Charlene Cothran, the publisher of Venus Magazine, a magazine that has targeted Black gays and lesbians for 13 years, has announced that she is now an ex-lesbian. She has changed the direction of the magazine to one that will “encourage, educate and assist those who desire to leave a life of homosexuality.”

Back in October, Jasmyne Cannick posted the “10 ways to get out of ‘the life’” Cothran included in an issue of Venus and on the magazine’s website.

I don’t want to go on them or read about them, but if you have any interest: Bad Lesbian Dates.

(Heel click: Lusty Lady)

Robert Julian of the Bay Area Reporter calls Brian Whitaker’s Unspeakable Love – Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East, a book examining gay life in Middle Eastern and Islamic countries, “a book that simply must be read by any homosexual who lives, or contemplates living, in a Middle Eastern country.”

Doug Ireland posted his review of Unspeakable Love – Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East here.

Tania Katan, author of My One Night Stand With Cancer, will be reading at the February 15th Girlsalon at The Perch Bar and Cafe in Park Slope. Joining her: Ellis Avery, Cheryl B, Diana Cage, Zaedryn Meade and Janine Avril.

No cover charge. Be there at 6:30pm.

Em & Lo:

We’re looking for ten couples (aged 20-40) to feature in Glamour who are willing to chat with us about their sex live — in exchange for a gorgeous professional portrait. You don’t have to share anything X-rated or raunchy — unless you’d like to, of course! You could, for example, just tell us about how often you do it or who usually initiates or whether you like the lights on or off. The point is not to be shocking, but just to create a portrait of the sex lives of American couples. All couples will be considered: newly dating, happily married, shacked up, in an open relationship, gay, bi, straight, etc. The couples chosen will take part in a (fully clothed!) photo shoot, complete with hair/makeup/stylist, by a renowned photographer, and they’ll get a print of their portrait!

Contact Emma Taylor and Lorelei Sharkey for more information.

(Heel click: Lusty Lady)

Almost a year after the release of James McGreevey’s The Confession, Dina Matos McGreevey’s memoir, Silent Partner, will be published by Hyperion Books this spring. James and Dina are in the process of getting a divorce.

Jenny Shimizu is writing a book in which she exposes details about her past sexual relationships with Madonna and Angelina Jolie.

(Heel click: Best Lesbian-ish Day Ever)

Self-Organizing Men: Conscious Masculinities in Time and Space, which was recently included in “A Watershed Year for Trans Rights” in the San Francisco Bay Times, is on sale for $9.99 plus shipping.

Alyson Books is currently accepting submissions for Best Gay Love Stories: Summer Flings (Editor: Brad Nichols) and Best Lesbian Love Stories: Summer Flings (Editor: Simone Thorne).

Everyone loves to fall in love, and summertime is the perfect time of year. The days are long, the living is easy, and your heart is just that much more happy, that much more receptive to the notion of love. In this year’s edition of our annual “love stories” series, Alyson Books is looking for entries about that hot time of the year when the heat of the sun and breeze off the ocean encourage us to link our arms, our hearts, and our lives. Whether it’s the start of a long-term relationship or just a fun fling for the summer months, we want to celebrate the season with a sprinkling of romance.

Please submit all original stories as a Word document attachment to lovestories@alyson.com, along with name and pseudonym (if applicable), short bio, as well as contact info.

[This email address is for SUBMISSIONS ONLY.]

The submissions deadline for both books is March 15, 2007. Stories should be between 2,500 and 4,000 words in length.

Thanks for sending the info along, Jen!

Girlsalon news from Janine Avril:

Tania Katan, author of “My One Night Stand With Cancer” (Alyson Books) will be reading at Girlsalon from her memoir on Thursday, February 15th. The venue has still not been chosen, so I will keep you updated but mark your calenders for Miss Katan because she is brilliant, hilarious, a survivor of some very serious challenges and here to tell us about them.

She will be selling and signing copies of her book.