October 15, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

City of WeHo’s Lesbian Speakers Series Features “Self Starters” Wednesday

As a double minority, it can be hard for queer women to lead an industry, let alone make a noticeable impact. So where do aspiring queer professional women look for guidance?

The City of West Hollywood’s Lesbian Speakers Series – a series of “free talks, performances and readings featuring phenomenal lesbians and queer women” – is featuring the “self Starters” panel on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

“The overall message of this panel is to curate a discussion with lesbian and queer women who are leading in their industry, whether it be business, finance, literature, film and more, and to foster an evening of LGBTQ+ community for those interested in learning about the life experience of these women and their current careers, and to inspire those who attend,” panel moderator CB Lee said. “As a queer woman and an author who not only has published several award-nominated books, I’m also well experienced in moderating and leading discussions at academic conferences, book festivals and more, and I’m quite excited to be moderating this event. I hope that attendees find it compelling and inspiring!”

The event speakers include: Michelle Badillo, Writer/Actress (“One Day At A Time”); Chris Baldwin, President/Board of Directors, L Project LA; Freya Estreller, Co-Founder of Coolhaus Ice Cream and Future Gin; Talonya Geary, Author, Speaker, #Godoer; Kirstin Schaffer, Executive Director, Women In Film.

The Pride L.A. spoke with the event coordinator Corey Roskin, a Social Services Specialist for the City, about what to expect. 

In one sentence, what is the Self Starters event?
ROSKIN: The Self Starters is the City of West Hollywood’s next Lesbian Speakers Series Event. This event will feature a panel of dynamic lesbians and queer women discussing the powerful work they are doing in the community personally and professionally as motivators, creators, influencers, and change makers.

What is the overall message? Why curate this panel in particular? 
The overall message is to provide inspiration and encouragement to lesbians and queer women in the community.    This panel is being curated as a way to start the new year off with dialogue and conversation that helps to move the community in a forward thinking direction.

How were the women selected to speak? What about them make them good guests for the panel?
The women were selected vis-à-vis conversations and suggestions from the women who participate on the City of West Hollywood’s Lesbian & Gay Advisory Board.   The women on the panel are all inspirational speakers, powerful voices in the community, and they represent a diverse collective from a variety of professions.

What do you hope the audience gets from the event?
We hope the audience is inspired and is encouraged to take action in their own lives and in the community as a result of attending and participating in the evening.

What is the importance of the Lesbian Speaker Series in general?
The Lesbian Speakers Series was started in the fall of 2015 with the support of the West Hollywood City Council as initiated by the City’s Mayor John J. Duran.   The Series is a way that the City is recognizing the accomplishments and importance of lesbians and queer women by providing talks, performances, films, etc. by and featuring them.   Events that have been held thus far are noted on the attached document.

Why make it women-specific? 
The event is women-specific because it is part of the City of West Hollywood’s Lesbian Speakers Series which targets those who identify as lesbians and/or queer women. The City of West Hollywood also produces the yearly event, One City One Pride, which features 40 days of programming with a broad array of events featuring the incredible diversity of the LGBTQ community.

Self Starters takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 7–9 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the West Hollywood Library. The event is free. For tickets and more information, visit the Eventbrite page HERE

Related Posts

Suspect Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Sell Stolen Warhol Artwork in Beverly Hills Auction House

October 1, 2024

October 1, 2024

The Warhol Print Was Originally Sold by a West Hollywood Gallery  Brian Alec Light, 58, of Hudson, Ohio, is expected...

West Hollywood Valet in Critical Condition After Brutal Attack, Suspect Identified

September 17, 2024

September 17, 2024

Kindly Barney’s Beanery Valet Attacked; LASD Seeks Community Assistance A longtime valet at a popular West Hollywood restaurant is in...

Santa Monica Artist Dave Quick’s “Return from the Burn” Exhibition to Open at Bergamot’s Lois Lambert Gallery

July 10, 2024

July 10, 2024

Pre-Burning Man Showcase Features Kinetic Art and Sculptures Coated with Playa Dust, Opens July 13 With upwards of 80,000 attendees,...

Film Review: Down Low

July 30, 2023

July 30, 2023

FILM REVIEWDOWN LOWRated R90 MinutesReleased March 11, 2023 By Dolores Quintana “Down Low” is funny. It’s a lean 90 minutes...

Film Review: The People’s Joker

July 23, 2023

July 23, 2023

FILM REVIEWThe People’s JokerUnrated92 MinutesReleased September 13, 2022 (Toronto Film Festival) By Dolores Quintana “The People’s Joker” is a heartfelt...

Skin Laundry Laser Focuses On Rejuvenating Skin

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Facials don’t have to be invasive. That’s why Skin Laundry has taken a revolutionary approach to skincare technology, making the...

The Problem with Pride Outfits and How You Can Change It

February 20, 2023

February 20, 2023

Since pride month’s official declaration in 1999, we’re reminded every June of how far America has come following New York...

Happening Now: West Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ Arts Festival

May 23, 2022

May 23, 2022

By Susan Payne Happening now through the end of June, WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival celebrates the artistic contributions of...

California Trans Child Molester Gets 2 Years In Juvenile Facility

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A Los Angeles County judge ordered Hannah Tubbs, a transgender California woman, to serve two years in a juvenile facility...

Homeless Initiative Meeting In West Hollywood

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative works to address homelessness with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, collaborative response. It’s estimated that...

WeHo Premieres the ‘Moving Image Media Art’ Exhibition Series

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood announces the premiere of the Moving Image Media Art (MIMA) program and the worldwide debut...

LA Street Will Potentially Be Named After Anti-LGBTQ Singer

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A portion of Bailey Street may be renamed to the late Mexican Mariachi singer ” Vicente Fernandez Street’ – a...

WeHo Spreads Word About Free Covid Testing

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood is reminding residents that free COVID-19 testing is available for them.  Demand for COVID-19 testing...

Green Qween New Queer-Owned Cannabis Shop Will Open Downtown

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

Green Qween, a new queer-owned and queer-driven cannabis shop, will open in downtown on April 20th.  The shops owners, Andrés...

2022 ‘WeHo Reads’ Series Celebrates the ‘Road to Joy’

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood invites community members to celebrate literature and local authors with its 2022 WeHo Reads literary...