Feb 08, 2008   | COMMENTS     

Many women claim the title of feminist, but few are lucky enough to earn a paycheck for their personal politics. LESLIE CALMAN, the new executive director of national lesbian health organization the Mautner Project, has made a career out of her passion for women’s rights. Before coming to Mautner (just over three weeks ago), she worked for the International Center for Research on Women, an organization seeking to empower women in the developing world.

Until about three years ago, Calman was a lifelong New Yorker (although she timidly admits to being born in the suburbs), having completed her undergraduate degree in political science at Barnard College and her Ph.D. in the same subject at Columbia University. She moved to the District for love and lives with her partner in Woodley Park. If you want to meet Calman in person and give money to Mautner, attend the organization’s Give Love event on Feb. 12 at the home of the project’s founder Susan Hester. For more info, visit www.mautnerproject.org.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? 

Since I was about 23, some straight friends from college who thought they were open-minded, but…

 
Who’s your gay hero?

Barbara Jordan, Gertrude and Alice, Bayard Rustin.

 
What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

Woolly Mammoth Theater.

           
If gay marriage were legal, would you tie the knot?

Everyone who wants to should have the right to marry. Personally, I’m happier keeping the state out of my relationship.

 
What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?

The rotten state of our education, health care and child care systems — all of which keep people in poverty.

 
What historical outcome would you change?

The Florida re-count of 2000.

 
What has been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

Meeting Joni Mitchell.

 
On what reality TV show would you fare best?

In the evenings, I prefer fantasy.

 
What item of clothing has been in your closet since high school?

None: I lived in a New York City apartment for 30 years, so I got over the hoarding habit.

 
If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“Les, Unexpurgated.”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

Work for everyone to have the right to choose exactly what they want to be.           
 

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

The power of ideas.

 
What would you order for your last meal?

Chicken soup with Matzoh balls, a bottle of St. Emilion and lots of ice cream.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

My sweetie, my son, lots of ice cream (see “last meal”)…and some big donations to the Mautner Project.

 
What gay stereotype annoys you most?

That we are a danger to children.

 
What is the best gay film ever made?

“Gaudi Afternoon” with Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Davis and Lili Taylor.

What is the most overrated social custom?

That the standard of feminine beauty is not sassy Jewish women in their 50s: I mean, what’s up with THAT?

 
What trophy or prize do you most covet?

The Nobel Peace Prize — I’ll take the one that never should have gone to Henry Kissinger.

What’s your advice for gay teens?

Be safe. (Also suitable for straight teens!)

Why Washington?

Because, aside from no really good bagels, it’s got it all: cutting edge theater (Woolly, Arena, Studio), great restaurants, terrific independent bookstores (Politics and Prose, Lambda Rising, Kramerbooks), inspiring personal training (at Simply Fit on 7th Street), beautiful places to walk and people who really want to make the world better.