The Emerging Lesbian Power in Hollywood

By Blakey St John

This is anything but a catfight! Imagine, an almost all-female-lesbian at that-networking organization comprised of women in film, TV, and media that is not about competition and exclusion but about support and inclusion. The Professional Organization of Women in Entertainment Reaching Up (or POWER UP) is a new concept for a new millennium and it's about time.

The mission of this "girls' club" is to promote, encourage, and support the vision and integration of women in the entertainment industry. POWER UP (www.power-up.net) is ready to take on the challenge. They hope to create new opportunities for lesbians in the entertainment industry through networking events, roundtables, seminars, discussions, and other career development tools to integrate ideas into action. POWER UP is creating a support system that encourages and promotes a healthy positive self-image and allows members to network with one another, as well as with other industry professionals. Member-ship is open to any person working in television, film, media, or new media who support the group's mission.

Founded last December by Stacy Codikow, Amy Shomer, and K. Pearson Brown on a rooftop patio, POWER UP now has close to 300 members and counting-far exceeding their modest expectations of 100 members for their first year. These memberships are not just limited to Los Angeles lesbians. The New York chapter of POWER UP was just formed and is now accepting memberships and gaining momentum. The gay press has enthusiastically supported the group. Their recent two-page spread in the Hollywood Issue of The Advocate portrayed the members as the stereotype-shattering women that they are: diverse, inspired, and involved. National coverage, not bad. And that's only the beginning. What's the next stop, People magazine? I hope so.

It also doesn't hurt that POWER UP has attracted some better known lesbians such as Lee Rose ("It's a Girl Thing"), Jan Oxenberg ("Chicago Hope"), and Jamie Babbitt ("But I'm a Cheerleader"), all of whom hold positions on the POWER UP board of directors. Check out the Web site for a full list of the members of the board, as well as bios of the founders and full docu-mentation of their press coverage.

So, what does a membership in POWER UP get you? So far, I've attended two networking mixers, complete with open bar and light snacks. I gathered all the business cards I could handle, sipped a martini with two olives, and enjoyed the networking prowess of about 100 fabulous dykes. I'd say that was a perfect Tuesday evening-as will be every last Tuesday of every month. I also attended a screening of "Blow Dry," which was a co-sponsored event with Outfest. The group has given two educational seminars, including "The Art and Craft of Networking" hosted by Codikow, POWER UP executive director and film producer. They are offering $10,000 film grants to three of their lucky members. The crews of each film to be comprised of POWER UP members. And let's not forget the incredible job and résumé bank available to all members. And, of course, there is the virtual power lunch where members can "lunch" with various people from the entertainment industry via the POWER UP Web site. They have also recently completed a poll of their members to pick the 10 most powerful gay women in media-a Top 10 list that will be an annual event. The winners will be announced in the coming months. The list of benefits goes on and on.

POWER UP does not limit its membership to lesbians. There has been a tremendous amount of support and involvement by the gay male community as well. In fact, more than 5% of membership is comprised of gay men, as well as straight men and women, a fact that does not surprise POWER UP founders at all. As the word continues to get out there, that percentage will surely rise. "A lot of it is about unity of women. Let's unite lesbians who have a chance to change the world through media . We want to portray a positive image in our society," Codikow says.

If you're interested in joining POWER UP or just finding out more, visit the Web site. Don't worry if you're not in Los Angeles, you can still join and support this incredible organization. Besides, you'll get their fabulous e-mail newsletter and a pretty nifty T-shirt. And remember, if you're in town on the last Tuesday of the month, I'll see you at the next get-together.