Born : July 11, 1971
Okinawa, Japan
Occupation : Actress, musician
Years active : 1991–

http://lumosuicidegirl.blogspot.com/

Leisha Hailey

Kiss this, Southwest

Do you know how to make a lot of lesbians really angry really fast? Be mean to Alice Pieszecki. In what seems like a plot out of “The L Word,” but is actual real and infuriating life, Leisha Hailey and her partner were escorted off a Southwest flight yesterday after kissing. Yes, in the year 2011 two gay ladies can’t kiss on an airplane without it being the end of the goddamn fucking world.

Leisha took to her twitter account last afternoon to express her justifiable outrage. (Click to enlarge. Read from the bottom to the top for the correct chronology).

So at Southwest bags fly free, but gay ladies can’t fly at all?

My outrage at this is multifold, and only compounded by Southwest’s official statement on the incident, released hours later. It read, in part:

“Initial reports indicate that we received several passenger complaints characterizing the behavior as excessive. Our crew, responsible for the comfort of all Customers on board, approached the passengers based solely on behavior and not gender. The conversation escalated to a level that was better resolved on the ground, as opposed to in flight.”

I think Southwest’s spell check is broken because they typed the word “excessive” when they really meant “gay.” You know, they’re pretty much interchangeable for some people. Now, I’ve flown a lot in my day. Across the state, across the country, across the oceans. And I have seen a lot of straight couples kiss on airplanes. A lot. And sometimes vigorously. But I have never seen a straight couple asked to stop kissing on an airplane. And I have never seen a straight couple escorted off for complaining that they were asked to stop kissing on an airplane. Never. Not once.

The Uh Huh Her twitter feed responded in kind, refuting this whole “excessive” business:

Besides that clear double standard (which blames the gays for daring to be gay and also daring to kiss while being gay), Southwest is essentially shrugging off its responsibility for its actions by claiming they were just reacting to passenger complaints. So, if some wingnut says he doesn’t like Asian people on his flight, would Southwest then – because it says is “responsible for the comfort of all Customers on board” – ask those Asian people to leave? If a homophobic passenger doesn’t like to see gay people show affection toward each other, why do his rights trump the couple’s rights? How is that more of a “family” value than embracing love – in all of its variations? This from the company that calls itself the LUV Airline.

Now, the naysayers (and there are always sayers making with the nay – this is the internet, it practically breeds them) will say that gays should just cool it with the PDA. That all PDA is uncomfortable and should not be allowed for anyone – but, you know, especially that icky gay kind that has the potential to make “normal” Americans have to explain to their kids that the world is a big place and not everyone is the same or some such socialist malarkey.

They say when gay people kiss in public they “want attention” or are “rubbing it in other people’s faces” or “whatever other homophobic bullshit I can say to mask the deep insecurity I feel about my own sexuality and that one time at summer camp with my cute counselor.” To those people I want to make a rational argument about how affection between straight and gay couples is no different, and what is acceptable for one should be just as acceptable for the other. But mostly I just want to tell those people to go fuck themselves. Truly, I could not be more sincere about that.

Look, I highly doubt Leisha and her lady friend were trying to go all Bette Porter at the opera on each other in their seats. Nothing about modern air travel is even the least bit conducive to a frisky finger bang session. Instead, like a lot of couples do, they shared a small smooch or two before the plane took off. Again, like a lot of couples do. If a straight couple did it, these same so-called complainers would probably say “Awwww.” Because a gay couple did it they said “Ewwww.”

Keep in mind, this is also the airline that kicked Greenday’s Billie Joe Armstrong off one of its planes for wearing saggy pants and director Kevin Smith off one of its planes for being too, in his own words, “fat.” And those are just the famous people they’ve wronged. They also have that pilot who accidentally broadcast his homophobic, misogynistic rant about “gays,” “grannies” and “grandes” to all the planes in the Houston area. Ironically, they’re also the official airlines of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

What is most frustrating about this, besides the obvious inequality and homophobia, is that every gay person already has an internal monitor that she or he uses to regulate public behavior. It’s mostly subconscious, often just instinctual. But it has been ingrained in us from the moment we realized we were different. I call it the “Is It Worth It?” Meter. It’s that meter tells us how fully we can be ourselves and when it is worth the consequences. For the most part, the answer is always yes. Yes, it’s worth it to be out. Yes, it’s worth it to be public. Yes, it’s worth it to hold your girlfriend’s hand at the movie theater.

But then there are times when it simply is not worth it. No, it’s not worth it to tell the douchey coffee guy who always tries to hit on you because it will only make him hit on you harder, and with more lesbian jokes. No, it’s not worth it to keep holding your girlfriend’s hand when you’re walking home late at night and nearing a large group of unruly men.

So for every person out there who persists on thinking we’re just shoving our big gay agenda into their faces, trust me – we’ve thought about the consequences of what we’re doing a lot more than you ever have. And we do what we do because we’ve decided that it’s worth it – despite all the bullshit – to be who we are. Because to self-censor ourselves for other people’s so-called comfort isn’t doing the world any favors. In fact, it hurts the world to let this double standard exist that says one kind of love is more acceptable than another kind of love. We think long and hard and endlessly about many of the simple gestures that straight people just take for granted.

So each time gay people demand to be treated equal, cry foul against discrimination and simply dare to give the person we love a kiss before the plane takes off, we chip away at that double standard. We stake our claim on our own equality. We say, I have the right to do this. If that makes you uncomfortable world, well, that’s your fucking problem. It’s not excessive to kiss someone you love, Southwest Airlines. And it is definitely worth it.

EDIT: Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey of Uh Huh Her have released an official statement about their Kissgate. It reads, in part:

We believe everyone has the right to live openly in this society as equals. In no way were our actions on Southwest Airlines excessive, inappropriate or vulgar. We want to make it clear we were not making out or creating any kind of spectacle of ourselves, it was one, modest kiss. We are responsible adult women who walk through the world with dignity. We were simply being affectionate like any normal couple.

Exactly, ladies. Exactly.

Three Sides Of Leisha Hailey

Actress, musician, and one time potential football (as in 'soccer') star, Leisha Hailey is certainly not one to let the grass grow around her. Since 1991, when her first band The Murmurs started, she has created a body of music, TV and films, all Independently minded, all exceptionally good.



Most people know Leisha from the TV show 'The L Word' on which she plays bisexual journalist Alice Pieszecki, but her forays into the world of the creative arts began almost a decade before with her first band, and it's her THREE bands; The Murmurs, Gush and Uh Huh Her that we are here to celebrate today.

The Murmurs began in 1991 as an Indie Folk/Pop duo consisting of Leisha and fellow singer/songwriter Heather Grody. The pair met when both were students at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and quickly cultivated a following around the East Village area of Manhattan. Their debut album 'Who We Are' sold healthily enough, but it was their second eponymous album, that begat the single 'You Suck', which gained the pair a certain notoriety.





Expanding to a four-piece, all-woman group in 1997, they released 'Pristine Smut' and played at the legendary Lillith Fair festivals that promoted female-fronted or, indeed, female only bands or musicians. 1997 also saw Leisha's acting debut in the cult movie 'All Over Me'.

In 1998 The Murmurs released what would become their final album, 'Blender', which also contained the song they are probably best known for, 'Genius'.





The Murmurs continued as a band until 2001, which proved to be be quite a tumultuous year for Leisha. Her five year long relationship with Canadian singer k.d. lang ended, as did The Murmurs, although Leisha and Heather remained together to form new band Gush. Sadly, very little material exists of Gush, as they mainly sold their only album at live shows.

Gush continued until 2003 when Leisha was offered the part of Alice in 'The L Word'.

'The L Word' is/was a show that was never afraid to create an extradiegetic situation, and often with Leisha's music, for example; in the first series, The Murmurs' song 'Genius' soundtracks an entire scene; in a later series episode the scorching Katherine Moennig, who plays serial shagger Shane McCutcheon, is seen wearing a Gush teeshirt; and in one of the last episodes, a song by Leisha's third band Uh Huh Her can also be heard.

Uh Huh Her is where we currently find Leisha. After 'The L Word' ended in 2009, she threw herself completely into this new electropop band, which she formed with Camila Grey. The band achieved some bonus publicity when their songs and posters were featured in the Oscar nominated film 'The Kids Are All Right'. Their only album (so far) 'Common Reaction' was released in 2008, with the promise of a new album later this year.











Leisha still turns in some acting performances, appearing on TV shows like 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'CSI: Las Vegas', and recently appeared in the movies 'Fertile Ground'.

In 2007, Leisha was voted the sexiest woman in lesbian website AfterEllen's Top 100. And as for the football, well it appears that a busted knee put paid to that promising career. But, I suppose, football's loss is music's gain, and as long as the music is as wonderful as this, it's our gain too!



"I think she's a genius"



~Gordon~

Three Sides Of Leisha Hailey

Actress, musician, and one time potential football (as in 'soccer') star, Leisha Hailey is certainly not one to let the grass grow around her. Since 1991, when her first band The Murmurs started, she has created a body of music, TV and films, all Independently minded, all exceptionally good.



Most people know Leisha from the TV show 'The L Word' on which she plays bisexual journalist Alice Pieszecki, but her forays into the world of the creative arts began almost a decade before with her first band, and it's her THREE bands; The Murmurs, Gush and Uh Huh Her that we are here to celebrate today.

The Murmurs began in 1991 as an Indie Folk/Pop duo consisting of Leisha and fellow singer/songwriter Heather Grody. The pair met when both were students at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and quickly cultivated a following around the East Village area of Manhattan. Their debut album 'Who We Are' sold healthily enough, but it was their second eponymous album, that begat the single 'You Suck', which gained the pair a certain notoriety.





Expanding to a four-piece, all-woman group in 1997, they released 'Pristine Smut' and played at the legendary Lillith Fair festivals that promoted female-fronted or, indeed, female only bands or musicians. 1997 also saw Leisha's acting debut in the cult movie 'All Over Me'.

In 1998 The Murmurs released what would become their final album, 'Blender', which also contained the song they are probably best known for, 'Genius'.





The Murmurs continued as a band until 2001, which proved to be be quite a tumultuous year for Leisha. Her five year long relationship with Canadian singer k.d. lang ended, as did The Murmurs, although Leisha and Heather remained together to form new band Gush. Sadly, very little material exists of Gush, as they mainly sold their only album at live shows.

Gush continued until 2003 when Leisha was offered the part of Alice in 'The L Word'.

'The L Word' is/was a show that was never afraid to create an extradiegetic situation, and often with Leisha's music, for example; in the first series, The Murmurs' song 'Genius' soundtracks an entire scene; in a later series episode the scorching Katherine Moennig, who plays serial shagger Shane McCutcheon, is seen wearing a Gush teeshirt; and in one of the last episodes, a song by Leisha's third band Uh Huh Her can also be heard.

Uh Huh Her is where we currently find Leisha. After 'The L Word' ended in 2009, she threw herself completely into this new electropop band, which she formed with Camila Grey. The band achieved some bonus publicity when their songs and posters were featured in the Oscar nominated film 'The Kids Are All Right'. Their only album (so far) 'Common Reaction' was released in 2008, with the promise of a new album later this year.











Leisha still turns in some acting performances, appearing on TV shows like 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'CSI: Las Vegas', and recently appeared in the movies 'Fertile Ground'.

In 2007, Leisha was voted the sexiest woman in lesbian website AfterEllen's Top 100. And as for the football, well it appears that a busted knee put paid to that promising career. But, I suppose, football's loss is music's gain, and as long as the music is as wonderful as this, it's our gain too!



"I think she's a genius"



~Gordon~

Cocktail hour

Emma Thompson got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last weekend. So, naturally, she celebrated with a pint and a pig. Naturally. Now, my love for Emma is unwavering. She may falter at times, but her heart is always unquestionably in the right place – even when she is talking smack about Audrey Hepburn. She is among those celebrities I put in my “I’d love to have a beer with” category. I mean, wouldn’t she be a blast at the bar? These are the folks whose big, magnificent brains and bubbly, radiant sense of fun make them the perfect candidates for a cocktail, or six.

Emma ThompsonSuch a pity her Safe website is still down. That last picture of her would have been a real conversation starter.

Helen MirrenIf you think she is a saucy minx sober, just wait until you get a couple cocktails into her.

Wanda SykesMy only worry is I’d laugh so hard I’d pee my pants, especially after a few drinks.

Rachel MaddowI believe it’s a life goal to taste a drink mixed by the master.

Jane LynchThat stuff I said about Wanda, ditto.

Leisha HaileyAnd if she brought along Kate Moennig and Erin Daniels, all the better.

Hillary ClintonOh, Hill. I will buy you a drink anyplace, anytime, anywhere. Standing offer, forever.

Mirror, mirror

A whole new year, a whole new decade. A change to reflect, anew. We like to put importance on certain numbers, days, milestones. The beginning of a year holds the same promise each time – a clear slate, a fresh start. We look back on what has passed. We hope for what lies ahead. And we reflect on what we want, what we really want. Today, I want to look at beautiful women looking at themselves. What? You reflect your way, I’ll reflect mine. Why hello, 2010. My, you look pretty.

Rachel WeiszMia KirshnerHelena Bonham CarterMichelle WilliamsMaggie GyllenhaalLeisha Hailey & Jennifer BealsJulie AndrewsTallulah BankheadChristina RicciOlivia WildeDid you know Olivia’s real last name is “Cockburn.” Yeah, clearly that had to be changed.

Leisha Hailey

Leisha nasceu em Okinawa, Japão em 11 de Julho de 1971 e cresceu em Bellevue, Nebraska e frequentou a escola Bellevue West High. Saiu de casa quando adolescente, já como lésbica assumida e sem aceitação de sua família, se mudou para Nova York, onde se formou na Academia Americana de Artes Dramáticas em 1991. É atriz, musicista e produtora.


Formou a dupla de rock “The Murmurs” (alterado para “Gush” em 2001) com a sua colega de academia Heather Grody e nesse período também realizou shows em Williamsburg, Brooklyn, e East Village. Durante os anos de 1990 a banda se mudou para Los Angeles, lançando vários álbuns e fazendo algumas turnês com Lilith Fair. O maior álbum “Blender” incluiu uma colaboração de Charlotte Caffey e Jane Wiedlin do The Go-Gos, além disso, algumas das canções foram produzidas por K.D. Lang com quem Leisha namorou por vários anos (desde 2006)

Com K.D. Lang


Atualmente ela está namorando Nina Garduno.



A banda " Gush " se dissolveu quando Leisha começou a trabalhar em The L Word. Em 2007, Leisha e Camila Grey formaram juntas a banda Uh Huh Her, na qual Leisha atua como vocalista e guitarrista.




Como atriz, ela teve poucas participações até 1997, onde participou de uma cena como Ellen que estrelou em Ellen DeGeneres. Ela também apareceu em 1997 no filme All Over Me (Em cima de mim), e teve um papel recorrente na televisão em comerciais para Yoplait como uma mulher fanática por yogurtes. Ela fez a sua estréia e se lançou na fama, na série de televisão Showtime's The L Word.

Atualmente Leisha se dedica também a Marfa Records, onde ela está dando oportunidade a muitos músicos de serem ouvidos. A produtora foi fundada em 2005, e tem como missão descobrir talentos teens, sendo que a primeira artista a ser descoberta foi Amy Cook.


Leisha também tem produzido alguns documentários, como Raising Teens,
“Eu co-produzo com Sam Lara Spotts o documentário sobre o chamado 'gayby boom' [filhos de pais gays] que é um tema bastante novo. Então, fui me encontrar com adolescentes que eram produtos de casamentos homossexuais e que tinham vivido isso em suas vidas inteiras. Queríamos falar com os jovens e descobrir o que em sua experiência foi similar. Encontramos três fabulosos adolescentes que nos contaram sobre as suas vidas e como tudo o que viveram contribuiu para o que são hoje”.
Seus hobbies são: correr, andar de moto, pintar e assistir filmes.

Trabalhos Cinema :

The Snowflake Crusade (2002) como Marigold




Size 'Em Up (2001) Curta 15’ participou como Clea Shapiro



Sleeping Beauties (1999) Curta 13’ participou como Sno Blo Band

Some Girl (1998) como Os murmúrios



All Over Me (1997) como asLucy



Trabalhos Musicais :


Common Reaction
2008

1. Not A Love Song
2. Explode
3. Wait Another Day
4. Common Reaction
5. Say So
6. Covered
7. Everyone
8. Away From Here
9. So Long
10. Dance With Me
11. Dreamer
Download






I See Red EP
2007

1. Say So (Thom Russo Mix)
2. Explode
3. Run
4. I See Red
5. Say So
6. Mystery Lights (Bonus Track)







Gush
2001

1. Do It Again
2. Find Me Out
3. Get Mine
4. Half As Good
5. In The Dark
6. On My Feet
7. Score
8. This Disaster


The Murmurs (1993-2000)

Blender
1998
Label: MCA Records

1. La Di Da
2. I'm A Mess
3. Big Talker
4. Misfit
5. Smash
6. Genius
7. Don't Lie
8. Underdog
9. Sucker Upper
10. Country Song
11. About Nothin'

Pristine Smut
1997
Label: MCA Records

1. Big Talker
2. I'm A Mess
3. Toy
4. Underdog
5. About Nothin'
6. Genius
7. Squeeze Box Days
8. Don't Lie
9. Sucker Upper
10. The Country Song
11. Sleepless Commotion


White Rabbit Single
1995
Label: MCA Records

1. White Rabbit
2. Carry Me Home (Chex Mix)
3. Shadow (La Quinta Mix)
4. Venom Of Violence
5. White Rabbit (Live)

Murmurs Self-titled Album
1994
Label: MCA Records

1. Bad Mood
2. Basically
3. Wastin' Time
4. Mission
5. Carry Me Home
6. Untouchable
7. You Suck
8. Neverending
9. Ticket To Zen
10. Bumble Bees
11. All I Need To Know
12. Beautiful Peace

Who Are We (Independant Release)
1994
Label: Arcadia Records

1. City Lights
2. Wastin' Time
3. Torch
4. Neverending
5. Echoeing
6. Untouchable
7. Venom Of Violence
8. Game Player
9. Lonely Man's Shoes
10. Doesn't Mean Anything
11. Nucleus
12. Mother And Son
13. Can't Hide
14. Make Love Not War
15. No Longer Stranger
16. Mountain

Trabalhos para TV

The L Word (2004 -2009) como Alice Pieszecki
Grey's Anatomy (2006) como Claire Solomon
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2006) como Allison Ludford
Boy Meets World (1996) TV Series como Corinna

Tradução: Mariene

Breve as fotos destes trabalhos