The Lesbian News has the distinction and responsibility of being the nation’s longest running lesbian publication. Founded in 1974 in Southern California, the LN began as the lone voice for lesbian issues. Today, after 34 years, the LN is still the nation’s foremost voice for lesbians of all ages.

The Lesbian News is the vehicle for the experience of women’s art, music, literature, films and history. We have premiered women’s films which would not have otherwise been seen. We have reviewed women’s literature and music which would not have found an audience and we have financially supported workshops and fundraisers that could not have been successful without us. With informative current articles such as safe sex and STD’S, the truth about political matters which impact us, such as same-sex adoptions and discrimination in the workplace, no other magazine in the world is as targeted directly to the lesbian community or as much a leader in supporting lesbian issues as the Lesbian News. We are, not only, a magazine published for and about lesbians, but also by lesbians.

In its current news-magazine style, the LN features specific sections: a regular EDITORIAL VOICE; LESBIANS ON LOCATION - a paparazzi look at women and events; NEWS - hard news stories, exclusives, investigative reports and analysis by top reporters and thinkers in the field; COVER STORY - a substantial story of national importance. Past feature stories have included Melissa Etheridge, Martina Navratilova, Barbara Streisand, Shirley MacLaine, Catherine Deneuve, Gwen Stefani, also Cybill Shepherd, K.D. Lang, Ellen DeGeneres, Marlee Matlin, Cyndi Lauper, Toni Braxton, and Ricki Lake, to name a few. LIFESTYLES - features on health, fitness, style, photographic essays and regular columns; ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - features on artists, writers, movies, music and books along with our other regular departments.

The editorial vision of Lesbian News has always been to inform, entertain and be of service to women who love women of all ages, economic class and color. We hope women from all walks of life will not only find something of themselves in the LN, but also be accepting of those with differing opinions.

The Lesbian News is our small contribution to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender liberation movement.


Ella Matthes
Publisher & Editor in Chief