rich with yoga, groovy drumming, acting and various other endeavors, so it seems to fit. Is Yoga what keeps your body in such great shape?
The most effective way for me to keep in shape is through clean eating. You would be astonished by the amount of veggies I consume! My physical regime is a combo of Yoga, Trapeze, Hiking, Drumming and good sex. (laughs) When I asked around about your sexuality before this interview, the answer I got the most was “Traci is ‘openly herself .’ “ Are we sticking with that today? Girls want to know, you know!
(laughs) Well, that is true. I’ve never been one to scream my sexual preference from the mountain top. (Well, there was that one drunken evening in my early 20’s, but I digress.) I’m representing the B of the LGBT, but I prefer my own self appointed term, Bi-dykling. I am glad you are representing the B in LGBT. Is there a relationship we should celebrate or that you can share with our readers?
Well, thank you! Yes, I have a wonderful woman in my life. We actually celebrated our first year together on April Fool’s Day! Awesome, congratulations then! Was it hard for you coming to terms with having feelings/attraction for a woman?
Born of Syrian and Cherokee descent in Anchorage, Alaska on December 22, 1973, Traci Dinwiddie grew up fascinated by the realm of science fiction and the entertainment industry. With her deepest inspirations stemming from Star Wars, Dinwiddie found a passion in transforming herself into Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, or even Han Solo by reenacting scenes and producing a one-woman show in her home basement. If you don’t already know this dynamic, diverse soul from Supernatural on the CW network, or Elena Undone, one of the hottest (literally!) lesbian movies out there, or taken a yoga class on a Sweet Cruise and found her teaching you the downward dog—then grab a cup of tea, curl up, and feel the warm hug that really is...Traci Dinwiddle.
Thank you! It was very hard to come to terms with my sexuality. I was incredibly confused as a young girl. How does one come to terms with being attracted to both males and females? I didn’t have any healthy role models and felt like I wasn’t completely embraced by the gay community. I’d been out with my parents and sisters since my early 20’s, but rarely spoke publicly about it. More recently, I attended a Sundance LGBT panel interview for my role as a bisexual woman in To.get.her (which won the Audience Choice award in 2011). I was asked about my sexuality and shyly came out to the audience. Afterward, a cute, young boy came up to me and thanked me for being honest. He told me he was also bi and really needed to know others like him. This impacted me tremendously. I think for someone who is public like yourself, it must be twice as hard to come out about your sexuality. Did you feel kind of on the spot at Sundance?
Let’s go over some of the terms used to describe you: actress, Yogini, West African drummer, part time bad-ass and full time fruit cake. Percentage-wise, which fits you best?
Yes, it’s daunting to come out. Honestly, I feel put on the spot every time I’m questioned about my sexuality in interviews. Only since I’ve played a lesbian and a bisexual in films have I been asked about it publicly. I certainly don’t want to hide it, but I also don’t want it stamped on my forehead. There is so much more to me than my sexual orientation. That being said, I do understand that we all need our tribe. I look forward to the days when we can all relax and love who we love.
I dig the “fruit cake” analogy because its consistency is an eclectic mix. My life is
On Twitter, your community of followers, known
How did you get into acting? What fascinates you about it?
Everything. Each role is a new dance, a painting, a poem- I get to try on gestures, costumes and words. The human spirit fascinates me with its complex vacillation between shadow and light. No one is an angel, and yet, everyone has their own gorgeous radiance about them. It’s like a spiritual treasure hunt for me as I research a character’s essence.
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