Out of Town

by Victor Zorn

DAMES AT SEA

Mexico cruise stars top women and The L Word premiere

The gals (and many guys, too) have remotes at the ready for The L Word, the new Showtime series premiering January 18 about lithesome young women—including sapphic sisters—in Los Angeles. Olivia, the travel provider for lesbians and their loved ones, has also jumped on the L ship with a January 16–23 cruise of the Mexican Riviera featuring some of the program cast.

As if the chance to rub elbows with Jennifer Beals and Pam Grier (honey, it’s Foxy Brown) weren’t enough incentive, Olivia will host a week of panel discussions and breakout sessions featuring a brace of accomplished lesbians. Billed as the first Women’s Leadership Summit, the event stars Col. Grethe Cammermeyer (pictured), the decorated former Army nurse and advocate for lesbian and gay service members.

Also on the bill:

• Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights executive director

• Kathy Levinson, former president and COO of E*TRADE and founder of the Lesbian Equality Foundation of Silicon Valley

• Linda Villarosa, author and former executive editor of Essence

• Judy Wieder, senior vice president and corporate editorial director of LPI Media, parent company of Out, The Advocate, The Out Traveler, and HIV Plus.

• Elizabeth Falkner, named one of the nation’s top pastry chefs by Bon Apetit.

The lineup of cruise entertainment aboard the MS Statendam will include Suede, Lucie Blue Tremblay, Zoe Lewis, as well as comedians Suzanne Westenhoefer, Kathleen Madigan, and Karen Williams. Finally, Olivia will also present a premier screening of The L Word.

Rates for the San Diego-Puerto Vallarta run start at $999 per person double occupancy. Olivia offers special prices until January 15. Details: www.olivia.com.

MORE CRUISING

From January 24–31, Dr. Peggy Rudd, author of My Husband Wears My Clothes and Crossdressing with Dignity, and Melanie Rudd will host another Dignity Cruise, which allows passengers to enjoy their vacation dressed the way they like.

“On the Dignity Cruise 20 cruise out of Houston/Galveston in November, there were 16 crossdressers and a equal number of spouses, girlfriends, and supportive friends as well as many from the Houston-area GLB community,” the Rudds report. “Since 1988, over 800 transgender individuals together with spouses, girlfriends, family members, and supportive friends have enjoyed the ultimate en femme adventure. We also educate our fellow passengers about the dignity of the GLBT community, which then leads to greater understanding and acceptance—even by some of the conservative religious groups.”

The seven-day January excursion aboard the Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas will depart New Orleans and travel to Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Rates range from $420 to $710. Details: www.pmpub.com. For reservations, contact Katy-based Dignity Cruises at 281/347-SAIL or dignitycruises@mindspring.com.

Victor Zorn reported on the lesbian-owned Highlands Inn in the November issue.

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