Up Close & Personal with Shelly Straub, Editor-in-Chief of Connextions Magazine
"Publishing is my dream job! I’m excited to wake up every day, absolutely love connecting with other like-minded individuals and have to just about set a timer when it’s time to remove myself from wearing this hat, to put on my chef’s crown or taxi cap."
- Shelly Straub
SASS: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
Patience is not my strong suit. Therefore, if I had all the talent and time that it takes to design, photograph, promote, and edit my publication – I would certainly do it myself! This is one character defect that I work on every day!
SASS: If you could be or do anything else - what?
Ironically enough, it took me so many years to get to this very spot that I wouldn’t change a single thing! I am a firm believer in the statement: "everything happens for a reason" and I don’t believe in coincidence. So other than "If I could be a millionaire", I am content.
SASS: If you could live in any other time, when might that be?
I recently went on a camping adventure that took me into the land of no technology. No cell service, no internet, and most of all, no electricity! I have spent the last sixteen years, visiting this same location, annually, with my family. The first day I am always in a panic but by the last day, my entire body is in a total state of contentment and relaxation that it’s even hard to pack up the truck and drive home. I could see myself living in a "Little House on the Prairie" but of course, I would own the town newspaper!
SASS: What are you most proud of?
My children. I have two teenage girls and they continue to amaze me every day. They are well-behaved, loving, caring, and respectful young ladies. Watching them grow and sharing in those ‘everyday moments’ that shape their life have been and continue to be my greatest joy.
SASS: What's the one thing about you few people know?
My life is pretty much an open book but I can tell you this, in my early 20’s, I shaved my hair off, bought a pair of combat boots, a couple flannel shirts and tattooed my arm with the symbol of a female, all in the typical lesbian quest for acceptance. During the ‘coming out’ phase, I thought ALL lesbians ‘looked’ like a lesbian. I was under the assumption you could pick them out a mile away! Needless to say, I no longer feel the need to look stereotypical and I have since found my ‘gaydar’.
SASS: Who is your favourite lesbian icon, if you have one?
Ellen! Millions love her and I’m proud to be one of them! Outgoing personality, always smiling, laughing and dancing and her heart of gold can be felt miles away. Not to mention that she paved a beautiful yellow brick road for the rest of us lesbians who fight to live the ‘normal’ life, speaking in society standards of course.