herself.”
Yes, yes, and yes. It’s great that Jauregui is so vocal about her sexuality, especially when her audience is young women.

This Bourbon Heiress Claims She Was Kicked Out Of Her Family Business Because She’s A Lesbian Photo: USBG Utah/Instagram

I’m kinda obsessed with this story for a few reasons. For one, it’s important to talk about LGBTQ discrimination in the work place. Two, I love the concept of a “bourbon heiress.” Lastly, Hollis Bulleit is a hero and she deserves to be heard.

OK, so here’s the story in a nutshell: Hollis is the lesbian daughter of Tom Bulleit, the founder of the wildly popular Bulleit Bourbon. According to Hollis, she was fired from the company due to her sexuality, and because of her relationship with her girlfriend Cher. In a series of Facebook posts, Hollis revealed she was inexplicably fired a few days before Christmas, and she explained how her family had distanced itself from her in the months leading up to her firing. It’s a bummer all around, especially since Hollis was a beloved spokesperson of the company. If you Google Hollis’ name, a ton of fun photos come up — it’s clear Hollis really loved and enjoyed her job.

Bulleit’s note about the situation is long, but it’s worth the read:

I believe that the subject of homophobia needs to be addressed based on some of the conversations on the page. One is not respecting personal family business by staying silent when people’s civil rights are at stake. In 2007, Sarah Schulman wrote a groundbreaking book, The Ties that Bind: Familial Homophobia and Its Consequences. She discusses the misperception that homophobia within a familial construct is often misconstrued as private business. This perspective is the root of large spread public homophobia and leads to the acceptance of hate crimes. Since Cher and I have been together she has been excluded from “the family business” from the start; yet Tom’s second wife and all of my stepbrother’s girlfriends were included in photos, event invites, and press. Even though my work events were FAMILY WORK events both parties played that to their advantage when it came to the exclusion of my family — Cher by acting as if I was a single ambassador and not a family member. In the course of ten years Cher and I spent less than three weeks time in the company of the Bulleit family. I was forced to deflect questions about my family at work events which put me in a horrible position not of my making; either through assumptions, omissions, or direct advice. The family went for years without seeing each other in private or public; we barely spoke on the phone, or exchanged emails. For example, when my step-grandmother passed I got a text. In 2008, I was asked to come home for Christmas; yet Cher was not invited. The only holiday that we attended was Thanksgiving in 2016, and then we were promptly uninvited via text from the following core family Christmas. And because family was business and intertwined with a global corporation, I find it odd that I did not benefit from the departments and safeguards that are put into place to either intervene or provide mediation or educational diversity training as would be the expected protocol for employees in this type of situation. In light of my experience, I do not understand how the company I worked for is on many of the top 10/ 50/ 100 “best places” for LGBTQIA employees to work. I’m sick of hearing stories from sales reps that I am not working because of problems I have with my family, and hearing the opposite from friends of the family who blame Diageo for the fact that I am not working. If these parties wanted to make this situation work I was ready to sign in June of 2016. Therefore, I can easily deduce that the “problems” were only excuses. After ten years of experience, one could conclude that no one knew what to do with a non-straight woman besides ignore me and reap the benefits of my relationships and sales. Shortly after coming out the closet a decade ago not one family photo has been taken of me (or with me and Cher) with the core Bulleit family. Many events took place at the Bulleit family home with Diageo employees and no one ever said a word about what was obviously missing from photographs or the events (Cher and I). For the past decade, I have held these secrets; which have only served to exacerbate my suffering. The times I asked for help I did not receive it and soon thereafter I was out of a job. No one should have to make these choices. I gave my life to my family and my brand but I also was expected to give up my dignity. The psychological effects of this erasure and these unfair and unjust pressures have had negative affects on my well being. The phrase “blood is thicker than water” simply makes no sense to me anymore. Writing about these facts is like choking on thick hot blood. We tell ourselves now that gay marriage is legal and that everything is okay. Everything is not okay. Everything is far from okay. Our president just tried to impose a transgender military ban — wake up. Unfortunately people know the “right” things to say, but they do not believe them — it translates to hidden homophobia, transphobia, and racism. I should never have been put in a position to hide my family’s homophobia or my company’s complacency in order to keep my job. I did nothing wrong. I have nothing to be ashamed of. But the punishments, the silent treatments, and the threats continue. When you chose to be silent in the face of this type of behavior you are not being well mannered. You are choosing to hide because you can and you are protecting yourself. Which on a personal level leaves people like me isolated, powerless, and vulnerable to powerful institutions.”
Moral of the story: don’t buy Bulleit bourbon. Ruby Rose Supports Jessica Origliasso’s Sick Mother Photo: Jessica Origliasso/Instagram

This is beyond heartwarming.

On Aug. 4, Jessica Origliasso shared a sweet photo of Ruby Rose and her mom. It looks like Jess’ mom is sick, and Rose was there to lend her support. Although it’s not clear why the singer’s mom is ill, it’s obvious that her celesbian girlfriend has her priorities straight.

Check out the post below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXYwzxagwvW/?hl=en&taken-by=jessicaveronica

This is what relationships are about, right? Support is everything.

Sarah Paulson Dishes On Her American Horror Story: Cult Character Photo: Sarah Paulson/Instagram

I’m so ready to see Sarah Paulson back on my TV screen.

According to Paulson, she’ll play a lady lovin’ lady on American Horror Story: Cult, which will premiere on Sep. 5. Sarah revealed that her character will be married to Allison Pill, who I also happen to adore.

The queer actress dished:

“There are two women married to each other. It’s me and Alison.”
Pill said of the pairing:
We’ve known each other for a long time and have never had a chance to work together, so it really is the most exciting to have all of these scenes with the person who I couldn’t respect more and who is so good at acting.”
Per Vulture, Paulson will play Ally Mayfair-Richards, while Pill will play Ivy Mayfair-Richards.

AHS creator Ryan Murphy also shared this exciting photo:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW4JzH2Airs/?taken-by=mrrpmurphy

Yup, I’m 100 percent ready for this love story. Dark Matter Has A Queer Female Lead Photo: Syfy

A big thanks to AE writer Karen Frost for bringing this to my attention. Although I don’t much about the series, I’m happy to learn that the show’s lead, Two, was revealed to once be in a relationship with a roboticist, Dr. Irina Shaw ( Zoie Palmer). Furthermore, the Android (also played by Zoie), was designed in Shaw’s image. This crucial information was revealed on the show’s Aug. 4 episode, and it’s a big deal.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth recap of the episode, check out this post.

OK, that’s a wrap! Cheers to the weekend.

Gif: Bustle

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

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