About Us
The Seattle Lesbian (TSL) is a daily online news magazine operating from offices in the Pacific Northwest, and reaching communities spanning continents around the world. TSL has changed the landscape of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) life by providing thought-provoking content with substantial relevancy on various angles of discussion and advocacy.
Sarah Toce, Principal, Owner, Editor-in-Chief
Photo: Jennifer Arlem Molina
Award-winning journalist Sarah Toce has interviewed and profiled many of the world’s most influential players ranging from high-level politicians to A-list celebrities, health experts, and key civil rights advocates. Her diversified portfolio runs the gamut between local, national and international news coverage and features.
Sarah is the founder and editor-in-chief of Seattle’s only lesbian-fronted magazine – The Seattle Lesbian. In its first year alone, The Seattle Lesbian reached a threshold of one million readers on a global scale. The online magazine is regularly featured in mainstream and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media platforms for its inclusiveness and dedication to bridge the divide between all communities regardless of sexuality, gender, stereotyping, and abridged discrimination.
In 2012, Sarah contributed to the book, Gay Press, Gay Power: The Growth of LGBT Community Newspapers in America. Recently, she reported on the Windy City Times’ AIDS @ 30 series, which won the prestigious Peter Lisagor Award from the Chicago Headline Club, and was nominated for a national Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Award, in the same category with The New York Times and The Boston Globe.
Member of the Online News Association (ONA).
The Seattle Lesbian Contributors
Dorothy (Bosteder) Emerson graduated from UC Davis with a bachelors degree in Economics and a minor in Rhetoric, a fancy word for communication. For years her passion for the written word was satisfied by journaling and voracious reading. Recently she’s set her sites on a higher aspiration. When she’s not walking a tightrope over flames while juggling knives and priceless plates at her day job as a product/project manager at a regional bank, or nudging her two strong-willed teenagers into adulthood, Dorothy is writing a memoir about her adventures as a mother during her coming out process. She aspires to be a wealthy, famous, world-renowned writer and, in the meantime, she enjoys being with close friends, indulging in luscious food and wine, creating a home, practicing yoga, and writing a regular column for The Seattle Lesbian with her partner, Kelli Williamson.
Steph Brusig is a sports and events photographer who has captured everything from the Seattle Storm home games to the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Her photos have been featured in Curve magazine, Windy City Times, SheWired, San Diego Gay & Lesbian News, and other news outlets around the country. When she isn’t attending high-profile sports or political events, Steph can be found on the red carpet. She has photographed everyone from Cybill Shepherd and Chely Wright to Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan. Steph is the staff photographer for The Seattle Lesbian.
Crystal Gamon has been writing since high school, where she contributed to the school newspaper, yearbook and branched into poetry. Crystal’s AP English teacher made her promise to “never ever stop writing,” however, as she grew to become a mother of three and take on a full-time career in Commercial Property Management, Crystal had no choice but to put writing on hold. Determined to hold true to her promise years before, Crystal began contributing to The Seattle Lesbian in August 2012 with a primary focus on her other passions – entertainment, food and nightlife. Crystal and her wife reside north of Seattle with their three girls. They can often be found enjoying local festivals, markets or checking out the newest spots in the city.
Kelly Morris graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2012 and is currently looking to put her Journalism degree to use. She is a contributing writer for The Seattle Lesbian and CherryGrrl while working at a few restaurants so she can make the move from the cornfields to the mountains in hopes of pursuing a career in Denver. Between watching reality TV shows and practicing the art of veganism, Kelly likes to obsess over Dave Matthews, drink Starbucks and apply for jobs. Read more.
Rebecca Platter graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Comparative History of Ideas and a minor in Russian Literature. After studying abroad in Iceland and graduating on the Dean’s List, she backpacked throughout Europe then later moved to Costa Rica volunteering to tutor locals in English. Passionate about LGBTQ rights, Rebecca is excited to serve as a contributing writer for The Seattle Lesbian while working to transition her love of writing into a career. Rebecca is obsessed with painting multiple headed naked women, traveling anywhere she can, writing about life and wearing red lipstick whenever possible. She is currently writing a set of personal comedic memoirs. Read more.
Kelli Williamson is a contributing writer and columnist for The Seattle Lesbian, co-authoring the bi-weekly relationship column, In the Midst, with her partner, Dorothy (Bosteder) Emerson. Kelli is concurrently writing a fictional novel based on her family history, beginning with her great grandmother’s immigration from Tripoli, Lebanon. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from The School of Leadership and Education at the University of San Diego. She is a counselor, consultant, and trainer in couple, family and child therapy with areas of specialty in trauma and abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, spirituality, and LGBTQ issues. In addition, she consults with non-profit agencies providing organizational development, strategic planning, and leadership training. Kelli blends writing and psychotherapy facilitating “Healing through Writing” groups and workshops.
