***Up front disclaimer, my use of the word "lifestyle" refers to the photos, not the type of relationship. I don't believe LGBTQ relationships are "lifestyles," they're just life…just "being."

Now that I've gotten that out of the way:
 

Hello World!

Just kidding. I post today with a handful of new photos.

My wife and I participated in a lifestyle/retro-themed photoshoot with NYC-based photographer, Max Luger. I have to say, it is refreshing to be able to post more elegant images of a lesbian/queer (whatever label you prefer) couple.

There is nothing more disappointing than doing an image search only to yield unflattering results whether they be over sexualized, stereotypical or just an obviously insincere portrayal of women in the gay and lesbian community – or, for African-American lesbians, simply too hard to find. As someone who is often looking for stock photography of gays/lesbians/bisexuals, etc., for marketing reasons, I can't tell you how many times I've felt let down by the selection of images that are available. It's gotten better over the last year, but still has a long way to go. Hopefully more photographers will reach out to real couples for more accurate portrayals. What's been your experience when searching for positive images of lesbians (or bisexual/queer, etc.) women? 

In any case, here are a few of the images!

*Our hair was done by K&S Inc., and make-up by Legendary Faces Beauty. 

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I'm very happy to announce that my play, Intimate Chaos, will be mounted for three shows this fall as a Featured production in the inaugural Philadelphia Urban Theatre Festival!

Synopsis: Intimate Chaos is an urban dramedy that explores a lesbian relationship complete with love, lust, abandonment and betrayal. Packed with comedy, drama and its share of salacious scenes, this show ultimately explores the romantic relationship between two headstrong women as well as heterosexual/homosexual friendship dynamics.

******WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT INTIMATE CHAOS******

"The brilliance of Cheril N. Clarke is astounding." – Out IN Jersey

"Lesbian novelist creates success out of Chaos." – Philadelphia Gay News

"Intimate Chaos (the book) brings us dyke drama in all its glory as it chronicles Sadira and Jessie’s roller-coaster relationship." – Curve magazine

"Take a sexy, sultry book brimming with drama and deceit, add actors and a set to bring it to life, and you've got yourself a play worth paying for!" – GO Magazine

When:

September 30, 2010 – 7:30PM
October 1, 2010 – 7:30PM
October 2, 2010 – 7:30PM

Where:
The Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Tickets:
All tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
General Admission (non-reserved seating). Tickets can be purchased now on www.intimatechaostheplay.com.

*Please note the official website will be updated shortly to include the current cast and crew.*

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It never fails. At least once every other month someone asks of my wife and me, “which one of you is the aggressive” or something like that. I guess I should be happy that happens a lot less frequently than it used to. While I understand that labels and roles seem to work for some couples I personally find them stifling. To those who are actually able to maintain stable, long-term relationships with specific roles and labels, more power to you because I think that adds more layer of difficulty when settling down.

I wonder though…is it that much of an anomaly to have two women who just are? I’m no where near as predictable in my dress and mannerisms as I was when I was younger and I’m a much freer person today. Giving in to my desire to become unboxed, not stereotypical, and unapologetic about being myself, whoever that may be on a given day, was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Some days I want to be super feminine while others I do not and that’s okay. Though I tend to take care of the more traditionally masculine household chores in my home, my wife is the one who has the ability to fix things when they break because I am quite challenged when it comes to tools. We open the door for each other. Who does what in the bedroom is personal and at the end of the day having a healthy relationship all comes down to compatibility, love, respect and a thorough knowledge of one another. I care more about spending my life with someone who is strong where I’m weak and who relies on my strength where she is weak than feeling trapped by a set of rules created by others outside of my union. I’m just a woman. A woman who is sharing her life with another woman in a way that is so fulfilling there is no need to clearly define roles that mirror those of traditional heterosexual relationships. We just are.

What are your thoughts? Does it work better for you to have clear lines drawn of who does/wears what or no?

Related Blogs

 Stud 4 Stud, Femme 4 Femme, Are You a Gay Lesbian?

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Some time last winter I decided to challenge myself with a small goal of staying away from junk food for one month. Honestly, I can’t remember if I made it or if the two pies from McDonald’s did me in just shy of accomplishing. Anyway, the point is I gave it a good first effort. What I didn’t know at the time, however, was that I was only at the beginning of what would lead to an almost complete lifestyle change (gradually, of course and it’s still in progress). Before I get into the specifics of those changes, let me just say that there are a few things that I’ve always been good at and they are as follows: time management and the ability to reach almost every professional goal I set. Other qualities such as interpersonal skills were honed over the last seven years with the help of my wife. I’ve come a long way in that department and am proud of myself because though I’m at ease in front of a group of people I used to struggle with the more lounge/casual/bar-like settings. (I vary rarely drink alcohol and don’t do much dancing so it was hard for me to relax when everyone else around has that little liquid push to get them going.) I’m still working on it, but am moving in the right direction.

So, with all that being said I can now say that as I as I tip-toe toward age 30, I’ve honestly never felt better in my life. In addition to striving for complete elimination of junk food from my diet, I have made major changes in the areas of embracing eastern spirituality vs. just rejecting organized religion, I’ve taken more than just a simple liking to alternative medicine and have become slow to accept every suggestion, prescription medicine or medical procedure my doctors may recommend, as well, I’ve adapted a focused exercise and fitness plans vs. haphazardly working out when the mood strikes. I want to be healthy. I want to have abundant energy. I want to enjoy life and I love the journey of becoming the person I want to be (and living the life I deserve), one day at a time. One day at a time, one decision at a time, and so on, because it is a conscious decision/journey. I am emboldened by the possibilities of TRULY living a free, vitality-filled life and it all starts with a plan, which I have quite a few of and they all work in concert to create the life I want because I know I can have it if I just pay attention and adjust things/actions as necessary. Here are just a few things that I’ve done since the start of the year…

Meal intake: I try my best to plan my meals ahead of time to ensure I’m getting what I need and avoiding what I don’t. I’m spending more time and care looking into the foods that I’m putting into my body because eating blindly can cause a host of unwanted health problems. This can get tricky as I am also always trying to maintain a healthy height/weight ratio (more on this in another blog). I’m not that great of a cook and am grateful to have had the good luck of marrying one.

Continuous study: I read. I read a lot. Lately, I’ve been reading more titles and blogs that focus on alternative medicines. I’m delving into things like meridians and chakras for the first time. Shout out to the Reiki workshop leader from this year’s Shades Retreat who recommended the book Energy Medicine by Donna Eden, it’s an awesome introduction. I wasn’t even ¼ through it before I discovered natural, non-invasive ways of healing common problems such as muscle pain, headaches, difficulty waking up in the mornings, etc. I actually bought the book for my wife but ended up reading it before her because of her work schedule. What a gem!

In addition to reading, I’ve been listening to audio books by Deepak Chopra to help me stay focused. Just like any other aspect of my life that I need motivation for, this is no exception. An initial burst of excitement and fascination can fade in a few weeks if one doesn’t continue to feed their mind positive thoughts on what it is you want. As Zig Ziglar always says in his personal development speeches, it’s like bathing; you need to do it ever day! (Something like that is what he said. I’m sure I butchered it a bit but you get the point.)

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What a HOT day it was in the northeast yesterday and today – another high of 101 degrees, whew! I wanted to update my blog to say THANK YOU to those who purchased (and sent lots of nice emails about) Illusions of Love and Ecstasy, my latest works in the area of erotica. They are very short vignettes, and I'm happy that the reception to more tales about Kenya is warm. She's a piece of work, isn't she!? I think I'm finished with her for the time being, but don't rule her out for another vignette in the future. If you've read and either of these vignettes and don't mind doing a public review, please feel free to do so on Amazon.com or Smashwords.com.

Speaking of future projects, I've been quite busy churning out the first draft of a screenplay that is based on my novel, Losing Control. I'm about half-way done with the draft as of today and still plugging away every chance I get. I'm very excited to be moving to the realm of film. It's a nice challenge for me to yet again, switch mediums to present my work. In addition, I'm writing my sixth novel, Until the Day Breaks, that features Melissa from Tainted Destiny. Having been in the works for about nine years, I'm going to call this book my little engine that could. It's coming, though very slowly.

That's all for now. I'll post again soon about some personal updates and lifestyle changes that have been wonderful for me!

-Cheril

PS: Become a fan on Facebook and check out photo albums that include images of inspiration for my works!

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"I couldn’t stop the yearning to have passionate sex with her using every ounce of energy I had. I kissed Deb’s forehead, her cheeks and the tip of her nose while caressing her arms with the palms of my hands. I nibbled on her earlobes and sucked on her neck, passed my lips over her collarbones and down to her chest. I took her full breasts into my mouth, sucking on them hungrily. Deb’s nipples felt like precious gemstones crystallizing under the attention from my tongue." – From Ecstasy

Ecstasy: An Erotic Vignette featuring Kenya from Intimate Chaos is now available for only $.99! This vignette is the sexy follow-up to Illusions of Love!

SUMMARY:

Ecstasy is the follow-up to Clarke's deceitfully delicious, Illusions of Love: Two Erotic Vignettes featuring Kenya from Intimate Chaos.

Overflowing with eroticism, this tale finds Kenya (aka Anita) taking a break from swindling and heartbreaking, and indulging, for the first time, in an evening of passion ignited by Ecstasy – the narcotic. After Cruising with Angela and Swinging with Deb in Illusions of Love, Kenya is back to experience one the most blissfully erotic days of her life with Deb. Join them as they delve in the forbidden pleasures of Ecstasy and levitate to the highest heights of sexual passion.

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"I couldn’t stop the yearning to have passionate sex with her using every ounce of energy I had. I kissed Deb’s forehead, her cheeks and the tip of her nose while caressing her arms with the palms of my hands. I nibbled on her earlobes and sucked on her neck, passed my lips over her collarbones and down to her chest. I took her full breasts into my mouth, sucking on them hungrily. Deb’s nipples felt like precious gemstones crystallizing under the attention from my tongue." – From Ecstasy (more below!)

I'm happy to post an excerpt to my latest work, Ecstasy: An Erotic Vignette featuring Kenya from Intimate Chaos. This vignette is the sexy follow-up to Illusions of Love!

After Cruising with Angela and Swinging with Deb, Kenya (aka Anita) is back to spend one the most blissfully erotic days of her life with Deb. Join them as they delve in the forbidden pleasures of Ecstasy and levitate to the highest heights of sexual passion.

Read | Relax | Revel…

EXCERPT

Deb sat on the edge of the tub and rubbed my back as I kneeled in front of her facing the toilet. “Here, drink this.” She handed me a bottle of water. “Slowly, Anita. We just need to keep you hydrated.”

“I’m fine,” I persisted, and I stood up to take the drink.

“Thank God I only gave you half a pill to start.”  Deb had felt terrible about my bad reaction to the drug and fretted over me, despite my telling her I was all right. She was overreacting but I was flattered. She really cared about me, even though I couldn’t truly say I felt the same way about her.

I put the plastic bottle on the sink and reached for her. “I’m okay. Seriously, I am. Come here and give me a hug.”

“Are you sure?” she whispered apologetically.

The warmth of her breath slid over my earlobe like a sun-kissed breeze on a spring day. “Yes, love, I’m sure.”

It didn’t take long for me to forget that I’d just thrown up in her bathroom. And it didn’t take long for the initial feelings of discomfort pervading my body to pass. It didn’t take long at all for the E to kick in. “Mmm…” I moaned, feeling myself begin to sway. I was starting to feel great!

“You feel it now?” A grin crept onto her face and she relaxed. I could see the in-out of movement of her chest as she exhaled in relief. Finally, she looked at me with excitement, her eyes no longer panicked.

I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt a series of trilling tingles from the top of my head down to the base of my spine. Up and down they went. Goose bumps flooded the surface of my skin. I felt myself sinking, or maybe I was rising. I wasn’t sure which, but either way, the sensation was incredible.

The music pulsing from Deb’s bedroom became more present in my mind. The pounding rhythm prodded my body to move and I stirred to the beat. I pulled off my shirt and threw it to the floor. Deb followed suit, and we began to rub up against one another. It was as though I was floating on a pool of energy, bathing under a waterfall of sexy confidence that became stronger with each step. I could get used to this!

            “Why don’t we take a shower together?” I suggested after dancing with her for a while.

            “Now?”

            “Mm hm.” I took off my bra, still grooving, without a care in the world.

            “All right.” She smiled broadly and stripped out of her clothes. “Let me just go get something.” She walked out before I could register her absence.

            Alone in the dimly lit bathroom, I gulped down more of the bottled water. I turned the shower on, trying to calibrate the water for just the right temperature. Deb returned with two glow sticks, their bright lights reeling me in. I couldn’t stop staring at them.

She approached me and traced the contours of my breasts with the tips of the glow sticks, sending a flutter of sexual pleasure throughout my chest. I leaned back to bask in the feeling of her moving across my upper body and down to my stomach. Deb gently took my hand and nodded in the direction of the shower. “Come with me,” she whispered.

“Okay.” I stepped in behind her. “Wow!” I immediately became enthralled. Everything felt sensational, from the individual drops bouncing against my skin to the touch of the loofah sponge as Deb ran it over my naked body. Damn. Bathing never felt this good.  It was as if the water was rushing and bending to encapsulate us in a cocoon of pleasure as we kissed and stroked each other. I became eager to touch Deb’s body and taste her saccharine skin. A flashback of the threesome we recently had penetrated my mind and all I could do was moan as the visuals catapulted me to timeless erotic bliss. I closed my eyes and touched myself, becoming intoxicated by the blend of my memories and the current moment. I almost felt as though I was in a coitus orgy with a multitude of body parts stimulating every inch of me.

“Yeah, you’re rolling now,” she said.

“Huh?”

“It’s just an expression, baby. Your eyes are dilated and I can tell you’re really starting to feel it.”

“Oh, yeah…” I reached for a bath sponge to lather her up.

Deb and I cleaned each other, half-playfully and half-sexually, until I pulled her close to me. “I want you.” I let the sponge fall to the shower floor and ran my hands down her back, dragging my nails across her soapy skin. She moaned and kissed me in response…

***** END OF EXCERPT*****

This title will be available on Jun 15, 2010 for Amazon Kindle and all other ereaders (via Smashwords.com) for only $.99! If you don't own a an ereader or Smartphone, you can still enjoy this story by downloading Amazon's free software, Kindle for PC!

 If you enjoyed this excerpt, please *share* it using the ShareThis link below!

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Another new addition to the cast in Plainfield, NJ was Raymond Braxton. Ray had the challenge of coming into the process just a week before we began rehearsals whereas the rest of the cast has either been with me since 2007 or had at least gotten the script a month prior so they could memorize their lines. Now that I think back, I can remember thinking when I first saw him, “he doesn’t look funny.” I mean, he was punctual, polite but didn’t strike me as a comedian at all. He looked so serious.

Ray came in to the picture when I got the news that Walter DeShields wouldn't be able to do the production due to scheduling conflicts. I needed a replacement and I needed one quickly as there was no time to go through the whole audition and sorting process all over again. I put my director on the job of helping me find one on such short notice and that’s when I came to know Ray. Here is a little bit from Ray about his experience with Intimate Chaos in Plainfield, NJ.

You actually got called very close to the start of rehearsals for this play. Do you remember what you were doing when you got the call to be a part of Intimate Chaos?

I was actually asked through my man Kash Goins (director) on Facebook, the subject was "Opportunity is Knocking" or "Opportunity Knocks" either way the door was already open!

What did you think of the script when you first read it?

The script reminded me of one of those novels a good friend of mine always reads and she tells me about it ‘cause I could never get into them. But when I read the script for Intimate Chaos I was reading it like it was a book and "could not" stop until I was finished, I was hooked!

From beginning to end, how was the experience of being a part of this show and dealing with your cast mates for you?

This experience was like no other experience I’ve ever had and I welcomed it. I knew I was going to have fun with it. The cast was super talented, a great group of beautiful ladies that I got along with on and off stage. With me being a fill-in for the original Devonte' they made me feel welcomed. As for me being a stand-up comic and Kash (Director) telling me I could be me and there’s room for improv I knew I could act a fool and bring out the Devonte' I seen. I had a ball and I would love to work with any of the cast, writer & director anytime – because with "RayRay" you gonna get my all and he gonna make you laugh until yo face hurts!

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It was a pleasure to work with Daira Guerra in the Plainfield, NJ production. I know many patrons exclaimed that they loved the humor she added to the show! She was a director’s choice, to which I didn’t object as the part of Stacey has been rather revolving since the premier production in Bordentown, NJ. I look forward to working with Daira in the future and asked her about her experience thus far and her response is below…

When I first read the script, I thought it was different. The situations are situations real people go through but the story told it in a different way than we normally see on screen or in plays.  I was excited about it because it was a different role from what I have taken on before.

Cheril is easy going and allows the actors to make the characters come alive in their own way.  The director (Kash Goins) is crazy, funny and knows how to bring out the best in the actors.

I would love for the show to continue on and be featured in different cities!

Backstage in Plainfield, NJ (Daira Guerra and Raymond Braxton)

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