Seeing that we just mentioned L-Word actress Leisha Hailey and singer Camila Grey's musical collaboration, we thought it appropriate to post the gal's first video, "Not A Love Song.'

Ilene Chaiken's one clever lesbian!

The L-Word writer and creator convinced Showtime, which doesn't air commercials, to let her write products into the lady drama's storylines. And the move may bring in serious bank:

Those with knowledge of the matter say that for $300,000, consumer brands can buy an "integration package" that will either incorporate a brand into existing L Word storylines or allow the brand to work with the show's writers to create customized storylines, participating in one episode or across several…

While Ms. Chaiken wouldn't comment on the $300,000 figure, she did say that pricing is being kept flexible to allow the maximum number of potential partners. The L-Word, she notes, isn't just about and for gays and lesbians; it's about "affluent, avid consumers plugged into pop culture," which Ms. Chaiken said makes the series "a rare, perfect opportunity for showcasing brands" to women, lesbian or not.

We'd love to see Chaiken work in a Vagisil sponsorship!

Read our interview with Chaiken here!

Many of you may not know the name Amy Ray, but we're sure you know the name of her band, The Indigo Girls.

It's under that name that Ray - alongside Emily Saliers - began her nearly twenty-year long music career. Knowing all good musicians need to push their boundaries, Ray broke off in 2001 and began releasing solo projects. Now, a mere seven years later, the 44-year old celebrates the release of her fourth, Didn't It Feel Kinder?

In addition to all her aural deeds, Ray's made a name for herself on the activist scene, campaigning for native rights, environmental justice and, yes, gay rights. Taken together, Ray becomes far more than just one-half of a lesbian folk outfit.

After the jump, Ray discusses why she loathes the word "lesbian," how identity politics come and go, and what it feels like to be the butt of a joke.

Oh, yeah, and she also sent over a new track, "Birds of a Feather," which comes from her aforementioned fourth solo album. Dive in!

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Good news for all you The L-Word lovers!

Showtime announced yesterday that they're planning on creating a spin-off of the lesbian sudster. It's going to be called The V-Word. Psych. We don't know what it's call. Here is what we do know:

Showtime entertainment president Robert Greenblatt just announced a spin-off plan for The L-Word at press tour.

“We’re in the process of working on an The L-Word spin-off,” he says. “I’m not going to give you too many details. We’re shooting it after The L-Word."

The spin-off will star one of the actors from The L-Word, which is entering its sixth and final season and will return in January. Greenblatt [say] didn’t which The L-Word actor will star ("I don't want to be too coy, but I can't say") and added that the chosen actor is not yet aware they will star in the spin-off.

The show will be created by The L-Word showrunner Ilene Chaiken, who will take a storyline from the original show’s final season and extend it into Internet-only content. If Showtime moves forward with the as-yet-untitled spin-off, the online storyline will segue into the new series.

Greenblatt also announced that the cable station's picked up two more seasons of Weeds, which pleases us to no end.

Any Weeds watchers out there? What's up with this gangster-in-the-ground story?

The L-Word's Elizabeth Keener grabbed a new gay gig. Reuters reports that Keener, sister of Catherine, will appear as a lesbian FBI agent in gay network here!'s latest original series:

The project is described as a cross between The Silence of the Lambs and Twin Peaks.

Keener's character juggles personal demons with the demands of her extended undercover assignment in a mysterious small town, and soon finds herself increasingly enmeshed in the lives of the town's inhabitants.

So, basically it's like Dante's Cove and The Lair, only without the witches and demons and such. Just what the world needs!

Showtime's lesbian sudster, The L-Word, has been renewed for a sixth and final season. Rather than filming a dozen episodes, as they have in the past, the girls will only have eight more before the end of the show's run.

Showtime president of entertainment Robert Greenblatt lauded the series, saying, it "surpassed its niche as a gay show gay niche". He continued, "The title of the show became part of the lexicon, and the breadth and reach of the characters and story lines are a testament to the talent of Ilene Chaiken and her incredible cast."

Creator Chaiken promised fans that while the show may end, the lesbian love will live on in its internet spin-off, Our Chart. Way to keep that lesbianic gravy train going, girl!

Ilene Chaiken's not one of those "rich Hollywood folk". Well, she is, in a way, but The L-Word creator doesn't like to define herself in such terms. Regardless of how she'd like to be viewed, Chaiken's undoubtedly one of the movers and shakers in the world of entertainment.

Above you see Chaiken looking quite lipstick as she accepts the GLAAD "Outstanding Drama Series" award for The L-Word, which she also writes and executive produces. Philadelphia-born Chaiken told our editor recently that she didn't expect the show's success: "I didn't think it would happen. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would do something so successful." Chaiken also shares her thoughts on motherhood, strife with her parents, Hillary Clinton, DOMA, website spin-off OurChart, product placement and what she once looked for in a man - basically everything!

Before you dive into that jump, however, we think it's important you know that Chaiken sounds very similar to Sally Field: motherly, benign and familiar. Also, this conversation took place at 9:15am Los Angeles time, which Belonsky thought may be early for Chaiken. One never knows with those rich Hollywood folk!

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The L-Word ladies let the good times roll at this weekend's season five premier in Los Angeles. Even Miss California Raquel Breezly made an appearance! As did a finger flicking Marlee Matlin.

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Whoever says television does not good should read this story:

…A fan of the popular show The L Word has donated $1 million to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation in the name of some the show's most prolific stars. Actress Erin Daniels who portrays a gay breast cancer victim on the series inspired the anonymous donation.
…
Daniels played Dana Fairbanks, Hailey's lover on the show, who discovered she had breast cancer in season three and eventually died of heart failure. The generous donor recognized the realism and truth the actress brought to the breast cancer story line and made the largest private donation to the Foundation ever.

Meanwhile, in other L Word-related news, season five starts this Sunday and lesbian networking site OurChart is all over it. Starting today, fans can view the season premier prior to Showtime's January 6th event.

Also, for those of you who are totally obsessed, you may want to check out the characters' New Year's resolutions. They're dyketastic!

It's a cross-promotion orgy in realistic unreality Second Life, where Showtime and Altoids have teamed up for a virtual, pirate-themed pride parade. As you can see, the mints and the media came together to celebrate lesbianism in all its blessed forms.

…For all of June, Altoids, with the assistance of The WDDG in coordination with Electric Sheep, will be running "Gay Pride Month @ L-Word Island" in everybody's favorite virtual world. Events include a carnival, a date auction, gay prom and two massive parades that sync with the LA, New York and SF ones on our side of reality.

Alright, we're all about gay pride, but do we really need to have one in a make believe world? Also, why are Second Life lesbians pirates? We thought gay men stole that title long ago.

Check out some "pictures" from the illusory event.

• Paris is a pussy. The jailed heiress was on the verge of a mental breakdown, so coppers let her out of jail and gave her 45 days home detention, instead.

• Does the Bible endorse trans folk? The Advocate's Joanne Herman says, "yes": "In Matthew 19:12… Jesus describes three types of eunuchs—those “which were so born from their mothers’ womb,” those “which were made eunuchs of men,” and those “which made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.”

• AfterEllen and its readers name the 100 Hottest Women in the World. The L-Word's Leisha Hailey takes the top slot, while Catherine Deneuve brings up the rear.

• Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes, who are accused of murdering rival producer, Bryan Kocis, will remain in jail until their extradition hearing.

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Ilene Chaiken counts herself as one of the most influential, forward-thinking queers today. Literally. And rightfully so, the 46-year old lesbian created, produces and writes Showtime's colossal coochie-loving soap, The L-Word. No small feat, to be sure. And, according to comedienne Karey Dornetto, an accomplishment of which Chaiken's endlessly proud.

(PS: We love Chaiken's ethereal theme music!)

We've got two bits of television news for you. The first come to us via our cousin Mollygood who, in turn, got it from those rascals over at Glitterati. Rumor has it that The L-Word's Kristanna Loken, who plays Paige, is so fed up with her castmate's attitude problems that she's leaving the show. Of the show's lady-heavy cast, she says:

It's an entire show of women. And the amount of egos and insecurities and cattiness that can go on with a bunch of women - that's what you get.

[The Show] attracts certain people that want to do something different in their career, but the girls were tough. It's a big, ensemble cast. And sometimes you wonder if they've bit off more than they can chew.

Yes, well, we can imagine things get a little hairy when you guys are all in sync and shit.

The second bit of news isn't really lesbianic, but it does come to us from the chicks over at AfterEllen, who got it from The Hollywood Reporter. They're reporting that former Warrior Princess Lucy Lawless has signed on to play Tanya for the American update of British sudster, Footballer's Wives.

Fans of the original remember coke-snorting, baby-switching, husband hopping, long nail wielding Tanya Turner as being played by Zoe Lucker. While we can't say we're thrilled by the update, we're glad the producers didn't give the role to an American.

No offense, ladies, but we're not sure you could pull it off with quite the right zest.