2013 Autostraddle Calendar Girls Archives

Get Your 2013 Autostraddle Calendar For $8! 48-Hour Sale!

Hundreds of you have already noted and embraced the beauty of the Autostraddle 2013 Calendar, but many of you are still standing in the driveway staring at the stars wondering what goshdarn day it is and where all the hot girls are. Today is your lucky day!

For the next 48 hours, you can get The 2013 Autostraddle Calendar for just $8!

Here’s a video of what it’s like to own and touch this calendar:

This calendar features a host of smokin’ hot queer ladies, including Miss California contestant Mollie Thomas and Translabyrinth’s Morgan McCormick. You can put the calendar on your wall or coffee table, frame or hang individual pages as prints or posters, or preserve it forever in a protective sheath of some kind to one day sell on eBay for a million dollars.

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Note On Shipping: Please keep in mind that the calendars are beautiful and also large and heavy, which means they’re delivered by Parcel Post, which means it takes longer to arrive than more conveniently-sized things. We can ship “So Many Feelings” journals in the same package we use to ship your calendar, but if you also order clothing from the store, it will ship separately, so don’t freak out if your t-shirt arrives and your calendar hasn’t arrived yet.

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So what are you waiting for? Hit up our store or use the store embed below to get your calendar before it’s too late to kiss Miss March on the face! While you’re at it, you might wanna pick up a journal for all your feelings or a t-shirt. Just saying:

If we have any calendars left over by Saturday, they will go back up to $12 at 10AM PST.

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Christina is Miss December

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $5! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

For the 2013 Autostraddle Calendar, we put on our bathing suits and hit the water! My goal this year was to do a black and white series that was playful, sexy, and all about the women. I sought to capture images that would reflect the models’ feelings of freedom and comfort in their own skin. We chose a simple expanse of sand and water where the horizon is somewhat indistinguishable, and it was the perfect setting for a very personal and introspective look at each of these extraordinary women.

As a photographer, photographing an entire day at the beach is a great challenge. You need to maintain consistency as the light changes drastically throughout the day and the tides ebb and flow. This adds an interesting element in the images as over the course of the day, we watched them play and interact from sunrise to sunset. We closed the day with some very quiet, intimate interactions between the women who’d come to know each other over the course of those hours.

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our December Lady is Christina:

Christina in her own words:

Hey! My name is Christina Bly, but everyone pretty much just calls me Bly. I’m 25 and moved to LA two years ago from NY. One of those “grew up in NY and was ready to take on the world” stories, and I’ve really enjoyed the adventure so far. I came out here primarily to work in production and have been making my way up the ladder to do audio.

When I’m not slaving away at work, I enjoy my free time being spontaneous. If you feel like taking a road trip or random vacation anywhere, call me up because I am always in. Also I love camping and hiking — the car is always packed and ready to go. I guess I like to live as if I can drop everything one moment and go do something crazy and random the next. Keeps life interesting that way.

Thank you Autostraddle and the girls who put together the whole calendar for letting me be a part of such an awesome experience. Your hard work definitely shows.

Robin’s Phoner with Christina

Where are you from and why did you decide to move to LA?

Well I am from NY but when I say that I don’t mean NYC I mean upstate western NY area…Rochester. I moved to LA because I went to school for film/tv and obviously not much was going on in good old Roc City so it was move to NYC or LA and I had never been to LA so why not take an adventure.

Are you working in film or TV now?

Yeah, I have been fortunate enough to move to a city I had never even visited before and stay pretty busy working mainly in reality TV.

What’s it like being on a reality TV set? Do things feel more staged than what the audience sees?

A lot of “reality” is staged. But a lot of the time they have story ideas they already want to incorporate and try and get the cast members to run with those ideas. As far as what they say and do afterwards a lot of that is the reality.

Being a behind the camera person, did it feel strange to be photographed?

It was a little awkward to be the focus. I have been photographed before for some other friends projects but by no means do I feel like a natural. It is fun to experience the other side at times though.

We basically just shoved you in the water with Mary and were like- GO!

Getting to shoot with Mary was great. I think it broke the ice a little when I met her and a minute later we got knocked over by a wave on top of each other. Like, oops it was nice to meet you!

I think its so cool that no one knows each other at the beginning of these shoots and now, for instance, Mary lives in LA and you guys are buddies.

Most of the girls from the shoot were all new to each other and it’s been amazing to see how we have all stayed in touch and some even have become really good friends since!

You and Mollie were I think our most tattooed models. How many do you have now?

Ohhh boy, I never know how to count this. My sleeve is basically my journal so I keep adding pieces at a time so if I counted some of those separately, with the rest of mine I’m going to say currently 14.

That’s commitment.

Yeah it is. I will eventually have a full sleeve and have even gotten a couple more since the shoot.

You were also a model again on Autostraddle this year for Sarah Croce’s fitness article right? I believe you were at a gun show. Is that where you were, a gun show?

Yes I was. Croce started writing fitness articles for Autostraddle and apparently thought I had the guns to participate in the show.

I think its safe to say you do and that you are most likely also into fitness. Is that a fair assessment?

That is indeed a fair assessment. It gets difficult keeping up with it when you work 12+ hour days in production but I try and fit in workouts when I can and eat healthy as well.

What’s the most (stereotypically) lesbian thing about you?

Probably the fact I own a lot of camping gear and tools.

Camping!! Why haven’t you come to A-Camp yet?

I know!! I’m all about the outdoors and I have missed A-Camp both times. This just means I’m going to have to come to the next one and have twice the making up to do at it!

One more question, what’s the sexiest aspect of a girl?

I really like when a girl can keep up with me in conversation but also has some mystery about her. It’s intriguing. Also I’m pretty sarcastic so I think it’s sexy when they can give it right back to me.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct questions/concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Introducing the 2013 Autostraddle Calendars! Pre-order Now and Get Special Things

After months of hot girls and sweet anticipation, it’s finally time to unveil The 2013 Autostraddle Calendar, our best calendar yet! It’s been quite a process this year (apparently partial nudity is An Issue for very many printers) and I’m absolutely thrilled to open up pre-orders for this year’s calendar/zine featuring the work of Robin Roemer and the hearts/minds/bodies of 20 queer women.

See the 2013 Calendar Girl series here.

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That day on the beach seems like so long ago, but the pictures bring me back: this year Robin wanted to do a stripped-down black-and-white shoot that focused more on scenes of friends being super-gay together on the beach than on the more traditional individual portraits.

The pictures are pretty rad — Robin even had a gallery show in New York for the collection we’re now selling to you on 40 tabloid-sized newsletter-style pages featuring 12 calendar layouts in a photo-‘zine format.

2013_Autostraddle_Calendar_interior_1 Now it’s time to pre-order your calendar! From now until December 1st, you can pre-order the 2013 Autostraddle Calendar for only $14 (price goes up to $18 after December 1st). Here’s a giant link:

Pre-Order Your 2013 Autostraddle Calendar Here

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There are so many photos in this thing, you guys, photos that make you feel good to be alive and gay. Plus, there are so many ways to use 40-pages of newsprint: pull the full pages out and hang them up as posters, or use them as gift wrap for the holidays (I have done this with past ‘zines and highly recommend it), use the calendar pages as your 2013 wall/poster calendar, or just leave the whole thing together as the complete entity that it is.

2013_Autostraddle_Calendar_interior_3 2013_Autostraddle_Calendar_single_page And guess what there’s room to write your notes in on certain days
so that you don’t forget to feed your cat or whatever:

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When will my calendar arrive?

Good question – for pre-orders made before December 1st, you will receive your calendar the second week of December. So at some point between the 10th and the 14th. So get those pre-orders in, y’all!
As always, thanks for your support and don’t forget to pre-order your 2013 Autostraddle Calendar!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Alana and Julie are Double Miss November

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!
Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our November Ladies are Alana and Julie:

Alana in her own words:

Hiya! I’m Alana! I’m 23; born, raised, and still living in Los Angeles! And this whole thing might be in exclamation marks because I’m so excited! Okay, so I’m not going to do that but I am super excited. Anyways, I’m currently in this really awkward phase of growing up and finally figuring out the things I want to do with my life, so I’m basically in school and working. Switching from the role of a partying wild child to a responsible adult has been a little tough, but I like becoming more independent.

I love animals, and have two babies. I’ve been a vegetarian since 2006, and I’m still going strong! (Tofurkey anyone?) I love all types of music, and will dance to almost anything that I can. My favorite when it comes to dancing is ballet, though dancing in a club is almost as good. I’m a pretty social person who likes to be out and about around people, and having a good laugh. Though I won’t lie and say I’ve never been the person who befriended the dog over talking to people at a house party.

I consider myself androgynous and identify with being called queer. I think the fact that I never related to the word ‘lesbian’ made it a little difficult when coming out. I feel like I’m in the grey area between butch and femme, and I like it. Realizing that this grey area made me feel less constricted has helped me become a lot more comfortable with being myself. I’d like to thank the ladies at Autostraddle for this opportunity! Meeting those of you I have met, haven’t met, and people I’ve met through you, has all played a big role with me being more comfortable in my skin. THANK YOU ALL!

Robin’s Phoner with Alana

What got you interested in applying for the project?

Well, I’d been on the site a lot, and it was a really last minute thought. I was on the site, and was really thinking, “Why not? If I’m not picked no big deal, and if I am well, that’ll be awesome and it’d be great to part of something.” A possible ego boost helped too!

What was your favorite part of the day?

Hm, I think best part was just the chill time in between the shots. And talking to everyone and joking around. When I think back I just like the feeling of acceptance that was there. I have like three lesbian friends, and it was my first time being around such a diverse group of women.

What do you do for fun?

I like to dance. It helps with my state of mind. When I was younger, I was always too shy to ever go in front of people. I started off alone in my bedroom instead of a class filled with other kids. I don’t think I was actually on beat until I was like 16 though.

Tell me about your pets!

Oh I could probably go on forever. My dog Ted is 4 years old — he’s my baby, and I’ve actually given new parents advice from my experience with my dog. Also, the advice worked! But yeah, he’s basically a furry human who’s good at listening, rolling his eyes, and getting more attention from girls than I do. I also have a kitten named Dorian who’s around 4 months old. I’m still learning with him, but so far he thinks Ted is his mom, and tries to nurse from him. Also he likes water a little too much and jumps in the shower and/or toilet whenever he can.

If you could be a Disney sidekick, who would you be?

That’s tough! But I think I’d want to be Kronk from Emperors New Groove. He speaks squirrel and is super funny. And comes with a little demon and angel on his shoulder. Or I’d probably be Genie from Aladdin.

Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?

I’m more excited for shopping after Thanksgiving!

Do you have a favorite store?

I like ASOS a lot and Topman for more boyish styles, as far as online stores. Though H&M is really good too. Depends on the style I’m going for.

And you have a more andro style, so you probably like mix it up a lot.

Yeah I have a hard time figuring out just the right look I want. I probably take way too long to get dressed, even for something very simple.

Julie in her own words:

Hi! I’m Julie, 23 and a recent resident of the beautiful city of San Francisco (GIANTS!) after previously residing in West Hollywood. I was born outside of Chicago, and spent most of my life on the coast of Florida.

My original goal after college was to go to law school, but even after doing fairly awesome on the LSAT, I had a change of heart. Like most people my age, I’m still trying to figure out exactly what that is — but for now, I’m in Operations at a great company called Indiegogo. Autostraddle, I think you may have heard of us?

When not in the office, I spend a lot of time with the pups — a 5 month old Husky mix and a 3 year old Golden Retriever mix. These two are part dolphin and love when they’re taken to the ocean. I’m also a fan of exploring the best coast/blowing all of my money in Vegas/wine tasting in Napa with my beautiful girlfriend, Devon. A lot of time is also spent going to music festivals, eating at one of San Francisco’s nine million amazing restaurants, or the (very) occasional Top Model/SVU Netflix marathon. Two words: Olivia Benson.

Anyway, I just want to say thank you to Autostraddle for allowing me to be a part of this amazing group of ladies. That, and congratulations on your amazing campaign! You guys deserve it : )

Robin’s Phoner with Julie

So, I know it was almost a year ago now, but did you enjoy the shoot day?

Yeah! It was amazing. Getting the chance to meet girls from all over the place in that setting was awesome. Also, it was basically the first time my girlfriend and I hung out for more than an hour or so, so that was also a great bonding experience for us.

The water was so cold, you guys were very brave.

Yeah, it was freeeeezing. Nice transition into the lovely beaches of SF.

Oh yeah, you moved from LA to San Fran, how are you liking it?

I’m really liking it a lot. I’ve never lived somewhere with cool weather, so it’s definitely a new experience. I live in the Castro, so it’s not toooo different from West Hollywood, but it’s definitely a more tight-knit community.

From gay utopia to gay utopia!

All gay, all the time.

What do you do in SF for fun?

Well, I have two crazy dogs so I spend a lot of time taking them to the parks around here. I also explore the city and take advantage of the millions of events that happen in SF all the time. Today was actually the Giants parade, and they closed down half the city. Totally nuts. We also go to a lot of music festivals!

Are you a musician at all or just a music lover?

Just an admirer. I’ve tried my hand at guitar before (for a girl, ha) but I’ll just leave that to the professionals.

So you still work at Indiegogo?

Yep!

The Autostraddle campaign did pretty well huh?

Autostraddle is actually a big name around here, one of our largest campaigns. It went incredibly well.

I love the idea of Indiegogo — it must feel good to know you work a place that helps people raise money for worthy causes.

Yeah, it’s amazing. Giving anyone the chance to earn money for their cause is something that I definitely stand behind. Right now we’re focusing on helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy. There are already a lot of campaigns that have been started to help out.

That’s so great! There’s certainly a need. Switching gears a little, do you have any guilty pleasures?

I love super cheesy pop music. I’m kiiind of in love with Miley Cyrus…and Justin Bieber. I actually had to make one of the most difficult decisions recently: I had tickets to both Madonna and Bieber, on the same night. But after a lot of reasoning, I chose Madonna. Not a bad predicament to be in.

Haha, nice choice. Although, I do like me some Bieber too.

I figured Bieber has some time left to tour. Madonna might have to call it quits a little sooner than he, but after seeing how incredibly in shape she is, I could be wrong.

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: KP and Michelle are Double Miss October

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our October Ladies are KP and Michelle:

KP in her own words:

Hey. My name is Kate Przylepa, but due to not being boi enough for rugby I was dubbed KP. I’m 25 and have a little bit of a travel bug. In the past 10 years I’ve lived in 5 different states. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland. GO RAVENS. I’ve also lived in Australia, North Carolina, New York, Georgia, and now Los Angeles.

In 2011, I drove from Atlanta to Los Angeles with my Dad, stopping only for the epitome of gay daughter and father bonding: Las Vegas. After money lost and drunken fun, we ended up in West Hollywood, California during Gay Pride. Rather than being shocked, my Dad thought the sight of lesbians and gay men dancing nakedly was rather amusing. He patted me on the head and said ‘go get ’em Tiger.’

Professionally, I’m a freelance post-production coordinator/producer, but my real love comes from work on passion projects with ChillRoom Productions, including the first season of Autostraddle’s web series Unicorn Plan-It and the Season 2 Real L World Spoof. My goal is to bring smart and funny shows to an audience that appreciates them, whether it be online or network television.

I currently live with my girlfriend Julia, cat Tegan, dog Sara, lovely animal trainer Mary Tully, and her dog Kai. It’s a full house, but always fun. Thanks so much to Robin Roemer, Sara Medd, everyone part of the crew for this production and Autostraddle for a fun and new experience.

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Robin’s Phoner with KP

KP was one of our videographers on set as well as Miss October!

Are you freelancing these days? What are you up to?

Ha. Well, I am actually working for a Playboy channel show right now.

Oh well… excuuuuse me. I’m going to have some questions about that.

I feel like I’ve seen my fair pair of boobs.

OMG, you’ve probably seen a whole lot more than I have. And I thought my job was fun.

I’m a producer/ post production coordinator, so I handle the budget, write scripts, and watch the shows for mistakes so they meet network guidelines. I do things like tell the editor “Ok we need a close up on that boob, but don’t hang too long on it.”

Ha! Do you hang at the mansion and drink Cristal?

Well I have been drinking a lot more red wine, but a girl can dream.

I used to watch The Girls Next Door religiously.

I hate crap TV.

What TV do you like?

Hmm, I like funny and smart TV. Oh and I watch football. I thought after the canceling of Firefly my heart would never hurt the same way and then Arrested Development happened and it was like “Oh, I remember this feeling.”

Some shows are just too smart for their own good and its unfortunate.

I just love topical shows where at the end I don’t feel like I wasted my time.

So you’ve lived a bunch of different places before moving out to the west coast right?

I grew up in Maryland. From ages 9-11, I lived in Alice Springs, Australia. At age 18 I went to East Carolina University in North Carolina and then moved to NY to go to Hofstra when I was 19 to about 23. I also lived in Atlanta for a year before moving to LA! I hate staying places. The fun is in the travel.

You have a dog?

I do! The internet girls may like this… when I lived in New York I got a cat and she looked Irish to me so I thought “Oh man, Tegan, what a cool name.” And then Julia and I got a girl dog… and so.. we named her Sara. Sara is a rescue German shepherd and Tegan is a rescue cat.

You just killed everyone. They are dead.

Michelle in her own words:

My name is Michelle and for this introductory paragraph, I seriously considered copying and pasting my OkCupid profile, but then I remembered that my profile is terrible, and also why I’m single. So, I’m starting from scratch.

I was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. And although my sisters had to migrate across the country in order to find better opportunities for school and work, I decided to stay because I love this city. So much so, that I wrote the Queer Girl City Guide for Van. Currently, I’m a fourth year Communications student at SFU and I also have a diploma from Vancouver Film School. I want to be involved in broadcast journalism, ideally as a reporter, but I still have a long journey ahead. I work at a retro 5-pin (Canadian style) bowling alley on the weekends, which is a little embarrassing, but at the same time amazingly chill. In my spare time I play the cello or guitar and I love to read and write poetry.

I’ve discovered a lot about myself lately. Most importantly, I’ve come to realize that I don’t identify as a woman, but as genderqueer. I still go by female pronouns, even though they don’t fit, but that might change. I’ve only been “out” for about two years, so the complex and sometimes terrifying world of gender identity politics is still somewhat new to me. But I have always, always loved girls.

Like a lot of us, I grew up not understanding and hating my own body and feeling somehow that something wasn’t right. When I came out, I realized there’s nothing wrong with me, and began to accept my weirdly asexual frame. This is part of the reason why I participated in the shoot. I want to finally be able to celebrate how I look and accept that I am desirable, just the way I am. And I feel like, in the end, that’s what we’re all looking for: to be accepted and loved in the face of the ignorance and hatred we face in a heteronormative world.

Autostraddle pretty much taught me how to be a lesbian. I didn’t know a single gay person before I came out and I randomly found the site. From the beginning, it gave me a community to draw support from when I felt disconnected from queer culture, and for that, it will always have a super special place in my heart. Thank you for letting me be a part of this magical experience, especially as a relatively anonymous outsider who crashed this really, really, ridiculously good-looking party.

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Robin’s Phoner with Michelle

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What got you interested in the calendar and willing to come ALL the way down from Canada?!

Autostraddle was a guiding light for me when I was first coming out of the closet. I was so incredibly pleased to find a whole community of people who happened to like most the same things I do. The writing is witty and funny and most importantly, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Which I love. Because I’m a ridiculous person.

What makes you a ridiculous person in particular?

I’m just silly. And I want to clarify that, because I think I might have come off as super serious in the video interview because I was really nervous. I’m really just painfully shy.

And then we took you to a topless bar and it was all over after that.

Yes, yes you did

Remember that?? So professional of us.

That weekend will live on in infamy. You took my WeHo virginity. I’m so glad I decided to fly down.

Me too! I’ve heard really amazing things about Vancouver! Do you think you’ll always live in Canada?

I don’t know. If I can get work in the States, I’d definitely move, but I love my home. And I’m really proud of being a Canadian.

You are into poetry. Do you have a favorite poet?

I have a lot of favourite poets. Namely, Eileen Myles, Gertrude Stein, Audre Lorde, Arthur Rimbaud, Charles Baudelaire, and of course, Whitman.

You want to go into broadcast journalism? Are you going to be the next Rachel Maddow?

One can dream!

That would be amazing! Do you like being in front of the camera, even as a shy lady?

I’m getting better at it! I think this whole experience is going to do wonders for my self-esteem, and for that, I thank you!

One more thing- retro Canada style bowling sounds fun!

Yes 5-pin is the best. But they’re tearing down the complex I work in next year, so it will be no more. It’s really rare to find 5-pin nowadays.

I’ve never heard of it, but I like the sound of having to hit less pins, like maybe somehow its easier?

No, it’s actually a lot harder. So I’m kind of proud of my archaic skill.

Oh no, I don’t want to go anymore.

I promise I’ll let you win!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Taylor is Miss September

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our September Lady is Taylor:

Taylor in her own words:

Hello! my name is Taylor Stevenson and now that you have seen my rear I don’t know what else there is to tell you about myself… Just kidding. I’m 26 as of August 20th, which makes me a Leo and a princess (ha). I currently live in downtown Los Angeles with my beautiful girlfriend Michelle and my 10 month-old Husky, Ink. I was born and raised in Fremont, California, which is not to far from San Francisco.

I moved to Los Angeles in 2006 and in 2008 went to cosmetology school to become a hairdresser! Currently I work in the lovely world of Hollywood freelance where my daily routine is to wake up at odd hours and spend 12 hour days on sets rubbing down models and actresses and making their hair look bonita!

I tend to be all over the place and start a lot of things that I don’t finish till months later, but I like it that way. I would like to succeed at my career in Los Angeles and build a life with my future wife and have a bunch of babies! Traveling is something I can’t wait to do, for my job and with my family. I want to enjoy life to the fullest and experience as much as possible in my time here.

A brief message to all those women out there looking for answers to their sexuality and their destiny: from my experience I would say acceptance has been my key to success. From the day I realized I loved women, I accepted that I would not always meet approving eyes and that if I wanted to succeed I would have to live with that and make the best of things. My family fortunately was an amazing support and to this day have been by my side in all my decisions. In doing that I grew strong and was able to take life and do with it what I wanted, and now I find myself in the present, successful loved and very happy!

Thank you Autostraddle for asking me to do the hair for this wonderful project as well as modeling in it. I had such an amazing time with all of the girls involved and hope to be part of this for years to come!

+

Robin’s Phoner with Taylor

Thanks for being in our calendar AND being our lead hair stylist for the shoot!

Of course, it was my pleasure!

You were our very first model that day, was it a little nerve-wracking?

No, not too bad. I’ve never been very shy, but I also have never been that naked. Honestly, it was more excitement I felt than nerves.

Was it tough doing hair out of our U-haul or are you used to working in all types of on-location environments?

It was a bit tough, not too bad though. I have had to do hair in some crazy situations so I just chalk it up to good experience. The wind was the real tough part!

What was your favorite hair styling gig (besides our calendar obvs)?

Obviously! Hmm, my favorite job ever to work would probably be the Kreayshawn music video and album cover shoots! The makeup artist, the stylist and myself were all flown to San Francisco and we stayed in a great hotel and shot all over the city! It was my favorite experience so far.

Since I follow you on Instagram, I spend a lot of time looking at pictures of your dog. Who is more adorable, your dog or Kreayshawn?

That’s a tough one, I love them both so much!

Tell us about your puppy.

My baby is precious!! His name is Ink and I’m obsessed with him. Well, we’re obsessed with him. My Instagram is now officially a tribute and he has his own for all his friends and family.

Just to clarify… “we” as in you and Michelle. Michelle, who was in our calendar last year and is your girlfriend and our other hair stylist for the shoot!

Yes that is the we! My partner in crime and the beautiful Miss March 2012.

Who are the other important people in your life?

My mom and dad are my lifeline, and my little sister is my mini me, but the super smart version. My parents have always supported me with my decisions, and my girlfriend and I spend a lot of time with them.

What does the future hold for you?

I want to have a good career so I can have babies — well, afford babies — and travel.

When you aren’t doing hair for celebs and sexy lesbians, what do you like to do?

In the past I was a big fan of clubs, music, snowboarding and art galleries, but lately me and the pretty lady have been camping! So not my normal scene but I’m getting into it. Michelle does all the heavy lifting and I sit around and look pretty! Oh, and make the eggs and bacon.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Mary and Joanna are Double Miss August

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our August Ladies are Mary and Joanna:

Mary in her own words:

Aloha! My name is Mary Tully, I am 25 years old, and I live in the quaint little town of Los Angeles, CA! I was born in Birmingham, Alabama and I have moved a lot since then. States I’ve lived in so far include Alabama, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Hawaii and California. Basically I’m super fantastic at moving so if you need a packing buddy/consultant, you know who to call.

Most of my moves have been to facilitate my job as an animal trainer! I’ve worked with a slew of crazy critters, but mostly dolphins and unicorns. I think my favorite part about working with animals is their honesty. I see them as the clearest of communicators and I’m a sucker for good communication. My roommate calls me “mariposa” because I am the most social, social butterfly she’s ever met! I love animate connections and nothing makes me happier than quality time with the ones that I love.

I am a huge fan of eating delicious food, drinking iced coffee, climbing on things and being outside. My superlative in 8th grade was “Girl who wants to be outside the most/all the time” and I am the only person to ever win that award. It was and is my greatest accomplishment to date. I have a huge, ridiculous dog who is the bane of my existence/love of my life. Unfortunately for him, his mom is an animal trainer, so he knows most of the behaviors my sea lions in Hawaii knew, as well as a lot of other weird things.+

I want to thank Robin and the rest of the crew from the photo-shoot for making this such a terrific experience. Also the Autostraddle team for everything they do! I feel extremely lucky to be associated with this group of women. Thank you for allowing me to be part of something so great!+

Robin’s Phoner with Mary

Let’s start by you telling me a bit about what you do for work! When you wrote me and said you trained dolphins, I couldn’t resist. What an interesting job!

I did! I am an animal trainer! I’ve been really fortunate in my career so far and have had the opportunity to work with more animal species than I could probably even count. But most of my training experience has been with bottlenose dolphins.

Is that your favorite animal to work with?

I’ve honestly loved them all. Each animal presents unique challenges. The way you would train an alligator is going to be different from how you train a sea lion or a macaw. The concept is the same, but the application is totally different! So picking a favorite is hard, but if I had to I would probably say dolphins. I have two reasons. First, dolphins THRIVE on variability. They really seem to enjoy when you surprise them with something new or different. I’m the same way! I guess I feel a kinship with them in that sense.

Another reason I love them is because of the effect they have on people. I got into animal training to educate people about animals and the environment we all share. When people see or touch a dolphin, you have their attention. Then you have such a platform to really drive that conservation message home.

And they have same-sex partners and are just super sexual in general, like you told me last time I was in LA and asked you 500 questions about dolphins, right?

Hahaha yes.

I’m obsessed with your job.

Me too!, Dolphins love their sexy time! Its pretty funny when you are talking to a group of five year olds and your dolphins leave you to go have sex in the middle of the pool, which has underwater viewing.

Are otters assholes? I heard they were assholes.

From what I’ve heard they are pretty ADD and they have a really short temper. So whatever you’re trying to do with them, you better do it fast or they will move on to the next, shinier thing.

I feel that. You’ve lived in lots of fun tropical places, do you have a favorite spot?

Hawaii was pretty nice I guess… And by pretty nice I mean it is my favorite place in the world. So far, anyway!

What is your favorite movie?

Jurassic Park. No question. It has everything you could ever want in a movie!

Adventure, romance, dinosaurs! I love that scene in the kitchen with the raptors.

So much suspense, yet so much heart.

If you could hang with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

That is hard. Well obviously Steve Irwin is my hero. I am OBSESSED with Ellen Degeneres. I never got to meet my dad’s dad, so I would love to meet him. Also, Alex Vega is pretty cute…

She’s ok I guess.

Joanna in her own words:

Hey there! I’m Joanna, a 26 year-old native Southern Californian super-nerd and all-around jokester. Exposed to the joys of international travel at a young age, I’m in a constant state of wanderlust. I’ve recently lost two of the most important people in my life. Those losses have given me a unique perspective about what’s most important, and an urgency to make the most of every day I’m alive and breathing on this planet.

In my world, a good workout will cure just about anything, sarcasm is the smartest form of humor, and dogs are the best animals. I love finding a memory in an unexpected place, unannounced visits and unspoken connections, singing with the sunroof open, wasting an afternoon with a coffee in a bookstore, genuine compliments, comfortable silence, timely one-liners, finishing off a to-do list, cockiness (and confidence) and affectionately resting my head on someone’s shoulder. But really, most importantly, I’ve ripped a handle clean off a microwave, hit myself in the face with it in one smooth motion and lived to tell the tale.+

I’m humbled to be included in this calendar and grateful to be a part of the unbelievably talented Autostraddle family!+

Robin’s Phoner with Joanna

You have to be one of our calendar girls during the Olympics, considering you’re a former Olympian! Can you tell me about your experience as an Olympic athlete?

It was surreal — and more a product of great timing and luck than any skill. My grandmother was born in Greece, and the sport of softball was so new in Europe that they needed to search for Americans with Greek descent to fill the roster. I was super young, only 17, but it was the most amazing experience! I got the opportunity to travel the world with an incredible group of people and play the sport I loved.

That’s amazing, and you are in London now to watch the Olympics?

Yes, I’m actually on another global adventure — I left California back in early July and I’m traveling for three months: a month in Europe, a month in Australia/New Zealand and a month in South America.

The trip is structured around visiting, working out, and observing the culture in CrossFit gyms around the world. I’m taking a closer look at the intersection of nutrition, the female athlete, and the global sport culture — and how CrossFit fits into that picture. I’m here in London for a week, visiting gyms and also checking out some of the events! It’s exciting to be back in the Olympic environment.

Wow, amazing. Thanks so much for being our CrossFit instructor at the last A-Camp, by the way! I’m sure your trip will benefit you greatly as a coach. Do you have any other goals for using this knowledge when you come home to the US?

Great question — I actually quit my stable, corporate job working in product marketing for CBS College Sports to embark on this journey. By far the most impulsive decision I’ve ever made.

I’m pursuing aspects of my life I’m really passionate about — fitness, nutrition, global sport culture, writing and traveling. So I’m hoping to turn that into a career when I return to the states. I’m opening myself up to the opportunities and relationships that will open doors for me on this trip!

What do you like to do for fun?

I’m actually a huge nerd!

Oh good, we like nerds here at Autostraddle!

Of course, people always peg me for the sporty type. And don’t get me wrong, I love all aspects of sport: competition, camaraderie, nutrition. But I’m a huge reader. Here on my trip, my favorite activity has been wandering around solo, taking photos, reading, chatting with other interesting locals. I love to cook, too. I’m a regular at the Little Italy farmer’s market in San Diego. My girlfriend and I go shop for fresh, local veggies and then experiment with new recipes.

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

I eat along the lines of a nutritional program called “paleo” short for paleolithic — essentially it tries to mimic the way “cavemen” (and women!) ate long ago before the advent of all the processed additives made it into our food. It’s pretty simple: really high-quality meat, vegetables, a little bit of fruit and nuts. You try to avoid sugar, grains, dairy, soy and other processed foods. As lame as it sounds, my favorite thing to is baking fresh veggies! Or experimenting with some grain-free treats that use more natural ingredients.

I’m like Regina George, I’m always on an all-carb diet.

I was a vegetarian for three years, so I’ve experimented with food! It’s fascinating to me, how different people react to different foods. I don’t think any one “diet” is right for everyone, it’s about tweaking certain aspects and finding what helps make you feel and perform your best.

For more on Joanna’s project/research visit Global World Project and keep up with them on facebook.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Brittany is Miss July

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our July Lady is Brittany:

Brittany in her own words:

Hey Hey!! My name is Brittany Wiener. I’m a 23 year-old Taurus, loving life with every twist and turn. I was born and raised in New York, but I currently live in the crazy world of Los Angeles.

I enjoy good music, experimental cooking, and pushing people’s buttons to see how far they’ll go. My hair usually changes faster than I take my showers but I love the thrill of a change. I have a strong passion for taking care of others and I absolutely love the medical field. I have been a Nurse for about four years now and continuing school to further my nursing and eventually get my doctorate. I am one of those chicks that makes tons of lists to remind myself of what I need to get done and I tend to find myself cleaning my room more than I get undressed in it.

I believe life is about making the best out of every situation and to cherish everything that comes your way as it is a life lesson. I appreciate my friends and family very much and especially Autostraddle for choosing me to be a part of this inspiring project.+

Robin’s Phoner with Brittany

So first off thanks for being the star of the shoot. I used lots of your images in the art show!

No worries. Did you really? That’s so awesome! and of course — I had an awesome time so thank you for having me!

You were super comfortable in front of the camera, have you always been that way?

My mother would say yes. As for me, I feel like I’m usually shy at first. But I take direction well! You also made me feel very comfortable which helped a whole lot.

You did lots of crazy handstands, I hear you used to be a gymnast? Is this true?

Yes! I competed a little bit when I was a lot younger, but stopped because I started getting into a lot of other sports. I got back into gymnastics this year though, which has been super fun!

Very cool. What else do you do for fun?

I love sports. I’m pretty good at soccer and volleyball. I also love to hike and workout.

Tell me about your profession. You’re a nurse or caretaker right?

I’m a nursing assistant now, and finishing school soon to get my RN, then I’ll take steps to become a nurse practitioner. It’s important to me that I don’t skip straight to being a nurse practitioner, because I feel like I’ll learn so much from the hands-on experience I’ll have with my patients by being an RN.

That must be really rewarding, do you find yourself getting attached to your patients?

Yes and no. I work in a hospital, so my patients come and go. But I always make sure they are comfortable and they trust me since its not a place anyone wants to be. It is a very rewarding job.

Ok on to some fun questions… Do you have a type?

The type I prefer is someone who is smart, funny, goal-oriented and older than I am. As far as the looks go, that changes. A beautiful woman who can throw a football is the type I go for.

So who is your celebrity dream date?

Hmm celebrity dream date… Mila Kunis!

Love her.

Sooo extremely beautiful.

This might be a bizarre question, but I saw you chillin’ with your mom at The Abbey last time I was in LA.. Are you guys close? I thought that was so adorable and wonderful.

Yes! We can be close at times — we have the usual mother and daughter bickering, but she loves The Abbey and supports the whole LGBT community.

That’s really cool to have a supportive mom! I hope she loves your photos!

I’m sure she will!

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Mollie is Miss June

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our June Lady is Mollie:

Mollie in her own words:

Hi There! My name is Mollie Thomas, although I have also been known to go by “Miss Abbey West Hollywood.” I am a Libra, born October 14, 1992. I’m originally from the east coast, growing up part time in Manhattan, and part time on a horse farm in Pennsylvania. I have had the privilege of calling myself a Californian for over a year now. And, like a good Cali girl, I got myself involved in the Miss California USA pageant, running as one of the first openly lesbian women in the history of the pageant.

My whole life I have been involved in the arts: I started dance lessons when I was three and continued them for many years, was a theatre nerd at every opportunity, dabbled in modeling, and spent two years running to acting auditions around New York City, and I can now add pageantry to that list. In addition to living a very “artsy” life, I have had the opportunity to travel all over the world, both for fun and for volunteer work. Due to all of my traveling I have picked up a fun collection of random skills, such as elephant riding, dogsledding, skiing, surfing, and scuba diving. However, now that I am all settled down in West Hollywood, with my dog – Dinah, I’m focusing more on starting a nonprofit and advocating for LGBTQ equality!

Love you Autostraddle team! And thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so beautiful! Xoxo

Robin’s Phoner with Mollie

What was it like being the first openly gay contestant for Miss CAlifornia USA?!

The experience was incredible! When I decided to run in the pageant I had no idea how much of an impact I would have by running openly.

Had you done pageants before?

Nope! When I ran in January for 2012 I had never done a pageant before. It was completely new to me and I just had to make it up as I went, which made it really fun and exciting, as well as nerve wracking!

You were really comfortable in front of the camera during our calendar shoot. Do you have modeling experience?

I have done a bit of modeling here and there since I was younger. But, I think it was all the photoshoots I would beg my mom to do with me when I was little that really made me love being in front of a camera.

Tell me a bit about your marriage equality and anti-bullying platform, and what that was like being a voice for gay rights.

Well, I have actually taken my pageant platform a lot further then I expected to, partly because of all the media attention my campaign attracted. I now have the opportunity to really speak out and make a difference. I’m using that opportunity to start a nonprofit dedicated to creating positive visibility for the LGBTQ community. I never expected to be in the position I am now, but its really incredible and I’m so grateful for the chance to make a positive impact.

Wow! Mollie, that’s incredible!

Thank you! It’s SUPER exciting!

Do you have a name for your nonprofit yet? What will the main purpose of it be?

We are calling it Team Equality! The ultimate purpose will be to utilize the power of media to promote a positive image of the LGBTQ community.

So cool, I can’t wait to see it take off!

Thanks, me too!

Are you going to run for Miss USA again next year?

Yes! I actually have decided to run again for Miss CA USA! It was such a great experience the first time, I’m really excited to go back again, but with more time to prepare!

Very exciting, we’ll all be rooting for you in January! (January right?)

Thanks! And, I’m pretty sure the 2013 pageant will be in January again.

One last fun question. My favorite image of you from the calendar shoot of you is one where you are laying on your back and the sun is casting a really amazing reflection in the water, but in the online version we can’t really read your tattoo. What does it say and what is the meaning for you?

The tattoo on my side is actually a verse from the Beatles song, “Across The Universe.” It says, “Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears exciting and inviting me, Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns, it calls me on and on across the universe.” I think I could go on for hours about the personal meaning it has to me!

Ha! Maybe the cliff notes version.

Well, one aspect of it for me: it speaks to my love of travel and experiencing everything the world has to offer!

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

The Calendar Girls Art Show: It’s A Real Thing And A Big Deal And You Should Go!

Our very own Robin Roemer is being featured at the Long Island City Arts Open this month and she’d love to see your queer little face in the crowd! You can get a sneak peak at the fine ladies of the 2013 calendar who are the subjects of Robin’s solo exhibition, check out pieces and performances from more than 200 other artists and perhaps even chat with Robin herself. What exactly will you be seeing? Think dreamy beachy scenes of bodacious and badass babes.

This is a portrait series shot of during one whole day at the beach of queer and lesbian identifying women. The project began as a calendar for Autostraddle.com, a lesbian pop culture website, but grew into an annual portrait introspective. I sought to capture images that would reflect feelings of freedom and comfort in their own skin. I was particularly interested in natural moments. I chose a simple expanse of sand and water where the horizon line is sometimes indistinguishable, and it was the perfect setting for a very personal and introspective look at each of these extraordinary women, among them a Miss California pageant contestant and a former Olympian.

As a photographer, documenting an entire day at the beach is a great challenge. The drastic change in light throughout the day and the ebb and flow of the tides adds an interesting contrast to an otherwise consistent series.

I loved coming away from this shoot knowing that many of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

You can come to a reception on May 12 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm or check out Robin’s work any time from May 12th to the 20th, with the exception of the 13th which is Mother’s Day, at the Eleven11 Lofts in Long Island City, Gallery #303

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Jade is Miss May

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our May Lady is Jade:

Jade in her own words:

Hey girl hey! My name is Jade, I’m 22, crazy, quirky, and fun. I’m originally from New York, but recently reside in lovely Orange County. I’m a little ball of energy and love to always be busy. Most weekends you can find me out somewhere in WEHO trying to out walk drag queens and dancing on the stages at The Abbey with the girls. I’m the master of all ‘That’s What He/She Said’s”. I’m very spontaneous and love going on random adventures and meeting new friends. My remedy for everything is laughter and I fully believe in Carpe Diem. I love my life and all my wonderful friends — I call them my twins and sisters. RuPaul taught me “If you don’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else?” Can I get an amen?!

A big thank you to Autostraddle for letting me be a part of such a beautiful and inspiring group of women.

Robin’s Phoner with Jade

What got you interested in the Calendar Girls project?

Well since I’m fairly new to the scene and just moved out here I thought it would be a really cool opportunity to meet some awesome lesbians, which worked because now we’re all friends and hang out! Just really to put myself out there.

You did a great job of running Baywatch-style into the waves!

[laughs] I try! It’s hard to be sexy, you know.

IT is! So tell me about what you like to do for fun!

I’m kind of a closet nerd. I love to read, paint, watch trashy TV. Lately I’ve been kicking ass at Wii Just Dance!

Yes, I own this as well. What is your fave song in Just Dance?!

Don’t laugh, but Jessie J’s “Price Tag” is my favorite. I know the whole thing by heart!

I love that song!

I’m obsessed about her!

She’s amazing. Other than Jessie J, what is your biggest passion?

I think right now it would be writing. I’ve been working on a book for years.

Oh nice. About what?

About my life growing up. Moving a lot, my family, and how they feel about me being gay, my random adventures and just how I see the world. It’s hard when your family isn’t just black, but they are black, Chinese…and Jewish.

Oh wow! What a unique background, sounds interesting!

Yes! I just found out a few months ago that my family is Jewish, too.

Mazel!! Do you have a favorite food?

I love….tacos! That’s what she said! No, but really I love them, and anything Mexican really.

Tell me about what you do for work.

Technically I have five jobs. I’m a wedding consultant, a promo model – I just work at Dinah passing out a million tampons – an extra in commercials, a fashion show dresser, and I randomly do lighting for movies. Translation: I’m a college student.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Morgan is Miss April

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our April Lady is Morgan:

Photo by Hunter Lee Elliott of 5×5 Photography

Photo by Hunter Lee Elliott of 5×5 Photography

Morgan in her own words:

“Hi y’all! My name’s Morgan McCormick and I’m a 24-year-old printer paper pale redhead from the South. I like grits, grits and more grits but shh, don’t tell anyone — I think sweet tea is ick. I love to gobble up the geek arts, so if you want the key to my nerdy heart, just fashion me a gift basket of comic books and video games, with a bouquet of anime. When my little freckled head isn’t buried in writing an article, you can find me taking long walks to nowhere in particular or meditating on any surface I can find. I like long conversations, witty banter, mixed CDs and the taste of words I’ve never heard before.

I may only be about three years-old in girl years, but I dearly appreciate how much this community has taken me in. Women’s rights and the LGBTiverse have given me a purpose unlike any I’ve had before, and helping start a hormone replacement therapy program with my local Planned Parenthood was just the start of my giving back. The best part of my week is providing volunteer counseling at a rape crisis center. If someone wrapped me in a sash and put a mic to my lips right now, though, I’d say my dearest wish is to see more transfolk doing modeling, because every beautiful one of us deserves the feelings I had while on this photo shoot.

Thanks so kindly to Robin, Sara, Sarah, Alex and every member of the Autostraddle community that holds this amazing site aloft.”

Robin’s Phoner with Morgan

You came all the way from North Carolina to LA for our shoot and we are so so happy you did! What about the project motivated you to want to take the trip out to LA?

Two things, I guess. One is that back in 2009, when I came out to my girlfriend and we decided to stay together, we realized we didn’t know very much about the LGBTiverse. Neither of us had been all gayed before, and all.

So we did what most people do now, we went to the internet and read a bunch. She found Autostraddle, which we both grew to admire because among all the millions of blogs, Autostraddle’s always managed to find the humor and warmth that kept the endless flood of sad stories from being a bit too depressing. I saw the Calendar Girls program and thought, gosh that would be cool to be a part of. It didn’t seem realistic for me, the way that I looked at the time — think ‘hair, hair everywhere’ — but it was something for me to aim for. There wasn’t more than a week or two that would pass without me thinking, “This is my goal, I want to be an Autostraddle Calendar Girl. That will be my sign that I’ve made it. That I accomplished something I’ve wanted my whole life and always felt denied.” What’s the price of a cross-coastal plane ticket compared to fulfilling a dream?

It was an honor to be accepted among such a group of beautiful and cool women. I keep the memories in my back pocket whenever I need a pick-me-up.

The second reason is that the calendar is like the perfect opposite of being in the closet. It’s being out in a big, big way. I take pride in my two letters of the LGBT acronym, and I don’t want anyone else like me to feel that who they are isn’t just the damn coolest thing that ever was.

Thinking back, I remember a trans model named Caroline Cossey who was actually briefly in a James Bond film in the 70’s, I think. She’d had to transition in secret, raising funds by stripping on the side. She could never be a model fully as who she was, but she was a trailblazer, and I didn’t want her work to end with her. I felt like I was carrying a torch for a tradition that would be so long no one would even remember where it had started. I wanted to be a part of a thing that big.

Awesome, I just looked her up, ow ow!

I know, right? I got a big James Bond poster book just for one great picture of her. She’s like a goshdarn super hero!

She seriously is! Can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up?

I’ve spent my whole life in North Carolina. It’s an amazing state, since it has mountains, beaches and a thriving, university-filled city center called The Triangle. I feel so lucky to have been in such a smart, debate-happy, moderate town. Sometimes we fall off the moderate tight rope in a bad way, but most of the time I’m proud to be a North Carolinian.

How did you develop your passion for gaming?

Even before we could afford them, I guess video games felt more like they were mine, and my generation’s.

My poetry teacher once said “We are all a slave to our contemporaries.” Movies had been around a hundred years, books for thousands, music since before anyone knows. And growing up, people were always bombarding me with “What, you haven’t read this book???” or “How could you not have seen this movie?!?!”

It all got really tiring. I felt all the things I enjoyed came shackled with this unscalable burden of history that I could never surmount. But video games were new. It’s still a medium in adolescence, but most everyone working in it has some years worth of shared history. I feel like the art of it is growing up alongside me, and it’s just really special. I don’t know how to explain it, but it makes me feel like a peach: all fuzzy.

Haha, you are a peach, Morgan! Tell me more about growing up with gaming and such.

Oh, you with your blush-inducing words. Part of the reasons I flocked to games in my youth is because they let me be someone other than a depressed kid. So when I started transitioning a few years ago, I ran up against some of the more… some of the less progressive members of the community. I decided to step away for awhile, and made a return last year with a friendly little article that ended up being circulated to the point that now I’m number two of the page one results on Google when you type in “transgender” and “video games.”

I know, it’s totes self-indulgent, but it makes me feel welcome again. After coming back, I found endless sites concerned with addressing feminism and LGBT issues in games. I realized that the people who’d railed against gamers all these years — telling them their art isn’t actually art and calling the whole industry a misogynistic boys club — had finally made the industry join the blogosphere hard and fight back in a big way. I was fortunate enough to have been invited to speak on a panel about transgenderism and video games at one of the world’s largest video game conferences, Penny Arcade Expo East in Boston, which averages about 70,000 attendees over a single weekend.

Let’s talk about your blog and YouTube channel, translabyrinth!

Since I process the world through jamming nouns and adjectives together on paper, I use that as an outlet to talk about trans issues, of course. But also how they intersect with arts and entertainment, like video games, and interview influential people who have their hands (maybe even feet? I don’t judge) in trans-related things. I interviewed the trans gal from The Hangover Part II last year, for example. My YouTube channel has turned into a kind of Trans TED talks attended by me and only me. My users keep thumb-upping these monologue videos I do, and I keep getting all these thank you letters saying how much my videos have helped them.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Nickelback. My friends want to pull out their hair, or mine, when I say I like Nickelback.

If you were written into a video game as a character, would you have a special name or power or significant characteristic?

I think I want a superpower that gives me a really nice pair of sunglasses that never falls off, a beautiful trench coat and a sword twice my height that weighs about as much as my cat.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Ness is Miss March

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up the 2012 calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $10! For 2013 we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our March Lady is Ness:

Ness in her own words:

“Hey-o! My name is Ness Star, and I am 27 fantastic years young. I’m from the East Coast, and I’ve been residing in badass New York City for the past 7 years. I consider myself bi-coastal and frequent L.A. as much as possible. I’m a Libra, and my birthday is the gayest day of the year – National Coming Out Day (it’s a good day to celebrate)! I am easygoing, spontaneous, sarcastic, and adventurous. I love being by the water and have been sailing since I was 9. I work hard, and I play hard. I am a nonconformist and believe people should be able to be exactly who they are without being bound by labels. I drink whiskey, wear ties, cufflinks, flat-brimmed hats and makeup, carry my wallet in my back pocket, and get my hair cut at a barber. I’d rather have 5 best friends than a million acquaintances. The only food I don’t like is cantaloupe. I drink espresso daily, and I love sriracha. I prefer music to television and sunrises to sunsets. Oh, and because my natural hair color is blonde the design in my hair stays a lot longer.

A special thanks to Autostraddle and the crew for giving me this great opportunity to be a part of a very amazing and inspiring online community.”

Robin’s Phoner with Ness

You’re an artist, tell me about that.

I make money as a freelance graphic designer. I work for a handful of professional photographers doing a lot of post-production. But I started off painting and drawing, then I moved into sculpting and glass blowing. I also do murals. I did a tribute mural for 9/11. I like working in large scale — right now I’m doing a series of large scale, abstract bridges of NY.

What is something people don’t know about you, something that is unique to you.

People assume I’m a lesbian. I actually don’t identify as a lesbian at all. It took me a couple of years to come to terms with that, but dealing with sexual identity, I’ve also had to deal with gender identity. Both of those things have been ongoing in my life. Before, I didn’t feel completely like myself. I was like, “I’ve been out for 10 years, why don’t I feel true to myself yet?” It was harder to come to terms with gender identity for me and I wasn’t recognizing this other side of me that I’d kept locked away forever.

So I don’t really like labels, but if I had to pick one, I’d consider myself genderqueer. What you see is not necessarily what you get with me. In my brain I consider myself a boy more or less, but you know, I just want to be me. I look a certain way, and I don’t feel the need to transition. I understand that some people feel the need to be one gender or the other, and I didn’t necessarily want to do that. Be comfortable in your own skin and staying true to who you are, is really what I represent.

I feel more like myself than I’ve ever felt my entire life. Being able to be like, “Take it or leave it,” is liberating. One of the reasons I did this shoot was because I was finally accepting my body as mine.

So eloquently put. What do you like to do for fun? I know you like karaoke because I’ve done karaoke with you.

Yeah it started because I was in the Glee club. I come from a family of singers — my mom is a singer, my sister is a singer. I sing in the shower and I competed at Carnegie Hall once. I love going to karaoke though. I went recently for four hours and sang something like 30 songs.

What kind of girls do you like?

I’m more attracted to really feminine girls. Sense of humor is definitely important to me. I like smart girls, someone I can have a conversation with. Someone who is driven and confident in themselves. Someone to have spontaneous adventures with. The ones who looks straight but aren’t.

Lets talk about your turtle…

I have a turtle! His gangster name is Tiny, but his full name is Belvedere Donatello. LOVE him. I actually taught him how to high five. I put my finger up to the glass and he raises his arm, like, ‘high five motherfucker’ and if I put two fingers up on the glass, he does jazz hands.

original turtle art by ness

He does not!

He does! There is so much love!

I was at the pet store like, “How do I make my jazzy fresh turtle’s life better?” And the guy’s like “Well you can get this whole playground that involves stairs and another level.” So if anyone came into my room and saw that I had a mansion for one turtle, they would probably think I was such a loser.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Autostraddle 2013 Calendar Girls: Stephanie is Miss February

Prologue: Robin is in the Top Five to win the People’s Choice Award in the Artists Wanted Year in Review competition for her Autostraddle 2013 Calendar Photos! There are a few days left to vote so if you haven’t, do it now! Do it! You guys have to do it.

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up last year’s calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $14! This year we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our February Lady is Stephanie:

Stephanie in her own words:

“What up yo!? My name is Stephanie and I’m a 25-year-old college grad from Holy Names University. I was born and raised in the greatest place in the world: The Bay Area! Yeah I said it. I’m a high school softball coach by day and a foul-mouthed badass bartender by night. I enjoy the simple things, like sunshine, Sharpies, and SVU marathons. I don’t just have a sweet tooth, I have sweet teeth. Like the whole top row. I once had an addiction to orange Tic-Tacs. I was up to two packs a day. It wasn’t pretty, y’all. My tongue was always orange. I think it would be kick ass to write band reviews for Rolling Stone one day. I make a ridiculous pun at least once a day, and then giggle about it for twenty minutes.

A sense of humor gets me every time. I like athletic girls and girls who have a passion for something. I’m also a sucker for pretty eyes. Big thanks to Autostraddle, Robin, and Sara for letting me be a part of this awesome calendar!”

Robin’s Phoner with Stephanie

You are one of our few models involved in the shoot who has modeled professionally before. Have you ever been involved in a shoot like this?

No I haven’t. I’ve done group shoots before, but this was actually my first time doing a beach shoot or a shoot with all-gay models and crew. It’s always fun to be in a new situation and everyone was super delightful to work with. The weather was gorgeous, the girls were gorgeous, and we had mimosas. What more could you ask for?!

What would you say is your greatest passion in life?

I would say it’s a tie between softball and music. I’ve played softball my whole life, all throughout high school and college. It’s why I enjoy coaching high schoolers so much — it’s nice to give back to the sport I love and that was so good for me. I love music just as much. I can’t really make it (although I’m learning guitar… slowly) but I can appreciate it! My folks raised me on the oldies and I really love going to live shows. I’ve been to probably over 150

You’re so young and you coach high school. Are you like the cool young hot coach? Because that wasn’t a thing at my high school — I feel like our youngest teacher was probably 30, which is my age, but at 18 I thought that was ancient.

Yeah pretty much! I’m always getting pulled aside by campus security telling me to get back to class. It’s nice because the girls feel they can relate to me more, but I still definitely have to let them know who’s boss.

So you came all the way down from San Fran for the sh0ot! What is your favorite spot in SF?

Besides the obvious Castro, I really love this spot called Butter. It’s a white trash-themed bar that serves all your favorite late-night drunken munchie food, like Spaghetti O’s and Frito pie.

Sounds like my kinda place!

They have jello shots, and I can get down on some jello shots

You bartend too right?

Indeed I do! I’ve been doing it for about 3 1/2 years.

What’s the best pickup line you’ve ever heard?

Ohh man, I’ve gotten some good ones. One of my favorite pick up lines is “The only reason I’d kick you out of bed would be to f*ck you on the floor” or, “Do you have a soccer ball? Cuz I’m tryin to kick it.”

Amazing. Who is your celebrity crush?

I’ve had a crush on Justin Timberake for about 14 years now, but I’d say Mila Kunis is definitely a contender for that #1 spot. She’s just so cute and funny!

So have you seen their movie yet?

I have it on DVD and Blu-ray.

Haha, I don’t judge you. I love her too. Favorite dessert?

Oooh, here in the Bay Area there is an ice cream chain called Loards. They make the best hot fudge sundaes.

I need to go back to SF, clearly. What is your biggest pet peeve?!

I hate ATM fees! I will walk a mile out of my way to find my own bank so I don’t have to pay them. Don’t know what it is but it gets me deep in my core. I also hate when airlines have baggage fees.

Oh YES baggage fees are the worst and then every a-hole brings a carry-on and they make you gate check your shit.

The worst! Who goes on vacation with only 3 oz of conditioner?! I’m obviously gonna need to bring more girly crap with me.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Autostraddle Calendar Girls 2013: Morgan is Miss January

Another year, another opportunity to create a kickass calendar of smokin’ hot lesbians. If you’ve not picked up last year’s calendar yet, now would be the time — they’re available for the post-holiday price of $15! This year we did something completely different yet totally spectacular.

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

Autostraddle's 2013 Calendar Girls

Now, onward and upward — here’s Robin!

Artist’s Statement:

I love coming away from these shoots knowing that all of these women are now friends, and I hope that these images reflect those bonds formed.

A huge thank you to our beautiful models and our amazing crew for a job well-done. A special thank you to stylist and co-producer Sara Medd for being my partner in this project.

Robin, Photographer

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our January Lady is Morgan Faye:

Morgan in her own words:

“Hi! I’m Morgan Faye and I am the ripened age of 27. Things I like: burritos, high heels, high fives, dance offs, and glitter. Things about me that I think are awesome? I’m an animal rights activist. I do quite a bit of hollering and stomping of the hooves to make sure my animal friends have a voice. I know A LOT of goats and cows. I suppose that’s pretty impressive. I work at a rescue sanctuary for farm animals, educating people on factory farming and the vegan lifestyle, giving tours and scooping poop. I’m also a bit of a degree collector. I have a BA in History from UCLA and also a Film Degree. I’m back in school again doing a Pre-Med program at USC so I can be an Animal Doctor! My plan is to become a zoo veterinarian, hang out with some lions, elephants, and giraffes, and then move to Africa to run a conservation sanctuary.

I’ve worked as a comedian for a few years, so I know some jokes. I’ve also worked at Chevron, so I can change your oil for you. The ladies seem to like my lifted pick-up truck and my laugh, which is actually more of a cackle. I have no control over it. I get over-excited.”

Robin’s Phoner with Morgan

What was your favorite part about being part of the Autostraddle calendar?

My favorite part was actually working with you! I’ve done photoshoots, because I used to work as an actress, and I’m actually really uncomfortable modeling. It makes me really nervous and weird, but then within a second you made me feel really comfortable. It was obviously also awesome meeting all the girls and just dicking around too. And I loved the U-haul.*

What is your greatest passion in life?

Probably animals, not to sound cliche.

That’s right, you’re an animals rights activist! Tell me about what you are doing right now.

I’m currently in school in a pre-med program. I want to go to veterinary school. I work at a sanctuary for farm animals an hour outside of LA.

What’s your favorite animal?

Well I have two and they’re really different, so I don’t know if I can pick one or the other. It makes me stressed out just thinking about that!

You may tell me both.

I have always loved wolves. I love the wildness about them. They are ridiculously cute. I mean, wolf puppies? Like, get out of town. And I love elephants. I really want to work with them someday. (In a commentators voice) Besides being our largest, and most majestic land mammal… (laughs).. There’s something human-like about them. They’re just special.

Number one pet peeve?

When I can’t hear someone on the phone, I hang up on them.

Haha… I’ll keep that in mind as I talk to you.

Yea if I can’t hear you, I would just hang up. I have anxiety towards technology.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I love TV. People love to hate on it, but I can watch it for 17 hours.

Me, too. My DVR is always full.

I mean, if its a good show, or if you marathon a show, you don’t leave your place for two and a half days.

What is your ideal woman?

Looks-wise, I would say tall, athletic… swaggah-like. Personality, I’m pretty much just interested in a kind person that doesn’t take life too seriously and has a good sense of humor. Someone who gets me; good spirit, good energy. When you get that energy, you know they are legit.

*We rented a U-Haul where we did make-up and hair (and champagne drinking) for the shoot.

Special Note: As of December 2010, we request that the comments on Calendar Girls posts, unlike every other post on this site, be exclusively positive. These posts exist to celebrate women, so any shit-talking or criticisms of the model’s appearance will get deleted. Direct concerns about the project or website as a whole can be directed to robin at autostraddle dot com or riese at autostraddle dot com!

Wanted: Autostraddle’s 2013 Calendar Girls

Hey there, sexy. Every year, Autostraddle puts together a calendar of 12 super-sexy queer women because, as I’m sure you’ve read in this year’s calendar girl posts: “We make this calendar for you because you all really need to cut it out with your crushes on straight girls, this shit is out of hand, the last thing you need is 12 months of whatever Maxim & FHM come up with. REAL LIVE LESBIANS!”

autostraddle calendar

Well, now it’s your turn. Now is the time to fulfill your lifelong dream of being an Autostraddle calendar girl. You could join the ranks of some pretty hot women, and you get to hang out with photographer Robin Roemer, who, in addition to being wildly talented, is also a total babe. You too can be internet famous and popular on tumblr! Your face/body could eventually be on the walls of lesbians around the world as something to look at longingly and sigh wistfully toward! Yes!

autostraddle lesbian calendar girls robin roemer

If you’re an interested gay lady and will be in Los Angeles between December 7 and December 14, all you have to do is send the following to robin [at] autostraddle dot com:

+ A BRIEF description of yourself and why you’re awesome

+ Your real age

+ Three pictures of yourself

+ You must be over 18!

And then we’ll pick you, and everyone will say, “Oh, look at her, she’s super hot and has really cute hair,” and really, who doesn’t want thousands of gay girls complimenting their hair?

That could be you floating in the pool. Look how much fun they're having!

For the next 48 hours, you can get The 2013 Autostraddle Calendar for just $8!

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our December Lady is Christina:

Robin’s Phoner with Christina

See the 2013 Calendar Girl series here.

When will my calendar arrive?

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our November Ladies are Alana and Julie:

Robin’s Phoner with Alana

Robin’s Phoner with Julie

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our October Ladies are KP and Michelle:

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Robin’s Phoner with KP

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Robin’s Phoner with Michelle

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Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our September Lady is Taylor:

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Robin’s Phoner with Taylor

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our August Ladies are Mary and Joanna:

Robin’s Phoner with Mary

Robin’s Phoner with Joanna

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our July Lady is Brittany:

Robin’s Phoner with Brittany

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Our June Lady is Mollie:

Robin’s Phoner with Mollie

Are you ready to meet the 2013 Calendar Girls?

video edited by Sarah Croce and Lauren Aadland

Crew: Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video Lauren Aaland, video

Alex Vega, designer

Christina Natale, Make-up Brandi Andrews, Make-up Taylor Stevenson, Hair Michelle McCaw, Hair

Sabrina Bringuier, Photo Assistant

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair

Crew:
Robin Roemer, Photographer and Co-producer
Sara Medd, Stylist and Co-producer

Sarah Croce, Production coordinator and video
Lauren Aaland, video

Christina Natale, Make-up
Brandi Andrews, Make-up
Taylor Stevenson, Hair
Michelle McCaw, Hair