Captivating Couples, Queer Women We Love

America’s Most Captivating Couples 2009, Part I

February 6, 2009 Corinne Werder

Portia & Ellen

Beverly Hills, California
Portia, 36, Actress
Ellen, 51, Comedienne, Talk show host

Married in 2008, Ellen and Portia have inspired us with their public relationship and celesbian chic. Their tabloid-worthy marriage and vocal opposition to California’s Prop. 8 caught our attention last year, and we just couldn’t resist giving them a second run as one of our most captivating couples. “We’ve both changed and grown, and we just feel like, ‘Oh, okay, this is completion,'” said the daytime talk show host of their decision to marry. Despite the struggle with California’s same-sex marriage laws, and the liminal state of their legal union, the two are still beaming. And Portia’s three-carat pink diamond ring certainly gave Ellen points in the romance department. Vegan animal lovers, they live with three cats and two dogs. Says Ellen on the Prop. 8 legal battles, “I’m begging you. I can’t return the wedding gifts—I love my new toaster.”

Between new friends and familiar favorites, choosing the most delightful duos of 2009 was no easy task. But our hard work paid off and here we present part 1 of this year’s most captivating couples! Look for more couples in the March issue!

Kathy & Mariah

Palm Springs, California
Kathy, 34, ER Trauma Nurse and DJ
Mariah, 48, Producer, The Dinah

Kathy and Mariah are both in the entertainment industry and met when Mariah hired Kathy to DJ a gig. “I thought Kathy was beautiful, and I loved that she was a nurse. We didn’t date right away, but Kathy was a great DJ so I hired her again and again. Dating still wasn’t on my mind but after a few months of spending more and more time together, it just sort of happened,” says Mariah. “I was new to Los Angeles and still trying to figure things out. We talked a lot and as we got to know each other, we realized we liked all the same things: country music, golf, hiking and cooking. Next thing I knew, I couldn’t get her off my mind. We complement each other and we talk through everything. And laughing keeps us together.”