Lesbionic Radio Has Arrived!

Slowly but surely, lesbian bars across the country are noticing less and less clientele  on Wednesday nights - and two ladies in Florida named Denise and Donna have a lot to do with that. Together, they make up The Lesbian Lounge, which is a talk radio show that airs live Wednesday nights at 9PM EST on http://MyLesbianRadio.com and GayInternetRadioLive.com and features news and information about, as the hosts say, “all things lesbionic.” They are funny, intelligent, outspoken, highly entertaining and recently took their time to answer our questions about their very popular show, how it started, and where they plan to take it next.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How and when did you two first come up with the idea for the show?
Denise: About three or so years ago, we were doing a filthy, raunchy internet show for men that got old really fast. I revamped the whole idea and came up with something useful for our lesbian community, something we could be proud of, and found a home with GLBT Radio Networks out of Atlanta and The Lesbian Lounge was born. We started off on GIRL Radio and spawned MyLesbianRadio.com after a while.

Donna: We would sit around in the evenings and on the weekends and just hang out, talk, laugh, bullshit, laugh, and have the greatest conversations. Originally the show was going to be just us in front of microphones, and have the lesbian community just listening in. Shortly after she put together a loose format - which has developed and changed as we have figured out what works, what’s funny, and what was better just as an idea.

CG: What were your goals with the show and how have they changed or expanded since you started?
Denise: Originally, I think my thought behind it was to let women listen in on a typical night that they (the listener) would have with their own friends. It’s now become more of an informational thing, peppered with all sorts of goofy, personal stuff, most of which ends up being put out there for all to hear.

Donna: We thought it would be a fun, unique idea to just let others “eavesdrop” on our ramblings and digs at each other. Now the show has developed into a real source of information and entertainment. We like that because lesbians all over the world love to hear about events, music, movies, etc. that are up and coming. Plus they still get to listen in on our ramblings and personal stuff.

CG: Did either of you have any experience in radio prior to the show?
Denise: I was involved with a FM radio show called “Issues Over The Rainbow,” which came on at some ungodly hour like 6am on a Sunday, and was 56 minutes of boy stuff and four minutes devoted to “Chick Chat” between myself and Rachel Robinson of MTV’s “Real World/Road Rules Challenge.” They wanted a butch-femme chatty segment. It was so edited that it took six hours to record a four-minute conversation.

Donna: I listened to the radio in my car. A lot.

CG: How did you ladies meet and how long have you been friends?
Denise: Donna stalked me mercilessly and silently on Love @ AOL. Then lo and behold, we both showed up to be a part of a Women’s Spoken Word group called Sister Speak, about seven or eight years ago. We’ve been friends ever since.

Donna: It was hate at first site. I mean love. I mean tolerance.

CG: Are you now or have you ever been a couple?
Donna: A couple of what? Actually I love this question; we get asked it all the time. The fun part is the reaction of people when we both say “NO!” as emphatically as we can. It’s true, too, we never have. Why doesn’t anyone believe us?

Denise: Never have, never will. I need Donna there as a friend to pick up the pieces of my ever shattered heart when my relationships fail - and that’s quite often. When she isn’t doing that, she is the most amazing “wing man” you could ever have.

CG: For those out there who haven’t yet tuned in, how would you describe your show and the topics that you cover?
Denise: I would have to say that our show is like spending an evening with a bunch of lezzie friends who cover every topic that may be relevant, or not. It’s funny, entertaining, and informational, and touches on things from the obscure to the important.

Donna: The show is a great place to stop by and hang out with friends. It’s funny, informative, entertaining, and educational. (That’s because I have an Imaginary Master’s Degree in Everything.) We cover a wide range of topics, but always from a very lesbionic view.

CG: What’s your favorite part about doing the show?
Denise: The “anything goes” and “ya never know what might happen” element makes it like a wild ride for two solid hours. It’s a good way to meet people, too. Ok, ok… chicks. It’s great for meeting chicks! Nah, seriously, it’s the one night of the week that I know I’ll be laughing a LOT.

Donna: My favorite part of the show is just sitting down at the mic with our format and notes in our hand and then watching it all blow away if something more funny, more interesting or more important comes up. Or even if the cocktails we’ve had kick in and we just get silly earlier than planned! We have great guests and an amazing listening audience who can call in at any time and just turn the show over. My favorite scheduled segments on the show include The Bar Tab, Jemma’s Questions, and when Denise reviews the online personals. That is a guaranteed pant-wetting experience!

CG: You don’t seem to always have the same opinions on certain topics – which makes for great conversations for your listeners. What are some things that you two tend to disagree on the most during your broadcasts?
Denise: Oh wow…where to start?! Relationships, political correctness, what personal info to divulge on air, music, clothes, shoes, hair, smells, style, words, pets, stop me any time…

Donna: EVERYTHING! It’s easier to ask us what we do agree on – and that’s women. We both love women. Just not always the same types of women. I love butch women… have I mentioned that yet?

CG: Are there certain topics that Denise covers more of than Donna or vice versa?
Denise: Donna has an amazing ear for music and is so completely open minded that anything involving a singer or an instrument is her area. I’ve always been the film, theater, and writing buff so that info is second nature to me. We just split things up by strengths, basically. If some story has big words in it, Donna covers it, if there’s something about a hot chick, I cover it.

Donna: Denise takes over with the sports because I couldn’t care less about anything involving a ball. Or a stick. Or running. She has always been a movie addict so when we have ladies from the film industry on she just runs with it. I love music of all kinds, women’s independent being my favorite. If I find someone on MySpace or a listener has recommended someone to me I just can’t wait to share with the audience. We both love dispensing advice, especially to each other, and especially when not asked.

CG: Who are some famous lesbians that you have had on the show so far?
Denise: Ilene Chaiken, Daniela Sea, Jane Lynch, POWER UP execs Stacy Codikow and Lisa Thrasher, Jamie Babbit, Guinevere Turner, Angela Robinson, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Julie Goldman, Kate McKinnon, Bitch, and some lesbian-friendly famous ladies, too - like Sharon Gless, and Carly Pope. I think it’s cool when we have authors on, or even local musicians like JD Danner and our east coast girl, Lori Michaels - it’s like giving the listeners a chance to know these amazing entertainers that may not get a chance to hear about.

Donna: And I’d like to add that if they weren’t famous before they came on the show, they are now!

CG: In addition to The Lesbian Lounge, are there any projects that either of you are working on that the lesbian community might want to know about?
Denise: We’ve been involved with promoting “Itty Bitty Titty Committee” for almost two years now with POWER UP, we’re always hosting live events from Pride Festivals, to fundraisers (most recently for The Smart Ride for HIV/Aids) – I think we’re at the point where it’s starting to become known if you want the word out about something, tell the two funny chicks from The Lesbian Lounge! We have such a loyal listening audience from Australia to New Jersey to London to Orlando - women are starting to get it - log on, tune in, and you’ll hear something that you need to know- about events, movies, books, bars, music, coffee shops, charities, art shows, clothing lines, and your average gayborhood party. One stop shopping- if you miss it live, download the podcast- stay in the loop for everything lesbionic.

Donna: Anytime we can bring global attention to a local need we are there. Even if “local” means Australia, the UK, or anywhere else we find our listeners.

CG: What are your goals for the future of the show? Where do you hope to see it go?
Denise: Eventually, I would love for people to be able to see us on TV, something late night, probably cable, so we don’t have to curb too much of ourselves. I’d love to have a show similar to what Graham Norton does on The BBC - interactive with the live audience and the guests, funny, queer, bold, and a fun ride. Kind of like what we do now, but on camera and out of pajamas…and maybe wearing bras for a change….with decent lighting…with a chick house band…and a sweet sofa, rather than a beat up futon. Yeah - that would be cool. Eventually.

Donna: We would keep the internet broadcast also, as well as the free podcast, every week. After all… We’re Global, Baby!

The Lesbian Lounge airs live Wednesdays from 9-11pm EST and is rebroadcast Sundays at noon on MyLesbianRadio.com. For more information visit http://www.mylesbianradio.com.

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