By BetteAndTinaForever

Sundance Film Festival in Utah is famous for many things and one of them is the Queer Lounge, a queer film networking organization that was launched at Sundance 4 years ago by Ellen Huang. The lounge became associated with GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) in August 2007 when Huang began looking for a larger organization that could give the lounge better support and funding. This year the Queer Lounge hosted several panels where the filmmakers and network representatives were talking about new films and general LGBT issues. And also this year the lounge hosted a very special And the Nominees Are event for the 19th Annual GLAAD media Awards. I was there by accident really. I live not far away from Park City

and on Saturday I decided to go to the Festival, walk around, watch for celebrities and visit the Queer Lounge because I’ve heard a lot about it. Last year, Ilene Chaiken, Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey went to Sundance to launch OurChart and when I was at the season 5 premiere of The L Word in LA, I overheard that some cast members might be going to Utah this year, as well.

When I finally found out where the lounge was located, I walked towards it and just as I was about to open the front door, Jane Lynch (Joyce Wishnia) walked out, looking different in all the winter clothes. Yes, it gets cold in Utah in the winter and we were expecting a huge snow storm, as well.

I said Hi to Jane who was very nice as usual and posed for me under the lounge sign. After she left, I went inside and explored the place. This year was the first time when the Queer Lounge was located in the multistory building on Main Street and it was a really nice place. With the main lounge where the movie goers could rest and chat, with free drinks and snacks provided. In the afternoons the lounge hosted different panels and in the evenings private parties and presentations.

After hanging around for some time, I went upstairs to one of the panels where filmmakers and actors from the new film, Salvage Grace, were discussing the movie, which stars Julianne Moore as a mother who attempts to “cure” her son of homosexuality and it was based on a true story. And no, Julianne Moore wasn’t there, unfortunately.

When I was ready to leave, I noticed some people that I recognized as GLAAD representatives and I talked to them about 18th Annual GLAAD Awards that I attended last year. I was told that this year nominations for GLAAD would be announced on Sunday with Laurel Holloman as their celebrity presenter and since I identified myself as a representative of l-word.com, I was put on press list because the presentation was by invitation only.

Need I mention that I was excited? I don’t think so. You all know from my reports, interviews and stories that I’m a TiBetter and a huge Laurel Holloman/Tina fan. So, of course I was excited because I was getting access to red carpet and would have some interview time.

On Sunday I came into the lounge a little earlier and got ready for the red carpet part of the evening. Among the celebrities there were Todd Herzog (Survivor: China), Rex Lee (Entourage), Reichen Lehmkuhl (Dante's cove), Steven Fales (Confessions of a Mormon Boy), cast of a new movie Pariah about gay teenagers who lead double life, Brian Peeler (Work Out) and some others.

The bad news was that Laurel Holloman couldn’t make it to the premiere, though she was already in Park City and was spotted in a few fashion lounges that were open to accredited guests and press. The good news is that The L Word was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series along with Brother&Sisters, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Dirty Sexy Money, and Greek.

I addition, Ilene Chaiken will be honored with Davidson/Valentini Award in San Francisco for her contribution to the community. This award is named after Craig Davidson, GLAAD’s first executive director and his partner Michael Valentini and is given to the openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.

This year the GLAAD Media Awards will be held in New York on March 17; in South Florida on April 12; in Los Angeles on April 26; and in San Francisco on May 10. Because The L Word was nominated, you can be assured that we will bring you more photos and interviews from this event, so keep your fingers crossed for our favorite show to win this year.