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Description
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ToC Basking in Belize by Catherine Plato (p30); Pura Vida in Costa Rica by Kelsy Chauvin (p32); Eco Escapade in Punta Mona by Nina Krieger (p33); Out in Africa by Corey Crossfield (p34); Gay in the Peace Corps by Alison Walkley (p36); Hidden in Hawaii by Gillian Kendall (p37); Cycling Sista by Nina Krieger (p388); Panamanian Pleasure Ride by Alison Peters (p40); Get Your Style On (p42); Cover: Bitch & Daniela Sea by Rachel Beebe (p44); Fifties Fabulous by Lauren Marie Fleming (p49); Alternative Fashions by Stephanie Schroeder and Heather Gilligan (p50); It's a Cinch by Dana Kaye Litoff (p51); Dykes with City Style by Lya Carerra (p52); Size Matters by Stephanie Schroeder (p53); Runway Hotties by Jennifer Corday (p54); Sweet Boutique (p56); Project Runway's Lesbian by Adena Demonte (p59); Cover photo: Erica Beckman, Digital Imaging: Lori Napa.
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issue
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7
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Date Issued
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September 2008
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Format
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PDF/A
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Publisher
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Frances Stevens
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Identifier
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Curve_Vol18_No7_September-2008_0CR_PDFa.pdf
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extracted text
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74470 80539
The magnificent view from the Eiffel Tower Experience has
inspired thousands of couples to fan the flames of their passion.
So, too, have the romantic meals prepared at Paris Las Vegas'
10 restaurants. Flirtations continue at Risque de Paris, an intimate
nightclub where you can escape to your own private balcony
overlooking the Strip.
Live entertainment beckons from Le Cabaret and Napoleon's,
while the Spa by Mandara, rooftop pool and boutique-lined
cobblestone streets fill the daytime with diversions. One visit is
all it takes to see that everything's sexier in Paris. But don't worry.
No matter what you do here, our lips are sealed.
Prepare for romance. Paris Las Vegas.
To plan your getaway, call 888.266.5687
Or visit www.gayparislasvegas.com.
Mustbe 21 or olderto gamble.KnowWhenToStopBeforeYouStart.® GamblingProblem?Call1-800-522-4700.© 2008, Harrah'sLicenseCompany,
LLC.All rightsreserved. PB-095
FranklySpeaking
curve
THE BEST-SELLING
LESBIAN MAGAZINE
VC>lJM£:. 18 I\JUl\/.1::3£:.R
/
It's An Adventure
I don't think I'm unique in
the desire to see the world,
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 510
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone 415-863-6538 Facsimile 415-863-1609
Advertising Sales 415-863-6538 ext. 10 or 212-446-6700
Subscription Inquiries 818-286-3102
Advertising Email advertising@curvemag.com
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Letters to the Editor Email letters@curvemag.com
Publisher/Editor in Chief
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experience different cultures
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and take in the vast beauty
of nature on other continents (not to mention all
the cute girls I'd meet).
Frances Stevens Publisher/Editor in Chief
A question I'm often asked when I'm speaking to audiences around the country is, "What would you do
if you weren't a magazine publisher?" I always have the same answer. I would travel. The thing is, I don't
think I'm particularly unique in the desire to see the world, experience different cultures and take in the
vast beauty of nature on other continents (not to mention all the cute girls I'd meet). Our readers tell us
constantly that traveling-even
armchair tourism-tops
their list of things to do.
But we're all busy with jobs and girlfriends and skyrocketing gas prices, so for some of us, the luxury
of reading about another woman's adventure is a great boon.
So we heeded the call to follow up on some daring fare this issue in our special Adventure Travel section. Alison Peters takes us along for a ride as she and her girlfriend drive cross-country in Panama, while
Photo Assistants
Frances Stevens
Diane Anderson-Minshall
Sara Jane Keskula
Colleen M. Lee
Rachel Beebe, Katie Peoples
Rachel Pepper
Margaret Coble
Julia Bloch, Victoria A.
Brownworth, Gina Daggett,
Sheryl Kay, Gretchen Lee
Katherine Wright
Patsy Kaye, Remy Ramirez
Stefanie Liang
Nicole Teichman
Ondine Kilker
Kelly Nuti
Nikki Woelk
Flo Enriquez
Holly DeMaagd
Diana L Berry, Rivendell Media
Natalie Belle, Kate
Goldsworthy, Sara Kwan,
John Pann, Rachel Shatto,
Kelsey Truman
Hayley McMillen, Greg Speck
Contributing Writers Kathy Beige, Stacy Bias, Lya Carrera,
Kelsy Chauvin, Teresa Coates, Jennifer Corday, Lyndsey
D'Arcangelo, Michele Fisher, Lauren Marie Fleming,
Tania Hammidi, Jodi Helmer, Kathy lsserman, Gillian
Kendall, Kate Lacey, Charlene Lichtenstein, Jenna V.
Loceff, Karen Loftus, Karlyn Lotney, Candace Moore,
Catherine Plato, Aimsel L. Ponti, Laurie K. Schenden,
Stephanie Schroeder, Kristin A. Smith, Ursula Stech,
Jocelyn Voo, Melany Walters-Beck
Illustrators Phil Cho, Katherine Streeter
Gillian Kendall explains her newest hobby, geochaching. Women around the globe use GPS to hunt for
hidden treasures, traveling from town to town as a way to meet locals and experience culture. Kendall's
already "geocached" her way from Australia to Hawaii.
Elsewhere in Latin America, Catherine Plato explores Belize and Kelsy Chauvin goes inside Costa
Rica-and
Contributing PhotographersMichelle Bart, Erica Beckman,
Tony Donaldson, Sophia Hantzes, Gabriela Hashun,
Cheryl Mazak, Connie L. Merchant, Mia Nakano, Maggie
Parker, Elisa Shebaro, Jeff Singer, Paul Thomas, Kina
Williams, Misty Winter
both discover rain forests, exotic animals (shrieker monkeys do indeed sound captivating) and
plenty of bold new experiences.
Of course, Corey Crossfield's trip to Africa takes the cake. She visited six countries across the continent in her own amazing wildlife safari and left not just with a number of stamps in her passport, but
also a new girlfriend.
So whether you're planning the vacation of a lifetime or just logging off at work and dreaming about
a far-away land, this issue of
CURVE
has something for you. Plus, if you get tired of travel, well, there's a
whole lot of hotties dressing up and down in our Style section, too!
Volume 18 Issue 7 Curve (ISSN 1087-867)() is published monthly (except for
bimonthly January/Februaryand July/August) by Outspoken Enterprises, Inc.,
1550 Bryant St., Ste. 510, San Francisco,CA 94103. Subscnption pnce: $49.95/
year, $62.95 Canadian (U.S. funds only) and $71.95 InternatIonal(U.S. funds
only). Returned checks will be assessed a $25 surcharge. Periodicals postage
paid at San Francisco. CA 94114 and at additional mailing offices (USPS 0010355). Contents of Curve Magazinemay not be reproduced in any manner, either
whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. Publ,calion of
the name or photograph of any persons or organizationsappeanng, advertising
or listing in Curve may not be taken as an indication of the sexual orientation
of that individual or group unless specifically stated. Curve welcomes letters,
queries, unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Include SASE for response.
Lack of any representation only signifies insufficient materials. Submissions
cannot be returned unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included. No
responsibilityis assumed for loss or damages. The contents do not necessarily
representthe opinions of the editor, unless specificallystated. All magazinessent
discreetly. Subscription Inquiries: Please write to Curve, 1550 Bryant Street,
Suite 510, San Francisco, CA 94103, e-maHshop@curvernag.com,or call 818286-3102. Canadian Agreement Number: 40793029. Postmaster:Send Ganadian
addresschangesto shop@curvernag.com,
Curve,PO Box 122, Niagara Falls, ON
L2E 658. SendU.S.addresschanges to shop@curvemag.com,
Curve,PO Box 17138,
N. Hollywood,
CA91615-7138.Pnntedin the U.S.
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Features September 2008
''I took a
deep breath,
closed
my eyes
and tried
to imagine
how deep
and ancient
the history
was, hoping
some vague
feelingof
sacredness
wouldwash
overme. It
d1dnt really
work."
8
V
3
Basking in Belize Central America offers one
couple a wondrous journey. By Catherine Plato
3
Pura Vida in Costa Rica Equal parts paradise
and adventure playground, Costa Rica makes a
great lesbian getaway. By Kelsy Chauvin
Cover: Bitch & Daniela Sea She's a hot rock
star. She's an L Word star. Together, Bitch and
Daniela Sea are a power couple with style. Plus,
L.P. and Triple Creme's Terry LaFrazia show off their
wardrobes and their girlfriends. By Rachel Beebe
4
Fifties Fabulous Retro fashionistagoes from rags
to riches by her own design. By Lauren Marie Reming
5
Alternative Fashions Finding vintage fashion
for the rest of us. Plus 410 BC rocks the tee. By
Eco Escapade in Punta Mona Environmentally
conscious women go wild for permaculture communities. By Nina Krieger
3
Out in Africa Six countries in nine months-and a
new girlfriend to boot. By Corey Crossfield
5
It's a Cinch Designer Michaela Grey digs corsets
and costumes. By Dana Kaye Litoff
3
Gay in the Peace Corps One lesbian chooses
between service and the closet. By Alison Walkley
5
3
Hidden in Hawaii Bring out your inner gay pirate
with geocaching. By Gillian Kendall
Dykes With City Style Chicago-based queer
fashion house dykesinthecity showcases its latest
designs. By Lya Carrera
5
3
Cycling Sista 1,847 miles on two wheels. One
woman's journey from Vancouver to Tijuana. By
Size Matters Brooklyn's loss, Portland's gain:
Lesbian designer Bertha Pearl. By Stephanie
4
4
curve
4
3
Nina Krieger
41
Volume 18 #7
Panamanian Pleasure Ride We show you how
to enjoy this Latin American country in style. By
Alison Peters
Get Your Style On We're heading back to the closet with these celeb couples.
Stephanie Schroeder and Heather Gilligan
Schroeder
54
Runway Hotties These queer models show
just how fierce lesbians can be on the catwalk.
By Jennifer Corday
5
Sweet Boutique Thick chicks in a candy store.
That's hot.
5
Project Runway's Lesbian Get ready for Project
Runway by reading up on a former star, sexy Marie
Salter. By Adena Demonte
Departments
September 2008
"In the boxing
ring, the refereeis
clear about what
is unfair:biting,
tripping,spitting,
head butting,hold
ing and throwing
low blows. While 1n
some circlesthese
movessound more
likeforeplay,when
it comes to fair
fighting,there are,
in fact, some holds
that shouldbe
barred."
ag
2
Frankly Speaking Our publisher tells it
like it is.
8
12
14
15
16
18
20
21
Lesbofile They make us laugh, they
make us sweat and they always come out
on top.
60
Letters Find out what our readers love
and hate about us.
Sapphic Screen Candace Moore's got
the world's best international flicks for your
viewing pleasure.
22
Lipstick & Dipstick Can you keep a relationship in the closet?
63
Contributors Meet the ladies who stimulate us visually.
Music Watch Margaret Coble picks the
bands you need to hear.
23
Ask Fairy Butch The Fairy counsels a
troubled teen about her first love.
64
Scene The bold and the beautiful out on
the town.
24
Astro Grrl Will the hotties need some
sweet persuasion this month?
Mary Gauthier Up Close Colleen Lee
gets the country music star-dubbed a
female Johnny Cash-chatting about sex,
drugs and lesbian fans.
25
Relationships Tips for negotiating the
ins and outs when you go head to head
with your honey.
66
In the Stacks Rachel Pepper gets fictional in these fall offerings.
68
Health Is weightloss through hypnosis for
real?
Tech Girl Is the PlayStation 3 all it's
cracked up to be?
69
Money We get the skinny on how to start
your own business.
I Tried It One lesbian questions whether
teaching is worth the stress.
72
Sex and the City's Lesbian Desiger
Top 10 reasons why we love Patricia
Field, the lady responsible for the iconic
look of this past summer's hottest movie.
It's not just because she's gay!
Curvatures It's back-to-school time!
We've got the info on out and proud queer
fraternities, writers in schools and college
girls' thoughts on porn.
Bikini Babes Summer never has to end
with these hot suits for gay girls and bois.
26
Out in Front Three activists making our
world a better place.
27
Open Studio Cartoonist Elisha Lim
shows us how the personal gets political.
28
29
6
Icurve
Dyke Drama Honeymooners Michele
Fisherand her bride stick close to home.
Politics Getting old may be the next gay
revolution.
§
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DISCOVER SWEET.COM
TRAVEL.L
A New<- co-friendly Lesbia11. Travel &ompany
<i/Jedicated To MaJeng The World A Better Place
<-WhileWaving A <iJJlastI11.It. .
Letters
It's good to
exerciseyour
muscles.
Iron Chef Cat Cora
Hotlanta Rugged Girl Jocks
"Thanksfor the coverageon
the hot coupleJen and Zoi. I
was so happyto see a lesbian
twosomeon TV, and they can
cook. I was reallydisappointed
that they bothmet an early
'packyourknives.'"
Start with
your heart.
The makers of
TYLENOL"' PM are proud to
be the presenting sponsor
of Braking the Cycle.
'1ere'">is ,,
be happy to see an article about the Ohio Lesbian
I loved the cover story, as my girl and I have been
This 3-day, 275-mile bike
enthralled with this season of Top Chef [Vol. 18
ride from Gettysburg, PA
#5). Personally, I think that Lisa from the show
Archives.
- Vic Ramstetter and Karen Phebe Beiser, codirectors, Cincinnati
cut her hair to make it more apparent that she was
to New York City raises
a lesbian upon hearing
was giving them the
Yesterday was our bi-monthly coordinators meet-
awareness and benefits
cover. I always love the magazine. I cannot wait for
ing for volunteer organizing here at the Lesbian
the HIV/AIDS services of
the New York Lesbian, Gay,
CURVE
next month's issue-hoping
to
see lots of Pride
- Jillian Skinner, Tampa, Fla.
and the hundreds of other
Libraries" [Vol.18 #5]. After reading it one-by-one,
fingering through the delicate wording and effi-
Bisexual & Transgender
Community Center. Join us
Herstory Archives. We sat at the main table and
passed around copies of your article "Lesbian
pictures.
Thanks for the coverage on the hot couple Jen and
cient prose, we realized how nice it was to be a part
Zoi [Vol. 18 #5]. I was so happy to see a lesbian
of a larger community of lesbians who still aim to
twosome on TV, and they can cook. I was really
preserve our herstories. Stephanie Schroeder and
disappointed that they both met an early "pack
Laurie K. Schenden noted us all very well! For this
your knives;' but it was refreshing to see three
brave and noble feat we agreed to send you this let-
from September 26-28th.
out lesbians on one show who weren't doing ri-
ter as a small token of our appreciation. Having the
To become involved and
diculous things (I am referring to a certain reality
opportunity to construct the letter myself, I looked
show about a bisexual). One disappointment-
online for an e-mail address and noticed past cor-
riders, volunteers, and crew
to learn about other
TYLENOL®PM sponsored
GLBT events, visit
why didn't you talk with Lisa, who made it to the
respondence with Joan Nestle in previous
Final Four? She might not have been nice, but she
issues. It seems, then, that you two are truly allies.
was real.
We appreciate your kind words, detailed highlights
-
and apparent care. Thank you for mentioning us.
Liz, Chicago
www.tylenol.com/glbt.
Your article, along with this thank-you letter, are
Editor's Note: We agree! In case you missed it, we
interviewed Lisa the day after the finale. Check out
Feel better,
TYLENOL.
PM
©McNEIL-PPC, Inc. 2008
curvemag.com and search under "Top Chef Lisa."
,.,·,..
.;)
We were disappointed
solidified in time, immortalized in dykedom.
-Shawn
Smith, Lesbian Herstory Archives,
New York City
'+
that the Ohio Lesbian
I want to thank you for the article "Sign Language
Archives was not included in the article "Lesbian
Rules" [Vol. 18 #5]. I hope
Libraries" [Vol.18 #5). The Ohio Lesbian Archives
bians go to the wonderful Deaf Lesbian Festival.
is celebrating its 18th year of being accessible to
The festival is a great opportunity for deaf lesbians
the public, having started out 28 years ago in the
to get together. So what's their website address?
apartment of one of our co-directors. We would
s Icurve
CURVE
to
see more deaf les-
- Lois Hoover, Washington, D.C.
The more trouble you have going to sleep, the more you depend
on things like your favorite pillow, a cup of hot tea, a warm bath.
But if your nightly routine occasionally includes sleep medicine,
you may worry about depending on it too much. When used as
directed, TYLENOL®PM Rapid Release Gels help you fall asleep in
a way that's non-habit forming. They work with your body to relieve
the nighttime aches and pains that keep you from getting the sleep
you need. So you can stop worrying. Start relaxing. And sleep tight.
Feel better,
TYLENOL®
PM
Use only as directed. Do not take TYLENOL®with other products containing acetaminophen. tylenol.com/glbt
Letters
Editor's Note: The website is deafiesbianfestival.org.
because I could read individual articles on subjects that didn't
already interest me and they would pique my interest, but the
r
DO YOU WEAR
MAKEUP?
31%
I'm purelya
Chapstickgal.
D
tc',
As a femme lesbian who loves butches, I am getting a little dis-
17%
Makeup?!
What'sthat?
*According
to a
curvemag.com
poll
- Becca,Seattle
women posed in awkward positions. I really appreciate Dani,
but there are other sexy butches out there who are getting little
notice in our male-identified society.
-Lydia Fox, via email
Fl} inc
,. h C ,9\i
While on our flight from Amsterdam to Chicago, a nice woman
gave my wife the latest two copies of
reading them. (I have been reading
Editor's Note: We haveplenty of hot butchesin this issue,Lydia, so
checkout our Style sectionand see if it doesn't make you smile.
21%
Sure,someearthfriendlyproducts.
with people's interests.
enchanted by the number of ads showing two straight-looking
29%
Yes,the full frontal.
whole collections are a little much, if they don't happen to align
beginning, when it was the "D" word.) Your publication has
grown through the years, along with its superb quality, excellent
tent, well-balanced, tasteful magazine, one of the few gay publi-
First off, I wanted to thank you for your magazine. I have sub-
cations that can be placed on our coffee table for anyone to see
scribed for about two years and I don't plan on stopping! One
and read.
- Cathy Gauch, Greenfield,Mass.
question: Has the format of the magazine changed:' It seems
like for the past few months, instead of individual articles on a
wide variety of subjects, there are collections of articles on one
Go
or two subjects. Either this is new or it's just that these past
Email letters@curvemag.com;
months have been the first that include topics I personally am
Bryant St., Ste. 510, San Francisco, CA 94103; fax to 415-863-
If it is new, I just wanted to say that I liked the old way better,
write to
CURVE
Letters, 1550
1609. Please include your name, city and state. Letters may be
edited for clarity and length. ■
Uh-Huh, Uh-Oh
We got so many letters
from readers asking what
cover girls Leisha Hailey
and Camila Grey from
Uh-Huh Her were wearing
in last month's issue,
we realized we forgot to
include clothing credits.
For our cover shot,
Leisha wore a Josh Goot
puzzle dress available at
Achilles while Camila donned a Josh
Goot linen skirt and a Walter vest, both
from Achilles-the tank is from American Apparel.
On page 41, Leisha looked fabulous in a Marc by Marc Jacobs ruffle top,
an American Apparel two-tone miniskirt and Marc Jacobs pumps. Camila, on
the other hand, chose a Rogan for Target dress and top, and Marc by Marc
Jacobs shoes.
And on page 43, Leisha wore a Derek Lam leopard romper from Barneys
New York. Camila opted for an Alaia vest and Rozae Nichols drape skirt,
both from Barneys New York-the tank is from American Apparel.
I curve
It was a delight
off and on since the
writing, photography and creative layouts. It is a mature, consis-
not that into.
10
CURVE.
CURVE
Contributors
BRID6ESTORE
"The best part about illustrating 'Dyke Drama' every issue is diving into
such bittersweet and humorous stories with expressive collage," says
illustrator Katherine
Streeter(see page 28). Streeter lives in New York
City, where she works for publications, designers and agencies. Currently,
she is included in a traveling exhibit tided The Fabulous Coloured Pencils
of the World, which represents 25 women illustrators globally. A few of
her clients include Time, HarperCollinsand the New York Times.
"When we gave the musical couples the address of an S&M dungeon in So Ho,
I'm sure they didn't know what to expect;' says photographer EricaBeckman
about shooting this issue's cover spread, "Fierce Threads" (page 44). As the
founder and photographer of I Heart BrooklynGirls,a glossy pin~up calen~
dar of New York femmes, Beckman is no stranger to improvising on a photo
shoot. "I love the energy captured when I collaborate with subjects and stylists
and create something that surprises us all:'When she's not photographing the
faces of New York's queer cultural scene, she acts as photo editor for Fortune
SmallBusinessmagazine.
Editor's Note
Some women like to pretend there's no such thing as
lesbian fashion, but once you
pull together a group of us and
ask what we're wearing you
quickly see that's a myth. Just
ask the rock stars and designers
in this issue.
We put this issue together
during the whirlwind Pride
season- always exhausting because we jet all over the United States for
parties and fests. Our photo editor, Nicole Teichman, even got stranded
at the top of a Ferris wheel for several hours and had to be rescued by
(hopefully sexy women) firefighters just before production week.
We still managed to wrangle photo shoots in New York City, Boston,
Los Angeles and San Francisco (phew) from hotshot photogs like Erica
Beckman, Kina Williams and Misty Winter. One of my faves was when
we took three burlesque stars, a sexy designer and the cuRvEteam to
the Candy Store and indulged our senses in many ways. Each of us left
that shoot with bags full of the best retro and contemporary designer
candy. (Including the Idaho Spud, my all-time-favorite hometown candy
bar!) That's our crew above (from left): Williams, Celestina Pearl, Chave
Alexander, Teichman, Sossity Chiricuzio, Jukie Sunshine and me. Our
altruistic, outgoing assistant editor, Katie Peoples-who's leaving us for
the Peace Corps-pitched in on the shoot but ducked out of the picture
(and, sadly, out of our lives). Our new assistant editor, Rachel Beebe,
comes straight from London to step into Katie's well-worn sneakers. So
When you buy a set of four
eligible DUELER"'TIRES.
*Offer val id from August 30
through September 27, 2008.
Mail-in rebate required. At participating
Bridgestone and Firestone retailers. See retailer
for complete details and eligible tires.
© 2008 NFL Properties LLC.
All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks
otthe-National-f-ootbaJJ.._L_ea
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12
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curve
~ Katie's swan song.
J
Diane Anderson-Minshall, Executive Editor
V
BRID6ESTORE
bridgestonetire.com
1-800-807-9555
ti resaf ety. com
PASSION
for EXCELLENCE
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1 The Television Academy's Diversity Committee guest panelists (from left): Dante'sCoveactor Tracy Scoggins, here! TV's vice president of production, Meredith Kadlec, and The Big Gay
SketchShowdirector Amanda Bearse 2 The National Center for Lesbian Rights executive director,
Kate Kendell, with Daniel Karslake, director-producer of FortheBibleTellsMe So,at the Just Fair
Lobby Day in Sc. Paul, Minn.
3 The Go-Go's rocked the Saturday night main event during Girl
Bar Dinah Shore Week in Palm Springs, Cali£ (From left) Go-Go's bandmates Kathy Valentine,
Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin with Girl Bar co-producers Robin Gans and Sandy Sachs,
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drummer Gina Schock and frontwoman Belinda Carlisle 4 (From left) Thea Gill of Dante'sCove,
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with CashmereMafia director Lee Rose, comic Suzanne Wescenhoefer and her partner Jennifer
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Houston at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center's Women's Night
5 Michelle Williams (right) and
Lady GaGa at Logo's NewNowNext Awards in New York City 6 Actor Jane Lynch (center) was
the grand marshal for the 20th Annual AIDS Walk Miami. She was next to Miami-Dade County
Commissioner Sally Heyman (left) and Oakland Park Commissioner Larry Gierer (right)
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Curvatures
A Different Kind of Sex Appeal
You may make a valiant effort in the check-out line, but there
industry. "My dream ...would be to provide Russell Simmons of
they are at eye-level: Cosmo, Glamour, Allure, People. Such
Phat Farm with my models;' she says. "He is very inspiring and
guilty pleasures. Gisele Biindchen's cleavage erupts over the top
I love his work:' Thaxter also mentions the likes of Sean John,
of Victoria's not-so-Secret
Common, Nike and Dolce & Gabbana.
push-up bra. Laetitia Casta's legs
sprawl deliciously across the brown-sugar sand as the slight
Building their talent roster, SP Modeling is currently seek-
breeze of a powerful fan
ing women age 18 and over with a "strong, edgy look or style:'
just out of the shot sends
her honey-colored tress-
qualities essential to such a rigorous career. Most of us have
es rippling backward in a
tangle of lusty curls. You
figured this out by watching Tyra Banks rip into the waifs on
America's Next Top Model, but STUD Production sounds a bit
look a bit longer than you
less painful.
would have liked, as the
"I base my choices on the vibe I get;' offers Thaxter.
momentary fantasy takes
Applicants should be "determined and committed, have a goal
hold and pulls you closer.
in mind and really want to be a model:'
But then again, maybe
it doesn't.
::>
like a muscular Melissa Ferrick with a blond crew cut and a
clones who subsist on a diet of raw vegetables and have never,
lip piercing.
w
"Going beyond labels, exploring individuality;' she says, is
Outback. Well, move over Ford and Elite, because STUD
the focus of STUD. Their new model, Nikki, sporting black
Production is here to fill that void, one sexy butch at a time.
leather and funky dreads, is a perfect example of this individu-
monplace Angelina Jolie fixation. But a dirt-smudged
fC/J
rently features the portfolio of model Ro Rowan, who looks
Maybe you're one of the many queer chicks who wish that
models looked a little more like us, instead of well-coifed Barbie
We've all seen Gia and admit to the embarrassingly com-
_J
_J
If your idea of haute couture is baggy jeans and a tank
top, then STUD Production has your girl. The website cur-
ever, ever, changed the oil on their girlfriend's Subaru Legacy
§:
For those interested in posing for the camera, there are a few
Lara
ality, From urban punks to bois-next-door, Thaxter has sought
to create an agency that represents a segment of our commu-
0
Croft aside, the image of a woman in a white T-shirt and Levi's
nity largely ignored by the mainstream media. "A lot of people
~
is a rare and coveted thing, even in the lesbian community. By
see modeling as equal to one set image and we are all its reflec-
w
a:
w
focusing on "the more dominant appearing female," this unique
tion:' Those reflections come in many different shapes, sizes
~
new modeling agency is boldly going where few models have
and colors, an idea that mainstream fashion has unfortunately
ti
z
gone: to crew cuts and really big belt buckles.
been slow to embrace.
~
'.;
Maisha Thaxter, the genius behind STUD, has taken the
8
So the next time you're perusing those magazine racks and
C/J
image of the supermodel and sent it spinning on its ear. Ten
0
years in the making, STUD promises to "take us into a new age;'
Production had something to do with it. You won't have to feel
~
as Thaxter herself has her eye on some serious clients in the
guilty. There's no harm in looking. -
z
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You're digging through the racks at
the thrify and you spot it-that kickass vintage western button-down or
retro bowling shirt. There's just one
problem: its shape does nothing for
yours. Rigged Out/fitters has you
covered with their smokin' new line
of reconstructed menswear, re-styled
to fit your bod and irreverent attitude.
Look out for more of their subversive styles in an upcoming issue and
check out their exclusive design for
cuRvE'snew T-shirt.
come across "a more dominant appearing female," maybe STUD
MWB
Do-it-yourself
fashion
neverlookedsexier.
Patterning
herdesigns
aftercurvaceous
corsets,TrishaHanudel
of Redrawn
Artsscours
thrift storesfor T-shirts,
cutsthemup andsews
thembacktogether
again.Well,sortof.
Actually,sheplaces
delicateeyeletsalong
the backandsidesand
thenlacesthemup,
creatinghotpeekaboostyleclothing.
Fansgota chance
to seeherin actionat
DinahShoreon a sultry
LosAngelesevening
in Mayat Peeler,
a
boutiqueT-shirtshop.
A few luckycustomers
gottheirowncustom
cut-and-lace
jobsand
watchedHanudeland
herartistssliceintotired
oldteesandlacedthem
intohot,stylishnewtops
perfectfor casualor
steamydate.- KP
CURVATURES
WRITTEN
BY
TeresaCoates,
KateGoldsworthy,
EmilyHoward,
KatiePeoples,
Alison
Peters,KelseyTruman,
MelanyWalters-Beck
0
September 2008
I
15
Curvatures
College Lesbians More Accepting of Porn
Late last century, the battle
"Dyke sexuality and dyke sex-positive porn have a symbiotic relationship,
between anti-porn and sex-
and so we interact with our porn and inspire certain kinds of porn to get made,
positive feminists
and then that porn might also inspire us to try out new things:•
scorched
ment, turning sisters-in-arms
Sex educator Dr. Betty Dodson contends that the umbrella term for sexually explicit works should be "sex arc:• Dodson, author of the pro-masturbation
into bitter enemies. Although
classic Sexfor One, bemoans the impact of the anti-pornography movement on
the fiery debate never gut-
feminism. "Sex is the most positive experience on the planet;' she says. "Now
tered entirely, it seems to have
we're screwing with it, we're making it nasty, we're prohibiting it [and] we're
died down in recent years.
restricting it:'
The 2007 study argues that the rise in pornography's acceptability has been
through the women's move-
According to a 2007 study
in the Journal of Adolescent
Research, both male and
female college students are
much more accepting of pornography than their parents are. While 31 percent of young women surveyed
admitted to viewing pornography at least once in their lives, almost half said
that watching X-rated material was an acceptable form of sexual expression.
Only 20 percent of their mothers agreed.
The study didn't specifically examine young lesbians, but there's no reason
to think that lesbian college students would be less open to pornography than
their straight peers. And there are a myriad of theories as to why they find it
more acceptable.
According Tristan Taormino, the editor of the Best Lesbian Eroticaanthology,"More women are open to porn. This younger generation of dykes didn't live
through the sex wars, so in some ways they're bringing less baggage with them.
driven by its availability online. Juana Maria Rodriguez, a professor of gender
and women's studies at UC Berkeley, points out that the Internet has allowed
porn to become"not just videos but things like Xtube and other digital forms of
pornography, as part of a larger range of avenues of sexual representation that
have become really diversified:' She says that what "something like Xcube does
is put all of these sexual possibilities on the same scale. If you don't like it, you
can change the channel:'
Emily-Hella Tsaconas, an 18-year-old lesbian student at the University of
Southern California, says her only concern with online porn is that children
might be exposed to it, though she adds, "I saw things I probably shouldn't
have, but I turned out just fine:• Both Tsaconas and Jennifer Chambless, alesbian student at California State University, San Bernardino and a Pride Center
program assistant, express concern about pornography addiction and its effects
on relationships, but feel pornography does not have a harmful effect on society. Both women believe there's a difference between pornography and erotica,
~
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but cite different reasons: Tsaconas sees an artistic contrast, while
Chambless sees a discrepancy between fictional characters in
text and people participating in pornographic movies, whom she
thinks are sometimes demeaned.
The two women also perceive differences between maledirected and female-directed girl-on-girl pornography, Tsaconas
labeling the former as "much more plastic" and Chambless
saying it involves "inaccurate lesbian sex:' However, according to
Taormina, some pornography appeals to both sides: "There are
now girl-girl series produced by mainstream porn which have
found a dyke audience or even a dyke following:' And an interesting revelation from Chambless is that some of her lesbian friends
Tila Tequila
enjoy watching gay male pornography.
Although general categories and divisions may persist, it
seems that the porn wars are being left in the past, due not only to
the availability of porn online, but also to a blurring of boundaries
and values aided by access to the digital world. -
KG
"If she's happy, I'm happy. That's all I'll say. Samantha's
great. I've known her and her family for 1O years."
cl
cl
'
alleged romantic relationship with celebrity
DJ Samantha Ronson
"Her character was meant to be reticent, so the kiss
itself has got this push-pull, uncomfortable energy
to it. But can you imagine Carrie being in New
York and not having questioned her sexuality?"
;;>;;> cl
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Jessica Parker on Sex and the City, to the Advocate
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Making English class tolerable, and even enjoyable, has been the
driving force behind the development of the Writers in the Schools
program, part of the Literary Arts of Oregon. Semester-long writ-
t:.
i::: ing residencies in Portland public high schools feature poets, fiction
~
writers, essayists and playwrights, including queer writers Ariel
z
Gore and Chelsey Johnson.
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"Writers in the Schools really prides itself on having a diverse
group of writers;' explained Gore, author of How to Becomea Famous
Writer BeforeYourDead,"Being in the classroom as a published author and a public person creates a different experience for students:'
Bringing in authors with various writing styles and from differ-
a:
ent genres gives high schoolers a chance to see the reality of a writer's
<{
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life and learn to focus on their own work. The program enables stu-
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about all of their own identities and experiences:' Last year, more
than 3,000 students were able to take part in the Portland program,
a: z
<{
and thousands more were involved in similar programs throughout
(_) u.
the country. -
I-
a:
"We were eating garlic fries. The last thing we wanted
to do was make out with each other." ;;>
a
\.:J
a
t:
ma Tequila,
on being accused of showing inappropriate
sexual attention to her fe
le date at a Mariners
game, to ABC News
"I was like, 'It ain't for me ...but I love you.' I realized I
wasn't gay-and I really felt bad, because I wanted
to fit in."
cl
clnd kissing her childhood friend, in the
New York Times
IL..U.UtJvl
"They can suck my dick."
> Tila Tequila, to King
aL
se to accusations that
she's faking bisexuality
TC
September 2008
I 17
Health Educator
Transportation Do-Gooder
Figh ing for Civil Liberties
She calls it "do-gooderism" and although she's
Little did CarolGnade
know that on a ski vacation
People might recognize DarleneNipperfor the
not sure why, EmilyDrennensays it's always
in Utah she would discover her life's passion.
work she did as director of the Office of LGBT
made her feel good to help make a difference.
In fact, she notes, "For about two seconds in
Gnade learned that the Utah Legislature had just
high school, I thought about being a nun, so that I
passed an outright ban on abortion, despite Rowe
could do socialjustice work full-time and because
v. Wade. In shock, she called the American Civil
Liberties Union of Utah and asked if they needed
becoming a priest wasn't open to me as a woman:'
Watching the news in the lodge back in 1991,
secular endeavors, and for the past seven years
any help. When the response was an emphatic
"Yes;' Gnade took off her ski suit and spent the
she's worked in San Francisco on city planning
rest of her vacation at the group's office.
Luckily, Drennen decided to pursue more
and transportation policy, both in government
and in nonprofit transportation advocacy.
'Tm so passionate about it because transportation has a huge impact on our everyday lives,
Washington, D.C.
Or they might recognize her as a former
executive director of the Black Entertainment
Television Foundation, where she oversaw a
national media campaign to reduce obesity in
African American women.
She's also been a community health advocate
"I was hooked;' she says. "I went back to
Madison [Wis.), closed my business and moved
for the past 15 years, working with addicts, those
infected with HIV/ AIDS and the mentally ill.
Nipper says the greatest challenge for lesbi-
to Salt Lake City:'
Within
Affairs for Mayor Anthony A. Williams in
a few years, Gnade was named
of the organization.
She
ans is to come out of denial about the health
whether you' re walking, biking, taking a bus or
executive director
driving a car;' she says. "If I can help make even
oversaw numerous
victories, from prisoner
issues that affect us.
"We still smoke cigarettes, we still have unsafe
small improvements, they'll make a huge differ-
rights to death penalty issues, religious freedom
sexual practices, we still neglect going to a gyno-
and the separation of church and state. Two of
cologist and other medical appointments that
Drennen is currently running for supervi-
her most visible cases helped change the politi-
could help us to save our lives;' she says. "Many
sor on the most important legislative body in
cal landscape, guaranteeing civil rights for out
of us are suffering from the same health issues
the City and County of San Francisco. She has
teachers and students in Utah and across the
that affect other women, but we don't feel as
the opportunity to make history as the first out
country.
comfortable discussing these issues, and I fear
ence because they affect so many people:'
bi elected official there. She was particularly
Today,
Gnade
is retired
and living in
that we don't share the information that could
moved when she realized she'd be running as a
Teasdale, Utah, where she helped found the
queer from Dan White's district on the 30th
Women's Redrock Music Festival. She admits
anniversary of Harvey Milk's assassination.
that while great strides have been made in fight-
firsthand
"Transportation work can make a big differ-
ing for LGBT civil rights, many other people's
an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2003.
After intensive chemotherapy, treatment with
help us to save lives:'
Nipper experienced some of these concerns
when
she was diagnosed
with
ence for people, but being a supervisor takes it
civil rights have been infringed on in the United
to a whole other level;' she says. 'Tll get to work
States since 9 / 11. She cites the PA TRI OT Act
Herceptin and support from "an incredibly lov-
on affordable housing, environmental justice
as an example of how new policies are denying
ing" partner and family, Nipper has been doing
and green jobs, pay equity, healthcare and, of
course, transportation:'
the civil rights protections that Americans have
well. The experience was life-changing, and it
traditionally come to expect.
inspired her to move from full-time activism to
"We need to make sure that we watch our
government and make sure that the politicians
that we elect have a genuine commitment
our constitutional
"I think there is a lot of room these days for
to
black lesbian pastors and ministers alike;' she
protections," warns Gnade.
observes."People are looking for something that
"Democrats are just as guilty as Republicans of
resonates, not something that hates, so for me,
taking away privacy rights and diminishing our
ministry has allowed me to teach compassion
and love and dignity for all:'
free speech rights."
1s j curve
the ministry. She is now the Reverend Nipper.
Curvatures
NEWS NOTES
@
When Family Isn't
Katherine
Patrick,thedaughter
of
Massachusetts
governor
DevalPatrick,recently cameoutpubliclyasa lesbian.Patrick,18,
praisedherfatherfor havinglongfoughtfor
gayrights,eventhoughhehadbeenunaware
thathisdaughter
wasa lesbianuntila year
ago.
tion of the Atlanta Day
Shelter. Other
ects include Habitat for
Humanity, the March of
Dimes and Stand Up for
Kids. The Tau Colony
Justasgaycouples
flockedto thealtarin
California,
same-sex
couplesin Norway
were
grantedthebenefitsof marriage
afterthe
passage
of a gender-neutral
marriagelawon
June17.Underthelaw,same-sex
partners
areallowedto marry,artificiallyinseminate
andadopt.
in Houston
ganization
Juveniledetention
centersin NewYorknow
givetransgender
youththeoptionto live
astheirchosengender.
A 2006lawsuitfiled
bya 15-year-old
MTFtransgender
youth
introduced
thechangein policy,aftershe
allegedthatin hertimeat thejail,shewas
calledbya malename,madeto weara
maleuniformandunderwear
andhadher
prescription
femalehormones
takenfromher
byguards.
Transgender
kidsarenowrequired
to becalledbytheirchosennameandgender
pronoun,
canchoosewhichuniformtheywear
andmayrequestspecialhousing.
- KT
an or-
formed
to
provide nonmedical
in-
home support for lesbians with illnesses such
as cancer,
Lesbians
aremorelikelyto marrythangay
men,theDetroitFreePressreports.Sixty
percentof thesame-sex
marriage
licenses
issuedin Sacramento
County,
Calif.,werefor
femalecouples,
and40 percentwereto
malecouples.
volunteers
with AssistHers,
TheAmericanMedicalAssociation
nowofficiallysupportsunbiased
carefortransgender
individuals.
TheAMApassedResolution
114:
Removing
Barriersto Carefor Transgender
Patients,
whichdeclares
"supportfor public
andprivatehealthinsurance
coverage
for
treatment
of Gender
IdentityDisorder."
TheonlineactivistgroupAngryLesbians
has
spokenoutagainsttheupcoming
comedyhorrormovieLesbianVampireKillers.
AngryLesbians'
representative
Geraldine
Joosten
toldpinknews.co.uk,
"Foryears
lesbians
havebeenusedto titillatemen,for
yearswomenhavebeenusedasobjects
....
Women
shouldstandupfor themselves,
and
lesbianloveshouldnotbeusedto caterto
men'sfantasies."
national
community service proj-
AIDS
and
multiple sclerosis.
The
majority
of
Alpha Psi Kappa's members are clustered in the
South, and because the
Shawn Fulton attended college in South Carolina,
organization is purposefully noncollegiate, you can often find chapter
where affiliation with Greek fraternities
meetings taking place at local community centers,
and
sororities-such
c1sthose featured in Spike Lee's
or in someone's living room. Tamara
SchoolDaze-is
part of the culture: an aunt is a
the national
executive director, joined
Lunan,
nearly
Delta, a cousin is a Q and a friend even hides her
three years ago, when there were only about
sexuality to be a part of one. But Fulton didn't
seven members. She says that the numbers grow
want to hide, and when she discovered there were
through word of mouth and the recruiting efforts
she spearheads.
groups specifically for Lesbian women of color, she
was eager to learn more.
Alpha Psi Kappa, an LGBT fraternity, was
"I saw it as a networking opportunity, but it's
been so much more;' Lunan says.
formed at Florida State University campus in
If the applicant and the group are a good fit,
Tallahassee in 2002. Its purpose is to transform an
she is invited to pledge. At last count, Alpha Psi
individual into a better person through "Bruhood,"
Kappa registered over 100 members. And unlike
culture, leadership and exposure to leading figures.
other Greek groups, the Kappa family has a
"Bruhood is something like a real family-being
strongly enforced no hazing policy.
part of the organization is a lifelong bond;' says
Fulton is q 1ck to point out that although it
Fulton, the group's presiding supreme president,
was established by and for "dominant women,"
who explains that one of the main reasons people
Alpha Psi Kappa and its twin sister, Phi Nu
join Alpha Psi Kappa is because their families don't
support them. "Being gay-lesbian, you're looked at
Kappa sorority (a social and service organization for "feminine" lesbian and bisexual women),
as someone that's a hindrance to the community.
do not and will not discriminate. "The purpose is
We're not heterosexual, but we're good people and
not to exclude, but to give back, give someone a
we do good things:'
place they can feel comfortable, be at home:' Phi
Alpha Psi Kappa takes its mission to provide
quality
community
Nu Kappa and Alpha Psi Kappa consider each
service seriously, requir-
other family, partnering on events and reuniting at
ing 500 hours per semester. In 2007 (a year the
Winter Ball and Conclave, where members meet,
group registered twice their service goal) they
form bonds and set goals for the coming years.
traveled to Atlanta Pride for Greekend, partnering
"For me;' says Fulton, 'J\lpha Psi Kappa is not
with other LGBT Greek organizations and gath-
only a Greek affiliation-it's
ering donated items to ensure the ongoing opera-
my family and kids are a priority:' -
a way of life. Just like
AP
September 2008
I 19
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Elisha Lim
Artists often express the political sentiments of their environment. For cartoonist Elisha Lim, the personal is political, and her work illustrates a
more inclusive vision of community.
London-based Lim began creating an ode to butches while squatting in Berlin. The result was the 100 Butches comic series. "Each one of them
is almost a love letter, in a way;' Lim says. The anarcho-feminist has fallen in love all over the world: as a teenager in Singapore, a treeplanter in
Australia, a teacher in Spain, a bike messenger in Toronto, a feminist squatter in Berlin and a witness to political unrest in Israel. Her comics reflect
the many faces of admiration-ideologically
and passionately.
An image of a butch dominates each panel and is accompanied by Lim's handwritten description of her experience. One butch was Lim's boss,
another a stranger in a nightclub, and yet another a schoolgirl she knew from 10 years ago. "I haven't
known anything as direct and intimate! It's also powerful for me because it kind of outs me to myself.
I'm linking the dots between all of these moments in my life, and identifying my own history of admiring butches since childhood;' she says.
Lim calls the series a comic strip, but the panels read a range of emotions: Skinny, boyish Butch
15 feels rebel-cool, while naughty schoolgirl Butch 9 exudes adolescent, first-love innocence. Intimate
and revealing a distinct rawness, 100 Butches chases the essence and variety of the word. For her
readers, the strip both speaks to their own experiences as butches and taps into butch sex appeal.
'i\.rtistically speaking, you are terribly sexy;' says one fan on her Myspace page.
Vaguely reminiscent of Alison Bechdel's portraits of the modern-day dyke, Lim's work pushes
mainstream stereotypes into a humbling encounter with the individual. "I hope to use it to confront
causes that are inextricably joined to butch identity: gender, subversion, sexism, labor rights and
poverty:'
As if breaking new ground as an artist weren't enough, Lim is also a musician. Her band, Elisha and
the One Hundred Butches plays acoustic tunes that take an honest look at life, love and drag kings.
The comics run monthly in Lesbians on the Loose Australia, were featured in the UK's Diva,
on the Canadian political blogs Shamelessmag.com and Art Threat.net
Gay League.com.
20
I curve
and the comic review
Curvatures
Le bofi e
Ellen Tops Power List
Lezzies are ruling the world these days. I B} Jocelyn Yoo
This month is all about the power lesbians, be
they holding court over a crowd, over biology or
over the entire female population.
While CURVE was holding its funniest lesbian
comic contest, WBCN
104.1 FM in Boston
was having its official unfunniest
at w,, go
"I cannottell you how riany of U
from lastyear'sWorkOut reunionthat were won n
saying 'I ar ma ried. I have neverlooked t anotror
woman. r have a huge crushon Jackie.
comic con-
test on The Toucher & Rich Show. In the sweet
fitness reality show Work Out, isn't just the lust of
16 running were lesbian favorites MargaretCho
our loins-turns
and PaulaPoundstone,
against such noteworthy
non-funnies
as SNL-reject Jimmy Fallon and
out, she's also caught the eye of
When pictures of ThomasBeatiesporting a baby
bump started popping up on the Internet, every-
many a straight housewife.
"I chink my top demographic are not the gay
one thought it was a hoax. But Beatie, born Tracy
and lesbian community, but housewives;' Warner
LaGondino, is actually trans. Quite the stunner,
told the New York Times.
"I cannot cell you how many of the emails chat
Beatie lived as Tracy until his mid-20s and was
even a finalist in the Miss Hawaii Teen USA
House-er (and AlanisMorissette
ex) Dave Coulier,
we got from last year's Work Out reunion chat
beauty pageant. However, it didn't quite sit right
and Poundstone by Paul Reiser. Congrats to Dane
Cook, who was crowned the unfunniest comic of
were women saying, 'I am married. I have never
with him-"Growing
looked at another woman. I have a huge crush
on Jackie;" added Andy Cohen, the popular senior
perception o
yself (as a girl);' Beatie told Oprah
Winfrey."When I was a teenager I had an attrac-
vice president of programming
tion to women, but it wasn't a sexual attraction;'
one-trick-pony
Carlos Mencia (seriously, I can't
stand the guy). Notably, though, both of our girls
got lr.nocked out in the first round-Cho
by Full
'08! Who's laughing now, eh?
and production
he said. "I was much of a tomboy who liked to
for Bravo.
Out magazine recently released its '08 Power List,
and wouldn't you know who's No.1-none
other
than Ellen, who was the top-ranking female at
"I have hard-core
women chat get major
play with Legos and go fishing ...probably up until
crushes;' Warner continued. "I have women chat
puberty I didn't see anything wrong at all. When I
send me-chis
is the weird thing-I
have women
No. 3 lase year. Former Out cover girl JodieFoster chat send me photos of themselves with their huscame in at No. 13 (she was No. 43 last year),
bands and three teenage boys or whatever-I'm
Speaker of the New York City Council Christine just giving you an example-with
attached:'
Quinnsnagged the No. 18 spot and financial guru
SuzeOrman(who was No. 13 in '07) clocked in
at No. 24.
a love letter
turned 14 I started to grow breascs ...and chat was
kind of a shock to me:'
At 24, Beatie had his chest surgery and started
caking hormones, but decided to keep his reproductive organs. Now, at 34, he's happily married
Indeed, you can find straight women who have
to a woman ... and recently gave birch to a girl on
written passionate odes on the Internet to the
July 3.
"I have a very stable male-gender identity;' the
blond fitness icon.
This just goes to show you how intoxicating
JackieWarner,hardbodied scar of Bravo's physical
up I really didn't have a
chose six-pack abs and chat husky voice really are.
Bend, Ore., resident said. "I see pregnancy as a
process. It doesn't define who I am:' ■
September 2008
I 21
Advice
Lipstick & Dipstick
How Hot Is Closet Sex?
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: My girlfriend and
I live in Tennessee and have been together
Dipstick: Plus, the sex you're having with this
were together (more
wound-tight woman can't be any good. Closet sex
than once) and is still
for a year now. Things are going pretty well
sucks.
close with the woman
she eventually left me for. It
and the only time we have issues is when it
comes to her family. She's not out to them or
Lipstick:Not true, Dip. I had great sex with a clos-
seems like she's changed. Do you
any of her close friends because she fears
eted ex once. It didn't matter that we could only do
think I can trust her? - Double Dipper
their judgment. The other day, she told me
it with the lights off, on Tuesday night, when her
that she doesn't know if she'll ever come out
roommate was at work. Or that she put the harness
Lipstick:Like my mama used to say,"Fool me once,
to them because she doesn't want to break
on backward. Or that she sometimes called me her
shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. But
their hearts. That broke mine. I don't know
boyfriend's name-it
cheat on me again and again and I come back for
was still hot sex.
why that makes me so scared and upset.
more-well,
then, I'm the fucking fool:'
Do you think a relationship can work if one
Dipstick:Good Lord, Lip. That sounds pathetic.
partner is afraid to come out to her family? I
Tennessee, this can't go on forever. I am watching a
Dipstick:Yeah, she's changed, all right. She's learned
just don't know how to go about this whole
good friend of mine leave her lover of five years over
a few new bedroom tricks. But nothing else. And
thing. I want to spend my entire life with her,
this very issue. Moving into the "spare" bedroom
neither have you. I'll give you another quote, this
but I'm wondering if that's possible if I can't
one from Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see
fully be a part of hers. - Turning Over Rocks
whenever the folks would visit, pretending to be her
"roommate" and sitting home alone on Christmas
in Tennessee
while her girlfriend spent time with her family
in the world:' I'm sure he meant it more globally,but
if you want to stop being treated like a sucker, stop
being a sucker. If you want a partner you can trust,
find someone trustworthy.
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: Have you guys
ever directly left a lover for another? Or have
you made it a point to end a failing relationship long before you start another? I fear the
far-reaching "bad karma" effects of jumping right into another relationship. And I
always thought it best to clear my head and
my connection with one person before getting absorbed in another. But the timing isn't
working out this time. Is it OK to follow my
heart, or would it make me a terrible person?
- Karma Cautious in Chicago
Dipstick:While I do understand the caution of
karma, I also know life doesn't always come at us
the way we plan. Right before I got with my partner for life, I was with a very sweet woman named
Tina. I broke up with Tina within a week of meeting my partner. Even though I was falling fast for
her, I kept her at arm's length. Like you, I had the
idea that I should take time between relationships,
Lipstick:Your hunch is right, Tennessee. It may
became too much. She felt disrespected and dis-
clear my head and make sure I was following my
be impossible. The fact that she can't tell her loved
missed, as I'm sure you do. Point your girlfriend
heart and not just my libido. After all, that's what
ones she's a dyke is just one layer of what's concern-
to a good therapist or coming-out support group
all my friends said I should do. So, I waited a few
ing Lipstick. The bigger issue is that she's unable
and give her six months to tell the important
days to return her calls, acted nonchalant when I
to stand in the truth of who she is, which will-I
people in her life.
saw her and pretended I didn't want to spend every
promise you-cause a myriad of problems for your
relationship. It's not 1960 anymore, and, while coming out is still daunting, we all must face the music
before we dance, no matter the circumstances.
221 curve
waking moment with her. Guess what happened?
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: My ex and I are
thinking about starting a relationship again,
She got the idea that I wasn't interested and she
even though she cheated on me when we
own voice telling me to act that way. What I truly
almost walked away. The thing is, it wasn't my
Ask Fairy Butch I Advice
SchoolgirlLove
wanted was to jump in with both feet and sail
off into our life together, throwing caution to
the wind. What I'm trying to say is, you know
what's right for you. As long as you're open and
honest with her, that's what matters.
Lipstick:Tough situation, Chi-town. We've all
had questionable transitions from one lover to
another (we're lesbians, after all), but the most
important thing here is that you trust-really
trust-your
gut and what you know is right for
you. Sometimes it can be difficult to balance
being true to ourselves with doing what others
around us think is appropriate. Who's to judge,
anyway? It's your life. Listen to your better sel£
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: I am new to
the community and have been dating my
first girlfriend for three weeks. We've been
learning about each other. Unfortunately,
I've already lied to her. The lie was that I
have two previous girlfriends. I didn't want
her to think that I was a fumbling newbie.
Actually, I think I'm pretty decent at pleasin' her, despite my lack of experience.
Anyway, I can't decide whether to let
things "lie" or to 'fess up and tell her how
fresh a fish she's caught. - Lyin' Lesbian
6
ti
I
Dear Fairy Butch: I'm 16 years old and I fell for
someone when I was 14, and we've been going out since then. The problem is, both our
parents found out about a year ago and we
are not allowed see each other anymore- so
we've gone underground. Phone calls range
from once a week to once every two weeks.
In the summer, we saw each other twice for
about 15 minutes.
I'm tired of sneaking around. I've been
tired of it for six months now. I can't tell my
parents because I'm a coward and they are
very close-minded. Her parents are worse.
I want to have a normal life with a normal
stupid teen relationship, but I've never felt
this way before. And I'm pretty sure that
first loves aren't supposed to be this friggin'
hard. Deep down I feel like I should just call it
quits, but what if I'm giving up the most wonderful thing in the world just to make my parents happy? What should I do? - Confused
in Canton
DearConfused:
Well, cherub, of course first loves
stupid teen relationship.
Good
luck, buttercup.
Dear Fairy Butch:
I have been with my girlfriend
now for over two years. Of course, in the
beginning, as in most relationships, making love was very frequent. Although we are
very affectionate-I'm treated very well and
we definitely have a bond-I'm more often in
the mood to make love than she is. There are
times I have to "take care of" my own needs,
and times I even feel I should get them "taken
care of" elsewhere. I hate thinking this way,
and we have discussed it at great length
and resolved that I will keep understanding
where she is coming from, and she will make
a more concerted effort to leave work at
work and relax at home. I'm very happy with
her, and I can't imagine being with anyone
else. To me, this issue is not worth losing all
we've become. Any thoughts? - Not Getting
Enough in New Orleans
are supposed to be this friggin' hard. Where would
the music industry be if everything always worked
DearNotGetting:
So many dykes have the problem
out smoothly? So let me get this straight: You've
of disparate desires; I wish I had a nickel for every
been in a two-year relationship with someone with
time someone wrote to me about it. But it sounds
whom you barely have contact. Your parents think
like you've got the beginnings of a workable plan,
Lipstick:
While I think your first relationship will
it ended a year ago. Do you feel you would have a
and you really want to understand each other and
be over by the time this makes it to the newsstands,
better shot at a more complete relationship if it were
make things copacetic. You can help charge things
if you are still together, spill the beans, newbie.
with someone else? Or do you just feel doomed to
up by not nagging her about the situation and by
Lying makes for horrible fertilizer and she has the
a home life filled with unrequited love and your L
helping to make things really special when you do
right to know you just jumped from the net.
Word posters? It sure is tough being 16 and lesbian.
make love. Pick a weekend day when she doesn't
There are a couple of ways that you can go. You
have to worry about work and draw a bath for her.
Dipstick:You're not only lying to her, newbie,
can launch an all-out campaign to educate your
Flip a couple :-rose petals into the water and leave
you're lying to yoursel£ You may think you're
parents, if you think there is any chance they'll be
a trail of them from the bathroom to the bedroom.
having mind-blowing sex, but what you're really
responsive. PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends
Bathe her and even shave her, if she's the shaving
having is first sex. Trust me, there's a difference.
of Lesbians and Gays) has provided a great deal of
type. Bring her into the bedroom, where you'll have
What this world doesn't need is another awk-
comfort and education to parents of queer people.
toys at the ready (if that's the way you swing). Rub
a:
LJ.J
ward teen lesbian thinking she's God's gift to the
Also, check out Don Clark's Loving SomeoneGay,
her down with some oil, and, by Georgia, I'd be sur-
a:
girlies. I say 'fess up, because she already knows
and get your parents to read it, if you think they
prised if you didn't end up getting some play before
LJ.J
you're an amateur. While you may earn some
might take a gander. The better educated they are,
the whole process is through. You'll attract more
points for enthusiasm, you're probably not as hot
the more likely they'll be to loosen up those restric-
bees with honey than with vinegar, and it's a damn
a lover as you think you are. ■
tions they've placed on you and your girlfriend.
sight better to get laid than to be right. ■
Q;.
:.:'.
a:
aCl
<l'.
~
i0
If you think this will all be a no-go, you can
~
a:
Theseadvicegurus are the authors
of Lipstick & Dipstick's Essential
I-
(/)
::,
...J
i
0
I
u
...J
Fairy Butch is the author of The
Ultimate Guide to Strap-On Sex: A
Guide to Lesbian Relationships.
Normally, I'm all about being on the up and up, but
Complete Resource for Women and
()
Ask them anything at lipstickdipstick.com.
frankly, your parents are perpetrating an injustice,
Men. Email Jb@fairybutch.com
with
and you have as much right as anyone to a normal
your queries.
I
...J
Tht
Ulti ■ ate
Guidt
0
:i: :i:
a..
0..
always end it with your current girlfriend and try to
get something going on the sly with someone new.
.
to
Strep-On
September 2008
I 23
Astro Grrl
Advice
Fall--ingStars
It is all
about
you this
September,
Libra.All
eyes turn
yourway
and you
can attract
ladiesfrom
all over
town-even
the seamy
side.
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Sex:Love may come with a price tag this September. She will
ask for expensive gifts, lavish interludes and sensual, exotic items.
Ah, what a way to go. Career:
Judging from your ~usy love life,
it might be a good time to ask for a raise or look for new, more
lucrative employment.
Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
Sex:It is all about you this September. All eyes turn your way and
you can attract ladies from all over town-even
the seamy side,
Libra girl. Career:The secret to your success will be to give the
impression of working without really doing so. When in doubt,
look serious and shuffle some paper around.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Sex:You may receive a love note from a secret admirer. This
mystery woman will make herself known later in the month. Do
you really want to know? Career:Be very diplomatic at work and
If you've been feeling disappointed about your work situation,
try to maneuver behind the scenes to get what you want. Turn
you may see a glimmer of hope now. But it will remain just a
your charm up to full boil.
glimmer if you don't add the spark.
Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)
Sex:Spend more time with your gal pals and see what kind of mis-
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Sex:Things go from humdrum to humming her drum this
chief they can arrange for you. How much is too much? There's
September. Make the most of each delightful opportunity and
never enough. Career:
You feel like you are slogging through your
follow it up with flowers. Career:
You can work very hard through
career and nothing is coming your way easily-any
excuse for a
the month-late
hours, weekends-and
get through every petty
long vacation.
little project on your desk. Oh, goody.
Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20)
Sex:Will you find love on the job? Well, maybe it's more like on
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Sex:Expect a light flirtation that will make you daydream your
the desk. Be sure to close your office door-or
days away. But is it all froth and cloud? Take a chance and see.
the door to her
office. Career:
Something you say could be misinterpreted on the
Career:Twins can work wonders on the job when your creative
job. Or maybe you really mean it. Prepare for all types of action
genius takes over. Maybe the most wonderful thing is how well
and reaction.
you can make bosses think you are really working.
I Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb.
19)
place. Be open to possibilities (among other things) all through
Cancer (June 22-July 23)
Sex:September is the month to invite her home for a sleepover.
Well, OK, you two won't really be doing much sleeping. Career:
the month. Career:If you travel for business, be sure to check
Say what you mean and mean what you say. But if you have to lie
your itinerary twice. Don't let your bags go to LAX when you're
to get what you want, at least try to look sincere.
Sex:There is an exotic woman waiting to meet you in an unexpected
headed to JFK.
I Pisces (Feb. 20-March
20)
Leo (July 24-Aug. 23)
Sex:You can charm the underpants off just about anyone this
Sex:Guppies can turn up the heat in any love relationship. Will
you become too hot to handle this September? Yes! Career:
You
month. Will you know what to do once that happens? Let's just
easily impress the powers that be. Then what will be? Make all
punches and be diplomatic. Try not to set the course. Uh-oh. ■
see. Career:
You can be a winner at work if you can roll with the
your best moves count for something.
Astrologer Charlene Lichtenstein is the author of
Herscopes: A Guide to Astrology for Lesbians. To
Sex:You will reap what you sow in your sordid love life. Does
seewhat elseis in your stars,visit thestarryeye.comorgo
that make you an "old so-and-so"? If so, sow it with style. Career: to her blogat thestarryeye.typepad.com.
I Aries (March 21-April
24
I curve
20)
RelationshipsI Advice
Love Is a Battlefield
When you need to be a fighter, not a lover: Rules for fighting fair. I By Kate Lacey
ing match for passionate love. While this worn-out page from the Whitney
For some, love really is a battlefield. Some of us mistake the drama of a yell-
afraid to speak what's in your heart and mind. Sitting out the fight by clamming
up isn't taking the high road as much as it's taking the 'Tm too afraid to speak"
Houston-Bobby Brown book oflove can seemingly breathe life into an other-
backroad that dead-ends in the fiery crash of your good thing. Not communi-
wise dull existence, in the end it's an inferno that will burn itself out. Sure, the
cating can be as much of an unfair fighting tactic as screaming incoherently for
make-up sex is fantastic, but even that flicker will go out faster than a super-
hours on end. A more quiet fight, but unfair nonetheless.
model can whip a cell phone at her assistant's head. Don't get me wrong. A little
bit of conflict is a healthy and inevitable part of any relationship. The question
0 Whatyousayis as importantas howyousayit. Stick
is not if you two fight, but how that disagreement will play out. In the boxing
situation and how they feed your feelings. The simple fact that she stuck her
ring, the referee is clear about what is unfair: biting, tripping, spitting, head
tongue down your best friend's throat made you feel as if you were valuing the
butting, holding and throwing low blows. While in some circles these moves
relationship in a far different way than she had been. Calling each other names
to the facts of the
sound more like foreplay, when it comes to fair
that would make even a sailor blush is also not con-
fighting, there are, in fact, some holds that should
be barred. Put in your mouth guards, ladies-it's
feelings, reactions and behaviors, rather than being
sidered fair fighting. Stick to discussing your own
time to learn the rules for fighting fair with your
accusatory, belittling and condescending to your
favorite sparring partner.
partner. The words you swallow today will save you
from having to grovel and apologize later. Nine out
0 Youmustcalmdown.Reacting
in a blind rage,
as if you're on Jerry Springerwith your cheating
of 10 doctors agree, zero calories are ingested when
you swallow your wrathful pride.
three-legged second cousin, is no way to engage in
and be open to the fact chat you may be wrong.
0 Youmusthavean appropriate
timeandplaceto
workonyourissues.
If either or both of you are too
Leave the chairs on the floor and the bodyguards
tired, too drunk, too short on time, or the place is
out of the equation by keeping your head together.
too crowded, then it is not the time to duke it out.
Let's say, for example, you see your girlfriend kiss-
Engaging in a tag-team grudge match where your
a good old-fashioned disagreement. Listen, discuss
ing your best friend. The moment when you feel
friends and her friends get square in the middle of
as if you may be morphing into a green Incredible
your business is not conducive to solving your prob-
Dyke is not the best time to broach the subject.
lems. While it's just peachy that Dr. Phil can jump
There's a reason why no one understood a word
in there to help couples fix things, in the end only
the Hulk uttered: In the heat of the moment, we
they can kiss and make up. As for fighting while
lose the ability to speak our native tongue. Even
drinking, throw alcohol on a fire and see what hap-
boxers have to go to their corners every three
pens. The flare-up will sear the hair from your arms
minutes to get it together before moving on to
the next round.
and likely give a new meaning to the phrase "rekindling your romance:•
8 Leavethebaggagebehind,unlessyouplanto haveyourdisagreement
at the
airport.We all have past girlfriends who drove us crazy in a million ways-we
language, throwing objects or taking aggressive action that's intended to inflict
0 Atallcosts,youshouldbothavoidviolenc&.
That
have the battle scars to prove it. Contrary to what some women think, the pur-
pain, fear or harm. Prison is not a day camp for lesbians, despite the impres-
pose oflife is not to make your current partner pay for your ex-lover's mistakes.
sion that The L Word provided. Domestic violence should never be tolerated,
includes using threatening
Not even the greenest of hippie girls would approve of recycling those old dra-
regardless of the excuses that follow in its wake. According to endabuse.org,
mas, so let them go. If the two of you are arguing over who has the right to be
more than three women die every day as a result of domestic violence. If you are
inseminated and take maternity leave, it's out of bounds for you to remind her
experiencing violence in your relationship, please call the National Domestic
of the fight you had three years ago over who would control the remote. Fight
Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE or 800- 787-3224 for TTY.
fair by letting bygones be bygones.
8 Mostimportantly,
rememberthat you loveeachother.Hopefully,
0 She'snotMissCleo.Your partner
you're
cannot read your mind and you cannot
angry because you care about this person and want to work things out. Sorting
read hers. Do not assume that you know what she's thinking, feeling or going
it all out is not the same as "having your way" every time. Partner up and look
to say. Equally, don't assume chat she intrinsically knows where you stand on an
at the issue as a problem to be solved together and not as a smackdown to be
35 rant part of the battle is not just showing up, but also listening and not being
won at all costs. With these rules in mind, ladies, tap your kid gloves and come
out fighting fair. ■
~
(..)
~
en
&3 issue just by the clever way you' re pouting in her general direction. The impor-
September 2008
I 25
Advice
Health
A Fat Girl Speaks
While it goes against my entrepreneurial nature to let any
niche market go unexplored-I'm
FOOTSIES
thinking the realm of
subsisting entirely on celery,water and self-loathing.
After eight minutes or so of "you're getting very sleepy" the
lesbian weight-loss hypnosis CDs could
troublesome assumptions start tumbling into your suggestible
very well be the exception to
psyche: ''As you control your weight you are more in control of
It's dorkyto talk about
your life;"''All sexual activities are far more enjoyable now;" and,
the rule. Unfortunately,
insoles,andit makes
in a surprised voice, "You can buy clothes right off the shelf that
certified
hypnotheramesoundlike I'm 85
flatter your new shape!"
pist and lesbian Mar
yearsold.But,damn
Good gawd, it sounds like the back of a Jenny Craig microRobbart disagrees. She
it, I'm in lovewiththe
wave meal. When you lose weight, everything will be perfect!
recently launched her
Ober-rad
Superfeet.
Youmayhaveseen
newest product, her self- More importantly, until you lose weight, nothing will.
the greenandpurple
Instead of a step-by-step rebuttal of these vapid stereotypes,
professed "first-ever weightinsolesbeingsnagged
loss product for lesbians;' the Easiest let me just tell you what my own hypnosis CD would say:
up bysomehipsterwho WeightLossfor Lesbianshypnosis CD ($23, inventyourmind.com).
Wake up, ladies! Fitness and fatness are not mutually excluover-pronates
in her
sive. If you can't find clothes that fit, organize a letter-writing party
Now, given that I have been lauded in these very pages for
Rykas(thatwasme,
to demand a wider variety of sizes to suit the diverse population
my body image activism, I cannot imagine that CURVE expected
actually).Here'swhya
of the world. If you're not having good sex, dump the sad sack who
streamers and a Sousa march when they asked me to review this
companyfoundedby
can't get down with your hot bod and get busy worshiping your
two oldwhiteguysin product. I figure that gives me carte blanche for snark, so without
own fine self until you meet someone who deserves you. And if
the '70s is becoming further ado, let's start with the press release:
people don't take you seriously because you're fat, clear your throat
"[T]he listener will feel more attractive by losing weight and
de rigueurtoday.
When
and start again, slowly this time, so they can understand you. Hit
yourfeet hurt,youhurt. notice that whomever she finds attractive is finding her much
Andsincemostof us more attractive;' says Robbart. She explains she deliberately chose the gym if you want, but don't let the scale tell you how you feel.
take12,000stepsa a woman to voice the CD."I felt that lesbian women would want to Eat when you're hungry. Stop when you're full. Stop reading vapid
dayandonly1Oto 15 hear these types of messages from another woman:'
women's magazines. Self-love doesn't come after you've changed
percentof us have
and finally deserve it. It's the thing that makes you feel worth treatSure, Ms. Robbart. We want to hear more cliches from our
whatdocscall "a good
sisters, mothers and lovers. Puhleeeeze deliver one more patronizing yourself well. You deserve to be loved, by yourself and others,
functioningfoot,"the
ing compliment to encourage us-for our own good-to discournow. Today. Exactly as you are. ■
restof us needorthotage any variance from the arbitrary physical ideal laid out by our
ics.Custom-made
foot
insertsarein the $250 body-as-commodity culture. Shout "hallelujah" for the chance to Stacy Bias is a 33-year-oldactivistlivingin Portland,Ore. She orgarange.ButSuperfeet get laid, providing we use this product to brainwash ourselves into
nizes FatGirlSpeaksbi-annuallyand can befound at stacybias.net.
bringsgood,30, orthotic
supportto the massesin
the cool,money-backguaranteed,
$30-or-less
range.(superfeet.com)
- DianeAndersonMinshall
26
Icurve
Money
Advice
Four Tips on Starting a Business
According to the Center for
credit for. Factor in all your expenses,
e
Won.en's Business Research,
including a generous salary and ben-
e
over half of all businesses
efits package for your lovely sel£ when
are now started by women.
you're setting your prices, and stick
Lauren
to your guns-clients
f
Bacon
(pictured,
will value your
top) and Emira Mears are
products and services more if you
two such women who know
price them at what they're worth.
firsthand what it means to
What is the biggest challenge
work from the ground up.
women face as business owners?
The
Raised
Most new entrepreneurs have a ter-
Eyebrow Web Studios, Inc.,
rible time knowing when it's time
these two wrote the book
to close their doors for
founders
of
on how to break out and go
the day and just go home.
it alone. Literally. The Boss of You (Seal Press),
Women in particular tend
details how women can start, run and maintain
to get a lot of cultural rein-
their own businesses in the modern world. We
forcement for self-sacrifice.
-ti
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It can feel impossible some-
caught up with Bacon to get a few tips of our
own. -
••
Katie Peoples
times to walk away from a pile
of unfinished work, especially
when you have that passion
How does a woman know that she's ready
and able to run her own business?
we referred to earlier. But it's important as an
There are two things that are common to nearly
entrepreneur to look at the long view and rec-
every business owner: The first is finding
ognize that if you can break unhealthy work
a passion that's strong enough to fuel you
habits earlier, it will help you recognize down
through the early years of establishing a new
the road when it's time to hire help, scale up or
business, and the second is analyzing the
down, or make other decisions that are impor-
financial scenarios to make sure your busi-
tant to the long-term health of your business.
ness can sustain itself. A lot of business books
How can you make money and stlll llve by
dive right into No. 2, but we feel No. 1 is just
feminist values?
as important-after
One of the things we emphasize in The Boss of
all, you're likely to be
spending a whole lot of time and energy on
You is that it is possible for profit and values to
your new enterprise, so it helps a lot if you've
coexist, so long as you get clear on what your
got enthusiasm to burn. When your business
values are and stay true to them as you build
is a natural outgrowth of a personal passion -
your business. For us, one of the most galva-
whether it's photography, the perfect shoulder
nizing realizations we had along our own path
bag or alternative menstrual products-your
to entrepreneurship was when we woke up to
work life won't just pay your rent, it will ener-
the fact that until we claimed decent incomes
gize and feed you on other levels.
for ourselves, we were operating, at least to
What Is the most common mistake women
some extent, in fear of the power of money. We
make when starting out?
chose to entertain the notion, "What i£ instead
Over and over again, we've heard women entrepre-
of living at a subsistence level, we worked
neurs say they wish they had set their prices
toward creating an ethical business that could
higher. Many women undersell themselves
provide generously for everyone in its employ?"
when they're starting out, and often they do so
We wanted to see whether we could create a
while telling themselves they'll bring their pric-
business model that wouldn't require us to sac-
es up when they reach some indefinable level
rifice our values...and so far we're pretty happy
of expertise, popularity or success. Well, guess
with the results. The key is to set up clear mea-
what~ You still have to eat while you're becom-
sures of success when you're starting out, and
ing an expert, and the fact is that if you're going
to re-evaluate those goals on a regular basis. ■
into business for yoursel£ you probably have a
lot more experience than you're giving yourself
)
Formorebusinesstipsvisitcurvemag.com.
September 2008
I 27
Dyke Drama
Michele Fisher
We're Here to Stay
When it comes to honeymoons, staying close to home is always best.
In California, we got our right to marry. The other day, the soon-to-be wife
asked me where I wanted to spend our honeymoon. All the exotic destinations,
are out of our price range unless we elope, so she suggested Palm Springs.
I went to Palm Springs a few years ago when I was with another woman.
I remember looking out the airplane window before takeoff and watching the
ground crew at San Francisco International load the luggage. I noticed that one
item on the conveyor belt was a casket. All I could think of was, "Lucky stiff.'
Whoever was in that box was not going to have to listen to my annoying girlfriend, who was sitting next to me, prattling on and on about recovery and her
inner child. I know that sounds cliched-and it is-but so was she. I couldn't
tell her jokes about all the stereotypical stuff dykes do because she did it all, and
besides, she never laughed anyway.
I sat there envying a corpse and waiting for my crabby girlfriend to stuff a
gym bag full of self-help books into an overhead compartment. "I should just
get off of this plane and enjoy the rest of my life;' I said out loud in a rare
moment of courage and clarity. My companion told me not to be so dramatic
and promised that the healing rays of the sun would cure all.
The sun goddess did not save me on that trip, and, heaven knows, my companion didn't need any more UV radiation. Longtime
CURVE
subscribers will
recognize her as Ms. Tan, the perpetually fake baked harpy in classic columns
from the '90s. Suffice it to say that the vacation was a failure, just like she and I
were as a couple shortly thereafter.
I should not have taken my dissatisfaction with her out on the entire burg
of Palm Springs, but I did.
17 hours, but that only made things worse. In fact, everything I said seemed
to shove her further into the pit of despair. Periodically, our dyke drama was
Palm Springs would have to wait for us a little longer, my fiancee decided
interrupted by hoots and other sounds of celebration from the girls in other
after hearing my touching story. We will go there, probably for the Tamale
hotel rooms. I would have slept with Ally if I'd thought it would shut her up or
Festival in Indio, which is just down the road, but we won't be honeymooning
knock her out, so I could join the fun, but I'd heard that meth sex is endless and
there.
nonclimactic, so I let that idea wither and die, alongside my hopes for a party
Another place I won't be taking my bride is the Russian River. In Palm
weekend. I stayed up with Ally all Friday night and into Saturday afternoon,
Springs, I only had one bad experience to overcome, but at the Russian River, I
had several less than satisfactory experiences to contend with. Why did I keep
until I got too tired to stop her or anybody else from doing anything. I woke up
on Sunday morning and told her I was going home.
going back? Go there and you will understand. It is fun, quaint, gay-friendly
and affordable.
referee and couple's counselor all weekend. I did make out with a gal for a while
The area is named for the plucky Russian settlers who tried to make a go
of it there, and the river runs through the town of Guerneville. A couple of
times a year, the town welcomes lesbians by hosting Women's Weekends. These
weekends are guaranteed to get you laid.
Another time, I went there with a gaggle of dykes and ended up playing
in a pickup truck, but then the lezzie who actually owned the truck kicked us
out because she had no place else to bring her girl.
I finally accepted that Guerneville is my Amityville, and I've stayed away ever
since. The little woman agreed that we should avoid the cursed spot.
The first time I went there was with a hastily made friend named Ally. She
Lots of queers like to go to Disneyland, but there is something too weird
and I were in the same bar the night before and she watched me get ditched.
about celebrating gay love in Toon Town, surrounded by screaming kids. I sug-
We shared laughs about how hard it is to be single and agreed to seek our
gested to my girl that according to travel literature, everything is possible at the
romantic fortunes on the banks of the Russian River. Ally said she had booked
Happiest Place on Earth, and for a price we might be able to coax Snow White
a nonrefundable room there but had no hope of using it, since she and her girl-
and Pocahontas into giving us a private show. She thought not.
friend had split up a few weeks ago. I was up for the adventure and promised
to get scarce when she found someone to roll around with-or
when I found
0
Cll
a.
So where does a San Francisco-based lesbian couple go when they crave a
honeymoon that combines romance with frugality and is free from old emo-
my own someone with whom to roll around.
tional debris? My beloved and I live in the gayest part of the gayest city in the
The next morning Ally picked me up, and a few hours later she professed
her love for me. It turned out she had quite the crystal meth habit, which she
United States. Our neighborhood is chock-full of bed-and-breakfasts
had been hiding all afternoon by offsetting the speed with valium and vodka.
few precious days. We are staying home for our honeymoon. It is where she and
I have a history and a future. ■
I tried to let her down easy by reminding her that she had only known me for
2s
Icurve
and
vacation rentals where queers come from all over just to be who they are for a
~I
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VictoriaA. Brownworth Politics
ThePolitics of Aging
Getting old may just be the next great movement in LGBT history.
Many are bracing for the election in November as the pinnacle of their
Corinne, died last year of cancer. She was only 63. But in the months between
autumn. The looming election has raised other concerns for me, however,
her diagnosis in April and her death in August, she gathered an amazing
some spurred by that fall chill. Queers never seem to think about getting old.
coterie of lesbians around her to care for her at home and ease her into dying.
We are the quintessential youth seekers. Everything about the queer lifestyle
I think we all want that-to
be surrounded by familiarity and love and
seems to demand eternal, unending youth. But, like everyone else, we age. It
support in our final months and years. But how do we make it happen:' It
creeps up. The summers get shorter, the days and years whiz by and suddenly
always seemed to me that Tee knew more people than anyone. Plus, she lived
you are middle-aged. Middle-aged:' Yikes! How did that happen:'
in a little Oregon town where lesbian enclaves were the norm, rather than the
My partner and I went to high school together. We had a short romance in
exception. Those of us who live in urban areas tend to be more isolated pre-
those years and then we drifted apart and met again a decade ago, as we both
cisely because we don't live in small towns, where community is more natural.
were divorcing our longtime partners. Romance in middle age is just as stellar
So what happens when our closest lesbian family begins to break downhow do we find community to hold us together as we age and die:' This is an
as romance in youth. Different, but equally intoxicating.
What is different about falling in love at 40 and still being in love at 50
issue the queer community has not fully addressed. It makes me nauseous
is that the future no longer seems infinite, as it did at 20 or even 30. It seems
to even broach the subject. And yet dealing with the consequences of grow-
oppressively finite. Sometimes frighteningly so. And suddenly you have to
ing older is an element of our survival that we desperately need to deal with,
consider things like growing old together, or one of you getting sick and dying
before the other. It's not something you want to think about.
since a full generation of queers is now officially old. We need assisted-living
Both my partner and I have faced the death of a parent in the past couple
queers. We need community events that focus on aging. We need to plan for
of years. Our remaining parents are in their 70s. Having already lost parents,
our old age. We need to know what we will do and where we will go when the
we've found that the prospect of aging and dying has become more real, and
time comes that we can no longer manage on our own.
more worrisome when we think that one day that will be us-except
facilities that cater specifically to a queer clientde. We need centers for elderly
that
neither my partner nor I have children. So, unlike our own parents, who have
us to care for them, we will have no one but each other to care for us as we
age-a
situation the majority of queers find ourselves in.
Although many more lesbians and gay men are having children now, we
are still a largely childless group. This means that we need to consider our
futures carefully, including who will care for us when we need it. Most of my
closest lesbian friends are single as well as childless. Who will take care of
these women as they become increasingly infirm:'
My best friend is in her 60s and single. She's incredibly active and runs a
social service agency and I never think of her as aging, but I know she is. She's
also a cancer survivor, so every time she feels ill, I get queasy and push her to
go to the doctor. But mostly, I worry about what will happen to her when she
does stop working and does get truly old. My friend has savings and a healthcare plan, but almost none of the lesbians I know in their 30s, 40s or even 50s
have those things, including myself.
Like most lesbians I know, I have made other lesbians my family. As I age,
I want to remain in a lesbian environment, a lesbian community. All the lesbians I know feel the same way. But how can we ensure that will happen, when
It's been almost 40 years since the Stonewall Rebellion. In the decades
coping with one or more serious, debilitating illnesses and the most recent
census figures cite elderly women as the most poverty-stricken group in the
0
time in history, we have an aging population of out queers in open, committed
United States.
I
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For years, I have been writing about lesbian health issues as well as lesbian
between then and now, queers have, quite literally, come of age. For the first
~
~
poverty. The two coalesce when it comes to aging. Most elderly women are
a:
a..
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our finances are sketchy, our plans for the future vague at best and our access
to lesbian-centered old-age facilities nil:'
~
relationships. What happens when a queer couple in their 70s or 80s loses a
This autumn, think about the metaphor inherent in your own lives. Start
partner:' Where do they go if they can no longer live alone?
to plan for your old age, even if it seems incredibly remote or intolerably near.
A few months ago, I gave a political speech that was hosted at a gorgeous
assisted-living facility. My partner suggested, "We could live here:' I said, "I
But also raise these questions with your friends and in your own communities.
don't want to live with a bunch of old straight people:' And therein lies the
stone, and we have yet another trail to blaze: taking care of our own as a genera-
problem for so many of us. One of my closest friends, the photographer Tee
tion passes on. A sobering thought, but one we can't afford not to have. ■
Coming out was everybody's first step. But now we have reached another mile-
September 2008
I 29
B liz If
'
ea
The ultimatetropicalgetaway.By CatherinePlato
My last night in Belize felt like it should be my last night on
Stephanie and I retired early,just after finishing what would be
earth. After a week of relative isolation from the rest of the
a typical dinner for the week: vegetable soup, salad, homemade
world, this final night was the pinnacle: The only guests on
corn bread, sauteed veggies and rice pudding for dessert (don't
the two-acre Moho Cay, my girlfriend Stephanie and I slept
be freaked out-we
in a sort of half-tent, half-cabin contraption that peeked over
wandered up a stone path to our thatched-roof cabin, where we
asked for strictly vegetarian food). We
the Caribbean Sea on stilts. The waves rocked below us, and a
slept in gorgeous, wood-framed, mosquito-netted canopy beds,
breeze swept through our open curtains, cooling the residual
covered with rose petals upon our arrival. For the first time, I was
stickiness of the daytime tropical air. Stepping out onto our
hit with the sense of being completely on the edge of nowhere; as
deck in the night, I saw nothing but black ocean in every direction
I stepped out to our balcony overlooking the lagoon I saw noth-
and a spatter of stars above me. No boats, no lights from the
ing but blackness and stars. We had no working phones, no one
neighboring islands, no planes flying overhead. It hardly seemed
to hear us scream. It turned out we did have wireless Internet in
possible that I was on the same earth I was on the week before,
one corner of the lobby, but we didn't discover that until right
that a place so remote existed and would continue to after we
before we left.
left it forever.
After a rooster from a local farm woke us (late) for breakfast,
I could tell from my first minutes in the Belize City airport
our tour guide, Nathaniel, picked us up in a van for our first
what a unique country I had just entered. Nestled between
adventure. We took a small paved road past miles of thatched-
Guatemala, Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, Belize feels like
roof houses, all with an array of wandering chickens and plantain
it inhabits an entirely different era than its neighbors. Having
trees in the front yards.
liberated themselves from British rule rather recently (1981),
Our first stop was Lubaantun ("Place of Fallen Stones"), an
Belizeans still speak English as their official language, along with
ancient Mayan trading center that was "discovered" by Thomas
the Kriol, Spanish and Mayan dialects. The resulting culture, a
Gann when he blew it up with dynamite in the early 1900s.
mixture of what you'd expect in Caribbean and Central American
Today you can still see remnants of the ball court-a
countries, emanates through the country's largest airport (which
flanked by stone structures-where
grassy field
apparently they played
is approximately the size of the Greyhound Bus Station in San
really intense games of handball and sacrificed the loser. Standing
Francisco). Mayan women sell native crafts and spices alongside
between piles of ruined stone steps with fallen rocks scattered
aggressive bartenders who insist you try their rum punch, while
around them, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to
reggae plays in the background.
imagine all the people who had stood here before, how deep and
ancient the history was, hoping some vague feeling of sacredness
would wash over me. It didn't really work. Birds sang overhead,
We spent our first two nights in the lodge at Indian Creek, a farm-
the sunshine assaulted my pasty skin and beautiful new plants
ing community with a population of about 630 people. The lodge
were growing all over the ancient structures: new life making
has its own landing strip on the property, a several-acre stretch
peace with its ancestors. Lubaantun is still very much alive, just
with new inhabitants.
of meadows and freshwater lagoons owned by Belize Lodge and
Excursions. The company owns four lodges in southern Belize,
(Stephanie and I found ourselves completely fascinated when-
As first-time travelers to the area, we thought it would be a nice,
ever any gory topic arose), we continued on our journey through
relatively simple way to get a feel for a country that's not especially
more country roads, past a Mennonite community that looked
known for its gay-friendliness-in
just like the ones we'd find in the United States: horses, wagons,
fact, homosexuality is still
officially outlawed.
At the lodge's front door, we were greeted by a woman in
Apparently they'd migrated down from Mexico in the 1950sanother group of unlikely foreigners who found their home in
hotel gimmick, but rather the way many local women dress).
this country. A bit farther down, we passed a cerulean school bus,
She had a tray of fruit punch and moist towels for us. The lobby
which stopped to let out a small pack of bouncing, giggling, uni-
(which was also the bar and dining room) was wood-floored,
formed grade schoolers in front of another thatched-roof house
simple and rustic but elegant, with bright tablecloths. It was also
with chickens gallivanting in the front yard. The kids carried
completely silent and desolate. Our hostess explained, in flawless
modern, American-looking backpacks adorned with American
though heavily accented English, that we were the only guests for
cartoon characters, and ran to meet their mothers, who were
dressed in long traditional Mayan skirts.
With no fellow travelers to drink with and no television,
I curve
white men in long-sleeved dark shirts despite the horrific heat.
traditional Mayan dress (we soon learned this wasn't a kitschy
this week, which was typically"high season:'
30
After drilling Nathaniel with questions about the "sacrifices"
and their trips typically include a few nights at different locales.
be
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Scenes of Belize (clockwise from top): Children near Indian Creek; Caribbean
sunset at Moho Cay; Golden Stream to Jungle Camp; a little shop near Indian Creek;
a thatched-roof house in a Belizean suburb near Indian Creek
Go Chasin Waterfalls
Findingpura vida in Costa Rica. By KelsyChauvin
is Costa Rica's largest, with nearly 350,000 people jamming its
narrow sidewalks and streets. It's also not the most enchanting
metropolis. You'll find a few public markets with decent local
crafts but aggressive vendors, and cluttered shopping districts
where pickpockets thrive. Luckily, there are also several city
parks where you can leisurely recompose. Largely, San Jose is
best for travelers just passing through.
It's OK to arrive in Costa Rica without an itinerary, as we
did-part
of that free-spirited pura vida. But it might help to
at least know what your first stop will be, because San Jose has
artfully spread its bus depots all over town, according to the
bus's destination. We figured we'd start in the rainforest near La
Fortuna, so we picked a hotel in Paseo Colon on the northwest
side of town, close to the depot for that destination.
La Fortuna is about 70 miles northwest of San Jose. The
public bus costs only $3, and quickly proved that you get what
you pay for. This big tour bus takes about five hours to sway
through many narrow roads, making more than two dozen stops
and loading up to standing-room-only. With its faulty A/C and
poor ventilation, this bus was not made for standing.
Rarely do I appreciate the end of a bus ride like I did this
one. But on the bright side, it settled the question of how best to
travel between Costa Rican cities: private buses!
We arrived in La Fortuna like rock stars. Only our scream-
DOLLAS OR
Thecolonis Costa
Rica'sprimarycurrencyandin January
wastradingat 517.93
co/ones
to $1. However,
tourist-geared
establishmentswill posttheir
pricesin andaccept
U.S.dollars,usuallygivingchangein co/ones.
A goodformulafor
mentallyconverting
pricesis to usethe
first digitof the pricein
co/ones
anddoubleit to
getthe dollaramount
(e.g.,a casadois 2,000
co/ones,
or about$4).
You'll see it on everything from billboards and bumper stickers
to T-shirts and surfboards: pura vida. The term is a Costa Rican
chance on one of them and shacked up at Cabinas Jerry for just
catch-all. Literally, it means "pure life;' but to ticos ( the locals) it
$15 a night. We had a private room, but it was bare bones, to say
the least, and the next day we let A/C, a pool and a great free
is the answer to virtually every question.
How ya doing? jPura vida!
breakfast lure us to the $55 a night Hotel San Bosco. It didn't
How was the beach? jPura vida!
hurt either that we had a greater sense of security for ourselves
What's up with Costa Rica? jPura vida!
Behind these two words is an attitude unique to the "rich
and our stuff, cautious (gay) travelers that we were.
it is on the edge of Arenal National Park. In recent decades, the
hurry. Ever.
That is the alluring pace of a country somehow at a remove
accommodate the influx of international tourists flocking to get
from Central America's sometimes turbulent lifestyle. Costa
an eyeful of the Arenal Volcano. Actively leaking 1,000 degree
town's hotel and restaurant populations have mushroomed to
Rica is much more basic, more down-home, and truer to its
Celsius lava since its 1968 eruption, this conic volcano occasion-
Latin nature, a laid-back land of sun, surf and adventure.
ally emerges from its thick cloud cover to reveal blazing streams of
My own trip started with making the tough decision of when
molten rock-truly
an unbelievable sight to see.
to go. The guide books advised that a low-season trip (May to
Arenal's thermal energy also heats the local hot springs. We
November) would likely mean rain and more rain. High season,
asked around in La Fortuna and found a $60 deal that included
meanwhile, would mean throngs of tourists, fully booked hotels
a hike through the rainforest to view the volcano, and ended with
and crowded restaurants. My girlfriend and I decided that a little
a visit to Tabac6n Hot Springs Resort, dinner included (check
out puravidatrips.com).
settled on going in mid-November-right
Icurve
Though somewhat sleepy,La Fortuna is a tourist town because
coast:' It's a warm, relaxed welcome from locals, who are in no
rain wouldn't hurt nearly as much as too many tourists, so we
32
ing fans were ticos hawking their hotels. We decided to take a
at the cusp between
The Costa Rican government is making an effort to preserve
the seasons, not to mention trumping Thanksgiving madness
its rainforests and natural landscapes, and a volcano tour pack-
with beachside piiia coladas.
age is an ecofriendly way to experience the country's fecund for-
Our direct flight from JFK airport got us into San Jose by
ests and diverse wildlife. With the right guide, you're liable to
9 a.m. Tucked into the center of the country, this capital city
see all manner of fauna, like toucans, howler monkeys, lizards,
turkeys and wildcats. Meanwhile, the age-old flora is so rich in
g
oxygen that it serves as "the lungs of the planet;' said our guide.
J
For another view of this rich ecosystem we signed up for a
s
for a zip-line tour over the rainforest's canopy. For $35 each we
y
were harnessed into a pulley system and a team of young-yetseasoned guys sent us gliding along 10 steel cables-the
longest
one stretched more than half a mile. We floated above the trees
from one platform to another, doing our best to absorb the jade
stillness blanketing the earth below.
We capped off the adventure with local beers and casados
(traditional plates of rice, beans, meat and salad) at our favorite
little La Fortuna joint, Soda el Rio. The tab for both of us came
to about $9, with tip.
The bargain prices for a good Costa Rican soda (diner) and
a nice hotel are tough to beat. They're also easy to get used to,
which is why we were reluctant to blow a whopping $29 for a
two-hour trip by private bus (a 10-seat minivan) to our next destination: the beach.
We knew that taking the Pacific coast was the way to go,
since the Caribbean side is known for more volatile weather and
a Rasta lifestyle (not that there's anything wrong with that). Still,
there are a bevy of playas to choose from on the ocean side. It
pays to ask around, because instead
of heading to Tamarindo-a
known tourist trap-we
well-
zeroed in
on Playa Samara.
It's painful to divulge how idyllic, affordable and genuine Samara
is, because it's already on the brink
of a tourist explosion. But on that
first morning, after a breakfast of
huevosfritos, bread and fresh local
pineapple, watermelon and papaya, as we laid our towels on the
<e sand, stared out at the ocean and listened to the rustling of the
5
palm trees, there was no place else I wanted to be for the rest of
~
~
the trip.
z
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That we had just emerged from a rainy few days in the moune:.
<(
tains
only intensified my adoration of this little town. Our hotel,
0
z
a: the Belvedere, cost $45 a night but was priceless for its location
LU
0
z
on a hill overlooking the ocean and our quiet, clean room with
~
~
its own veranda.
~
Every night, we discovered a new soda and ate local seafood
and gallo pinto ( traditional beans and rice), or found a beach bar
for a colada and some Marley in the evening breeze. It wasn't
difficult to wake up early, knowing that our days would be spent
swimming and boogie boarding, reading and just gazing. It was
80 degrees with blue skies. We were welcomed everywhere in our
sw;_msuits,shorts and sandals. What more could anyone want:>
It was pura vida. ■
Permacultureat PuntaMona
Ben,a shirtlessAussiewithdreadlocks,
a
beardanda nimbusof earthybodyodor,
wasa fittingambassador
to the Punta
MonaCenterfor Sustainable
Livingand
Education.
OnthesouthCaribbean
coastof
CostaRica,thistropicalhamletis nestled
againsta white-sandbeach,swaddled
in lushgreeneryandtuckedsafelyaway
fromthetraditionalresorts.It is accessible
by boator a four-mileguidedhikefrom
Manzanilla.
Visitorsaregreetedwitha
hand-painted
welcomesign:"Bienvenidos
a PuntaMona."
Withlittlemorethana "G'day,"Ben,an
intern,ledmeandmycompanions
on an
interactive
tourof the gardens.
Wetasted
twotypesof hibiscus,onewith purple
leavesandtheotherwith hints
of orange.Werubbedcinnamon
leavesandbladesof lemongrass
betweenourfingersandinhaled
the pungentcitrusandspice.Ben
pointedoutgalanga,
shellginger,
torchginger,treebasil,tomatoes,
passionfruit andwatermelon,
just
a few of the morethan180kinds
of fruitsandvegetables
grownon
the property.Mostof the 100-acre
organicfarmis untouched
primaryand
secondary
forest.
PuntaMonais a workingmodelillustratingthe conceptsof a permaculture
community(shortfor permanent
cultureand
permanent
agriculture).
Itsdesignsystem
mimicsthe naturalsystemsof the environmentandfostersecological
sustainability.
Nitrogen-fixing
plantsarestrategically
arranged
to rejuvenate
thesoil.Rainwater
is collectedin a catchment
systemand
slowlypurifiedthroughsandfiltration.Solar
poweris usedfor lights,hotshowersand
satelliteInternet.Egg-laying
chickensroam
freelyaroundthe property.Eventhetoilets
feeda biomassconverter
that produces
gasto fuelthe kitchen.Thisprocesslends
itselfto a neweuphemism
for goingto the
bathroom:
makingmethane.
Allthe buildingsat PuntaMonaare
constructed
fromthewoodof fallentrees,
includingkasha,pinonandmahogany.
The
mainhouseis a three-storystructurewith
a dininghallandtwotiersof bunk-style
sleepingaccommodations.
Themiddletier
boastsa readingporchwithseveralhammocksthatofferviewsof theoceanglinting
in thesun.
Acrossfromthe mainhouseis an
open-airkitchenwherethreemealsa day
are prepared.(Theyare includedin the
$40 a nightcost.)Freshcoffee,gingertea,
bananaandstarfruit pancakes,
lentils
with beansandrice,boiledchaya(a green
alsoknownas "treespinach,"whichis
toxicif eatenraw),anda fish soupmight
beserved.Duringmystay,a localfishermancaughta nursesharkandI foundmyself eatinggrilledsharksteakandshark
cevichefor dinner.
Tosignalmealtimes,a volunteer
trumpetsa conchshell(above),emitting
a bellowthat callsinterns,permanent
residents,neighborsandshort-term
visitors-an eclecticblendof youngand
oldfromvariouscornersof the world-to
gatherin the dininghall.Overthe course
of threedays,I atewith teachersfromthe
capitalcity of SanJose,collegestudents,
a fire twirler,a grandmother,
a permaculture pilgrim,a nomad,a vacationerand
a marriedcouplewhomakePuntaMona
their permanenthome.
Duringthe days,I lazedaround,walked
onthesecludedbeach,skinny-dipped
and
triedto spottheshriekinghowlermonkeys
(left)in thejungle.Kayaking,
snorkeling
andtakingrejuvenating
mudbathsin the
riverareotheroptions.Buttheactivities
arenotthe mainattractionat PuntaMona.
Visitorscomefor the rareopportunity
to
learnabout,andbea partof, a successful
ecologically
sustainable
community.
- NinaKrieger
September 2008
I33
Fallin for Africa
A nine-monthoverlandtripthroughsixcountriesin southern
and centralAfrica.By CoreyCrossfield
My hands were sweating profusely and my knees were shaking as
I leaned over the edge of the cement beam. My hands clutching
the railing were the only things between me and a 300-foot drop.
and tried to take in the whole experience. A nine-month trek in
"Now, you have to remember to pull the chute, after you
Africa was coming to a close and BASE jumping Victoria Falls
count to 10," my BASE jumping instructor, Nico, said to me
in his thick French accent. "This is the highest waterfall in the
was the perfect send-off.
In March of 2007, I was in Los Angeles waiting for school to
world, so be careful. Remember, count to 10 and then pull:'
start when I got a call from my best friend, Lena, with whom I
Warily, I smiled at him and looked back over the edge of the
34
I curve
piness. Jumping up and down to calm my nerves after the rush of
adrenaline, I waded to the side of the waterfall to wait for a boat
had previously traveled through Europe.
cement beam. Below me I saw jagged rocks and rushing white-
"How do you feel about going with me to Africa?" Lena ex-
water. "On the count of three;' Nico said as he began the countdown, "One.Two. Three:'
citedly shrieked over the phone. "We'll spend nine months overlanding through six countries:'
Screaming like a little girl, I jumped off the Victoria Falls
Just hearing the word 'J\frica;' I began thinking about
Bridge and flung myself through the air, arms flailing behind
a way I could fit this trip into my schedule. Two weeks later,
me. The wind was rushing past my body as I fell, counted to 10
I was en route to Luanda, Angola, the first stop on our trek
and then pulled. The parachute came out quickly and safely. My
through Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and
hands stopped shaking when the chute began gliding through
the air. Coming to a stop in the shallow water of the Zambezi
Mozambique. After my plane landed at the Luanda Airport, I
River, I unhooked the chute and turned around. From the
Overlanding meant we would be renting a Jeep, hiring a guide
bridge, my traveling companion, Lena, started shouting in hap-
and backpacking through the countryside with a small group. I
met Lena at a local Internet cafe. She explained our itinerary.
Exclusive
Safaris
for
theLGBT
Adventurer!
,n
Is
;o
r-
Nowhook.Jn_J
r,
couldn't wait to get on the road again and quickly
became our homes, and everyone in our group
k
d
I
bid Lena goodbye, so I could check into my hotel
was responsible for doing chores like cooking and
for the night.
packing up our gear when we departed. The last
f·
starting point of the trek. We showed up at the
The next day, around sunrise, we left for the
w
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two months of the trip we spent in Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
campsite and put our backpacks into the Jeep. Our
In Zimbabwe, I got to try whitewater rafting
guide was Nico, who would later coax us off the
for the first time. Throughout our trip we could
edge of the Victoria Falls Bridge. He was a French
choose our daily activities. Normally, the choice
expatriate who lived in Angola. There were only
was between visiting a local tribe or doing an
two other people in our group, a middle-aged
adrenaline-fueled sport. At the Batoka Gorge we
couple from England who were taking a year off
were coached on whitewater rafting. After a few
to travel the world. Once they arrived we were off
hours of lessons, I was ready to try it.
to Kissama National Park, a wildlife preserve 45
The water was running very fast through deep
miles south of Luanda. Buffalo, roan antelope,
river pockets. I got in a yellow raft with my life
eland, bushbuck and elephants greeted us as we
vest fastened tightly around my body. There were
walked through the park entrance. We rode bikes
eight of us in the boat and we all shoved off at
around the park and got to take pictures of the
the same time. Waves were crashing around us as
wildlife. Then we took off for our campsite.
we navigated through the water and jagged rocks.
Over the next few weeks, we saw much of
momentum of the surging water. After the raft
en ing episodes of the first few months was getting
was pulled to a stop, I got out determined to try
0
0..
0..
Q.
~
g
stuck in the sand dunes in Botswana. All of us
piled out of the Jeep and caught sight of the front
We spent the last four weeks of our trip in
Zambia, in national parks with amazing wildlife.
exhausted from a bike ride we had done in a wild-
I got to track a rhino in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National
life preserve and just wanted to sit in the car and
Park and saw a leopard during a night ride. On
nap. Nico, Lena and I found a piece of wood and
our very last day in Zambia, we were given the op-
0
spent the next two hours covered in mud, trying
tion of BASE jumping at Victoria Falls National
(/)
to get the tire out of the sand. When we were safe
Park to end our adventure in Africa.
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from the sand dunes, we were off to the Caprivi
Strip in Namibia.
spending almost every day and night together the
thought of going a day without seeing her made
Three weeks passed by very fast. In Botswana,
me miserable. I was smitten. Luckily, Lena felt the
a:
we got to see wildlife preserves, native villages
same. In the end, I had gone to Africa for adven-
z<(
and many different kinds of animals. Our tents
ture and left with a girlfriend. ■
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0
Email us and make your dreams come
true: info@wildrainbowsafaris.com
TI1e trip ended far too quickly and the hard-
During the drive through the beautiful Caprivi
I
Ourteamis readyto create
yourtr" of a lifetime!
est goodbye was not to Africa but to Lena. After
Strip, we saw cheetahs running in the distance.
LL
,<(
Wikf1?/,inhow
;tlfricantl{aris
all the harrowing activities on our itinerary.
driver's-side tire caught deep in the sand. I was
er:
Experiencethe magic and adventure
waiting for you on the most exotic
and wondrous continent on earth.
With our passion and personalguidance,
youwill find the bestgameviewing, luxury
lodges, unique excursions,and new
friends. We provide all our guests with
the opportunityto travel with like-minded
people,caring hosts,and the best guides
on the continent.
The raft almost tipped over at one point from the
Angola and Namibia. One of the most entertain-
I-
2.008/2.009
September 2008
I 35
Afr'cathe Hard Wa
Goingback intothe closetspoilsvolunteering.
By AlisonWalkley
fight to get more states to legalize civil unions and gay marriage, I felt like I was taking a gigantic step backward. Entering
this foreign territory forced me back into a silence I had broken not too long before, coming out to my family, my friends
and, most importantly, myself.
As a vocal, opinionated, liberal, queer American, going back
into the closet was akin to mental suicide. The irony of the
situation struck me every time I walked out of my mud-coated
hut. It just so happens that same sex friendships are esteemed
in this part of the world, to the point that men hold hands
walking down the road or through the village, just as women
do. Heck, President George W. Bush has even been photographed walking hand-in-hand
with Saudi Prince Abdullah.
But, God forbid that friendship represents a deeper love.
As I learned the Malawian language of Chichewa, I found a
ready-made disguise for myself in the term "chibwenzi;' which
is used to refer to either a boyfriend or a girlfriend. At first I
was relieved I could talk about my girlfriend without revealing
I was gay. Unfortunately, pronouns were still an issue, causing
added stress in an already stressful situation.
Even though I was a privileged, white American who could
cross some cultural boundaries without a problem, the grave
consequences that Malawian homosexuals faced more often
than not shut me up about my own personal life. In a sociLast summer, I experienced life in
ety where everyone knows everyone else's business, this was no
the United States Peace Corps just
small feat. I was constantly aching inside from lying about the
person I loved.
a week after graduating from college.
The writer with
her immediate
homestay family
My passionate activist self was giddy over
I lasted only three months of my initial two-year commit-
the prospect of finally fulfilling a dream: traveling to Africa to
ment, for a variety of reasons, including feeling extreme isolation
help its impoverished people. The distance did not faze me, nor
and concern for my own safety. I became enveloped in misery,
did the prospect of living in dirt-poor conditions for two years.
in between experiencing the moments of wonder and mind-
The only problem I foresaw was leaving my girlfriend behind.
On the first day of our training, I came out to the 20 oth-
expansion that being in a Third World country can provide.
er volunteers I was traveling with by expressing a fear: I was
the woman I left behind and being unable to discuss either
scared I would be the only LGBT person in the Peace Corps.
subject with anyone. After 12 weeks, I knew I would lose
After explaining what LGBT meant to a group of people I had
myself entirely if I stayed on. So, after attempting to negotiate
wrongly assumed would be "in the know" on such matters, I
a different site and failing to procure one, I was on a plane back
to the States.
realized that my fear was well-founded-I
was the only out
volunteer in our group. This soon became a source of discomfort when we reached Malawi, the sub-Saharan
African
country where we were assigned as health volunteers.
I curve
Refusing to live life with regrets, I look ahead now, promising to heed the knowledge that my time in Africa has given
me. I have realized that no matter how good and strong our
In Malawi, as in most of the continent, and in Third World
intentions are, if we cannot be true to ourselves, nothing is
countries in general, homosexuality is punishable by lashings,
worth it. It is in all of our best interests to reach out and help
imprisonment and even death. Villagers suspected of or caught
those less fortunate than we are, but not if it means putting
in homosexual activities are shunned. They become victims of
ourselves in emotional distress. I am now speaking out louder
violence and, if they are arrested, more often than not die in
than ever on behalf of the rights of all persons, specifically
prison, murdered by other prisoners for their so-called sins.
LGBT, knowing how many people are incapable of speaking
Coming from the United States, where I'd been the president
out for themselves, in Africa, the Middle East and, to be certain, right in our own backyards. ■
of my college's Gay-Straight Alliance and a participant in the
36
At the core of my pain was hiding my sexuality, being without
GeocacheGlobe
Cheap thrills,hightech and GirlScout
skillson vacation.By GillianKendall
and buildings in my own town that I'd never noticed before.
Following a series of clues in "multipart" cache, I learned that the
local yoga center-a
Quonset hut-like concrete structure-was
designed by a famous architect and is heritage-listed.
Geocaching is good on vacation, too, anywhere in the world.
Going to Alaska? More than 2,300 caches are hidden around
that state. Arizona offers at least 8,000. They're more sparse
overseas, but Thailand has over 200 caches, the Bahamas some
55-and
those numbers are growing all the time.
The rules require that members maintain their caches after
hiding them, so anywhere you go, caches are hidden by locals.
Residents tend to choose spots for their local history or natural
beauty. Because caches have to be kept out of the way of noncachers (called "muggles"), the hiding places are usually nontouristy and quiet.
The friend who turned me on to geocaching has this bumper
Before a recent layover in Oahu, I randomly chose three
sticker on her Jeep: "My hobby is finding cheap junk in the
caches out of the 40 or so in Waikiki. By chance, it turned out
woods; what's yours?"
that one of the caches was on the same block as my hotel, the
Part treasure hunt, part global hide-and-seek, as addictive as
Outrigger Regency. To find it, I had to read historical markers in
crack but way less expensive, geocaching is something you can
the park, and I learned some local lore I'd otherwise have missed.
do with all your surplus time and energy. Warning: After three
Once I had found the cache and read its logs online, I felt more
finds, you're hooked.
at home-
How it works: People all over the world hide containers in
public spaces. The hidden caches range from a few millimeters
cachers in the area.
to a few feet wide, and they can contain anything (except food,
A subgenre in geocaching are geocoins, trackable items that
which would be eaten by animals). Film canisters are often used
move from cache to cache. Geocoins usually have specific geo-
as containers, as are Tupperware and ammo boxes. Most caches
graphic goals, such as to be moved around the perimeter of the
contain a log and a pen, so finders can record their names, and
United States, or to visit six countries in six months. I picked up
many caches also have small trinkets (inexpensive toys, electron-
one in southern Australia with a note attached saying it wanted
ics or tools) as prizes, or "swaps:'
cc
I could actually see the cache from my lanai. If I'd
stayed longer, I could have arranged to meet the hider or other
to "go home" to Germany. I helped by taking it to upstate New
The person who hides the cache records it on a site like
Jersey, where I left it in a charming cemetery in the middl ~ of no-
geocaching.com. Players log in to get info on caches in the area
where. Since then, the coin has made it to North Carolina, near a
<t:
until they find (or give up on finding) the cache. Anyone with
military base that has frequent flights to overseas army bases, so
no doubt the coin will reach home soon.
z
w
access to a GPS can hide or seek caches anywhere on earth. It's
z
moderate outdoor exercise and good fun, and it costs nothing.
0
I0
~
t::. where they want to hunt, then follow the clues and coordinates
....J
....J
0
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:::J
The average geocacher is probably male,
straight and in his mid-40s, but there are
plenty of women cachers too, and, given the
a
....J
So what's so cool about finding out where something is and
~
<t:
going to get it? The addiction lies in the hunt: In the last 50
high-tech-outdoor
feet or so, when your GPS's range of accuracy gets vague, the
more than one in 10 is gay. Virtually every
thrill kicks in. I've spent as much as three hours, over a period of
city in the United States has caching groups;
6
w
~
f:=
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element, I'd guess that
weeks, scrambling in the muck under a wooden bridge, frustrat-
many have gatherings where you can meet
all a:
0
ed by perfectly clear clues. After that much effort, discovering a
other cachers (for example, see "Hobbies
a
metal box marked "geocache" feels like cresting Mount Everest.
and
(It was exactly where the hider had said it would be, but cleverly
Maybe you'll even stumble onto new dyke
ii
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a ~
t
ll
C
ll
all
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a
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cx
)
a
camouflaged and attached to the underside of the bridge.)
Through geocaching I've gotten to know parks, artworks
Interests"
friends-it's
on
butch-femme.com).
amazing what you can find
looking for Tupperware in the woods. ■
Two W eelsto Ti'uana
One girl'sborder-to-border,
three-countrybiketrip. By Nina Krieger
I liked the idea of it: bordeHo-border,
Vancouver to Tijuana, by
first week of exercise, I suggested a stopover in Seattle to watch
bicycle. I ignored the details: the 1,847-mile route and the fact
a campy lesbian soccer tournament, the Festival of the Babes.
that I'd never pedaled more than 25 miles in a day. The recom-
Being afraid of saddle sores, and being physically unfit, I focused
on the prize-attractive, half-naked women.
mended training for self-supported bicycle touring consists of
doing at least three rides a week, gradually increasing the dis-
Fully loaded, my bicycle weighed an extra 45 pounds, with
tances, for two months. It can also include weighing down the
a tent, ground pad, and sleeping bag strapped to the rear rack,
bike with textbooks to simulate the load you'll carry.
and it drove more like a Cadillac than a Porsche. On the first
Instead of training, I immersed myself in researching and
day, with my hands clenched as I crossed Greater Vancouver's
buying gear: a new Bianchi Volpe, clipless pedals and shoes, an
imposing Pattullo Bridge, I realized the gravity of our under-
expensive seat, an odometer, two pairs of spandex bicycle shorts,
taking: We would cover every inch of land, every bridge, every
obstacle on our route.
gloves and sunglasses. Other than a few articles of clothing, a
journal and a book, I carried little else in my panniers, the saddle
38
I curve
But moving at speeds closer to walking than driving, we also
bags attached to racks on the front and rear wheels. Some travel-
had the opportunity to absorb our surroundings-the
ers, especially those riding mountain and racing bikes, choose to
inlets of Puget Sound, the lush greenery of late summer, the
pull their gear in a trailer.
Despite their touring experience, none of my three com-
apples hanging from branches. To the whirring sound of spin-
panions had trained either, so we set off from Vancouver at a
trees, where shadows of leaves danced on the pavement. Always
leisurely pace to ride ourselves into shape. As a reward for our
hungry, we snacked on protein bars, high-calorie trail mix and
placid
ning tires, we pedaled over rolling hills and through tunnels of
all the blackberries we could pick.
Five maps
from
the
Adventure
of the United States, a man riding to raise funds to
Cycling
are not uncommon; all you need is a journey, a
izing in self supported tours, laid out our Pacific
cause, a sign for your bike and a fundraising web
Coast course. The maps function like a Dummy's
page (available at firstgiving.com).
Guide to Route Planning, including turn-by-turn
In Northern California, we entered the Avenue
directions, mileage markers, elevation maps and
of the Giants, a 32-mile stretch of old Highway
a legend showing campgrounds, motels, hostels,
101 running through Humboldt Redwoods State
Park. Cruising underneath a canopy of the world's
bike shops, restaurants and grocery stores. Some
state transportation
departments will send bicy-
tallest trees, some 200 feet high and 15 feet wide,
cle-friendly maps to those who inquire, and some
my companions and I looked like dollhouse toys.
cyclists use maps designed for car travel, but with a
We rode alongside the ferns, huckleberry and
network of 37,210 miles, Adventure Cycling is the
poison oak that make up the understory of the
best bike-touring resource I know of.
old-growth forest, touched by the majesty of the
After the stop in Seattle, our average miles per
ancient redwoods.
day increased from the mid-20s to the mid-30s.
My three companions ended their journey in
My morning soreness abated faster with every new
San Francisco, where Josie, a hard-core cycling
day as my seat molded to my body and my body
molded to my bike. In southern Washington, we
friend, joined me. Outside a supermarket near the
passed through small towns with coffee shops
two-wheeled traveler. Tom, the bicycling comedian,
offering senior citizen discounts and roast beef
started touring in 1987 and has covered 140,000
specials. Rain chased us along the Columbia River,
miles. He has biked to every state, even pedaling
through territory charted by Lewis and Clark, to
a stationary bike to Hawaii via cruise ship. He
curving beach of Half Moon Bay, we met a fellow
the mangrove trees and salty air of the sea. We
makes his living by riding his bike to venues where
reached the milestone of the Pacific Ocean and
he performs his stand-up comedy and shows slides
of outlandish street signs.
turned left.
The elevation map of Oregon has spikes indi-
r
fight lymphoma. Individual rides for philanthropy
Association, a bicycle travel organization special-
Keeping in mind that every mile traveled off-
cating climbs of 200 to 1,000 feet for nearly 400
route is a two-mile detour, Josie and I stopped
miles. For entire mornings, our speedometers hov-
at the most convenient gay venue, the nautically
ered under five miles per hour, our thigh muscles
themed Friendship Bar (now the Hideout)
strengthening as we taught our bodies to climb.
Pedaling in the lowest gear, the "granny gear;• was
Santa Monica. By then, I'd discovered that the key
physical work, but the real challenge was mental.
in the mirror, and there were no other women at
in
to feeling comfortable in spandex is to never look
Sitting all day, my thoughts were constant, the
the bar to pass judgement on my fluorescent yellow
h
mind-chatter all about getting to the next hill or
jersey that cold Wednesday afternoon. Continuing
s.
bend, until eventually the never-ending nature of
d
the road lulled me into the present.
on the 22-mile South Bay Bicycle Trail, we passed
the workout area of Venice's Muscle Beach, the
The coast of Oregon is rugged and lined with
glass shorefront houses of Manhattan Beach and
sea stacks, huge chunks of land sculpted by ero-
the miles of volleyball nets staked into the sands of
c,
sion. Sand dunes, mounds of sand that drift like
Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
,t
glaciers, stretch down from the north. Recreational
The signs for Mexico appeared near San Diego,
rs
ATVs are popular for exploring the dunes, and we
after I'd had nearly 200 hours of saddle time to envi-
often heard them buzzing in the distance while
sion crossing the border. I imagined ripping off my
f
we camped in state parks. At night, we left our
jersey and launching my fist into the air, or falling to
bikes leaning against the picnic table by our tents.
my knees and letting a handful of dirt stream through
0
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f
:,:
my fingers. But the drama of a grand finale was lost
concerns were eating, sleeping and pedaling.
somewhere along a trail of triumphant moments:
To recharge, we stayed in hostels and motels,
changing a tire in the rain, climbing a seemingly
C
but it was at the campground hiker-biker sites that
insurmountable hill, reaching the 1,000-mile mark-
ii
u;
we met other bike travelers: a husband and wife
er. Surrounded by border congestion, I methodically
<!
who took turns pulling their toddler in a trailer, a
removed the panniers, and, using my undeveloped
-;
Texan who had a route touching the four corners
arms, struggled to hoist my bike over my head. ■
~
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(I
~
Everything we needed was there with us; our only
Guesthouse
ce.
ResortAmenities.
www.pearlsrainbow.com
1.800.749.6696
• 525 UnitedStreet
KeyWest,Florido33040
September 2008
I 39
Passionin Panama
Findinghorses,rainforests
and a three-legged
dog.ByAlisonPeters
an option we hadn't previously considered. The route across the
country was via the Pan,American Highway, Guinness' longest
"motorable road;' stretching from Alaska to Argentina. Our ad,
venture began as we crossed the Bridge of the Americas and set
out on the roughly six,hour drive to David.
We left the coast behind to climb our first mountain pass
just as it began to get dark. I've seen many a dazzling night sky
in my lifetime, where city lights become a distant memory; but
I have never been so close to the stars as I was driving across
that mountain. The sky was glowing, and the sparse landscape
around us was clearly visible. I stuck my head out the window
for a better look and drank in gulps of fresh cold air.
Along the road, with bright, flashing trucks barreling down
on us and machete,wielding fieldworkers suddenly popping out
of the darkness on the lip of the road, we got confused and lost,
finally settling into the first available hotel in the bustling, friend,
ly city of David. It was Friday night, a holiday, and the squares
were packed with people. We did the only thing we couldenjoyed a delicious meal, strolled the streets and stepped inside
an Internet cafe to write home. The next day, we started out
early and promptly drove up the wrong side ofVolcan Baru, the
mountain home of our rainforest getaway. This detour proved
magical: We ended up with a lovely driving tour of Boquette,
a picturesque retirement community where nearly every house
was adorned in a riot of live blooms.
When we finally found it, Los Quetzales, the quiet inn
named for the gorgeous bird we never glimpsed, was exactly
what we needed. We rode on horseback into the forest and
indulged in one of the best spa services I've ever experienced:
hours long, with a steamy eucalyptus,scented sauna. The ten,
sion eased out of my body to the music of a small but vocal river;
pink hibiscus smiled as the sun shone on the last day of the year.
Teri (my girlfriend,partner,whatever)
and I decided to visit
reveled outside at midnight, amid locals shooting off fireworks
tours: We wanted to explore Central America and the thought
and a three,legged dog howling at the moon.
of the canal (history), rainforest retreats and island hideaways
of islands-some
via the regional airline Aeroplas from Panama City to David, a
big enough to support one house perched precariously on a
with small cities and an airport, others only
rainforest base camp in the lowlands of western Panama, and
rocky cliff-where
from there go to the Bocas Del Toro, remote, sparsely populated
islands in the blue Caribbean Sea. The one thing we didn't fac,
guy in a dug,out boat, with a flashlight to steer by when the sun
getting around requires a water taxi, (i.e., a
goes down). Staying in small hotels on the water, we fell asleep to
tor in was attempting to buy plane tickets two days before New
swells rushing across the sand, took a slippery mudslide through
Year's. Aeroplas was booked solid.
dense forest to be rewarded with a pristine, virtually empty half,
Storm clouds gathered in our hotel room. Phase II of our
Icurve
The next day we set off for Bocas del Toro, a laid,back group
(bliss) sealed the deal. Our plan was to hop across the country
journey included a night in a treehouse perched high above a
40
After a scrumptious dinner in the inn's cozy dining room, we
Panama after hearing one too many friends describe their eco,
shell beach and considered selling everything we owned to stay
there forever.
cloud forest, and there was no way we were missing that. Then
But home beckoned. After a few days in paradise, we re,
the wonderful concierge at our hotel pointed us in the direc,
luctantly retrieved Yari and sped back toward Panama City, the
tion of Thrifty and hailed us a cab. Minutes later we drove off
Bocas watching from a safe distance and the looming mountains
in a rented Toyota Yaris (Yari, we affectionately nicknamed her),
gaping ahead. Barreling down the empty road, I casually men,
:::c
0
~
c§
0
UJ
Cl)
Cl)
5
_j
tioned to Teri that the pesky sign we were pretty
sure translated to "slow down" was recurring more
friend explained. "It'll probably be at least another
and more frequently. She ignored me and turned
hour, maybe more:• Glancing at the officer, she
the music up louder. Then I noticed something
smiled reassuringly. "Just give him some money
suspicious-what
when the road opens and I'm sure he'll let you go.
Don't worry:'
looked like a long tree branch
spanning the road. "It's string," I screamed. "Stop!"
to close the road to clean up a mudslide," my new
Teri's foot hit the brake. Yari shuddered and slid
The hours dragged on. Finally, the officer am-
to a screeching halt. When the smoke cleared, we
looked up to see that there was, in fact, an unas-
bled away from his motorcycle and began clearing
the stringy barricade. The path was clear, and he
suming bit of string stretched across the road.
motioned for the other cars to pass us and con-
One side was tied to a stop sign and the other to
tinue on. When the very last car in the long line
the handlebar of a police motorcycle, the officer
had snaked by, and the road was once again empty
sitting calmly in wait. I began to panic.
The officer strolled over to the driver's side.
but for us and the officer, he walked over to the car,
Teri relinquished Yari's papers and her own. He
his palm open, face up. Teri handed over the hush
looked around once or twice and bent down with
studied them for a while and then walked back
money; the young officer finally cracked a smile;
over to the motorcycle and started talking into
we exhaled and drove away. This time we kept to
his walkie-talkie. Meanwhile, the road was filling
a modest pace, tracing our route back past sympa-
with cars and a kind young woman took pity on
thetic David and through the mountains of stars.
us-me
We and rolled into Panama City with just enough
glowering from the car, scribbling into my
notebook, and Teri taking it all in stride, snapping
time to find a room, sleep for three hours, then get
photos of the string, the tire marks in the road
to the airport and fly back home.
and, surreptitiously, the officer himself "They had
It was the best trip of my life. ■
September 2008
I 41
September 2008
I43
•---•
f ••
e-~+-.,:_
bringing sexy
I
__
.......:~--------------------------------
Musician and recording artist LP. and her girlfriend, Calvin Klein
fashion designer Pelagia Kolotouros, make the ultimate New York
lesbian "It" couple: smart, sexy and oh so Manhattan chic. Here, LP.
sports April 77 jeans, a vintage tee and Margiela sneakers. "I always like
l.
to dress as if I may never get back to my apartment again, as though I
could be in these clothes for a few days, because that shit could happen.
I like the clothes to be comfortable, but they still gotta be cool:' But it's
the accessories that make the look, including skull necklaces by Black
Sheep and Prodigal Sons, a cross necklace by Ugo Cacciatori and rings
by Alex Streeter. "And hair cut by me, in my bathroom, in the name of
dykes everywhere:' LP. is in the studio making a record for her label
SoBe Entertainment, which will be out this fall. Besides her new video
for her single "Good With You" and touring, LP. has tons of teen fans
now, too. "I wrote the theme song, 'Wasted; for a really cool show on
the N Network called South of Nowhere,about a cute high school girl
couple:' Girlfriend Pelagia Kolotouros sports a mesh metal scarf from
Ann Demeulemeester, a stylish Gotti necklace, Cheap Monday jeans, a
tailored Balenciaga blazer, a comfy Peter Saville for Slater Bradley shirt
and Jill Sander shoes. "Normally, my style is bit more understated but
when asked to be in a photo one must tap into that inner fashion victim;'
jokes Kolotouros, who didn't take scissors to her own coif but let celeb
stylist Sally Hershberger do the job. Pelagia is currently designing the
fall 2009 line for men before heading to Europe to do design research.
... H•Hlllt--a
---
bringing sexy back ----------------------------------
culture, urban style
and vintage elements
in skyscraper heels,
Don't tell us that lesbians don't follow the
trends. A number of super-sexy style icons
got their groove by watching chicks like us.
So what's on the hot list this year? Sneakers,
apparently: The blogosphere recently reported that Lindsay Lohan is probably a lesbian
beause she ditched her heels for comfortable
kicks. Here are our other oh-so-cool fads.
Diane Anderson-Minshall
AccessorizeThis
TKO Orlagi Watches are the of-the-moment
timepieces, especially the orange Roma
with its giant polycarbonate housing,
silicone rubber straps and stainless
steel bezel. $125, tkowatches.com
Keeping Warm
Though
first popular
during
the
Depression because the golden yarn in the toes
lasted longer, Gold Toe socks are hot again,
especially charcoal gray knee-highs that go both
ways (butch? femme?) and are made with the
Freshtex Antimicrobial System to keep tootsies
odor-free. $7 and up, goldroesocks.com
TrompingAround
You've seen them at festivals
and bars- Keen Footwear are
the shoes that replaced Docs
in the pantheon of must-have
lesbian footwear-which
is
why no dyke gathering is complete without these funky, fun and
extremely comfortable shoes. They're for outdoor adventurers, active lifestyles or anyone who,
like me, just wants to look like she has an active
outdoor life. Hot now: Laguna H2, Maupin and
Zerraport. $50 and up, REI.com
On Your Necks
The Farm Chicks' Vintage Letter Pendant is
just one of the great retro-rural looks from this
funky two-woman jewelry maker. Wear a single
vintage letter or group them. No two are exactly
alike. Best yet, the chains can be easily
cur with household scissors to
your preferred length. $18,
thefarmchicks.com
The Anti-FannyPack
WeHoChic
Too hip for a fanny pack, too butch for a purse?
Try designer Lisa Rodrigues' Celicase, the fabu
little bag that was in the Grammy Award bags this
year. A combo wallet, purse, cell phone holder,
the Turkish leather bag can be
worn five ways-including
on your belt and around
your waist, In traditional
leather and croc styles.
$110, celicase.com
MichelleParadise
has become the perfect lesbian icon with her
new sitcom, Exes and Ohs.Though she
often sports jeans and tees on the show,offstageshe
can bring it WeHo style (see this pie of her
from celeb photog Toky), along with the rest
of West Hollywood's lesbian power elite
(everyone from Shannon Kampa to Ilene
Chaiken to The L Word castmates are
defining lesbian fashion here in bold new
ways). Priceless.
PerteetBaby
Accessories
Face it, with so many of us gayby
booming, we need hip baby togs, too. Enter the
retrostyled rockin' mom onesie,
modelled after an old AC/DC
concert tee. This one reads,
"AB/CD, for those about
to read, we salute you:· $16,
thetrendytadpole.com
Menswearfor Chicks
It wasn't enough that Penelope Cruz kissed
the super-sexy Mia Maestro in a Sapphic
music video or gal-palled around with
Salma Hayek, setting our
hearts aflame. Then she
launched the Penelope
and
Monica
Cruz
Collection with MNG by
MANGO, which is a badass
take on fashion-like this gray
pinstripe and suspender duo. Her
fall 2008 line definitely brings sexy
back. Prices vary, mango.com
SustainableStyle
The perfect art-meets-engineering
Archetype
Laptop
Case is a pure conversation
starter. Made with sustainably
farmed real cork fabric, the weather-resistant bag is sleek and sophisticated and
offers three different shoulder strap options.
Love the cork but don't have a laptop? Try the
inexpensive ($10) cork pouches, which are big
enough for an iPhone or Nintendo DS. $95,
tombihn.com
peep-toe cork platforms
and darling flats. Their autumn
and winter line has the hottest vintage-y back to school for grownups look.
The Fairtytales combines blue suede leopard
print, Mary Jane straps and purple lining, while
the Fusion takes naughty schoolgirl (with its preppy plaid and burnt orange leather) to whole new
heights. $99 and up, poetidicense.us
CrunchyCouture
Remember when vegan shoes were dull beyond
belief 2 Well, now vegan footwear is super-trendy,
especially Earth Shoes, which feature Kalso
Negative Heel technology so your
calves get a workout while you
walk ( and it helps your back,
too). Earth Shoes was one of
the first manufacturers to dedicate 100 percent of its line to the
use of water-based adhesives, and now
uses recycled cardboard shanks and more environmentally friendly materials in its uppers. And
$5 of every purchase is donated to Earthshare. My
fave: the sporty Mary Jane-style Flight in Baltic
blue. $100, zappos.com
PackingVeryLight
Foot Worship
There is no shoemaker some girls
adore more these days than the
British upstart Poetic License,
whose brand launched three
years ago and is now in hipboutiques around
the globe. The
shoes mix
Travel bugs snapped up the very portable Snip
shoes by Nicole because they have built-in clasps
that let you roll them into a ball and toss them into
your suitcase or purse. (One CURVE staffer
carries hers everywhere.) They even
come in boxes that convert to
invented the
Buder Bag. A
classic leather
bag that opens up
to a functional wonderland where everything
stays neatly compartmentalized. The Butler
Hybrid will even fit a small laptop!
$165, butlerbag.com
black patent kitten heels,
aptly named Baphne. $40
and up, madelineshoes.com
Secretof Success
No more stuffy card cases or rubber band messes. The Bedazzled Skull and
Crossbones business card case from
Japanese designer Yumi T
is what celebs like CSI:
SchoolhouseChic
Miami's Eva
LaRue
are
carrying. $45,
bedazzledyumic.com
Some dykettes have ditched purses altogether in favor of the unisexy lowbrow-artsy lunchbox. Hot
now? Dark Horse's Scary Girl (based on the
online comic), Bettie Page, Molly's Escort Service/
Sin City, Devil Girl and Faster Pussycat,
Kill Kill. $13, darkhorse.com
SomethingSexy on Your
Arm
Hell's Belles Finishing School for
Mandy Moore, Lindsay Lohan
and all of Chicago are all about
Maddie Powers swag, in part
Girls makes bags for unreformable
girls and hot femmes (most are one and
the same) with fun materials (think candy apple
red PVC, leopard print). The retro chic headmistress herself poses in the catalog with pinup
queens like Sabina Kelly and Heather Hink
because creator Jay G. took inspiration from Midwestern women ( they're
"clever, funny and sensible") while living in the
(pictured). Try the Pinstriped Clutch or the amazing Hell Kitten Handbag-both
httve leopard velveteen, extra room and oh-so-sexy PVC parts-or
Pulchritudinous
Pulp
Windy City's Lincoln Park area. Hence
the Maddie Powers collection, which
now offers yoga pants, bikinis,
metal wallets and more. We adore
the Cutebug Sheba Laptop
Bag and the Cutebug Laptop
Messenger Bag-both
adorned
with authentic pulp covers from
the '40s and '50s and lucky
seven dice. $80 and up,
mobileedge.com
picture holders with name tags.
Sweet. Nicole isn't making any
more, but you can still find
them online. $50, email.com
LesbosforLesbos
Gladiator shoes are sizzling
even into fall, so snag the lesbofriendly version, the black flat
Adventura from Palladium.
AnythingDahliaWears
Perfectfor Virgos!
She's the singing, dancing, stripteasing queen of elecrrocabaret who also happened to pen
the taboo-busting Seduce
Me for HarperCollins.
Dahlia Schweitzer wears
very little but manages to
always make it look classy,
not trashy, and straight off
the runways. Meow.
Change, lipstick, tampons,
cell phone, puppy diaper (don't
ask), iPod, leash, candy, biz cards,
flyers for local dyke gatherings-these
are the
things that came tumbling out of my bag one
Too Russell Crowe? Try the
Athol,a brown-gray leather Mary
Jane with floral lining. $79 and up,
palladiumshoes.com
day at the score as I fumbled around looking for
my keys (always on the bottom). Apparently it
happened to designer Jen Groover too, because she
Sweet Safari
Can't go abroad? Try on a pair of Madeline'sround toe
zebra print Ansley heels or the Audrey Hepbum-ish
TOKY(PARADISE),
JANETTEVALENTINE
(HELL'S),JACOB ANDERSON-MINSHALL
(BUTLER),KINAWILLIAMS
(ALLOTHERPRODUCTS)
the Back Seat Clutch (with a handy
wrist leash for those nights when
you're too busy to bother with a
bag). $58 and up,
hbnyc.net
can't stop starin
Sex-kitten style, made to measure. B Lauren Marie fleming
all the
Retro style is fabulous, but a girl can spend hours rummaging through bou-
dresses at a ime, doing
tique racks only to find her perfect dress three sizes too small and with a rip up
Staring! sells
the back. Alicia Estrada is changing that for good. With her vintage-inspired,
subcontractors he
high-quality dresses, girls never have to look beyond their computer screens
on celebrities such as
and stopstaringclothing.com
Deschanel, Rebecca De Mo
to find a perfect retro look.
Estrada, the creator of Stop Staring! Designs, and its only designer, began
work hersel£ Now, over 10 years later, Stop
ousands of dresses a month and employs hundreds of labor
in the United States. Estrada's designs have been seen
·s Hilton, Eva Mendez, Trisha Yearwood, Zooey
and Meg White, and have graced rhe pages of
Vogue, Lucky, Style and InTouch.
05, the company was named Minori
sewing at 17. "When you grow up in a family of 10 children;' Estrada says,
Manufacturing
Firm of the Year, an honoroc:st:E)sW.4~.llPon-.ti.1s-t:
"sewing is not an option, rather a necessity:' At the time, Estrada rocked a punk
peers. The mayor of Los Angeles presented the award.
Despite her success, Estrada is as humble as a person can be. She still over-
style that often caused passersbys to gawk.
To contravene the gazes, she inscribed "Stop Staring!" across her shirts,
sees all aspects of the business, designs all the clothing and is the fit model for
shorts and skirts. As Estrada's style changed, so did Stop Staring! cloth-
her size, 14. Her dresses come in a range of sizes ( up to 26 for some dresses,
ing. When punk became mainstream she switched to rockabilly, and when
18 on most) and are reasonably priced and high in quality-attributes
rockabilly became trendy she slipped on 1950s dresses. It was there, in Joan
insists on, so girls don't have to miss out because of the size of their bodies or
Crawford-inspired Hollywood glam, that Estrada found her niche.
their wallets.
In the beginning, Los Angeles boutique buyers laughed at her for
For Estrada, Stop Staring! is about family-many
she
positions in her com-
re-creating old styles. But everywhere she went people stopped her to ask
pany are held by family members-and
giving something to the world, rather
where they could buy her fabulous outfits. Inspired by these positive respons-
than getting something from it. ''An ice cream cone puts a smile on my face,"
es on the street, Estrada used her rent money to buy materials and took her
Estrada says. "It's not about money:'
designs to the Hootenanny, a concert festival that embraced rockabilly, punk
Most importantly, Estrada would like to be seen as an example of how
music and anything retro. Her gamble paid off, and before the festival ended
people can follow their dreams, no matter what their background. "What we
she had sold every last article of clothing.
Soon Estrada was able to quit her waitressing job and go to work as a
see as the worst part about us-for
0
<l'.
-,
designer full-time. During the first few years, she made and sold dozens of
we should embrace, and is ultimately what makes us us:' ■
(/)
w
2
...J
0
I
z
(/)
me, not having money growing up-is
often our greatest advantage;' she says. "What we hate about ourselves is what
September 2008
I 49
The Fat Fancy Crew (from left):
Mel Heywood, Carlee Smith and
Annie Maribona
come together:' The store will eventually have a lounge area with body-positive
and fat, queer activist books and 'zines. "When there is a place to sell and
distribute, more voices can find a way to be heard;' Malkin says. "I want to
disseminate the point of view that fat is beautiful, not bad. And if others want
to organize and curate events, art exhibits, crafting and other DIY projects, I
welcome their input:'
Like Kacenjar's business, Fat Fancy is a size- and body-positive clothing ven,ture in Portland, Ore. While looking for retail space, the three fat queer women
who run Fat Fancy-Carlee
Smith, Mel Heywood and Annie Maribona-have
monthly sales of plus-size vintage and modern clothing in a basement rented
from friends. Maribona says their plan is to have a workshop area for altering
clothing, to carry local designers' handmade plus-size clothing, sell accessories
and advocate for size-positive, queer-positive goals through workshops, sponsorships and other community activities.
Maribona says, "We sell men's and women's vintage and modern plus-size
clothing. We carry shoes that are wide, or as big as possible. We also carry accessories, belts and bags, and we are working on amassing a designer section
epoch style
with handmade and altered pieces. We want to make it easier for fat people
to find cute, affordable clothing in their size. When people are wearing clothes
Fat chicks rock the world of style.
By Stephanie Schroeder
they feel good in, they are more empowered as human beings. We want hotter, empowered fat people walking around feeling good about themselves and
changing the world:'
A signature Fat Fancy piece might be a little wild and crazy, something
sequined or in gold lame, or something with a crazy print or pattern.
Plus-size vintage is the hottest new trend in fashion. An underserved mar-
"Since some plus-size items may be frumpy, Fat Fancy is all about rocking
ket for a long time, fat dykes are clamoring for sensational, unusual vintage
crazy items and reclaiming them and being really fashion-forward. To some
clothes. The fierce fat-positive movement to dress lesbians in beautiful and
people, fat and fashionable is an oxymoron. We want co obliterate chat;' states
Mari bona.
comfortable clothing is growing. Deb Malkin, whose store in Brooklyn,
N.Y., Re/Dress, is her dream come true, says, "It started with me and my fat
All these women are rethinking the myth and methodology of clothing
friends complaining there was no thrift-vintage wear in larger sizes. That and
fat women. "We want to increase the visibility of not just plus-size designers,
NOLOSE's
Fat Girl Flea, which I founded and organized for several years,
but also large women in the media, so stylists know where to go. I mean, who
showed me that there was indeed a market, and also there was no end to the
dresses Beth Ditto?" queries Malkin."We want Re/Dress to become a resource
to the film, magazine and TV industries, too:' ■
amount of good reusable clothing:'
Malkin is on a mission to get unwanted clothes out of fat women's closets."If
clothes don't fit, they are out of season or not your style,we want them and they will
be loved and cared for. We want to liberate closets to replenish clothing stock:'
Rachel Kacenjar is a fundraiser
at Community
Shares in Cleveland,
. Kacenjar alters and sells vintage clothing in plus sizes. She buys
rift stores and repurposes
the items to look frilly and fancy,
d outrageous. She also includes shirts and pants that are deconot as frou-frou, for butch women and transpeople:'
cakeandcuddlebunny.com,
Selling
Kacenjar has about 100 different
which are unique because she mends and sews the clothes
ch also keeps the prices low. "It's kind of nonprofit clothing,"
ar. Her price point is $8-$80 for each since she adds only $12
e is an underlying political message in my clothing philosophy;' says
~ar. "It's about expressing the way you feel politically, through what you
ear, how you adorn your body. My agenda with my clothing is that I want to
look fabulous-outrageous,
out there-in
my size 18 body, with my clothes
hugging my fat rolls and feeling sexy and free:' In fact, emphasizes Kacenjar,
"It's not only about feeling OK but feeling fucking fabulous and using clothing
as a vehicle to express many different things:'
Malkin, too, advocates using clothing-and
her storefront-as
for fat queer politics. "We will be community-centered,
50
I curve
a vehicle
a space for people to
not just playing dress up
Former piercer turns to corsets. By Dana Kaye Litoff
From San Francisco to Santa Monica, student costume designer Michaela Grey
"When I'm preparing for an event, I sleep in
has wowed the California coast with her cinched waists, elegant hats and intri-
and lace it a half inch tighter every night;' Grey says.'
training corset every night
ually within two weeks
cately crafted costumes. She ties herself into her signature, 19th-century-style
corsets on a regular basis. She's used them to be a mermaid at a birthday party,
ei hr to
hours with ease:'
a silver space babe at the Folsom Street Fair and an 18th-century courtesan
After receiving photos from Grey's wedding, Staylace.com, a corsetry web-
at the National Femme Conference, and all this
site, asked her to model for them, setting off a chain of events that led her to
before she has finished her formal training.
costuming.
Grey says that many of her past jobs, some
"I went home with four or five gorgeous custom corsets and nothing to
of which were in the film and music industries,
wear with them;' says Grey. "At first, I was just trying to find or make things to
pushed her toward her work in design. Even her
go with the corsets I had, but once I saw the possibilities, I started designing the
first job in her childhood home of Salem, Mass.,
ensemble and then asking them to make the corset to go with my outfit:'
required a costume.
The corsets exaggerate Grey's feminine figure, but the photos of tight cinch-
"I had to wear a hilarious pilgrim outfit with
a nasty little polyester bonnet;' Grey says of her
work as a Salem Witch House tour guide.
Grey went on to make a name for herself
"I love the way it feels, like a reassuring hug," explains Grey. "I like tall, tight
boots for the same reason:'
Grey is also drawn to an exaggerated view of femininity-tiny
waist and
in the piercing industry as an advocate for and
substantial bust-and
founder of the Association
ciation for hourglass figures. She sees her future buyers as the underserved:
of Professional
Piercers. She left the piercing life behind in
2000, however.
"It was very tiring to be a queer femme in
wants to make clothes for people with a similar appre-
femmes who aren't thin; butches and FTMs who don't necessarily have masculine body types but want to wear menswear; and, of course, drag queens.
Just as she made the costumes to go with her corsets, she intends to make
that world;' she explains. "That and the dissolu-
the clothes that these queer subgroups want but can't get in the mainstream
tion of Gauntlet [the landmark piercing studio
market.
in Los Angeles where she worked] just kinda
broke my heart and killed any love I once had for piercing:'
She translated her love of body modification into the world of corsetry and
tight lacing.
es and tiny waists raise questions: Are those comfortable? What's the appeal?
Grey plans to make costumes in the film industry as well as start her own
clothing line. But first she wants to finish her master's degree and begin taking
advanced design courses. Despite Grey's student status, her unique vision suggests she'll soon have a place among the designers to the stars. ■
,.,_ _ __. bringing sexy back ••------------------------------------------e•-t•H-•t-••--:-
style from the streets
ATKM and DJTCreinvent lesbian fashion.
By lya Carrera Photos by Misfy Winter
ular all-female, cabaret-style, genderbending troupe-and
the hip-hop duo
Filf Dos (lyricist Filfy and DJ Jive Alive)
performed
and modeled the clothes.
Promoted
by Kristen
Porter's
Dyke
Night Productions, the show was titled
Fashion, Hip Hop and Drag, Oh My!
Members of both ATKM and Filf
Dos assumed two roles that evening, as
performers but also as Cutler's models in
the fashion program. Cutler emceed and
described the clothing as the eight models walked the back of the stage.
The audience whistled and clapped
loudly when ATKM's Leighsa Burgin
(pictured right) sauntered the catwalk
wearing a black miniskirt, black sweat
jacket and gray burnout T-shirt. The
audience reaction
was similar when
ATKM's Karin Webb modeled a sexy,
black denim dress, while sporting the
DITC socks.
The crowd got pumped up when
ATKM's Jill Gibson stepped out wearway over the years. Women have gone from
nous to punk to feminine to gender-crossing.
1980s has come full circle with the emergence of
......,,.u,..£-.,,esbianfashion back on the map.
ers on The L Word are feminine looking-with
, who is androgynous-butch,
-there's
and Moira-Max, who is
a fashion style for all of them, regardless of how
e image oflesbians that was prevalent in the media-two
shirts-has
words: flannel
ing the gray Betty hat with the black
"Our World, Our Words" muscle T-shirt, while she unzipped her jeans to
give us a peek at her black boxer-briefs with the DITC logo. Ann Zumwalt
drew lots of applause when she came out in the checkered, black sergeant
cap, the red "queer" workshirt and the black tie with the brass knuckle design. And ATKM's Julee Antonellis looked modish in the brown T-shirt with
"TransForm" written on it, along with the brown fedora hat. Other items that
were modeled were the femme and butch tuxedo shirts.
Cutler's diverse style caters to everyone: femme, butch, transgender gay or
straight.
now been replaced with something more positive, as gay women
DITC Clothes,Beginningsand Future
are now seen as being fashion-conscious.
As a result, many clothing companies now cater to, though are not exclu-
Many audience members said that ATKM had brought them to the show,
sive to, the lesbian community, and each brings its own unique twist to the
but afterward, many were inspired to purchase DITC clothing. Sam Demuro,
clothing line. One such company is dykesinthecity (DITC.net).
22, bought a vintage-style shirt. "I was influenced by the show, and I think it's
important to support [queer) artists:'
"Our clothing is very urban, edgy and very city;' says Niki Cutler, 34,
co-founder and co-owner of DITC. "We combine our fashion with hip-hop
Mary Caulfield, 27, bought the tie-inspired cuffs. "I like the color. I like
and drag because that's exactly the image that we want. I think it's positive to
the pattern. I like the way it fits;' she says. "Ir's very neutral and goes with just
about everything:'
have our clothing line involved in cross-entertainment.
We're all helping each
other out by getting everyone's name and art our:'
Not only did the audience members like DITC's line, but so did the performers who modeled it. "A lot us wear her clothes;' ATKM's Jill Gibson says.
The FashionEvent
"I think one of the struggles for women who dress in a masculine way is that
Cutler showcased her fashion line at the Club Cafe in Boston during an eve-
it's hard to find clothes that fit you appropriately .... Her clothing line makes you
ning of queer entertainment. All the Kings Men (ATKM)-the
feel confident and comfortable. It's a good feeling to buy clothes from women,
52
I curve
wildly pop-
for women, and be able to see yourself in them:'
Filfy, a long-time DITC model and fan, has
watched Cutler's growth as a designer over the
past three years. "Each season, the clothing line
gets better and better. I think she has done a good
job of being a pioneer in dyke fashion;' she says.
'Tm really proud of her:'
Cutler started her Chicago-based company in
2004, but the seed was planted long before then
over coffee with a group of friends. "In 2000, we
were in Baltimore and we started calling ourselves
the DITC crew, which was the acronym for dykes
in the city. It was this fun name that we made up
about ourselves because we were a very close-knit
group."
Cutler says that she was at a crossroads in
2004. She had already been attending lots of Pride
festivals and something inside her was compelling
her to do something for the LGBT community. So,
she decided to go with her gut instinct and take a
risk with a T-shirt venture.
Many agree that Cutler's clothing is filling a gap
in the LGBT community. "I think fashion for the
lesbian community is fantastic;' says Sarah Engel,
27. "I don't think it's
tapped into that much.
I definitely think there
needs to be more options for us, because
we have our own style
and fashion sense:'
Laura Watts, 39,
says, "I think it's great
to have lesbians make
their
own
clothing
and sell it. I think it
has a wider audience
than just
the dyke
community:'
Cutler hopes that
DITC
will continue
to expand, as well as
tour with other entertainers.
But most
importantly, she would like her clothing line to
make a difference in people's lives. 'Tm glad to be
able to put out some new and innovative ideas for
dyke fashion;' she says. "My goal is to create inner
happiness as well as create a positive group identity
that will give people the courage to self-express and
be proud of who they are and not worry about the
outside world. I want dykesinthecity to be known
by gay and straight people alike, so that one day
everybody can be comfortable with each other, because that's what it's all about:' ■
m del behavior
our hot ladies talk style.
By Jennifer Corday
, From magazine covers to commercials, product packaging to catalogs, lesbian
models have a definite presence in what is commonly considered a strictly
straight girl industry. These models are not only drool-worthy, they are redefining beauty-from
femme to butch-in
the fashion industy.
Samantha Laurito
Samantha Laurito doesn't like being the good girl. Laurito affirms, "Definitely
nor:' Her average day entails "waking up, getting ready, going to a photo shoot
or a fashion show, then getting wasted with my girlfriend:' Her girlfriend,
Alexis, is a personal trainer, a big bonus for Laurito, who admits, 'Tm so bad
at the gym-I hate going:' When asked how the 5-foot 10-inch, 120-pound
brunette keeps her figure, she replies, "I have no idea:' To my surprise (or naivety) Laurito explains, "I can't do high fashion because I'm not thin enough. You
have to be a double zero and I'm like, a four:' Instead, the Italian-Colombian
beauty gets plenty of work modeling urban wear, contemporary rock wear and
sportswear (she was on the cover of Paint Ball magazine) and enjoys modeling
clothing for companies like Love Letters, Rocawear, Kenneth Cole, Whiteboy
and Gap."I do some business-edgy stuff, but mostly do photo shoots with photographers that work with Vellummagazine. It's very artsy and dark:'
Laurito has a sultry, sexy, exotic look that's very versatile. She went to
a creative and performing arts school where she took drama and dance, but
works primarily in modeling. 'Tm freelance, so I'm signed all over with
different agencies in different states:' As a side project of her own, Laurito
is putting together a lesbian photography book that will feature butch and
femme looks. Laurito is openly gay, but often has a hard time convincing
others. "It gets annoying when nobody believes me. I may be feminine in the
way I dress, but not by the way I acr:'
Gevin Fax
Musician, model, actor and stuntwoman: How does Gevin Fax do it all?"I start
the morning with 200 crunches, 35 military push-ups and chin-ups;' Fax
admits, hinting at the drive that sustains all her careers.
A motorcycle documentary called Biker Women, which aired on the
Discovery Channel, first put Fax on the map. "It was a really wonderful
moment;' she says. "We got incredible reviews. It really catapulted me into the
limelight:'
Now known as a skilled motorcycle rider, Fax can tackle the most difficult
moves on a bike. She was called on to save the day in Rat Race,a movie starring
Whoopi Goldberg and Cuba Gooding Jr. "The girls they initially hired were
unable to do it-one
girl lost control of the bike and broke her leg and her
ankle. It's a very difficult move and one of the most dangerous stunts I've ever
done;' explains Fax. "I told them I could do it, but they had to bump my salary
up two levels:'
Fax has appeared in Rolling Stone, Peopleand various magazines across
Europe. Her edgy rock-'n' -roll look oozes style and turns heads. But while she
z
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still gets occasional calls, Fax has been modeling less and less. "I worked really
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hard to keep my body and my health in great shape, but I'm 50 now, so model-
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ing is not coming after me. I'd like to say I'm aging gracefully:'
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Instead, Fax focuses on her musical career.
modeling industry. "They pretty much force retirement
She excels as a vocalist, guitarist and bass player.
at 28. But with acting, you can take the older roles or do
commercials. "I have perfect teeth, thanks to my mother,
A vocalist since age 13, she learned to play the
guitar in Catholic school and went on to front
so I do a lot of commercials. You can see me now on a
her own band, Galadriel, in the '80s. Eventually,
vacuum box in Target:' Last year, she did a photo shoot
luck struck and she was asked to join MCA
for the cover of Pink magazine, where she enjoyed wear-
recording artists Klymaxx as their bassist, and
ing a $3,000 coat and carrying a $2,000 purse."Modeling
she stayed on for several years. She appeared on
is more glamorous, and you're treated well on the set. It's
national television, played in videos for MTV
more fun and a lot less time-constraining than acting. As
and VH-1, Soul Train, and performed on and
long as you can smile, it's hard to mess it up:'
produced the band's latest album, The Maxx Is
Back,which hit No. 13 on the Billboardcharts.
Fax is as realistic about the music business as
she is about modeling, a pragmatism that shines
through as she describes her 15 minutes of rock star fame. The
Maxx Is Back, she says, "was a hit for two weeks. They were
wining and dining us and we were going everywhere in limos.
But the universe plays really interesting games on you. We're
hanging out with LL Cool J and Quincy Jones, and [then)
were the shit-it
gets to the Top 100, Top 80, Top 50, all the
way to number 13 before it plateaus and drops out like that.
Everything was called off:'
sitting in with various bands as well
project. 'Tm not going to say •
famous, but as an artist you
your money. I've had a great
Patricia Melone
Between photo shoots, a
has little down time for i
she explains. "I cannot sit
om brunette is an actor a
night. Her acting credits in
on The L Word as one of Da
a Web-based series called Spe
completed a role in The Seeras
murdered one by one. There was one n
was asked to do a kissing scene with another w
I was a lesbian, so he thought I might be offended when he asked if I would
[
C,
mind kissing another girl. My friend who worked on the set knew, but the director had no idea. I thought the whole situation was hilarious:' Melone not
z
only didn't mind, she in fact rather enjoyed the assignment. "The other actress
~
looked like Angelina Jolie, so I wasn't complaining!"
Melone is gorgeous and is most comfortable in jeans and '80s cartoon tees
0
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or ribbed tank tops, which she calls "dago tees;' a term she knows because of her
Italian upbringing. "I come from a small Italian community in Chicago and
...J
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E. my entire family still lives there, all within a five-mile radius:• Melone moved to
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Los Angeles two and a half years ago to pursue her acting and modeling career
~
:::::)
and enjoy a change of scenery. "I wanted to move, and I got a lot of great offers
cc
CD
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to work here as a nurse. Plus;' she adds, "the chicks in L.A. are hot!" (The actor
0
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met her current girlfriend more than a year ago in
Cf)
LJ.J
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I
LJ.J
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CURVE
magazine personals
online and they have just moved in together. )
Melone is indeed driven to succeed and is frustrated with the ageism in the
----
Jenice Armstrong
California native Jenice Armstrong models all types
of fashion, from military uniforms to bathing
suits, and looks great doing it. Armstrong lives
in Sacramento with her partner of seven years
and is pursuing a modeling career in between
trips to Washington, D.C., where she travels as
an HR analyst.
Armstrong started modeling for catalogs
when she was 18 and has since done a myriad
of modeling jobs. 'Tve modeled uniforms;' she
explains, "because they wanted a military-type
physique:' Armstrong is indeed sculpted to
perfection and she has no trouble finding work.
She also does a lot of runway modeling. "I pride
myself on my Tyra Banks runway walk and my
Tyra Banks forehead," she laughs. Armstong's
personality is obviously another selling point
in getting her on stage and in front of the camera. "You have to be very flexible and be able
to engage in any type of conversation at any
talk about politics one minute and then have an all-out-fun
sion the next!" Armstrong credits her upbringing in a military
r making her so personable. "Being a military brat made me very
d, because I was around so many different types of people. I had to
t and be a chameleon."
Armstrong has worked different jobs, aside from modeling. In Key
West, Fla., she worked as a desk clerk at the famous lesbian resort Pearl's
Patio, a job she really enjoyed. "I disc
red Pearl's and just loved it," she
says. "I asked them for a job and they started me the next day:' She met
her partner, Dee, in Key West and lived there for four years. She recently moved back to Sacramento with Dee, where they took advantage of
California's recognition of same-sex relationships and immediately filed
for domestic partnership. "That was part of the reason we came backto get some legal-ship." Armstrong is also writing a lesbian cookbook on
the side. "It's called Lesbians Have to Eat Too. Not only is it a cookbook,
it also has memories and stories. I go through each recipe and tell how it
came about:' Many of the stories involve her friends and family, who have
turned out to be very supportive of her lesbian lifestyle. 'Tm very out to
my family. My mother is getting used to it and my father loves it. I wasn't
raised with him, but now that I'm older, he's very supportive and we talk
every day." The strangest recipe in the cookbook? "Well, the fact that I am
a lesbian and I talk a lot about sausage in my book ... I've been told that's
kind of weird," she laughs. ■
------------------------------------◄•H•--•H• September 2008
I 55
cansft shop
oaaesses
~
Photos by Kina Williams
What could be hotter than luscious ladies
indulging in tasty treats? These sweet things
are looking as scrumptious as the caramels
at the Candy Store in San Francisco, where
these shots were taken. Burlesque star Jukie
Sunshine (opposite page) pairs a Sheer
Bliss With Flowers skirt with sheer black
bloomers from lesbian-owned Size Queen
Clothing and pink and orange Alfani pumps
from Macy's. Girls gone glam (above, left
to right): Jukie is in a hand-dyed dress with
fringe and hardware trim, designer Sossity
Chiricuzio wears a raspberry skirt with floor
length zips, Chave Alexander (aka burlesque
queen Alotta Butte) amply rocks her plunging decollete trimmed in soft pink maribou
and performer Celestina Pearl wears a
two-toned number with hand-stitched black
and red maribou-all dresses handmade by
Sossity's lesbian design firm, Diesel Femme.
On the bottom {from the left): Chave gets
sassy in Diesel Femme's periwinkle skirt with
fluttering lace hem and blue John Fluevog
heels. Sossity wears a Size Queen pinstripe
skirt and Celestina gives good face in a
black Diesel Femme dress with purple detail.
September 2008
I 57
Chave Alexander (above) is super sweet in
Size Queen's Vintage Sassy Green Dress.
On the bottom (but always tops with us)
Jukie Sunshine is a naughty housewife
in the Garden Party Dress, while Chave
sports the Pretty in Pink Stripes skirt and
Celestina is sexy in the Pink Patterned
skirt-all from Size Queen Clothing.
WHERE TO BUY---------.
AlfaniPinkandOrangeShoes;blackbeaded
necklace,$28; silvermetalcuff,$30; blueand
silvernecklace,$24; danglingearrings,$42.All
from macys.com.DonaldJ Pilnerblackheels,
$235.Nordstrom.com
DieselFemme:Graydress,$100;Raspberry,$70;
Blackand Pink,$70;TwoTone,$70; Blackand
Purple,$70; PeriwinkleBlueskirt,$70.All from
dieselfemme.com.
SizeQueen:
SheerBlisswithFlowersskirt,$95;
BlueandPinstripe
skirt,$135;VintageSassyGreen
dress,$65;GardenPartydress,$135;Prettyin
PinkStripesskirt,$80; PinkPrintskirt, $90.All
from sizequeenclothing.com.
58
Icurve
our runway baby
Model Marie Salter hits prime time.
By Adena Demonte
They couldn't believe a ballerina who was a girly girl could be. I don't think
that matters. People are who they are. I never fit into any stereotypes; I've
always been pretty androgynous.
Are you more of a print or a runway model?
In Miami, it's a lot of print work. In New York, it's going to be more about the
shows. I do a little bit of everything. The cheesy print jobs are usually what
pay the bills. Every girl wants to walk for Gucci or Prada.
How's the love life? Are you seeing anyone?
I actually am. It's challenging because you want to be with that person all the
time. You want
to
be with somebody who would understand these things. If
I found myself in a relationship with somebody who couldn't gee that, then
it probably wouldn't last very long. You've got to take care of yourself first.
What does the future hold?
I'm going to take it as it comes. I've got some fire under my ass, too. This seaAndrogynous, youthful sex appeal and a call, slender physique make lesbian
model Marie Salter of last season's ProjectRunway an ideal fie for high fashion.
son, I might go back to Miami. I'd love to go to Asia, Europe or Australia.
Eventually, I'd love to get a huge ad campaign or beauty campaign contract.
A classical dancer and professional model who makes Miami and Npw York
Are you glad you booked the Project Runway gig?
City her home, Salter has appeared in the pages of Cosmopolitan,Cosmo Girl,
Fitness and Self, and has strutted down the runway in Missoni, VIP Couture,
Allyson Jacobs and Guilty Brotherhood, to name a few.
It's definitely an experience I wouldn't want to trade. It was exciting, fun and surreal. It was a lot of long hours. I got to meet some amazing designers. On the
ffip side, it was kind of crazy. I understand why actors go a little loopy after
they've been filming a movie for a long time. It messes with your head a little
Growing up queer in the 'burbs of Houston ... how'd that go over?
bit. I had to step back after the show was over and snap back into reality. But
I went to a private Christian high school in Katy, Texas. I look back now
the exposure I'm getting from the show is really great.
and I totally knew I was so gay. At the time, they're teaching us chat
that's a sin, an abomination
of the soul, you'll burn in hell. You can't
be gay, you just can't.
So you didn't come out to yourself until you left Texas?
on my career and didn't want to sac
When I moved to New York for a dance scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet
an environmentalist-that's
School, I figured out who I was. I wasn't one of those people who was in the
spread knowledge about the
closet for very long. Once I came to terms with my life and what I wanted,
menc and gay rights, for su
I was just like, you know what:' Screw everybody else, this is who I am, take it or leave it.
How did you end up getting into modeling?
After attending the Joffrey Ballet School, I started
dancing professionally. Through networking
and different friends in the business, I started
modeling. At first I was focused on dancing,
just crying to survive New York, and I modeled for a few magazines. Eventually, those
modelingjobs started to gee a little bigger, and
I got more interested in them.
Do people have a hard time believing
you're a lesbian?
When I first came out, most of my lesbian friends
are like, "You can't be gay, you have
to
be bi:'
a bi
Reviews Sapphic Screen
Cinema Goes Global
Tue latest lesbian films have international origins and reach. I By Candace Moore
EDITOR'S PICK
(FenceSitter
Films):
Usinga steamroomas
a meetingpointwhere
womenof different
ages,racesandsexual
orientations
exchange
intimateconversation
aboutlove,life andpleasurewasnotdirector
KyleSchickner's
original
idea."I first thoughtof a
yogaclassandrealized
thatwouldn'twork,"
hesays.Steam,now
in theaters,introduces
threewomen:Doris(the
amazingRubyDee),
who,afterlosingher
husband,
growsolder
andlonelierandquestionswhethershewill
be happyagain;single
From the swimming pools of France, to the coast of the Black
momLaurie(scene
Sea, to the beaches of Japan, the latest lesbian films chronicle lust,
stealer
AllySheedy),
who
love and politics across cultures and generations.
triesto raisea sonwhile
enduring
herex-husband
andhisnewtrophy Water Lilies (directed by Celine Sciamma): Dunking
girlfriend;andElizabeth audiences into the singular world of girls' synchronized swim(KateSiegal),a college ming, this film takes puberty and pubescent bodies to an extreme
studentwhostruggles that is as unsettling as it is captivating. "I want to watch;' says
to reconcileherdesire 15-year-old Marie (Pauline Acquart), whom we first see poolside,
for a femaleclassmate her brooding eyes and full-lipped pout receptive to every twist
withthevaluesof her and splash of teenage team captain Floriane (Adele Haenel, a
religious
family.Between
ringer for Swimming Pool'sLudivine Sagnier). As a favor, Floriane
plotlinesthatthicken
sneaks Marie into team practice, so she can swim around the
withthe steam,we get
to vieweachwoman bodies as they lift up into the air, watching them from below. In
asshegrows.Look return, Marie must serve as wingperson to Floriane's constant
for comicrelieffrom sexual experimentation with boys and men, a role that becomes
Laurie'ssoccermom excruciating because of Marie's unspoken, insatiable desire. She
friend(Chelsea
Handler). steals Floriane's trash and performs a carnal ritual-smelling tis(fencesitterfilms.
com) sues, eating an old apple core and unraveling scrawled notes. But
- Colleen
M.Lee the attraction seems increasingly reciprocal as Floriane, after fac-
60
I curve
the explicit female sexuality of a Catherine Breillat film and the
character complexity of early Jane Campion. The camera revels
in growing breasts, slender arms and even armpits lined up for
inspection by a swim coach wielding a razor; but, while the framing marks our gaze as perverse, we are welcome to watch, just
like Marie.
The Edge of Heaven (Strand Releasing): Filmed on
location in Bremen and Hamburg, Germany, and Istanbul and
T rabzon, Turkey, and presented in Turkish, German and English,
this transnational
tour de force by Fatih Akin (Head On)
deserves the best screenplay awards it has won at Cannes and
the European Film Awards. The Edgeof Heaven feels both literary
and political. Resembling an epic poem that builds resonance and
rhyme, sadness and beauty as it unfolds, the film experiments with
narrative and the folding over of time. It opens with a scene at a
gas station that seems meaningless at first, but gains significance when replayed, shot-for-shot, near the story's conclusion.
Throughout, we follow one fallible character after another, but the
effect is never superficial or jumpy. Nejat (Baki Davrak), a profes-
ing the threat of losing her sidekick, begins teasing and tempt-
sor of German at a Hamburg university, searches for a twenty-
ing Marie, pressing her more developed body against Marie's and
something Turkish revolutionary,
holding her lips a breath away from a kiss. This French coming-
hoping to repay his father's debt by offering
of-age story by young director Celine Sciamma has an eye for
Going Global continued on page 62
Ayten (Nurgi.il Yesils;ay),
to
foot the bill for
DVD PICKS
homeandguardherandher
11-year-olddaughterZelly
(MayaRitter)dayandnight.
Thisquirky,lesbianversion
of TheBodyguard
centerson
howFinncan'tadmitto her
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still mourningthe deathof her
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KissMe Deadly(here!):Aided Zelly'scopingbadlywith the
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ExesandOhs:TheComplete
firstSeason(Logo):Thank
goodness
Logojustannounced
a secondseasonfor this
hotdykecomedy,because
thesixepisodes
of director
LeeFriedlander's
delightfullywatchable
firstseason
aretoobrief.Star(andcreator)
MichelleParadise
is thelesbian
everywoman:
a smart,sexy
documentary
filmmakernamed
Jenniferwhobreaksthefourth
wallofTVto tellviewersthe
defactorulesof lesbiandating
witha combination
of snark
andsincerity.Plus,there'sher
ex-turned-BFF
Sam(playedby
the"myGodshe'ssexy,where
hasshebeen?"MarnieAlton),
the matchingcouple(Krisand
Chris-don'ttell meyoudon't
havea matchingcouplein your
friendcircle),the musicianCrutch
(playedbyopenlygayHeather
Matarazzo)
andanever-present
ex,Sienna(wholeftJenniferfor
theircouplestherapistandat
whoselesbianweddingJennifer
getsstuckin thehilariousfirst
episode).
There'spoledancing
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(logoonline.
com)- DAM
September 2008 \ 61
Going Global continued from page 60
Q+A
Josephine Decker
her education. About a third of the way into the
film, we meet Ayten-aggressive,
and gorgeous-and
foulmouthed
follow the political rebel from
Istanbul, where she barely escapes a police crackdown, to Hamburg. While begging for food, she
meets curly-haired Lotte (Patrycia Ziolkowska), an
open-hearted German university student. The two
Two young co-directors,Josephine Decker and Brittany Blackman, have made the first major U.S. doc-
women fall into sex, followed by love, after a night
umentary on bisexuality. The film's subjects are five bi young people in different regions of the country.
out at the disco, much to the chagrin of Lotte's
Bi the Way (bithewaymovie.blogspot.com) explores their lives and the world they live in, and includes
mother, played by the illustrious Hanna Schygulla
interviews with both sexuality experts and regular folks from all across the country. - Sheela Lambert
(one of R.W. Fassbinder's greatest stars). Schygulla
deftly conveys every emotion without
What made you want to focus this documentary on young people in their teens
and 20s?
We started making the movie mostly because
Brittany watched the episode of The OC where
Mischa Barton's character makes out with another
girl. Her reaction was, "Whoa whoa whoa, this
would never have happened on 90210! What
changed in the last 10 years?" So, from the beginning, the question was: What's going on for this
younger generation:' Is the media reflecting the
culture, or is the culture reflecting the media:' We
wanted to explore this generation who is growing up after the gay rights movement, after the
feminist movement, when it's really much more common and OK-and in some places, cool-to
explore your sexuality.
Were there ever a y dicey situations or times you were scared?
Actually, the scariest times were when we were battling it out in the editing room. Having two directors and a producer on a movie can be amazing, but it's also, as Brittany says, as complicated as
a threesome.
Most people assume that bisexuality only occurs in big, hip cities. You went all over the
country, even in rural areas and small towns. What did you discover?
I was floored by the number of people we met who had some kind of attraction to the same sex,
whether they acted on that or not. And while not all the random people we interviewed were
bisexual, literally everybody we talked to had someone close to them who was bi or gay or
something-and
I think that says a lot about the new comfort level with alternative sexuality in
America. One girl we interviewed at a college in the South was very conservative about sexuality,
but said that she'd heard bisexuality was the new cool thing in high school. When we watched the
tapes later, she actually says, under her breath to her friend, that her brother is bi!
You interviewed a lot of random people on the street, or even m trailer parks. Were you
surprised by anything they said?
A guy with no teeth who we interviewed at Rosie's Trailer Park actually said, "Nobody talks about
the beauty of the gay. And there is something beautiful about the gay, because if you take the
sexual organs away, what's left is what's in the heart:'
I was frankly shocked by average Americans' perspectives on bisexuality. I wouldn't say that everywhere we went, bisexuality was cool. In Oxford, Mississippi, someone actually said to us, "There
are three things I hate: mayonnaise, period blood and faggots:• But I was surprised how many
people-from conservative people to religious people to people with no teeth-said, "Do what
makes you happy. If it's not hurting me in any way, why should I caret Ir showed me that America
is a much more complicated and diverse place than we give it credit for.
was su prised hat the Catholic schoolgirls and the students at Brigham Young
University were so openly bisexual.
Yeah, those were both surprises. The girl from BYU said she has had girl crushes! I think what both
of those examples showed me is that many young people in strict religious environments struggle
with the restrictions their faith puts on their lives. ■
62
I curve
seeming
to move a muscle on her face. When Ayten is deported and held indefinitely in an Istanbul prison,
Lotte, and eventually her mother, go to her aid.
It's a well-constructed,
sophisticated
film, with
many layers of plot for those who like to explore.
(strandreleasing.com)
Love My Life (Wolfe): Ichiko (Rei Yoshi), with
her shaggy bob and adorable smile, and Eri (Asami
Imajuku),
with
her
high cheekbones and
smartly moody composure, seem to jump
from
the pages of
Ebine Yamaji's manga,
which inspired
this
Japanese lesbian romance. The beaches,
streets
and
rooms
featured in director
Koji Kawano's film are
similarly pleasing to the eye. The film opens in medias
res, depicting the two young lovers in bed, waking
to exchange sweet kisses while passing a lollipop
back and forth. The movie is less about finding delicious new love than about keeping it. Ichiko comes
out to her father, a famous translator, early on in
the plot. Her father is super-supportive: He admits
that he's gay and that Ichiko's late mother was too;
they were best friends who chose to have a child
together. Through the character of Ichiko's father,
the film explores the different generational experiences of being queer in Japan. Almost always chipper, Ichiko works in a record store when she's not
hanging out with her cool dad, sweet girlfriend and
stylish queer best boyfriend. Her life is so indie, it's
set to the sounds of pop band The Noodles. Eri,
however, struggles to please her homophobic father
and prove herself "worthy" through achievement.
Somehow, they must survive Ichiko's wandering eye
for a punk butch and Eri's desire to constantly put
her nose in a law book. Slow-moving in parts,
yet darling and original, Love My Life captures
how the two women learn to make their love
work. (wolfevideo.com) ■
Music Watch
Reviews
Dance, Dance Revolution
Runway rhythms and dance floor dazzlers.
I By Margaret Coble
EDITOR'S PICK
Fashion and music are often intertwined, and this month's fea-
come known for her brash, street-wise fashion sense-oversize
tured discs are fashion-forward in many ways, from their artful
gold hoop earrings, crazy animal prints, deconstructed T-shirts,
blending of genres and beats to their artists' crazy wardrobes. All
sneakers and knockoff designer fare mixed with vintage piec-
are equally at home on the runway, the dance floor, or even the
es. Her lead-off single, the jangly, synth-filled '80s throwback
big screen.
"L.E.S. Artistes;' critiques the vacuous downtown New York
Santogold, Self-Titled (Downtown): If you follow new
music at all,you've probably already heard the buzz about 32-yearold Brooklyn-based Santi White, otherwise known as Santogold.
After working in an administrative job at Epic Records' Artists
City hipster aesthetic with which she is often confused. The
anti-war "Shove It" is a ska-breakbeat feast; "Creator" is a dance
hall-flavored dub spectacular; and "Unstoppable" is an atmospheric, trip-hopping, Bedstuy Brooklyn anthem, among many
other stellar cuts on the 12-track album. It's simply an amazing
and Repertoire department, as well as writing and producing
debut worth several pages of praise, for which I unfortunately
much of neo-soul vocalist Res' 2000 debut album, and playing in
don't have space. (myspace.com/santogold)
the Philadelphia-based punk band Stiffed, White grew to realize
she wanted to do things her way, on her own terms. With this
lf)
L1J
...J
::i
0
Hercules and Love Affair, Self-Titled (DFA/EMI): This
eponymous debut album, she's done just that. Merging new wave,
co-ed queer collective of DJs, musicians and vocalists is an out-
punk, dance hall and various forms of modern electronica, White
growth of Andrew Butler's college dance project, and coalesced
has an album that defies categorization, skipping from one retro-
via underground art-dance parties in New York City. Evocative
yet very cohesive.
vocalist Antony Hegarty, of Antony and the Johnsons fame, is
She's often compared to her friend and collaborator M.LA.: Both
joined by sultry New York native Nomi Ruiz, who's sung with
meets-futuristic hybrid to another-eclectic
are women of color who write thoughtful, political lyrics and who
the likes of Debbie Harry and CocoRosie, and DJ-jewelry de-
0
push musical boundaries by blurring the lines between genres,
signer Kim Ann Foxman, in addition to Buder, who rounds out
0
but their sounds are totally different (though certainly compat-
the lineup. Together, the foursome have created the most authen-
::!:
L1J
ible on the dance floor, due to their aggressive beats). White's
tic mix of classic disco, house music and early techno, since the
0
-,
music is a favorite on runways the world over, and she's also be-
Chic Beats continued on page 64
er:
L1J
~
z
0
Oneof theBoys,
KatyPerry(Capitol
Records):
Eversince
I boughtan iPodI've
stoppedpayingattention to the popcharts.
Somy introductionto
chart-topperKatyPerry
was moreviral-my
bestfriendposted
Perry'svideofor her
single"I Kisseda Girl"
alongwith a commentthat simplysaid,
"Ridiculously
catchy
song"on my Facebook
wall. Onceagain,my
BFFandI agree.Perry's
singlehasme hooked.
Thissassysingerhas
tappedintothe retro
'80s popsoundthat's
so popularwith the
kidsthesedays."Ur So
Gay"takesa jab at an
ex,whilethe slower,
acousticsong"Lost"
demonstrates
Perry's
abilityto go beyond
synthesized
sounds.Her
tongue-in-cheek
humor
andconfidence(not
to mentionher killer
pinupstyle)combined
with heramazingvoice
makefor an albumthat
is sureto be playingon
campuseseverywhere.
(katyperry.com)
- KatiePeoples
September 2008
I
63
Chic Beats continued from page 63
glory days of the late '70s club scene in Chicago's
Warehouse. From the opening "Free Will;' an-
Q+A
Mary Gauthier
chored by Hegarty's melancholy vocals and a blippy
'80s bassline, to the acid house rhythms and Ruiz's
dusky vocals on "You Belong;• to the funky bass lines
and Sapphic undertones of "Athene;• Hercules and
Love Affair celebrate all the emotional and musical
Over the years, much has been written in the straight
glory of the house music scene without sounding
press about Mary Gauthier's fight with drug and alcohol
like simple throwbacks. These folks dig the eclecti-
addiction-so
much, in fact, that the topic is no longer up
cism of the era and want to bring it to today's elec-
for discussion. Nowadays, Gauthier reflects on why there
aren't many lesbians at her shows-even if she was the
tronic masses. Even the Godfather of House Music,
first out lesbian to play the Grand Ole Opry-and
via a sumptuous remix of the Hegarty-fronted
wants
to know why she can't book a gig at any of the women's
Frankie Knuckles, has given his stamp of approval,
"Blind;' the album's first single. Fashion designers,
music festivals, or on any of those all-women cruises.
nightlife glitterati and pop music fans alike are eat-
- ColleenM. Lee
ing this up-maybe
you will, too. Give it a go. (her-
culesandloveajfair.com)
You don't seem to have a lot of lesbian fans at your
shows. How do you explain this?
The Fame, Lady GaGa (lnterscope): On
I'm not sure how to answer that. I don't know-maybe
a much more frivolous glitter-glam trip is New
they don't like me. I got no trouble with women. I think
York City-based Lady GaGa, who asks, "Why
that the real issue is that I haven't been a part of the natural
can't we just have a good time, like they did in the
career path that most women who have a lesbian audience
disco days:"' She's often clad in lingerie, chains and
take. I haven't had the opportunity to really nurture a gay audience.
stripper
heels
during
I do feel they'll find me eventually, but I don't know how to make that happen except by doing what
her performances. Yes,
I do and hoping that they find me. I'd love it if they came! I'm not sure if I speak to them or not.
sometimes it is OK to
I haven't had a chance to try. I've never played Michigan or any of the women's music festivals.
"Just
They won't let me, I can't get in, but it's not like I haven't tried-the
dictates on her vocoder-
cruises and all that. It's been
a resounding"No!"
filled
Are you working toward mainstream success?
Dance;'
lead-off
as
she
single,
which has already been
I don't even know what that means. I don't write hits, I write stories. And I'm a storyteller. I'm not
remixed by a who's-who
sure that a hit is something I aspire to. I do aspire to grow an audience and I do aspire to con-
of big-name DJs and sounds like a lost Madonna
tinuing to play to people who are sitting down, attentively listening. But hits2 No, that's not me.
track. There's not a lot of lyrical substance going on
My goal is to be a channel and to be a voice for the stories that need to be told through me and
here, with tides like "Dirty Rich;' "Disco Heaven''
whoever those land on, whoever needs to hear those-I
want to connect with those people. That's
and "Paparazzi"-a
scary stalker pop song if ever
the goal. That's what I've always done. It pays the bills. Fame, fortune, I can't even think about that.
I've heard one-but
you sure can shake your butt
I'm an artist, not an entertainer, in that sense. I'm looking for truth and wisdom, I'm looking for
to GaGa's brand of disco-rock, and I can just see
healing and I'm looking for things that an artist looks for.
the skinny haute couture models vamping to these
You've been compared to Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen. Does
beats. (myspace.com/ladygaga)
that put pressure on you?
No. It validates me and lets me know in my heart that I'm doing the right thing. We can't measure
success by fame, fortune, hits-all of the things that our culture has so fucked us up with, the
wrong barometers for artists. I don't want to get confused and go there and use that as my mea-
Sex and the City Original Motion Picture
Soundtrack, Various Artists (New Line):
sure of success. My measure of success is: Am I connecting to people who need to hear what I'm
film obsessed with fashion2 While not as consis-
saying here:' That's what drove Johnny, that's what drove Bruce, that's what drove Willie and the
tently uptempo as the aforementioned
other part came-it
this multigenre compilation is nonetheless fashion-
almost came in spite of what they were saying. They all three were populists.
themed and fun to listen to. Fergie's name-dropping
pions of the underdogs. And that's what I do. And I'm not doing it because I like the underdogs;
"Labels or Love" not only starts the party right, but
I'm doing it because I am the underdog.
64
albums,
They spoke for the people, they were coming from a place like Woody Guthrie, they were cham-
OK, do you have anything to say to all those would-be lesbian fans out there?
Where are you2 [Laughs.] I am sure they will come. Hey, you know, I'm the first openly gay person
that's played the Grand Ole Opry that I know about, but nobody pays attention. I mean, I don't
know what's up with that. I'm out in Nashville. I got a record deal. I'm openly gay at 41 years old.
Like it didn't happen! Once you're able to sit in the front of the bus, it doesn't matter anymore.
And I guess that's what happened. We've come so far, so fast. ■
)
How could I resist including the soundtrack of a
Readmoreof our exclusiveinterviewon curvemag.com.
Icurve
also encompasses the film's themes of fashion and
love. Notable contributions from Jennifer Hudson,
Kaskade, Jem, Bird & the Bee and Bliss keep the
party going-and
a jazzy, deep house remix of Nina
Simone doing "The Look of Love" is my personal
favorite. The soundtrack works as a part of the film
and as a stand-alone album. It's pretty entertaining. (sexandthecitymovie.com)■
Just Between GirlzOTHER LICKS
born-and-bred,
Flynncomes
by herAmericana
twang
honestly,andhasrecently
madeher markin the Portland,
Ore.,musicscene.Herthird
full-lengthCDis a masterpiece
of bluegrass,
folk andpopthat
shouldget her morenational
attention.(ashleighflynn.nelj
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Q.
Fun("Peanut"),danceable("On
TV!")but definitelyoutthereat
times("CatsArePeopleToo").
(myspace.
com/quitzow)
Guts& Garbage,
KirstenPrice
(KPI):You'llrecognize
the
seductive"MagicTree"from
TheL Wordsoundtrack,butthe
balanceof this debutrelease
fromthe gutsyLondon-toBrooklynsoulsinger-including
Boobs-RuthWallis·Greatest
the feel-goodfunker"All
Hits(WallisOriginals):
How
Right,"the sexyballad"Fall"
cananyoneresista novelty
andthe horn-filled,pop-dance
cabaretalbumwith songslike
"CrazySexyBeautiful"-are
"QueerThings"and"Boobs"?
just as solid.(myspace.com/
ThelateQueenof the Party
kirstenpricemusic)
Loverly,
Cassandra
Wilson
Songwasknownfromthe
(BlueNote):In herfirst col1940sthroughthe '60sfor
lectionof jazzstandardsin 20
hersaucydouble-entendres
years,the innovativechanteuse andrisquethemes.Totoday's
tacklesclassicslike "Lover
politicallycorrectears,this
19-trackcompendium
rides
ComeBackto Me,""Wouldn't
It BeLoverly"and"TheVery
the line betweenhilariousand
slightlyoffensivebut is bawdy
Thoughtof You,"spicingthem
upwith intricaterhythmsand
fun throughandthrough.
sparearrangements
that gar(cdbaby.
com/cd/ruthwallis)
BeautifulWorld,Eliza
neramazingresults.(cassandraGilkyson(RedHouse):Oneof
wilson.com)
Austin,Texas'mostaccomplishedsinger-songwriters
offersa surprisinglyupbeat
11-songset of radio-friendly
music,led by the happy-golucky,whistle-filled"Emerald
Street." (elizagilkyson.
com)
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ThisTime,LastTime,Every
Time,8 InchBetsy(Queer
Control):
The Chicago-based
dykecoretrio who call themselves"pant-rockers"rock
I Art College,Quitzow(Young hard,queerand loudon their
debutfull-lengthalbum,bringLove):PutLaurieAnderson,
ing to mindthe classicTeam
LeTigreandPeachesin a
blenderandyouget something DreschandThe Butchiesof
AmericanDream,Ashleigh
yesteryear.(Binchbetsy.
com)
vaguelylike EricaQuitzow's
Flynn(HomePerm):Kentucky- experimental
eclectronicsound. -MC
September 2008
I65
Reviews
BEAUTY
TALK
& MONSTERS
In the Stacks
Let's Get Fictional
This month's picks are enough to make you sweat. I By Rachel Pepper
EDITOR'S PICK
Classic lesbian writers serve up their best offerings for our
ity of human beings to halt the destruction of their planet-
autumnal delight, with journalist Linda Villarosa embarking on
is just that. A female character named Billie Crusoe is placed
adult fiction and Jeanette Winterson spinning a space-age tale
in the distant past (when space settlers first discover Earth,
about destiny, love and the cycles of human destruction.
after damaging their own planet, Orbus, which is ruled by the
BeautyTalk
&Monsters, Passing for Black Linda Villaros~ (Dafina): Respected
as a up1syn journalist Linda Villarosa (below) enters the contemporary
(Semiotext(e)):
The adult fiction market with Passingfor Black. A former editor at
first shortstoryin Essencemagazine and the author of several women's health and
MashaTupitsyn'sdaz- parenting books, as well as books for teen girls, Villarosa knows
zlingdebutcollection personally and professionally about the pressures from outside
openswith a quotefrom and within the African American community. For this novel,
KathyAckerabouthow Villarosa has turned
we're livingin an ageof away from more serious
corruption;butsomefare and created a breezy
howthe book'sglitzy
page-turner focusing on
cover,whichdepictsa,
dampfaceingesting the coming out of Angela
stringsof glassyjewels, Wright and the relationremindsmeof just ships she has with both
howseductivethat age her stodgy academic
hasbeen.Tupitsyn's fiance Keith and her fistoriesdon'tjust play ery new girlfriend Cait.
off the vexediconsand To keep things interesttroublednarrativesof ing, Villarosa throws a
cinema;they inhabit little bit of everything
themwith somesortof
into her fictional pot,
demonicpossession
(or
including radical lesbian
maybeit's the movies
that possessus).The feminists, young black
professionals,
resultis an arrayof urban
African
American
beauty parlor culture, transgender politics,
genre-bending
tales
that addupto some queer sex conferences, sperm banks, magazine publishing, mulprettyfiercecultural tiracial relationships and black identity. It's a dizzying array of
critiques:"It's true,I topics, and Villarosa is never able to delve below the surface of
wouldn'twantto be any of them. While this makes for enjoyable and easy reading,
strangledthe waythe similar to the work of E. Lynn Harris, this novel is not neceswomenin Frenzyare. sarily the right place to explore serious topics like selecting a
Butit's not like I don't
sperm donor, deciding to co-parent a baby with a new partner
knowhowit feels....
or breaking off an engagement for a same-sex fling. Still, the
DoesDNAhavekarma?
Domovies?"(semio- book would make a great screenplay, and Villarosa tries hard to
texte.com)- JuliaBloch straddle the African American and lesbian markets by throwing
Billie morphs into Billy, a gay male character), and in the future
(post-World War III), where even with the power of artificial
intelligence, humans are doomed to repeat their failures, start
wars and turn to totalitarian, mind-controlling
governments.
If all this seems grim, consider it lucky that Winterson is also
the source of such gloomy satire, for as always, her prose is
apt to delight. This is especially true in the dialogue sections
between Billie and Spike, a female robo-sapien capable of developing both rational thought and human emotions. In the first
chapter, Billie is an outlaw tech, charged with taking Spike to
explore the "Blue Planet:' The two begin a tentative love affair
when Spike announces that "gender is a human concept" and
leans in to kiss her.
In one scene set in the
future, a free society has set
itself up on the outskirts of the
approved territory. It's a Wild
West kind of place complete,
with black-market
currency,
a rowdy bar and a radioactive forest full of deformed
humans. When Billie impulsively takes Spike (who has
become, literally, just a talking
head) into this territory, Spike
is stolen by a group of young
lesbians.
Eventually,
Billie
finds Spike, set between a woman's legs, pleasuring the woman
with her electric tongue. When Billie scolds Spike, the robot
announces that this has "enriched my circuitry:' Billie thinks,
"Great. The robot that was designed to become the world-sage
has had oral sex with a teenager named Nebraska and become a
drop-out free-love silicon guru:'
The same-sex-attraction slant of The Stone Gods will please
LGBT readers, but it is not the main purpose of the story.
often with hilarious results. (lindavillarosa.com)
Instead, love is framed as salvation, wherever it appears, and as
The Stone Gods Jeanette 1"interson (Harcourt):
possibly the only antidote for human societies keen on plunder,
war and self-destruction.
As Winterson writes, shortly before the novel comes to its
novels including The Passion and Sexing the Cherry, doesn't
conclusion, ''A quantum universe-neither
even like science fiction. She certainly isn't known for it the
mined. A universe of potentialities, waiting for an intervention
way other dyke novelists, like Nicola Griffith, are. Yet The Stone
to affect the outcome. Love is an intervention. Why do we not
choose itt (harcourtbooks.com)
■
Gods-a postapocalyptic cautionary tale hinting at the inabil-
Icurve
their own choosing), in the 1770s on Easter Island (where
these two communities together and making them get along,
Rumor has it that Jeanette Winterson, the author of many fine
66
"central Power;' and everyone is genetically "fixed" at an age of
random nor deter-
PAGE TURNERS
articleson bugsand
litterbugs,a treatise
onflag burninganda
lookat the stateof the
independent
media,this
is nota bookto read
beforebed,becauseyou
probably
won'tgetmuch
sleep.(akpress.org)
- JennaV.Loceff
TheMandrakeBroom,
JessWells(Firebrand
Books}:
Thisrichly
detailedhistoricalnovel,
is set in late15thcentury Italy,a time when
womenwerebeing
burnedat the stakeas
witchesfor practicing herbalmedicine.
Thestoryfollowsthe
adventures
of Luccia
Alimenti,the daughter
of a medicalprofessor,
whois chargedwith the
responsibility
of passing herballoreonto
futuregenerations
even
thoughthe risksfor
doingso weredeadly.
(firebrandbooks.com)KamalaK.Puligandla
TippingtheSacred
Cow,Ed.Brian
Awehali(AKPress}:
Overthe courseof 11
years,the magazine
UP:InformedRevolt,
broughtits ownform
of subversivepolitics,
sexandcultureto the
world.UPis on an
indefinitehiatusbut
fanscanrejoiceat the
publicationof Tipping
the SacredCow.With
LifelongBooks}:
A lesbianfarmeron
a sustainable
farm,
CatherineFriend(who
will be interviewedin
the November
issueof
cuRvE)
writespassionatelyabout"howto
keepanimalshappy,
saveOldMacDonald's
farm,reduceyourhoofprintandstill eat meat."
Herbookis packedwith
tips on howyoucan
avoidvegetarianism
in
our ageof factoryfarms
whileremainingan
ethicaleater.Herwords
givehopeto thoseof us
whocravemeat,but are
sickenedby somemodernfarmingpractices.
(dacapopress.com)KateGoldsworthy
TheEmotional
Livesof
Animals,MarcBekoff
(NewWorldLibrary}:
Theanimalloverwill
delightin this intelligent,conversational
andconvincing
reflection
on animals'capacity
for emotion.Thoughit
doesn'tskimpon the
tear-jerkingstoriesthat
makeyousay,"Aw!" it
avoidsover-romanticism
throughthe useof
TheCandidate,
scientificstatsand
TraceyRichardson
research.If you'rethe
(BellaBooks}:
kindof dykewhojust
Theromancein The
mightlovethefamily
Candidate
is intense,
dogmorethanthe girlfriend,you'lldevourthis, captivatingand,at
cover-to-cover,
in days. times,heart-breaking.
JaneKincaiddoesn't
(newworldlibrary.
com)
believeshecanrunfor
- Catherine
Plato
presidentandhave
THE
a lesbianlovertoo.
Thisnotionis
challenged,
raising
veryimportant
questionsabout
whetherout and
proudlesbiansmust
sacrificeour personal
livesfor ourcareers,
especiallyif we are
in the publiceye.
TheCompassionate (bellabooks.
Carnivore,
Catherine com)-Kathi
lsserman
Friend(DaCapo
CARNIVORE
Q+A
Megan Rose
Gedris
Megan Rose Gedris, a 22-year-old graphic designer from Michigan, is the writer-artist of the
web comics Yu+Me and I Was Kidnapped
by Lesbian Piratesfrom Outer Space.Yu+ Me
is a very sweet, dreamy, manga-style teenage romance about a young woman who
is finding her way and her sexuality in a
series of overbearing environments. I Was
Kidnapped by Lesbian Piratesfrom Outer Space is set in the 1950s, and
has a Lichtenstein-esque feel. It is a ribald adventure in space, with many
familiar comic book themes throughout. Gedris feels chat Lesbian Pirates
is different from anything she has experienced, but she would sure love to
live it. - Richard A. Scott
What are your influences and favorite art styles?
I like mixed-media art. For me, the art isn't just about what I'm drawing,
but how I draw it.
What about your writing?
I like writing chat's funny. If it cakes itself too seriously, I'm going to lose
interest fast.
The material in Yu+Me is reflective of a Catholic upbringing.
People assume I went to Catholic school. I didn't. It comes from my dad
and aunt telling stories of their Catholic-school upbringing. When I
came out to my aunt and told her about the comics, she was tickled
chat Fiona's school experience was just like hers. Some of Yu+Me is
my own experiences.
You received $1,000 from Prism comics for publishing copies of
Yu+Me, while Lesbian Pirates is being published through a deal
by Platinum Studios. Care to elaborate?
I got both the Platinum deal and the Prism grant within a couple months
of each other. I went from "Oh, I'm a web-comic artist who would
like to be published, but I'll have to spend a lot of my own money to
do it, so I'll do 1t m five years when I'm better off..:'to
"Oh, I have money for printing comics now:' I've
just accomplished my five-year plan in less than
five months. What am I going to do for the next
five years:' The next five years will get spent making more
comics. What these two deals did was get me the funds to
start my own self-publishing endeavor, and get me into the
industry on a semi-professional level.
Ever thought about having Lesbian Pirates as a
cartoon or a movie?
I always thought it would be neat to have a cartoon on Adult
Swim. To me, it seems like they've given up trying to get gay
characters into the mainstream. I want nothing less than to see
LesbianPiratesfrom Outer Spaceup there after TheVentureBros.
If I did this, it wouldn't be done halfway. I wouldn't settle for
anything less than total awesomeness. ■
September 2008
I67
Reviews Tech Girl
Multitasking Console
The PlayStation 3 has everything but the kitchen sink. I By Katie Peoples
As an avid gamer, I leapt at the chance to cover the 2006 launch
Streaming Media
of the PlayStation 3 at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco.
If you're like me, y~mtake digital photos with the swanky
At the time, though, I wondered if the PS3 could surpass the
camera you dropped a few hundred bucks on and then
staggering (and surprising) success of the Nintendo Wii, and
leave them to collect megabytes on your laptop, never to be
if it was worth spending the extra cash for almost the same
seen again. But with the PS3 you can stream your comput-
graphic quality as the Xbox 360. After all, the PS3 was a machine
er's content and display it on your TV (the Xbox 360 has
built for serious gamers, right? Turns out, the PS3 has a wide
an almost identical application). Easy-as-pie digital slide
assortment of capabilities that even a casual gamer (or non-
shows! Both the PS3 and the 360 can detect your computer
gamer) would be hard-pressed to pass up.
over Wi-Fi and will download the content you want. Or, with
Blu-Ray
you can manually upload the content. While this is a nice bonus
The major studios have picked Sony's format: the Blu-Ray
feature, I don't find it a great selling point.
the PS3's multiple SanDisk card readers, USB ports and driver,
Disc. And with a new software update, the PS3 can support
BD-LIVE, which gives viewers more interactive features, like
PlayStation Online
downloadable trailers, ringtones and games. While it's the
OK, so this part is about gaming. The great advantage here is
most expensive gaming console (and there is plenty of debate
that Sony took its time figuring out what its online capabili-
on whether it's worth the price), the PS3 is the cheapest Blu-
ties were going to be. The PS3's capabilities most resemble the
Ray player on the market; it can play your old DVDs (and
Xbox 360's, where there is downloadable content (like upgrades
even boost their quality) and is Internet-ready, with plenty
for games or trailers). There is also a store, where you can buy
of hard-drive space (pick either the 40 GB, $400 or 80 GB,
games and download them directly to your PS3 hard drive. But
$500 model).
the sweetest part of this deal is the free massive multiplayer online gaming (aka MMOG). Its closest rival, Xbox Live, requires
a subscription to play MMOGs. Take that, Master Chie£ ■
68 \ curve
EDITOR'S PICK
StainlessSteelVideo
Watch(ThinkGeek):
Remember
all those
JamesBondmovies
wherehewhipsout his
super-cool,
futuristicvideo
watchandyouthink,
Wow,I'd loveto have
that?Yeah,
that'swhat
this is all about.Watch
videosonthe 1.8-inch
LCDscreenin a just
abouteveryvideoformat,
includingAVI,MPEG
and
MP4.The8 gigabyte
watch,whichhasa digital
clockdisplay,is rechargeableandcanbe hooked
upto yourcomputervia
a USBcable.Comeswith
a built-inmic,speaker
andheadphone
jack.Only
downside?Doesn'twork
on Macs.Whydo PCs
getall the fun?($130,
thinkgeek.com)
- Diane
Anderson-Minshall
I Tried It Reviews
My SchoolhouseShock
One lesbian spends a year as a substitute teacher and lives to write about it. I By Laurie K. Schenden
"You are dead;' said the note, getting the day off to a rotten start. I'd only
girl blabs to the class that I called her a "bitch:' Dogs live in doghouses, female
been in class for 45 minutes. I hadn't even learned all their names. But already,
dogs are bitches, hence, I was calling her a bitch, she says. It was a logical con-
one student had springs in his legs and refused to work, so I told him his next
seat was in the principal's office.
clusion, but this was no time for compliments.
Teaching: It seems idealistic, but despite my naive notions of making an
That was an embarrassment the kid couldn't handle.
impression on young minds, I quickly discovered that parents are more likely
Generally, substitute teachers don't get death threats, especially from
to side with their kids, students are rarely held accountable and teachers have
second-graders. But spurts of extreme emotion from kids, whether anger or
adoration, are not uncommon. Especially from kids like Death- Threat Boy,
who didn't live with his parents.
little recourse.
I actually expected to dazzle students with stories about covering Southern
California's theme parks as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times and give
As a substitute teacher, I've learned that children are the most precious,
them some details about my work as a filmmaker. But once I got a feel for the
innocent, loyal, truthful people in the world. They also have the potential to
system, I felt incredibly vulnerable. I started to feel uncomfortable that a kid,
be mean, arrogant, nasty and the biggest liars ever.
I'm in awe of teachers who show restraint in the face of horrific behavior,
when my instincts are to blurt out,"Piss off, you little shit:' But so far I've managed benign cliches like, "You're in the doghouse:'
Do students know what "in the doghouse" means? I wonder, when one
a teacher or a parent would Google me and find out about my background in
gay and lesbian media.
This has driven me to a place that I thought I'd never go-into
the closet.
OK, I'm not actually in the closet, but there are times I've had one hand on the
knob, ready to take the leap. It's not out of shame that I feel this way-it's
out
of fear. Losing the job wouldn't kill me, but losing my freedom, my family and
my credibility, and having my integrity questioned could.
Early on, I'd say things like "Cool shoes;' or "You have nice eyes;' trying to
make the kids feel good. They like that. But one day, after I told a tall, slender girl who looked like a model that she, well, looked like a model, I caught
myself. Could a comment like that be twisted and used against me, leading to
some unimaginable nightmare? Now, even though someone may need a little
boost, I'll say things like "You have nice handwriting;' lame but safe.
Teachers are at risk every day. I work in a district that is 95 percent Latino
and African American, while the majority of the teachers are white. I've been
in two lockdowns already, both caused by racial violence.
This wasn't supposed to be that kind of job. So why do it?
Originally, I needed to have a flexible job I could do between films. Yes,
there are other jobs. But then, there was the bright little sixth-grader who came
up to me after class in tears. He said, "The police came last night and took my
dad:' I talked to him, put a hand on his shoulder and tried to reassure him the
best I could.
I surprised myselflater when I could
Lellthe story without crying. I hate
that I can't trust what some kids or parents or even teachers might say, or how
they might twist things. But at the same time, I also hate it that many of these
underprivileged kids have so much potential, yet they are easily overlooked,
neglected and left behind.
My passion is supposed to be storytelling-which
tears at my gut on days
like today, when the third-graders I've had for three days get bored, won't listen
and spout way-too-sophisticated
taunts to each other, like "bite my crotch:'
I use my "adult voice" until my vocal chords are strained, but can't catch
the culprit launching paper airplanes when my back is turned. When the bell
finally rings, I feel as if I've gone 10 rounds in a wrestling ring. I can't wait to
get the hell out. Then a 9-year-old boy walks up, puts his arms around my
waist and holds tight.
"Bye, Ms. Sch en den. You were really nice. I'm going to miss you;' he says in
the sweetest little voice you've ever heard. Damn, just when I'm ready to write
the little buggers off. ■
September 2008
I69
Our morning hike produced no tapir sightings (a jaguar's paw print in the
We stopped at Blue Creek soon after, and ate a simple lunch. Nathaniel had
mud was nearly as exciting), so after our dinner, eaten to "Let It Bleed" and
told us to bring bathing suits that morning, so with extra clothes in our back-
"Sticky Fingers" (Diego's choice), Stephanie, Antonio and I got back in the
packs we started on a m1ie or so hike, not sure what we were getting into and
canoe for our after-dark ride, where we'd get to see nocturnal animals and
not really bothering to ask. Hiking in a foreign country is probably one of the
perhaps an insomniac tapir. Riding in a canoe down Golden Stream by
greatest joys in life: Every single flower, berry, bird or rodent we came across
starlight is as romantic as it is spooky; I couldn't think of anything more
felt incredibly exciting and new. One of the coolest things I saw was a huge,
terrifying than falling into the pitch-black water and being devoured by
shiny green vine snake blocking our path. Careful to avoid actually hitting the
whatever jungle creatures lurked below. Antonio lit our way by a floodlight,
creature, Nathaniel tried scaring it out of the way by tossing a branch toward
which at one point caught the glistening red eye of a crocodile floating before
it. It coiled a bit but barely moved, more annoyed than frightened. Nathaniel
us. I gripped Stephanie's hand and held my breath as it passed in front of us
tried a few more times, eventually urging it up onto a bush, and we hurried past,
sil;ndy, searching for a midnight snack. A small snake with its head thrust up
just feet away from it.
glided across the water just after, and, watching how my eyes lit up, Antonio
Feeling a little like Indiana Jones as we continued our trek along the dirt
mentioned that many local snakes were extremely poisonous. By the time you
path, we reached a rocky clearing overlooking Blue Creek, the open mouth of a
reached the hospital for antivenom it was often too late-if
cave gaping over the river. After we changed into bathing suits, Nathaniel gave
As Americans visiting an exotic foreign land, it's all too easy to be ignorant of
they even had it.
us headlamps and life vests for our swimming tour of the cave. We followed him
facts like this. What I saw as cool wild animals aren't"neat and exciting" for the
deep into pitch darkness, the sunny mouth of the cave obscuring into nothing,
people who have to live among them without Western healthcare.
our weak little headlamps all we had to light the way. Nathaniel knew the route
well; he'd memorized every section of shallow water or sharp rocks and warned
us as we paddled behind him. We swam for about 20 minutes, getting closer
Each day pushed us a little farther from civilization. The last night brought
to the rushing sound of a waterfall within the cave, which was amplified by the
us to a tiny island in the Caribbean Sea, more remote than any other place we
solid-rock acoustics. It would have been the perfect setting for a horror movie
visited, yet oddly familiar in the way that oceans are. They remind you that the
or survivalist action flick. Nathaniel suggested that we turn off our lamps for
entire world is connected together through salt water and fish communities,
just one second, and it was truly stunning: Chest deep in water, with no light or
that miles of nothingness are really filled by sparkly water and a hundred differ-
reference point of any sort, I again felt like I was at the edge of the world.
ent ecosystems, that the eastward view from Moho Cay wasn't all that different
from the westward view from San Francisco and the water tastes about the
same. What's different is the sand. Caribbean sand is whiter and sparkles more,
The next day, Stephanie and I continued on to the next lodge, Jungle Camp,
and is home to crawling lizards and baseball-size hermit crabs.
accessible only by a motorized canoe ride through a landscape straight out of
Around Moho Cay is a series of islands called the Snake Cayes, which are
The Jungle Book: sunlight filtering through vine-draped trees, with the chirp-
apparently inhabited by boa constrictors. We snorkeled just off the shore and,
ing of exotic birds as our soundtrack. Our guide and driver, Rosendo, told us
noticing the nearby island covered in palm trees and devoid of all human
that during the 150-minute ride we would cover about five miles. Animal life
development, we decided to explore it. In bikinis and sandals, we stepped
kept things interesting for part of the time; kingfishers, woodpeckers, the "Jesus
gingerly around fallen palm leaves and over monstrous, man-eating hermit
Christ lizard" (who, like his namesake, scampers across the water upright on
crabs, our eyes scanning the island for the anything scary. Dried up, brown
hind legs) and our favorite, the catbird (whose chirp sounds like a meow) made
coconuts littered the ground around us, their fresh, shiny green counterparts
the trip feel certainly no longer than 149 minutes. To keep us excited and
hanging out of reach. I wanted one.
awake, Rosendo told us about the tapir, the national animal of Belize, which
We spent the next 20 minutes desperately trying to make this happen.
looks like a small horse and can sometimes be seen drinking from the river.
Looking much like the apes in the beginning of 2001: A Space Odyssey, we tried
Sadly, no thirsty tapirs appeared that day, and we arrived at Jungle Camp with
every possibility imaginable to achieve a coconut to call our own, until finally
bad sunburns and unquenched curiosity.
I saw it: a fresh-faced baby sitting casually on the ground, sparkling in the sun
After settling into the heavy rosewood lodge with some cocktails (our
just a few feet from us, all cute and unassuming among her dried, crotchety, old
adorable 19-year-old bartender, Diego, made me what he called, in awkward
neighbors. I kidnapped her and, back in my room, wrapped her delicately in my
English, "the panty ripper"), we talked with our new guide, Antonio, about
clothes and placed her in my suitcase.
what there was to do in the absolute middle of nowhere. Hiking, bird watching
A few days later I made the mistake of trying to eat her, and found her
and a midnight canoe ride caught our attention; otherwise, there was plenty of
flesh was hard and tough and her juice was sour. I composted her remains after
alcohol and classic rock ( the Jungle Camp crew are big Rolling Stones fans) in a
one bite. Just like when you get your vacation photos developed and they're
lodge that was empty except for us. We made small talk with our bartender and
a disappointment compared to your memory, my coconut turned out to be a
guide and learned a little more about the country. They told us Mayan women
weak memento of a powerful trip. Instead of the sweet exotic delicacy of my
don't drink, period, and there are very few bars or clubs in the entire coun-
imagination, she was the everywoman coconut, just trying to survive.
try where women hang out at all. We didn't bother asking about lesbian bars.
Each sweltering day in Belize felt eternal, but now that our week was over
Almost everyone we met in Belize had never been out of the country, except to
it felt a little like it wasn't long enough, and so much I wanted to do was out of
Guatemala; a few had been to southern Mexico. Most local people and lodge
reach. When you go to a Third World country for the first time, a tour com-
employees had been raised on farms and had never eaten in a restaurant, let
pany serves you a great sort of sampler plate of what the country has to offer.
alone stayed in a hotel, which explained the overly formal and scripted service
We were always safe, never had to make any stressful decisions for ourselves
we received. It was mind-blowing to consider how different our lives were-
and never ran across any semblance of violence, misogyny or homophobia-
that a day spent with Diego's family would be completely unimaginable to me,
and very few people who weren't there specifically to serve us. While a tour
as would his spending a day typing on a computer in San Francisco. And yet,
we both liked beer and singing along to the Rolling Stones.
company helps you get your bearings, don't miss out on the adventures that can
70 I curve
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I 71
Top Ten Reasons We Love Patricia Field
Field, a notable
her new Payless shoe line."They are made beautiful-
lesbian fashion design-
ly,they're clean and gorgeous and they're glamorous.
er, stylist, costume
I think glamour is a big inspiration for me always:'
Patricia
designer and boutique owner, has
established
her-
self as a trend-
ing the filming of 1995's Miami Rhapsody. Parker, a
setting
force in
fashion enthusiast, fell in love with Field's designs.
the world of high
They became friends and ~hen Parker signed on to
fashion. Field won
do Sex and the City, she asked that Field be brought
an Emmy for the
way she transformed
Sarah
4. She'sresponsible
fortheculturaliconthatis Sex
and the City.Field met Sarah Jessica Parker dur-
Jessica
on to bring the character of Carrie Bradshaw to
life. Field did more than just that, however. She is
Parker
solely responsible for making the famed television
into the femme fatale that is
series into a high-fashion showcase. Millions tuned
Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City,
in every week to see what Bradshaw and her fellow
and was also nominated for an Academy Award for
Manhattanites would be wearing next.
her work on The Devil Wears Prada. Though she
never had dreams of making it "big" in the fashion
you can accentuate your weekend wear and show
off your inner superhero at the same time.
5. Shetaughtus howto lookfiercein stilettos.It's
industry, Field has left an indelible mark on celebri-
no secret that Field is a fan of high-heeled shoes.
8. She'snotafraidto be herself.Field's designs are
ties, fashion enthusiasts and lesbians alike with her
She incorporates the use of heels and stilettos into
the product of her imagination, sense of style and
unique and uninhibited sense of style. -
Lyndsey
the innate courage to just be who she is, regardless
D'Arcangelo
of what others may think. She puts herself out there
and says, "This is who I am:' She goes her own way
1. She's constantly setting fashion trends.
and does what she wants to do. That's something
Whether
we all should aspire to do in our own lives.
it's the five-fingered leather half-glove,
gold nameplate necklaces or the House
of Field tote bag, Field is continuously
9. Herdesignsare for everyone.
It doesn't matter
producing hot products that not only
what look you are going for-whether
attract movie stars, fashion industry in-
fabulous, fun and flirty, a downtown day look or
siders and celebutantes, but also appeal
evening glam-Field
it's ghetto
has a design to fit your style.
to the general public. She mixes ghetto
fabulous with rock star appeal, high with low end,
many of her designs. It's not just about wearing
10. She's a designwiz. From ice cube trays to
and vintage with new age to produce original style
heels, though-it's
iPod boomboxes, and from high-end handbags to
combinations
are wearing them. Dress them up or dress them
vintage-inspired accoutrements, Field can design
down. Put your outfit together from the
just about anything-with
no one else would dare think 0£
And we love her for it!
about looking fierce while you
heel on up and you're bound to turn some
2. Sheremindsus thata goodsenseof styleis all
aboutconfidence.
Field believes that style is all
heads.
about having confidence and feeling comfortable
6. She's into toys. Field teamed up
edition Diet Coke bottles. Each of the four
in the clothes you love to wear, whatever your indi-
with Mattel toys to design a collection
vidual style may be. In other words, don't try to be
of Barbie-inspired sportswear, handbags
someone you're not. Don't dress like someone else,
and jewelry. This unique line features vin-
because her individual style may not work for you.
tage to contemporary
Be who you are and reveal your confidence through
nameplate necklaces, Barbie logo earrings and graf-
your own sense of style. Field's own unique sense of
fiti T-shirts. Field also uses the Barbie silhouette in
style is what makes her so popular today.
many of her designs, making an iconic symbol into
designs, including Barbie
a fashion statement.
3. She made Paylessa lot hipperwith Manololike designs.Payless Shoes just got 10 times hip7. Shewantsus to embraceour innersuperhero.
per since Field began designing a line of
Manolo Blahnik-inspired shoes, featuring fun and inexpensive boots, heels
Wonder Woman wasn't exactly a fashion icon, but
she could kick some serious butt in those
leather boots and deflect bullets with
and clutches. "I think they came out
her magic cuffs. Thankfully, Field
really well, and I'm really happy with
the way that they look;' said Field of
has designed a pair of superhero
72lcurve
her own particular flair,
of course. This is evident in her recent limited-
cuffs for the regular woman. Now
Jam on the
bottles she designed represents an aspect
of today's modern woman, from "career;'
through "love;'"fashion" and "passion:' Let's
face it-Diet
Coke just got a little sexier! ■
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The magnificent view from the Eiffel Tower Experience has
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FranklySpeaking
curve
THE BEST-SELLING
LESBIAN MAGAZINE
VC>lJM£:. 18 I\JUl\/.1::3£:.R
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It's An Adventure
I don't think I'm unique in
the desire to see the world,
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and take in the vast beauty
of nature on other continents (not to mention all
the cute girls I'd meet).
Frances Stevens Publisher/Editor in Chief
A question I'm often asked when I'm speaking to audiences around the country is, "What would you do
if you weren't a magazine publisher?" I always have the same answer. I would travel. The thing is, I don't
think I'm particularly unique in the desire to see the world, experience different cultures and take in the
vast beauty of nature on other continents (not to mention all the cute girls I'd meet). Our readers tell us
constantly that traveling-even
armchair tourism-tops
their list of things to do.
But we're all busy with jobs and girlfriends and skyrocketing gas prices, so for some of us, the luxury
of reading about another woman's adventure is a great boon.
So we heeded the call to follow up on some daring fare this issue in our special Adventure Travel section. Alison Peters takes us along for a ride as she and her girlfriend drive cross-country in Panama, while
Photo Assistants
Frances Stevens
Diane Anderson-Minshall
Sara Jane Keskula
Colleen M. Lee
Rachel Beebe, Katie Peoples
Rachel Pepper
Margaret Coble
Julia Bloch, Victoria A.
Brownworth, Gina Daggett,
Sheryl Kay, Gretchen Lee
Katherine Wright
Patsy Kaye, Remy Ramirez
Stefanie Liang
Nicole Teichman
Ondine Kilker
Kelly Nuti
Nikki Woelk
Flo Enriquez
Holly DeMaagd
Diana L Berry, Rivendell Media
Natalie Belle, Kate
Goldsworthy, Sara Kwan,
John Pann, Rachel Shatto,
Kelsey Truman
Hayley McMillen, Greg Speck
Contributing Writers Kathy Beige, Stacy Bias, Lya Carrera,
Kelsy Chauvin, Teresa Coates, Jennifer Corday, Lyndsey
D'Arcangelo, Michele Fisher, Lauren Marie Fleming,
Tania Hammidi, Jodi Helmer, Kathy lsserman, Gillian
Kendall, Kate Lacey, Charlene Lichtenstein, Jenna V.
Loceff, Karen Loftus, Karlyn Lotney, Candace Moore,
Catherine Plato, Aimsel L. Ponti, Laurie K. Schenden,
Stephanie Schroeder, Kristin A. Smith, Ursula Stech,
Jocelyn Voo, Melany Walters-Beck
Illustrators Phil Cho, Katherine Streeter
Gillian Kendall explains her newest hobby, geochaching. Women around the globe use GPS to hunt for
hidden treasures, traveling from town to town as a way to meet locals and experience culture. Kendall's
already "geocached" her way from Australia to Hawaii.
Elsewhere in Latin America, Catherine Plato explores Belize and Kelsy Chauvin goes inside Costa
Rica-and
Contributing PhotographersMichelle Bart, Erica Beckman,
Tony Donaldson, Sophia Hantzes, Gabriela Hashun,
Cheryl Mazak, Connie L. Merchant, Mia Nakano, Maggie
Parker, Elisa Shebaro, Jeff Singer, Paul Thomas, Kina
Williams, Misty Winter
both discover rain forests, exotic animals (shrieker monkeys do indeed sound captivating) and
plenty of bold new experiences.
Of course, Corey Crossfield's trip to Africa takes the cake. She visited six countries across the continent in her own amazing wildlife safari and left not just with a number of stamps in her passport, but
also a new girlfriend.
So whether you're planning the vacation of a lifetime or just logging off at work and dreaming about
a far-away land, this issue of
CURVE
has something for you. Plus, if you get tired of travel, well, there's a
whole lot of hotties dressing up and down in our Style section, too!
Volume 18 Issue 7 Curve (ISSN 1087-867)() is published monthly (except for
bimonthly January/Februaryand July/August) by Outspoken Enterprises, Inc.,
1550 Bryant St., Ste. 510, San Francisco,CA 94103. Subscnption pnce: $49.95/
year, $62.95 Canadian (U.S. funds only) and $71.95 InternatIonal(U.S. funds
only). Returned checks will be assessed a $25 surcharge. Periodicals postage
paid at San Francisco. CA 94114 and at additional mailing offices (USPS 0010355). Contents of Curve Magazinemay not be reproduced in any manner, either
whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. Publ,calion of
the name or photograph of any persons or organizationsappeanng, advertising
or listing in Curve may not be taken as an indication of the sexual orientation
of that individual or group unless specifically stated. Curve welcomes letters,
queries, unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Include SASE for response.
Lack of any representation only signifies insufficient materials. Submissions
cannot be returned unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included. No
responsibilityis assumed for loss or damages. The contents do not necessarily
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Keyword: Curvemag Website: curvemag.com
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Features September 2008
''I took a
deep breath,
closed
my eyes
and tried
to imagine
how deep
and ancient
the history
was, hoping
some vague
feelingof
sacredness
wouldwash
overme. It
d1dnt really
work."
8
V
3
Basking in Belize Central America offers one
couple a wondrous journey. By Catherine Plato
3
Pura Vida in Costa Rica Equal parts paradise
and adventure playground, Costa Rica makes a
great lesbian getaway. By Kelsy Chauvin
Cover: Bitch & Daniela Sea She's a hot rock
star. She's an L Word star. Together, Bitch and
Daniela Sea are a power couple with style. Plus,
L.P. and Triple Creme's Terry LaFrazia show off their
wardrobes and their girlfriends. By Rachel Beebe
4
Fifties Fabulous Retro fashionistagoes from rags
to riches by her own design. By Lauren Marie Reming
5
Alternative Fashions Finding vintage fashion
for the rest of us. Plus 410 BC rocks the tee. By
Eco Escapade in Punta Mona Environmentally
conscious women go wild for permaculture communities. By Nina Krieger
3
Out in Africa Six countries in nine months-and a
new girlfriend to boot. By Corey Crossfield
5
It's a Cinch Designer Michaela Grey digs corsets
and costumes. By Dana Kaye Litoff
3
Gay in the Peace Corps One lesbian chooses
between service and the closet. By Alison Walkley
5
3
Hidden in Hawaii Bring out your inner gay pirate
with geocaching. By Gillian Kendall
Dykes With City Style Chicago-based queer
fashion house dykesinthecity showcases its latest
designs. By Lya Carrera
5
3
Cycling Sista 1,847 miles on two wheels. One
woman's journey from Vancouver to Tijuana. By
Size Matters Brooklyn's loss, Portland's gain:
Lesbian designer Bertha Pearl. By Stephanie
4
4
curve
4
3
Nina Krieger
41
Volume 18 #7
Panamanian Pleasure Ride We show you how
to enjoy this Latin American country in style. By
Alison Peters
Get Your Style On We're heading back to the closet with these celeb couples.
Stephanie Schroeder and Heather Gilligan
Schroeder
54
Runway Hotties These queer models show
just how fierce lesbians can be on the catwalk.
By Jennifer Corday
5
Sweet Boutique Thick chicks in a candy store.
That's hot.
5
Project Runway's Lesbian Get ready for Project
Runway by reading up on a former star, sexy Marie
Salter. By Adena Demonte
Departments
September 2008
"In the boxing
ring, the refereeis
clear about what
is unfair:biting,
tripping,spitting,
head butting,hold
ing and throwing
low blows. While 1n
some circlesthese
movessound more
likeforeplay,when
it comes to fair
fighting,there are,
in fact, some holds
that shouldbe
barred."
ag
2
Frankly Speaking Our publisher tells it
like it is.
8
12
14
15
16
18
20
21
Lesbofile They make us laugh, they
make us sweat and they always come out
on top.
60
Letters Find out what our readers love
and hate about us.
Sapphic Screen Candace Moore's got
the world's best international flicks for your
viewing pleasure.
22
Lipstick & Dipstick Can you keep a relationship in the closet?
63
Contributors Meet the ladies who stimulate us visually.
Music Watch Margaret Coble picks the
bands you need to hear.
23
Ask Fairy Butch The Fairy counsels a
troubled teen about her first love.
64
Scene The bold and the beautiful out on
the town.
24
Astro Grrl Will the hotties need some
sweet persuasion this month?
Mary Gauthier Up Close Colleen Lee
gets the country music star-dubbed a
female Johnny Cash-chatting about sex,
drugs and lesbian fans.
25
Relationships Tips for negotiating the
ins and outs when you go head to head
with your honey.
66
In the Stacks Rachel Pepper gets fictional in these fall offerings.
68
Health Is weightloss through hypnosis for
real?
Tech Girl Is the PlayStation 3 all it's
cracked up to be?
69
Money We get the skinny on how to start
your own business.
I Tried It One lesbian questions whether
teaching is worth the stress.
72
Sex and the City's Lesbian Desiger
Top 10 reasons why we love Patricia
Field, the lady responsible for the iconic
look of this past summer's hottest movie.
It's not just because she's gay!
Curvatures It's back-to-school time!
We've got the info on out and proud queer
fraternities, writers in schools and college
girls' thoughts on porn.
Bikini Babes Summer never has to end
with these hot suits for gay girls and bois.
26
Out in Front Three activists making our
world a better place.
27
Open Studio Cartoonist Elisha Lim
shows us how the personal gets political.
28
29
6
Icurve
Dyke Drama Honeymooners Michele
Fisherand her bride stick close to home.
Politics Getting old may be the next gay
revolution.
§
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DISCOVER SWEET.COM
TRAVEL.L
A New<- co-friendly Lesbia11. Travel &ompany
<i/Jedicated To MaJeng The World A Better Place
<-WhileWaving A <iJJlastI11.It. .
Letters
It's good to
exerciseyour
muscles.
Iron Chef Cat Cora
Hotlanta Rugged Girl Jocks
"Thanksfor the coverageon
the hot coupleJen and Zoi. I
was so happyto see a lesbian
twosomeon TV, and they can
cook. I was reallydisappointed
that they bothmet an early
'packyourknives.'"
Start with
your heart.
The makers of
TYLENOL"' PM are proud to
be the presenting sponsor
of Braking the Cycle.
'1ere'">is ,,
be happy to see an article about the Ohio Lesbian
I loved the cover story, as my girl and I have been
This 3-day, 275-mile bike
enthralled with this season of Top Chef [Vol. 18
ride from Gettysburg, PA
#5). Personally, I think that Lisa from the show
Archives.
- Vic Ramstetter and Karen Phebe Beiser, codirectors, Cincinnati
cut her hair to make it more apparent that she was
to New York City raises
a lesbian upon hearing
was giving them the
Yesterday was our bi-monthly coordinators meet-
awareness and benefits
cover. I always love the magazine. I cannot wait for
ing for volunteer organizing here at the Lesbian
the HIV/AIDS services of
the New York Lesbian, Gay,
CURVE
next month's issue-hoping
to
see lots of Pride
- Jillian Skinner, Tampa, Fla.
and the hundreds of other
Libraries" [Vol.18 #5]. After reading it one-by-one,
fingering through the delicate wording and effi-
Bisexual & Transgender
Community Center. Join us
Herstory Archives. We sat at the main table and
passed around copies of your article "Lesbian
pictures.
Thanks for the coverage on the hot couple Jen and
cient prose, we realized how nice it was to be a part
Zoi [Vol. 18 #5]. I was so happy to see a lesbian
of a larger community of lesbians who still aim to
twosome on TV, and they can cook. I was really
preserve our herstories. Stephanie Schroeder and
disappointed that they both met an early "pack
Laurie K. Schenden noted us all very well! For this
your knives;' but it was refreshing to see three
brave and noble feat we agreed to send you this let-
from September 26-28th.
out lesbians on one show who weren't doing ri-
ter as a small token of our appreciation. Having the
To become involved and
diculous things (I am referring to a certain reality
opportunity to construct the letter myself, I looked
show about a bisexual). One disappointment-
online for an e-mail address and noticed past cor-
riders, volunteers, and crew
to learn about other
TYLENOL®PM sponsored
GLBT events, visit
why didn't you talk with Lisa, who made it to the
respondence with Joan Nestle in previous
Final Four? She might not have been nice, but she
issues. It seems, then, that you two are truly allies.
was real.
We appreciate your kind words, detailed highlights
-
and apparent care. Thank you for mentioning us.
Liz, Chicago
www.tylenol.com/glbt.
Your article, along with this thank-you letter, are
Editor's Note: We agree! In case you missed it, we
interviewed Lisa the day after the finale. Check out
Feel better,
TYLENOL.
PM
©McNEIL-PPC, Inc. 2008
curvemag.com and search under "Top Chef Lisa."
,.,·,..
.;)
We were disappointed
solidified in time, immortalized in dykedom.
-Shawn
Smith, Lesbian Herstory Archives,
New York City
'+
that the Ohio Lesbian
I want to thank you for the article "Sign Language
Archives was not included in the article "Lesbian
Rules" [Vol. 18 #5]. I hope
Libraries" [Vol.18 #5). The Ohio Lesbian Archives
bians go to the wonderful Deaf Lesbian Festival.
is celebrating its 18th year of being accessible to
The festival is a great opportunity for deaf lesbians
the public, having started out 28 years ago in the
to get together. So what's their website address?
apartment of one of our co-directors. We would
s Icurve
CURVE
to
see more deaf les-
- Lois Hoover, Washington, D.C.
The more trouble you have going to sleep, the more you depend
on things like your favorite pillow, a cup of hot tea, a warm bath.
But if your nightly routine occasionally includes sleep medicine,
you may worry about depending on it too much. When used as
directed, TYLENOL®PM Rapid Release Gels help you fall asleep in
a way that's non-habit forming. They work with your body to relieve
the nighttime aches and pains that keep you from getting the sleep
you need. So you can stop worrying. Start relaxing. And sleep tight.
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TYLENOL®
PM
Use only as directed. Do not take TYLENOL®with other products containing acetaminophen. tylenol.com/glbt
Letters
Editor's Note: The website is deafiesbianfestival.org.
because I could read individual articles on subjects that didn't
already interest me and they would pique my interest, but the
r
DO YOU WEAR
MAKEUP?
31%
I'm purelya
Chapstickgal.
D
tc',
As a femme lesbian who loves butches, I am getting a little dis-
17%
Makeup?!
What'sthat?
*According
to a
curvemag.com
poll
- Becca,Seattle
women posed in awkward positions. I really appreciate Dani,
but there are other sexy butches out there who are getting little
notice in our male-identified society.
-Lydia Fox, via email
Fl} inc
,. h C ,9\i
While on our flight from Amsterdam to Chicago, a nice woman
gave my wife the latest two copies of
reading them. (I have been reading
Editor's Note: We haveplenty of hot butchesin this issue,Lydia, so
checkout our Style sectionand see if it doesn't make you smile.
21%
Sure,someearthfriendlyproducts.
with people's interests.
enchanted by the number of ads showing two straight-looking
29%
Yes,the full frontal.
whole collections are a little much, if they don't happen to align
beginning, when it was the "D" word.) Your publication has
grown through the years, along with its superb quality, excellent
tent, well-balanced, tasteful magazine, one of the few gay publi-
First off, I wanted to thank you for your magazine. I have sub-
cations that can be placed on our coffee table for anyone to see
scribed for about two years and I don't plan on stopping! One
and read.
- Cathy Gauch, Greenfield,Mass.
question: Has the format of the magazine changed:' It seems
like for the past few months, instead of individual articles on a
wide variety of subjects, there are collections of articles on one
Go
or two subjects. Either this is new or it's just that these past
Email letters@curvemag.com;
months have been the first that include topics I personally am
Bryant St., Ste. 510, San Francisco, CA 94103; fax to 415-863-
If it is new, I just wanted to say that I liked the old way better,
write to
CURVE
Letters, 1550
1609. Please include your name, city and state. Letters may be
edited for clarity and length. ■
Uh-Huh, Uh-Oh
We got so many letters
from readers asking what
cover girls Leisha Hailey
and Camila Grey from
Uh-Huh Her were wearing
in last month's issue,
we realized we forgot to
include clothing credits.
For our cover shot,
Leisha wore a Josh Goot
puzzle dress available at
Achilles while Camila donned a Josh
Goot linen skirt and a Walter vest, both
from Achilles-the tank is from American Apparel.
On page 41, Leisha looked fabulous in a Marc by Marc Jacobs ruffle top,
an American Apparel two-tone miniskirt and Marc Jacobs pumps. Camila, on
the other hand, chose a Rogan for Target dress and top, and Marc by Marc
Jacobs shoes.
And on page 43, Leisha wore a Derek Lam leopard romper from Barneys
New York. Camila opted for an Alaia vest and Rozae Nichols drape skirt,
both from Barneys New York-the tank is from American Apparel.
I curve
It was a delight
off and on since the
writing, photography and creative layouts. It is a mature, consis-
not that into.
10
CURVE.
CURVE
Contributors
BRID6ESTORE
"The best part about illustrating 'Dyke Drama' every issue is diving into
such bittersweet and humorous stories with expressive collage," says
illustrator Katherine
Streeter(see page 28). Streeter lives in New York
City, where she works for publications, designers and agencies. Currently,
she is included in a traveling exhibit tided The Fabulous Coloured Pencils
of the World, which represents 25 women illustrators globally. A few of
her clients include Time, HarperCollinsand the New York Times.
"When we gave the musical couples the address of an S&M dungeon in So Ho,
I'm sure they didn't know what to expect;' says photographer EricaBeckman
about shooting this issue's cover spread, "Fierce Threads" (page 44). As the
founder and photographer of I Heart BrooklynGirls,a glossy pin~up calen~
dar of New York femmes, Beckman is no stranger to improvising on a photo
shoot. "I love the energy captured when I collaborate with subjects and stylists
and create something that surprises us all:'When she's not photographing the
faces of New York's queer cultural scene, she acts as photo editor for Fortune
SmallBusinessmagazine.
Editor's Note
Some women like to pretend there's no such thing as
lesbian fashion, but once you
pull together a group of us and
ask what we're wearing you
quickly see that's a myth. Just
ask the rock stars and designers
in this issue.
We put this issue together
during the whirlwind Pride
season- always exhausting because we jet all over the United States for
parties and fests. Our photo editor, Nicole Teichman, even got stranded
at the top of a Ferris wheel for several hours and had to be rescued by
(hopefully sexy women) firefighters just before production week.
We still managed to wrangle photo shoots in New York City, Boston,
Los Angeles and San Francisco (phew) from hotshot photogs like Erica
Beckman, Kina Williams and Misty Winter. One of my faves was when
we took three burlesque stars, a sexy designer and the cuRvEteam to
the Candy Store and indulged our senses in many ways. Each of us left
that shoot with bags full of the best retro and contemporary designer
candy. (Including the Idaho Spud, my all-time-favorite hometown candy
bar!) That's our crew above (from left): Williams, Celestina Pearl, Chave
Alexander, Teichman, Sossity Chiricuzio, Jukie Sunshine and me. Our
altruistic, outgoing assistant editor, Katie Peoples-who's leaving us for
the Peace Corps-pitched in on the shoot but ducked out of the picture
(and, sadly, out of our lives). Our new assistant editor, Rachel Beebe,
comes straight from London to step into Katie's well-worn sneakers. So
When you buy a set of four
eligible DUELER"'TIRES.
*Offer val id from August 30
through September 27, 2008.
Mail-in rebate required. At participating
Bridgestone and Firestone retailers. See retailer
for complete details and eligible tires.
© 2008 NFL Properties LLC.
All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks
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~ Katie's swan song.
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Diane Anderson-Minshall, Executive Editor
V
BRID6ESTORE
bridgestonetire.com
1-800-807-9555
ti resaf ety. com
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for EXCELLENCE
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1 The Television Academy's Diversity Committee guest panelists (from left): Dante'sCoveactor Tracy Scoggins, here! TV's vice president of production, Meredith Kadlec, and The Big Gay
SketchShowdirector Amanda Bearse 2 The National Center for Lesbian Rights executive director,
Kate Kendell, with Daniel Karslake, director-producer of FortheBibleTellsMe So,at the Just Fair
Lobby Day in Sc. Paul, Minn.
3 The Go-Go's rocked the Saturday night main event during Girl
Bar Dinah Shore Week in Palm Springs, Cali£ (From left) Go-Go's bandmates Kathy Valentine,
Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin with Girl Bar co-producers Robin Gans and Sandy Sachs,
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5 Michelle Williams (right) and
Lady GaGa at Logo's NewNowNext Awards in New York City 6 Actor Jane Lynch (center) was
the grand marshal for the 20th Annual AIDS Walk Miami. She was next to Miami-Dade County
Commissioner Sally Heyman (left) and Oakland Park Commissioner Larry Gierer (right)
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Curvatures
A Different Kind of Sex Appeal
You may make a valiant effort in the check-out line, but there
industry. "My dream ...would be to provide Russell Simmons of
they are at eye-level: Cosmo, Glamour, Allure, People. Such
Phat Farm with my models;' she says. "He is very inspiring and
guilty pleasures. Gisele Biindchen's cleavage erupts over the top
I love his work:' Thaxter also mentions the likes of Sean John,
of Victoria's not-so-Secret
Common, Nike and Dolce & Gabbana.
push-up bra. Laetitia Casta's legs
sprawl deliciously across the brown-sugar sand as the slight
Building their talent roster, SP Modeling is currently seek-
breeze of a powerful fan
ing women age 18 and over with a "strong, edgy look or style:'
just out of the shot sends
her honey-colored tress-
qualities essential to such a rigorous career. Most of us have
es rippling backward in a
tangle of lusty curls. You
figured this out by watching Tyra Banks rip into the waifs on
America's Next Top Model, but STUD Production sounds a bit
look a bit longer than you
less painful.
would have liked, as the
"I base my choices on the vibe I get;' offers Thaxter.
momentary fantasy takes
Applicants should be "determined and committed, have a goal
hold and pulls you closer.
in mind and really want to be a model:'
But then again, maybe
it doesn't.
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like a muscular Melissa Ferrick with a blond crew cut and a
clones who subsist on a diet of raw vegetables and have never,
lip piercing.
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"Going beyond labels, exploring individuality;' she says, is
Outback. Well, move over Ford and Elite, because STUD
the focus of STUD. Their new model, Nikki, sporting black
Production is here to fill that void, one sexy butch at a time.
leather and funky dreads, is a perfect example of this individu-
monplace Angelina Jolie fixation. But a dirt-smudged
fC/J
rently features the portfolio of model Ro Rowan, who looks
Maybe you're one of the many queer chicks who wish that
models looked a little more like us, instead of well-coifed Barbie
We've all seen Gia and admit to the embarrassingly com-
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If your idea of haute couture is baggy jeans and a tank
top, then STUD Production has your girl. The website cur-
ever, ever, changed the oil on their girlfriend's Subaru Legacy
§:
For those interested in posing for the camera, there are a few
Lara
ality, From urban punks to bois-next-door, Thaxter has sought
to create an agency that represents a segment of our commu-
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Croft aside, the image of a woman in a white T-shirt and Levi's
nity largely ignored by the mainstream media. "A lot of people
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is a rare and coveted thing, even in the lesbian community. By
see modeling as equal to one set image and we are all its reflec-
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new modeling agency is boldly going where few models have
and colors, an idea that mainstream fashion has unfortunately
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Maisha Thaxter, the genius behind STUD, has taken the
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Production had something to do with it. You won't have to feel
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guilty. There's no harm in looking. -
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You're digging through the racks at
the thrify and you spot it-that kickass vintage western button-down or
retro bowling shirt. There's just one
problem: its shape does nothing for
yours. Rigged Out/fitters has you
covered with their smokin' new line
of reconstructed menswear, re-styled
to fit your bod and irreverent attitude.
Look out for more of their subversive styles in an upcoming issue and
check out their exclusive design for
cuRvE'snew T-shirt.
come across "a more dominant appearing female," maybe STUD
MWB
Do-it-yourself
fashion
neverlookedsexier.
Patterning
herdesigns
aftercurvaceous
corsets,TrishaHanudel
of Redrawn
Artsscours
thrift storesfor T-shirts,
cutsthemup andsews
thembacktogether
again.Well,sortof.
Actually,sheplaces
delicateeyeletsalong
the backandsidesand
thenlacesthemup,
creatinghotpeekaboostyleclothing.
Fansgota chance
to seeherin actionat
DinahShoreon a sultry
LosAngelesevening
in Mayat Peeler,
a
boutiqueT-shirtshop.
A few luckycustomers
gottheirowncustom
cut-and-lace
jobsand
watchedHanudeland
herartistssliceintotired
oldteesandlacedthem
intohot,stylishnewtops
perfectfor casualor
steamydate.- KP
CURVATURES
WRITTEN
BY
TeresaCoates,
KateGoldsworthy,
EmilyHoward,
KatiePeoples,
Alison
Peters,KelseyTruman,
MelanyWalters-Beck
0
September 2008
I
15
Curvatures
College Lesbians More Accepting of Porn
Late last century, the battle
"Dyke sexuality and dyke sex-positive porn have a symbiotic relationship,
between anti-porn and sex-
and so we interact with our porn and inspire certain kinds of porn to get made,
positive feminists
and then that porn might also inspire us to try out new things:•
scorched
ment, turning sisters-in-arms
Sex educator Dr. Betty Dodson contends that the umbrella term for sexually explicit works should be "sex arc:• Dodson, author of the pro-masturbation
into bitter enemies. Although
classic Sexfor One, bemoans the impact of the anti-pornography movement on
the fiery debate never gut-
feminism. "Sex is the most positive experience on the planet;' she says. "Now
tered entirely, it seems to have
we're screwing with it, we're making it nasty, we're prohibiting it [and] we're
died down in recent years.
restricting it:'
The 2007 study argues that the rise in pornography's acceptability has been
through the women's move-
According to a 2007 study
in the Journal of Adolescent
Research, both male and
female college students are
much more accepting of pornography than their parents are. While 31 percent of young women surveyed
admitted to viewing pornography at least once in their lives, almost half said
that watching X-rated material was an acceptable form of sexual expression.
Only 20 percent of their mothers agreed.
The study didn't specifically examine young lesbians, but there's no reason
to think that lesbian college students would be less open to pornography than
their straight peers. And there are a myriad of theories as to why they find it
more acceptable.
According Tristan Taormino, the editor of the Best Lesbian Eroticaanthology,"More women are open to porn. This younger generation of dykes didn't live
through the sex wars, so in some ways they're bringing less baggage with them.
driven by its availability online. Juana Maria Rodriguez, a professor of gender
and women's studies at UC Berkeley, points out that the Internet has allowed
porn to become"not just videos but things like Xtube and other digital forms of
pornography, as part of a larger range of avenues of sexual representation that
have become really diversified:' She says that what "something like Xcube does
is put all of these sexual possibilities on the same scale. If you don't like it, you
can change the channel:'
Emily-Hella Tsaconas, an 18-year-old lesbian student at the University of
Southern California, says her only concern with online porn is that children
might be exposed to it, though she adds, "I saw things I probably shouldn't
have, but I turned out just fine:• Both Tsaconas and Jennifer Chambless, alesbian student at California State University, San Bernardino and a Pride Center
program assistant, express concern about pornography addiction and its effects
on relationships, but feel pornography does not have a harmful effect on society. Both women believe there's a difference between pornography and erotica,
~
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but cite different reasons: Tsaconas sees an artistic contrast, while
Chambless sees a discrepancy between fictional characters in
text and people participating in pornographic movies, whom she
thinks are sometimes demeaned.
The two women also perceive differences between maledirected and female-directed girl-on-girl pornography, Tsaconas
labeling the former as "much more plastic" and Chambless
saying it involves "inaccurate lesbian sex:' However, according to
Taormina, some pornography appeals to both sides: "There are
now girl-girl series produced by mainstream porn which have
found a dyke audience or even a dyke following:' And an interesting revelation from Chambless is that some of her lesbian friends
Tila Tequila
enjoy watching gay male pornography.
Although general categories and divisions may persist, it
seems that the porn wars are being left in the past, due not only to
the availability of porn online, but also to a blurring of boundaries
and values aided by access to the digital world. -
KG
"If she's happy, I'm happy. That's all I'll say. Samantha's
great. I've known her and her family for 1O years."
cl
cl
'
alleged romantic relationship with celebrity
DJ Samantha Ronson
"Her character was meant to be reticent, so the kiss
itself has got this push-pull, uncomfortable energy
to it. But can you imagine Carrie being in New
York and not having questioned her sexuality?"
;;>;;> cl
1.:, ........, ..... '""
Jessica Parker on Sex and the City, to the Advocate
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Making English class tolerable, and even enjoyable, has been the
driving force behind the development of the Writers in the Schools
program, part of the Literary Arts of Oregon. Semester-long writ-
t:.
i::: ing residencies in Portland public high schools feature poets, fiction
~
writers, essayists and playwrights, including queer writers Ariel
z
Gore and Chelsey Johnson.
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"Writers in the Schools really prides itself on having a diverse
group of writers;' explained Gore, author of How to Becomea Famous
Writer BeforeYourDead,"Being in the classroom as a published author and a public person creates a different experience for students:'
Bringing in authors with various writing styles and from differ-
a:
ent genres gives high schoolers a chance to see the reality of a writer's
<{
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life and learn to focus on their own work. The program enables stu-
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dents, LGBT and straight alike, to "write from a more honest place
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about all of their own identities and experiences:' Last year, more
than 3,000 students were able to take part in the Portland program,
a: z
<{
and thousands more were involved in similar programs throughout
(_) u.
the country. -
I-
a:
"We were eating garlic fries. The last thing we wanted
to do was make out with each other." ;;>
a
\.:J
a
t:
ma Tequila,
on being accused of showing inappropriate
sexual attention to her fe
le date at a Mariners
game, to ABC News
"I was like, 'It ain't for me ...but I love you.' I realized I
wasn't gay-and I really felt bad, because I wanted
to fit in."
cl
clnd kissing her childhood friend, in the
New York Times
IL..U.UtJvl
"They can suck my dick."
> Tila Tequila, to King
aL
se to accusations that
she's faking bisexuality
TC
September 2008
I 17
Health Educator
Transportation Do-Gooder
Figh ing for Civil Liberties
She calls it "do-gooderism" and although she's
Little did CarolGnade
know that on a ski vacation
People might recognize DarleneNipperfor the
not sure why, EmilyDrennensays it's always
in Utah she would discover her life's passion.
work she did as director of the Office of LGBT
made her feel good to help make a difference.
In fact, she notes, "For about two seconds in
Gnade learned that the Utah Legislature had just
high school, I thought about being a nun, so that I
passed an outright ban on abortion, despite Rowe
could do socialjustice work full-time and because
v. Wade. In shock, she called the American Civil
Liberties Union of Utah and asked if they needed
becoming a priest wasn't open to me as a woman:'
Watching the news in the lodge back in 1991,
secular endeavors, and for the past seven years
any help. When the response was an emphatic
"Yes;' Gnade took off her ski suit and spent the
she's worked in San Francisco on city planning
rest of her vacation at the group's office.
Luckily, Drennen decided to pursue more
and transportation policy, both in government
and in nonprofit transportation advocacy.
'Tm so passionate about it because transportation has a huge impact on our everyday lives,
Washington, D.C.
Or they might recognize her as a former
executive director of the Black Entertainment
Television Foundation, where she oversaw a
national media campaign to reduce obesity in
African American women.
She's also been a community health advocate
"I was hooked;' she says. "I went back to
Madison [Wis.), closed my business and moved
for the past 15 years, working with addicts, those
infected with HIV/ AIDS and the mentally ill.
Nipper says the greatest challenge for lesbi-
to Salt Lake City:'
Within
Affairs for Mayor Anthony A. Williams in
a few years, Gnade was named
of the organization.
She
ans is to come out of denial about the health
whether you' re walking, biking, taking a bus or
executive director
driving a car;' she says. "If I can help make even
oversaw numerous
victories, from prisoner
issues that affect us.
"We still smoke cigarettes, we still have unsafe
small improvements, they'll make a huge differ-
rights to death penalty issues, religious freedom
sexual practices, we still neglect going to a gyno-
and the separation of church and state. Two of
cologist and other medical appointments that
Drennen is currently running for supervi-
her most visible cases helped change the politi-
could help us to save our lives;' she says. "Many
sor on the most important legislative body in
cal landscape, guaranteeing civil rights for out
of us are suffering from the same health issues
the City and County of San Francisco. She has
teachers and students in Utah and across the
that affect other women, but we don't feel as
the opportunity to make history as the first out
country.
comfortable discussing these issues, and I fear
ence because they affect so many people:'
bi elected official there. She was particularly
Today,
Gnade
is retired
and living in
that we don't share the information that could
moved when she realized she'd be running as a
Teasdale, Utah, where she helped found the
queer from Dan White's district on the 30th
Women's Redrock Music Festival. She admits
anniversary of Harvey Milk's assassination.
that while great strides have been made in fight-
firsthand
"Transportation work can make a big differ-
ing for LGBT civil rights, many other people's
an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2003.
After intensive chemotherapy, treatment with
help us to save lives:'
Nipper experienced some of these concerns
when
she was diagnosed
with
ence for people, but being a supervisor takes it
civil rights have been infringed on in the United
to a whole other level;' she says. 'Tll get to work
States since 9 / 11. She cites the PA TRI OT Act
Herceptin and support from "an incredibly lov-
on affordable housing, environmental justice
as an example of how new policies are denying
ing" partner and family, Nipper has been doing
and green jobs, pay equity, healthcare and, of
course, transportation:'
the civil rights protections that Americans have
well. The experience was life-changing, and it
traditionally come to expect.
inspired her to move from full-time activism to
"We need to make sure that we watch our
government and make sure that the politicians
that we elect have a genuine commitment
our constitutional
"I think there is a lot of room these days for
to
black lesbian pastors and ministers alike;' she
protections," warns Gnade.
observes."People are looking for something that
"Democrats are just as guilty as Republicans of
resonates, not something that hates, so for me,
taking away privacy rights and diminishing our
ministry has allowed me to teach compassion
and love and dignity for all:'
free speech rights."
1s j curve
the ministry. She is now the Reverend Nipper.
Curvatures
NEWS NOTES
@
When Family Isn't
Katherine
Patrick,thedaughter
of
Massachusetts
governor
DevalPatrick,recently cameoutpubliclyasa lesbian.Patrick,18,
praisedherfatherfor havinglongfoughtfor
gayrights,eventhoughhehadbeenunaware
thathisdaughter
wasa lesbianuntila year
ago.
tion of the Atlanta Day
Shelter. Other
ects include Habitat for
Humanity, the March of
Dimes and Stand Up for
Kids. The Tau Colony
Justasgaycouples
flockedto thealtarin
California,
same-sex
couplesin Norway
were
grantedthebenefitsof marriage
afterthe
passage
of a gender-neutral
marriagelawon
June17.Underthelaw,same-sex
partners
areallowedto marry,artificiallyinseminate
andadopt.
in Houston
ganization
Juveniledetention
centersin NewYorknow
givetransgender
youththeoptionto live
astheirchosengender.
A 2006lawsuitfiled
bya 15-year-old
MTFtransgender
youth
introduced
thechangein policy,aftershe
allegedthatin hertimeat thejail,shewas
calledbya malename,madeto weara
maleuniformandunderwear
andhadher
prescription
femalehormones
takenfromher
byguards.
Transgender
kidsarenowrequired
to becalledbytheirchosennameandgender
pronoun,
canchoosewhichuniformtheywear
andmayrequestspecialhousing.
- KT
an or-
formed
to
provide nonmedical
in-
home support for lesbians with illnesses such
as cancer,
Lesbians
aremorelikelyto marrythangay
men,theDetroitFreePressreports.Sixty
percentof thesame-sex
marriage
licenses
issuedin Sacramento
County,
Calif.,werefor
femalecouples,
and40 percentwereto
malecouples.
volunteers
with AssistHers,
TheAmericanMedicalAssociation
nowofficiallysupportsunbiased
carefortransgender
individuals.
TheAMApassedResolution
114:
Removing
Barriersto Carefor Transgender
Patients,
whichdeclares
"supportfor public
andprivatehealthinsurance
coverage
for
treatment
of Gender
IdentityDisorder."
TheonlineactivistgroupAngryLesbians
has
spokenoutagainsttheupcoming
comedyhorrormovieLesbianVampireKillers.
AngryLesbians'
representative
Geraldine
Joosten
toldpinknews.co.uk,
"Foryears
lesbians
havebeenusedto titillatemen,for
yearswomenhavebeenusedasobjects
....
Women
shouldstandupfor themselves,
and
lesbianloveshouldnotbeusedto caterto
men'sfantasies."
national
community service proj-
AIDS
and
multiple sclerosis.
The
majority
of
Alpha Psi Kappa's members are clustered in the
South, and because the
Shawn Fulton attended college in South Carolina,
organization is purposefully noncollegiate, you can often find chapter
where affiliation with Greek fraternities
meetings taking place at local community centers,
and
sororities-such
c1sthose featured in Spike Lee's
or in someone's living room. Tamara
SchoolDaze-is
part of the culture: an aunt is a
the national
executive director, joined
Lunan,
nearly
Delta, a cousin is a Q and a friend even hides her
three years ago, when there were only about
sexuality to be a part of one. But Fulton didn't
seven members. She says that the numbers grow
want to hide, and when she discovered there were
through word of mouth and the recruiting efforts
she spearheads.
groups specifically for Lesbian women of color, she
was eager to learn more.
Alpha Psi Kappa, an LGBT fraternity, was
"I saw it as a networking opportunity, but it's
been so much more;' Lunan says.
formed at Florida State University campus in
If the applicant and the group are a good fit,
Tallahassee in 2002. Its purpose is to transform an
she is invited to pledge. At last count, Alpha Psi
individual into a better person through "Bruhood,"
Kappa registered over 100 members. And unlike
culture, leadership and exposure to leading figures.
other Greek groups, the Kappa family has a
"Bruhood is something like a real family-being
strongly enforced no hazing policy.
part of the organization is a lifelong bond;' says
Fulton is q 1ck to point out that although it
Fulton, the group's presiding supreme president,
was established by and for "dominant women,"
who explains that one of the main reasons people
Alpha Psi Kappa and its twin sister, Phi Nu
join Alpha Psi Kappa is because their families don't
support them. "Being gay-lesbian, you're looked at
Kappa sorority (a social and service organization for "feminine" lesbian and bisexual women),
as someone that's a hindrance to the community.
do not and will not discriminate. "The purpose is
We're not heterosexual, but we're good people and
not to exclude, but to give back, give someone a
we do good things:'
place they can feel comfortable, be at home:' Phi
Alpha Psi Kappa takes its mission to provide
quality
community
Nu Kappa and Alpha Psi Kappa consider each
service seriously, requir-
other family, partnering on events and reuniting at
ing 500 hours per semester. In 2007 (a year the
Winter Ball and Conclave, where members meet,
group registered twice their service goal) they
form bonds and set goals for the coming years.
traveled to Atlanta Pride for Greekend, partnering
"For me;' says Fulton, 'J\lpha Psi Kappa is not
with other LGBT Greek organizations and gath-
only a Greek affiliation-it's
ering donated items to ensure the ongoing opera-
my family and kids are a priority:' -
a way of life. Just like
AP
September 2008
I 19
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Elisha Lim
Artists often express the political sentiments of their environment. For cartoonist Elisha Lim, the personal is political, and her work illustrates a
more inclusive vision of community.
London-based Lim began creating an ode to butches while squatting in Berlin. The result was the 100 Butches comic series. "Each one of them
is almost a love letter, in a way;' Lim says. The anarcho-feminist has fallen in love all over the world: as a teenager in Singapore, a treeplanter in
Australia, a teacher in Spain, a bike messenger in Toronto, a feminist squatter in Berlin and a witness to political unrest in Israel. Her comics reflect
the many faces of admiration-ideologically
and passionately.
An image of a butch dominates each panel and is accompanied by Lim's handwritten description of her experience. One butch was Lim's boss,
another a stranger in a nightclub, and yet another a schoolgirl she knew from 10 years ago. "I haven't
known anything as direct and intimate! It's also powerful for me because it kind of outs me to myself.
I'm linking the dots between all of these moments in my life, and identifying my own history of admiring butches since childhood;' she says.
Lim calls the series a comic strip, but the panels read a range of emotions: Skinny, boyish Butch
15 feels rebel-cool, while naughty schoolgirl Butch 9 exudes adolescent, first-love innocence. Intimate
and revealing a distinct rawness, 100 Butches chases the essence and variety of the word. For her
readers, the strip both speaks to their own experiences as butches and taps into butch sex appeal.
'i\.rtistically speaking, you are terribly sexy;' says one fan on her Myspace page.
Vaguely reminiscent of Alison Bechdel's portraits of the modern-day dyke, Lim's work pushes
mainstream stereotypes into a humbling encounter with the individual. "I hope to use it to confront
causes that are inextricably joined to butch identity: gender, subversion, sexism, labor rights and
poverty:'
As if breaking new ground as an artist weren't enough, Lim is also a musician. Her band, Elisha and
the One Hundred Butches plays acoustic tunes that take an honest look at life, love and drag kings.
The comics run monthly in Lesbians on the Loose Australia, were featured in the UK's Diva,
on the Canadian political blogs Shamelessmag.com and Art Threat.net
Gay League.com.
20
I curve
and the comic review
Curvatures
Le bofi e
Ellen Tops Power List
Lezzies are ruling the world these days. I B} Jocelyn Yoo
This month is all about the power lesbians, be
they holding court over a crowd, over biology or
over the entire female population.
While CURVE was holding its funniest lesbian
comic contest, WBCN
104.1 FM in Boston
was having its official unfunniest
at w,, go
"I cannottell you how riany of U
from lastyear'sWorkOut reunionthat were won n
saying 'I ar ma ried. I have neverlooked t anotror
woman. r have a huge crushon Jackie.
comic con-
test on The Toucher & Rich Show. In the sweet
fitness reality show Work Out, isn't just the lust of
16 running were lesbian favorites MargaretCho
our loins-turns
and PaulaPoundstone,
against such noteworthy
non-funnies
as SNL-reject Jimmy Fallon and
out, she's also caught the eye of
When pictures of ThomasBeatiesporting a baby
bump started popping up on the Internet, every-
many a straight housewife.
"I chink my top demographic are not the gay
one thought it was a hoax. But Beatie, born Tracy
and lesbian community, but housewives;' Warner
LaGondino, is actually trans. Quite the stunner,
told the New York Times.
"I cannot cell you how many of the emails chat
Beatie lived as Tracy until his mid-20s and was
even a finalist in the Miss Hawaii Teen USA
House-er (and AlanisMorissette
ex) Dave Coulier,
we got from last year's Work Out reunion chat
beauty pageant. However, it didn't quite sit right
and Poundstone by Paul Reiser. Congrats to Dane
Cook, who was crowned the unfunniest comic of
were women saying, 'I am married. I have never
with him-"Growing
looked at another woman. I have a huge crush
on Jackie;" added Andy Cohen, the popular senior
perception o
yself (as a girl);' Beatie told Oprah
Winfrey."When I was a teenager I had an attrac-
vice president of programming
tion to women, but it wasn't a sexual attraction;'
one-trick-pony
Carlos Mencia (seriously, I can't
stand the guy). Notably, though, both of our girls
got lr.nocked out in the first round-Cho
by Full
'08! Who's laughing now, eh?
and production
he said. "I was much of a tomboy who liked to
for Bravo.
Out magazine recently released its '08 Power List,
and wouldn't you know who's No.1-none
other
than Ellen, who was the top-ranking female at
"I have hard-core
women chat get major
play with Legos and go fishing ...probably up until
crushes;' Warner continued. "I have women chat
puberty I didn't see anything wrong at all. When I
send me-chis
is the weird thing-I
have women
No. 3 lase year. Former Out cover girl JodieFoster chat send me photos of themselves with their huscame in at No. 13 (she was No. 43 last year),
bands and three teenage boys or whatever-I'm
Speaker of the New York City Council Christine just giving you an example-with
attached:'
Quinnsnagged the No. 18 spot and financial guru
SuzeOrman(who was No. 13 in '07) clocked in
at No. 24.
a love letter
turned 14 I started to grow breascs ...and chat was
kind of a shock to me:'
At 24, Beatie had his chest surgery and started
caking hormones, but decided to keep his reproductive organs. Now, at 34, he's happily married
Indeed, you can find straight women who have
to a woman ... and recently gave birch to a girl on
written passionate odes on the Internet to the
July 3.
"I have a very stable male-gender identity;' the
blond fitness icon.
This just goes to show you how intoxicating
JackieWarner,hardbodied scar of Bravo's physical
up I really didn't have a
chose six-pack abs and chat husky voice really are.
Bend, Ore., resident said. "I see pregnancy as a
process. It doesn't define who I am:' ■
September 2008
I 21
Advice
Lipstick & Dipstick
How Hot Is Closet Sex?
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: My girlfriend and
I live in Tennessee and have been together
Dipstick: Plus, the sex you're having with this
were together (more
wound-tight woman can't be any good. Closet sex
than once) and is still
for a year now. Things are going pretty well
sucks.
close with the woman
she eventually left me for. It
and the only time we have issues is when it
comes to her family. She's not out to them or
Lipstick:Not true, Dip. I had great sex with a clos-
seems like she's changed. Do you
any of her close friends because she fears
eted ex once. It didn't matter that we could only do
think I can trust her? - Double Dipper
their judgment. The other day, she told me
it with the lights off, on Tuesday night, when her
that she doesn't know if she'll ever come out
roommate was at work. Or that she put the harness
Lipstick:Like my mama used to say,"Fool me once,
to them because she doesn't want to break
on backward. Or that she sometimes called me her
shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. But
their hearts. That broke mine. I don't know
boyfriend's name-it
cheat on me again and again and I come back for
was still hot sex.
why that makes me so scared and upset.
more-well,
then, I'm the fucking fool:'
Do you think a relationship can work if one
Dipstick:Good Lord, Lip. That sounds pathetic.
partner is afraid to come out to her family? I
Tennessee, this can't go on forever. I am watching a
Dipstick:Yeah, she's changed, all right. She's learned
just don't know how to go about this whole
good friend of mine leave her lover of five years over
a few new bedroom tricks. But nothing else. And
thing. I want to spend my entire life with her,
this very issue. Moving into the "spare" bedroom
neither have you. I'll give you another quote, this
but I'm wondering if that's possible if I can't
one from Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see
fully be a part of hers. - Turning Over Rocks
whenever the folks would visit, pretending to be her
"roommate" and sitting home alone on Christmas
in Tennessee
while her girlfriend spent time with her family
in the world:' I'm sure he meant it more globally,but
if you want to stop being treated like a sucker, stop
being a sucker. If you want a partner you can trust,
find someone trustworthy.
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: Have you guys
ever directly left a lover for another? Or have
you made it a point to end a failing relationship long before you start another? I fear the
far-reaching "bad karma" effects of jumping right into another relationship. And I
always thought it best to clear my head and
my connection with one person before getting absorbed in another. But the timing isn't
working out this time. Is it OK to follow my
heart, or would it make me a terrible person?
- Karma Cautious in Chicago
Dipstick:While I do understand the caution of
karma, I also know life doesn't always come at us
the way we plan. Right before I got with my partner for life, I was with a very sweet woman named
Tina. I broke up with Tina within a week of meeting my partner. Even though I was falling fast for
her, I kept her at arm's length. Like you, I had the
idea that I should take time between relationships,
Lipstick:Your hunch is right, Tennessee. It may
became too much. She felt disrespected and dis-
clear my head and make sure I was following my
be impossible. The fact that she can't tell her loved
missed, as I'm sure you do. Point your girlfriend
heart and not just my libido. After all, that's what
ones she's a dyke is just one layer of what's concern-
to a good therapist or coming-out support group
all my friends said I should do. So, I waited a few
ing Lipstick. The bigger issue is that she's unable
and give her six months to tell the important
days to return her calls, acted nonchalant when I
to stand in the truth of who she is, which will-I
people in her life.
saw her and pretended I didn't want to spend every
promise you-cause a myriad of problems for your
relationship. It's not 1960 anymore, and, while coming out is still daunting, we all must face the music
before we dance, no matter the circumstances.
221 curve
waking moment with her. Guess what happened?
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: My ex and I are
thinking about starting a relationship again,
She got the idea that I wasn't interested and she
even though she cheated on me when we
own voice telling me to act that way. What I truly
almost walked away. The thing is, it wasn't my
Ask Fairy Butch I Advice
SchoolgirlLove
wanted was to jump in with both feet and sail
off into our life together, throwing caution to
the wind. What I'm trying to say is, you know
what's right for you. As long as you're open and
honest with her, that's what matters.
Lipstick:Tough situation, Chi-town. We've all
had questionable transitions from one lover to
another (we're lesbians, after all), but the most
important thing here is that you trust-really
trust-your
gut and what you know is right for
you. Sometimes it can be difficult to balance
being true to ourselves with doing what others
around us think is appropriate. Who's to judge,
anyway? It's your life. Listen to your better sel£
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: I am new to
the community and have been dating my
first girlfriend for three weeks. We've been
learning about each other. Unfortunately,
I've already lied to her. The lie was that I
have two previous girlfriends. I didn't want
her to think that I was a fumbling newbie.
Actually, I think I'm pretty decent at pleasin' her, despite my lack of experience.
Anyway, I can't decide whether to let
things "lie" or to 'fess up and tell her how
fresh a fish she's caught. - Lyin' Lesbian
6
ti
I
Dear Fairy Butch: I'm 16 years old and I fell for
someone when I was 14, and we've been going out since then. The problem is, both our
parents found out about a year ago and we
are not allowed see each other anymore- so
we've gone underground. Phone calls range
from once a week to once every two weeks.
In the summer, we saw each other twice for
about 15 minutes.
I'm tired of sneaking around. I've been
tired of it for six months now. I can't tell my
parents because I'm a coward and they are
very close-minded. Her parents are worse.
I want to have a normal life with a normal
stupid teen relationship, but I've never felt
this way before. And I'm pretty sure that
first loves aren't supposed to be this friggin'
hard. Deep down I feel like I should just call it
quits, but what if I'm giving up the most wonderful thing in the world just to make my parents happy? What should I do? - Confused
in Canton
DearConfused:
Well, cherub, of course first loves
stupid teen relationship.
Good
luck, buttercup.
Dear Fairy Butch:
I have been with my girlfriend
now for over two years. Of course, in the
beginning, as in most relationships, making love was very frequent. Although we are
very affectionate-I'm treated very well and
we definitely have a bond-I'm more often in
the mood to make love than she is. There are
times I have to "take care of" my own needs,
and times I even feel I should get them "taken
care of" elsewhere. I hate thinking this way,
and we have discussed it at great length
and resolved that I will keep understanding
where she is coming from, and she will make
a more concerted effort to leave work at
work and relax at home. I'm very happy with
her, and I can't imagine being with anyone
else. To me, this issue is not worth losing all
we've become. Any thoughts? - Not Getting
Enough in New Orleans
are supposed to be this friggin' hard. Where would
the music industry be if everything always worked
DearNotGetting:
So many dykes have the problem
out smoothly? So let me get this straight: You've
of disparate desires; I wish I had a nickel for every
been in a two-year relationship with someone with
time someone wrote to me about it. But it sounds
whom you barely have contact. Your parents think
like you've got the beginnings of a workable plan,
Lipstick:
While I think your first relationship will
it ended a year ago. Do you feel you would have a
and you really want to understand each other and
be over by the time this makes it to the newsstands,
better shot at a more complete relationship if it were
make things copacetic. You can help charge things
if you are still together, spill the beans, newbie.
with someone else? Or do you just feel doomed to
up by not nagging her about the situation and by
Lying makes for horrible fertilizer and she has the
a home life filled with unrequited love and your L
helping to make things really special when you do
right to know you just jumped from the net.
Word posters? It sure is tough being 16 and lesbian.
make love. Pick a weekend day when she doesn't
There are a couple of ways that you can go. You
have to worry about work and draw a bath for her.
Dipstick:You're not only lying to her, newbie,
can launch an all-out campaign to educate your
Flip a couple :-rose petals into the water and leave
you're lying to yoursel£ You may think you're
parents, if you think there is any chance they'll be
a trail of them from the bathroom to the bedroom.
having mind-blowing sex, but what you're really
responsive. PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends
Bathe her and even shave her, if she's the shaving
having is first sex. Trust me, there's a difference.
of Lesbians and Gays) has provided a great deal of
type. Bring her into the bedroom, where you'll have
What this world doesn't need is another awk-
comfort and education to parents of queer people.
toys at the ready (if that's the way you swing). Rub
a:
LJ.J
ward teen lesbian thinking she's God's gift to the
Also, check out Don Clark's Loving SomeoneGay,
her down with some oil, and, by Georgia, I'd be sur-
a:
girlies. I say 'fess up, because she already knows
and get your parents to read it, if you think they
prised if you didn't end up getting some play before
LJ.J
you're an amateur. While you may earn some
might take a gander. The better educated they are,
the whole process is through. You'll attract more
points for enthusiasm, you're probably not as hot
the more likely they'll be to loosen up those restric-
bees with honey than with vinegar, and it's a damn
a lover as you think you are. ■
tions they've placed on you and your girlfriend.
sight better to get laid than to be right. ■
Q;.
:.:'.
a:
aCl
<l'.
~
i0
If you think this will all be a no-go, you can
~
a:
Theseadvicegurus are the authors
of Lipstick & Dipstick's Essential
I-
(/)
::,
...J
i
0
I
u
...J
Fairy Butch is the author of The
Ultimate Guide to Strap-On Sex: A
Guide to Lesbian Relationships.
Normally, I'm all about being on the up and up, but
Complete Resource for Women and
()
Ask them anything at lipstickdipstick.com.
frankly, your parents are perpetrating an injustice,
Men. Email Jb@fairybutch.com
with
and you have as much right as anyone to a normal
your queries.
I
...J
Tht
Ulti ■ ate
Guidt
0
:i: :i:
a..
0..
always end it with your current girlfriend and try to
get something going on the sly with someone new.
.
to
Strep-On
September 2008
I 23
Astro Grrl
Advice
Fall--ingStars
It is all
about
you this
September,
Libra.All
eyes turn
yourway
and you
can attract
ladiesfrom
all over
town-even
the seamy
side.
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Sex:Love may come with a price tag this September. She will
ask for expensive gifts, lavish interludes and sensual, exotic items.
Ah, what a way to go. Career:
Judging from your ~usy love life,
it might be a good time to ask for a raise or look for new, more
lucrative employment.
Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
Sex:It is all about you this September. All eyes turn your way and
you can attract ladies from all over town-even
the seamy side,
Libra girl. Career:The secret to your success will be to give the
impression of working without really doing so. When in doubt,
look serious and shuffle some paper around.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Sex:You may receive a love note from a secret admirer. This
mystery woman will make herself known later in the month. Do
you really want to know? Career:Be very diplomatic at work and
If you've been feeling disappointed about your work situation,
try to maneuver behind the scenes to get what you want. Turn
you may see a glimmer of hope now. But it will remain just a
your charm up to full boil.
glimmer if you don't add the spark.
Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)
Sex:Spend more time with your gal pals and see what kind of mis-
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Sex:Things go from humdrum to humming her drum this
chief they can arrange for you. How much is too much? There's
September. Make the most of each delightful opportunity and
never enough. Career:
You feel like you are slogging through your
follow it up with flowers. Career:
You can work very hard through
career and nothing is coming your way easily-any
excuse for a
the month-late
hours, weekends-and
get through every petty
long vacation.
little project on your desk. Oh, goody.
Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20)
Sex:Will you find love on the job? Well, maybe it's more like on
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Sex:Expect a light flirtation that will make you daydream your
the desk. Be sure to close your office door-or
days away. But is it all froth and cloud? Take a chance and see.
the door to her
office. Career:
Something you say could be misinterpreted on the
Career:Twins can work wonders on the job when your creative
job. Or maybe you really mean it. Prepare for all types of action
genius takes over. Maybe the most wonderful thing is how well
and reaction.
you can make bosses think you are really working.
I Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb.
19)
place. Be open to possibilities (among other things) all through
Cancer (June 22-July 23)
Sex:September is the month to invite her home for a sleepover.
Well, OK, you two won't really be doing much sleeping. Career:
the month. Career:If you travel for business, be sure to check
Say what you mean and mean what you say. But if you have to lie
your itinerary twice. Don't let your bags go to LAX when you're
to get what you want, at least try to look sincere.
Sex:There is an exotic woman waiting to meet you in an unexpected
headed to JFK.
I Pisces (Feb. 20-March
20)
Leo (July 24-Aug. 23)
Sex:You can charm the underpants off just about anyone this
Sex:Guppies can turn up the heat in any love relationship. Will
you become too hot to handle this September? Yes! Career:
You
month. Will you know what to do once that happens? Let's just
easily impress the powers that be. Then what will be? Make all
punches and be diplomatic. Try not to set the course. Uh-oh. ■
see. Career:
You can be a winner at work if you can roll with the
your best moves count for something.
Astrologer Charlene Lichtenstein is the author of
Herscopes: A Guide to Astrology for Lesbians. To
Sex:You will reap what you sow in your sordid love life. Does
seewhat elseis in your stars,visit thestarryeye.comorgo
that make you an "old so-and-so"? If so, sow it with style. Career: to her blogat thestarryeye.typepad.com.
I Aries (March 21-April
24
I curve
20)
RelationshipsI Advice
Love Is a Battlefield
When you need to be a fighter, not a lover: Rules for fighting fair. I By Kate Lacey
ing match for passionate love. While this worn-out page from the Whitney
For some, love really is a battlefield. Some of us mistake the drama of a yell-
afraid to speak what's in your heart and mind. Sitting out the fight by clamming
up isn't taking the high road as much as it's taking the 'Tm too afraid to speak"
Houston-Bobby Brown book oflove can seemingly breathe life into an other-
backroad that dead-ends in the fiery crash of your good thing. Not communi-
wise dull existence, in the end it's an inferno that will burn itself out. Sure, the
cating can be as much of an unfair fighting tactic as screaming incoherently for
make-up sex is fantastic, but even that flicker will go out faster than a super-
hours on end. A more quiet fight, but unfair nonetheless.
model can whip a cell phone at her assistant's head. Don't get me wrong. A little
bit of conflict is a healthy and inevitable part of any relationship. The question
0 Whatyousayis as importantas howyousayit. Stick
is not if you two fight, but how that disagreement will play out. In the boxing
situation and how they feed your feelings. The simple fact that she stuck her
ring, the referee is clear about what is unfair: biting, tripping, spitting, head
tongue down your best friend's throat made you feel as if you were valuing the
butting, holding and throwing low blows. While in some circles these moves
relationship in a far different way than she had been. Calling each other names
to the facts of the
sound more like foreplay, when it comes to fair
that would make even a sailor blush is also not con-
fighting, there are, in fact, some holds that should
be barred. Put in your mouth guards, ladies-it's
feelings, reactions and behaviors, rather than being
sidered fair fighting. Stick to discussing your own
time to learn the rules for fighting fair with your
accusatory, belittling and condescending to your
favorite sparring partner.
partner. The words you swallow today will save you
from having to grovel and apologize later. Nine out
0 Youmustcalmdown.Reacting
in a blind rage,
as if you're on Jerry Springerwith your cheating
of 10 doctors agree, zero calories are ingested when
you swallow your wrathful pride.
three-legged second cousin, is no way to engage in
and be open to the fact chat you may be wrong.
0 Youmusthavean appropriate
timeandplaceto
workonyourissues.
If either or both of you are too
Leave the chairs on the floor and the bodyguards
tired, too drunk, too short on time, or the place is
out of the equation by keeping your head together.
too crowded, then it is not the time to duke it out.
Let's say, for example, you see your girlfriend kiss-
Engaging in a tag-team grudge match where your
a good old-fashioned disagreement. Listen, discuss
ing your best friend. The moment when you feel
friends and her friends get square in the middle of
as if you may be morphing into a green Incredible
your business is not conducive to solving your prob-
Dyke is not the best time to broach the subject.
lems. While it's just peachy that Dr. Phil can jump
There's a reason why no one understood a word
in there to help couples fix things, in the end only
the Hulk uttered: In the heat of the moment, we
they can kiss and make up. As for fighting while
lose the ability to speak our native tongue. Even
drinking, throw alcohol on a fire and see what hap-
boxers have to go to their corners every three
pens. The flare-up will sear the hair from your arms
minutes to get it together before moving on to
the next round.
and likely give a new meaning to the phrase "rekindling your romance:•
8 Leavethebaggagebehind,unlessyouplanto haveyourdisagreement
at the
airport.We all have past girlfriends who drove us crazy in a million ways-we
language, throwing objects or taking aggressive action that's intended to inflict
0 Atallcosts,youshouldbothavoidviolenc&.
That
have the battle scars to prove it. Contrary to what some women think, the pur-
pain, fear or harm. Prison is not a day camp for lesbians, despite the impres-
pose oflife is not to make your current partner pay for your ex-lover's mistakes.
sion that The L Word provided. Domestic violence should never be tolerated,
includes using threatening
Not even the greenest of hippie girls would approve of recycling those old dra-
regardless of the excuses that follow in its wake. According to endabuse.org,
mas, so let them go. If the two of you are arguing over who has the right to be
more than three women die every day as a result of domestic violence. If you are
inseminated and take maternity leave, it's out of bounds for you to remind her
experiencing violence in your relationship, please call the National Domestic
of the fight you had three years ago over who would control the remote. Fight
Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE or 800- 787-3224 for TTY.
fair by letting bygones be bygones.
8 Mostimportantly,
rememberthat you loveeachother.Hopefully,
0 She'snotMissCleo.Your partner
you're
cannot read your mind and you cannot
angry because you care about this person and want to work things out. Sorting
read hers. Do not assume that you know what she's thinking, feeling or going
it all out is not the same as "having your way" every time. Partner up and look
to say. Equally, don't assume chat she intrinsically knows where you stand on an
at the issue as a problem to be solved together and not as a smackdown to be
35 rant part of the battle is not just showing up, but also listening and not being
won at all costs. With these rules in mind, ladies, tap your kid gloves and come
out fighting fair. ■
~
(..)
~
en
&3 issue just by the clever way you' re pouting in her general direction. The impor-
September 2008
I 25
Advice
Health
A Fat Girl Speaks
While it goes against my entrepreneurial nature to let any
niche market go unexplored-I'm
FOOTSIES
thinking the realm of
subsisting entirely on celery,water and self-loathing.
After eight minutes or so of "you're getting very sleepy" the
lesbian weight-loss hypnosis CDs could
troublesome assumptions start tumbling into your suggestible
very well be the exception to
psyche: ''As you control your weight you are more in control of
It's dorkyto talk about
your life;"''All sexual activities are far more enjoyable now;" and,
the rule. Unfortunately,
insoles,andit makes
in a surprised voice, "You can buy clothes right off the shelf that
certified
hypnotheramesoundlike I'm 85
flatter your new shape!"
pist and lesbian Mar
yearsold.But,damn
Good gawd, it sounds like the back of a Jenny Craig microRobbart disagrees. She
it, I'm in lovewiththe
wave meal. When you lose weight, everything will be perfect!
recently launched her
Ober-rad
Superfeet.
Youmayhaveseen
newest product, her self- More importantly, until you lose weight, nothing will.
the greenandpurple
Instead of a step-by-step rebuttal of these vapid stereotypes,
professed "first-ever weightinsolesbeingsnagged
loss product for lesbians;' the Easiest let me just tell you what my own hypnosis CD would say:
up bysomehipsterwho WeightLossfor Lesbianshypnosis CD ($23, inventyourmind.com).
Wake up, ladies! Fitness and fatness are not mutually excluover-pronates
in her
sive. If you can't find clothes that fit, organize a letter-writing party
Now, given that I have been lauded in these very pages for
Rykas(thatwasme,
to demand a wider variety of sizes to suit the diverse population
my body image activism, I cannot imagine that CURVE expected
actually).Here'swhya
of the world. If you're not having good sex, dump the sad sack who
streamers and a Sousa march when they asked me to review this
companyfoundedby
can't get down with your hot bod and get busy worshiping your
two oldwhiteguysin product. I figure that gives me carte blanche for snark, so without
own fine self until you meet someone who deserves you. And if
the '70s is becoming further ado, let's start with the press release:
people don't take you seriously because you're fat, clear your throat
"[T]he listener will feel more attractive by losing weight and
de rigueurtoday.
When
and start again, slowly this time, so they can understand you. Hit
yourfeet hurt,youhurt. notice that whomever she finds attractive is finding her much
Andsincemostof us more attractive;' says Robbart. She explains she deliberately chose the gym if you want, but don't let the scale tell you how you feel.
take12,000stepsa a woman to voice the CD."I felt that lesbian women would want to Eat when you're hungry. Stop when you're full. Stop reading vapid
dayandonly1Oto 15 hear these types of messages from another woman:'
women's magazines. Self-love doesn't come after you've changed
percentof us have
and finally deserve it. It's the thing that makes you feel worth treatSure, Ms. Robbart. We want to hear more cliches from our
whatdocscall "a good
sisters, mothers and lovers. Puhleeeeze deliver one more patronizing yourself well. You deserve to be loved, by yourself and others,
functioningfoot,"the
ing compliment to encourage us-for our own good-to discournow. Today. Exactly as you are. ■
restof us needorthotage any variance from the arbitrary physical ideal laid out by our
ics.Custom-made
foot
insertsarein the $250 body-as-commodity culture. Shout "hallelujah" for the chance to Stacy Bias is a 33-year-oldactivistlivingin Portland,Ore. She orgarange.ButSuperfeet get laid, providing we use this product to brainwash ourselves into
nizes FatGirlSpeaksbi-annuallyand can befound at stacybias.net.
bringsgood,30, orthotic
supportto the massesin
the cool,money-backguaranteed,
$30-or-less
range.(superfeet.com)
- DianeAndersonMinshall
26
Icurve
Money
Advice
Four Tips on Starting a Business
According to the Center for
credit for. Factor in all your expenses,
e
Won.en's Business Research,
including a generous salary and ben-
e
over half of all businesses
efits package for your lovely sel£ when
are now started by women.
you're setting your prices, and stick
Lauren
to your guns-clients
f
Bacon
(pictured,
will value your
top) and Emira Mears are
products and services more if you
two such women who know
price them at what they're worth.
firsthand what it means to
What is the biggest challenge
work from the ground up.
women face as business owners?
The
Raised
Most new entrepreneurs have a ter-
Eyebrow Web Studios, Inc.,
rible time knowing when it's time
these two wrote the book
to close their doors for
founders
of
on how to break out and go
the day and just go home.
it alone. Literally. The Boss of You (Seal Press),
Women in particular tend
details how women can start, run and maintain
to get a lot of cultural rein-
their own businesses in the modern world. We
forcement for self-sacrifice.
-ti
~
·-
'-
:::,
0
Cl) ~
(.) 0
C:
0
C:·en
0 ·5
0
Q)
"'C
It can feel impossible some-
caught up with Bacon to get a few tips of our
own. -
••
Katie Peoples
times to walk away from a pile
of unfinished work, especially
when you have that passion
How does a woman know that she's ready
and able to run her own business?
we referred to earlier. But it's important as an
There are two things that are common to nearly
entrepreneur to look at the long view and rec-
every business owner: The first is finding
ognize that if you can break unhealthy work
a passion that's strong enough to fuel you
habits earlier, it will help you recognize down
through the early years of establishing a new
the road when it's time to hire help, scale up or
business, and the second is analyzing the
down, or make other decisions that are impor-
financial scenarios to make sure your busi-
tant to the long-term health of your business.
ness can sustain itself. A lot of business books
How can you make money and stlll llve by
dive right into No. 2, but we feel No. 1 is just
feminist values?
as important-after
One of the things we emphasize in The Boss of
all, you're likely to be
spending a whole lot of time and energy on
You is that it is possible for profit and values to
your new enterprise, so it helps a lot if you've
coexist, so long as you get clear on what your
got enthusiasm to burn. When your business
values are and stay true to them as you build
is a natural outgrowth of a personal passion -
your business. For us, one of the most galva-
whether it's photography, the perfect shoulder
nizing realizations we had along our own path
bag or alternative menstrual products-your
to entrepreneurship was when we woke up to
work life won't just pay your rent, it will ener-
the fact that until we claimed decent incomes
gize and feed you on other levels.
for ourselves, we were operating, at least to
What Is the most common mistake women
some extent, in fear of the power of money. We
make when starting out?
chose to entertain the notion, "What i£ instead
Over and over again, we've heard women entrepre-
of living at a subsistence level, we worked
neurs say they wish they had set their prices
toward creating an ethical business that could
higher. Many women undersell themselves
provide generously for everyone in its employ?"
when they're starting out, and often they do so
We wanted to see whether we could create a
while telling themselves they'll bring their pric-
business model that wouldn't require us to sac-
es up when they reach some indefinable level
rifice our values...and so far we're pretty happy
of expertise, popularity or success. Well, guess
with the results. The key is to set up clear mea-
what~ You still have to eat while you're becom-
sures of success when you're starting out, and
ing an expert, and the fact is that if you're going
to re-evaluate those goals on a regular basis. ■
into business for yoursel£ you probably have a
lot more experience than you're giving yourself
)
Formorebusinesstipsvisitcurvemag.com.
September 2008
I 27
Dyke Drama
Michele Fisher
We're Here to Stay
When it comes to honeymoons, staying close to home is always best.
In California, we got our right to marry. The other day, the soon-to-be wife
asked me where I wanted to spend our honeymoon. All the exotic destinations,
are out of our price range unless we elope, so she suggested Palm Springs.
I went to Palm Springs a few years ago when I was with another woman.
I remember looking out the airplane window before takeoff and watching the
ground crew at San Francisco International load the luggage. I noticed that one
item on the conveyor belt was a casket. All I could think of was, "Lucky stiff.'
Whoever was in that box was not going to have to listen to my annoying girlfriend, who was sitting next to me, prattling on and on about recovery and her
inner child. I know that sounds cliched-and it is-but so was she. I couldn't
tell her jokes about all the stereotypical stuff dykes do because she did it all, and
besides, she never laughed anyway.
I sat there envying a corpse and waiting for my crabby girlfriend to stuff a
gym bag full of self-help books into an overhead compartment. "I should just
get off of this plane and enjoy the rest of my life;' I said out loud in a rare
moment of courage and clarity. My companion told me not to be so dramatic
and promised that the healing rays of the sun would cure all.
The sun goddess did not save me on that trip, and, heaven knows, my companion didn't need any more UV radiation. Longtime
CURVE
subscribers will
recognize her as Ms. Tan, the perpetually fake baked harpy in classic columns
from the '90s. Suffice it to say that the vacation was a failure, just like she and I
were as a couple shortly thereafter.
I should not have taken my dissatisfaction with her out on the entire burg
of Palm Springs, but I did.
17 hours, but that only made things worse. In fact, everything I said seemed
to shove her further into the pit of despair. Periodically, our dyke drama was
Palm Springs would have to wait for us a little longer, my fiancee decided
interrupted by hoots and other sounds of celebration from the girls in other
after hearing my touching story. We will go there, probably for the Tamale
hotel rooms. I would have slept with Ally if I'd thought it would shut her up or
Festival in Indio, which is just down the road, but we won't be honeymooning
knock her out, so I could join the fun, but I'd heard that meth sex is endless and
there.
nonclimactic, so I let that idea wither and die, alongside my hopes for a party
Another place I won't be taking my bride is the Russian River. In Palm
weekend. I stayed up with Ally all Friday night and into Saturday afternoon,
Springs, I only had one bad experience to overcome, but at the Russian River, I
had several less than satisfactory experiences to contend with. Why did I keep
until I got too tired to stop her or anybody else from doing anything. I woke up
on Sunday morning and told her I was going home.
going back? Go there and you will understand. It is fun, quaint, gay-friendly
and affordable.
referee and couple's counselor all weekend. I did make out with a gal for a while
The area is named for the plucky Russian settlers who tried to make a go
of it there, and the river runs through the town of Guerneville. A couple of
times a year, the town welcomes lesbians by hosting Women's Weekends. These
weekends are guaranteed to get you laid.
Another time, I went there with a gaggle of dykes and ended up playing
in a pickup truck, but then the lezzie who actually owned the truck kicked us
out because she had no place else to bring her girl.
I finally accepted that Guerneville is my Amityville, and I've stayed away ever
since. The little woman agreed that we should avoid the cursed spot.
The first time I went there was with a hastily made friend named Ally. She
Lots of queers like to go to Disneyland, but there is something too weird
and I were in the same bar the night before and she watched me get ditched.
about celebrating gay love in Toon Town, surrounded by screaming kids. I sug-
We shared laughs about how hard it is to be single and agreed to seek our
gested to my girl that according to travel literature, everything is possible at the
romantic fortunes on the banks of the Russian River. Ally said she had booked
Happiest Place on Earth, and for a price we might be able to coax Snow White
a nonrefundable room there but had no hope of using it, since she and her girl-
and Pocahontas into giving us a private show. She thought not.
friend had split up a few weeks ago. I was up for the adventure and promised
to get scarce when she found someone to roll around with-or
when I found
0
Cll
a.
So where does a San Francisco-based lesbian couple go when they crave a
honeymoon that combines romance with frugality and is free from old emo-
my own someone with whom to roll around.
tional debris? My beloved and I live in the gayest part of the gayest city in the
The next morning Ally picked me up, and a few hours later she professed
her love for me. It turned out she had quite the crystal meth habit, which she
United States. Our neighborhood is chock-full of bed-and-breakfasts
had been hiding all afternoon by offsetting the speed with valium and vodka.
few precious days. We are staying home for our honeymoon. It is where she and
I have a history and a future. ■
I tried to let her down easy by reminding her that she had only known me for
2s
Icurve
and
vacation rentals where queers come from all over just to be who they are for a
~I
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VictoriaA. Brownworth Politics
ThePolitics of Aging
Getting old may just be the next great movement in LGBT history.
Many are bracing for the election in November as the pinnacle of their
Corinne, died last year of cancer. She was only 63. But in the months between
autumn. The looming election has raised other concerns for me, however,
her diagnosis in April and her death in August, she gathered an amazing
some spurred by that fall chill. Queers never seem to think about getting old.
coterie of lesbians around her to care for her at home and ease her into dying.
We are the quintessential youth seekers. Everything about the queer lifestyle
I think we all want that-to
be surrounded by familiarity and love and
seems to demand eternal, unending youth. But, like everyone else, we age. It
support in our final months and years. But how do we make it happen:' It
creeps up. The summers get shorter, the days and years whiz by and suddenly
always seemed to me that Tee knew more people than anyone. Plus, she lived
you are middle-aged. Middle-aged:' Yikes! How did that happen:'
in a little Oregon town where lesbian enclaves were the norm, rather than the
My partner and I went to high school together. We had a short romance in
exception. Those of us who live in urban areas tend to be more isolated pre-
those years and then we drifted apart and met again a decade ago, as we both
cisely because we don't live in small towns, where community is more natural.
were divorcing our longtime partners. Romance in middle age is just as stellar
So what happens when our closest lesbian family begins to break downhow do we find community to hold us together as we age and die:' This is an
as romance in youth. Different, but equally intoxicating.
What is different about falling in love at 40 and still being in love at 50
issue the queer community has not fully addressed. It makes me nauseous
is that the future no longer seems infinite, as it did at 20 or even 30. It seems
to even broach the subject. And yet dealing with the consequences of grow-
oppressively finite. Sometimes frighteningly so. And suddenly you have to
ing older is an element of our survival that we desperately need to deal with,
consider things like growing old together, or one of you getting sick and dying
before the other. It's not something you want to think about.
since a full generation of queers is now officially old. We need assisted-living
Both my partner and I have faced the death of a parent in the past couple
queers. We need community events that focus on aging. We need to plan for
of years. Our remaining parents are in their 70s. Having already lost parents,
our old age. We need to know what we will do and where we will go when the
we've found that the prospect of aging and dying has become more real, and
time comes that we can no longer manage on our own.
more worrisome when we think that one day that will be us-except
facilities that cater specifically to a queer clientde. We need centers for elderly
that
neither my partner nor I have children. So, unlike our own parents, who have
us to care for them, we will have no one but each other to care for us as we
age-a
situation the majority of queers find ourselves in.
Although many more lesbians and gay men are having children now, we
are still a largely childless group. This means that we need to consider our
futures carefully, including who will care for us when we need it. Most of my
closest lesbian friends are single as well as childless. Who will take care of
these women as they become increasingly infirm:'
My best friend is in her 60s and single. She's incredibly active and runs a
social service agency and I never think of her as aging, but I know she is. She's
also a cancer survivor, so every time she feels ill, I get queasy and push her to
go to the doctor. But mostly, I worry about what will happen to her when she
does stop working and does get truly old. My friend has savings and a healthcare plan, but almost none of the lesbians I know in their 30s, 40s or even 50s
have those things, including myself.
Like most lesbians I know, I have made other lesbians my family. As I age,
I want to remain in a lesbian environment, a lesbian community. All the lesbians I know feel the same way. But how can we ensure that will happen, when
It's been almost 40 years since the Stonewall Rebellion. In the decades
coping with one or more serious, debilitating illnesses and the most recent
census figures cite elderly women as the most poverty-stricken group in the
0
time in history, we have an aging population of out queers in open, committed
United States.
I
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For years, I have been writing about lesbian health issues as well as lesbian
between then and now, queers have, quite literally, come of age. For the first
~
~
poverty. The two coalesce when it comes to aging. Most elderly women are
a:
a..
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our finances are sketchy, our plans for the future vague at best and our access
to lesbian-centered old-age facilities nil:'
~
relationships. What happens when a queer couple in their 70s or 80s loses a
This autumn, think about the metaphor inherent in your own lives. Start
partner:' Where do they go if they can no longer live alone?
to plan for your old age, even if it seems incredibly remote or intolerably near.
A few months ago, I gave a political speech that was hosted at a gorgeous
assisted-living facility. My partner suggested, "We could live here:' I said, "I
But also raise these questions with your friends and in your own communities.
don't want to live with a bunch of old straight people:' And therein lies the
stone, and we have yet another trail to blaze: taking care of our own as a genera-
problem for so many of us. One of my closest friends, the photographer Tee
tion passes on. A sobering thought, but one we can't afford not to have. ■
Coming out was everybody's first step. But now we have reached another mile-
September 2008
I 29
B liz If
'
ea
The ultimatetropicalgetaway.By CatherinePlato
My last night in Belize felt like it should be my last night on
Stephanie and I retired early,just after finishing what would be
earth. After a week of relative isolation from the rest of the
a typical dinner for the week: vegetable soup, salad, homemade
world, this final night was the pinnacle: The only guests on
corn bread, sauteed veggies and rice pudding for dessert (don't
the two-acre Moho Cay, my girlfriend Stephanie and I slept
be freaked out-we
in a sort of half-tent, half-cabin contraption that peeked over
wandered up a stone path to our thatched-roof cabin, where we
asked for strictly vegetarian food). We
the Caribbean Sea on stilts. The waves rocked below us, and a
slept in gorgeous, wood-framed, mosquito-netted canopy beds,
breeze swept through our open curtains, cooling the residual
covered with rose petals upon our arrival. For the first time, I was
stickiness of the daytime tropical air. Stepping out onto our
hit with the sense of being completely on the edge of nowhere; as
deck in the night, I saw nothing but black ocean in every direction
I stepped out to our balcony overlooking the lagoon I saw noth-
and a spatter of stars above me. No boats, no lights from the
ing but blackness and stars. We had no working phones, no one
neighboring islands, no planes flying overhead. It hardly seemed
to hear us scream. It turned out we did have wireless Internet in
possible that I was on the same earth I was on the week before,
one corner of the lobby, but we didn't discover that until right
that a place so remote existed and would continue to after we
before we left.
left it forever.
After a rooster from a local farm woke us (late) for breakfast,
I could tell from my first minutes in the Belize City airport
our tour guide, Nathaniel, picked us up in a van for our first
what a unique country I had just entered. Nestled between
adventure. We took a small paved road past miles of thatched-
Guatemala, Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, Belize feels like
roof houses, all with an array of wandering chickens and plantain
it inhabits an entirely different era than its neighbors. Having
trees in the front yards.
liberated themselves from British rule rather recently (1981),
Our first stop was Lubaantun ("Place of Fallen Stones"), an
Belizeans still speak English as their official language, along with
ancient Mayan trading center that was "discovered" by Thomas
the Kriol, Spanish and Mayan dialects. The resulting culture, a
Gann when he blew it up with dynamite in the early 1900s.
mixture of what you'd expect in Caribbean and Central American
Today you can still see remnants of the ball court-a
countries, emanates through the country's largest airport (which
flanked by stone structures-where
grassy field
apparently they played
is approximately the size of the Greyhound Bus Station in San
really intense games of handball and sacrificed the loser. Standing
Francisco). Mayan women sell native crafts and spices alongside
between piles of ruined stone steps with fallen rocks scattered
aggressive bartenders who insist you try their rum punch, while
around them, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to
reggae plays in the background.
imagine all the people who had stood here before, how deep and
ancient the history was, hoping some vague feeling of sacredness
would wash over me. It didn't really work. Birds sang overhead,
We spent our first two nights in the lodge at Indian Creek, a farm-
the sunshine assaulted my pasty skin and beautiful new plants
ing community with a population of about 630 people. The lodge
were growing all over the ancient structures: new life making
has its own landing strip on the property, a several-acre stretch
peace with its ancestors. Lubaantun is still very much alive, just
with new inhabitants.
of meadows and freshwater lagoons owned by Belize Lodge and
Excursions. The company owns four lodges in southern Belize,
(Stephanie and I found ourselves completely fascinated when-
As first-time travelers to the area, we thought it would be a nice,
ever any gory topic arose), we continued on our journey through
relatively simple way to get a feel for a country that's not especially
more country roads, past a Mennonite community that looked
known for its gay-friendliness-in
just like the ones we'd find in the United States: horses, wagons,
fact, homosexuality is still
officially outlawed.
At the lodge's front door, we were greeted by a woman in
Apparently they'd migrated down from Mexico in the 1950sanother group of unlikely foreigners who found their home in
hotel gimmick, but rather the way many local women dress).
this country. A bit farther down, we passed a cerulean school bus,
She had a tray of fruit punch and moist towels for us. The lobby
which stopped to let out a small pack of bouncing, giggling, uni-
(which was also the bar and dining room) was wood-floored,
formed grade schoolers in front of another thatched-roof house
simple and rustic but elegant, with bright tablecloths. It was also
with chickens gallivanting in the front yard. The kids carried
completely silent and desolate. Our hostess explained, in flawless
modern, American-looking backpacks adorned with American
though heavily accented English, that we were the only guests for
cartoon characters, and ran to meet their mothers, who were
dressed in long traditional Mayan skirts.
With no fellow travelers to drink with and no television,
I curve
white men in long-sleeved dark shirts despite the horrific heat.
traditional Mayan dress (we soon learned this wasn't a kitschy
this week, which was typically"high season:'
30
After drilling Nathaniel with questions about the "sacrifices"
and their trips typically include a few nights at different locales.
be
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Scenes of Belize (clockwise from top): Children near Indian Creek; Caribbean
sunset at Moho Cay; Golden Stream to Jungle Camp; a little shop near Indian Creek;
a thatched-roof house in a Belizean suburb near Indian Creek
Go Chasin Waterfalls
Findingpura vida in Costa Rica. By KelsyChauvin
is Costa Rica's largest, with nearly 350,000 people jamming its
narrow sidewalks and streets. It's also not the most enchanting
metropolis. You'll find a few public markets with decent local
crafts but aggressive vendors, and cluttered shopping districts
where pickpockets thrive. Luckily, there are also several city
parks where you can leisurely recompose. Largely, San Jose is
best for travelers just passing through.
It's OK to arrive in Costa Rica without an itinerary, as we
did-part
of that free-spirited pura vida. But it might help to
at least know what your first stop will be, because San Jose has
artfully spread its bus depots all over town, according to the
bus's destination. We figured we'd start in the rainforest near La
Fortuna, so we picked a hotel in Paseo Colon on the northwest
side of town, close to the depot for that destination.
La Fortuna is about 70 miles northwest of San Jose. The
public bus costs only $3, and quickly proved that you get what
you pay for. This big tour bus takes about five hours to sway
through many narrow roads, making more than two dozen stops
and loading up to standing-room-only. With its faulty A/C and
poor ventilation, this bus was not made for standing.
Rarely do I appreciate the end of a bus ride like I did this
one. But on the bright side, it settled the question of how best to
travel between Costa Rican cities: private buses!
We arrived in La Fortuna like rock stars. Only our scream-
DOLLAS OR
Thecolonis Costa
Rica'sprimarycurrencyandin January
wastradingat 517.93
co/ones
to $1. However,
tourist-geared
establishmentswill posttheir
pricesin andaccept
U.S.dollars,usuallygivingchangein co/ones.
A goodformulafor
mentallyconverting
pricesis to usethe
first digitof the pricein
co/ones
anddoubleit to
getthe dollaramount
(e.g.,a casadois 2,000
co/ones,
or about$4).
You'll see it on everything from billboards and bumper stickers
to T-shirts and surfboards: pura vida. The term is a Costa Rican
chance on one of them and shacked up at Cabinas Jerry for just
catch-all. Literally, it means "pure life;' but to ticos ( the locals) it
$15 a night. We had a private room, but it was bare bones, to say
the least, and the next day we let A/C, a pool and a great free
is the answer to virtually every question.
How ya doing? jPura vida!
breakfast lure us to the $55 a night Hotel San Bosco. It didn't
How was the beach? jPura vida!
hurt either that we had a greater sense of security for ourselves
What's up with Costa Rica? jPura vida!
Behind these two words is an attitude unique to the "rich
and our stuff, cautious (gay) travelers that we were.
it is on the edge of Arenal National Park. In recent decades, the
hurry. Ever.
That is the alluring pace of a country somehow at a remove
accommodate the influx of international tourists flocking to get
from Central America's sometimes turbulent lifestyle. Costa
an eyeful of the Arenal Volcano. Actively leaking 1,000 degree
town's hotel and restaurant populations have mushroomed to
Rica is much more basic, more down-home, and truer to its
Celsius lava since its 1968 eruption, this conic volcano occasion-
Latin nature, a laid-back land of sun, surf and adventure.
ally emerges from its thick cloud cover to reveal blazing streams of
My own trip started with making the tough decision of when
molten rock-truly
an unbelievable sight to see.
to go. The guide books advised that a low-season trip (May to
Arenal's thermal energy also heats the local hot springs. We
November) would likely mean rain and more rain. High season,
asked around in La Fortuna and found a $60 deal that included
meanwhile, would mean throngs of tourists, fully booked hotels
a hike through the rainforest to view the volcano, and ended with
and crowded restaurants. My girlfriend and I decided that a little
a visit to Tabac6n Hot Springs Resort, dinner included (check
out puravidatrips.com).
settled on going in mid-November-right
Icurve
Though somewhat sleepy,La Fortuna is a tourist town because
coast:' It's a warm, relaxed welcome from locals, who are in no
rain wouldn't hurt nearly as much as too many tourists, so we
32
ing fans were ticos hawking their hotels. We decided to take a
at the cusp between
The Costa Rican government is making an effort to preserve
the seasons, not to mention trumping Thanksgiving madness
its rainforests and natural landscapes, and a volcano tour pack-
with beachside piiia coladas.
age is an ecofriendly way to experience the country's fecund for-
Our direct flight from JFK airport got us into San Jose by
ests and diverse wildlife. With the right guide, you're liable to
9 a.m. Tucked into the center of the country, this capital city
see all manner of fauna, like toucans, howler monkeys, lizards,
turkeys and wildcats. Meanwhile, the age-old flora is so rich in
g
oxygen that it serves as "the lungs of the planet;' said our guide.
J
For another view of this rich ecosystem we signed up for a
s
for a zip-line tour over the rainforest's canopy. For $35 each we
y
were harnessed into a pulley system and a team of young-yetseasoned guys sent us gliding along 10 steel cables-the
longest
one stretched more than half a mile. We floated above the trees
from one platform to another, doing our best to absorb the jade
stillness blanketing the earth below.
We capped off the adventure with local beers and casados
(traditional plates of rice, beans, meat and salad) at our favorite
little La Fortuna joint, Soda el Rio. The tab for both of us came
to about $9, with tip.
The bargain prices for a good Costa Rican soda (diner) and
a nice hotel are tough to beat. They're also easy to get used to,
which is why we were reluctant to blow a whopping $29 for a
two-hour trip by private bus (a 10-seat minivan) to our next destination: the beach.
We knew that taking the Pacific coast was the way to go,
since the Caribbean side is known for more volatile weather and
a Rasta lifestyle (not that there's anything wrong with that). Still,
there are a bevy of playas to choose from on the ocean side. It
pays to ask around, because instead
of heading to Tamarindo-a
known tourist trap-we
well-
zeroed in
on Playa Samara.
It's painful to divulge how idyllic, affordable and genuine Samara
is, because it's already on the brink
of a tourist explosion. But on that
first morning, after a breakfast of
huevosfritos, bread and fresh local
pineapple, watermelon and papaya, as we laid our towels on the
<e sand, stared out at the ocean and listened to the rustling of the
5
palm trees, there was no place else I wanted to be for the rest of
~
~
the trip.
z
:J
That we had just emerged from a rainy few days in the moune:.
<(
tains
only intensified my adoration of this little town. Our hotel,
0
z
a: the Belvedere, cost $45 a night but was priceless for its location
LU
0
z
on a hill overlooking the ocean and our quiet, clean room with
~
~
its own veranda.
~
Every night, we discovered a new soda and ate local seafood
and gallo pinto ( traditional beans and rice), or found a beach bar
for a colada and some Marley in the evening breeze. It wasn't
difficult to wake up early, knowing that our days would be spent
swimming and boogie boarding, reading and just gazing. It was
80 degrees with blue skies. We were welcomed everywhere in our
sw;_msuits,shorts and sandals. What more could anyone want:>
It was pura vida. ■
Permacultureat PuntaMona
Ben,a shirtlessAussiewithdreadlocks,
a
beardanda nimbusof earthybodyodor,
wasa fittingambassador
to the Punta
MonaCenterfor Sustainable
Livingand
Education.
OnthesouthCaribbean
coastof
CostaRica,thistropicalhamletis nestled
againsta white-sandbeach,swaddled
in lushgreeneryandtuckedsafelyaway
fromthetraditionalresorts.It is accessible
by boator a four-mileguidedhikefrom
Manzanilla.
Visitorsaregreetedwitha
hand-painted
welcomesign:"Bienvenidos
a PuntaMona."
Withlittlemorethana "G'day,"Ben,an
intern,ledmeandmycompanions
on an
interactive
tourof the gardens.
Wetasted
twotypesof hibiscus,onewith purple
leavesandtheotherwith hints
of orange.Werubbedcinnamon
leavesandbladesof lemongrass
betweenourfingersandinhaled
the pungentcitrusandspice.Ben
pointedoutgalanga,
shellginger,
torchginger,treebasil,tomatoes,
passionfruit andwatermelon,
just
a few of the morethan180kinds
of fruitsandvegetables
grownon
the property.Mostof the 100-acre
organicfarmis untouched
primaryand
secondary
forest.
PuntaMonais a workingmodelillustratingthe conceptsof a permaculture
community(shortfor permanent
cultureand
permanent
agriculture).
Itsdesignsystem
mimicsthe naturalsystemsof the environmentandfostersecological
sustainability.
Nitrogen-fixing
plantsarestrategically
arranged
to rejuvenate
thesoil.Rainwater
is collectedin a catchment
systemand
slowlypurifiedthroughsandfiltration.Solar
poweris usedfor lights,hotshowersand
satelliteInternet.Egg-laying
chickensroam
freelyaroundthe property.Eventhetoilets
feeda biomassconverter
that produces
gasto fuelthe kitchen.Thisprocesslends
itselfto a neweuphemism
for goingto the
bathroom:
makingmethane.
Allthe buildingsat PuntaMonaare
constructed
fromthewoodof fallentrees,
includingkasha,pinonandmahogany.
The
mainhouseis a three-storystructurewith
a dininghallandtwotiersof bunk-style
sleepingaccommodations.
Themiddletier
boastsa readingporchwithseveralhammocksthatofferviewsof theoceanglinting
in thesun.
Acrossfromthe mainhouseis an
open-airkitchenwherethreemealsa day
are prepared.(Theyare includedin the
$40 a nightcost.)Freshcoffee,gingertea,
bananaandstarfruit pancakes,
lentils
with beansandrice,boiledchaya(a green
alsoknownas "treespinach,"whichis
toxicif eatenraw),anda fish soupmight
beserved.Duringmystay,a localfishermancaughta nursesharkandI foundmyself eatinggrilledsharksteakandshark
cevichefor dinner.
Tosignalmealtimes,a volunteer
trumpetsa conchshell(above),emitting
a bellowthat callsinterns,permanent
residents,neighborsandshort-term
visitors-an eclecticblendof youngand
oldfromvariouscornersof the world-to
gatherin the dininghall.Overthe course
of threedays,I atewith teachersfromthe
capitalcity of SanJose,collegestudents,
a fire twirler,a grandmother,
a permaculture pilgrim,a nomad,a vacationerand
a marriedcouplewhomakePuntaMona
their permanenthome.
Duringthe days,I lazedaround,walked
onthesecludedbeach,skinny-dipped
and
triedto spottheshriekinghowlermonkeys
(left)in thejungle.Kayaking,
snorkeling
andtakingrejuvenating
mudbathsin the
riverareotheroptions.Buttheactivities
arenotthe mainattractionat PuntaMona.
Visitorscomefor the rareopportunity
to
learnabout,andbea partof, a successful
ecologically
sustainable
community.
- NinaKrieger
September 2008
I33
Fallin for Africa
A nine-monthoverlandtripthroughsixcountriesin southern
and centralAfrica.By CoreyCrossfield
My hands were sweating profusely and my knees were shaking as
I leaned over the edge of the cement beam. My hands clutching
the railing were the only things between me and a 300-foot drop.
and tried to take in the whole experience. A nine-month trek in
"Now, you have to remember to pull the chute, after you
Africa was coming to a close and BASE jumping Victoria Falls
count to 10," my BASE jumping instructor, Nico, said to me
in his thick French accent. "This is the highest waterfall in the
was the perfect send-off.
In March of 2007, I was in Los Angeles waiting for school to
world, so be careful. Remember, count to 10 and then pull:'
start when I got a call from my best friend, Lena, with whom I
Warily, I smiled at him and looked back over the edge of the
34
I curve
piness. Jumping up and down to calm my nerves after the rush of
adrenaline, I waded to the side of the waterfall to wait for a boat
had previously traveled through Europe.
cement beam. Below me I saw jagged rocks and rushing white-
"How do you feel about going with me to Africa?" Lena ex-
water. "On the count of three;' Nico said as he began the countdown, "One.Two. Three:'
citedly shrieked over the phone. "We'll spend nine months overlanding through six countries:'
Screaming like a little girl, I jumped off the Victoria Falls
Just hearing the word 'J\frica;' I began thinking about
Bridge and flung myself through the air, arms flailing behind
a way I could fit this trip into my schedule. Two weeks later,
me. The wind was rushing past my body as I fell, counted to 10
I was en route to Luanda, Angola, the first stop on our trek
and then pulled. The parachute came out quickly and safely. My
through Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and
hands stopped shaking when the chute began gliding through
the air. Coming to a stop in the shallow water of the Zambezi
Mozambique. After my plane landed at the Luanda Airport, I
River, I unhooked the chute and turned around. From the
Overlanding meant we would be renting a Jeep, hiring a guide
bridge, my traveling companion, Lena, started shouting in hap-
and backpacking through the countryside with a small group. I
met Lena at a local Internet cafe. She explained our itinerary.
Exclusive
Safaris
for
theLGBT
Adventurer!
,n
Is
;o
r-
Nowhook.Jn_J
r,
couldn't wait to get on the road again and quickly
became our homes, and everyone in our group
k
d
I
bid Lena goodbye, so I could check into my hotel
was responsible for doing chores like cooking and
for the night.
packing up our gear when we departed. The last
f·
starting point of the trek. We showed up at the
The next day, around sunrise, we left for the
w
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two months of the trip we spent in Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
campsite and put our backpacks into the Jeep. Our
In Zimbabwe, I got to try whitewater rafting
guide was Nico, who would later coax us off the
for the first time. Throughout our trip we could
edge of the Victoria Falls Bridge. He was a French
choose our daily activities. Normally, the choice
expatriate who lived in Angola. There were only
was between visiting a local tribe or doing an
two other people in our group, a middle-aged
adrenaline-fueled sport. At the Batoka Gorge we
couple from England who were taking a year off
were coached on whitewater rafting. After a few
to travel the world. Once they arrived we were off
hours of lessons, I was ready to try it.
to Kissama National Park, a wildlife preserve 45
The water was running very fast through deep
miles south of Luanda. Buffalo, roan antelope,
river pockets. I got in a yellow raft with my life
eland, bushbuck and elephants greeted us as we
vest fastened tightly around my body. There were
walked through the park entrance. We rode bikes
eight of us in the boat and we all shoved off at
around the park and got to take pictures of the
the same time. Waves were crashing around us as
wildlife. Then we took off for our campsite.
we navigated through the water and jagged rocks.
Over the next few weeks, we saw much of
momentum of the surging water. After the raft
en ing episodes of the first few months was getting
was pulled to a stop, I got out determined to try
0
0..
0..
Q.
~
g
stuck in the sand dunes in Botswana. All of us
piled out of the Jeep and caught sight of the front
We spent the last four weeks of our trip in
Zambia, in national parks with amazing wildlife.
exhausted from a bike ride we had done in a wild-
I got to track a rhino in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National
life preserve and just wanted to sit in the car and
Park and saw a leopard during a night ride. On
nap. Nico, Lena and I found a piece of wood and
our very last day in Zambia, we were given the op-
0
spent the next two hours covered in mud, trying
tion of BASE jumping at Victoria Falls National
(/)
to get the tire out of the sand. When we were safe
Park to end our adventure in Africa.
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from the sand dunes, we were off to the Caprivi
Strip in Namibia.
spending almost every day and night together the
thought of going a day without seeing her made
Three weeks passed by very fast. In Botswana,
me miserable. I was smitten. Luckily, Lena felt the
a:
we got to see wildlife preserves, native villages
same. In the end, I had gone to Africa for adven-
z<(
and many different kinds of animals. Our tents
ture and left with a girlfriend. ■
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Email us and make your dreams come
true: info@wildrainbowsafaris.com
TI1e trip ended far too quickly and the hard-
During the drive through the beautiful Caprivi
I
Ourteamis readyto create
yourtr" of a lifetime!
est goodbye was not to Africa but to Lena. After
Strip, we saw cheetahs running in the distance.
LL
,<(
Wikf1?/,inhow
;tlfricantl{aris
all the harrowing activities on our itinerary.
driver's-side tire caught deep in the sand. I was
er:
Experiencethe magic and adventure
waiting for you on the most exotic
and wondrous continent on earth.
With our passion and personalguidance,
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The raft almost tipped over at one point from the
Angola and Namibia. One of the most entertain-
I-
2.008/2.009
September 2008
I 35
Afr'cathe Hard Wa
Goingback intothe closetspoilsvolunteering.
By AlisonWalkley
fight to get more states to legalize civil unions and gay marriage, I felt like I was taking a gigantic step backward. Entering
this foreign territory forced me back into a silence I had broken not too long before, coming out to my family, my friends
and, most importantly, myself.
As a vocal, opinionated, liberal, queer American, going back
into the closet was akin to mental suicide. The irony of the
situation struck me every time I walked out of my mud-coated
hut. It just so happens that same sex friendships are esteemed
in this part of the world, to the point that men hold hands
walking down the road or through the village, just as women
do. Heck, President George W. Bush has even been photographed walking hand-in-hand
with Saudi Prince Abdullah.
But, God forbid that friendship represents a deeper love.
As I learned the Malawian language of Chichewa, I found a
ready-made disguise for myself in the term "chibwenzi;' which
is used to refer to either a boyfriend or a girlfriend. At first I
was relieved I could talk about my girlfriend without revealing
I was gay. Unfortunately, pronouns were still an issue, causing
added stress in an already stressful situation.
Even though I was a privileged, white American who could
cross some cultural boundaries without a problem, the grave
consequences that Malawian homosexuals faced more often
than not shut me up about my own personal life. In a sociLast summer, I experienced life in
ety where everyone knows everyone else's business, this was no
the United States Peace Corps just
small feat. I was constantly aching inside from lying about the
person I loved.
a week after graduating from college.
The writer with
her immediate
homestay family
My passionate activist self was giddy over
I lasted only three months of my initial two-year commit-
the prospect of finally fulfilling a dream: traveling to Africa to
ment, for a variety of reasons, including feeling extreme isolation
help its impoverished people. The distance did not faze me, nor
and concern for my own safety. I became enveloped in misery,
did the prospect of living in dirt-poor conditions for two years.
in between experiencing the moments of wonder and mind-
The only problem I foresaw was leaving my girlfriend behind.
On the first day of our training, I came out to the 20 oth-
expansion that being in a Third World country can provide.
er volunteers I was traveling with by expressing a fear: I was
the woman I left behind and being unable to discuss either
scared I would be the only LGBT person in the Peace Corps.
subject with anyone. After 12 weeks, I knew I would lose
After explaining what LGBT meant to a group of people I had
myself entirely if I stayed on. So, after attempting to negotiate
wrongly assumed would be "in the know" on such matters, I
a different site and failing to procure one, I was on a plane back
to the States.
realized that my fear was well-founded-I
was the only out
volunteer in our group. This soon became a source of discomfort when we reached Malawi, the sub-Saharan
African
country where we were assigned as health volunteers.
I curve
Refusing to live life with regrets, I look ahead now, promising to heed the knowledge that my time in Africa has given
me. I have realized that no matter how good and strong our
In Malawi, as in most of the continent, and in Third World
intentions are, if we cannot be true to ourselves, nothing is
countries in general, homosexuality is punishable by lashings,
worth it. It is in all of our best interests to reach out and help
imprisonment and even death. Villagers suspected of or caught
those less fortunate than we are, but not if it means putting
in homosexual activities are shunned. They become victims of
ourselves in emotional distress. I am now speaking out louder
violence and, if they are arrested, more often than not die in
than ever on behalf of the rights of all persons, specifically
prison, murdered by other prisoners for their so-called sins.
LGBT, knowing how many people are incapable of speaking
Coming from the United States, where I'd been the president
out for themselves, in Africa, the Middle East and, to be certain, right in our own backyards. ■
of my college's Gay-Straight Alliance and a participant in the
36
At the core of my pain was hiding my sexuality, being without
GeocacheGlobe
Cheap thrills,hightech and GirlScout
skillson vacation.By GillianKendall
and buildings in my own town that I'd never noticed before.
Following a series of clues in "multipart" cache, I learned that the
local yoga center-a
Quonset hut-like concrete structure-was
designed by a famous architect and is heritage-listed.
Geocaching is good on vacation, too, anywhere in the world.
Going to Alaska? More than 2,300 caches are hidden around
that state. Arizona offers at least 8,000. They're more sparse
overseas, but Thailand has over 200 caches, the Bahamas some
55-and
those numbers are growing all the time.
The rules require that members maintain their caches after
hiding them, so anywhere you go, caches are hidden by locals.
Residents tend to choose spots for their local history or natural
beauty. Because caches have to be kept out of the way of noncachers (called "muggles"), the hiding places are usually nontouristy and quiet.
The friend who turned me on to geocaching has this bumper
Before a recent layover in Oahu, I randomly chose three
sticker on her Jeep: "My hobby is finding cheap junk in the
caches out of the 40 or so in Waikiki. By chance, it turned out
woods; what's yours?"
that one of the caches was on the same block as my hotel, the
Part treasure hunt, part global hide-and-seek, as addictive as
Outrigger Regency. To find it, I had to read historical markers in
crack but way less expensive, geocaching is something you can
the park, and I learned some local lore I'd otherwise have missed.
do with all your surplus time and energy. Warning: After three
Once I had found the cache and read its logs online, I felt more
finds, you're hooked.
at home-
How it works: People all over the world hide containers in
public spaces. The hidden caches range from a few millimeters
cachers in the area.
to a few feet wide, and they can contain anything (except food,
A subgenre in geocaching are geocoins, trackable items that
which would be eaten by animals). Film canisters are often used
move from cache to cache. Geocoins usually have specific geo-
as containers, as are Tupperware and ammo boxes. Most caches
graphic goals, such as to be moved around the perimeter of the
contain a log and a pen, so finders can record their names, and
United States, or to visit six countries in six months. I picked up
many caches also have small trinkets (inexpensive toys, electron-
one in southern Australia with a note attached saying it wanted
ics or tools) as prizes, or "swaps:'
cc
I could actually see the cache from my lanai. If I'd
stayed longer, I could have arranged to meet the hider or other
to "go home" to Germany. I helped by taking it to upstate New
The person who hides the cache records it on a site like
Jersey, where I left it in a charming cemetery in the middl ~ of no-
geocaching.com. Players log in to get info on caches in the area
where. Since then, the coin has made it to North Carolina, near a
<t:
until they find (or give up on finding) the cache. Anyone with
military base that has frequent flights to overseas army bases, so
no doubt the coin will reach home soon.
z
w
access to a GPS can hide or seek caches anywhere on earth. It's
z
moderate outdoor exercise and good fun, and it costs nothing.
0
I0
~
t::. where they want to hunt, then follow the clues and coordinates
....J
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0
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The average geocacher is probably male,
straight and in his mid-40s, but there are
plenty of women cachers too, and, given the
a
....J
So what's so cool about finding out where something is and
~
<t:
going to get it? The addiction lies in the hunt: In the last 50
high-tech-outdoor
feet or so, when your GPS's range of accuracy gets vague, the
more than one in 10 is gay. Virtually every
thrill kicks in. I've spent as much as three hours, over a period of
city in the United States has caching groups;
6
w
~
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element, I'd guess that
weeks, scrambling in the muck under a wooden bridge, frustrat-
many have gatherings where you can meet
all a:
0
ed by perfectly clear clues. After that much effort, discovering a
other cachers (for example, see "Hobbies
a
metal box marked "geocache" feels like cresting Mount Everest.
and
(It was exactly where the hider had said it would be, but cleverly
Maybe you'll even stumble onto new dyke
ii
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a ~
t
ll
C
ll
all
z0
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a
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cx
)
a
camouflaged and attached to the underside of the bridge.)
Through geocaching I've gotten to know parks, artworks
Interests"
friends-it's
on
butch-femme.com).
amazing what you can find
looking for Tupperware in the woods. ■
Two W eelsto Ti'uana
One girl'sborder-to-border,
three-countrybiketrip. By Nina Krieger
I liked the idea of it: bordeHo-border,
Vancouver to Tijuana, by
first week of exercise, I suggested a stopover in Seattle to watch
bicycle. I ignored the details: the 1,847-mile route and the fact
a campy lesbian soccer tournament, the Festival of the Babes.
that I'd never pedaled more than 25 miles in a day. The recom-
Being afraid of saddle sores, and being physically unfit, I focused
on the prize-attractive, half-naked women.
mended training for self-supported bicycle touring consists of
doing at least three rides a week, gradually increasing the dis-
Fully loaded, my bicycle weighed an extra 45 pounds, with
tances, for two months. It can also include weighing down the
a tent, ground pad, and sleeping bag strapped to the rear rack,
bike with textbooks to simulate the load you'll carry.
and it drove more like a Cadillac than a Porsche. On the first
Instead of training, I immersed myself in researching and
day, with my hands clenched as I crossed Greater Vancouver's
buying gear: a new Bianchi Volpe, clipless pedals and shoes, an
imposing Pattullo Bridge, I realized the gravity of our under-
expensive seat, an odometer, two pairs of spandex bicycle shorts,
taking: We would cover every inch of land, every bridge, every
obstacle on our route.
gloves and sunglasses. Other than a few articles of clothing, a
journal and a book, I carried little else in my panniers, the saddle
38
I curve
But moving at speeds closer to walking than driving, we also
bags attached to racks on the front and rear wheels. Some travel-
had the opportunity to absorb our surroundings-the
ers, especially those riding mountain and racing bikes, choose to
inlets of Puget Sound, the lush greenery of late summer, the
pull their gear in a trailer.
Despite their touring experience, none of my three com-
apples hanging from branches. To the whirring sound of spin-
panions had trained either, so we set off from Vancouver at a
trees, where shadows of leaves danced on the pavement. Always
leisurely pace to ride ourselves into shape. As a reward for our
hungry, we snacked on protein bars, high-calorie trail mix and
placid
ning tires, we pedaled over rolling hills and through tunnels of
all the blackberries we could pick.
Five maps
from
the
Adventure
of the United States, a man riding to raise funds to
Cycling
are not uncommon; all you need is a journey, a
izing in self supported tours, laid out our Pacific
cause, a sign for your bike and a fundraising web
Coast course. The maps function like a Dummy's
page (available at firstgiving.com).
Guide to Route Planning, including turn-by-turn
In Northern California, we entered the Avenue
directions, mileage markers, elevation maps and
of the Giants, a 32-mile stretch of old Highway
a legend showing campgrounds, motels, hostels,
101 running through Humboldt Redwoods State
Park. Cruising underneath a canopy of the world's
bike shops, restaurants and grocery stores. Some
state transportation
departments will send bicy-
tallest trees, some 200 feet high and 15 feet wide,
cle-friendly maps to those who inquire, and some
my companions and I looked like dollhouse toys.
cyclists use maps designed for car travel, but with a
We rode alongside the ferns, huckleberry and
network of 37,210 miles, Adventure Cycling is the
poison oak that make up the understory of the
best bike-touring resource I know of.
old-growth forest, touched by the majesty of the
After the stop in Seattle, our average miles per
ancient redwoods.
day increased from the mid-20s to the mid-30s.
My three companions ended their journey in
My morning soreness abated faster with every new
San Francisco, where Josie, a hard-core cycling
day as my seat molded to my body and my body
molded to my bike. In southern Washington, we
friend, joined me. Outside a supermarket near the
passed through small towns with coffee shops
two-wheeled traveler. Tom, the bicycling comedian,
offering senior citizen discounts and roast beef
started touring in 1987 and has covered 140,000
specials. Rain chased us along the Columbia River,
miles. He has biked to every state, even pedaling
through territory charted by Lewis and Clark, to
a stationary bike to Hawaii via cruise ship. He
curving beach of Half Moon Bay, we met a fellow
the mangrove trees and salty air of the sea. We
makes his living by riding his bike to venues where
reached the milestone of the Pacific Ocean and
he performs his stand-up comedy and shows slides
of outlandish street signs.
turned left.
The elevation map of Oregon has spikes indi-
r
fight lymphoma. Individual rides for philanthropy
Association, a bicycle travel organization special-
Keeping in mind that every mile traveled off-
cating climbs of 200 to 1,000 feet for nearly 400
route is a two-mile detour, Josie and I stopped
miles. For entire mornings, our speedometers hov-
at the most convenient gay venue, the nautically
ered under five miles per hour, our thigh muscles
themed Friendship Bar (now the Hideout)
strengthening as we taught our bodies to climb.
Pedaling in the lowest gear, the "granny gear;• was
Santa Monica. By then, I'd discovered that the key
physical work, but the real challenge was mental.
in the mirror, and there were no other women at
in
to feeling comfortable in spandex is to never look
Sitting all day, my thoughts were constant, the
the bar to pass judgement on my fluorescent yellow
h
mind-chatter all about getting to the next hill or
jersey that cold Wednesday afternoon. Continuing
s.
bend, until eventually the never-ending nature of
d
the road lulled me into the present.
on the 22-mile South Bay Bicycle Trail, we passed
the workout area of Venice's Muscle Beach, the
The coast of Oregon is rugged and lined with
glass shorefront houses of Manhattan Beach and
sea stacks, huge chunks of land sculpted by ero-
the miles of volleyball nets staked into the sands of
c,
sion. Sand dunes, mounds of sand that drift like
Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
,t
glaciers, stretch down from the north. Recreational
The signs for Mexico appeared near San Diego,
rs
ATVs are popular for exploring the dunes, and we
after I'd had nearly 200 hours of saddle time to envi-
often heard them buzzing in the distance while
sion crossing the border. I imagined ripping off my
f
we camped in state parks. At night, we left our
jersey and launching my fist into the air, or falling to
bikes leaning against the picnic table by our tents.
my knees and letting a handful of dirt stream through
0
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C
f
:,:
my fingers. But the drama of a grand finale was lost
concerns were eating, sleeping and pedaling.
somewhere along a trail of triumphant moments:
To recharge, we stayed in hostels and motels,
changing a tire in the rain, climbing a seemingly
C
but it was at the campground hiker-biker sites that
insurmountable hill, reaching the 1,000-mile mark-
ii
u;
we met other bike travelers: a husband and wife
er. Surrounded by border congestion, I methodically
<!
who took turns pulling their toddler in a trailer, a
removed the panniers, and, using my undeveloped
-;
Texan who had a route touching the four corners
arms, struggled to hoist my bike over my head. ■
~
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(I
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Everything we needed was there with us; our only
Guesthouse
ce.
ResortAmenities.
www.pearlsrainbow.com
1.800.749.6696
• 525 UnitedStreet
KeyWest,Florido33040
September 2008
I 39
Passionin Panama
Findinghorses,rainforests
and a three-legged
dog.ByAlisonPeters
an option we hadn't previously considered. The route across the
country was via the Pan,American Highway, Guinness' longest
"motorable road;' stretching from Alaska to Argentina. Our ad,
venture began as we crossed the Bridge of the Americas and set
out on the roughly six,hour drive to David.
We left the coast behind to climb our first mountain pass
just as it began to get dark. I've seen many a dazzling night sky
in my lifetime, where city lights become a distant memory; but
I have never been so close to the stars as I was driving across
that mountain. The sky was glowing, and the sparse landscape
around us was clearly visible. I stuck my head out the window
for a better look and drank in gulps of fresh cold air.
Along the road, with bright, flashing trucks barreling down
on us and machete,wielding fieldworkers suddenly popping out
of the darkness on the lip of the road, we got confused and lost,
finally settling into the first available hotel in the bustling, friend,
ly city of David. It was Friday night, a holiday, and the squares
were packed with people. We did the only thing we couldenjoyed a delicious meal, strolled the streets and stepped inside
an Internet cafe to write home. The next day, we started out
early and promptly drove up the wrong side ofVolcan Baru, the
mountain home of our rainforest getaway. This detour proved
magical: We ended up with a lovely driving tour of Boquette,
a picturesque retirement community where nearly every house
was adorned in a riot of live blooms.
When we finally found it, Los Quetzales, the quiet inn
named for the gorgeous bird we never glimpsed, was exactly
what we needed. We rode on horseback into the forest and
indulged in one of the best spa services I've ever experienced:
hours long, with a steamy eucalyptus,scented sauna. The ten,
sion eased out of my body to the music of a small but vocal river;
pink hibiscus smiled as the sun shone on the last day of the year.
Teri (my girlfriend,partner,whatever)
and I decided to visit
reveled outside at midnight, amid locals shooting off fireworks
tours: We wanted to explore Central America and the thought
and a three,legged dog howling at the moon.
of the canal (history), rainforest retreats and island hideaways
of islands-some
via the regional airline Aeroplas from Panama City to David, a
big enough to support one house perched precariously on a
with small cities and an airport, others only
rainforest base camp in the lowlands of western Panama, and
rocky cliff-where
from there go to the Bocas Del Toro, remote, sparsely populated
islands in the blue Caribbean Sea. The one thing we didn't fac,
guy in a dug,out boat, with a flashlight to steer by when the sun
getting around requires a water taxi, (i.e., a
goes down). Staying in small hotels on the water, we fell asleep to
tor in was attempting to buy plane tickets two days before New
swells rushing across the sand, took a slippery mudslide through
Year's. Aeroplas was booked solid.
dense forest to be rewarded with a pristine, virtually empty half,
Storm clouds gathered in our hotel room. Phase II of our
Icurve
The next day we set off for Bocas del Toro, a laid,back group
(bliss) sealed the deal. Our plan was to hop across the country
journey included a night in a treehouse perched high above a
40
After a scrumptious dinner in the inn's cozy dining room, we
Panama after hearing one too many friends describe their eco,
shell beach and considered selling everything we owned to stay
there forever.
cloud forest, and there was no way we were missing that. Then
But home beckoned. After a few days in paradise, we re,
the wonderful concierge at our hotel pointed us in the direc,
luctantly retrieved Yari and sped back toward Panama City, the
tion of Thrifty and hailed us a cab. Minutes later we drove off
Bocas watching from a safe distance and the looming mountains
in a rented Toyota Yaris (Yari, we affectionately nicknamed her),
gaping ahead. Barreling down the empty road, I casually men,
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tioned to Teri that the pesky sign we were pretty
sure translated to "slow down" was recurring more
friend explained. "It'll probably be at least another
and more frequently. She ignored me and turned
hour, maybe more:• Glancing at the officer, she
the music up louder. Then I noticed something
smiled reassuringly. "Just give him some money
suspicious-what
when the road opens and I'm sure he'll let you go.
Don't worry:'
looked like a long tree branch
spanning the road. "It's string," I screamed. "Stop!"
to close the road to clean up a mudslide," my new
Teri's foot hit the brake. Yari shuddered and slid
The hours dragged on. Finally, the officer am-
to a screeching halt. When the smoke cleared, we
looked up to see that there was, in fact, an unas-
bled away from his motorcycle and began clearing
the stringy barricade. The path was clear, and he
suming bit of string stretched across the road.
motioned for the other cars to pass us and con-
One side was tied to a stop sign and the other to
tinue on. When the very last car in the long line
the handlebar of a police motorcycle, the officer
had snaked by, and the road was once again empty
sitting calmly in wait. I began to panic.
The officer strolled over to the driver's side.
but for us and the officer, he walked over to the car,
Teri relinquished Yari's papers and her own. He
his palm open, face up. Teri handed over the hush
looked around once or twice and bent down with
studied them for a while and then walked back
money; the young officer finally cracked a smile;
over to the motorcycle and started talking into
we exhaled and drove away. This time we kept to
his walkie-talkie. Meanwhile, the road was filling
a modest pace, tracing our route back past sympa-
with cars and a kind young woman took pity on
thetic David and through the mountains of stars.
us-me
We and rolled into Panama City with just enough
glowering from the car, scribbling into my
notebook, and Teri taking it all in stride, snapping
time to find a room, sleep for three hours, then get
photos of the string, the tire marks in the road
to the airport and fly back home.
and, surreptitiously, the officer himself "They had
It was the best trip of my life. ■
September 2008
I 41
September 2008
I43
•---•
f ••
e-~+-.,:_
bringing sexy
I
__
.......:~--------------------------------
Musician and recording artist LP. and her girlfriend, Calvin Klein
fashion designer Pelagia Kolotouros, make the ultimate New York
lesbian "It" couple: smart, sexy and oh so Manhattan chic. Here, LP.
sports April 77 jeans, a vintage tee and Margiela sneakers. "I always like
l.
to dress as if I may never get back to my apartment again, as though I
could be in these clothes for a few days, because that shit could happen.
I like the clothes to be comfortable, but they still gotta be cool:' But it's
the accessories that make the look, including skull necklaces by Black
Sheep and Prodigal Sons, a cross necklace by Ugo Cacciatori and rings
by Alex Streeter. "And hair cut by me, in my bathroom, in the name of
dykes everywhere:' LP. is in the studio making a record for her label
SoBe Entertainment, which will be out this fall. Besides her new video
for her single "Good With You" and touring, LP. has tons of teen fans
now, too. "I wrote the theme song, 'Wasted; for a really cool show on
the N Network called South of Nowhere,about a cute high school girl
couple:' Girlfriend Pelagia Kolotouros sports a mesh metal scarf from
Ann Demeulemeester, a stylish Gotti necklace, Cheap Monday jeans, a
tailored Balenciaga blazer, a comfy Peter Saville for Slater Bradley shirt
and Jill Sander shoes. "Normally, my style is bit more understated but
when asked to be in a photo one must tap into that inner fashion victim;'
jokes Kolotouros, who didn't take scissors to her own coif but let celeb
stylist Sally Hershberger do the job. Pelagia is currently designing the
fall 2009 line for men before heading to Europe to do design research.
... H•Hlllt--a
---
bringing sexy back ----------------------------------
culture, urban style
and vintage elements
in skyscraper heels,
Don't tell us that lesbians don't follow the
trends. A number of super-sexy style icons
got their groove by watching chicks like us.
So what's on the hot list this year? Sneakers,
apparently: The blogosphere recently reported that Lindsay Lohan is probably a lesbian
beause she ditched her heels for comfortable
kicks. Here are our other oh-so-cool fads.
Diane Anderson-Minshall
AccessorizeThis
TKO Orlagi Watches are the of-the-moment
timepieces, especially the orange Roma
with its giant polycarbonate housing,
silicone rubber straps and stainless
steel bezel. $125, tkowatches.com
Keeping Warm
Though
first popular
during
the
Depression because the golden yarn in the toes
lasted longer, Gold Toe socks are hot again,
especially charcoal gray knee-highs that go both
ways (butch? femme?) and are made with the
Freshtex Antimicrobial System to keep tootsies
odor-free. $7 and up, goldroesocks.com
TrompingAround
You've seen them at festivals
and bars- Keen Footwear are
the shoes that replaced Docs
in the pantheon of must-have
lesbian footwear-which
is
why no dyke gathering is complete without these funky, fun and
extremely comfortable shoes. They're for outdoor adventurers, active lifestyles or anyone who,
like me, just wants to look like she has an active
outdoor life. Hot now: Laguna H2, Maupin and
Zerraport. $50 and up, REI.com
On Your Necks
The Farm Chicks' Vintage Letter Pendant is
just one of the great retro-rural looks from this
funky two-woman jewelry maker. Wear a single
vintage letter or group them. No two are exactly
alike. Best yet, the chains can be easily
cur with household scissors to
your preferred length. $18,
thefarmchicks.com
The Anti-FannyPack
WeHoChic
Too hip for a fanny pack, too butch for a purse?
Try designer Lisa Rodrigues' Celicase, the fabu
little bag that was in the Grammy Award bags this
year. A combo wallet, purse, cell phone holder,
the Turkish leather bag can be
worn five ways-including
on your belt and around
your waist, In traditional
leather and croc styles.
$110, celicase.com
MichelleParadise
has become the perfect lesbian icon with her
new sitcom, Exes and Ohs.Though she
often sports jeans and tees on the show,offstageshe
can bring it WeHo style (see this pie of her
from celeb photog Toky), along with the rest
of West Hollywood's lesbian power elite
(everyone from Shannon Kampa to Ilene
Chaiken to The L Word castmates are
defining lesbian fashion here in bold new
ways). Priceless.
PerteetBaby
Accessories
Face it, with so many of us gayby
booming, we need hip baby togs, too. Enter the
retrostyled rockin' mom onesie,
modelled after an old AC/DC
concert tee. This one reads,
"AB/CD, for those about
to read, we salute you:· $16,
thetrendytadpole.com
Menswearfor Chicks
It wasn't enough that Penelope Cruz kissed
the super-sexy Mia Maestro in a Sapphic
music video or gal-palled around with
Salma Hayek, setting our
hearts aflame. Then she
launched the Penelope
and
Monica
Cruz
Collection with MNG by
MANGO, which is a badass
take on fashion-like this gray
pinstripe and suspender duo. Her
fall 2008 line definitely brings sexy
back. Prices vary, mango.com
SustainableStyle
The perfect art-meets-engineering
Archetype
Laptop
Case is a pure conversation
starter. Made with sustainably
farmed real cork fabric, the weather-resistant bag is sleek and sophisticated and
offers three different shoulder strap options.
Love the cork but don't have a laptop? Try the
inexpensive ($10) cork pouches, which are big
enough for an iPhone or Nintendo DS. $95,
tombihn.com
peep-toe cork platforms
and darling flats. Their autumn
and winter line has the hottest vintage-y back to school for grownups look.
The Fairtytales combines blue suede leopard
print, Mary Jane straps and purple lining, while
the Fusion takes naughty schoolgirl (with its preppy plaid and burnt orange leather) to whole new
heights. $99 and up, poetidicense.us
CrunchyCouture
Remember when vegan shoes were dull beyond
belief 2 Well, now vegan footwear is super-trendy,
especially Earth Shoes, which feature Kalso
Negative Heel technology so your
calves get a workout while you
walk ( and it helps your back,
too). Earth Shoes was one of
the first manufacturers to dedicate 100 percent of its line to the
use of water-based adhesives, and now
uses recycled cardboard shanks and more environmentally friendly materials in its uppers. And
$5 of every purchase is donated to Earthshare. My
fave: the sporty Mary Jane-style Flight in Baltic
blue. $100, zappos.com
PackingVeryLight
Foot Worship
There is no shoemaker some girls
adore more these days than the
British upstart Poetic License,
whose brand launched three
years ago and is now in hipboutiques around
the globe. The
shoes mix
Travel bugs snapped up the very portable Snip
shoes by Nicole because they have built-in clasps
that let you roll them into a ball and toss them into
your suitcase or purse. (One CURVE staffer
carries hers everywhere.) They even
come in boxes that convert to
invented the
Buder Bag. A
classic leather
bag that opens up
to a functional wonderland where everything
stays neatly compartmentalized. The Butler
Hybrid will even fit a small laptop!
$165, butlerbag.com
black patent kitten heels,
aptly named Baphne. $40
and up, madelineshoes.com
Secretof Success
No more stuffy card cases or rubber band messes. The Bedazzled Skull and
Crossbones business card case from
Japanese designer Yumi T
is what celebs like CSI:
SchoolhouseChic
Miami's Eva
LaRue
are
carrying. $45,
bedazzledyumic.com
Some dykettes have ditched purses altogether in favor of the unisexy lowbrow-artsy lunchbox. Hot
now? Dark Horse's Scary Girl (based on the
online comic), Bettie Page, Molly's Escort Service/
Sin City, Devil Girl and Faster Pussycat,
Kill Kill. $13, darkhorse.com
SomethingSexy on Your
Arm
Hell's Belles Finishing School for
Mandy Moore, Lindsay Lohan
and all of Chicago are all about
Maddie Powers swag, in part
Girls makes bags for unreformable
girls and hot femmes (most are one and
the same) with fun materials (think candy apple
red PVC, leopard print). The retro chic headmistress herself poses in the catalog with pinup
queens like Sabina Kelly and Heather Hink
because creator Jay G. took inspiration from Midwestern women ( they're
"clever, funny and sensible") while living in the
(pictured). Try the Pinstriped Clutch or the amazing Hell Kitten Handbag-both
httve leopard velveteen, extra room and oh-so-sexy PVC parts-or
Pulchritudinous
Pulp
Windy City's Lincoln Park area. Hence
the Maddie Powers collection, which
now offers yoga pants, bikinis,
metal wallets and more. We adore
the Cutebug Sheba Laptop
Bag and the Cutebug Laptop
Messenger Bag-both
adorned
with authentic pulp covers from
the '40s and '50s and lucky
seven dice. $80 and up,
mobileedge.com
picture holders with name tags.
Sweet. Nicole isn't making any
more, but you can still find
them online. $50, email.com
LesbosforLesbos
Gladiator shoes are sizzling
even into fall, so snag the lesbofriendly version, the black flat
Adventura from Palladium.
AnythingDahliaWears
Perfectfor Virgos!
She's the singing, dancing, stripteasing queen of elecrrocabaret who also happened to pen
the taboo-busting Seduce
Me for HarperCollins.
Dahlia Schweitzer wears
very little but manages to
always make it look classy,
not trashy, and straight off
the runways. Meow.
Change, lipstick, tampons,
cell phone, puppy diaper (don't
ask), iPod, leash, candy, biz cards,
flyers for local dyke gatherings-these
are the
things that came tumbling out of my bag one
Too Russell Crowe? Try the
Athol,a brown-gray leather Mary
Jane with floral lining. $79 and up,
palladiumshoes.com
day at the score as I fumbled around looking for
my keys (always on the bottom). Apparently it
happened to designer Jen Groover too, because she
Sweet Safari
Can't go abroad? Try on a pair of Madeline'sround toe
zebra print Ansley heels or the Audrey Hepbum-ish
TOKY(PARADISE),
JANETTEVALENTINE
(HELL'S),JACOB ANDERSON-MINSHALL
(BUTLER),KINAWILLIAMS
(ALLOTHERPRODUCTS)
the Back Seat Clutch (with a handy
wrist leash for those nights when
you're too busy to bother with a
bag). $58 and up,
hbnyc.net
can't stop starin
Sex-kitten style, made to measure. B Lauren Marie fleming
all the
Retro style is fabulous, but a girl can spend hours rummaging through bou-
dresses at a ime, doing
tique racks only to find her perfect dress three sizes too small and with a rip up
Staring! sells
the back. Alicia Estrada is changing that for good. With her vintage-inspired,
subcontractors he
high-quality dresses, girls never have to look beyond their computer screens
on celebrities such as
and stopstaringclothing.com
Deschanel, Rebecca De Mo
to find a perfect retro look.
Estrada, the creator of Stop Staring! Designs, and its only designer, began
work hersel£ Now, over 10 years later, Stop
ousands of dresses a month and employs hundreds of labor
in the United States. Estrada's designs have been seen
·s Hilton, Eva Mendez, Trisha Yearwood, Zooey
and Meg White, and have graced rhe pages of
Vogue, Lucky, Style and InTouch.
05, the company was named Minori
sewing at 17. "When you grow up in a family of 10 children;' Estrada says,
Manufacturing
Firm of the Year, an honoroc:st:E)sW.4~.llPon-.ti.1s-t:
"sewing is not an option, rather a necessity:' At the time, Estrada rocked a punk
peers. The mayor of Los Angeles presented the award.
Despite her success, Estrada is as humble as a person can be. She still over-
style that often caused passersbys to gawk.
To contravene the gazes, she inscribed "Stop Staring!" across her shirts,
sees all aspects of the business, designs all the clothing and is the fit model for
shorts and skirts. As Estrada's style changed, so did Stop Staring! cloth-
her size, 14. Her dresses come in a range of sizes ( up to 26 for some dresses,
ing. When punk became mainstream she switched to rockabilly, and when
18 on most) and are reasonably priced and high in quality-attributes
rockabilly became trendy she slipped on 1950s dresses. It was there, in Joan
insists on, so girls don't have to miss out because of the size of their bodies or
Crawford-inspired Hollywood glam, that Estrada found her niche.
their wallets.
In the beginning, Los Angeles boutique buyers laughed at her for
For Estrada, Stop Staring! is about family-many
she
positions in her com-
re-creating old styles. But everywhere she went people stopped her to ask
pany are held by family members-and
giving something to the world, rather
where they could buy her fabulous outfits. Inspired by these positive respons-
than getting something from it. ''An ice cream cone puts a smile on my face,"
es on the street, Estrada used her rent money to buy materials and took her
Estrada says. "It's not about money:'
designs to the Hootenanny, a concert festival that embraced rockabilly, punk
Most importantly, Estrada would like to be seen as an example of how
music and anything retro. Her gamble paid off, and before the festival ended
people can follow their dreams, no matter what their background. "What we
she had sold every last article of clothing.
Soon Estrada was able to quit her waitressing job and go to work as a
see as the worst part about us-for
0
<l'.
-,
designer full-time. During the first few years, she made and sold dozens of
we should embrace, and is ultimately what makes us us:' ■
(/)
w
2
...J
0
I
z
(/)
me, not having money growing up-is
often our greatest advantage;' she says. "What we hate about ourselves is what
September 2008
I 49
The Fat Fancy Crew (from left):
Mel Heywood, Carlee Smith and
Annie Maribona
come together:' The store will eventually have a lounge area with body-positive
and fat, queer activist books and 'zines. "When there is a place to sell and
distribute, more voices can find a way to be heard;' Malkin says. "I want to
disseminate the point of view that fat is beautiful, not bad. And if others want
to organize and curate events, art exhibits, crafting and other DIY projects, I
welcome their input:'
Like Kacenjar's business, Fat Fancy is a size- and body-positive clothing ven,ture in Portland, Ore. While looking for retail space, the three fat queer women
who run Fat Fancy-Carlee
Smith, Mel Heywood and Annie Maribona-have
monthly sales of plus-size vintage and modern clothing in a basement rented
from friends. Maribona says their plan is to have a workshop area for altering
clothing, to carry local designers' handmade plus-size clothing, sell accessories
and advocate for size-positive, queer-positive goals through workshops, sponsorships and other community activities.
Maribona says, "We sell men's and women's vintage and modern plus-size
clothing. We carry shoes that are wide, or as big as possible. We also carry accessories, belts and bags, and we are working on amassing a designer section
epoch style
with handmade and altered pieces. We want to make it easier for fat people
to find cute, affordable clothing in their size. When people are wearing clothes
Fat chicks rock the world of style.
By Stephanie Schroeder
they feel good in, they are more empowered as human beings. We want hotter, empowered fat people walking around feeling good about themselves and
changing the world:'
A signature Fat Fancy piece might be a little wild and crazy, something
sequined or in gold lame, or something with a crazy print or pattern.
Plus-size vintage is the hottest new trend in fashion. An underserved mar-
"Since some plus-size items may be frumpy, Fat Fancy is all about rocking
ket for a long time, fat dykes are clamoring for sensational, unusual vintage
crazy items and reclaiming them and being really fashion-forward. To some
clothes. The fierce fat-positive movement to dress lesbians in beautiful and
people, fat and fashionable is an oxymoron. We want co obliterate chat;' states
Mari bona.
comfortable clothing is growing. Deb Malkin, whose store in Brooklyn,
N.Y., Re/Dress, is her dream come true, says, "It started with me and my fat
All these women are rethinking the myth and methodology of clothing
friends complaining there was no thrift-vintage wear in larger sizes. That and
fat women. "We want to increase the visibility of not just plus-size designers,
NOLOSE's
Fat Girl Flea, which I founded and organized for several years,
but also large women in the media, so stylists know where to go. I mean, who
showed me that there was indeed a market, and also there was no end to the
dresses Beth Ditto?" queries Malkin."We want Re/Dress to become a resource
to the film, magazine and TV industries, too:' ■
amount of good reusable clothing:'
Malkin is on a mission to get unwanted clothes out of fat women's closets."If
clothes don't fit, they are out of season or not your style,we want them and they will
be loved and cared for. We want to liberate closets to replenish clothing stock:'
Rachel Kacenjar is a fundraiser
at Community
Shares in Cleveland,
. Kacenjar alters and sells vintage clothing in plus sizes. She buys
rift stores and repurposes
the items to look frilly and fancy,
d outrageous. She also includes shirts and pants that are deconot as frou-frou, for butch women and transpeople:'
cakeandcuddlebunny.com,
Selling
Kacenjar has about 100 different
which are unique because she mends and sews the clothes
ch also keeps the prices low. "It's kind of nonprofit clothing,"
ar. Her price point is $8-$80 for each since she adds only $12
e is an underlying political message in my clothing philosophy;' says
~ar. "It's about expressing the way you feel politically, through what you
ear, how you adorn your body. My agenda with my clothing is that I want to
look fabulous-outrageous,
out there-in
my size 18 body, with my clothes
hugging my fat rolls and feeling sexy and free:' In fact, emphasizes Kacenjar,
"It's not only about feeling OK but feeling fucking fabulous and using clothing
as a vehicle to express many different things:'
Malkin, too, advocates using clothing-and
her storefront-as
for fat queer politics. "We will be community-centered,
50
I curve
a vehicle
a space for people to
not just playing dress up
Former piercer turns to corsets. By Dana Kaye Litoff
From San Francisco to Santa Monica, student costume designer Michaela Grey
"When I'm preparing for an event, I sleep in
has wowed the California coast with her cinched waists, elegant hats and intri-
and lace it a half inch tighter every night;' Grey says.'
training corset every night
ually within two weeks
cately crafted costumes. She ties herself into her signature, 19th-century-style
corsets on a regular basis. She's used them to be a mermaid at a birthday party,
ei hr to
hours with ease:'
a silver space babe at the Folsom Street Fair and an 18th-century courtesan
After receiving photos from Grey's wedding, Staylace.com, a corsetry web-
at the National Femme Conference, and all this
site, asked her to model for them, setting off a chain of events that led her to
before she has finished her formal training.
costuming.
Grey says that many of her past jobs, some
"I went home with four or five gorgeous custom corsets and nothing to
of which were in the film and music industries,
wear with them;' says Grey. "At first, I was just trying to find or make things to
pushed her toward her work in design. Even her
go with the corsets I had, but once I saw the possibilities, I started designing the
first job in her childhood home of Salem, Mass.,
ensemble and then asking them to make the corset to go with my outfit:'
required a costume.
The corsets exaggerate Grey's feminine figure, but the photos of tight cinch-
"I had to wear a hilarious pilgrim outfit with
a nasty little polyester bonnet;' Grey says of her
work as a Salem Witch House tour guide.
Grey went on to make a name for herself
"I love the way it feels, like a reassuring hug," explains Grey. "I like tall, tight
boots for the same reason:'
Grey is also drawn to an exaggerated view of femininity-tiny
waist and
in the piercing industry as an advocate for and
substantial bust-and
founder of the Association
ciation for hourglass figures. She sees her future buyers as the underserved:
of Professional
Piercers. She left the piercing life behind in
2000, however.
"It was very tiring to be a queer femme in
wants to make clothes for people with a similar appre-
femmes who aren't thin; butches and FTMs who don't necessarily have masculine body types but want to wear menswear; and, of course, drag queens.
Just as she made the costumes to go with her corsets, she intends to make
that world;' she explains. "That and the dissolu-
the clothes that these queer subgroups want but can't get in the mainstream
tion of Gauntlet [the landmark piercing studio
market.
in Los Angeles where she worked] just kinda
broke my heart and killed any love I once had for piercing:'
She translated her love of body modification into the world of corsetry and
tight lacing.
es and tiny waists raise questions: Are those comfortable? What's the appeal?
Grey plans to make costumes in the film industry as well as start her own
clothing line. But first she wants to finish her master's degree and begin taking
advanced design courses. Despite Grey's student status, her unique vision suggests she'll soon have a place among the designers to the stars. ■
,.,_ _ __. bringing sexy back ••------------------------------------------e•-t•H-•t-••--:-
style from the streets
ATKM and DJTCreinvent lesbian fashion.
By lya Carrera Photos by Misfy Winter
ular all-female, cabaret-style, genderbending troupe-and
the hip-hop duo
Filf Dos (lyricist Filfy and DJ Jive Alive)
performed
and modeled the clothes.
Promoted
by Kristen
Porter's
Dyke
Night Productions, the show was titled
Fashion, Hip Hop and Drag, Oh My!
Members of both ATKM and Filf
Dos assumed two roles that evening, as
performers but also as Cutler's models in
the fashion program. Cutler emceed and
described the clothing as the eight models walked the back of the stage.
The audience whistled and clapped
loudly when ATKM's Leighsa Burgin
(pictured right) sauntered the catwalk
wearing a black miniskirt, black sweat
jacket and gray burnout T-shirt. The
audience reaction
was similar when
ATKM's Karin Webb modeled a sexy,
black denim dress, while sporting the
DITC socks.
The crowd got pumped up when
ATKM's Jill Gibson stepped out wearway over the years. Women have gone from
nous to punk to feminine to gender-crossing.
1980s has come full circle with the emergence of
......,,.u,..£-.,,esbianfashion back on the map.
ers on The L Word are feminine looking-with
, who is androgynous-butch,
-there's
and Moira-Max, who is
a fashion style for all of them, regardless of how
e image oflesbians that was prevalent in the media-two
shirts-has
words: flannel
ing the gray Betty hat with the black
"Our World, Our Words" muscle T-shirt, while she unzipped her jeans to
give us a peek at her black boxer-briefs with the DITC logo. Ann Zumwalt
drew lots of applause when she came out in the checkered, black sergeant
cap, the red "queer" workshirt and the black tie with the brass knuckle design. And ATKM's Julee Antonellis looked modish in the brown T-shirt with
"TransForm" written on it, along with the brown fedora hat. Other items that
were modeled were the femme and butch tuxedo shirts.
Cutler's diverse style caters to everyone: femme, butch, transgender gay or
straight.
now been replaced with something more positive, as gay women
DITC Clothes,Beginningsand Future
are now seen as being fashion-conscious.
As a result, many clothing companies now cater to, though are not exclu-
Many audience members said that ATKM had brought them to the show,
sive to, the lesbian community, and each brings its own unique twist to the
but afterward, many were inspired to purchase DITC clothing. Sam Demuro,
clothing line. One such company is dykesinthecity (DITC.net).
22, bought a vintage-style shirt. "I was influenced by the show, and I think it's
important to support [queer) artists:'
"Our clothing is very urban, edgy and very city;' says Niki Cutler, 34,
co-founder and co-owner of DITC. "We combine our fashion with hip-hop
Mary Caulfield, 27, bought the tie-inspired cuffs. "I like the color. I like
and drag because that's exactly the image that we want. I think it's positive to
the pattern. I like the way it fits;' she says. "Ir's very neutral and goes with just
about everything:'
have our clothing line involved in cross-entertainment.
We're all helping each
other out by getting everyone's name and art our:'
Not only did the audience members like DITC's line, but so did the performers who modeled it. "A lot us wear her clothes;' ATKM's Jill Gibson says.
The FashionEvent
"I think one of the struggles for women who dress in a masculine way is that
Cutler showcased her fashion line at the Club Cafe in Boston during an eve-
it's hard to find clothes that fit you appropriately .... Her clothing line makes you
ning of queer entertainment. All the Kings Men (ATKM)-the
feel confident and comfortable. It's a good feeling to buy clothes from women,
52
I curve
wildly pop-
for women, and be able to see yourself in them:'
Filfy, a long-time DITC model and fan, has
watched Cutler's growth as a designer over the
past three years. "Each season, the clothing line
gets better and better. I think she has done a good
job of being a pioneer in dyke fashion;' she says.
'Tm really proud of her:'
Cutler started her Chicago-based company in
2004, but the seed was planted long before then
over coffee with a group of friends. "In 2000, we
were in Baltimore and we started calling ourselves
the DITC crew, which was the acronym for dykes
in the city. It was this fun name that we made up
about ourselves because we were a very close-knit
group."
Cutler says that she was at a crossroads in
2004. She had already been attending lots of Pride
festivals and something inside her was compelling
her to do something for the LGBT community. So,
she decided to go with her gut instinct and take a
risk with a T-shirt venture.
Many agree that Cutler's clothing is filling a gap
in the LGBT community. "I think fashion for the
lesbian community is fantastic;' says Sarah Engel,
27. "I don't think it's
tapped into that much.
I definitely think there
needs to be more options for us, because
we have our own style
and fashion sense:'
Laura Watts, 39,
says, "I think it's great
to have lesbians make
their
own
clothing
and sell it. I think it
has a wider audience
than just
the dyke
community:'
Cutler hopes that
DITC
will continue
to expand, as well as
tour with other entertainers.
But most
importantly, she would like her clothing line to
make a difference in people's lives. 'Tm glad to be
able to put out some new and innovative ideas for
dyke fashion;' she says. "My goal is to create inner
happiness as well as create a positive group identity
that will give people the courage to self-express and
be proud of who they are and not worry about the
outside world. I want dykesinthecity to be known
by gay and straight people alike, so that one day
everybody can be comfortable with each other, because that's what it's all about:' ■
m del behavior
our hot ladies talk style.
By Jennifer Corday
, From magazine covers to commercials, product packaging to catalogs, lesbian
models have a definite presence in what is commonly considered a strictly
straight girl industry. These models are not only drool-worthy, they are redefining beauty-from
femme to butch-in
the fashion industy.
Samantha Laurito
Samantha Laurito doesn't like being the good girl. Laurito affirms, "Definitely
nor:' Her average day entails "waking up, getting ready, going to a photo shoot
or a fashion show, then getting wasted with my girlfriend:' Her girlfriend,
Alexis, is a personal trainer, a big bonus for Laurito, who admits, 'Tm so bad
at the gym-I hate going:' When asked how the 5-foot 10-inch, 120-pound
brunette keeps her figure, she replies, "I have no idea:' To my surprise (or naivety) Laurito explains, "I can't do high fashion because I'm not thin enough. You
have to be a double zero and I'm like, a four:' Instead, the Italian-Colombian
beauty gets plenty of work modeling urban wear, contemporary rock wear and
sportswear (she was on the cover of Paint Ball magazine) and enjoys modeling
clothing for companies like Love Letters, Rocawear, Kenneth Cole, Whiteboy
and Gap."I do some business-edgy stuff, but mostly do photo shoots with photographers that work with Vellummagazine. It's very artsy and dark:'
Laurito has a sultry, sexy, exotic look that's very versatile. She went to
a creative and performing arts school where she took drama and dance, but
works primarily in modeling. 'Tm freelance, so I'm signed all over with
different agencies in different states:' As a side project of her own, Laurito
is putting together a lesbian photography book that will feature butch and
femme looks. Laurito is openly gay, but often has a hard time convincing
others. "It gets annoying when nobody believes me. I may be feminine in the
way I dress, but not by the way I acr:'
Gevin Fax
Musician, model, actor and stuntwoman: How does Gevin Fax do it all?"I start
the morning with 200 crunches, 35 military push-ups and chin-ups;' Fax
admits, hinting at the drive that sustains all her careers.
A motorcycle documentary called Biker Women, which aired on the
Discovery Channel, first put Fax on the map. "It was a really wonderful
moment;' she says. "We got incredible reviews. It really catapulted me into the
limelight:'
Now known as a skilled motorcycle rider, Fax can tackle the most difficult
moves on a bike. She was called on to save the day in Rat Race,a movie starring
Whoopi Goldberg and Cuba Gooding Jr. "The girls they initially hired were
unable to do it-one
girl lost control of the bike and broke her leg and her
ankle. It's a very difficult move and one of the most dangerous stunts I've ever
done;' explains Fax. "I told them I could do it, but they had to bump my salary
up two levels:'
Fax has appeared in Rolling Stone, Peopleand various magazines across
Europe. Her edgy rock-'n' -roll look oozes style and turns heads. But while she
z
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UJ
still gets occasional calls, Fax has been modeling less and less. "I worked really
a:
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hard to keep my body and my health in great shape, but I'm 50 now, so model-
UJ
ing is not coming after me. I'd like to say I'm aging gracefully:'
0
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•••
Instead, Fax focuses on her musical career.
modeling industry. "They pretty much force retirement
She excels as a vocalist, guitarist and bass player.
at 28. But with acting, you can take the older roles or do
commercials. "I have perfect teeth, thanks to my mother,
A vocalist since age 13, she learned to play the
guitar in Catholic school and went on to front
so I do a lot of commercials. You can see me now on a
her own band, Galadriel, in the '80s. Eventually,
vacuum box in Target:' Last year, she did a photo shoot
luck struck and she was asked to join MCA
for the cover of Pink magazine, where she enjoyed wear-
recording artists Klymaxx as their bassist, and
ing a $3,000 coat and carrying a $2,000 purse."Modeling
she stayed on for several years. She appeared on
is more glamorous, and you're treated well on the set. It's
national television, played in videos for MTV
more fun and a lot less time-constraining than acting. As
and VH-1, Soul Train, and performed on and
long as you can smile, it's hard to mess it up:'
produced the band's latest album, The Maxx Is
Back,which hit No. 13 on the Billboardcharts.
Fax is as realistic about the music business as
she is about modeling, a pragmatism that shines
through as she describes her 15 minutes of rock star fame. The
Maxx Is Back, she says, "was a hit for two weeks. They were
wining and dining us and we were going everywhere in limos.
But the universe plays really interesting games on you. We're
hanging out with LL Cool J and Quincy Jones, and [then)
were the shit-it
gets to the Top 100, Top 80, Top 50, all the
way to number 13 before it plateaus and drops out like that.
Everything was called off:'
sitting in with various bands as well
project. 'Tm not going to say •
famous, but as an artist you
your money. I've had a great
Patricia Melone
Between photo shoots, a
has little down time for i
she explains. "I cannot sit
om brunette is an actor a
night. Her acting credits in
on The L Word as one of Da
a Web-based series called Spe
completed a role in The Seeras
murdered one by one. There was one n
was asked to do a kissing scene with another w
I was a lesbian, so he thought I might be offended when he asked if I would
[
C,
mind kissing another girl. My friend who worked on the set knew, but the director had no idea. I thought the whole situation was hilarious:' Melone not
z
only didn't mind, she in fact rather enjoyed the assignment. "The other actress
~
looked like Angelina Jolie, so I wasn't complaining!"
Melone is gorgeous and is most comfortable in jeans and '80s cartoon tees
0
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or ribbed tank tops, which she calls "dago tees;' a term she knows because of her
Italian upbringing. "I come from a small Italian community in Chicago and
...J
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E. my entire family still lives there, all within a five-mile radius:• Melone moved to
0
Los Angeles two and a half years ago to pursue her acting and modeling career
~
:::::)
and enjoy a change of scenery. "I wanted to move, and I got a lot of great offers
cc
CD
LJ.J
<!
to work here as a nurse. Plus;' she adds, "the chicks in L.A. are hot!" (The actor
0
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met her current girlfriend more than a year ago in
Cf)
LJ.J
a:
I
LJ.J
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CURVE
magazine personals
online and they have just moved in together. )
Melone is indeed driven to succeed and is frustrated with the ageism in the
----
Jenice Armstrong
California native Jenice Armstrong models all types
of fashion, from military uniforms to bathing
suits, and looks great doing it. Armstrong lives
in Sacramento with her partner of seven years
and is pursuing a modeling career in between
trips to Washington, D.C., where she travels as
an HR analyst.
Armstrong started modeling for catalogs
when she was 18 and has since done a myriad
of modeling jobs. 'Tve modeled uniforms;' she
explains, "because they wanted a military-type
physique:' Armstrong is indeed sculpted to
perfection and she has no trouble finding work.
She also does a lot of runway modeling. "I pride
myself on my Tyra Banks runway walk and my
Tyra Banks forehead," she laughs. Armstong's
personality is obviously another selling point
in getting her on stage and in front of the camera. "You have to be very flexible and be able
to engage in any type of conversation at any
talk about politics one minute and then have an all-out-fun
sion the next!" Armstrong credits her upbringing in a military
r making her so personable. "Being a military brat made me very
d, because I was around so many different types of people. I had to
t and be a chameleon."
Armstrong has worked different jobs, aside from modeling. In Key
West, Fla., she worked as a desk clerk at the famous lesbian resort Pearl's
Patio, a job she really enjoyed. "I disc
red Pearl's and just loved it," she
says. "I asked them for a job and they started me the next day:' She met
her partner, Dee, in Key West and lived there for four years. She recently moved back to Sacramento with Dee, where they took advantage of
California's recognition of same-sex relationships and immediately filed
for domestic partnership. "That was part of the reason we came backto get some legal-ship." Armstrong is also writing a lesbian cookbook on
the side. "It's called Lesbians Have to Eat Too. Not only is it a cookbook,
it also has memories and stories. I go through each recipe and tell how it
came about:' Many of the stories involve her friends and family, who have
turned out to be very supportive of her lesbian lifestyle. 'Tm very out to
my family. My mother is getting used to it and my father loves it. I wasn't
raised with him, but now that I'm older, he's very supportive and we talk
every day." The strangest recipe in the cookbook? "Well, the fact that I am
a lesbian and I talk a lot about sausage in my book ... I've been told that's
kind of weird," she laughs. ■
------------------------------------◄•H•--•H• September 2008
I 55
cansft shop
oaaesses
~
Photos by Kina Williams
What could be hotter than luscious ladies
indulging in tasty treats? These sweet things
are looking as scrumptious as the caramels
at the Candy Store in San Francisco, where
these shots were taken. Burlesque star Jukie
Sunshine (opposite page) pairs a Sheer
Bliss With Flowers skirt with sheer black
bloomers from lesbian-owned Size Queen
Clothing and pink and orange Alfani pumps
from Macy's. Girls gone glam (above, left
to right): Jukie is in a hand-dyed dress with
fringe and hardware trim, designer Sossity
Chiricuzio wears a raspberry skirt with floor
length zips, Chave Alexander (aka burlesque
queen Alotta Butte) amply rocks her plunging decollete trimmed in soft pink maribou
and performer Celestina Pearl wears a
two-toned number with hand-stitched black
and red maribou-all dresses handmade by
Sossity's lesbian design firm, Diesel Femme.
On the bottom {from the left): Chave gets
sassy in Diesel Femme's periwinkle skirt with
fluttering lace hem and blue John Fluevog
heels. Sossity wears a Size Queen pinstripe
skirt and Celestina gives good face in a
black Diesel Femme dress with purple detail.
September 2008
I 57
Chave Alexander (above) is super sweet in
Size Queen's Vintage Sassy Green Dress.
On the bottom (but always tops with us)
Jukie Sunshine is a naughty housewife
in the Garden Party Dress, while Chave
sports the Pretty in Pink Stripes skirt and
Celestina is sexy in the Pink Patterned
skirt-all from Size Queen Clothing.
WHERE TO BUY---------.
AlfaniPinkandOrangeShoes;blackbeaded
necklace,$28; silvermetalcuff,$30; blueand
silvernecklace,$24; danglingearrings,$42.All
from macys.com.DonaldJ Pilnerblackheels,
$235.Nordstrom.com
DieselFemme:Graydress,$100;Raspberry,$70;
Blackand Pink,$70;TwoTone,$70; Blackand
Purple,$70; PeriwinkleBlueskirt,$70.All from
dieselfemme.com.
SizeQueen:
SheerBlisswithFlowersskirt,$95;
BlueandPinstripe
skirt,$135;VintageSassyGreen
dress,$65;GardenPartydress,$135;Prettyin
PinkStripesskirt,$80; PinkPrintskirt, $90.All
from sizequeenclothing.com.
58
Icurve
our runway baby
Model Marie Salter hits prime time.
By Adena Demonte
They couldn't believe a ballerina who was a girly girl could be. I don't think
that matters. People are who they are. I never fit into any stereotypes; I've
always been pretty androgynous.
Are you more of a print or a runway model?
In Miami, it's a lot of print work. In New York, it's going to be more about the
shows. I do a little bit of everything. The cheesy print jobs are usually what
pay the bills. Every girl wants to walk for Gucci or Prada.
How's the love life? Are you seeing anyone?
I actually am. It's challenging because you want to be with that person all the
time. You want
to
be with somebody who would understand these things. If
I found myself in a relationship with somebody who couldn't gee that, then
it probably wouldn't last very long. You've got to take care of yourself first.
What does the future hold?
I'm going to take it as it comes. I've got some fire under my ass, too. This seaAndrogynous, youthful sex appeal and a call, slender physique make lesbian
model Marie Salter of last season's ProjectRunway an ideal fie for high fashion.
son, I might go back to Miami. I'd love to go to Asia, Europe or Australia.
Eventually, I'd love to get a huge ad campaign or beauty campaign contract.
A classical dancer and professional model who makes Miami and Npw York
Are you glad you booked the Project Runway gig?
City her home, Salter has appeared in the pages of Cosmopolitan,Cosmo Girl,
Fitness and Self, and has strutted down the runway in Missoni, VIP Couture,
Allyson Jacobs and Guilty Brotherhood, to name a few.
It's definitely an experience I wouldn't want to trade. It was exciting, fun and surreal. It was a lot of long hours. I got to meet some amazing designers. On the
ffip side, it was kind of crazy. I understand why actors go a little loopy after
they've been filming a movie for a long time. It messes with your head a little
Growing up queer in the 'burbs of Houston ... how'd that go over?
bit. I had to step back after the show was over and snap back into reality. But
I went to a private Christian high school in Katy, Texas. I look back now
the exposure I'm getting from the show is really great.
and I totally knew I was so gay. At the time, they're teaching us chat
that's a sin, an abomination
of the soul, you'll burn in hell. You can't
be gay, you just can't.
So you didn't come out to yourself until you left Texas?
on my career and didn't want to sac
When I moved to New York for a dance scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet
an environmentalist-that's
School, I figured out who I was. I wasn't one of those people who was in the
spread knowledge about the
closet for very long. Once I came to terms with my life and what I wanted,
menc and gay rights, for su
I was just like, you know what:' Screw everybody else, this is who I am, take it or leave it.
How did you end up getting into modeling?
After attending the Joffrey Ballet School, I started
dancing professionally. Through networking
and different friends in the business, I started
modeling. At first I was focused on dancing,
just crying to survive New York, and I modeled for a few magazines. Eventually, those
modelingjobs started to gee a little bigger, and
I got more interested in them.
Do people have a hard time believing
you're a lesbian?
When I first came out, most of my lesbian friends
are like, "You can't be gay, you have
to
be bi:'
a bi
Reviews Sapphic Screen
Cinema Goes Global
Tue latest lesbian films have international origins and reach. I By Candace Moore
EDITOR'S PICK
(FenceSitter
Films):
Usinga steamroomas
a meetingpointwhere
womenof different
ages,racesandsexual
orientations
exchange
intimateconversation
aboutlove,life andpleasurewasnotdirector
KyleSchickner's
original
idea."I first thoughtof a
yogaclassandrealized
thatwouldn'twork,"
hesays.Steam,now
in theaters,introduces
threewomen:Doris(the
amazingRubyDee),
who,afterlosingher
husband,
growsolder
andlonelierandquestionswhethershewill
be happyagain;single
From the swimming pools of France, to the coast of the Black
momLaurie(scene
Sea, to the beaches of Japan, the latest lesbian films chronicle lust,
stealer
AllySheedy),
who
love and politics across cultures and generations.
triesto raisea sonwhile
enduring
herex-husband
andhisnewtrophy Water Lilies (directed by Celine Sciamma): Dunking
girlfriend;andElizabeth audiences into the singular world of girls' synchronized swim(KateSiegal),a college ming, this film takes puberty and pubescent bodies to an extreme
studentwhostruggles that is as unsettling as it is captivating. "I want to watch;' says
to reconcileherdesire 15-year-old Marie (Pauline Acquart), whom we first see poolside,
for a femaleclassmate her brooding eyes and full-lipped pout receptive to every twist
withthevaluesof her and splash of teenage team captain Floriane (Adele Haenel, a
religious
family.Between
ringer for Swimming Pool'sLudivine Sagnier). As a favor, Floriane
plotlinesthatthicken
sneaks Marie into team practice, so she can swim around the
withthe steam,we get
to vieweachwoman bodies as they lift up into the air, watching them from below. In
asshegrows.Look return, Marie must serve as wingperson to Floriane's constant
for comicrelieffrom sexual experimentation with boys and men, a role that becomes
Laurie'ssoccermom excruciating because of Marie's unspoken, insatiable desire. She
friend(Chelsea
Handler). steals Floriane's trash and performs a carnal ritual-smelling tis(fencesitterfilms.
com) sues, eating an old apple core and unraveling scrawled notes. But
- Colleen
M.Lee the attraction seems increasingly reciprocal as Floriane, after fac-
60
I curve
the explicit female sexuality of a Catherine Breillat film and the
character complexity of early Jane Campion. The camera revels
in growing breasts, slender arms and even armpits lined up for
inspection by a swim coach wielding a razor; but, while the framing marks our gaze as perverse, we are welcome to watch, just
like Marie.
The Edge of Heaven (Strand Releasing): Filmed on
location in Bremen and Hamburg, Germany, and Istanbul and
T rabzon, Turkey, and presented in Turkish, German and English,
this transnational
tour de force by Fatih Akin (Head On)
deserves the best screenplay awards it has won at Cannes and
the European Film Awards. The Edgeof Heaven feels both literary
and political. Resembling an epic poem that builds resonance and
rhyme, sadness and beauty as it unfolds, the film experiments with
narrative and the folding over of time. It opens with a scene at a
gas station that seems meaningless at first, but gains significance when replayed, shot-for-shot, near the story's conclusion.
Throughout, we follow one fallible character after another, but the
effect is never superficial or jumpy. Nejat (Baki Davrak), a profes-
ing the threat of losing her sidekick, begins teasing and tempt-
sor of German at a Hamburg university, searches for a twenty-
ing Marie, pressing her more developed body against Marie's and
something Turkish revolutionary,
holding her lips a breath away from a kiss. This French coming-
hoping to repay his father's debt by offering
of-age story by young director Celine Sciamma has an eye for
Going Global continued on page 62
Ayten (Nurgi.il Yesils;ay),
to
foot the bill for
DVD PICKS
homeandguardherandher
11-year-olddaughterZelly
(MayaRitter)dayandnight.
Thisquirky,lesbianversion
of TheBodyguard
centerson
howFinncan'tadmitto her
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still mourningthe deathof her
long-termpartner,Nancy(Gail
Maurice),andlearningthe
challengesof singleparenting.
KissMe Deadly(here!):Aided Zelly'scopingbadlywith the
lossof oneof her momsand
by experienced
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this gayspythrillersustains
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operativeJacobKeane,and
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involved
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ShannenDohertyhasleft the
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9021Oareacode-she's all
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In
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is an accomplished
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set throughoutEurope,with
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last WhiteHope(Sacred
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day
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ExesandOhs:TheComplete
firstSeason(Logo):Thank
goodness
Logojustannounced
a secondseasonfor this
hotdykecomedy,because
thesixepisodes
of director
LeeFriedlander's
delightfullywatchable
firstseason
aretoobrief.Star(andcreator)
MichelleParadise
is thelesbian
everywoman:
a smart,sexy
documentary
filmmakernamed
Jenniferwhobreaksthefourth
wallofTVto tellviewersthe
defactorulesof lesbiandating
witha combination
of snark
andsincerity.Plus,there'sher
ex-turned-BFF
Sam(playedby
the"myGodshe'ssexy,where
hasshebeen?"MarnieAlton),
the matchingcouple(Krisand
Chris-don'ttell meyoudon't
havea matchingcouplein your
friendcircle),the musicianCrutch
(playedbyopenlygayHeather
Matarazzo)
andanever-present
ex,Sienna(wholeftJenniferfor
theircouplestherapistandat
whoselesbianweddingJennifer
getsstuckin thehilariousfirst
episode).
There'spoledancing
andpsychotherapy
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babylustandabouteveryother
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(logoonline.
com)- DAM
September 2008 \ 61
Going Global continued from page 60
Q+A
Josephine Decker
her education. About a third of the way into the
film, we meet Ayten-aggressive,
and gorgeous-and
foulmouthed
follow the political rebel from
Istanbul, where she barely escapes a police crackdown, to Hamburg. While begging for food, she
meets curly-haired Lotte (Patrycia Ziolkowska), an
open-hearted German university student. The two
Two young co-directors,Josephine Decker and Brittany Blackman, have made the first major U.S. doc-
women fall into sex, followed by love, after a night
umentary on bisexuality. The film's subjects are five bi young people in different regions of the country.
out at the disco, much to the chagrin of Lotte's
Bi the Way (bithewaymovie.blogspot.com) explores their lives and the world they live in, and includes
mother, played by the illustrious Hanna Schygulla
interviews with both sexuality experts and regular folks from all across the country. - Sheela Lambert
(one of R.W. Fassbinder's greatest stars). Schygulla
deftly conveys every emotion without
What made you want to focus this documentary on young people in their teens
and 20s?
We started making the movie mostly because
Brittany watched the episode of The OC where
Mischa Barton's character makes out with another
girl. Her reaction was, "Whoa whoa whoa, this
would never have happened on 90210! What
changed in the last 10 years?" So, from the beginning, the question was: What's going on for this
younger generation:' Is the media reflecting the
culture, or is the culture reflecting the media:' We
wanted to explore this generation who is growing up after the gay rights movement, after the
feminist movement, when it's really much more common and OK-and in some places, cool-to
explore your sexuality.
Were there ever a y dicey situations or times you were scared?
Actually, the scariest times were when we were battling it out in the editing room. Having two directors and a producer on a movie can be amazing, but it's also, as Brittany says, as complicated as
a threesome.
Most people assume that bisexuality only occurs in big, hip cities. You went all over the
country, even in rural areas and small towns. What did you discover?
I was floored by the number of people we met who had some kind of attraction to the same sex,
whether they acted on that or not. And while not all the random people we interviewed were
bisexual, literally everybody we talked to had someone close to them who was bi or gay or
something-and
I think that says a lot about the new comfort level with alternative sexuality in
America. One girl we interviewed at a college in the South was very conservative about sexuality,
but said that she'd heard bisexuality was the new cool thing in high school. When we watched the
tapes later, she actually says, under her breath to her friend, that her brother is bi!
You interviewed a lot of random people on the street, or even m trailer parks. Were you
surprised by anything they said?
A guy with no teeth who we interviewed at Rosie's Trailer Park actually said, "Nobody talks about
the beauty of the gay. And there is something beautiful about the gay, because if you take the
sexual organs away, what's left is what's in the heart:'
I was frankly shocked by average Americans' perspectives on bisexuality. I wouldn't say that everywhere we went, bisexuality was cool. In Oxford, Mississippi, someone actually said to us, "There
are three things I hate: mayonnaise, period blood and faggots:• But I was surprised how many
people-from conservative people to religious people to people with no teeth-said, "Do what
makes you happy. If it's not hurting me in any way, why should I caret Ir showed me that America
is a much more complicated and diverse place than we give it credit for.
was su prised hat the Catholic schoolgirls and the students at Brigham Young
University were so openly bisexual.
Yeah, those were both surprises. The girl from BYU said she has had girl crushes! I think what both
of those examples showed me is that many young people in strict religious environments struggle
with the restrictions their faith puts on their lives. ■
62
I curve
seeming
to move a muscle on her face. When Ayten is deported and held indefinitely in an Istanbul prison,
Lotte, and eventually her mother, go to her aid.
It's a well-constructed,
sophisticated
film, with
many layers of plot for those who like to explore.
(strandreleasing.com)
Love My Life (Wolfe): Ichiko (Rei Yoshi), with
her shaggy bob and adorable smile, and Eri (Asami
Imajuku),
with
her
high cheekbones and
smartly moody composure, seem to jump
from
the pages of
Ebine Yamaji's manga,
which inspired
this
Japanese lesbian romance. The beaches,
streets
and
rooms
featured in director
Koji Kawano's film are
similarly pleasing to the eye. The film opens in medias
res, depicting the two young lovers in bed, waking
to exchange sweet kisses while passing a lollipop
back and forth. The movie is less about finding delicious new love than about keeping it. Ichiko comes
out to her father, a famous translator, early on in
the plot. Her father is super-supportive: He admits
that he's gay and that Ichiko's late mother was too;
they were best friends who chose to have a child
together. Through the character of Ichiko's father,
the film explores the different generational experiences of being queer in Japan. Almost always chipper, Ichiko works in a record store when she's not
hanging out with her cool dad, sweet girlfriend and
stylish queer best boyfriend. Her life is so indie, it's
set to the sounds of pop band The Noodles. Eri,
however, struggles to please her homophobic father
and prove herself "worthy" through achievement.
Somehow, they must survive Ichiko's wandering eye
for a punk butch and Eri's desire to constantly put
her nose in a law book. Slow-moving in parts,
yet darling and original, Love My Life captures
how the two women learn to make their love
work. (wolfevideo.com) ■
Music Watch
Reviews
Dance, Dance Revolution
Runway rhythms and dance floor dazzlers.
I By Margaret Coble
EDITOR'S PICK
Fashion and music are often intertwined, and this month's fea-
come known for her brash, street-wise fashion sense-oversize
tured discs are fashion-forward in many ways, from their artful
gold hoop earrings, crazy animal prints, deconstructed T-shirts,
blending of genres and beats to their artists' crazy wardrobes. All
sneakers and knockoff designer fare mixed with vintage piec-
are equally at home on the runway, the dance floor, or even the
es. Her lead-off single, the jangly, synth-filled '80s throwback
big screen.
"L.E.S. Artistes;' critiques the vacuous downtown New York
Santogold, Self-Titled (Downtown): If you follow new
music at all,you've probably already heard the buzz about 32-yearold Brooklyn-based Santi White, otherwise known as Santogold.
After working in an administrative job at Epic Records' Artists
City hipster aesthetic with which she is often confused. The
anti-war "Shove It" is a ska-breakbeat feast; "Creator" is a dance
hall-flavored dub spectacular; and "Unstoppable" is an atmospheric, trip-hopping, Bedstuy Brooklyn anthem, among many
other stellar cuts on the 12-track album. It's simply an amazing
and Repertoire department, as well as writing and producing
debut worth several pages of praise, for which I unfortunately
much of neo-soul vocalist Res' 2000 debut album, and playing in
don't have space. (myspace.com/santogold)
the Philadelphia-based punk band Stiffed, White grew to realize
she wanted to do things her way, on her own terms. With this
lf)
L1J
...J
::i
0
Hercules and Love Affair, Self-Titled (DFA/EMI): This
eponymous debut album, she's done just that. Merging new wave,
co-ed queer collective of DJs, musicians and vocalists is an out-
punk, dance hall and various forms of modern electronica, White
growth of Andrew Butler's college dance project, and coalesced
has an album that defies categorization, skipping from one retro-
via underground art-dance parties in New York City. Evocative
yet very cohesive.
vocalist Antony Hegarty, of Antony and the Johnsons fame, is
She's often compared to her friend and collaborator M.LA.: Both
joined by sultry New York native Nomi Ruiz, who's sung with
meets-futuristic hybrid to another-eclectic
are women of color who write thoughtful, political lyrics and who
the likes of Debbie Harry and CocoRosie, and DJ-jewelry de-
0
push musical boundaries by blurring the lines between genres,
signer Kim Ann Foxman, in addition to Buder, who rounds out
0
but their sounds are totally different (though certainly compat-
the lineup. Together, the foursome have created the most authen-
::!:
L1J
ible on the dance floor, due to their aggressive beats). White's
tic mix of classic disco, house music and early techno, since the
0
-,
music is a favorite on runways the world over, and she's also be-
Chic Beats continued on page 64
er:
L1J
~
z
0
Oneof theBoys,
KatyPerry(Capitol
Records):
Eversince
I boughtan iPodI've
stoppedpayingattention to the popcharts.
Somy introductionto
chart-topperKatyPerry
was moreviral-my
bestfriendposted
Perry'svideofor her
single"I Kisseda Girl"
alongwith a commentthat simplysaid,
"Ridiculously
catchy
song"on my Facebook
wall. Onceagain,my
BFFandI agree.Perry's
singlehasme hooked.
Thissassysingerhas
tappedintothe retro
'80s popsoundthat's
so popularwith the
kidsthesedays."Ur So
Gay"takesa jab at an
ex,whilethe slower,
acousticsong"Lost"
demonstrates
Perry's
abilityto go beyond
synthesized
sounds.Her
tongue-in-cheek
humor
andconfidence(not
to mentionher killer
pinupstyle)combined
with heramazingvoice
makefor an albumthat
is sureto be playingon
campuseseverywhere.
(katyperry.com)
- KatiePeoples
September 2008
I
63
Chic Beats continued from page 63
glory days of the late '70s club scene in Chicago's
Warehouse. From the opening "Free Will;' an-
Q+A
Mary Gauthier
chored by Hegarty's melancholy vocals and a blippy
'80s bassline, to the acid house rhythms and Ruiz's
dusky vocals on "You Belong;• to the funky bass lines
and Sapphic undertones of "Athene;• Hercules and
Love Affair celebrate all the emotional and musical
Over the years, much has been written in the straight
glory of the house music scene without sounding
press about Mary Gauthier's fight with drug and alcohol
like simple throwbacks. These folks dig the eclecti-
addiction-so
much, in fact, that the topic is no longer up
cism of the era and want to bring it to today's elec-
for discussion. Nowadays, Gauthier reflects on why there
aren't many lesbians at her shows-even if she was the
tronic masses. Even the Godfather of House Music,
first out lesbian to play the Grand Ole Opry-and
via a sumptuous remix of the Hegarty-fronted
wants
to know why she can't book a gig at any of the women's
Frankie Knuckles, has given his stamp of approval,
"Blind;' the album's first single. Fashion designers,
music festivals, or on any of those all-women cruises.
nightlife glitterati and pop music fans alike are eat-
- ColleenM. Lee
ing this up-maybe
you will, too. Give it a go. (her-
culesandloveajfair.com)
You don't seem to have a lot of lesbian fans at your
shows. How do you explain this?
The Fame, Lady GaGa (lnterscope): On
I'm not sure how to answer that. I don't know-maybe
a much more frivolous glitter-glam trip is New
they don't like me. I got no trouble with women. I think
York City-based Lady GaGa, who asks, "Why
that the real issue is that I haven't been a part of the natural
can't we just have a good time, like they did in the
career path that most women who have a lesbian audience
disco days:"' She's often clad in lingerie, chains and
take. I haven't had the opportunity to really nurture a gay audience.
stripper
heels
during
I do feel they'll find me eventually, but I don't know how to make that happen except by doing what
her performances. Yes,
I do and hoping that they find me. I'd love it if they came! I'm not sure if I speak to them or not.
sometimes it is OK to
I haven't had a chance to try. I've never played Michigan or any of the women's music festivals.
"Just
They won't let me, I can't get in, but it's not like I haven't tried-the
dictates on her vocoder-
cruises and all that. It's been
a resounding"No!"
filled
Are you working toward mainstream success?
Dance;'
lead-off
as
she
single,
which has already been
I don't even know what that means. I don't write hits, I write stories. And I'm a storyteller. I'm not
remixed by a who's-who
sure that a hit is something I aspire to. I do aspire to grow an audience and I do aspire to con-
of big-name DJs and sounds like a lost Madonna
tinuing to play to people who are sitting down, attentively listening. But hits2 No, that's not me.
track. There's not a lot of lyrical substance going on
My goal is to be a channel and to be a voice for the stories that need to be told through me and
here, with tides like "Dirty Rich;' "Disco Heaven''
whoever those land on, whoever needs to hear those-I
want to connect with those people. That's
and "Paparazzi"-a
scary stalker pop song if ever
the goal. That's what I've always done. It pays the bills. Fame, fortune, I can't even think about that.
I've heard one-but
you sure can shake your butt
I'm an artist, not an entertainer, in that sense. I'm looking for truth and wisdom, I'm looking for
to GaGa's brand of disco-rock, and I can just see
healing and I'm looking for things that an artist looks for.
the skinny haute couture models vamping to these
You've been compared to Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen. Does
beats. (myspace.com/ladygaga)
that put pressure on you?
No. It validates me and lets me know in my heart that I'm doing the right thing. We can't measure
success by fame, fortune, hits-all of the things that our culture has so fucked us up with, the
wrong barometers for artists. I don't want to get confused and go there and use that as my mea-
Sex and the City Original Motion Picture
Soundtrack, Various Artists (New Line):
sure of success. My measure of success is: Am I connecting to people who need to hear what I'm
film obsessed with fashion2 While not as consis-
saying here:' That's what drove Johnny, that's what drove Bruce, that's what drove Willie and the
tently uptempo as the aforementioned
other part came-it
this multigenre compilation is nonetheless fashion-
almost came in spite of what they were saying. They all three were populists.
themed and fun to listen to. Fergie's name-dropping
pions of the underdogs. And that's what I do. And I'm not doing it because I like the underdogs;
"Labels or Love" not only starts the party right, but
I'm doing it because I am the underdog.
64
albums,
They spoke for the people, they were coming from a place like Woody Guthrie, they were cham-
OK, do you have anything to say to all those would-be lesbian fans out there?
Where are you2 [Laughs.] I am sure they will come. Hey, you know, I'm the first openly gay person
that's played the Grand Ole Opry that I know about, but nobody pays attention. I mean, I don't
know what's up with that. I'm out in Nashville. I got a record deal. I'm openly gay at 41 years old.
Like it didn't happen! Once you're able to sit in the front of the bus, it doesn't matter anymore.
And I guess that's what happened. We've come so far, so fast. ■
)
How could I resist including the soundtrack of a
Readmoreof our exclusiveinterviewon curvemag.com.
Icurve
also encompasses the film's themes of fashion and
love. Notable contributions from Jennifer Hudson,
Kaskade, Jem, Bird & the Bee and Bliss keep the
party going-and
a jazzy, deep house remix of Nina
Simone doing "The Look of Love" is my personal
favorite. The soundtrack works as a part of the film
and as a stand-alone album. It's pretty entertaining. (sexandthecitymovie.com)■
Just Between GirlzOTHER LICKS
born-and-bred,
Flynncomes
by herAmericana
twang
honestly,andhasrecently
madeher markin the Portland,
Ore.,musicscene.Herthird
full-lengthCDis a masterpiece
of bluegrass,
folk andpopthat
shouldget her morenational
attention.(ashleighflynn.nelj
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Q.
Fun("Peanut"),danceable("On
TV!")but definitelyoutthereat
times("CatsArePeopleToo").
(myspace.
com/quitzow)
Guts& Garbage,
KirstenPrice
(KPI):You'llrecognize
the
seductive"MagicTree"from
TheL Wordsoundtrack,butthe
balanceof this debutrelease
fromthe gutsyLondon-toBrooklynsoulsinger-including
Boobs-RuthWallis·Greatest
the feel-goodfunker"All
Hits(WallisOriginals):
How
Right,"the sexyballad"Fall"
cananyoneresista novelty
andthe horn-filled,pop-dance
cabaretalbumwith songslike
"CrazySexyBeautiful"-are
"QueerThings"and"Boobs"?
just as solid.(myspace.com/
ThelateQueenof the Party
kirstenpricemusic)
Loverly,
Cassandra
Wilson
Songwasknownfromthe
(BlueNote):In herfirst col1940sthroughthe '60sfor
lectionof jazzstandardsin 20
hersaucydouble-entendres
years,the innovativechanteuse andrisquethemes.Totoday's
tacklesclassicslike "Lover
politicallycorrectears,this
19-trackcompendium
rides
ComeBackto Me,""Wouldn't
It BeLoverly"and"TheVery
the line betweenhilariousand
slightlyoffensivebut is bawdy
Thoughtof You,"spicingthem
upwith intricaterhythmsand
fun throughandthrough.
sparearrangements
that gar(cdbaby.
com/cd/ruthwallis)
BeautifulWorld,Eliza
neramazingresults.(cassandraGilkyson(RedHouse):Oneof
wilson.com)
Austin,Texas'mostaccomplishedsinger-songwriters
offersa surprisinglyupbeat
11-songset of radio-friendly
music,led by the happy-golucky,whistle-filled"Emerald
Street." (elizagilkyson.
com)
TRY FOR FREE!
1.800.688.6880
and use code 6224
new members 50% off
lavenderline.net
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ThisTime,LastTime,Every
Time,8 InchBetsy(Queer
Control):
The Chicago-based
dykecoretrio who call themselves"pant-rockers"rock
I Art College,Quitzow(Young hard,queerand loudon their
debutfull-lengthalbum,bringLove):PutLaurieAnderson,
ing to mindthe classicTeam
LeTigreandPeachesin a
blenderandyouget something DreschandThe Butchiesof
AmericanDream,Ashleigh
yesteryear.(Binchbetsy.
com)
vaguelylike EricaQuitzow's
Flynn(HomePerm):Kentucky- experimental
eclectronicsound. -MC
September 2008
I65
Reviews
BEAUTY
TALK
& MONSTERS
In the Stacks
Let's Get Fictional
This month's picks are enough to make you sweat. I By Rachel Pepper
EDITOR'S PICK
Classic lesbian writers serve up their best offerings for our
ity of human beings to halt the destruction of their planet-
autumnal delight, with journalist Linda Villarosa embarking on
is just that. A female character named Billie Crusoe is placed
adult fiction and Jeanette Winterson spinning a space-age tale
in the distant past (when space settlers first discover Earth,
about destiny, love and the cycles of human destruction.
after damaging their own planet, Orbus, which is ruled by the
BeautyTalk
&Monsters, Passing for Black Linda Villaros~ (Dafina): Respected
as a up1syn journalist Linda Villarosa (below) enters the contemporary
(Semiotext(e)):
The adult fiction market with Passingfor Black. A former editor at
first shortstoryin Essencemagazine and the author of several women's health and
MashaTupitsyn'sdaz- parenting books, as well as books for teen girls, Villarosa knows
zlingdebutcollection personally and professionally about the pressures from outside
openswith a quotefrom and within the African American community. For this novel,
KathyAckerabouthow Villarosa has turned
we're livingin an ageof away from more serious
corruption;butsomefare and created a breezy
howthe book'sglitzy
page-turner focusing on
cover,whichdepictsa,
dampfaceingesting the coming out of Angela
stringsof glassyjewels, Wright and the relationremindsmeof just ships she has with both
howseductivethat age her stodgy academic
hasbeen.Tupitsyn's fiance Keith and her fistoriesdon'tjust play ery new girlfriend Cait.
off the vexediconsand To keep things interesttroublednarrativesof ing, Villarosa throws a
cinema;they inhabit little bit of everything
themwith somesortof
into her fictional pot,
demonicpossession
(or
including radical lesbian
maybeit's the movies
that possessus).The feminists, young black
professionals,
resultis an arrayof urban
African
American
beauty parlor culture, transgender politics,
genre-bending
tales
that addupto some queer sex conferences, sperm banks, magazine publishing, mulprettyfiercecultural tiracial relationships and black identity. It's a dizzying array of
critiques:"It's true,I topics, and Villarosa is never able to delve below the surface of
wouldn'twantto be any of them. While this makes for enjoyable and easy reading,
strangledthe waythe similar to the work of E. Lynn Harris, this novel is not neceswomenin Frenzyare. sarily the right place to explore serious topics like selecting a
Butit's not like I don't
sperm donor, deciding to co-parent a baby with a new partner
knowhowit feels....
or breaking off an engagement for a same-sex fling. Still, the
DoesDNAhavekarma?
Domovies?"(semio- book would make a great screenplay, and Villarosa tries hard to
texte.com)- JuliaBloch straddle the African American and lesbian markets by throwing
Billie morphs into Billy, a gay male character), and in the future
(post-World War III), where even with the power of artificial
intelligence, humans are doomed to repeat their failures, start
wars and turn to totalitarian, mind-controlling
governments.
If all this seems grim, consider it lucky that Winterson is also
the source of such gloomy satire, for as always, her prose is
apt to delight. This is especially true in the dialogue sections
between Billie and Spike, a female robo-sapien capable of developing both rational thought and human emotions. In the first
chapter, Billie is an outlaw tech, charged with taking Spike to
explore the "Blue Planet:' The two begin a tentative love affair
when Spike announces that "gender is a human concept" and
leans in to kiss her.
In one scene set in the
future, a free society has set
itself up on the outskirts of the
approved territory. It's a Wild
West kind of place complete,
with black-market
currency,
a rowdy bar and a radioactive forest full of deformed
humans. When Billie impulsively takes Spike (who has
become, literally, just a talking
head) into this territory, Spike
is stolen by a group of young
lesbians.
Eventually,
Billie
finds Spike, set between a woman's legs, pleasuring the woman
with her electric tongue. When Billie scolds Spike, the robot
announces that this has "enriched my circuitry:' Billie thinks,
"Great. The robot that was designed to become the world-sage
has had oral sex with a teenager named Nebraska and become a
drop-out free-love silicon guru:'
The same-sex-attraction slant of The Stone Gods will please
LGBT readers, but it is not the main purpose of the story.
often with hilarious results. (lindavillarosa.com)
Instead, love is framed as salvation, wherever it appears, and as
The Stone Gods Jeanette 1"interson (Harcourt):
possibly the only antidote for human societies keen on plunder,
war and self-destruction.
As Winterson writes, shortly before the novel comes to its
novels including The Passion and Sexing the Cherry, doesn't
conclusion, ''A quantum universe-neither
even like science fiction. She certainly isn't known for it the
mined. A universe of potentialities, waiting for an intervention
way other dyke novelists, like Nicola Griffith, are. Yet The Stone
to affect the outcome. Love is an intervention. Why do we not
choose itt (harcourtbooks.com)
■
Gods-a postapocalyptic cautionary tale hinting at the inabil-
Icurve
their own choosing), in the 1770s on Easter Island (where
these two communities together and making them get along,
Rumor has it that Jeanette Winterson, the author of many fine
66
"central Power;' and everyone is genetically "fixed" at an age of
random nor deter-
PAGE TURNERS
articleson bugsand
litterbugs,a treatise
onflag burninganda
lookat the stateof the
independent
media,this
is nota bookto read
beforebed,becauseyou
probably
won'tgetmuch
sleep.(akpress.org)
- JennaV.Loceff
TheMandrakeBroom,
JessWells(Firebrand
Books}:
Thisrichly
detailedhistoricalnovel,
is set in late15thcentury Italy,a time when
womenwerebeing
burnedat the stakeas
witchesfor practicing herbalmedicine.
Thestoryfollowsthe
adventures
of Luccia
Alimenti,the daughter
of a medicalprofessor,
whois chargedwith the
responsibility
of passing herballoreonto
futuregenerations
even
thoughthe risksfor
doingso weredeadly.
(firebrandbooks.com)KamalaK.Puligandla
TippingtheSacred
Cow,Ed.Brian
Awehali(AKPress}:
Overthe courseof 11
years,the magazine
UP:InformedRevolt,
broughtits ownform
of subversivepolitics,
sexandcultureto the
world.UPis on an
indefinitehiatusbut
fanscanrejoiceat the
publicationof Tipping
the SacredCow.With
LifelongBooks}:
A lesbianfarmeron
a sustainable
farm,
CatherineFriend(who
will be interviewedin
the November
issueof
cuRvE)
writespassionatelyabout"howto
keepanimalshappy,
saveOldMacDonald's
farm,reduceyourhoofprintandstill eat meat."
Herbookis packedwith
tips on howyoucan
avoidvegetarianism
in
our ageof factoryfarms
whileremainingan
ethicaleater.Herwords
givehopeto thoseof us
whocravemeat,but are
sickenedby somemodernfarmingpractices.
(dacapopress.com)KateGoldsworthy
TheEmotional
Livesof
Animals,MarcBekoff
(NewWorldLibrary}:
Theanimalloverwill
delightin this intelligent,conversational
andconvincing
reflection
on animals'capacity
for emotion.Thoughit
doesn'tskimpon the
tear-jerkingstoriesthat
makeyousay,"Aw!" it
avoidsover-romanticism
throughthe useof
TheCandidate,
scientificstatsand
TraceyRichardson
research.If you'rethe
(BellaBooks}:
kindof dykewhojust
Theromancein The
mightlovethefamily
Candidate
is intense,
dogmorethanthe girlfriend,you'lldevourthis, captivatingand,at
cover-to-cover,
in days. times,heart-breaking.
JaneKincaiddoesn't
(newworldlibrary.
com)
believeshecanrunfor
- Catherine
Plato
presidentandhave
THE
a lesbianlovertoo.
Thisnotionis
challenged,
raising
veryimportant
questionsabout
whetherout and
proudlesbiansmust
sacrificeour personal
livesfor ourcareers,
especiallyif we are
in the publiceye.
TheCompassionate (bellabooks.
Carnivore,
Catherine com)-Kathi
lsserman
Friend(DaCapo
CARNIVORE
Q+A
Megan Rose
Gedris
Megan Rose Gedris, a 22-year-old graphic designer from Michigan, is the writer-artist of the
web comics Yu+Me and I Was Kidnapped
by Lesbian Piratesfrom Outer Space.Yu+ Me
is a very sweet, dreamy, manga-style teenage romance about a young woman who
is finding her way and her sexuality in a
series of overbearing environments. I Was
Kidnapped by Lesbian Piratesfrom Outer Space is set in the 1950s, and
has a Lichtenstein-esque feel. It is a ribald adventure in space, with many
familiar comic book themes throughout. Gedris feels chat Lesbian Pirates
is different from anything she has experienced, but she would sure love to
live it. - Richard A. Scott
What are your influences and favorite art styles?
I like mixed-media art. For me, the art isn't just about what I'm drawing,
but how I draw it.
What about your writing?
I like writing chat's funny. If it cakes itself too seriously, I'm going to lose
interest fast.
The material in Yu+Me is reflective of a Catholic upbringing.
People assume I went to Catholic school. I didn't. It comes from my dad
and aunt telling stories of their Catholic-school upbringing. When I
came out to my aunt and told her about the comics, she was tickled
chat Fiona's school experience was just like hers. Some of Yu+Me is
my own experiences.
You received $1,000 from Prism comics for publishing copies of
Yu+Me, while Lesbian Pirates is being published through a deal
by Platinum Studios. Care to elaborate?
I got both the Platinum deal and the Prism grant within a couple months
of each other. I went from "Oh, I'm a web-comic artist who would
like to be published, but I'll have to spend a lot of my own money to
do it, so I'll do 1t m five years when I'm better off..:'to
"Oh, I have money for printing comics now:' I've
just accomplished my five-year plan in less than
five months. What am I going to do for the next
five years:' The next five years will get spent making more
comics. What these two deals did was get me the funds to
start my own self-publishing endeavor, and get me into the
industry on a semi-professional level.
Ever thought about having Lesbian Pirates as a
cartoon or a movie?
I always thought it would be neat to have a cartoon on Adult
Swim. To me, it seems like they've given up trying to get gay
characters into the mainstream. I want nothing less than to see
LesbianPiratesfrom Outer Spaceup there after TheVentureBros.
If I did this, it wouldn't be done halfway. I wouldn't settle for
anything less than total awesomeness. ■
September 2008
I67
Reviews Tech Girl
Multitasking Console
The PlayStation 3 has everything but the kitchen sink. I By Katie Peoples
As an avid gamer, I leapt at the chance to cover the 2006 launch
Streaming Media
of the PlayStation 3 at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco.
If you're like me, y~mtake digital photos with the swanky
At the time, though, I wondered if the PS3 could surpass the
camera you dropped a few hundred bucks on and then
staggering (and surprising) success of the Nintendo Wii, and
leave them to collect megabytes on your laptop, never to be
if it was worth spending the extra cash for almost the same
seen again. But with the PS3 you can stream your comput-
graphic quality as the Xbox 360. After all, the PS3 was a machine
er's content and display it on your TV (the Xbox 360 has
built for serious gamers, right? Turns out, the PS3 has a wide
an almost identical application). Easy-as-pie digital slide
assortment of capabilities that even a casual gamer (or non-
shows! Both the PS3 and the 360 can detect your computer
gamer) would be hard-pressed to pass up.
over Wi-Fi and will download the content you want. Or, with
Blu-Ray
you can manually upload the content. While this is a nice bonus
The major studios have picked Sony's format: the Blu-Ray
feature, I don't find it a great selling point.
the PS3's multiple SanDisk card readers, USB ports and driver,
Disc. And with a new software update, the PS3 can support
BD-LIVE, which gives viewers more interactive features, like
PlayStation Online
downloadable trailers, ringtones and games. While it's the
OK, so this part is about gaming. The great advantage here is
most expensive gaming console (and there is plenty of debate
that Sony took its time figuring out what its online capabili-
on whether it's worth the price), the PS3 is the cheapest Blu-
ties were going to be. The PS3's capabilities most resemble the
Ray player on the market; it can play your old DVDs (and
Xbox 360's, where there is downloadable content (like upgrades
even boost their quality) and is Internet-ready, with plenty
for games or trailers). There is also a store, where you can buy
of hard-drive space (pick either the 40 GB, $400 or 80 GB,
games and download them directly to your PS3 hard drive. But
$500 model).
the sweetest part of this deal is the free massive multiplayer online gaming (aka MMOG). Its closest rival, Xbox Live, requires
a subscription to play MMOGs. Take that, Master Chie£ ■
68 \ curve
EDITOR'S PICK
StainlessSteelVideo
Watch(ThinkGeek):
Remember
all those
JamesBondmovies
wherehewhipsout his
super-cool,
futuristicvideo
watchandyouthink,
Wow,I'd loveto have
that?Yeah,
that'swhat
this is all about.Watch
videosonthe 1.8-inch
LCDscreenin a just
abouteveryvideoformat,
includingAVI,MPEG
and
MP4.The8 gigabyte
watch,whichhasa digital
clockdisplay,is rechargeableandcanbe hooked
upto yourcomputervia
a USBcable.Comeswith
a built-inmic,speaker
andheadphone
jack.Only
downside?Doesn'twork
on Macs.Whydo PCs
getall the fun?($130,
thinkgeek.com)
- Diane
Anderson-Minshall
I Tried It Reviews
My SchoolhouseShock
One lesbian spends a year as a substitute teacher and lives to write about it. I By Laurie K. Schenden
"You are dead;' said the note, getting the day off to a rotten start. I'd only
girl blabs to the class that I called her a "bitch:' Dogs live in doghouses, female
been in class for 45 minutes. I hadn't even learned all their names. But already,
dogs are bitches, hence, I was calling her a bitch, she says. It was a logical con-
one student had springs in his legs and refused to work, so I told him his next
seat was in the principal's office.
clusion, but this was no time for compliments.
Teaching: It seems idealistic, but despite my naive notions of making an
That was an embarrassment the kid couldn't handle.
impression on young minds, I quickly discovered that parents are more likely
Generally, substitute teachers don't get death threats, especially from
to side with their kids, students are rarely held accountable and teachers have
second-graders. But spurts of extreme emotion from kids, whether anger or
adoration, are not uncommon. Especially from kids like Death- Threat Boy,
who didn't live with his parents.
little recourse.
I actually expected to dazzle students with stories about covering Southern
California's theme parks as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times and give
As a substitute teacher, I've learned that children are the most precious,
them some details about my work as a filmmaker. But once I got a feel for the
innocent, loyal, truthful people in the world. They also have the potential to
system, I felt incredibly vulnerable. I started to feel uncomfortable that a kid,
be mean, arrogant, nasty and the biggest liars ever.
I'm in awe of teachers who show restraint in the face of horrific behavior,
when my instincts are to blurt out,"Piss off, you little shit:' But so far I've managed benign cliches like, "You're in the doghouse:'
Do students know what "in the doghouse" means? I wonder, when one
a teacher or a parent would Google me and find out about my background in
gay and lesbian media.
This has driven me to a place that I thought I'd never go-into
the closet.
OK, I'm not actually in the closet, but there are times I've had one hand on the
knob, ready to take the leap. It's not out of shame that I feel this way-it's
out
of fear. Losing the job wouldn't kill me, but losing my freedom, my family and
my credibility, and having my integrity questioned could.
Early on, I'd say things like "Cool shoes;' or "You have nice eyes;' trying to
make the kids feel good. They like that. But one day, after I told a tall, slender girl who looked like a model that she, well, looked like a model, I caught
myself. Could a comment like that be twisted and used against me, leading to
some unimaginable nightmare? Now, even though someone may need a little
boost, I'll say things like "You have nice handwriting;' lame but safe.
Teachers are at risk every day. I work in a district that is 95 percent Latino
and African American, while the majority of the teachers are white. I've been
in two lockdowns already, both caused by racial violence.
This wasn't supposed to be that kind of job. So why do it?
Originally, I needed to have a flexible job I could do between films. Yes,
there are other jobs. But then, there was the bright little sixth-grader who came
up to me after class in tears. He said, "The police came last night and took my
dad:' I talked to him, put a hand on his shoulder and tried to reassure him the
best I could.
I surprised myselflater when I could
Lellthe story without crying. I hate
that I can't trust what some kids or parents or even teachers might say, or how
they might twist things. But at the same time, I also hate it that many of these
underprivileged kids have so much potential, yet they are easily overlooked,
neglected and left behind.
My passion is supposed to be storytelling-which
tears at my gut on days
like today, when the third-graders I've had for three days get bored, won't listen
and spout way-too-sophisticated
taunts to each other, like "bite my crotch:'
I use my "adult voice" until my vocal chords are strained, but can't catch
the culprit launching paper airplanes when my back is turned. When the bell
finally rings, I feel as if I've gone 10 rounds in a wrestling ring. I can't wait to
get the hell out. Then a 9-year-old boy walks up, puts his arms around my
waist and holds tight.
"Bye, Ms. Sch en den. You were really nice. I'm going to miss you;' he says in
the sweetest little voice you've ever heard. Damn, just when I'm ready to write
the little buggers off. ■
September 2008
I69
Our morning hike produced no tapir sightings (a jaguar's paw print in the
We stopped at Blue Creek soon after, and ate a simple lunch. Nathaniel had
mud was nearly as exciting), so after our dinner, eaten to "Let It Bleed" and
told us to bring bathing suits that morning, so with extra clothes in our back-
"Sticky Fingers" (Diego's choice), Stephanie, Antonio and I got back in the
packs we started on a m1ie or so hike, not sure what we were getting into and
canoe for our after-dark ride, where we'd get to see nocturnal animals and
not really bothering to ask. Hiking in a foreign country is probably one of the
perhaps an insomniac tapir. Riding in a canoe down Golden Stream by
greatest joys in life: Every single flower, berry, bird or rodent we came across
starlight is as romantic as it is spooky; I couldn't think of anything more
felt incredibly exciting and new. One of the coolest things I saw was a huge,
terrifying than falling into the pitch-black water and being devoured by
shiny green vine snake blocking our path. Careful to avoid actually hitting the
whatever jungle creatures lurked below. Antonio lit our way by a floodlight,
creature, Nathaniel tried scaring it out of the way by tossing a branch toward
which at one point caught the glistening red eye of a crocodile floating before
it. It coiled a bit but barely moved, more annoyed than frightened. Nathaniel
us. I gripped Stephanie's hand and held my breath as it passed in front of us
tried a few more times, eventually urging it up onto a bush, and we hurried past,
sil;ndy, searching for a midnight snack. A small snake with its head thrust up
just feet away from it.
glided across the water just after, and, watching how my eyes lit up, Antonio
Feeling a little like Indiana Jones as we continued our trek along the dirt
mentioned that many local snakes were extremely poisonous. By the time you
path, we reached a rocky clearing overlooking Blue Creek, the open mouth of a
reached the hospital for antivenom it was often too late-if
cave gaping over the river. After we changed into bathing suits, Nathaniel gave
As Americans visiting an exotic foreign land, it's all too easy to be ignorant of
they even had it.
us headlamps and life vests for our swimming tour of the cave. We followed him
facts like this. What I saw as cool wild animals aren't"neat and exciting" for the
deep into pitch darkness, the sunny mouth of the cave obscuring into nothing,
people who have to live among them without Western healthcare.
our weak little headlamps all we had to light the way. Nathaniel knew the route
well; he'd memorized every section of shallow water or sharp rocks and warned
us as we paddled behind him. We swam for about 20 minutes, getting closer
Each day pushed us a little farther from civilization. The last night brought
to the rushing sound of a waterfall within the cave, which was amplified by the
us to a tiny island in the Caribbean Sea, more remote than any other place we
solid-rock acoustics. It would have been the perfect setting for a horror movie
visited, yet oddly familiar in the way that oceans are. They remind you that the
or survivalist action flick. Nathaniel suggested that we turn off our lamps for
entire world is connected together through salt water and fish communities,
just one second, and it was truly stunning: Chest deep in water, with no light or
that miles of nothingness are really filled by sparkly water and a hundred differ-
reference point of any sort, I again felt like I was at the edge of the world.
ent ecosystems, that the eastward view from Moho Cay wasn't all that different
from the westward view from San Francisco and the water tastes about the
same. What's different is the sand. Caribbean sand is whiter and sparkles more,
The next day, Stephanie and I continued on to the next lodge, Jungle Camp,
and is home to crawling lizards and baseball-size hermit crabs.
accessible only by a motorized canoe ride through a landscape straight out of
Around Moho Cay is a series of islands called the Snake Cayes, which are
The Jungle Book: sunlight filtering through vine-draped trees, with the chirp-
apparently inhabited by boa constrictors. We snorkeled just off the shore and,
ing of exotic birds as our soundtrack. Our guide and driver, Rosendo, told us
noticing the nearby island covered in palm trees and devoid of all human
that during the 150-minute ride we would cover about five miles. Animal life
development, we decided to explore it. In bikinis and sandals, we stepped
kept things interesting for part of the time; kingfishers, woodpeckers, the "Jesus
gingerly around fallen palm leaves and over monstrous, man-eating hermit
Christ lizard" (who, like his namesake, scampers across the water upright on
crabs, our eyes scanning the island for the anything scary. Dried up, brown
hind legs) and our favorite, the catbird (whose chirp sounds like a meow) made
coconuts littered the ground around us, their fresh, shiny green counterparts
the trip feel certainly no longer than 149 minutes. To keep us excited and
hanging out of reach. I wanted one.
awake, Rosendo told us about the tapir, the national animal of Belize, which
We spent the next 20 minutes desperately trying to make this happen.
looks like a small horse and can sometimes be seen drinking from the river.
Looking much like the apes in the beginning of 2001: A Space Odyssey, we tried
Sadly, no thirsty tapirs appeared that day, and we arrived at Jungle Camp with
every possibility imaginable to achieve a coconut to call our own, until finally
bad sunburns and unquenched curiosity.
I saw it: a fresh-faced baby sitting casually on the ground, sparkling in the sun
After settling into the heavy rosewood lodge with some cocktails (our
just a few feet from us, all cute and unassuming among her dried, crotchety, old
adorable 19-year-old bartender, Diego, made me what he called, in awkward
neighbors. I kidnapped her and, back in my room, wrapped her delicately in my
English, "the panty ripper"), we talked with our new guide, Antonio, about
clothes and placed her in my suitcase.
what there was to do in the absolute middle of nowhere. Hiking, bird watching
A few days later I made the mistake of trying to eat her, and found her
and a midnight canoe ride caught our attention; otherwise, there was plenty of
flesh was hard and tough and her juice was sour. I composted her remains after
alcohol and classic rock ( the Jungle Camp crew are big Rolling Stones fans) in a
one bite. Just like when you get your vacation photos developed and they're
lodge that was empty except for us. We made small talk with our bartender and
a disappointment compared to your memory, my coconut turned out to be a
guide and learned a little more about the country. They told us Mayan women
weak memento of a powerful trip. Instead of the sweet exotic delicacy of my
don't drink, period, and there are very few bars or clubs in the entire coun-
imagination, she was the everywoman coconut, just trying to survive.
try where women hang out at all. We didn't bother asking about lesbian bars.
Each sweltering day in Belize felt eternal, but now that our week was over
Almost everyone we met in Belize had never been out of the country, except to
it felt a little like it wasn't long enough, and so much I wanted to do was out of
Guatemala; a few had been to southern Mexico. Most local people and lodge
reach. When you go to a Third World country for the first time, a tour com-
employees had been raised on farms and had never eaten in a restaurant, let
pany serves you a great sort of sampler plate of what the country has to offer.
alone stayed in a hotel, which explained the overly formal and scripted service
We were always safe, never had to make any stressful decisions for ourselves
we received. It was mind-blowing to consider how different our lives were-
and never ran across any semblance of violence, misogyny or homophobia-
that a day spent with Diego's family would be completely unimaginable to me,
and very few people who weren't there specifically to serve us. While a tour
as would his spending a day typing on a computer in San Francisco. And yet,
we both liked beer and singing along to the Rolling Stones.
company helps you get your bearings, don't miss out on the adventures that can
70 I curve
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I 71
Top Ten Reasons We Love Patricia Field
Field, a notable
her new Payless shoe line."They are made beautiful-
lesbian fashion design-
ly,they're clean and gorgeous and they're glamorous.
er, stylist, costume
I think glamour is a big inspiration for me always:'
Patricia
designer and boutique owner, has
established
her-
self as a trend-
ing the filming of 1995's Miami Rhapsody. Parker, a
setting
force in
fashion enthusiast, fell in love with Field's designs.
the world of high
They became friends and ~hen Parker signed on to
fashion. Field won
do Sex and the City, she asked that Field be brought
an Emmy for the
way she transformed
Sarah
4. She'sresponsible
fortheculturaliconthatis Sex
and the City.Field met Sarah Jessica Parker dur-
Jessica
on to bring the character of Carrie Bradshaw to
life. Field did more than just that, however. She is
Parker
solely responsible for making the famed television
into the femme fatale that is
series into a high-fashion showcase. Millions tuned
Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City,
in every week to see what Bradshaw and her fellow
and was also nominated for an Academy Award for
Manhattanites would be wearing next.
her work on The Devil Wears Prada. Though she
never had dreams of making it "big" in the fashion
you can accentuate your weekend wear and show
off your inner superhero at the same time.
5. Shetaughtus howto lookfiercein stilettos.It's
industry, Field has left an indelible mark on celebri-
no secret that Field is a fan of high-heeled shoes.
8. She'snotafraidto be herself.Field's designs are
ties, fashion enthusiasts and lesbians alike with her
She incorporates the use of heels and stilettos into
the product of her imagination, sense of style and
unique and uninhibited sense of style. -
Lyndsey
the innate courage to just be who she is, regardless
D'Arcangelo
of what others may think. She puts herself out there
and says, "This is who I am:' She goes her own way
1. She's constantly setting fashion trends.
and does what she wants to do. That's something
Whether
we all should aspire to do in our own lives.
it's the five-fingered leather half-glove,
gold nameplate necklaces or the House
of Field tote bag, Field is continuously
9. Herdesignsare for everyone.
It doesn't matter
producing hot products that not only
what look you are going for-whether
attract movie stars, fashion industry in-
fabulous, fun and flirty, a downtown day look or
siders and celebutantes, but also appeal
evening glam-Field
it's ghetto
has a design to fit your style.
to the general public. She mixes ghetto
fabulous with rock star appeal, high with low end,
many of her designs. It's not just about wearing
10. She's a designwiz. From ice cube trays to
and vintage with new age to produce original style
heels, though-it's
iPod boomboxes, and from high-end handbags to
combinations
are wearing them. Dress them up or dress them
vintage-inspired accoutrements, Field can design
down. Put your outfit together from the
just about anything-with
no one else would dare think 0£
And we love her for it!
about looking fierce while you
heel on up and you're bound to turn some
2. Sheremindsus thata goodsenseof styleis all
aboutconfidence.
Field believes that style is all
heads.
about having confidence and feeling comfortable
6. She's into toys. Field teamed up
edition Diet Coke bottles. Each of the four
in the clothes you love to wear, whatever your indi-
with Mattel toys to design a collection
vidual style may be. In other words, don't try to be
of Barbie-inspired sportswear, handbags
someone you're not. Don't dress like someone else,
and jewelry. This unique line features vin-
because her individual style may not work for you.
tage to contemporary
Be who you are and reveal your confidence through
nameplate necklaces, Barbie logo earrings and graf-
your own sense of style. Field's own unique sense of
fiti T-shirts. Field also uses the Barbie silhouette in
style is what makes her so popular today.
many of her designs, making an iconic symbol into
designs, including Barbie
a fashion statement.
3. She made Paylessa lot hipperwith Manololike designs.Payless Shoes just got 10 times hip7. Shewantsus to embraceour innersuperhero.
per since Field began designing a line of
Manolo Blahnik-inspired shoes, featuring fun and inexpensive boots, heels
Wonder Woman wasn't exactly a fashion icon, but
she could kick some serious butt in those
leather boots and deflect bullets with
and clutches. "I think they came out
her magic cuffs. Thankfully, Field
really well, and I'm really happy with
the way that they look;' said Field of
has designed a pair of superhero
72lcurve
her own particular flair,
of course. This is evident in her recent limited-
cuffs for the regular woman. Now
Jam on the
bottles she designed represents an aspect
of today's modern woman, from "career;'
through "love;'"fashion" and "passion:' Let's
face it-Diet
Coke just got a little sexier! ■
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