OurChart.com Says Goodbye Forever

Today, at 3:35pm, Ilene Chaiken posted OurChart's very last blog. Ever. It may come as no surprise to you if you've been a faithful OurChart user for the past two years. The site has been at a standstill since mid-November with no new content posted on the site at all. OurChart aficianados waited with baited breath to see what the true fate of OurChart would be. Would the site come back alive for the L Word's Sixth Season or would the axe come down, as it has on so many others sites in this crappy economy we all get to live in. I was lucky enough to be invited to blog for OurChart; unfortunately my time spent there was short-lived because it was only a month later that the site stopped updating and all the bloggers were let go. It's not a total loss, though. OurChart will be moving to Sho.com, but I can tell you one thing, the well-known L Word "social networking" site will be very different.

So... you're probably wondering, what did Ilene have to say? Here's her blog, straight from OurChart.com:

A New Year, A New OurChart
January 19, 2009 - 3:35pm — ilene
OurChart came into existence over two years ago because of you, this incredible community—Our Community—that has coalesced and congregated around The L Word. You came together with dynamic visibility and with many voices and opinions and ideas that seemed, in a way, unprecedented.

But you were always out there—before Bette and Tina or Alice’s chart—and that’s why I know you’ll continue to be there as OurChart goes through some changes.

From the moment The L Word premiered, Showtime has provided an online, interactive home for our community at sho.com. When OurChart launched, we continued to partner with Showtime to bring you some of our best content, including exclusives with cast members, advanced streamings of episodes and much more.

Indeed, Showtime is not only OurChart’s parent but one of Our Community’s greatest champions. They are not explicitly mandated to produce LGBT themed programming—or the first lesbian social network—but they have and do and for that, I’m eternally grateful. I can’t think of a family (because that’s what I consider Showtime to be) to which I would rather entrust this community. And that’s why in our final season of The L Word, we’ve decided to combine forces and host OurChart on sho.com.

Over the next week, we’ll be outfitting sho.com with a special OurChart page where you will find L Word exclusives like an interactive Q&A with me about Season 6, updates on the spin-off pilot I’ve been working on with Leisha Hailey, and OurChart’s collection of behind-the-scenes podcasts. You'll also be able to watch video specials, connect with your friends on message boards, virtual chat with other fans, shop for L Word swag, and download full episodes.

Unfortunately, sho.com is not set up as a social networking site in quite the same way as OurChart was, which means we won’t be able to host your OurChart profiles at our new home. If you haven’t already, we invite you to create a profile on sho.com and take this week to save any personal information from your OurChart profile.

As of Monday, January 26th, OurChart will automatically redirect to sho.com and you will no longer be able to access your OurChart account or any of the photos, blogs, personal messages, notes or comments associated with that account.

I understand this change might be upsetting to some of you. But I hope you’ll stick with us to celebrate the final season of The L Word, which is here—six seasons later—only because of your overwhelming support…and because I think you get it. Get that telling our stories—whether as a blog, in the broadcast arena, or at the box office—is a vitally important way to effect change and ensure that we have the final word on how our community is represented both on and off the screen.

So... what do you make of this news?

Join Jennifer Beals for a Good Cause!

Picture this: Jennifer Beals, dressed in spandex clinging to all the right places, her muscles flexed ever so tightly, and sweat dripping down her... well, you get the picture. Now imagine that she has decked herself out in this tantalizing outfit, not for the good of lesbian eye candy everywhere, but for an amazing cause.

Jennifer Beals has issued a statement to the OurChart community, and OurChart was nice enough to share with Lesbiatopia. Without further ado, a message from Jennifer Beals:

For me, the essence of OurChart is community. And not just the lesbian community or the LGBT community or the women's community or the various labels one might apply to the array of profiles intersecting on this site. It's about a community of concerned human beings, engaged around the rights and issues that affect the dignity, politics, progress and health of our collective human future.

Communities, especially ones so dynamic and passionate as this one here, have the power to effect change -- especially when they gather together around a cause to help others. I've witnessed your combined efforts first hand, when last spring, a generous group of you raised donations for Happy Trails Farm to rescue a Percheron horse from slaughter and, in honor of my love of horses, named her "AlphaBette." Thank you.

On September 1st, I'll be participating in my first Olympic-distance triathlon. Inspired by the three legs of the competition (a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike course and a 10K run), I've selected three charities to raise funds for -- and am calling out to you, the OurChart community -- to join me in supporting these organizations.

I hope you'll take some time to read about the incredible work each charity performs and consider making a donation. Your contributions will be made directly to the organization or organizations of your choice.

And stay tuned, as I'll be checking back with OurChart to provide contribution updates and a post-race report.

-Jennifer

PS: Did I mention I'm terrified?

Here are the three charities that Jennifer has selected to raise money for.

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles-Center For Cancer & Blood Diseases

The Center is one of the largest pediatric hematology/oncology programs in the nation. Breakthroughs in the treatment of childhood cancer, many pioneered at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, offer children, teenagers and young adults the most advanced treatment available anywhere. Your donation supports the Center's vital services for children and families, research for cures and new therapies, and training of future scientists and caregivers.
Donate to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles


Matthew Shepard Foundation

The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story.
Donate to Matthew Shepard Foundation

I Live Here Foundation

The I Live Here Foundation is dedicated to telling the stories of silenced and unheard people through a series of books and other media projects about our world. It establishes creative writing programs in areas where it works, building an artistic dialogue between strangers with the belief that art is a means of survival.

The I Live Here Foundation is spearheaded by the extraordinary Mia Kirshner, J.B. MacKinnon, Michael Simons and Paul Shoebridge. Its first book, I Live Here, will be published by Pantheon Books in October 2008 and launched in conjunction with a creative writing program in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Coming in 2009: I Live Here begins its next series on books and launches a creative writing program within a brothel in Burma.
Donate to I Live Here Foundation

Personally, my idea of a triathlon is floating in the pool for three hours, riding my beach cruiser along the bike path and running after the ice cream truck. I give Jennifer Beals credit for doing such a tough event. She chose three amazing charities that mean a lot to her and hopefully you'll find some meaning in them too. Please donate if you can, even $5 or $1 is better than nothing. Every little bit helps!


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