100 Women We Love, Queer Women We Love, Wonder Women

100 Women We Love 2012

June 15, 2012 Destiny Dejesus

“Knowing that my election showed Charlotteans and the world that we are not bound by discrimination wakes me every morning with pride,” proclaims LaWana Mayfield, the City Council representative for District 3 in Charlotte, NC, and the city’s first openly gay elected official. Last November, she trounced her Republican opponent in the council election with 78 percent of the vote, replacing an eight-year incumbent. Now, continuously building on her 15 years of activism, her other leadership posts include the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee, Mecklenburg County Development Corp. Board, Smart Start Board and the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund Board of Advisors. Prior to the election, Mayfield took an active role in LGBT activism as the Human Rights Campaign’s Diversity Co-Chair. “I believe that my role, along with growing the City of Charlotte, is to open the door for LGBTQ dialogue and to create pathways to service. I have this amazing opportunity to help direct the growth of the City of Charlotte through my vote,” Mayfield says. “I am right where I am supposed to be, and I love my job!”

Drum roll, please! We’re excited to present this year’s 100 Women We Love—our most diverse group of out entertainers, artists, athletes, activists, business principals and elected officials yet. Each of these women is a superstar in her own right. Their achievements and contributions shape our lives —and elevate us in the eyes of the world . They’re working to raise LGBT awareness, increase our visibility and quicken our progress toward a just society.

We are extremely proud to present the class of 2012. There are no rankings or numbers. They are all leaders.

DJ Bia Bia
“Be true to yourself and everything else will follow,” advises Bianca Biagioni, also known as DJ Bia Bia. That’s certainly been true for her. An authentic Italian from Tuscany, Bia Bia emigrated as a teenager to South Beach, where she attended the University of Miami, majoring in film production and economics. Inspired by Miami’s house music scene, Bia Bia started hosting events at nightclubs like Crobar, Mansion (Level) and The Living Room. She soon bought her first pair of Technic 1200s, and the newly minted bedroom DJ began spinning at her own loft. Ultimately, Bia Bia decided to put her college degree to use—she moved to Hollywood. She’s launched her own company, Eternal Productions; her debut screenplay Bocce Games, the story of a young couple trying to nurture true love in the violent world of the Italian Mafia, has been named a finalist in prestigious competitions. Bia Bia is also busy with her event planning company, Bia Productions, while continuing to DJ at L.A.’s hottest clubs and prepping the release of her EP this year. What’s next for the busy Bia? “To have my dreams and passions become a reality.”