Michele Lloyd has created a website which is a central directory for SF books with lesbian characters and/or authors. We asked her to write us a short piece about herself and her efforts.

I’ve been reading science fiction since fourth grade. One of the things I always loved best about the genre was its ability to stand outside of the realities of the present day, allowing it to both critique the present and offer alternatives for the future.

Over the years, I’ve seen the genre expand this part of its promise to include new visions for the roles of men and women in society, and for LGBT people as well. In the last decade, I’ve found more and more books with lesbian or bi female characters. Not only that, but these novels had no particular agenda; they simply had characters who happened to be untraditional (by our standards) in their choice of partner(s). So, I started a collection of lesbian science fiction books, which I have made available online at http://www.lesbiansciencefiction. com. At the moment I have just about 140 books listed.

My favorite SF is dystopian cyber/nano/bio-punk, and the novels below are great examples of this type—plus, all of them have lesbian main characters!
    Dance of Knives (2001) by Donna McMahon
    The Nature of Smoke (1996) and Accidental Creatures (1998) by Anne Harris
    Speaking Dreams (1992), Hand of Prophecy (1998), and The Annunciate (1999) by Severna Park
    Solitaire (2002) by Kelly Eskridge
    The Fortunate Fall (1996) by Raphael Carter

Reviews of her music appear on her website, stating that she is "an out lesbian with a universal appeal"(Washington Blade) who produces material which is, "ribald, poignant, and complete" (New Directions for Women). Her stage shows include "Dos Fallopia", a comedy duo which has performed at numerous theatres and Women's Music Festivals. Lisa's latest CD release, "Both of Me" includes a song ("Gravity Blues") which might be seen to have science fictional hints as it examines the perils of age and gravity.

The reason for the mention of Lisa Koch in this issue of "Diverse Universe" is a song on "Colorblind Blues". Entitled "Beaver Cleaver Fever", it pays a comedic/nostalgic tribute to television heroines of the 1960s, including Mrs Cleaver from "Leave It To Beaver", Lucille Ball...and Star Trek's Lieutenant Uhura! Lisa's sultry lyrics and earthy vocal tones make this tribute a terrific adult song for lusty lesbians!

On the Internet, you can visit her website at http://www.heylisa.com and her CDs are available on her website at http://www.cdbaby.com/group/lisakoch. "Colorblind Blues" (©1991 Tongueinchic Records, Seattle, USA) can be ordered at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lisakoch