When I read that Jennifer Beals was going to attend the fifth L Word convention in England, I felt excitement, disappointment, and anger all at once. Excitement, because from what I have read, Jennifer Beals is notoriously shy and doesn’t like big crowds, so what a coup to have her agree to attend a convention where hundreds of eager fans will be surrounding her. I felt disappointment for two reasons. The second I will get to later, but the first was...it’s too dang expensive! Take into consideration the exchange rate, and the fact that I would be flying from Seattle, there is no way I can justify spending approximately $2,000.00 just for a weekend...no matter how much I want to meet Jennifer Beals. Then I felt anger because I thought, why should we have to go all the way to England for a convention celebrating an American television show, owned by an American studio, and paid for mostly by American audiences?

 Don’t get me wrong, I love my sisters on the other side of the pond, and I wouldn’t want to have to wait to watch Bette and Tina either, but it feels a bit like they are being rewarded for watching the current episodes for free, and those of us who are paying for our monthly subscriptions are just....well, are just paying.

Let me preface my second reason for feeling disappointed by saying that I absolutely believe in capitalism, and I believe we all have a right to make a living. I even attended the first convention for The L Word while in England visiting a friend. However, as a lesbian consumer who is still fighting for equal rights here at home, I would have a hard time spending $2,000.00 over there when I know that money isn’t going to help the women’s community here in the United States. Lesbians and gay men in both England and Canada already have the right to marry, while here in the United States it is still legal in the majority of the country (30 states I think) to fire a person solely because of their sexual orientation. Forget marriage...we are still fighting just to keep our jobs!  

Would having a convention here, sponsored by lesbian owned companies, with the profits going towards women’s groups be important to you? Would you be willing to pay for a couple more pictures, another autograph if you thought your rainbow dollars would help bring us a teeny tiny step closer to having the rights and responsibilities already enjoyed by our English and Canadian sisters and brothers?

Of course, maybe they wouldn’t. Maybe that is pie in the sky...but, even if that kind of convention doesn’t open one person’s heart or mind...even if all we do is have a hell of a lot of fun, wouldn’t it be nice to know that our fun was going to touch the lives of women and lesbians in need somewhere in our country?

When we choose to spend our money for a product or services, are the policies of that company toward women and the LGBT community at large important? I choose to subscribe to Showtime because of what they have done to help open hearts and minds by producing Queer As Folk and The L Word. I choose to use Orbitz because they are not only gay friendly, they show it by airing commercials aimed toward a lesbian and gay audience. Now, I’m not saying by any stretch that every dollar I spend has to be for a noble cause, but The L Word is a unique show that has done so much for our community. Shouldn’t a convention celebrating it be unique as well?


So, what do you think? Are you up for an L Word convention here? I am!! I am ready and willing to give my vacation time, and my money (little that it is) to help organize an L Word convention here. I am willing to contact lesbian owned companies to see if they would like to sponsor an event like that, and work with them when they say yes!

Come on American lesbians! If we can put on women's week in P-Town, and the massive parties at Dinah Shore we can certainly put on a rip roaring L Word convention here in the United States!!!!

I would love to have a convention in the U.S. to me it would be the perfect way for this show to conclude. Bring together the fans, create a space for those with new ventures etc.

I support it!:)

I too would like to see one here....Maybe one with all the characters this time.:)

After I posted this I realized that I might have offended some of my friends over in England. Please know that wasn't my intention at all. I am glad that you all have had opportunities to meet the cast, have your picture taken, get their autograph, etc. Like I said, I went to the first convention and had that opportunity. For me though, I want American audiences to have those same opportunities. Now, you might say that they did have a convention here. It was in LA. However, that was put on by a man who came here from England, who puts on all types of conventions, and then (and this is a presumption on my part) took any money made on the convention back to England with him. Again, nothing against him personally, but hopefully you can understand where I am coming from. This is a unique show and I would like to see both a convention here and see the money from it stay here.

well, i'm going to L5 convention because i don't want to miss an opportunity to see JB but i agree, we totally can have it here in US...Sean had one convention in LA last year but only 80 people bought tickets...they were expensive but not as expensive as flying to England for me...anyway, i hope we can continue to have conventions anywhere even when the show is over

So, why do you think that he only sold 80 tickets? Was it because it was in LA? The price of the tickets? I only wonder because I KNOW there are more than 80 people here in the U.S. that would be willing to spend money for a weekend with the women of The L. That's why I ask the question...if this was hosted by lesbian owned business where the proceeds went back into our community, and maybe a different city other than LA, would it make a difference?

I think they sold 80 tickets because who the heck knew about the event. The summer is full of great events in the Gay and Lesbian community - awesome potential to piggy back on some of those. With the show ending in 2009 it's a perfect way to wrap it up. What about Vegas? - you can get rooms at levels of prices. Easy flights and access.

I can't say for sure the reason why LA event failed. Personally, I thought it was poorly planned as to the choices of venues for the guests talk & fan meeting. They advertised for that event the same way as the others, via all the usual L-word connected sites. With regards to the price, the ticket was a bit higher than UK, but air fare around the US & lodging were more economical. So, no I don't think it was the price. Possibly, the sucess of the events in UK may be the added lure of traveling abroad, the anomynity of being away from home turf. LA would've been a complete waste of time and money for me if not for the few friends I met there. I like LA but Vegas is also a good choice.

I have to say, for someone who lives in the middle of nowhere, well, nowhere has more things to do than my town. I would more than likely go to something like this in PTown - But certainly NOT in the UK. We should be spending our money here, on our soil. Then again, does it matter? Not like we're gonna be able to get married any time soon.... Butcha right, Sea, we'd be better off trying to get something going here then going to the UK ....

tJR

So, like, is there any progress on bringing one to this side of the pond? I agree wholeheartedly with the original posting and also know that folks are funny about where they spend their money! :-?