Prior to founding Cause+Effect, she served as the Vice President of Programming and Production for PlanetOut Inc., where she oversaw the daily publication of news and feature stories for LGBT audiences around the world. With a background in corporate strategy, branding, communications, and software systems development, Leyla is uniquely positioned to comment on the convergence of digital communications, user-generated content, and niche-market media.

Leyla holds a JD from Boalt Hall School of Law at UC Berkeley and a BA from the Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon. She has served on the national Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign, and as a volunteer with numerous LGBT arts and policy organizations around the country.

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Leyla Farah is the founder and owner of Cause+Effect, a PR and media firm focused on the LGBT community.

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info@cause-pr.com

More than a decade after stepping in front of the camera lens, Jenny Shimizu – the iconic supermodel, actress and media personality – has continued to transcend convention.

Born in San Jose, California in June 1967, Jenny grew up in Santa Maria, California and attended California State University, Northridge on a basketball scholarship. She later moved to Los Angeles to open a car garage. Soon after, Jenny was approached by a casting director while saddling her motorcycle outside an L.A. nightclub and introduced to Calvin and Kelly Klein. The designers were looking for a singular, androgynous face to represent their new fragrance, CK One. She landed her first fashion show for Calvin Klein at the Hollywood Bowl, followed by the pioneering black and white ad campaign. After came Banana Republic’s “American Beauty” campaign by Bruce Weber, which cast Jenny front and center on a Times Square billboard.

From there, Jenny worked for such designers as Versace, Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Yohji Yamamoto, and was featured in beauty campaigns for Clinique and Shiseido. Throughout the 90’s Jenny appeared in magazine editorials for Italian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Allure, Elle, Marie Clare, Italian Glamour, French Glamour and the cover of Australian Vogue. Jenny has shot with fashion’s most celebrated photographers including Richard Avedon, Bruce Weber, Irving Penn, and David Sims – just to name a few. Her image continues to be exhibited in museums, and in books, all over the world.

In 1993 Jenny appeared in a cameo in Madonna’s music video “Rain” (1993). Then came Foxfire (1996), Jenny’s first feature film and leading role. Jenny’s television roles include a special appearance on the “coming-out” episode of Ellen (1997) and playing Elena on Here Television’s Dante’s Cove (2007). Since 2005, Jenny has been celebrated for her unique beauty in E Television’s Sexiest Top Models (2005) and UK Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Sex Symbols (2007).

Making a critically acclaimed shift into reality television, Jenny appeared on “America’s Next Top Model,” (2005), Logo Television’s Curl Girls (2007), and as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009). Jenny is currently a series regular judge, with fellow supermodel Tyson Beckford, on Bravo’s Make Me a Supermodel (2009). Jenny’s recent film work includes the award-winning feature film, Itty Bitty Titty Committee (2007) directed by Jamie Babbitt; two short films, Four Steps (2009) and Tools 4 Fools (2009); and the feature film, Bob’s New Suit (2009) debuting later this year.

To date, Jenny has been honored as one of the 10 Most Amazing Women in Show Business by Power Up, one of A Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Asian Americans of the Decade 1989-1999,” and as a the recipient of the “Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2006 Lesbian Icon Award.” When she’s not acting or modeling, Jenny can be found restoring Bentleys, Rolls Royces and Cadillacs from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. She is also an avid motorcycle rider with a love for Ducatis.

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Jenny Shimizu – the iconic supermodel, actress and media personality – continues to defy convention, and create a truly unique combination of beauty and strength.

Jenny Shimizu’s new MERCH line speaks to her unparalleled standpoint, personifies her rebellious attitude and pays tribute to the illustrious 1990’s.

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See Jenny’s contribution to Logo’s Legacy Campaign

Watch Jenny on RuPaul’s Drag Race

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• Website
• MERCH
• Facebook
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Jenny@cause-pr.com

Eden is currently the host of Colorado’s popular PBS affiliate television show, InFocus. Eden is also the host of OUTSpoken, a prime time special series devoted to the LGBT community that’s now celebrating its 20th year.

Eden is more than just an on-air host for two popular local television shows – she’s also a mother, a wife, a proud resident of Colorado, and a pioneer for transgender people everywhere. Eden’s upcoming memoir captures her amazing journey from Broadway performer to suburban housewife to television star and community spokesperson.

As charming in person as she is on TV, Eden Lane inspires others with her talents, courage, and charisma. Fulfilled in her multi-faceted roles as journalist, activist, wife and mother, Eden Lane has much wisdom to share about finding your voice while leading an authentic life.

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(Suitable for Colorado regional press, news industry press, entertainment press and LGBT press)

Eden Lane is a unique figure in the world of television journalism.  The first transgender, on-air broadcast journalist with a major network, Eden covered the 2008 Democratic National Convention for PBS, and is currently the host of both InFocus, Colorado’s popular local arts and culture news magazine, and OUTSpoken, a prime time special series devoted to the LGBT community that’s been on the air for 20 years.

Eden is currently penning a memoir that captures her amazing journey from Broadway performer to suburban housewife to television star and community spokesperson. As charming in person as she is on TV, Eden Lane inspires others with her talents, courage, and charisma. Fulfilled in her multi-faceted roles as journalist, activist, wife and mother, Eden Lane has much wisdom to share about finding your voice while leading an authentic life.

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Video

Additional Resources

• In Focus with Eden Lane
• Colorado OUTSpoken
• Press Kit
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Cause+Effect
888.829.0004 [main]
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EdenLane@cause-pr.com

Her infectious personality and sincere interest in her clients’ success in both body conditioning and lifestyle improvements permeate her sessions. She is AAISMA-certified, CPR-certified and through her burgeoning experience with nutrition and raw food nutrition, consults on diet to help her clients gain awareness, overall health and weight loss.

Her goal is to help them achieve their goals of fitness and life balance while educating them to natural ways of practicing good health. She builds a relationship of trust and commitment with her clients, while teaching her philosophy of the benefit of a raw food diet during the day and correct combining of cooked food at night.

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(Suitable for entertainment press, women’s press and LGBT press)

Balancing fitness, good food and fun, Briana Stockton is the life of the party.

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• Website (coming soon!)
• Press Kit (coming soon!)
• Facebook

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Cause+Effect
415.294.0024 [main]
866.843.6697 [fax]
Briana@cause-pr.com

Jason uses his talents as an openly gay actor and comedian to support the community by performing at countless events benefiting issues from AIDS to the homeless. He is the Chairman of the first ever Screen Actors Guild LGBT Committee, and also chairs the comedy shows for LA Gay & Lesbian Center’s Lifeworks Mentoring Program.  Jason also performs across the country at major LGBT events and both LGBT and mainstream comedy festivals, and is now touring with his new stand up comedy show, “Jason Stuart: Making It To The Middle” (also a here! Cable TV special).  He is also a featured performer on “One Night Stand Up” & “Wisecrack” on LOGO and “Comics Unleashed” with Byron Allen.

As an actor his TV appearances include, “The Closer”, “Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia”, “Everybody Hates Chris”, “House”, “George Lopez”, ”My Wife & Kids” “Charmed” and “Will & Grace”. His film credits include “Gia” w/Angelina Jolie, “A Day Without A Mexican”, “10 Attitudes” and “Coffee Date”.

Jason’s ability to speak from his heart with humor and compassion, makes him the ideal inspirational speaker for LGBT employee  groups, college campus groups, and youth groups across the country.

Selected Credits

1. THE CLOSER  w/ Kyra Sedgwick – TNT
2. IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA w/ Danny Devito – F/X
3. EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS – CW
4. GEORGE LOPEZ – ABC
5. HOUSE (Dir: Bryan Singer) – FOX
6. STRONG MEDICINE – Lifetime
7. MY WIFE & KIDS (Recurring)    ABC
8. FAT ACTRESS w/ Kirsty Alley
9. WILL & GRACE (2) – NBC
10. GIA – w/ Angelina Joile – HBO
11. CHARMED – WB
12. COFFEE DATE w/ Wilson Cruz
13. PUFF, PUFF, PASS w/ Meki Phifer
14. A DAY WITHOUT MEXICAN
15. LOST & FOUND w/ David Spade
16. VEGAS VACATION w/ Chevy Chase
17. KINDERGARTEN COP w/ Arnold Schwarzenegger

Rachel is also a co-author of the Gay and Lesbian Guide to College Life, which came out from Princeton Review, and a co-author (with Stephanie Brill) of the groundbreaking title The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals, which is used around the world by parents, medical professionals, and educators. As Edgardo Menvielle, MD, Director of Gender and Sexuality Psychosocial Programs at Children’s National Medical Center says, “With a clear commitment to improving the lives of transgender children and their families, Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper have achieved an inclusive and concise reading that is a must-have for all those involved.”

Rachel enjoys speaking with both LGBT people and straight allies who want to explore issues like queer family building, the unique experience of lesbian pregnancy, single motherhood, and gender variant and transgender children.  Having run the LGBT Studies program at Yale University for 5 years from 2003-2008, Rachel also is an expert on preparing LGBT youth for the college experience.

Currently enrolled in a Masters of Counseling program, Rachel hopes to continue her education and eventually practice within the LGBT community. She is still active as a journalist and is the long-time book columnist for Curve Magazine. She is also on the Advisory Board of the Jim Collins Foundation.

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The foremost authority on lesbian pregnancy, LGBT parenting, and gender variant and transgender youth, Rachel Pepper’s groundbreaking books have paved the way for countless parents, and children, in the LGBT community.

Bibliography

• The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals | June 28, 2008
• The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians | September 23, 2005
• Gay and Lesbian Guide to College Life | May 22, 2008

Contact & Booking Information

Cause+Effect
415.294.0024 [main]
866.843.6697 [fax]
RachelPepper@cause-pr.com

Rev. Eric P. Lee is a founding member of the Stand For Security Coalition, which engaged in a four-year fight to organize African American Security Officers into an SEIU union; a Diversity Task Force member, working to reintegrate African Americans into the hotel and restaurant industries through the union UNITE HERE; founding member of the Alliance for Equal Opportunity in Education, a collaboration of organizations that forced UCLA to change their admissions policies proven to be discriminatory and racist; founding member of the Knowledge Transfer Summit, an African American Leadership Forum; and also a founding member and Chair of the Black Education Task Force, a collaboration of organizations whose mission is to improve the quality of education for Black students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Rev. Lee is also a board member of Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (IJUCP) and Life Member of the New Frontier Democratic Club.

As a civil rights activist, Rev. Lee recently took a stand against California Ballot Initiative Proposition 8 in support of marriage equality and LGBT Rights, believing that anytime one group of people is denied the same rights and privileges of others in society; it is fundamentally a denial of their civil rights.

Rev. Lee has lived in Los Angeles for 22 years but was born and raised in Oakland, California, the heart of social and economic activism on the West Coast. Inspired by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a young age, Rev. Lee has committed his life to fighting for justice against oppressive forces that continuously hinder people from achieving equality, freedom, justice and dignity, following the guiding principle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.

Rev. Lee has a B.S. in Political Economies of Industrial Societies from U.C. Berkeley, a Masters in Pastoral Studies and M. Div. candidate from Azusa Pacific University. Rev. Lee is affiliated with the Black Business Association, Recycling Black Dollars, 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Rev. Lee has been married 17 years and has three children.

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(Suitable for African-American interest, social justice press, LGBT press)

As a civil rights activist, Rev. Lee took a stand against California’s Ballot Initiative “Proposition 8″ in support of marriage equality and LGBT Rights, believing that any time one group of people is denied the same rights and privileges of others in society; it is fundamentally a denial of their civil rights.

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Cause+Effect
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ReverendLee@cause-pr.com

However, it was after finding herself engaged as an activist for the LGBT equal rights movement that Cathy began to explore the way in which personal stories inform and influence people’s everyday lives. Deeply steeped in the latest digital platforms and social media technologies, Cathy began teaching people to make these connections of personal stories, using new technologies as the medium.

Currently running her own consulting firm in San Francisco, Cathy works with companies and individuals helping them navigate the crowded waterways of new technologies with the express purpose of leveraging these rapidly evolving platforms to tell their stories. Through workshops, seminars and strategic consulting services, Cathy walks clients through the story-telling process and towards the kind of deep engagement that comes from truly authentic communication.

Every week Cathy brings these discussions to life on Social Media Hour, a live, call-in, talk show on which industry leaders and average folks share their experiences and tell their stories. The program, for which Cathy is Executive Producer and Host, puts new technologies in human terms, and gives the audience a chance to interact via text chat and phone.

Her last full-time job had Cathy leading the charge on business development for Seesmic, a San Francisco-based start-up that enables global conversation using video as the conduit. While there, Cathy secured and managed the company’s relationships with top media organizations such as 20th Century Fox, The BBC and The Washington Post.

Prior to Seesmic, Cathy worked with Guidewire Group – a global analyst firm focused on emerging markets and technologies. During that time, Cathy created and hosted “I of Innovation”, a weekly talk show providing a unique perspective an insight to the processes and people behind the latest technology trends. On Guidewire Group’s behalf she also launched “Six Minutes With”, a weekly podcast series for Network World.

Cathy also produced two of Guidewire Group’s conferences – Innovate!Europe and Leadership Forum. In both cases Cathy identified and booked top speakers as well as moderated and emceed the events. For several years Cathy also played a role in content curation for LeWeb, the largest technology gathering in Europe.

Back in the day, Cathy worked at TechTV, running the talent and guest booking departments, and over the years has held several executive positions with PR agencies ranging from business development to account management.

When not traveling or meandering the digital world of the Web, Cathy can be found seeking the perfect hamburger in San Francisco, CA.

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(Suitable for business press, women’s interest, LGBT press)

Cathy Brooks is currently the only out lesbian in the running for two substantive social media competitions:

(1) Cathy is one of the 10 finalists in contention for Panasonic’s Living in HD Insider program. The winner will receive a full suite of leading-edge production equipment with which to create on-line content, and a year-long position as the featured “voice” for Panasonic’s rapidly growing on-line “Living in HD” community. This mainstream, consumer-focused community offers a exciting opportunity for the Insider o engage in deep dialogue and share stories with a truly diverse audience that spans a variegated tapestry of cultures and social group.

(2) She has been nominated for the NOW Awards of the 140 Characters Conference, a leading social media event which recognizes celebrities and ordinary people who are making Twitter matter. From media and politics to technology and business, these game changers embody the qualities that are making Twitter and the emerging NOW internet a growing force in the world. (To vote for Cathy in the NOW Awards, simply send a tweet including “#140conf vote @cathybrooks”.)

Interview Opportunities

• Cathy Brooks

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Cause+Effect
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CathyBrooks@cause-pr.com

By 2002, after a few years in which Sylvia and her family came to accept her child’s transition from male to female, Gwen was living full-time as a woman. Tragically, in October of that year, Gwen was brutally murdered in Newark, California, by at least four people with whom she was recently acquainted. She was just 17. Several of these assailants have been sentenced and are serving jail time for their part in Gwen’s senseless death.

In the following months, Sylvia and her family and friends were thrust into the forefront of transgender activism. Learning as she went along, Sylvia began to speak out about the pain and injustice that her daughter and her family suffered – and suffer still – due to societal ignorance and transphobia. A 2006 Lifetime movie, A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story, captured Gwen’s journey to self-acceptance and her mother’s determination to educate others about transgender people.

As the quest to bring Gwen’s murderers to full justice continues, Sylvia is committed to protecting other families from experiencing such pain. Through the Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund for Transgender Education, Sylvia speaks at middle and high schools about transgender awareness and understanding. She also speaks to people who recognize her on the street, youth in her town, community groups, LGBT groups, and other organized events about Gwen’s experiences in school and the workplace. and about the need for societal change and education regarding transgender equality. Sylvia’s dedication to speaking out about familial acceptance and educating others about transgender people sends a powerful message that change is not only possible, but that one day transgender people like Gwen will be honored and protected for living openly as their true selves.

Current Press Opportunities

(Suitable for family press, women’s interest, social justice press, LGBT press)

Sylvia Guerrero is the mother of Gwen Araujo and a tireless activist for LGBT civil rights.  In 2002, her family’s tragedy thrust her into the spotlight of LGBT rights.  Since then, she’s kept her daughter’s memory alive by speaking to students, activists, educators and community leaders throughout the country.

Recent Press

• PlanetOut People of 2003
• Advocate for Transgender Tolerance
• A Mother’s Pain and Defiance
• Court Approves Name Change for Murdered Transgender Teen
• ‘Eddie’ Legally ‘Gwen’
• Family and City Remember Gwen Araujo, Murders
• Life After Gwen

Contact Information

Cause+Effect
888.829.0004 [main]
866.843.6697 [fax]
SylviaGuerrero@cause-pr.com

In 1995, Jenni was one of the co-founders of PlanetOut.com, where she established the massive queer movie resource and database, PopcornQ and launched the first showcase for LGBT streaming media, the PlanetOut Online Cinema as well as founding the PlanetOut Short Movie Awards. She is also very proud to be co-founder of the Queer Brunch at Sundance; the annual LGBT event she created in 1998 has grown to become the largest queer party at the Sundance Film Festival.

As a film collector and archivist Jenni’s historical movie trailer programs (including the ever-popular: Homo Promo which is now available on DVD) have been shown at film festivals around the world, as have her many short films and videos (Sometimes, Meep! Meep!, Blue Diary, Matzo Maidels, Blow Up, Sing Along San Francisco). Her debut feature film, The Joy of Life world premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and went on to play a pivotal role in renewing debate about the need for a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as garnering praise from critics and audiences around the globe for its unique storytelling style.

In addition to her two decades of curatorial experience (including stints at the Minneapolis/St. Paul and San Francisco LGBT Film Festivals) Jenni has written extensively about LGBT film for such publications as The Advocate, Curve Magazine, Filmmaker Magazine, indieWIRE.com, PlanetOut.com and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Her wildly entertaining coffee table tome, The Queer Movie Poster Book was a 2005 Lambda Literary Award nominee. Jenni continues to advise and assist filmmakers on a variety of projects as well as spearheading such continuing LGBT filmmaker resources as the WolfeQueerFestDirectory, the LGBT Film & Video Professionals Resource List and the PQProfessionals Yahoo Group.

Jenni has done extensive work as a film programmer and public speaker, as well as serving on numerous film festival juries, grants panels and screening committees. She is also a founding member of the advisory board for Outfest’s Legacy Project for LGBT film preservation. She can be seen in several documentary films offering her perspectives on LGBT cinema history, most notably two documentaries on which she served as associate producer: Jodie: An Icon (a 1996 British Channel 4 exploration of Jodie Foster as an icon for lesbians) and more recently the IFC documentary, Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema.

Jenni’s most recent short film, 575 Castro St. premiered at Sundance 2009 and should be coming soon to a film festival near you — it can also be seen online at FilmInFocus.com. She is currently in development on a new feature called, The Royal Road: or Get Me Guinevere Turner.

In 2007 Jenni was honored as “one of the Top Ten Amazing Women in Showbiz” by Power Up, the Los Angeles-based organization for gay women in the entertainment industry. In 2005 she received the Outfest Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement, the NewFest Award for Best U.S. Screenplay and a commendation from the City and County of San Francisco in recognition of her groundbreaking experimental documentary, The Joy of Life. More recently Jenni earned a spot (number 74 to be exact) on the TopHotButches.com list of the Top 100 Butches of 2009!

Jenni continues to champion LGBT cinema on a daily basis in her role as director of e-commerce at WolfeVideo.com. She lives in San Francisco with her partner, Julie and their two daughters, Hazel and Sylvie.

Current Press Opportunities

(Suitable for arts & entertainment press, film industry press, women’s interest, LGBT press)

“As a trailblazing queer media historian, activist and online pioneer Jenni has been a longtime champion of LGBT film and filmmakers around the world. With her vast expertise on gay and lesbian film history and contemporary LGBT media images she offers a unique perspective on how far we’ve come in terms of LGBT images on the big screen, the small screen, and the computer screen.”

Contact Information

Cause+Effect
888.829.0004 [main]
866.843.6697 [fax]
JenniOlson@cause-pr.com