Website of the Week: Other Than That - or - The forgotten kind of LesBian Heroes

By Sandra Showtime on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 00:47

When we think of lesbian visibility and its impact we tend to jump directly into the entertainment section.

Politicians and LGBT activists are usually perceived as far away from being “hip”. And although the result of their work will be significant for the LGBT community, it will most likely show a long time after we heard of them. Heroes? Sure, but the ones no one cares about.

It’s like telling a kid the new gorgeous teddy is from aunt xx. Someone the kid only saw once, in a photo album, 2 years ago. Who cares for the aunt? It’s about the teddy.

The impact of out musicians, actresses or producers of lesbian series and films, on the other hand, plays out in the here & now. And despite the creative abilities, it’s certainly their success we admire the most. Gay and successful, that’s what we want to be, and that’s what they live out in front of us, becoming the heroes of our community.

Now, an interesting fact about this post is that I could end it here and no one would wonder. Politicians, activists, celebrities. Check, check, check. We’re done.

Are we?

OtherThanThat.com reminded me of the forgotten kind of lesbian power. Women in business.

Meet Cathy Brooks. Consultant, journalist and founder and president of Other Than That Consulting in San Francisco.

Ok, admitted, this doesn’t sound as fancy as “Rockstar” at first but when we look behind the rather dry words there’s not less power, and in this particular case not less fun, involved.