V. You Think You Know, But You Have No Idea

Charlene in Thailand

Alex: Do you think people who watch the show have a good idea of who you are, or … ?

Riese: Like is there stuff we don’t see? Do you like to read? Or is there stuff that’s not on camera that we don’t see about you?

Charlene: There’s stuff that’s not on camera but I’m myself 24/7. When I took the series last season I looked like I’d had sex for three weeks, like I’d been tossed around. I don’t care what other people think or how I come off. People are gonna see me going out, all dolled up or hanging out with my friends but if you’re not yourself on TV, then who are you?

Especially with a bunch of girls, somebody’s gonna cause some kind of drama or it’s gonna be a damn good time all night long, and it’s gonna be fun to watch.

For people that only have a couple lesbian friends they can see the show and see how many of us are out there where being gay isn’t an issue. It’s a stepping stone that makes coming out easier…

You have to break the shell, be okay with who you are regardless of the cameras and know that there’s someone out there who’s gonna relate to you. There’s no character space so if you’re not yourself that shuts off the whole reason for reality TV. Especially when it’s something about lesbians — that’s for everyone, even for gay boys, we’re fighting for visibility.

Riese: How do you feel about negative feedback or people saying it’s not necessarily the best representation — just drinking and partying, or that it’s like The Hills?

Charlene: I take it with a grain of salt. When you watch The Hills or Melrose Place, there’s always gonna be people with an opinion, like “Oh all they do is go out and drink and party.” I’m sorry but what do you do when you go out to the club with your friends, do you know try and have a good time?”

Especially with a bunch of girls, somebody’s gonna cause some kind of drama or it’s gonna be a damn good time all night long, and it’s gonna be fun to watch. People that wanna put that negative energy out there, like “all they do is party,” “all they do is this,” bla bla bla, it’s just what you see, you’re not seeing your everyday life.

Riese: So what parts of the everyday life do you not see?

Charlene: Um … going hiking, or like on the phone with our parents … actually doing our jobs, our day jobs during the day, there’s so much going on, you know a lot of people like to nitpick on what’s interesting and what’s not interesting like as their own form of entertainment.

Riese: What is your day job?

Charlene: I just take it with a grain of salt and just laugh about it, because you are a topic of conversation, no matter what it is.

VI. Visibility Matters

Season One Finale

Riese: Okay, um, Do you feel like there is pressure being one of the only lesbian shows on tv right now, with the power of visibility? Do you find that rewarding?

Charlene: I think when people watch the series our sexuality is secondary. You know what I mean? It’s not like “Ooo, they’re all lesbians!” and it’s just about lesbians. You just see our lives, how we interact, our friendships, our relationships —and now, being the only lesbian show on TV right now, it’s important for people to see us. For us, even in terms of fighting for our rights, being on television — we want that negative energy to go away.

Straight life, gay life, we all have drama. But at least we’re able to break the stereotypes of people who are against gay culture and only have something bad to say, who think that lesbians are only dykes and gay boys are only fags.

We all bleed the same blood, we’re all people, we just happen to like different genders. For people that only have a couple lesbian friends they can see the show and see how many of us are out there where being gay isn’t an issue. It’s a stepping stone that makes coming out easier.

If lesbians are on TV, and I’m out here closeted and not showing anyone who I am, and these people are so comfortable with who they are — then these girls can think — well, why not me?

Alex: Do you get a lot of messages from girls like that? Saying you’ve helped make them feel more comfortable with themselves? I know we get a lot of those here at Autostraddle.

Charlene: Actually — I’m gonna tell you a story I’ve only told to my roommate before. I spend a lot of time going through fan emails, not just “I love you” but ones I have to spend time with; related to suicide and coming out, people who’ve been gay bashed or get negative feedback from their family.

I let them know I don’t have the answers, it’s a huge spectrum and I can give you advice but I sit in my room for hours reading one email over & over to put myself in that person’s place to give them the right advice. They’re reaching out for me and I can’t ignore that.

Straight life, gay life, we all have drama. But at least we’re able to break the stereotypes of people who are against gay culture and only have something bad to say, who think that lesbians are only dykes and gay boys are only fags.

One girl who I’d given advice to about coming out to her family, she took my advice and wrote me to say it was amazing, that I’d helped her feel comfortable coming out, and she was in Texas and wanted to know if she made it to LA, could she contact me? Not to hang out, but that she just wanted to see me and give me a hug. And I’m like crying in my room!

Alex: That’s amazing, you took the time, and that’s what it’s all about.

Charlene: It’s really important. Aside from us, and how things are perceived or edited on television, Logo has done its duty. We’ve done our duty. If we’ve touched even one life out of ten lives, we’re hitting a community that’s so afraid but surely boys & girls will see us and think, “I want to be a part of this community.”

They were afraid to go to marches ’cause their family was against it. You’re hitting one life, then you’re doing your job. Helping no matter what it is, how big or small.

Alex: That’s why it’s important for people to be out, and I’m really happy that you shared that story with us.

VII. Sexy-Time and Sex on the Beach

Alex: I guess that we’re switching gears here, ’cause Riese wants me to ask you — are there any sexy moments coming up on the show on the season?

Charlene: It’s Miami! And not in the next episode, but “coming up in the season” you do see me licking that girl’s chest –

Alex: We have sexy time, it’s confirmed!

Charlene: It’s Gimme Sugar Miami, you can’t not have a little sexy time.

Alex: What do you like better, L.A. or Miami?

Charlene: I love L.A, it’s my home. I love Miami, but I think if there’s weather Miami will be the first one to go under the ocean, it’s surrounded by patches of water!

Riese: In case of apocalypse or massive flood, you’re safer in California.

Charlene: People will just end up underneath! And I mean the beaches are beautiful in Miami, in that area they have L.A. beat by far.

But the water’s amazing and they have no waves, and their beaches are long but they’re small — it’s like 100 feet and you’re int he water. In L.A. you have to walk like a mile to get to the water.

It’s crazy humid for me, and no -one wants to go out ’til 12:30 or 1 am ’cause the clubs don’t close ’til five. and my body can not handle that. 7 o’clock at the latest!

Alex: Actually, Riese and I were at the NewNowNext awards and we saw you there.

Charlene: That’s so fun! A really good time!

Riese: But we were hosting and you were hosting too, so if we had all talked there would’ve been a lot of microphones!

Here’s a sneak preview of tonight’s episode, “Rock Bottom”:

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