11 reasons why Angelina Jolie is the coolest person on the planet

Angelina Jolie made headlines this week with news that chose to have a double mastectomy to avoid an 87% chance of developing breast cancer. Not only that, she then went public with her very personal decision, and in doing so [...]

What does feminism mean to you? The 100 Deeds art project wants to know

A couple of weeks ago I took the Metro light railway. A man saw me get on, and he offered me his seat. I am not pregnant, or disabled, or unsteady on my feet. I didn’t need to sit down [...]

How to deal with street harassment (infographic)

Street harassment can be frightening, intimidating, embarrassing and frustrating. If you see someone getting harassed, whether it’s out-and-out gaybashing or unwanted ‘compliments’ on their appearance, help them out. Here’s how.   (Thanks to Hollaback for this infographic.)

Queer, bicurious, pansexual: how we love to hate labelling ourselves

Are you lesbian? Gay? Queer? Bisexual? Nonstraight? Questioning? The BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (BFI LLGFF) have decided that maybe it’s time they changed their name, and they’re looking for suggestions for what it could change to. LLGFF [...]

Queer activist Sarah Schulman on censorship, the ‘corporatisation’ of queer spaces, and the Israel-Palestine conflict

Legendary queer activist Sarah Schulman has spoken out against the LGBT Center of New York City and its decision to ban her from a controversial book reading. Schulman is a writer and activist who co-founded the direct action group the [...]

“Gay couples can’t raise children” says Tory MP. Or does he?

10 days ago the Government struck a historic victory for gay rights by passing a bill that would legalise gay marriage in the UK. But barely a fortnight later, the Conservatives are back to their ‘nasty party’ homophobic reputation, with [...]

Gay marriage Bill victory in House of Commons

Same-sex marriage is a step closer in England and Wales today, after MPs voted by 400 to 175 – a majority of 225. The Bill extends the legal form of marriage to same-sex couples. It would allow gay couples to [...]

Panto made me gay

My first exposure to lesbian life, not that I recognised it as such at the time, was pantomime. Panto, for puzzled readers from outside of the UK, is a peculiar British theatrical tradition. Pantomime is family-friendly comedy, which re-enacts fairytales [...]

Sapphormation, Manchester’s newest queer festival

Workshops on sound engineering, sex, comedy and poetry (not all at the same time); discussions about children’s stories and lesbian parenting; a bicycle tour of women’s history in Manchester, a Pussy Riot smartmob; Manchester will be treated to something slightly [...]

Newsflash: Lynx bodyspray turns lesbians straight

Ladies! Don’t you just hate it when you’re walking along the street, minding your own business, when suddenly you get a whiff of the sexiest man imaginable and suddenly you and every other woman in a 5-mile radius are compelled [...]

Gay freshers guide: 10 things you need to know about university

Going to university is scary/exciting for everyone, but if you think you might be something other than totally heterosexual, you’ve probably also got some extra worries. Sure, everyone knows that uni is a great time to explore new experiences. But [...]

Lesbilicious shop is open for business

We’re pleased to announce that Lesbilicious now has a shop! The shop contains a whole load of quirky lesbian-interest clothes, music, books and gift ideas. When you spot something you like you’ll be able to click through to buy from [...]

7 unmissable queer comedy acts at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival starts on Friday 3 August. Amid the hundreds of excellent comedy acts we’ve picked out some gems you should definitely look out for – comedians and acts who are both hilarious and lesbilicious. Mae Martin [...]

609 gay athletes missing from London Olympics

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London will feature 21 athletes who are openly gay or bisexual, and 18 of those are women. While it is encouraging that there are some gay sportspeople who are out, the number is incredibly, ridiculously, [...]

The time I almost broke up a relationship over a silly Facebook gay marriage joke

Break open the rainbow champagne – Facebook has added mini double-brides and double-grooms to its Life Events icons! Hmm. The more astute among you may have noticed that this is hardly gay equality history in the making; more like a [...]

Don’t you just love it when a hate campaign backfires?

“Don’t buy Starbucks coffee! Every cup contains aspirations of equality and tastes of rainbows!” Homophobic hate groups love a good boycott. But do they have any effect?

Of course Britain’s gay footballers won’t come out

There are 5,000 professional male footballers in the UK, and every single one is completely heterosexual. What are the chances of that, eh?

Lip Service Q+A videos 1: introduction

In February 2011 Heather Peace (Sam from Lip Service) and Kathy Caton (BBC3) took part in a frank and fascinating Question and Answer session, as part of the annual Lesbian Lives conference.

Lip Service Q+A videos 2: coming out, going for Frankie and the cut sex scenes

The impact of being an out lesbian on Heather’s acting career On auditioning for the role of Frankie, “along with every other slightly androgynous actress in the UK” The sex scenes you didn’t see – the kitchen unit scene that [...]

Lip Service Q+A 3: L Word, Shane/Frankie and Twitter

The similarities and differences between Frankie from Lip Service and Shane from The L Word On following in the footsteps of The L Word Lip Service viewing parties and the Twitter fans

Lip Service Q+A 4: sex and the BBC

How much lesbian sex the BBC can show Why Lip Service was on BBC3, and whether or not it could ever move to BBC2 Why Lip Service was set in Glasgow

Why councils ask about your sexuality, and why you should be glad they do

The Government has announced an end to council diversity surveys, writes Milly Shaw. Or, as the Daily Mail preferred to phrase it, “town hall ‘sex snoopers’ will be banned from bombarding people with intrusive questions about their private lives.” Residents [...]

Important information about Lesbilicious

For over three years Lesbilicious has been delivering news, articles and events for lesbian / bisexual women, and we’re very excited to announce that we’ve got some big changes planned for 2012.

Women gain ground in Independent’s annual Pink List

Schoolteacher Elly Barnes topped the Independent on Sunday’s Pink List this year, joining Jessie J, Clare Balding, Sue Perkins, and Heather Peace in the Top 10. However, the list remains broadly male-dominated, with women occupying less than a third of the 101 places.

Lesbian radio show launched in the North East

Pride Radio North East has launched a new radio show run by lesbian and bisexual women, for lesbian and bisexual women.

UK lesbian artists band together to combat homophobic bullying

On 21st and 22nd October a collective of lesbian bands and musicians will be recording a song at Dean Street Studios in London. The song will be released in January 2012 as a digital download and proceeds raised will be donated to UK charities that aim to prevent homophobic bullying.

Is dating a friend a good idea?

It has become a cliché at weddings, writes Daniela Baker. A teary-eyed bride saying she married her best friend. It’s a romantic notion that two people are so much in tune with one another that they want to be together forever.

Top 5 lesbian tattoos

Looking for a tattoo that tells the world in no uncertain terms that you’re gay? Then look no further than our top 5 stereotypical lesbian tattoos…

Win tickets to L Word convention, November 2011

The 9th annual UK convention for fans of The L Word is taking place in November 2011. The convention will feature appearances from Kate Moennig (Shane), Leisha Hailey (Alice), Elizabeth Keener (Dawn) and Alicia Willis (Cindi).

Gay marriage: the homophobia is in the small print

Gay marriage might be a step closer to equality, but homophobia still lurks under the surface. H. J. Lucas explores the issue…

Garden Productions seeks participants coming out later in life

The BAFTA award-winning team at The Garden Productions is making a new documentary series for Channel 4 about love and relationships.

England and Wales could have gay marriage by 2015

The Government has announced plans to allow gay couples to get married. An official consultation on reforming England and Wales’ marriage laws will begin in March 2012, and could be in place before the next election in 2015.

Australia allows third option on passports

Austalians will be able to choose ‘male’ ‘female’ or ‘indeterminate’ on their passports, the Australian Government has announced.

Lesbilicious Comedy: Jen Brister, Lady Garden, Sajeela Kershi

Lesbilicious Comedy comes back to Newcastle upon Tyne in October.

FIFA launches investigation into homophobia at Women’s World Cup

International football’s governing body, FIFA, has begun gathering evidence as part of an investigation into alleged homophobic remarks and policies at the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

Sleep schedules, chores and colour-coordinated shirts: a guide to living with your girlfriend

Congratulations! You’re moving in together, writes Jade Evans. Either the financial troubles have gotten to you both, and you’re being practical about the benefits of having a roommate, or you are well and truly on your way to love – the forever type.

Gay men can now give blood in UK

Men who have sex with other men are no longer banned for life from giving blood.

Why councils ask about your sexuality, and why you should be glad they do

The Government has announced an end to council diversity surveys. Or, as the Daily Mail preferred to phrase it, “town hall ‘sex snoopers’ will be banned from bombarding people with intrusive questions about their private lives.”

Residents seeking to access basic services are, according the tabloids, “grilled” about their sex lives, religion, disabilities and ethnicity, and have to reveal such detailed personal information “just to get their bins emptied or take out a library book”.

So well done Communities Secretary Eric Pickles! What a victory for common sense and decency, in this political-correctness-gone-mad world.

Except, of course, that it’s nothing of the sort.

Competition: win Heavenly Creatures on DVD

Cult classic Heavenly Creatures is re-relased on DVD and Blue-Ray on 12 September 2011, and to celebrate we have 3 copies of the DVD to give away.

WoW London lesbian boat party: review

Women on Women Events are a London-based company who promise “something different for professional gay women to network, socialise and have fun” – and based on last Friday’s boat party on the Thames, they certainly deliver, writes Kaite Welsh.

Heather Peace winter tour dates announced

Heather Peace has announced dates for her winter tour following a summer of festival dates. Heather Peace further announced on her Facebook page this morning that her Birmingham date has sold out.

Coming out as gay or lesbian later in life?

Are you in a gay or lesbian relationship? Were you previously married or in a long-term relationship with
someone of the opposite sex?

Bringing back the Warrior Princess: The Xena 2011 Movie Campaign

As of June 2011, it has been 10 years since the Warrior Princess stormed across our screens with her soulmate Gabrielle beside her, writes Jen Tucker. Many fans are still brokenhearted about the end, and so with the recent re-release of the Xena series DVDs has come a new fan campaign to produce a new Xena film.

‘Brighton Pride not cancelled’ – Police

Sussex police and Brighton Pride organisers have renounced rumours on Twitter that Brighton Pride may be cancelled due to rioting.

15 new date ideas for bored couples

If you’ve been in a relationship for a while you might recognise this dating dilemma, writes Diana Denza. Your girl is great, but you can’t spend another night making small talk over a Chinese takeaway.

So here’s the fix: pick one of these creative date ideas and get ready to turn up the heat in your relationship.

Tabloid LGBT news round up: July 2011

Here’s the last in the current series of Lesbilicious’ tabloid round-ups: bi-monthly look at the most ridiculous LGBT stories to crawl out of the British tabloid press.

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ over by September 2011

Openly LGB soldiers will be able to service in the US military from 20 September 2011.

Obama and two top military leaders signed a declaration on Friday to confirm that the repeal of the ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy would not harm the USA’s military readiness or recruitment.

How gay-friendly is Facebook?

Facebook is an integral part of millions of lives, writes Ruth Pearce. It enables us to easily keep up with friends and acquaintances, organise events and even pretend that we’ve remembered important birthdays.

However, with privacy concerns on the rise and Google+ snapping at the giant’s heels, it’s a good time to reflect upon Facebook’s record as a gay-friendly space.

Top 5 films for the broken hearted lesbian

After recently having my heart broken I popped on ‘Bridget Jones’ in the vague hope it may rouse me from my darkest days, writes Clare Edmondson.

I unsuspectingly put myself through two hours of smug, irritating characters, ridiculous romantic ideals and a heart sinking soundtrack that felt like a form of sadistic torture.

To help you avoid this and other filmic mistakes here, in reverse order, are my top 5 films to watch with a broken heart.

Flashmob to disrupt World Cup semi-final in homophobia protest

Gay rights activists are planning a flashmob at the Women’s World Cup semi-final this Wednesday, to urge FIFA to publicly condemn homophobia in football.

“I get hundreds of letters about my bisexuality” – Jessie J

Bisexual pop singer Jessie J has spoken about coming out as bi, in a new interview for Glamour magazine.

BBC bow to pressure and prioritise women’s football over ‘Flog It!’

The BBC will show tonight’s Women’s World Cup quarter final match between England and France on BBC 2. The match was originally going to be available only online or on the red button service.

Homophobia in women’s football

It’s the final week of the Women’s World Cup, writes Chloe Setter. But where are all the lesbian football players? Is homophobia in the women’s game as bad as in men’s football?

Join queer superheroes at pro-choice London rally

At least 700 people are expected to protest in London tomorrow (Saturday 9 July 2011) in response to the Government’s recent appointment of anti-abortion organisation Life to their sexual health forum, at the expense of the British pregnancy Advisory Service.

Sarah Waters’ The Night Watch to be shown on TV in July

The film adaptation of Sarah Waters’ novel The Night Watch will finally be shown on British TV this month, the BBC has announced.

“Television isn’t great at showing butch characters” – exclusive interview with Sarah Waters

With the television adaptation of best-selling novel The Night Watch about to hit our screens, three-time Man Booker Prize nominee Sarah Waters talks exclusively to Lesbilicious’ Chloe Setter about why she wanted to put lesbians back at the heart of her next project.

Women’s football from 1895 – a story of skills, spite and sabotage

Here’s a question for you, asks Chloe Setter. What historical event began this Sunday, 26 June 2011? Top marks if you knew it was the FIFA Women’s World Cup before the picture gave it away. But unfortunately for the players and fans, most people will be unaware of this fact, as will the majority of broadcasters and news reporters, meaning the event won’t get as much coverage as it deserves.

GOGO Festival 2011: review

2,500 women, 50 performers, one giant, muddy field. What’s not to love? Milly Shaw reviews lesbian festival GO.GO.

Men masquerading as lesbians online: allies or cowards?

A lesbian blogger supposedly kidnapped in Syria turns out to be a middle-aged white man living in Edinburgh. A deaf lesbian teacher running a lesbian website turns out to be middle-aged, hearing, straight man. Why did they do it, and should we forgive them?

Uh Huh Her not to perform at GO.GO

Uh Huh Her will no longer be headlining the main stage at GO.GO Festival this Saturday 18th June.

BBC looking for LGBT parents and co-parents

The BBC is researching a documentary about modern family life in the UK. They are keen to speak to any LGBT couples or individuals who are currently parenting or co-parenting.

Slutwalk London June 2011: an eyewitness account

The world’s newest and most rapidly expanding feminist movement filled the capital’s streets with style on Saturday 11 June 2011. As over three thousand people from a myriad of backgrounds came together to voice their opposition to rape, sexual violence and victim-blaming, my thoughts turned to the wider women’s movement, writes Ruth Pearce. Does Slutwalk herald an important change in how we think about feminism?

Tabloid LGBT news round up: May 2011

Lesbilicious’ tabloid round-up: the best / worst coverage of LGBT issues in that most cuddly of beasts, the British tabloid press.

Ground-breaking Sex Worker Film Festival to open in London

The London Sex Worker Open University has announced the line-up for its first ever Film Festival event, due to take place on Saturday 12 June at the Rio Cinema in East London.

Win £12k wedding on ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’

BBC3′s ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’ are looking for lesbian couples to feature in their new series.

1 week to go for Lesbilicious Comedy in Newcastle

There is just one week to go until the next Lesbilicious Comedy night in Newcastle upon Tyne.

‘Milk’ voted best gay film of the last decade

The Oscar-winning 2008 film was voted the film of the 2000s that features “the best depiction of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) lives”, by online supporters of Stonewall.

Schoolboys in skirts and slutwalks: who decides what you wear?

Slutwalk, and a schoolboy’s brave determination to challenge sexist school uniform rules may be only distantly related – but they highlight graphically just how early, how insidiously our society teaches the culture of victim-blaming, writes Jane Fae.

Openly lesbian Scottish Conservative MP elected

The Scottish Parliament has its first ever openly-lesbian Conservative minister, following last week’s elections.

Former BBC journalist Ruth Davidson was voted Member of Scottish Parliament for Glasgow.

Tory group deny ban on pre-watershed homosexuality

A Conservative LGBT campaign group has reacted angrily to suggestions that Prime Minister David Cameron is planning to ban same-sex kisses before the 9pm TV watershed.

Exclusive interview: we talk to Pride favourites Greymatter

For the past decade, Greymatter have been entertaining audiences with their gentle yet upbeat brand of folk rock, writes Ruth Pearce. The all-girl band have gained a particularly strong following on the gay scene, having performed at numerous Pride festivals and LGBT events. In June they will play alongside Betty and Heather Peace on the main stage at Gogo Festival in Kent.

In an exclusive interview with Lesbilicious, multi-instrumentalist Georgey and lead singer Emma enthusiastically share their thoughts on having an international audience, promoting a band independently and meeting lesbilicious celebrities.

Joan Armatrading to marry girlfriend

Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading and her partner, artist Maggie Butler, are to have a civil partnership in May 2011.

Are there lesbians in heaven?

Christianity and homosexuality, rather famously, don’t get along too well, writes Kirsty Smith. But do these two things have to be segregated from each other, or can a compromise be made?

Make no mistake; this article is not actually an attempt to convert you. It is merely an objective examination of the facts, written by a self-proclaimed atheist.

Why are lesbians all vegetarian?

Why are lesbians so often vegetarian or vegan? And if most lesbians are vegeterian, does it also follow that most vegetarians are lesbians…?

Next Lesbilicious Comedy: 26 May 2011

Lesbilicious Comedy is back in Newcastle upon Tyne in May, with four new top comedy acts (plus a band).

Freemasons headlining GOGO Festival Friday night

Freemasons are to join Uh Huh Her, Betty and Heather Peace at GOGO Festival in June 2011.

‘Sarah Waters’ The Night Watch BBC adaptation: Lesbilicious review

Sarah Waters’ The Night Watch loses none of its subtleties in its adaptation to the screen, writes Chloe Setter.

Sarah Waters’ The Night Watch BBC adaptation: Lesbilicious review

Sarah Waters’ The Night Watch loses none of its subtleties in its adaptation to the screen, writes Chloe Setter.

Tabloid LGBT news round up: March 2011

As a Lesbilicious reader you’ll be used to reading sensible, well-balanced news about gay issues. But what if you’re in the mood for some ill-informed, deliberately misrepresentative stereotyping nonsense?

To save you the trouble of reading the tabloids yourself, we’re starting a monthly review of some of the very best / worst LGBT coverage in the straight press. So without further ado here is the first monthly round-up of all the news they deemed fit to print about us.

Win tickets to Gigola film screening and afterparty

We have two pairs of tickets to give away for the Saturday 2 April 2011 screening of Gigola, part of the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

London’s half-million protest: a queer account

Half a million people protested in London on Saturday – the largest public demonstration since the anti-Iraq war protests in 2003.

Lesbilicious reporter Ruth Pearce was there too. Here she explains why she was protesting, what the cuts mean for LGBT people, and what it feels like to kettle riot police.

Got talent? Win £1000

A new talent contest for lesbian / bisexual women has launched in the UK.

L-Talent will see people from across the UK take part in regional heats to show off their skills in singing, dancing, music, comedy, magic or any other talent.

Girls Gone Wild coming to UK

Notorious sex film producers Girls Gone Wild are coming to the UK for the first time in April 2011.

Lip Service Q+A videos 1: introduction

In February 2011 Heather Peace (Sam from Lip Service) and Kathy Caton (BBC3) took part in a frank and fascinating Question and Answer session, as part of the annual Lesbian Lives conference.

Are you a monster?

Lady Gaga, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Radclyffe Hall, you. Who’s normal? Who’s the monster?

Lip Service Q+A videos 2: coming out, going for Frankie and the cut sex scenes

The impact of being an out lesbian on Heather’s acting career On auditioning for the role of Frankie, “along with every other slightly androgynous actress in the UK” The sex scenes you didn’t see – the kitchen unit scene that [...]

Lip Service Q+A 3: L Word, Shane/Franke and Twitter

The similarities and differences between Frankie from Lip Service and Shane from The L Word On following in the footsteps of The L Word Lip Service viewing parties and the Twitter fans

Lip Service Q+A 4: sex and the BBC

How much lesbian sex the BBC can show Why Lip Service was on BBC3, and whether or not it could ever move to BBC2 Why Lip Service was set in Glasgow

Gay siblings needed for independent documentary

Are you in a Tegan and Sara situation? Are you gay and also have a gay brother or sister? If so documentary filmmakers Cat and Liz are making a documentary about gay siblings and family relationships, and would love to hear from you. The filmmakers plan to finish the documentary in time to launch at the 2012 London Lesbian & Gay film festival.

Liverpool Pride set for 6 August 2011

Lesbilicious apologise for an inaccurate story published on 2 March 2011 in which we reported that Liverpool Pride 2011 was in jeopardy following funding problems with its local council.

Justin Bieber, secret gay weapon

Turns out that the Daily Mail were right all along. Lesbians really are dangerous predators, who will stop at nothing to convert the innocent to their wicked deviant ways. The revolution is here and it has a name: Justin Bieber.

Emma Donoghue’s next novel to be set on cross-dressing, frog-catching Jeanne Bonnet

Emma Donoghue’s next novel will be a historical fiction based on the true story of a murdered 19th century cross-dressing frog catcher.

Exclusive interview with Lip Service’s Heather Peace

Lip Service’s only out lesbian actress Heather Peace talks exclusively to Lesbilicious about playing TV’s sexiest cop, her music career and what to expect from Season 2 of Lip Service.

Lesbian Lives conference celebrates 18th birthday in Brighton

The Lesbian Lives conference will celebrate its 18th birthday in Brighton on 11th and 12th February 2011. The conference has been organised by the Women’s Studies Centre at University College Dublin for the past seventeen years and is coming to Brighton for the first time.

Win a lesbian hoody this Valentines Day

Lesbilicious have teamed up with Little Ms Tees to offer you the chance to win a hoody from their impressive range of lesbian/bi products.

Next Lesbilicious Comedy: 24th February 2011

We’re pleased to announce the return of our comedy night in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Zoe Lyons touring UK

Up-and-coming lesbian comedian Zoe Lyons is touring the UK from February 2011.

Lyons’ second ever nationwide tour follows her recent successes on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Mock the Week and Comedy Central Live at the Comedy Store.

How to: survive a long distance relationship

Fact: Relationships can be difficult, writes Ellen Tout. But what if your sweetheart lives miles away? How can anyone survive a long distance relationship?

L Fest 2011 Launch Party in Birmingham

This Friday 28th January will see the official launch of L Fest 2011 take place at the Purple Lounge in Birmingham.