Actress Kelli Simpkins was spotted deep in conversation over cocktails at HBO’s New York headquarters this week. She’s the lesbian who played the lesbian (go figure) in the reality-based drama The Laramie Project. Simpkins, actress Lisa Rothe (star of the lesbian love story In Passing,”) and 140 other lesbians in the entertainment industry showed up at a fundraiser sponsored by HBO for the professional support organization Power Up. The event included a screening of 6 short films--all by lesbian filmmakers. Three were funded by grants from the Los Angeles-based non-profit Power Up.

Some filmmakers and writers were on hand to introduce their projects, including comedian Michelle Balan, director and star of Absolutely Famished, Kate Fitzgerald, writer/director of In Passing, and Pamela Busch, writer of Breaking Up Really Sucks (funded by Power Up). Over cocktails, Busch informed Ms. Fo that many people tried to convince her to change the title, but she held firm. A wise decision, since it’s aptly stated--breaking up does suck. Every time. And here’s a hint: half the fun for lesbians is that there’s always a future ex-wife on the horizon.

Power Up, founded two years ago by Hollywood producer Stacy Codikow, was created to promote visibility and support for lesbians in all forms of entertainment media. Their mission includes awarding grants of up to $25,000 to would-be writers and directors. For all lesbians with a script and a dream, check out "http://www.power-up.net" for more details.