:: L 2 C O N V E N T I O N ::
London, UK
November 10-12,
2006
Page 4
Guinevere Turner
Interview
Do you prefer being
called gay or lesbian?
"Lesbian is good because it’s specifically female but I’m not particularly
fond of the word. I wish there was a better word. I often say dyke - it’s a
more pleasing word - but I find that sometimes shocks people, even lesbians.
Maybe it’s a generational thing. I would go with gay. I will say I’m gay.
It’s more like lesbian is the noun and gay is the adjective."
How good is you gaydar?
"It’s gone beyond so that I just think everyone is gay! The speedometer is
broken! After a couple of drinks I think everyone is gay. It happens to me
all the time. The more I know someone, the more I think: ‘That person really
looks gay to me’.”
What’s your position on the nature / nurture debate about gay identity?
"I’ve had so many conversations about this and what I’ve finally come to is
that for different people there are different truths. People are gay for
different reasons. Some people are born gay, some people are born with a gay
tendency and then certain factors in their lives either make them act on it
or not. I think that some people just meet that one person that drives them
into a sexuality they wouldn’t otherwise be. It really is on a case-by-case
basis. I’ve seen people who I look at and think: ‘You really wouldn’t be gay
if it wasn’t that that person is so compelling to you.’ People sometimes are
just so enchanted by a particular person. And then there are people who I
don’t care if you ever have sex in your whole life, you are SUCH a homo!"
Most of the actors on the L Word are straight. Has there been anything
that’s been difficult to communicate to them about being a gay woman?
Anything they had trouble grasping about gay identity?
"The actors on the L Word just jumped in and did it really, really well. My
favourite example being Erin Daniels. She not only played gay very well, she
played a particular kind of person who’s uncomfortable with their sexuality.
Her body language was perfect. I know some women like that who think they’re
acting straight but they’re really not. Erin didn’t overdo the comedy like
some male actors would sometimes do with gay roles. She didn’t make Dana a
caricature. It was a really subtle but hilarious embodiment of a particular
kind of lesbian."
Do you think there are characteristics that all gay women share?
Something we all have in common?
"The one thing that all gays and lesbians share is at some point in our
lives we’ve had to realise we are different from what the mainstream was.
Even if we come from really different backgrounds, it’s the same for
everyone. For some it is a big struggle and for others it’s a little
struggle. It’s that moment where you realise: ‘I’m different and I can
either choose to go with it or deal with it like this by myself or with my
parents, or deal with it in a way that I’ve seen on TV or in films or books
that have been available to me.’ Even when I’m hating certain gay and
lesbian people, I’m still thinking: ‘At least we have that in common. In
some way, you’ve also had to struggle with who you are’.’’
If you could choose a theme song to your life what would it be?
"You know what’s the first thing that’s popped into my mind? Kermit the
frog’s ‘It’s not easy being green’."
What is your favourite way of relaxing after a hard day’s work?
"Depending on how physically draining the day’s been it’s either a hot bath
or five Martini’s. Never both together though, because you can die!"
What’s your favourite activity in the world?
"Isn’t everyone’s answer sex - if they’re honest? Food, sex and sleep aside,
I love dinner parties. I love having a small group of people in a relaxed
environment who are interesting and who will drink and eat and relax into
the wee hours. That’s my favourite place to be."
What is the most important thing in your life besides work?
"It’s that my 21-year old sister had a baby nine months ago and they live
with me, so the biggest priority in my life is that baby. Because my sister
is still a baby herself."
What is your most prized possession?
"If everything I own was at risk of being burnt down, I think I would save
the journals I’ve been writing since I was nine. I really love my red
leather briefcase too but it’s not irreplaceable. I wouldn’t cry if I lost
it."
The best pick-up line you’ve ever used or know?
"I don’t use pick-up lines and all the ones that have been used on me were
so like: ‘Are you kidding me?’ "
What’s been your impression of the convention? Did it give you any
insights you haven’t had before?
"It’s really interesting to come into contact with people who are fans
enough to come to an event like this. And it’s nice that people approach you
and treat you like a real person. There is a particular kind of energy here
that is fascinating to me. It’s been very interesting to me to watch the
fashion at the convention. Most people here are younger than me and from
many different places all over the world yet they dress exactly the same as
lesbians in the US. Lesbian style seems to be universal. Is the L Word
copying them or are they copying the L Word? Or is it just a case of people
from all over evolving in the same way? It’s a very interesting, distinct
culture."
Do you have a message for the L Word Online fans?
"Yes, if you want to see Gabby Deveaux again, let it be known. Because Gabby
would love to be seen! Please write to Showtime!"
You admitted you haven’t seen the L Word 3rd season. Will you ever watch
it?
"I will definitely watch it. It’s almost time. I just needed some serious
breathing room."
---------------
Confessions of a new fan: Why I liked Mia Kirshner best:
* One of the biggest surprises for me personally was how pleasant and funny
Mia Kirshner is. Because of Jenny, the troubled character she plays, I just
assumed she would be broody, inaccessible and even somewhat strange.
* The rumour that Mia is difficult to work with is hard to believe,
especially after seeing how fondly her co-stars interact with her. She is
the prankster of the group and often the cause of the hysterical laughing
that got the actors in trouble during the shooting of the new season. She
might not have been part of the in-gang (Kate, Erin and Leisha) from the
start, but it seems she is well-loved now.
* Laurel says Mia is brilliant doing voices and imitating people. ‘’She’s
the best prank caller. It’s more fun being in on it than on the receiving
end.’’ One of her favourite tricks to freak out a new director is to grab
her co-stars (without warning) and to pretend to start kissing them
passionately just as a scene is about to begin.
* Mia is also excellent at making fun of herself. ‘’Jenny was the worst
stripper in the world,’’ she says of the famous scene. “If you really want
to see Mia move, you should watch the movie Exotica,” Laurel advised the
audience.
* Laurel said Mia was very protective of her during her pregnancy. When
Laurel said she felt like a ‘‘large whale doing water ballet” during the
nude love scenes when she was pregnant, Mia insisted she was beautiful.
* Mia is working on a book for Amnesty International about displaced persons
and sex workers. She says she has spent all her money on it and it’s the
‘‘most meaningful’’ thing she’s ever done with her life.
* Mia finds a sense of humour and beautiful lips attractive in a woman.
* She would love it if Jenny was more stable and quieter in Season 5.
Wouldn’t we all…
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