Feminist Lawyer of the Stars Gloria Allred defends Pro Boxer Christy Martin

Gloria Allred is the most famous female attorney in the system today. She’s a lionhearted advocate of victims whose rights have been violated, and she’s not afraid to use the F word, feminist. Her website, gloriaallred.com, describes her this way: “Fearless lawyer, feminist, activist, television and radio commentator, warrior, advocate, and winner – Gloria Allred is all of these things and more. Voted by her peers as one of the best lawyers in America, and described by Timemagazine as ‘one of the nation's most effective advocates of family rights and feminist causes,’ Allred has devoted her career to fighting for civil rights across boundaries of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, and social class.” Think of Gloria Allred as a real life Joyce Wischnia.

In recent news, professional boxer Christy Martin has sought the legal guidance of Allred to press charges of either first or second degree murder against her husband, James Martin. According to police reports, Christy was stabbed and shot in an ambush attack by James after informing him that she would be leaving their marriage for a relationship with another woman, her long time friend and recent lover, Sherry Lusk. 67 year old James Martin reportedly told Christy that his life wasn’t going to last that much longer and if he couldn’t have her, no one could. Reports say James stabbed his wife four times, including once in the thigh when she tried to kick him away after which he knocked her in the head with a pistol, shot her and fled.

Balls, James Martin. You’ve got some brass ones to attack a) your wife, b) a professional boxer and c) to put your own hang ups, as severe as they evidently are, above the desires and needs of another human being. Although this tragic case is nothing unfamiliar to Gloria Allred who has defended clients from OJ Simpson’s ex-wife to some of Tiger Woods’ mistresses, it certainly should be a call to arms to all of us. We are still living in a society in which people are still living in fear and extreme repression because of who they love. It’s all very bass ackwards. Out of this deplorable situation, however, arises a role model we can be proud of. She’s incredibly intelligent and resilient, she’s a proudly outspoken feminist and she’s got our backs. Today’s kudos go to Gloria Allred. Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight.

More news to come on the Christy Martin case.

Weird Wednesdays December 22. 2010

Happy humpin’. It’s Wednesday. It’s also two days before the big X-mas, which for a lot of you means it’s travelling time. Many of you may be making a mild to long ass road trips. Good for you. Can’t you just picture it? You’ve got the windows down, your elbow sticking out as your hand flows to the sweet melodies of Ani Difranco against a sunset back-lit scene of power lines and palm trees. Good for you. Or maybe you don’t have to move but a muscle to smile as your guests arrive. It’s your turn to have people over to your place this year. Congrats and feel free to get as adorably sloppy as you need to. The farthest you need to go to get home is a hop, skip and a stumble into your bedroom from the living room as the last guests leave. (You thought they never would).

Some of us, however, must journey greater distances, travel through climate and time changes, and brave an overly dramatic amount of jetlag. Yes, some of us will have to fly. Personally I am no stranger to this form of travel. One of my parents worked for the airlines, so I’ve been navigating airport terminals and getting an extra bag of peanuts out of flight attendants since I could first wink. I don’t even mind crowded flights or sitting in the middle seat. So what’s weird about flying these days? We all know the answer. We’re bombarded with it from all angled of the media. Airport security is weird. Of course we understand the reasoning behind heightening security, but it’s weird. It feels unfamiliar and obtrusive. It’s weird that we have to choose whether to be scanned, turning the fat, balding men of security into Supermen, complete with x-ray vision or to be felt up by lord knows who. I’m going to go ahead and call this one out, ladies. If you see a sexy butch TSA employee, you go ahead and get that pat down. I’m giving you personal permission to write it off as avoiding radiation.

Weird. What do you think?

What's Weird Wednesdays, Dec 14, 2010

Hey Lesbos. It’s that time of the week again. It’s Wednesday, the middle day. And the middle day, much like the stereotypical middle child, is always seeking attention in new weird ways. Think of Wednesdays personified as Jan Brady.

This Wednesday, do you know what’s weird? Losing your stuff. I just put my keys right here on the key hook, you think to yourself, and do you know where they are? Not here. And although you think your girlfriend’s mismatched socks are adorable and she claims to have coined the odd pairing as her style, we all know the truth. She hasn’t seen the same two kinds of socks since her mother embroidered her initials on the toe in kindergarten. (Just me?)

While it’s fairly normal to misplace items throughout your day to day, it can be frustrating. You feel irresponsible, guilty and slightly disheartened. You look everywhere twice as you pace around your house, spewing a tirade of expletives. Finally, you sit down and take a deep breath before you flick your pointer finger up and smile. The proverbial light bulb bursts with a bing as you run to the refrigerator and swing open the door to find your beloved glasses right next to the OJ where you somehow left them. Phew.

Just remember: when you can’t find your stuff, relax. It’s probably just weird Wednesday. Thursday will have your missing thing. And when all else fails, embrace it. You've been wanting a new phone for a while now anyway.

The Well-Dressed Lesbian

From wing tips to strapless bras

As we all know, the holiday season means more than presents and pie. It means a concentrated number of sophisticated soirees and office parties. And although who doesn’t love free food and booze, this also means dressing up. Or at least dressing up more than your usual hoodie/converse combo. And on top of that, which side of your gorgeous womanhood do you bring to the table? Do you opt for a dress? And what kind? Should you just go with that tacky, oversized sweater you thrifted and hopefully come out victoriously funny? Or do you play it handsome and sport a classy collared number with some dad-style penny loafers?

When it comes to what to wear to a fancy party, the first thing some of you might think of is what accessories will go perfectly with those pants you already have in mind. Or if you’re like me, the party starts in twenty minutes, it’s ten minutes away and you’re having a mild meltdown because the only appropriate shirt you have to wear is so wrinkled that at first glance you assumed it was a sock. Well we at OutHaus know how you feel, so we’re here to offer some helpful suggestions to cure your party wear panic.

The Handsome Lady

A personal favorite of mine, this style will get you called dapper by your adorable new co-worker before you even have time to blush. Step one, button up or other style dress shirt. Step two, pants. Step three, and here’s where we need to pay extra attention, neck accessory or not. Step three has some categories of its own. They go like this: skinny tie, bow tie, scarf, bolo, etc. Choose wisely, my debonair friend.

Unleashing Your Feminine Wiles

Everyone likes to feel pretty, and that can mean a lot of different things. For example, maybe you need something bought-that-day brand new to feel fashionably fresh. Or maybe there’s that one staple item that makes you feel at home and self assured. Whatever the case, sometimes it’s nice to put on a dress. My favorite thing about a dress is that it only takes that one article of clothing and you’re done. Not to mention how a cute dress on a girl sends me right over the lesbian edge. Shoes are always important, right? I know a lot of girls in dresses like to wear heels, which I completely support. However, I feel it is my duty to remind everyone of one, long-lost adorable addition to any outfit. Saddle shoes. Please be advised.

Like What You Wear

Confidence is the skeleton key to the house of sexiness. While I offer some reminders of what’s out there in terms of dress options, you are the master of your fashion domain. No matter how many fashion blogs you do or do not read or how many people tear across the television screaming what you should be wearing, you know what you feel good in, and you know what you feel good-lookin’ in. So put it on and go get ‘em, lady tigers. You look great!

BONUS:

Recently in our town we had our very own fancier than usual party, hosted by a music and media-based business on the rise. Here’s what some OutHaus contributors were wearing.

Leila in a YSL wool tie, complete with a tie clip and a pocket square. She looked great

Liz looking lovely in a strapless Urban Outfitters number. She turned more than a few heads that night.

Mo in an H&M vest and a thrifted bowtie.

What have you been wearing out on the town, ladies? We want to know. Comment about it, you sexy thangs you.